Giants Top Redskins to Take Over NFC East: NFL Week 8

Oct. 30 (Bloomberg) -- The New York Giants took over first place in the National Football Conference's East Division with a 36-0 win against the Washington Redskins in a game the Giants dedicated to their late co-owner, Wellington Mara.

Tiki Barber rushed for 206 yards and a score, while the Giants defense held the Redskins' second-ranked offense to 125 yards and shut out a team in the regular season for the first time since 1998. -NFL Football -

New York scored on three of its first four possessions for a 13-0 lead following a pre-game tribute to Mara, who died on Oct. 25.

``The outcome could not have come at a better time,'' Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey said in a televised news conference after the game. ``We know he's up there smiling, but in the same sense he's probably saying, `Get ready for San Francisco.'''

The Giants play the San Francisco 49ers next week. -NFL Football -

In other games during Week 8 of the National Football League season, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Arizona Cardinals 34-13, the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Green Bay Packers 21-14, the St. Louis Rams defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-21, the Houston Texans beat the Cleveland Browns 19-16 for their first victory of the season, the Carolina Panthers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 38-13, the Oakland Raiders beat the Tennessee Titans 34-25 and the Chicago Bears defeated the Detroit Lions 19-13 in overtime.

The Denver Broncos beat the Philadelphia Eagles 49-21, the San Diego Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 28-20, the San Francisco 49ers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 15-10 and the Miami Dolphins defeated the New Orleans Saints 21-6,

Night Games

The Buffalo Bills visit the New England Patriots tonight. The Baltimore Ravens visit the Pittsburgh Steelers tomorrow night.

At Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Mara's 40 grandchildren gathered on the field as the teams and fans observed a moment of silence, before one of Mara's granddaughters, Kate Mara, sang the ``Star Spangled Banner.''

The Giants, wearing patches on their uniforms to honor Mara, got touchdowns from Barber, Shockey and Brandon Jacobs. Jay Feely kicked five field goals for New York (5-2). The Redskins are 4-3. -NFL Football -

Elsewhere today:

-- Dallas 34, Arizona 13: Marion Barber rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns for Dallas (5-3) against the Cardinals (2-5).

-- Cincinnati 21, Green Bay 14: Carson Palmer threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns for the Bengals (6-2). Brett Favre passed John Elway to move into second in career passes and yards. The Packers are 1-6.

-- St. Louis 24, Jacksonville 21: Steven Jackson rushed for 179 yards for the Jaguars (4-4). Fred Taylor ran for 165 yards for the Jaguars (4-3). -NFL Football -

-- Houston 19, Cleveland 16: Kris Brown's field goal with 2:45 remaining gave the Texans their first win after six losses this season. The Browns are 2-5.

-- Carolina 38, Minnesota 13: Steve Smith had 201 yards and a score for the Panthers (5-2). The Vikings are 2-5.

-- Oakland 34, Tennessee 25: Kerry Collins threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns for the Raiders (3-4). The Titans are 2-6.

-- Chicago 19, Detroit 13 (OT): Charles Tillman returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown to give the Bears (4-3) the overtime win. The Lions are 3-4.

-- Denver 49, Philadelphia 21: Jake Plummer threw four touchdown passes for the Broncos (6-2). The Eagles are 4-3. -NFL Football -

-- San Diego 28, Kansas City 20: Antonio Gates caught 10 passes for 145 yards and three scores for the Chargers (4-4). Trent Green threw for 347 yards and two scores for the Chiefs (4- 3).

-- San Francisco 15, Tampa Bay 10: Joe Nedney's five field goals gave the 49ers (2-5) victory over the Buccaneers (5-2). -NFL Football -

-- Miami 21, New Orleans 6: Olindo Mare had four field goals for the Dolphins (3-4). The Saints are 2-6.

©2005 Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved.

NFL Week 6 Opening Line report

Mike Martz is taking time off to deal with his health issues. I wish him luck. But it’s too bad for the Rams that Martz didn’t take Sunday off because his team was unprepared and poorly coached in a 37-31 home loss to the Seahawks. - - - Football NFL - - -

Imagine how many points the Seahawks might have scored if they had their two best wideouts, injured Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram. It takes a combination of lesser talent and poor coverage schemes to give up nine catches and 137 receiving yards to Joe Jurevicius.

It’s scary to think about the numbers Peyton Manning and Co. can put up at home against the Rams when they host them next Monday night. The line was Colts -13 ½ Monday afternoon and probably will go higher. Wise guys already have bet the total up a point from 50 ½ to 51 ½.
- - - Football NFL - - -

Oddsmaker Cesar Robaina, though, cautions against laying too many points with Indy.

“The public will be all over this favorite,” said Robaina, an oddsmaking consult for Caliente sportsbooks in Mexico and former odds manager for Las Vegas Sports Consultants. “But I made it 11. - - - Football NFL - - -

“It’s the Colts’ first test against a good offense. St. Louis should play well being indoors where they are used to playing. The head coach (Martz) is a moron, but getting that many points you have to think about taking them.”

With such a weak passing attack and undisciplined defense, it’s difficult to make the Ravens more than a four point favorite against any team at home, and that includes the surprising 2-2 Browns. Robaina made Baltimore -4 ½ against Cleveland. The line is slightly higher at 5 ½.

So is there value to the underdog? - - - Football NFL - - -

“It’s hard to believe Baltimore can score more than 17 points,” Robaina said. “The Ravens have serious problems. They have no quarterback or wide receivers. That’s a bad combination. Defenses just put eight in the box to stop them.

“(Romeo) Crennel has made a huge difference for the Browns. They play with heart and Trent Dilfer is an upgrade on the quarterbacks they’ve had. The key is if Baltimore gets ahead because the Ravens definitely can’t play from behind.” - - - Football NFL - - -

One of the tougher lines oddsmakers had to make this week was on the Panthers-Lions matchup. Some opened Detroit the favorite. For a while the Panthers became the favorite, but by Monday afternoon the Lions were back to being favored with some places at pick.

Robaina recommended to his clients that Detroit open a favorite. That doesn’t mean he believes they are better than the Panthers. - - - Football NFL - - -

“I made Detroit a favorite because of the public,” he said. “But the Lions (35-17) victory over the Ravens was very misleading. They were handed 21 points.”

For the first time this season, the Bears are favored. That’s because they host the Vikings, who have multiple defensive injuries, a makeshift offensive line and Daunte Culpepper has 10 interceptions in four games playing on a bad knee. - - - Football NFL - - -

Some books opened Chicago -1 ½. The Bears are currently up to -3.

“I made the Bears -2,” Robaina said. “Their offense is pathetic, but the Vikings just have so many problems.”

Not only do the Vikings miss Randy Moss, but also injured center Matt Birk. Culpepper has been sacked an average of five times a game as the Vikings have been starting a backup center and rookie guard. - - - Football NFL - - -

Minnesota went into its bye last week ranked 29th in defense, allowing an NFL-worst 178 yards rushing. The Bears have defeated the Vikings the past four times in Chicago. The Vikings have been outscored, 67-18, on the road. This is their first game on grass, where they have failed to cover 22 of their last 34.

Now does the line move make sense? - - - Football NFL - - -

The Redskins may have earned more respect losing to the Broncos than they did building up a 3-0 record. The Redskins won those games by a combined six points, but fell just short of forcing overtime on the road against the Broncos.

So bookmakers opened Washington +6 against the Chiefs instead of +6 ½ or seven. But it’s the second straight road game for the Skins and the Chiefs have had two weeks to prepare and get healthy. - - - Football NFL - - -

Star offensive left tackle Willie Roaf, a 10-time Pro Bowl player, is expected to be ready after missing the Chiefs’ last game with a hamstring injury. His presence should boost the passing game by freeing tight end Tony Gonzalez from blocking duties. The Chiefs also get back suspended cornerback Eric Warfield. - - - Football NFL - - -

Like last week, there are some extremely low totals. The Jets-Bills, Dolphins-Buccaneers and Browns-Ravens are all in the 32 ½ to 34 range.

Copyright © 1995-2005 Sports Direct Inc. - All Rights Reserved

More foreign games could be in NFL's future

NFL.com wire reports

SAN FRANCISCO (Sept. 27, 2005) -- The NFL could schedule more regular-season games outside the United States if Week 4's game in Mexico City is a success, the league's chief operating officer said.

Roger Goodell expects Azteca Stadium to be sold out for a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals, the first regular-season game held outside the U.S. If the game generates the interest and attention expected by the league, future games could be headed to Asia and Europe. - Football NFL -

"We want to hold or reserve judgment on that until we've been through this, but we know there's growing interest in playing regular-season games" outside the U.S., Goodell said in a conference call.

Among the destinations to be considered are England, Japan, China and Canada, as well as another game in Mexico. - Football NFL -

The league chose Mexico City for its first international regular-season game both because of its proximity and the sport's growing popularity. Hispanics in the U.S. also cite football as their favorite sport, surpassing even soccer, according to the league.

The NFL has played several exhibition games in foreign countries in the last two decades, including a preseason game between Indianapolis and Atlanta in Japan this year.

"We have such great interest," Goodell said. "We have a great fan base in Mexico. It's been growing dramatically over the last several years, and we're responding to that interest. It's also going to be a great opportunity to understand more about playing a game internationally."

Both teams will receive undisclosed financial considerations from the NFL to make the trip a profitable one. - Football NFL -

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC.

Being prepared and playing it smart are just two keys to success in football pools

GREG DENNIS

(CP) - Before you can win your football pool. you must first not lose it.

Think about it. Without preparation, without research and without a clue as to how your pool works - well, you are done even before the first ball is snapped. Kind of like the Miami Dolphins will be this year. Whatever your level of expertise, the key to success is quite simple: be prepared, don't panic and play smart. - Football Gambling -

Getting Started

Let the experts do the heavy lifting.

Pool pundits are paid to know this stuff and compile pertinent data. Save your money on magazines and go online. Rotoworld and Rototimes are just two treasure troves of stats and up-to-the-minute analysis.

Most football pools draft 16 players and each week start one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, a tight end, kicker and team defence.

Get lists of the top 50 or more players at each position. Who are the players to avoid and which ones are poised for breakout seasons? Do your homework, absorb the information and bring your cheat sheet to the draft table. - Football Gambling -

Draft Strategy

Running backs are gold and you will want to grab as many as you can as quickly as you can.

It's a simple matter of mathematics.

Everyone in your standard 12-team fantasy pools must start two running backs. That's 24 from a total of 32 NFL teams.

Outside of some who are injury risks, you can't go too wrong with any of the first dozen, or even the first two dozen. Most NFL teams have one primary back that will dash for 1,000-plus yards, grab some passes and score a dozen or more touchdowns. You'll want two elite backs, for sure, and if you're lucky enough to have three, you're smiling. - Football Gambling -

A good late-round strategy in padding your corps of running backs is to "handcuff" risky starters to their backups. For example, if you draft the talented but fragile Priest Holmes of the Kansas City Chiefs, grab Larry Johnson in a later round as insurance. Overall, your roster should include five running backs.

The perennial question is when to draft receivers and quarterbacks. The answer is: don't rush it. Again, math explains why.

On most NFL teams there are two, even three good receivers. That means 32 primary targets and at least that many secondary receivers. Don't sweat it if you miss on the top five receivers. There will be plenty of good ones available in the third and fourth rounds. - Football Gambling -

Just make sure you get two of the better go-to guys. In the bottom rounds, select third and fourth receivers from your list of fliers who could break out or replace an injured starter.

Peyton Manning will go in the first round, Dante Culpepper and Donovan McNabb in the second or third.

Unless you really want one of those three, there is little reason to take a quarterback before the sixth round. Several of the top 10 will be available then and getting one plus another good one shouldn't be a problem. - Football Gambling -

If you can delay picking a quarterback or receiver, that patience might pay off with an elite top tight end or team defence. You'll want two tight ends, with the second a good sleeper. As for the kicker? Wait like every else until the last round.

It sounds obvious, but it's important not to panic. When that player you really wanted gets scooped, no big deal. Go to your cheat sheet and calmly select the next best guy on your list. You certainly don't want the guffaws or a sarcastic 'who?' that follows your panic pick of some obscure sleeper.

Stay in the Game

The pool is by no means over when the last player is picked.

Stay in contention by staying on top of the waiver wire. Someone gets hurt every week so check with your online experts regularly for player updates. Maybe there's an undrafted running back ready to assume a starter's role or a free agent receiver getting quality playing time. Grab them as quickly as possible and use them or tuck them in reserve. - Football Gambling -

Trading is also a great way to improve your team throughout the season. Don't be afraid to pull the trigger. Find another fantasy team with needs you can provide and go get that player you want in return.

The Canadian Press.

PREP FOOTBALL: Middleton rains down points

NICK ZIZZO

SUN PRAIRIE - The rain, which fell in steady drops, officially became a downpour with 3 minutes left in the first half.

The Middleton prep football team, meanwhile, was pouring it on the entire time.

Middleton scored five touchdowns on its first six possessions - the lone non-scoring drive ended with an interception in the end zone - to roll up a 32-6 lead.

The fast start on slippery Ashley Field was the impetus for a 32-16 victory over Sun Prairie in the season-opening Big Eight Conference matchup of Cardinals Friday night.

"We knew beforehand that they were bigger than us, but we talked about how we were faster," said Middleton senior running back Noah Stoltz, who scored twice. "Infootball, speed kills. And that's what we tried to hit them with."

It took one series for the defending Big Eight champions to get on the board. After forcing Sun Prairie to punt, senior running back Marcus Parton capped a 79-yard drive with a 60-yard TD run on an inside handoff.

After the interception, Middleton drove 34 yards to the Sun Prairie 2 where quarterback Adam Surfus punched in on keeper and a 13-0 lead two plays before the end of the first quarter.

"The defense did their job and got us the ball so they're credited more than us," Surfus said. "The momentum never shifted after (Parton's) 60-yard run. That set the tone for the entire game and we just went from there."

More big plays followed. Stoltz took a screen pass and weaved his way to a 50-yard TD. The next possession, which was capped by a 3-yard run by senior running back Wes Bonebrake, was aided by an 18-yard run from Stoltz with a 10-yard personal-foul penalty attached, and a 30-yard reverse by junior receiver Nick Toon, which brought the ball to the 5-yard line.

Stoltz added Middleton's final score with a 3-yard run. At the half, Middleton owned a 304-128 advantage in total yards.

Sun Prairie scored 10 points - including junior running back Matt Anderson's second TD - in the second half while holding Middleton to 17 yards.

"We said, 'In our eyes this game is 0-0 going into the second half and we've just got to learn from our mistakes and listen to us as coaches about what we're going to correct,' " Sun Prairie coach Brian Kaminski said. "We were able to come out in the second half and play much better, which I'm happy about."

Middleton coach Tim Simon paid credit to his defense, which forced three punts and recovered two fumbles in the first half, for jumping out ahead.

"Even though we have 10 guys we have to replace on defense (to graduation), defense is always the strength of a good team," Simon said. "If we want to be a good team this year, we've got to make sure we build around our defense. We showed we're off to a decent start this year." •

Copyright © 2005 Wisconsin State Journal

EA's football game a big seller

Madden NFL O6, the video game developed by EA Tiburon in Orlando, has sold more than 1.7 million copies during its first week in stores, making it the biggest launch of a Madden football game in its 16-year history.
Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS - News), the Redwood City, Calif.-based parent of EA Tiburon, also announced that NCAA Football 06 was the top selling video game on the PlayStation 2 computer system in July.
The company said the double-digit percentage sales increase for both Madden NFL 06 and NCAA Football 06 mean those products are well ahead of the sales for last year's launches.
Madden NFL Football has sold more than 45 million copies in its history and is considered the most popular football video game franchise of all time.

Football hall still seeks niche in South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - When people think of South Bend, they often think of college football - as in Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy, the Gipper and other greats at Notre Dame.
The College Football Hall of Fame moved to the city in 1995 for that very reason, hoping to take advantage of its proximity to the Golden Dome. - Football Gambling -
A decade later, the crowds haven't materialized as expected, and with the hall's contract set to expire at the end of the year, some question whether the hall should remain.
Critics contend the hall has drained city coffers with no sign of a turnaround. They say the Morristown, N.J.-based National Football Foundation, which took over the hall's operations five years ago, needs to contribute more under a new five-year contract being negotiated.
When the hall opened, proponents predicted it would attract more than 150,000 visitors a year. Instead, just over 60,000 are showing up each year, and last year's deficit was more than $64,000 - very different from about a $400,000 annual profit predicted a decade ago.
"They have steadfastly refused to enter into the realm of fund-raising on their own behalf," city Councilman David Varner said. "They simply demand that we fund them as if they were this 200,000-visitors-a-year attraction for the city of South Bend." - Football Gambling -
NFF officials say they've already done more than required - the foundation has contributed $1.9 million toward the hall's operation, even though its original contract did not require contributions. And supporters say the facility, which will enshrine 20 former football greats this weekend, adds luster to the city, much as art museums do.
"South Bend is where it belongs," said former Gov. Joe Kernan, who was instrumental in bringing the hall to the city as mayor. - Football Gambling -
Karen Bednarski, executive director of the International Association of Sports Museums and Halls of Fame, said the hall's problems are typical.
Bednarski said organizers of such museums often think location will draw in visitors, only to be disappointed. That was the case, she said, when she was director of the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., during 1996-2001. - Football Gambling -
The Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., saw attendance fall more than 40,000 from 1995 to 1999. Attendance at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., dropped by nearly 130,000 after the 1994-95 major league strike.
"I think a lot of halls of fame ended up with studies that said X number of people would come, and then it just doesn't happen," she said. "I think there is so much competition for recreation dollars today that you can't just assume because there is a lot of drive-by traffic that people will stop." - Football Gambling -
The football hall struggled even before it moved to South Bend. Low attendance and financial problems marked its 1978-92 run next to the Kings Island amusement park in suburban Cincinnati.
South Bend leaders believed the hall's location - two miles from the Notre Dame campus - would prove so popular that they agreed to pay for the building and let the hall use it rent- and tax-free. They believed corporate sponsorships would help repay the borrowed funds and claimed no taxpayer money would be needed. - Football Gambling -
Those sponsorships never came about, and the city is paying $1.4 million a year through 2017 on the bonds for the building. City spending on the hall's operating costs has climbed in recent years. Last year, it gave the hall $831,000 for exhibits and marketing.
Football foundation chairman Jon F. Hanson said the group was trying to turn the hall around.
But he believes the city has problems of its own, including the negative attitude some officials have toward the hall. That doesn't stop Councilman Derek Dieter, who thinks the hall should accept an offer by the mayor of Arlington, Texas, to move there.
"I wish it would move to Texas today," he said. - Football Gambling -
This year, the city cut funding to the hall for the first time, dropping it to $625,000. Varner plans to recommend another reduction this year.
South Bend Mayor Steve Luecke, a hall supporter, said he believes the hall will stay put and that the NFF will take on a bigger role in creating revenue.
"I think you'll see more special-event types of things that also will look to generate some additional revenues for the hall," he said.

Associated Press