Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 50

STREET EDiTKSI STATE EDITION TMIUGOPY D6 The Arizona Republic Sunday, November 27, 1988 NFL Week 13 Patriots at Colts Line: Colts by 5. Key injuries: None. Outlook: Both teams on hot streaks and back in wild-card playoff hunt. Last time these teams met Browns at Redskins Line: Redskins by 1. Key injuries: None.

Outlook: Browns' first regular-season visit to Washington since 1971, George Allen's first year as Redskins coach. Redskins have never lost a Sunday game after playing the previous Monday. But things change. A loss would all but eliminate Washington (6-6) from playoff picture. Redskins have become pass-happy since losing RB Kelvin Bryant.

They are second in NFC with Doug Flutie was on New England bench but found a way to beat Colts; he came in during fourth quarter and ran 13 yards for winning TD. This one still means something extra to Giants at Saints Line: Saints by 5. Key injuries: None. Outlook: Saints are coming off most impressive victory in franchise history, a 42-0 blitzing of Broncos, and hope to have Craig Heyward back for this one. But Giants (7-5) need victory to keep pace in tight NFC East race, so Saints with two-game lead in NFC West can't relax.

Giants QB Phil Simms has shoulder problems but is expected to play. Nothing wrong with Saints QB Bobby Hebert. He merely completed Cardinals at Eagles Line: Eagles by 5 'A. Key injuries: Cardinals: QB Neil Lomax (knee), Lonnie Young (elbow), KR Vai Sikahema (knee) out. Eagles: RB Anthony Toney (hand), DT Jerome Brown (knee), WR Cris Carter (foot) questionable.

Outlook: Teams, both 7-5, are tied for lead (along with Giants) in NFC East and meet twice in 14 days. Cards QB Neil Lomax doubtful because of injured knee. He's second-rated passer in NFC and Cards don't look the same with Cliff Stoudt at helm. Cards have looked very impressive at times. Eagles have been winning at the wire.

Look for one more ugly victory for Buddy Ryan's boys. Buccaneers at Falcons Line: Falcons by 4VS. Key injuries: Buccaneers: Donald Igwebuike (groin) out. Falcons: Jamie Dukes (toe), FS Bret Clark (knee) out. Outlook: Falcons (4-8) are starting to look respectable, winning three of last four including upset at Philadelphia.

Bucs QB Vinny Testaverde continues to struggle with 28 interceptions. Rookie RB Lars Tate has 374 yards in 88 rushes to lead team. Tampa Bay's best weapon is kick returner Donnie Elder, who leads NFC. Unfortunately, when he gets to strut his stuff it means the other team has just scored. That's why Tampa is 3-9.

Falcons' LB Aundray Bruce, the first choice in the draft, was the NFC's defensive player of Colts coach Ron Meyer, who was Chiefs at Steelers Steelers by 2. Key injuries: Chiefs: CB Albert "Lewis (back), questionable. Steelers: OG Terry Long (foot), FS Thomas Everett (knee), questionable. Outlook: Grim. This is a game only a true NFL junkie could love.

If you want positives we'll give you positives. Kickers Gary Anderson (Steelers) and Nick Lowery have combined for 342 consecutive PATs. Now if only someone can score a touchdown. Chiefs have won two in a row to boost record to 3-8-1. But both were at home.

Steelers (2-10) have lost four straight and Chuck Noll is feeling the heat. Oh, well, the last time the Steelers were this bad they drafted Terry Bradshaw. fired at New England and replaced by Raymond Berry. It's also a must-wm situation for the 6-6 Colts, who had a five-game streak broken at Minneapolis. Eric Dickerson, with 1,237 yards leads NfrL and broke club record set by Lydell Mitchell in 20 of 23 for three TDs against Broncos.

260.8 passing yards a game but have thrown 16 interceptions and lost 17 fumbles. Browns (7-5) with 35 sacks will put pressure on Mark Rypien. Bernie Kosar has yet to ignite Cleveland offense since returning from elbow injury. 1976. Patriots (7-5) have won four straight although they rank last in AFC in passing and total offense.

the week in 12-6 victory over the Raiders. Co) Bills at Bengals Line: Bengals by 3 Vi. Raiders at Seahawks Key Injuries: Bills: WR Chris Burkctt (knee), CB Derrick Bur Line: Seahawks by 3. Key injuries: None. Outlook: Start with the Raiders' roughs (ankle), LB Shane Conlan (loot), WR Meve lasker (knee), Tim Vogler (knee) questionable.

Bengals: RB James Brooks (knee, Monday night record 26-5-1. Add in Bo Jackson, who had 221 yards on ankle), RB Stanley Wilson (knee), WR Tim McGee (ankle), WR Cris 18 carries vs. Seahawks in a Monday Packers at Bears Line: Bears by 13. Key injuries: Packers: Mark Murphy (hamstring) questionable, Chuck Cecil (ankle), Ken Stills (ankle), LB Brian Noble (leg), CB Dave Brown (back), probable. Bears: John Wojciechowski (knee) doubtful, Jim Covert (leg), DE Sean Smith (leg) probable.

Outlook: After a midseason revival, the Packers (2-10) have lost Collinsworth (knee), CB Ray Horton night game last year. What you get should be a Raiders victory, even though the game's in the Kingdome. 49ers at Chargers Line: 49ers by 7. Key injuries: Chargers: QB Mark Vlasic (knee), LB Billy Ray Smith (leg) out. Outlook: The Chargers (4-8) have won two in a row on the road including a shocking upset of the Rams last Sunday.

But the victory cost them quarterback Mark Vlasic and linebacker Billy Ray Smith. Backup QB Mark Malone is a veteran who once (1984) got the Steelers as far as the AFC title game, but he's prone to interceptions. The 49ers (7-5) need this one to retain any hopes of catching the Saints in the NFC West. San Francisco's (hamstring), David Douglas (flu) questionable. Rams at Broncos Line: Even.

Key injuries: Broncos: LB Bruce Klostermann (back) out. Outlook: Rams (7-5) trail Saints by two games in NFC West and are almost in a must-win situation. For Broncos (6-6) it's even more desperate although they're in three-way tie for AFC West lead. Their next two games are on road against co-leaders Raiders and Seahawks. Denver is coming off embarrassing 42-0 rout in New Orleans.

Rams are on three-game skid after a 7-2 start. RB Greg Bell (848 yards) will reclaim his Outlook: Everyone calling this But something isn't adding up for the Raiders this year. They have scored Dolphins at Jets Line: Jets by VA. Key injuries: None. Outlook: Lots of points.

Last week Jets scored only six points and Dolphins only three. However, in their last two Giants Stadium appearances, Dolphins have scored 45 and 31 points and lost. In earlier game against Jets this year they scored 30 points and lost. QB Dan Marino threw for 521 yards and lost. Marino has not been sacked in eight games (an NFL record) but some question whether Marino is making some bad decisions trying to protect streak.

Both teams have lost three straight. Pat Ryan gets second straight start for Jets despite 9-6 loss in Buffalo. Jets lead AFC in the preview of the AFC championship game and they could be right. only one touchdown in their last three eames. With nlavers such as The Bills (11-1) have lost only to the five straight.

Although the offense has scored only 22 points the last Bears and have clinched the AFC East. They also can clinch home-field four games, new QB Don Majkowski threw for 327 yards vs. Lions. He has Jackson, Marcus Allen, James Lofton and Tim Brown on ofTense, that's remarkable. On the other hand, with advantage throughout the playoffs with a victory today.

But Bengals are never faced the Bears. Chicago (10-2) has won seven straight in this storied running game, tops in the NFC, has 5-0 in Riverfront and have beaten the starting job from Charles White. Teams have met only five times and scries. Mike Tomczak is playing with Bills in the last three meetings. Both Steve Beuerlein at quarterback, maybe it isn't.

The teams share the top spot in the AFC West, along all five were decided by touchdown stuttered a bit of late, but Roger Craig is just 117 yards shy of club record 1,262 set by Wendell Tyler. or less. Broncos are 12-2 vs. NFC in teams are nicked up a bit. Game features the AFC's top defense (Bills) vs.

the NFL's top offense. Buffalo confidence although he did not have a great game at Tampa Bay. Bears rushed for 242 yards in 24-6 victory in Green Bay earlier. Victory will with Denver, at 6-6. They meet again in the season final.

Mile High Stadium, where Rams Joe Montana is hobbling but still have not played a regular-season interceptions and takeaway ratio, proving that statistics are for losers. effective as he showed the Redskins on Monday night. defense has given up only one touchdown in the last four games. The Chicago Tribune give Bears playoff spot. game since 1979.

Standings Saints' Hebert is the class of '83 rookie quarterbacks Notes The Super Bowl opponents, the Redskins and the Broncos, have yielded the most points In the league the past five weeks. The Broncos have given up 154 and the Redskins 153. thing in the Auburn family. I couldn't go home knowing he had beaten me. I beat him.

I beat him to death." Bruce had two sacks, one interception and forced a fumble, which he recovered to set up the winning score in the Falcons' 12-6 victory. Jackson, meanwhile, rushed for only 25 yards on nine carries and dropped a pass. When asked about the challenge after the game, Jackson said, "I ain't got nothing to say." The Raiders (6-6) could be on the verge of another quarterback controversy. Since Steve Beuerlein replaced Jay Schrocder on Oct. 26, the Raiders have scored only four touchdowns in three games.

They haven't scored a touchdown in the past two games and Beuerlein called several wrong formations against the Falcons. In the past three games, the Raiders have driven to their opponents' 13, 1 1, 9, 5, 2 and twice to the and the result has been four field goals. "We still have a lot of confidence in Steve," said first-year Raiders coach 4 NFC EAST Pet. PF PA CARDINALS 7 5 0 .683 282 274 NY Giants 7 5 0 .583 253 246 Philadelphia 7 5 0 .583 283 254 Washington 6 6 0 .500 278 307 Dallas 2 11 0 .154 213 317 CENTRAL Pet PF PA Chicago 10 2 0 .833 253 152 Minnesota 9 4 0 .692 327 185 TampaBay 3 9 0 .250 213 308 Detroit 3 10 0 .231 168 265 Green Bay 210 0 .167 182 246 WEST Pet PF PA New Orleans 9 3 0 .750 270 186 LA Rams 7 5 0 .583 300 232 San Francisco 7 5 0 .583 262 226 Atlanta 4 8 0 .333 208 260 AFC EAST WIT Pet PF PA Buffalo 11 1 0 .917 252 154 NawEnglsnd 7 5 0 .583 196 225 Indnnepolis 6 6 0 .500 266 218 NY Jets 5 6 1 .458 239 245 Miami 5 7 0 .417 195 240 CENTRAL Tct PF PA Cincinnati 9 3 0 .750 360 240 Houston 9 4 0 .692 326 294 Cleveland 7 5 0 .683 204 193 Pittsburgh 2 10 0 .167 229 333 WEST Pet PF PA Denver 6 6 0 .500 237 255 LA Raiders 6 6 0 .500 219 234 Seattle 6 6 0 .500 212 238 San Diego 4 8 0 .333 167 230 KansasClty 3 8 1 .292 181 218 and no longer resemble the team that was tied for first place in the NFC West this month. "I thought our performance was a disgrace," coach John Robinson said of the loss to the Chargers.

"I can't remember when we played any games worse than that. We've gone from a team that was very aggressive and dynamic to one that is hesitant, stumbles and falls at every turn. We just can't see to get out of our own way. We better get rid of it pretty By Steve Schoenfeld The Arizona Republic He has thrown for more touchdowns than Dan Marino. He has passed for more yards than John Elway and Jim Kelly.

He has won more games this season than Ken O'Brien, Tony Ear-on and Todd Blacklcdge combined. Bobby Hebert of the Saints is the (cast remembered but most effective member of the famed quarterback class of 1983. cbert, who played at Northwestern Louisiana, is a forgotten member of that class because he is the only one who wasn't drafted. He signed with Michigan of the USFL before the NFL draft. With a passing rating of 90.6, Hebert is leading all of the top six quarterbacks drafted in 1983.

The Bills' Kelly is next with 79.2, followed by "the Dolphins' Marino (74.3), the Jets' O'Brien (73.3) and the Broncos'. Elway (68.6). The Steelers' Blacklcdge" hasn't played enough this season to qualify and the Patriots' Eason hasn't played at all because of an elbow injury. Hebert has completed 62.3 percent for 2,674 yards and 18 touchdowns this season but seldom is mentioned as one of the league's top quarterbacks. He thinks he knows wh he is overlooked.

"If you are from New York, Chicago or I-os Angeles, that always helps" Mid Hebert, who is Cajun. "I talk different. I don't have a johnny Canon Midwestern accent. People might say, 'You can't do it because you sound tike a That has nothing to do with football." Last week's 42-0 victory over the Broncos was a typical Hebert performance. He completed 20 of 23 for 194 yards three touchdowns and no interceptions in leading the Saints to I 7 JV-, Bobby Hebert is a forgotten member of the quarterback class of '83.

Mike Shanahan. "You forget he a rookie. This is his first year and he's going to have those games when he doesn't play as well as you expect him to." Actually, Beuerlein is in his second year. He spent all of last season on injured reserve. For the love of money Florida State corncrback Dcon "Prime Time" Sanders, expected to be one of the first five players taken in the draft, wants to be picked by the Buccaneers.

"It doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's how you pay the game," Sanders said. "They pay so well. You're close to home. There is no telling what Prime Time can endorse down there. I'm not just any defensive SUNDAY GAMES CARDINALS at Philadelphia.

1 1 a m. Buffalo at Cincinnati, 1 1 am. Cleveland at Weanmaton, 1 1 a.m. Q. quickly or we are headed for oblivion this season." In their first nine games, the Rams were pi us-10 in takeaway ratio.

In the past three, they are minus-five. In the first nine games, Jim Everett completed 64 percent of his passes, threw for 19 touchdowns and only five interceptions and had a 105.9 quarterback rating. In the past three games, he has completed 31 percent, thrown for four touchdowns, seven interceptions and has a 61.3 quarterback rating. Hogging the ball The Eagles, who play host to the Cardinals today, are a one-man team on offense. Quarterback Randall Cunningham has accounted for 3,133 total net yards (2,647 passing and 306 rushing), which is 75 percent of the team's offense.

"It seems like every week we put a saddle on him," Eagles coach Buddy Ryan said of Cunningham. "Of course, he's our No. 1 horse, so we have to ride him, and he has answered the call. But it would be good to have someone else get in there and do something that would help." Eagles defensive end Clyde Simmons has locked up their past two victories on the final play. Against the Oiants last week, he picked up a The Bears have won 31 of their 34 NFC Central Division games since 1984.

They have lost twice to the Vikings and once to the Packers, today's opponent Green Bay at Chicago. 1 1 am. Kansas City at Pittsburgh. 1 1 a m. Miami at NY Jets.

1 1 a.m. Tampe Bay at Atlanta. 1 1 a.m. San Franctsco at San Diego, 2 pm. New England at Indianapolis, 2 m.

LA Rams at Denver 2 pm. NY Giants at New Orleans. 6 pm. MONDAY'S GAME LA Raiders at Seattle, 7 p.m. did the Giants' 12-10 victory over the Cowboys when a touchback was incorrectly ruled as a safety.

"The problem I've got is the league office will call you Monday morning and tell you they apologize for this and that," Ortmaycr said. "But this is a situation where we've lost a quarterback. Who knows? This might be the great young quarterback we're looking for, and he's out because of the incompetence of the crew." Ortmaycr thinks the officials should have blown the play dead and that a flagrant foul should have been called on nose tackle Shawn Miller, who hit Vlasic after the histle. Vlasic's injury was described by team physicians as very similar to the one suffered in 1986 by teammate Leslie O'Neal, who missed almost two years. "I wish I would have fallen asleep last night so I could have woken up to say it was just a dream," Vlasic said.

Besides losing Vlasic, the Chargers will be without linebacker Billy Kay Smith, their most valuable player a year ago. He suffered a hairline fracture of his left leg and will miss the rest of the year. "This will give me more time to pursue my TV career," Smith said. "If only they were still doing the Lnt Dtwl, I'd have it made." Fall from grace The Rams have lost three straight I the most lopsided victory in their 22 year history. "You see people like Marino, Elway, (Joe) Montana making really spectacular plays and Bobby is just efficient," said Saints offensive tackle Jim Dombrowski.

"Probably seven out of 10 times when he drops back to pass, he's going to complete the pass. Tbe cfTiccnt guy is going to help you win more games than somebody who can help you pull off some spectacular play." Saints (9-3) have the second-brti record in the NI going Into today's game against the Giants (7-5). Upstaging Ho There was a personal challenge between former Auburn stars Do Jafklon and Aundray Bruce before hiit week's Raiders-Falcons game. -'Jackson visited Bruce at the Fal-luii! hotel the night before the fume a ild "old him, "I'm going to be the best player to ever come out of A a burn." ISaiJ Bruce: "Of course, had to actcpt the challenge. It was personal back.

I want to make at least SI million a year. I'm three players in one. I'm a punt returner, the best corncrback you will get and I'm an entertainer." Sanders predicted he would bring an extra 10,000 to 20,000 fans to Tampa Stadium. He said he wants a SS.5 million contract over four years. He signed a S60.000 contract with the New York Yankees last summer and went from a rookie league to Triple-A in three months, but says football is his No.

I love. "I've got the lottery," Sanders said. "I'm just waiting to cash the ticket in." There is no doubt Sanders is talented. Draft analyst Mcl Kipcr says he's the best corncrback to enter the draft since Mike Hayncs came out of Arizona State in 1976. I fourth down." One reason the Redskins benched quarterback Doug Williams, the Super Bowl most valuable player, in favor is Mark Rypien is that Williams! is 4-6 in the regular season as starter.

Former Raiders defensive end Lylcl Alzado, on the team's "Maybe they are missing a guy who can walk up to a guy on the other-" team, punch him in the face and change the game. Maybe they should call me out of retirement to terrorize someone." Jets rookie defensive back Eric McMillan has seven interceptions, the same number of catches as wide receiver Wesley Walker. Bills owner Ralph Wilson, on the team's league-best 1 1-1 record: "Ir, used to be the fans would throw the program at me. Now, they are asking me to sign them." Chargers steaming Two weeks ago. Chargers general manager Steve Ortmaycr called the field at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium travesty.

Now he is calling referee Pat Haggcrty's officiating crew the same thing. Ortmaycr is upset with a piny in last week 38-24 victory over the Rams in which quarterback Mark Vlasic suffered torn knee ligaments. It was ruled no play because of a false-start penally on the Chargers. "I thought the officiating crew was an embarrassment to the NIL," Ortmaycr said. Haggcrty's crew also worked the Chargers' 24-23 victory over the Chiefs on Sept.

23. That game was decided on a controversial late-hit penalty on Chiefs linebacker Tim Gificld. It also is the same crew that blocked field goal and ran 13 yards for a touchdown in overtime. A week earlier, he blocked Steelers kicker Oary Anderson's 37-yard field-goal attempt to preserve a victory. Short shots The Steelers' Harry Ncwsome has had a league-record six runts blocked this vcar.

"A couple or weeks ago I caught heat for saying we'd be better off punting on first down," said Steelers quarterback Bubby Bristcr. "Maybe we'd be better off passing on 1.