PRO FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT

AS A KID, HE LOVED APPLE TURNOVERS

Seattle quarterback Rick Mirer, who threw an AFC-worst 20 interceptions for the Seahawks last season, has thrown three interceptions and lost two fumbles in two games this year.

QUICK, SELL THESE CHAIRS TO IKEA

In the first regular-season game since the Lions announced they plan to leave Detroit’s northern suburbs and build a stadium downtown, only 54,229 came to the 80,368-capacity Pontiac Silverdome to watch Detroit’s 21-6 victory over Tampa Bay. It was not much better elsewhere, Seattle drew 43,671 to the 66,400-capacity Kingdome. Atlanta had 42,688 on hand in the 71,288-capacity Georgia Dome and New Orleans had 43,288 in the 71,228-capacity Superdome.

Apparently, any stadium containing the word dome was doomed.

HE CAN BEAT THESE GUYS IN HIS SLEEP

Indianapolis quarterback Jim Harbaugh, who led the NFL in passing efficiency last season, had a busy week. His wife gave birth to a son on Wednesday, and Harbaugh said he “didn’t get a lot of sleep.” Then Harbaugh led the Colts to their first 2-0 start in 19 years, 21-7 over the Jets.

WE INTERRUPT THE SCHEDULED ITEM

Not enough punting items? Here is the only item you’ll see this season. Gather the kids, wake the neighbors. Phone the relatives.

In a game that matched the two leading punters after Week 1, both put up big numbers again. Chicago’s Todd Sauerbrun had kicks of 72, 64, 56 and 50 yards. Washington’s Matt Turk boomed efforts of 55 and 57 yards, plus a 46-yarder that pinned the Bears at their own 4. Sauerbrun averaged 47.4 yards, Turk 42.5.

There, it’s over. Resume your lives.

ST. ELSEWHERE, WEEK 2

49er quarterback Steve Young suffered a groin strain during a third-quarter scramble and was forced to leave the game against the Rams. Young pulled up near the end of the run and walked off the field. . . . Tampa Bay strong safety Todd Scott sustained a torn Achilles’ tendon against Detroit and will sit out the rest of the season. Backup quarterback Casey Weldon, who completed three of four passes for 25 yards, will have an MRI exam done today on his left knee. Tampa Bay starting center Tony Mayberry suffered a sprained toe in the first half and was replaced by Joel Crisman. . . . Buffalo lost wide receiver Andre Reed during its second possession of the game with New England. Reed, who needs 14 yards to reach 10,000, injured his groin making a tackle on Ricky Reynolds’ interception. . . . Chicago safety Anthony Marshall suffered a right groin strain against Washington. Redskin cornerback Darrell Green dislocated the little finger on his right hand; guard Tre Johnson and tight end Jamie Asher each suffered a mildly sprained knee and Darryl Pounds, who broke his nose in last week’s game, bruised his right thigh. . . . Kansas City tight end Derrick Walker suffered a bruised shoulder in the second quarter against Oakland. . . . Carolina quarterback Kerry Collins left the game with 5:44 to go in the fourth quarter because of a sprained left knee. Collins was injured when New Orleans linebacker Winfred Tubbs fell on his leg. . . . The Indianapolis Colts were ravaged by injuries in their victory over the Jets. Running back Marshall Faulk (sprained toe on right foot) and their best pass-rusher, Tony Bennett (sprained left knee), were sidelined, along with six other players. Cornerback Ray Buchanan pulled a hamstring at the end of the game. Tackle Kipp Vickers sprained his right knee, and guard Jay Leeuwenburg sprained his right ankle. Linebacker Stephen Banks pulled his right groin, backup cornerback Derrick Frazier broke his right arm and rookie linebacker Sammie Burroughs sustained leg cramps.

A PILEDRIVER ON GOOD TASTE

Carolina linebacker Kevin Greene debuted his new “Ric Flair Strut” sack dance during the New Orleans game. The dance copies the strut 11-time World Championship Wrestling champion Ric Flair performs when he walks to the ring. Greene and former Chicago Bear Steve McMichael wrestled Flair and Arn Anderson on a WCW pay-per-view event a week before training camp opened, drawing criticism from Panther officials. Greene has another appearance planned for December, because he figured by then the Panthers (2-0) would be out of the playoff hunt.