WEST / The Big Payback at Denver...

WEST / The Big Payback at Denver In August, Bronco linebacker Bill Romanowski broke Carolina quarterback Kerry Collins’ jaw, prompting Panther guard Frank Garcia to say, “That was a cheap shot. We play those guys again, so maybe we’ll be able to do something about it.” Back in August, Romanowski said, “Maybe I’ll hit him harder the next time, you never know.” Sunday the Panthers play the Broncos, and Romanowski sees it as nothing special. “What’s his number?” Romanowski said in referring to Collins. “Number 12? He’s just a guy with a football uniform and a number 12 on it.” Romanowski’s number is 53, but he might as well have a target on his back. . . . The Raiders are on course to give up 6,562 yards this season--second most in NFL history to the 6,793 yards given up by the 1981 Baltimore Colts, who finished 2-14. “Our best work came when we were jumping up and down coming out of the tunnel,” said David Humm, former Raider backup quarterback, current radio analyst and a reserve quarterback on the ’81 Colts. “The next minute, we’d be down by 14 and had no chance.” The Raiders have seven first-round picks on defense and can’t stop anyone--in the past three games the defense has given up an average of 467.7 yards and 36 points. . . . The Seahawks will be without starting cornerback Shawn Springs and safety Bennie Blades because of injuries, but catch a break playing against San Diego’s Craig Whelihan.

Hard to believe: The top story in the San Diego Union-Tribune the last two days has been about the city of San Diego’s decision to wait until the end of the first quarter to buy all unsold general admission tickets to the Charger games and then throw them out. The city has guaranteed a 60,000 sellout for each game into the year 2007, or it will pay the difference. The city has lost $800,000 after three games, but can save 10% of its losses by buying the leftover tickets. Asked about the local citizens’ unhappiness with the deal between the city and the Chargers and the newspaper stories, Coach Kevin Gilbride said he had no idea anything was happening, saying he does not read the newspapers.

CENTRAL / Testaverde Finds Way to Err

No need to wait for Vinny Testaverde to throw an interception. The Ravens’ quarterback has fumbled eight times in four games. The Ravens are 0-5 when Testaverde throws 40 or more passes, 4-0 when he throws fewer. . . . The Bengals might have knocked themselves out of the running for Peyton Manning, but team President Mike Brown thinks the Tennessee quarterback will be the top choice. “I think every team would take him,” Brown said. “That means Cincinnati or San Francisco or any other team. His arm is strong enough. He’s bright; he’s quick in his decision-making, and he’s more mobile than Bernie Kosar, certainly at the end. I’m not saying he’ll be the next [John] Elway, but if I have to guess, Manning will develop into a top NFL quarterback.” . . . The Steelers, losers of a referendum to give them a new stadium, can break their lease with notice at any time and then would be free to leave two years later.

Hard to believe: The Bengals had seven sacks in the first eight games, and first-round draft pick Reinard Wilson had none. But after the Chargers left town, the Bengals had 13 sacks and Wilson had two. Wilson had demanded an incentive clause before the season paying him an additional $150,000 if he reaches 8 1/2 sacks. The Chargers are not on the Bengals’ schedule again this season, however.

EAST / Colts Add Injury to Insult

The Colts’ situation grows only worse with neither Jim Harbaugh nor Paul Justin practicing early in the week and leaving the quarterback duties to Kelly Holcomb. Running back Marshall Faulk, who suffered a mild concussion against the Buccaneers, also did not practice and may not play Sunday. The Colts are also without linebacker Steve Grant (neck) and Quentin Coryatt (bruised Achilles’). . . . Glenn Foley starts for the Jets, but who starts for the Dolphins? Coach Jimmy Johnson said if Dan Marino recovers from an ankle injury, he will start. Foley started against Miami in the Jets’ season finale last year and jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but lost the game with Frank Reich replacing Foley late in the contest. “I have a lot of bad memories from that game,” Foley said. Look for him to have more.

Hard to believe: The Colts continued bellyaching about a foreign substance on the jersey of Tampa Bay linebacker Brad Culpepper, which they say caused a fumble and kept them from winning. They think it was silicon. Maybe, maybe not.