Times NFL Writer T.J. Simers Poses--and Answers--The Burning Questions on : Game Day

Question: What are the chances of New Orleans and Chicago playing to a 0-0 tie tonight?

Answer: Looking at their quarterbacks--very good--but NFL history says someone probably will win. The NFL has played 1,738 games without a tie; there hasn’t been a tie in the NFL since Nov. 19, 1989, when Kansas City tied Cleveland, 10-10. The last 0-0 tie was between the Giants and Lions on Nov. 7, 1943.

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Q: Why would it be a terrible thing for Kansas City to make it to the Super Bowl?

A: If the Chiefs make it to the Super Bowl, every sportswriter in America will be told by his editors to write the “Andre Rison now wants to be called Spiderman” story. Rison, previously known as “Bad Moon,” is now a nice guy, or so he says, and after he scores he arches his back, struts forward and throws his arms in the air. At the same time the Chiefs play Spiderman theme music.

“I do it for all the kids, so they can have fun with it,” said Rison, a regular NFL humanitarian. Rison said he picked Spiderman because he sees himself in the same way: unappreciated and overshadowed.

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Q: At what point did the Raiders issue hands to wide receiver James Jett?

A: Jett has taken off since the arrival of quarterback Jeff George, who has taken advantage of Jett’s sprinter speed. Jett, who has five touchdowns and who was ripped by most observers for his inability to catch the ball in the past, has refused to strike back now that he’s having a good year.

“That’s really not my style,” said Jett, who had five touchdowns in three previous seasons. “People can say what they want to say. There have been a lot of things in the past that happened that I really don’t want to get into. The past should stay in the past.”

OK, but it’s a good thing George didn’t stay in Atlanta.

“He has a quarterback who is not going to accept him not succeeding,” wide receiver Tim Brown said. “Jeff told him, ‘I can make you a lot of money in this league, but if you don’t want to work, let me know and I won’t come to you. But if you want to work, let’s go get something done.’ ”

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Q: Why did the Seahawks trade for malcontent Darryl Hobbs?

A: Seattle has six injured wide receivers, so they traded a conditional seventh-round pick to New Orleans for Hobbs, who couldn’t get along with Saints’ offensive coordinator Danny Abramowicz.

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Q: What’s the big deal about Tampa Bay going 5-0?

A: Over the last 10 years, 10 teams have been 5-0, and eight went on to win their divisions. Tampa Bay hasn’t even had a winning season since 1982.