Kreskin Wasn’t Needed for This

Even though it seemed to be a huge upset when the Tennessee Oilers defeated the Washington Redskins on Sunday, the outcome could have been predicted if enough attention had been paid to the Redskins’ attitude and comments heading into the game.

Monday night’s victory over the Dallas Cowboys put the Redskins at 4-2, with five of those games against teams that made the playoffs last year.

“We always talked about trying to get past the first part of the schedule,” free safety Stanley Richard said. “We got past that, and we can’t relax, but we can cruise a little bit. We’re 4-2 and in first place in our division. You’ve got to be happy about that.”

Granted, Richard made that comment as the Redskins were still celebrating their victory over the Cowboys. But as this week wore on, there were still signs the Redskins were mixing arrogance with caution.

“We have three games ahead of us that we should win,” receiver Leslie Shepherd said. “But we’ve got to take it one week at a time. We’re in a good situation right now, but if we take it for granted, we could let it slip under us.

“[Tennessee] is a team we should beat physically. Talent-wise, we should win.”

Also adding to the setup for a letdown was the fact that Washington Coach Norv Turner is now 0-6 the week after Dallas games.

“It must mean something,” cornerback Cris Dishman said of Turner’s winless streak. “Maybe it’s a matter of concentration.

“I don’t think that’s the case now.”

AND THEN, WE ASK HIM FOR CANDY

Danny Wuerffel was the first rookie quarterback to start for the New Orleans Saints in a non-strike game since Bobby Hebert started at Green Bay in Game 11 on Nov. 17, 1985.

How did Carolina respond?

“When you’ve got a rookie quarterback, you move around a lot and say ‘Boo!’ ” cornerback Eric Davis said.

WOLVERINES ARE KNOWN TO EAT THEIR YOUNG

The New York Giants seem to have found a special weapon to use against the Detroit Lions: players who went to the University of Michigan. For the second year in a row, former Wolverines came up with big plays to beat the Lions in overtime. After Amani Toomer ran a punt back 53 yards for a touchdown and wide receiver Chris Calloway scored a game-winning touchdown on a 68-yard pass play in overtime to give the Giants the 26-20 victory.

In last season’s 35-7 rout of the Lions, Calloway and former Wolverine teammate Tyrone Wheatley teamed for a 24-yard touchdown, with Wheatley throwing the halfback option pass.

WHERE’S TOM DEMPSEY WHEN YOU NEED HIM?

New York Jet kicker John Hall continued his strange season. He missed a 68-yard field goal to conclude the first half against New England. The kick, the longest try since Fred Steinfort of Denver tried a 73-yarder at New England on Sept. 29, 1980, was short. Hall also made a 35-yarder and missed from 35 and 36. He now is five of six from beyond 40 yards, but only nine of 15 from inside the 40.

Hall also punted in place of injured Brian Hansen and averaged 43.5 yards on two kicks.

THAT LIGHT? ONCOMING END OF YOUR CAREER

Atlanta quarterback Chris Chandler kept alive his streak of failing to finish a home game. For the fourth time this season, Billy Joe Tolliver had to finish up at the Georgia Dome when Chandler went down with an injury.

This time, it was a slight concussion that sent Chandler to the bench early in the fourth quarter when he was slammed to the turf by San Francisco’s Chris Doleman.

“I remember releasing the ball,” Chandler said. “Then I saw a bright light.”

SOMETIMES, PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED

The Detroit Lion-New York Giant game was delayed 10 minutes late in the second quarter as Lion safety Harry Colon was motionless on the field after a collision with Giant safety Brandon Sanders on a punt.

Colon was taken off the field on a stretcher and taken to the stadium medical center for X-rays, which were negative. He was not seriously injured.

THEY LIKE HIM, THEY REALLY SORT OF LIKE HIM

Raider quarterback Jeff George, who alienated fans with his sometimes boorish behavior in stays with Atlanta and Indianapolis, showed he has a tender and caring side in Oakland.

After throwing his first touchdown pass to James Jett, George ran past the end zone to high-five cheering fans.

No word on whether he hired the fans to cheer for him.

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

It All Adds Up

Dallas’ Herschel Walker accounted for 153 yards Sunday, moving him into second place on the NFL’s career combined net yards list. A look:

*--*

Player Years Yards Walter Payton 1975-87 21,803 Herschel Walker 1986-97 17,344 Marcus Allen 1982-97 17,271 Jerry Rice 1985-97 17,045 Tony Dorsett 1977-88 16,293

*--*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

THE PLAYMAKERS

RUSHING

*--*

Player, Team No. Yds. TD NAPOLEON KAUFMAN, Raiders 28 227 1 JEROME BETTIS, Steelers 34 135 1 EDDIE GEORGE, Oilers 31 125 2 K. ABDUL-JABBAR, Dolphins 22 108 3 BARRY SANDERS, Lions 24 105 1 GARRISON HEARST, 49ers 18 105 0

*--*

PASSING

*--*

Player, Team Att. Comp. Yds. TD V. TESTAVERDE, Ravens 47 32 331 1 JOHN ELWAY, Broncos 46 26 309 1 RODNEY PEETE, Eagles 36 23 298 0 DREW BLEDSOE, Patriots 38 24 294 2 TROY AIKMAN, Cowboys 32 21 262 2 WARREN MOON, Seahawks 36 24 261 0 STEVE YOUNG, 49ers 25 16 259 2 KORDELL STEWART, Steelers 33 16 246 2 SCOTT MITCHELL, Lions 32 19 243 1 MARK BRUNELL, Jaguars 31 21 242 2 CHRIS CHANDLER, Falcons 30 15 230 2 GUS FREROTTE, Redskins 31 16 228 2

*--*

RECEIVING*--*

Player, Team No. Yds. TD CHRIS CALLOWAY, Giants 5 145 1 TROY BROWN, Patriots 5 125 1 YANCEY THIGPEN, Steelers 6 120 1 KEENAN McCARDELL, Jaguars 7 120 1 TERRELL OWENS, 49ers 6 93 2

*--*

--Compiled by Houston Mitchell