Yet Another Week of Oddities to Ponder

A review of Week 8 in the NFL, and as Bill Parcells pointed out in Tuna Bowl II, who needs Drew Bledsoe when you have Glenn Foley?

Who Are These Guys?

The NFL featured Jake Plummer, Glenn Foley, Danny Wuerffel, Danny Kanell, Stoney Case and Billy Joe Tolliver at quarterback Sunday.

Raider Teamwork

Or in other words, me, myself and I. The Raiders enjoyed one of their finest moments in years, trouncing the undefeated Broncos with the running of Napoleon Kaufman--much to the dismay of wide receiver Tim Brown.

“When you have a quarterback like Jeff [George] it’s really frustrating to win like this, but we’ll take it,” said Brown, who caught two of the 12 passes thrown by George. “Jeff and I kept looking at each other and saying, ‘We’re winning,’ so let’s not blow our top: ‘We are winning the game.’ ”

Voodoo, the Only Explanation

The Saints have lost 13 consecutive games to NFC West opponents, and haven’t won a home game against a division foe since Nov. 26, 1995. Next: A game with the 49ers at home.

Shut Down by Everett

Charger quarterback Jim Everett managed to succeed where the opposition’s defensive backs have failed, stopping San Diego wide receiver Tony Martin. Martin had caught a pass in 53 consecutive games, but then Everett relieved an injured Stan Humphries in Kansas City and Martin’s streak went kaput.

This probably comes as a great surprise to fans in Anaheim and New Orleans, who spent the last few years ducking for cover every time Everett threw the ball.

And on the Eighth Day . . .

It’s still being determined if it was a miracle--Emmitt Smith scored a touchdown, his first rushing score in a regular-season game since Thanksgiving.

If the Planets Are Aligned

An all-New York Super Bowl! The Jets and Giants are each 5-3. The Giants’ next three opponents--the Bengals, Oilers and Cardinals--are a combined 5-16. The Jets take on the Ravens, Dolphins and Bears, a combined 8-13.

Three Teams to Watch Closer

1. New York Giants: Remember the play, “Damn Yankees?” OK, so which Giant has made nice with the devil? The Giants have won four consecutive games for the first time since 1994, and after going 3-5 the last three seasons to open the year, they are now in first place in the NFC East at 5-3.

2. Pittsburgh: Don’t know how Bill Cowher does it, losing quality players every year and still winning, but the Steelers have won four in a row, are tied with Jacksonville for first place in the AFC Central and get the Jaguars at home this week.

3. St. Louis: Dick Vermeil’s probably wondering why he gave up a life of shuffleboard for this.

Defenseless

Cincinnati continues to lead the league in busted expectations, and after seven games the Bengals have seven sacks--lowest in the NFL. The Bengals have lost six in a row and are 1-6, the same record they had when Dave Shula was fired and Bruce Coslet took over a year ago.

This Week’s MVP

Mr. Foley. He came off the bench in relief of Neil O’Donnell and directed three touchdown drives in the second half to beat Parcells’ former team, which should earn him a life-time membership in Parcells’ personal hall of fame.

Foley completed 14 consecutive passes at one point.

This Week’s Kevin Butler Goof Award

Detroit cornerback Corey Raymond. The former Giant, assigned the task of covering former teammate Chris Calloway, tripped and fell--in overtime.

Not a good thing. Calloway kept running and Danny Kanell completed the pass for a 68-yard touchdown that gave the Giants a 26-20 victory.

Kevin Butler, Part II

Butler’s replacement in Arizona, Joe Nedney, missed from 40 yards on his first field goal attempt.

Inspiration

Before the Giants took the field against the Lions they knew the Redskins were down and out against the Oilers. New York Coach Jim Fassel called his team together.

“He said, ‘I don’t want you to sit there the whole game thinking if we win, we’re in first, but if we win, we’re in first.’ ” cornerback Jason Sehorn said.

Strange Statistics

The Lions have now won, lost, won, lost, won, lost, won and lost. . . . Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis ran for 32 yards in the first half, 103 in the second. . . . San Francisco has rushed for more than 150 yards in three consecutive games, for the first time since 1992. . . .Ram running back Lawrence Phillips ran nine times for 18 yards. St. Louis is now considering suing the league for picking on the poor guy.

They Say the Darndest Things

The 49ers scored more than 30 points against the Falcons for the 10th time in the last 12 meetings, and San Francisco safety Tim McDonald said, “This is a character builder.”

Huh? The 49ers gave up season highs in points, yards, first downs, third-down conversions and passing yardage.

Cry a Tune

With 1:32 remaining against the Jets, the Patriots’ bid for a comeback ended with line judge Ben Montgomery’s ruling that wide receiver Shawn Jefferson, on fourth and 18, had trapped a pass that would have given New England a first down.

You Can’t Really Fault

Montgomery

Anyone who has watched Jefferson play would assume he hadn’t caught the ball.

After the game, an irate Jefferson smashed the door of a soda cooler in the Patriots’ locker room, leaving glass scattered on the carpet. “He blew it,” said Jefferson of Montgomery. “I didn’t talk to him about it. I was too busy telling him what a gutless call it was. I was too busy cussing his [butt] out.”

There’s Always Someone Worse

Heath Shuler gave way to Danny Wuerffel in New Orleans this week, and Wuerffel had 89 net yards passing. He was sacked seven times and threw a pair of interceptions in leading the Saints to no points--for the first time since 1983.

“We’ve hit rock bottom, gang,” said Coach Mike Ditka.