Even Divine Intervention May Not Help Saints

Times NFL writer T.J. Simers poses--and answers--the burning questions for this week’s games:

Question: Have the New Orleans Saints given consideration to working on how to stop the “Hail Mary” pass?

Answer: Practice, in this case, doesn’t make perfect. The New York Giants completed a 53-yard touchdown pass in that manner Oct. 24, ending the first half, and then a week later the Cleveland Browns tried the same thing on the final play of the game to beat the Saints. In the first full practice since losing to the Browns, the Saints’ scout team sent wide receiver Brett Bech deep on the same kind of play and he caught the ball without it even being tipped.

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Q: Why does Detroit figure to lose this week?

A: The Lions played the Buccaneers last week. Every team that has played Tampa Bay this year has gone on to lose the next week, and has been blasted in the process, losing by an average of 18.7 points.

That would make the Rams a winner this week.

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Q: Who is the next no-name quarterback to get his shot?

A: How about Jeff Lewis or Dameyune Craig?

Carolina Coach George Seifert is sticking with Steve Beuerlein, but if the Panthers continue to take a nose dive, Lewis and Craig are next on the depth chart.

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Q: Whom will Pittsburgh quarterback Kordell Stewart take aim at?

A: Pierson Prioleau. Prioleau, a college safety at Virginia Tech and the 49ers’ fourth-round pick, will become the third player to start at right cornerback for San Francisco.

“I’m sure I’ll be attacked at the corner because I am a rookie, but I think I can make plays,” Prioleau said.

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Q: What’s Brett Favre’s problem?

A: In the last three games, Favre has completed 33 of 80 passes (41.3%) for 473 yards and four touchdowns, with eight interceptions.

“We got our checks Tuesday,” Favre said. “I wanted to go apologize and give it back to [General Manager Ron Wolf], and say, ‘I’m sorry for stealing.’ ”

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Q: What’s so significant about Monday night’s game?

A: Randy Moss meets Deion Sanders up close and personal for the first time. Sanders missed last Thanksgiving Day’s appointment with Moss because of an injury. Moss caught three passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns against the Cowboys last year.

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Q: What’s with Philadelphia’s Duce Staley?

A: Last year he played with a hernia and didn’t fumble the entire season. This year he’s healthy and has already lost four fumbles.

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Q: Have the Cincinnati Bengals shown any improvement?

A: No. After losing opening day to Tennessee, 36-35, they lost six of their next seven, their opponents outscoring them in those losses, 188-43. That’s an average loss of 31.3-7.1.