Raider Fans Are Showering Rice With Their Adulation

Times NFL writer Sam Farmer poses--and answers--the burning questions for this week’s games:

Question: What should Jerry Rice bring with him the next time he leaps into the Black Hole?

Answer: An umbrella. He jumped into it twice after touchdowns last Sunday, and said: “The first one was cool. The second one, beer just came from everywhere.”

Q: Most ineffective offense?

A: Dallas averages 92.3 yards a game and has converted 19.4% of its third downs, both league lows.

Q: Is there such a thing as four bye weeks in a row?

A: Well, not really. But the 2-1 49ers have Carolina, Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit coming up. If San Francisco isn’t 6-1 after that stretch, something’s wrong.

Q: Is consistency a good thing?

A: Not if you’re the Cardinals, who have committed at least one turnover in 29 consecutive games.

Q: What was the first question Philadelphia Coach Andy Reid had for running back Rod Smart after signing the player who went by the name “He Hate Me” during his XFL stint?

A: Who was your English teacher?