Here's my quick review of everything we saw in Week 7 of the 2001 NFL season:
| TJ'S TOP 10 |
W-L |
TJ SAYS |
| 1. Raiders |
5-1 |
Efficient win at Philly vaults Raiders into top spot.
|
| 2. Rams |
6-1 |
Eight turnovers at home against the Saints.
|
| 3. Steelers |
5-1 |
Most complete effort of season in rout of Titans.
|
| 4. Packers |
4-2 |
Bye-week to rest before visit from Buccaneers.
|
| 5. Bears |
5-1 |
Defense is more than Brian Urlacher.
|
| 6. Saints |
4-2 |
Rebounded from loss to Falcons to stun Rams.
|
| 7. Chargers |
5-2 |
Escaped with their football lives vs. Bills.
|
| 8. 49ers |
4-2 |
Blew big lead at Chicago in stunning OT loss.
|
| 9. Browns |
4-2 |
Week off to prepare for "Monsters of the Midway."
|
| 10. Eagles |
3-3 |
First place in the dreadful NFC East.
|
Offensive player of the week:
Bengals running back Corey Dillon. Rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns, plus caught a touchdown pass, in Cincinnati's win. His 96-yard touchdown run on the team's first play from scrimmage was the franchise's longest play from scrimmage.
Defensive player of the week:
Saints free safety Sammy Knight. Eight tackles, one sack and a pair of interceptions, two of New Orleans' eight takeaways in a 34-31 win at St. Louis.
Special team player of the week:
Redskins kick returner Eric Metcalf. Returned a punt for a touchdown, his NFL-record 12th kick return for a score, not bad for a guy who didn't play in 2000 and sat out half of this season.
Number of the week:
17. The number of turnovers the Rams have committed in their last three losses to the Saints (including playoffs) dating back to last season.
Surprise of the week:
Redskins over Giants. Jim Fassel’s team looked disinterested at FedEx Field after a pair of one-point losses to the Rams and Eagles.
Coaching move of the week:
Gregg Williams. The Bills look much better than during their 0-4 start and were game indeed against the Chargers, but Buffalo's special teams betrayed them in a 27-24 loss at San Diego.
Rising this week:
Oakland Raiders. Now the real test comes as the Silver and Black looks to snap a 7-game losing streak to the Broncos.
Falling this week:
New York Giants. Three straight losses as the defense and special teams failed to show up in Washington.
Store it away:
Bengals have not only equaled last year’s win total (4), but are ensured of their first non-losing first half since starting 5-3 in 1990, their last playoff season.
Tom Jackson is an NFL analyst for ESPN.
