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Saturday 1 december 2018
2 of NFL's top rivalries have turned sour

By BARRY WILNER Manning's 579 for the most
AP Pro Football Writer passing touchdowns in
Two of the NFL's most NFL history, including the
intense rivalries have turned postseason. He also would
sour. beat Brett Favre's 508 for
When the Chiefs visit the the third-most regular-
Raiders in a series that season touchdown passes.
dates back to the AFL With the Vikings' best
and has been as good cornerback, Xavier Rhodes,
as any in pro football, the leaving last Sunday night
oddsmakers see Oakland with a hamstring issue,
(2-9) getting routed — at stymieing Brady could
home — by Kansas City. be a major challenge for
Most of America sees it that Minnesota as it chases NFC
way, too. North leader Chicago.
"I know this, when it comes "I remember when we
to Chiefs and Raiders, it were going in Cincinnati
doesn't matter records," I'm watching him pregame
said Chiefs coach Andy and he was just throwing
Reid, whose team is 9-2. these darts," Vikings coach
"It's one of those deals and Mike Zimmer says of Brady,
you better come ready "and I'm like, 'Oh my gosh,
to play against a Jon we're in trouble today.' But
Gruden-coached football In this Dec. 9, 2012, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) talks his accuracy, I think he sees
team. That's the way I am with San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) after the Chargers won 34-24 in an NFL so many things now, I think
approaching it with the football game in Pittsburgh. The scoreboard might explode at Heinz Field as Class of 2004 QBs with the experience. I don't
Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger light it up on Sunday.
guys right now. I just think Associated Press know that he's changed all
that's very important." that much."
Since the Raiders moved Brees and the Saints (10-2), dynamic of the NFC West The scoreboard might Washington (6-5) at
back from Los Angeles to ending New Orleans' 10- has changed," Sherman explode at Heinz Field Philadelphia (5-6), Monday
Oakland in 1995, there's game winning streak. New says. "It's changed a few as Class of 2004 QBs night
been only one season when Orleans failed to score times throughout the years. Philip Rivers and Ben Among the many so-so
both clubs had winning in the first half, with Brees Early on when I first came in Roethlisberger light it up. teams in playoff contention
records (2016). The rivalry throwing for 39 yards. the league, San Fran was Rivers set an NFL record for are the Redskins, operating
has been less heated since There are no more byes on at the top and winning highest completion rate without their No. 1
Marty Schottenheimer left the schedule. the division and went to a (96.6 percent) and tied quarterback, Alex Smith,
as Kansas City coach in Kansas City (10-1) at few NFC championships. the mark for consecutive and the defending Super
1998 and Raiders owner Al Oakland (2-9) In the middle of that, completions (25) in last Bowl champion Eagles,
Davis died in 2011. But this It's a bit complicated, but Seattle came up and was week's rout of Arizona. He with a torn-up secondary.
gap is success is ridiculous. a Chiefs win and losses by battling with Frisco, and has multi-TD games in every Colt McCoy had 268 yards
A more recent rivalry Miami, Tennessee, Houston, for one crazy year Arizona outing this season, but will passing, two touchdowns
to savor has been San Indianapolis, Baltimore came out of nowhere and be without running back and three interceptions last
Francisco vs. Seattle. and Cincinnati in certain had a really good season Melvin Gordon (knee). week. Something to look
With the Seahawks (6- combinations hand KC and made it to the NFC Roethlisberger's 97-yard for: Adrian Peterson needs
5) retooling but still a playoff berth. Not that championship. touchdown pass to JuJu two TDs to pass Jim Brown
competitive, and the 49ers anyone doubts one is "There was a lot more teeth Smith-Schuster last week (106) for fifth most in NFL
(2-9) perennially rebuilding, coming. to the rivalry during those gave him four 90-plus yard history.
that magic seems gone. The Chiefs have won six middle years for a number passes, most in NFL history. Philly's secondary is
Indeed, the league flexed of seven in this series and of reasons because there He threw for 462 yards in the ravaged by injuries, so a
this game off prime time. Reid's teams are 16-3 were several story lines. loss at the Broncos, his sixth strong pass rush likely is
"We had some great coming off a bye. Since then, coaching game of 450-plus yards. No needed.
battles over the years," Here's a weird stat: Oakland changes have happened other QB in NFL history has Los Angeles Rams (10-1) at
says Seahawks coach Pete stands fifth in the NFL with 34 here, personnel changes more than four. Detroit (4-7)
Carroll, specifically referring points on opening drives. It's have happened Pittsburgh has won four of The Rams have their eyes on
to the matchups with Jim third worst with 1.32 points elsewhere, and the Rams the past five meetings and winning out to put the heat
Harbaugh when he led the per drive after that. have become incredible in is 15-3 at home against the on New Orleans for overall
49ers. "If that's what you San Francisco (2-9) at the division and are playing Chargers. home-field advantage in
guys want to call a rivalry, Seattle (6-5) really good football. So a Neither team can afford a the NFC. First up, a pair of
I'm not trying to minimize Most intriguing here is lot has changed." stumble as it approaches NFC Central opponents —
that part, it's just that isn't Richard Sherman now The Seahawks have won likely postseason berths. LA at Chicago next week is
the way I talk and act and wearing a 49ers jersey. The eight straight and 10 of can't fall further behind KC the tougher test.
think about it. The better star defensive back for the past 11 vs. the 49ers. in the AFC West, and the Los Angeles clinches the
the other team is, the more seven seasons in Seattle Seattle, which plays four Steelers have hopes of a NFC West with a win or
it brings out the best you hasn't done much in San of its final five at home first-round bye. Seattle loss. Todd Gurley
have, and I love that." Francisco: Sherman had 32 — the other game is at Minnesota (6-4-1) at New leads the league with 1,484
The weekend began picks for Seattle, most in the the Niners — are 26-13 in England (8-3) scrimmage yards and 17
Thursday night with Dallas' NFL during that span. He regular-season games in More records are within scrimmage TDs, and DT
13-10 home victory over has zero interceptions and December/January under Tom Brady's reach. With Aaron Donald has been
New Orleans. Ezekiel Elliott four passes defensed this Carroll. two touchdown passes practically unblockable
scored the only Dallas season. Los Angeles Chargers (8-3) against Minnesota, at times. He had two strip-
touchdown and the "It's different. Just the at Pittsburgh (7-3-1) Brady would pass Peyton sacks in the win over the
Cowboys (7-5) stifled Drew Chiefs.q