Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Browns and Greens visible in late autumn

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Nov. 9, 2001 | 11:32 a.m.

Sal DeFilippo's pro football column appears Friday. Reach him at sal@lasvegassun.com or 259-4076.

Much like the scenery in late autumn, the NFL was completely dominated by Greens and Browns last week.

In Green Bay, Ahman Green ran for 169 yards and a touchdown in a Packers win. Trent Green threw three TDs in a Chiefs victory. The green-clad Jets and Eagles each were road winners.

Tim Brown had nine catches and two touchdowns in a Raiders win. Troy Brown caught a 44-yard scoring pass in New England's victory.

But the really colorful finish was in Chicago, and involved, naturally, the Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland took an early lead on a fumble return for a touchdown by, not surprisingly, Courtney Brown.

After the Bears tied the game, two-third quarter touchdowns gave Cleveland a 21-7 lead. With 28 seconds remaining, Chicago scored to pull within a touchdown.

A successful onside kick, two short passes, and a 34-yard miracle Hail Mary pass later, and Chicago tied the score, forcing overtime.

The Bears capped the improbable comeback in the most fitting manner possible -- an interception return for a touchdown by -- ta da -- safety Mike Brown. (I had to double-check that, because the Bears also have a safety named Mike Green, naturally).

If that ending sounds familiar, it should. Seven days earlier, against San Francisco, the same Mike Brown returned an interception for a touchdown in overtime to give the Bears a win. This week's feat marked the first time any team has scored touchdowns in overtime to win consecutive games -- not to mention by the same defensive player.

Perhaps we'll see a change of season this week. After all, the last Leaf (Ryan) is ready to get raked again, so anything still is possible.

Kevin Janison, meteorologist at KLAS Channel 8, posted another 3-0 weekend -- his third of the year -- to regain the lead in my celebrity picks content. Master magician Lance Burton, who was 2-1 last week, is second and comedian Amazing Johnathan, who was 3-0, moved into third.