League embraces another changing of the guard

Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 | 9:44 a.m.

All-time series -- Vikings lead, 21-14-2.

Last time -- The Rams won, 40-29, in St. Louis in 2000.

Notable -- The last three times these teams have played, all in St. Louis, they have combined for 69, 86 and 69 points ... these are the two most potent offenses in the NFC, as the Rams average 27.2 points and the Vikings 26.6 ... the Rams' defense has returned two interceptions for touchdowns, but the Vikings have three included among their league-best 22 picks ... if Minnesota doesn't commit a rash of penalties, it will eke this one out.

Prediction (7-5) -- Minnesota 38, St. Louis 37.

his team's 2-9 record. Since it went to

the playoffs in '95, San Diego is 41-82.

A little? When authorities recently picked him up for his erratic driving, McMahon's blood-alcohol level indicated that he had pickled most of his major organs.

Alas, the disturbing antics of the epitome of the arrogant professional athlete are for another article, or book, and another time.

What would fill Rozelle with glee is the current nature of his league, which has reached a level of parity that is best exemplified in the plights of Tampa Bay and Oakland.

Last season's Super Bowl participants are both on track to miss this season's playoffs and finish with losing records. That has happened only once since 1970.

During the 1998 season, Denver and Atlanta both advanced to the NFL championship game. Both answered with sub-.500 records in '99.

The talent level is so tight, one injury can throw a team off course. Take the New York Giants, who have lost three in a row after losing tight end Jeremy Shockey to a knee injury.

"With injuries," Giants coach Jim Fassel told the Newark Star-Ledger, "a couple losses here, a couple win here, it sways your whole season."

That talent level is so tight, huge underdog Houston can go into Miami, a preseason favorite to go deep into the playoffs, and win the season opener. If you had the Texans to win that one, you got $65 back on every $10 that was wagered.

Right, Al? (See below.)

Houston billionaire Robert McNair, thirsty for a winner, knew what he was doing when he forked over hundreds of millions of dollars to get his city back in the pro football game, after the Oilers left town in 1996.

The second-year Texans play in Tampa on Dec. 14, and their recent showings suggest that they'll give the defending Super Bowl champion Bucs a game.

Tampa Bay was the latest team to continue a trend of shelving a prominent player, started by New England and copied by Cleveland, when it just gave receiver Keyshawn Johnson his damn walking papers.

(Sorry, the reference to the title of the loudmouth's biography was too easy to bypass.)

So, perhaps the Buccaneers brain trust added by subtracting a distractive and selfish influence. Perhaps there's even time for them to turn around their season and rally to get into the playoffs.

We don't think so.

Playing at New Orleans in two weeks will be tough. The Bucs have already lost to the Saints this season, and New Orleans won both games a year ago. In fact, the Saints have won 10 of their last 11 home games against Tampa.

Then, the finale. At Tennessee on Dec. 28. The only time the Titans have played host, two seasons ago, they beat the Buccaneers, 31-28.

Gruden left Oakland at a good time, as many Raiders played pivotal AARP roles in supporting that new Medicare legislation.

It's been a sorry 3-8 season for the eye-patch boys. Hopefully, it doesn't end with too many incidents of high-jinx or mayhem in San Diego, a notorious gathering spot for the Raiders' hooligan element, on Dec. 28.

Chargers' brass, take it from us -- order that extra battalion of security, and request a police chopper or two -- for that one right now.

Most recently, he spoke of the thud you just heard "coming from Vegas," after a two-point safety pushed Tampa Bay's cushion over the Giants to 19-13. That gave the Bucs the cover.

Coy, Al. Very coy. Next time, take a peek at the number and keep tabs on it throughout the game. Odds are 2-5 that Michaels will squeeze in a not-so-vague reference to the "chalk."

Division hits

NFC: West -- That botched fourth-and-1 call Sunday, with 44 seconds left in Baltimore, was the latest call that has sullied Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren's luster. South. -- Don't expect Jacksonville to roll over for Tampa Bay on Sunday night. The Bucs lost their only game in Jax Town, 29-24, in 1998. North -- After Thursday, Good Bye, Green Bay. Maybe QB Brett Favre, too. East -- If it can extend its impressive role to 9 wins in its last 10 games on Sunday, at Carolina, Philly gets sole possession of first in the NFC East .

AFC: West -- Oakland CB Phillip Buchanon calls himself "Showtime," but his attitude and poor play have cost his team lately . South -- The Colts are tied atop the division with the Titans, but it's Tennessee which is the lone AFC team that is 3-0 against the NFC and possibly best-suited to win the Super Bowl. North -- Baltimore rookie DE Terrell Suggs played big Sunday, getting two sacks, and forcing and recovering a fumble, against Seattle. East -- If it's the favorite color of Ol' Blue Eyes -- and it was -- then that's good enough for us, too. Miami's orange uniforms are fantastic.