Four games between teams with better records than the 4-3 of Miami and Dallas nevertheless are overshadowed by Jimmy Johnson facing Jerry Jones.
The Johnson-Jones feud is in the words-will-never-hurt-me category. The other clashes are in the sticks-and-stones-will-break-my-bones category.
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The 5-2 Chiefs play the 6-1 Broncos in Denver, where the Broncos are ready for the notorious cut blocks of the Chiefs’ receivers. When the Chiefs and Seahawks played Oct. 17, the league issued more than $30,000 in fines for fights. Seahawks linebacker Winston Moss was fined for fighting after a cut block, a legal block at the knees that defensive players hate.
“If they keep doing it I’m going to tell them, `I’ll poke you in your eyes or something,’ ” warned Broncos safety Steve Atwater.
Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer wants his receivers to block downfield to keep defensive backs from finishing off his running backs in a pile.
“We make no apologies for the way we play,” Schottenheimer said. “None whatsoever.”
But Seahawks defensive backs coach Willy Robinson said: “What the Chiefs teach is immoral. It’s to a point where they are going to end that person’s career.”
Harried Harbaugh: The 5-2 Colts play the 6-1 Redskins in Washington in the Respect Bowl. The Redskins haven’t beaten anybody, the critics point out. The Colts are ready to crumble, according to some, because Jim Harbaugh has been sacked 13 times in his last three games and is on the verge of breaking.
Harbaugh remains diplomatic when discussing his protection.
“Every quarterback always worries about protection,” he said. “Every quarterback would like it to be a little better, but it wasn’t the protection that beat us (against New England).”
Philly challenge: The 5-2 Panthers and 5-2 Eagles try to keep it going in Philadelphia. The Eagles’ Ricky Watters leads the NFC in rushing with 749 yards and a 4.9 average. Last year, he averaged 4.05 yards a carry in the first 12 games and fell off to 2.96 in the last six, including two playoff games.
So coach Ray Rhodes said he is going to monitor his carries.
“I don’t want to wear him down,” Rhodes said.
The Panthers lead the NFC in sacks, but have to face Ty Detmer, who emerged from a short, skinny, weak-armed backup to an intriguing prospect with four touchdown passes last week, causing Watters to recall former teammate Joe Montana: “He reminds me of Joe Money in his mannerisms and everything. He’s skinny like Joe Money. He’s funny like Joe was in a laid-back sort of way. The way he runs out of the pocket and throws the ball to the back and everything. That may not be fair. Joe was the best ever. But there are similarities.”
One of the boys: The 5-2 49ers go to Houston to play the 5-2 Oilers. The 49ers are relying on Steve Young’s gimpy legs now that Elvis Grbac has an injured left shoulder.
“He’s our starting quarterback,” coach George Seifert said. “He’s got to play. As long as he can play and he tells me he can play, then he’ll start.”
Said Young: “There’s a lot of guys playing with broken bones out there. A lot of football players are really hurt. It’s nothing unusual for guys in the NFL to play hurt.”
A huge boost for the 49ers is the return of fullback William Floyd, back in the starting lineup 363 days after tearing up his right knee against New Orleans. He tore three of the four ligaments in the knee and required two reconstructive operations.
Bye the way: The 0-8 Jets are worried about overlooking the 3-4 Cardinals. The Jets have their bye next week and can’t really be blamed for wanting to do something besides play football.
“That may be a major part of what I talk to them about,” coach Rich Kotite said. “I don’t think we’ll fall into that trap, but it is a trap if you’re not careful and if it’s not identified and talked about.”
Admitted defensive tackle Matt Brock: “The bye week is a target week for us. It’s the start of a new season.”
Dollar bills: Some teams just know how to win. The 5-2 Bills have a mere eight TDs, only one more than 1-6 Tampa Bay.
“We realize you can’t always count on winning the close ones,” coach Marv Levy said. “But if you’re going to aspire to be champions, you’ve got to win a number of close ones. We’re winning, we’ve got a good record, and we’re going to work our tails off to get better. I’m not going to be wringing my hands, saying, `Oh, my gosh! We only won by three points.’ I’d be saying that if we only lost by three points.”
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What a good idea: Bruce Coslet’s first order of business in replacing Bengals coach David Shula was to cut his first practice 20 minutes short Wednesday and keep players at four skill positions (quarterback, running back, wide receiver and defensive back) for conditioning drills.
The 1-6 Bengals have been outscored 63-31 in the fourth quarter.
“That’s an observation I’ve made, that our players need to be in a little better condition,” Coslet said.