Cheers to the past
The biggest cheers from Houston Oilers fans came at a halftime ceremony when retired guard Mike Munchak had his No. 63 retired. Owner Bud Adams presented him with a recliner to better enjoy his retirement. Munchak is the fourth Oilers player to have his number retired. The others are safety-punter Jim Norton (43), running back Earl Campbell (34) and defensive back Elvin Bethea (65). Munchak earned nine Pro Bowl appearances in his 12-year career.
Art Monk update
Art Monk's 5-yard reception in the third period gave the New York Jets receiver at least one catch in 173 straight games. Steve Largent holds the NFL record of 177.
Just who is Jeff Blake?
Cincinnati quarterback Jeff Blake was selected in the sixth round of the 1992 NFL draft by the New York Jets. He was the 166th pick overall. He threw nine passes in three games for the Jets as a rookie in 1992, but didn't get into a game for New York last season. Blake's 387 passing yards were the most for a Cincinnati quarterback since Boomer Esiason's 490-yard passing performance against the Los Angeles Rams Oct. 7, 1990.
The Indianapolis Colts controlled the ball for 11:14 of the first period. Their total time of possession for the rest of the game was 11:15.
In memory of
The Atlanta Falcons wore decals on the back of their helmets that read "WZ" in memory of Darwin "Whitey" Zimmerman, the only equipment manager in team history. Zimmerman died at his home Thursday night.
Passing efficiency
Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino completed 12 of 16 passes for 123 yards in the fourth quarter, including one &L; incompletion that occurred when he spiked the ball to stop the clock. That was more completions, attempts and yards than the two Colts quarterbacks combined for in the entire game.
One-man offense
In addition to throwing for the most yards (223) by a Rams
quarterback this year, Chris Chandler also logged the team's longest run from scrimmage -- a 22-yard pickup on a quarterback draw in the first quarter.
Not the look of a leader
New England tight end Ben Coates, who began the day leading the AFC with 53 receptions and 761 receiving yards, did not catch a pass until 9:10 remained in the game. Coates, who also tipped a pass that was intercepted to set up Cleveland's last field goal, finished with three catches for 24 yards.
Four players -- two Bears and two Buccaneers -- were ejected for fighting in separate incidents that left Tampa Bay coach Sam Wyche griping about the officiating.
Chicago defensive end Alonzo Spellman and Bucs offensive tackle Paul Gruber were thrown out after scuffling late in the first quarter. Bears linebacker Vinson Smith and Bucs tight end Tyji Armstrong pushed and shoved in the third quarter and also were ejected.
"Our players are confused. When can you hit and when can't you hit?" Wyche said. "They've taken the fun out of the game for the players and for people in the industry. It's frustrating."
The biggest hit of the game also drew a personal foul when Tampa Bay's Thomas Everett leveled Bears receiver Tom Waddle to break up a pass in the second quarter.
Waddle was shaken up and did not return to the game. Everett was penalized 15 yards for a head shot, but not ejected.