What To Look For – NFL Week 4

SCORING SURGE: NFL games are averaging 44.1 points per contest through three weeks of the season – the highest such mark at this point since 2002 (44.7).

Last week, 747 points were scored in 16 games, the 10th-highest point total in history in a single weekend.

With the NFL at 44.1 points per game, following are the five highest point averages through the first four weeks of a season since 1978:

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ROOKIE RUNNING REVOLUTION: Six rookie running backs lead their teams in rushing, and four of them are on pace for 1,000-yard seasons.

The six are MATT FORTÉ (Chicago, 304 yards), CHRIS JOHNSON (Tennessee, 276), DARREN MC FADDEN (Oakland, 252), STEVE SLATON (Houston, 159), JONATHAN STEWART (Carolina, 145) and KEVIN SMITH (Detroit, 102).

The last time six rookie running backs led their clubs in rushing in a season was in 2001. Four rookie running backs have never rushed for 1,000 yards in the same season. Three have three times in history.

The three seasons with three 1,000-yard rookie running backs, and which 2008 rookie running backs project to 1,000 yards:

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BUFFING UP THE RECORD: When the Buffalo Bills visit St. Louis this Sunday, they will seek to start the season at 4-0 after beginning 2007 at 1-3.

With a win, the Bills would become the eighth club in the past five years to start a season at 4-0 after beginning 1-3 or 0-4 the previous year. All seven teams qualified for the playoffs.

Teams over the past five years to open a season 4-0 after a 1-3 or 0-4 start the previous year:

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GOOD CATCH!: Entering Sunday night’s game against Washington, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver TERRELL OWENS has 892 receptions in 176 career games.

With eight catches Sunday, Owens can become the eighth player in history with 900 receptions and would accomplish the feat in the third-fewest games.

Also, with four catches against New Orleans, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver ISAAC BRUCE can surpass former Buffalo wide receiver ANDRE REED for fifth place on the all-time receptions list.

The seven players in history with 900 receptions and the five to reach the milestone in the fewest games:

* Active; ** Needs eight receptions to reach 900

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FAST START: Through the first three games of the season, the Denver Broncos’ 114 points tie for the fifth-most in that time span since 1970 (the 2000 St. Louis Rams scored the most points in a season’s first three games since 1970, 119).

When the Broncos travel to Kansas City on Sunday, they can enter the top five spots for most points scored in a season’s first four games with 37 points. Denver is averaging 38.0 points this season.

The most points scored through the first four games of a season since 1970:

* Through three games