What To Look For – Week 8

L.T. GOES FOR 10 IN LONDON: San Diego Chargers running back LA DAINIAN TOMLISON has totaled 100 or more rushing yards nine times against NFC teams. With a 100-yard performance this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL’s International Series game in London, England, Tomlinson will tie AHMAN GREEN and EDGERRIN JAMES for the second-most 100-yard rush games against interconference opponents since 2000.

The most 100-yard interconference rushing games since 2000:

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LUCKY 7 ON MNF: In his 15th season, Tennessee Titans head coach JEFF FISHER is the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL and his undefeated team is off to the best start in franchise history (6-0).

With a win this Monday night against Indianapolis, Fisher can join Pro Football Hall of Famers TOM LANDRY and DON SHULA as the only head coaches in history to start a season 7-0 in their 15th year or later.

Following are the head coaches to start a season 7-0 in their 15th season or later:

* Super Bowl winner

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ELI & BIG BEN: Two quarterbacks with a rare NFL accomplishment will face each other this week.

The New York Giants’ ELI MANNING and Pittsburgh Steelers’ BEN ROETHLISBERGER were both drafted in 2004 and have each won a Super Bowl. They are one of only three sets of quarterbacks in history to be drafted in the same year and to win a Super Bowl, and the only pair who were selected in the first round.

Quarterbacks from the same draft class to win Super Bowls:

PORTIS CHASING FAB 5: Washington Redskins running back CLINTON PORTIS leads the NFL with 818 rushing yards. Portis has gained at least 120 yards in four consecutive games and needs another 120 this week against Detroit to become only the second player in history with 120 rush yards in five consecutive games twice in a career (O.J. SIMPSON in 1973 and 1975). Portis previously accomplished the feat in his final four games of 2003 with Denver and posted his fifth consecutive 120-yard game in 2004 when he joined Washington.

Following are game-by-game rushing totals of Portis’ five consecutive games with 120 or more rushing yards in 2003-04 and his four consecutive games with 120 or more rushing yards this season:

* With Washington in 2004

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SUCCESS AGAINST UNFAMILIAR OPPONENTS: The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers take aim at extending their home winning streaks against interconference opponents this Sunday.

The Patriots, who will face the Rams, rank second in the NFL with 11 consecutive interconference wins at home. With a win, New England can tie the Jacksonville Jaguars (12) for the longest current streak of consecutive home wins against interconference opponents.

The Steelers will host the New York Giants on Sunday and can extend their current streak of nine consecutive home wins against an interconference opponent.

The longest current streaks of consecutive home wins in interconference games:

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“DRE” SIZZLES AT RELIANT STADIUM: Houston Texans wide receiver ANDRE JOHNSON has gained at least 100 receiving yards in all three Texans home games this season while averaging 150.0 yards per game (450 total).

The six-year veteran has 16 100-yard home receiving games in his career, which ranks fourth all-time among players in their first six seasons.

Following are the players with the most 100-yard receiving games at home in their first six seasons:

MR. WES: With six or more receptions on Sunday against St. Louis, New England Patriots wide receiver WES WELKER can become only the fourth player in NFL history with at least six catches in each of his team’s first seven games of a season.

Following are the players with six or more receptions in each of their team’s first seven games of a season:

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