There was a time, like say last month, when a three-touchdown lead meant smiles and high-fives all around.
Now, they’re just another record on this year’s pile.
When the Lions made their own luck last Sunday and also took advantage of every Cowboys mistake to come back from 24 points down for a 34-30 win, it sent another few pages of the NFL’s record book back to the printer.
Because with the Lions’ win and the 49ers’ rally from 20 points down to defeat the Eagles last Sunday, as well as the Bills’ comeback from 21 down to defeat the Patriots and the Lions’ win over Minnesota after trailing by 20 in Week 3, it marks the first time in NFL history two teams have overcome deficits of at least 20 points to earn wins in back-to-back weeks.
In fact what the Lions did against Dallas is so rare, there were only 14 other regular-season games in which a team overcame a deficit of at least 24 points to win. And it has happened only three previous times since the start of the 1987 season. The Lions also became the first team to win back-to-back games it trailed by at least 20 points.
Must-see game of the week
Titans at Steelers 11 a.m.
The skinny: This is the 30th season Titans coach Mike Munchak has been with the franchise as a player, assistant coach or in his current job, so he has been through what Jeff Fisher used to simply call “Steelers week” many times. The Titans sit atop the AFC South despite their warts on offense because they also happen to lead the league in scoring defense at 14.0 points per game, are seventh in yards allowed per game and eighth in rushing yards allowed per game. All Steelers-like numbers, to be sure.
The difference will be: If the Titans can keep the Steelers’ turnover woes going. Pittsburgh is an uncharacteristic minus-10 in turnover margin, having lost six fumbles to go with QB Ben Roethlisberger’s five interceptions. When these two met last season Sept. 19 in Nashville, Tenn., the Steelers forced seven turnovers — three interceptions and four fumble recoveries — in what was an eight-point Steelers win. The Titans haven’t won in Pittsburgh since 2003.
The call: Steelers 17-14
Catch them if you can
Eagles at Bills 11 a.m., KDVR-31
Of all the things Vince Young could have done to try to resurrect his career with the Eagles, now being remembered as the player who saddled the group with the “Dream Team” label was not the most helpful. The Eagles have plenty of talent, but they don’t take care of the ball — only the Steelers and Broncos have turned it over more — and they don’t tackle all that well on defense, especially in the secondary.
The call: Bills 31-30
Raiders at Texans 11 a.m., KCNC-4
The Raiders have gone as far as Darren McFadden’s legs have carried them thus far — he is the league’s leading rusher with 468 yards and also leads the Raiders in catches. The Texans have been far stingier on defense with Wade Phillips calling the shots, and just one back has topped 100 yards against the Texans this season — Miami rookie Daniel Thomas.
The call: Texans 28-23
Bucs at 49ers 2 p.m.
First-year 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh raised a few eyebrows around the league when he conducted what was perhaps the NFL’s most physical training camp after the lockout. But his early results are hard to argue with as the 49ers have shown themselves to be a tough-minded team that gets results. The San Francisco offense is still a limited offering — the 49ers are 28th in yards per game — so keeping the current momentum could be difficult over the long haul.
The call: Buccaneers 23-21
Packers at Falcons 6:20 p.m., KUSA-9
During the 2010 regular season, Falcons K Matt Bryant booted a 47-yarder with nine seconds left in the game to give Atlanta a 20-17 win over the Packers. It may be just slightly more difficult for the Falcons to keep themselves in that position this time around. No quarterback in the league is playing better than the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers. In three career starts against the Falcons. Rodgers has thrown for 1,023 yards to go with seven TDs and just one interception.
The call: Packers 35-21
Quick hits
Saints at Panthers 11 a.m.
If not for an opening-week loss to the now 4-0 Packers, folks might be giving the Saints a bit more love. They have the pieces to go deep in the postseason especially on offense, where QB Drew Brees has completed at least 20 passes in his last 24 games — already a league record.
The call: Saints 35-17
Chiefs at Colts 11 a.m.
There are plenty of folks in the league who think it would be slightly unjust for the Colts, with QB Peyton Manning set to miss the year after neck surgery, to be positioned to select Stanford QB Andrew Luck in next year’s draft. But they are headed that way.
The call: Colts 23-21
Bengals at Jaguars 11 a.m.
The Bengals have lost their last seven games at Jacksonville. Both teams start rookie quarterbacks — Andy Dalton for the Bengals, Blaine Gabbert for the Jaguars. In Dalton’s two road starts, he has thrown for 413 yards, three TDs and no interceptions.
The call: Bengals 20-13
Cardinals at Vikings 11 a.m.
Both of these teams are taking heat for their quarterback play, but only Vikings QB Donovan McNabb has a first-round pick waiting behind him in Christian Ponder. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier is sticking with McNabb for the moment, but this team has to finish more drives.
The call: Vikings 24-17
Seahawks at Giants 11 a.m.
In his last two starts against the Seahawks, Giants QB Eli Manning completed just over 70 percent of his passes for 557 yards to go with five TDs and no interceptions. There’s no reason to believe he won’t add to that list in this one.
The call: Giants 27-13
Jets at Patriots 2:15 p.m.
At this point, with a largely ornamental running game and limited options in the formation, the Patriots still lead the league on offense on the power of Tom Brady to Wes Welker. Everybody knows it. No one has stopped it.
The call: Patriots 27-20
