In the weeks leading up to the 2006 NFL draft, Devin Hester trained with Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders.
Now, just six years and a pile of raised eyebrows and slapped foreheads left in his jet wash, the Bears’ Hester has tied Sanders in the NFL record book. When Hester took yet another misguided punt back for a touchdown last weekend — his NFL-record 12th punt return for a score in his career — he tied Sanders at the top of the all-time list for return touchdowns. Hester also has brought back six kickoffs and one missed field goal for touchdowns — a total of 19.
The Broncos are part of that list. On a rainy night in November 2007 at Soldier Field, the Broncos punted the ball at Hester and he took it back 75 yards for a third-quarter touchdown. Just 10 minutes, 23 seconds later, they sent a kickoff Hester’s way and he brought that back 88 yards for a score in the Broncos’ 37-34 overtime loss.
There are players in the NFL with similar height, weight and speed to Hester, and there are players with similar explosiveness. But there is nobody like him, with that innate feel and fearlessness of a player who is the best of his generation at what he does.
Must-see game of the week
Bengals at Ravens 11 a.m.
The skinny: The Bengals stumbled in the biggest game of their season last week when they couldn’t grab the division lead from the Steelers, but the Ravens have been one of the most confounding teams in the league for much of the year. One week the Ravens dominate the Steelers, and the next they lose to the Titans. One week they put together a game-winning drive in the final minutes to beat the Steelers again, and then they go on to lose to the Seahawks.
The difference will be: If Ravens QB Joe Flacco, who is sitting at just 54.8 percent for his completion rate, can pick up the pace. He has three 300-yard passing games in his last five outings, including a last-minute win over the Steelers. That said, he has only three touchdown passes over the last six games. He is far more comfortable at home, with a 23-5 career record there as a starter. The Bengals have won their last three road games.
The call: Ravens 24-23
Catch them if you can
Bucs at Packers 11 a.m., KDVR-31
Through the years, the Buccaneers have fared pretty well in this matchup — Tampa Bay has won seven of the last 10 meetings between the teams — but this isn’t just any other year. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is playing the position as well as it can be played, and some in the league say they cannot remember anyone, anytime, in any season, who has played it better. The Packers have won 15 games in a row, including the playoffs, the longest streak in team history.
The call: Packers 35-21
Titans at Falcons 2:15 p.m.
The Titans haven’t played at the Georgia Dome since 2003 when Eddie George was the team’s leading rusher. The Titans have always played with a run-first approach, which may be the reason they have won 13 of their last 14 games against NFC teams. Falcons QB Matt Ryan is coming off a career-best 351 yards passing in an overtime loss to the Saints.
The call: Titans 23-21
Chargers at Bears 2:15 p.m., KCNC-4
The puzzling season of San Diego QB Philip Rivers continues. He has thrown eight interceptions in his last four games and six times this season has thrown at least two interceptions. Rivers continues to maintain he’s not injured and not pressing too much, but either way it’s shaping up to be his worst season as a starter. The Bears have won four in a row.
The call: Bears 27-24
Eagles at Giants 6:20 p.m., KUSA-9
Michael Vick’s broken hand, concussion and now broken ribs this season should make anyone who believes a run-first quarterback can be a team’s long-term solution take pause. The Eagles have won five of last six between these teams, but Giants QB Eli Manning has thrown four TD passes in each of his last two starts against the Eagles, including a 29-16 Giants win this season.
The call: Giants 30-24
Quick hits
Jaguars at Browns 11 a.m.
These are two of the lowest-scoring teams in the league, with Cleveland 29th in scoring at 14.6 points per game and Jacksonville 31st at 12.8. It figures to be tough going at times for Jaguars rookie QB Blaine Gabbert because despite their troubles, the Browns lead the league in pass defense — they allow 163.3 passing yards per game.
The call: Browns 10-9
Panthers at Lions 11 a.m.
The Lions can show if they have playoff mettle in this one. Coming off a big loss to the Bears last week and looking toward a Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Packers, this game would be a stumbling block for an immature team.
The call: Lions 35-27
Bills at Dolphins 11 a.m.
Since a 4-1 start, the Bills have had some difficulty maintaining their momentum, having lost three of their last four. Their defense has struggled in this recent stretch, surrendering 27 points in two of their last three losses to go with 44 last week to the Cowboys.
The call: Bills 30-20
Raiders at Vikings 11 a.m., KCNC-4
The Raiders bounced back from losses to the Broncos and the Chiefs with a win over the Chargers and find themselves in first place in the tepid AFC West. The Raiders have been a tough out on the road this season, having gone 3-1 away from Oakland.
The call: Raiders 28-23
Cowboys at Redskins 11 a.m.
Mike Shanahan’s QB mess in Washington continues. Cowboys QB Tony Romo is Mr. November, having gone 17-2 in the month in his career.
The call: Cowboys 31-21
Seahawks at Rams 2 p.m.
This is just the second division game for the Rams this season. It could be a big day for Broncos fans — with eight more receptions by Brandon Lloyd for the Rams, the draft pick the Broncos got in exchange for him would improve to a fifth-rounder.
The call: Seahawks 13-10
Cardinals at 49ers 2 p.m.
Coaches have long said no statistic influences winning more than turnover margin, and the 49ers are certainly Exhibit A. They lead the league at plus-13, and CB Carlos Rogers has an NFL-leading five interceptions.
The call: 49ers 23-12
