NFL Roundup

Everything was in position for a record-setting day on the ground. <br><br>Warrick Dunn against Dallas' last-place rushing defense that had already allowed two 200-yard rushers this season? He was

Monday, December 4th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Everything was in position for a record-setting day on the ground.

Warrick Dunn against Dallas' last-place rushing defense that had already allowed two 200-yard rushers this season? He was good for 210 in Tampa Bay's 27-7 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday.

Corey Dillon, who set the single-game rushing record earlier this year, against Arizona's 28th-ranked rush defenders? That's worth another 216 in Cincinnati's 24-13 win over the Cardinals.

Curtis Martin, coming off a bad game, against an Indianapolis run defense ranked 23rd? That's a career and team high of 203 in the New York Jets' 27-17 victory in their showdown with the Colts.

Those three alone were a good bet to give the NFL three 200-yard runners on the same day for the first time, and they came through big time.

Denver rookie Mike Anderson was another matter. He was facing a New Orleans defense ranked No. 3 in the league and with plenty of incentive to win.

But Anderson was the best of the best on this day, rushing for a rookie-record 251 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-23 victory over the Saints and giving the NFL an amazing four 200-yard rushers.

``We ran two base plays all day,'' Anderson said. ``Hand off left, hand off right.''

The victory left Denver (9-4) in striking distance of the Oakland Raiders (10-3) in the AFC West. The Saints (8-5) stayed tied for first place in the NFC West with the St. Louis Rams, who lost 16-3 at Carolina after 28 consecutive games with at least 20 points.

``It was just poor tackling,'' Saints coach Jim Haslett said. ``Too many guys on the ground, and we didn't play well.''

In other NFL games, it was Jacksonville 48, Cleveland 0; Tennessee 15, Philadelphia 13; New York Giants 9, Washington 7; Seattle 30, Atlanta 10; Miami 33, Buffalo 6; Pittsburgh 21, Oakland 20; San Francisco 45, San Diego 17; and Green Bay 28, Chicago 6.

Kansas City is at New England on Monday night, and Baltimore had its bye week.

Anderson was helped off the field in the third quarter after Saints cornerback Kevin Mathis upended him. Anderson bruised his left knee, but jogged on the sideline and returned in the fourth quarter and scored his last TD.

``Anderson is a lot of fun to watch,'' said Gus Frerotte, who had to throw only 16 passes in relief of the injured Brian Griese. ``He hits the holes, he makes guys miss and breaks tackles. He's showing he's a big-time back.''

Anderson broke the rookie mark of 246 yards on 39 attempts set by Dillon on Dec. 4, 1997.

New Orleans (8-5) got another big game from Aaron Brooks, who completed 30 of 48 passes for 441 yards and two touchdowns, breaking Archie Manning's single-game team record of 377 yards set in 1980.

Bucs 27, Cowboys 7

Dunn scored two touchdowns and went over 100 yards for the second straight week for the host Buccaneers (8-5).

He scored on a 70-yard run on his first carry and put the game out of reach with a 4-yard run.

Dallas (4-9) lost to Tampa Bay for the first time after winning all eight previous meetings.

Bengals 24, Cardinals 13

Dillon's performance was his third-best career game as Cincinnati beat Arizona before the smallest crowd at Paul Brown Stadium.

Dillon had a 1-yard touchdown run as part of the biggest game ever against the Cardinals (3-10).

Dillon's 18th 100-yard game set a club record and pushed his season total to 1,278 yards, breaking James Brooks' team mark of 1,239 in 1989.

Jets 27, Colts 17

Vinny Testaverde supported Martin with 295 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Martin, whose 30 carries included a season-best 55-yard run, has gained 1,094 yards, and he joined Barry Sanders and Eric Dickerson as the only players to rush for 1,000 yards in their first six seasons.

Peyton Manning threw for two TDs and 339 yards with two interceptions. NFL rushing leader Edgerrin James gained only 49 yards for the Colts, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

Jaguars 48, Browns 0

In Jacksonville, Fred Taylor wasn't far behind the four 200-yard rushers as he ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns and broke Jacksonville's career rushing record in the most lopsided victory in Jaguars history.

Taylor surpassed 100 yards for the seventh straight game, tying him for the fourth-longest string in NFL history. He has 3,055 career yards, passing James Stewart for the top spot in Jacksonville's six-year-old record book.

Cleveland (3-11), led by rookie quarterback Spergon Wynn, managed 53 yards in offense.

Jimmy Smith caught six passes for 104 yards for Jacksonville (6-7) to surpass the 1,000-yard mark for the fifth straight season.

Panthers 16, Rams 3

Kurt Warner, out five weeks with a broken finger on his throwing hand, returned with four interceptions â€” one was brought back 88 yards by Jimmy Hitchcock for the game's only touchdown â€” in a road loss to Carolina (6-7).

Warner, whose previous high for interceptions in a single game was two, finished 18-for-36 for 189 yards.

Joe Nedney kicked three field goals as Carolina won consecutive games for the first time this season.

Giants 9, Redskins 7

New York shut down Washington until Jeff George led a short-lived rally as the Giants won their second straight since coach Jim Fassel promised the team would make the playoffs.

Brad Daluiso made field goals of 46, 27 and 28 yards to account for the Giants' points as Washington fell to 7-6.

The Giants (9-4) took over first place in the NFC East and left the Redskins, with the highest payroll in the NFL, in jeopardy of not making the playoffs.

Eddie Murray, Washington's 44-year-old kicker, was short on a 49-yard attempt in the final minute after George came in for an ineffective Brad Johnson and led the Redskins to a touchdown and then into Giants territory for the potential game-winning kick.

Titans 15, Eagles 13

Tennessee stayed in first place in the AFC Central despite failing to score a touchdown.

Al Del Greco, who missed two field goals and an extra point to cost the Titans two games, kicked five field goals, including a 50-yarder as time expired.

Steelers 21, Raiders 20

Kordell Stewart returned from a knee injury in the second half to lead Pittsburgh's home upset.

Stewart threw for two touchdowns and ran 17 yards for the decisive score early in the fourth quarter after Oakland led 17-7.

Jerome Bettis ran for 128 yards for the Steelers (7-6), who have won two in a row to surpass their six-win total of last season.

Dolphins 33, Bills 6

Jay Fiedler threw three touchdowns passes, all in the first half, as AFC East-leading Miami routed Buffalo (7-6).

Lamar Smith, back after missing last week with a strained right hamstring, ran for 100 yards on 28 carries and also caught a pass for a touchdown.

The Dolphins (10-3) scored 17 points in a 5:25 span to build a 24-0 halftime lead.

Seahawks 30, Falcons 10

Jon Kitna threw for 252 yards and George Koonce returned an interception 27 yards for his second career touchdown as Seattle (5-8) won at Atlanta.

The Falcons (3-11) have lost five in a row, getting outscored 71-24 the last two weeks.

49ers 45, Chargers 17

Jeff Garcia threw two touchdown passes to Jerry Rice and passed for 323 yards, going over the 300 plateau for the fourth time this season as the 49ers (5-8) won their third straight game.

The host Chargers tied the team record with their 12th loss.

San Diego quarterback Ryan Leaf threw interceptions on four straight possessions in the fourth quarter to turn it into a rout.

Packers 28, Bears 6

Brett Favre passed for 225 yards and reached 3,000 yards passing for a ninth straight season, tying Dan Marino's NFL mark set from 1984-92.

Green Bay (6-7) kept its slim playoff hopes alive by winning its seventh straight at Soldier Field.

Antonio Freeman caught a 5-yard TD pass, Ahman Green scored on two short runs and Tyrone Williams returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown for the Packers.