WHO'S Hot
Emmitt Smith
O.K., he's not the Emmitt of old--but at 35 the alltime rushing leader turned in a game for the ages. His 77th 100-yard game tied Walter Payton's NFL record and made him the oldest back to gain more than 100 since Marcus Allen in '95. He had a touchdown reception, ran for a score and, get this, threw a 21-yard TD on his first career pass. For one sweet day in the Arizona sun, Emmitt gave the Cardinals every bit of their money's worth.
Massachusetts
The Pats have only to beat the Dolphins for the win-streak record, the Red Sox are in the playoffs for the second straight year and what a week for homegrown talent: Conan O'Brien was anointed Tonight Show successor, and debate champ John Kerry pulled even with Dubya.
Midshipmen
Navy's late field goal beat rival Air Force, making the team 5--0 and putting it on the verge of the Commander in Chief's Trophy. NFL's lone Navy alum, guard Mike Wahle, remains a rare bright spot on the Packers.
Green Day
Look who's No. 1--on The Billboard 200. The title track of the punk band's bestselling rock opera American Idiot debuted on Madden 2005 in August.
Kurt Warner
It's not where he is--contending in the NFC East after guiding the Giants to three consecutive wins--so much as where he's been. Before beating the Redskins on Sept. 19, he'd gone nearly two years without a victory and endured talk-radio hell in St. Louis, where wife Brenda carped about his playing time, and in New York, where cries rang out for the Eli era to begin.
WHO'S Not
Oakland
The A's slinked out of the playoff race, and the Raiders (2--2) have now lost 11 straight road games. They head to Indianapolis this week, and with Rich Gannon down and backup Kerry Collins tossing interceptions, the force is definitely not with Al Davis these days.
Chicago
North Side, South Side, there's just no relief. It's not only Da Bears (they're 1--3 with quarterback troubles--yes, again!), it's the Cubbies (Oh, the humanity!) and those lackluster Chisox.
David Hasselhoff
Ten years after his long-awaited pay-per-view concert was eclipsed by O.J.'s Bronco run, ex-Baywatch stud and Dan Marino look-alike accepts role as lifeguard in SpongeBob SquarePants movie.
Green Bay
Look who's No. 4--in the NFC North. With Brett Favre banged up, the Packers are 1--3 for the first time since '93 and 0--2 at home, making Vegas oddsmakers look like American idiots.
Compassion
NFL prohibits Broncos QB Jake Plummer from wearing sticker honoring his late ex-teammate Pat Tillman, Panthers fine running back Rod Smart for missing practice while with his family in Florida during Hurricane Jeanne and Bill Parcells's tyrannical style gets glorified on 60 Minutes.
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TODD ROSENBERG/ICON SMI (SMITH)
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JACK DEMPSEY/AP (NAVY)
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WARNER BROS. (GREEN DAY)
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HULTON-DEUTSCH COLLECTION/CORBIS (STRONG MAN)
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JAMES D. SMITH/WIREIMAGE (ALLEN)
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ANDY MANIS/WIREIMAGE (FAVRE)
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MEL BOUZAD/GETTY IMAGES (SPONGEBOB)
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TONY GONZALES/OAKLAND RAIDERS (VADER/DAVIS)
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ANDERS KRUSBERG/AP (HASSELHOFF)
