King's Corner
HOT TOPIC
Brett Favre needs 53 touchdown passes to break Dan Marino's NFL career record of 420, but if the Packers' quarterback sets the mark it won't be his favorite. Favre (left) is most proud of his streak of consecutive starts, which reached 200 on Monday night against the Rams. Favre hasn't missed a start since Sept. 27, 1992 and the streak is 84 games longer than any other quarterback's in history. "I'm certain it will mean more than anything else," he says. "Every week I say, 'I can't believe I made another game.' Guys are falling all around me, guys in great shape. Even I have to admit I'm fortunate."
BY THE NUMBERS
So you think turnover margin is overrated? The top four teams in that department (the Colts, Steelers, Eagles and Jets) have a combined record of 36--8. The bottom four teams in turnover margin (the Cowboys, Dolphins, 49ers and Raiders) are a combined 10--34.
MATCHUP OF THE WEEK
Green Bay at Philadelphia. Last June vacationing Eagles wide receiver Freddie Mitchell was at a restaurant in Stockholm when a Swede approached his table and stared at him. "I know you," Mitchell recalls the man saying. "I saw the play!" Last January, Mitchell (right) caught the pivotal pass in an NFC divisional playoff game against the Packers, a 28yard completion from Donovan McNabb on fourth-and-26 with a minute left in regulation that helped set up the tying field in Philadelphia's 20--17 overtime win. Green Bay has lost six straight in Philly, its last win, 49--0, coming in 1962.
THREE POINTS
1. I never thought my vote for Coach of the Year would go to a man who's walking the sideline for the defending Super Bowl champions, but I'm leaning toward Bill Belichick. The Patriots went 4--0 in November with road wins over the Rams and the Chiefs--two of the top five passing teams in the NFL--despite using a wide receiver, Troy Brown, to play more at cornerback than injured starters Ty Law and Tyrone Poole.
2. Memo to Lions president Matt Millen: Sign Bucs quarterback Brad Johnson (above) if he becomes available in the off-season. Detroit will need a proven replacement for Joey Harrington if the third-year passer continues to screw up, and it's unclear whether backup Mike McMahon could handle the job.
3. I think the Cardinals' Dennis Green is a heck of a coach. But rookie John Navarre at quarterback? Denny, swallow your pride and go back to Josh McCown. You're killing the poor kid--and hurting your playoff chances too.
Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback, every week at SI.com/football.
COLOR PHOTO
DARREN HAUCK/WIREIMAGE.COM (FAVRE)
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HUNTER MARTIN/WIREIMAGE.COM (MITCHELL)
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REINHOLD MATAY/WIREIMAGE.COM (JOHNSON)