Sports (washingtonpost.com)

Two-Minute Drill
Vikings' Moss Gets Tangled Up With an Old Foe

The Washington Post
Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, Page D10

Report Links Boston, Steroids | Star of the Day
By the Numbers | Quotable | Sunday's Best | Looking Ahead

Nearly a year after Chicago defensive back Charles Tillman went high in the air and ripped a pass away from Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss in the end zone to preserve a Bears victory, the two got reacquainted yesterday.

Moss and Tillman got into a mini-wrestling match on the sideline after a play in the third quarter, but it was broken up and no penalties were called.

After Chicago's 24-14 victory, reporters saw some members of the Bears' secondary standing in the end zone waving goodbye to Moss and other Vikings receivers as they exited the field.

And Moss, who had just four catches, didn't like it.

Bears Coach Lovie Smith said Moss called out the Bears before the game.

"We were challenged before the game, called out by them," Smith said.

When asked if he meant Moss, Smith replied: "Yeah, that's who I'm talking about. That's what he said."

Moss, who has been slowed by a hamstring injury, had a fumble yesterday when Tillman stripped the ball after Moss made a catch.

"I just wanted to say bye to him. I didn't say nothing," Tillman said of the post-game waving. "I couldn't hear what he said. I wasn't going to get in a fight."

Moss was not available for comment.

-- From News Services

Report Links Boston, Steroids
Miami Dolphins wide receiver David Boston, who has missed the entire season with a knee injury, is appealing a four-game suspension after testing positive for steroids, Fox Sports reported yesterday.

Neither the NFL nor the Dolphins would comment on the report. Boston, obtained by the Dolphins in a trade with San Diego in the offseason, injured his knee in August and is on injured reserve. . . .

Houston Texans linebacker Jay Foreman sprained his left ankle in a 29-7 loss to the New York Jets and will miss the rest of the season. Coach Dom Capers said the injury might require surgery. . . .

Steve McNair was put on the inactive list by the Tennessee Titans before yesterday's game against Indianapolis.

McNair aggravated a bruised sternum last week. . . .

NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith was inactive with a toe injury for the Arizona Cardinals' game at Detroit.

-- From News Services

Star of the Day
Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb threw five touchdowns -- all in the first half -- and completed 32 of 43 passes for 464 yards in Philadelphia's 47-17 rout of the Packers. McNabb was pulled from the game early in the fourth quarter.

By the Numbers
4: Consecutive games in which the Colts have scored at least 40 points, tying an NFL record.
37: Consecutive games in which Brett Favre had thrown at least one touchdown pass. The streak ended in Philadelphia.
0-10: The Dolphins' record when they lose the turnover battle; Miami committed seven against Buffalo.
100: Points allowed by the Browns in their past two games.
101: Career sacks for the Bucs' Simeon Rice, who had two on Atlanta's Michael Vick.

Quotable
"You make 150 decisions a day. That was not a very good one, obviously."
Falcons Coach Jim Mora Jr., who elected to have Michael Vick pass on first and goal from the 1-yard line early in the second quarter. Vick's pass was intercepted and Atlanta was shut out.

Sunday's Best
Top Rushers (by yards)
194: Brian Westbrook, Eagles, 3 TDs
177: Larry Johnson, Chiefs, 2 TDs
168: Nick Goings, Panthers, 1 TD
165: Chester Taylor, Ravens, 1 TD
162: Clinton Portis, Redskins, 2 TDs
151: Curtis Martin, Jets, 2 TDs
135: Edgerrin James, Colts, 2 TDs
130: Ladainian Tomlinson, Chargers, 2 TDs

Top Passers (by yards)
464: Donovan McNabb, Eagles, 5 TDs
425: Peyton Manning, Colts, 3 TDs, 2 INTs
343: Kerry Collins, Raiders, 3 TDs
337: Trent Green, Chiefs, 3 TDs, 1 INT
317: Carson Palmer, Bengals, 3 TDs, 1 INT
303: A.J. Feeley, Dolphins, 3 TDs, 5 INTs

Top Receivers (by yards)
179: Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers, 3 TDs
161: Terrell Owens, Eagles, 1 TD
160: Joe Horn, Saints, 2 TDs
159: Torry Holt, Rams, 1 TD
155: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals, 1 TD
154: Brandon Stokley, Colts, 1 TD
148: Eddie Kennison, Chiefs, 1 TD
141: Ronald Curry, Raiders, 2 TDs
139: Chad Johnson, Bengals, 2 TDs

Looking Ahead
St. Louis at Carolina. The defending NFC champion Panthers have won four straight while the Rams are still in contention for the NFC West crown.

Indianapolis at Houston. Peyton Manning needs just five touchdown passes to overtake Dan Marino for the most in a single season. It could happen against the Texans.

New York Jets at Pittsburgh. It's the best game on paper next week and could easily be a playoff preview.

Tampa Bay at San Diego. Two quarterbacks who had become afterthoughts -- Brian Griese and Drew Brees -- try to keep it going when they square off against each other.