Sports: Around the AFC

Around the AFC

By Compiled from Times wires

BENGALS: Their average starting position was their 20-yard line. The Jaguars' average start was their 48. ... Fourth-year player Billy Granville started at middle linebacker in place of Brian Simmons, out 10-12 weeks with torn cartilage in his right knee.

BILLS: Rookie linebacker Corey Moore is expected to miss at least two weeks with what coach Wade Phillips described as "a high ankle sprain, which is probably the most serious sprained ankle that you can have."

BRONCOS: For the second straight week, rookie running back Mike Anderson made Denver feel good about resting Terrell Davis. Anderson gained 187 yards on 32 carries in the win over the Raiders.

BROWNS: They honored their 14 Hall of Famers at halftime. Nine of the 11 living players were present, including Jim Brown, Otto Graham and Paul Warfield.

CHARGERS: Running back Robert Chancey was lost to an apparent knee injury, but the team didn't know how long he would be out.

CHIEFS: Running back Tony Richardson broke an 18-yard run, his longest of the season. His second-quarter touchdown reception was his second of the season and sixth of his career.

COLTS: Tight end Ken Dilger is coming off the first eight-reception game of his career last week, but he realizes it won't be a weekly occurence. "I would love to think like that every week, be like (Tennessee tight end Frank) Wycheck or somebody, but it won't last," Dilger said. "Some games I'll get two, some four. It bounces around. I'm happy with that."

DOLPHINS: The team was hit hard by injuries. Left tackle Richmond Webb sprained his right knee and ankle on a running play in the second quarter. He did not return. Linebacker Twan Russell and fullback Rob Konrad received concussions, and cornerback Jerry Wilson injured his right thumb. ... Olindo Mare missed an extra-point attempt for the second time in 99 tries. ... Thurman Thomas needs 28 yards rushing to reach 12,000 for his career.

JAGUARS: Attendance for the game against the Bengals was 45,653, a team-record low. The low also was against Cincinnati, 57,408 in December 1996, when it also rained. ... Aaron Beasley had an interception late in the fourth quarter, giving him 13 takeaways for the most in team history.

JETS: Kevin Williams' 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the team's first since Dec. 14, 1997, when Leon Johnson ran one back 101 yards against the Bucs. ... Punter Tom Tupa had a 70-yarder, the second-longest of his career. He had a 73-yarder at Denver for New England in 1997.

PATRIOTS: Quarterback Drew Bledsoe was 10-for-14 for 122 yards in the fourth quarter after going 11-for-21 for 68 yards through three. ... They are 2-9 in their past 11 games, including the last eight of Pete Carroll's tenure as coach last season. ... They are 0-3 for the first time since 1993, when they finished 5-11. Three years later, they reached the Super Bowl.

RAIDERS: Microsoft WebTV Networks bought the final 1,000 tickets needed to ensure the game would be seen on Oakland area television. Games were blacked out on local TV the past three seasons, 24 straight games. The tickets were distributed for free to children from the Oakland Recreation and Parks District. ... Former defensive lineman Howie Long received his Hall of Fame ring at a halftime ceremony.

RAVENS: They had 6.6 yards per carry. ... Quarterback Tony Banks was 11-for-16 for 128 yards in the second half.

SEAHAWKS: Punt and kickoff returner Charlie Rogers, who led the NFL with a 14.5-yard punt return average last season, did not play. Coach Mike Holmgren said he was held out because he violated a team rule, but he would not elaborate.

STEELERS: The NFL's nastiest rivalry added a new chapter when Joey Porter drilled Browns punter Chris Gardocki in the first half. "It's an unfortunate situation that, in the middle of a football game, they had to pick on the punter," Gardocki said.

TITANS: With a timely bye week and one of the NFL's top backup quarterbacks, the team isn't too concerned about Steve McNair's bruised sternum. This off-season, Tennessee kept veteran Neil O'Donnell from signing with anyone else, including the Bucs, who offered more money. "It's just a huge lift for us," Wycheck said. "I think in this league nowadays you have to have two really proven starters on your team."