Bruce Coslet unexpectedly quit as coach of the NFL's worst team of the past decade and was replaced by defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau in the first coaching change this season.

The resignation came a day after the Bengals lost their third in a row and their second straight without a point. They have been outscored 74-7 this season and haven't made the playoffs since 1990, the league's longest current streak.

"He's a good teacher ... he's good with players," Bengals owner and president Mike Brown said of LeBeau. "I think he can step in now and get our situation back on course as quickly as anybody could."

LeBeau, a former star cornerback for the Detroit Lions, becomes an NFL coach for the first time at 63. He has spent 28 years as an assistant.

49ers punishes Owens

San Francisco receiver Terrell Owens was suspended for one game and fined a week's salary by coach Steve Mariucci for his touchdown celebrations during the 49ers' victory at Dallas.

After both of his touchdowns in the 41-24 victory, Owens sprinted to midfield and celebrated on the Cowboys' star logo.

Mariucci said he spoke to the league office about his decision to suspend and fine Owens $24,294, and he didn't know whether the league planned to level a fine or suspension.

Cowboys safety George Teague leveled Owens during the second celebration and was ejected. He had not received disciplinary action, though a fine is expected.

Teague said he knew it was wrong, but he would do it again.

"No matter how negative this is, the game and the action that happened, it all comes from having pride and getting our butts kicked over and over," Teague said. "I think it will help us in the long run to be able to not feel that way and not want to feel that way anymore."

Meanwhile, the 49ers lost defensive lineman Junior Bryant for the rest of the season because of a bulging disc in his neck. Bryant fell headfirst on the artificial turf at St. Louis' Trans World Dome on Sept. 17.

GRIESE PONDERS SURGERY: Surgery likely will be needed to repair the torn cartilage in Brian Griese's shoulder, the Broncos quarterback said. "Even if it's after the season, something's going to be done," Griese told the Denver Post.

TV GOOF: CBS pulled the plug on the Titans-Steelers game on several Pittsburgh-area stations with about a minute to play, switching to the Raiders-Browns game before correcting the mistake. The network missed two plays of the Titans-Steelers game, the kickoff and an injury to Steelers quarterback Kent Graham.

VINNY BRISTLES: Vinny Testaverde, who threw three interceptions in the win over the Bucs and endured an embarrassing and surprising one-series benching, was still chafing at coach Al Groh's move to relieve him after he was halfway onto the field.

"I wasn't pleased at all," Testaverde said. "I'm really not, to be honest. There is nothing I can do about it. The moment it happened I didn't know if I was going back. I just kept saying to myself, "He's making a big mistake taking me out.' Because I really believe the fourth quarter belongs to me."

Groh said he became so wrapped up in a phone conversation with defensive coaches that he failed to tell his quarterback he was giving him a rest.

BEARS: Quarterback Cade McNown apologized for saying hostile fans should stay home and "save their boos for the TV." "After a lot of thinking in regards to what I said about our fans, I felt bad," McNown said a day after Chicago's fourth straight loss.

BRONCOS: Coach Mike Shanahan expects quarterback Brian Griese to start Sunday against New England. Griese, the NFL's top-rated passer, tore cartilage in his throwing shoulder against Oakland on Sept. 17 and missed Sunday's loss to the Chiefs.

CHARGERS: Quarterback Ryan Leaf will not play Sunday against the Rams because of a wrist injury. Jim Harbaugh will start.

FALCONS: Jamal Anderson plans to speak with teammates he thought gave halfhearted efforts in a 41-20 loss to the Rams, but after he assesses his own shortcomings. Anderson leads the NFL with five fumbles. "I'm always going to start with Jamal. I'm going to see how I can play better and how I can be better prepared so I can give maximum effort. That goes for everybody on the team."

PACKERS: Linebacker Brian Williams is expected to play Sunday for the first time since blowing out his knee against Seattle on Nov. 1.

PANTHERS: Defensive end Chuck Smith, whose knee was reconstructed by Dr. James Andrews, is scheduled to have the sports surgeon examine the troublesome joint again today.

OBITUARY: Glenn Cumbee, director of scouting for the Titans, died of an apparent heart attack Saturday at his home in Newberry, S.C. He was 52.

DOLPHINS: Linebacker Zach Thomas might not play Sunday against Cincinnati because of a sprained right ankle. ... Rookie cornerback Ben Kelly, the team's primary punt returner, tore a ligament in his left knee and is out for the season.

PACKERS: Linebacker Brian Williams is expected to play Sunday for the first time since blowing out his knee against Seattle on Nov. 1.

PANTHERS: Defensive end Chuck Smith, whose knee was reconstructed by Dr. James Andrews, is scheduled to have the sports surgeon examine the troublesome joint again today.

REDSKINS: Center Cory Raymer plans to visit Andrews on Wednesday to determine whether he needs surgery on his right knee. Raymer has been on injured reserve since mid-August.

Injury report

TODD COLLINS: Rams LB, ankle injury.

MICHAEL DUMAS: Chargers S, strained left hamstring.

KENT GRAHAM: Steelers QB, injured right hip.

JOE HORN: Saints WR, left knee sprain.

JEVON KEARSE: Titans DE, hip flexor.

BEN KELLY: Dolphins CB, torn ligament in left knee, out for season.

RYAN LEAF: Chargers QB, sprained right wrist, out for Sunday.

TODD LYGHT: Rams CB, hamstring injury.

KEITH LYLE: Rams S, hip injury.

NEIL O'DONNELL: Titans QB, wooziness and severely cut lip.

ED PERRY: Dolphins TE, dislocated right shoulder.

JOE SALAVE'A: Titans DL, injured neck.

AKILI SMITH: Bengals QB, concussion.

THURMAN THOMAS: Dolphins RB, strained groin.

FRANK WYCHECK: Titans TE, concussion.

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