NFC West

Sporting News, The, Dec 20, 1999

WEEK 15 MATCHUP

Fred Miller vs Michael Strahan

Every NFL player anticipates a "statement game" in which he can prove himself against one of the league's best. That's exactly what Sunday's showdown against the Giants is for Rams tackle Fred Miller, who needs a strong outing this week against Michael Strahan to build confidence heading into the playoffs.

Although he has played respectably for the majority of the season, Miller has struggled badly against top-flight defensive ends such as Tennessee's Jevon Kearse and Detroit's Robert Porcher. Strahan will pose similar problems with his long first step in pass-rush situations. Miller, who moved from left guard to right tackle before the season, possesses marginal feet and has trouble sliding wide in protection.

The key to this battle will be how each player gets untracked. One of the biggest drawbacks in Strahan's game is his propensity to start slow. If Miller can lock on with his hands and play physically with Strahan early, he'll have a good chance of neutralizing the Giants' sackmaster. The Rams would be wise to run the ball with Marshall Faulk early to help build Miller's confidence. Strahan has looked a bit sluggish against the run, and Miller's strength as a drive blocker will give him an opportunity to ease into the flow of the game.

Because Miller struggles with blitz pickup and readjusting to stunts, look for the Giants to be a little more creative with their schemes. With so many injuries in his secondary, defensive coordinator Jim Fox normally would be reluctant to rush more than four or five players, but he will test Miller's composure with a variety of blitzers.

--Jim Nagy, managing editor of The War Room

Atlanta

3-10: 4th

Dwight's injury makes hill steeper for special teams

The Falcons' special teams haven't looked so special. The return game has been hampered because of Tim Dwight's nagging right hamstring, which kept him out of the 49ers game. Dwight's replacement, reserve RB Winslow Oliver, returned a punt 58 yams for a TD against the 49ers, but he fumbled two punts, losing one. Oliver and Dwight have outstanding speed, but both have problems securing the football. The Falcons also have been hurt by penalties; against Jacksonville, Dwight had a touchdown that was nullified by an illegal block on a kickoff return. The coverage teams have struggled. St. Louis WR Tony Home had a 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Falcons, and Carolina's Michael Bates scored on a 100-yarder. K Morton Andersen has missed 5-of-14 field goals and no longer is a weapon in the team's game plan.... Coaches have been disappointed in the play of RT Ephreim Salaam. He started all 16 games as a rookie last season but has struggled with quick pass rushers this season. Against Carolina last month, Salaam gave up two sacks to Panthers LB Kevin Greene. Salaam's confidence is waning, and he's struggling with his footwork and technique. He will get another test this week from Titans DE Jevon Kearse.... C Robbie Tobeck missed the second half against the 49ers with a strained hip. If Tobeck is out, RG Calvin Collins will move to center. Gene Williams, who lost his starting job to Collins this season, would play right guard.

SCOUTING REPORT:, With Dwight sidelined, Bryan Still, who was claimed on waivers from San Diego, made his first start at split end. He was solid last season for the Chargers, averaging 14.1 yards on 43 catches. But the team's new staff questioned his toughness. Still (5-11, 174) has good speed, but he isn't aggressive enough in fighting off bump-and-run coverage. He is reluctant to fend off defensive backs, which often prevents him from getting separation.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The 49ers' cornerbacks played. press coverage in last week's game. That's the way most teams have defensed the Falcons this season. WR Terance Mathis was able to run by CB Darnell Walker in one-on-one coverage, but QB Chris Chandler didn't have enough time to throw long passes. Defenses are blitzing on nearly every down because they don't think the team can hurt them with a long pass. There's little threat in the running game; the offensive line isn't giving Ken Oxendine room to run.--Mark Schlabach

GRADING OUT vs. San Francisco

OFFENSE F

Managed 105 total yards against the NFL's third-worst defense.

DEFENSE D

Shut down Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens; couldn't corral Charlie Garner.

SPECIAL TEAMS C

Winslow Oliver returned a punt for a touchdown, but his fumble was costly.

COACHING D

Made 49ers look good despite what has been a woeful season.

FALCONS

PASSING        Att.   Comp.   Pct.   Yds.   Long

Chandler       247     141    57.1   1803    58
Graziani       104      56    53.8   686     62

PASSING        TD   Int.   Rate   Sacks

Chandler       12    11    77.7     32
Graziani        2     3    68.8     11

RUSHING        Att.   Yds.    Avg.    TD

Oxendine       129     411    3.2      1
Hanspard        94     254    2.7      0
Christian       23      92    4.0      3

RECEIVING      Att.   Yds.    Avg.    TD

Mathis          67     827    12.3     4
Christian       30     246    8.2      2
Dwight          22     455    20.7     5
Calloway        22     314    14.3     1

SCORING        XPM     XPA    FGM    FGA    Pts.

Andersen        24      24      9     14     51

PUNTING        No.    Yds.    Avg.   Blk.

Stryzinski      71    2806    39.5     0

KO RETURNS     No.    Yds.    Avg.    TD

Dwight          44     944    21.5     0

PUNT RETURNS   No.    Yds.    Avg.    TD

Dwight          15     120    8.0      0