ON THE GRIDIRON AT A GLANCE.

Byline: Matthew Kredell

WHO'S HOT

Edgerrin James is quietly leading the AFC in rushing after an NFL season- high 204 yards on 23 carries against Chicago last Sunday. No one had rushed for that many yards against the Bears since Earl Campbell in 1980. Though he is being overshadowed on the Indianapolis Colts by QB Peyton Manning's record season, James has now rushed for 1,186 yards (with another 105 against Detroit on Thanksgiving).

WHO'S NOT

The San Francisco 49ers were never going to be a good team this season. But, at the beginning, the NFL's most-recent dynasty was at least respectable with close losses to Atlanta and New Orleans, and a victory over Arizona. With the 35-3 loss to Tampa Bay last week, the once-proud 49ers officially hit pitiful. Injuries on defense (All-Pro LB Julian Peterson), a porous offensive line and banged-up QB Tim Rattay have dropped San Francisco below Miami as the league's worst team.

ROOKIE WATCH

It took a while, but Detroit Lions RB Kevin Jones is beginning to show why he was a first-round draft pick. Jones recorded his first 100-yard rushing game last week, with 19 carries for 100 yards against Minnesota. He nearly did it again on Thanksgiving, running for 99 yards on just 12 carries. Jones, who missed most of three games with a high ankle sprain earlier in the season, has rushed for 507 yards on a 4.3 average per carry.

QUICK HITS

--Antonio Gates, who did not even play college football while at Kent State, is tied for the league lead in receptions with 62. He could become only the third tight end to lead the league in catches.

--As the new Miami Dolphins coach, Jim Bates became the 13th man to serve as head coach in both the USFL and the NFL. Bates coached the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL in 1985.

STAT LINES

35:08

Average time of possession for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season, which is the second-best in the NFL since the 16-game season was adopted in 1978 (Bears, 1984).

48.3

Baltimore safety Ed Reed's average return on six interceptions. The all- time leader in average return yardage in a season (minimum six) is Reed's teammate Deion Sanders with 50.5 in 1994.

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

no caption (Edgerrin James)