ON THE GRIDIRON.

Byline: Matthew Kredell

WHO'S HOT

The San Diego Chargers' Antonio Gates, at least momentarily, has eclipsed Tony Gonzalez as the league's best tight end. He has eight TD receptions in the past four games, enough to make any receiver jealous and almost unheard of for a tight end. He is second in the NFL with 69 receptions. Gates is tied with Marvin Harrison for second in TD catches with 11, two behind Terrell Owens.

WHO'S NOT

The Washington Redskins haven't scored 20 points in a game this season. With all the expectations of Joe Gibbs' second coming, the Redskins are 3-8 and only hope to get something positive in their final five games. With another loss, Washington will tie for the most defeats Gibbs has ever suffered in his 12-year career.

QUICK HITS

--Only Vinny Testaverde has ever thrown for at least four times as many TDs as interceptions in a season, 29-7 with the Jets in 1998. Four could do it this season: San Diego's Drew Brees (21-3), Indianapolis' Peyton Manning (41-7), Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb (23-5) and Minnesota's Daunte Culpepper (28-7).

--New England knows how to close out a game. The Patriots have won 36 games in a row when leading entering the fourth quarter. That ties the longest such streak since 1970.

ROOKIE WATCH

The Dallas Cowboys have drawn a lot of second-guessing for trading down to draft Julius Jones when they could have had Stephen Jackson. With Jones finally healthy, the former Notre Dame standout is showing that it might not have been such a big mistake. Jones carried 33 times for 150 yards and his first two TDs in last week's victory over the Chicago Bears.