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Byline: -Matthew Kredell

Emmitt Smith's 85 yards rushing last week moved him past Barry Sanders and into second place on the NFL's all-time rushing list. Smith now has 15,291 yards to Sanders' 15,269.

As Smith eyes Walter Payton's record of 16,726 yards, here are some lesser-known yet impressive statistics from the three-time Super Bowl winner with the Dallas Cowboys:

--Smith's record-breaking performance is due next winter but he can get a small taste of Sweetness against the Philadelphia Eagles today. Smith has rushed for 2,246 yards against the Eagles in his career. That total against one team ranks third behind Payton's 2,484 yards against Green Bay and 2,279 yards against Minnesota. With 34 yards today, Smith can pass Payton's mark against the Vikings and move into second place.

--He has rushed for 100 yards in 147 of 273 games dating back to high school (45 of 49 at Escambia (Fla.) High, 25 of 34 at the University of Florida and 77 of 190 at Dallas, including playoffs).

--Smith is fourth on the Cowboys' all-time reception list with 453 catches.

--The five toughest run-stoppers Smith has gone against, according to the man himself: 1. LB Eric Hill (1989-99), 2. LB Ted Johnson (1995- present), 3. S Ronnie Lott (1981-94), 4. S Chuck Cecil (1988-95), 5. LB Jessie Tuggle (1987-2000).

--Playoff bound?: Two undefeated teams face off today as San Diego takes on Cincinnati. The news isn't that one has to lose but that one actually will be 3-0. The teams combined for five victories all of last season.

--Edging Brown: Indianapolis Colts running back Edgerrin James needs three touchdowns at New England this week to pass Jim Brown for the best scoring start in NFL history. James has 38 touchdowns in 34 games. Brown scored 40 in his first 35 games (1957-59).

--Mining Monday: The San Francisco 49ers are back on Monday Night Football after being left out of the Monday schedule in 2000. With a victory over the New York Jets, the Niners would tie Miami for all-time victories on Monday night (35).

--No way, Jose: Former Van Nuys High and Valley College kicker Jose Cortez's 52-yard field goal at the end of the first half during the 49ers' 30-26 loss to St. Louis last week was the sixth-longest in team history.

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