Lions’ Furrey has record-breaking year
Detroit’s Mike Furrey had 11 catches in the season finale Sunday at Irving, Texas, to finish with 98, the most ever by a non-rookie following a season when he had no catches.
Furrey’s 10-yard reception in the third quarter of the Lions’ 39-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys was his sixth of the game, giving him the record that he extended. Furrey is a fourth-year player who started 11 games as a defensive back for St. Louis last season.
Lionel Taylor had 92 catches for Denver in the AFL in 1960, the previous mark for the most catches by a non-rookie following a season with none. Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals had 101 catches as a rookie in 2003, the most catches by any player with none the previous season.
Furrey also went over 1,000 yards for the season – he finished with 1,086 yards and six touchdowns, including a 13-yard score later in the third quarter. Furrey and Roy Williams (1,310 yards) are the first Lions duo to both have 1,000 yards receiving in the same season since Germane Crowell and Johnnie Morton in 1999.
Also Sunday, Jon Kitna joined Scott Mitchell (1995) as the only Detroit quarterbacks with more than 4,000 yards passing in a season. Kitna also set a team record for completions.
Patriots unhappy about block on Harrison
New England safety Rodney Harrison hurt his right leg when blocked in the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., left the game and never returned in a play his teammates did not like.
Harrison went to the ground and slapped the turf after being blocked by Titans receiver Bobby Wade, whose helmet appeared to hit Harrison’s right knee in a low block. He walked off the field on his own.
“Everyone was pretty mad about it,” New England quarterback Tom Brady said.
“You keep your poise and try to let your play do the talking. I think sometimes we stooped down to the level we’re playing against. We’ve got to find ways to overcome that type of play.”
Manning moving further up record books
Peyton Manning moved into seventh in career touchdown passes when he connected with an unfamiliar target – defensive tackle Dan Klecko – early in the second quarter against the Dolphins in Indianapolis.
Manning’s 2-yard scoring throw, his 30th of the season, capped a drive that lasted 10:09 and gave the Colts a 7-3 lead.
It was his 274th career TD pass, breaking a tie with Joe Montana (273).
Klecko, the son of former New York Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko, reported as the Colts’ fullback and was uncovered in the right flat when Manning found him. It was the first touchdown reception of Klecko’s four-year career.
Former Colts quarterback John Unitas is sixth in NFL history with 290 TD passes.
Rivers injured in Chargers’ win
Philip Rivers injured his right foot, making the San Diego Chargers grateful for their first-round bye in the playoffs and time off for their banged-up quarterback.
Rivers was hurt when he was sacked by Arizona’s Chike Okeafor late in the first quarter of San Diego’s 27-20 win over Arizona. He left for a play, then returned and threw two touchdown passes before being pulled in the third quarter.