Tilting the playing field

So much for competitive balance.

Parity? A rarity.

It was on Sunday, at least, as six NFL teams won by at least four touchdowns. That ties an NFL record for most such blowouts on one day (Dec. 20, 1970).

Green Bay beat Cleveland by 28, New England beat Tampa Bay by 28, San Diego beat Kansas City by 30, Cincinnati beat Chicago by 35, Indianapolis beat St. Louis by 36, and the New York Jets beat Oakland by 38.

"You never want to lose at home, and you never want to lose in this fashion," Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel said after a 37-7 loss to the Chargers. "It's going to be a hard film to watch."

At least he doesn't play for the Raiders, who were blanked, 38-0. That brings the league season total to seven shutouts. Fifteen is the most for a season in the 2000 decade. But not all games that begin as blowouts end that way. Ask the Miami Dolphins. They had a three-touchdown advantage at home against New Orleans on Sunday, becoming the first team this season to take a lead against the undefeated Saints.

It didn't last. Drew Brees overcame his worst day of the season -- three interceptions and five sacks -- to direct the Saints to a 46-34 victory. Leaning more on the run than the pass, the NFL's highest-scoring team topped 40 points for the fourth time.

In collecting their sixth consecutive victory, the Saints joined the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos as the only teams to remain unblemished in their right-hand columns. That marks the first time in league history there have been three undefeated teams through the opening seven weeks of the season.

The NFL might not have the "on any given Sunday" feel it has in some seasons, but you won't hear those three teams complaining about it.

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Recognize him?

UCLA's Spencer Havner tried for three seasons to break into the league as a linebacker, first with Washington, then with Green Bay. No luck.

He didn't need a new career path, just a new position. He switched to tight end for the Packers before this season and Sunday scored his first touchdown. He caught a short pass from Aaron Rodgers, turned up the sideline and dived into the end zone for a 45-yard score.

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Blast from the past

The 49ers were looking for an offensive surge heading into their game at Houston, and they thought the return of running back Frank Gore would provide one. Or maybe it would be the debut of rookie receiver Michael Crabtree that would give them that boost.