Arizona cardinals

Rookie tight end Derek Fine made his long-awaited debut after missing the first six games with a thumb injury. He got only a couple of snaps, but he did provide a key block on Lynch's 8-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

The Bills and Jauron have agreed to what is believed to be a three-year contract extension that will tie the head coach to Buffalo through 2011. Jauron was in the last year of his contract, which is how questions about his future first arose.

When the season started, there were questions about whether Jauron would be in Buffalo long term. But those questions have dissipated, along with any ideas that the Bills might not be good enough to compete for the AFC East title.

DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT  

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As Associated Press sports writer Mike Cranston noted, even they had doubts his latest acrobatic play would stand up to a replay review. Yet Smith proved everybody wrong again Sunday, leaving the Panthers 6-2, alone the atop the NFC South and thrilled they've overcome Smith's potential season-destroying sucker-punch in training camp.

"He's done a lot of remarkable things, I know, in my tenure," head coach John Fox said Monday. "He's extremely competitive and he's very gifted. He comes to play."

The 65-yard touchdown in Carolina's 27-23 win over Arizona was part of a five-catch, 117-yard, two-touchdown day for Smith. It was his third straight 100-yard receiving game, and it left him seventh in the NFL with 613 yards receiving. Smith has done that in only six games after being suspended for the first two for breaking teammate Ken Lucas' nose.

The touchdown, which withstood a replay review, was more amazing the more you watched, and Fox said Monday he couldn't tell if Smith's right heel hit the sideline or not.

"It looked like it was in the air to me and it never touched anything. I think the officials concurred," Fox said. "Again, you are not going to catch every little detail, even with replay. But it was a great effort on Steve's part."

Smith's kept quite a pace since returning from the suspension.

He's caught 33 passes for 613 yards, seventh in the league in yardage, while playing two fewer games than the guys ahead of him.

But he's fourth in terms of yards per catch (18.3), and on pace to top 1,400 yards. He's only done that once, evidence of the kind of roll he's on.

Having long ago put to rest any lingering hard feelings from the Smith-Lucas incident, the Panthers enter their bye week playing like one of the top teams in the NFC -- and catching the breaks necessary to have a great season as No. 89 keeps making jaw-dropping plays.

"I always apply a lot of pressure to myself," Smith said. "It's outstanding to have guys on the team that we can count on. We count on each other. ..."

For what it's worth, Sunday's touchdown was the third 65-yard scoring catch by Smith in his last three games against the Cardinals. Smith caught a 65-yard touchdown from Jake Delhomme in 2005, another from Vinny Testaverde in 2007 and the third from Delhomme on Sunday.

Other notes of interest. ... DeAngelo Williams, whose 108 yards rushing and one touchdown on 17 carries helped the Panthers rally to victory Sunday, picked up 23 of those yards on four plays when the ball was snapped directly to him.

"It was great, because we had an extra blocker -- [Delhomme]," said Williams, who quickly laughed that notion off.

Delhomme was asked if he expected Williams to start throwing to him out of the direct-snap formation, which the Panthers have periodically used with Williams in each of his three seasons.

"I hope," said Delhomme, who lines up very wide and very far out of harm's way during the play. "We'll see."

It's the emergence of Williams' running – not his potential passing ability – that has played a pivotal role in the Panthers' spot atop the NFC South standings as they head into their bye week. Carolina doesn't play again until Nov.9 in Oakland.

Williams has 522 yards this season, on pace to become just the third player in the franchise's 14 seasons to rush for 1,000 yards (Anthony Johnson, 1,120 in 1996 and Stephen Davis, 1,444 in 2003).

According to the Charlotte Observer, Williams' reliability has now clearly made him the Panthers' featured back ahead of rookie Jonathan Stewart, who had eight carries for 10 yards Sunday. ...

According to Rock Hill Herald staffer Darin Gantt, Fox wasn't touching the question as to which receiver would be the third after the bye. Ostensibly, D.J. Hackett should be back from his knee injury, but there's no indication he's ready to replace Dwayne Jarrett, who caught a pair of third-down conversions Sunday.

Asked if Hackett would get his old job back, Fox hemmed and hawed as long as he could before deciding to not answer the question at all.

"I just don't want to commit to anything because I don't know the answer yet," he said. "We'll come out and we'll play the best 53 guys or the best 46 on game day."

Fox said that Jarrett had "definitely improved."

Muhsin Muhammad dropped an easy 5-yard touchdown pass from Delhomme in the second quarter that would have cut Arizona's lead to 10-7. However, the Panthers failed to punch it in on the next two plays and eventually settled for a short field goal by John Kasay.

"In his defense, right when he turned, the ball hits him," Delhomme said of Muhammad. "He'll catch it nine out of 10 times. I wanted to get rid of him because they were coming with pressure. We had two other downs to get in and we didn't get it done. That was disappointing that we couldn't capitalize."

Kasay hit his 374th career field goal on Sunday, eighth most in NFL history (he passed Jan Stenerud with two Sunday). No. 7 Nick Lowery (383) is next. Kasay is 16-for-16 this season and needs one more to tie his career-long streak of 22 in a row.

DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT  

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But in an article published last week, Pro Football Weekly's Dan Arkush wondered if we haven't been going overboard with praise of Orton.

Arkush went on to note that Orton's eye-opening numbers so far this season are very much on a par with those of Rex Grossman after seven games in 2006. And Grossman's shaky staying power under center since then has been well-documented.

"But the difference between Orton and Grossman is Orton's consistency and the way he has managed to avoid mistakes," a longtime team insider told Arkush. "He always seems to realize where the pressure is coming from, and he doesn't throw the ball up for grabs. He's got a great time clock in his head.

"Every game, he seems to show some kind of improvement in a particular area."

There's one other big difference between the Orton of 2008 and the Grossman of 2006.

"Orton has done more with less," the insider said. "Everybody thought he would struggle after Brandon Lloyd got injured, but he's actually gotten better, finding different guys to get the job done.

"The way he has been able to spread the ball around has been key. It has really helped all the receivers gain confidence, knowing that, if they get open, Orton will find them."

As Chicago Sun-Times staffer Brad Biggs pointed out last week, the tight ends have been especially helpful.

When throwing with two tight ends on the field, Orton is 29-for-44 for 371 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. His passer rating is 113 and he's averaging 8.4 yards per attempt, both well above his overall numbers.

It doesn't mean all of those passes have been directed to the tight ends, but their presence on the field helps create what the Bears believe are advantageous matchups. Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen are deployed in a combination of ways: As in-line blockers, flexed wide and even in the backfield.

And they are catching the ball well. Only the Dallas Cowboys, with perennial Pro Bowler Jason Witten, have generated more passing yardage from their tight ends.

Olsen is tied with Rashied Davis for second on the team with 22 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns. Clark has 15 catches for 205 yards and would have scored against the Vikings had he not fumbled into the end zone at the end of a 35-yard pass play, a mistake covered by Davis for a touchdown. ...

Orton's increased comfort with offensive coordinator Ron Turner's system also has been a major plus.

"You can see the confidence the coaches have in him, allowing him to run the no-huddle on his own, knowing that he'll usually make the right choices," the insider said.

Orton's arm strength and ability to throw the deep ball have surprised many observers.

"But he's always had the arm," the insider said. "He had the strongest arm at the Combine the year he came out. It was just that, on the longer routes, he hadn't thrown enough deep balls at game speed. It was just a matter of getting his timing down. ..."

Also of interest. ... With Orton averaging 301 passing yards in the last three games and proving he can lead the team to victory when the running game isn't particularly productive, opponents might begin to adjust. And as Biggs suggested, fewer eight-man fronts would mean more running lanes for Matt Forte, who is eighth in the NFL with 515 yards but has averaged fewer than three yards per carry in the last five games.

"They obviously know that we like to run the ball, so they roll a safety down and put more people in the box," Forte said. "But that opens up passing options also. [Defenses] will have to do something. I don't know what they're going to try to do, but they're going to have to try to stop both of us."

The difference between Forte and Cedric Benson, when the former first-round draft pick was putting up pedestrian running numbers, is still immense. Forte is playing a big role in the passing game; the New Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush is the only back with more receptions than Forte, who has 29 catches for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

With Bush out at least a month after knee surgery, Forte should pass him soon.

"There are more ways to contribute to the offense than running the ball," Forte said. "You can pass-block, which I have been doing, and catch the ball. There are other ways that I can contribute to the offense. Production counts."

Worth noting: Forte has six touchdowns (four rushing and two receiving), four more than any other Bear. ...

Kevin Jones got 10 of his 32 caries this season in Week 5 against his former team, Detroit, which is also this week's opponent. ...

On the injury front. ... Chicago Tribune staffer Vaughn McClure reports that Lloyd had his left knee wrapped in ice as he walked to his locker, a cold reminder that he's not quite 100 percent. Even so, he's feeling better. Much better.

And Lloyd indicated he's just about ready to return from his injury that has cost him three games.

When? Perhaps against Detroit this weekend?

"No idea," said Lloyd. "I feel more confidence every morning that I get up on it," he said. "So there's a possibility. ..."

And finally. ... According to PFW, one of the biggest surprises on the Bears so far this season has been the emergence of second-year halfback Garrett Wolfe as a flat-out stud on special teams.

According to the Sports Xchange, Wolfe, whose role in the offense has been reduced (nine carries, 53 yards, no receptions), leads the Bears with 12 special-teams tackles.

"It's really kind of shocking considering how little he had played on special teams before this season," a team insider told PFW. "Last year they tried him there, and it was clear his heart wasn't in it. But this year he was told it was something he had to do to solidify a roster spot, and he hasn't missed a tackle in kick coverage."

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"That's not true. I don't know where he (ESPN's Chris Mortensen) got it," Palmer told Cincinnati Enquirer staffer Mark Curnutte before Sunday's game. "I just found it out last night (Saturday)."

Palmer has an inflamed elbow. He missed his fourth game in eight starts. Ryan Fitzpatrick made his fourth start Sunday in place of Palmer for the Bengals in their 35-6 loss to the Texans.

Mortensen, citing unnamed sources, reported Palmer had ligament damage in the right elbow, his throwing arm. Head coach Marvin Lewis, on the field at Reliant Stadium, also said the Mortensen report was not true.

On Friday, following practice, Lewis told reporters Palmer would likely not play against Jacksonville Nov. 2 before the bye week Nov. 9. The soonest Palmer would play is Nov. 16 at home against the Eagles -- a fact Lewis reiterated again on Monday.

"The timeline on Carson remains the same," Lewis said in his day-after press conference. "He'll continue to follow the program of rehab. He will not throw on the (practice) field this week. He is doing great. At some point, (doctors will) evaluate him a little further.

"Carson wants to play. And as soon as he can get to that point and can progress back into throwing on the field, then we'll have a better indication."

Palmer said after Sunday's loss that he would try to come back after the bye.

"It most likely looks like they are going to look at it after the bye, evaluate it and see where we are from there," he said. "I'm just in the process of rehabbing. And doing everything the training staff tells me to do to get me healthy. I'll be able to play when this thing gets healed up."

He is not throwing.

"No, no throwing," Palmer said. "I've just been rehabbing and doing all football-related exercises. ..."

The bottom line? Palmer will be sidelined for a fourth straight game this Sunday -- and the fifth in six weeks -- ranking him among this year's major Fantasy disappointments. ...

Other notes of interest. ... Chad Ocho Cinco's first-quarter reception for 6 yards against the Texans gives him 100 games in a row with at least one catch. Ocho Cinco had five receptions for 44 yards in Sunday's loss and has 32 catches for 312 yards over eight games.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh had eight more receptions for 54 yards, putting him on pace for 108 receptions and 1,024 yards for the season. He has three touchdowns in the first eight games.

Cedric Benson, a standout at the University of Texas, came home Sunday as the Bengals starter and ran 13 times for 49 yards. He was eight for 41 in the first half.

Former starter Chris Perry, for the second game in a row, did not have a rushing attempt.

Benson has a 3.3-yard average on 41 carries. ...

According to the Sports Xchange, the Bengals offensive line has played poorly all season, but it was better Sunday. In allowing one sack to Houston, the line has allowed 27 sacks in eight games, 10 more than the franchise-record low of 17 in all of the 2007 season.

Fitzpatrick, starting for Palmer for the fourth time threw two interceptions and lost a fumble for the fourth time (one in each game). The longest pass completion was 14 yards, and the Bengals did not get into the end zone. ...

Glenn Holt's shoulder sprain was the only other major injury sustained in the Houston loss. Lewis said he'd see how Holt felt Wednesday and Thursday. The coach expects tight end Ben Utecht to be back this week after sitting out the Houston game.

On Wednesday, the Bengals signed fullback J.D. Runnels to the practice squad. The move comes with Reagan Mauia (hamstring) on injured reserve.

DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT  

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"I'm ready to move on and just play football," he said.

Winslow and the Browns appear to have made a truce, albeit a tenuous one.

Suspended one game last week by the club, which later rescinded its penalty, Winslow rejoined his teammates one day after the Browns won for the second time this season without him.

Winslow spoke briefly in front of his locker before heading to a team meeting. The 25-year-old said he has worked out his differences with Browns general manager Phil Savage and owner Randy Lerner.

"They knew where I was coming from and I understood where they were coming from, so it is all worked out," he said. "I am just excited to get back to playing football, doing what I love to do. I just really see this as a challenge, so I am going to meet it."

Winslow was banned from the team's facility last week by the Browns, who suspended him for criticizing the team's handling of his three-day hospitalization at the Cleveland Clinic with a staph infection. After initially agreeing with the team to keep his illness concealed, Winslow revealed he had staph following a loss at Washington last week.

Two days later, the Browns suspended the outspoken Winslow one game without pay for disparaging comments and behavior toward the organization. Winslow insists he was coming forward to protect the health of his teammates. He has had staph twice and is one of at least six known Cleveland players to contract staph since 2005.

Winslow appealed the suspension, which was dropped late Saturday night after the Browns reportedly learned Winslow had received text messages from a member of Cleveland's media relations staff who told him not to reveal he had staph.

After Sunday's 23-17 win in Jacksonville, Savage downplayed the importance of the text messages and said he and Winslow's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had been working toward a settlement since Thursday.

Savage also suggested Winslow had been hospitalized for something other than staph and the club was trying to protect the player's privacy.

"If there's going to be disclosure, there's got to be full disclosure," Savage said outside Cleveland's locker room in Jacksonville. "We were trying to do the right thing by him and his family."

Savage was asked why Winslow had been hospitalized.

"I don't know," said Savage. "I think it's all in a gray area right now. You can ask him (Winslow)."

Before head coach Romeo Crennel's news conference Monday, an agitated Savage came into the team's media room to discuss his post-game comments.

"Once and for all, Kellen's illness was determined to be a staph infection," Savage said tersely. "He had been in the hospital for two or three days; it takes a couple days to figure out what something is. Secondly, there was no secondary illness. Thirdly, he is in the building, he has worked out and the team meets at 1 o'clock.

"That's the end of the story. It is over with, OK? There is no secondary illness. Staph infection. Everybody's got it, right?"

Later, Crennel said he was happy to have Winslow back and the star had returned with a good attitude.

"I've spoken with him and he wants to be a Brown," Crennel said. "I think that he's going to come out and he's going to give us a good effort and a good performance."

The Browns are 2-0 without Winslow, who was released from the hospital the day before their Oct. 13 upset of the New York Giants. On Sunday, backup tight end Steve Heiden led the club with 73 yards receiving, picking up 51 on a fourth-and-1 catch to set up Cleveland's second touchdown.

Heiden also played well in the win over New York, making five catches for 59 yards as the Browns stunned the defending Super Bowl champions 35-14.

Crennel was effusive in praising Heiden, who had a career-high 43 receptions in 2005 when Winslow missed the season following a motorcycle accident.

"He is an all-around tight end, tremendous teammate and when you call on him to do something, he does whatever you call on him to do," Crennel said. "If that is to be the starter, he is the starter. If that's to be the No. 2 guy, then he's the No. 2 guy and he's always for the team, always for the Browns.

"That is the kind of attitude a coach likes on his team. We have to build on that and move forward with that."

Crennel chuckled when asked if Heiden would take Winslow's starting spot.

"We're going to work Kellen in and I'll say this: Don't be surprised if Kellen is the starter," Crennel said. "I'm not saying he's the starter, but don't be surprised if he's the starter. ..."

For what it's worth: Heiden's season numbers aren't far off Winslow's, even though he has mainly been a blocker almost exclusively in games Winslow has played.

Winslow has 21 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown. Heiden has 10 catches for 151 yards and a near-touchdown.

No. 3 tight end Darnell Dinkins has added three catches for 31 yards, all with Winslow out.

In fact, the offense has been most effective this season without Winslow.

He missed the Giants game with the illness; without him, the Browns gained 454 yards and hammered the defending Super Bowl champs 35-7.

Against Jacksonville, the offense had 212 yards at halftime and the team was leading 17-7.

In five full games with Winslow playing, the Browns gained an average of 215.6 yards. The Browns finished with 327 yards, getting the big ones when they needed them.

"That was the thing," Heiden said, "when we needed them. ..."

Other notes of interest. ... As the Sports Xchange noted, Derek Anderson hit some big plays and played a more confident game in the win over Jacksonville. Anderson threw for 246 yards and had two completions longer than 50 yards. It's almost starting to look as if the team's offensive failures were less Anderson's problems than those of his receivers.

Receiver Syndric Steptoe showed he is growing -- and better-suited to be a fourth receiver in the offense. Steptoe made a nifty run after the catch on a perfect Anderson pass in the second half, turning a medium-range gain into a 53-yarder that set up the Browns for first-and-goal.

The XChange also suggested that Donte' Stallworth's presence has made a difference to the Browns offense, as teams have to respect him. His return from injury has coincided with improved offensive play, which does not seem a coincidence.

Unfortunately, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Stallworth aggravated his quad muscle and was limited in Wednesday's practice. He is expected to play but the situation bears watching. ...