Rams Never in Need of Roadside Assistance

Times NFL writer Sam Farmer poses--and answers--the league’s burning questions.

Question: Who needs all the creature comforts of home?

Answer: Not the Rams. They are the sixth team since 1970 to finish with a perfect road record. Four won the Super Bowl.

Q: Why is Georgia Tech cringing?

A: Chan Gailey, the school’s rumored new coach, is finishing the season with the Dolphins, who haven’t rushed for more than 67 yards in three of their last four games.

Q: The playoffs are out of the question, of course, but are there any other incentives for Carolina?

A: Yes, history. If they lose to Arizona on Sunday, the Panthers (1-13) will tie the 1976 Buccaneers, 1980 Saints, 1981 Baltimore Colts and 1990 Patriots with 14 consecutive losses.

Q: What mark has Terrell Owens left on the game?

A: There’s now a clause in the NFL rule book forbidding “stomping on a team logo,” a direct reference to Owens’ trampling the midfield star at Texas Stadium last season. Sunday, he and the 49ers return to the scene of the crime.

Q: Does Owens regret the celebra-tion?

A: He didn’t seem repentant this week, showing up at practice wearing a T-shirt featuring a photo of him standing on the star.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

WEEK 16 CAPSULES

(tabular data not included)