WEST / Has Success Failed Collins?

Carolina quarterback Kerry Collins, a likable chap as long as he doesn’t open his mouth, has again put himself in the position of saying too much. This week Collins, who has a league-high 18 interceptions, suggested that the Panthers’ dream season of a year ago “wasn’t supposed to happen,” and that it led to his poor play this season, the expectations scaring him, and “I knew what was coming, and I wasn’t ready for it.” . . . The Falcons believe they are in position to become next year’s Tampa Bay feel-good story of the year after coming back from a 0-5 start in position to finish the season 8-8. “You’d think being at the end of a season with no opportunities to go to the playoffs [would be deflating], but we’ve stayed positive,” linebacker Jessie Tuggle said. “And we know the same thing happened with Tampa By last year, and that’s a playoff team right now.” . . . San Francisco wide receiver J.J. Stokes refused to make a big deal of Denver linebacker Bill Romanowski spitting in his face and later being fined $7,500 by the league, but Steve Young was ticked. “I know I’m tired of people playing outside the line. Spitting in someone’s face is the next step. I’m really frustrated by guys who do idiotic things like that.”

Hall of Fame next: The Falcons are 7-2 when Chris Chandler starts and finishes a game. Of course, that means Chandler has been unable to start and finish six games this season. “I think toughness earns respect,” Coach Dan Reeves said. “Whether there was ever a question of Chris’ toughness or not, I don’t know. But [because of early-season injuries] maybe the thought was there from some players.”

CENTRAL / Mirer Faces the Bear Facts

On the Bears’ field-goal drives to tie the score and then defeat the Rams, quarterback Rick Mirer was one for seven for eight yards and an interception, while also running five times for 28 yards. Mirer now has probably played his last play for the Bears. Coach Dave Wannstedt admitted this week that he botched last week’s game, even though Chicago won, benching Erik Kramer at halftime after he had thrown for 186 yards just to keep his word and give Mirer playing time. “When you’ve got a quarterback who throws for 186 yards in the first half, then in the second half you’re telling him, ‘Stand by me and hold a clipboard,’ that’s not easy to do,” Wannstedt said. “And from a football standpoint, it’s not a smart thing to do.” . . . Detroit quarterback Scott Mitchell has thrown eight touchdown passes and only four interceptions while completing 64% of his passes in the last five games. Anyone who has watched Mitchell for any length of time would consider this a miracle; fans in Detroit this year have booed him in pregame introductions.

Hall of Fame next: The Bears need a quarterback, so you know they will select a defensive player in the draft. Chicago personnel boss Mark Hatley has already expressed interest in Florida State defensive end Andre Wadsworth. “In my opinion, he’s the best player I’ve seen,” Hatley said.

EAST / Expect a Cardinal Roll-Over

Here’s good news for Atlanta. Cardinal defensive lineman Simeon Rice said of his own team: “A lot of guys gave up already. You’ll see Sunday. You’ll see guys out there and those who really want to be out there. You’ll be able to distinguish the ones with heart. I don’t care if you’ve been in the Pro Bowl or in the league 10, 12 years. If you roll over and die . . . that’s the last thing I remember. Nobody wants to hurt nobody’s feelings, but [the coaches] have got to know who’s packing it in and who’s ready to go home. I want to end this nightmare.” . . . Last season Dallas led the league in allowing only one runner to gain 100 yards against them; this season they’ve been trampled for more than 100 yards seven times. . . . The Redskins are 25-37-1 under Norv Turner, have won only three of their last nine and are 0-8-1 in games decided by three or fewer points, and Turner is in no danger of being impeached. “Once you have a good coach and a good front office, you keep them, and they will produce for you,” owner John Kent Cooke said. So go get a good coach.

Hall of Fame next: The Giants have the youngest team in the league and have gone from last place in the NFC East last season and a 1-3 start this year to first place and the playoffs. “If anything, I think we’re all very surprised,” admitted Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan. “We didn’t know what to expect. We didn’t know who the head coach was. We never heard of him.”