NFL notes

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Seattle running back Shaun Alexander had the Oakland Raiders shaking their heads.

"As a defense, we're embarrassed by what happened," Raiders defensive end Tony Bryant said, referring to Alexander's 266 yards rushing Sunday night. It was the fourth-best single-game effort in NFL history.

The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 34-27.

"Seattle played great, but we didn't bring our game. We can't let that happen. We have to go over things and see what we have to correct," Bryant said.

Oakland entered the game as the NFC's third-best team against the run, allowing an average of 92 yards. The Seahawks rushed for 319 yards, pushing the Raiders to No. 10 against the run at 120.4 yards.

"I'm very surprised by the number of yards anybody could run against our defense," Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. "We knew he (Alexander) was an emerging player capable of making big runs. He did that repeatedly against us."

While the Raiders consistently missed tackles and assignments, Gruden also gave Alexander -- whose 88-yard run in the third quarter was not only the longest in Seattle history, but also the longest ever against the Raiders -- some credit.

"We left some gaps unaccounted for, and if a back cuts it back, there's a chance to break containment," Gruden said. "I don't know how it happens, but he made people miss and he made some runs."

In the aftermath of Seattle's success on the ground, Gruden promised there would be some changes made, even suggesting possible personnel changes.

Dolphin injured

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Miami cornerback Sam Madison will be listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the New York Jets with a separated right shoulder.

Madison, who made the Pro Bowl last season, hurt his shoulder making an interception in the second quarter of Sunday's victory at Indianapolis. His arm was in a sling Monday.

Madison has started 55 consecutive games, beginning with the final game of his rookie season in 1997. If he can't play, he'll be replaced by rookie Jamar Fletcher, Miami's first-round draft choice this year.

Topsy-turvy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Stacey Mack might be getting another chance after going from starter to the bottom of the depth chart in a matter of weeks.

Mack ran for 71 yards and two touchdowns Sunday to help the Jacksonville Jaguars snap a five-game losing streak with a 30-13 victory over Cincinnati.

All but one of Mack's yards came in the second half, when the Jaguars overcame a 13-7 deficit.

"I know I've got the ability to play this game," Mack said. "I'm taking care of the ball and I am going to have two hands on it when there are guys around me."

It's a lesson that has taken him awhile to absorb.

Mack was Tom Coughlin's choice to replace Fred Taylor when Taylor went out in the second week with a groin injury.

Mack's stock dropped when he fumbled on his first run against Cleveland, lost a fumble the next week against Seattle, then ran the wrong pass pattern and tipped a ball that got intercepted on Jacksonville's final drive in a 13-10 loss to Buffalo.

Coughlin went from starting to third string behind rookie Elvis Joseph and Frank Moreau, a second-year veteran the Jaguars signed off waivers in September.

"I didn't get down about the situation or lose my confidence," Mack said. "I just waited my turn."

His turn came in the third quarter against the Bengals, when the Jaguars -- for the first time since Mack left the starting lineup -- decided to commit to the running game.

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PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -- Coach Marty Mornhinweg never dreamed that his Detroit Lions would be 0-8 and at the very bottom of the NFL at midseason.

"It's been a crazy start and an unusual start," Mornhinweg said Monday. "I don't think there are too many people who have been through a stretch of games like this before."

After three routs to start the season, Detroit had a chance to win each of the last five games, but fell just short -- losing them by an average of less than five points. The latest was Sunday's 20-17 loss to Tampa Bay.

"In the past five games, we have shown that we can play with just about any team," he said. "We are playing well enough to stay with them. We just aren't playing well enough to win the games."

Warrick Dunn caught a short pass and broke it up the middle for 23 yards to the Detroit 26, putting the Buccaneers in position for Martin Gramatica's 35-yard field goal with 4 seconds left. The Lions dropped defensive lineman James Hall into coverage, but he fell down, allowing the big play.

"It wasn't all James -- our whole defense was at fault," Mornhinweg said. "We had five guys playing across the field, so that pass can't go for more than 5 or 6 yards."

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CINCINNATI (AP) -- The Cincinnati Bengals have decided to resod the middle of their field because of damage caused by two high school marching bands that performed during playoff games held at Paul Brown Stadium last weekend.

The Bengals tried to prevent the bands from going on the field at halftime Saturday, arguing they would harm the grass.

County commissioners held an emergency meeting Friday night and ordered the Bengals to let the bands use the field. The Bengals were in Jacksonville, where they lost 30-13 Sunday.

The grass already was showing wear and tear following a game Oct. 21 against Chicago. There were bald patches in the middle of the field.

The team said in a statement Monday that the middle of the field will get new sod following a game this Sunday against Tennessee. The Bengals are in Cleveland the next weekend.

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New York Giants halfback Tiki Barber is starting to look like the player who was the catalyst of the team's surprising run to the NFC title a year ago.

Barber, who missed most of training camp with a broken hand and two regular-season games with a hamstring injury, had a season-best 118 yards rushing in Sunday's 17-10 win over the Cardinals in Arizona.

"Tiki looked to me like he was in top form," Giants coach Jim Fassel said Monday. "After the amount of time he missed, now he's back in a groove."

Barber's rushing total was more than double his previous best of 55 yards against Philadelphia on Oct. 22. It also was his first 100-yard game since gaining 144 against the Cardinals in the 2000 season opener.

It was the second 100-yard rushing game for the Giants this season. Ron Dayne gained 111 against New Orleans in late September.

"I feel healthy," Barber said after the Giants (5-4) won their second straight. "I feel like I'm in a rhythm now."

Barber felt the same way the previous week in a 27-24 overtime win over Dallas.

However, he had only seven carries for 30 yards as New York was forced to throw after falling behind 24-7 at halftime.

"This week, we were able to stay regular," said Barber, who picked up two first downs in the closing minutes as the Giants nearly ran out the clock. "We were able to get 4 or 5 yards on first down, and that allowed me to get on the field and use my speed."