Associated Press
The NFL Notebook …
DENVER ó Sebastian Janikowski could feel it in the thin air. And when he went to sleep Sunday night, he said, he “dreamed of doing it.”
On Monday night, as time expired in the first half, the Oakland Raiders’ kicker did — drilling a low line drive through the uprights for an NFL-record-tying 63-yard field goal.
“I had a dream I broke the record, and it was here in Denver,” Janikowski said. “The ball really carries here.”
The field goal tied the mark set by the Saints’ Tom Dempsey in 1970 and matched by Denver’s Jason Elam in 1998 at the old Mile High Stadium.
“I didn’t hit it really good, but that’s no excuse,” Janikowski said. “(The altitude) really helped it. … It cleared by like one yard only.”
He and his teammates celebrated on the field, and they might have more to scream about today. The Raiders will appeal the spot of the ball and are arguing that it was a record-breaking 64-yarder.
“It means a lot,” Janikowski said of tying the record. “I’m not big on setting goals, but I wanted to be 10 years in the league, break the record or tie the record and win the Super Bowl. Those were my three goals, and I’ve got two out of three.
“Hopefully, this year I get the third one.”
Janikowski’s previous career-long had been a 61-yarder in 2009. Last year, he hit from 59 yards as well.
Something was in the air indeed as later in the game, Raiders punter Shane Lechler tied the team record with a 77-yard punt.
SANCHEZ OK
NEW YORK ó Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez says he is fine after being tested for a concussion following the team’s season-opening victory over Dallas.
Sanchez axkknowledged on his radio show that the tests Tuesday the team “checked my baseline tests and compared it to my balance test and everything now.” He says he feels good and was never concerned he had a concussion, and thinks the Jets “were being really cautious.”
Sanchez was knocked around a bit in the win ó he was sacked four times and took a number of other hard hits ó and appeared weary while talking to reporters after the game. He was 26 of 44 for 335 yards and two touchdowns while throwing an interception Sunday night.
SHUT YOUR JAWS
MIAMI ó “Monday Night Football” analyst Ron Jaworski had to apologize on air after accidentally cursing during his commentary.
Talking about an incomplete pass by Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne in their loss to the Patriots on ESPN, Jaworski casually uttered an expletive before saying, “You have to get rid of this ball.”
9/11 RATINGS
NEW YORK ó The Jets’ comeback win over the Cowboys has earned the best preliminary television rating for a Week 1 game on Sunday or Monday night in 15 years.
New York’s 27-24 victory Sunday on NBC is also the best “Sunday Night Football” since the package moved to NBC in 2006.