ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, September 2, 1996 TAG: 9609030158
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: ROUNDUP
SOURCE: FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
Bruce Smith's decision to show up cost the New York Giants, offsetting the Buffalo Bills' no-show performance in the first half.
Smith, a former Virginia Tech star, had talked about boycotting the game early last week because of a contract dispute. Instead, he set up Steve Christie's 34-yard field goal in overtime by sacking Dave Brown and forcing a fumble in the Bills' 23-20 victory on Sunday night.
The Bills had to rally from deficits of 17-0 and 20-7 to beat a Giants team picked by many to finish last in the NFC East.
Christie forced the overtime with a 39-yard field goal with 7:14 left in regulation and Smith helped provide the margin of victory by sacking Brown at the New York 33, where new Bills middle linebacker Chris Spielman recovered the ball.
In other NFL games:
Vikings 17, Lions 13: In Minneapolis, Brad Johnson, playing the entire second half after Warren Moon went out with an ankle injury, threw the first touchdown pass of his five-year career, a 31-yarder to Cris Carter with 1:06 remaining, to rally Minnesota past Detroit.
With help from Robert Smith's fourth career 100-yard game, Johnson led Minnesota to 10 fourth-quarter points. The Vikings intercepted four of Scott Mitchell's passes, two by Jeff Brady.
Barry Sanders gained 163 yards for the Lions, including 40 on a fourth-quarter drive as visiting Detroit took a 13-10 lead on Jason Hanson's 39-yard field goal with 2:19 remaining.
Former Virginia star Herman Moore, who set an NFL record with 123 catches last year, caught 12 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown for Detroit.
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP Minnesota quarterback Warren Moon is sacked asby CNBDetroit's Tracy Scroggins comes down on Moon's ankle. Moon left the
game and did not return. X-rays were negative, however. KEYWORDS: FOOTBALL