This week’s bye teams: N.Y. Jets, Pittsburgh, San
FranciscoAFC EAST
Buffalo — With Eric Moulds (hamstring) out for another week, WRs Peerless
Price and Kevin Williams will again get abundant playing time. Before you get
too excited about Price’s performance last week (five catches, 106 yards, one TD),
note that he dropped several passes in the first half and racked up a lot of yards in
garbage time.
Indianapolis — TE Ken Dilger, who has been coming on of late, suffered a
shoulder injury in practice this week and is questionable for the Dallas game. Indy’s
other tight end, Marcus Pollard, is a very capable receiver. … WR E.G.
Green, who got off to a great start this year, currently is residing in head coach Jim
Mora’s doghouse after a lackluster performance in practice. Right now, undrafted
rookie Terrence Wilkins is the No. 2 option behind Marvin Harrison.
Miami — QB Dan Marino will be out at least two more weeks, meaning Damon
Huard will start this week vs. the Raiders and the following week vs. the Titans. The
Dolphins are expected to open things up a little bit more this week after playing it
extremely close to the vest last week vs. the Eagles. The long-term diagnosis for Marino
is positive at this point. He is expected to return to the lineup in late November.
New England — RB Terry Allen has been cleared to play after suffering a
concussion last week. The Patriots like the idea of using both Allen and Kevin Faulk
to run the ball, though Allen is expected to get more carries.
AFC CENTRAL
Baltimore — While RB Errict Rhett will be going up against a stingy Buffalo
run defense this week, he will have the entire Ravens offensive line intact and healthy
for the first time in several weeks.
Cincinnati — Despite an injury that left his arm spewing blood last week, RB Corey
Dillon will play this week. Still, it may be worth sitting him down vs. the Jaguars
this week, since Dillon has not gotten that many carries in games where the Bengals have
fallen behind early. Note that starting OG Brian DeMarco is out for 3-5 weeks with
an elbow injury. … QB Akili Smith, knocked out of last week’s game, will
also start.
Cleveland — Karim Abdul-Jabbar will not start this week because he still
hasn’t completely picked up all of his assignments in the passing game. He will see
more action than the 12 or so plays he was on the field for last week in St. Louis. Terry
Kirby will start at running back this week instead.
Jacksonville — RB Fred Taylor is as healthy as he was before the start of
the season. He was bothered by a nagging hamstring injury for weeks before the team’s
Week Seven bye. The Jaguars are hopeful that with Taylor back in the mix, it will open
things up in the passing game, especially for WR Jimmy Smith.
Tennessee — Look for Steve McNair to start vs. the Rams on Sunday, despite
head coach Jeff Fisher’s plan to split the practice time between McNair and Neil
O’Donnell. McNair has looked good in practice and has shown no effects of the
back surgery he underwent almost six weeks ago. McNair brings an explosive element that
O’Donnell doesn’t provide to the Titans’ offense, and the team will need it
against an equally explosive Rams team. Two concerns: One, McNair may be a bit rusty,
having not played since Week One. Two, the Titans have generally babied McNair in regard
to play-calling early in games to make him feel comfortable. If that happens this week,
the Rams could be up 14-0 before McNair gets into a groove.
AFC WEST
Denver — RB Derek Loville (hamstring) is expected to return this week,
but he will face an uphill battle for carries. The solid play of RB Olandis Gary
appears to have given him the starting job. … WR Ed McCaffrey
(concussion) will start this week. He should be in your lineup vs. a Minnesota secondary
that has struggled this season.
Kansas City — RB Rashaan Shehee is still limited by a hip pointer, and the
Chiefs may opt to rest him this week after his ineffective performance last week vs.
Baltimore. If he doesn’t go, Bam Morris and Donnell Bennett will likely
get the bulk of the carries, and rookie Mike Cloud could get a look too.
… TE Tony Gonzalez is coming on strong. Ride the hot streak and stick him
in your lineup, even against the tough San Diego defense.
Oakland — RB Tyrone Whealtey (back) may actually play a little this
week, but he will be limited. Considering the injury and the tough Miami defense,
it’s probably better to leave Wheatley on your bench. … QB Rich Gannon
has a broken bone in his left (non-throwing) wrist, but he will play. It should not affect
his throwing but could make taking the snap a bit dicey.
San Diego — RB Natrone Means is out 2-4 weeks after knee surgery.
Kenny Bynum gets first crack at the starting job, but Terrell Fletcher will
also play a significant role. Watch Tremayne Stephens, the biggest of San
Diego’s healthy tailbacks. He could get the call on the goal line. … Erik
Kramer gets the nod at quarterback this week, but he will probably be on a short leash
after back-to-back shaky performances. Jim Harbaugh has gotten a few extra reps in
practice and is ready to go if Kramer struggles. … WR Charlie Jones, who
suffered a dislocated hip in the preseason, will get his first action of the season this
week. That probably will relegate Bryan Still to inactive status.
Seattle — WR Mike Pritchard may return to action this week, but he probably
won’t be much of a factor. Derrick Mayes is currently Seattle’s No. 1
wideout. … Ahman Green, who had his first carries of the season last
week, should continue to get some work at running back. He’s not worth a spot in your
lineup, but he may be worth picking up for depth.
NFC EAST
Arizona— With Jake Plummer (finger) out, Dave Brown takes over the
starting QB job. He says he has his confidence back completely after having it shattered
when he was demoted during his days with the Giants. Aside from trying to rejuvenate the
Cardinals and get them back into playoff race, Brown is playing for a contract. He is
slated to become an unrestricted free agent in March. So, the better he plays now, the
better chance he has of cashing in next season.
N.Y. Giants — With Gary Brown out for the season and Joe Montgomery
(broken toe) out for about three or four games, LeShon Johnson will be the
Giants’ starter at running back. Also, expect to see Sean Bennett get back
into the mix a bit. FB Charles Way is also expected to get more carries.
NFC CENTRAL
Tampa Bay - The Bucs’ WR corps is in a state of flux right now. Not only does it
have to deal with a new quarterback (Eric Zeier), it is also riddled with injuries.
Karl Williams is out for at least three weeks with a foot injury, and Bert
Emanuel is still suffering from a hamstring injury. That leaves Reidel Anthony,
Jacquez Green, Darnell McDonald and Yo Murphy. But Anthony has a
sprained thumb, and Green has a twisted ankle. Our best advice: Stay away from Bucs
receivers until they (a) become better-acquainted with Zeier, and (b) get healthy.
Chicago — It’s a risky proposition if you need to start QB Shane Matthews
this week. Matthews, who is returning from a hamstring injury, said that if he were a
running back or a cornerback, he wouldn’t be able to play. He’s not 100 percent,
and he can’t run full speed, which only increases the chances of him re-aggravating
his injury. Look for more use of three-step drops and the shotgun to prevent Matthews from
having to run around.
Green Bay - Fear not for RB Dorsey Levens, who was listed as probable this week
with an ankle injury. He participated in practice Thursday and is playing as good as he
has ever played. There’s little chance the Packers would reduce his role in the
offense Monday night.
Minnesota — Not to sound the alarm, but WR Randy Moss will see a lot of
Broncos CB Dale Carter this week. Why should that concern you? Carter shut down
Packers WR Antonio Freeman two weeks ago, holding him to one catch for nine yards.
That could be a boon for owners with Cris Carter and Jake Reed, who
benefited last week from the extra attention the 49ers paid to Moss. Of course, if Carter
can contain Moss one on one, Carter and Reed could have some problems. Also, keep an eye
on Matthew Hatchette, who had an 80-yard TD catch last week. He may be the
Vikings’ No. 4 receiver, but he could come on.
NFC WEST
Carolina — RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka has been hobbled by a bad ankle and
missed some practice time this week. Fred Lane could get the majority of the
carries, although Biakabutuka said he wants to play some. … Head coach George
Seifert said that he wants to look to up-and-coming WR Muhsin Muhammad more in
the red zone with the Panthers’ recent struggles near the goal line.
New Orleans — Even with questions marks still lingering with the QB situation, WR Eddie
Kennison may be a wise choice for the starting lineup as he battles the Browns’
corners this weekend. Other Saints receivers are still on the mend from injury.
Atlanta — WR Terance Mathis has been hot lately, and a lot of that can be
attributed to his recent move to split end on the weak side of the field. The move allows
Mathis more room in which to operate. He can run more vertical routes and be freed up from
constant run blocking. … O.J. Santiago may not be a go-to guy at tight end for
the Falcons. He hasn’t caught a pass in three consecutive games, and coaches are high
on rookie Reggie Kelly and may get him more time. |
