Teams on bye: WashingtonAFC Central
Baltimore — Two guys to keep an eye on are QB Trent Dilfer, who is coming
off a strong game vs. Cincy, and TE Shannon Sharpe, who had two TDs vs. the Bengals
and had decent numbers in the first game this year vs. Tennessee, this week’s
opponent. FB Obafemi Ayanbadejo is expected back in the mix after missing three
weeks with a foot injury, and he can help as a safety valve receiver out of the backfield.
Cincinnati — Expect the Cowboys to receive a healthy dose of Corey Dillon
this week. Dallas received bad news about S George Teague and DT Leon Lett this week, as
both will likely miss the remainder of the season due to injury. Dallas’ defensive
line has been a major disappointment in all facets, and the Bengals are working with two-
and three-TE sets more to help in run-blocking situations.
Cleveland — As long as Doug Pederson doesn’t make mistakes, the
starting job is his to lose. Spergon Wynn did not show much during his
opportunities this year. RB Jamel White may get more touches as the weeks progress.
The Browns are looking for a big play and believe White has the ability to break one.
Pittsburgh — This game vs. the Eagles could be much like the last few
Steelers’ games: mostly kicking, little scoring. To that note, think little of Kris
Brown’s PAT miss last week and start him this week. The Eagles have an underrated
defense, and the Steelers’ offense is still trying to find itself. Kordell Stewart
will start at QB.
Tennessee — WR Yancey Thigpen hasn’t looked this good in practice in a
long time, and he will play a role Sunday that won’t limit him to being the No. 3
option. WR Carl Pickens, however, probably won’t play after not practicing all
week. RB Eddie George (knee, toe) and WR Derrick Mason (back, ankle) are
fine and will play.
AFC East
Buffalo — Doug Flutie is this week’s starter. He could benefit from a Bears
pass defense that hasn’t been very good this year. Eric Moulds could have
another strong game in that scenario. The Bears’ run defense has battened down the
hatches lately, but it hasn’t been able to do so for four quarters. Sammy Morris
should be at full-strength again this week after leaving last week’s game with a
thigh bruise.
Indianapolis — Edgerrin James could prove that last week’s game vs.
the Bears was a fluke, yardage-wise, vs. a Jets run defense that has been up and down all
season. The Colts’ defense has had trouble all year vs. the pass and faces an
explosive passing offense with capable receivers.
Miami — Miami’s defense is very close to full-strength. The Dolphins have
been so solid with all the injuries they’ve sustained that they can only
theoretically get better next week, barring injuries this week. You would be wise to start
RB Lamar Smith this week vs. the Chargers. San Diego has a decent run defense, but
Smith has been hot lately.
New England — Drew Bledsoe probably will not play Sunday, which is too bad
because the Patriots face the Browns. If you have Bledsoe, it might not hurt to pick up John
Friesz, who will start in Bledsoe’s place. The Browns have been terrible vs. the
run, so this might be J.R. Redmond’s week to shine.
New York Jets — Curtis Martin will carry the load for the Jets as usual. Vinny
Testaverde might have opportunities to look downfield vs. a Colts secondary that has
had trouble stopping the big play. Look for Laveranues Coles and Wayne Chrebet
to have big days.
AFC West
Denver — Terrell Davis’ 33 carries came as both a surprise and a
relief for the Broncos last week. Denver’s coaching staff did not believe he would be
in top shape right off the bat, but Davis looked strong in the second half. Mike
Anderson rushed for 187 yards vs. Oakland in Week Three. The increased production from
Davis could help the three-headed TE monster in Denver, as teams tend to key on the
running game more and become suspect to play-action passing.
Kansas City — Just when fantasy owners were getting excited over Kimble Anders,
Chiefs head coach Gunther Cunningham said this week that they may try to get RB Mike
Cloud more carries because they like the way he’s been dodging defenders on kick
returns. Make sure to have your Chiefs receiving options and QB Elvis Grbac in the
lineup this week. He’s coming off a 504-yard day and facing a 49ers defense that
ranks dead last in the league in pass defense.
Oakland — Fantasy owners with TE Rickey Dudley on their team must have been
jumping for joy last week when he hauled in his first two TD catches of the season. With
that confidence boost, look for QB Rich Gannon to look his way a little more as the
season moves on. Dudley has not had a problem getting open, but Gannon has simply been
locking on to WRs Andre Rison and Tim Brown or looking for receivers out of
the backfield more. That could change if Dudley shows more consistency.
Seattle — While WR Derrick Mayes assumed the starting role over rookie Darrell
Jackson last week, don’t expect that to cause much of a commotion as far as
production is concerned. The move was made more in an effort to try to spark Mayes, and
both will see plenty of time on the field with Sean Dawkins.
NFC CENTRAL
Chicago — Don’t read too much in to QB Cade McNown being listed as
"doubtful" for Sunday’s game vs. Buffalo rather than "out."
McNown would only play in an emergency situation, and he would likely just handoff. McNown
has lobbed the ball 10 yards in practice and isn’t ready to go full-tilt. He’s
still on schedule, though, and should return in the next 1-3 weeks. … For those of
you disappointed in Eddie Kennison’s lack of big-play ability, here’s a
reason. When Bobby Engram went down earlier this year with a knee injury, Kennison
was bumped into Engram’s spot inside. For the most part, it’s prevented him from
using his speed to stretch the field. Hence his mere 9.3-yard average.
Detroit — QB Charlie Batch (concussion) has been cleared to play Sunday vs.
Atlanta after practicing all this week. Perhaps Batch’s performance will improve with
a change in atmosphere around Lions camp. With Gary Moeller now in charge,
"It’s fun, and when it is, it is easier to play," according to WR Johnnie
Morton. "Before, everyone was afraid to make a mistake, and now things are more
relaxed. We’re inspired."
Green Bay — The Packers are holding out hope that RB Dorsey Levens will
return this season from a knee injury, but it doesn’t look good. Levens had surgery
on his right knee Wednesday to remove a loose body and scar tissue, putting him on the
shelf for several weeks. Ahman Green will take Levens’ place. Though Green has
done a nice job (he scored two touchdowns Monday night), don’t expect him to produce
the way a healthy Levens would. Green continues to have problems hanging on to the ball,
whether it’s as a running back or a receiver. If the Packers lose enough patience
with Green, De’Mond Parker could see some action.
Tampa Bay — RB Warrick Dunn has now led the Bucs in rushing in four
straight games, the last two of which have been very impressive. It’s led many team
observers to believe that Dunn has become the Bucs’ featured runner. That was no more
evident than on a drive vs. the Falcons last Sunday. Dunn carried seven times on the
11-play drive with gains of 1, 4, 2, 9, 1, 21 and 1 yards. The significance? The
Bucs’ coaches seem to be realizing that Dunn needs a number of carries to establish a
rhythm. Hence his nine- and 21-yard totes on the drive. Another strong showing could
affirm Dunn’s standing as the Bucs’ leading man.
NFC East
Dallas — After practicing for the second straight day, QB Troy Aikman
(back/head trauma) looks like he’ll be back in the starting lineup this Sunday vs.
the Bengals, especially considering the fluid build-up in backup QB Randall Cunningham’s
knee this week. But the Cowboys’ offense was further hamstrung by the season-ending
knee injury last Sunday suffered by WR Raghib Ismail. Ismail will be replaced by
the combination of second-year players Jason Tucker and Wane McGarity.
Tucker, who has seen limited action this season due to a strained groin, has shown flashes
before.
New York Giants — While the Giants are not happy with the kickoff distance Brad
Daluiso has provided, he isn’t going to lose his FG-kicking duties anytime soon. Jaret
Holmes will likely handle the kickoff duties from here on out, but Daluiso has
steadily been able to part the uprights and will keep his job.
Philadelphia — It might be a good idea to look away from the Eagles’ WR corps
this week. Not only is Pittsburgh’s defense the hottest in the league right now, but
QB Donovan McNabb has been choosing to go the safe route with passes to TE Chad
Lewis and several running backs lately. McNabb only completed four passes to his wide
receivers a week ago vs. Dallas.
NFC West
Atlanta — QB Danny Kanell is expected to start in Detroit in place of Chris
Chandler (concussion), who is listed as extremely doubtful. Kanell does not have as
strong an arm as Chandler, but he is a real rah-rah, quick-strike alternative who has
shown flashes when given an opportunity to call signals. The Falcons hope RB Jamal
Anderson can be more of a rushing threat than he was last Sunday vs. the Bucs, since
the Lions’ defense seemed to have real problems with Miami’s Lamar Smith last
Sunday.
Carolina— Even though TE Casey Crawford caught a TD pass in the win over
St. Louis last Sunday night, Kris Mangum will probably gut out his shoulder injury
and be the starter this Sunday vs. the Saints. RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka’s knee
injury shouldn’t be too much of a detriment this Sunday. WR Muhsin Muhammad
(hamstring), on the other hand, continues to concern the Panthers. He has looked a step
slow lately, but both he and Donald Hayes might benefit from going up against
smallish Saints CBs Kevin Mathis and Fred Weary this week. Be weary of Carolina’s
inconsistent pattern — good one week, lousy the next. If that pattern continues, they
could have a rough Sunday vs. the Saints, since they played inspired football vs. the Rams
last Sunday night.
New Orleans — The good news is that QB Jeff Blake feels he’s really
getting comfortable with the Saints’ offense and always thinks he does better in the
second halves of seasons than the first half. The bad news is that the Saints will be
facing an underrated Carolina defense that is very stingy when it comes up to giving up
TDs, especially of the aerial variety. This game has all the earmarks of a defensive
battle, which doesn’t bear well for fantasy performers on either team.
San Francisco — The Niners’ offense has really leveled off the last couple of
weeks. QB Jeff Garcia is coming of his worst game of the year — although
statistically he did have a decent second half — and suddenly, RB Charlie Garner
hasn’t been much of a factor. RB Fred Beasley, who was a TD terror the first
few games this season, is very doubtful with an ankle injury. Terry Jackson will
probably take his place. While Terrell Owens (toe) is expected to play, make sure
you check his status carefully right up to game time (he’s listed as questionable).
St. Louis — With RB Marhsall Faulk out of the lineup, the Rams are expected
to go with a RB-by-committee approach vs. the Giants with Justin Watson figuring to
get the majority of work. This could finally be the week (we think!) that rookie
first-rounder Trung Canidate makes his presence felt, perhaps lining up as wide
receiver on a few plays to take advantage of his 4.2 straight-ahead speed. Check the
status of FB Robert Holcombe (questionable; hamstring); he could be a legitimate
goal line threat. Look for a real spread-the-wealth offensive attack with all kinds of
bells and whistles from head coach Mike Martz, who is in a position to use all of his
considerable offensive creativity to the max. Also, PK Jeff Wilkins has recovered
from his quad injury, but he won’t be on the field for kickoffs and long FG attempts.
That burden falls on Jeff Hall, who was signed last week. Pete Stoyanovich
was released after a shaky game vs. the Panthers.
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