Teams on bye: SeattleAFC CENTRAL
Baltimore — QB Trent Dilfer’s confidence is steadily increasing,
especially after directing the come-from-behind TD drive with the clock winding down vs.
the Titans last Sunday after throwing an interception for a TD.. Dilfer has really clicked
with TE Shannon Sharpe, who has become much more productive in recent weeks. Sharpe
figures to be effective again this Sunday vs. a Dallas defense that is very soft
underneath. FB Obafemi Ayanbadejo reinjured his toe vs. the Titans and could be out
a while. Baltimore’s ground game featuring Jamal Lewis should gain some
yardage vs. Dallas’ weak rushing defense, even though the Ravens’ offensive line
is a bit banged up, with ORT Harry Swayne listed as doubtful (hamstring).
Cincinnati — QB Akili Smith is out, Scott Mitchell is in. While this
move should not exactly send you out rushing to pick up Ron Dugans or Craig
Yeast, it may make you feel more comfortable in starting WR Peter Warrick.
Mitchell is a veteran and should bring a calming influence and perhaps even a little
consistency to a putrid passing offense.
Tennessee — Here is your weekly update on the Titans’ WR situation: Yancey
Thigpen has looked good and will play again this week. He wasn’t even on the
injury report. If you were watching closely, you would have noticed that he was targeted
in the endzone last week against the Ravens. Carl Pickens (hamstring), on the other
hand, has not practiced, but he has run a bit. Don’t worry about Derrick Mason.
He sat out some this week with tightness in his back, but he should be ready to go Sunday.
… RB Eddie George, who’s been suffering from a toe injury, has looked his
best in practice since injuring his knee against the Ravens in Week Eight. George should
get fat on a Browns defense he lit up for four touchdowns and 210 yards in two games last
season.
Pittsburgh — Courtney Hawkins seems to be the Steelers’ ticket out of
passing doldrums. He had a fabulous game vs. the Eagles and has supplanted rookie WR Plaxico
Burress in the starting lineup.
AFC EAST
Buffalo — It looks more and more like RB Sammy Morris won’t play this
week. He is listed as a game-time decision, but sources say his ankle will probably keep
him out of action on Sunday vs. the Chiefs. Antowain Smith and Jonathan Linton
could see more playing time with Morris out.
Miami — Start Lamar Smith this week. The Jets have been horrible against
the run in recent weeks and couldn’t seem to stop him in the teams’ last
meeting. The WR corps is again near full-strength this week. Oronde Gadsden (knee)
may not play, so you should check his status prior to game time. Tony Martin has
returned and should play Sunday. Zach Thomas remains out on the defensive side of
the ball, and could miss the Indianapolis game next week as well.
New England — Eric Bjornson was cut to make way for new No. 1 TE Rod
Rutledge. Don’t jump on him right away though, as he is known more for his
blocking skills than receiving skills.
New York Jets — The Jets have said they will try to run a spread offense, but at
the same time not lose sight of their weapon on offense: Curtis Martin. Martin did
not fare well vs. the Dolphins in the Monday-night game earlier this year, but that’s
because the Jets fell behind right away, forcing them to pass a lot.
AFC WEST
Denver — With a solid offensive system in place, the Broncos do not appear overly
concerned with having to play QB Gus Frerotte in place of the injured Brian
Griese. They would love to have Griese in there obviously but feel Frerotte’s arm
strength and poise in the pocket should be able to help stretch the defense and keep WRs Ed
McCaffrey and Rod Smith happy. Check the status of RB Terrell Davis this
weekend. He underwent an MRI on his injured calf but should be able to go Sunday.
Oakland — Keep an eye on the status of RB Tyrone Wheatley, who probably
won’t be able to go for the second straight week. The team felt so insecure about
Wheatley this week that they brought in RB Terry Kirby for a workout. Without
Wheatley in the lineup, Oakland will look to Napoleon Kaufman more in the middle of
the field and Zack Crockett near the goal line. … Six of TE Rickey Dudley’s
17 catches and both of his touchdowns have come in the past two weeks.
San Diego — QB Ryan Leaf will get the nod Sunday despite pulling a
hamstring late in last week’s game. RB Jermaine Fazande could see less time
because he is not hitting the holes as fast as the Chargers would like. Terrell
Fletcher, the team’s third-down back, will likely see more time in place of
Fazande as San Diego attempts to find a spark offensively.
Seattle — On bye
NFC CENTRAL
Chicago — The only thing preventing RB James Allen from becoming a fantasy
starter is this: He doesn’t score enough. Allen has looked very good the last four
weeks, rushing 75 times for 330 yards (4.4-yard average). But he’s scored just once.
In fact, Bears running backs have accounted for only two of the team’s 13 offensive
touchdowns. FB Curtis Enis has the other. Allen makes a nice No. 3 back in yardage
leagues, but he doesn’t merit a starting spot in scoring leagues.
Green Bay — QB Brett Favre returned to practice Thursday, and it appears as
though he’ll start Sunday against the Colts. Favre badly sprained his left foot last
week against the Buccaneers. Said Favre: "It’s sore, and it will probably be
real sore (Friday). But, personally, I had to go out and see what I could do." Be
sure to check his status later today and through the weekend. … RB Dorsey Levens
(knee) and WR Corey Bradford (leg) will not play Sunday.
Minnesota — After rushing for three touchdowns during an early-season four-game
stretch, RB Robert Smith has scored two receiving touchdown in the last two games.
Smith has been much more involved in the passing game this year, as evidenced by his 25
catches in 10 games. He’s already surpassed his 199 total of 24 and is on pace to
break his career high of 37. As a result of expanded role, Smith is also on pace to tie
his career high for touchdowns (eight). All this while continuing to rack in the rushing
yardage. If you haven’t been playing Smith, who have you been playing?
Tampa Bay — QB Shaun King is looking more and more like starting material
in fantasy leagues. The Bucs’ last nine touchdowns have come via the pass, and King
has been given high praise of late for his leadership ability. Players are responding to
King, and he’s returning the favor with some solid play. Much of his improvement has
to do with his decision-making. He’s also used his scrambling ability more rather
than force the action. That’s not to say King is going to become Daunte Culpepper,
but he has kept drives alive with his running.
NFC East
Arizona — Even though WRs David Boston (hamstring) and Frank Sanders
(quadriceps) didn’t practice at all this week, both are expected to play this week
vs. the Eagles. Boston had one of the best games of his career against the Eagles in Week
Seven, when he caught six passes for 123 yards and a score.
Dallas — Emmitt Smith is coming off the worst rushing day in his NFL
career. Last week, he carried the ball 17 times for just 16 yards against the Bengals.
While he will get plenty of chances this week against the Ravens, don’t expect him to
fare much better. Baltimore is outstanding at stopping the run. In fact, the Ravens
haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 28 straight games. This would be a good week to
sit Smith.
Philadelphia — Darnell Autry will get the start at running back for the
Eagles this week, even thought it was Stanley Pritchett who was the most effective
Eagles player out of the backfield last week. Both Autry and Pritchett scored rushing
touchdowns when the Eagles visited the Cardinals in Week Seven.
New York Giants — Be wary of starting WR Amani Toomer this week, as he is
coming off of a concussion. They expect him to play this week, but if he takes even a
slightly harder than usual hit, he will wind up back on the bench quickly.
Washington — QB Brad Johnson will not start this week, as his knee is still
not up to snuff. That means that Jeff George will start a second consecutive
game. While he wasn’t particularly impressive in his last start (vs. the Cardinals),
he has had plenty of reps in practice to get in sync with his receivers. Plus, George is
going against at Rams defense that has given up 303 points.
NFC West
Atlanta — QB Chris Chandler is back in the lineup vs. the 49ers after
sitting out last week with a concussion. He will be up against a 49ers secondary coming
off an inspired performance vs. the Chiefs, but the Niners are still the lowest-ranked
defense in the league. RB Maurice Smith could start to get a few more touches the
rest of the season. RB Jamal Anderson is coming off a strong effort in defeat vs.
Detroit. WR Tim Dwight (ribs/leg) seems to be listed as questionable every week but
is still expected to play and possibly play well — both as a deep threat and a return
man.
Carolina— Steer clear of the Panthers. With RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka (knee/turf
toe) looking more doubtful as the weekend approaches and with FB William Floyd out
2-4 weeks with busted ribs, Carolina could very well be starting no-names RB Brad
Hoover and FB Chris Hetherington in the backfield vs. the Vikes (yikes!). In
addition, an offensive line that yielded eight sacks to the Saints last Sunday is all
nicked up, and WR Muhsin Muhammad (nagging hamstring injury) continues to operate
at less than full strength. Kris Mangum will probably start at tight end over Casey
Crawford. PK Joe Nedney looks by far the best fantasy option on the Panthers this
week.
New Orleans — The Saints are looking to the combination of rookie Chad Morton
and journeyman Jerald Moore to replace RB Ricky Williams (out for rest of
season with ankle injury), who accounted for 43 percent of the team’s total offense.
Head coach Jim Haslett does not expect to alter the attack specifically and plans on Moore
busting inside on first and second downs behind New Orleans’ fine offensive line and
Morton being more of an outside threat and third-down back type. Of the two, Morton
appears to have the best fantasy potential.
San Francisco — WR Terrell Owens is still bothered by turf toe, but he is
now saying he should be able to at least see some action this Sunday vs. Atlanta. More
likely, J.J. Stokes will start over Owens for the second straight game. WR Jerry
Rice (back) is banged up but will almost certainly see action. FB Fred Beasley,
who is listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain, said he felt 75 percent healthy on
Thursday. If he can’t start for a second straight game, his place will again be taken
by Terry Jackson.
St. Louis — The Rams are feeling really good about themselves offensively after an
excellent performance vs. the Giants last Sunday without Marshall Faulk (knee) and
Kurt Warner (finger) in the lineup. QB Trent Green looked especially sharp and is
on a nice roll heading into a Monday-night game vs. Washington — the team that let
him go. Look for the Rams to continue to spread the wealth to as many different offensive
guys as possible. Faulk is saying he could play, and he actually took part in about
one-third of the Rams’ practice plays on Thursday. But if he does play, the Rams
still say his playing time will be very limited, although head coach Mike Martz says he
will have a few plays lined up especially for Faulk just in case. PK Jeff Wilkins
(quad) will be held out at least one more game. PK Jeff Hall ( 50-yard field goal vs.
Giants) kicks in his place. |
