Teams with a bye in week three: Indianapolis; Arizona
and TennesseeAFC East
Buffalo — QB Rob Johnson, who appeared to cringe in pain after a lot of his
throws in midweek practices leading up to the Jets game, will continue to start, even
though he’s developed tendinitis in his right throwing arm. Johnson’s tendinitis
is said to be similar to that of Packers QB Brett Favre, and he apparently has been
suffering from it for a while. Johnson says it gets better the looser he gets and says the
tendinitis is nothing to really worry about. The Bills are very worried, though,
considering the 10 sacks Johnson has already suffered, some of which featured direct blows
to his right elbow. The hopes that Buffalo’s offensive line would improve and offer
Johnson better protection have been diminished by the news that ORG Joe Panos has
reinjured the foot that has kept him out of the starting lineup early this season.
Johnson’s backup for this game is Alex Van Pelt, with Doug Flutie
(groin) still a week away from regaining the No. 2 spot. One more note: Look for more and
more action for RB Shawn Bryson if Antowain Smith comes out of the gate vs.
the Jets looking as tentative as he’s looked most of the time so far in the regular
season (six carries for minus yardage vs. Packers).
Indianapolis — Bye in Week Three
Miami — WR Tony Martin’s foot injury will likely keep him out of
Sunday night’s game vs. Baltimore. As of this writing, the word was that if Martin
didn’t practice Friday, he definitely wouldn’t suit up Sunday. Without Martin, Bert
Emanuel and Oronde Gadsden figure to be the Dolphins’ starting receivers,
which doesn’t exactly bode well for the offense. Look for third-down RB Thurman
Thomas and FB Rob Konrad to have more prominent roles. … Key stat: Of QB Jay
Fielder’s 27 completions, only three have gone for 20-plus yards.
New England — While QB Drew Bledsoe’s numbers haven’t been
gaudy and his offensive line continues to struggle, he has been solid this season and
hasn’t thrown a pick in the first two games. His improved footwork and play-action
fakes have kept defenses on their heels. He could torch a weak Vikings secondary, but
check on the status of C Damien Woody (neck) as a precautionary measure before the game.
New York Jets — Though RB Curtis Martin has been extremely durable in his
five-plus years, the Jets don’t want to wear him out by midseason, especially with
him coming off a sprained knee. Enter FB Richie Anderson. The eighth-year veteran
stepped up Monday night vs. New England, catching six passes for 88 yards. Five of those
catches came on a late TD drive. Anderson was particularly effective in the Jets’
four- and five-WR sets. While he won’t figure as prominently as Martin, Anderson does
figure to get his share of touches.
AFC Central
Baltimore — With WR Qadry Ismail (knee) listed as doubtful for the Dolphins
Sunday night, Patrick Johnson, who is returning from a broken collarbone suffered
in the preseason, is expected to start at split end, with Travis Taylor, who leads
all NFL rookies in receiving and is the first Ravens rookie ever to score two TDs in one
game, moving to flanker. There are a lot of Ravens with enticing fantasy potential this
weekend. QB Tony Banks is red-hot (six TD passes in two games). Taylor looks like a
player on the rise. RB Priest Holmes has 268 yards rushing in his last three games,
although rookie Jamal Lewis is expected to get as many as 10 touches vs. Miami and
could cut into Holmes’ fantasy numbers. FB Obafemi Ayanabadejo (seven catches
for 53 yards and one TD vs. the Jaguars) has quietly emerged as a decent offensive weapon.
TE Shannon Sharpe has 11 catches in two career games vs. Miami.
Cincinnati — There are all kinds of concerns for the Bengals’ offense this
week. RB Corey Dillon struggled last week vs. a shaky Browns defense and now will
have to go up against the Jaguars. Bengals OLT Rod Jones and backup John Jackson each gave
up two sacks last week and will be facing Jags DRE Tony Brackens and the zone blitz this
week. Advice would be not to start QB Akili Smith.
Cleveland — Rookie WR JaJuan Dawson will miss at least eight weeks,
maybe more, after suffering a broken collarbone last week vs. the Bengals. That means that
Darrin Chiaverini will step into the starting lineup. Chiaverini is a gutty
competitor who deserves a look. Watch how he does this week vs. the Steelers. If he has
some success, call your commissioner and add him to your lineup. The Browns’ No. 3
receiver is David Patten, and rookie Dennis Northcutt is No. 4.
Also out of Cleveland, don’t be surprised to see more of rookie RB Travis
Prentice. The plan calls for the Browns to use Errict Rhett for two series and
then bring Prentice in on the third series. Rhett would then come back for two more
series, with Prentice again coming on the field for the third series.
Jacksonville — Stay away from PK Mike Hollis this week. He isn’t
expected to kick vs. the Bengals because of severe back pain. In fact, he may need
surgery, which would sideline him even longer. Stay tuned.
As for RB Fred Taylor, it looks as though he will sit one more week, as the
Jaguars try to ensure that he is totally healthy before letting him on the field. Stacey
Mack gets the start this week.
Tennessee — Bye in Week Three
AFC West
Denver — Terrell Davis practiced this week and will go Sunday despite some
soreness in his ankle. Mike Anderson will share some time with Davis after his
impressive debut in Week Two, but the duo will be going up against an Oakland defense that
boasts the DT tandem of Grady Jackson and Darrell Russell. WR Ed McCaffrey was
upgraded to probable this week and should return to the starting lineup.
Kansas City — Mike Cloud will start at running back and Tony Richardson
moves back to fullback this week with FB Donnell Bennett still hobbled by a foot
injury. Carry totals will be more evenly spread until Bennett returns.
Oakland — The Raiders love using play-action fakes and designed rollouts with
mobile QB Rich Gannon, so don’t think his three-TD rushing performance in Week
Two was a fluke.
San Diego — Moses Moreno assumes the starting QB role in place of Ryan
Leaf, who was benched after committing seven turnovers through the first two weeks.
The Chargers likely will continue to use some max-protection to protect Moreno as they did
with Leaf in an effort to neutralize blitzes. That idea also limits fantasy numbers for
backs, tight ends and third receivers.
Seattle — The Seahawks are high on rookie WR Darrell Jackson, who moved
into the starting lineup last week in place of Derrick Mayes. Jackson caught a
touchdown vs. the Rams last week, and his route-running has impressed QB Jon Kitna.
NFC East
Arizona — Bye in Week Three
Dallas — Randall Cunningham will get another start this week, as Troy
Aikman hasn’t been cleared to play due to his Week One concussion. While
Cunningham and his free-wheeling ways looked good last week vs. the Cardinals, the
Redskins feature a much tougher secondary. It would be wise to go with another quarterback
this week.
New York Giants — While TE Pete Mitchell will be in the lineup for the
first time this season, don’t expect big production from him this week. Mitchell may
not be in very good conditioning shape, as he has missed time since injuring his knee in
early August. Head coach Jim Fassel says that Mitchell will not be a major part of the
game plan for the Week Three game vs. the Bears.
Philadelphia — Both Na Brown (hand) and Torrance Small
(hamstring) are expected to return to the lineup this week. But because they are listed as
questionable on the injury report, in addition to the fact that they are Eagles wide
receivers, don’t get too excited about their return. However, TE Chad Lewis,
who had a spectacular one-handed grab last week, has separated himself from the other
tight ends on the team. In head coach Andy Reid’s offense, the tight end plays a
pivotal role. Keep an eye on Lewis.
Washington — With Michael Westbrook out for the year, Albert
Connell becomes the No. 1 scoring threat at wide receiver for the Redskins.
Considering the Skins are facing a very shaky Dallas secondary, Connell is a must-play
this week. Irving Fryar is the No. 2 option and could be a good play this week as
well. Also, while he may not be a great fantasy choice because he will be used so
sparingly, the Redskins intend to use Champ Bailey at wideout in the next couple of
weeks.
NFC Central
Green Bay — There’s a good chance RB Dorsey Levens will return from
his knee injury Sunday vs. Philadelphia. While he probably won’t start, he may carry
the ball about 10 times to reacquaint himself with game action. If all goes well, look for
Levens to start in Week Four vs. Arizona. … While the news on Levens is good, the
loss of ORT Earl Dotson could have an impact on the running game. Dotson (back) will
replaced by the rookie Mark Tauscher, a seventh-round pick. While Tauscher looked good in
training camp, he obviously lacks Dotson’s experience and run-blocking skills.
Minnesota — John Davis is starting ahead of the now twice-benched Andrew
Jordan at tight end. Jordan continues to have problems catching passes. Last week vs.
Miami, one of his drops resulted in an interception (the ball hit off his hands and into
those of a defender). Davis, who was signed this offseason to generally be a blocking
tight end, has shown some positive signs. With the number of times QB Daunte Culpepper
has thrown to tight ends, Davis could figure into the equation more than you might think.
Tampa Bay — Look for WR Jacquez Green to continue to benefit from the extra
attention paid to Keyshawn Johnson. Green leads the Bucs with seven receptions for
171 yards and one touchdown. Of course, 58 of those yards came on the touchdown. Still,
the Bucs consider Green to be their top deep threat. He definitely has the speed to break
away, though scouts say he needs to be more consistent with his hands.
NFC West
Atlanta — The Falcons offense suffered a big blow when WR Tim Dwight, who
led the team with nine TDs in just 12 games last season, had an emergency appendectomy
that is expected to keep him out 3-6 weeks. You might want to consider taking a fantasy
chance on Brian Finneran, Dwight’s primary replacement as Atlanta’s No. 3
receiver. The 6-5 Finneran was the Falcons’ leading receiver in the preseason. Darrick
Vaughn (100-yard kickoff return for a TD last week) will return all kickoffs in
Dwight’s absence, while Winslow Oliver returns punts.
Carolina — WR Muhsin Muhammad, who had a huge game vs. the Niners last
week, says the broken ring finger on his left hand shouldn’t keep him from playing
Sunday vs. Atlanta (he says he played last season with a broken finger on the other hand),
but QB Steve Beuerlein is a bit worried. What the Panthers would really love is a
breakthrough, monster-type game from RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka, who they think could
be ready to explode. He will be up against a defense that allowed Broncos RB Mike
Anderson to run wild last week. Another Panther to keep an eye on is WR Isaac Byrd,
who will be worked into the No. 3 WR role for the first time this weekend. Byrd has been
busy learning the playbook, and the Panthers would love to get back to using more three-WR
sets.
New Orleans — RB Ricky Williams has a broken bone in his right foot, but he
has yet to miss a practice and says it won’t keep him from playing in Seattle Sunday.
Williams could be ready for a big game vs. Seattle’s 29th-ranked defense.
He has yet to rush for 100 yards this year and has only one TD — a 13-yard score vs.
San Diego. But he is getting the ball a lot more and is a dangerous threat both rushing
and receiving. QB Jeff Blake, meanwhile, is coming off a strong effort in the
Saints’ win over the Chargers, tying Archie Manning’s club record with 33
completions and directing an Elwayesque game-winning drive that really boosted the
confidence of the whole team. Another emerging force is WR Joe Horn, who leads the
NFC with 17 receptions. It’s interesting to note, though, that Horn, who had a pair
of TD catches last week, has been more of a factor in the intermediate range than as a
deep threat, which is what he is still expected to be.
St. Louis — WR Ricky Proehl (hamstring) looks as though he’ll probably
be able to play vs. the 49ers, but it doesn’t look as promising for rookie RB Trung
Canidate, who will probably be out of the lineup with a foot injury. An emerging
fantasy force on the Rams could be RB Robert Holcombe (TD vs. Seattle). The Rams
are said to be making a conscious effort to get him more involved in the offense.
San Francisco — QB Jeff Garcia is still the starter, but he’s on a
really short leash. If he struggles early vs. the Rams, he could be replaced by Rick
Mirer — for some time to come. The 49ers believe they can score some points vs. a
Rams defense that has yielded 70 points the first two games. WR Terrell Owens had
some nice numbers last week, but he also had some costly drops and mistakes that offset
his performance. WR Jerry Rice’s tender back is not expected to hinder him.
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