Matchups to Exploit - Week 5
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October 4, 2007 @ 16:18:18
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By Hot off the Wire Network Contributors
Edited by Ryan Dodson
Browns WR Braylon
Edwards vs. Patriots CB Asante
Samuel
Edwards has 18 catches for 375 yards (20.8 average) and four touchdowns. He
had a 78-yarder against Ravens Chris
McAlister last week and has a catch of at least 21 yards in four straight
games. He has also cut down on his drops from last year. Samuel had a crucial
interception Monday night against Cincinnati, his second of the year. He has
18 regular season picks in his five-year career. Edwards said he's one of the
top corners in the NFL.
Patriots WR Randy
Moss vs. Browns secondary
Moss is the first player in NFL history to record
100-yard receiving games in each of his first four games with a new team. He
has 50 100-yard games in his career, which is tied for third all-time. His seven
touchdowns have him on pace to score 28 this season. Moss has 31 catches for
505 yards (16.3 average) and seven touchdowns this year. Cornerback Leigh
Bodden is the Browns' best corner but has been slowed by a groin injury.
He looked better against the Ravens with an interception,
a pass breakup and a tied a career high with eight tackles. The Browns
like to play man coverage, but they will have to help Bodden with a safety.
In two games against the Browns the last two years,
Moss had just two catches, and both were for touchdowns. Teams are still using
single coverage against Moss, however. On Monday night, Cincinnati
Bengals rookie corner Leon Hall was one-on-one
against Moss and tried to jam him at the line; Moss simply blew by him for a
14-yard touchdown. Cleveland is giving up 267 yards passing per game, though
if you take out the 401-yard performance by Bengals
quarterback Carson Palmer in Week 2, that average
drops to 223 YPG.
Browns TE Kellen Winslow
against Patriots LB Adalius
Thomas
After being hurt by the Colts' Dallas Clark
in the AFC Championship Game, the need for someone who can better cover athletic
tight ends is one of the reasons the Patriots signed
Thomas in the offseason. Thomas is as big and as fast as most tight ends, and
that will come in handy against Winslow. The Chargers' Antonio
Gates had seven catches for 77 yards and a touchdown in New England in Week
2. Winslow had four catches for 96 yards, including a 49-yard reception, last
week against the Ravens.
Seahawks RB Shaun
Alexander vs. Steelers defense
Alexander has really struggled so far this season in the first half of games,
and this week should be no different at Pittsburgh. Head coach Mike
Holmgren singled out the offensive line for missing so many assignments
as the reason why the running game isn't going early. Fortunately for them,
the passing offense has clicked, and by the general nature of the game, things
have loosened up in the second half and Alexander has been able to gain some
yardage. Keep in mind, he is tied for second in the NFC in rushing yards and
is on pace for more than 1,400 yards, but it's a mystery how considering how
bad he has looked in the first half of games.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
vs. Seahawks defense
For the second time in four weeks, the Seahawks
had six sacks in a game, with weakside linebacker Julian
Peterson, the NFC Defensive Player of the Week with three sacks and two
forced fumbles. The defense is very aggressive, and if they shut down the run
early, they are very capable of getting to Roethlisberger. Although they are
claiming Super Bowl XL is ancient history, the returning defensive players all
remember clearly how well they had bottled up the Steelers
offense and got killed by big plays. And therein lies the key to this game -
Roethlisberger making big plays as he did to win that game. The personality
of the Steelers' offense changes when the team can't get its running game in
gear, which is what happened Sunday in Arizona. The offensive line has serious
problems at center - with center Sean Mahan replacing
retired former Pro Bowler Jeff Hartings - and
at right tackle with Willie Colon playing almost
by default because of former starter Max Starks'
problems. As a result, Roethlisberger is forced to scramble on too many pass
attempts because the pass blocking breaks down. He was sacked four times in
the loss to the Cardinals, and now along comes Peterson, one of the most dominant
players in the league.
The Steelers defense vs. Seahawks
RB Shaun Alexander
If the Seahawks are figuring on gashing the Steelers
with big plays and exceptional individual performances on Sunday, they might
be disappointed. The Steelers don't give up many
points (11.8 per game, third in the NFL) or big plays
in the running game (no back has a carry of 15 yards or longer this season).
They are eighth in the league, allowing an average of only 81.2 rushing yards
per game. To compound the problem, Alexander has 353 yards this season but only
94 in the first half. If he starts slow, the Steelers
could get an edge that will hamper the Seahawks' ability to run. The return
of two Pro Bowl defenders, strong safety Troy Polamalu
(abdominal strain) and nose tackle Casey Hampton
(hamstring), is more bad news for the Seahawks. They missed the second half
of the loss to the Cardinals.
Panthers DE Julius
Peppers vs. Saints RT Jon
Stinchcomb
Peppers is in the worst slump of his career, failing to produce a sack in
his first four games. Still, there's always the potential for a breakout game
and Stinchcomb will need help from the tight ends and the running backs. The
team has been getting fancy with its use of Peppers, having the defensive end
drop into pass coverage far too often. That's nice that Peppers is capable of
doing that, but the team has linebackers capable of doing that as well. It's
time for the team to allow Peppers to start doing what he does best - rushing
the passer on every down.
Panthers WR Steve Smith
vs. Saints CBs Jason Craft
and Mike McKenzie
The Saints don't usually flip-flop their cornerbacks
to face the opponent's best receiver, so it's likely that Smith will be going
against both Craft and McKenzie on Sunday. It really doesn't matter who covers
him, though, Smith is usually at his best against the Saints. McKenzie can stay
with Smith in the short game, but he'll need help from safeties Roman
Harper and Josh Bullocks in the deeper game.
Smith has shown some frustration the last two weeks and is poised for a big
game even if he's drawing a lot of coverage. The last five times Smith has faced
the Saints, he has caught 40 passes for 495 yards and five touchdowns. Smith
has also rushed for a score against the Saints. For a defensive unit that ranks
25th in the league going into the game, it's not an enviable task. The Saints
also have just one interception this season in three losses, that by injured
CB Jason David (forearm), out four to six weeks
with a broken forearm.
Saints RB Aaron Stecker
vs. Panthers run defense
Carolina comes into the game ranked 21st in rushing defense in the league,
allowing opponents 118.8 yards per game on the ground. Stecker, who has rushed
five times for 27 yards, a Saints' best 5.4 yards per rush, might see plenty
of action running the ball in the absence of RB Deuce
McAllister (knee) who's out for the season with a knee injury. The Saints
might also be handing the ball a lot to RB Reggie
Bush, but Bush hasn't shown he's an every-down back. Stecker should be the
go-to guy if the Saints want to pound the ball into
the middle of the Panthers defense. But New Orleans
ranks 29th in the NFL in rushing offense and are
averaging just 79.7 yards per game.
Lions LT Jeff Backus
vs. Redskins RDE Andre
Carter
The key to stopping the Lions' passing attack is getting to quarterback
Jon Kitna. The Redskins
finished last in sacks last season with only 19, and they have seven through
three games this season. Carter is their best pass rusher. He has two sacks.
Kitna took 63 sacks last season, more than any other quarterback in the NFL,
and he has taken 15 over the last two games. Backus strained a muscle in his
side in warm-ups Sept. 23 at Philadelphia and had to come out of the game. He
started Sunday against Chicago but wasn't at his best.
Lions DE Dewayne White
vs. Redskins RT Todd Wade
The right side of the Redskins' line is weak. RT Jon
Jansen is on injured reserve. RG Randy Thomas
is out. White can cause some havoc. He has 1 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles,
a fumble recovery and an interception this season. He has to take advantage
of Wade. If the Lions' defensive front cannot get pressure on quarterback Jason
Campbell, the secondary might struggle with receivers Santana
Moss, if he plays, and Antwaan Randle El.
Lions QB Jon Kitna
vs. Redskins MLB London
Fletcher
During the Lions' surprising 3-1 start, Kitna has been great, completing
71 percent of his passes for 1,227 yards and eight touchdowns. The Lions' pass
offense is averaging 312.8 yards per game and five players have caught at least
10 passes. Fletcher won't be matched up against the Lions' receivers, but in
the Redskins' scheme, he serves as a central midfielder of sorts, covering any
route that goes into the deep middle. The Giants
exploited the Redskins in this area (especially on
third down) and it will be up to Fletcher to read Kitna and nix any of those
explosive plays.
Jets RB Thomas Jones
vs. Giants LBs
Lost in the Giants' 12 sacks of Philadelphia QB Donovan
McNabb was the fact that the Eagles did rush
for 114 yards at 5.0 yards per carry, with Correll
Buckhalter rushing for 103 yards. The Jets abandoned
the run very quickly against Buffalo, as Jones only carried five times in the
second half despite the score being tied heading into the third quarter. They
won't abandon the run this week.
Giants WR Plaxico
Burress vs. Jets CBs Darrelle
Revis and David Barrett
This is a matchup between an athletic, acrobatic veteran and a first-round
left cornerback in Revis. By rights, Burress should have a distinct advantage
between his 6-foot-5 height and his ability to work around even the best of
veterans. He just outleaped the Eagles' veteran cornerback Sheldon
Brown for a touchdown in the corner of the end zone last week, which was
his sixth touchdown. Only one other Giant, running back Derrick
Ward, has a receiving touchdown. Revis is 5-foot-11, but he's an aggressive
cover guy that has shown he can jam receivers at the line. He's fourth on the
Jets with 27 tackles, and he has four passes defensed.
But he's still looking for his first interception. The Giants' best hope is
to find Burress deep. But that's a crapshoot, considering the wide receiver
nursing a sprained right ankle has dropped two deep balls the past two weeks.
Revis goes inside in clear passing situations to cover the slot receiver, which
could match him up with either receiver Amani Toomer
or tight end Jeremy Shockey. Burress has 19 receptions
for 286 yards and six touchdowns and has still been productive despite playing
with a sprained ankle. Barrett is playing much better this season after being
plagued with injuries the last two years, but look for Eli
Manning to try to test the Jets' secondary deep with Burress. Both Burress
and tight end Jeremy Shockey sat out the preseason
game between the teams because of injury.
Jets WR Laveranues
Coles vs. Giants CB Aaron
Ross
Since Ross took over at the corner in the second quarter against Washington,
the Giants' coverage has gotten a lot better. Last week, he and right corner
Sam Madison got their hands on receivers and
disrupted the timing of Eagles quarterback Donovan
McNabb, a huge factor in the Giants' front getting 12 sacks. He shut down
Eagles receiver Reggie
Brown into a non-entity. This week's challenge is somewhat different, in
that the veteran Coles is a threat over the middle as well as down the sideline.
He's second on the team to Jerricho Cotchery
with 24 catches for 211 yards, but he has four of the Jets' six touchdown passes
to Cotchery's none. Coles is a wily receiver off the line, so it will be hard
for Ross to jam him. And if they put Ross in zone coverage, Coles will kill
him on the short stuff as he did the Bills in an eight-catch,
65-yard, one-touchdown performance.
Jets QB Chad Pennington
vs. Giants pass rush
If defensive end Osi Umenyiora, defensive
end Michael Strahan, defensive tackle Justin
Tuck and linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka act
as they did last week against a far more mobile Donovan
McNabb, Pennington may have to leave the game entirely. Those four combined
for all of the Giants' NFL record-tying 12 sacks,
with Umenyiora getting a franchise record six of those. Defensive coordinator
Steve Spagnuolo has been putting all four of
the defensive ends on the field in certain obvious passing situations, and they've
torn up the Redskins and the Eagles
on two consecutive weeks. Pennington needs to be pressured, especially after
putting together a string of 15 straight completions against Buffalo. Pennington
finished that game at 32 of 39 for 290 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
He knows how to slide in the pocket, but he's not a real running threat. So
if the Jets' front line doesn't hold up, he could be in major trouble.
Texans CB Demarcus Faggins vs. Dolphins
WR Chris Chambers
CB Demarcus Faggins is responsible for giving up four of the Texans' eight
passing touchdowns this season so he will become the ideal target for the Dolphins
coaches to get Chambers matched up on. Faggans is short, and he's not very instinctive
for a two-year starter. Chambers was averaging 100 receiving yards a game before
he was limited to two receptions for 21 yards against the Raiders. However,
Chambers hasn't caught a touchdown pass in 12 games.
Texans RB Ron Dayne
vs. Dolphins run defense
Because running back Ahman Green (knee) is
limited by a knee injury expect Dayne to get the start and a ton of carries
considering how poorly the Dolphins have played the
run. The Dolphins are allowing opponents to average
199 rushing yards per game, and there is a strong possibility the defense could
be without four of the season-opening starters. Plus, nose tackle Keith
Traylor isn't 100 percent because of various injuries so he's limited to
roughly 35 snaps a game. All of the possible replacements are young, undersized
and inexperienced, which means this could be a big day for a physical back like
Dayne, who is averaging 3.0 yards a carry.
Texans LT Ephraim Salaam
vs. Dolphins OLB Jason
Taylor
Salaam played great against Julius Peppers
two weeks ago, almost making Peppers a non-factor in the game. He struggled
mightily against Falcons DE John
Abraham last week and pointed the finger at himself for a lot of the problems
the offense had last week. Abraham got loose for the lone sack of the game and
forced Schaub to fumble. He also had three tackles. One holding call against
Salaam negated a touchdown throw by quarterback Matt
Schaub in the fourth quarter. Taylor is off to a strong start this season,
and is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He was the NFL's
Defensive Player of the Year last year and earned his fifth Pro Bowl invitation.
Dolphins RB Ronnie
Brown vs. Texans run defense
Brown has been playing well the last few weeks, and the Texans' run defense
is the strongest part of their entire team. It has been consistent. No team
has even rushed for a total of 100 yards against them. Brown hasn't been slowed
by any defenses so far though. He'll work to get through the gaps this week
against the Texans, but LB DeMeco Ryans, DE
Anthony Weaver, DT Amobi
Okoye and DE Mario Williams will work to
stop him from moving the chains.
Titans QB Vince Young
vs. Falcons defense
Second-year quarterback Vince Young has been
a force early this season. The Falcons defense is
used to practicing against a running quarterback from going against Falcons
suspended quarterback Michael Vick. They haven't
faced a mobile quarterback this season that will pull it down and run. The linebackers
will have to keep an eye on Young and not let him get loose.
Titans secondary vs. Falcons
four-receiver sets
The Falcons much-maligned wide receiver corps
has stepped its game up over the last two weeks. Receivers Roddy
White and Michael Jenkins are starting to
look like former first-round draft picks. White is stretching defenses and catching
the ball away from his body with his hands. Jenkins is being used underneath
against teams' third and fourth defensive backs from the slot possession. He
has been able to take advantage of the mismatches. Receiver Joe
Horn's contribution can't be measured by numbers. He has shown Jenkins and
White how to prepare and be professional. Also, rookie receiver Laurent
Robinson has shown that he can catch the ball also.
Titans RBs Chris Brown
and LenDale White vs. Falcons
MLB Keith Brooking
Both of Tennessee's running backs have been effective this season. Brown,
a mere afterthought with Broncos running back Travis
Henry on the roster last season, has returned to prominence. He had a big
opening week against Jacksonville but has tailed off since. White has shown
that he can pound the ball inside. Brooking makes most of his plays moving side
to side. He may have to step up in the hole and deliver a shot to slow down
the hefty White.
Titans WR Brandon
Jones vs. Falcons CB DeAngelo
Hall
Jones has nine receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the past two
games as he has gained more chemistry with QB Vince
Young. Jones averages 13.6 yards per catch. Hall is capable of shutting
receivers down and will try to be physical with Jones.
Titans pass rush vs. Falcons
QB Joey Harrington
The Titans have been getting good pressure through
three games but have just six sacks on the season. This could be a week when
they get that amount in one game as Harrington has been sacked 16 times already
and doesn't move all that well.
Chiefs RB Larry Johnson
vs. Jaguars run defense
It's strength against strength for both teams. Johnson is one of the league's
best rushers and ranks ninth in the AFC with 263 rushing yards. He's coming
off his best performance of the season when he gained 123 yards in 25 carries
last week against San Diego. After being abused for a franchise-record 282 yards
by Tennessee in the opener, the Jaguars' rush defense has looked like the team
of old the last two games, allowing Atlanta and Denver a combined 129 yards
on the ground in 43 attempts (3.0 yds/play). The defensive front should be as
healthy as it has been this year for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Jaguars QB David Garrard
vs. Chiefs secondary
There's no question who had the upper hand last year in this matchup. Garrard
completed 10 of 18 passes for 140 yards and was replaced early in the third
quarter when he threw an interception that was returned to the 2-yard line.
The Chiefs scored on the next play to take a 28-10
lead, with Garrard watching the rest of the game from the bench. He has played
much better this year hitting 64 percent of his passes for 630 yards, 3 scores
and no interceptions in three games. The Chiefs' secondary has played well thus
far, twice allowing less than 135 yards through the air, permitting just two
touchdown passes and intercepting five passes.
Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez
vs. Jaguars CB Rashean
Mathis/Brian Williams
You normally won't assign a cornerback to watch over a tight end, but in
the case of Gonzalez, he may be better than the Chiefs' wide receivers. The
Jaguars covered him tightly a year ago and held him
to just a pair of catches for 21 total yards. Jacksonville would be pleased
to post those types of numbers Sunday against the perennial All-Pro. He leads
the team in total receptions this year with 21, which was good for 238 yards
and one score. Mathis made his first Pro Bowl a year ago but has been victimized
on several deep passes this year. He still ranks as one of the league's best
defenders however and will look to add to his team career record of 21 interceptions.
Chiefs RG Brian Waters
vs. Jaguars DT John Henderson
A matchup of three-time Pro Bowl guard Waters matching skills and strength
against the Jaguars two-time Pro Bowl tackle Henderson.
Waters, who has been to the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons, is listed
at 6-foot-3, 320 pounds. Henderson, who appears fully recovered from the head
injury that caused him to miss his first NFL game
in his six-year career two weeks ago, stands 6-foot-7 and weighs in at 335 pounds.
Who wins this battle could determine how successful the Chiefs
ground game is. Henderson won't get many sacks (one this season), but he clogs
the running lanes and limits a team's success on the ground. Add in teammate
and Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Marcus Stroud,
and the Jaguars have one of the best tandems in the
league.
Chiefs RB Larry Johnson
vs. Jaguars run defense
Johnson busted out of his season-long slump last week and could repeat his
San Diego performance this week against the Jaguars. The Jaguars
are generous with their rush defense, allowing 4.5 yards per carry. Johnson
has a strong recent history against Jacksonville, having run for 138 yards and
three touchdowns when the teams met last year at Arrowhead Stadium. Johnson
has rounded into regular season shape after his preseason holdout, and the Chiefs
no longer appear compelled to give him as much rest as they did early in the
year.
Chiefs WR Dwayne
Bowe vs. Jaguars CB Rashean
Mathis
Bowe has a touchdown in each of the last three games but could find the
going tougher against Mathis. Not only does Mathis have supreme coverage skills,
but at 6-foot-1, he has the size to match up well with Bowe. Bowe excels at
going up and catching the ball in a crowd, particularly when he's matched against
a smaller corner. He won't have that luxury against Mathis.
Cardinals WR Larry
Fitzgerald vs. Rams CB Fakhir
Brown
Brown is coming off a four-week suspension, so you figure he is going to
be rusty despite being shoved into the lineup. Meanwhile, there is a good chance
Fitzgerald, who had 10 catches for 120 yards last week (a 3-yard catch of Bryant
Johnson's was accidentally credited to Fitzgerald originally), will be asked
to shoulder the receiving load again while Anquan
Boldin (hip) tries to come back from a hip injury. Fitzgerald shined last
week in getting his 10th 100-yard receiving day and whomever the Rams
ask to cover him, Fitzgerald should have a decided advantage.
Rams QB Gus Frerotte
vs. Cardinals SS Adrian Wilson
Wilson has always given the Rams problems anyway,
and he comes off a game in which he had a big impact (including a momentum-changing
end zone interception) to face the Rams backup quarterback.
Frerotte is a veteran, but injuries have stripped down who he will have around
him. Wilson will likely have a couple of chances to blitz Frerotte; the Cardinals
will likely try to be aggressive in their defensive play calls.
Rams RB Brian Leonard
vs. Cardinals SS Adrian Wilson
Wilson is one of the game's best-blitzing safeties and figures to be active
as a pass-rusher Sunday given the state of the Rams' injury-ravaged offensive
line and the insertion of Gus Frerotte into the
starting lineup at quarterback. Leonard, the rookie from Rutgers, will be called
upon to handle Wilson on blitz pickup and general pass protection. Leonard has
been very good as a blocker so far this season.
Rams secondary vs. Cardinals
QBs Kurt Warner and Matt
Leinart
The return of CB Fakhir Brown after a four-game
NFL suspension will bolster a Rams
secondary that was torched last week by quarterback Tony
Romo and the Cowboys. Warner, a two-time league MVP as a Ram, will feel
at home in the Edward Jones Dome, where he did some of his best work earlier
in his career. The combination of Leinart as the starter and Warner coming in
off the bench in the two-minute offense makes preparation extra-difficult for
the Rams this week. Brown, who could be rusty after
his layoff, is sure to get tested.
Buccaneers RB Michael
Pittman vs. Colts defense
With Cadillac Williams (knee) out for the
season, Pittman's workload will increase. Pittman is not a real effective runner,
but he is an excellent pass catcher. He won't make a lot of tacklers miss, but
he does have the ability to make some good yards if he can get into open space.
The Bucs will split the backfield work up between Pittman and Earnest
Graham, but Pittman will wind up with the majority of the touches. Against
a team like Indianapolis, he could have a good day.
Buccaneers WR Michael
Clayton vs. Colts secondary
Clayton is the hot read on a lot of the Bucs passing plays. With Luke
Petitgout (knee) out and rookie Donald Penn
slated to face Dwight Freeney, Bucs QB Jeff
Garcia could be under a lot of pressure this week. He'll look to get rid
of the ball in a hurry, which means he'll often turn to Clayton. Clayton has
not been the most sure-handed of players so he has to be sure to secure the
ball and worry about gaining extra yards well after he makes the catch.
Buccaneers LT Donald
Penn vs. Colts RE Dwight
Freeney
No way the Bucs leave the second-year pro on an island with the Colts' franchise
leader in sacks. Freeney gets double-teamed when he's up against established
tackles, let alone someone who hasn't faced the likes of him. Freeney got his
first sack of the season last week but has been a consistent force in the pass
rush. Sacks may not be there, but he pressures the pocket like few in the NFL.
Expect the Bucs to devote a back or tight end to help Penn keep Freeney from
getting to quarterback Jeff Garcia.
Buccaneers WR Joey
Galloway vs. Colts CB Marlin
Jackson
The Bucs' active leader in touchdowns with 79, Galloway can still fly. The
13th-year pro has two scores this season, including a 69-yarder. Jackson leads
the Colts in tackles by the coaches count. He has
emerged as a top defender with decent cover skills. Galloway may get moved around
a little, but the Colts won't rotate. So if Galloway
usually lines up on the left, he will draw Jackson, in his first full season
as a starter. Jackson had a decent interception last week, jumping a quick slant
to pick off a pass by Broncos quarterback Jay
Cutler. Jackson has a penchant for making big plays. His interception of
Patriots quarterback Tom
Brady ended New England's last chance in the AFC title game.
Chargers RB LaDainian
Tomlinson vs. Broncos run defense
Tomlinson finally had a 100-yard rushing game last week when he had 132
yards against Kansas City and now faces a defense that ranks 31st in the NFL
in defending the run. The output against the Chiefs
was more than Tomlinson's combined yardage over the first three games and would've
been much higher if the Chargers hadn't only given
him six second-half carries (for 16 yards). Broncos
DT Sam Adams is no longer the elite run stopper
he was most of his career and FS John Lynch is
ailing so Tomlinson has the opportunity to roll off a second consecutive 100-yard
game.
Chargers QB Philip
Rivers vs. Broncos corners Champ
Bailey and Dre' Bly
Rivers has been committing turnovers at an alarming rate (six interceptions,
three lost fumbles) over the first four games so you can bet Bailey and Bly
are licking their chops and anticipating opportunities for interceptions. Factor
in that the Chargers' wide receivers haven't been overly productive, and the
downfield passing game figures to be challenged. Rivers has thrown five touchdown
passes but the Chargers have just one pass play of
30 or more yards thus far. That likely means lots of short passes to tight end
Antonio Gates and running back LaDainian
Tomlinson and staying away from Bailey and Bly.
Broncos cornerbacks vs. Chargers
receivers
Champ Bailey and Dre'
Bly lead the Broncos' pass defense attack, which is ranked No. 1 in the
NFL. The team is giving up 88 yards a game in the
air. The Chargers have had trouble as quarterback
Philip Rivers has had issues and receivers Vincent
Jackson and Craig Davis haven't had strong
starts. So, the Denver corners may have big days.
Broncos quarterback Jay
Cutler vs. Chargers pass defense
Cutler has had a solid start to the season and he has thrown for 926 yards.
The Chargers' pass defense hasn't been great as it is averaging 269 yards passing
a game and is ranked No. 25 in the league. Cutler has a ton of weapons,
and the team has been moving the ball. Expect Cutler to air it out and try to
take advantage of the Chargers' weak spot.
Ravens RB Willis McGahee
vs. 49ers run defense
McGahee's production has increased every week. He gained 104 yards on 14
carries, but the Ravens will make more of an effort
to give him more carries. McGahee should have plenty of holes against a San
Francisco run defense that ranks 25th in the NFL.
The 49ers, though, contained Seahawks RB Shaun
Alexander, who carried 25 times for 78 yards last Sunday. McGahee has recorded
five of his career 15 100-yard games against NFC West teams.
The Ravens run defense vs. 49ers
RB Frank Gore
Playing 49ers quarterback Trent
Dilfer, the Ravens will load up the box and continue
their strong play against the run. The Ravens have
held starting running backs to 67 yards or less this season. They have allowed
just one rushing touchdown in 11 games. Gore has struggled this season, failing
to gain more than 81 yards in a game this season. He fumbled twice last Sunday,
losing one. He has not scored a touchdown in his past two games.
The Ravens secondary vs. 49ers
QB Trent Dilfer
The Ravens have struggled to get any consistent
pass rush without defensive end Trevor Pryce (broken
wrist). But they should be able to get to Dilfer after the 49ers
allowed six sacks. The Ravens aren't scared about
Dilfer beating them downfield, and they'll blitz more than they have the previous
couple of weeks. In Dilfer's last start against the Ravens
(2005), he was 16-for-30 passing for 147 yards. But the Ravens' starting secondary
has just two interceptions this season after combining for 19 interceptions
and scoring four touchdowns last season.
49ers CBs Nate Clements
and Walt Harris vs. Ravens
WRs Derrick Mason and Mark
Clayton
The 49ers have gotten solid play from their corners.
Clements was beaten for a 65-yard pass play against Seahawks
receiver Deion Branch last week, but his coverage
has generally been outstanding. Harris is also playing well after a Pro Bowl
season. The 49ers believe they will be able to single-cover
Mason and Clayton to enable the rest of the defense to focus on a pass rush
to disrupt Ravens QB Steve
McNair.
49ers TE Delanie
Walker vs. Ravens pass defense
The 49ers' have the league's worst passing game, and it's expected to be
a grind again this week against the Ravens. It might be difficult for 49ers
QB Trent Dilfer to get anything going, but one
of the best options he might have would be to get the ball into the hands of
Walker, who played wideout in college at Central Missouri State. Walker has
only four catches for 26 yards this season, but he will get every snap against
the Ravens with starter Vernon
Davis (knee) out with an injury.
49ers RB Frank Gore
vs. Ravens run defense
Gore has struggled this season, though he is still on pace for more than 1,000
yards. He has 254 yards on 68 carries for a 3.7-yard average. Things could get
rough against the Ravens, which surrender an average of just 71 yards rushing
per game. The 49ers need to stick with the running
game. It figures to be a low-scoring game, and the 49ers
can't abandon the run even if it's not successful early in the game. The 49ers
feel if they can get into a situation where Gore is able to keep running into
the fourth quarter, he has a chance to break one.
Bears RDE Mark Anderson
vs. Packers LT Chad Clifton
The Packers have had a terrible time running
the football and have essentially gone with a short, controlled passing game
to act as their ground game. As QB Brett Favre
said, each week they have gotten by without running the ball has been cause
for celebration, but concern. Against a Bears' defense that should get some
help this week in the return of a starter or two from injury, Green Bay cannot
afford to be entirely one-dimensional. Otherwise, the Bears
will be able to attack against Favre, which is something they have done well
this season as they are tied for the league lead with 16 sacks. Clifton remains
sturdy blindside protection for Favre but is on the downside of his career.
Anderson is explosive and quick and can challenge Clifton on the edge, especially
in one-on-one situation. The Bears need to get to
Favre and while they don't have to sack him, they do have to force him to unload
the ball before he wants.
Bears RB Cedric Benson
vs. Packers front seven
Stop me if you've heard this before: "We're a running team. We get off the ball
running." Yes, Bears head coach Lovie
Smith will say that morning, noon and night, and it hasn't been true yet.
The Bears must establish their ground game because
they've proven the passing game is going nowhere this season. That means getting
Benson involved early and often. Benson needs to get attention at the start
of the game or he loses interest. The Packers have
yet to allow a rushing touchdown and have a formidable line supported by a young
and improving linebacker unit led by MLB Nick Barnett.
Green Bay covers from sideline to sideline, and Benson needs to run right at
them with some power runs between the tackles to get going. Otherwise, the Bears
could find themselves trailing and having to throw 50-plus times again as they
did in Detroit. That never a recipe for success, particularly for this team.
Bears CBs Charles
Tillman and Ricky Manning Jr. vs. Packers
WRs Donald Driver, Greg
Jennings and James Jones
Nathan Vasher (groin) probably won't play,
and if Tillman plays he'll likely be slowed by a sprained ankle that sidelined
him last week. So the Bears' defensive backfield is hurting, especially with
safety Mike Brown and his replacement, Kevin
Payne, out for the year. Manning is a good cover man but is small (5-foot-8),
so the combination of Driver, Jennings and Jones could have a big day in combination,
though it's hard to know which one will get the most catches.
Bears KR Devin Hester
vs. P Jon Ryan and PK Mason
Crosby
Hester's abilities in the return game amount to the Bears' most potent offensive
weapon - he had a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown last week against Detroit.
He also had 314 yards combined on punt and kickoff returns, which is the second
most ever in a game in NFL history. Crosby has seven
touchbacks on kickoffs this week, so he'll be looking to add to that total to
keep Hester's hands off the ball. Ryan, the Packers' punter, will be trying
to kick the ball out of bounds, or at least as close to the sidelines as possible,
without sacrificing too much field position.
Cowboys special teams vs. Bills
KR Terrence McGee and PR Roscoe
Parrish
For the third straight week the unit faces a stiff test. Two weeks ago,
they stoned Bears returner Devin
Hester. Last week Rams returner Dante'
Hall had a punt return for a touchdown and averaged 30.2 yards per kick
return. Some of it can be pinned on the absence of SS Keith
Davis (pectoral) but not all of it. They have shown signs of leaks since
the season began. Playing a team desperate for points, they cannot allow Buffalo
any short fields thanks to long returns. Parrish has a punt return for a touchdown
this year, and McGee has four kick returns for touchdowns in his career.
Cowboys LT Flozell
Adams vs. Bills DEAaron
Schobel
The last time Adams played a prime-time game he allowed a sack and was penalized
three times against Chicago. He has a difficult time with false start penalties
away from home, and Buffalo will be loud since it's the city's first Monday
Night home game since 1994. Schobel has only one sack this year, but he does
not have much help. The Cowboys generally do not
slide help to Adams' side much because he can handle speed and power pretty
good and can recover after a false step.
Bills WR Lee Evans
vs. Cowboys CB Terence Newman
Evans broke out of his slump last Sunday with six catches for 72 yards against
the New York Jets. Look for him to have just as good
a day against Dallas. First, the game figures to be a shootout. The Bills' depleted
defense can't stop Dallas. The Bills will have to
put the ball in the air. Second, Newman is just coming back from a foot injury
and has tendonitis in his knee. Third, the jury is out on the Dallas pass defense.
It ranked 24th against the pass last year, and they have played weak competition
so far. While the Cowboys are No. 1 in interceptions
so far this year, they may be vulnerable.
Bills RB Marshawn
Lynch vs. Cowboys front seven
Lynch continues to impress and is due to crack the 100-yard rushing mark. He
gained 79 yards on 23 carries against the Jets, who were stacked up to stop the
run. He had his third rushing score of the season. Lynch is proving to be a
powerful runner in the red zone. He will not lose carries to his backups when
the Bills get near the goal line. Dallas has a good
run defense, but nose tackle Jason Ferguson is
out for the season. The Bills will try to eat clock
and shorten the game against Dallas. Lynch will get 20 carries.
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