Matchups to Exploit - Week 6
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October 11, 2007 @ 15:34:19
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By Hot off the Wire Network Contributors
Edited by Nicholas Minnix
Vikings WR Robert Ferguson vs. Bears CBs Charles Tillman and Ricky Manning Jr.
Ferguson said this week he plans to talk to the Vikings coaching staff about how he can get more involved in the offense. The expected return of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (groin) might help. Ferguson's only three catches of the season came in a Week 2 loss at the Detroit Lions when he had nine balls thrown his way. Jackson suffered a groin strain late in that defeat and missed the next two games. Ferguson not only did not catch a pass in the two contests started by veteran Kelly Holcomb, but he had only three balls thrown in his direction in that span. Ferguson could try to make up for lost time against either Tillman or Manning.
Bears TE Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen vs. Vikings LB Chad Greenway and Vikings SS Darren Sharper
Greenway, the Vikings' first-year starter, and Sharper figure to have their hands full with a tight end combination that combined for seven receptions and two touchdowns in Chicago's come-from-behind victory over the Green Bay Packers last Sunday night. These two might give the Bears their greatest offensive threat considering the team's overall passing game ranks near the bottom of the NFL. Greenway found himself matched up against Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez a lot in Week 3 and will get another difficult test as the Vikings travel to Soldier Field. It was the veteran Sharper who stepped out during the week and said that a tight end should never catch a pass on him. Clark and rookie first-round pick Olsen have been the only consistent performers on offense for the Bears; they have quickly become favorite targets for quarterback Brian Griese in the play-action passing game. Minnesota's top-ranked run defense figures to make it tough sledding on running back Cedric Benson, so Griese is going to have to deliver. Clark is a familiar target from their days together in Denver, and Olsen has proven to be a matchup problem for opponents, be it linebackers on the inside or safeties outside. Sharper is a veteran who knows the tricks of the trade, and to be successful he cannot fall for the fakes that did in the Packers.
Vikings FB Tony Richardson vs. Bears LB Brian Urlacher
If the Vikings are going to have success on the ground with running backs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor carrying the load, then they are going to need Richardson to do a good job of leading the way and taking on Chicago's Pro Bowl middle linebacker. Richardson, a 13-year veteran, loves these types of challenges and could be an unsung hero if the Vikings end up getting an upset victory against their NFC North rival. Richardson's blocking could be more important when Taylor is on the field, considering he is more of a straight-ahead type runner.
Vikings OT Bryant McKinnie and OG Steve Hutchinson vs. Bears DE Mark Anderson and DT Anthony Adams
While most offenses are right-handed when it comes to the running game, the Vikings are most successful running left behind mammoth left tackle McKinnie and left guard Hutchinson, two of the guys with the largest wallets on the team. While the Bears were gashed on the ground in the first half at Green Bay, they rebounded to play well. Anderson and Adams don't need to make a ton of plays, but they do need to penetrate in order to cause the kind of havoc in the backfield the scheme is based on. Urlacher and fellow linebacker Lance Briggs should be able to take care of the rest, but Peterson is an explosive rookie, and Taylor is the type of physical back who can give the Bears fits at times.
Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown vs. Browns LB D'Qwell Jackson
Brown, who is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has scored four touchdowns, is going for his fourth straight 100-yard rushing performance. If the Dolphins' offensive line continues its steady improvement, he'll likely get it. He also is tied for the team lead with 25 catches for 287 yards and a touchdown. Brown primarily likes running to his left, behind left tackle Vernon Carey and left guard Chris Liwienski. Roving the left side for Cleveland's defense will be weakside linebacker Jackson, who finished second on the club last season with 115 tackles and is on pace to shatter that mark this season. Jackson presently leads Cleveland with 45 tackles, 30 of which are solo stops. The Browns have played a lot of nickel to match up with three-receiver sets and become even more vulnerable to the run, though. The Browns have allowed a 100-yard rusher in all five games and rank 30th against the run. Cleveland is giving up 157.4 rushing yards per game, but the team has only allowed one rushing touchdown.
Browns TE Kellen Winslow vs. Dolphins LB Joey Porter and S Donovin Darius
The two loudmouths (Winslow and Porter) have had a war of words over the past two seasons, and this is the next chapter in the heated battle of tough talk. Porter called out Winslow Wednesday for being more of a receiver than tight end, and Winslow's numbers - and how he's being used by his coaches, who regularly put him in motion - back up Porter's claims. Winslow (shoulder) has battled a shoulder injury yet continues to perform on Sundays. He has caught 24 passes for 416 yards - a 17.3-yard average, tied for the team lead with wideout Braylon Edwards - and two touchdowns. He's at his best running down the seam, and quarterback Derek Anderson's big arm allows him to take advantage. While Porter has gotten off to a slow start this season, recording 16 tackles and no sacks in five games, he did draw two holding calls in last Sunday's loss to Houston. Both of the holds came from the tight ends. It's unlikely that he'll be called on to cover Winslow downfield, but that would be an ideal mismatch for the Browns to target. Teams must cover Winslow with a defensive back or risk getting beat deep, though. Darius (calf) is expected to be back after a calf injury.
Redskins RB Clinton Portis vs. Packers LBs Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk and Brady Poppinga
The Redskins offense revolves around running with Portis (4.5 yards per carry), which in turn gives young quarterback Jason Campbell time to throw in the play-action game. Barnett, Hawk and Poppinga are the linebackers for a Packers defense that ranks No. 14 in the league in rushing yards allowed per game and 19th in yards allowed per carry. Barnett is off to a great start. Hawk has been solid but this season has not been the game-changing playmaker the Packers are looking for in last year's No. 5 overall pick. Barnett, Hawk and Poppinga are sure to be zeroing in on Portis this week to cut off the head of the Redskins offense.
Redskins WR Santana Moss vs. Packers CBs Charles Woodson and Al Harris
Moss (groin) caught 12 passes for 199 yards in three games but was sidelined against Detroit because of a groin injury. He is expected to play this week, though Washington may be without No. 2 receiver Antwaan Randle El (hamstring), who has a team-high 18 catches. If Randle El doesn't play, that makes it easier for the Packers to defend Moss. Woodson and Harris are often assigned to one receiver regardless of the side of the field on which they play. Both are physical corners who play press coverage. They've combined for five pass breakups.
Packers WRs Donald Driver and Greg Jennings vs. Redskins CBs Shawn Springs and Carlos Rogers
This is the matchup of the game: the Packers' top two receivers against the Redskins' starting corners. The Packers have been making a living with the short-to-intermediate passing game this season and lead the NFL in receiving yards per game. But the Redskins' secondary is playing well for a defense that ranks third in the league both in yards allowed and points allowed. Driver and Jennings have both been effective picking up yardage after the catch - Driver is averaging 5.9 yards after the catch, and Jennings, 8.8 yards after the catch. Tackling them immediately to limit the gain may be more important than preventing them from catching the ball. If Springs and Rogers are on top of their games and get help from safeties Sean Taylor and LaRon Landry, they could keep the Packers offense off the field.
Packers C Jason Spitz vs. Redskins DT Cornelius Griffin
This is a key matchup because the Packers lost starting center Scott Wells (eye) when he sustained a fractured eye socket against Chicago. Griffin is a key reason the Redskins defense ranks third in yards allowed. He has 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks; he generally draws double teams, especially on running plays. Spitz started 14 games last year for Green Bay, but he did it at right guard; he has since lost his starting guard position to Junius Coston. Expect Spitz to get some help from left guard Daryn Colledge and Coston against Griffin.
Texans QB Matt Schaub vs. Jaguars secondary
Everyone knows how solid the Jaguars run defense is, that was evident with the franchise-record low of 10 yards allowed against Kansas City last week. That means Houston will likely draw up a game plan in which they will need Schaub to be extremely successful in order for the Texans to move the ball. Schaub is going after a sixth straight game of passing for at least 225 yards and will attempt to extend his club record of completing at least 20 passes to five straight games. This might be the stiffest test for the Jags' secondary, which has performed pretty well thus far and has a No. 7 ranking in the NFL because they have allowed 197.3 passing yards per game. If they maintain that mark, it will end Schaub's streak of 225-yard games.
Texans RB Ahman Green vs. Jaguars run defense
The Jaguars held the Chiefs to just 10 yards rushing last week. Green (knee) is expected to return to the lineup for the first time in two weeks after recovering from a knee bruise he suffered in Week 1. Green could take about 15-20 carries, allowing running back Ron Dayne to also get on the field to throw off the defense at times. Green has yet to finish a game this season because of the knee injury. When he has been on the field, however, he has played well. He is averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
Jaguars QB David Garrard vs. Texans pass defense
If Garrard just carries a little of last year's contest in the back of his mind, maybe the Texans can get into his head. Garrard won't likely let that happen. He hasn't thrown an interception yet this season. Last year, the Texans intercepted him four times, which was the key to the Texans' 13-10 win. Linebacker Morlon Greenwood, cornerbacks Demarcus Faggins and Dunta Robinson and defensive end Anthony Weaver all picked up interceptions.
Jaguars RBs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Texans DE Mario Williams and DT Amobi Okoye
The Jaguars love to run up the middle and bounce to the outside once past the line of scrimmage. Taylor had hoped to use this game to reach 10,000 career yards, but he has had a slow start, with only 207 yards in four games, and is still 280 yards away from his goal. Jones-Drew finally put up some positive numbers with an 81-yard effort on nine carries against Kansas City last week. If Taylor and Jones-Drew are to be successful, though, they'll have to run by the tandem of Williams and Okoye, which won't be easy. As far as the passing game goes, Williams set a Texans rookie sack record with 4.5 sacks last year; Okoye could shatter that mark this Sunday, having already recorded four sacks. Okoye was the NFL Rookie of the Month for September.
Texans OGs Chester Pitts and Fred Weary vs. Jaguars LB Mike Peterson
If Houston is to have any success in running the ball on Jacksonville, it will need strong play from Pitts and Weary, especially in going after Peterson. The Jaguars' veteran middle backer has enjoyed some of his best pro days against the Texans and has recorded double-digit tackles in seven of eight games against Houston. Three years ago, he hit a peak when he registered 18 tackles against the Texans. Peterson roams from sideline to sideline and has been the leader of a Jags defense that has been so effective against the run. How well Pitts and Weary keep him away from ball carriers may spell the difference in a win or loss.
Rams WR Torry Holt vs. Ravens CB Chris McAlister
Holt (knee) probably won't be full-speed until after the 2007 campaign because he underwent offseason knee surgery. He experienced some swelling after catching five balls for a season-high 89 yards against the Arizona Cardinals. Holt almost certainly will be shadowed by McAlister, still one of the league's top shutdown corners. McAlister has been the most consistent player in the Ravens' secondary this season. He has the size and strength to match up against any receiver. He has had a few lapses, though, giving up a touchdown in each of the past two games. With the Rams' injuries at receiver, teams have been able to focus on Holt. He has scored three touchdowns this season but has averaged 68 yards receiving the past three games.
Rams RB Brian Leonard vs. Ravens run defense
Leonard is coming off his first 100-yard game, but he may not do much against the Ravens. Baltimore has not allowed a starting running back to gain more than 67 yards in a game this season. The Ravens also have given up just one rushing touchdown in 12 games. Dating back to last season, the Ravens have not permitted a team to gain 100 net rushing yards in eight games.
Ravens RB Willis McGahee vs. Rams run defense
McGahee ranks third in the NFL in rushing (464 yards), and he has been extremely consistent this season. He has gained at least 77 yards in every game, but he has only gotten more than 22 carries just once. The Ravens seem hesitant to wear him out early. He should have an effective game against the Rams, the 28th-ranked run defense in the NFL. McGahee has a solid chance to score his first rushing touchdown against St. Louis, which has given up eight touchdowns on the ground this season.
Rams FB Richard Owens vs. Ravens LB Ray Lewis
Owens is the Rams' lead-blocking fullback, and his role has expanded the past two games. He helped Leonard rush for 102 yards and average 5.7 yards per carry last week against the Arizona Cardinals, but the challenge becomes much tougher against the always active Lewis and Baltimore's No. 2-ranked rush defense.
Bengals WRs Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh vs. Chiefs CBs Ty Law and Patrick Surtain
Quarterback Carson Palmer leads one of the top passing offenses in the league into this matchup. The two KC cornerbacks have slowed at the end of their careers, and the Bengals should be able to put up some impressive numbers through the air. In four games, Houshmandzadeh has 39 receptions and Johnson 495 receiving yards.
Chiefs RB Larry Johnson vs. Bengals run defense
If Johnson is ever going to have a breakout game, this would appear to be it. It's the moveable object versus the resistible force. The Bengals are 29th against the run, allowing 152 yards per game, and the Chiefs are last in rushing offense at 65.6 yards per game. Part of the problem is Kansas City's revamped offensive line, which is playing poorly on the right side. They have the chance to get well against a run defense that often is friendly to struggling offenses, though. The Bengals are so depleted at linebacker that it's difficult to see how they will consistently hold Johnson down. Johnson had a monster game against the Bengals two seasons ago, rushing for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Cincinnati defended him much better last season when Johnson had 68 yards and failed to score a touchdown.
Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe vs. Bengals CBs Deltha O'Neal and Leon Hall
Bowe was held without a touchdown catch last week for the first time in four games. Jacksonville has a superior secondary to Cincinnati's, so Bowe could move back into the scoring column this week. Neither O'Neal nor Hall matches up well against the 6-foot-2 Bowe; O'Neal and Hall are each under 6-foot. O'Neal is having a rough season to begin with. The Bengals don't rush the quarterback very well, so that could leave time for Bowe to get open and do some damage.
Titans WR Eric Moulds vs. Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber
Moulds has shown up more in recent weeks, and while he hasn't made many big plays downfield, he has become one of quarterback Vince Young's favorite targets on third down. Barber is a solid corner in coverage and also savvy enough to bait Young into throws he shouldn't make.
Buccaneers WR Joey Galloway vs. Titans CB Cortland Finnegan
Galloway has 18 catches for 306 yards and two touchdowns on the season, and he has turned short passes into long gains during the season; he's averaging 17.0 yards per catch. Finnegan has been a sure tackler so far this season, though, and he has rarely let opposing receivers get behind him.
Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham vs. Titans run defense
Graham is a strong runner with good vision and decent speed, but he's not a game breaker. He'll gain some extra yards after initial contact, but he's probably not the kind of guy a team needs to bring a safety up against to stop. He poses a good threat, but against a player such as Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck, he seems a little overmatched. Graham is an average pass catcher, so Bulluck and Tennessee seem to have the edge here.
Buccaneers TE Alex Smith vs. Titans pass defense
The Bucs are starting to make greater use of Smith, and that trend should continue this week. With the Bucs needing to set up the run with the pass, look for quarterback Jeff Garcia to work a lot of short and intermediate throws to Smith. Smith has good hands and works well in traffic. He can make some yards after the catch, but he really doesn't have great speed. He can beat the Titans' linebacker, such as Ryan Fowler and David Thornton, down the seam, but he's probably going to struggle against Bulluck.
Eagles RB Brian Westbrook vs. Jets LB Jonathan Vilma and run defense
Vilma has 33 tackles, tying him for the team lead, and he seems to be the best player on an underwhelming Jets defense. Before his injury, Westbrook (abdomen) seemed to be on the verge of cementing his status as a premier running back, not just a running back/receiver - he led NFC rushers through the first three weeks with 291 yards on just 51 carries, 5.7 yards per carry. He topped 100 yards both rushing and receiving in Philadelphia's 56-21 win over the Detroit Lions. He should be able to do some business against the Jets defense. The Jets rank 25th in the NFL against the run and gave up 188 rushing yards, at 4.8 yards per carry, to the Giants last week. The Jets also have been vulnerable to the screen pass.
Jets QB Chad Pennington vs. Eagles pass defense
This would be a good week for the Eagles to get Sheppard (knee) back from his knee injury, but it doesn't look likely. He's a big-play corner who intercepted 14 passes his first three seasons as a starter; three of them he ran back for touchdowns. The Eagles are missing that. Pennington, at this point in his career, puts a lot of air under the ball and often depends on his excellent receiving corps to out-jump or outmaneuver defenders, which they often do. Pennington has one touchdown pass and five interceptions the past two games, even though he is a 71.2 percent passer for the season. That stat speaks a little to his receivers and a lot to the Jets' dink-and-dunk attack - Pennington's longest completion is 29 yards.
Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery vs. Eagles secondary
Cotchery had only four receptions for 31 yards against the Giants and was the intended target on all three of Pennington's interceptions. Expect a bounce-back game from both Pennington and Cotchery against a Philadelphia secondary that still is hurting. Sheppard may not play, and the health of free safety Brian Dawkins (neck stinger) is still a question mark. Cotchery has topped 100 yards receiving twice this season.
Panthers WR Steve Smith vs. Cardinals CBs Roderick Hood and Eric Green
Smith has been slowed in recent weeks because of increased attention from opposing defenses and the injuries at quarterback. He has the potential to have a breakout game at any time, though, and the Panthers will continue to move him from side to side to try to confuse defenses. Hood and Green will likely need lots of help from safeties Adrian Wilson and Terrence Holt.
Panthers RB DeShaun Foster vs. Cardinals LB Karlos Dansby
With quarterback David Carr (back) so banged up, the Panthers desperately need their running game to click in Arizona. The Cardinals are ticked off that they allowed their first 100-yard rusher of the season in St. Louis (Brian Leonard), though, and they want to start a new streak. Dansby has adjusted well to his inside role and had 17 tackles against the Rams. He has become everything the Cards had hoped when they moved him over from the outside.
Cardinals OT Elton Brown vs. Panthers DE Julius Peppers
Arizona's starting right tackle, Levi Brown (ankle), and Brown (knee) are both injured. Elton Brown has been surprisingly solid coming in for Levi Brown. Elton Brown wants to play and should Sunday. He will have his hands full with Peppers, who is off to the slowest statistical start of his career. Peppers has yet to get a sack yet (the Panthers have only two). Peppers showed some signs of awakening last week, though. The Panthers are likely to try to exploit this matchup by having Peppers rush the quarterback almost all of the time instead of sometimes dropping into coverage like he has been doing. It may be tough for Peppers, though; the Cards have allowed just five sacks in five games.
Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson vs. Raiders run defense
Tomlinson has just one 100-yard rushing game over the first five weeks but should have a chance for his second of the year against a defense ranked 26th against the run. Tomlinson has rushed for over 100 yards seven times in 12 career meetings with the Raiders, including a career-high 243 yards in 2003. The Chargers' offensive line was outstanding against the Denver Broncos last Sunday; they will look to frustrate Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp early and often this Sunday. Middle linebacker Kirk Morrison, the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September, always seems to be around the football.
Chargers TE Antonio Gates vs. Raiders SS Michael Huff
Gates already has three 100-yard receiving games this season and is by far San Diego's most explosive receiving threat. Huff, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2006 draft, has been a disappointment in terms of creating turnovers - he has yet to intercept a pass, force a fumble or recover a fumble in 20 games - but he has been solid in pass coverage. If Huff can keep Gates under control and linebackers Thomas Howard and Morrison (three interceptions each) can contain Tomlinson on passes out of the backfield, the Raiders may be able to keep the San Diego passing game in check.
Raiders QB Daunte Culpepper vs. Chargers secondary
The veteran Culpepper makes his second start of the season as he continues to get acclimated to the Oakland offense. If he feels well-versed with what he's being asked to do, he could be in line for a big game against a secondary that has struggled much of the season. Though free safety Marlon McCree has three interceptions and strong safety Clinton Hart has two, the secondary hasn't been dependable and has been prone to giving up big plays. Culpepper, along with receivers Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry, could do some damage. To do that, the offensive line must contain rush linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips to give Culpepper ample time to throw.
Raiders OT Barry Sims vs. Chargers LB Shawne Merriman
Merriman was a game-long nightmare for offensive guard Robert Gallery last year in the season opener, sacking the Raiders quarterback three times and pressuring him numerous other times. Sims is coming off a vindication game against Miami's Jason Taylor, the man who beat out Merriman last season for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Taylor has torched Sims in the past, but Sims was able to control him in his run blocking, as Oakland passed just 12 times.
Patriots WR Randy Moss vs. Cowboys CB Terence Newman
Despite an average game - three catches, 46 yards - against Cleveland, Moss still has 34 receptions for 551 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Moss has terrorized the Cowboys since they bypassed him 1998 in the draft. In his career against them, he has 29 catches for 675 yards (23.3 yards per reception) and 10 touchdowns in six games - all wins for his teams. In two games at Texas Stadium he has averaged 30.7 yards per catch and scored five touchdowns. Newman (knee, foot), who returned to the Dallas starting lineup last week, may need help containing Moss. Newman has worked his way back into shape after missing two games with foot and knee injuries. He had his best game last week versus the Buffalo Bills, coming up with a pick and five tackles. With cornerback Anthony Henry's (ankle) status up in the air, Newman could follow Moss all over the field, which is something he would enjoy. The big thing he has to do is disrupt Moss at the line. He can't give him a free release, or else he's in trouble.
Patriots TE Benjamin Watson vs. Cowboys SS Roy Williams
Williams often moves up in Dallas' nickel package, and Watson may be seeing a lot of the hard-hitting safety. Watson is big (6-foot-3, 255 pounds) and fast, though, and he has become a definite red zone threat for New England. He has touchdowns in all but one of the Patriots' games thus far, with five total. Against Cleveland, he had his first career 100-yard game, with six receptions for 107 yards and two scores. He also had his first ever rushing yards, gaining 11 on a reverse.
Patriots KR Ellis Hobbs vs. Cowboys kickoff coverage unit
This season Hobbs is averaging 32 yards per kickoff return, including his record-setting 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Week 1 against the Jets. He bobbled the opening kickoff last week against Cleveland, which resulted in wideout Wes Welker returning second-half kicks in that game. Nonetheless, Hobbs has determined that he is bringing every ball out of the end zone, no matter how deep - he just catches the ball and takes off. The Dallas kick coverage unit is allowing opposing returners to bring the ball out for more than 26 yards on average; they gave up a 103-yard return to Buffalo's Terrence McGee Monday night.
Patriots OT Matt Light vs. Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware
Ware has 4.5 sacks in his last three games and has been a force as a pass rusher. Quarterback Tom Brady has been sacked just three times this year because of his protection. He has all day to throw, which is why he is completing a staggering 74.1 percent of his passes. Light is the lone Pro Bowler on the line. He moves pretty well and knows his limitations. But he has trouble at time with speed rushers, like Miami's Jason Taylor. For the Cowboys to be successful, they must disrupt Brady.
Saints QB Drew Brees vs. Seahawks pass defense
The Seahawks defense has played extremely well in spurts and caved on occasion under other circumstances. Chances are they'll want to get into Brees' face early and often. Linebacker Julian Peterson is second in the league in sacks, while fellow linebackers Lofa Tatupu and LeRoy Hill are also dangerous blitzers as well as tough against the run. Tatupu will be keeping an eye on his former Southern California teammate - running back Reggie Bush - for a good portion of the game. Brees, meanwhile, has been erratic, and the offense is still suffering from the loss of injured running back Deuce McAllister (knee). The key will be how well the Seahawks keep Bush under control coming out of the backfield. Their objective will be to pressure Brees; they also want to crowd Bush constantly and prevent him from getting into any open areas where he can use his speed and lightning bug moves.
Saints RB Reggie Bush vs. Seahawks LB Julian Peterson
Peterson had a game-high 10 total tackles last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the Steelers rushed for 163 yards against the Seattle defense. The competition steps down quite a bit this week for Seattle, as Bush leads the Saints offense with just 147 rushing yards; he has a per-carry average of just 2.9. Bush has to be effective between the tackles in order for the Saints to generate the type of rushing offense that takes some pressure off the struggling Brees, who has thrown nine interceptions this season.
Saints WR Lance Moore vs. Seahawks CBs Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings
Moore is expected to become more involved in the Saints' wide receiver rotation, perhaps getting more touches this week because of the inconsistencies than have befallen receiver Devery Henderson. Moore has caught 12 passes this season, but he came up with just three last week in a loss to Carolina. Moore's most productive game came against Tennessee when he caught six balls for 54 yards. Look for the Saints to try to get the ball a little bit deeper down the field, with Moore as the likely target. Trufant leads the Seahawks with two interceptions at his left cornerback spot, and Moore will likely be lined up on Trufant's side of the field at times.
Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander vs. Saints run defense
The Seahawks have struggled unmercifully to establish a running game, and particularly in first halves, they've failed to establish anything. The Saints' front four is superb, and coming off a week of total futility at Pittsburgh, the prospects to establish the run may not be much better against the Saints. There are those who believe Alexander (wrist) is preoccupied with protecting the football more than running considering his cracked left wrist, and it has killed the timing with the line. Remove injured Pro Bowl fullback Mack Strong (herniated disc, pinched nerve) from the equation as a pre-eminent lead blocker, and a lot of pressure falls on talented but unproven fullback Leonard Weaver.
Giants RB Brandon Jacobs vs. Falcons run defense
The Falcons are ranked 21st in run defense, which is not good when you have a bruiser like Jacobs coming in. He's healthy now after missing three weeks with a sprained knee, and he's coming off his first 100-yard rushing game as a pro. If he can pound the Falcons from the start like he did the Jets in a 13-carry, 74-yard second half last week, he'll likely get the lion's share of carries over running back Derrick Ward. Once Jacobs gets past the defensive front, he's almost impossible to bring down inside six or seven yards. Opponents have rushed for a 91.6-yard average and two touchdowns against the Falcons. Jacobs had a rushing touchdown against the Jets last week, and he would have had two if left tackle David Diehl's holding penalty hadn't nullified a late-game score.
Giants WRs Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer vs. Falcons Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall, Lewis Sanders and Chris Houston
Hall got into a shouting match with head coach Bobby Petrino three weeks ago after costing his team valuable field position with a major penalty. Hall ought to be a barrel of laughs if he gets matched up one-on-one with Burress (ankle), who now has an NFL-leading seven touchdown catches despite playing on a sprained right ankle. Burress' latest victim was cornerback Andre Dyson of the Jets, who felt the receiver's stiff-arm on a short out pattern; the 6-foot-5 Burress turned it into a 53-yard go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Like most corners in the league, the 5-foot-10 Hall will work at a distinct height disadvantage against Burress. Hall does have one of the Falcons' four interceptions, and last week he returned a fumble for a touchdown. None of the Falcons' cornerbacks match up well with the Giants' receivers. Sanders has had his troubles at times this season but is solid in run support. He will likely get Toomer. The wildcard is how much playing time that the rookie Houston receives. He has been coming along nicely and may be ready for some action.
Giants TE Jeremy Shockey vs. Falcons LB Michael Boley
Boley leads the team in tackles with 55, as counted by the team's coaches after film review; that would lead the league. The matchup with Shockey in the run game will be a powerful one. Boley also has the speed to drop into coverage or turn around and run with Shockey. Boley had an interception last week against Tennessee.
Falcons QB Joey Harrington vs. Giants CB Aaron Ross
Harrington's job could be on the line after getting pulled for quarterback Byron Leftwich last week. The traditionally mistake-prone thrower has three interceptions, which ironically is three fewer than Giants quarterback Eli Manning has. All of Harrington's picks have been returned for scores, though, which should delight the first-round left cornerback. Ross had two interceptions in the second half last week, returning the last one for a fourth-quarter touchdown, after sitting the first half as punishment for a curfew-related violation. Ross is currently the Giants' best and most dynamic cornerback, although Sam Madison has also raised his game at right corner. It could be a big night for Ross if Harrington reverts to his usual form. It's no surprise veteran tight end Alge Crumpler said that once the Falcons cross midfield, they're "the worst offense in the NFL."
Falcons OTs Renardo Foster and Tyson Clabo vs. Giants defensive ends
Falcons offensive tackles Wayne Gandy (knee) and Todd Weiner (knee) will likely be replaced by undrafted rookie free-agent Foster and second-year man Clabo, respectively. Foster is set to make his first start in the NFL. Foster and Clabo's duties will include blocking New York's defensive ends, including Osi Umenyiora (knee) and the franchise's all-time sack leader, Michael Strahan. Just two weeks ago, they helped the Giants register 12 sacks against Philadelphia, with Umenyiora posting six in a relentless performance. Both tackles will likely receive some help, and the Falcons will probably try to keep the sack totals down by throwing the ball quickly.
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