Week Two Match-ups
September 17, 2004
Quarterbacks
Plus Plays:
Aaron Brooks, NO -- The preseason rust was evident in Week 1 for Brooks. He will need to get in sync with his receivers this week, and the 49ers’ defense might do the trick. While SF improved its mediocre pass defense – 17th in 2003 to the fifth best in the first week – one week doesn’t change the facts. So, with three of the four SF DBs injured, expect a solid game from Brooks.
Brett Favre, GB -- Expect another Bear feast from Favre. The Packer QB has thrived throughout his career on the Bears’ defense, and this week is going to be no different. With such emphasis being placed on Ahman Green, the Packer passing game will be wide open.
Joey Harrington, Det -- Harrington is facing yet another defense (Houston) that has not improved from last season (31st in passing). While the loss of Charles Rogers hurts, the pain won’t really sink in this week, as Roy Williams and Az-Zahir Hakim will be inviting targets for Harrington against this inept secondary.
Negative Plays:
Jake Plummer, Den -- Plummer must have had a Steve Young highlight film stuck in his VCR last week. His poor imitation of the left-handed QB resulted in an interception. And that was against the pathetic Kansas City defense. Are you SURE you want this guy as your QB??? This week, the Broncos face a top-tier opponent in Jacksonville, on the road. That spells trouble for Plummer. You have someone else you can start, right?
Jeff Garcia, Cle -- Garcia handled his first game for the Browns rather well, showing no fear against the Ravens. It’s another top-10 quality defense this week in Dallas, and it is one that is ticked off from last week’s five TD day by Daunte Culpepper. Will Garcia match his Week 1 performance? Possibly, but unlikely. He WILL get a break soon, though.
Josh McCown, Ari -- If you’re thinking of starting McCown, God help you, He’s facing a Patriot D that moderated Manning to 256/2/1 in Week 1. McCown can’t even get close to those numbers.
1 Daunte Culpepper, Min
2 Donovan McNabb, Phi
3 Peyton Manning, Ind
4 Steve McNair, Ten
5 Tom Brady, NE
6 Chad Pennington, NYJ
7 Aaron Brooks, NO
8 Marc Bulger, StL
9 Brett Favre, GB
10 Michael Vick, Atl
11 Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
12 Trent Green, KC
13 Jake Delhomme, Car
14 Jake Plummer, Den
15 Rich Gannon, Oak
16 Carson Palmer, Cin
17 Jeff Garcia, Cle
18 Joey Harrington, Det
19 David Carr, Hou
20 Brad Johnson, TB
21 Vinny Testaverde, Dal
22 Mark Brunell, Was
23 Drew Brees, SD
24 Drew Bledsoe, Buf
25 Byron Leftwich, Jac
26 Tommy Maddox, Pit
27 AJ Feeley, Mia
28 Ken Dorsey, SF
29 Kurt Warner, NYG
30 Rex Grossman, Chi
31 Josh McCown, Ari
32 Kyle Boller, Bal
Running Backs
Plus Plays:
Brian Westbrook, Phi -- Westbrook CAN be a very good play this week against the Vikings. The reasons that he wouldn’t are that, due to injury, there is a shift in offensive line personnel, and the 17th-ranked rushing defense from 2003 shut down Dallas last week. But the nod goes Westbrook’s way due to his strong statement last week against a good Giant rushing defense, and he is a much better back that the group in Dallas.
Corey Dillon, NE -- This one is cut and dried -- Dillon averaged 5+ yards per carry against Indianapolis and with the focus on Tom Brady’s passing game, Dillon should be able to run wild against a Cardinals defense that allowed 176 yards on the ground to the Rams and their decimated offensive line last week.
DeShaun Foster, Car -- Just remember what Quentin Griffin did against the Chiefs last week. Add to that the fact that Foster is five inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than Griffin and it will be another one of many long games this season for last season’s 30th-ranked rushing defense. This is Foster’s shot to display his potential in a leading role.
Negative Plays:
Quentin Griffin, Den -- Kansas City and Jacksonville’s defenses are polar opposites on the NFL spectrum. Last season, KC was allowed more than 5.0 yards per carry, while Jacksonville led the league by allowing just 3.2 ypg. Griffin will still put up decent numbers, but taper your expectations a good bit.
Thomas Jones, Chi -- Jones’ two TDs last week obscured the fact that he still only gained 67 yards on 21 carries (3.2 ypc) against the Lions. Green Bay throttled the Panther RBs last week, holding them to 38 yards and no scores. This will be the more accurate test for Jones.
Duce Staley, Pit -- Staley should get his yards in the passing game against the Ravens, but Jerome Bettis will always have a presence near the goal line. Staley could still make a decent play, but his value is now in question since Staley is unlikely to see many goal line carries with Bettis around.
1 Priest Holmes, KC
2 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
3 Ahman Green, GB
4 Clinton Portis, Was
5 Deuce McAllister, NO
6 Domanick Davis, Hou
7 Marshall Faulk, StL
8 Edgerrin James, Ind
9 Brian Westbrook, Phi
10 Jamal Lewis, Bal
11 Corey Dillon, NE
12 Fred Taylor, Jac
13 Kevan Barlow, SF
14 Quentin Griffin, Den
15 Chris Brown, Ten
16 Travis Henry, Buf
17 Curtis Martin, NYJ
18 DeShaun Foster, Car
19 Warrick Dunn, Atl
20 Shaun Alexander/Maurice Morris, Sea
21 Rudi Johnson, Cin
22 Onterrio Smith, Min
23 Tiki Barber, NYG
24 Kevin Jones, Det
25 Thomas Jones, Chi
26 Duce Staley, Pit
27 Lamar Gordon, Mia
28 Charlie Garner, TB
29 Tyrone Wheatley, Oak
30 Eddie George, Dal
31 Ron Dayne, NYG
32 TJ Duckett, Atl
33 William Green, Cle
34 Emmitt Smith, ARI
35 Julius Jones, Dal
36 Lee Suggs, Cle
37 Steven Jackson, StL
38 Jerome Bettis, Pit
39 Mike Alstott, TB
40 Justin Fargas, Oak
41 Willis McGahee, BUF
42 Tony Hollings, Hou
43 Tony FisherGNB
44 Artose PinnerDET
45 Dominic RhodesIND
46 Moe Williams, Min
47 Antowain Smith, Ten
48 Richie Anderson, DAL
49 LaMont Jordan, NYJ
50 Garrison Hearst, Den
51 Ladell Betts Was
52 Labrandon Toefield, Jax
53 Sammy Morris, Mia
54 Troy Hambrick, Oak
55 Anthony Thomas, Chi
56 Mewelde Moore, Min
57 Shawn Bryson, DET
58 Chester TaylorBAL
59 Amos Zereoue, OAK
60 Tatum Bell, Den
Wide Receivers
Plus Plays:
Isaac Bruce, StL -- Last week proved that when defenses concentrate on Holt, Bruce will take advantage of it. It will be more of the same against a Falcon secondary that finished last in the NFL in passing.
Laveranues Coles, Was -- Look for a better game from the Redskins’ passing game this week – a vast improvement from Coles’ 27-yard, no scores show last week. The Giants allowed four TDs from Donovan McNabb last week, so look for Coles to get some of that.
Muhsin Muhammad, CAR -- The Panthers will find a way to get Muhammad the ball against the porous Kansas City defense. With Smith out, the Panthers and Muhammad will need to take advantage of opposing defenses that will focus solely on stopping the run.
Negative Plays:
Eric Moulds, Buf -- Bledsoe hasn't looked very good thus far this year. Per usual in his career, Moulds is unlikely to score in consecutive weeks, especially against a Raiders secondary that shut down the Steelers last week.
Jimmy Smith, Jac -- Simple – Champ Bailey. He can effectively remove opposing teams’ No.1 WR from the game. This week, that will be Smith.
Koren Robinson, Sea -- Robinson was not impressive last week – he finished with a disappointing 35 yards on three receptions. The Tampa Bay defense will shut the Seattle passing game down, as shown when they surrendered just 125 yards passing to the Redskins.
1 Randy Moss, Min
2 Torry Holt, StL
3 Marvin Harrison, Ind
4 Terrell Owens, Phi
5 Chad Johnson, Cin
6 Santana Moss, NYJ
7 Joe Horn, NO
8 Derrick Mason, Ten
9 Darrell Jackson, Sea
10 Hines Ward, Pit
11 Isaac Bruce, StL
12 Laveranues Coles, Was
13 Eric Moulds, Buf
14 Peerless Price, Atl
15 Keyshawn Johnson, Dal
16 Deion Branch, NE
17 Chris Chambers, Mia
18 Muhsin Muhammad, CAR
19 Andre Johnson, Hou
20 Justin McCareins, NYJ
21 Jerry Porter, Oak
22 Amani Toomer, NYG
23 Jimmy Smith, Jac
24 Javon Walker, GB
25 Rod Smith, Den
26 Donte' Stallworth, NO
27 Koren Robinson, Sea
28 Roy Williams, Det
29 Eddie Kennison, KC
30 David Terrell, CHI
31 Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
32 Plaxico Burress, Pit
33 Michael Clayton, TB
34 Ashley Lelie, Den
35 Brandon Lloyd, SF
36 Reggie Wayne, Ind
37 David Givens, NE
38 Marty Booker, Mia
39 Peter Warrick, Cin
40 Kevin Johnson, Bal
41 Antonio Bryant, DAL
42 Drew Bennett, Ten
43 Rod Gardner, Was
44 Az-Zahir Hakim, DET
45 Cedrick Wilson, SF
46 Robert Ferguson, GB
47 Ike Hilliard, NYG
48 Terry Glenn, Dal
49 Reche Caldwell, SD
50 Tai Streets, DET
51 Todd Pinkston, PHI
52 Andre' Davis, Cle
53 David Patten, NE
54 Donald Driver, GB
55 Jerry Rice, Oak
56 Keary Colbert, Car
57 Quincy Morgan, Cle
58 Ricky Proehl
59 Jabar Gaffney , Hou
60 Reggie Williams, Jac
Tight Ends
1 Tony Gonzalez, KC
2 Todd Heap, Bal
3 Alge Crumpler, Atl
4 Antonio Gates, SD
5 Randy McMichael, Mia
6 Kellen Winslow, Jr, Cle
7 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
8 Daniel Graham, NE
9 Bubba Franks, GB
10 Freddie Jones, Ari
11 Boo Williams, NO
12 Eric Johnson, SF
13 LJ Smith, Phi
14 Dallas Clark, Ind
15 Erron Kinney, Ten
16 Jason Witten, Dal
17 Jeb Putzier
18 Marcus Pollard, Ind
19 Desmond Clark, Chi
20 Ernie Conwell, NO
21 Chad Lewis, Phi
22 Anthony Becht, NYJ
23 Jerramy Stevens, Sea
24 Stephen Alexander, Det
25 Billy Miller, Hou
26 Mark Campbell, Buf
27 Itula Mili, Sea
28 Doug Jolley, Oak
29 Ben Watson, NE
30 Christian Fauria, NE
31 Brandon Manumaleuna, StL
32 Jed Weaver, Den
Kickers
1 Mike Vanderjagt, Ind
2 David Akers, Phi
3 Jeff Wilkins, StL
4 Jason Elam, Den
5 Adam Vinatieri, NE
6 Ryan Longwell, GB
7 John Kasay, Car
8 Sebastian Janikowski, Oak
9 Matt Stover, Bal
10 John Hall, Was
11 John Carney, NO
12 Jason Hanson, Det
13 Lawrence Tynes, KC
14 Josh Brown, Sea
15 Morten Andersen, Min
16 Doug Brien, NYJ
17 Jay Feely, Atl
18 Shayne Graham, Cin
19 Gary Anderson, Ten
20 Todd Peterson, SF
21 Paul Edinger, Chi
22 Josh Scobee, Jac
23 Nate Kaeding, SD
24 Jeff Reed, Pit
25 Billy Cundiff, Dal
26 Phil Dawson, Cle
27 Kris Brown, Hou
28 Martin Gramatica, TB
29 Olindo Mare, Mia
30 Rian Lindell, Buf
31 Steve Christie, NYG
32 Neil Rackers, Ari
Team Defenses
1 New England Patriots
2 Baltimore Ravens
3 Dallas Cowboys
4 Green Bay Packers
5 Miami Dolphins
6 Denver Broncos
7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8 Buffalo Bills
9 Seattle Seahawks
10 Pittsburgh Steelers
11 Philadelphia Eagles
12 St. Louis Rams
13 Washington Redskins
14 Jacksonsville Jaguars
15 Tennessee Titans
16 New York Jets
17 Carolina Panthers
18 Cincinnati Bengals
19 Oakland Raiders
20 Cleveland Browns
21 New Orleans Saints
22 Indianapolis Colts
23 Houston Texans
24 San Francisco 49ers
25 Detroit Lions
26 Kansas City Chiefs
27 Minnesota Vikings
28 New York Giants
29 Chicago Bears
30 Atlanta Falcons
31 San Diego Chargers
32 Arizona Cardinals
Defensive Backs
1 Rodney Harrison, NE
2 Adam Archuleta, StL
3 Darren Sharper, GB
4 Roy Williams, Dal
5 Bryan Scott, Atl
6 Edward Reed, Bal
7 Michael Lewis, Phi
8 Mike Minter, Car
9 Ronde Barber, TB
10 Tony Parrish, SF
11 Ken Hamlin, Sea
12 Greg Wesley, KC
13 Brian Dawkins, Phi
14 Matt Bowen, Was
15 Sammy Knight, Mia
16 Terrence Kiel, SD
17 Antoine Winfield, Min
18 Shaun Williams, NYG
19 Corey Chavous, Min
20 Troy Polamalu, Pit
21 Mike Brown, Chi
22 Aeneas Williams, StL
23 Jay Bellamy, NO
24 Adrian Wilson, Ari
25 Marques Anderson, GB
26 Jerome Woods, KC
27 Fred Thomas, NO
28 Tank Williams, Ten
29 Mark Roman, GB
30 Donovin Darius, Jac
31 Charles Tillman, Chi
32 Coy Wire BUF
33 Brian Williams, Min
34 Sean Taylor, Was
35 Madieu Williams CIN
36 Robert Griffith, Cle
37 Terence Newman, Dal
38 Lito Sheppard, Phi
39 Nate Clements, BUF
40 Jerametrius Butler, StL
Defensive Linemen
1 Michael Strahan, NYG
2 Charles Grant, NO
3 Jason Taylor, Mia
4 Mike Rucker, Car
5 Simeon Rice, TB
6 Leonard Little, StL
7 John Abraham, NYJ
8 Jevon Kearse, Phi
9 Julius Peppers, Car
10 Aaron Schobel, Buf
11 Adewale Ogunleye, Chi
12 Dwight Freeney, Ind
13 Kenard Lang, Cle
14 Patrick Kerney, Atl
15 Kevin Williams, Min
16 Rod Coleman, Atl
17 Tyler Brayton, Oak
18 John Henderson, Jac
19 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
20 Aaron Smith, PIT
21 Greg Ellis, Dal
22 Grant Wistrom, Sea
23 Justin Smith, Cin
24 Kenechi Udeze, Min
25 Richard Seymour, NE
26 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
27 Shaun Rogers, Det
28 Marcus Stroud, Jac
29 James Hall, Det
30 Eric Hicks, KC
31 Bertrand Berry, Ari
32 Ty Warren NE
33 Chike Okeafor, Sea
34 Carlos Hall, Ten
35 Courtney Brown, Cle
36 Phillip Daniels, WAS
37 Alex Brown, Chi
38 Marcellus Wiley, Dal
39 Marques Douglas, Bal
40 Bryce Fisher STL
Linebackers
1 Ray Lewis, Bal
2 Keith Bulluck, Ten
3 Brian Urlacher, Chi
4 Jamie Sharper, Hou
5 Donnie Edwards, SD
6 Zach Thomas, Mia
7 Sam Cowart, NYJ
8 LaVar Arrington, Was
9 Nick Barnett, GB
10 Keith Brooking, Atl
11 Andra Davis, Cle
12 Mike Peterson, Jac
13 London Fletcher, Buf
14 Dan Morgan, Car
15 James Farrior, Pit
16 Anthony Simmons, Sea
17 Jay Foreman, Hou
18 Takeo Spikes, Buf
19 Derrick Brooks, TB
20 Al Wilson, Den
21 Courtney Watson, NO
22 Akin Ayodele, Jac
23 Shawn Barber, KC
24 David Thornton, Ind
25 Julian Peterson, SF
26 Tedy Bruschi, NE
27 Dat Nguyen, Dal
28 Barrett Green, NYG
29 Lance Briggs, Chi
30 Derek Smith, SF
31 Shelton Quarles, TB
32 Travian Smith, Oak
33 Eric Barton, NYJ
34 Brian Simmons, Cin
35 Monte Beisel KC
36 Kevin Lewis NYG
37 Terrell Suggs, Bal
38 Robert Thomas, StL
39 Bradie James DAL
40 Clark Haggans PIT
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