Week Eight Match-ups (UPDATED)
October 31, 2004
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Reuben Droughns, Den -- If anyone wasn’t convinced about Droughns' ability before last week, they should be now, as he posted his third consecutive 100-yard game. And it is well known that Atlanta allowed EIGHT rushing TDs last week, dropping its defense to ninth in the league against the run and last in scoring defense. The armor is dinged.
Kevin Jones, Det -- Since his return in Week 7, Jones has averaged 4.7 ypc. Dallas’ defense has allowed an average of five ypc, 191 yards and a TD a game in total offense to RBs.
Negative Play:
Duce Staley, Pit -- Over the last four games, Staley has averaged 111 ypg (5.2 ypc), but it wasn’t against a defense like the Patriots. They are fourth in the league against RBs over the last four games and allow just over 100 ypg in total offense to RBs.
Emmitt Smith, Ari -- The Bills defense ranks third against the run, and has allowed just two TD on the ground in six games. And with the improved health of Larry Fitzgerald and the return of Anquan Boldin should limit Smith’s effectiveness.
1 Priest Holmes, KC
2 Edgerrin James, Ind
3 Shaun Alexander, Sea
4 Tiki Barber, NYG
5 Clinton Portis, Was
6 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
7 Ahman Green, GB
8 Reuben Droughns, DEN
9 Curtis Martin, NYJ
10 Fred Taylor, Jac
11 Thomas Jones, Chi
12 Mewelde Moore, Min
13 Corey Dillon, NE
14 Chris Brown, Ten
15 Rudi Johnson, Cin
16 Kevan Barlow, SF
17 Domanick Davis, Hou
18 Emmitt Smith, ARI
19 Warrick Dunn, Atl
20 Chester TaylorBAL
21 Duce Staley, Pit
22 Willis McGahee, BUF
23 Kevin Jones, Det
24 Sammy Morris, Mia
25 Amos Zereoue, OAK
26 Brad Hoover, CAR
27 Dorsey Levins, Phi
28 Eddie George, Dal
29 Travis Henry, Buf
30 Richie Anderson, DAL
31 Jesse Chatman, SD
32 Jonathan Wells, HOU
33 Moe Williams, Min
34 Artose PinnerDET
35 TJ Duckett, Atl
36 Kevin Faulk, NE
37 Jerome Bettis, Pit
38 Antowain Smith, Ten
39 Derrick Blaylock, KC
40 Michael Bennett, Min
41 Travis Minor, Mia
42 Reno Mahe, Phi
43 Najeh Davenport, GB
44 LaMont Jordan, NYJ
45 Nick Goings, CAR
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Vinny Testaverde, Dal -- The Cowboys can't run the ball. At all. That forces the Cowboys to throw the ball each week, and Testaverde will test the weak secondary of the Lions in this go-round. The Lions are ranked 29th against the pass, allowing 257 yards per game. Testaverde has thrown for over 300 yards three times this season, and while he hasn't thrown more than one TD in any game, he has also thrown TD pass in each game this year. Should have another good start.
Kurt Warner, NYG -- Warner has put up good numbers this season as he is 12th in passing yards this year. The Vikings are 30th in pass defense, allowing 264 ypg. Sounds like an ideal pairing.
Negative Play:
Michael Vick, Atl -- Vick and the WCO are beginning to look like a waste of time. Nothing against Mr. Vick’s cognitive abilities, but Steve Young says that it took him at least two years to effectively run the WCO – and he has a law degree. Over his last three starts he has averaged less than 178 yards and a touchdown per game. Denver has the 2nd ranked passing defense in the league, having allowed 160 ypg, plus the Broncos have allowed just 93.9 ypg on the ground.
Chad Pennington, NYJ -- This is a nightmare match-up for the struggling Pennington, who has just one TD pass in his past four games. Pennington had 143 yards and no score in the teams’ first meeting in week 4, There's no team better against the pass than the Dolphins, who allow just 158 ypg, which was inflated by an uncharacteristic 269 yards allowed to Marc Bulger.
1 Daunte Culpepper, Min
2 Peyton Manning, Ind
3 Donovan McNabb, Phi
4 Byron Leftwich, Jac
5 David Carr, Hou
6 Trent Green, KC
7 Tom Brady, NE
8 Brett Favre, GB
9 Jake Plummer, Den
10 Vinny Testaverde, Dal
11 Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
12 Kurt Warner, NYG
13 Tim Rattay/Ken Dorsey, SF
14 Drew Brees, SD
15 Joey Harrington, Det
16 Kerry Collins, Oak
17 Michael Vick, Atl
18 Chad Pennington, NYJ
19 Billy Volek, TEN
20 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
21 Jake Delhomme, Car
22 Carson Palmer, Cin
23 Mark Brunell, Was
24 Josh McCown, Ari
25 Drew Bledsoe, Buf
26 Jay Fiedler, Mia
27 Kyle Boller, Bal
28 Craig Krenzel, Chi
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Jimmy Smith, Jac -- The Houston Texans have the 26th-ranked pass defense that has allowed 14 passing TDs in only six games. Smith is averaging 94 yards receiving in the last four weeks and has 2 TDs. As hot as Byron Leftwich has been this month, Smith should have another strong game.
Amani Toomer, NYG -- See Warner above, and expect a TD for once from Toomer.
Negative Play:
Santana Moss, NYJ -- What is going on here? Moss is on pace for 39 receptions this season – just over have the number he had in 2003. As mention above with Pennington, the Jet passing game should continue to be nearly non-existent.
Peerless Price, Atl -- Last season, Price had the excuse of Vick being a bust after a good career in Buffalo. This year, Vick is around, so the balance shifts a bit toward Price. Added to Price’s dim future, is that he faces Champ Bailey this week.
1 Terrell Owens, Phi
2 Andre Johnson, Hou
3 Marvin Harrison, Ind
4 Javon Walker, GB
5 Jimmy Smith, Jac
6 Chad Johnson, Cin
7 Eric Moulds, Buf
8 Hines Ward, Pit
9 Roy Williams, Det
10 Darrell Jackson, Sea
11 Derrick Mason, Ten
12 Randy Moss, Min
13 Keyshawn Johnson, Dal
14 Marcus Robinson, Min
15 Reggie Wayne, Ind
16 Donald Driver, GB
17 Plaxico Burress, Pit
18 Brandon Stokley, IND
19 Chris Chambers, Mia
20 Laveranues Coles, Was
21 Rod Smith, Den
22 Amani Toomer, NYG
23 David Givens, NE
24 Ashley Lelie, Den
25 Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
26 David Patten, NE
27 Jerry Porter, Oak
28 Keenan McCardell, SD
29 Brandon Lloyd, SF
30 Keary Colbert, Car
31 Johnnie Morton, KC
32 Drew Bennett, Ten
33 Nate Burelson, Min
34 Rod Gardner, Was
35 Koren Robinson, Sea
36 Muhsin Muhammad, CAR
37 Eddie Kennison, KC
38 Santana Moss, NYJ
39 Quincy Morgan, Dal
40 Ronald Curry, Oak
41 Ike Hilliard, NYG
42 Justin McCareins, NYJ
43 Eric Parker, SD
44 Travis Taylor, Bal
45 Cedrick Wilson, SF
Tight Ends
1 Tony Gonzalez, KC
2 Antonio Gates, SD
3 Eric Johnson, SF
4 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
5 Jason Witten, Dal
6 Randy McMichael, Mia
7 Daniel Graham, NE
8 Alge Crumpler, Atl
9 Jermaine Wiggins, Min
10 LJ Smith, Phi
11 Freddie Jones, Ari
12 Marcus Pollard, Ind
13 Jerramy Stevens, Sea
14 Bubba Franks, GB
15 Dallas Clark, Ind
16 Doug Jolley, Oak
17 Mark Campbell, Buf
18 Jeb Putzier, Den
19 Stephen Alexander, Det
20 Chad Lewis, Phi
21 Ben Troupe, Ten
22 Desmond Clark, Chi
23 Kyle Brady, Jac
24 Chris Cooley, Was
25 Chris Baker, NYJ
26 Courtney Anderson, Oak
27 Anthony Becht, NYJ
28 Kris Mangum, Car
Kickers
1 David Akers, Phi
2 Jason Elam, Den
3 Adam Vinatieri, NE
4 Mike Vanderjagt, Ind
5 Nate Kaeding, SD
6 Kris Brown, Hou
7 Josh Brown, Sea
8 Ryan Longwell, GB
9 Matt Stover, Bal
10 Morten Andersen, Min
11 Shayne Graham, Cin
12 Sebastian Janikowski, Oak
13 Steve Christie, NYG
14 Lawrence Tynes, KC
15 Neil Rackers, Ari
16 Doug Brien, NYJ
17 Josh Scobee, Jac
18 Gary Anderson, Ten
19 Jason Hanson, Det
20 Jeff Reed, Pit
21 Billy Cundiff, Dal
22 Todd Peterson, SF
23 Jay Feely, Atl
24 Rian Lindell, Buf
25 John Kasay, Car
26 Ola Kimrin, Was
27 Matt Bryant, Mia
28 Paul Edinger, Chi
Team Defenses
1 Philadelphia Eagles
2 New York Jets
3 Baltimore Ravens
4 Seattle Seahawks
5 New England Patriots
6 Denver Broncos
7 Buffalo Bills
8 Arizona Cardinals
9 Pittsburgh Steelers
10 Miami Dolphins
11 Washington Redskins
12 San Francisco 49ers
13 Atlanta Falcons
14 Detroit Lions
15 Dallas Cowboys
16 Chicago Bears
17 Houston Texans
18 New York Giants
19 Minnesota Vikings
20 Tennessee Titans
21 San Diego Chargers
22 Green Bay Packers
23 Jacksonsville Jaguars
24 Cincinnati Bengals
25 Carolina Panthers
26 Indianapolis Colts
27 Oakland Raiders
28 Kansas City Chiefs
Defensive Backs
1 Rodney Harrison, NE
2 Troy Polamalu, Pit
3 Terrence Kiel, SD
4 Tony Parrish, SF
5 Roy Williams, Dal
6 Greg Wesley, KC
7 Antoine Winfield, Min
8 Edward Reed, Bal
9 Bryan Scott, Atl
10 Lamont Thompson Ten
11 Adrian Wilson, Ari
12 Gibril Wilson NYG
13 Mike Green, Chi
14 Michael Lewis, Phi
15 Mike Doss, Ind
16 Mike Minter, Car
17 Marcus Coleman, Hou
18 Brian Dawkins, Phi
19 Dunta Robinson Hou
20 Eugene Wilson, NE
21 Gary Baxter, Bal
22 Tank Williams, Ten
23 Erik Coleman, NYJ
24 Ifeanyi Ohalete, Ari
25 Terence Newman, Dal
26 Lawyer Milloy, Buf
27 Jerry Wilson SD
28 Marques Anderson, GB
29 Sammy Knight, Mia
30 Shawntae Spencer SF
31 Rashean Mathis, Jac
32 Donovin Darius, Jac
33 Eric Brown, Hou
34 Ken Hamlin, Sea
35 Mark Roman, GB
36 Dre' Bly, Det
37 Nick Harper, Ind
38 Corey Chavous, Min
39 Sheldon Brown, Phi
40 Kenoy Kennedy Den
41 Colin Branch CAR
42 Ray Buchanan OAK
43 Sean Taylor, Was
44 Brent Alexander NYG
45 Brock Marion, DET
46 Phillip Buchanon, OAK
47 Madieu Williams CIN
48 Nate Clements, BUF
49 Patrick Surtain, Mia
50 Brian Russell, Min
Defensive Linemen
1 John Abraham, NYJ
2 Michael Strahan, NYG
3 Aaron Schobel, Buf
4 Patrick Kerney, Atl
5 Jason Taylor, Mia
6 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
7 Jevon Kearse, Phi
8 Julius Peppers, Car
9 Justin Smith, Cin
10 Bertrand Berry, Ari
11 Dwight Freeney, Ind
12 Aaron Smith, PIT
13 Chike Okeafor, Sea
14 Greg Ellis, Dal
15 Kevin Williams, Min
16 Richard Seymour, NE
17 Kenechi Udeze, Min
18 Alex Brown, Chi
19 Marcus Stroud, Jac
20 Shaun Rogers, Det
21 Reggie Hayward, Den
22 John Henderson, Jac
23 Tyler Brayton, Oak
24 Robert Mathis Ind
25 Kalimba Edwards, Det
26 Mike Rucker, Car
27 Michael Haynes, Chi
28 James Hall, Det
29 Marques Douglas, Bal
30 Tommie Harris, Chi
31 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
32 Pat Williams, Buf
33 Eric Hicks, KC
34 Derrick Burgess, Phi
35 Aaron Kampman GB
36 La'Roi Glover, DAL
37 Kenny Mixon, Min
38 Cornelius Griffin, Was
39 Ty Warren NE
40 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
41 Corey Simon, Phi
42 Vince Wilfork NE
43 Duane Clemons, Cin
44 Jason Ferguson, NYJ
45 Brady Smith, Atl
46 Kelly Gregg, Bal
47 Vonnie Holliday, KC
48 Adewale Ogunleye, Chi
49 Anthony Weaver, Bal
50 Willie McGinest, NE
Linebackers
1 Zach Thomas Mia
2 Dan Morgan Car
3 Keith Brooking Atl
4 Jamie sharper Hou
5 Mike Peterson Jac
6 Nick Barnett GB
7 Brian Urlacher Chi
8 London Fletcher Buf
9 Kevin Lewis NYG
10 Brian Simmons Cin
11 Antonio Pierce Was
12 Ray Lewis Bal
13 Keith Bulluck Ten
14 Cato June Ind
15 Danny Clark Oak
16 Donnie Edwards SD
17 Jonathan Vilma NYJ
18 Jay Foreman Hou
19 D.J. Williams Den
20 Tracy White Sea
21 David Thornton Ind
22 Takeo Spikes Buf
23 Teddy Lehman Det
24 Jeff Ulbrich SF
25 Mark Simoneau Phi
26 Raonall Smith Min
27 Chad Brown Sea
28 James Farrior Pit
29 Jim Nelson Ind
30 E.J. Henderson Min
31 Ray Thompson Ari
32 Napoleon Harris Oak
33 Jamie Winborn SF
34 Will witherspoon Car
35 Akinola Ayodele Jac
36 Na'il Diggs GB
37 Derek Smith SF
38 Tedy Bruschi NE
39 Brad Kassell Ten
40 Marcus Washington Was
41 Demorrio Williams Atl
42 Matt Stewart Atl
43 Mike Vrabel NE
44 Kawika Mitchell KC
45 Al Wilson Den
46 Randall Godfrey SD
47 Dat Nguyen Dal
48 Lance Briggs Chi
49 Eric Barton NYJ
50 Daryl Smith Jac
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