Week One Matchups
September 08, 2005
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Tom Brady, NE -- Oakland was horrible against the pass last season, having allowed 245 ypg (30th in the league). Plus, Tom Brady knows how to start off big in the opening game, having thrown for 335 yards and three TDs in Week One last year. The big question with the Patriots’ offense is how much will they miss Charlie Weis. Well, that won’t be a factor this week.
Jake Delhomme, Car -- Hate to bring up the obvious, but there are a lot of negatives on the Saints’ side – most recently, the hurricane aftermath in NO, the team’s relocation, and the performance of last season’s squad, which allowed 243 ypg and 24 passing TDs. The unknowns include how effectively the Saints can rally, and how successful the Panthers’ WR will be. But, since he went 46-for-79 for 601 yards and three TDs in two games last year against the Saints, I still think Delhomme will come out on top.
Carson Palmer, CIN -- This game with the Browns is a rematch of the astounding 58-48 game from last season, where Palmer threw for 251 yards and four TDs. Palmer was inconsistent in the preseason, and the Browns’ defense is a huge unknown – they were a top-five passing defense, but that was because their defense was the worst against the run; and now, the entire defensive line is now in Denver. It doesn’t look like a guarantee for another four-TD game, but Palmer has the weapons to put up a solid game.
Joey Harrington, DET -- This is a bit of a risky call. Harrington played well during the preseason with Jeff Garcia breathing down his neck. Now, Garcia is out, so how will Harrington respond? He gets a big break, facing a Packer squad that allowed a league-worst 33 passing TDs last year, with an average of 229 passing ypg. The Packers improved a bit in the off-season, but the nod goes to Detroit with all its weapons. Plus, Harrington did break out in the opener last season with a four-TD game.
Negative Play:
Kerry Collins, OAK -- Collins and the Raiders should be able to move the ball against the Patriots, but it will be tough to punch the ball into the end zone against a Patriot squad that allowed 213 ypg and 18 TDs allowed. However, the Patriots have reloaded their secondary, so it should be improved, and, as they have proved in their Super Bowl wins, they are stunningly effective when they have excess time to prepare for a game. Collins and Randy Moss should connect, but with Jerry Porter hobbled, and not knowing how successful LaMont Jordan will be in his first game as a Raider, will put a damper on Collins’ season debut.
Michael Vick, ATL -- Once again this season, this will (unfortunately) be the first of many appearances for Vick in this area of the column – at least until he proves his worth as a passing QB on a consistent basis. The Philly pass defense was solid last season, having allowed just 201 ypg passing with 18 TDs allowed, and they should be just as strong this season. In the NFC Championship game, Vick was limited to just 11-for-24 for 136 yards passing and one interception, plus just 36 yards rushing with a fumble by the Eagles. They have his number.
Steve McNair, TEN -- If you drafted McNair as your starter, you deserve to lose this week. He is facing a Steeler squad that was the fourth-ranked passing defense last season, having allowed just 177 ypg and a league-best 14 passing TDs. McNair is playing without Derrick Mason, with Drew Bennett as his only weapon and a receiving corps that is thin and inexperienced.
1 Daunte Culpepper, MIN
2 Donovan McNabb, PHI
3 Marc Bulger, STL
4 Peyton Manning, IND
5 Brett Favre, GB
6 Tom Brady, NE
7 Carson Palmer, CIN
8 Jake Delhomme, CAR
9 Trent Green, KC
10 Kerry Collins, OAK
11 Michael Vick, ATL
12 Jake Plummer, DEN
13 Joey Harrington, DET
14 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
15 Chad Pennington, NYJ
16 Brian Griese, TB
17 Byron Leftwich, JAX
18 Drew Brees, SD
19 Aaron Brooks, NO
20 Steve McNair, TEN
21 Kurt Warner, ARI
22 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
23 Tim Rattay, SF
24 Kyle Boller, BAL
25 David Carr, HOU
26 J.P. Losman, BUF
27 Drew Bledsoe, DAL
28 Trent Dilfer, CLE
29 Eli Manning, NYG
30 Patrick Ramsey, WAS
31 Gus Frerotte, MIA
32 Kyle Orton, CHI
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Corey Dillon, NE -- Dillon looks to have nearly as strong a game this week as Brady, thanks to a Raider rushing defense that allowed 126 ypg and a league’s second-worst 21 rushing TDs. Oakland’s rushing defense looks slightly improved this season, but the Patriots are already at mid-season form, so expect a stellar game from Dillon.
Steven Jackson, STL -- The Niners gave up 22 rushing TDs last season – the most in the league – and allowed 125 ypg. Last season, the Rams averaged 144 yards rushing against the Niners. Jackson looks to be in tip-top form, averaging 6.7 ypc in the preseason, so he should tear it up against ‘Frisco.
Rudi Johnson, CIN -- The Browns have made a lot of moves in an attempt to overhaul their rushing defense – one that allowed a league-worst 145 ypg and tied for the worst in the league with TDs allowed (22) – but it’s hard to expect an major first-game transition.
Curtis Martin, NYJ -- So what if he's 32 years old? It's Week One, he's healthy, you drafted him and he faces a suspect defense -- you play him. The Chiefs were kind of a middling defense, finishing 12th with 115 ypg and 18 TDs allowed on the ground.
Negative Play:
Julius Jones, DAL -- A lot of people expects magic from Jones this season. Not this week. The Chargers gave up only 82 ypg on the game (third best) last season. The one area that the Chargers are weak is at the goal line, which is where Anthony Thomas is expect to vulture some TDs. Expectations should be tempered this week.
Edgerrin James, IND -- The Ravens were eighth in the league against the run (105 ypg) and allowed only nine TDs on the ground. With Peyton Manning’s penchant for throwing short-yardage passes for TDs as opposed to running it from inside the five, that doesn’t bode well for James against this tough defense. It will be no surprise if James is shut out of the end zone, and should only have moderate yardage this week as the Ravens have proven to be his second-toughest opponent in his career (56 ypg).
Domanick Davis, HOU -- Davis is already banged up (bruised elbow and twisted ankle) and he faces a stellar defense – one that allowed just 100 ypg on the ground and six TDs. Vernand Morency stepped in for Davis in the preseason and did well. The Ravens should pound the hobbled Davis, so Morency might chip away additionally to Davis’ numbers this week.
Lamont Jordan, OAK -- There are a lot of high expectations for Jordan this season, and he has a very tough first-game match-up. The Patriots allowed a stingy 98 ypg and nine TDs on the ground last year and appear to be in top form going into the season. Expect the Raiders to quickly attempt to go through the air (with little success as well).
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Priest Holmes, KC
3 Corey Dillon, NE
4 Willis McGahee, BUF
5 Rudi Johnson, CIN
6 Kevin Jones, DET
7 Steven Jackson, STL
8 Clinton Portis, WAS
9 Shaun Alexander, SEA
10 Curtis Martin, NYJ
11 Deuce McAllister, NO
12 Brian Westbrook, PHI
13 Tiki Barber, NYG
14 Edgerrin James, IND
15 Julius Jones, DAL
16 Ahman Green, GB
17 Jamal Lewis, BAL
18 Domanick Davis, HOU
19 Mike Anderson, DEN
20 Fred Taylor, JAX
21 Willie Parker, PIT
22 Kevan Barlow, SF
23 Lamont Jordan, OAK
24 Warrick Dunn, ATL
25 Cadillac Williams, TB
26 J.J. Arrington, ARI
27 Thomas Jones, CHI
28 Chris Brown, TEN
29 Reuben Droughns, CLE
30 Ronnie Brown, MIA
31 DeShaun Foster, CAR
32 Michael Bennett, MIN
33 Stephen Davis, CAR
34 T.J. Duckett, ATL
35 Larry Johnson, KC
36 Michael Pittman, TB
37 William Green, CLE
38 Marshall Faulk, STL
39 Chester Taylor, BAL
40 Marcel Shipp, ARI
41 Travis Henry, TEN
42 Mewelde Moore, MIN
43 Sammy Morris, MIA
44 Kevin Faulk, NE
45 Derrick Blaylock, NYJ
46 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
47 Ladell Betts, WAS
48 LaBrandon Toefield, JAX
49 Moe Williams, MIN
50 Frank Gore, SF
51 Najeh Davenport, GB
52 Chris Perry, CIN
53 Greg Jones, JAX
54 Tatum Bell, DEN
55 Maurice Hicks, SF
56 Ryan Moats, PHI
57 Zack Crockett, OAK
58 Artose Pinner, DET
59 Vernon Haynes, PIT
60 Kenny Watson, CIN
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Steve Smith, CAR -- This is an excellent opportunity for Smith to prove that he’s at 100% and that he’s ready to show he’s the No. 1 guy in Carolina. In Week Three of the preseason, Smith had three catches for 59 yards and a TD, and will go against a very porous Saint secondary this week.
Deion Branch, NE -- I’m not Deion Branch fan, especially in the regular season, and he had plenty of opportunities like this one last year to shine and he failed. But, I’ll be nice and acknowledge that this is another great opportunity for a big game. He should be able for find some room in the porous Raider defense. It’s a crapshoot trying to figure out who Brady’s top target will be, but chances are it will be Branch.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN -- In his one game against the Browns last season, he averaged 19.8 yards per reception and tallied two TDs. He has a shot to continue that success to kick off the season.
Negative Play:
Andre Johnson, HOU -- Buffalo ranked third in the league with 164 ypg and allowed 20 TDs through the air. The Houston passing game is inconsistent, with QB David Carr on his back most of the time, and the Texans are facing a top passing defense on the top of their game.
Chris Chambers, MIA -- Champ Bailey – Need I say more? Okay. They have no quarterback, and the Broncos boast the sixth-best defense against the pass last season (184 ypg), and have made moves to improve their secondary.
Plaxico Burress, NYG -- With Eli Manning’s elbow troubles, Burress’ strained knee and a troublesome offensive line, the Giants will be in for a tough start to 2005. Arizona was ninth in the league, having allowed 190 ypg and allowed 18 passing TDs.
Muhsin Muhammad, CHI -- Muhammad joined a team that averaged just 140 ypg through the air last season, and they are already without their No. 1 QB, Rex Grossman. Add that to another top-10 defense, having allowed just 186 ypg and 17 passing TDs last season. A plus for Chicago is the Redskin defense is beat up and hasn’t played much together. But that’s too much for this weak offense to overcome.
1 Terrell Owens, PHI
2 Randy Moss, OAK
3 Chad Johnson, CIN
4 Javon Walker, GB
5 Torry Holt, STL
6 Marvin Harrison, IND
7 Joe Horn, NO
8 Nate Burleson, MIN
9 Hines Ward, PIT
10 Steve Smith, CAR
11 Darrell Jackson, SEA
12 Michael Clayton, TB
13 Reggie Wayne, IND
14 Roy Williams, DET
15 Donald Driver, GB
16 Anquan Boldin, ARI
17 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
18 Andre Johnson, HOU
19 Deion Branch, NE
20 Isaac Bruce, STL
21 Jimmy Smith, JAX
22 Drew Bennett, TEN
23 Ashley Lelie, DEN
24 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
25 Lee Evans, BUF
26 Plaxico Burress, NYG
27 Derrick Mason, BAL
28 Chris Chambers, MIA
29 Rod Smith, DEN
30 Antonio Bryant, CLE
31 Eddie Kennison, KC
32 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
33 Keenan McCardell, SD
34 Eric Moulds, BUF
35 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
36 Charles Rogers, DET
37 Brandon Lloyd, SF
38 Keary Colbert, CAR
39 Keyshawn Johnson, DAL
40 Santana Moss, WAS
41 Jerry Porter, OAK
42 Justin McCareins, NYJ
43 Brandon Stokley, IND
44 Joey Galloway, TB
45 Reggie Williams, JAX
46 Michael Jenkins, ATL
47 Terry Glenn, DAL
48 Dennis Northcutt, CLE
49 Bobby Engram, SEA
50 Donte Stallworth, NO
51 Amani Toomer, NYG
52 David Patten, WAS
53 Reche Caldwell, SD
54 Arnaz Battle, SF
55 Antwaan Randle El, PIT
56 Travis Taylor, MIN
57 Tyrone Calico, TEN
58 Kevin Curtis, STL
59 Greg Lewis, PHI
60 Rod Gardner, CAR
Tight Ends
1 Tony Gonzalez, KC
2 Jason Witten, DAL
3 Alge Crumpler, ATL
4 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
5 L.J. Smith, PHI
6 Todd Heap, BAL
7 Randy McMichael, MIA
8 Chris Cooley, WAS
9 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
10 Marcus Pollard, DET
11 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
12 Bubba Franks, GB
13 Daniel Graham, NE
14 Erron Kinney, TEN
15 Steve Heiden, CLE
16 Mark Campbell, BUF
17 Ben Watson, NE
18 Justin Peele, SD
19 Matt Schobel, CIN
20 Jeb Putzier, DEN
21 Stephen Alexander, DEN
22 Heath Miller, PIT
23 Ben Hartsock, IND
24 Courtney Anderson, OAK
25 Ernie Conwell, NO
26 Anthony Becht, TB
27 Billy Bajema, SF
28 Dallas Clark, IND
29 Chris Baker, NYJ
30 Kris Mangum, CAR
31 Doug Jolley, NYJ
32 Kyle Brady, JAX
33 Desmond Clark, CHI
34 Jim Kleinsasser, MIN
35 Kris Wilson, KC
36 Adam Bergen, ARI
37 Mike Seidman, CAR
38 Roland Williams, STL
39 George Wrighster, JAX
40 Christian Fauria, NE
41 Mark Bruener, HOU
42 Jerame Tuman, PIT
43 Alex Smith, TB
44 Reggie Kelly, CIN
45 Brandon Manumaleuna, STL
Kickers
1 Adam Vinatieri, NE
2 Mike Vanderjagt, IND
3 Jason Hanson, DET
4 Jason Elam, DEN
5 John Kasay, CAR
6 Jeff Wilkins, STL
7 Matt Stover, BAL
8 Nate Kaeding, SD
9 Jeff Reed, PIT
10 David Akers, PHI
11 Mike Nugent, NYJ
12 Shayne Graham, CIN
13 Ryan Longwell, GB
14 Paul Edinger, MIN
15 Lawrence Tynes, KC
16 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
17 Neil Rackers, ARI
18 Joe Nedney, SF
19 Phil Dawson, CLE
20 Josh Brown, SEA
21 John Hall, WAS
22 Rian Lindell, BUF
23 Jay Feely, NYG
24 Josh Scobee, JAX
25 John Carney, NO
26 Kris Brown, HOU
27 Todd Peterson, ATL
28 Matt Bryant, TB
29 Olindo Mare, MIA
30 Rob Bironas, TEN
31 Jose Cortez, DAL
32 Doug Brien, CHI
Team Defenses
1 Washington Redskins
2 Buffalo Bills
3 Pittsburgh Steelers
4 Carolina Panthers
5 New England Patriots
6 Philadelphia Eagles
7 Chicago Bears
8 Cincinnati Bengals
9 San Diego Chargers
10 Denver Broncos
11 Indianapolis Colts
12 Baltimore Ravens
13 Minnesota Vikings
14 New York Giants
15 Arizona Cardinals
16 Jacksonville Jaguars
17 St. Louis Rams
18 Kansas City Chiefs
19 Miami Dolphins
20 Dallas Cowboys
21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
22 Atlanta Falcons
23 Seattle Seahawks
24 Houston Texans
25 Detroit Lions
26 Tennessee Titans
27 New York Jets
28 New Orleans Saints
29 Cleveland Browns
30 Green Bay Packers
31 San Francisco 49ers
32 Oakland Raiders
Defensive Backs
1 Troy Polamalu, PIT
2 Rodney Harrison, NE
3 Roy Williams, DAL
4 Ronde Barber, TB
5 Adrian Wilson, ARI
6 Edward Reed, BAL
7 Gibril Wilson, NYG
8 Michael Boulware, SEA
9 Tony Parrish, SF
10 Mike Brown, CHI
11 Thomas Davis, CAR
12 Dunta Robinson, HOU
13 Adam Archuleta, STL
14 Terrence McGee, BUF
15 Sean Taylor, WAS
16 Nick Collins, GB
17 Travis Fisher, STL
18 Darren Sharper, MIN
19 Greg Wesley, KC
20 Chris Gamble, CAR
21 Brian Dawkins, PHI
22 Terrance Kiel, SD
23 Dwight Smith, NO
24 Brian Russell, CLE
25 DeAngelo Hall, ATL
26 Sammy Knight, KC
27 Antrel Rolle, ARI
28 Madieu Williams, CIN
29 Sheldon Brown, PHI
30 Mike Minter, CAR
31 Nick Harper, IND
32 Antoine Winfield, MIN
33 Erik Coleman, NYJ
34 Champ Bailey, DEN
35 Tory James, CIN
36 Terrence Holt, DET
37 Lamont Thompson, TEN
38 Lawyer Milloy, BUF
39 Eugene Wilson, NE
40 Bryan Scott, ATL
41 Marcus Coleman, HOU
42 Derrick Gibson, OAK
43 Tebucky Jones, MIA
44 Michael Lewis, PHI
45 Dre' Bly, DET
46 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
47 Jay Bellamy, NO
48 Donovin Darius, JAX
49 Ken Lucas, CAR
50 Robert Griffith, ARI
51 Will Allen, NYG
52 Michael Green, CHI
53 Glenn Earl, HOU
54 Tank Williams, TEN
55 Terence Newman, DAL
56 Nick Ferguson, DEN
57 Rashean Mathis, JAX
58 Marcus Trufant, SEA
59 Shawn Springs, WAS
60 Charles Tillman, CHI
Linebackers
1 Brian Urlacher, CHI
2 Donnie Edwards, SD
3 Keith Bulluck, TEN
4 Ray Lewis, BAL
5 Nick Barnett, GB
6 Zach Thomas, MIA
7 Mike Peterson, JAX
8 Takeo Spikes, BUF
9 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
10 Antonio Pierce, NYG
11 London Fletcher, BUF
12 Derrick Brooks, TB
13 Dan Morgan, CAR
14 Ian Gold, DEN
15 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
16 James Farrior, PIT
17 Sam Cowart, MIN
18 Andra Davis, CLE
19 Brian Simmons, CIN
20 Derek Smith, SF
21 Marcus Washington, WAS
22 Jamie Sharper, SEA
23 Danny Clark, OAK
24 Courtney Watson, NO
25 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
26 Will Witherspoon, CAR
27 Al Wilson, DEN
28 Gary Brackett, IND
29 Cato June, IND
30 Kailee Wong, HOU
31 Edgerton Hartwell, ATL
32 Odell Thurman, CIN
33 Keith Brooking, ATL
34 Eric Barton, NYJ
35 Lemar Marshall, WAS
36 Demarcus Ware, DAL
37 Monty Beisel, NE
38 Dat Nguyen, DAL
39 Kendrell Bell, KC
40 Derrick Johnson, KC
41 Julian Peterson, SF
42 Boss Bailey, DET
43 David Pollack, CIN
44 James Darling, ARI
45 Daryl Smith, JAX
46 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
47 Karlos Dansby, ARI
48 Steve Foley, SD
49 Channing Crowder, MIA
50 Chris Claiborne, STL
51 E.J. Henderson, MIN
52 Brad Kassell, TEN
53 Mike Vrabel, NE
54 Lance Briggs, CHI
55 Jeff Ulbrich, SF
56 Chad Brown, NE
57 Adalius Thomas, BAL
58 Lavar Arrington, WAS
59 Carlos Emmons, NYG
60 Jamie Winborn, SF
Defensive Linemen
1 Julius Peppers, CAR
2 Michael Strahan, NYG
3 Dwight Freeney, IND
4 Simeon Rice, TB
5 Kevin Williams, MIN
6 Charles Grant, NO
7 Justin Smith, CIN
8 Patrick Kerney, ATL
9 Leonard Little, STL
10 Jason Taylor, MIA
11 John Henderson, JAX
12 Terrell Suggs, BAL
13 James Hall, DET
14 Anthony Hargrove, STL
15 Aaron Smith, PIT
16 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
17 Rod Coleman, ATL
18 Robert Geathers, CIN
19 Darren Howard, NO
20 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
21 Aaron Schobel, BUF
22 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
23 Chike Okeafor, ARI
24 Grant Wistrom, SEA
25 Mike Rucker, CAR
26 Cornelius Griffin, WAS
27 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
28 Alex Brown, CHI
29 Marques Douglas, SF
30 Trevor Pryce, DEN
31 Aaron Kampman, GB
32 Jevon Kearse, PHI
33 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
34 Bert Berry, ARI
35 Richard Seymour, NE
36 John Abraham, NYJ
37 Antwan Odom, TEN
38 Raheem Brock, IND
39 Bryce Fisher, SEA
40 Reggie Hayward, JAX
41 Warren Sapp, OAK
42 Will Smith, NO
43 Marcus Stroud, JAX
44 Robert Mathis, IND
45 Kevin Carter, MIA
46 Chris Kelsay, BUF
47 Shaun Rogers, DET
48 Brady Smith, ATL
49 Phillip Daniels, WAS
50 Lance Johnstone, MIN
51 Pat Williams, MIN
52 Darnell Dockett, ARI
53 Kelly Gregg, BAL
54 Erasmus James, MIN
55 Greg Spires, TB
56 Kris Jenkins, CAR
57 Dewayne White, TB
58 Anthony Weaver, BAL
59 Tyler Brayton, OAK
60 Jason Ferguson, DAL
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