Week Two Match-ups
September 16, 2005
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Carson Palmer, CIN -- Palmer looked good in his season debut last week. He looked to be in mid-season form and should continue to show improvement against the Vikings, who made Brian Griese look like a world beater last week (two TDs). The Vikings did show some improvement over last season (averaged 244 ypg, compared to allowing 213 yards last week, and garnered two INT), but they shouldn’t be a scary unit for Palmer to face.
Byron Leftwich, JAX -- The Colts are the team that Leftwich has had the most success against in his career; and he threw for a combined 618 yards, three TDs with only one INT in two games last year. While the Colts’ defense looks considerably stronger than last season (three INT and a fumble recovery a week ago), Leftwich and Jimmy Smith looked in top form last week, with Leftwich having thrown for 252 yards and a pair of TDs.
Negative Play:
Brian Griese, TB -- Griese had a good week last week (213 yards and two TDs, but two INT). This week, though, the Bills’ passing defense is far superior to Minnesota’s. The Bills held Houston to just 25 net yards passing and totaled five sacks in the game. This game has all the signs of a defensive battle, so expect very little from Griese.
Steve McNair, -- It’s bad whenever a team has to face the Ravens, but Baltimore was embarrassed last week by the Colts. The Baltimore offense was horrible, and the defense was faced with a strong second half by Peyton Manning. The Ravens should have no trouble handling the weak Titan offense, which doesn’t have a second or third WR to compliment Drew Bennett.
1 Peyton Manning, IND
2 Donovan McNabb, PHI
3 Daunte Culpepper, MIN
4 Kerry Collins, OAK
5 Marc Bulger, STL
6 Trent Green, KC
7 Carson Palmer, CIN
8 Tom Brady, NE
9 Michael Vick, ATL
10 Brett Favre, GB
11 Jake Plummer, DEN
12 Jake Delhomme, CAR
13 Byron Leftwich, JAX
14 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
15 Kurt Warner, ARI
16 Drew Brees, SD
17 Aaron Brooks, NO
18 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
19 Joey Harrington, DET
20 Chad Pennington, NYJ
21 Drew Bledsoe, DAL
22 Eli Manning, NYG
23 Anthony Wright, BAL
24 Trent Dilfer, CLE
25 Brian Griese, TB
26 Steve McNair, TEN
27 Gus Frerotte, MIA
28 J.P. Losman, BUF
29 David Carr, HOU
30 Tim Rattay, SF
31 Mark Brunell, WAS
32 Kyle Orton, CHI
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Brian Westbrook, PHI -- The Eagles’ running game was ineffective last week against a very good Falcon defense, and the Niners were surprisingly effective against the Rams. Both of those occurrences will not happen this week. Westbrook still managed over 100 total yards and a TD last week and will exceed that this week.
Tiki Barber, NYG -- New Orleans struggled against the run last week, so expect Barber to get over 100 total yards against the Saints, as he easily rolled for 126 total yards last week.
Willie Parker, PIT -- Willie Parker, PIT – Parker gets another start against a less-than-average Houston defense that allowed 152 yards to the Bills last week (after allowing just 115 ypg last year). A solid young runner in one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL spells another good game.
Ahman Green, GB -- The Packers’ air attack was damaged with the loss of Javon Walker, but they will recover. In the meantime, the Browns can’t stop the run, so expect good results from Green. He only got 17 touches last week, so expect that to improve this week.
Jamal Lewis, BAL -- I’m not a big fan of Lewis’ this season, but against one of the worst defenses in the league, he should bounce back with a good performance this week. The Ravens face a Titans defense that was punished by the Steelers last week, having allowed 206 yards and two TDs on the ground.
Negative Play:
Edgerrin James, IND -- It looks like the tough Jaguar defense has picked up where they left off last year, where they allowed just seven rushing TDs and 111 ypg. The rushing D held the Seahawks out of the end zone and allowed just 97 yards. James had a reasonable game against the Ravens, but faces another tough challenge this week. He’ll do okay, but don’t expect a whole lot this week, either.
Willis McGahee, BUF -- The Tampa defense will present a much tougher challenge to McGahee than did Houston, which allowed McGahee to have plenty of success. Tampa allowed just 26 yards on the ground by Minnesota. This is after being somewhat generous in yardage allowed (123 ypg) last season. Add that to a defense that allowed just eight rushing TDs last year and the Bucs appear to be more stubborn than ever. McGahee will still get yardage, but it will be tough going.
Julius Jones, DAL -- The Redskins smothered the Bears’ rushing attack, having allowed just 41 yards on the ground, so it looks like they are ready to maintain their dominance from last season (82 ypg, second in the league). The Redskins will face a stronger test this week, after Jones got the ball 26 times last week. Dallas will need to put the ball up more this week, which will effect Jones’ output. Expect another decent game, but not his average.
Domanick Davis, HOU -- The entire Texans’ offense were a sorry bunch last week, especially Davis, who gained just 48 yards on 14 carries. Pittsburgh was the top rushing defense last season, and will maintain that dominance this week.
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Priest Holmes, KC
3 Shaun Alexander, SEA
4 Rudi Johnson, CIN
5 Brian Westbrook, PHI
6 Deuce McAllister, NO
7 Corey Dillon, NE
8 Tiki Barber, NYG
9 Willie Parker, PIT
10 Ahman Green, GB
11 Edgerrin James, IND
12 Jamal Lewis, BAL
13 Willis McGahee, BUF
14 Lamont Jordan, OAK
15 Kevin Jones, DET
16 Julius Jones, DAL
17 Steven Jackson, STL
18 Curtis Martin, NYJ
19 Clinton Portis, WAS
20 Cadillac Williams, TB
21 Domanick Davis, HOU
22 Warrick Dunn, ATL
23 Fred Taylor, JAX
24 Larry Johnson, KC
25 Ronnie Brown, MIA
26 Reuben Droughns, CLE
27 Stephen Davis, CAR
28 Tatum Bell, DEN
29 Thomas Jones, CHI
30 Kevan Barlow, SF
31 Chris Brown, TEN
32 J.J. Arrington, ARI
33 T.J. Duckett, ATL
34 Michael Bennett, MIN
35 DeShaun Foster, CAR
36 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
37 Chester Taylor, BAL
38 Marcel Shipp, ARI
39 Mike Anderson, DEN
40 Chris Perry, CIN
41 Moe Williams, MIN
42 Cedric Benson, CHI
43 Kevin Faulk, NE
44 Travis Henry, TEN
45 Frank Gore, SF
46 Marshall Faulk, STL
47 Vernon Haynes, PIT
48 Lee Suggs, CLE
49 Sammy Morris, MIA
50 Lamar Gordon, MIA
51 Mewelde Moore, MIN
52 Ladell Betts, WAS
53 Michael Pittman, TB
54 Zack Crockett, OAK
55 Tony Fisher, GB
56 Derrick Blaylock, NYJ
57 Jonathan Wells, HOU
58 Najeh Davenport, GB
59 Greg Jones, JAX
60 William Green, CLE
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI -- Kurt Warner targeted Fitz 15 times and the WR responded with 13 receptions for 155 yards and a TD. The Rams allowed a weak Niners’ passing game to score twice last week. Expect the Cards to run the Rams ragged in the 100+ degree temperatures expected this weekend, and Fitzgerald should thrive.
Jimmy Smith, JAX -- Along with Leftwich, Smith has had good success against Indianapolis, having scored a TD in each game against them last year and one each in the last three games against the Colts.
Deion Branch, NE -- Branch showed some of the flash from the post-season; it will be interesting to see if it will continue. Carolina’s pass defense was effective (190 yards, no TDs), but unimpressive last week against the Saints as they didn’t totally shut down Aaron Brooks and allowed them to move in to FG range late in the game with ease. Sounds like another good opportunity for Branch.
Eddie Kennison, KC -- The Chiefs’ passing game looks solid this season, and, after Deion Branch’s success against the soft Raiders secondary last week, Kennison is another speedy WR that should give Oakland a lot of trouble.
Derrick Mason, BAL -- It’s not often that a WR’s value takes an upturn when the starting QB gets hurt, but that’s the case with Mason. Mason had a productive 99 yards on eight catches (12 targets) last week and returns home to Tennessee for the first time. The Titans’ defense is young, inexperienced and without particularly impressive talent.
Negative Play:
Darrell Jackson, SEA -- Jackson had a solid game last week (six receptions (nine targets) for 65 yards and a TD), but the Seahawks’ offensive line allowed Matt Hasselbeck to get beat up. The Atlanta defense, which contained Donovan McNabb last week, will come out strong after that shaky line and will end up limiting Jackson’s number of targets. He’ll have an okay game, but below what is normally expected.
Andre Johnson, HOU -- The Texans’ offensive line lived up to expectations last week (five sacks allowed and a lot of heavy pressure on David Carr), limiting the passing game success to just 70 yards on 9-of-21 passing, no TDs and three INT. And Houston faces an equally tough defense in the Steelers’ crew this week. Johnson is a great talent in a horrid situation.
Roy Williams, DET -- Joey Harrington did target Williams nine times, but the WR only managed two catches for 13 yards. It shouldn’t be that surprising, but Harrington targeted TE Marcus Pollard seven times. One couldn’t tell whether the Chicago Bears’ average secondary from last season improved from last season after the paltry performance by the Redskins, but they will be a formidable foe against this young aerial attack.
Drew Bennett, TEN -- Bennett only managed three catches for 79 yards (including a 53-yard reception), so, without a decent No. 2 WR on the team, Bennett will continue to be swarmed by the opposing secondaries. And there are few better than Baltimore’s, so expect another poor performance by Bennett.
1 Terrell Owens, PHI
2 Randy Moss, OAK
3 Torry Holt, STL
4 Chad Johnson, CIN
5 Marvin Harrison, IND
6 Steve Smith, CAR
7 Joe Horn, NO
8 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
9 Reggie Wayne, IND
10 Jimmy Smith, JAX
11 Donald Driver, GB
12 Nate Burleson, MIN
13 Deion Branch, NE
14 Hines Ward, PIT
15 Darrell Jackson, SEA
16 Anquan Boldin, ARI
17 Michael Clayton, TB
18 Eddie Kennison, KC
19 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
20 Isaac Bruce, STL
21 Plaxico Burress, NYG
22 Derrick Mason, BAL
23 Andre Johnson, HOU
24 Chris Chambers, MIA
25 Ashley Lelie, DEN
26 Roy Williams, DET
27 Rod Smith, DEN
28 Keenan McCardell, SD
29 Drew Bennett, TEN
30 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
31 Santana Moss, WAS
32 Antonio Bryant, CLE
33 Brandon Stokley, IND
34 Keyshawn Johnson, DAL
35 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
36 Lee Evans, BUF
37 Brandon Lloyd, SF
38 Michael Jenkins, ATL
39 Jerry Porter, OAK
40 Antwaan Randle El, PIT
41 Donte Stallworth, NO
42 Robert Ferguson, GB
43 Bobby Engram, SEA
44 Eric Moulds, BUF
45 Joey Galloway, TB
46 Arnaz Battle, SF
47 Terry Glenn, DAL
48 Kevin Curtis, STL
49 Greg Lewis, PHI
50 Charles Rogers, DET
51 David Givens, NE
52 Travis Taylor, MIN
53 Keary Colbert, CAR
54 Marty Booker, MIA
55 Matt Jones, JAX
56 Reggie Williams, JAX
57 Justin McCareins, NYJ
58 Eric Parker, SD
59 Amani Toomer, NYG
60 Braylon Edwards, CLE
Tight Ends
1 Tony Gonzalez, KC
2 Antonio Gates, SD
3 Alge Crumpler, ATL
4 Jason Witten, DAL
5 Randy McMichael, MIA
6 Todd Heap, BAL
7 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
8 L.J. Smith, PHI
9 Marcus Pollard, DET
10 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
11 Ben Watson, NE
12 Dallas Clark, IND
13 Courtney Anderson, OAK
14 Bubba Franks, GB
15 Chris Cooley, WAS
16 Jeb Putzier, DEN
17 Chris Baker, NYJ
18 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
19 Ben Troupe, TEN
20 Alex Smith, TB
21 Heath Miller, PIT
22 Ernie Conwell, NO
23 Steve Heiden, CLE
24 Jim Kleinsasser, MIN
25 Erron Kinney, TEN
26 Kris Mangum, CAR
27 Desmond Clark, CHI
28 Doug Jolley, NYJ
29 Stephen Alexander, DEN
30 Daniel Graham, NE
31 Mark Bruener, HOU
32 Mark Campbell, BUF
33 Matt Schobel, CIN
34 Kris Wilson, KC
35 George Wrighster, JAX
36 Adam Bergen, ARI
37 Brandon Manumaleuna, STL
38 Anthony Becht, TB
39 Mike Seidman, CAR
40 Jerame Tuman, PIT
Kickers
1 Adam Vinatieri, NE
2 David Akers, PHI
3 Mike Vanderjagt, IND
4 Jason Elam, DEN
5 Shayne Graham, CIN
6 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
7 Jeff Reed, PIT
8 Ryan Longwell, GB
9 Jeff Wilkins, STL
10 John Kasay, CAR
11 Lawrence Tynes, KC
12 Matt Stover, BAL
13 Paul Edinger, MIN
14 Rian Lindell, BUF
15 Nate Kaeding, SD
16 Josh Brown, SEA
17 John Carney, NO
18 Neil Rackers, ARI
19 Mike Nugent, NYJ
20 Jay Feely, NYG
21 Josh Scobee, JAX
22 Jason Hanson, DET
23 Todd Peterson, ATL
24 Phil Dawson, CLE
25 Jose Cortez, DAL
26 John Hall, WAS
27 Olindo Mare, MIA
28 Kris Brown, HOU
29 Matt Bryant, TB
30 Joe Nedney, SF
31 Rob Bironas, TEN
32 Doug Brien, CHI
Team Defenses
1 Baltimore Ravens
2 Pittsburgh Steelers
3 Philadelphia Eagles
4 Buffalo Bills
5 New England Patriots
6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 Dallas Cowboys
8 Indianapolis Colts
9 Detroit Lions
10 Washington Redskins
11 Chicago Bears
12 Atlanta Falcons
13 New York Jets
14 Carolina Panthers
15 Miami Dolphins
16 New York Giants
17 Cincinnati Bengals
18 Green Bay Packers
19 San Diego Chargers
20 Denver Broncos
21 Tennessee Titans
22 Seattle Seahawks
23 Minnesota Vikings
24 Arizona Cardinals
25 Jacksonville Jaguars
26 St. Louis Rams
27 Houston Texans
28 Kansas City Chiefs
29 New Orleans Saints
30 Cleveland Browns
31 San Francisco 49ers
32 Oakland Raiders
Defensive Backs
1 Rodney Harrison, NE
2 Roy Williams, DAL
3 Troy Polamalu, PIT
4 Edward Reed, BAL
5 Adam Archuleta, STL
6 Ronde Barber, TB
7 Gibril Wilson, NYG
8 Terrance Kiel, SD
9 Madieu Williams, CIN
10 Adrian Wilson, ARI
11 Sammy Knight, KC
12 Darren Sharper, MIN
13 Tony Parrish, SF
14 Dunta Robinson, HOU
15 Antoine Winfield, MIN
16 Michael Lewis, PHI
17 Michael Boulware, SEA
18 Mike Brown, CHI
19 Nate Clements, BUF
20 Bryan Scott, ATL
21 Sean Taylor, WAS
22 Brian Dawkins, PHI
23 Erik Coleman, NYJ
24 Marcus Trufant, SEA
25 Lawyer Milloy, BUF
26 Donovin Darius, JAX
27 Lamont Thompson, TEN
28 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
29 Tebucky Jones, MIA
30 Dwight Smith, NO
31 Nick Ferguson, DEN
32 Terrence McGee, BUF
33 Sheldon Brown, PHI
34 Troy Vincent, BUF
35 Charles Tillman, CHI
36 Will Demps, BAL
37 Anthony Henry, DAL
38 Eugene Wilson, NE
39 DeAngelo Hall, ATL
40 Chris Gamble, CAR
41 Derrick Gibson, OAK
42 Terence Newman, DAL
43 Bob Sanders, IND
44 Greg Wesley, KC
45 Tory James, CIN
46 Brian Russell, CLE
47 Nick Collins, GB
48 Thomas Davis, CAR
49 Antrel Rolle, ARI
50 Michael Green, CHI
51 Mike Minter, CAR
52 Tank Williams, TEN
53 Jermaine Phillips, TB
54 Ken Hamlin, SEA
55 Robert Griffith, ARI
56 Ty Law, NYJ
57 Rashean Mathis, JAX
58 Corey Chavous, MIN
59 Ken Lucas, CAR
60 Dre' Bly, DET
Linebackers
1 Donnie Edwards, SD
2 Ray Lewis, BAL
3 Brian Urlacher, CHI
4 Keith Bulluck, TEN
5 Zach Thomas, MIA
6 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
7 Julian Peterson, SF
8 Nick Barnett, GB
9 London Fletcher, BUF
10 Antonio Pierce, NYG
11 Mike Peterson, JAX
12 Danny Clark, OAK
13 Derrick Brooks, TB
14 Takeo Spikes, BUF
15 Dan Morgan, CAR
16 Keith Brooking, ATL
17 Derrick Johnson, KC
18 Andra Davis, CLE
19 James Farrior, PIT
20 Odell Thurman, CIN
21 Gary Brackett, IND
22 Demarcus Ware, DAL
23 Will Witherspoon, CAR
24 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
25 Edgerton Hartwell, ATL
26 Jamie Sharper, SEA
27 Al Wilson, DEN
28 Lemar Marshall, WAS
29 Dat Nguyen, DAL
30 Courtney Watson, NO
31 Karlos Dansby, ARI
32 Monty Beisel, NE
33 Marcus Washington, WAS
34 Kawika Mitchell, KC
35 Cato June, IND
36 Ian Gold, DEN
37 Sam Cowart, MIN
38 Lance Briggs, CHI
39 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
40 Brad Kassell, TEN
41 David Pollack, CIN
42 Brian Simmons, CIN
43 Lavar Arrington, WAS
44 Joey Porter, PIT
45 Napoleon Harris, MIN
46 Steve Foley, SD
47 Daryl Smith, JAX
48 D.J. Williams, DEN
49 Derek Smith, SF
50 Adalius Thomas, BAL
51 Channing Crowder, MIA
52 Kailee Wong, HOU
53 Chris Claiborne, STL
54 Demorrio Williams, ATL
55 Eric Barton, NYJ
56 Shelton Quarles, TB
57 Robert Thomas, GB
58 Peter Sirmon, TEN
59 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
60 Chad Brown, NE
Defensive Linemen
1 Jason Taylor, MIA
2 Michael Strahan, NYG
3 Julius Peppers, CAR
4 Charles Grant, NO
5 Leonard Little, STL
6 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
7 Bert Berry, ARI
8 Dwight Freeney, IND
9 Aaron Schobel, BUF
10 Patrick Kerney, ATL
11 Kevin Williams, MIN
12 Terrell Suggs, BAL
13 Simeon Rice, TB
14 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
15 Jevon Kearse, PHI
16 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
17 John Henderson, JAX
18 Aaron Smith, PIT
19 Grant Wistrom, SEA
20 Rod Coleman, ATL
21 James Hall, DET
22 Justin Smith, CIN
23 Will Smith, NO
24 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
25 Jared Allen, KC
26 Mike Rucker, CAR
27 Richard Seymour, NE
28 John Abraham, NYJ
29 Aaron Kampman, GB
30 Robert Mathis, IND
31 Shaun Rogers, DET
32 Anthony Weaver, BAL
33 Darren Howard, NO
34 Orpheus Roye, CLE
35 Bryant Young, SF
36 Alex Brown, CHI
37 Larry Tripplett, IND
38 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
39 Anthony Hargrove, STL
40 Albert Haynesworth, TEN
41 Darwin Walker, PHI
42 Greg Ellis, DAL
43 Trevor Pryce, DEN
44 Corey Simon, IND
45 Ty Warren, NE
46 Darnell Dockett, ARI
47 Lance Johnstone, MIN
48 Kenechi Udeze, MIN
49 Brady Smith, ATL
50 Marcus Stroud, JAX
51 John Thorton, CIN
52 Marques Douglas, SF
53 Pat Williams, MIN
54 Greg Spires, TB
55 Chike Okeafor, ARI
56 Kelly Gregg, BAL
57 Phillip Daniels, WAS
58 Kevin Carter, MIA
59 Reggie Hayward, JAX
60 Robaire Smith, HOU
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