Week Twelve Match-ups
November 25, 2005
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Trent Green, KC – Green shredded the tough Buffalo pass defense last week for 220 yards and three TDs. This week he’s rewarded by getting to face the 31st-ranked pass defense of New England (263 ypg), which has surrendered the second-most TDs to date (20). Over the last three weeks, the Patriots have allowed 340 yards passing on average and have managed only one sack during that period. A huge advantage for Green.
Steve McNair, TEN – McNair has been workmanlike over the last two weeks (54%, 443 yards, three TDs and two INTs). This week, he faces the 32nd-ranked Niners (275 ypg). That is despite a reasonably decent performance last week against Seattle (61%, 233 yards, one TD, no INTs). The Niners are tied for 27th in passing TDs allowed (18), and over the last three weeks, the unit has only managed one sack and one interception.
Jamie Martin, STL – Martin took over for the injured Marc Bulger Sunday in the third quarter and responded well (74%, 161 yards, one TD, no INTs). Martin is an adequate replacement for Bulger, given the receiving corps he gets to work with. The Rams will face the 22nd-ranked Texans (218 ypg) and is tied for 25th in passing TDs allowed. Over the last three weeks, Houston has allowed 242 ypg and 12 total TDs.
Negative Play:
Eli Manning, NYG -- Manning should be a decent play this week, coming off an impressive performance against the Eagles last week (65%, 218 yards, three TDs and no INTs). However, he is facing the top sack defense in the league in Seattle (34 sacks this season; 11 over the last three weeks). This is despite an average pass defense (213 ypg, 20th). So, expect a performance between last week’s gem and his disappointing one against Minnesota two weeks ago.
Kurt Warner, ARI – Warner has been a monster the last three weeks, since he came back from injury (64%, 978 yards, five TDs and three INTs). But that was against average (at best) defenses. This week, he faces the top-ranked Jacksonville defense (160 ypg). The party’s over.
Jake Delhomme, CAR – Delhomme has struggled the last three weeks (57%, 570 yards, two TDs and four INTs), thanks to the expected poor showing against Chicago last week (235 yards, no TDs, two INTs). Don’t worry about the Bills getting shredded by Drew Brees last week (85%, 339 yards, four TDs) – they are still ranked sixth against the pass (176 ypg) and are tied for fifth in TDs allowed (10).
1 Peyton Manning, IND
2 Tom Brady, NE
3 Carson Palmer, CIN
4 Trent Green, KC
5 Brett Favre, GB
6 Michael Vick, ATL
7 Byron Leftwich, JAX
8 Drew Brees, SD
9 Eli Manning, NYG
10 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
11 Steve McNair, TEN
12 Kerry Collins, OAK
13 Kurt Warner, ARI
14 Jamie Martin, STL
15 Mike McMahon, PHI
16 Aaron Brooks, NO
17 Jake Plummer, DEN
18 Mark Brunell, WAS
19 Jake Delhomme, CAR
20 Drew Bledsoe, DAL
21 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
22 David Carr, HOU
23 Trent Dilfer, CLE
24 Brad Johnson, MIN
25 Joey Harrington, DET
26 Alex Smith, SF
27 J.P. Losman, BUF
28 Chris Simms, TB
29 Kyle Boller, BAL
30 Brooks Bollinger, NYJ
31 Gus Frerotte, MIA
32 Kyle Orton, CHI
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Steve Jackson, STL – Jackson has struggled of late (29 carries for 76 yards (2.6 ypc) over the last three weeks). Luckily, the Rams will go up against the 32-ranked Texans run defense (161 ypg), which is tied for last in TDs allowed (15).
Reuben Droughns, CLE – Droughns is really on a roll of late – he has gained over 100 total yards in each of the last three games, and in four of his last five games. Also, he has scored in each of the last two games. This week, the Browns face the 21st-ranked Vikings run defense (117 ypg), which is tied for 23rd in TDs allowed (11). Last week’s strong outing against the Packers (21 yards) was an aberration.
Chris Brown, TEN – During the last two weeks, Brown has 222 combined yards and three TDs and he has scored at least one TD in the last three weeks. He is white hot right now, and should continue to be so, going up against the 23rd-ranked rushing defense of the Niners (120 ypg). The Niners have given up the most TDs on the ground to date (15), which bodes well for Brown.
Curtis Martin, NYJ – This is an ugly match-up – Martin has been struggling of late (154 yards rushing (3.5 ypc) and one TD over the last three weeks), while the Saints are ranked 29th against the run (139 ypg), including having given up 132 yards to the Patriots last week. If the Jets can get the ball rolling just a little bit, the Saints will roll over for them.
Negative Play:
Tiki Barber, NYG -- Barber has been on a roll lately (443 combined yards and a TD the last three weeks), but he will have a tough go of it this week. The Giants will go up against the 11th-ranked run defense of Seattle (103 ypg) which has allowed just three rushing TDs thus far (second-fewest in the league). Plus, over the last three weeks, the defense has allowed just 85 ypg. Barber will do okay, but it will be difficult.
Rudi Johnson, CIN – In a match-up that is the opposite of the Martin/Saints battle, this one has an effective rusher (Johnson gained 112 total yards and had a TD against Baltimore in Week Nine) against a strong run defense (the Ravens are ranked 10th, with 99 ypg and six rushing TDs allowed). Baltimore seems to be gaining strength, making for a tougher game for Johnson than in Week Nine.
Willis McGahee, BUF – McGahee has been a bust, especially over the last two games (107 total yards and no TDs). The Bills will face the fourth-ranked Panther run defense (85 ypg), which has allowed just five TDs thus far.
Cadillac Williams, TB – Williams finally reached full speed last week, after recovering from his injury, with 129 total yards and a TD. He may be approaching the level he showed back during his opening three-week debut. But he goes against the seventh-ranked Bears run defense (91 ypg), which has allowed just two TDs on the ground this season.
1 Larry Johnson, KC
2 Shaun Alexander, SEA
3 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
4 Edgerrin James, IND
5 Steven Jackson, STL
6 Lamont Jordan, OAK
7 Domanick Davis, HOU
8 Reuben Droughns, CLE
9 Tiki Barber, NYG
10 Chris Brown, TEN
11 Mike Anderson, DEN
12 Brian Westbrook, PHI
13 Warrick Dunn, ATL
14 Clinton Portis, WAS
15 Thomas Jones, CHI
16 Rudi Johnson, CIN
17 Curtis Martin, NYJ
18 Mewelde Moore, MIN
19 Willis McGahee, BUF
20 Stephen Davis, CAR
21 Kevin Jones, DET
22 Willie Parker, PIT
23 Julius Jones, DAL
24 Ronnie Brown, MIA
25 Cadillac Williams, TB
26 Kevan Barlow, SF
27 Antowain Smith, NO
28 Chester Taylor, BAL
29 Marion Barber, DAL
30 DeShaun Foster, CAR
31 Fred Taylor, JAX
32 Tony Fisher, GB
33 Ricky Williams, MIA
34 Greg Jones, JAX
35 Patrick Pass, NE
36 Chris Perry, CIN
37 T.J. Duckett, ATL
38 Samkon Gado, GB
39 Aaron Stecker, NO
40 J.J. Arrington, ARI
41 Heath Evans, NE
42 Jamal Lewis, BAL
43 Jerome Bettis, PIT
44 Shawn Bryson, DET
45 Mike Alstott, TB
46 Jonathan Wells, HOU
47 Ron Dayne, DEN
48 Adrian Peterson, CHI
49 Michael Bennett, MIN
50 Marshall Faulk, STL
51 Marcel Shipp, ARI
52 William Henderson, GB
53 Michael Pittman, TB
54 Dominic Rhodes, IND
55 Maurice Hicks, SF
56 Lamar Gordon, PHI
57 Obafemi Ayanbadejo, ARI
58 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
59 Artose Pinner, DET
60 Zack Crockett, OAK
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Deion Branch, NE – Branch has been efficient the last three weeks (22 targets, 15 receptions, 178 yards, three TDs). The Patriots will be facing an improving Kansas City pass defense – one that has allowed just 164 ypg the last three weeks, to improve its ranking to 29th (241 ypg). The Chiefs, however, lost CB Patrick Surtain last week, so they should be vulnerable enough for Branch to get free this week.
Eddie Kennison, KC – Kennison has done very well over the last three weeks (26 targets, 13 receptions, 158 yards, two TDs). Against the 31st-ranked pass defense of New England, Kennison should continue to thrive.
Bobby Engram, SEA – Engram has been Hasselback’s top target the last three weeks (26 targets, 15 receptions, 187 yards). Against the vulnerable Giants’ pass defense (26th ranked), Engram may finally end his TD drought.
Brandon Lloyd, SF – Lloyd broke out of a five-week drought (6 receptions, 102 yards, no TDs) with seven receptions, 119 yards and a TD last week against Seattle. This week, the Niners face the 21st-ranked Titans (214 ypg) which has allowed the most TDs this season (21).
Kennan McCardell, SD – McCardell took advantage of Brees’ explosion against the Bills last week (eight targets, six receptions, one TD). The Chargers face a struggling Redskin defense of late (285 ypg the last three weeks), despite being the 11th-ranked team against the pass (193 ypg).
Ernest Wilford, JAX – Wilford has been the Jaguars’ most targeted receiver over the last three weeks (21 targets, 10 receptions, 146 yards, two TDs). Byron Leftwich has thrown for five TDs in his last three games. This week, the Jags face the 23rd-ranked Cardinals pass defense (218 ypg) that has allowed an astounding 14 passing TDs the last three weeks.
Negative Play:
Anquan Boldin, ARI -- Since Warner is going to struggle, and there won’t be enough success to go around with Larry Fitzgerald in the mix, Boldin is the likely player to struggle against the top-ranked Jacksonville pass defense.
Joey Galloway, TB – While Galloway was targeted five times last week, he was shut out by the middling Atlanta pass defense. This week, the Bucs will go against the second-ranked Bears defense (161 ypg), which has allowed a league-fewest seven TDs this season. It is hard to imagine that Galloway will get shut down twice in a row, but he should struggle again.
Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, NO – Aaron Brooks had a great game last week, and Horn (six receptions, 80 yards) and Stallworth (six receptions, 76 yards, two TDs) were the recipients. However, Brooks has been far from the model of consistency this season. This week, the Saints face the fifth-ranked Jets defense (173 ypg) that has allowed just seven passing TDs this season.
Chris Chambers, MIA – It doesn’t matter that Oakland is only ranked 19th against the pass (211 ypg). The Miami QB situation is horrible right now – Sage Rosenfels got pulled after completing five-of-10 passes for 14 yards and two INTs for the injured Gus Frerotte. He and his injured finger went four-for-18 for 53 yards. Chambers might as well not show up.
1 Steve Smith, CAR
2 Chad Johnson, CIN
3 Torry Holt, STL
4 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
5 Marvin Harrison, IND
6 Donald Driver, GB
7 Santana Moss, WAS
8 Deion Branch, NE
9 Plaxico Burress, NYG
10 Hines Ward, PIT
11 Reggie Wayne, IND
12 Anquan Boldin, ARI
13 Randy Moss, OAK
14 Eddie Kennison, KC
15 Roy Williams, DET
16 Joey Galloway, TB
17 Rod Smith, DEN
18 Joe Horn, NO
19 Drew Bennett, TEN
20 Bobby Engram, SEA
21 Andre Johnson, HOU
22 Brandon Lloyd, SF
23 Jerry Porter, OAK
24 Keenan McCardell, SD
25 Terry Glenn, DAL
26 Keyshawn Johnson, DAL
27 Ernest Wilford, JAX
28 Antonio Bryant, CLE
29 Chris Chambers, MIA
30 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
31 Kevin Curtis, STL
32 Donte Stallworth, NO
33 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
34 Jimmy Smith, JAX
35 Amani Toomer, NYG
36 Braylon Edwards, CLE
37 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
38 Lee Evans, BUF
39 Derrick Mason, BAL
40 Matt Jones, JAX
41 Eric Moulds, BUF
42 Isaac Bruce, STL
43 Joe Jurevicius, SEA
44 Reggie Brown, PHI
45 Ashley Lelie, DEN
46 Justin McCareins, NYJ
47 Brandon Jones, TEN
48 Greg Lewis, PHI
49 Eric Parker, SD
50 Jabar Gaffney, HOU
51 Brandon Stokley, IND
52 Antwaan Randle El, PIT
53 Robert Ferguson, GB
54 Michael Jenkins, ATL
55 Roddy White, ATL
56 Tim Dwight, NE
57 Michael Clayton, TB
58 D.J. Hackett, SEA
59 Johnnie Morton, SF
60 Samie Parker, KC
Tight Ends
1 Tony Gonzalez, KC
2 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
3 Antonio Gates, SD
4 Alge Crumpler, ATL
5 Todd Heap, BAL
6 L.J. Smith, PHI
7 Chris Cooley, WAS
8 Erron Kinney, TEN
9 Jason Witten, DAL
10 Dallas Clark, IND
11 Heath Miller, PIT
12 Randy McMichael, MIA
13 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
14 Ben Watson, NE
15 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
16 Marcus Pollard, DET
17 Bubba Franks, GB
18 Desmond Clark, CHI
19 Alex Smith, TB
20 Ben Troupe, TEN
21 Daniel Graham, NE
22 Donald Lee, GB
23 Jeb Putzier, DEN
24 Michael Gaines, CAR
25 Mark Campbell, BUF
26 Steve Heiden, CLE
27 Courtney Anderson, OAK
28 Aaron Shea, CLE
29 Doug Jolley, NYJ
30 Adam Bergen, ARI
31 Zach Hilton, NO
32 Matt Schobel, CIN
33 Billy Bajema, SF
34 Stephen Alexander, DEN
35 David Martin, GB
36 Jim Kleinsasser, MIN
37 Brandon Manumaleuna, STL
38 Bo Scaife, TEN
39 Kyle Brady, JAX
40 Kris Mangum, CAR
Kickers
1 Neil Rackers, ARI
2 Jeff Wilkins, STL
3 Mike Vanderjagt, IND
4 Shayne Graham, CIN
5 Jason Elam, DEN
6 Josh Brown, SEA
7 Lawrence Tynes, KC
8 Josh Scobee, JAX
9 Nate Kaeding, SD
10 Jay Feely, NYG
11 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
12 John Kasay, CAR
13 Jeff Reed, PIT
14 Adam Vinatieri, NE
15 Todd Peterson, ATL
16 Rob Bironas, TEN
17 Joe Nedney, SF
18 David Akers, PHI
19 Phil Dawson, CLE
20 Paul Edinger, MIN
21 Jason Hanson, DET
22 Ryan Longwell, GB
23 Billy Cundiff, DAL
24 Kris Brown, HOU
25 Matt Stover, BAL
26 John Carney, NO
27 John Hall, WAS
28 Matt Bryant, TB
29 Rian Lindell, BUF
30 Olindo Mare, MIA
31 Mike Nugent, NYJ
32 Robbie Gould, CHI
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 Carolina Panthers
3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4 Jacksonville Jaguars
5 Cincinnati Bengals
6 Indianapolis Colts
7 Denver Broncos
8 San Diego Chargers
9 Tennessee Titans
10 Atlanta Falcons
11 Minnesota Vikings
12 New Orleans Saints
13 Seattle Seahawks
14 Cleveland Browns
15 St. Louis Rams
16 Philadelphia Eagles
17 Oakland Raiders
18 Pittsburgh Steelers
19 Dallas Cowboys
20 New York Giants
21 Buffalo Bills
22 Green Bay Packers
23 New York Jets
24 Miami Dolphins
25 Detroit Lions
26 Kansas City Chiefs
27 Baltimore Ravens
28 Arizona Cardinals
29 San Francisco 49ers
30 Washington Redskins
31 New England Patriots
32 Houston Texans
Defensive Backs
1 Adrian Wilson, ARI
2 Gibril Wilson, NYG
3 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ
4 Troy Polamalu, PIT
5 Kevin Kaesvham, CIN
6 Mike Brown, CHI
7 Roy Williams, DAL
8 Dunta Robinson, HOU
9 Michael Boulware, SEA
10 Rashean Mathis, JAX
11 Chris Hope, PIT
12 Marcus Coleman, HOU
13 Nick Collins, GB
14 Chris Gamble, CAR
15 Sheldon Brown, PHI
16 Dwight Smith, NO
17 Terrance Kiel, SD
18 Pacman Jones, TEN
19 Greg Wesley, KC
20 Sean Taylor, WAS
21 Charles Tillman, CHI
22 Eugene Wilson, NE
23 Brian Dawkins, PHI
24 Sammy Knight, KC
25 Robert Griffith, ARI
26 Bryan Scott, ATL
27 Bob Sanders, IND
28 Anthony Henry, DAL
29 Nate Clements, BUF
30 Marcus Trufant, SEA
31 Corey Chavous, MIN
32 Michael Lewis, PHI
33 Dre' Bly, DET
34 Jerome Carter, STL
35 Mike Adams, SF
36 Ronde Barber, TB
37 Kenoy Kennedy, DET
38 Chris Crocker, CLE
39 Brian Russell, CLE
40 Lance Schulters, MIA
41 Will Allen, NYG
42 Darrent Williams, DEN
43 Eric Warfield, KC
44 Tory James, CIN
45 Ike Taylor, PIT
46 Will Demps, BAL
47 Antoine Winfield, MIN
48 Jermaine Phillips, TB
49 Darren Sharper, MIN
50 Ty Law, NYJ
51 DeAngelo Hall, ATL
52 Mark Roman, GB
53 Chris McAlister, BAL
54 Glenn Earl, HOU
55 Shawntae Spencer, SF
56 Erik Coleman, NYJ
57 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
58 Marlon McCree, CAR
59 Nick Ferguson, DEN
60 Lamont Thompson, TEN
61 Champ Bailey, DEN
62 Ahmad Carroll, GB
63 Lawyer Milloy, BUF
64 Ken Lucas, CAR
65 Shawn Springs, WAS
66 Terence Newman, DAL
67 Deltha O'Neal, CIN
68 Daylon McCutcheon, CLE
69 John Lynch, DEN
70 Kelly Herndon, SEA
Linebackers
1 Donnie Edwards, SD
2 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
3 Mike Peterson, JAX
4 London Fletcher, BUF
5 Keith Bulluck, TEN
6 Mike Vrabel, NE
7 Antonio Pierce, NYG
8 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
9 Will Witherspoon, CAR
10 Demorrio Williams, ATL
11 Cato June, IND
12 Odell Thurman, CIN
13 Bradie James, DAL
14 Channing Crowder, MIA
15 Marcus Washington, WAS
16 Angelo Crowell, BUF
17 Tedy Bruschi, NE
18 Tommy Polley, BAL
19 Kirk Morrison, OAK
20 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
21 Andra Davis, CLE
22 Brian Urlacher, CHI
23 Lavar Arrington, WAS
24 Derek Smith, SF
25 Lemar Marshall, WAS
26 Ian Gold, DEN
27 Nick Barnett, GB
28 Derrick Brooks, TB
29 Danny Clark, OAK
30 DaShon Polk, HOU
31 Pisa Tinoisamoa, STL
32 Larry Foote, PIT
33 Leroy Hill, SEA
34 Brian Simmons, CIN
35 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
36 Kawika Mitchell, KC
37 Keith Brooking, ATL
38 Julian Peterson, SF
39 Adalius Thomas, BAL
40 Al Wilson, DEN
41 James Darling, ARI
42 David Pollack, CIN
43 Derrick Johnson, KC
44 Sam Cowart, MIN
45 Clark Haggans, PIT
46 Gary Brackett, IND
47 Lance Briggs, CHI
48 Daryl Smith, JAX
49 Shelton Quarles, TB
50 Ben Taylor, CLE
51 Scott Fujita, KC
52 E.J. Henderson, MIN
53 Keith Adams, PHI
54 Demarcus Ware, DAL
55 Rosevelt Colvin, NE
56 Chaun Thompson, CLE
57 Randall Godfrey, SD
58 Dat Nguyen, DAL
59 David Thornton, IND
60 Peter Sirmon, TEN
61 Dexter Coakley, DAL
62 James Farrior, PIT
63 Victor Hobson, NYJ
64 Brad Kassell, TEN
65 Nail Diggs, GB
66 Carlos Emmons, NYG
67 Colby Bockwoldt, NO
68 Akinola Ayodele, JAX
69 Chris Claiborne, STL
70 Kendrell Bell, KC
Defensive Linemen
1 Aaron Schobel, BUF
2 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
3 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
4 Simeon Rice, TB
5 Shawne Merriman, SD
6 Charles Grant, NO
7 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
8 Aaron Kampman, GB
9 Julius Peppers, CAR
10 Patrick Kerney, ATL
11 Darren Howard, NO
12 Will Smith, NO
13 John Henderson, JAX
14 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
15 Michael Strahan, NYG
16 Robert Mathis, IND
17 Dwight Freeney, IND
18 Rod Coleman, ATL
19 Mike Rucker, CAR
20 John Abraham, NYJ
21 Reggie Hayward, JAX
22 Derrick Burgess, OAK
23 Orpheus Roye, CLE
24 Jason Taylor, MIA
25 Darnell Dockett, ARI
26 Jared Allen, KC
27 Leonard Little, STL
28 Pat Williams, MIN
29 Justin Smith, CIN
30 James Hall, DET
31 Alex Brown, CHI
32 Kalimba Edwards, DET
33 Shaun Rogers, DET
34 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
35 Travis LaBoy, TEN
36 Gary Walker, HOU
37 Kevin Williams, MIN
38 Terrell Suggs, BAL
39 Jevon Kearse, PHI
40 Grant Wistrom, SEA
41 Gerard Warren, DEN
42 Trevor Pryce, DEN
43 Chike Okeafor, ARI
44 Dewayne White, TB
45 Greg Ellis, DAL
46 Anthony Hargrove, STL
47 Richard Seymour, NE
48 Lance Johnstone, MIN
49 Anthony Weaver, BAL
50 Courtney Brown, DEN
51 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
52 Antwan Odom, TEN
53 Kendrick Clancy, NYG
54 Kevin Carter, MIA
55 Phillip Daniels, WAS
56 Tommie Harris, CHI
57 Warren Sapp, OAK
58 Chris Kelsay, BUF
59 Eric Hicks, KC
60 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
61 Corey Simon, IND
62 Kelly Gregg, BAL
63 John Browning, KC
64 Robert Bernard, SEA
65 Mike Patterson, PHI
66 Darwin Walker, PHI
67 Bryce Fisher, SEA
68 Paul Spicer, JAX
69 Albert Haynesworth, TEN
70 Marcus Stroud, JAX
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