Week Two Match-ups
September 15, 2006
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Marc Bulger, STL – The only team that would make for a good match-up at the moment for Marc Bulger is San Francisco. The St. Louis first team offense has been held scoreless this season – not just last week, but also throughout the preseason. The Niners were ranked 32nd against the pass last season and Kurt Warner threw for 301 yards and three TDs last week. Last season against the Niners, Bulger threw for 362 yards and two TDs. Expect the Rams’ offense to get untracked this week, and for Bulger to lead the way.
Steve McNair, BAL – McNair and his new teammates rolled over Tampa Bay last week, and should do very well against Oakland. The Raiders allowed a 73% completion percentage by new starter Philip Rivers – a vet like McNair should see similar success exploiting the Raider secondary. McNair threw for 229 yards and a TD against the Raiders last season while playing for a weaker Tennessee team.
Philip Rivers, SD – Rivers didn’t need to pass last week against the Raiders, but easily went 8-for-11 for 108 yards and a TD in his second NFL start. This week, he faces a Titan defense that allowed 319 yards and two TDs by Chad Pennington, and had given up the most TD passes in the league last season. Expect Rivers to see more action in the passing game this week.
Negative Play:
Byron Leftwich, JAX – Leftwich had a solid start last week against Dallas, but he will face a tough foe in the Pittsburgh defense. The Steelers continue to be strong against the pass -- last season, they were second in the league in passing TDs, and last week, they kept Daunte Culpepper out of the end zone. They also made three sacks and two INTs. It will be a tough game for Leftwich.
Jon Kitna, DET – Kitna and the Lions’ new offense got off to a slow start last week, and it won’t get any better this week against the Chicago Bears. They held Brett Favre to 170 yards and two INTs and sacked him three times. The emergence of the Lions’ revamped offense will be put off for another week until they face Green Bay in Week Three.
Aaron Brooks, OAK – The Week One performance of the Oakland offense is world famous by now, as Brooks had more sacks than completions against San Diego. Now the Raiders face the Ravens, who opened the season with a shutout. I wouldn’t be surprised if Baltimore posts another shutout this week. Whether Brooks or Andrew Walter starts this week, it would be best to bench the Oakland QB for the time being.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
QBs that are OUT: Trent Green, KC
1 Peyton Manning, IND
2 Donovan McNabb, PHI
3 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
4 Carson Palmer, CIN
5 Marc Bulger, STL
6 Kurt Warner, ARI
7 Eli Manning, NYG
8 Daunte Culpepper, MIA
9 Tom Brady, NE P
10 Michael Vick, ATL
11 Jake Delhomme, CAR
12 Drew Bledsoe, DAL
13 Steve McNair, BAL
14 Jake Plummer, DEN
15 Drew Brees, NO
16 Philip Rivers, SD
17 Brett Favre, GB
18 David Carr, HOU
19 Alex Smith, SF
20 Brad Johnson, MIN
21 Byron Leftwich, JAX
22 Charlie Frye, CLE
23 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT Q
24 Chad Pennington, NYJ
25 Mark Brunell, WAS
26 Rex Grossman, CHI
27 J.P. Losman, BUF
28 Jon Kitna, DET
29 Chris Simms, TB
30 Damon Huard, KC
31 Aaron Brooks, OAK P
32 Kerry Collins, TEN
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Frank Gore, SF – Gore totaled 170 yards and two TDs last week against a decent Arizona defense, and this week, the Niners will go up against the very poor run defense of St. Louis. The Rams were 28th in the league against the run and were last in rushing TDs allowed. Gore is now the focal point of the Niners offense and he should have solid game this week.
Chester Taylor, MIN – Taylor kicked off his tenure in Minnesota in a good way – 131 total yards and a TD. This week, the Vikings face a suddenly weakened Carolina defense. Last year, the Panthers were fourth in the league against the run, having averaged 92 ypg. But last week, following the loss of MLB Dan Morgan, the Panthers were rolled for 252 yards rushing by Atlanta. The Vikings appear to be committed to the run, so expect another good game by Taylor.
Jamal Lewis, BAL – Lewis posted a 4.3 ypc against the tough Bucs defense last week. Steve McNair’s presence seems to be opening up the defense for Lewis. And the Raiders were opened and humiliated last week by San Diego. Expect a big day for Lewis.
Negative Play:
Willie Parker, PIT – The Steeler debut of Najeh Davenport in short-yardage situations is near, and that doesn’t bode well for Parker. Those expecting that they had a gold mine in Parker due the 32 touches he received last week are in for a disappointment – Bill Cowher said that the reason they got Davenport is that they don’t want Parker to have 30 touches every game. Add to that the Jaguars’ were first in rushing TDs allowed last year, and that Parker gained only 55 yards on 21 carries last year against JAX, it equals a less impressive match-up for Parker than might be expected.
Warrick Dunn, ATL -- The Bucs are fired up after the embarrassing 27-0 loss to Baltimore, and the Falcons will suffer from it. The Tampa offense was the bigger problem, not the defense. Their defense was first overall last season. Dunn only managed 109 yards rushing last season in two games against Tampa. Furthermore, in six career games against his old foes, Dunn has averaged 47 yards rushing with no TDs against Tampa. Dunn will continue to struggle against the Bucs.
Lamont Jordan, OAK – Same song with Jordan – this is the rare exception to the rule that you should start your studs no matter what. This isn’t a “no matter what” situation – the Ravens destroyed Tampa last week in a performance that was as impressive as the Raiders’ offensive performance was pitiful. Hopefully, you have a better option than Jordan somewhere on your team this week.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Shaun Alexander, SEA
3 Rudi Johnson, CIN
4 Larry Johnson, KC
5 Ronnie Brown, MIA
6 Tiki Barber, NYG
7 Steven Jackson, STL
8 Brian Westbrook, PHI P
9 Frank Gore, SF
10 Chester Taylor, MIN
11 Jamal Lewis, BAL P
12 Willie Parker, PIT
13 Edgerrin James, ARI
14 Reggie Bush, NO
15 Willis McGahee, BUF
16 DeShaun Foster, CAR
17 Warrick Dunn, ATL
18 Cadillac Williams, TB P
19 Ahman Green, GB
20 Julius Jones, DAL
21 Thomas Jones, CHI
22 Tatum Bell, DEN
23 Kevin Jones, DET
24 Corey Dillon, NE
25 Fred Taylor, JAX
26 Dominic Rhodes, IND
27 Reuben Droughns, CLE
28 Lamont Jordan, OAK
29 Deuce McAllister, NO
30 Laurence Maroney, NE
31 Chris Brown, TEN
32 Wali Lundy, HOU
33 Mike Bell, DEN P
34 Joseph Addai, IND
35 Kevan Barlow, NYJ
36 Derrick Blaylock, NYJ
37 Ladell Betts, WAS
38 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
39 Marion Barber III, DAL
40 Cedric Benson, CHI
41 Jerious Norwood, ATL
42 Clinton Portis, WAS D
43 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
44 DeAngelo Williams, CAR
45 T.J. Duckett, WAS
46 Kevin Faulk, NE
47 Mike Anderson, BAL
48 Kenny Watson, CIN
49 Verron Haynes, PIT
50 Tony Fisher, STL
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Marvin Harrison, IND – With Edgerrin James gone, Peyton Manning turned to his top gun, Harrison, 15 times last week – a heavy focus for a team that’s famous for spreading the ball around. The Texans’ pass defense gave up over 300 yards and three TDs to a team that just only recently saw the arrival of its key receiver. Just think what the veteran Manning and Co. will do to Houston.
Plaxico Burress, NYG – There has to be concern in Philly – hope that the poor secondary performance last year was a fluke was dashed a bit by a weak-passing Houston team that completed 67% of its passes for 208 yards and a TD. Add to that the news that Lito Sheppard is out with a serious ankle sprain and the Eagles are scrambling. The Giants are coming off a very positive performance against the Colts with Burress totaling 80 yards and a TD. Expect that this week again.
Donte Stallworth, PHI – Stallworth made quite an impact in his first game as an Eagle (141 yards and a TD). This week, the Eagles should be pumped following the Colts’ performance against the Giants’ secondary last week. The Giants were 27th against the pass last year (224 ypg) and gave up 276 to the Colts last week.
Negative Play:
Randy Moss, OAK – Sorry to sound like a broken record, but the outlook in Oakland is poor for everyone. However, unlike with Brooks and Jordan, Moss is worthy of a start because he’s Randy Moss. Just don’t expect WR1 value from him this week (or most weeks in the near future). Baltimore had Moss’ number while he was with Minnesota – in two games, the Ravens held Moss to 98 yards and one TD. And Moss and the Vikings were at the top of their game at the time. The Raiders are in a pit. Just hope a couple of DBs fall down this week to have a chance for Moss getting into the end zone.
Michael Jenkins, ATL – Jenkins and Michael Vick were very productive last week, shooting Jenkins’ value up the charts. But the Falcons face a humiliated Bucs defense that was first in total defense last season. Consistency has never been Jenkins’ strong suit, so it’s very early to predict another solid game coming from him – especially against a strong defense.
Eddie Kennison, KC – Kennison’s fantasy prospects sank with the injury to Trent Green last week. Normally a borderline WR2, he shouldn’t be in the lineup of a three-WR league this week. Oh, yeah – Kennison will face Champ Bailey all day, too.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
WRs that are OUT: Joe Jurevicius, CLE
1 Marvin Harrison, IND
2 Chad Johnson, CIN
3 Torry Holt, STL
4 Terrell Owens, DAL
5 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
6 Reggie Wayne, IND
7 Anquan Boldin, ARI
8 Chris Chambers, MIA
9 Plaxico Burress, NYG
10 Donald Driver, GB
11 Hines Ward, PIT P
12 Randy Moss, OAK
13 Donte Stallworth, PHI
14 Andre Johnson, HOU
15 Lee Evans, BUF
16 Roy Williams, DET
17 Santana Moss, WAS
18 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
19 Derrick Mason, BAL
20 Rod Smith, DEN
21 Darrell Jackson, SEA
22 Antonio Bryant, SF
23 Joe Horn, NO
24 Drew Bennett, TEN
25 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
26 Keyshawn Johnson, CAR
27 Javon Walker, DEN
28 Matt Jones, JAX
29 Isaac Bruce, STL
30 Joey Galloway, TB
31 Braylon Edwards, CLE
32 Terry Glenn, DAL
33 Troy Williamson, MIN
34 Keenan McCardell, SD
35 Eric Moulds, HOU
36 Reggie Brown, PHI
37 Marques Colston, NO
38 Michael Jenkins, ATL
39 Eddie Kennison, KC P
40 Ernest Wilford, JAX
41 Bobby Engram, SEA
42 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
43 Michael Clayton, TB
44 Mark Clayton, BAL
45 Drew Carter, CAR
46 Amani Toomer, NYG
47 Marty Booker, MIA
48 Troy Brown, NE
49 Reche Caldwell, NE
50 Chris Henry, CIN
Tight Ends
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
TEs that are OUT: Jerramy Stevens, SEA; Erron Kinney, TEN
1 Antonio Gates, SD
2 Todd Heap, BAL P
3 Jeremy Shockey, NYG P
4 Ben Watson, NE
5 Tony Gonzalez, KC
6 Alge Crumpler, ATL
7 L.J. Smith, PHI
8 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE
9 Randy McMichael, MIA
10 Heath Miller, PIT
11 Jason Witten, DAL
12 Vernon Davis, SF P
13 Dallas Clark, IND
14 Chris Cooley, WAS
15 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
16 Ben Troupe, TEN
17 Desmond Clark, CHI
18 Chris Baker, NYJ
19 Tony Scheffler, DEN
20 Bubba Franks, GB
21 Alex Smith, TB
22 Itula Mili, SEA
23 Joe Klopfenstein, STL
24 Daniel Graham, NE
25 Daniel Wilcox, BAL P
26 Eric Johnson, SF
26 Robert Royal, BUF
28 Leonard Pope, ARI
29 Marcus Pollard, DET
30 Courtney Anderson, OAK
31 Reggie Kelly, CIN
32 Stephen Alexander, DEN
33 Kris Mangum, CAR
34 Bo Scaife, TEN
35 Anthony Becht, TB
Kickers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
1 Shayne Graham, CIN
2 Adam Vinatieri, IND
3 Matt Stover, BAL P
4 Neil Rackers, ARI
5 Jason Elam, DEN P
6 David Akers, PHI
7 Josh Brown, SEA
8 Jeff Wilkins, STL
9 Nate Kaeding, SD
10 John Kasay, CAR
11 Olindo Mare, MIA
12 Jay Feely, NYG
13 Robbie Gould, CHI
14 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
15 Joe Nedney, SF
16 Ryan Longwell, MIN
17 Jeff Reed, PIT
18 Michael Koenen, ATL
19 John Carney, NO
20 Lawrence Tynes, KC
21 Josh Scobee, JAX
22 Phil Dawson, CLE
23 Mike Vanderjagt, DAL
24 Matt Bryant, TB
25 Dave Rayner, GB
26 Rian Lindell, BUF
27 John Hall, WAS
28 Mike Nugent, NYJ
29 Kris Brown, HOU
30 Rob Bironas, TEN
31 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
32 Jason Hanson, DET
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 Baltimore Ravens
3 San Diego Chargers
4 Cincinnati Bengals
5 Indianapolis Colts
6 Pittsburgh Steelers
7 Atlanta Falcons
8 Denver Broncos
9 Miami Dolphins
10 Carolina Panthers
11 Seattle Seahawks
12 Philadelphia Eagles
13 Dallas Cowboys
14 New England Patriots
15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16 St. Louis Rams
17 Jacksonville Jaguars
18 New Orleans Saints
19 Washington Redskins
20 Detroit Lions
21 Minnesota Vikings
22 New York Giants
23 Buffalo Bills
24 Green Bay Packers
25 New York Jets
26 Kansas City Chiefs
27 San Francisco 49ers
28 Oakland Raiders
29 Cleveland Browns
30 Tennessee Titans
31 Arizona Cardinals
32 Houston Texans
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
DBs that are OUT: Troy Vincent, BUF; Lito Sheppard, PHI; Shawn Springs, WAS
1 Adrian Wilson, ARI
2 Ronde Barber, TB
3 Gibril Wilson, NYG
4 Adam Archuleta, WAS
5 Michael Boulware, SEA
6 Roy Williams, DAL
7 Sean Taylor, WAS
8 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ P
9 Michael Lewis, PHI
10 Rodney Harrison, NE P
11 Madieu Williams, CIN
12 Ed Reed, BAL P
13 Nick Collins, GB
14 Chris Hope, TEN
15 Roman Harper, NO
16 Corey Chavous, STL
17 Bob Sanders, IND Q
18 Sheldon Brown, PHI
19 Antrel Rolle, ARI
20 Terrance Kiel, SD
21 Charles Tillman, CHI
22 Greg Wesley, KC
23 Donte Whitner, BUF
24 Antoine Winfield, MIN
25 Troy Polamalu, PIT P
26 Renaldo Hill, MIA
27 Marcus Trufant, SEA
28 Champ Bailey, DEN
29 Josh Bullocks, NO
30 Chris Gamble, CAR
31 Brian Dawkins, PHI
32 Mike Adams, SF
33 Dexter Jackson, CIN
34 Ken Lucas, CAR
35 Darren Sharper, MIN
36 Dunta Robinson, HOU
37 Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL
38 Darrent Williams, DEN
39 Carlos Rogers, WAS
40 Mike Brown, CHI
41 Ryan Clark, PIT
42 Antoine Bethea, IND
43 Sean Jones, CLE
44 Shaun Williams, CAR
45 Anthony Henry, DAL
46 Marquand Manuel, GB
47 Terrence Holt, DET
48 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
49 Lawyer Milloy, ATL
50 Michael Huff, OAK
Linebackers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
LBs that are OUT: Dan Morgan, CAR
1 Keith Bulluck, TEN
2 Ray Lewis, BAL
3 London Fletcher, BUF
4 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
5 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
6 Shawne Merriman, SD
7 Zach Thomas, MIA
8 Derrick Brooks, TB
9 Kirk Morrison, OAK
10 Nick Barnett, GB
11 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
12 Brian Urlacher, CHI
13 Will Witherspoon, STL
14 Mike Peterson, JAX Q
15 Antonio Pierce, NYG
16 Donnie Edwards, SD
17 Kawika Mitchell, KC
18 Keith Brooking, ATL
19 Andra Davis, CLE
20 Gary Brackett, IND Q
21 Gerald Hayes, ARI
22 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI P
23 Adalius Thomas, BAL
24 Lemar Marshall, WAS
25 Ernie Sims, DET
26 Derrick Johnson, KC
27 James Farrior, PIT
28 Brian Simmons, CIN
29 Ian Gold, DEN
30 Matthew McCoy, PHI
31 Julian Peterson, SEA
32 Derek Smith, SF
33 E.J. Henderson, MIN
34 Marcus Washington, WAS
35 Angelo Crowell, BUF
36 Lance Briggs, CHI
37 Demorrio Williams, ATL
38 Scott Fujita, NO
39 Cato June, IND
40 Al Wilson, DEN
41 Demarcus Ware, DAL
42 Thomas Howard, OAK
43 Adam Seward, CAR
44 Landon Johnson, CIN
45 Akinola Ayodele, DAL
46 Shaun Phillips, SD
47 Channing Crowder, MIA
48 Thomas Davis, CAR
49 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
50 Scott Shanle, NO
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
DLs that are OUT: Corey Simon, IND
1 Jason Taylor, MIA
2 Terrell Suggs, BAL
3 Jared Allen, KC
4 Justin Smith, CIN
5 Will Smith, NO
6 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
7 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
8 Leonard Little, STL
9 Aaron Schobel, BUF
10 John Henderson, JAX
11 Charles Grant, NO
12 Michael Strahan, NYG
13 Dwight Freeney, IND
14 Derrick Burgess, OAK
15 Aaron Kampman, GB
16 Robert Mathis, IND
17 Simeon Rice, TB
18 Julius Peppers, CAR
19 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
20 James Hall, DET
21 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
22 Darren Howard, PHI
23 Luis Castillo, SD
24 Andre Carter, WAS
25 Raheem Brock, IND
26 Bertrand Berry, ARI
27 Robert Bernard, SEA
28 Philip Daniels, WAS
29 Rod Coleman, ATL
30 Erasmus James, MIN
31 Anthony Hargrove, STL
32 Patrick Kerney, ATL P
33 Jevon Kearse, PHI
34 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
35 Tamba Hali, KC P
36 Kris Jenkins, CAR
37 Damione Lewis, CAR
38 Kenard Lang, DEN
39 Kevin Carter, MIA
40 Bryce Fisher, SEA
41 Richard Seymour, NE
42 Greg Ellis, DAL
43 Bryant Young, SF
44 Paul Spicer, JAX
45 Mike Rucker, CAR
46 Alex Brown, CHI
47 Tommy Kelly, OAK
48 Kalimba Edwards, DET
49 Orpheus Roye, CLE
50 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
Fantasy Football 
Also note that TJ Houshmandzadeh has been downgraded to questionable as well as our great tackle Levi Jones. This could hurt Carson/Rudi's numbers as rookie Andrew Whitworth will get the start should Levi not play. Still, they should put up their damage regardless... Our backups are better than the Browns starters