Week Three Match-ups
September 22, 2006
Bye Weeks: Dallas, Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Kurt Warner, ARI – Warner was effective, but average, against a solid Seahawk defense last week. This week he faces an up-and-down Ram defense – one that shut down Jake Plummer in Week One, but allowed Alex Smith to have a surprisingly productive game in Week Two. In two previous performances against the Rams, Warner has thrown for 612 yards, three TDs with one INT. He should be a solid start at home this week.
Michael Vick, ATL – Vick has put together a pair of solid all-around games to open up the season – 232 yards passing and three TDs, and 175 yards rushing and a TD. The Falcons have let him run a bit more than usual and he’s found some success. The Saints allowed mediocre-running Charlie Frye to rush for 44 yards and a TD, and they have allowed an average of 236 yards passing and two TDs in their first two games. Vick should post another solid effort.
Daunte Culpepper, MIA – This might be a make-or-break game for Culpepper fantasy-wise. If he can’t get it going against a Titan defense that has given up 554 yards passing with three TDs and no INTs to the marginal Chad Pennington and Philip Rivers, he will probably only figure to be a borderline starter the rest of the way this season. The Dolphins have lost three right guards this season and their No. 4 is dinged up. That has contributed to 10 QB sacks thus far (a total only surpassed by the Raiders). Only Houston has given up more total yardage and points than the Titans, so this is a big week for Culpepper and the Dolphins.
Negative Play:
Drew Brees, NO – Brees has gotten off to a good start, having completed 60% of his passes for 529 yards, three TDs and two INTs over the first two weeks. However, that was against Cleveland and Green Bay. This week he faces Atlanta which has not given up a passing TD, has made five sacks and has made four INTs in the first two games. Monday night will be exciting in the Superdome, but it will be a tough night for Brees.
Rex Grossman, CHI – Hopefully, Brian Griese has found a comfortable spot on the Bears’ bench because the way the Rex Grossman has been playing, Griese won’t see the field for a while. Grossman has completed 72% of his passes for over 551 yards, five TDs and an INT in his first two games. However, the Bears will be facing a much tougher defense in Minnesota this week. The Vikings have allowed an average of 164 ypg (ninth in the league), but their secondary has been frustrating opposing QBs, so expect a tough challenge for Grossman.
Jake Plummer, DEN – Plummer has been horrible so far this season (52%, 311 yards, 0 TD and four INTs). Plummer started off poorly last year before turning it around – he won’t be turning it around this week, though. Despite allowing 470 yards passing in two games, the Patriots have made seven sacks so far. If Plummer can survive that, he could punish the Pats’ weak secondary. But Plummer has yet to show that ability this season.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
QBs that are OUT: Trent Green, KC
1 Donovan McNabb, PHI
2 Peyton Manning, IND
3 Kurt Warner, ARI
4 Michael Vick, ATL
5 Eli Manning, NYG
6 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
7 Daunte Culpepper, MIA
8 Carson Palmer, CIN
9 Marc Bulger, STL
10 Tom Brady, NE P
11 Byron Leftwich, JAX
12 Brett Favre, GB
13 Drew Brees, NO
14 Chad Pennington, NYJ P
15 Jon Kitna, DET
16 Rex Grossman, CHI
17 Alex Smith, SF
18 Mark Brunell, WAS
19 David Carr, HOU
20 Steve McNair, BAL
21 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
22 Jake Plummer, DEN
23 Jake Delhomme, CAR
24 Brad Johnson, MIN
25 J.P. Losman, BUF
26 Chris Simms, TB
27 Charlie Frye, CLE
28 Kerry Collins, TEN
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Ronnie Brown, MIA – Brown had totaled 184 yards in total offense and two TDs the first two weeks against the tough Pittsburgh and Buffalo defenses. This week is almost an off-week in that the Dolphins are facing the 29th-ranked run defense of Tennessee (166 ypg). Brown probably won’t get a much easier assignment the rest of the season.
Willis McGahee, BUF – Despite having not reached the end zone this season, McGahee is off to a decent start so far, having averaged 80 ypg the first two weeks. This week, the Bills face the 19th-ranked rushing defense of the Jets, which allowed 147 yards rushing and two TDs last week to New England. McGahee has had great success in the past against the Jets, having gained 388 yards and two TDs in his previous three games. He should crack 100 yards and the end zone this week.
Kevin Jones, DET – Considering he was facing the tough run defenses of Seattle and Chicago the first two weeks, Jones has produced decent numbers – 162 yards in total offense. This week, the Lions face the Packers – a team that has given up 60 points the last two weeks, including two rushing TDs last week by New Orleans. In three career games against the Pack, Jones had averaged 102 ypg rushing.
Negative Play:
Tiki Barber, NYG – Barber was a minor factor in last week’s epic comeback against Philly (51 yards rushing). He and the Giants will face the Seahawks, which has allowed just 52 ypg rushing (including having held Edgerrin James to 65 yards last week), and has allowed just one rushing TD thus far. Barber is a must start, but expect a rough go of it.
Chester Taylor, MIN -- Taylor has been very impressive thus far this season, totaling 259 total yards and a TD in two games this season. After a rough Week One, the Bears shut down Kevin Jones last week and have given up just seven points total and 75 ypg rushing. They remain one of the toughest squads against the run and Taylor will be brought back down to Earth.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
RBs that are OUT: Cedric Cobbs, DEN
1 Ronnie Brown, MIA
2 Shaun Alexander, SEA P
3 Steven Jackson, STL
4 Rudi Johnson, CIN
5 Brian Westbrook, PHI Q
6 Willis McGahee, BUF
7 Edgerrin James, ARI
8 Frank Gore, SF
9 Tiki Barber, NYG
10 Warrick Dunn, ATL
11 Willie Parker, PIT
12 Fred Taylor, JAX
13 Jamal Lewis, BAL Q
14 Kevin Jones, DET
15 Chester Taylor, MIN
16 Clinton Portis, WAS P
17 Reggie Bush, NO
18 Ahman Green, GB Q
19 Cadillac Williams, TB
20 Deuce McAllister, NO
21 Corey Dillon, NE
22 Thomas Jones, CHI
23 Tatum Bell, DEN
24 DeShaun Foster, CAR
25 Laurence Maroney, NE
26 DeAngelo Williams, CAR
27 Joseph Addai, IND
28 Kevan Barlow, NYJ
29 Dominic Rhodes, IND
30 Mike Bell, DEN P
31 Chris Brown, TEN Q
32 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
33 Ladell Betts, WAS
34 Ron Dayne, HOU
35 Jerious Norwood, ATL
36 Mike Anderson, BAL
37 Jerome Harrison, CLE
38 Noah Herron, GB
39 Derrick Blaylock, NYJ
40 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
41 Cedric Benson, CHI
42 Samkon Gado, HOU
43 Kevin Faulk, NE
44 Mike Alstott, TB
45 Vernand Morency, GB
46 T.J. Duckett,WAS
47 Verron Haynes, PIT
48 Wali Lundy, HOU
49 Michael Pittman, TB
50 Musa Smith, BAL Q
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Donald Driver, GB – Despite not having found the end zone yet, Driver had performed very well, with 15 receptions for 249 yards in two games. The Lions got shredded for nearly 300 yards and four TDs last week, so Driver is in good position to reach the end zone this week.
Antonio Bryant, SF – Part of Alex Smith’s positive development is the arrival and performance of Bryant. He has made eight catches for 245 yards and a TD. The loss of Jevon Kearse will hurt the Philly pass rush, and with the injury to Lito Sheppard, the Eagle secondard has been very porous, having allowed three receivers to exceed 100 yards in two weeks.
Roy Williams, DET – Williams has been the butt of a lot of jokes of late, thanks to his boasting of the (so far) non-existent high-octane Lion offense. The Packers should provide a big boast to the offense as they are ranked 30th in yardage through the air (292 ypg) and has given up three passing TDs thus far.
Negative Play:
Hines Ward, PIT – The Steelers passing game has been out of whack this season, and definitely reached a low point last week at Jacksonville. Ward has only averaged 41 yards per game through the air. The Bengals have been steady this season, as they are ranked 16th against the pass (210 ypg), and are ranked eighth in sacks (seven). They have also managed three INTs. Expect another tough week for Ward.
Muhsin Muhammad, CHI – Grossman is expected to struggle this week at Minnesota, as the Viking secondary will continuing messing with opposing WRs. Muhammad will have a less than stellar performance.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN – After sitting out the first two weeks, Housh is expected to play in Week Three against Pittsburgh. The Steelers have bent (246 ypg passing allowed, 28th), but not broke (no TDs). This looks like another situation to sit Housh unless you start three WR.
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 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
3 Torry Holt, STL
4 Donald Driver, GB
5 Reggie Wayne, IND
6 Chris Chambers, MIA
7 Donte Stallworth, PHI P
8 Anquan Boldin, ARI
9 Plaxico Burress, NYG P
10 Chad Johnson, CIN
11 Laveranues Coles, NYJ Q
12 Antonio Bryant, SF
13 Santana Moss, WAS
14 Roy Williams, DET
15 Darrell Jackson, SEA
16 Hines Ward, PIT P
17 Andre Johnson, HOU
18 Matt Jones, JAX Q
19 Javon Walker, DEN
20 Isaac Bruce, STL
21 Joey Galloway, TB
22 Derrick Mason, BAL
23 Amani Toomer, NYG
24 Marques Colston, NO
25 Reggie Williams, JAX
26 Drew Bennett, TEN
27 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
28 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
29 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN P
30 Joe Horn, NO
31 Lee Evans, BUF
32 Troy Williamson, MIN P
33 Eric Moulds, HOU
34 Michael Jenkins, ATL
35 Reggie Brown, PHI P
36 Braylon Edwards, CLE
37 Rod Smith, DEN P
38 Keyshawn Johnson, CAR
39 Bobby Engram, SEA
40 Bernard Berrian, CHI
41 Greg Jennings, GB
42 Marty Booker, MIA Q
43 Arnaz Battle, SF
44 Ernest Wilford, JAX
45 Michael Clayton, TB
46 Deion Branch, SEA
47 Steve Smith, CAR Q
48 Chris Henry, CIN
49 Mike Furrey, DET
50 Troy Brown, NE
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 Todd Heap, BAL
2 L.J. Smith, PHI P
3 Alge Crumpler, ATL
4 Jeremy Shockey, NYG P
5 Ben Watson, NE
6 Heath Miller, PIT
7 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE P
8 Desmond Clark, CHI
9 Randy McMichael, MIA
10 Vernon Davis, SF P
11 Chris Cooley, WAS
12 Dallas Clark, IND
13 Ben Troupe, TEN
14 Chris Baker, NYJ
15 Bubba Franks, GB
16 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
17 Marcus Pollard, DET
18 Daniel Graham, NE
19 Alex Smith, TB
20 Joe Klopfenstein, STL
21 Daniel Wilcox, BAL
22 Owen Daniels, HOU
23 David Martin, GB Q
24 Bo Scaife, TEN
25 George Wrighster, JAX
26 Reggie Kelly, CIN
27 Bryan Fletcher, IND
28 Leonard Pope, ARI
29 Stephen Alexander, DEN
30 Adam Bergen, ARI
Kickers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
1 Neil Rackers, ARI
2 Matt Stover, BAL
3 Shayne Graham, CIN
4 David Akers, PHI
5 Jeff Wilkins, STL
6 Josh Brown, SEA
7 Robbie Gould, CHI
8 Adam Vinatieri, IND Q
9 John Carney, NO
10 Jason Elam, DEN
11 John Hall, WAS
12 Jeff Reed, PIT
13 John Kasay, CAR
14 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
15 Joe Nedney, SF
16 Jay Feely, NYG
17 Josh Scobee, JAX
18 Rian Lindell, BUF
19 Jason Hanson, DET
20 Olindo Mare, MIA
21 Ryan Longwell, MIN
22 Morten Anderson, ATL
23 Mike Nugent, NYJ
24 Dave Rayner, GB
25 Kris Brown, HOU
26 Matt Bryant, TB
27 Rob Bironas, TEN
28 Phil Dawson, CLE
Team Defenses
1 Baltimore Ravens
2 Chicago Bears
3 Miami Dolphins
4 Carolina Panthers
5 Buffalo Bills
6 Pittsburgh Steelers
7 Cincinnati Bengals
8 Philadelphia Eagles
9 Atlanta Falcons
10 New England Patriots
11 Seattle Seahawks
12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13 Detroit Lions
14 Washington Redskins
15 New York Jets
16 Indianapolis Colts
17 New Orleans Saints
18 St. Louis Rams
19 Jacksonville Jaguars
20 Arizona Cardinals
21 Denver Broncos
22 Minnesota Vikings
23 Cleveland Browns
24 New York Giants
25 Green Bay Packers
26 San Francisco 49ers
27 Houston Texans
28 Tennessee Titans
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
DBs that are OUT: Dexter Jackson, CIN, Kenoy Kennedy, GB, Shawn Springs, WAS, Lito Sheppard, PHI Troy Vincent, BUF;
1 Adrian Wilson, ARI
2 Gibril Wilson, NYG
3 Ronde Barber, TB
4 Madieu Williams, CIN
5 Adam Archuleta, WAS
6 Chris Hope, TEN
7 Roman Harper, NO
8 Troy Polamalu, PIT Q
9 Sean Jones, CLE
10 Sean Taylor, WAS
11 Champ Bailey, DEN
12 Michael Lewis, PHI P
13 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ Q
14 Nick Collins, GB
15 Nate Clements, BUF
16 Jermaine Phillips, TB
17 Rodney Harrison, NE
18 Ed Reed, BAL
19 Michael Boulware, SEA
20 DeAngelo Hall, ATL
21 Dunta Robinson, HOU
22 Chris Gamble, CAR
23 Glenn Earl, HOU
24 Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL
25 Mike Brown, CHI
26 Bob Sanders, IND Q
27 Charles Tillman, CHI
28 Eugene Wilson, NE
29 Ken Hamlin, SEA
30 Daniel Bullocks, DET
31 Rashean Mathis, JAX P
32 Dre Bly, DET
33 Renaldo Hill, MIA
34 Terrence McGee, BUF
35 Donte Whitner, BUF
36 Antrel Rolle, ARI
37 Tony Parrish, SF
38 Carlos Rogers, WAS
39 Will Demps, NYG
40 Shawntae Spencer, SF
41 Ike Taylor, PIT
42 Will Allen, MIA
43 Darren Sharper, MIN
44 Walt Harris, SF
45 Antoine Bethea, IND
46 Brian Dawkins, PHI
47 Corey Chavous, STL
48 John Lynch, DEN
49 Darrent Williams, DEN
50 Antoine Winfield, MIN
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 Brian Urlacher, CHI
3 Ray Lewis, BAL Q
4 Will Witherspoon, STL
5 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
6 London Fletcher, BUF
7 Antonio Pierce, NYG
8 Andra Davis, CLE
9 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
10 Mike Peterson, JAX Q
11 Keith Brooking, ATL
12 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
13 Gary Brackett, IND Q
14 Zach Thomas, MIA
15 Adalius Thomas, BAL Q
16 Gerald Hayes, ARI
17 Nick Barnett, GB
18 Ernie Sims, DET
19 Brian Simmons, CIN P
20 James Farrior, PIT
21 Angelo Crowell, BUF
22 Ian Gold, DEN
23 Derrick Brooks, TB
24 Marcus Washington, WAS
25 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
26 Lemar Marshall, WAS
27 Cato June, IND
28 Lance Briggs, CHI
29 Scott Fujita, NO
30 Leroy Hill, SEA
31 Julian Peterson, SEA
32 Derek Smith, SF
33 Demorrio Williams, ATL
34 A.J. Hawk, GB
35 Adam Seward, CAR
36 E.J. Henderson, MIN
37 Morlon Greenwood, HOU P
38 Joey Porter, PIT
39 Bart Scott, BAL
40 Scott Shanle, NO
41 Manny Lawson, SF
42 Jeff Ulbrich, SF
43 Al Wilson, DEN
44 Napoleon Harris, MIN
45 Daryl Smith, JAX
46 Boss Bailey, DET
47 DQwell Jackson, CLE
48 David Thornton, TEN
49 Karlos Dansby, ARI
50 Kamerion Wimbley, CLE
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
DLs that are OUT: Antwan Odom, TEN
1 Jason Taylor, MIA
2 Terrell Suggs, BAL
3 Julius Peppers, CAR
4 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
5 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
6 Michael Strahan, NYG
7 Will Smith, NO
8 Aaron Schobel, BUF
9 Aaron Kampman, GB
10 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
11 Kevin Williams, MIN
12 James Hall, DET
13 Darren Howard, PHI P
14 Leonard Little, STL
15 Robert Mathis, IND
16 Bertrand Berry, ARI
17 Charles Grant, NO
18 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
19 Trent Cole, PHI
20 Simeon Rice, TB Q
21 Raheem Brock, IND
22 Rod Coleman, ATL
23 Kenard Lang, DEN
24 Kris Jenkins, CAR
25 Andre Carter, WAS
26 Mario Williams, HOU
27 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
28 Travis Laboy, TEN
29 Justin Smith, CIN
30 Kenechi Udeze, MIN
31 Robert Bernard, SEA
32 Kevin Carter, MIA
33 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
34 Aaron Smith, PIT
35 Anthony Weaver, HOU
36 Cornelius Griffin, WAS
37 Philip Daniels, WAS
38 John Thornton, CIN
39 Mike Patterson, PHI
40 Darrion Scott, MIN
41 Tommie Harris, CHI
42 Damione Lewis, CAR
43 Marques Douglas, SF
44 Richard Seymour, NE
45 Mike Rucker, CAR
46 Anthony Hargrove, STL
47 Alex Brown, CHI
48 Kalimba Edwards, DET
49 LaRoi Glover, STL
50 John Henderson, JAX
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