Week Five Match-ups
October 06, 2006
Bye Weeks: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Seattle, Houston
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Mark Brunell, WAS – Brunell has really come on of late, thanks in part to the return of Clinton Portis. Brunell has passed for 590 yards with three TD and one INT in the last three weeks, including the impressive three-TD performance against a solid Jacksonville defense last week. Brunell finally started to connect with Santana Moss and Chris Cooley (eight receptions for 208 yards, three TD combined). This week, Brunell faces the 29th-ranked Giants defense (281 ypg). The defense overall is averaging over 30 ppg allowed the first three weeks and only has two sacks over that period. It looks like a great opportunity for Brunell. However, as a caveat, in his three previous starts against the Giants, Brunell has averaged just under 90 ypg passing. But this Giant secondary isn’t as strong as it has been in the past.
Byron Leftwich, JAX – Leftwich hasn’t been consistent this season, but he is coming off a great game last week against Washington (60%, 289 yards, three TDs). This week, he faces the 27th-ranked Jets defense (238 ypg), a defense that depends on the big play (eight sacks, five INTs and three fumble recoveries), but it has allowed over 25 ppg. Leftwich should get a few opportunities against this weak secondary.
Brad Johnson, MIN – Johnson will provide a good bye-week performance for his owners this week. He has only found the end zone twice this season, but he’s only thrown three INTs this season while completing 60% of his passes. He is facing a Detroit squad that hasn’t been able to stop anybody. The Lions are ranked 30th against the pass (282 ypg), has not made an INT, and are allowing over 28 ppg this season. They made Chicago, Green Bay and St. Louis look like passing juggernauts, so Johnson should find some success.
Negative Play:
Rex Grossman, CHI – Grossman is still worthy of a start if you need him, but the Bears are facing a stiff pass defense from Buffalo. The Bills are 11th against the pass (194 ypg), have made 11 sacks and four INTs. Expect Grossman’s totals to taper off some from his hot start.
J.P. Losman, BUF – Losman has been showing some promise early in the season, easing some of the Bills’ worries about their quarterbacking future. Through four games, Losman has completed 64% of his passes for 797 yards, three TDs and one INT. However, the Bills face the seventh-ranked pass defense of Chicago (177 ypg) with 15 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries and four INTs without a TD pass allowed thus far. The Bears smothered Seattle and Matt Hasselbeck last week, so Losman should face the same fate.
Jake Plummer, DEN – Plummer had his best game of the season in his last start (256 yards, two TDs and no INTs) and has had a bye week to prepare for the Ravens. It won’t matter. The Broncos face the fourth-ranked pass defense (156 ypg) that leads the league in sacks (17) and has eight INTs and four fumble recoveries thus far.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
QBs that are OUT: Trent Green, KC; Aaron Brooks, OAK; Chris Simms
1 Peyton Manning, IND
2 Donovan McNabb, PHI
3 Marc Bulger, STL
4 Eli Manning, NYG
5 Tom Brady, NE P
6 Mark Brunell, WAS
7 Drew Bledsoe, DAL
8 Byron Leftwich, JAX
9 Drew Brees, NO
10 Brad Johnson, MIN
11 Jake Delhomme, CAR
12 Brett Favre, GB P
13 Jon Kitna, DET
14 Alex Smith, SF
15 Rex Grossman, CHI
16 Chad Pennington, NYJ P
17 Daunte Culpepper, MIA P (Game-time decision)
18 Charlie Frye, CLE
19 Steve McNair, BAL
20 Vince Young, TEN
21 Matt Leinart, ARI
22 Philip Rivers, SD
23 Damon Huard, KC
24 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
25 J.P. Losman, BUF
26 Jake Plummer, DEN
27 Andrew Walter, OAK
28 Bruce Gradkowski, TB
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Frank Gore, SF – Gore returned to earth in Week Four (79 total yards, no TDs) against the Chiefs, but he has a solid chance to rebound against Oakland. The Raiders are 28th against the run (145 ypg), including 100 yards to a badly hurting Reuben Droughns, so expect a good game from Gore.
LaMont Jordan, OAK – Jordan is breathing a sigh of relief that the San Diego and Baltimore defenses are behind him for a while. He came off a bye week and gained 128 yards and a TD against Cleveland. This week, he faces the 21st-ranked Niners defense (119 ypg) that has allowed five rushing TDs and the most points scored thus far this season (31.5 ppg).
Thomas Jones, CHI – Jones finally got going last week, with 98 yards and two TDs against Seattle. This week, he faces an improving Buffalo run defense, one that is ranked 17th against the run (103 ypg) and held Chester Taylor to 23 yards rushing. The key here is that the Bills have been susceptible to the pass to the RB. If Jones can get going in the passing game, he should have a solid game for anyone needing a bye-week RB.
Negative Play:
Willie Parker, PIT -- With Najeh Davenport and Duce Staley hurt, this is still Parker’s team, and he has performed well (300 total yards, two TDs in three games). However, the Steelers face the second-ranked Charger defense (66 ypg) that has allowed the fewest points so far this season (23 total, 7.7 ppg). The most yardage allowed to a single back was 35 to Justin Fargas, and the Chargers haven’t allowed a rushing TD. Add to that, Parker gained just 40 yards on 11 carries in the 2005 meeting between the two teams, so expect a tough go of it.
Willis McGahee, BUF -- McGahee has had a good season thus far running the ball (389 yards) and he finally found the end zone last week. However, he faces the seventh-ranked run defense of the Bears (81 ypg) that has allowed just one rushing TD this season.
Tatum Bell, DEN – Bell had a good Week Three (142 total yards) and has averaged 5.1 ypc this season, but he has yet to score. And he probably won’t this week, as he goes up against the No.1 run defense of Baltimore (63 ypg). Don’t put much weight into the fact that Bell gained 63 yards on 16 carries last season against Baltimore – last season, the Ravens were an injured club. The Ravens are at the top of their game right now.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
RBs that are OUT: Cedric Cobbs, DEN; Michael Bennett, KC
1 Larry Johnson, KC
2 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
3 Clinton Portis, WAS
4 Steven Jackson, STL
5 Tiki Barber, NYG
6 Frank Gore, SF
7 Ronnie Brown, MIA
8 Chester Taylor, MIN
9 Brian Westbrook, PHI Q
10 LaMont Jordan, OAK
11 Thomas Jones, CHI
12 DeShaun Foster, CAR
13 Julius Jones, DAL
14 Kevin Jones, DET
15 Joseph Addai, IND
16 Fred Taylor, JAX
17 Edgerrin James, ARI
18 Deuce McAllister, NO
19 Willie Parker, PIT
20 Laurence Maroney, NE
21 Dominic Rhodes, IND
22 Cadillac Williams, TB
23 Reggie Bush, NO
24 Vernand Morency, GB
25 Willis McGahee, BUF
26 Tatum Bell, DEN
27 Reuben Droughns, CLE Q
28 Jamal Lewis, BAL
29 Corey Dillon, NE
30 Kevan Barlow, NYJ P
31 DeAngelo Williams, CAR
32 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX
33 Marion Barber III, DAL
34 LenDale White, TEN
35 Chris Brown, TEN
36 Ahman Green, GB Q
37 Ladell Betts, WAS
38 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
39 Mike Bell, DEN
40 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
41 Leon Washington, NYJ
42 Michael Robinson, SF
43 Cedric Benson, CHI
44 Michael Turner, SD
45 Mewelde Moore, MIN
46 Kevin Faulk, NE
47 Mike Alstott, TB
48 Musa Smith, BAL
49 Justin Fargas, OAK
50 Michael Pittman, TB
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Santana Moss, WAS – Moss made a pair of great cuts last week to turn two short passes into long TD catches – that’s the kind of make-or-break player that Moss is. That’s what turns a bland, four-reception game in a bad match-up into a career-high game. Anyway, Moss has a much better match-up this week against a weak Giants secondary.
Roy Williams, DET – Williams has been on fire the last two weeks (25 targets, 16 receptions for 277 yards and a TD). This week, the Lions face a mediocre Vikings pass defense (14th, 201 ypg). Williams should be able to maintain his hot play.
Marques Colston, NO – Colston is this season’s rising star, as Drew Brees has targeted him 31 times for 20 catches, 336 yards and three TDs this season. Don’t let Tampa Bay’s No. 5 pass defense ranking fool you – the Bucs have faced run-oriented Baltimore and Atlanta the first two weeks of the season. Carolina had plenty of success against them, and with Tampa starting a rookie QB, the Buc defense will be on the field a lot Sunday.
Negative Play:
Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, ARI, and Joey Galloway, TB – This trio of players is lumped together for an obvious reason – both Arizona and Tampa Bay are starting rookie QBs. Fitz and Boldin are still must starts, but you should expect softer totals while Matt Leinart gets his feet wet. Kansas City is ranked second in the league against the pass (122 ypg), so it definitely is a tough match-up. Galloway, on the other hand, shouldn’t be started unless he absolutely has to be. While Arizona has a lot of potential with its offense, the Bucs have struggled all season. Bruce Gradowski has very little chance for success against the Saints’ sixth-ranked pass defense (173 ypg) – one that has 13 sacks and three INTs thus far.
Hines Ward, PIT – Ben Roethlisberger looks to be a shadow of his former self, and Ward is suffering for it (nine catches for 99 yards in three games). And this isn’t the week to expect much improvement as the Steelers face the top-ranked pass defense of San Diego (118 ypg) that has made eight sacks thus far.
Drew Bennett, TEN – What’s better for Bennett in this situation than for Fitz/Boldin/Galloway? Tennessee has a comparative veteran behind center – Vince Young will get his second start of his career. What’s good about that? Young’s TD pass last week was one more than then-rookie Alex Smith had all last season. The Titans face a slightly above-average defense that likes the big play – the Colts are ranked 10th against the pass (183 ypg), but they have eight sacks, four INTs and five fumble recoveries. It will be a tough week for Bennett.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
WRs that are OUT: David Givens, TEN, Matt Jones, JAX
1 Torry Holt, STL
2 Steve Smith, CAR
3 Marvin Harrison, IND
4 Santana Moss, WAS
5 Terrell Owens, DAL
6 Reggie Wayne, IND
7 Donald Driver, GB Q
8 Roy Williams, DET
9 Plaxico Burress, NYG
10 Laveranues Coles, NYJ Q
11 Terry Glenn, DAL
12 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI P
13 Antonio Bryant, SF
14 Marques Colston, NO
15 Anquan Boldin, ARI
16 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
17 Braylon Edwards, CLE
18 Greg Jennings, GB
19 Chris Chambers, MIA
20 Javon Walker, DEN
21 Isaac Bruce, STL
22 Reggie Williams, JAX
23 Amani Toomer, NYG
24 Derrick Mason, BAL
25 Reggie Brown, PHI P
26 Bernard Berrian, CHI
27 Hines Ward, PIT
28 Troy Williamson, MIN
29 Randy Moss, OAK
30 Drew Bennett, TEN Q
31 Keyshawn Johnson, CAR
32 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
33 Eddie Kennison, KC
34 Joe Horn, NO
35 Lee Evans, BUF
36 Doug Gabriel, NE
37 Joey Galloway, TB
38 Rod Smith, DEN
39 Ernest Wilford, JAX
40 Mike Furrey, DET
41 Greg Lewis, PHI
42 Keenan McCardell, SD
43 Travis Taylor, MIN
44 Marty Booker, MIA
45 Arnaz Battle, SF
46 Mark Clayton, BAL
47 Marcus Robinson, MIN
48 Brandon Lloyd, WAS
49 Wes Welker, MIA
50 Michael Clayton, TB
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; Vernon Davis, SF
1 Tony Gonzalez, KC
2 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
3 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE Q
4 Antonio Gates, SD
5 Todd Heap, BAL Q
6 L.J. Smith, PHI P
7 Ben Watson, NE
8 Eric Johnson, SF
9 Dallas Clark, IND
10 Heath Miller, PIT
11 Chris Cooley, WAS
12 Jason Witten, DAL
13 Ben Troupe, TEN
14 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN P
15 Desmond Clark, CHI Q
16 Randy McMichael, MIA
18 Chris Baker, NYJ
19 Daniel Graham, NE Q
17 Bo Scaife, TEN
21 Bubba Franks, GB
20 Joe Klopfenstein, STL
22 Marcedes Lewis, JAX
23 Alex Smith, TB
24 George Wrighster, JAX
25 Courtney Anderson, OAK
26 Bryan Fletcher, IND
27 Daniel Wilcox, BAL Q
28 Leonard Pope, ARI
29 Stephen Alexander, DEN
30 Robert Royal, BUF Q
Kickers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
1 Jeff Wilkins, STL
2 Ryan Longwell, MIN
3 Robbie Gould, CHI
4 Adam Vinatieri, IND P
5 John Kasay, CAR
6 Matt Stover, BAL
7 Nate Kaeding, SD
8 David Akers, PHI
9 John Carney, NO
10 Jason Elam, DEN
11 Mike Vanderjagt, DAL
12 Lawrence Tynes, KC
13 Neil Rackers, ARI
14 Jay Feely, NYG
15 John Hall, WAS
16 Josh Scobee, JAX
17 Dave Rayner, GB
18 Joe Nedney, SF
19 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
20 Jason Hanson, DET
21 Olindo Mare, MIA
22 Rian Lindell, BUF
23 Jeff Reed, PIT
24 Phil Dawson, CLE
25 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
26 Mike Nugent, NYJ
27 Rob Bironas, TEN
28 Matt Bryant, TB
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 Baltimore Ravens
3 Indianapolis Colts
4 San Diego Chargers
5 Kansas City Chiefs
6 Carolina Panthers
7 New England Patriots
8 Pittsburgh Steelers
9 New Orleans Saints
10 Philadelphia Eagles
11 Jacksonville Jaguars
12 St. Louis Rams
13 Denver Broncos
14 Minnesota Vikings
15 San Francisco 49ers
16 Buffalo Bills
17 Dallas Cowboys
18 Miami Dolphins
19 New York Jets
20 Washington Redskins
21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
22 New York Giants
23 Arizona Cardinals
24 Cleveland Browns
25 Oakland Raiders
26 Green Bay Packers
27 Detroit Lions
28 Tennessee Titans
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
DBs that are OUT: Kenoy Kennedy, GB; Shawn Springs, WAS
1 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ P
2 Adrian Wilson, ARI
3 Gibril Wilson, NYG
4 Chris Hope, TEN
5 Adam Archuleta, WAS
6 Ronde Barber, TB
7 Antoine Winfield, MIN Q
8 Jermaine Phillips, TB
9 Rodney Harrison, NE
10 Roy Williams, DAL
11 Troy Polamalu, PIT P
12 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
13 Michael Lewis, PHI
14 Sean Jones, CLE
15 Champ Bailey, DEN
16 Chris Gamble, CAR
17 Nick Collins, GB
18 Sammy Knight, KC
19 Rashean Mathis, JAX P
20 Sean Taylor, WAS
21 Ed Reed, BAL
22 Antoine Bethea, IND
23 Brian Dawkins, PHI
24 Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL
25 Dwight Smith, NO
26 Corey Chavous, STL
27 Greg Wesley, KC
28 Shawntae Spencer, SF
29 Renaldo Hill, MIA
30 Pat Watkins, DAL
31 Mike Brown, CHI
32 Darrent Williams, DEN
33 Josh Bullocks, NO
34 Danieal Manning, CHI
35 Donte Whitner, BUF
36 Daniel Bullocks, DET
37 Donovin Darius, JAX P
38 Roman Harper, NO
39 Mike Adams, SF
40 Charles Tillman, CHI
41 Marquand Manuel, GB
42 Antrel Rolle, ARI
43 Michael Huff, OAK
44 Ty Law, KC
45 Anthony Henry, DAL
46 Michael Doss, IND
47 John Lynch, DEN
48 Terrance Kiel, SD
49 Eugene Wilson, NE Q
50 Terrence McGee, BUF
Linebackers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
LBs that are OUT: Dan Morgan, CAR
1 Julius Peppers, CAR
2 Jared Allen, KC
3 Jason Taylor, MIA
4 Derrick Burgess, OAK
5 Kevin Williams, MIN
6 Will Smith, NO
7 Michael Strahan, NYG
8 Leonard Little, STL
9 Robert Mathis, IND
10 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
11 Aaron Kampman, GB
12 Charles Grant, NO
13 Bryant Young, SF
14 Terrell Suggs, BAL Q
15 John Henderson, JAX
16 Richard Seymour, NE
17 James Hall, DET
18 Trent Cole, PHI
19 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
20 Aaron Schobel, BUF
21 Tamba Hali, KC
22 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI Q
23 Dwight Freeney, IND Q
24 Simeon Rice, TB
25 Greg Ellis, DAL
26 Tommie Harris, CHI
27 Damione Lewis, CAR
28 Marques Douglas, SF
29 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
30 Andre Carter, WAS
31 Alex Brown, CHI
32 Darren Howard, PHI
33 Aaron Smith, PIT
34 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
35 Kenechi Udeze, MIN
36 Jarvis Green, NE
37 Kalimba Edwards, DET
38 Luis Castillo, SD
39 Orpheus Roye, CLE Q
40 Mike Rucker, CAR
41 Dewayne White, TB
42 Darrion Scott, MIN
43 Raheem Brock, IND Q
44 Vince Wilford, NE
45 Trevor Pryce, BAL
46 Philip Daniels, WAS
47 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
48 Kris Jenkins, CAR
49 Kelly Gregg, BAL
50 Pat Williams, MIN
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
DLs that are OUT: Corey Simon, IND
1 Ray Lewis, BAL
2 Mike Peterson, JAX
3 London Fletcher, BUF
4 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
5 Keith Bulluck, TEN
6 James Farrior, PIT
7 Will Witherspoon, STL
8 Derrick Brooks, TB
9 Andra Davis, CLE
10 Gerald Hayes, ARI
11 Antonio Pierce, NYG
12 Zach Thomas, MIA
13 Kirk Morrison, OAK
14 Bart Scott, BAL
15 Donnie Edwards, SD
16 Gary Brackett, IND
17 Angelo Crowell, BUF
18 Brian Urlacher, CHI
19 Lance Briggs, CHI
20 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
21 Ian Gold, DEN
22 Derrick Johnson, KC
23 Lemar Marshall, WAS
24 Larry Foote, PIT
25 Eric Barton, NYJ
26 Kawika Mitchell, KC
27 Thomas Howard, OAK
28 Cato June, IND
29 Shawne Merriman, SD Q
30 Nick Barnett, GB
31 Ernie Sims, DET
32 Derek Smith, SF
33 A.J. Hawk, GB
34 Scott Fujita, NO
35 Marcus Washington, WAS
36 David Thornton, TEN
37 Barrett Ruud, TB
38 Adalius Thomas, BAL Q
39 Demarcus Ware, DAL
40 Joey Porter, PIT
41 Tedy Bruschi, NE
42 Thomas Davis, CAR
43 Daryl Smith, JAX
44 E.J. Henderson, MIN
45 Chris Draft, CAR
46 Scott Shanle, NO
47 Jeff Ulbrich, SF
48 Shelton Quarles, TB
49 Lavar Arrington, NYG
50 Boss Bailey, DET
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