Week Eight Match-ups
October 27, 2006
Bye Weeks: Buffalo, Detroit, Miami, Washington
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Philip Rivers, SD – Rivers has been playing very good ball of late – over his last three games, he has posted the following: 66%, 842 yards, six TDs and two INTs. This week, he faces a St. Louis squad that prone to the big play through the air. While ranked at 22nd against the pass (218 ypg), they have allowed eight passing TDs thus far this season, including three to Matt Hasselback two weeks ago.
Rex Grossman, CHI – Last week had to be a very long bye week for Grossman. He spent the first five weeks of the season building all this goodwill (62%, 249 ypg, 10 TDs, 3 INT), only to see it go into the dumpster at Arizona in Week Six (38%, 148 yards, 0 TD, four INTs, two fumbles). Lucky for him, he faces the Niners, which rank 30th against the pass (242 ypg) while having allowed 12 passing TDs and only making four INTs this season.
David Carr, HOU – Carr has moved into the realm of Fantasy Starter this season. Part of the thanks go to the arrival of Eric Moulds, which has opened the passing game for himself and Andre Johnson. But mainly the thanks go to the beleaguered OL. Over his first three seasons, Carr was sacked an average of 64 times a season. Thus far this season, Carr has been sacked only 16 times – that’s a pace of 43 for the year. As a result, he’s on pace to throw for a career-high 24 TDs. The passing game is clicking for Houston, and they face a mediocre Tennessee team. While they do rank 12th in pass defense (199 ypg), they rank second-to-last in INTs (three) and last in sacks (seven).
Negative Play:
Peyton Manning, IND – Of course, you still start Manning – he’s coming off a 342-yard, four-TD performance last week, for gosh sakes. But Manning won’t have it nearly as easy this week. He faces the eighth-ranked pass defense of Denver (182 ypg), which has only allowed two passing TDs this season. The Broncos have amassed 11 sacks and five INTs the last three games, while having held their opponents to just 13 points over that span. In addition, in two games at Invesco Field at Mile High, Manning has yet to throw for a TD.
Drew Brees, NO – Both New Orleans and Baltimore come off a bye week, so there’s no advantage there. Brees went into bye on a roll (73%, 275 yards, three TDs, two INTs against Philly), while the normally-strong Baltimore pass defense was ripped apart by Carolina (62%, 365 yards, two TDs, two INT) in Week Six. Expect the Ravens to perform closer to form, as they are the seventh-ranked pass defense (181 ypg) with a league-high 11 INT and 19 sacks to their credit. Brees will do well, but it won’t be easy.
Alex Smith, SF – Smith has been a good bye-week play of late (70%, 379 yards, five TDs and two INTs the last two games). But he faces the fourth-ranked Bears defense (169 ypg) – one that has allowed the second-fewest points this season (59) and just three passing scores.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
QBs that are DOUBTFUL: Daunte Culpepper, MIA; Aaron Brooks, OAK
QBs that are OUT: Matt Hasselbeck, SEA; Trent Green, KC; Chris Simms, TB
1 Donovan McNabb, PHI
2 Carson Palmer, CIN
3 Philip Rivers, SD
4 Michael Vick, ATL
5 Marc Bulger, STL
6 Eli Manning, NYG
7 Peyton Manning, IND
8 Jake Delhomme, CAR
9 Rex Grossman, CHI
10 David Carr, HOU
11 Matt Leinart, ARI
12 Tom Brady, NE P
13 Drew Brees, NO
14 Brett Favre, GB
15 Charlie Frye, CLE
16 Tony Romo, DAL
17 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
18 Damon Huard, KC Q
19 Vince Young, TEN
20 David Garrard, JAX
21 Seneca Wallace, SEA
22 Brad Johnson, MIN
23 Chad Pennington, NYJ P
24 Bruce Gradkowski, TB
25 Steve McNair, BAL P
26 Jake Plummer, DEN
27 Andrew Walter, OAK
28 Alex Smith, SF
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Thomas Jones, CHI – Jones hasn’t been very impressive lately, but he has a very good match-up with San Francisco. The Niners are ranked 21st against the run (120 ypg) and the defense has allowed the most points this season (194). In their last game, LaDainian Tomlinson scored four times on the Niners. Jones ought to score at least once.
Ahman Green, GB – Green exploded for a 70-yard TD run last week and his hamstring was no worse for wear. If he’s healthy, he might have a good second half. This week, he faces the 18th-ranked Arizona run defense (113 ypg). Over the last three games, they have allowed just an average of 70 ypg on the ground, but allowed 69 points. Arizona seems to struggle on the road, so Green could do well once again at home.
Travis Henry, TEN – Henry has established himself as the main man in Tennessee over the last couple of games (51 carries, 301 yards, one TD). This week, he faces the 27th-ranked run defense of Houston (139 ypg) that has given up seven TDs on the ground, so he should show continued success.
Negative Play:
Frank Gore, SF -- Gore has feasted on weaker defenses and struggled against stronger ones. He faces the later this week – Chicago is ranked third against the run (75 ypg) and has allowed just one TD on the ground. The Bears are well rested and should have no trouble corralling Gore.
Deuce McAllister, NO -- McAllister has been a solid performer, but this week he faces the second-ranked Ravens run defense (71 ypg). Like the Bears, the Ravens have allowed just one TD on the ground.
Joseph Addai, IND -- Addai and Dominic Rhodes have done well this season, but they are not expected to be heavily used this week. Indy is struggling on defense, so the score should be high, resulting in Indy throwing the ball a lot out of the shotgun. The Colts face an improving Bronco run defense. The squad is ranked seventh against the run (90 ypg), but over the last four games, they have averaged 68 ypg and have yet to surrender a rushing TD this season.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
RBs that are DOUBTFUL: DeAngelo Williams, CARShaun Alexander, SEA
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Larry Johnson, KC
3 Brian Westbrook, PHI P
4 Tiki Barber, NYG
5 Tatum Bell, DEN P
6 Willie Parker, PIT
7 Thomas Jones, CHI
8 Steven Jackson, STL
9 Ahman Green, GB P
10 Travis Henry, TEN
11 Chester Taylor, MIN
12 Rudi Johnson, CIN P
13 Warrick Dunn, ATL
14 Julius Jones, DAL
15 DeShaun Foster, CAR
16 Reuben Droughns, CLE
17 Edgerrin James, ARI
18 Cadillac Williams, TB
19 Frank Gore, SF
20 Leon Washington, NYJ
21 Deuce McAllister, NO P
22 Fred Taylor, JAX
23 Wali Lundy, HOU
24 Corey Dillon, NE
25 Joseph Addai, IND
26 Reggie Bush, NO
27 Maurice Morris, SEA
28 Laurence Maroney, NE
29 Jamal Lewis, BAL
30 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX
31 Marion Barber III, DAL
32 Cedric Benson, CHI
33 Kevan Barlow, NYJ P
34 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
35 Dominic Rhodes, IND
36 Jerious Norwood, ATL
37 LaMont Jordan, OAK Q
38 Samkon Gado, HOU
39 Justin Fargas, OAK P
40 Musa Smith, BAL
41 LenDale White, TEN
42 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
43 Najeh Davenport, PIT
44 Verron Haynes, PIT
45 Chris Perry, CIN
46 Noah Herron, GB
47 Michael Turner, SD
48 Mike Anderson, BAL
49 Michael Pittman, TB
50 Mike Bell, DEN
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Donald Driver, GB – The Packers will be without Greg Jennings and Robert Ferguson, so the passing offense will go through Driver. He will be facing the 24th-ranked Arizona pass defense (225 ypg). They give up yardage, but they have only allowed six passing TDs this year. They did allow one by Oakland, so Brett Favre should be able to find Driver for a score.
Javon Walker, DEN – The Indy defense remains a good target for opposing WRs. Despite being ranked third in the league in passing (167 ypg), they have allowed nine passing TDs this season, so they are a mediocre squad that Walker should be able to exploit.
Muhsin Muhammad, CHI – Once Grossman gets back on track against the 30th-ranked Niner defense, Muhammad should reap the benefits.
Negative Play:
Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, IND – If Manning is expected to perform at a less-than-standard level, so will Harrison and Wayne. Champ Bailey and Darrent Williams are two of the game’s best corners and will be all over the Colt duo.
Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn, DAL – Tony Romo gets his first start this week. Last week’s performance had some positive spots, but it was also marred by mistakes. The one consistent fact was that Romo seemed to favor Jason Witten. This will limit Owens and Glenn’s success. Carolina is average against the pass (17th, 206 ypg), but over the last three games, it has averaged less than 200 ypg and have made seven sacks and four INTs.
Antonio Bryant, SF – If Smith is expected to be at the rock bottom of the rankings, that will affect Bryant’s performance as well against the Bears.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
WRs that are DOUBTFUL: Larry Fitzgerald, ARI; Greg Jennings, GB
1 Steve Smith, CAR
2 Torry Holt, STL
3 Anquan Boldin, ARI P
4 Andre Johnson, HOU
5 Donald Driver, GB
6 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
7 Chad Johnson, CIN
8 Marvin Harrison, IND
9 Terrell Owens, DAL
10 Reggie Brown, PHI P
11 Laveranues Coles, NYJ Q
12 Randy Moss, OAK
13 Reggie Wayne, IND
14 Javon Walker, DEN
15 Plaxico Burress, NYG P
16 Hines Ward, PIT
17 Bernard Berrian, CHI
18 Darrell Jackson, SEA
19 Marques Colston, NO
20 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
21 Keyshawn Johnson, CAR
22 Braylon Edwards, CLE
23 Joey Galloway, TB
24 Reggie Williams, JAX
25 Terry Glenn, DAL
26 Joe Horn, NO
27 Bryant Johnson, ARI
28 Eddie Kennison, KC
29 Isaac Bruce, STL
30 Doug Gabriel, NE
31 Antonio Bryant, SF
32 Amani Toomer, NYG
33 Drew Bennett, TEN
34 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
35 Deion Branch, SEA
36 Keenan McCardell, SD
37 Derrick Mason, BAL
38 Eric Parker, SD
39 Rod Smith, DEN
40 Travis Taylor, MIN P
41 Eric Moulds, HOU P
42 Troy Williamson, MIN Q
43 Donte Stallworth, PHI P
44 Mark Clayton, BAL
45 Joe Jurevicius, CLE
46 Santonio Holmes, PIT P
47 Michael Clayton, TB
48 Ronald Curry, OAK
49 Ashley Lelie, ATL
50 Chad Jackson, NE
Tight Ends
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
TE DOUBTFUL = Jeb Putzier, HOU
TE OUT = Ernie Conwell, NO; Vernon Davis, SF
1 Antonio Gates, SD P
2 Alge Crumpler, ATL
3 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
4 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE Q
5 Todd Heap, BAL
6 Tony Gonzalez, KC
7 L.J. Smith, PHI Q
8 Desmond Clark, CHI
9 Ben Watson, NE
10 Dallas Clark, IND
11 Jason Witten, DAL
12 Alex Smith, TB
13 Heath Miller, PIT
14 Courtney Anderson, OAK
15 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
16 George Wrighster, JAX
17 Joe Klopfenstein, STL
18 Ben Troupe, TEN
19 Chris Baker, NYJ
20 Bo Scaife, TEN
21 Owen Daniels, HOU
22 Bubba Franks, GB
23 Eric Johnson, SF
24 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
25 Daniel Wilcox, BAL
26 David Martin, GB
27 Jim Kleinsasser, MIN
28 Reggie Kelly, CIN
29 Ben Utecht, IND
30 Mark Campbell, NO
Kickers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Robbie Gould, CHI
2 Nate Kaeding, SD
3 Adam Vinatieri, IND P
4 Jeff Wilkins, STL
5 Jay Feely, NYG
6 John Kasay, CAR
7 Neil Rackers, ARI
8 Shayne Graham, CIN
9 Dave Rayner, GB
10 Jason Elam, DEN
11 David Akers, PHI
12 Jeff Reed, PIT
13 Josh Brown, SEA
14 Lawrence Tynes, KC
15 Matt Stover, BAL
16 John Carney, NO
17 Ryan Longwell, MIN
18 Morten Anderson, ATL
19 Rob Bironas, TEN
20 Mike Vanderjagt, DAL
21 Josh Scobee, JAX
22 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
23 Kris Brown, HOU
24 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
25 Mike Nugent, NYJ
26 Phil Dawson, CLE
27 Matt Bryant, TB
28 Joe Nedney, SF
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 Pittsburgh Steelers
3 Philadelphia Eagles
4 New York Giants
5 Baltimore Ravens
6 Carolina Panthers
7 San Diego Chargers
8 Kansas City Chiefs
9 New Orleans Saints
10 Denver Broncos
11 Dallas Cowboys
12 New England Patriots
13 Minnesota Vikings
14 Arizona Cardinals
15 Cincinnati Bengals
16 Indianapolis Colts
17 Green Bay Packers
18 Atlanta Falcons
19 Seattle Seahawks
20 New York Jets
21 Cleveland Browns
22 Jacksonville Jaguars
23 Houston Texans
24 St. Louis Rams
25 Tennessee Titans
26 Oakland Raiders
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
28 San Francisco 49ers
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Adrian Wilson, ARI P
2 Troy Polamalu, PIT
3 Madieu Williams, CIN
4 Ken Hamlin, SEA
5 Antoine Winfield, MIN
6 Ronde Barber, TB
7 Nick Collins, GB
8 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ P
9 Jermaine Phillips, TB
10 Gibril Wilson, NYG
11 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
12 Chris Hope, TEN
13 C.C. Brown, HOU
14 Rodney Harrison, NE
15 Antrel Rolle, ARI P
16 Champ Bailey, DEN
17 Rashean Mathis, JAX
18 Brian Dawkins, PHI
19 Sean Jones, CLE
20 Ike Taylor, PIT
21 Roy Williams, DAL
22 Charles Woodson, GB
23 Greg Wesley, KC
24 Sammy Knight, KC
25 Josh Bullocks, NO
26 Shaun Williams, CAR
27 Chris Gamble, CAR
28 Marquand Manuel, GB
29 Lawyer Milloy, ATL
30 Charles Tillman, CHI
31 Ken Lucas, CAR P
32 Ryan Clark, PIT
33 Walt Harris, SF P
34 Darrent Williams, DEN
35 Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL
36 Antoine Bethea, IND
37 Lito Sheppard, PHI P
38 Will Demps, NYG
39 Dunta Robinson, HOU
40 Dexter Jackson, CIN P
41 Anthony Henry, DAL
42 Nick Harper, IND
43 Dwight Smith, NO
44 Ty Law, KC
45 Ed Reed, BAL
46 Eric Green, ARI
47 Terence Newman, DAL
48 Will Allen, TB
49 Deltha ONeal, CIN
50 Shawntae Spencer, SF
Linebackers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
LB DOUBTFUL = Karlos Dansby, ARI
1 Will Witherspoon, STL
2 Ray Lewis, BAL
3 Lance Briggs, CHI
4 Keith Bulluck, TEN
5 Antonio Pierce, NYG
6 Cato June, IND
7 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
8 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
9 Andra Davis, CLE
10 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
11 Brian Urlacher, CHI
12 Kirk Morrison, OAK
13 James Farrior, PIT
14 Scott Fujita, NO
15 Nick Barnett, GB
16 A.J. Hawk, GB
17 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
18 Gerald Hayes, ARI
19 Donnie Edwards, SD
20 Daryl Smith, JAX
21 Julian Peterson, SEA
22 Gary Brackett, IND
23 Derrick Johnson, KC P
24 Shawne Merriman, SD
25 Thomas Davis, CAR
26 Bryan Thomas, NYJ
27 Adalius Thomas, BAL
28 E.J. Henderson, MIN
29 Shelton Quarles, TB
30 Bart Scott, BAL
31 Derrick Brooks, TB
32 Chris Draft, CAR
33 Derek Smith, SF
34 Demarcus Ware, DAL
35 Leroy Hill, SEA
36 Keith Brooking, ATL
37 Scott Shanle, NO
38 Bradie James, DAL
39 Kawika Mitchell, KC
40 David Thornton, TEN
41 DQwell Jackson, CLE
42 Clark Haggans, PIT P
43 Ian Gold, DEN
44 Eric Barton, NYJ
45 Kamerion Wimbley, CLE
46 Landon Johnson, CIN
47 Larry Foote, PIT
48 Brian Simmons, CIN P
49 Rosevelt Colvin, NE
50 Al Wilson, DEN P
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DL OUT = John Abraham, ATL
1 Julius Peppers, CAR
2 Jared Allen, KC
3 Michael Strahan, NYG
4 Justin Smith, CIN
5 Aaron Kampman, GB
6 Derrick Burgess, OAK
7 Tamba Hali, KC
8 Trent Cole, PHI
9 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
10 Bertrand Berry, ARI
11 Charles Grant, NO
12 Terrell Suggs, BAL
13 Orpheus Roye, CLE
14 Robert Mathis, IND
15 Kevin Williams, MIN
16 Leonard Little, STL
17 Will Smith, NO
18 Alex Brown, CHI
19 Mario Williams, HOU
20 Darrion Scott, MIN
21 Greg Ellis, DAL
22 Ty Warren, NE Q
23 Mike Patterson, PHI
24 Luis Castillo, SD
25 Robert Geathers, CIN
26 Grant Wistrom, SEA
27 Darwin Walker, PHI
28 Mathias Kiwanuka, NYG
29 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
30 Darren Howard, PHI P
31 Aaron Smith, PIT
32 John Abraham, ATL
33 Patrick Kerney, ATL
34 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI Q
35 Bryce Fisher, SEA
36 Elvis Dumervil, DEN
37 Ryan Pickett, GB
38 Antwan Odom, TEN
39 Tommy Kelly, OAK
40 Mike Rucker, CAR
41 John Thornton, CIN
42 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
43 Raheem Brock, IND P
44 Damione Lewis, CAR
45 Vince Wilford, NE
46 Jarvis Green, NE
47 Shaun Ellis, NYJ P
48 Bryant Young, SF P
49 Kelly Gregg, BAL
50 Brian Young, NO
Fantasy Football 
DVR.
So, apologies for any typos/stupid statements.