Week Nine Match-ups
November 03, 2006
Bye Weeks: NY Jets, Philadelphia, Arizona, Carolina
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Jon Kitna, DET – As predicted, Kitna has been rewarding his owners who stayed with him through the early struggles of the season. Kitna has nine TDs in the last five games (as well as adding a pair of TDs on the ground) while averaging 293 ypg. He throws a few picks in there, but you have to take the bad with the good. And it should get very good this week as the Lions face the reeling, 27th-ranked Atlanta pass defense (235 ypg). The Falcons have allowed an average of 293 yards and three passing TDs over the last three games – a total of 92 points allowed during that span.
Tony Romo, DAL – Romo had a solid first start last week (67%, 270 yards, one TD, one INT) and he’s locked onto Terrell Owens and Jason Witten, targeting the duo with 24 of his 36 pass attempts. This week, he faces the 30th-ranked defense of Washington (239 ypg) that has allowed 14 passing TDs thus far and are last in the league in sacks (10) and in INTs (two).
Damon Huard, KC – Huard has been a pleasant surprise as a spot starter this season. He has averaged 240 yards passing and has thrown for seven TDs over the last five games. That includes 545 yards and three TDs the last two weeks. This week, he faces the 21st-ranked pass defense of St. Louis (216 ypg) that has allowed nine passing TDs this season. Huard has a favorable match-up with week and would make a reasonable bye-week play.
Negative Play:
Carson Palmer, CIN – Yes, you start Palmer this week. However, his 266-yard, two-TD performance against the 27th-ranked Atlanta pass defense was rather bland. Not sure what the reason is or reasons are; Ocho Cinco has been inconsistent, Chris Henry has been consistently in trouble, the OL is banged up (21 sacks allowed (ninth worst) – maybe one or all of those reasons. Bottom line is that the Bengals need to step it up this week as they face the Ravens. While their initial numbers aren’t breathtaking (16th, 208 ypg; eight passing TDs allowed), they are a big-play defense as they are ranked fifth in sacks (21) and lead the league in INTs (15). They also have seven fumble recoveries and two safeties to boot.
Philip Rivers, SD – Rivers is in a situation that needs to be watched carefully this week. His Chargers are facing a defense that is ranked 29th against the run and fifth against the pass (180 ypg). The Browns held Chad Pennington to 108 yards, 0 TD and two INTs last week. Since the Chargers are coming off a big rushing performance last week, expect them to continue to feed the ball to LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Turner and for Rivers to have pedestrian numbers this week.
Jake Plummer, DEN – Plummer still hasn’t clicked in Denver this year – over the last three weeks, he’s posted 55%, 485 yards, two TDs and two INTs. This week, he faces the eighth-ranked Steeler defense (185 ypg) that is ranked among the league leaders in sacks and INTs. Expect Jake to continue to struggle.
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 Michael Vick, ATL
2 Marc Bulger, STL
3 Peyton Manning, IND
4 Jon Kitna, DET
5 Tom Brady, NE P
6 Rex Grossman, CHI
7 Eli Manning, NYG
8 Drew Brees, NO
9 Carson Palmer, CIN
10 Tony Romo, DAL
11 Philip Rivers, SD
12 Seneca Wallace, SEA
13 Brett Favre, GB
14 Damon Huard, KC
15 Alex Smith, SF
16 J.P. Losman, BUF
17 Steve McNair, BAL
18 Brad Johnson, MIN
19 David Carr, HOU
20 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
21 Mark Brunell, WAS P
22 David Garrard, JAX
23 Charlie Frye, CLE
25 Bruce Gradkowski, TB
24 Jake Plummer, DEN
26 Joey Harrington, MIA
27 Vince Young, TEN
28 Andrew Walter, OAK
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Chester Taylor, MIN – Taylor ran into a bump in the road last week in the New England Patriots (13 touches, 49 yards, 0 TD) and hopes to get back on track this week against San Francisco. The Niners are the 22nd-ranked defense against the run (123 ypg) and have allowed 11 rushing TDs this season (second-most in the league).
Warrick Dunn, ATL – Michael Vick’s recent success has had a somewhat negative affect on Dunn’s numbers of late. Nevertheless, the Falcons will go up against the Lions, which just gave up 221 yards and three TDs to Leon Washington and Kevan Barlow. This was despite being ranked 16th against the run (112 ypg) and having allowing just one other rushing TD. The Jets’ running game is nothing compared to the Falcons, so expect Dunn to get back on track.
Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX – Taylor is on quite a roll of late (351 total yards and two TDs over the last three games), while Jones-Drew has contributed as well (224 total yards and three TDs). This week, they face the 31st-ranked Titans run defense (162 ypg) that has allowed 10 rushing TDs thus far.
Negative Play:
Rudi Johnson, CIN -- Johnson has been struggling of late (211 total yards and one TD over the last three weeks), thanks in part to the banged-up OL of the Bengals. It won’t get any easier this week as he goes against the Ravens, the top-ranked run defense (66 ypg) that has allowed just one rushing TD this season. In fact, the Ravens gave up a total of 93 yards rushing the last two weeks to Carolina and New Orleans.
Ronnie Brown, MIA -- The Dolphins have a poor OL and have had trouble at QB this season. That has resulted in inconsistent play from Brown. It will be tough for him to get on a roll this week against the fifth-ranked Bears defense (82 yards) that has allowed just one rushing TD this season.
Tatum and Mike Bell, DEN -- Just when it looked like the RB situation in Denver stabilized, Tatum Bell got hurt and Mike Bell stepped up with a big game last week. As long as he’s healthy, Tatum is still the starter, but neither Bell should have a big game this week. Denver faces the eighth-ranked Steeler run defense (92 ypg), which has allowed just four rushing TDs this season.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
RBs that are DOUBTFUL: Shaun Alexander, SEA
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Larry Johnson, KC
3 Tiki Barber, NYG
4 Chester Taylor, MIN
5 Steven Jackson, STL
6 Kevin Jones, DET
7 Ahman Green, GB P
8 Clinton Portis, WAS P
9 Thomas Jones, CHI
10 Frank Gore, SF
11 Warrick Dunn, ATL
12 Willis McGahee, BUF
13 Fred Taylor, JAX P
14 Willie Parker, PIT
15 Julius Jones, DAL
16 Cadillac Williams, TB
17 Laurence Maroney, NE Q
18 Deuce McAllister, NO
19 Wali Lundy, HOU
20 Joseph Addai, IND Q
21 Rudi Johnson, CIN
22 Jamal Lewis, BAL
23 Reuben Droughns, CLE
24 Ronnie Brown, MIA
25 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX P
26 Corey Dillon, NE
27 Maurice Morris, SEA
28 Travis Henry, TEN
29 Tatum Bell, DEN P
30 Marion Barber III, DAL
31 Reggie Bush, NO Q
32 LaMont Jordan, OAK Q
33 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
34 Mike Bell, DEN
35 Jerious Norwood, ATL
36 Dominic Rhodes, IND Q
37 Cedric Benson, CHI
38 Mewelde Moore, MIN
40 Ladell Betts, WAS
39 Justin Fargas, OAK P
41 Michael Turner, SD
42 Noah Herron, GB
43 Musa Smith, BAL
44 LenDale White, TEN
45 Michael Pittman, TB
46 Chris Perry, CIN
47 Mack Strong, SEA
48 Najeh Davenport, PIT
49 Kevin Faulk, NE
50 Zack Crockett, OAK Q
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Darrell Jackson, SEA – Jackson hasn’t been setting the world on fire, but he’s been very consistent in finding the end zone – one TD in each of the last three games and six total in seven games. Seneca Wallace knows he can count on him and will continue to go to him often. Expect only the one big score, though, as the Raiders boast the No. 1 pass defense (159 ypg).
Donald Driver, GB – Brett Favre has played well the last two weeks (60%, 386 yards, three TDs, 0 INT) and he should continue to find Driver as he’s the only dependable WR he has right now. Buffalo’s pass defense is nothing special (14th, 200 ypg with 10 passing TDs allowed).
Isaac Bruce, STL – Marc Bulger and the Rams’ offense is rolling right now – over the last two games, Bulger has posted 67%, 687 yards, five TDs and one INT. Bruce got into the act last week with five receptions for 105 yards and should be the key this week as well. The seventh-ranked Chiefs pass defense (182 ypg) should be focusing on Torry Holt like the Chargers did last week, leaving Bruce open once again. Last week, the Chiefs held Seneca Wallace to 50% for 198 and two INTs, but allowed him to throw for three TDs, so the Chiefs are vulnerable to a point. Bruce is a great high-risk, high-reward play in this, the final bye week of the season.
Negative Play:
T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson, CIN – See Carson Palmer above – both are still must plays, but expect a less than stellar week from the duo.
Randy Moss, OAK – Moss had been getting back more into the offense – before last week. Andrew Walter completed five passes for 51 yards last week. Despite the Raiders playing the 28th-ranked Seahawk pass defense (237 ypg) that gave up 312 yards and a TD to Damon Huard, it’s hard to imagine that Moss will have a major affect this week, either.
Hines Ward, PIT – Ben Roethlisberger was horrible last week, tossing four INTs to Oakland. Ward has been riding the few highs and many lows with Big Ben this year. He will be the assignment of Champ Bailey as the Broncos make up for the second half Peyton Manning had last week. Despite Manning’s three TDs, the Broncos still boast the second-fewest TDs allowed (five) this season. Ward should continue to have a rough ride for the Steelers this week.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
WRs that are DOUBTFUL: Santana Moss, WAS
WRs that are OUT: Marcus Robinson, MIN
1 Torry Holt, STL
2 Terrell Owens, DAL
3 Marvin Harrison, IND
4 Roy Williams, DET
5 Andre Johnson, HOU
6 Darrell Jackson, SEA P
7 Reggie Wayne, IND
8 Donald Driver, GB
9 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
10 Chad Johnson, CIN
11 Javon Walker, DEN
12 Marques Colston, NO
13 Lee Evans, BUF
14 Randy Moss, OAK
15 Hines Ward, PIT
16 Isaac Bruce, STL
17 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
18 Bernard Berrian, CHI
19 Terry Glenn, DAL P
20 Joe Horn, NO Q
21 Antonio Bryant, SF
22 Mike Furrey, DET
23 Joey Galloway, TB
24 Eddie Kennison, KC
25 Derrick Mason, BAL
26 Chris Chambers, MIA
27 Deion Branch, SEA
28 Reggie Williams, JAX
29 Doug Gabriel, NE
30 Braylon Edwards, CLE
31 Troy Williamson, MIN
32 Amani Toomer, NYG
33 Michael Jenkins, ATL
34 Travis Taylor, MIN
35 Eric Parker, SD
36 Chris Henry, CIN
37 Mark Clayton, BAL
38 Rod Smith, DEN
39 Keenan McCardell, SD
40 Arnaz Battle, SF
41 Eric Moulds, HOU
42 Matt Jones, JAX
43 Brandon Lloyd, WAS P
44 Reche Caldwell, NE Q
45 Greg Jennings, GB
46 Antwaan Randle El, WAS P
47 Ashley Lelie, ATL
48 Plaxico Burress, NYG Q
49 Peerless Price, BUF
50 Drew Bennett, TEN
Tight Ends
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
TE OUT = Ernie Conwell, NO; Vernon Davis, SF
1 Alge Crumpler, ATL
2 Antonio Gates, SD
3 Tony Gonzalez, KC
4 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE Q
5 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
6 Todd Heap, BAL P
7 Chris Cooley, WAS
8 Desmond Clark, CHI
9 Jason Witten, DAL
10 Ben Watson, NE
11 Dallas Clark, IND
12 Randy McMichael, MIA
13 Owen Daniels, HOU
14 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
15 Eric Johnson, SF
16 Heath Miller, PIT
17 Alex Smith, TB
18 David Martin, GB
19 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
20 Courtney Anderson, OAK
21 George Wrighster, JAX
22 Joe Klopfenstein, STL
23 Bubba Franks, GB
24 Ben Troupe, TEN
25 Mark Campbell, NO
29 Daniel Wilcox, BAL P
27 Tony Scheffler, DEN P
28 Bo Scaife, TEN
29 Robert Royal, BUF
30 Ben Utecht, IND Q
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 Jay Feely, NYG
5 Jeff Wilkins, STL
6 Ryan Longwell, MIN
7 Josh Brown, SEA
8 Morten Anderson, ATL
9 Lawrence Tynes, KC
10 Dave Rayner, GB
11 Shayne Graham, CIN
12 Jason Elam, DEN
13 Josh Scobee, JAX
14 Mike Vanderjagt, DAL
15 John Carney, NO
16 Matt Stover, BAL
17 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
18 Jeff Reed, PIT
19 Rian Lindell, BUF
20 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
21 Jason Hanson, DET
22 Matt Bryant, TB
23 Joe Nedney, SF
24 Nick Novak, WAS
25 Rob Bironas, TEN
26 Kris Brown, HOU
27 Phil Dawson, CLE
28 Olindo Mare, MIA
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 New York Giants
3 San Diego Chargers
4 Jacksonville Jaguars
5 Baltimore Ravens
6 Pittsburgh Steelers
7 Seattle Seahawks
8 Minnesota Vikings
9 Denver Broncos
10 New Orleans Saints
11 Dallas Cowboys
12 Atlanta Falcons
13 Oakland Raiders
14 Green Bay Packers
15 New England Patriots
16 Cincinnati Bengals
17 St. Louis Rams
18 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19 Tennessee Titans
20 Indianapolis Colts
21 Buffalo Bills
22 Washington Redskins
23 Kansas City Chiefs
24 San Francisco 49ers
25 Miami Dolphins
26 Cleveland Browns
27 Detroit Lions
28 Houston Texans
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Troy Polamalu, PIT P
2 Ronde Barber, TB
3 Ken Hamlin, SEA
4 Chris Hope, TEN
5 Adam Archuleta, WAS
6 Antoine Winfield, MIN
7 Gibril Wilson, NYG
8 Madieu Williams, CIN
9 Champ Bailey, DEN P
10 Jermaine Phillips, TB
11 Sean Jones, CLE
12 Ed Reed, BAL
13 Sean Taylor, WAS
14 Rodney Harrison, NE
15 Nick Collins, GB
16 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
17 Darrent Williams, DEN
18 Antoine Bethea, IND
19 Daniel Bullocks, DET
20 Roy Williams, DAL
21 Donte Whitner, BUF
22 Dwight Smith, NO
23 Dunta Robinson, HOU
24 DeAngelo Hall, ATL
25 Josh Bullocks, NO
26 Marquand Manuel, GB
27 Charles Tillman, CHI
28 Lawyer Milloy, ATL
29 Anthony Henry, DAL
30 Rashean Mathis, JAX P
31 Darren Sharper, MIN P
32 Terrence McGee, BUF
33 C.C. Brown, HOU
34 Jordan Babineaux, SEA
35 Deon Grant, JAX
36 Dawan Landry, BAL P
37 Kenoy Kennedy, DET
38 Corey Chavous, STL
39 Greg Wesley, KC
40 Nick Harper, IND
41 Donovin Darius, JAX P
42 Ryan Clark, PIT
43 Chad Scott, NE
44 Dexter Jackson, CIN
45 Sammy Knight, KC
46 Terence Newman, DAL
47 Asante Samuel, NE
48 Will Demps, NYG
49 Michael Huff, OAK Q
50 John Lynch, DEN
Linebackers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
LB DOUBTFUL = Brian Simmons, CIN
1 Will Witherspoon, STL
2 Keith Bulluck, TEN
3 Antonio Pierce, NYG
4 Zach Thomas, MIA
5 Ray Lewis, BAL
6 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
7 Gary Brackett, IND Q
8 London Fletcher, BUF
9 Andra Davis, CLE
10 Brian Urlacher, CHI
11 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
12 Cato June, IND
13 E.J. Henderson, MIN
14 Lance Briggs, CHI
15 Ernie Sims, DET
16 Donnie Edwards, SD
17 James Farrior, PIT
18 Scott Fujita, NO
19 Kirk Morrison, OAK
20 Julian Peterson, SEA
21 Ian Gold, DEN P
22 Keith Brooking, ATL
23 A.J. Hawk, GB
24 Daryl Smith, JAX
25 Derrick Brooks, TB
26 Demarcus Ware, DAL
27 Derrick Johnson, KC
28 Mike Vrabel, NE
29 Marcus Washington, WAS
30 Shelton Quarles, TB Q
31 Leroy Hill, SEA
32 Kawika Mitchell, KC
33 Adalius Thomas, BAL P
34 Peter Sirmon, TEN
35 Derek Smith, SF
36 Scott Shanle, NO
37 Joey Porter, PIT
38 Channing Crowder, MIA
39 Nick Barnett, GB
40 Tedy Bruschi, NE
41 Clark Haggans, PIT P
42 Bart Scott, BAL
43 Manny Lawson, SF
44 Clint Ingram, JAX
45 DQwell Jackson, CLE
46 Angelo Crowell, BUF
47 Rosevelt Colvin, NE
48 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
49 Akinola Ayodele, DAL
50 Al Wilson, DEN P
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DL OUT = John Abraham, ATL, Antwan Odom, TEN
1 Aaron Kampman, GB
2 Michael Strahan, NYG
3 Derrick Burgess, OAK
4 Jason Taylor, MIA
5 Jared Allen, KC
6 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
7 Justin Smith, CIN
8 Charles Grant, NO
9 Aaron Schobel, BUF
10 Mathias Kiwanuka, NYG
11 James Hall, DET Q
12 Will Smith, NO
13 Leonard Little, STL
14 Tamba Hali, KC
15 Mario Williams, HOU P
16 Terrell Suggs, BAL
17 Patrick Kerney, ATL
18 Luis Castillo, SD
19 John Henderson, JAX P
20 Bryce Fisher, SEA
21 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
22 Simeon Rice, TB Q
23 John Abraham, ATL Q
24 Greg Ellis, DAL
25 Mark Anderson, CHI
26 Darrion Scott, MIN
27 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
28 Tommy Kelly, OAK
29 Alex Brown, CHI
30 Robert Mathis, IND
31 Bryant Young, SF
32 Travis Laboy, TEN
33 Vonnie Holliday, MIA P
34 Robert Bernard, SEA
35 Kalimba Edwards, DET
36 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
37 Elvis Dumervil, DEN
38 Jonathan Babineaux, ATL
39 Hollis Thomas, NO
40 Grant Wistrom, SEA
41 Rod Coleman, ATL
42 Tommie Harris, CHI
43 Chris Kelsay, BUF
44 Robert Geathers, CIN P
45 Kevin Williams, MIN Q
46 Ryan Pickett, GB
47 Kelly Gregg, BAL
48 Philip Daniels, WAS
49 Trevor Pryce, BAL
50 Rob Meier, JAX
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