Week Fourteen Match-ups (UPDATED)
December 08, 2006
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Jeff Garcia, PHI – Jeff Garcia’s career arose from the ashes last week as he posted 54%, 312 yards, 3 TDs and no INTs against Carolina. Garcia has been masterful in spreading the ball around the last three weeks, targeting Brian Westbrook 32 times and averaging just over 20 targets for each Donte Stallworth, Reggie Brown and L.J. Smith. Garcia was quickly grabbed in any remaining leagues he was available in, especially for the match-up this week. The Eagles face the 24th-ranked Redskins pass defense (221 ypg) that are tied for last in TDs allowed (23) and sacks made (15), and are dead last in INTs made (five).
Vince Young, TEN – If only you could start someone else for the first half and Young for the second – I guess he needs a little time to figure out the defense. Over the last three weeks, he has completed 57% of his passes, amassed 709 total yards and scored six TDs while having allowed just two TDs. This week, he faces the 27th-ranked Houston pass defense (228 ypg) that has allowed 17 passing TDs this season.
Matt Leinart, ARI – Leinart has played quite well of late (63%, 824 yards, three TDs and two INTs the last three weeks). He was able to team up with Larry Fitzgerald for a TD last week as he scattered the ball around to eight different receivers. Seattle ranks in the middle against the pass (17th, 209 ypg) and allowed Jay Cutler to pass for two TDs in his first start. Seattle is made for the big play (third in sacks (39) and INTs (11), so Leinart just needs to avoid those and he should be a solid play.
Negative Play:
Trent Green, KC – Green got back in the groove last week against Cleveland, firing four TD passes. However, that was only the second game in the last 22 games in which he’s thrown at least three scores. It will be very hard to duplicate that effort against Baltimore (ninth, 192 ypg), which has allowed just 11 TDs thus far and are third in sacks made (41).
Marc Bulger, STL – Since the Rams lost OT Orlando Pace, Bulger has averaged 218 ypg with just three TD passes, while tossing six INTs. This week, it won’t get any better as the Rams face the second-ranked Bears pass defense (162 ypg) that has allowed the fewest TD passes (8). Chicago has also made five sacks and eight INTs over the last three weeks. Only three quarterbacks have topped 200 yards on Chicago and only two have recorded multiple TDs.
Rex Grossman, CHI – Awful? Pitiful? Disgusting? Pick your adjective – that’s how Grossman has played of late (43%, 329 yards, one TD and six INTs the last three weeks). This week, the Bears face the eighth-ranked Rams pass defense (189 ypg) that has held its opponents to an average of 165 ypg and totaled four sacks and four INTs the last three weeks. Part of that is because the Rams’ run defense is pretty poor, so the Bears will run the ball this week.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
QBs that are OUT: Daunte Culpepper, MIA
1 Tony Romo, DAL
2 Carson Palmer, CIN
3 Peyton Manning, IND
4 Tom Brady, NE P
5 Drew Brees, NO
6 Jeff Garcia, PHI
7 Vince Young, TEN
8 Matt Leinart, ARI
9 Michael Vick, ATL
10 Eli Manning, NYG
11 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
12 Brett Favre, GB
13 Jon Kitna, DET
14 Chris Weinke, CAR
15 Steve McNair, BAL
16 Philip Rivers, SD
17 Joey Harrington, MIA
18 David Carr, HOU
19 David Garrard, JAX
20 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
21 Chad Pennington, NYJ P
22 Alex Smith, SF
23 Jason Campbell, WAS
24 Brad Johnson, MIN
25 J.P. Losman, BUF
26 Trent Green, KC
27 Marc Bulger, STL P
28 Jay Cutler, DEN
29 Aaron Brooks, OAK
30 Rex Grossman, CHI
31 Bruce Gradkowski, TB
32 Derek Anderson, CLE
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Ahman Green, GB – Green posted his fifth 100-yard game this season last week and has been a solid performer when he’s been on the field. In his last meeting with San Francisco, he gained 154 yards. The Niners’ are ranked 21st against the run (122 ypg), but have allowed a league-worst total of 15 rushing TDs, so Green might get on the board for once.
Ladell Betts, WAS – Betts has done quite well in place of Clinton Portis (347 total yards and a TD the last three weeks), especially with his career-high 155 yards rushing last week against Atlanta. The Eagles are ranked 28th against the run (137 ypg), but over the last three weeks, they have fallen off the map, having allowed 185 ypg on the ground.
Travis Henry, TEN – Henry has done very well in two of the last three games, amassing 305 total yards and a TD over that span. This week, he faces the 16th-ranked Houston run defense (116 ypg) and should be able to pick his spots for a solid game.
Negative Play:
Joseph Addai, IND – Last week, Dominic Rhodes let us know that he’s still in the mix in the Colts backfield (17 touches, 68 total yards and a TD, compared to Addai’s 17 touches, 67 yards and no TDs), so this isn’t Addai’s team yet. This week, the Colts face the very good run defense of Jacksonville (fifth, 92 ypg) that has allowed just 55 ypg the last three weeks.
Deuce McAllister, NO – McAllister will be average at best this week. He did well last week, but Reggie Bush stole the show with 19 touches (to Deuce’s 26) for four TDs. This week, the Saints face the fourth-ranked Dallas run defense (90 ypg) that is susceptible to the big play (10 rushing TDs allowed).
Jamal Lewis, BAL – Lewis is another back expected to be mediocre this week. He is doing better in the second half of the season, but he’s facing a defense that is very challenging to RBs on the road. Kansas City is average against the run (14th, 112 ypg), but at home, they have not allowed a 100-yard game in the last 21 home games. Lewis hasn’t gained 100 yards in his last five outings.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
RBs that are DOUBTFUL: Musa Smith, BAL; Chester Taylor, MIN
RBs that are OUT: Ronnie Brown, MIA; LaMont Jordan, OAK
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Larry Johnson, KC
3 Frank Gore, SF
4 Brian Westbrook, PHI P
5 Shaun Alexander, SEA
6 Willie Parker, PIT
7 Steven Jackson, STL
8 Ahman Green, GB P
9 Rudi Johnson, CIN
10 Ladell Betts, WAS
11 Tiki Barber, NYG
12 Travis Henry, TEN
13 Marion Barber III, DAL
14 Tatum Bell, DEN
15 Willis McGahee, BUF Q
16 Kevin Jones, DET
17 Thomas Jones, CHI
18 Joseph Addai, IND
19 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX P
20 Fred Taylor, JAX
21 Deuce McAllister, NO
22 Jamal Lewis, BAL
23 Cedric Houston, NYJ P
24 Edgerrin James, ARI
25 Warrick Dunn, ATL
26 Reggie Bush, NO
27 Corey Dillon, NE
28 Ciatrick Fason, MIN
29 Wali Lundy, HOU
30 DeAngelo Williams, CAR
31 Cadillac Williams, TB
32 Julius Jones, DAL
33 Sammy Morris, MIA P
34 Reuben Droughns, CLE
35 Cedric Benson, CHI
36 Justin Fargas, OAK
37 Leon Washington, NYJ
38 DeShaun Foster, CAR P
39 Ron Dayne, HOU
40 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
41 Laurence Maroney, NE Q
42 Jerious Norwood, ATL
43 Mewelde Moore, MIN
44 Dominic Rhodes, IND
45 Jason Wright, CLE
46 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
47 Vernand Morency, GB
49 ReShard Lee, OAK
48 Najeh Davenport, PIT
50 Kevin Faulk, NE
51 T.J. Duckett,WAS
52 Mike Bell, DEN
53 Mike Alstott, TB
54 Michael Bennett, KC
55 LenDale White, TEN Q
56 Noah Herron, GB P
57 Zack Crockett, OAK
58 Kenny Watson, CIN
59 Michael Pittman, TB
60 Maurice Hicks, SF
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Donald Driver, GB – This is a match-up play because Brett Favre hasn’t played well of late (52%, 553 yards, two TDs and five INTs the last three weeks). The Packers face the 22nd-ranked pass defense of San Francisco (218 ypg) that has coughed up 20 TDs through the air this season. Driver is Favre’s healthiest WR, so he will continue to target Driver often.
Lee Evans, BUF – Evans hasn’t been tearing it up of late, but in Week Three against the Jets, Evans totaled eight receptions for 107 yards. Evans has been targeted 35 times over the last three weeks, compared to the second most on the team, 14, for Peerless Price. This week, the Bills face the 20th-ranked Jets defense (215 ypg) that is just average across the board.
Devery Henderson and Terrance Copper, NO – Marques Colston and Joe Horn are both questionable for this week’s game, so Henderson and Copper will have to step up this week. They both may be on your Free Agent wire, so they would be an interesting pick-up and play, even with a modest match-up against Dallas. The Cowboys are average in this face of the game (12th, 198 ypg).
Negative Play:
Torry Holt, STL – Holt will be hit and miss due to Bulger’s injuries and lack of time to look at his options. Holt is the Rams’ best bet to score through the air – just don’t expect normal numbers this week.
Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian, CHI – Grossman has been horrible, so it’s hard to expect much from this duo. It’s hard to trust him to complete half of his passes to Muhammad over the middle, much less deep to Berrian.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
WRs that are OUT: Hines Ward, PIT; Cedrick Wilson, PIT; Malcom Floyd, SD
1 Steve Smith, CAR
2 Terrell Owens, DAL
3 Chad Johnson, CIN
4 Reggie Wayne, IND
5 Roy Williams, DET
6 Darrell Jackson, SEA
7 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
8 Donald Driver, GB
9 Marvin Harrison, IND
10 Anquan Boldin, ARI
11 Andre Johnson, HOU
12 Torry Holt, STL P
13 Javon Walker, DEN
14 Lee Evans, BUF
15 Donte Stallworth, PHI
16 Devery Henderson, NO
17 Plaxico Burress, NYG
18 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN P
19 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
20 Santana Moss, WAS
21 Joey Galloway, TB
22 Terry Glenn, DAL
23 Reggie Brown, PHI
24 Chris Chambers, MIA
25 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
26 Deion Branch, SEA
27 Marty Booker, MIA
28 Terrance Copper, NO
29 Antonio Bryant, SF
30 Reche Caldwell, NE
31 Mike Furrey, DET
32 Braylon Edwards, CLE
33 Matt Jones, JAX
34 Santonio Holmes, PIT
35 Derrick Mason, BAL
36 Keyshawn Johnson, CAR
37 Nate Washington, PIT
38 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
39 Mark Clayton, BAL
40 Bernard Berrian, CHI
41 Marcus Robinson, MIN P
42 Michael Jenkins, ATL
43 Greg Jennings, GB
44 Randy Moss, OAK
45 Eddie Kennison, KC
46 Drew Bennett, TEN
47 Arnaz Battle, SF
48 Isaac Bruce, STL
49 Rod Smith, DEN
50 Chris Henry, CIN
51 Eric Parker, SD
52 Ernest Wilford, JAX
53 Travis Taylor, MIN
54 Eric Moulds, HOU
55 Brandon Jones, TEN
56 Josh Reed, BUF
57 Bryant Johnson, ARI
58 Wes Welker, MIA P
59 Reggie Williams, JAX
60 Peerless Price, BUF
Tight Ends
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
TEs that are OUT: Eric Johnson, SF; Dallas Clark, IND
1 Antonio Gates, SD
2 Alge Crumpler, ATL
3 Todd Heap, BAL
4 Tony Gonzalez, KC P
5 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
6 Ben Watson, NE
7 Chris Cooley, WAS
8 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE
9 Jason Witten, DAL
10 Heath Miller, PIT
11 Bo Scaife, TEN
12 L.J. Smith, PHI
13 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
14 Vernon Davis, SF
15 Ben Utecht, IND
16 Desmond Clark, CHI
17 Randy McMichael, MIA
18 Randal Williams, OAK P
19 George Wrighster, JAX P
20 Owen Daniels, HOU
21 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN P
22 Chris Baker, NYJ
23 Courtney Anderson, OAK
24 Stephen Alexander, DEN Q
25 Bryan Fletcher, IND
Kickers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Josh Brown, SEA
2 Shayne Graham, CIN
3 Robbie Gould, CHI
4 Adam Vinatieri, IND
5 David Akers, PHI
6 John Kasay, CAR
7 Martin Gramatica, DAL
8 Nate Kaeding, SD
9 Josh Scobee, JAX
10 Ryan Longwell, MIN
11 Joe Nedney, SF
12 Jeff Wilkins, STL
13 Jeff Reed, PIT
14 Neil Rackers, ARI
15 Mike Nugent, NYJ
16 Lawrence Tynes, KC
17 Matt Stover, BAL
18 Jay Feely, NYG
19 Rob Bironas, TEN
20 John Carney, NO
21 Jason Hanson, DET
22 Morten Anderson, ATL
23 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
24 Kris Brown, HOU
25 Jason Elam, DEN Q
26 Dave Rayner, GB
27 Rian Lindell, BUF
28 Shaun Suisham, WAS
29 Olindo Mare, MIA
30 Matt Bryant, TB
31 Phil Dawson, CLE
32 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK P
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 Pittsburgh Steelers
3 San Diego Chargers
4 Cincinnati Bengals
5 New England Patriots
6 Baltimore Ravens
7 Minnesota Vikings
8 New York Jets
9 Carolina Panthers
10 Seattle Seahawks
11 Atlanta Falcons
12 Miami Dolphins
13 St. Louis Rams
14 New York Giants
15 Tennessee Titans
16 Houston Texans
17 Jacksonville Jaguars
18 Arizona Cardinals
19 San Francisco 49ers
20 Dallas Cowboys
21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
22 Kansas City Chiefs
23 Buffalo Bills
24 Cleveland Browns
25 Philadelphia Eagles
26 Oakland Raiders
27 Indianapolis Colts
28 Green Bay Packers
29 Denver Broncos
30 Detroit Lions
31 New Orleans Saints
32 Washington Redskins
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DBs that are OUT: Troy Polamalu, PIT, Ryan Clark, PIT; Rodney Harrison, NE
1 Ken Hamlin, SEA
2 Adrian Wilson, ARI
3 Ronde Barber, TB
4 Roy Williams, DAL
5 Sean Jones, CLE
6 Bob Sanders, IND Q
7 Chris Hope, TEN
8 Kenoy Kennedy, DET
9 Lawyer Milloy, ATL
10 Gibril Wilson, NYG
11 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ
12 Sean Taylor, WAS
13 Madieu Williams, CIN
14 Chris Harris, CHI
15 Jermaine Phillips, TB
16 Antoine Winfield, MIN
17 Antoine Bethea, IND Q
18 Nick Collins, GB
19 Charles Tillman, CHI
20 Richard Marshall, CAR
21 Antrel Rolle, ARI
22 Terrence Holt, DET
23 Walt Harris, SF
24 Chris Gamble, CAR
25 Danieal Manning, CHI
26 Glenn Earl, HOU
27 Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL Q
28 Shaun Williams, CAR
29 Nate Clements, BUF
30 Josh Bullocks, NO
31 Will Demps, NYG
32 Jordan Babineaux, SEA
33 Ed Reed, BAL
34 Dwight Smith, NO
35 Marquand Manuel, GB
36 Erik Coleman, NYJ
37 Rashean Mathis, JAX
38 Ty Law, KC
39 Charles Woodson, GB P
40 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
41 Yeremiah Bell, MIA
42 Darrent Williams, DEN P
43 Sammy Knight, KC Q
44 DeAngelo Hall, ATL
45 Nick Harper, IND
46 Dexter Jackson, CIN
47 Terence Newman, DAL
48 Darren Sharper, MIN
49 PacMan Jones, TEN
50 Brian Dawkins, PHI
Linebackers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
LBs that are OUT: Angelo Crowell, BUF; Derek Smith, SF
1 Keith Bulluck, TEN
2 Donnie Edwards, SD
3 London Fletcher, BUF
4 Brian Urlacher, CHI
5 James Farrior, PIT
6 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
7 Ray Lewis, BAL
8 Zach Thomas, MIA
9 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
10 Will Witherspoon, STL
11 Cato June, IND
12 A.J. Hawk, GB
13 Tedy Bruschi, NE
14 Gary Brackett, IND
15 David Thornton, TEN
16 Kawika Mitchell, KC
17 Clint Ingram, JAX P
18 Ernie Sims, DET
19 Andra Davis, CLE
20 Caleb Miller, CIN
21 Bart Scott, BAL
22 Gerald Hayes, ARI
23 Lance Briggs, CHI
24 Kirk Morrison, OAK
25 Thomas Davis, CAR
26 Antonio Pierce, NYG P
27 Marcus Washington, WAS
28 Shaun Phillips, SD
29 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
30 Channing Crowder, MIA
31 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
32 E.J. Henderson, MIN
33 Larry Foote, PIT
34 Shawne Merriman, SD
35 Landon Johnson, CIN
36 Rosevelt Colvin, NE
37 Mike Vrabel, NE
38 Derrick Brooks, TB
39 Sam Cowart, HOU
40 Karlos Dansby, ARI
41 Scott Shanle, NO
42 Akinola Ayodele, DAL
43 Daryl Smith, JAX P
44 Leroy Hill, SEA
45 Demarcus Ware, DAL
46 Chris Draft, CAR
47 Takeo Spikes, BUF
48 Keith Brooking, ATL
49 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
50 Joey Porter, PIT
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DLs that are DOUBTFUL: Michael Strahan, NYG
DLs that are OUT: Orpheus Roye, CLE; Shaun Rogers, DET; Tommie Harris, CHI
1 Aaron Kampman, GB
2 Jared Allen, KC
3 Kevin Williams, MIN
4 Justin Smith, CIN
5 Aaron Schobel, BUF
6 Julius Peppers, CAR
7 Charles Grant, NO
8 Jason Taylor, MIA P
9 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
10 Leonard Little, STL
11 Trent Cole, PHI
12 Richard Seymour, NE P
13 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
14 John Abraham, ATL P
15 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
16 Tommy Kelly, OAK
17 Derrick Burgess, OAK
18 Cornelius Griffin, WAS
19 Terrell Suggs, BAL
20 Bryan Thomas, NYJ Q
21 Trevor Pryce, BAL
22 Raheem Brock, IND
23 Shaun Ellis, NYJ P
24 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
25 Robert Mathis, IND Q
26 Robert Geathers, CIN
27 Dewayne White, TB
28 Tamba Hali, KC
29 Andre Carter, WAS
30 Bryant Young, SF
31 Mathias Kiwanuka, NYG
32 Will Smith, NO
33 Travis Laboy, TEN
34 Aaron Smith, PIT
35 Ty Warren, NE
36 Robert Bernard, SEA P
37 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
38 Alex Brown, CHI
39 Mike Rucker, CAR
40 Brian Young, NO
41 Dwight Freeney, IND
42 Rod Coleman, ATL
43 LaRoi Glover, STL
44 Mike Patterson, PHI
45 John Henderson, JAX
46 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
47 Kalimba Edwards, DET
48 Mark Anderson, CHI
49 Albert Haynesworth, TEN
50 Chris Hovan, TB
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