Week Two
September 14, 2007
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Brett Favre, GB – The New York Giants allowed 345 yards passing and four TDs by the Cowboys last week. That’s plenty of reason for Brett Favre to be the top Plus Pick at QB this week. In Favre’s last four games against the Giants, he’s averaged 208 ypg, two TDs and made just one INT in those games. The Giants’ defense is very banged up, so expect a good day from The Man.
David Garrard, JAX – David Garrard wasn’t mind-blowing last week, but he threw for 204 yards and a TD against an improved Titan defense. This week, he faces a Falcon squad that allowed 163 yards and a TD by the studly Tarvaris Jackson. Atlanta didn’t sack Jackson in the game, so Garrard shouldn’t fear them. Expect another 200+yard game and possibly both a TD through the air and on the ground this week.
Rex Grossman, CHI – Well, if you thought David Garrard was a reach, how about Rex Grossman? Against San Diego, the right tackle could have played at QB and looked more competent at the position. But this week, Grossman faces the Chiefs, and at home – two big pluses for him. The Chiefs allowed Matt Schaub to throw for 225 yards and a TD. Grossman has proven to be better at home (14 TDs) than on the road (nine TDs). Throw Rex a bone this week.
Negative Play:
Vince Young, TEN – The Indianapolis Colts pass defense looked very impressive last week in limiting the Saints’ air attack to 192 yards and no TDs. This looks to be an improved squad, which is bad news for Vince Young. The Titans dominated the running game last week, so Young didn’t get rolling in the passing game. I don’t expect he will this week, either, because he will struggle against this defense this week.
Philip Rivers, SD – Wow. First Chicago, now New England, AT New England. The schedule didn’t do Philip Rivers any favors this season. Rivers got no help from his WRs last week and that trend will continue this week. The promise of the young WRs hasn’t developed, so expect another tough outing for Rivers.
J. P. Losman, BUF – Was this the same J. P. Losman we saw at the end of last season and in preseason? Fourteen completions for just 97 yards last week against the Broncos? Ick. This week, the Bills travel to Pittsburgh for another very tough match-up. Don’t start him unless you have to.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Peyton Manning, IND
2 Carson Palmer, CIN
3 Jon Kitna, DET
4 Tom Brady, NE P
5 Drew Brees, NO
6 Donovan McNabb, PHI
7 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
8 Marc Bulger, STL
9 Tony Romo, DAL
10 Brett Favre, GB
11 Jay Cutler, DEN
12 Jake Delhomme, CAR
13 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
14 David Garrard, JAX
15 Matt Leinart, ARI
16 Rex Grossman, CHI
17 Vince Young, TEN
18 Jeff Garcia, TB
19 Trent Green, MIA
20 Philip Rivers, SD
21 Steve McNair, BAL Q
22 Alex Smith, SF
23 Jason Campbell, WAS
24 Matt Schaub, HOU
25 Tarvaris Jackson, MIN
26 J.P. Losman, BUF
27 Jared Lorenzen, NYG
28 Derek Anderson, CLE
29 Daunte Culpepper, Oak
30 Joey Harrington, ATL
31 Damon Huard, KC
32 Kellen Clemens, NYJ
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Adrian Peterson, MIN – Adrian Peterson, MIN – Being a Sooner fan, I was actually hoping for it to be a while before I had a chance to put AD at the top of the RB PP list so it didn't look like I was playing favorites. But he got the opportunity last week when Chester Taylor got hurt and had a big game. Plus he faces a weak Detroit run defense that ranked 21st against the run and allowed 92 yards and a score by Oakland last week. A year ago, the Vikings were able to run for 307 yards and four TDs in two games. The opportunity is certainly there and AD had earned the spot.
Lamont Jordan, OAK – Maybe we could just assume that Lamont Jordan is a good play as long as Dominic Rhodes is suspended, but let’s just make it official. Jordan gained 159 total yards and had a TD against Detroit. This week, he faces a Denver squad that allowed 112 yards and a TD by Marshawn Lynch in his first NFL game. Jordan should do well.
Brandon Jackson, NYG – Hmm, a second rookie in Week 2? Dangerous, yes, but, heck, Brandon Jackson faces the Giants this week! The Giants allowed 142 yards rushing and two TDs to Dallas last week. Their defensive front looks very vulnerable. If Vernand Morency is limited or unable to play, expect Jackson to get more than the 19 touches he got last week for have a solid game.
Negative Play:
Larry Johnson, KC – Larry Johnson had a peculiar season debut last week, with just 17 touches for 87 total yards. Against Houston. This week, he faces the Bears, which held LaDainian Tomlinson to just 25 yards on 17 carries. Maybe it’s too early to throw up the red flag just yet, but if he continues to greatly struggle, this may be more than being not quite in game shape yet.
Laurence Maroney, NE – Laurence Maroney did the work last week, with 20 carries in the game against the Jets, but he totaled just 72 yards on the ground. He also lost carries to Sammy Morris and a TD to Heath Evans. Maroney either still isn’t 100% or he simply is not the man in NE just yet as we were led to believe. Since he will be facing the Chargers, it will be hard to believe that Maroney will do as well as he did last week.
Ahman Green, HOU – This was another case of reports of a set No. 1 RB not being true. Ron Dayne got a mess of unproductive carries while Ahman Green just missed out on 100 total yards last week. Houston will face a much more difficult challenge in taking on the Carolina Panthers. Last week, the Panthers held Steven Jackson to just 58 yards rushing and forced two fumbles. Expect a down week from Green.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
RBs that are OUT: Brandon Jacobs, NYG
RBs that are DOUBTFUL: Kevin Jones, DET
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Brian Westbrook, PHI
3 Frank Gore, SF
4 Willie Parker, PIT
5 Travis Henry, DEN
6 Steven Jackson, STL
7 Shaun Alexander, SEA
8 Joseph Addai, IND
9 Rudi Johnson, CIN
10 Adrian Peterson, MIN
11 Willis McGahee, BAL
12 Larry Johnson, KC
13 Reggie Bush, NO
14 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX
15 Clinton Portis, WAS
16 Edgerrin James, ARI
17 Ronnie Brown, MIA
18 LaMont Jordan, OAK
19 Cedric Benson, CHI
20 Marion Barber III, DAL
21 Deuce McAllister, NO
22 Brandon Jackson, GB
23 Laurence Maroney, NE
24 Chris Brown, TEN
25 Marshawn Lynch, BUF
26 Ahman Green, HOU
27 DeShaun Foster, CAR
28 Tatum Bell, DET
29 Jamal Lewis, CLE
30 Fred Taylor, JAX
31 Derrick Ward, NYG
32 Julius Jones, DAL
33 Warrick Dunn, ATL
34 Thomas Jones, NYJ P
35 DeAngelo Williams, CAR
36 Jerious Norwood, ATL
37 Ladell Betts, WAS
38 Michael Pittman, TB
39 LenDale White, TEN
40 Leon Washington, NYJ
41 Adrian Peterson, CHI
42 Najah Davenport, PIT
43 Sammy Morris, NE
44 Reuben Droughns, NYG
45 Brian Leonard, STL
46 Cadillac Williams, TB Q
47 Ron Dayne, HOU
48 Musa Smith, BAL
49 Jesse Chatman, MIA P
50 Maurice Morris, SEA
51 Michael Turner, SD
52 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
53 Earnest Graham, TB
54 Justin Fargas, OAK
55 Kevin Faulk, NE
56 Marcel Shipp, ARI
57 Michael Bennett, KC
58 Justin Griffith, OAK
59 Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG
60 Mack Strong, SEA
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Bernard Berrian, CHI – Last week, the Chiefs allowed the Texans’ Andre Johnson to catch seven passes for 142 yards and a TD. Bernard Berrian is the same type of deep threat for the Bears. He should be able to outplay an injured Chiefs secondary for a good day.
Joey Galloway, TB – While Jeff Garcia wasn’t eye-popping in his season debut, Joey Galloway was solid (five receptions, 72 yards). Last season against the Saints, Galloway had eight catches for 207 yards and three TDs in two games. He’s set for another solid showing.
Wes Welker, NE – If you’re struggling to find a No. 3 WR this week, give Wes Welker a shot. He looked very good as Tom Brady’s check-down target last week against the Jets (six catches, 61 yards, TD). The Pats have a tough match-up this week in the Chargers, but look for Welker to continue to be the short-passing game target for Brady and pick up some yardage and maybe another score this week.
Negative Play:
Lee Evans, BUF – Lee Evans has some tough secondaries to face early this season. Last week he only managed two receptions for five yards against Denver. This week, he faces the Steelers in Pittsburgh after destroying Cleveland last week.
Braylon Edwards, CLE – And speaking of Cleveland. Braylon Edwards is in an impossible situation – specifically with the Browns’ QB situation and the Browns’ offense in general. Last week, the Bengals were able to keep a slightly better Baltimore team out of the end zone, and along the way, made two INTs and two sacks.
Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ – Well, I was 50% on my Jets receivers last week, so I’ll stick with Jerricho Cotchery. If Chad Pennington is healthy, this is a tough match-up to begin with, facing the Ravens’ D. If Kellen Clemens goes, the opportunities for Cotchery shrink as he will be favoring Laveranues Coles.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
WRs that are OUT: Terry Glenn, DAL; Eddie Kennison, KC; Eric Parker, SD; D.J. Hackett, SEA
1 Steve Smith, CAR
2 Chad Johnson, CIN
3 Terrell Owens, DAL
4 Marvin Harrison, IND
5 Reggie Wayne, IND
6 Randy Moss, NE Q
7 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN P
8 Torry Holt, STL
9 Donald Driver, GB
10 Roy Williams, DET
11 Javon Walker, DEN P
12 Andre Johnson, HOU
13 Bernard Berrian, CHI
14 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
15 Joey Galloway, TB
16 Anquan Boldin, ARI
17 Marques Colston, NO
18 Hines Ward, PIT
19 Plaxico Burress, NYG
20 Chris Chambers, MIA
21 Santonio Holmes, PIT
22 Lee Evans, BUF
23 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
24 Deion Branch, SEA
25 Darrell Jackson, SF
26 Braylon Edwards, CLE
27 Santana Moss, WAS
28 Calvin Johnson, DET
29 Reggie Brown, PHI
30 Kevin Curtis, PHI
31 Ronald Curry, OAK
32 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
33 Vincent Jackson, SD
34 Derrick Mason, BAL
35 Brandon Marshall, DEN
36 Wes Welker, NE
37 Isaac Bruce, STL
38 Mike Furrey, DET
39 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI P
40 Devery Henderson, NO
41 Patrick Crayton, DAL
42 Amani Toomer, NYG
43 Arnaz Battle, SF
44 Antwaan Randle El, WAS
45 Marty Booker, MIA
46 Donte Stallworth, NE
47 Demetrius Williams, BAL Q
48 Brandon Jones, TEN
49 Bobby Wade, MIN
50 James Jones, GB
51 Troy Williamson, MIN
52 Mark Clayton, BAL Q
53 Nate Burleson, SEA
54 Drew Carter, CAR
55 Ernest Wilford, JAX
56 Dennis Nortrhcutt, JAX
57 Shaun McDonald, DET
58 Jerry Porter, OAK
59 Dwayne Bowe, KC
60 Greg Jennings, GB Q
Tight Ends
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Antonio Gates, SD P
2 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE
3 Jason Witten, DAL
4 Todd Heap, BAL
5 Tony Gonzalez, KC
6 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
7 Vernon Davis, SF
8 Dallas Clark, IND
9 Chris Cooley, WAS
10 Alge Crumpler, ATL
11 Desmond Clark, CHI
12 Heath Miller, PIT
13 Eric Johnson, NO
14 Randy McMichael, STL
15 Bo Scaife, TEN
16 Ben Watson, NE
17 Owen Daniels, HOU
18 Marcus Pollard, SEA
19 L.J. Smith, PHI P
20 Daniel Graham, DEN
21 Marcedes Lewis, JAX
22 David Martin, MIA
23 Alex Smith, TB
24 Zach Miller, OAK
25 Donald Lee, GB P
Kickers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Adam Vinatieri, IND
2 Jeff Wilkins, STL
3 David Akers, PHI
4 Olindo Mare, NO
5 Jason Elam, DEN
6 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
7 Shayne Graham, CIN P
8 Robbie Gould, CHI
9 Josh Brown, SEA
10 Jeff Reed, PIT
11 John Kasay, CAR
12 Nick Folk, DAL
13 Matt Stover, BAL
14 Nate Kaeding, SD
15 Joe Nedney, SF
16 Neil Rackers, ARI
17 Mason Crosby, GB
18 Jason Hanson, DET
19 Jay Feely, MIA
20 Ryan Longwell, MIN
21 John Carney, JAX
22 Lawrence Tynes, NYG Q
23 Rob Bironas, TEN
24 Matt Bryant, TB
25 Rian Lindell, BUF
26 Shaun Suisham, WAS
27 Kris Brown, HOU
28 Phil Dawson, CLE
29 Mike Nugent, NYJ
30 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
31 Dave Rayner, KC
32 Matt Prater, ATL
Team Defenses
1 Baltimore Ravens
2 Chicago Bears
3 Pittsburgh Steelers
4 Cincinnati Bengals
5 Jacksonville Jaguars
6 Philadelphia Eagles
7 Denver Broncos
8 Minnesota Vikings
9 New England Patriots
10 Indianapolis Colts
11 Carolina Panthers
12 Seattle Seahawks
13 Green Bay Packers
14 San Diego Chargers
15 Miami Dolphins
16 Dallas Cowboys
17 Oakland Raiders
18 New York Giants
19 St. Louis Rams
20 San Francisco 49ers
21 New Orleans Saints
22 Kansas City Chiefs
23 Houston Texans
24 Atlanta Falcons
25 Detroit Lions
26 Arizona Cardinals
27 Washington Redskins
28 New York Jets
29 Buffalo Bills
30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
31 Tennessee Titans
32 Cleveland Browns
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DBs that are OUT: Tye Hill, STL
DBs that are DOUBTFUL: Chris Crocker, ATL; Ko Simpson, BUF; Aaron Rouse, GB
1 Adrian Wilson, ARI
2 Antoine Winfield, MIN
3 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ
4 Sean Jones, CLE
5 Gibril Wilson, NYG P
6 Chris Hope, TEN
7 Madieu Williams, CIN
8 Bob Sanders, IND
9 Ronde Barber, TB
10 Roy Williams, DAL
11 Adam Archuleta, CHI
12 Troy Polamalu, PIT
13 Brian Dawkins, PHI
14 Donte Whitner, BUF
15 Jermaine Phillips, TB
16 Michael Lewis, SF
17 Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL
18 Roman Harper, NO
19 Charles Tillman, CHI
20 Darren Sharper, MIN
21 Rashean Mathis, JAX
22 Sean Taylor, WAS
23 Champ Bailey, DEN
24 Reggie Nelson, JAX
25 Nick Collins, GB
26 Ike Taylor, PIT
27 Marlin Jackson, IND
28 Ken Hamlin, DAL
29 LaRon Landry, WAS
30 Nate Clements, SF
31 Cedric Griffin, MIN
32 Chris Harris CAR
33 Ed Reed, BAL Q
34 Chris Gamble, CAR
35 Lawyer Milloy, ATL
36 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
37 Dawan Landry, BAL
38 Richard Marshall, CAR
39 Dexter Jackson, CIN
40 Michael Huff, OAK
41 Dunta Robinson, HOU
42 R.W. McQuarters, NYG
43 Terrence McGee, BUF
44 DeAngelo Hall, ATL
45 James Butler, NYG
46 Charles Woodson, GB
47 Bernard Pollard, KC
48 Quentin Jammer, SD
49 Sean Considine, PHI
50 Darrelle Revis, NYJ
51 Jarrad Page, KC
52 Deon Grant, SEA
53 Marcus Trufant, SEA
54 Tye Hill, STL
55 Anthony Henry, DAL
56 Carlos Rogers, WAS
57 Antoine Bethea, IND
58 Asante Samuel, NE
59 Chris McAlister, BAL
60 Nick Harper, TEN
Linebackers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
LBs that are OUT: Willie McGinest, CLE; Keith Ellison, BUF; Greg Ellis, DAL
LBs that are DOUBTFUL: Freddy Keiaho, IND
1 Zach Thomas, MIA
2 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
3 Mike Peterson, JAX
4 Kirk Morrison, OAK
5 Antonio Pierce, NYG
6 Keith Bulluck, TEN
7 Paul Posluszny, BUF
8 Will Witherspoon, STL
9 Julian Peterson, SEA
10 London Fletcher, WAS
11 Gary Brackett, IND
12 Lance Briggs, CHI
13 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
14 Brian Urlacher, CHI P
15 D.J. Williams, DEN
16 E.J. Henderson, MIN
17 Stephen Cooper, SD
18 Chad Greenway, MIN
19 Shawne Merriman, SD P
20 Donnie Edwards, KC
21 Ernie Sims, DET
22 Patrick Willis, SF
23 Keith Brooking, ATL
24 Barrett Ruud, TB
25 Freddie Keiaho, IND
26 A.J. Hawk, GB
27 Gerald Hayes, ARI
28 Derrick Brooks, TB
29 Nick Barnett, GB
30 Bart Scott, BAL
31 James Farrior, PIT
32 Adalius Thomas, NE
33 Ray Lewis, BAL Q
34 Dan Morgan, CAR
35 Karlos Dansby, ARI
36 Takeo Spikes, PHI
37 Angelo Crowell, BUF
38 Roger McIntosh, WAS
39 Shaun Phillips, SD
40 Clark Haggans, PIT
41 Demarcus Ware, DAL
42 Tedy Bruschi, NE
43 Omar Gaither, PHI
44 Thomas Howard, OAK
45 Paris Lenon, DET
46 Andra Davis, CLE
47 Scott Fujita, NO
48 Mike Vrabel, NE
49 Leroy Hill, SEA
50 Landon Johnson, CIN
51 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
52 DQwell Jackson, CLE
53 Michael Boley, ATL
54 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
55 Ahmad Brooks, CIN
56 Kamerion Wimbley, CLE
57 Victor Hobson, NYJ
58 Jon Beason, CAR
59 Derrick Johnson, KC
60 Manny Lawson, SF
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DLs that are OUT: Rod Coleman, ATL
1 Jason Taylor, MIA
2 Terrell Suggs, BAL
3 Julius Peppers, CAR
4 Robert Mathis, IND
5 Aaron Kampman, GB P
6 Justin Smith, CIN
7 Tamba Hali, KC
8 Mark Anderson, CHI
9 Patrick Kerney, SEA
10 Leonard Little, STL
11 Mario Williams, HOU
12 Will Smith, NO
13 Aaron Schobel, BUF
14 Trent Cole, PHI
15 Charles Grant, NO
16 Derrick Burgess, OAK
17 Robert Bernard, SEA
18 Dewayne White, DET
19 Michael Strahan, NYG
20 Trevor Pryce, BAL
21 Elvis Dumervil, DEN
22 Andre Carter, WAS
23 Ty Warren, NE
24 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
25 Luis Castillo, SD
26 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
27 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
28 Darryl Tapp, SEA
29 Bertrand Berry, ARI
30 John Abraham, ATL
31 Jamaal Anderson, ATL
32 Cullen Jenkins, GB
33 Aaron Smith, PIT
34 Kevin Williams, MIN
35 Chris Kelsay, BUF
36 John Henderson, JAX P
37 Justin Tuck, NYG
38 James Hall, STL
39 Kalimba Edwards, DET
40 Warren Sapp, OAK
41 Mike Patterson, JAX
42 Reggie Hayward, JAX
43 Marcus Stroud, JAX
44 Jarvis Green, DEN Q
45 Raheem Brock, IND
46 Dwight Freeney, IND
47 Tommy Kelly, OAK
48 John Thornton, CIN
49 Ray Edwards, MIN
50 Matt Roth, MIA
51 Cory Redding, DET
52 Orpheus Roye, CLE
53 Robert Geathers, CIN
54 Darren Howard, PHI
55 Gaines Adams, TB
56 Ray McDonald, SF
57 Domata Peko, CIN
58 Brian Young, NO
59 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
60 Kevin Carter, TB
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