[The Saturday Night Edition]
THE ATL REPORT
Storylines this week:
***Quarterbacks out this week: In Cincinnati, more bad news for Bengal fans, reports are now surfacing that Palmer could be close to shutting it down for the season. The same story seems to be surfacing in Seattle as Hasselbeck's knee does not appear to be recovering well. Other high profile quarterbacks out this week, in Dallas Tony Romo remains sidelined with his broken pinkie.
***Parker and Addai still OUT: No improvement for Parker this week as he will sit Sunday and while he's getting closer, the Colts running back Joseph Addai will likely sit this Sunday. Moore and Rhodes are the running back plays for Pittsburgh and Indy this week.
***Westbrook and Boldin return: Both Westbrook and Boldin will make their returns this week, but it sounds like the Eagles running back is closer to 100%. Boldin is only expected to play about half of the team's snaps, while it sounds like Westbrook is return to go. Play Boldin with caution, owners should be able to start the Eagle's runner with confidence.
***Steve Jackson 50-50: It sounds like it's going to be a toss up with Jackson's availability, while many of us fantasy owners are hopeful he will play. The Rams runner does not have a great matchup this week, but he's been such a fantasy beast of late if he plays, he's a must start!
***Saints & Chargers in London: The Saints and Chargers will meet this Sunday, in a far, far away place called London. This will be the NFL's second year in a row to make the trek across the Atlantic, as part of the NFL International Marketing campaign. Both teams bring a 3-4 record to the European soil, with the pressure on the Saints to keep pace in the NFC South. The Saints have the top ranked passing offense going up against the Chargers number 32nd ranked pass defense. Something has to break in this one!
***More trouble in the NFL: According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Deuce McAllister was among a number of players that have recently tested positive for Steroids. Appeals are expected, and cases pending, but each player involved faces a possible suspension up to four games. In other news the Steelers will deactivate WR Santonio Holmes for his recent arrest related to possession of marijuana.
THIS WEEK AROUND THE LEAGUE
[By the numbers]
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
ARIZONA
The Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is the 3rd ranked quarterback with 1,708 yards passing this season. This week he see the return of one of his top rated receivers with Anquan Boldin back this week!
ATLANTA
The Falcons offense has the number three overall rusher in the NFL in Michael Turner (597 yards) and the number four overall receiver in the NFL in Roddy White (566 yards).
CAROLINA
The Panthers are the number 5 ranked overall defense this season allowing only 276 yards per game. At home this season the Panthers are 4-0 and have only allowed 33 points in four games this season.
CHICAGO
The Bears quarterback Kyle Orton has emerged as a reliable QB1 in the NFL averaging more than 20 fantasy points per game in his last three starts. Orton is the 6th ranked passer with 1,669 yards passing this season.
DALLAS
The Cowboys are the third ranked passing offense in the NFL averaging 266 yards and will face the Buccaneers 15th ranked pass defense that ranks 2nd in the NFL with 12 interceptions.
DETROIT
The Lions defense is at home this week with the NFL's 31st ranked defense that allows 167 yards per game. This Sunday they will face the Redskins and Clinton Portis, the NFL's leading rusher with 818 yards (116.9 yds/game).
GREEN BAY
The Packers will have a bye this week and rest up their 10th ranked passing offense led by WR Greg Jennings (685 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns). The Packers will face the Tennessee Titans in week 9.
MINNESOTA
The Vikings boast the number 10 ranked rushing offense led by running back Adrian Peterson and his 684 yards on the ground. The Vikings also have the number 3 ranked run defense allowing only 495 yards this season (70.7 yds/game).
NEW ORLEANS
The Saints quarterback Drew Brees leads the NFL in passing with 2,224 yards in 7 games this season. This week he will face the NFL's worst ranked pass defense!
NEW YORK GIANTS
The G-men boast the NFL's best rushing offense this season averaging 170 yards on the ground per game. The Giants are led by their fantasy beast of a running back Brandon Jacobs; 96 carries (17th), 516 yards (7th), and 6 touchdowns (4th).
PHILADELPHIA
The Eagles are at home this week to face the Falcons and coming off a bye, they are 9-0. This week the Eagles will see the return of RB Brian Westbrook and WR Kevin Curtis.
ST. LOUIS
The Rams are rolling with two big wins over Washington and Dallas, and will be riding the "Action-Jackson" train this week into New England. Jackson has been a fantasy monster the last several weeks, totaling 475 yards of offense in his last three games!
SAN FRANCISCO
This week the Niners will be looking more from their passing game when they face the Seahawks 29th ranked pass defense. Last week WR Josh Morgan gave the team a boost with 86 receiving yards and a score. The Niners have the NFL's 18th ranked passing offense, but have 27 pass plays for 20 or more yards this season (2nd most).
SEATTLE
The Seahawks have had their troubles with injury all season with Branch, Engram and Hasslebeck missing time. This week they will once again be without quarterback Matt Hasselbeck when they face the Niners. This season the offense is only averaging 127 yards passing per game (last in the NFL).
TAMPA BAY
The Buccaneers (5-2) face the Cowboys (4-3) this Sunday and bring their 15th ranked pass defense with them. In seven games this season the Bucs have picked off 12 passes (2nd most in the NFL). LB Barrett Ruud has two thefts to go with his 39 solo tackles.
WASHINGTON
The Redskins are among the best teams in the NFL this season at 5-2. The offense is led by RB Clinton Portis (818 yards rushing/ranked 1st) and WR Santana Moss (518 yards receiving/ranked 9th).
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
BALTIMORE
The Ravens defense is the best in the NFL, ranked 1st against the run allowing only 67 yards on the ground. Overall the defense only surrenders 239 yards of offense. This week they meet the Raiders 5th ranked rushing offense.
BUFFALO
The Bills have started out 5-1 this season and currently sit on top of the AFC East. They are being led by the running of Marshawn Lynch with his 389 yards and 5 touchdowns, as well as the pass catching of Lee Evans with his 24 receptions for 521 yards (21.7 yds/catch).
CINCINNATI
The big news out of Cincy is the prospect of losing quarterback Carson Palmer for the year. While he has been sidelined, WR TJ Houshmandzadeh still remains a strong fantasy option in PPR leagues with 46 catches.
CLEVELAND
The Browns are off to a terribly slow start at 2-4, but will hope to get things turned around soon, led by running back Jamal Lewis and his 403 yards rushing (ranked 19th). This week the Browns will face Jacksonville and their 17th ranked run defense.
DENVER
The Broncos have slipped a little in recent weeks, but remain on top in the AFC West at 4-3. One big reason has been the emergence of WR Brandon Marshall who has 49 receptions (1st), 598 receiving yards (3rd), and 3 touchdowns (14th).
HOUSTON
The Texans are in the midst of righting the ship this season having won their last two games. One of the biggest reason for the turnaround has been the play of WR Andre Johnson, who is averaging 10 catches and 150 yards receiving in his last three starts.
INDIANAPOLIS
The Colts are not the same team from two years ago with the Manning-Harrison-Wayne Show. This season Manning and Harrison have not been their typical self, but quietly WR Reggie Wayne has been solid with 35 receptions (10th), 492 receiving yards (12th) and 4 touchdowns (6th).
JACKSONVILLE
The Jaguars are fighting to get back into the playoff picture at 3-3. The Jags are led by running back Maurice "Mojo" Jones-Drew, affectionately called MJD. MJD has carried the ball 65 times (34th) for 301 yards (29th) and 5 rushing touchdowns (6th).
KANSAS CITY
The Chiefs have had little to get excited about this season with a dismal 1-5 start. The only bright spot on offense has been wide receiver Dwayne Bowe who has caught 34 passes (12th) for 410 yards (19th) and two touchdowns!
MIAMI
The Dolphins are one of the current surprises this season, but are on the verge of falling back into a 2007 lapse at 2-4. The team has been led this season by running back Ronnie Brown with his 84 rushing attempts (25th), 363 yards (21st), 4.3 yds/carry, and 7 rushing touchdowns (2nd).
OAKLAND
The Raiders have the NFL's 5th ranked rushing offense this season averaging 143 yards per game and 4.5 yards per rush attempt. This week they will meet the NFL's top ranked run defense that allows only 2.8 yards per carry.
PITTSBURGH
The Steelers will be without RB Willie Parker for another week, but they still have WR Hines Ward who has caught 28 passes (27th), for 376 yards (25th) and 5 touchdowns (1st).
NEW ENGLAND
Last Monday night the Pats turned in a big win over the Broncos led by Randy Moss' two touchdowns! For the year, Moss has 25 receptions (40th), 369 receiving yards (28th), and 4 touchdowns (6th).
NEW YORK JETS
The Jets at 3-3 are trying to keep pace in the AFC East with the division leading Buffalo Bills. On offense the team is led by quarterback Brett Favre and his 13 touchdowns, while the defense boasts the NFL's 4th ranked run defense.
SAN DIEGO
While the Chargers will be taking the NFL's worst ranked pass defense overseas this week, they will also be bringing their pass-happy offense. The Chargers are ranked 9th in passing and quarterback Phillip Rivers leads the NFL with 16 touchdowns!
TENNESSEE
The Titans have the number 3 overall ranked defense in the NFL allowing only 269 yards per game. The pass defense has recorded 18 sacks (6th ranked) and 10 interceptions (3rd ranked-T) this season.
Check back every Saturday Night for the weekly ATL Report!
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