FSH: THE ATL REPORT

November, 15th, 2008 8:30pm PST



THE ATL REPORT

Storylines this week:

• Clinton Portis unlikely to play this Sunday against the Cowboys: The Redskins running back did not practice all week and remains a long shot to play Sunday night against the Cowboys. Running back Ladell Betts is expected to start.
• Matt Hasselbeck set to return in Week 11 against Cards: The Seahawks quarterback completed a full week of practice and looks ready to make his first start in weeks. Hasselbeck will also be joined by receiver Deion Branch, who is also returning from injury.
• Tyler Thigpen ready to lead Chiefs in Week 11 against Saints: The Chiefs quarterback has been solid the past three weeks passing for 710 yards with 6 touchdowns. He will face the league's 26th ranked pass defense (Saints) that is battered with injuries to the secondary.
• Steven Jackson is no-action for Sunday, will miss 2nd game: The Rams will once again be without their running back. Jackson suffered the lingering thigh injury back in Week 7 and has now missed 3 games. His status for Week 12 is unknown.
• Chris Chambers not on injury report for Week 11: The Chargers receiver is finally healthy and is expected to be back in the starting line up in Week 11. Chambers has been slowed by an ankle injury, but should be good to go Sunday against the Steelers.
• Reggie Wayne reading for big game against the Texans: The Colts receiver had a big game against the Texans back in Week 5 and should be ready for another this week at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.
• Kyle Orton listed as probable for Sunday against Packers: The Bears quarterback returned to practice this week, but was limited. He is expected to start, but his mobility could be an issue.
• Daunte Culpepper set to make second start this Sunday: Despite a poor outing in his debut as the Lions starter last Sunday, Culpepper will get another shot this week. The Lions are planning to keep it simple, so Culpepper won't be expected to do a whole lot.

THIS WEEK AROUND THE LEAGUE
[Key Stats on the offense]

NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

ARIZONA
The Cardinal's have the 2nd ranked passing offense in the NFL with 297 net-yards passing per game. The offense has scored 19 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing this season. The offense has completed 28 pass plays for 20 or more yards through 9 games (ranks 8th in NFL).

ATLANTA
The Falcon's are 11th in the league with 9 rushing touchdowns this season and rank 2nd in the NFL in rushing. The offense averages 158-yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry. The ground game has 11 run plays of 20 or more yards this season (ranks 3rd).

CAROLINA
The Panther's offensive attack ranks 10th in rushing this season with 119 yards rushing and 23rd in passing with just 196-yards passing per game. The offense has 9 rushing touchdowns this season and 10 passing touchdowns.

CHICAGO
The Bear's ground game ranks 15th in league averaging 110-yards rushing this season. In 9 games the offense has just 4 run plays this season of 20 or more yards. The pass attack ranks 14th (213-yards/game) and has 12 touchdowns.

DALLAS
The Cowboy's offense ranks 12th in rushing this season averaging 115-yards on the ground per game and 4.5 yards per carry. The passing game has been on a slide, but still ranks 10th this season averaging 229 yards per game.

DETROIT
The Lion's offense ranks as one of the worst in the league (28th) averaging only 272 yards per game. This season the Lions are averaging just 75 yards on the ground per game, but have 6 rushing touchdowns.

GREEN BAY
The Packer's have one of the leagues more potent passing attacks averaging 221 yards per game with 13 touchdowns. Although they rank 18th overall on offense, they are scoring 26 points per game (ranked 6th) this season.

MINNESOTA
The Viking's rushing offense is ranked 5th in the league averaging 144 yards on the ground this season. The ground game has produced 8 rushing touchdowns and averages 4.5 yards per carry.

NEW ORLEANS
The Saint's boast the leagues top rated offense this season with 325-yards per game. The Saints have 40 pass plays of 20 or more yards this season, including 12 fro 40 yards or more. The offense also has 17 passing touchdowns.

NEW YORK GIANTS
The G-men from New York are the leagues top ranked rushing offense this season with 169-yards on the ground per game. The Giants also have 12 rushing touchdowns and average 5.2 yards per carry this year.

PHILADELPHIA
The Eagle's make-shift receiving corp offense ranks 5th in the league with 262-yards passing per game. The soaring passing game has also produced 33 pass plays of 20 yards or more this season.

ST. LOUIS
The Ram's offense ranks amongst the worst in the league. This season the team's run game has only 5 rushing touchdowns and is averaging 3.9 yards per carry. The pass game has not been much better with just 6 passing touchdowns this season.

SAN FRANCISCO
The Niner's offense has been up and down this season. The passing offense is ranked 16th this season with 206-yards passing this season, while the run game is ranked 19th with 106-yards rushing per game.

SEATTLE
The Seahawk's offense has been battered with injuries and the numbers show it. The pass offense is ranked 31st in the league with only 145-yards per game. The run offense has been decent with 10 run plays of 20 or more yards this season.

TAMPA BAY
The Buc's offense has battled its way through injuries to it's backfield, but still ranks 11th on the ground this season. The team is averaging 115-yards on the ground, but has only 5 rushing touchdowns.

WASHINGTON
The Redskin's offense has been solid on the ground this season ranked 4th in the league. The team is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and has 11 run plays this season of 20 yards or more.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

BALTIMORE
The Raven's offense has not been making many highlight reels, but this season it has been effective. In 9 games this season the offense has 13 rushing touchdowns and ranks 3rd in the league in rushing with 150-yards per game.

BUFFALO
The Bill's offense has been up and down this season. The run game is ranked 28th this season averaging only 90 yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry. The Bills longest run this season is only 22 yards.

CINCINNATI
The Bengal's run game this season has been something to forget averaging a meager 87-yards per game. The offense has only 4 rushing touchdowns in 9 games and just 4 runs of 20 yards or more.

CLEVELAND
The Brown's offense has been mediocre most of the season, struggling with the run and pass. The Browns passing offense ranks 25th (180-yards/game) this season and the run ranks 21st (101-yards/game).

DENVER
The Bronco's have struggled on defense this season, but their passing game has been very healthy. In 9 games this season the offense has 18 passing touchdowns and 34 pass plays of 20 or more yards with 5 for over 40.

HOUSTON
The Texan's offense has opened things up a bit this season and through 9 games they are ranked 4th in passing. With rotating quarterbacks this season (due to injuries) the offense has produced 14 touchdowns and 33 pass plays with 20 or more yards.

INDIANAPOLIS
The Colt's passing game is starting to show life this season. In 9 games the offense is ranked 8th in the league with 241-yards passing per game and has 15 touchdowns. The offense also has 24 pass plays of 20 or more yards this season.

JACKSONVILLE
The Jaguar's are ranked 14th in rushing this season with 115-yards on the ground per game. In 9 games the team has 11 rushing touchdowns and is averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

KANSAS CITY
The Chief's running game could get a boost this weekend, but through the teams first 9 games this season they are ranked 16th in the league with 109-yards rushing per game. The team has only 5 rushing touchdowns this season, but does have 7 run plays for 20 or more yards.

MIAMI
The Dolphin's are a well-balanced offense this season ranked 8th overall. The passing game is ranked 7th this season with 244-yards per game. They counter their passing attack with a ground game that ranks 20th and has 12 touchdowns this year.

OAKLAND
The Raider's have the 9th ranked rushing attack in the league this season averaging 124-yards per game. The offense is also averaging 4.4 yards per carry, has 9 run plays for 20 or more yards, but has only 3 rushing touchdowns this season.

PITTSBURGH
The Steeler's offense has struggled some this season and rank 26th overall. Their running attack is averaging less than 100-yards per game and only 3.5 yards per carry this season.

NEW ENGLAND
The Partiot's offense has taken a step back from a year ago. They rank 12th overall this season and average 22 points per game. Their passing game has only produced 10 touchdowns this year and 19 pass plays for 20 or more yards.

NEW YORK JETS
The Jet's offense ranks 8th in rushing this season with 125-yards on the ground per game. the Jets running attack is also averaging 4.4 yards per carry. The offense has also scored 11 rushing touchdowns this season.

SAN DIEGO
The Charger's offense ranks 6th this season in passing with 253-yards per game. The Chargers lead the league with 21 passing touchdowns and have 34 pass plays for 20 or more yards (2nd in the league).

TENNESSEE
The Titan's punishing ground game ranks 6th in the NFL averaging 135-yards rushing per game. The offense has scored 16 rushing touchdowns to lead the league. The Titans also rank 3rd this season with 33 rush attempts per game.


Check back every Saturday for the weekly ATL Report!