Friday, October 9, 2009

FSH: THE SATURDAY SPORTS PAGE

October 10th, 2009 2:37pm PST


Saturday Morning Sports Page
[afternoon edition]

NFL Week 5 Matchups

(Sunday’s Games)
Cinncinati @ Baltimore
The Bengal’s quarterback Carson Palmer (845 yards passing) and wide receiver Chad Ochocino (3 touchdowns receptions) will try to connect often this Sunday at Baltimore. The Raven’s 23rd ranked pass defense which has allowed 15 plays of 20 yards or more could have their hands full, if they don’t cut down the big plays.

Cleveland @ Buffalo
The Bills 25th ranked passing offense (180 yards per game) which has often looked in reverse committing turnovers (five in 2009) and miscues will try to get healthy Sunday. The Brown’s defense ranks 21st against the pass, recording seven sacks this season, but just one interception.

Washington @ Carolina
The Panther’s running back DeAngelo Williams is off to a very slow start this season with only 180 yards on the ground. The Redskins 22nd ranked run defense has been less than stellar this season allowing 4.3 yards per carry and 128 yard per game

Pittsburgh @ Detroit
The Steelers’ passing game has thrived this season led by quarterback Ben Roethliseberger, who has completed over 70 percent of his passes and averaged nearly 300 yards passing per game. The Lion’s secondary will be facing an uphill task on Sunday ranked 25th against the pass and having allowed 12 touchdown via the pass this season.

Dallas @ Kansas City
The Cowboys may look to lean on quarterback Tony Romo who has averaged 247 yards passing this season, but has only four touchdown passes. The Chiefs pass defense ranks 28th against the pass this season allowing eight touchdowns and 250 yards per game.

Oakland @ NY Giants
The Giants running back Brandon Jacobs has yet to have a big game this season, but is averagine 92 yards on the ground his last two starts. The Raider’s 26th ranked run defense could be in for a long day allowing 146 yards rushing per game.

Tampa Bay @ Philadelphia
The Buccaneer’s offensive line has done a pretty good job this season protecting the quarterback only allowing five sacks in the team’s first four games. In 2009 the Eagles defense has not been quite as dominant as the past, but in three games their defense has recorded 10 sacks and six interceptions.

Minnesota @ St.Louis
The Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has 84 carries this season for 412 yards rushing. The Rams 24th ranked run defense has been awful this season allowing 135 yards on the ground per game.

Atlanta @ San Francisco
The Falcons running back Michael Turner has 226 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdown on 65 carries in three games this season. Heading into Sunday’s matchup the Niner’s run defense ranks 4th in the league and is only allowing 3.1 yards per carry.

Houston @ Arizona
The Cardinal’s quarterback Kurt Warner (4 touchdowns) and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (17 receptions) have yet to really click this season. The Texans will bring the leagues 9th ranked pass defense into the desert with only two interceptions and five sacks this season.

New England @ Denver
The Bronco’s rookie running back Knowshow Moreno has 249 yards rushing (ranks 16 in rushing) this season. The Patriots have played pretty good defense this season (ranked 11th against the run), but they have seen the 4th fewest attempts this season and allowed 4.5 yard per clip.

Jacksonville @ Seattle
Over the past two weeks Jaguar’s quarterback David Garrard has completed nearly 68 percent of his passes while throwing for 537 yards with four touchdowns (3 pass, 1 run). The Seahawks defense has been able to get some pressure this season with nine sacks, but their coverage has been suspect allowing nearly 68 percent completions.

Indianapolis @ Tennessee
The Colt’s quarterback Peyton Manning has been on a tear averaging 334 yards passing per game. The Titan’s banged up secondary needs to get healthy soon, through the first four weeks it has allowed 10 passing touchdowns and 15 plays of 20 yards or more.

Fantasy Leaders through four Weeks

Passing (touchdowns)
Peyton Manning, Ind...............9-touchdown, 1,336-yards
Drew Brees, NO......................9-touchdowns, 1,031-yards
Joe Flacco, Bal.......................8-touchdowns, 1,103-yards
Matt Schaub, Hou...................8touchdowns, 1,047-yards
Eli Manning, NYG..................8-touchdowns, 1,039-yards
Jay Cutler, Chi..........................8-touchdowns, 901-yards
Brett Favre, Min.......................8-touchdowns, 837-yards

Rushing (yards per game)
Mike Bell, NO.................114.5-yards/game, 1-touchdown
Chris Johnson, Ten.......108.5-yards/game, 2 touchdowns
Adrian Peterson, Min...103.0-yards/game, 5-touchdowns
Ronnie Brown, Mia.........92.2-yards/game, 4-touchdowns
Cedric Benson, Cin..........91.8-yards/game, 2-touchdowns
Steven Jackson, Stl.........91.8-yards/game, 0-touchdowns

Receiving (Receptions)
Steve Smith,NYG.......................34-receptions, 411-yards
Randy Moss, NE.........................29-receptions, 331-yards
Dallas Clark, Ind........................26-receptions, 364-yards
Hines Ward, Pit..........................26-receptions, 355-yards
Reggie Wayne, Ind.....................26-receptions, 399-yards


By David Ortega

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