[Evening Edition]
NFL Week 6 Matchups
What to look for;
(Sunday’s Games)
Houston @ Cincinnati
The Bengals secondary has been beat deep a great deal this season, but they have still managed to bring pressure with 14 sacks this season. Can Matt Schaub and company strike downfield or will they be forced to rely on one of the league’s worst running games?
Detroit @ Green Bay
On paper this one looks pretty simple; without wide receiver Calvin Johnson it really won't matter if it’s the rookie Stafford or Culpepper under center. If the Packers offensive line can protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers early (20 sacks allowed this seaso), all Green Bay will need to put this one away later is the legs of Ryan Grant (yards rushing).
St. Louis @ Jackonville
The Rams offense has yet to get going this season and on Sunday could be its’ best opportunity against the struggling Jags. Last week quarterback Marc Bulger returned to the field and led a late fourth quarter scoring drive capped by a 27 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Donnie Avery. Against a shaky Jaguar secondary the Rams will need more of that.
Baltimore @ Minnesota
Will the Ravens stack the line and challenge the aging 40 year old quarterback (Brett Favre) to beat them? Favre has thrown nine touchdowns this season and the Raven's secondary has allowed 19 pass plays of 20 yards or more (2nd highest in the league).
NY Giants @ New Orleans
The big test for both teams on Sunday will be who can impose their will. The Giants will like to control the clock and run the ball with Jacobs (yds) and Bradshaw (yds). If Brees and the Saints can get their passing game going early, we may not see a whole lot of Earth or Fire.
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh
With the Browns in town expect linebacker James Harrison and the Steel Curtain to turn the dogs loose on Derek Anderson and Cleveland's anemic passing game. Last week Jamal Lewis carried the ball a hefty 31 times, but if the Browns fall behind early he could quickly disappear.
Carolina @ Tampa Bay
The Panthers will be hoping to get their ground game kick started against a Tampa defense that is allowing almost five yards a pop. If the Bucs can't slow down the tandem of Williams and Stewart, they may have to rely on their young and inexperienced quarterback (Josh Johnson) to lead the way, instead of riding their recovered Caddy; running back Carnell Williams (199 yards rushing).
Kansas City @ Washington
The Chiefs passing game is starting to show a little life this season and quarterback Matt Cassel is starting to come into his own. He'll need some help from the running game if he' going to protect the league’s worst defense (Chiefs defense ranks dead last overall).
Philadelphia @ Oakland
Last week quarterback Donovan McNabb returned to the lineup and looked pretty sharp tossing three scores. This week he'll face a stiffer test against one of the leagues' best corners, but that shouldn't slow him too much. With Jackson, Westbrook, Celek, and Maclin the Eagles simply have too many weapons.
Arizona @ Seattle
For both the Cardinals and the Seahawks pass protection is going to be critical for either offense to enjoy success. The run game will not figure too prominent in this one, as the Cards struggle on the ground and Seattle is facing a stiff match this week; Cardinal's defense is tops against run.
Tennessee @ New England
The Titans will roll into Foxboro on Sunday and may be just what the doctor ordered for Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady. With Tennessee's secondary (ranked 31st against the pass) in shambles due to injury, like a shark with blood in the water the time is now for the Brady Bunch to strike. The Patriots quarterback has yet to get on track this season, but Sunday could be the start of something big.
Buffalo @ NY Jets
The Bills offense and in particular Trent Edwards have looked awful this season. With the Jets coming off a tough Monday night loss, don't expect Head coach Rex Ryan or the Jets defense to show any leniency; Edwards is sure to see a lot of pressure on Sunday.
Chicago @ Atlanta
Ever since his shaky start (four interceptions) in week one the Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has settled into the big-armed playmaker the team thought it had acquired. The Bears will need plenty of big plays from Cutler and its’ running game anchored by second year running back Matt Forte to keep pace with the Falcons. Last week quarterback Matt Ryan and the offense were firing on all pistons on their way to a 45-10 blowout win over the Niners.
Fantasy Leaders through five Weeks
Passing (touchdowns)
Peyton Manning, Ind...........12-touchdown, 1,645-yards
Matt Schaub, Hou..............10-touchdowns, 1,418-yards
Eli Manning, NYG...............10-touchdowns, 1,212-yards
Joe Flacco, Bal..................9-touchdowns, 1,289-yards
Brett Favre, Min................9-touchdowns, 1,069-yards
Drew Brees, NO.................9-touchdowns, 1,031-yards
Jay Cutler, Chi..................8-touchdowns, 901-yards
Rushing (yards per game)
Mike Bell, NO..................114.5-yards/game, 1-touchdown
Cedric Benson, Cin............97.4-yards/game, 3-touchdowns
Adrian Peterson, Min..........96.2-yards/game, 7-touchdowns
Chris Johnson, Ten............93.6-yards/game, 2 touchdowns
Steven Jackson, Stl...........90.2-yards/game, 0-touchdowns
Ronnie Brown, Mia............88.6-yards/game, 6-touchdowns
Receiving (Receptions)
Steve Smith,NYG................37-receptions, 481-yards
Dallas Clark, Ind.................35-receptions, 441-yards
Hines Ward, Pit.................33-receptions, 440-yards
Reggie Wayne, Ind..............32-receptions, 459-yards
Randy Moss, NE..................30-receptions, 367-yards
Nate Burleson, Sea..............30-receptions, 358-yards
By David Ortega
Check back every Saturday for more of the “Sports Page”
No comments:
Post a Comment