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NOVEMBER 30, 2008
UPDATED RANKINGS OFTHE TOPPROSPECTS FOR THE 2009 NFL DRAFT ... ONLYATPROFOOTBALLWEEKLY.COM
GAME OF THE WEEK: GIANTS TAKE ON REDSKINS IN KEY NFC EAST MATCHUP
LARRY
FITZGERALD
Desert
storm
Arizonas high-powered offense has the Cardinals
closing in on a long-elusive playoff berth
Falcons WR Roddy White is proving last year was no fluke.
CREATORS & FOUNDERS
Arthur Arkush, Robert Drazkowski and Joel Buchsbaum
ADMINISTRATION
Publisher/Editor Hub Arkush
General manager Mike Waters
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-chief Keith Schleiden
Managing editor Mike Holbrook
Executive editors Dan Arkush
Neil Warner
Senior editors Nolan Nawrocki
Eric Edholm
Mike Wilkening
Associate editors Matt Sohn
Dan Parr
Michael Blunda
Production assistant Matt Quinnan
Editorial assistants Matt Feminis
Seth Gruen
COLUMNISTS
Ron Borges, Barry Jackson, Jerry Magee
AFC REPORTERS
Baltimore Ravens Jamison Hensley
Buffalo Bills Chuck Pollock
Cincinnati Bengals Mark Curnutte
Cleveland Browns Tony Grossi
Denver Broncos Frank Schwab
Houston Texans Megan Manfull
Indianapolis Colts Tom James
Jacksonville Jaguars Vito Stellino
Kansas City Chiefs Rick Dean
Miami Dolphins Harvey Fialkov
New England Patriots John Tomase
New York Jets Mark Cannizzaro
Oakland Raiders Michael Wagaman
Pittsburgh Steelers Jim Wexell
San Diego Chargers Chris Jenkins
Tennessee Titans Jim Wyatt
NFC REPORTERS
Arizona Cardinals Kent Somers
Atlanta Falcons D. Orlando Ledbetter
Carolina Panthers Charles Chandler
Chicago Bears Bob LeGere
Dallas Cowboys Mickey Spagnola
Detroit Lions Nicholas J. Cotsonika
Green Bay Packers Bob McGinn
Minnesota Vikings Sean Jensen
New Orleans Saints Mike Triplett
New York Giants Paul Schwartz
Philadelphia Eagles Dave Weinberg
St. Louis Rams Jim Thomas
San Francisco 49ers Kevin Lynch
Seattle Seahawks Clare Farnsworth
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Roy Cummings
Washington Redskins John Keim
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Tom Danyluk, Art Edelstein,
Pat Fitzmaurice, Court E. Mann
STATISTICIAN
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14
CONTENTS
2 Pro Football Weekly November 30, 2008
2008-09
PRO
PROSPECTS
PREVIEW
Look for it
on newsstands now
COVER STORY 12
The Cardinals have assembled arguably the most explosive offense in
the NFL, and it has helped them turn the NFC West Division race into a
laugher. Are Kurt Warner & Company Super Bowl-bound?
BIG TURNAROUND 14
After a breakout campaign in 2007, Falcons WR Roddy White is doing
all that he can to prove hes among the NFLs elite pass catchers.
FANTASY FOOTBALL 18
The Fantasy Buzz presents trends to be aware of, which players to
exploit or avoid, and the latest fantasy news heading into Week 13.
Plus, the Fantasy Doctor offers up winning advice to help your roster.
THE WAYWE SEE IT..................3
POWER RANKINGS ..................3
THE WAYWE HEAR IT ..............4
OPINION: Editorial, letters,
Publishers Pen ..........................16
COLUMNISTS:
Jerry Magee, Ron Borges,
Dan Arkushs A-bombs ............17
HANDICAPPERS CORNER:
Staff selections,
Stephen Nover column ..........20
WEEK 13 GAME PREVIEWS ......22
WEEK 12 GAME COVERAGE......28
AFC INDIVIDUAL STATS LEADERS ..29
TEAM STATISTICS..................30
TEAM RANKINGS....................31
NFC INDIVIDUAL STATS LEADERS ..32
TOP D-LINE PROSPECTS ......33
2009 NFL DRAFT NOTES ......34
AUDIBLES................................35
NFL TRANSACTIONS..............35
ONLYAT PROFOOTBALLWEEKLY.COM
THE WAYWE HEAR IT Based on his first three games as the Rams
head coach after the team mercifully fired Scott Linehan, Jim Haslett
looked like a lock to be retained next season. But based on Hasletts
last four games, he is no longer close to being assured of returning, as
his team has looked as lifeless as it did under Linehan, if not more so.
TEN MOST INTRIGUING Each Wednesday afternoon during the sea-
son, PFWfantasy football expert Pat Fitzmaurice offers up 10 players to
keep a close eye on for the coming weekend.
NFLIST PFWs Mike Wilkening talks to talent evaluators for their take
on the CFL players that could be making the jump to the NFL in 2009.
Cover photo by SportPics
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
NT Kris Jenkins is one of the high-priced veterans who has played a key role in the Jets rise to the top of the AFC East this season.
POWER RANKINGS
Monday-night game results not factored in.
RANK THE SKINNY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
New York Giants Domenik Hixon
proves again he deserves to get the ball.
Tennessee Titans Which says more
about them the 10 wins or the one loss?
New York Jets Leon Washington proves
again he deserves to get the ball.
Pittsburgh Steelers Now, about that
punting
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Werent
about to throw Rod Marinelli a bone.
Carolina Panthers Penalties are be-
coming a serious problem.
Arizona Cardinals They should have
worried less about Brandon Jacobs status.
Indianapolis Colts When will teams
learn to cover Gonzalez on third downs?
New England Patriots Another
game, another 500 yards of offense.
Baltimore Ravens Led by McClain (88
yards, TD) and McClain (blocked punt).
Dallas Cowboys Dont let T.O. make
himself mad.
Atlanta Falcons Two big runs by
Michael Turner on fourth downs.
Washington Redskins Shawn
Springs makes nice return to Seattle.
Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers
has been great in the red zone.
Miami Dolphins Team still has its
shortcomings on defense.
Chicago Bears They would have had to
walk back from St. Louis had they not won.
Minnesota Vikings Not much offense
but won the turnover battle.
Buffalo Bills Nice to know Trent Ed-
wards can shred bad defenses.
Denver Broncos Good to see theyre
taking care of business with West in grasp.
Philadelphia Eagles Have to question
benching McNabb when Andy Reid did.
New Orleans Saints Four games in 18
days.
San Diego Chargers Late timeout
proves to be shaky decision.
Houston Texans Played their best pass
defense of the season.
Jacksonville Jaguars Another good
run defense they couldnt penetrate.
Cleveland Browns Wonder what Phil
Savages in-box looked like Sunday.
San Francisco 49ers Usually depend-
able special teams let them down.
Seattle Seahawks Holmgren watches
another protg have success against him.
Oakland Raiders JaMarcus big day will
help out that completion percentage.
Kansas City Chiefs Players didnt re-
spond to Herms challenge last week.
Cincinnati Bengals Kudos to the ef-
fort of the guys who did play last week.
St. Louis Rams What about this job
makes its head coaches get so weird?
Detroit Lions What exactly do they have
to be thankful for?
49ers prospects
brighter than Rams
Despite the Niners 35-22
loss in Dallas, head coach
Mike Singletarys over-
matched troops kept on bat-
tling, getting outscored by a
mere 16-13 margin in the sec-
ond half. Jim Hasletts Rams,
meanwhile, looked lifeless
throughout a 27-3 home loss
to the Bears, falling hope-
lessly behind at halftime for
the third straight game as
boos filled the Edward Jones
Dome. With Singletary contin-
uing to show promise in his
new role, it seems as if
Haslett really could use a win
or two soon, or suffer the con-
sequences. Dan Arkush
The accepted wisdom throughout NFL circles holds that
franchises are built through the draft. But recent evidence sug-
gests that if youre looking for a quick fix a couple of guys to
get you over the hump in a flash youre far better off looking
to established veterans available via trade or in free agency. Look-
ing off the rooks in favor of the vets is a tactic few general man-
agers will want to admit to partaking in, but the barnstorming
success in 2007 of the Patriots following the arrival of Randy Moss,
Wes Welker and Adalius Thomas served as evidence that the sea-
soned players offer the most for the immediate future.
The veteran route has been proven successful again in 2008 by
the current path of destruction the Pats AFC East rivals, the Jets,
are blazing. Last offseason, many were criticizing coach Eric Mangi-
ni and GM Mike Tannenbaum for breaking open the bank to sign
high-priced performers such as Kris Jenkins, Calvin Pace, Brett
Favre, Alan Faneca and Damien Woody, believing that the Jets
were sacrificing their long-term viability in search of instant grat-
ification. And maybe New York did do just that. Only time will
tell. But one thing we can all agree on is that the plan is working
brilliantly right now. The Jets are playing the best football in the
AFC, and in the win now or seek new employment tomorrow
NFL, now is what matters most. Matt Sohn
The draft not the only method to building winners
NOTHING WRONG WITH THE QUICK FIX
OPPOSING VIEWS
Cards backfield
lacks horsepower
Cardinals rookie RB Tim
Hightower ran roughshod
over a demoralized Rams de-
fense in Week Nine, but he
has done little else to prove
worthy of a starting job. Ex-
starter Edgerrin James,
clearly on his last legs and
due another $5 million in
2009, is likely to become a
cap casualty, increasing the
importance of developing
Hightower. But as the 49ers,
Seahawks and Giants have
shown the past three weeks,
Hightower can be stopped
before he gets going and is
not the answer. Nolan
Nawrocki
JOB BY DEFAULT
Blowouts mark
weird Week 12
We all know people who
delight in leaving games early
to beat the traffic. Well, those
folks had a banner Week 12.
Twelve teams won by 10
points or more, including
eight road teams. Talk about
leaving a bad taste in your
fans mouths at precisely the
worst possible time. Soon it
will be time to decide
whether to buy season tick-
ets again and whether you
really want to write a check
to see the home side do
everything but sign a peace
treaty at midfield. Lot of un-
happy owners this week, Im
thinking. Mike Wilkening
ROAD ROMPS
Colts make great
call at end of game
Fourth-and-inches at mid-
field. Twenty-five seconds left.
Tie game. You go for it. Line
plunge? QB sneak? Naw, play-
action pass. Credit Colts of-
fensive coordinator Tom
Moore, coach Tony Dungy and
QB Peyton Manning for using
the time the refs spent review-
ing the spot of the ball to de-
cide what play they wanted
and to be aggressive. Despite
Chargers NTJamal Williams
blowing up C Jamey Richard,
Manning floated a pass to
Marvin Harrison for the first
down that got the Colts into
range for the game-winning
field goal. Eric Edholm
KNOCKOUT
Our weekly take on the hottest
topics from around the NFL.
THE WAY WE SEE IT
T
O
M
B
E
R
G
THE WAY WE HEAR IT
AFC EASTBy Matt Sohn
WHISPERS
One of the Bills
players who has
shined recently has
been rookie Leodis
McKelvin. And its
not just been the ob-
vious contributions
hes made on special
teams, where hes
opened eyes on kick-
off returns. McKelvin
has also made big
strides defensively,
giving rise to the be-
lief that he and Ter-
rence McGee can
form quite a potent
cover CB tandem in
2009. McKelvin had a
pair of interceptions
in Week 12s win over
the Chiefs, including
one he returned 64
yards for a touch-
down.
The Dolphins re-
warded WR Greg
Camarillo with a
three-year, $6 million
extension not be-
cause hes one of the
more talented play-
ers on the team, but
because hes been
one of the more
steady and consis-
tent, we hear. On a
club trying to foster a
semblance of conti-
nuity, having players
like him is critical.
The third-year pro
has caught at least
four passes in all but
two games in 08.
The fact that OLB
Adalius Thomas
has not yet been
placed on injured re-
serve with a broken
forearm he suffered
in Week 10 has given
rise to the notion that
the Patriots most
versatile defensive
player could be back
at some point, most
likely the playoffs, if
the Pats are fortu-
nate enough to make
it there.
The Jets signature
of Ty Lawdoes more
than just provide a
capable body in cov-
erage. It also outfits
the club with another
defensive back to
bring in off the blitz.
The Jets have shown
a proclivity to bring
pressure from their
secondary and feel
comfortable with the
physicality of all the
regulars in their DB
rotation.
NT Jason Ferguson has been a
difference maker in the Dolphins
run defense this season, despite
making just 13 tackles and being
slowed down by a chest injury he
sustained in Week Seven. Weighing
just 305 pounds, he has done an
admirable job holding his ground
as a two-gapping presence in the
middle of their evolving 3-4 de-
fense. At the same time, however,
we hear that Ferguson, who turns
34 on Nov. 28, is not the future an-
chor of this defense. The Dolphins
regime knew when they brought
him on board in Miami following
their stint with him in Dallas that
Ferguson was merely a temporary
solution to the issues confronting
them at the position. The problem
is that there might not be better
options going forward. Massive
second-year NT Paul Soliai does-
nt appear to be a solid choice as a
starter, and quality nose tackles
are generally hard to come by in
the draft.
As it turns out, the talk last sea-
son of Richard Seymours de-
mise was greatly exaggerated.
After a 2007 campaign in which
he was sidelined for the first seven
games with a knee injury that
hampered him the rest of the sea-
son, the eight-year veteran is in
the midst of arguably the finest
season of his decorated career.
Manning the right side of the Pa-
triots three-man defensive line,
Seymour consistently has beaten
up on the opposition, pacing the
club with seven sacks and freeing
up the New England linebackers to
make plays. Those close to the
team havent been surprised that
Seymour has regained his Pro
Bowl form. The way we hear it,
Seymour abstains from always
giving a complete effort when hes
dinged up like he was in 07, but
when healthy, as Seymour is now,
hes one of the more difficult 3-4
defensive ends in the league to
handle.
The Jets believed that by signing
Ty Lawin midseason, they were
getting a player who was ready to
step immediately into an expansive
role without needing much time to
get acclimated to the defense, be-
cause of his familiarity in the sys-
tem. Theyve gotten precisely that.
Word were hearing out of New
York is that Law performed ad-
mirably in his first game back with
the Jets, playing 57 snaps vs. the
Patriots in Week 11 while displaying
nice physicality on the perimeter.
In Week 12s Jets win over the pre-
viously unbeaten Titans, Law
bumped rookie CB Dwight Low-
ery out of the starting lineup. But
the reality is that the starter title
doesnt much matter. The Jets op-
erate out of the nickel and dime
defenses so often that theres a
constant shuffling of defensive
backs in and out of the lineup, a de-
fensive trait of theirs that precipi-
tated the acquisition of Law in the
first place.
This isnt a crossroads time for
the Bills. The word were hearing
out of Orchard Park is that theyre
already done. Despite a convincing
victory over the lowly Chiefs in
Week 12, they have little chance of
parlaying that victory into a post-
season berth. Prior to that win,
they had lost four in a row, with
their Week 11 loss, a 29-27 defeat
at the hands of the Browns, prov-
ing particularly damning. It wasnt
just the fact that they lost the
game; it was the manner in which it
happened. Trent Edwards, nor-
mally so composed in times of
both prosperity and struggle, was
visibly shaken in the aftermath of
what was the worst performance
of his career.
For the first time, he was rat-
tled, a club source said about the
quarterback who threw three inter-
ceptions in the first quarter.
More revealing than Edwards
body language has been his com-
ments in recent weeks. Although
not intending to implicate the
coaching staff, hes left some won-
dering how well Dick Jauron and
his assistants have been preparing
for opponents when the quarter-
back makes statements along the
lines of, The defense threw things
at us that we werent prepared for,
or I can only run the plays that are
called.
Regardless of how the quarter-
back actually feels, the bloom has
clearly fallen off first-year offensive
coordinator Turk Schonerts
rose, not to mention that of Jauron,
who signed an extension earlier
this season. Nevertheless, dont
expect Jauron or any of his
coaches to be shepherded out of
town this offseason. Jauron, like
many of Buffalos head coaches
who preceded him, is intensely
loyal to his assistants and wont
fire a member of his staff just to
appease public sentiment.
But thats not to say that his
staff, particularly Schonert, doesnt
need to show a greater sense of ur-
gency. For example, the offenses
inability to get standout WR Lee
Evans involved much in the game
plan recently is an indictment
more of Schonert than it is of Ed-
wards, the way we hear it. We got
off to a great start, and (Edwards)
had some great comebacks, but he
was young then and he is young
now, Schonert said. He is going to
make some mistakes. He has got
to learn from them.
The same could be said for
Schonert.
Just two games into his tenure with the Jets, CB Ty Law is already making his presence felt.
A
P
MIAMI
DOLPHINS
NEWENGLAND
PATRIOTS
NEWYORK
JETS
BUFFALO
BILLS
THE WAY WE HEAR IT
AFC NORTHBy Mike Wilkening
WHISPERS
Bengals rookie OLT
Anthony Collins
turned in a very good
performance in his
first career start in
Week 12, holding his
own vs. Steelers
ROLB James Harri-
son and looking very
much like he has a
bright future at the
position. The Bengals
have been high on
Collins, and OL coach
Paul Alexander is
renowned for his work
with young linemen,
but it is safe to say
the play of the fourth-
round draft choice ex-
ceeded expectations.
Bengals head
coach Marvin
Lewis, who is signed
through 2010, ad-
dressed a recent
NFL.com story that
quoted him as say-
ing, Its not a shock
to say that we have to
make some changes
for the future for me
to remain here. Said
Lewis after the Week
12 game vs. Pitts-
burgh: Yes, we need
to change. We need
to change how were
getting things done,
and Im talking about
playing. Im not talk-
ing about anything
other than that.
Steelers P Paul
Ernsters job is on
the line, the way we
hear it, after he strug-
gled mightily in the
Week 12 win over
Cincinnati. Ernster,
who replaced Mitch
Berger in Week 10,
averaged only 28.4
yards on five punts.
Steelers head coach
Mike Tomlin re-
ferred to the punting
vs. the Bengals as
horrible and said
the team would ad-
dress the situation.
One of the interest-
ing subplots of the
Browns season is
why reserve RB
Jerome Harrison
has not received more
playing time to date.
The Ravens are high
on undrafted rookie
OLB Jameel Mc-
Clain, who has
flashed some pass-
rush ability since en-
tering the defensive
rotation in Week Eight.
The Ravens offensive line collec-
tively has had a good season to
date. Entering Week 12, Baltimore
led the NFL in time of possession,
and that, in part, had something to
do with the play of the O-line,
which has led the way for a grind-
ing, persistent running attack and
has protected QB Joe Flacco
fairly well. But the line could be put
to the test in the weeks to come,
the way we hear it, with injuries to
OLT Jared Gaither (shoulder),
ORT Willie Anderson (ankle) and
OT-OG Adam Terry (ankle) all
causing those players to miss at
least one game because of their
ailments. The promising Gaither,
who allowed only one sack in his
first 10 games, did not start the
Week 12 game vs. Philadelphia.
Terry, who suffered the ankle injury
in Week 11, started for Gaither at
left tackle vs. Philadelphia on Nov.
20. Anderson, who sat out in Week
11, returned to the lineup vs. the
Eagles.
Head coach Romeo Crennel
said QB Brady Quinn will keep his
starting job after being benched
during Clevelands 16-6 loss to
Houston on Nov. 23. Quinn was
pulled after throwing his second in-
terception, but Derek Anderson
could not rally the Browns. Before
struggling vs. the Texans, Quinns
command of the offense had been
impressive. In his first two starts,
the Browns racked up 59 points
and that was with half of the clubs
drives inside the opponents 20-
yard line ending in field goals, not
touchdowns. However, Quinn suf-
fered a small fracture in the tip of
his right index finger in the Week 11
win at Buffalo, and though the in-
jury did not bother him sufficiently
to be X-rayed until two days after
he suffered it, it was one of the rea-
sons Crennel decided to pull him
after he completed only 8-of-18
passes for 94 yards vs. Houston.
The interceptions were Quinns
first as a pro.
Whether the Steelers will begin
to use reserve RBs Mewelde
Moore and Gary Russell more is
an issue to watch as Pittsburgh hits
the homestretch of the schedule.
Starting RB Willie Parker has
failed to stay healthy for much of
the year, and he left in the third
quarter of a Week 12 win vs. Cincin-
nati after reaggravating a knee in-
jury that caused him to miss four
games. Parker also missed a game
with a shoulder injury. Moore again
filled in for Parker and racked up 56
yards on 15 carries, with 30 of those
yards coming on the Steelers' final
TD drive, when Pittsburgh made no
secret of its intention to try and fin-
ish off the Bengals with a heavy
dose of the running game. Mean-
while, Russell has found a niche as
the Steelers short-yardage back.
Russell set up Pittsburgh's first TD
vs. Cincinnati by converting a 4th-
and-1 from the Cincinnati 4 in the
second quarter, and he scored his
first NFLTD in the third quarter.
For all of the drama between WR
Chad Ocho Cinco and the Ben-
gals in his eight seasons in Cincin-
nati, the team had never seen fit to
suspend or deactivate him for dis-
ciplinary reasons.
That changed in Week 12, when
head coach Marvin Lewis sent
Ocho Cinco home after he walked
out of a team meeting, an incident
reportedly preceded by a dispute
with offensive coordinator Bob
Bratkowski.
However, Lewis, who would not
publicly disclose the events that
landed Ocho Cinco on the inactive
list, plans to welcome the receiver
back for the Week 13 game vs. Balti-
more. And according to a source
close to the club, the Bengals appear
likely to quickly move on from this
incident. Given the Bengals past de-
cisions concerning Ocho Cinco, this
isnt especially surprising. The Ben-
gals have always tried to make their
relationship work with Ocho Cinco
even when the receiver has been de-
termined to sever it. Never was this
more clear than last offseason, when
Ocho Cinco (then widely known as
Chad Johnson before legally chang-
ing his name in the summer) and
agent Drew Rosenhaus tried to en-
gineer his exit from the Bengals. The
Bengals refused to deal Ocho Cinco,
with Lewis matter-of-factly pointing
out that the club had him under con-
tract through 2011. Eventually, Ocho
Cinco backed down.
Ever since, he has hardly looked
like the player who averaged 92.4
catches, 1,374 yards and 8.6 TDs
from 2003-07. Ocho Cinco's on-
field problems began in June, when
he had ankle surgery and missed
practice time early in training camp.
Then, he suffered a left shoulder in-
jury in the Bengals second presea-
son game. Ocho Cinco returned for
the season-opener at Baltimore
and had played in all 10 games be-
fore being deactivated, but his pro-
duction (41 catches, 383 yards, four
TDs) was more third-down-back
like than that of a No. 1 receiver.
Even if the Bengals didnt have a
long-established habit of trying to
work things out with Ocho Cinco,
circumstance might leave them no
choice. The Bengals, who turned
down the Redskins offer of first-
and third-round picks for Ocho
Cinco last offseason, would likely
struggle to garner such a package
for the receiver this offseason were
they so inclined. Ocho Cinco, who
will be 31 in January, carries a
salary-cap number of about $8
million for 2009.
Steelers RB Mewelde Moore has proven to be a very worthwhile free-agent signing.
A
P
BALTIMORE
RAVENS
CLEVELAND
BROWNS
PITTSBURGH
STEELERS
CINCINNATI
BENGALS
THE WAY WE HEAR IT
AFC SOUTHBy Mike Wilkening and Matt Sohn
WHISPERS
One of the reasons
the Texans passing
offense can thrive
even when oppo-
nents key on WR
Andre Johnson is
the play of Kevin
Walter. Always a de-
pendable short-to-
intermediate
receiver, Walter has
become more of a
downfield threat of
late, hauling in
passes of 39 yards or
more in three of his
last five games. The
way we hear it, Wal-
ters play is not espe-
cially surprising to
the Texans, as evi-
denced by head
coach Gary Ku-
biaks faith in him
even early in his
Houston career
when he wasnt
nearly as productive.
Given the fickle in-
jury status of SS Bob
Sanders, the Colts
feel buoyed by the
success that replace-
ment Melvin Bullitt
has had in the spot
recently. Although
the rangy Bullitt has
been best in cover-
age, securing a team-
high four
interceptions, hes
also proven consider-
ably better in run
support than he was
when he first entered
the starting lineup in
Week Three.
Titans CB Chris
Carr, who began his
career in Oakland,
has kept good com-
pany in his four-year
career. In three sea-
sons with the
Raiders, he had a
chance to observe
CB Nnamdi Aso-
mugha closely; at
present, Asomugha
may be the most
highly regarded
player at his position
in the NFL. Of Aso-
mugha, Carr noted,
If he wasnt such a
good athlete, hed
still make a lot of
plays because he
prepares so well.
This season, Carr has
watched as Titans
CB Cortland
Finnegan has be-
come a star. One of
Finnegans keys to
success, Carr said, is
that he disguises his
intentions so well.
Essentially out of playoff con-
tention with more than a quarter of
the schedule left to be played, any
progress the Texans make in the
final weeks of the season will be
judged by how it affects the teams
preparation for 2009. So those look-
ing ahead to next season had to like
what they have seen from rookie
WLB Xavier Adibi, who figures to
challenge Morlon Greenwood for
a starting job, if not take the posi-
tion outright, in 2009. The 6-2, 232-
pound Adibi, a fourth-round pick,
notched 15 tackles in his first career
start in place of the injured Green-
wood in Week 11. He followed that
up with four tackles and a fumble
recovery in Week 12s win over the
Browns. Adibi, who compensates for
a lack of bulk with very good speed,
is one of several promising lineback-
ers the Texans have drafted in re-
cent seasons, headlined by Pro Bowl
MLB DeMeco Ryans (06 second-
rounder) and SLB Zac Diles (07
seventh-rounder).
After Titans WR Justin Gages
two second-half touchdown recep-
tions helped drop the Jaguars
record to 4-6 in Week 11, and then a
Week 12 loss to the Vikings moved
the Jaguars to 4-7, and with little re-
alistic chance of making the play-
offs, we hear that Jacksonville will
see the next five games in large part
as an audition for numerous players
who are no sure bets to be earning
roster spots in 2009. One man who
is assured of maintaining his job is
head coach Jack Del Rio, who
signed a five-year contract exten-
sion last offseason after guiding the
Jags to the second round of the
playoffs in 07. Despite Del Rio com-
ing under fire with his team under-
achieving and drawing the ire of his
players for his more stringent rules
and regulations regarding locker-
room conduct, we hear that he ac-
tually could be the No. 1 voice in
owner Wayne Weavers ear re-
garding which players will comprise
next seasons roster.
The Colts are hopeful that the
season-long hibernation of the
running game is over after busting
out for 154 yards against the Tex-
ans in Week 11. Acohesive offen-
sive line is credited with much of
the production, even though OLT
Tony Ugohs performance has
been erratic. Even following the
breakout game, and the 91 rushing
yards racked up in Week 12, the
Colts still rank among the NFLs
worst rushing teams. But dont ex-
pect the Colts to abandon that
facet of their offense. Word were
hearing out of Indianapolis is that
without even the threat of a run-
ning attack, the play-action pass
thats such a staple of offensive co-
ordinator Tom Moores system
would cease to work, and much of
the offense subsequently would
fail, as well. As much as the run-
ning game has sputtered this sea-
son, defenses still have respected
Joseph Addais ability out of the
backfield.
More and more, the Titans off-
season signing of ex-Raiders CB
Chris Carr looks like a bargain
one that has paid dividends on
both special teams and defense.
Carr, who signed a one-year
offer sheet worth around $2 million
in March that the Raiders declined
to match, has been one of the
AFCs better kickoff and punt re-
turners for much of the season.
But until the Week 11 game at Jack-
sonville, he had not received ex-
tended playing time on defense.
That changed when Eric King,
who was filling in for the injured
Nick Harper, suffered a broken
left forearm. Pressed into service,
Carr responded with an outstand-
ing performance, defending three
passes and setting up the game-
clinching touchdown with a leap-
ing, toe-tapping interception along
the Titans sideline. In Week 12,
Carr started and contributed six
tackles.
Harper could return for the Week
13 game vs. the Lions, but King is
out for the rest of the season after
landing on injured reserve, so
Carrs emergence could not have
come at a better time.
The Jaguars frequently threw in
Carrs direction, something Carr
expected. He recalled telling team-
mate Reynaldo Hill that when-
ever he got his chance to play, Im
going to get a couple pass break-
ups and a pick, because they dont
think Im any good.
Earning respect as a cornerback
hasnt been easy for Carr, who told
PFWhe never thought he played as
much as he should have on defense
in Oakland. Nevertheless, other
teams liked what they saw from
him when he got a chance to play in
the Raiders defensive backfield.
The Browns wanted to sign him to
play cornerback, but they already
had Pro Bowl RS Josh Cribbs in
the fold, and Carr wanted to con-
tinue to return kickoffs and punts.
When he visited Tennessee, his
host was Titans CB Cortland
Finnegan, and Carr quickly
sensed his goals were aligned with
his potential new club. Just talking
to him about the players on this
team, everybody was professional
and wanted to win, Carr said.
I really made a conscious deci-
sion there that if I get my shot, I
have to prepare, said Carr, who
started four games in three sea-
sons in Oakland. He added,
Theres no worse feeling going
into the game unprepared or out of
shape.
CB-KR Chris Carr has had a big impact on the Titans since signing as a restricted free agent.
A
P
HOUSTON
TEXANS
JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS
INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS
TENNESSEE
TITANS
THE WAY WE HEAR IT
AFC WESTBy Dan Parr and Michael Blunda
WHISPERS
Raiders OLT
Kwame Harris has
been a popular whip-
ping boy for the
teams problems on
offense, but we hear
interim head coach
Tom Cable, who
also coaches the of-
fensive line, is un-
happy with all three
of his tackles. Mario
Henderson, who
looked like a potential
replacement for Har-
ris, hasnt played well
when given the op-
portunity, and Cable
is down on ORT Cor-
nell Green as well,
but he doesnt have
any other options.
The Broncos ap-
pear to be weather-
ing an injury storm
that ravaged their
backfield, leaving
them on their fifth
different featured
back of the season,
Peyton Hillis, who
had been playing full-
back. Sources in Den-
ver said the ability to
transition so far down
the depth chart with-
out a huge decline is
a testament to RB
coach Bobby
Turner. He has been
with the team for the
entirety of Mike
Shanahans tenure.
Don't be surprised
if the playing time of
Chargers DE Igor Ol-
shansky is cut back
in the seasons final
month. Set to be-
come a free agent this
offseason, Olshansky
already has one foot
out the door, as San
Diego has no desire to
sign him to the big
contract hell be look-
ing for. Also, his play
simply hasnt been as
good as in years past,
and the team feels as
though it can get sim-
ilar production from
its reserves.
Formerly a team
that could easily sell
out games well in ad-
vance, the Chiefs
have driven people
away with their losing
ways. Lower-level
tickets have been
available just days be-
fore this seasons
home games, and
fans looking to sell
tickets are mainly
doing so at a loss.
We hear Broncos TE Tony
Scheffler is not completely
healed from a groin injury that
forced him to miss three games
all of which were Denver losses
earlier this season. Sources say
Denvers pass-catching tight end
has a mix of good and bad days
and theres no indication that hell
completely get over the injury any-
time soon. No one questions his
talent or his toughness, but there
are growing doubts about his abil-
ity to make it through a full season
healthy, sources say. Prior to the
groin issue, Scheffler missed a
chunk of offseason training with a
foot injury and health problems
have been fairly constant through-
out his three-year pro career. Its
not a huge concern for him yet,
but if Scheffler doesnt disprove
the injury-prone notion in the near
future, the dreaded label, which
comes into play in contract nego-
tiations, will be hard for him to
shed.
Obviously, there is plenty of
blame to go around on a one-win
team like the Chiefs, but head
coach Herm Edwards believes
that he and his staff have done their
part to get back on track. In his
Week 12 press conference, Edwards
stated that his coaches have put
the team in a position to win lately,
but that the players simply have not
executed well enough to do so. This
shifting of responsibility came off
as a bit strange, and the way we
hear it, Edwards likely made these
comments to cover for his coaches,
many of whom he is surely under
pressure to get rid of. Defensive co-
ordinator Gunther Cunningham
and his assistants undoubtedly are
feeling the most heat, as the Chiefs
defense (K.C. gave up 54 points in
last weeks loss) easily has been
one of the NFLs worst. With the
units young players making little
progress, its very possible that
major staff changes will be made on
that side of the ball.
Theres always a concern with
losing teams like the Raiders about
players quitting and worrying more
about individual concerns than
those of the team late in the season,
but that isnt a reality in Oakland
yet, as evidenced by the Raiders 31-
10 win over the Broncos last week.
We hear that as bad as things are in
Oakland, no disconnect has
emerged between players and the
coaching staff. In a recent interview
with PFW, CB Nnamdi Asomugha,
who probably has been the most
critical voice from within the team
this season, said everyone appears
to be on the same page. Coaches
and players are definitely in sync,
Asomugha said. One thing (interim
coach Tom Cable) wanted to do
when he came in was make sure
that nothing changed. (He) made
sure that everyone was comfortable
with what was going on. That has
been the case. I think that the play-
ers and coaches have a relationship
that is sound.
Usually, when teams under-
achieve as much as San Diego has
this season, the head coach find
himself sitting squarely on the hot
seat. But that wont be an issue for
Norv Turner, who is guaranteed to
be back next year as the Bolts head
man.
Despite guiding a Chargers club
with high expectations to a sub-
.500 record and second place in the
AFC West, Turner was publicly as-
sured last week by president Dean
Spanos and GM A.J. Smith that
he will be the teams head coach in
2009, regardless of what happens
during the remainder of this sea-
son. Such job security is rare in
todays NFL, where coaches get
fired for not turning franchises
around within a couple of years.
While many believe that Turners
terrific run in the 07 playoffs, in
which he took the Chargers to the
AFC title game, bought him the
cushion of at least one lackluster
season, there are additional rea-
sons why he will return. We hear
that one of the main factors is the
close relationship between Turner
and Smith.
Unlike the dynamic between
Smith and previous Bolts head
coach Marty Schottenheimer
one in which there reportedly was
very little communication we un-
derstand the general manager and
Turner have a terrific rapport,
speaking with one another fre-
quently. And since Spanos has
great respect for Smith and his
opinions, Turner seems to be in a
pretty safe place.
We also hear that the coach is get-
ting somewhat of a pass here be-
cause of Smiths tendency to pin the
teams poor performance on the
players. Smith has been known to
make examples out of players he felt
werent giving maximum effort, and
many view his recent move to place
WR Buster Davis on injured re-
serve as a message to the roster: If
we think youre giving less than your
all, we no longer need your services.
In fact, most, if not all, of their off-
season changes figure to involve
the guys on the field, not on the
coaching staff. The club already
parted with the one coach it felt
wasnt getting it done this season,
defensive coordinator Ted
Cottrell, and we hear the front of-
fice is generally happy with the rest
of the staff. The only thing that
could put a monkey wrench in the
plans is if Cottrells replacement,
Ron Rivera, leaves to accept a
head-coaching job elsewhere.
Norv Turner is expected back in San Diego next season despite coaching an underachieving team in 2008.
A
P
DENVER
BRONCOS
KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS
OAKLAND
RAIDERS
SAN DIEGO
CHARGERS
THE WAY WE HEAR IT
NFC EASTBy Eric Edholm
WHISPERS
Giants RB Derrick
Ward wants to prove
hes a starter, and as
a free agent next sea-
son its very likely
that the team will not
be able to afford both
Ward and Brandon
Jacobs, whose con-
tract also is up. Some
NFL teams actually
favor Ward over Ja-
cobs, who might have
a shorter NFL career
because of the way
he runs, and we know
the Giants like Ward
very much. It will be
one of the big stories
of the offseason.
The Cowboys were
disappointed by WR
Miles Austins re-
cent knee injury,
which will keep him
out at least through
Week 13, because
Austin appeared on
the verge of sup-
planting Patrick
Crayton as the
teams slot receiver.
There was quiet
disappointment in
the Eagles front of-
fice when the Chiefs
signed DE Andy
Studebaker to their
active roster off the
Eagles practice
squad. The team saw
promise in Stude-
baker, a college de-
fensive end at
Division III Wheaton,
as a two-point pass
rusher from the
strong side and tried
to stash him on the
practice squad for a
year.
The Redskins
would love to get
some snaps for
Chad Rinehart, a
third-round pick who
could be a long-term
replacement for OLG
Pete Kendall. Rine-
hart looked OK at
tackle and guard in
the preseason and
has promise, but the
team probably wont
get to play him unless
theres an injury up
front.
QB Tony Romo had a little rust
from his four-week layoff in return-
ing to play vs. the Redskins, but it
was gone in Week 12s win over the
49ers. There were some clear dif-
ferences to what Romo brought to
the offense that was lacking when
Brad Johnson and Brooks
Bollinger were running the team.
Romos confidence and playmaking
ability were on full display. The best
news for the Cowboys was that it
doesnt appear that Romos injured
pinky finger is impeding any of his
throws, even though he has to en-
dure pain. The Cowboys have
played their most focused and de-
termined games since Romo got
hurt, and his presence is a factor.
Said head coach Wade Phillips:
He affects the game. He affects
our players. He affects our attitude
about what we can and cant do. I
think it even affects the game as far
as what the other team does. I think
it affects decisions in the game that
sometimes you dont see.
The Redskins have held serve de-
fensively this season, allowing 272
yards per game (about 50 fewer
than the league average entering
Week 12), been good on third
downs (36.7 percent conversions
allowed, also below the league av-
erage) and stopped the run (89.3
yards, more than 20 yards below
the NFL average). But the lack of
forced fumbles (three), intercep-
tions (10) and sacks (17) has been
alarming and has held back the
Redskins from becoming a top unit.
And now, with LB Marcus Wash-
ington (ankle) missing last week,
and possibly one or two more
games, it is affecting the blitz pack-
ages even more. Washington and
SS Chris Horton are the two most
common blitzers on five-man pres-
sures, and Washingtons expected
replacement H.B. Blades is
not considered a great blitzer who
can time plays up, hit the hole and
take on offensive linemen at the
point of attack often.
What Giants head coach Tom
Coughlin says to the media on a
daily basis often gets construed as
coaching rhetoric, and what he says
to his team behind closed doors
very well might have the same ef-
fect. But Coughlin has a purpose to
his methods. He knows that with
success through the first part of the
season comes higher expectations,
in and out of the team facility. And
although there have been no signs
of the Giants getting out-of-control
egos, Coughlin wants to make sure
that things stay that way. We hear
his message to his team has been
along that vein, challenging them
each week with new things and try-
ing to keep them centered on the
task at hand. Although the regular
season is well past its midpoint, the
season as measured from Week
One to the Super Bowl is barely
past the halfway mark, and with lots
of football left Coughlin hopes his
team will not have peaked too early
once the playoffs arrive.
There has been increasing pres-
sure in Philadelphia on the Eagles
to put their best offensive foot for-
ward, especially early in games,
and the heat has been turned up
on QB Donovan McNabb, whose
slow starts have hindered the team
during their recent slump.
That pressure hit its peak when
head coach Andy Reid benched
McNabb to start the second half
against the Ravens in favor of sec-
ond-year QB Kevin Kolb, and the
talk that this could be McNabbs
final year with the team is at its
high-water mark.
Reid did not say after the game
whether he would be going with
McNabb or Kolb going forward, but
the in-game benching spoke vol-
umes of what Reid who has been
one of McNabbs most vocal sup-
porters thinks of his situation.
From the bye through Week 12,
McNabb struggled early in games
to find a rhythm. In the first quarter
of those five games, he completed
a combined 12-of-34 passes for
103 yards with one interception,
and the Eagles have scored only
seven points in those quarters.
McNabbs struggles against the
Bengals in Week 11 had nothing to
do with the fact he didnt know
there were ties in the NFL, but it
did raise eyebrows nonetheless.
His four turnovers and sub-50 per-
cent completion rate (for the sec-
ond game in a row) have led some
to believe that he no longer can
carry this team or pass the ball at
an elite level.
Part of the stress on McNabb
has been a bit undue. With RB
Brian Westbrook hobbling with
an ankle injury that he admits
hasnt healed anywhere close to
fully, the running game has been
virtually non-existent. The Eagles
typically adhere to a 60-40 pass-
run ratio, which is on the higher
end by league standards but is
head coach Andy Reids prefer-
ence. This season, that ratio is even
more out of whack. Including
sacks, the Eagles have had 449
pass plays and have run it 260
times, a 63.8-percent pass ratio,
and that includes 24 rushes by Mc-
Nabb.
Reid dismissed talk that Mc-
Nabb was going anywhere before
Week 12, standing behind his quar-
terback as he has for most of the
10 seasons they have been to-
gether. But the move to Kolb, who
also struggled against the Ravens,
appears to be more of a long-term
move than a one-game maneuver.
Following his benching against the Ravens, Donovan McNabb faces an uncertain future in Philadelphia.
M
A
T
T
Q
U
I
N
N
A
N
DALLAS
COWBOYS
WASHINGTON
REDSKINS
NEWYORK
GIANTS
PHILADELPHIA
EAGLES
THE WAY WE HEAR IT
NFC NORTHBy Dan Arkush and Eric Edholm
WHISPERS
Lions QB Daunte
Culpepper has a
good chance at
opening next season
as the teams starter,
even if the teams
front office and
coaching staff are
hanging in the bal-
ance. With Dan
Orlovsky set to hit
free agency, he
might choose to
jump ship, and there
is not enough confi-
dence in Drew
Stanton right now
to start him for a
winless team, so no
matter who is coach-
ing this team,
Culpepper could
turn out to be the
most attractive op-
tion as things stand
now.
The Vikings finally
pulled the plug on
ORT Ryan Cook,
who has given way to
Artis Hicks. Cook
has the body and the
power suited for
right tackle, and
there have been
times when he has
shown the potential
to be a strong run
blocker. But his in-
consistency and his
propensity for false
starts have done him
in for now.
We hear the Pack-
ers have been ex-
ploring ways to take
more advantage of
reserve DE Kenny
Pettways legiti-
mate pass-rushing
skills.
Based on recent
practice time, our
Packers sources tell
us the shoulder injury
that limited QB
Aaron Rodgers ear-
lier this season is no
longer considered
much of an issue.
When youre 0-11, you look for
any positive signs you can find.
Thats how the Lions are approach-
ing things these days, and it has
been considered a positive that
rookie RB Kevin Smith is starting
to produce at a level the team had
hoped coming into the season. In
the past three games, he has
rushed 63 times for 294 yards and
a TD with another 50 yards receiv-
ing. And although the Lions might
roll their eyes when he sounds like
a rookie last week he talked
about the possibility of making the
playoffs this season theyll take
it as long as he runs hard and
doesnt fumble the ball. Smith has
been a bright spot recently, and it
has been impressive that he has
done so with a new QB and with
some OL deficiencies. The team
still wants him to clean up his pass-
protection technique and be more
of a factor in the receiving game,
but the coaches have been happy
with what they have seen of late.
Even when CB Al Harris was
sidelined after tearing his spleen in
Week Three, the secondary was the
strength of this years Packers, es-
tablishing itself as one of the
leagues best playmaking units. But
with Harris surprising team insiders
with his near-flawless play (heading
into the Monday-nighter in New Or-
leans) since returning to the start-
ing lineup in Week Nine, Green Bays
secondary has gotten even better.
Although he wasnt facing the great-
est WR corps in the Titans, Vikings
and Bears, Harris displaying a
newfound chip on his shoulder both
on and off the field allowed just
one 10-yard reception in those three
games. The way we hear it, whether
the 33-year-old Harris chooses to
admit it or not, his extra edge could
be due to the increasing pressure he
feels from steadily improving nickel
back Tramon Williams for the
starting RCB job. Team insiders en-
vision Williams as a starting corner
in the not-too-distant future.
Tight ends have killed the
Vikings this season. In Week 11, it
was Buccaneers TE Jerramy
Stevens, who caught a team-high
six passes for 84 yards, with sev-
eral crucial grabs, including a 31-
yarder to the 1-yard line that set up
a touchdown. In Week Nine, Texans
TE Owen Daniels caught a game-
high 11 passes for 133 yards, find-
ing the soft spots in the Vikings
zones. Bears TEs Greg Olsen and
Desmond Clark combined to
catch nine passes for 133 yards
and a TD in Week Seven. Daniels
told PFWthat he thinks the Vikings
were so concerned with WR Andre
Johnson in the Texans game that
it allowed him to get some open
looks. They play a lot of cover-2,
Daniels said, so I actually ended
up getting behind Chad and in
front of Sharper a couple of times
and ran some routes man to man
on those guys also. I still had to get
open, but thats the way they were
playing.
Veteran S Mike Brown couldnt
have been more dead-on when he
was asked to assess the Bears ter-
ribly disappointing defense both
against the run (200 yards allowed)
and the pass (227 yards allowed)
following an embarrassing 37-3 loss
to the arch-rival Packers in Week 11.
Once we come to grips our de-
fense isnt what its supposed to
be, then well all be better off,
Brown said. The perception is we
have a good defense. The reality is
we dont.
The Chicago defense tightened
in Week 12s 27-3 victory, but it was
against a struggling Rams club.
Team insiders agree that the de-
fenses problem areas have been
all-encompassing, with below-par
performances from a host of well-
paid defenders more responsible
for the units decline than the
coaching of Lovie Smith and de-
fensive coordinator Bob Babich.
There are a few players, however,
who can be singled out for their
sorry efforts, with CB Nate
Vasher at the top of the list.
Having missed three games ear-
lier this season due to wrist sur-
gery after sitting out 12 games last
season with an injured groin,
Vasher, who re-upped for $28 mil-
lion in the summer of 2007, has
been a shell of the quality playmak-
ing corner he was prior to 07.
It now appears he will be pla-
tooning the rest of this season on
the right corner with Corey Gra-
ham, a much more physical de-
fender with a promising upside.
Beyond that, Vashers play has
fallen off enough to lead some
team sources to believe he could
be sent packing this offseason.
Hes gotten really soft, leaving big
cushions and whiffing on most of his
tackles, one team insider said of
Vasher. He at least used to throw his
body around and provide some run
support. Worse than that, hes no
longer making any plays to speak of.
Another declining defender who
was exposed against the Packers is
NT Dusty Dvoracek, who we hear
could be losing more than a little
playing time to Anthony Adams,
who many close to the team be-
lieve should be on the field a lot
more after being inactive in seven
of the 11 games this season.
Said one daily team observer of
Dvoracek: If the Bears had a nose
tackle who could stay on his feet,
(MLB) Brian Urlacher might be
able to do his job. (Dvoracek) is
getting knocked off the ball like Ive
never seen.
Bears CB Nate Vasher has been a disappointment on a lackluster Bears defense this season.
M
A
T
T
Q
U
I
N
N
A
N
DETROIT
LIONS
GREEN BAY
PACKERS
MINNESOTA
VIKINGS
CHICAGO
BEARS
THE WAY WE HEAR IT
NFC SOUTHBy Dan Parr
WHISPERS
Sources in Carolina
say Panthers head
coach John Fox has
been unfazed by QB
Jake Delhommes
recent slump. Del-
homme drew the ire
of fans, who booed
him at the teams last
home game, and he
seemed to have lost
his sense of accu-
racy, throwing passes
that sailed away from
open receivers. We
hear Fox remains
fully committed to
him and there will be
no on-field sightings
of backup Josh Mc-
Cown, barring an in-
jury.
We hear the Fal-
cons have given OLT
Sam Baker an in-
tense rehab schedule
as he works on re-
turning from lower
back surgery. Baker
has only played in
five games this sea-
son he missed
time with a concus-
sion before the pro-
cedure on his back
and sources say de-
spite the ramped-up
efforts to get him
back on the field, he
still is likely to miss
another game or two.
Thanks to the
emergence of WR
Lance Moore, we
hear David Patten
is fighting to even be
on the Saints active
game-day roster.
Sources say head
coach Sean Payton
still values Patten,
but right now Moore
is just a better,
younger version of
the 12-year veteran.
Hes been either
relegated to the side-
line or hampered by a
hamstring injury for
almost the entire sea-
son, but we hear
Bucs FB B.J. Askew
should see an in-
creased role in the
last quarter of the
season. Hes an ef-
fective receiver out of
the backfield and
could also get some
carries in goal-line or
short-yardage situa-
tions since RB
Earnest Grahamis
out for the season.
We hear that 35-year-old DE
Kevin Carter, one of the de-
fenses most consistent perform-
ers despite the wear and tear of 14
NFL seasons, is showing no sign
of slowing down. The Buccaneers
run defense has shut down the
likes of Michael Turner, Marion
Barber, Ryan Grant and DeAn-
gelo Williams and it has given
up only one rushing touchdown in
the first 11 games. Much of the
credit in stuffing the run has gone
to MLB Barrett Ruud, and de-
servedly so, but sources in Tampa
say Carter has played a key role in
that area, as well. The Bucs cut
him in a cost-saving measure
after last season and he came
close to joining the Raiders, but
Tampa Bay stepped in to re-sign
him and it has worked out well for
both sides. Carter is still a capable
pass rusher, too, as he showed in
Week 11, making a key fourth-
quarter sack to force a Vikings
punt.
Sources in New Orleans tell Pro
Football Weekly there is almost
no chance that RB Deuce McAl-
lister will be back with the Saints
next season at the $7.3 million
salary-cap number hes sched-
uled to have. It has become
painfully clear that McAllister is
struggling after suffering through
two torn anterior cruciate liga-
ments in three seasons. The
eighth-year veteran will have to
agree to come back for less
money or go elsewhere, but either
way, McAllister is facing a signifi-
cant pay cut. We hear he might be
willing to take such a cut to re-
main in New Orleans hes very
comfortable with his surround-
ings and is a major figure in the
city, but at the same time, ob-
servers say the Saints might be
ready to move on. McAllister is
still waiting on the results for his
appeal of a four-game suspension
he received for testing positive for
a banned water pill.
The Panthers will be forced to
make some hard decisions in the
next few months as three of their
best players DE Julius
Peppers, OLT Jordan Gross and
CB Chris Gamble are set to be-
come free agents after the season.
In terms of re-signing priority,
Gamble, although he has played
near a Pro Bowl level all season, is
likely third on the list, sources say.
Carolina has an obvious and tal-
ented replacement for him in
Richard Marshall, who has been
the teams nickel back, behind
Gamble and Ken Lucas, for most
of his three-year career. He would
be a starter on almost any other
team and there would be little
drop-off if he stepped in as a
starter. Carolinas preference
would be to have all three stars
back and keep one of the deepest
defensive backfields in the league
intact, but that might not be feasi-
ble because of salary-cap con-
straints.
The Falcons had nothing but
doubters before the season. They
may still have a few left. Its hard
for Roddy White to blame them.
He didnt see this coming, either.
In an exclusive interview with
PFWlast week, the Falcons fourth-
year receiver admitted that he was
taken aback, knowing Atlantas
matchup with Carolina in Week 12
had major playoff implications for
both teams. The Falcons beat the
Panthers 45-28 and are just one
game behind Carolina and Tampa
Bay in the NFC South. White wasnt
sure the Falcons would still be in
the postseason picture this late in
the season.
Im surprised that weve won as
many games as we (have). Coming
into the season, I didnt know how
good we were going to be. We did-
nt have big-name players. Were
just a bunch of blue-collar players
that go out there and work.
We have a real mean, nasty atti-
tude. Were real physical. Teams
dont like to be physical for four
quarters. We play hard for four
quarters. We go out there and we
give it all we have. Thats why I
think were so successful. Basi-
cally, we just go out there and play
harder than the next team.
If the Falcons continue on this
surprisingly successful path, it will
mean good things for White, who is
bidding for his first Pro Bowl selec-
tion. White is among this seasons
leading receivers with 62 catches
for 973 yards and already has six
touchdowns, which matches a ca-
reer high. He said theres no doubt
in his mind hell make the 2009 Pro
Bowl if Atlanta manages to ad-
vance into the postseason.
But if I dont (make it), theres
always next year, he said. Ill just
go out there and keep getting bet-
ter. Hopefully Ill make it one of
these years.
Its that sense of confidence
without urgency that has helped
White and his Falcons teammates
stun the opposition and media ob-
servers, most of whom pegged
them as a four-win team at best.
Atlanta doesnt have to be winning
now, yet it is.
With a nucleus on offense of
White, QB Matt Ryan and RB
Michael Turner, its hard to see
this team not being competitive in
the NFC South for many years to
come.
People think what we got going
on now is really good,White said.
Acouple years from now, we could
have something real special.
CB Chris Gamble is one of three high-profile Panthers players who can become free agents in the spring.
A
P
TAMPA BAY
BUCCANEERS
NEW ORLEANS
SAINTS
CAROLINA
PANTHERS
ATLANTA
FALCONS
THE WAY WE HEAR IT
NFC WESTBy Dan Arkush
WHISPERS
With conjecture
growing on the Rams
draft plans for 2009,
our sources believe a
quality offensive
tackle will very likely
be the top priority,
with starting OLT Or-
lando Pace on his
last legs and starting
ORT Alex Barrons
contract set to expire
after the 2009 sea-
son.
We hear the odds
are less than 50-50
that the Niners will
hang on to OT Jonas
Jennings, who un-
derwent surgery on
his shoulder for the
third time and was
placed on injured re-
serve. Jennings has
played well when hes
been 100 percent
healthy, but thats
seldom been the
case the past two
seasons. Word is his
latest operation will
require a six-month
recovery period.
Niners offensive
coordinator Mike
Martz admits to
being genuinely ex-
cited about the po-
tential of young WRs
Josh Morgan and
Jason Hill, but he
said last week that
Morgans current
groin injury could be
significant enough to
shut him down the
remainder of the sea-
son.
Our Seahawks
sources tell us theres
been more than a lit-
tle apprehension
among the teams as-
sistant coaches re-
garding their security
beyond this season,
when Jim Mora re-
places Mike Holm-
gren as head coach.
We hear disgrun-
tled Cardinals RB
Edgerrin James
decision to skip the
only scheduled prac-
tice during the teams
bye week no doubt
contributed to his re-
cent demotion in
favor of rookie Tim
Hightower.
Although he hasnt performed
as consistently well as he did in
2005 when he boomed a
league-record 40 field goals with
only two misses Neil Rackers
is back on track as one of the
NFLs top placekickers after get-
ting derailed the past two seasons,
connecting on 16 of his last 17
field-goal attempts with the lone
miss a 68-yard attempt at the end
of the second half last week.
Whats interesting is the change
of philosophy as far as him trying
to hit 50-yarders all the time, a
team insider said of Rackers, who
connected on only 4-of-16 from 50
yards and beyond the past two
seasons after connecting on 6-of-7
from that distance in 05. With
this offense, they dont feel they
need Neils leg as much. Theyre
more likely to go for it on 4th-and-
short. Rackers leg has been used
a lot more creatively on kickoffs,
however. Nobody is a better on-
side kicker, the insider said.
While the primary focus these
days is on QB Shaun Hill, who
won NFC Player of the Week honors
in Week 11, team insiders believe
the major improvement in the re-
vamped offensive line since Hill
took over for J.T. OSullivan under
center is equally noteworthy.
David Baas has provided a more
physical presence at left guard than
Adam Snyder, who struggled at
that position. But it looks like Sny-
der might have found a new home
as the starter at right tackle the
past three games. Its interesting
how much better he is in pass pro-
tection, a team insider said of Sny-
der. He just wasnt good in a phone
booth (left guard); guys would get
by him. With more room to operate,
he looks a lot more comfortable.
While Mike Singletary thinks his
lines newfound continuity is pay-
ing off, he hasnt stopped revamp-
ing, with rookie Chilo Rachal
replacing Larry Wragge as the
starting right guard in Week 12.
In their first season together in
2007 after being obtained via free
agency, safeties Deon Grant and
Brian Russell could do little
wrong, providing a dramatic up-
grade with their ability to switch
roles at any time and make it easier
for the Seattle defense to disguise
coverages. It has been a much dif-
ferent story in 08, however. Its like
two years ago when the safeties
were getting their brains beat out
all over again, a longtime team in-
sider told PFW. I think Grant is
playing with a knee problem that is
a lot more serious than he, or any-
body else, is letting on. As for Rus-
sell, he appears a step slower, and
he was hardly fast to begin with.
The lack of a pass rush up front
hasnt helped any, leading to many
of the coverage breakdowns that
have taken place. Both Grant and
Russell also have failed most of the
time when asked to blitz, just not
quite getting to the quarterback,
according to the insider.
Head coach Jim Haslett
breathed a sigh of relief after de-
termining that OLT Orlando Pace
is likely to miss only a couple of
games at the most with a right
knee injury that initially looked like
it might land the seven-time Pro
Bowler on injured reserve for the
remainder of the season.
But the way we hear it, even
though team insiders consider
Pace the most consistent per-
former on the Rams offensive line
so far this season, his lack of dura-
bility only 18 starts the past
three seasons may not bode well
for his future beyond this season in
St. Louis.
He really wants to keep playing.
He knows that all his injuries the
last few years are hurting his
legacy, a team insider said of Pace.
But hes missed a ton of games,
and it looks like the time has come
for the Rams to take a hard look at
that fact.
We hear Pace isnt the only long-
time star player on the Rams who
could be cast aside in what many
believe will be a major rebuilding
effort this offseason.
Its also starting to look more
and more like veteran WR Torry
Holt, who complained earlier this
season about being phased out of
the offense, might follow in the
footsteps of former Rams WR
Isaac Bruce, who relocated to
San Francisco this season after
being released by the Rams.
I put the odds at 50-50, the in-
sider said of the prospect of Holt
sticking with the team. I think it
would be a mistake to let him go,
because hes got a high cap num-
ber ($7.85 million), and I still think
hes got some juice. But its be-
come clear Donnie Avery is the
new go-to guy.
Also on the injury front, the word
is that Rams RB Steven Jackson,
who early last week was ruled out
of his fourth game in five weeks
due to a strained quadriceps in his
right leg, is expected to miss
maybe one more game before pos-
sibly being able to play the final
month of the season.
The second opinion he got on
the injury didnt show anything se-
rious, so he should be back soon,
the insider said. They just tried to
bring him back too soon (for the
Week Nine game against Arizona,
when he appeared tentative, gain-
ing only 17 yards on seven car-
ries).
But in their defense, they were
still in the mix at that time.
Plagued by injuries in recent years, OT Orlando Paces days could be numbered in St. Louis.
J
E
F
F
F
I
S
H
B
E
I
N
ARIZONA
CARDINALS
SAN FRANCISCO
49ERS
SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS
ST. LOUIS
RAMS
COVER STORY
LARRY
FITZGERALD
KURT
WARNER
ANQUAN
BOLDIN
CARDINAL
SINS
The road to the playoffs
could have its share of pot-
holes for a Cardinals team
that has gotten better but
still has some chinks in its
armor. Here are five poten-
tial handicaps that could
stand in their way.
1
Kurt Warner could get
hurt. The Cardinals
have games left against
the Eagles, Vikings and Pa-
triots teams that know
how to bring pressure on
the quarterback. If Warner
gets hurt, this offense will
most certainly suffer.
2
Lack of a running
game. The Cardinals
rank among the leagues
worst rushing teams in 2008.
They havent run with much
consistency, and its ques-
tionable if the run game will
be there when they need it.
3
Mental errors. The
Cardinals are among
the league leaders in
penalties this season, and
these infractions are a big
reason why their success in
the red zone is down this
year. Penalties could cost
them against good teams.
4
Defensive breakdowns.
The Cardinals defense
can be very good. But it
also can have mental lapses
that lead to big plays. The
Cardinals must limit the
number of big plays surren-
dered to have a chance.
5
Inability to beat a de-
cent team on the road.
The remaining games
are about playoff position-
ing. The Cardinals need to
prove they can beat a play-
off-caliber team on the
road. They will have their
chances at Philadelphia and
New England.
Kent Somers
TEMPE, Ariz. In every clich-riddled
movie about aliens or monsters, theres a point
where one main character turns to another, points
at the invaders and says, Theyre learning!
That is sort of how the Cardinals feel about
their offense, and when you look back at the ques-
tions that surrounded the unit in August, its hard
to argue.
QB Kurt Warner was battling Matt Leinart for
the starting job. WR Anquan Boldin, upset
about his contract, was demanding to be trad-
ed. There was no proven No. 3 receiver, and RB
Edgerrin James was turning 30 years old.
Just look at how far theyve come in three
months. Warner is undergoing a remarkable ren-
aissance and is a leading contender for his third
MVP award. Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are the
most dangerous receiving tandem in the league.
The No. 3 wide receiver, Steve Breaston, is on pace
to finish with more than 1,000 yards receiving.
Even role players, such as RB J.J. Arrington,
are producing in surprising fashion.
James has been benched, and the running game
remains inconsistent, so not everything is can-
dy and roses. But the passing game has given the
Cardinals an identity, not to mention helped them
compile a 7-4 record and make it to the cusp of
clinching their first division title since 1975.
Weve evolved, head coach Ken Whisenhunt
said. Weve gotten a little bit more of an iden-
tity of who we are.
Who they are is a team that likes to spread the
field with receivers and let a 37-year-old quar-
terback, written off as washed up three times by
three different teams, operate with freedom. This
year, the Cardinals have used the hurry-up and
the no-huddle. They have emptied the backfield
and put Boldin in the backfield in the Pahokee
formation, named after Boldins hometown.
A running back, a receiver and a punter all have
thrown passes. Boldin is liable to line up anywhere
in the formation, and Fitzgerald is put in motion
far more than ever before. Fourteen players have
caught passes for a team that has suffered few
significant injuries.
Its dizzying variety of weapons is orchestrat-
ed by offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who, in
his first full season of calling plays, has proven
to be creative.
We present a lot of mismatch problems,
Boldin said. We can move guys around and get
different mismatches on teams. I think that
makes it difficult to prepare for us.
Getting to this point, however, didnt come
without some strife and some errors. Even
though Warner was brilliant at times last season,
he committed too many turnovers (17 intercep-
tions, six fumbles) for the coaches liking.
Freedom can be a dangerous thing without dis-
cipline, and there were times Warner put the Car-
dinals behind early in games with poor decisions.
Its those kinds of mistakes, not to mention
younger quarterbacks waiting in the wings,
that led to Warner being benched by the Rams,
Giants and Cardinals.
Ball security is one reason Whisenhunt hand-
ed the job back to Leinart soon after the 2007
season ended. Warner didnt like it, but he ac-
cepted coaching, not an easy thing to do for a
quarterback in the latter years of his career.
Coaches have worked hard with him on
keeping both hands on the ball as he moves
around the pocket, and counseled him to occa-
sionally take a sack instead of making a throw
out of desperation.
Thats the one thing Ive tried to work on more
than anything this offseason, Warner said of fum-
bling. Again, its that fine line of being aggres-
sive and trying to make plays, but doing it in a
smart way.
Although Whisenhunt and Haley insisted on
Warner taking better care of the ball, his perform-
ance last year did not go unnoticed. He passed
for 21 touchdowns over the last eight games, more
than any other quarterback, and the Cardinals
scored at least 30 points in five of those games.
Its Warners experience, intelligence and ac-
curacy that make this offense go. If Leinart had
won the job, the unit would look much different.
There are a lot of things that we worked on
with Kurt that I give him credit for, Whisenhunt
said, improving ball security, moving in the pock-
et, not making poor decisions.
I dont know exactly how many interceptions
he threw last year (17), but I knew he didnt throw
27, and I know he threw 27 touchdowns. So thats
something thats kind of hard to ignore.
In his 11 starts last season, Warner developed
a great chemistry with his top two receivers,
Fitzgerald and Boldin. He did it by sweating the
details.
One thing with Kurt, he is very vocal,
Fitzgerald said. Theres never going to be any-
thing left unsaid. Kurt is going to say, Look, Fitz,
if this backer is sitting here, you attack his up-
field shoulder, and if you do that, Im going to
(throw) it to your back shoulder.
There is no indecisiveness with him. You know
exactly what he wants you to do, and you know
if you get that look (from the defense), the ball
is going to be where he told you it was going to
be.
Even with key pieces in place, this offense was
a work in progress during training camp and ear-
ly in the season. But Boldin has put his contract
squabbles to the side and is having one of his
finest seasons. Fitzgerald has improved his
route running and gaining yards after the catch,
proving that the four-year, $40 million deal he
signed in the offseason wont make him fat and
happy.
The most surprising development this season,
however, has been the play of Breaston, a fifth-
round pick in 07. His main role last year was as
a returner, but he was determined to prove he
could play receiver in the NFL.
He drew rave reviews throughout the offsea-
son for his work in the weight room, where he
added strength, and play on the practice field,
where he refined his route running and catch-
ing ability.
But Breaston never had produced in a game.
He was replacing a veteran, Bryant Johnson, with
whom Warner had developed a rapport. Warn-
er wondered about Breaston, especially when the
young receiver seemed to hit a wall in training
camp.
Hes probably exceeded everybodys expecta-
tions, even after the great spring that he had,
Warner said. Hes come in and made big play af-
ter big play after big play for us.
With 54 catches for 725 yards, Breaston already
has surpassed Johnsons production last year. He
also proved he could step into a starting role, too,
catching 15 passes for 179 yards in the two games
Boldin missed after suffering a vicious hit
against the Jets. The Cardinals were 2-0 in those
games.
After losing to the Giants in Week 12, the Car-
dinals remain on the cusp of winning the NFC
West and hosting a playoff game for the first time
since moving to Arizona in 1988. If they accom-
plish that feat, they will look back at that Jets
game as the turning point.
Down 34-0 at halftime, they didnt quit. They
scored 35 points in the second half, mostly by
spreading the field with four receivers and let-
ting Warner go to work.
In subsequent weeks, theyve used the four-re-
ceiver formation more and added other elements
to the offense. Arrington has emerged as a
valuable third-down back, a guy you make
sure you get it to him 10 times a game, in differ-
ent ways, Warner said. Breaston has gained con-
fidence. And since his return, Boldin is being used
more and more out of the backfield on run plays,
as well as flares and screens.
As much as this offense has evolved, its suc-
cess still revolves around getting the ball to Boldin
and Fitzgerald.
We dont appreciate them enough, Warner
said. Anytime I need something or am in a cru-
cial situation, you know Im going to know
where 81 and 11 are at all times.
Kent Somers covers the Cardinals for the Ari-
zona Republic.
PICKYOUR POISON
Spearheaded by an offense that keeps coming up with new wrinkles, the Cardinals
are emerging as an NFLheavyweight contender By KENT SOMERS
FEATURE STORY
By Dan Parr
Associate editor
I
t can be a long, lonely road from first-round bust to
potential Pro Bowler.
Roddy Whites path from the bottom up was marked
by failure, struggles and self-doubt. There are still laps-
es for the Falcons first pick, 27th overall, of 2005. Drops
and diminished confidence have yet to be completely
wiped out of his game, but when they creep back in, he
has someone who doesnt just remind him of how good
he can be, but demands that he be even better.
After White dropped two passes in a crucial loss to the
Panthers in late September, he turned to his mentor, for-
mer Falcons and Saints receiver Joe Horn, as the two sat
across the table from each other at Stoney River, a steak
house just outside Atlanta.
Horn was fuming. He gets angry when mistakes are made
by the player he helped guide once they became teammates
months prior to Whites breakout year last season.
You want people to respect you? Horn asked that
night over dinner. The only way youre going to get re-
spect is if you show those (defensive backs) on Sunday
that theyre not at your level. You got to show all those
receivers around the league that you are the best in the
business.
Then Horn simplified his message.
I just said he needed to be more pissed off, he said.
Horn, a four-time Pro Bowler and veteran of 13 NFL
seasons, told White he wasnt going to watch his next
game. If he didnt respond after that conversation, Horn
said he didnt think White would ever rise to become
one of the best.
Tough treatment from the man you look up to, but
White came up with a strong rebuttal.
Against the Packers a few days later, White had eight
catches, 132 yards and a touchdown by halftime. He
didnt have a single catch in the second half and
didnt need one as the Falcons won at Lambeau, 27-24.
He still has moments of weakness a brief glimpse
of the past shows up once in a while, as it did in the Car-
olina game and again in Week 11, when White, in his
fourth year out of UAB, dropped what could have been
the game-winning touchdown pass in the endzone dur-
ing Atlantas loss to the Broncos. However, White ranks
among the leagues leaders in receiving yards (973), re-
ceptions (62) and has matched a career high in touch-
downs (six). His turnaround from a guy who couldnt
live up to the hype to one of the most feared weapons
in the league has helped lead the Falcons to their sur-
prising 7-4 start. Last season, he became the first Fal-
cons receiver of this decade to gain 1,000 yards he
had fewer than 1,000 in his first two years combined.
It was disappointing, because I knew I was talented
enough, White said of the slow start to his career. I nev-
er folded my tent, though. I always kept my head up. I
just walked around and thought to myself, What am I
doing wrong?
At the time I wasnt doing my job. I was letting the
team down.
But I got myself going.
The Falcons success and Whites individual milestones
over the past two seasons make his trying times seem far
away.
Horn, though, hasnt forgotten the Roddy White he met
before things started to change.
(He was) quiet, Horn said. He held a lot of stuff in-
side of him, and I noticed that before the (07) season start-
ed. We went on a trip to Florida, and I got to know him
a little bit. I started telling him what I felt would bring
him out, what would make him one of the elite receivers.
He listened to the formula. He had to earn his re-
spect, and the only way he was going to do that was catch-
ing balls and talking junk if he had to talk junk and walk-
ing the walk.
The talent that Atlantas scouts were enamored with
was always there, but it took Horns prodding, Whites
determination and a decision to clean up some things in
his personal life, particularly his diet, that led him in the
right direction for the first time as a pro.
Joe Horn had a lot to do with it, White said. He said,
Ive been watching you, man, you can play. But he said,
Youre playing like you dont want to be that guy, but you
can be that guy.
(Horn) caught (603) balls in this league. So when he
tells you, You can be that guy, you can be a No. 1 in this
league, then, you should know you can be a No. 1.
That was the thing for me.
White needed to believe. Growing up in James Island,
S.C., White didnt have a lot of reasons for optimism, he
said. White was raised by a single mother and didnt have
many positive influences.
We were in neighborhoods with a lot of people that
had drugs and things like that, he said. Thats kind of
what we saw every day. Everybody thought that was the
way of living.
When I went to high school, thats all I thought about.
I just wanted to find a way to get my family out of there.
Weve heard that type of story before. Many players have
come and gone from the league in short order because
they were unable to shake the bad habits and bad peo-
ple that latched on to them in their younger days.
Whites former teammate, Michael Vick, is an example.
With the help of Horn, White was able to push back
on the tide hed been succumbing to in his first couple
of seasons.
I finally realized it was me, White said. I have to live
with myself and go out there and do what Im supposed
to do.
I told myself Im not ever going back.
NO TURNING
BACK
After fighting through some false starts,
Falcons WR Roddy White has turned a corner
to become one of the leagues top receivers
Fourth-year veteran Roddy White could become the first
Falcons wide receiver to make the Pro Bowl since 1994.
A
P
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Insider information

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Commentary
Fantasy football advice
Coverage of free agency and NFL draft

THE AUTHORITY
ON PRO FOOTBALL
You can always rely on
THE AUTHORITY
ON PRO FOOTBALL
OPINION
PUBLISHERS PEN Hub Arkush, publisher/editor
WHAT WE THINK WHAT YOU THINK
LETTERS POLICY
Sendletterstoletters@pfwmedia.com, byfaxto
(847) 940-1108or byU.S. mail toLetterstotheEditor,
ProFootball Weekly, 302SaundersRoad, Suite100,
Riverwoods, IL60015. Limit of 250words. Include
name, hometownanddaytimephonenumber
(phonefor verificationpurposesonly). Wereservethe
right toedit lettersfor content andbrevity.
A
fter listening to all the commentary,
criticism and hyperbole surrounding
the blown call on the last play of the
Steelers-Chargers Week 11 meeting in
Pittsburgh, I find myself amused and
mildly concerned.
Certainly youve heard that with the
Steelers leading 11-10 and under 10 sec-
onds left to play, the Chargers had the
ball deep in their own end and attempted
to run a hook-and-ladder. But when the
second lateral ended up on the ground, it
was recovered by Troy Polamalu and re-
turned for a touchdown as time expired,
seemingly ending the game with a 17-10
Steelers victory. It was significant, of
course, not because it impacted the out-
come of the game, but due to the joy that
erupted around the country from anyone
with a bet on the Steelers who had to spot
the Chargers 4
1
2 points.
It was there that things went awry as
the NFLs replay official in the press box
called for a replay to determine the validi-
ty of the Steelers final score. After re-
viewing the play on the field, the referee
decreed that the fumble Polamalu recov-
ered was an illegal forward pass. The rul-
ing made it a dead ball and a penalty on
the Chargers, thus ending the game and
giving the Steelers an 11-10 victory. In-
stant buzzkill for those Steeler bettors but
irrelevant, assuming the referees reversal
was correct. But when the league stated
the following Monday that the ref had
blown the reversal, the proverbial stink
hit the fan.
The powers that be in the National
Football League rate gambling on NFL
games a crime slightly less grievous than
treason. A few years back the NFL re-
fused to allow the Las Vegas tourism
board to run a commercial during the Su-
per Bowl. Privately, of course, these are
pretty smart guys, and they know the
pointspread is possibly the biggest single
factor in making pro football far and
away Americas most popular sport. But
by taking the public position they do,
they are able to protect the integrity of
the game while still benefiting dramati-
cally from the gambling they decry. Hey,
these guys werent born yesterday.
So here are the problems the Steelers-
Chargers game poses for the NFL. A
blown officials call changed the outcome
of a game on which tens of thousands of
fans bet and lost money due to the error.
Its the definition of bad public relations
with a significant segment of its fan base,
and there isnt a thing the league can do
about it. The suggestion it should change
the call again is asinine. The league will
never admit publicly that it is making de-
cisions based on the integrity of the
pointspread, and what is Vegas to do
about all the folks it has already paid
who had bets on the Chargers? I can just
see all those folks lining up to return
their ill-gotten gains.
Problem No. 2 is that completely irre-
spective of the spread or gamblers, what
does it say about instant replay that the
officials incorrectly used it to overturn a
call made correctly on the field?
Most importantly, what is the NFLs re-
sponse to those who believe the officials
mistake wasnt a mistake at all? More
than a few of my buddies with a Jones
for the action have pointed out to me in
less-than-dulcet tones that on the day
that the visiting Chargers were penalized
just twice for five yards, the home-stand-
ing Steelers were flagged 13 times for 115
yards, and they believe the fix was in.
I dont believe there is any chance
whatsoever that there was anything but
innocent mistakes made in Pittsburgh,
and the suggestion the game may have
been fixed is ludicrous. But its been made
clear to me that a number of you dont
agree with me and if the NFL wants to
continue to hide from the reality of the
spread, it needs to conduct a very public
inquiry into the outcome of that game as
quickly as possible.
M
ost of the talk after Philadelphias
ugly 13-13 tie with Cincinnati in
Week 11 was about Donovan
McNabbs startling postgame admission
that he didnt know an NFL game could
end in a tie. Eagles fans, never the most
forgiving to begin with, were pretty rough
on McNabb afterward.
We were among those who were sur-
prised that McNabb didnt know the rule.
But if he had said an NFL game shouldnt
be able to end in a tie, we would have
been the first to agree with him.
Since the NFL adopted sudden-death
overtime in 1974, 17 games have ended in
ties. Thats not a lot, but its still too many.
When the regular season is only 16 games
long, ties shouldnt be a possibility. Base-
ball, basketball and hockey dont let
games end in ties, and they play a whole
lot more games than the NFL.
One alternative would be to have teams
play sudden death for as long as it takes
rather than just 15 minutes. But we think
the NFL should adopt the college-style
system in which each team gets a posses-
sion starting on the other teams 25-yard
line. If theyre still tied after theyve both
had the ball once, they repeat the drill
until someone wins.
Not only do we think the college OT
system is exciting, we think its more fair
because each time is guaranteed an offen-
sive possession. With a sudden-death
overtime, the team winning the coin toss
gets an unfair advantage. About 30 per-
cent of the OT games since 1974 have
been won on the first possession too
many, in our view. After two teams battle
to a draw for 60 minutes, its ridiculous to
have so much importance rest on a call of
heads or tails.
A good example was the Patriots-Jets
game in Week 11. The Patriots made an
impressive comeback from an 18-point
first-half deficit to tie the game on a last-
second touchdown pass and force over-
time. The Patriots were the better team in
the second half and appeared to have the
momentum, but the Jets won the OT coin
toss and drove for a game-winning field
goal on their first possession. The Jets de-
serve credit for scoring, but New England
should have had a chance to score, too.
Theres nothing the NFL can do to pre-
vent ugly games like the Eagles-Bengals
affair. But it can make sure that more
games dont end in ties. The league
should change its overtime system not
only to ensure that every game has a win-
ner, but to make it more fair to both
teams involved.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Do you like the NFLs current overtime
system? If not, what would you do differ-
ently? We want to know what you think.
Send us your views by e-mail to let-
ters@pfwmedia.com, or by U.S. mail to
Pro Football Weekly, 302 Saunders Road,
Suite 100, Riverwoods, IL 60015.
League must address fans concerns
NFL OT system in need of changes
Disappointed with feature
on Ravens Lewis
Dear Pro Football Weekly,
I enjoy your publication, and you usu-
ally seem to have a keen sense of history.
Thats why I was very disappointed in the
rosy article on Ray Lewis in your Nov. 23,
2008 print issue.
How can the author (Jamison Hensley)
never mention that Lewis was accused of
being at least an accomplice to the mur-
der of two people in Atlanta in January,
2000 (after the 1999 seasons Super
Bowl)?
Lewis was convicted of a lesser charge
obstruction of justice for lying to au-
thorities. Two members of his posse that
night, who rode with him in the blood-
spattered stretch Lincoln Navigator, took
the fall for the murders.
It reflects negatively on PFWfor an arti-
cle such as this to appear in your publica-
tion.
It makes PFWlook ignorant or indiffer-
ent as if those murders in Atlanta and
Lewis involvement with them never hap-
pened.
Terry Tippens, Atlanta, Ga.
Trade V.Y., bring back Volek
I have been a Titans fan since they
moved to Nashville. I admit that I was ex-
cited by the Vince Young draft pick. How-
ever, I think Young has proven he is not
mentally ready for the NFL.
Its time for the Titans to bring back
Billy Volek. Playing behind Steve McNair,
Volek proved he more than deserved a
chance to lead this organization. The way
he was run off made me sick!
Young is not ready, possibly never will
be. Trade him for the wide receiver the Ti-
tans need so bad and bring Volek back to
compete with Kerry Collins for the start-
ing job. True, theyre both aging.
Can poetic justice not exist in the NFL?
Volek still deserves a chance. Heck, many
teams have tandem RBs (including Ten-
nessee), why not tandem QBs?
I watched a great named Frank Reich
back up Jim Kelly for years in Buffalo.
Reich never got the chance he truly de-
served. Lets not make Volek become a
modern-day Reich.
Erick Forsythe, Apalachicola, Fla.
OPINION
FRANCHISE BILL-DING Ron Borges
I
t is not yet a theme song in Miami, but
if the Dolphins need one, they could re-
word a popular childrens show theme
to Bill the Builder, Yes He Can! and
have it just about right.
Bill Parcells is now working on his fifth
NFL reclamation project and is already
ahead of schedule. He is doing in Miami
what he previously did with the Giants,
Patriots, Jets and Cowboys. Hes using a
tried-and-true formula to turn a loser
into an instant winner.
Parcells led two Giants teams to Super
Bowl victories, going 77-49-1 over eight
seasons with a franchise that had just one
winning year in the previous 10. After
that second Super Bowl victory he took a
two-year hiatus before landing in New
England, a team that had gone 14-50 the
previous four years. In two years they
were in the playoffs and in four they were
in the Super Bowl, and he was on his way
to the Jets, where the pattern of coma-
tose-to-contender continued.
The Jets had not had a winning season
in eight years and went 1-15 the year be-
fore Parcells arrived, just as would be the
case in Miami. In his first season they
had a winning record and by 1998 they
were 12-4 and playing in the AFC cham-
pionship game.
At that juncture Parcells again left
coaching but returned in 2003 to lead a
Cowboy team that had been 5-11 the three
previous seasons. He doubled the win to-
tal his first year and twice took it to the
postseason. Of the 53 players on the team
that went 13-3 last season, 36 were
brought in by Parcells, including 16 of the
teams 22 starters. Do we see a trend here?
That is what they are hoping in Miami,
where the Dolphins were 1-15 last season
before hiring Parcells as executive vice
president of football operations. For the
first time he is not coaching the team he
is assembling, which makes this Miami
project a bit different from his prior
stops, but what is not is the almost in-
stantaneous turnaround in a team that is
now 6-5 and still in the crowded AFC
East race with five weeks to go.
Parcells now calls himself a guidance
counselor because hes given up the side-
lines at 65 for the less pressurized posi-
tion of architect, handing the day-to-day
headaches to GM Jeff Ireland and coach
Tony Sparano, both of whom worked un-
der him in Dallas. But everything else is
the same, including the winning.
He fixed the bottom half of the roster
first, dumped two longtime but aging de-
fensive stars Jason Taylor and Zach
Thomas when they didnt either fit or
go along with the program, found a quar-
terback he knew and felt he could trust in
ex-Jet Chad Pennington and is insisting
on a pounding style of football along both
the offensive and defensive lines.
Hes still a wise guy too, asking LB Joey
Porter after one of his big games where
hed been before. It is all classic Parcells
and it is the reason why he will end up in
the place he often tells writers not to
place his players too quickly Canton.
A third Super Bowl victory would ce-
ment that in the minds of some, but you
take five different teams in two different
eras (pre- and post-salary cap) from
nowhere to somewhere, with three reach-
ing the Super Bowl and a fourth to a con-
ference title game, and youve done
enough to earn a place in Canton as-
suming he ever stays retired long enough
to let it happen.
Ron Borges is a columnist for the
Boston Herald.
Parcells working wonders for fifth time
LUCK OF THE FLIP Jerry Magee
L
ove those coin flips! A coin flips high
and end-over-end. On which side of it
lands face up is the result of a football
game apt to depend. Is that suspenseful,
or what?
Yeah, it is, but I am being flip here. The
NFLs overtime procedure is counter to
all that is fair and good. Out with it, I say.
Enough of a team battling a rival to a
standoff through 60 minutes, then being
denied in the extra session before it has
had an opportunity to possess the foot-
ball.
My position, I know, is not a new one.
Since the league instituted its current
statute in 1974, men have been crying out
concerning the inequity of having over-
time games decided before both sides
have snapped the ball. How colleges re-
solve ties, while imperfect, clearly is
preferable to how they are unraveled in
the NFL, but our game refuses to depart
from the status quo. It doesnt want to get
into those three- and four-period
marathons that occur in academia.
Mustnt disturb those TV schedules.
The matter of overtimes came up the
other Sunday with Donovan McNabbs
admission, made after his Eagles had
waged a 13-13 tie with the Bengals, that
he was unaware that during the regular
season, games were considered ties if nei-
ther side scored in an OT.
Astonishing, right, that such a promi-
nent athlete would have such a limited
knowledge of the rules? Not at all, I
would say. During the 25 years when I
was hanging around the Chargers, I
found that most players could not have
passed the most basic of tests concerning
the conditions of their employment.
Once, I advised a player that he had been
waived, and he said, Do I dress?
The problems with resolving OT games
as the NFL does were underscored on a
recent Thursday evening in New Eng-
land. The Patriots made a climactic drive
to etch a 31-31 tie with the Jets with one
second to play on a stunning 16-yard TD
by Randy Moss. But there would be no
reward for the hosts. The New Yorkers
winning the flip, Brett Favre proceeded to
escort his side through a drive that con-
cluded with a 34-yard field goal.
The only favorable thing I can think of
relative to this overtime arrangement is
that there have been only 11 OT games
this season. Before this season, of the 417
regular-season OT games, 222, or 53.2
percent, had been won by the team win-
ning the coin flip, with 179, or 42.9 per-
cent, being captured by the team losing
the flip. Sixteen of the games had con-
cluded in ties.
The most meaningful figure: 123 times,
the team winning the flip drove for the
winning points off the kickoff. Once
would be too many. The name of the
game is football, not coin flips.
Up above, I was saying how compelling
I found coin flips. I used to try to ask
team captains why they called heads or
tails. One time, the Rams were involved
in an OT game they would win at Ana-
heim Stadium, and I inquired of Jackie
Slater why he had called heads.
Because I consider Jesus Christ the
head of my life, Slater said.
It made a story.
Jerry Magee covered pro football for
the San Diego Union-Tribune from 1961-
2008 and for PFW since its inception in
1967.
Inequality on full display in NFL overtime
A-BOMBS
Kiddie QBs still going strong
Aside from the growing possibility of an
All-Big Apple Super Bowl following the Gi-
ants latest impressive victory over the
Cardinals in the desert and the high-flying
Jets thumping of the previously unde-
feated Titans in Tennessee, the biggest
statement in the NFL at the three-quar-
ters pole is being made by rookie signal-
callers Matt Ryan of the Falcons and
Joe Flacco of the Ravens. Showing no
signs of hitting the proverbial rookie wall,
both of these first-round QBs helped
move their teams records to 7-4 following
demoralizing defeats the previous week
and kept them in serious contention for
the unlikeliest of playoff berths. Flacco
connected on only 12-of-26 passes in the
Ravens 36-7 victory over the Eagles, but
he contributed a pair of TD tosses with
zero interceptions as Baltimore pulled
away from Philly with a 24-point fourth
quarter. Ryan, meanwhile complemented
RB Michael Turners eye-popping four-
TD performance with 259 passing yards
as the Falcons set a season-high for
points in a huge 45-28 victory over Car-
olina that allows them to keep breathing
down the necks of the Panthers and Buc-
caneers in what has become the leagues
best division. Imagine how good these
kids are going to be when they grow up.
Patriot gamer pulling weight
Speaking of growing up before our
eyes, Patriots QB Matt Cassels stock
continues to soar following his second
straight outstanding performance against
a division opponent in New Englands 48-
28 road win in Miami that avenged its 38-
13 defeat in Week Three by the Dolphins.
The Pats win is hardly shocking, consid-
ering that they are 17-1 in games following
a loss since the start of the 2003 season
and havent been swept in a divisional se-
ries since 2000. But Cassel has become a
red-hot commodity after throwing for
more than 400 yards for the second
straight week and continuing to add an
extra dimension with his legs, contribut-
ing an eight-yard TD run to New Englands
cause. As for Miami, it would be unwise to
rule it out of the playoff picture just yet
with three of its next four games against
the Rams, 49ers and Chiefs.
Shame on Denver
In one fell swoop, the Broncos consecu-
tive road wins over the Browns and Fal-
cons were quickly forgotten after
self-destructing at home against the lowly
Raiders 31-10. After failing to score a TD in
15 quarters, the Raiders racked up three
TDs in an 18-play span to avenge a 41-14
drubbing by Denver in Week One and en-
abled the disappointing Chargers to some-
how stay alive in the woefully weak AFC
West. With the surging Jets up next, look
for the defensively challenged Broncos to
keep going downhill down the stretch.
Dan Arkush un-
leashes his Week
12 reflections.
By Michael Blunda
Associate editor
Following the season-ending injury to Pa-
triots QB Tom Brady in Week One, I wrote
in this space: Maybe Matt Cassel will turn
into the next Brady. Wouldnt it be something
if Cassel led you to a fantasy crown? Amaz-
ingly, with the fantasy playoffs about to be-
gin, that absurdity might just be a reality.
Only mediocre through the first 10 weeks,
something must have clicked for Cassel en-
tering his Week 11 meeting with the Jets. In
that one, the QB lit up the scoreboard for
400 yards and three TDs, adding 62 rush-
ing yards to boot. Then, to prove it wasnt
a fluke, he followed it up with a 415-yard,
three-TD effort last week at Miami, in
which he also ran for a score. What fanta-
sy QB can boast that level of production?
Even Tom Terrific, who never hit the 400-
yard mark in his record-setting 2007, has to
be impressed with Cassels stats of late. In
fact, if you have watched New Englands last
two contests, it has been hard to tell that
Brady isnt the one guiding the offense. The
Pats are now operating out of the same
spread attack that worked so well last sea-
son, and Cassel is picking apart defenses just
like his predecessor did.
Besides his fantasy owners, nobody is lov-
ing the USC products emergence more
than his receivers. Not topping 79 yards in
any of his first eight games, Wes Welker has
now had at least 107 in three straight out-
ings. Jabar Gaffney, extremely quiet for
much of the year, has 12-174-1 in his last two
games. And then theres Randy Moss.
Not exactly known for his positive attitude,
Moss clearly looked frustrated at times
this season as Cassel struggled to get him the
ball. But last week might have been a turn-
ing point. The star wideout hauled in eight
catches for 125 yards and three scores, a per-
formance that should help raise his confi-
dence in the young QB in the final month.
And speaking of the homestretch, the Pats
couldnt ask for a much easier December
schedule. Their opponents include the Sea-
hawks, Raiders, Cardinals and Bills. What
does that mean for Cassel and his targets?
Probably a few more monster efforts.
In addition to the soon-to-be free agent
making himself tons of money, Cassel is mak-
ing plenty of fans in his grateful fantasy own-
ers. Given his superb play and upcoming
schedule, it really wouldnt be a shock if he
leads many teams to fantasy titles. Wow, I
cant believe I just wrote that.
WEEK 13
Matchups to
exploit or avoid
The 49ers pass defense has been non-
existent in the past three weeks, as oppo-
nents have averaged 314 yards through
the air. Thats great news for Bills QB
Trent Edwards, who threw for two
scores and ran for two more last week at
Kansas City. He and WR Lee Evans
should have plenty of success in this one.
The Raiders rushing attack was hum-
ming last week at Denver, with Justin
Fargas gaining 107 yards and Darren
McFadden scoring twice, and running
the ball shouldnt be much of an issue
Sunday when the Chiefs come to town.
Kansas City is giving up 165.9 rushing
yards per contest, and theyve surren-
dered 19 TDs on the ground.
Facing a strong Packers pass defense in
the frigid temperatures of Lambeau Field,
this might not be a good week to start
Panthers QB Jake Delhomme. Although
he did snap out of his slump last Sunday,
Delhomme figures to be handing off the
ball more than hes throwing it in this one,
especially if the weather turns nasty. Look
elsewhere for a QB this week if you can.
RB Peyton Hillis has been a terrific
fill-in for Denvers injury-riddled backfield,
but the Jets should give him lots of prob-
lems this Sunday. New York is allowing a
mere 78 rushing yards per game, so the
Broncos will have to air it out to have any
chance. Keep the rookie reserved.
MARKET REPORT
Stock rising
49ers QB SHAUN HILL
Last three games: 733 yards and six TDs.
Raiders RB DARREN McFADDEN
Two TDs Sunday were first since Week Two.
Cowboys RB TASHARD CHOICE
Primary backup to Barber for rest of 08.
Bills WR JOSH REED
Looked good in return from ankle injury.
Giants WR DOMENIK HIXON
Valuable target if Burress misses time.
Stock falling
Eagles QB DONOVAN McNABB
Ugly one TD, five INTs in past two outings.
Texans RB AHMAN GREEN
Out at least two weeks with bum knee.
Bengals WR CHAD OCHO CINCO
Things going from bad to worse for No. 85.
Seahawks WR BOBBY ENGRAM
Hasselbecks return hasnt helped him.
Texans TE OWEN DANIELS
Apoor 5-55-0 in past three contests.
Cassel towering over the rest
Following the statistical showcase he has put on in the past two weeks, Patriots QB Matt
Cassel very well could be one of the top fantasy producers in the seasons final month.
Bills RB Marshawn Lynch looks to have
thoroughly broken out of his midseason
slump. The back has found paydirt in each of
his last two outings, racking up 198 yards on
43 rushing attempts. He also has made
more of an impact in the passing game,
catching 15 balls for 83 yards in that span.
With two nice matchups left, Lynch should
make some more noise down the stretch.
The connection between Cowboys QB
Tony Romo and WR Terrell Owens ap-
pears to be back in a big way. Romo went off
last Sunday against the 49ers, throwing for a
season-high 341 yards and three scores.
Most of that yardage went to Owens, who
torched his former team for 213 yards and a
TD. More big numbers should come Thanks-
giving Day when Seattle comes to town.
If youre in a TD-only league, there hasnt
been a more valuable player this season
than Falcons RB Michael Turner. With 117
yards and a ridiculous four TDs last week,
Turner now has a league-leading 13 scores.
The only issue the backs owners might have
with him is his lack of scoring on the road.
Even with all those TDs, Turner has scored
just once away from the Georgia Dome.
What has happened to QB Donovan Mc-
Nabb and the Eagles offense? Following a
one-TD, three-INT effort at Cincy, McNabb
was yanked at halftime last week at Balti-
more after throwing for just 59 yards and
two picks. Things have gone south for RB
Brian Westbrook as well, as he has aver-
aged a paltry 46.5 rushing yards in his last
four contests and hasnt scored in that span.
With some tough games still to come, things
might not improve much in Philly.
It had been some time since Bears RB
Matt Fort made a monster fantasy im-
pact, but he certainly did so last week at St.
Louis. Fort ran for a career-high 132 yards
and two TDs, carrying Chicagos offense on
his back. With a few of the other rookie rush-
ers falling off lately, Fort is in the drivers
seat to finish as the most productive first-
year back.
Was that really Chad Pennington who
threw for 341 yards and three TDs last week?
Believe it or not, it was. Pennington hasnt
thrown for a lot of scores this season (he had
eight entering Week 12), but he has been a
yardage machine, on pace to approach
4,000. With the Rams, Niners and Chiefs still
on the schedule, Pennington has a tremen-
dous opportunity to finish 08 with a bang.
Asprained MCL didnt slow down Redskins
RB Clinton Portis a bit last Sunday, as he
led all rushers in Week 12 with 143 yards on
29 attempts. Even on a bad wheel, Portis is
still better than a large percentage of the
leagues backs, and with this huge effort he
regains his spot as the NFLs rushing leader.
THE BUZZ
A
P
FANTASY FOOTBALL
FANTASY FOOTBALL
FANTASY DOCTOR Michael Blunda
W
ith December right around the corner
and every fantasy point at a premium,
its time to examine an area where you
still might be able to improve your team on
a weekly basis. Its probably too late to up-
grade any of your skill players, but there is
one spot at which its possible to pick up a
top performer every week. That spot? Team
defense.
Often overlooked in most fantasy lineups,
a good defense/special-teams unit (DST) can
be a huge source for points and possibly even
make the difference in a matchup. If you
dont think so, just look at some of the per-
formances the Jets, Packers or Titans have
had this season. But unlike other posi-
tions, DSTs can be extremely volatile from
one week to the next. Thats why taking a
mix-and-match approach, as I like to call it,
can be such an effective strategy.
If you werent fortunate enough to land
a top fantasy D in the draft or couldnt add
one early on, picking a new defense each
week might be your best bet. Its a fairly sim-
ple method that Im sure some of you already
employ. Basically, you look at whom the
worst offenses you know, teams like the
Bengals, Lions or Raiders are playing in
a given week and pick up one of their oppos-
ing DSTs, if available. Then you sit back and
watch the fantasy points roll in.
Well, its not quite that easy, but you get
the drift. I personally am a fan of this
strategy because Im rarely content with
sticking with the same unit for weeks on end.
I feel like Im being too passive of an own-
er if I keep starting the same DST when
theyre facing an efficient offense like, say,
the Redskins. Even the elite DSTs arent like-
ly to do much against teams that dont turn
the ball over.
Speaking of turnovers, pinpointing the of-
fenses that turn the ball over a lot can be the
key to mix-and-match success. Since most
leagues reward multiple points for intercep-
tions or fumble recoveries, exploiting
turnover-prone offenses will work out more
often than not. And if youre looking for a
couple to pick on before seasons end, the
Texans and Niners are two clubs that have
had a particularly difficult time maintain-
ing possession of the ball.
The other thing to look for, especially if
you have a close call between two DSTs, is
which team has the better return men. In or-
der to take advantage of the special teams
aspect of DSTs, you have to find guys who
have the ability to return kickoffs or punts
for TDs. For instance, when Devin Hester
was scoring like crazy the past couple sea-
sons, the Bears DST was one of fantasys
best. Theres been nobody quite like him in
08, but explosive returners like the Jets Leon
Washington certainly increase the value of
their DST.
So while the interchangeable defense
method isnt foolproof, it is one that I can
say has often worked for me over the years.
As long as you stick to picking up solid DSTs
and dont try to get cute you shouldnt be
starting a lousy unit like the Rams in any cir-
cumstance you should have some luck
with it too. In the fantasy playoffs, one point
could be the difference between big money
and big frustration.
Q. Im weak at QB, with Matt Cassel, Shaun
Hill and Sage Rosenfels, but I am heavy at
receiver, with Roddy White, Andre Johnson,
Terrell Owens and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. I
have been offered Peyton Manning for
Roddy White. Would you take that trade? I
feel like they both have good matchups the
rest of the way. Thanks.
Aaron
A. Ok, Aaron, looking at your current crop
of QBs and wideouts, I think youd be very
wise to make that trade. Without a clear No.
1 QB, youre probably getting little produc-
tion from that spot, and Manning immedi-
ately would change that. His play really has
picked up in recent weeks and, like you men-
tioned, he has a very manageable schedule
going forward. And while it would be tough
to part with White, whos had an incredible
year catching passes from rookie QB Matt
Ryan, you have enough receiver depth to get
by without him. Theres very little downside
for you in this deal, so go ahead and upgrade
your QB spot by adding Manning to your
roster.
Maximize points by starting the D of the week
To have your questions answered by the Fantasy Doctor,
send your inquiries to Fantasydoctor@pfwmedia.com.
QUARTERBACKS
Pts./
Player Team Game
Warner Ariz. 21.64
Brees N.O. 21.60
Romo Dall. 20.63
Cutler Den. 20.27
Rivers S.D. 19.36
Schaub Hou. 19.29
Rodgers G.B. 19.20
Manning Ind. 18.73
Cassel N.E. 18.27
McNabb Phil. 17.73
Thigpen K.C. 17.00
Favre N.Y.J. 16.73
Garrard Jax. 16.18
Pennington Mia. 16.09
Manning N.Y.G. 15.91
Edwards Buff. 15.45
Orton Chi. 14.60
Flacco Balt. 14.55
Ryan Atl. 14.55
Roethlisberger Pitt. 14.55
Garcia T.B. 14.38
J. Campbell Wash. 14.36
Delhomme Car. 14.18
Frerotte Minn. 14.00
OSullivan S.F. 13.56
Anderson Clev. 12.11
Collins Ten. 11.82
Fitzpatrick Cin. 11.44
Russell Oak. 11.40
RUNNING BACKS
Pts./
Player Team Game
Turner Atl. 17.00
Portis Wash. 16.27
Forte Chi. 16.09
Peterson Minn. 15.91
Jones N.Y.J. 15.91
Jacobs N.Y.G. 15.60
Barber Dall. 15.09
Gore S.F. 14.82
Jackson St.L. 14.43
Jones-Drew Jax. 14.09
D. Williams Car. 13.91
Westbrook Phil. 13.67
Bush N.O. 13.57
Lynch Buff. 13.36
Tomlinson S.D. 13.18
Brown Mia. 12.73
Johnson Ten. 12.73
Slaton Hou. 12.55
Parker Pitt. 12.00
L. Johnson K.C. 11.29
Addai Ind. 10.44
White Ten. 10.27
Ward N.Y.G. 10.10
J. Lewis Clev. 10.00
Graham T.B. 10.00
Kev. Smith Det. 10.00
Grant G.B. 9.60
Hightower Ariz. 9.36
Moore Pitt. 9.36
Dunn T.B. 9.20
Faulk N.E. 9.20
McGahee Balt. 9.00
L. McClain Balt. 8.82
Morris N.E. 8.63
Pittman Den. 8.38
McFadden Oak. 8.38
L. Washington N.Y.J. 8.36
Green-Ellis N.E. 8.29
Stewart Car. 8.09
Rhodes Ind. 7.82
Williams Mia. 7.64
McAllister N.O. 7.50
F. Jones Dall. 7.50
Norwood Atl. 7.45
J. Jones Sea. 7.36
Taylor Minn. 6.55
James Ariz. 6.50
Fargas Oak. 6.33
Benson Cin. 6.29
Green Hou. 6.25
Buckhalter Phil. 6.00
P. Thomas N.O. 6.00
Rice Balt. 5.73
Jackson Buff. 5.64
Morris Sea. 5.63
Arrington Ariz. 5.57
Young Den. 5.50
Hillis Den. 5.50
Bush Oak. 5.00
Taylor Jax. 4.64
Charles K.C. 4.55
Sproles S.D. 4.45
Duckett Sea. 4.27
Cobbs Mia. 4.18
Harrison Clev. 4.18
Bradshaw N.Y.G. 4.09
Jackson G.B. 4.00
Pittman St.L. 4.00
R. Johnson Det. 3.91
Weaver Sea. 3.89
C. Perry Cin. 3.82
WIDE RECEIVERS
Pts./
Player Team Game
Boldin Ariz. 17.56
C. Johnson Det. 12.73
Fitzgerald Ariz. 12.45
Smith Car. 12.11
White Atl. 12.09
Jennings G.B. 11.60
A. Johnson Hou. 11.36
Marshall Den. 11.20
Moss N.E. 11.09
Owens Dall. 10.45
Wayne Ind. 10.36
Moss Wash. 9.91
Walter Hou. 9.91
Bowe K.C. 9.82
Royal Den. 9.50
Jackson S.D. 9.36
Evans Buff. 9.36
Ward Pitt. 9.18
L. Moore N.O. 9.00
Houshmandzadeh Cin. 8.91
Coles N.Y.J. 8.82
Berrian Minn. 8.45
Welker N.E. 8.27
D. Jackson Phil. 8.18
Gage Ten. 8.13
Cotchery N.Y.J. 8.09
Edwards Clev. 8.00
Mason Balt. 7.82
Bruce S.F. 7.73
Muhammad Car. 7.64
Henderson N.O. 7.60
Driver G.B. 7.50
M. Jones Jax. 7.40
Chambers S.D. 7.22
Avery St.L. 7.20
A. Bryant T.B. 7.18
Breaston Ariz. 7.09
Ginn Mia. 6.82
Holmes Pitt. 6.80
Gonzalez Ind. 6.73
Camarillo Mia. 6.64
Harrison Ind. 6.45
Burress N.Y.G. 6.27
Ocho Cinco Cin. 6.20
Jenkins Atl. 6.09
Randle El Wash. 5.73
Lloyd Chi. 5.67
Holt St.L. 5.55
Washington Pitt. 5.36
Crayton Dall. 5.27
Hilliard T.B. 5.18
Toomer N.Y.G. 5.18
K. Robinson Sea. 5.14
Floyd S.D. 5.00
Clayton Balt. 5.00
Baskett Phil. 4.91
Reed Buff. 4.88
Stokley Den. 4.80
Austin Dall. 4.78
Meachem N.O. 4.50
Smith N.Y.G. 4.18
Wade Minn. 4.18
Johnson S.F. 4.09
Battle S.F. 4.00
B. Jones Ten. 3.82
Looker St.L. 3.75
Stuckey N.Y.J. 3.73
Morgan S.F. 3.67
Gaffney N.E. 3.64
Urban Ariz. 3.64
R. Brown Phil. 3.57
Moss N.Y.G. 3.50
Hixon N.Y.G. 3.45
Williams Balt. 3.43
Rice Minn. 3.38
Douglas Atl. 3.27
Walker Oak. 3.13
Engram Sea. 3.13
R. Williams Jax. 3.09
McDonald Det. 3.09
Bess Mia. 3.09
Nelson G.B. 3.00
M. Booker Chi. 3.00
Stallworth Clev. 3.00
Walker Jax. 2.83
Lelie Oak. 2.82
Clayton T.B. 2.80
Avant Phil. 2.80
Northcutt Jax. 2.78
McCareins Ten. 2.67
Parrish Buff. 2.67
D. Jackson Den. 2.57
Stanley St.L. 2.43
Higgins Oak. 2.27
D. Anderson Hou. 2.18
Galloway T.B. 2.17
Porter Jax. 2.13
J. Hill S.F. 2.09
TIGHT ENDS
Pts./
Player Team Game
Gonzalez K.C. 9.55
Gates S.D. 7.82
Clark Ind. 6.60
Winslow Clev. 6.56
Witten Dall. 6.45
Daniels Hou. 6.36
Cooley Wash. 6.27
Scheffler Den. 6.00
Shiancoe Minn. 5.36
Boss N.Y.G. 5.09
Keller N.Y.J. 5.09
Scaife Ten. 5.00
Z. Miller Oak. 4.82
Carlson Sea. 4.82
A. Smith T.B. 4.67
Olsen Chi. 4.64
Miller Pitt. 4.44
Fasano Mia. 4.36
D. Lee G.B. 4.22
Stevens T.B. 4.22
Miller N.O. 4.22
Lewis Jax. 4.18
Graham Den. 4.00
REGARDLESS OF POS.
Pts./
Player Team Pos Game
Warner Ariz. QB 21.64
Brees N.O. QB 21.60
Romo Dall. QB 20.63
Cutler Den. QB 20.27
Rivers S.D. QB 19.36
Schaub Hou. QB 19.29
Rodgers G.B. QB 19.20
Manning Ind. QB 18.73
Cassel N.E. QB 18.27
McNabb Phil. QB 17.73
Boldin Ariz. WR 17.56
Turner Atl. RB 17.00
Thigpen K.C. QB 17.00
Favre N.Y.J. QB 16.73
Portis Wash. RB 16.27
Garrard Jax. QB 16.18
Pennington Mia. QB 16.09
Forte Chi. RB 16.09
Peterson Minn. RB 15.91
Jones N.Y.J. RB 15.91
Manning N.Y.G. QB 15.91
Jacobs N.Y.G. RB 15.60
Edwards Buff. QB 15.45
Barber Dall. RB 15.09
Gore S.F. RB 14.82
Orton Chi. QB 14.60
Roethlisberger Pitt. QB 14.55
Ryan Atl. QB 14.55
Flacco Balt. QB 14.55
Jackson St.L. RB 14.43
Garcia T.B. QB 14.38
J. Campbell Wash. QB 14.36
Delhomme Car. QB 14.18
Jones-Drew Jax. RB 14.09
Frerotte Minn. QB 14.00
D. Williams Car. RB 13.91
Westbrook Phil. RB 13.67
Bush N.O. RB 13.57
OSullivan S.F. QB 13.56
Lynch Buff. RB 13.36
Tomlinson S.D. RB 13.18
Brown Mia. RB 12.73
C. Johnson Det. WR 12.73
Johnson Ten. RB 12.73
Slaton Hou. RB 12.55
Fitzgerald Ariz. WR 12.45
Anderson Clev. QB 12.11
Smith Car. WR 12.11
White Atl. WR 12.09
Parker Pitt. RB 12.00
Collins Ten. QB 11.82
Jennings G.B. WR 11.60
Fitzpatrick Cin. QB 11.44
Russell Oak. QB 11.40
A. Johnson Hou. WR 11.36
L. Johnson K.C. RB 11.29
Marshall Den. WR 11.20
Moss N.E. WR 11.09
Hasselbeck Sea. QB 11.00
Bulger St.L. QB 10.80
Carney N.Y.G. PK 10.60
Owens Dall. WR 10.45
Addai Ind. RB 10.44
Wayne Ind. WR 10.36
White Ten. RB 10.27
Ward N.Y.G. RB 10.10
Gostkowski N.E. PK 10.09
Graham T.B. RB 10.00
J. Lewis Clev. RB 10.00
Kev. Smith Det. RB 10.00
Moss Wash. WR 9.91
Walter Hou. WR 9.91
Feely N.Y.J. PK 9.90
Orlovsky Det. QB 9.86
Bowe K.C. WR 9.82
Crosby G.B. PK 9.80
Elam Atl. PK 9.73
Lindell Buff. PK 9.64
Grant G.B. RB 9.60
Gonzalez K.C. TE 9.55
Royal Den. WR 9.50
Longwell Minn. PK 9.45
M. Bryant T.B. PK 9.36
Jackson S.D. WR 9.36
Evans Buff. WR 9.36
Moore Pitt. RB 9.36
Hightower Ariz. RB 9.36
Dunn T.B. RB 9.20
Faulk N.E. RB 9.20
Ward Pitt. WR 9.18
Rackers Ariz. PK 9.18
McGahee Balt. RB 9.00
L. Moore N.O. WR 9.00
Akers Phil. PK 8.91
Dawson Clev. PK 8.91
Houshmandzadeh Cin. WR 8.91
Nedney S.F. PK 8.82
Coles N.Y.J. WR 8.82
L. McClain Balt. RB 8.82
Prater Den. PK 8.64
Kasay Car. PK 8.64
Morris N.E. RB 8.63
Stover Balt. PK 8.56
Berrian Minn. WR 8.45
Pittman Den. RB 8.38
McFadden Oak. RB 8.38
L. Washington N.Y.J. RB 8.36
Suisham Wash. PK 8.36
Green-Ellis N.E. RB 8.29
Gould Chi. PK 8.27
Kaeding S.D. PK 8.27
Welker N.E. WR 8.27
D. Jackson Phil. WR 8.18
S. Wallace Sea. QB 8.17
Gage Ten. WR 8.13
Cotchery N.Y.J. WR 8.09
Stewart Car. RB 8.09
Total fantasy points = TD passes (4 fantasy points each) + passing-yardage points (1 point for every 20 yards) + rushing/receiving TDs (6 points) + rushing- or receiving-yardage points (1 point for every 10 yards) + two-point passes (1 point) + two-point scores (2
points). For kickers, total fantasy points = 18-39-yard field goals (3 fantasy points each) + 40-49-yard field goals (4 points) + 50-plus-yard field goals (5 points) + extra points (1 point). Week 12 Monday-night game not included.
FANTASY STATS
HANDICAPPERS CORNER
PFW
consensus
WEEK 13 Early pointspreads as of Sunday, Nov. 23
Hub
Arkush
Publisher/
editor
Keith
Schleiden
Editor-
in-chief
Mike
Holbrook
Managing
editor
Dan
Arkush
Executive
editor
Eric
Edholm
Senior
editor
Mike
Wilkening
Senior
editor
Matt
Sohn
Associate
editor
Dan
Parr
Associate
editor
Michael
Blunda
Associate
editor
TheColts look
morelikethem-
selves every
week. Peyton
Manningis
findinghis
rhythm, and
evenMarvin
Harrison, whoI
hadwrittenoff,
appears to
havesome-
thingleft.
The Lions are
proud of their
tradition of
hosting
Thanksgiving
games but
have lost four
in a row and
failed to cover
in any of those.
That losing tra-
dition contin-
ues this week.
This comes in
themidst of
threebigdivi-
sional games
for theFalcons,
andI seethe
desperate
Chargers tak-
ingadvantage
of Atlantalook-
ingaheadto
NewOrleans
andTampaBay.
The Niners
have been
showing some
spunk since
Mike Single-
tary took over,
but they will be
done in by the
dreaded coast-
to-coast jinx by
a Bills team
still fighting for
its playoff life.
The Jets are
surging, play-
ing at home
against a
water-treading
Broncos team,
and they
should be able
to throw and
run all day
against a poor
defense.
ThePanthers
got away with
not playingall
that well vs.
Oaklandand
Detroit but
couldnt step
upvs. theFal-
cons. ThePack-
ers aretoughat
homeandhave
considerable
upside.
Pittsburghs
hadmorethan
aweek torest
andprepare.
Thats bad
news for Matt
Cassel, whowill
findout hestill
has alot to
learnafter
goingagainst
Dick LeBeaus
blitz schemes.
The Cowboys
offense is ex-
plosive once
again. Two of
the other three
NFC East
teams that
have played
the Seahawks
beat them by
at least 19
points. I smell
a blowout.
TheRavens
suffocatingD
has dominated
somequality
teams this sea-
son, and
Cincys offense
is far from
good. Baltimore
will control both
sides of theball
onits way toan
easy win.
LOCK OF THE WEEK
Which of your best bets do you feel
strongest about?
PFW STAFF
SELECTIONS
BEST BETS
Baltimore -6
1
2 vs. CINCINNATI
N.YJETS -9 vs. Denver
N.Y. Giants -3 vs. WASHINGTON
N.Y. JETS vs. Denver (47
1
2) UNDER
LASTWEEK: 3-0-1 / SEASON: 28-18-2
EARLY LAS VEGAS LINE Home team in caps. Asterisk (*) denotes team will cover pointspread but lose game. Boldface selection indicates best bet. Some Over-Unders were not available at presstime.
THANKSGIVING
Tennessee-11vs. DETROIT(44) Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Detroit* Tennessee Tennessee Detroit* Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee
DALLAS-13 vs. Seattle (47) Dallas Dallas Dallas Dallas Dallas Seattle* Seattle* Dallas Seattle* Dallas
PHILADELPHIA-3 vs. Arizona Philadelphia Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona
SUNDAYAFTERNOON
BUFFALO-7 vs. San Francisco (43) Buffalo San Francisco* Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo San Francisco* San Francisco* Buffalo San Francisco* Buffalo
Baltimore-6
1
2 vs. CINCINNATI(37) Baltimore Baltimore Baltimore Baltimore Cincinnati* Cincinnati* Baltimore Baltimore Baltimore Baltimore
Indianapolis -6
1
2 vs.CLEVELAND(48) Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis Cleveland* Indianapolis Indianapolis Cleveland* Cleveland* Indianapolis Indianapolis
GREEN BAY-3 vs. Carolina (42) Carolina Green Bay Carolina Green Bay Green Bay Green Bay Green Bay Carolina Green Bay Green Bay
N.Y. JETS-9 vs. Denver (47
1
2) N.Y. Jets N.Y. Jets N.Y. Jets N.Y. Jets N.Y. Jets Denver* Denver* Denver* N.Y. Jets N.Y. Jets
Miami -7
1
2 vs. ST. LOUIS(44) Miami Miami Miami St. Louis* Miami St. Louis* St. Louis* St. Louis* Miami Miami
TAMPABAY-4
1
2 vs. New Orleans (46) New Orleans Tampa Bay New Orleans* New Orleans Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Tampa Bay New Orleans* New Orleans* New Orleans*
N.Y. Giants -3 vs. WASHINGTON N.Y. Giants N.Y. Giants N.Y. Giants N.Y. Giants N.Y. Giants N.Y. Giants N.Y. Giants N.Y. Giants N.Y. Giants N.Y. Giants
SAN DIEGO-6 vs. Atlanta (49) San Diego Atlanta* San Diego San Diego Atlanta* Atlanta* Atlanta Atlanta* Atlanta* Atlanta*
NEWENGLAND-1 vs. Pittsburgh (39
1
2) New England New England Pittsburgh New England New England New England Pittsburgh Pittsburgh New England New England
OAKLAND-3 vs. Kansas City (41) Kansas City Oakland Kansas City* Kansas City Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland
SUNDAY NIGHT
MINNESOTA-3
1
2 vs. Chicago (42
1
2) Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota Chicago Minnesota Chicago* Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota
MONDAY NIGHT
HOUSTON -3
1
2 vs. Jacksonville (48) Houston Jacksonville Houston Houston Houston Jacksonville* Houston Houston Houston Houston
Last week vs. spread 10-5-1 7-8-1 9-6-1 7-8-1 6-9-1 8-7-1 9-6-1 6-9-1 5-10-1 8-7-1
Season to date vs. spread 84-88-3 84-88-3 86-86-3 83-89-3 80-92-3 94-78-3 90-82-3 84-88-3 75-97-3 89-83-3
Last week best bets 2-1 2-1 2-0-1 2-1 2-0 2-0 3-0-1 2-1 1-1-1 3-0-1
Season to date best bets 19-17 17-19 18-16-2 22-13 19-16 21-14 19-15-2 19-17 19-15-2 28-18-2
Last week straight-up 12-4 10-6 9-7 8-8 8-8 9-7 13-3 8-8 8-8 10-6
Season to date straight-up 111-63-1 109-65-1 112-62-1 110-64-1 104-70-1 116-58-1 111-63-1 108-66-1 104-70-1 114-60-1
WEEK 13 OPPONENTS VS. SPREAD H home, A away, N neutral, followed by teams score; number in parentheses is number of points by which that team
was favored to win; E game was rated as even; W beat the pointspread; * team beat the pointspread in both regular-season meetings that year; T neither beat the
pointspread; P playoff game; OT overtime.
10-YEAR SERIES RECORDS
TENNESSEE at Detroit 2-0 (1-0) (0-1)
SEATTLE at Dallas 4-2 (1-1) (1-1)
ARIZONA at Philadelphia 6-4 (3-2) (1-3-1)
San Francisco at BUFFALO 2-1 (1-0) (1-0)
BALTIMORE at Cincinnati 12-8 (5-5) (4-6)
INDIANAPOLIS at Cleveland 4-0 (3-0) (2-1)
Carolina at GREEN BAY 5-3 (2-1) (1-2)
DENVER at N.Y. Jets 3-2 (1-1) (1-1)
MIAMI at St. Louis 2-1 (0-1) (0-1)
New Orleans at TAMPABAY 8-7 (3-4) (3-4)
N.Y. GIANTS at Washington 11-9 (5-5) (5-5)
ATLANTA at San Diego 1-0 () ()
Pittsburgh at NEWENGLAND 6-1 (2-0) (2-0)
KANSAS CITY at Oakland 13-7 (7-3) (8-2)
Chicago at MINNESOTA 11-9 (7-3) (5-5)
Jacksonville at HOUSTON 7-5 (4-2) (5-1)
Series leader is listed in CAPS with its record
below. Series leaders record at this weeks game
site is listed in parentheses, followed by series
leaders record vs. pointspread at this weeks site.
This years games not included.
MATCHUP 2008 2007
Tennessee Have not played Did not play
at Detroit
Seattle Have not played Did not play
at Dallas
Arizona Have not played Did not play
at Philadelphia
San Francisco Have not played Did not play
at Buffalo
Baltimore H-17W H-7(-3
1
2) A-20
at Cincinnati A-10(-2) A-21W* H-27(-2
1
2)W
Indianapolis Have not played Did not play
at Cleveland
Carolina Have not played A-17
at Green Bay H-31(-10)W
Denver Have not played Did not play
at N.Y. Jets
MATCHUP 2008 2007
Miami Have not played Did not play
at St. Louis
New Orleans H-24(-3)W H-23(-4
1
2) A-14(-4
1
2)
at Tampa Bay A-20 A-27W* H-31W
N.Y. Giants H-16(-5)W H-10(-6) A-24W
at Washington A-7 A-22W H-17(-3
1
2)
Atlanta Have not played Did not play
at San Diego
Pittsburgh Have not played A-13
at New England H-34(-10
1
2)W
Kansas City H-8(-3
1
2) H-17(-4) A-12W
at Oakland A-23W A-20W H-10(-2
1
2)
Chicago H-48(-3)W A-13W H-31(-4
1
2)
at Minnesota A-41 H-20(-10) A-34W
Jacksonville H-30(-7)OT A-28 H-37(-6
1
2)W
at Houston A-27W H-42(-7)W A-17
WHOS HOT
LAS VEGAS CALLING Stephen Nover
Chargers-Steelers
finish a winner for the house
T
he buzz still hasnt totally died down
from the Week 11 San Diego-Pitts-
burgh matchup.
The Steelers dominated the Chargers
statistically. They outgained them 410-213.
Owned a 105-28 edge in return yards. Con-
trolled the ball for 36:31 minutes compared
to 23:29 for San Diego. Gained 5.6 yards per
play to the Chargers 4.3 and had eight more
first downs.
Yet an astounding 115 yards in penalties
against Pittsburgh to San Diegos five yards
in penalties and a late holding call that nul-
lified a touchdown were keeping the Steel-
ers from covering a 4
1
2-point spread. Now
it would take a miracle for the Steelers to cov-
er, since the Chargers had the ball for the fi-
nal play down 11-10.
A tipped lateral pass was run in for a
touchdown by SS Troy Polamalu, and Pitts-
burgh had its miracle cover. At least the
Steelers did for a few minutes. Bookmakers
werent about to pay, not until final confir-
mation. That came soon enough, when the
play was incorrectly overturned and the fi-
nal reverted to the Steelers winning by
just one point.
Pittsburgh bettors jammed one Las Vegas
sportsbook screaming they were robbed.
Mentally, they already had spent their new-
found winnings. Now they were going to eat
at a low-priced buffet or Taco Bell rather than
at a fancy steakhouse. San Diego bettors were
scrambling around to find their thrown-away
betting ticket or asking if anyone had tape
to fix a torn ticket.
Professional handicapper Ted Sevran-
sky watched the game at his house. He had
wagered on and given out the Chargers as
his top play of that week. When he saw Po-
lamalu cross the goal line, he grabbed the
closest thing he could reach and smashed it.
It was an expensive piece of Japanese pot-
tery that a friend had brought to show his
girlfriend.
Pottery can be replaced. Bad beats live for-
ever, leaving scars on the psyche.
Incompetence from the replay booth
caused an exchange of around $100 million
in bets across the world on the game, accord-
ing to RJ Bell, a gaming analyst and pres-
ident of the gambling website Pregame.com.
The play only was reviewed because of ob-
scure NFL tiebreaking criteria involving to-
tal points.
Thats where the hypocrisy is, Bell said.
The NFL likes to say every play matters. But
if the margin of victory is a tiebreaker you
would want to work hard to get the call right.
They were just so dismissive about it after-
ward.
Whats another five minutes? The game
was over anyway. Take your time and get it
right. Dont force a decision when there was
no need to. Its not just wagering ramifica-
tions, but a huge fantasy-football market
that was affected, too, because many own-
ers were using the Pittsburgh defense.
Losing bettors and disgruntled fantasy
owners werent taking solace in the NFL ad-
mitting a day later the officiating crew
had made a mistake.
John Avello, race and sports book direc-
tor of Wynn Las Vegas hotel, estimated about
$10 million was wagered on the game in
Nevada. Most of the money, both side and
parlay action, was on Pittsburgh. At the Or-
leans and other Boyd Group hotel proper-
ties, betting tickets on the Steelers were es-
timated to be in the 80-20 range.
Bell said he monitored four online sports-
books and the data collected showed the
Steelers drawing 72 percent of all wagers.
Bell came up with his $100 million world-
wide figure on the game by estimating that
offshore and Internet books do 50-100
times the business Nevada books do. He said,
if anything, his number was conservative.
Bookmakers could sympathize with Steel-
ers bettors, but they certainly werent return-
ing any money. This was a big-decision game
and a huge win for the house.
The miracle-Pittsburgh-cover-turned-
horrific-bad-beat was a hot topic on various
sports gambling forums across the Internet.
The word fix and the name Tim Donaghy,
the disgraced NBA referee, frequently were
mentioned in posts.
This level of frustration was under-
standable, but certainly not credible. If
some official was going to fix a game, do
you think it would have been this blatant,
occurring during the final play of a nation-
ally televised game between two mar-
quee teams? Still, its a huge black eye for
the league to even have the name Donaghy
mentioned in association with the NFL by
the public.
The league should get things right or
make it illegal for more than one lateral to
happen on a single play. At least that way,
games would finish on a more dignified
note.
Writer, analyst and handicapper Stephen
Nover has been covering the Las Vegas
sports betting scene since 1984. He is the au-
thor of three books, Las Vegas Sportsbeat,
Sports Gamingbeat and Winning Fantasy
Football.
LEADERS FOR SEASON TO DATE
(Sept. 4 - Nov. 23)
1. Maddux Sports* ........................................5,460
2. Cajun Sports* ............................................4,050
3. Ferdinand Sports ......................................2,160
4. MTI Sports Forecasting* ..........................1,570
5. Jaxterspix ..................................................1,460
WON-LOST PERCENTAGE LEADERS
1. Maddux Sports* ..........................22-9 ....71.0%
2. Cajun Sports* ............................24-13 ....64.9%
3. Weekly Wizard Best ..................22-16 ....57.9%
4. Ferdinard Sports ......................36-28 ....56.3%
5. Jaxterspix ..................................31-26 ....54.4%
LEADERS FOR SEASON TO DATE
1. Maddux Sports* ........................................6,310
2. Cajun Sports* ............................................3,260
3 Picks4Players............................................2,140
4. MTI Sports Forecasting* ..........................1,130
5. Bruce Hall Sports*........................................670
WON-LOST PERCENTAGE LEADERS
1. Maddux Sports* ..........................18-4 ....81.8%
2. Cajun Sports* ..............................17-6 ....73.9%
3. Tony Diamond Sports ..............14-10 ....58.3%
4. MTI Sports Forecasting* ..........22-16 ....57.9%
5. Lekota Sports* ..........................17-13 ....56.7%
NFL EDITION
Fol l ow t he Nat i onal Handi capper s Bowl onl i ne at N HB o wl . c o m
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leading the weekly statistics and season to date visit us online at NHBowl.com
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NFL OVER / UNDERS EDITION
GAME OF THE WEEK
Eli Manning isnt afraid to
spread the ball around.
Jason Campbell is better when
the running game is working.
GIANTS
AT
REDSKINS
When the Giants
have the ball
RB Brandon Jacobs sat out the Arizona
game with a knee injury but should be
fine for this game, joining Derrick Ward
and Ahmad Bradshaw to form the best
running trio in the game. In the first
meeting against the Redskins, Jacobs and
Ward combined to rush for 155 yards on
30 carries. Last week, Ward and Brad-
shaw ran 24 times for 78 yards.
The offensive line is a cohesive unit that
gets out to the second level and is precise
with its blocks. The Redskins have a sol-
id group up front, but the front seven
hasnt made many big plays this season.
With sacks and fumbles on the short side,
defensive coordinator Greg Blache will
settle for holding the Giants to less than
four yards per carry and get pressure in
the passing game.
The Redskins have four good cover
men in CBs Carlos Rogers, Shawn
Springs, Fred Smoot and DeAngelo Hall,
and safeties LaRon Landry and Chris
Horton are active in coverage and against
the run. The Giants receivers are smart,
physical and strong, but if Plaxico Bur-
ress isnt at full strength he sat out
much of the game Sunday the Red-
skins could have an edge here.
But QB Eli Manning has become a con-
fident leader, and if he sees he isnt get-
ting the matchups he likes outside, he will
not be afraid to check down or throw to
TE Kevin Boss, who has four of his five
TD receptions in the past five games.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbrides
approach has been to run the football un-
til teams show they can stop it, so this will
be the Redskins toughest chore. But he
also knows Manning can put long drives
together, especially at the end of the half
or in the fourth quarter.
When the Redskins
have the ball
The Redskins offense is so dependent
on the legs and heart of RB Clinton Por-
tis, and he showed he is a true warrior the
past two weeks by running through a
knee injury. He was effective against the
Seahawks, rushing 29 times for 143
yards but also took a ton of big hits.
The Giants held the Redskins in check
by keying on Portis, and they are sure to
do so again. They have allowed only four
teams to run for more than 95 yards this
season. MLB Antonio Pierce is as instinc-
tive and smart a player as there is at his
position, and the defensive line contin-
ually fills holes and stops teams on first
and second downs.
If the Redskins cant get physical and
push the Giants front, they might be in
trouble. QB Jason Campbell has made a
nice progression this season, but he of-
ten has struggled when defenses take
away the run game and force him to make
plays. In the three games in which the
Redskins have failed to run for at least 134
yards, Campbell has completed only
58.7 percent of his passes with three in-
terceptions. In the other eight games, he
has completed 66.5 percent with zero in-
terceptions.
The Giants have excellent corners in
Corey Webster, Aaron Ross and nickel
back Terrell Thomas, and they have the
ability to keep WRs Santana Moss and
Antwaan Randle El in check, but TE
Chris Cooley could prove to be a tough
matchup. He was silent in the first
meeting, but Cooley always is a tough
matchup for linebackers. Instead, the Gi-
ants could use a safety such as rookie
Kenny Phillips, who has done a nice job
when matched up against bigger re-
ceivers.
GIANTS SCHEDULE
Pointspread Refers to New York
DATE OPPONENT SPREAD SCORE
Sept. 4 Washington (-5) 16-7
Sept. 14 At St. Louis (-8.5) 41-13
Sept. 21 Cincinnati (-13) 26-23*
Sept. 28 BYE
Oct. 5 Seattle (-7) 44-6
Oct. 13 At Cleveland (-8) 14-35
Oct. 19 San Francisco (-10.5) 29-17
Oct. 26 At Pittsburgh (+2.5) 21-14
Nov. 2 Dallas (-8.5) 35-14
Nov. 9 At Philadelphia (+3) 36-31
Nov. 16 Baltimore (-7) 30-10
Nov. 23 At Arizona (-3) 37-29
Nov. 30 At Washington
Dec. 7 Philadelphia
Dec. 14 At Dallas
Dec. 21 Carolina
Dec. 28 At Minnesota
* Overtime
REDSKINS SCHEDULE
Pointspread Refers to Washington
Sept. 4 At N.Y. Giants (+5) 7-16
Sept. 14 New Orleans (0) 29-24
Sept. 21 Arizona (-3) 24-17
Sept. 28 At Dallas (+10) 26-24
Oct. 5 At Philadelphia (+6.5) 23-17
Oct. 12 St. Louis (-11.5) 17-19
Oct. 19 Cleveland (-7) 14-11
Oct. 26 At Detroit (-7.5) 25-17
Nov. 3 Pittsburgh (-2.5) 6-23
Nov. 9 BYE
Nov. 16 Dallas (+2) 10-14
Nov. 23 At Seattle (-3) 20-17
Nov. 30 New York Giants
Dec. 7 At Baltimore
Dec. 14 At Cincinnati
Dec. 21 Philadelphia
Dec. 28 At San Francisco
A
P
A
P
THE MATCHUPS
Sunday, Nov. 30, 1 p.m. ET
LOCATIONFedEx Field TURF Grass MEETING OF THE YEAR Second
QB
RB
WR
OL
DL
LB
DB
ST
Coach
WEEK 13
OVERVIEW
With every win, the Giants come closer to
not only locking up the division but also seal-
ing the top seed in the NFC playoff picture.
They did themselves a ton of help by beat-
ing the Cardinals, one of the other leaders
in the NFC.
The Redskins barely got by the Sea-
hawks but remain in the wild-card picture.
They looked lifeless against the Giants in the
season opener but at least have found
somewhat of an offensive identity since
then.
The Redskins need to reverse a recent
trend of home struggles, losing three of four
games at FedEx Field, with the one win com-
ing in a close one against the Browns.
The Giants, of course, have been one of the
best road teams in the NFL over the past two
seasons, winning 15 of their past 16 games
away from home, including last seasons play-
offs. Head coach Tom Coughlin has his team
believing it can win anywhere, anytime.
10-1-0 Season record 7-4-0
9-2-0 Season record vs. spread 5-5-1
4-1-0 Home/road record 3-3-0
4-1-0 Home/road record vs. spread 2-4-0
3-1-0 Record on natural turf 4-3-0
3-1-0 Record on natural turf vs. spread 3-4-0
NEWYORK GIANTS Advantage WASHINGTON REDSKINS
REDSKINS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 89 Moss / 83 Thrash / 12 Kelly*
OLT 60 Samuels / 75 Rinehart*
OLG 66 Kendall / 76 Jansen
C 61 Rabach / 68 Geisinger
ORG 77 R. Thomas / 69 Fabini
ORT 76 Jansen / 74 Heyer
TE 47 Cooley / 86 Davis*
WR 82 Randle El / 11 D. Thomas*
QB 17 J. Campbell / 15 Collins / 5 Brennan*
RB 26 Portis / 46 Betts / 37 S. Alexander / 31 Cartwright
FB 45 Sellers
DEFENSE
DLE 55 Taylor / 92 Evans / 98 Jackson*
DLT 96 Griffin / 79 L. Alexander
DRT 64 Golston / 94 Montgomery
DRE 99 Carter / 95 Wilson / 78 James
SLB 53 Washington / 51 Fincher
MLB 59 Fletcher / 54 Blades
WLB 52 McIntosh / 50 K. Campbell
LCB 24 Springs / 27 Smoot
RCB 22 Rogers / 23 Hall / 20 Tryon*
SS 48 Horton* / 25 Green
FS 30 Landry / 41 Moore*
SPECIALISTS
P 1 Plackemeier
PK 6 Suisham
H 1 Plackemeier
PR 82 Randle El / 83 Thrash / 89 Moss
KR 31 Cartwright / 83 Thrash / 46 Betts
LS 67 Albright
* Rookie
GIANTS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 17 Burress / 87 Hixon / 82 Manningham*
OLT 66 Diehl / 77 Boothe
OLG 69 Seubert / 65 Ruegamer
C 60 OHara / 65 Ruegamer
ORG 76 Snee / 77 Boothe
ORT 67 McKenzie / 61 Koets
TE 89 Boss / 88 Matthews / 84 D. Johnson
WR 81 Toomer / 12 Smith / 83 Moss
QB 10 E. Manning / 8 Carr
RB 27 Jacobs / 34 Ward / 44 Bradshaw / 28 Ware
FB 39 Hedgecock
DEFENSE
DLE 91 Tuck / 99 Wynn / 95 McDougle
NT 96 Cofield
DT 98 Robbins / 93 Alford
DRE 97 Kiwanuka / 71 Tollefson
SLB 55 Clark / 51 DeOssie
MLB 58 Pierce / 54 Goff*
WLB 57 Blackburn / 59 Wilkinson / 53 Kehl*
LCB 31 Ross / 35 Dockery / 30 Thomas*
RCB 23 Webster / 29 Madison / 25 McQuarters
SS 21 Phillips* / 37 Butler
FS 20 M. Johnson / 26 Knight
SPECIALISTS
P 18 Feagles
PK 5 Carney / 9 Tynes
H 18 Feagles
PR 25 McQuarters / 44 Bradshaw / 87 Hixon
KR 44 Bradshaw / 87 Hixon / 34 Ward
LS 51 DeOssie / 93 Alford
* Rookie
GAME PREVIEWS
WEEK 13
TITANS GAME PROFILE LIONS
5-0-0 Road/home record 0-5-0
5-0-0 Road/home record vs. spread 0-5-0
2-0-0 Record on artificial turf 0-7-0
2-0-0 Record on artificial turf vs. spread 1-6-0
TITANS
AT
LIONS
TITANS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Tennessee
Sept. 7 Jacksonville (+3) 17-10
Sept. 14 At Cincinnati (0) 24-7
Sept. 21 Houston (-5) 31-12
Sept. 28 Minnesota (-3.5) 30-17
Oct. 5 At Baltimore (-1) 13-10
Oct. 12 BYE
Oct. 19 At Kansas City (-8.5) 34-10
Oct. 27 Indianapolis (-4) 31-21
Nov. 2 Green Bay (-3.5) 19-16*
Nov. 9 At Chicago (-3) 21-14
Nov. 16 At Jacksonville (-2.5) 24-14
Nov. 23 NewYork Jets (-5.5) 13-34
Nov. 27 At Detroit
Dec. 7 Cleveland
Dec. 14 At Houston
Dec. 21 Pittsburgh
Dec. 28 At Indianapolis
* Overtime
TITANS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 19McCareins / 87 Hawkins* / 17 C. Davis
OLT 71 Roos / 70Loper / 66Otto
OLG 54Amano / 64Harris / 70Loper
C 68Mawae / 64Harris
ORG 73Scott / 64Harris / 70Loper
ORT 76Stewart / 70Loper
TE 83Crumpler / 80Scaife / 88Stevens*
WR 12Gage / 81 B. Jones / 11 P. Williams
QB 5Collins / 10Young / 8Simms
RB 28C. Johnson* / 25White / 42Henry / 35Ganther
FB 45Hall
DEFENSE
DLE 90Kearse / 78Ford/ 95Hayes*
DLT 97 Brown/ 91 J. Jones*
DRT 92Haynesworth/ 96Vickerson
DRE 93VandenBosch/ 98Ball / 91 J. Jones*
SLB 53Bulluck / 56Allred/ 59Keglar*
MLB 55Tulloch/ 52Fowler
WLB 50Thornton/ 57 Stamer / 58Amato
LCB 20Harper / 29Carr / 26T. Harris
RCB 31 Finnegan/ 38 Poole
SS 24Hope / 23Nickey / 29Carr
FS 33Griffin/ 22Fuller
SPECIALISTS
P 15Hentrich
PK 2Bironas
H 15Hentrich
PR 29Carr / 17 Davis / 81 Jones
KR 29Carr / 87 Hawkins* / 28C. Johnson*
LS 58Amato / 68Mawae
* Rookie
OVERVIEWIt would have been the first meeting in history of
an 0-11 team against an 11-0 club, but the Titans lost at home
against the Jets. The Lions held up their end of the trend, drop-
ping another game, despite holding a 17-0 first-quarter lead.
The Thanksgiving Day game might not have its typical festivity
in Detroit considering the Lions plight, so look for the Titans to
try to deliver the knockout punch early.
MATCHUP TO WATCH Teams have schemed well to take
away the Titans run game the past three games, but can the
Lions even accomplish this if they want to? They have allowed
166.7 rushing yards per game, including games of 318 (Week
One vs. Atlanta) and 264 (Week 11 vs. Carolina) yards. The Ti-
tans love to go with heavy packages and should load up
against a smallish Lions front that also is banged up.
BYTHE NUMBERS Lions QB Daunte Culpepper was 8-of-20
passing against the Bucs for 121 yards, one TD and two inter-
ceptions. The Titans have converted 5-of-23 third downs the
past two games.
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008 12:30 p.m. ET
LIONS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Detroit
Sept. 7 At Atlanta (-3) 21-34
Sept. 14 Green Bay (+3) 25-48
Sept. 21 At San Francisco (+5) 13-31
Sept. 28 BYE
Oct. 5 Chicago (+3.5) 7-34
Oct. 12 At Minnesota (+13) 10-12
Oct. 19 At Houston (+11) 21-28
Oct. 26 Washington (+7.5) 17-25
Nov. 2 At Chicago (+12.5) 23-27
Nov. 9 Jacksonville (+6.5) 14-38
Nov. 16 At Carolina (+14) 22-31
Nov. 23 Tampa Bay (+7.5) 20-38
Nov. 27 Tennessee
Dec. 7 Minnesota
Dec. 21 New Orleans
Dec. 28 At Green Bay
LIONS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 84McDonald/ 16Standeford/ 80Jennings
OLT 76Backus / 74Cook
OLG 64Mulitalo
C 51 Raiola / 67 McCollum
ORG 63Ramirez / 66Peterman
ORT 77 Cherilus* / 72Foster
TE 86Gaines / 82FitzSimmons / 83Owens
WR 81 C. Johnson/ 87 Furrey
QB 11 Culpepper / 5Stanton/ 6Orlovsky
RB 34Kev. Smith* / 32R. Johnson/ 36Cason
FB 45Felton* / 44Norris
DEFENSE
DLE 97Alama-Francis / 95DeVries
NT 91 Darby / 75Cody / 98Cohen*
UT 78Redding / 96Fluellen*
DRE 99White / 92Avril / 93C. Smith
SLB 55Nece / 59Lewis
MLB 53Lenon/ 57 Dizon*
WLB 50Sims / 52Cannon
LCB 25Kelly / 21 Fisher
RCB 28Bodden/ 23Kei. Smith/ 38Robinson
SS 27 Bullocks / 24Pearson
FS 26D. Smith/ 39Schweigert
SPECIALISTS
P 2Harris
PK 4Hanson
H 2Harris
PR 84McDonald/ 87 Furrey
KR 36Cason/ 87 Furrey
LS 48Muhlbach
* Rookie
SEAHAWKS GAME PROFILE COWBOYS
SEAHAWKS
AT
COWBOYS
SEAHAWKS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Seattle
Sept. 7 At Buffalo (+1.5) 10-34
Sept. 14 San Francisco (-6) 30-33*
Sept. 21 St. Louis (-8.5) 37-13
Sept. 28 BYE
Oct. 5 At NewYork Giants (+7) 6-44
Oct. 12 Green Bay (0) 17-27
Oct. 19 At Tampa Bay (+11.5) 10-20
Oct. 26 At San Francisco (+5.5) 34-13
Nov. 2 Philadelphia (+7) 7-26
Nov. 9 At Miami (+8) 19-21
Nov. 16 Arizona (+3) 20-26
Nov. 23 Washington (+3) 17-20
Nov. 27 At Dallas
Dec. 7 New England
Dec. 14 At St. Louis
Dec. 21 NewYork Jets
Dec. 28 At Arizona
* Overtime
SEAHAWKS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 18Robinson/ 82Kent
OLT 71 W. Jones / 75Locklear
OLG 68Wahle / 77Womack / 66Wrotto
C 65Spencer / 69Vallos
ORG 77Womack / 74Willis / 66Wrotto
ORT 75Locklear / 74Willis
TE 89Carlson* / 85Heller / 88Putzier
WR 83Branch/ 84Engram/ 86Taylor
QB 8Hasselbeck / 15S. Wallace / 5Frye
RB 22J. Jones / 20Morris / 45Duckett
FB 43Weaver / 35Schmitt*
DEFENSE
DLE 55Tapp/ 91 Atkins / 90Miller*
DLT 92Mebane / 94Green/ 79Bryant*
DRT 99Bernard/ 93Terrill
DRE 95Jackson* / 91 Atkins / 90Miller*
OLB 56Hill / 58Lewis / 50Laury
MLB 51 Tatupu/ 58Lewis / 59Hawthorne*
OLB 98Peterson/ 58Lewis / 54Herring
LCB 23Trufant / 32Hobbs
RCB 26Wilson/ 21 Jennings
SS 24Grant / 27 Babineaux
FS 25Russell / 39C.J. Wallace
SPECIALISTS
P 9Ryan
PK 10Mare / 7 Coutu*
H 9Ryan/ 8Hasselbeck
PR 30Forsett* / 84Engram
KR 26Wilson/ 30Forsett* / 42Duckett
LS 49Robinson
* Rookie
OVERVIEWIf the 7-4 Cowboys can knock off their second
straight NFC West opponent in a five-day span on Turkey Day,
they will have excellent momentum for a playoff push heading
into the seasons final month. The sinking Seahawks fell to 2-9
but hung tough throughout a 20-17 home loss to the Redskins.
After complaining about not being involved enough in the
Cowboys offense, WR Terrell Owens was a lot happier follow-
ing his seven-catch, 213-yard, one-TD explosion in Dallas 35-
22 victory over the Niners. Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck has
thrown five interceptions in his last two games.
MATCHUP TO WATCH Although Seattles shaky pass defense
must no doubt focus on Owens, it will be making a big mistake
if it pays any less attention to Cowboys TE Jason Witten, who
could be due for a big game after managing only four catches
for 53 yards in his last four games.
BYTHE NUMBERS Seattle is 0-3 and has been outscored 90-
30 against NFC East teams this season. Owens had gone 13
straight games without 100 receiving yards before last week.
COWBOYS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Dallas
Sept. 7 At Cleveland (-6) 28-10
Sept. 15 Philadelphia (-6.5) 41-37
Sept. 21 At Green Bay (-3) 27-16
Sept. 28 Washington (-10) 24-26
Oct. 5 Cincinnati (-16) 31-22
Oct. 12 At Arizona (-5) 24-30*
Oct. 19 At St. Louis (-7.5) 14-34
Oct. 26 Tampa Bay (-1.5) 13-9
Nov. 2 At NewYork Giants (+8.5) 14-35
Nov. 9 BYE
Nov. 16 At Washington (-2) 14-10
Nov. 23 San Francisco (-9.5) 35-22
Nov. 27 Seattle
Dec. 7 At Pittsburgh
Dec. 14 NewYork Giants
Dec. 20 Baltimore
Dec. 28 At Philadelphia
* Overtime
COWBOYS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 81 Owens / 19Austin
OLT 76Adams / 68Free
OLG 63Kosier / 71 Procter
C 65Gurode / 67 Berger
ORG 70L. Davis / 64Holland
ORT 75Colombo / 77 McQuistan
TE 82Witten/ 80Bennett* / 89Curtis
WR 11 Williams / 84Crayton/ 86Stanback
QB 9Romo / 5Bollinger / 14B. Johnson
RB 24Barber / 29Choice*
FB 34Anderson
DEFENSE
DLE 96Spears / 97 Hatcher
NT 90Ratliff / 66T. Johnson
DRE 99Canty / 72Bowen
LOLB 98Ellis / 93Spencer
LILB 56James / 54Carpenter
RILB 55Thomas / 57 Burnett
ROLB 94Ware / 50Rogers / 52Polk
LCB 41 Newman/ 31 Jenkins* / 20Ball
RCB 42Henry / 32Scandrick* / 36Butler
SS 29K. Davis / 25Watkins
FS 26Hamlin/ 27 Brown
SPECIALISTS
P 2Paulescu
PK 6Folk
H 14B. Johnson/ 2Paulescu/ 84Crayton
PR 84Crayton
KR 19Austin/ 86Stanback
LS 91 LaDouceur
* Rookie
CARDINALS GAME PROFILE EAGLES
CARDINALS
AT
EAGLES
CARDINALS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Arizona
Sept. 7 At San Francisco (-2.5) 23-13
Sept. 14 Miami (-6.5) 31-10
Sept. 21 At Washington (+3) 17-24
Sept. 28 At NewYork Jets (+1) 35-56
Oct. 5 Buffalo (-2.5) 41-17
Oct. 12 Dallas (+5) 30-24*
Oct. 19 BYE
Oct. 26 At Carolina (+5) 23-27
Nov. 2 At St. Louis (-3) 34-13
Nov. 10 San Francisco (-10) 29-24
Nov. 23 NewYork Giants (+3) 29-37
Nov. 27 At Philadelphia
Dec. 7 St. Louis
Dec. 14 Minnesota
Dec. 21 At New England
Dec. 28 Seattle
* Overtime
CARDINALS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 11 Fitzgerald/ 85Urban/ 87 Morey
OLT 69Gandy / 72Keith*
OLG 74Wells / 81 E. Brown
C 63Sendlein/ 70Ross
ORG 76Lutui / 61 E. Brown
ORT 75L. Brown/ 68Vallejo
TE 82Pope / 89Patrick / 84Tuman/ 83Spach
WR 81 Boldin/ 15Breaston/ 80Doucet*
QB 13Warner / 7 Leinart / 2St. Pierre
RB 34Hightower* / 28Arrington/ 32James
FB 45T. Smith/ 46Castille
DEFENSE
DLE 94A. Smith/ 91 Iwebema*
NT 97 B. Robinson/ 98Watson/ 78Branch
DT 90Dockett / 93Campbell*
DRE 55LaBoy / 92Berry
SLB 56Okeafor / 53Haggans
MLB 54Hayes / 52Beisel
WLB 58Dansby / 51 Togafau
LCB 26Hood/ 20R. Brown
RCB 29Rodgers-Cromartie* / 25Green
SS 24Wilson/ 47 Francisco
FS 21 Rolle / 22Ware
SPECIALISTS
P 9D. Johnson
PK 1 Rackers
H 9D. Johnson/ 87 Morey
PR 15Breaston/ 21 Rolle / 26Hood
KR 28Arrington/ 15Breaston/ 87 Morey
LS 48Hodel / 84Tuman
* Rookie
OVERVIEWAre the Eagles moving on without Donovan Mc-
Nabb? He was benched Sunday by Andy Reid after a miser-
able second quarter in the loss to the Ravens and replaced by
Kevin Kolb. The Cardinals fell at the hands of the Giants and
face a short week with a Wednesday travel date to Philadel-
phia, but they are close to closing out the NFC West.
MATCHUP TO WATCH The Eagles have allowed only three
teams to throw for more than 185 yards, and they can get after
the quarterback (39 sacks). But Cardinals QB Kurt Warner is so
good at hitting receivers quickly and accurately that most teams
drop seven or eight against him. It will be interesting to see how
the Eagles, who like to pressure, play him. The Cardinals re-
ceivers, led by Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, might be too
tough against CBs Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel.
BYTHE NUMBERS McNabb completed only 8-of-18 passes
for 59 yards and had three turnovers against the Ravens.
Cardinals RB Tim Hightower had two TDs last week on only 21
rushing yards and 11 carries.
EAGLES SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Philadelphia
Sept. 7 St. Louis (-8.5) 38-3
Sept. 15 At Dallas (+6.5) 37-41
Sept. 21 Pittsburgh (-3.5) 15-6
Sept. 28 At Chicago (-3) 20-24
Oct. 5 Washington (-6.5) 17-23
Oct. 12 At San Francisco (-5) 40-26
Oct. 19 BYE
Oct. 26 Atlanta (-9.5) 27-14
Nov. 9 NewYork Giants (-3) 31-36
Nov. 16 At Cincinnati (-9) 13-13*
Nov. 23 At Baltimore (+1.5) 7-36
Nov. 27 Arizona
Dec. 7 At NewYork Giants
Dec. 15 Cleveland
Dec. 21 At Washington
Dec. 28 Dallas
* Overtime
EAGLES DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 80Curtis / 81 Avant / 84Baskett
OLT 72T. Thomas
OLG 79Herremans / 68McGlynn*
C 67J. Jackson/ 59N. Cole
ORG 62Jean-Gilles / 73Andrews
ORT 69Runyan/ 74Justice
TE 82L.J. Smith/ 87 Celek / 89Schobel
WR 86R. Brown/ 10D. Jackson* / 83G. Lewis
QB 4Kolb/ 5McNabb/ 14Feeley
RB 36Westbrook / 28Buckhalter / 25Booker
FB 49Klecko / 32Eckel
DEFENSE
DLE 75Parker / 78Abiamiri / 91 Clemons
DLT 98Patterson/ 93Laws
DRT 97 Bunkley
DRE 58Cole / 90Howard/ 63B. Smith*
SLB 57 Gocong / 50Daniels
MLB 55Bradley / 51 Mays*
WLB 96Gaither / 56Jordan/ 54White
LCB 22Samuel / 21 Hanson
RCB 24S. Brown/ 26Sheppard
SS 27 Mikell / 37 Considine
FS 20Dawkins / 39Demps*
SPECIALISTS
P 6Rocca
PK 2Akers
H 6Rocca / 4Kolb/ 14Feeley
PR 10D. Jackson* / 39Demps*
KR 39Demps* / 25Booker
LS 46Dorenbos
* Rookie
GAME PREVIEWS
WEEK 13
49ERS GAME PROFILE BILLS
49ERS
AT
BILLS
49ERS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to San Francisco
Sept. 7 Arizona (+2.5) 13-23
Sept. 14 At Seattle (+6) 33-30*
Sept. 21 Detroit (-5) 31-13
Sept. 28 At New Orleans (+4) 17-31
Oct. 5 New England (+3) 21-30
Oct. 12 Philadelphia (+5) 26-40
Oct. 19 At NewYork Giants(+10.5) 17-29
Oct. 26 Seattle (-5.5) 13-34
Nov. 2 BYE
Nov. 10 At Arizona (+10) 24-29
Nov. 16 St. Louis (-7) 35-16
Nov. 23 At Dallas (+9.5) 22-35
Nov. 30 At Buffalo
Dec. 7 NewYork Jets
Dec. 14 At Miami
Dec. 21 At St. Louis
Dec. 28 Washington
* Overtime
49ERS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 82Johnson/ 89J. Hill / 84Morgan*
OLT 74Staley / 65Sims
OLG 64Baas / 68Snyder
C 66Heitmann/ 59Wallace*
ORG 69Wragge / 62Rachal*
ORT 68Snyder / 65Sims / 77 Bender
TE 85Davis / 46Walker / 47 Bajema / 81 Ryan
WR 88Bruce / 83Battle / 17Zeigler
QB 13S. Hill / 14OSullivan/ 10Martin
RB 21 Gore / 29Foster
FB 24Robinson/ 46Walker
DEFENSE
DLE 91 McDonald/ 96Balmer*
NT 90Sopoaga / 92Franklin/ 93Fields
DRE 94J. Smith/ 96Balmer*
OLB 99Lawson/ 95Banta-Cain
ILB 51 Spikes / 53Ulbrich
ILB 52Willis / 55Brooks
OLB 98Haralson/ 54Green
LCB 22Clements / 30Strickland/ 25Brown
RCB 27 Harris / 23Hudson/ 31 R. Smith*
SS 32M. Lewis / 28K. Lewis
FS 26Roman/ 38Goldson
SPECIALISTS
P 4Lee
PK 6Nedney
H 4Lee / 83Battle
PR 20Rossum/ 83Battle / 22Clements
KR 20Rossum/ 46Walker / 24Robinson
LS 86B. Jennings / 47 Bajema
* Rookie
OVERVIEWThe Bills emphatically ended their four-game los-
ing streak by dominating the Chiefs 54-31. With a 6-5 record,
Buffalo remains one game out of a wild-card spot and has a
prime opportunity to keep up its momentum against a 49ers
club that has been just as futile under interim coach Mike Sin-
gletary as it was under the ousted Mike Nolan.
MATCHUP TO WATCH Bills RB Marshawn Lynch, the 12th
overall pick of the 2007 draft, will be hunted all day by ILB
Patrick Willis, the No. 11 pick of 07. As much as the Bills have
stressed moving the ball through the air, Lynch remains their
offensive engine, and he has picked up his play the past two
weeks behind an offensive line stabilized with Duke Preston re-
placing Melvin Fowler at center. Willis is among the most phys-
ically gifted inside backers in the game, but hell have
difficulty shedding on an every-down basis if NT Isaac
Sopoaga doesnt occupy Preston and Buffalos beefy guards.
BYTHE NUMBERS The 49ers have lost 17 of their last 22
games vs. the AFC, with a 1-10 mark at the AFC teams home.
Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008 1 p.m. ET
BILLS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Buffalo
Sept. 7 Seattle (-1.5) 34-10
Sept. 14 At Jacksonville (+4.5) 20-16
Sept. 21 Oakland (-10) 24-23
Sept. 28 At St. Louis (-8.5) 31-14
Oct. 5 At Arizona (+2.5) 17-41
Oct. 12 BYE
Oct. 19 San Diego (0) 23-14
Oct. 26 At Miami (0) 16-25
Nov. 2 NewYork Jets (-5) 17-26
Nov. 9 At New England (+3.5) 10-20
Nov. 17 Cleveland (-5.5) 27-29
Nov. 23 At Kansas City (-3) 54-31
Nov. 30 San Francisco
Dec. 7 Miami
Dec. 14 At NewYork Jets
Dec. 21 At Denver
Dec. 28 New England
BILLS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 83Evans / 11 Parrish/ 13St. Johnson*
OLT 71 Peters / 77 Bell*
OLG 66Dockery / 65Whittle
C 75Preston/ 67 Fowler
ORG 73Chambers / 60Butler
ORT 68Walker / 73Chambers
TE 84Royal / 80Schouman/ 86Fine*
WR 82Reed/ 81 Hardy*
QB 5Edwards / 7 Losman/ 10Hamdan
RB 23Lynch/ 22Jackson/ 25Omon*
FB 38McIntyre
DEFENSE
DLE 90Kelsay / 96Bryan
DLT 99Stroud/ 97 McCargo
DRT 95Williams / 91 Sp. Johnson
DRE 92Denney / 93Ellis* / 94Schobel
SLB 56Ellison/ 54Costanzo
MLB 51 Posluszny / 53Buggs / 58Lehman
WLB 59Mitchell / 57 Corto
LCB 33Greer / 28McKelvin*
RCB 24McGee / 27 Corner*
SS 20Whitner / 43Scott / 29Wendling
FS 30Simpson/ 37Wilson
SPECIALISTS
P 8Moorman
PK 9Lindell
H 8Moorman
PR 11 Parrish/ 28McKelvin*
KR 28McKelvin* / 24McGee
LS 72Neill
* Rookie
RAVENS GAME PROFILE BENGALS
RAVENS
AT
BENGALS
RAVENS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Baltimore
Sept. 7 Cincinnati (+2) 17-10
Sept. 14 BYE
Sept. 21 Cleveland (-2.5) 28-10
Sept. 29 At Pittsburgh (+6) 20-23*
Oct. 5 Tennessee (+1) 10-13
Oct. 12 At Indianapolis (+4) 3-31
Oct. 19 At Miami (+3) 27-13
Oct. 26 Oakland (-8) 29-10
Nov. 2 At Cleveland (+3) 37-27
Nov. 9 At Houston (+2) 41-13
Nov. 16 At NewYork Giants (+7) 10-30
Nov. 23 Philadelphia (-1.5) 36-7
Nov. 30 At Cincinnati
Dec. 7 Washington
Dec. 14 Pittsburgh
Dec. 20 At Dallas
Dec. 28 Jacksonville
* Overtime
RAVENS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 89Clayton/ 15Copper / 17 Maxwell
OLT 71 Gaither / 78Terry / 64Cousins*
OLG 66Grubbs / 65Chester / 76Hale*
C 60Brown/ 65Chester
ORG 65Chester / 78Terry
ORT 79Anderson/ 78Terry / 68Slaughter
TE 86Heap/ 83Wilcox / 84Jones
WR 85Mason/ 81 Ma. Smith* / 16Figurs
QB 5Flacco* / 10T. Smith/ 2Bouman
RB 23McGahee / 27 Rice* / 33L. McClain
FB 33L. McClain/ 42Neal
DEFENSE
DLE 90Pryce / 91 Douglas
NT 92Ngata / 68McKinney / 96Divens
DRE 94Bannan/ 91 Douglas
LOLB 95Johnson/ 53J. McClain*
LILB 52Lewis / 59Greisen
RILB 57 Scott / 51 Ayanbadejo
ROLB 55Suggs / 50Barnes
LCB 31 Washington/41 Walker / 35Ivy
RCB 22Rolle / 35Ivy / 25Oglesby
SS 36Leonhard/ 28Zbikowski* / 43Nakamura*
FS 20Reed/ 43Nakamura / 39Stone
SPECIALISTS
P 4Koch
PK 3Stover / 6Hauschka
H 4Koch
PR 16Figurs / 36Leonhard/ 28Zbikowski*
KR 16Figurs / 36Leonhard/ 27 Rice*
LS 70Katula
* Rookie
OVERVIEWIts hard to believe now, but when these teams met
in Week One, the Bengals were favored. Twelve weeks later, the
Ravens are fighting Pittsburgh for the AFC North lead, and the
Bengals are playing out the string. However, Marvin Lewis club
usually has played hard, and Cincinnati has a win and tie to its
credit in its last two home games. Bengals WR Chad Ocho
Cinco returns to the lineup after being deactivated for the
Week 12 game at Pittsburgh for a team rules violation.
MATCHUP TO WATCH In the first meeting between the
teams, the Ravens rushed for 229 yards on 46 carries. If the
Bengals stack the line with an eye on stopping the run, it will
be on Ravens WRs Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton to win
their matchups with Bengals CBs Leon Hall and David Jones.
Clayton, who caught a 53-yard TD pass vs. Philadelphia in
Week 12, could give the Ravens offense a major boost down
the stretch if he increases his production.
BYTHE NUMBERS Ravens S Ed Reeds 28.7-yard return aver-
age ranks first all-time among players with at least 30 INTs.
BENGALS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Cincinnati
Sept. 7 At Baltimore (-2) 10-17
Sept. 14 Tennessee (0) 7-24
Sept. 21 At NewYork Giants (+13) 23-26*
Sept. 28 Cleveland (-1) 12-20
Oct. 5 At Dallas (+16) 22-31
Oct. 12 At NewYork Jets (+9.5) 14-26
Oct. 19 Pittsburgh (+8.5) 10-38
Nov. 2 Jacksonville (+7) 21-19
Nov. 9 BYE
Nov. 16 Philadelphia (+9) 13-13*
Nov. 20 At Pittsburgh (+12) 10-27
Nov. 30 Baltimore
Dec. 14 Washington
Dec. 21 At Cleveland
Dec. 28 Kansas City
* Overtime
BENGALS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 85Ocho Cinco / 16Holt / 89Simpson*
OLT 76L. Jones / 73Collins* / 77Whitworth
OLG 77Whitworth/ 75Kooistra / 62Livings
C 53Ghiaciuc
ORG 63Williams / 75Kooistra
ORT 79Andrews / 75Kooistra / 74Roland
TE 82Kelly / 81 Utecht / 86Coats / 80Lawrie
WR 84Houshmandzadeh/ 15Henry / 87 Caldwell*
QB 11 Fitzpatrick / 5J. Palmer / 9C. Palmer
RB 32Benson/ 23Perry / 33Watson
FB 86Coats
DEFENSE
DLE 91 Geathers / 68Fanene / 50Henderson
DLT 94Peko / 95Harris / 99Shirley*
DRT 97Thornton/ 90Sims*
DRE 98Odom/ 92Rucker
SLB 93Jeanty / 50Henderson
MLB 57 Dh. Jones / 51 Mays / 52Hodge
WLB 59B. Johnson/ 56Blackstock / 51 Mays
LCB 20Da. Jones / 25Fletcher / 21 Castille*
RCB 29Hall / 20Da. Jones
SS 41 Ndukwe / 34Hebert / 40Busing
FS 26White / 42Crocker
SPECIALISTS
P 19Larson
PK 17 Graham
H 19Larson
PR 84 Houshmandzadeh / 29 Hall
KR 16Holt / 87 Caldwell*
LS 48St. Louis
* Rookie
COLTS GAME PROFILE BROWNS
COLTS
AT
BROWNS
COLTS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Indianapolis
Sept. 7 Chicago (-10.5) 13-29
Sept. 14 At Minnesota (-1.5) 18-15
Sept. 21 Jacksonville (-4.5) 21-23
Sept. 28 BYE
Oct. 5 At Houston (-4) 31-27
Oct. 12 Baltimore (-4) 31-3
Oct. 19 At Green Bay (-2.5) 14-34
Oct. 27 At Tennessee (+4) 21-31
Nov. 2 New England (-6.5) 18-15
Nov. 9 At Pittsburgh (+3.5) 24-20
Nov. 16 Houston (-7.5) 33-27
Nov. 23 At San Diego (+3) 23-20
Nov. 30 At Cleveland
Dec. 7 Cincinnati
Dec. 14 Detroit
Dec. 18 At Jacksonville
Dec. 28 Tennessee
COLTS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 87Wayne / 11 Gonzalez / 85Garcon*
OLT 67 Ugoh/ 76Federkeil
OLG 74Ch. Johnson/ 61 Richard*
C 63Saturday / 53Justice*
ORG 78Pollak* / 61 Richard
ORT 71 Diem/ 76Federkeil
TE 44Clark / 84Tamme*
WR 88Harrison/ 83Hall
QB 18Manning / 12Sorgi
RB 29Addai / 38Rhodes / 35Simpson
TE 47 Robinson/ 86Santi*
DEFENSE
DLE 79Brock / 91 Thomas / 94Cu. Johnson*
DLT 68Foster* / 95Reid
DRT 96Dawson/ 99A. Johnson/ 90Muir
DRE 93Freeney / 98Mathis / 92Howard*
SLB 55Session/ 50Wheeler*
MLB 58Brackett / 52Davis
WLB 54Keiaho / 51 Senn*
LCB 26Hayden/ 20Hughes / 42Graham
RCB 23Jennings / 31 Ratliff
SS 21 Sanders / 33Bullitt / 43Giordano
FS 41 Bethea / 40Silva
SPECIALISTS
P 17 Smith
PK 4Vinatieri
H 17 Smith
PR 85Garcon*
KR 85Garcon*
LS 48Snow
* Rookie
OVERVIEWThe Colts kept strides with the Ravens and Patri-
ots in the AFC wild-card race with a 23-20 victory at San
Diego. Meanwhile, the Browns come off a confounding, mis-
cue-filled 16-6 loss vs. Houston. Browns head coach Romeo
Crennel benched QB Brady Quinn in favor of Derek Anderson
with an eye on jump-starting the offense, but the move failed,
and Quinn is likely to start his fourth consecutive game.
MATCHUP TO WATCH Browns CBs Eric Wright, Brandon Mc-
Donald and Terry Cousin have to play well vs. Colts WRs Reggie
Wayne, Marvin Harrison and Anthony Gonzalez for Cleveland to
have a chance. The Browns have had problems mustering a
disruptive pass rush, and they must solve that problem to help
out the defensive backs charged with tracking these receivers.
BYTHE NUMBERS Browns RB Jamal Lewis has three games
with 20 carries or more this season all Browns wins.
Since returning to the NFL in 1999, the Browns have not
beaten the Colts, but Cleveland has held Indianapolis to 13
points or fewer in the last two matchups.
BROWNS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Cleveland
Sept. 7 Dallas (+6) 10-28
Sept. 14 Pittsburgh (+7) 6-10
Sept. 21 At Baltimore (+2.5) 10-28
Sept. 28 At Cincinnati (+1) 20-12
Oct. 5 BYE
Oct. 13 NewYork Giants (+8) 35-14
Oct. 19 At Washington (+7) 11-14
Oct. 26 At Jacksonville (+7) 23-17
Nov. 6 Denver (-3) 30-34
Nov. 17 At Buffalo (+5.5) 29-27
Nov. 23 Houston (-3) 6-16
Nov. 30 Indianapolis
Dec. 7 At Tennessee
Dec. 15 At Philadelphia
Dec. 21 Cincinnati
Dec. 28 At Pittsburgh
BROWNS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 17 Edwards / 12Steptoe / 83Sanders
OLT 73Thomas / 77 Shaffer
OLG 65Steinbach/ 79Young
C 66Fraley / 68McKinney
ORG 70Hadnot / 68McKinney
ORT 77 Shaffer / 61 Sowells
TE 80Winslow/ 82Heiden/ 87 Dinkins / 86Rucker*
WR 18Stallworth/ 16Cribbs
QB 10Quinn/ 3Anderson/ 11 Dorsey
RB 31 Lewis / 29Wright / 35Harrison
FB 47Vickers / 41 Ali
DEFENSE
DLE 99C. Williams / 93Leonard
NT 92Rogers / 91 S. Smith/ 71 Rubin*
DRE 91 S. Smith/ 97 S. Thomas / 93Leonard
LOLB 55McGinest / 96Hall*/ 51 Orr
LILB 54Davis / 94L. Williams / 58Bell*
RILB 52Jackson/ 53Griffin
ROLB 95Wimbley / 96Hall*
LCB 24Wright / 25Cousin
RCB 22McDonald/ 23Daniels / 30Lawson*
SS 26Jones / 20Adams / 27 Sorensen
FS 21 Pool / 20Adams
SPECIALISTS
P 15Zastudil
PK 4Dawson
H 15Zastudil
PR 16Cribbs / 12Steptoe / 22McDonald
KR 16Cribbs / 29Wright / 35Harrison
LS 64Pontbriand
* Rookie
GAME PREVIEWS
WEEK 13
PANTHERS GAME PROFILE PACKERS
PANTHERS
AT
PACKERS
PANTHERS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Carolina
Sept. 7 At San Diego (+9) 26-24
Sept. 14 Chicago (-3) 20-17
Sept. 21 At Minnesota (+3) 10-20
Sept. 28 Atlanta (-7) 24-9
Oct. 5 Kansas City (-9.5) 34-0
Oct. 12 At Tampa Bay (+2) 3-27
Oct. 19 New Orleans (-3) 30-7
Oct. 26 Arizona (-5) 27-23
Nov. 2 BYE
Nov. 9 At Oakland (-10) 17-6
Nov. 16 Detroit (-14) 31-22
Nov. 23 At Atlanta (0) 28-45
Nov. 30 At Green Bay
Dec. 8 Tampa Bay
Dec. 14 Denver
Dec. 21 At NewYork Giants
Dec. 28 At New Orleans
PANTHERS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 89Smith/ 80Jarrett
OLT 69Gross / 76Omiyale
OLG 70Wharton/ 63Hangartner / 73Bridges
C 67 Kalil / 63Hangartner
ORG 68Vincent / 73Bridges
ORT 79Otah* / 76Omiyale
TE 47 King / 88Rosario / 82Barnidge*
WR 87 Muhammad/ 18Hackett
QB 17 Delhomme / 12McCown/ 3Moore
RB 34Williams / 28Stewart*
FB 45Hoover / 37 Goings
DEFENSE
DLE 96Brayton/ 95Johnson
DLT 99Kemoeatu/ 91 Gibson
DRT 92Lewis / 93Walker
DRE 90Peppers / 66Taylor*
SLB 53Diggs / 54Johnson/ 55Curry
MLB 52Beason/ 59Seward
WLB 58Davis / 50Anderson
LCB 20Gamble / 31 Marshall
RCB 21 Lucas / 23Wesley / 27Wilson
SS 43Harris / 26Teal
FS 30Godfrey* / 25Salley
SPECIALISTS
P 7 Baker
PK 4Kasay / 5Lloyd
H 7 Baker
PR 84Jones
KR 84Jones / 28Stewart *
LS 56Kyle
* Rookie
OVERVIEWThe Packers, who played Monday night vs. New
Orleans, will try to keep pace in a tight race for the NFC North
when the Panthers come to town. Carolina lost its hold on the
NFC South lead last week in a 45-28 loss to the Falcons. The
Panthers have lost four of the last five meetings vs. Green Bay.
MATCHUP TO WATCH Carolina will emphasize its rushing at-
tack since Green Bays run defense has struggled all season,
giving up 147.4 yards per game and allowing at least 113 rush-
ing yards in all but three games heading into Week 12. The Pan-
thers have only lost once this season (vs. Atlanta last week)
when DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combine for
100 or more rushing yards. Surprisingly, the Packers showed
improvement against the run without injured MLB Nick Bar-
nett in Week 11, holding the Bears to 83 yards, but the Pan-
thers 1-2 punch provides a more difficult test.
BYTHE NUMBERS Steve Smiths 168 receiving yards last
week, a season high, were the most he has had in a game since
Oct. 15, 2006. He also had a season high in catches (eight).
PACKERS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Green Bay
Sept. 8 Minnesota (-2.5) 24-19
Sept. 14 At Detroit (-3) 48-25
Sept. 21 Dallas (+3) 16-27
Sept. 28 At Tampa Bay (+2) 21-30
Oct. 5 Atlanta (-5.5) 24-27
Oct. 12 At Seattle (0) 27-17
Oct. 19 Indianapolis (+2.5) 34-14
Oct. 26 BYE
Nov. 2 At Tennessee (+3.5) 16-19*
Nov. 9 At Minnesota (+2.5) 27-28
Nov. 16 Chicago (-3.5) 37-3
Nov. 24 At New Orleans
Nov. 30 Carolina
Dec. 7 Houston
Dec. 14 At Jacksonville
Dec. 22 At Chicago
Dec. 28 Detroit
* Overtime
PACKERS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 85Jennings / 82Martin
OLT 76Clifton/ 73Colledge
OLG 73Colledge / 78Barbre
C 63Wells / 72Spitz
ORG 72Spitz / 71 Sitton*
ORT 65Tauscher / 75Moll / 68Giacomini*
TE 86D. Lee / 84Humphrey / 88Finley*
WR 80Driver / 89Jones / 87 Nelson*
QB 12Rodgers / 10Flynn* / 11 Brohm*
RB 25Grant / 32Jackson/ 42Wynn
FB 35Hall / 30Kuhn
DEFENSE
DLE 74Kampman/ 57 Hunter / 93Pettway
DLT 79Pickett / 90Cole
DRT 97Jolly / 91 Harrell
DRE 99Thompson* / 96Montgomery
SLB 51 Poppinga / 54Chillar / 58Lansanah*
MLB 50Hawk / 55Bishop
WLB 54Chillar / 55Bishop
LCB 21 Woodson/ 27 Blackmon/ 22P. Lee*
RCB 31 Harris / 38Williams / 24Bush
SS 20Bigby / 37 Rouse / 24Bush
FS 36Collins / 26Peprah
SPECIALISTS
P 6Frost
PK 2Crosby
H 6Frost / 10Flynn* / 82Martin
PR 27 Blackmon/ 38Williams / 87 Nelson*
KR 27 Blackmon/ 87 Nelson* / 38Williams
LS 61 Goode* / 75Moll / 71 Sitton*
* Rookie
DOLPHINS GAME PROFILE RAMS
DOLPHINS
AT
RAMS
DOLPHINS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Miami
Sept. 7 NewYork Jets (+3) 14-20
Sept. 14 At Arizona (+6.5) 10-31
Sept. 21 At New England (+12.5) 38-13
Sept. 28 BYE
Oct. 5 San Diego (+6) 17-10
Oct. 19 Baltimore (-3) 13-27
Oct. 26 Buffalo (0) 25-16
Nov. 2 At Denver (+4) 26-17
Nov. 9 Seattle (-8) 21-19
Nov. 16 Oakland (-10) 17-15
Nov. 23 New England (+2) 28-48
Nov. 30 At St. Louis
Dec. 7 At Buffalo
Dec. 14 San Francisco
Dec. 21 At Kansas City
Dec. 28 At NewYork Jets
DOLPHINS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 19Ginn/ 15Bess* / 18Wilford
OLT 77 Long* / 76Frye
OLG 65Smiley / 61 Murphy*
C 64Satele / 57Alleman
ORG 68Ndukwe / 61 Murphy*
ORT 72Carey / 75Garner*
TE 81 Fasano / 88Martin/ 81 Haynos*
WR 83Camarillo / 17 London
QB 10Pennington/ 7 Henne* / 9Beck
RB 23Brown / 34Williams / 38Cobbs
FB 36Polite / 30Cramer
DEFENSE
DLE 70Langford* / 94Starks / 90Wright
NT 95Ferguson/ 96Soliai
DRE 91 Holliday / 97 Merling* / 71 Dotson*
OLB 55Porter / 56Anderson
LILB 52Crowder / 53Torbor
RILB 51 Ayodele / 53Torbor
OLB 98Roth/ 74Moses / 93Ninkovich
LCB 25W. Allen/ 22Lehan
RCB 21 Goodman/ 32J, Allen/ 33Jones
SS 37 Bell / 28Condren
FS 24Hill / 29Culver
SPECIALISTS
P 2Fields
PK 5Carpenter*
H 2Fields
PR 15Bess* / 19Ginn
KR 19Ginn/ 15Bess*
LS 92Denney
* Rookie
OVERVIEWDespite getting whipped by the Patriots last week,
the 6-5 Dolphins are still just a game out of wild-card position.
The Rams, on the other hand, have personified ineptitude in
losing their last five games for interim coach Jim Haslett.
MATCHUP TO WATCH If the Rams are to pull off the upset,
theyll need a big effort from their teen squadWR corps fea-
turing youngsters Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton and Derek
Stanley, along with venerable stalwart Torry Holt. Although
none can muscle for the yards in traffic, they all offer the type
of straight-line speed that has given Miamis beleaguered sec-
ondary fits. The Dolphins have played musical defensive backs
throughout the season, but no combination has proven capa-
ble of containing the big passing play. Its not just the long ball
that has crushed Miami, either, as Patriots QB Matt Cassel re-
lied on underneath routes to throw for 415 yards last week.
BYTHE NUMBERS St. Louis has been outscored 166-51 in its
five-game losing streak. Chad Pennington accounted for
four TDs last week, after totaling eight TDs the first 10 games.
RAMS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to St. Louis
Sept. 7 At Philadelphia (+8.5) 3-38
Sept. 14 NewYork Giants (+8.5) 13-41
Sept. 21 At Seattle (+8.5) 13-37
Sept. 28 Buffalo (+8.5) 14-31
Oct. 5 BYE
Oct. 12 At Washington (+11.5) 19-17
Oct. 19 Dallas (+7.5) 34-14
Oct. 26 At New England (+8.5) 16-23
Nov. 2 Arizona (+3) 13-34
Nov. 9 At NewYork Jets (+9.5) 3-47
Nov. 16 At San Francisco (+7) 16-35
Nov. 23 Chicago (+7) 3-27
Nov. 30 Miami
Dec. 7 At Arizona
Dec. 14 Seattle
Dec. 21 San Francisco
Dec. 28 At Atlanta
RAMS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 81 Holt / 89Looker
OLT 73Goldberg / 76Pace / 69Davis
OLG 63Bell / 73Goldberg / 67 Schuening*
C 60Leckey / 65Romberg
ORG 68Incognito / 79Greco*
ORT 70Barron/ 79Greco*
TE 88Klopfenstein/ 87 Becht / 46Fells
WR 17Avery* / 14Burton* / 19Stanley
QB 10Bulger / 12Green/ 13Berlin
RB 30Pittman/ 22Minor / 33Darby / 39Jackson
FB 36Kreider
DEFENSE
DLE 91 Little / 94Adeyanju
UT 90Carriker / 97 Glover
NT 95Ryan/ 90Carriker
DRE 72Long* / 96J. Hall / 92Moore
SLB 53Culberson/ 52Draft
MLB 51 Witherspoon/ 58Vobora*/ 55Stills
WLB 50Tinoisamoa / 57 Chamberlain*
LCB 24Bartell / 31 Craft / 26Hill
RCB 34F. Brown/ 20Wade
SS 25Chavous / 25Johnson
FS 21 Atogwe / 24Bartell / 41 Bassey
SPECIALISTS
P 5Jones
PK 2J. Brown
H 5Jones / 89Looker
PR 19Stanley / 89Looker
KR 19Stanley / 22Minor / 20Wade
LS 45Massey / 57 Chamberlain*
* Rookie
SAINTS GAME PROFILE BUCCANEERS
SAINTS
AT
BUCCANEERS
SAINTS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to New Orleans
Sept. 7 Tampa Bay (-3) 24-20
Sept. 14 At Washington (0) 24-29
Sept. 21 At Denver (+5.5) 32-34
Sept. 28 San Francisco (-4) 31-17
Oct. 6 Minnesota (-3) 27-30
Oct. 12 Oakland (-7) 34-3
Oct. 19 At Carolina (+3) 7-30
Oct. 26 San Diego (+3) 37-32
Nov. 2 BYE
Nov. 9 At Atlanta (+1.5) 20-34
Nov. 16 At Kansas City (-6) 30-20
Nov. 24 Green Bay
Nov. 30 At Tampa Bay
Dec. 7 Atlanta
Dec. 11 At Chicago
Dec. 21 At Detroit
Dec. 28 Carolina
SAINTS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 12Colston/ 81 Patten/ 15Roby
OLT 70Brown/ 74Bushrod
OLG 77 Nicks* / 67 Nesbit
C 76Goodwin/ 68Lehr
ORG 73Evans
ORT 78Stinchcomb/ 64Strief
TE 88Shockey / 83Miller
WR 16Moore / 19Henderson/ 17 Meachem
QB 9Brees / 11 Brunell / 3Harrington
RB 25Bush/ 26McAllister / 23P. Thomas
FB 36Barnes / 44Karney
DEFENSE
DLE 93McCray / 97 Charleston
NT 71 Clancy / 99H. Thomas
UT 98Ellis* / 96Lake
DRE 91 Smith
SLB 55Fujita / 54Evans
MLB 51 Vilma / 50Mitchell
WLB 58Shanle / 56Dunbar
LCB 31 Glenn/ 42David/ 24Torrence
RCB 20Gay / 28U. Young / 35Pittman
SS 41 Harper / 39Reis
FS 29Bullocks / 43Kaesviharn
SPECIALISTS
P 4Pakulak
PK 5Hartley
H 4Pakulak
PR 16Moore / 25Bush
KR 23P. Thomas / 15Roby
LS 47 Houser
* Rookie
OVERVIEWThe Saints topped the Bucs in the season opener
24-20, but the clubs have gone in opposite directions since
then. Tampa Bay has won 8-of-10 games since losing to New
Orleans. The Saints have hovered around the .500 mark and
need a win to get back into the NFC playoff picture.
MATCHUP TO WATCH Saints QB Drew Brees threw for 343
yards and three TDs (39, 84 and 42 yards) in Week One.
Tampa Bays secondary will need to do a better job of limiting
big plays this time around to produce a winning result. It starts
up front with DEs Kevin Carter, Gaines Adams and Greg White,
who need to get a strong push and force Brees out of his com-
fort zone. Although the Bucs have not allowed more than 247
passing yards in a game since Week One, CBs Ronde Barber
and Phillip Buchanon must keep from getting too far behind
the Saints receivers.
BYTHE NUMBERS The Bucs are 5-0 at home for the first
time in franchise history. Cadillac Williams had 16 carries for
27 yards last week in his first action since September 2007.
BUCCANEERS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Tampa Bay
Sept. 7 At New Orleans (+3) 20-24
Sept. 14 Atlanta (-7) 24-9
Sept. 21 At Chicago (+3) 27-24*
Sept. 28 Green Bay (-2) 30-21
Oct. 5 At Denver (+4) 13-16
Oct. 12 Carolina (-2) 27-3
Oct. 19 Seattle (-11.5) 20-10
Oct. 26 At Dallas (+1.5) 9-13
Nov. 2 At Kansas City (-9.5) 30-27*
Nov. 9 BYE
Nov. 16 Minnesota (-4.5) 19-13
Nov. 23 At Detroit (-7.5) 38-20
Nov. 30 New Orleans
Dec. 8 At Carolina
Dec. 14 At Atlanta
Dec. 21 San Diego
Dec. 28 Oakland
* Overtime
BUCCANEERS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 89A. Bryant / 84Galloway / 10D. Jackson*
OLT 70Penn
OLG 78Sears / 76Zuttah*
C 52Faine / 79Mahan
ORG 75Joseph/ 76Zuttah*
ORT 65Trueblood/ 79Lee
TE 81 A. Smith/ 88Gilmore / 86Stevens
WR 80Clayton/ 19Hilliard
QB 7 Garcia / 12McCown/ 8Griese
RB 28Dunn/ 24Williams / 22C. Smith*
FB 35Askew/ 33Cook
DEFENSE
DLE 93Carter / 91 White
DLT 95Hovan/ 96Peterson
DRT 71 Haye / 98Sims
DRE 90Adams / 97Wilkerson
SLB 59June / 58Black
MLB 51 Ruud/ 57 Hayward
WLB 55Brooks / 50McCoy
LCB 31 Buchanon/ 25Talib*
RCB 20Barber / 43Mack*
SS 21 Piscitelli / 30Nicholson
FS 36T. Jackson/ 26Allen
SPECIALISTS
P 9Bidwell
PK 3M. Bryant
H 9Bidwell
PR 22C. Smith* / 19Hilliard
KR 22C. Smith*
LS 48Economos
* Rookie
GAME PREVIEWS
WEEK 13
BRONCOS GAME PROFILE JETS
BRONCOS
AT
JETS
BRONCOS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Denver
Sept. 8 At Oakland (-3) 41-14
Sept. 14 San Diego (-1) 39-38
Sept. 21 New Orleans (-5.5) 34-32
Sept. 28 At Kansas City (-9) 19-33
Oct. 5 Tampa Bay (-4) 16-13
Oct. 12 Jacksonville (-3.5) 17-24
Oct. 20 At New England (+3) 7-41
Oct. 26 BYE
Nov. 2 Miami (-4) 17-26
Nov. 16 At Atlanta (+6.5) 24-20
Nov. 23 Oakland (-8) 10-31
Nov. 30 At NewYork Jets
Dec. 7 Kansas City
Dec. 14 At Carolina
Dec. 21 Buffalo
Dec. 28 At San Diego
BRONCOS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 15Marshall / 82D. Jackson
OLT 78Clady* / 76Polumbus*
OLG 50Hamilton/ 67 Lichtensteiger*
C 62Wiegmann/ 67 Lichtensteiger*
ORG 73Kuper / 67 Lichtensteiger*
ORT 74Harris
TE 89Graham/ 88Scheffler / 85Mustard
WR 19Royal* / 14Stokley / 16C. Jackson
QB 6Cutler / 4Hackney
RB 48Hillis* / 35Young / 31 Pope
FB 46Larsen* / 48Hillis*
DEFENSE
DLE 91 Ekuban/ 60Engelberger / 96Crowder
DLT 63Robertson/ 90Peterson
DRT 79Thomas / 93Clemons / 95Shaw
DRE 92Dumervil / 94Moss
SLB 51 Winborn/ 52Green
MLB 46Larsen/ 53Koutouvides / 58Webster
WLB 59Woodyard* / 55D. Williams
LCB 34Bell* / 41 Paymah/ 24C. Bailey
RCB 32Bly / 26J. Williams*
SS 33Manuel / 39Fox
FS 37 Lowry / 20McCree / 43Rogers
SPECIALISTS
P 1 Kern*
PK 5Prater
H 1 Kern*
PR 19Royal*
KR 19Royal*
LS 83Leach
* Rookie
OVERVIEWWatch out, NFL! The Jets, who fattened up on free
agents and trade acquisitions in the offseason, are reaping the
rewards of their spending spree. The latest victim in their five-
game winning streak was the previously unbeaten Titans. The
schizophrenic Broncos, who were abysmal in a loss to the
Raiders last week after an impressive win in Atlanta, are hop-
ing to avoid the buzzsaw efficiency the Jets are operating with.
MATCHUP TO WATCH One of the few areas where the Jets
are vulnerable is the deep secondary. Although recently signed
veteran CB Ty Law adds physicality on the back end, he doesnt
have the speed to keep up with jitterbug WR Eddie Royal. Laws
best in man-press situations, but the problem is that if Royal
beats the initial jam, he could be in line for some long gains be-
cause: (1) Jay Cutler has the rifle arm to make the downfield
throws, and (2) SS Kerry Rhodes is often deployed in the box
and FS Abram Elam lacks good spatial awareness.
BYTHE NUMBERS Jets RBs Thomas Jones and Leon Wash-
ington have rushed for 503 yards the past three weeks.
Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008 4:15 p.m. ET
JETS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to NewYork
Sept. 7 At Miami (-3) 20-14
Sept. 14 New England (+1) 10-19
Sept. 22 At San Diego (+8) 29-48
Sept. 28 Arizona (-1) 56-35
Oct. 5 BYE
Oct. 12 Cincinnati (-9.5) 26-14
Oct. 19 At Oakland (-3) 13-16*
Oct. 26 Kansas City (-14) 28-24
Nov. 2 At Buffalo (+5) 26-17
Nov. 9 St. Louis (-9.5) 47-3
Nov. 13 At New England (+3) 34-31*
Nov. 23 At Tennessee (+5.5) 34-13
Nov. 30 Denver
Dec. 7 At San Francisco
Dec. 14 Buffalo
Dec. 21 At Seattle
Dec. 28 Miami
* Overtime
JETS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 87 Coles / 16B. Smith/ 15Wright
OLT 60Ferguson/ 78Hunter
OLG 66Faneca / 68Montgomery
C 74Mangold/ 75Turner
ORG 65Moore / 75Turner
ORT 67Woody / 78Hunter
TE 86Baker / 81 Keller* / 88Franks
WR 89Cotchery / 83Stuckey / 17 Clowney
QB 4Favre / 11 Clemens / 5Ratliff
RB 20Jones / 29Washington/ 26Mason
FB 49Richardson
DEFENSE
DLE 92Ellis / 70DeVito
NT 77Jenkins / 91 Pouha
DRE 93K. Coleman/ 69Mosley
LOLB 99Thomas / 56Gholston*
LILB 50Barton/ 57Trusnik
RILB 96Bowens / 52Harris / 53Spencer
ROLB 97 Pace / 94Murrell
LCB 24Revis / 31 Poteat / 30D. Coleman
RCB 22Law/ 34Lowery* / 31 Carroll
SS 27 Elam/ 33E. Smith/ 36Barrett
FS 25Rhodes / 44Ihedigbo
SPECIALISTS
P 6Hodges
PK 3Feely / 1 Nugent
H 6Hodges
PR 29Washington/ 34Lowery*
KR 29Washington/ 21 Miller
LS 85Dearth
* Rookie
FALCONS GAME PROFILE CHARGERS
FALCONS
AT
CHARGERS
FALCONS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Atlanta
Sept. 7 Detroit (+3) 34-21
Sept. 14 At Tampa Bay (+7) 9-24
Sept. 21 Kansas City (-6) 38-14
Sept. 28 At Carolina (+7) 9-24
Oct. 5 At Green Bay (+5.5) 27-24
Oct. 12 Chicago (+3) 22-20
Oct. 19 BYE
Oct. 26 At Philadelphia (+9.5) 14-27
Nov. 2 At Oakland (-3) 24-0
Nov. 9 New Orleans (-1.5) 34-20
Nov. 16 Denver (-6.5) 20-24
Nov. 23 Carolina (0) 45-28
Nov. 30 At San Diego
Dec. 7 At New Orleans
Dec. 14 Tampa Bay
Dec. 21 At Minnesota
Dec. 28 St. Louis
FALCONS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 12Jenkins / 19Robinson
OLT 74Weiner / 76Ojinnaka / 72Baker*
OLG 63Blalock / 67Wilkerson
C 62McClure / 69Stepanovich/ 67Wilkerson
ORG 73Dahl / 77 Clabo
ORT 77 Clabo / 74Weiner
TE 89Hartsock / 87 Peelle
WR 84White / 83Douglas* / 86Finneran
QB 2Ryan* / 8Redman/ 3Shockley
RB 33Turner / 32Norwood/ 44Snelling
FB 34Mughelli
DEFENSE
DLE 98J. Anderson/ 75Fraser
NT 91 G. Jackson/ 99Jefferson
UT 95Babineaux / 94Moorehead
DRE 55Abraham/ 92Davis
SLB 59Boley / 54Nicholas
MLB 50Lofton* / 51 Gilbert
WLB 56Brooking / 52Wire
LCB 24Foxworth/ 20Grimes / 22C. Jackson*
RCB 23Houston/ 30Irons
SS 36Milloy / 41 Harris
FS 26Coleman/ 28DeCoud*
SPECIALISTS
P 9Koenen
PK 1 Elam
H 9Koenen
PR 83Douglas*
KR 32Norwood
LS 46Schneck
* Rookie
OVERVIEWThe NFLs surprise team of 08, Atlanta picked up
a huge 45-28 victory last week over the Panthers, thanks
largely to RB Michael Turners four rushing touchdowns. The
Falcons now sit just one game out in the competitive NFC
South. Meanwhile, the Chargers suffered their second straight
last-minute loss, falling 23-20 to the Colts on a field goal with
no time remaining. That defeat leaves San Diego with an uphill
climb to catch the first-place Broncos in the final month.
MATCHUP TO WATCH Finally out of the shadow of LaDainian
Tomlinson, Turner takes on his former team for the first time.
The Burner is having a terrific season, but he has only one
TD on the road, and hell run into monster NTJamal Williams
on Sunday. Watching the hard-charging runner take on the im-
movable object should be fun. Itll also be interesting to see if
L.T. and Turner try to one-up each other on the stat sheet.
BYTHE NUMBERS Atlanta is 6-0 when Turner rushes for at
least 96 yards and 1-3 when QB Matt Ryan throws an INT.
The Bolts seven losses have been by an average of four points.
Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008 4:05 p.m. ET
CHARGERS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to San Diego
Sept. 7 Carolina (-9) 24-26
Sept. 14 At Denver (+1) 38-39
Sept. 22 NewYork Jets (-8) 48-29
Sept. 28 At Oakland (-8.5) 28-18
Oct. 5 At Miami (-6) 10-17
Oct. 12 New England (-6) 30-10
Oct. 19 At Buffalo (0) 14-23
Oct. 26 At New Orleans (-3) 32-37
Nov. 2 BYE
Nov. 9 Kansas City (-15) 20-19
Nov. 16 At Pittsburgh (+4.5) 10-11
Nov. 23 Indianapolis (-3) 20-23
Nov. 30 Atlanta
Dec. 4 Oakland
Dec. 14 At Kansas City
Dec. 21 At Tampa Bay
Dec. 28 Denver
CHARGERS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 89Chambers / 80Floyd
OLT 73McNeill / 70Shelton
OLG 68Dielman/ 63Mruczkowski / 67 Forney
C 61 Hardwick / 62Newberry
ORG 79Goff / 63Mruczkowski
ORT 66Clary / 70Shelton/ 75Clark*
TE 85Gates / 86Manumaleuna / 88Wilson
WR 83Jackson/ 11 Naanee / 81 Osgood
QB 17 Rivers / 7Volek / 6Whitehurst
RB 21 Tomlinson/ 43Sproles / 29Bennett
FB 35Tolbert* / 22Hester*
DEFENSE
DLE 99Olshansky / 97 Bingham
NT 76Williams / 97 Bingham/ 98Scott
DRE 93Castillo / 74Cesaire / 96Grennan
OLB 95Phillips / 92Harris / 90Applewhite
ILB 54Cooper / 53Waters
ILB 51 Dobbins / 57Wilhelm/ 59Siler
OLB 94Tucker / 92Harris / 90Applewhite
LCB 23Jammer / 24Gordon
RCB 31 Cromartie / 20Cason*
SS 42Hart / 28Gregory
FS 32Weddle / 27 Oliver
SPECIALISTS
P 5Scifres
PK 10Kaeding
H 5Scifres
PR 43Sproles / 31 Cromartie
KR 43Sproles / 31 Cromartie
LS 50Binn
* Rookie
STEELERS GAME PROFILE PATRIOTS
STEELERS
AT
PATRIOTS
STEELERS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Pittsburgh
Sept. 7 Houston (-6.5) 38-17
Sept. 14 At Cleveland (-7) 10-6
Sept. 21 At Philadelphia (+3.5) 6-15
Sept. 29 Baltimore (-6) 23-20*
Oct. 5 At Jacksonville (+5.5) 26-21
Oct. 12 BYE
Oct. 19 At Cincinnati (-8.5) 38-10
Oct. 26 NewYork Giants (-2.5) 14-21
Nov. 3 At Washington (+2.5) 23-6
Nov. 9 Indianapolis (-3.5) 20-24
Nov. 16 San Diego (-4.5) 11-10
Nov. 20 Cincinnati (-12) 27-10
Nov. 30 At New England
Dec. 7 Dallas
Dec. 14 At Baltimore
Dec. 21 At Tennessee
Dec. 28 Cleveland
* Overtime
STEELERS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
SE 86Ward/ 85Washington
OLT 78Starks / 79Essex / 66Hills* / 77 M. Smith
OLG 68Kemoeatu/ 79Essex
C 62Hartwig / 72Stapleton
ORG 72Stapleton/ 79Essex
ORT 74Colon/ 78Starks / 79Essex / 65Parquet
TE 83Miller / 89Spaeth/ 49McHugh
FL 10Holmes / 14Sweed*
QB 7 Roethlisberger / 4Leftwich/ 2Dixon*
RB 39Parker / 21 Moore / 33Russell
FB 38Davis
DEFENSE
DLE 91 Aa. Smith/ 90Kirschke / 96Roye
NT 98Hampton/ 76Hoke
DRE 99Keisel / 93Eason
LOLB 56Woodley / 53Davis*
LILB 51 Farrior / 57 Fox
RILB 50Foote / 94Timmons
ROLB 92Harrison/ 54Frazier / 55Bailey*
LCB 24Taylor / 31 Bryant / 30Lewis* / 26Townsend
RCB 22Gay / 37 Madison/ 20McFadden
SS 43Polamalu/ 23Carter
FS 25Clark / 23Carter / 27An. Smith
SPECIALISTS
P 5Ernster
PK 3Reed
H 5Ernster
PR 10Holmes
KR 21 Moore
LS 61 Retkofsky
* Rookie
OVERVIEWAlthough they havent won consecutive games
since Oct. 26, the Patriots have been piling on the points re-
cently. After dismantling the home-standing Dolphins by 20,
they take on another club gearing for a playoff push in the AFC
North-leading Steelers. This will be the Steelers first road
game in nearly a month, but they have had a week and a half
to prepare for it after beating the Bengals on Nov. 20.
MATCHUP TO WATCH Matt Cassel has been on a tear, but he
hasnt faced a defense that does as much to throw QBs into a
bind as the Steelers do. The two issues to keep an eye on are:
(1) how Cassel responds to defensive coordinator Dick
LeBeaus zone blitz, as OLBs James Harrison and LaMarr
Woodley crashing off the edge are enough to worry about
without also dealing with D-linemen dropping into coverage,
and (2) how Cassel accounts for safety and ex-USC teammate
Troy Polamalu, who lines up throughout the formation.
BYTHE NUMBERS Cassel is the first player to throw for 400
yards in consecutive games since Billy Volek in December 04.
Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008 4:15 p.m. ET
PATRIOTS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to New England
Sept. 7 Kansas City (-16) 17-10
Sept. 14 At NewYork Jets (-1) 19-10
Sept. 21 Miami (-12.5) 13-38
Sept. 28 BYE
Oct. 5 At San Francisco (-3) 30-21
Oct. 12 At San Diego (+6) 10-30
Oct. 20 Denver (-3) 41-7
Oct. 26 St. Louis (-8.5) 23-16
Nov. 2 At Indianapolis (+6.5) 15-18
Nov. 9 Buffalo (-3.5) 20-10
Nov. 13 NewYork Jets (-3) 31-34*
Nov. 23 At Miami (-2) 48-28
Nov. 30 Pittsburgh
Dec. 7 At Seattle
Dec. 14 At Oakland
Dec. 21 Arizona
Dec. 28 At Buffalo
* Overtime
PATRIOTS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 83Welker / 10Gaffney / 15Washington
OLT 72Light / 65Britt / 64LeVoir
OLG 70Mankins / 71 Hochstein
C 67 Koppen/ 64LeVoir
ORG 61 Neal / 74Yates / 64LeVoir
ORT 77 Kaczur / 65Britt
TE 84Watson/ 86Thomas
WR 81 Moss / 18Slater*
QB 16Cassel / 5OConnell* / 7 Gutierrez
RB 42Green-Ellis* / 33Faulk / 34Morris
FB 44Evans / 32Jordan
DEFENSE
DLE 94Warren/ 99Wright
NT 75Wilfork / 90Smith
DRE 93Seymour / 97 Green
LOLB 50Vrabel / 58Woods
LILB 51 Mayo* / 59Guyton*
RILB 54Bruschi / 49Redd* / 53Izzo
ROLB 58Woods / 96Thomas
LCB 27 Hobbs / 29L. Sanders / 22Wheatley*
RCB 21 ONeal / 24Wilhite* / 23Webster
SS 31 Meriweather / 41 Ventrone
FS 36J. Sanders / 31 Meriweather
SPECIALISTS
P 6Hanson
PK 3Gostkowski
H 6Hanson
PR 33Faulk / 83Welker
KR 27 Hobbs / 18Slater*
LS 66Paxton
* Rookie
GAME PREVIEWS
WEEK 13
CHIEFS GAME PROFILE RAIDERS
CHIEFS
AT
RAIDERS
CHIEFS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Kansas City
Sept. 7 At New England (+16) 10-17
Sept. 14 Oakland (-3.5) 8-23
Sept. 21 At Atlanta (+6) 14-38
Sept. 28 Denver (+9) 33-19
Oct. 5 At Carolina (+9.5) 0-34
Oct. 12 BYE
Oct. 19 Tennessee (+8.5) 10-34
Oct. 26 At NewYork Jets (+14) 24-28
Nov. 2 Tampa Bay (+9.5) 27-30*
Nov. 9 At San Diego (+15) 19-20
Nov. 16 New Orleans (+6) 20-30
Nov. 23 Buffalo (+3) 31-54
Nov. 30 At Oakland
Dec. 7 At Denver
Dec. 14 San Diego
Dec. 21 Miami
Dec. 28 At Cincinnati
* Overtime
CHIEFS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 82Bowe / 85Franklin* / 14Robinson*
OLT 76Albert* / 75Taylor / 71 Carnahan
OLG 54Waters / 74W. Smith
C 64Niswanger / 74W. Smith
ORG 73Jones / 74W. Smith
ORT 77 McIntosh/ 75Taylor / 67 Richardson*
TE 88Gonzalez / 87 Cottam* / 45Merritt*
WR 83Bradley / 81 Darling / 80Webb
QB 4Thigpen/ 8Gray
RB 27 L. Johnson/ 25Charles* / 26Battle
FB 42Cox*
DEFENSE
DLE 91 Hali / 94Babin/ 92Gilberry*
DLT 93Tyler / 70Boone / 95R. Edwards
DRT 72Dorsey* / 95R. Edwards
DRE 70Boone / 92Gilberry* / 96Studebaker*
SLB 59D. Edwards / 53Williams / 50Boiman
MLB 55Thomas / 57 Dacus*
WLB 56D. Johnson/ 50Boiman/ 52Gatewood*
LCB 39Carr* / 23Surtain/ 34Macklin
RCB 24Flowers* / 31 Leggett* / 30Colclough
SS 49Pollard/ 38Morgan* / 35Celestin
FS 44Page / 47 McGraw
SPECIALISTS
P 2Colquitt
PK 5Barth*
H 2Colquitt
PR 14Robinson* / 25Charles*
KR 14Robinson* / 25Charles*
LS 48Gafford
* Rookie
OVERVIEWAfter hanging tight with their past four opponents,
things were looking up for the Chiefs until last week. A
struggling Bills team came into K.C. and walked away with a
54-31 victory, dominating the Chiefs both on the ground and
through the air. Ironically, the exact opposite happened to the
Raiders, who were on a four-game skid before going into Den-
ver and beating the AFC West-leading Broncos 31-10. It was
Oaklands most complete effort of 08, as QB JaMarcus Rus-
sell completed 10-of-11 passes and the D gave up one TD.
MATCHUP TO WATCH For the first time in a while, Raiders RB
Darren McFadden came alive last Sunday with two TDs. Those
were the rookies first scores since Week Two, when he torched
the Chiefs for 21-164-1. In order to slow him down, Chiefs first-
round pick DT Glenn Dorsey will need to control the line of
scrimmage, something he has failed to do much this season.
BYTHE NUMBERS The 54 points K.C. allowed last week were
the most in team history, and its 462 offensive yards were a
season high. K.C. has won its last five games in Oakland.
Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008 4:15 p.m. ET
RAIDERS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Oakland
Sept. 8 Denver (+3) 14-41
Sept. 14 At Kansas City (+3.5) 23-8
Sept. 21 At Buffalo (+10) 23-24
Sept. 28 San Diego (+8.5) 18-28
Oct. 5 BYE
Oct. 12 At New Orleans (+7) 3-34
Oct. 19 NewYork Jets (+3) 16-13*
Oct. 26 At Baltimore (+8) 10-29
Nov. 2 Atlanta (+3) 0-24
Nov. 9 Carolina (+10) 6-17
Nov. 16 At Miami (+10) 15-17
Nov. 23 At Denver (+8) 31-10
Nov. 30 Kansas City
Dec. 4 At San Diego
Dec. 14 New England
Dec. 21 Houston
Dec. 28 At Tampa Bay
* Overtime
RAIDERS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 87 Lelie / 15Higgins / 84Walker
OLT 77 Harris / 75Henderson
OLG 76Gallery
C 71 Wade / 64Grove / 51 Morris
ORG 66Carlisle
ORT 74Green
TE 80Z. Miller / 86Stewart
WR 81 Schilens / 89Curry / 19Watkins
QB 2Russell / 16Walter / 8Tuiasosopo
RB 25Fargas / 20McFadden* / 29Bush
FB 44Lawton
DEFENSE
DLE 58Edwards / 56Burgess / 91 Scott*
DLT 93Kelly / 90Sands
DRT 61 Warren/ 90Sands
DRE 98Richardson
SLB 54Williams / 57 Brown
MLB 52Morrison
WLB 53Howard/ 55Alston
LCB 21 Asomugha / 32Waddell
RCB 26Routt / 37Johnson
SS 28Wilson/ 33Branch*
FS 31 Eugene / 24Huff
SPECIALISTS
P 9Lechler
PK 11 Janikowski
H 9Lechler
PR 15Higgins
KR 15Higgins / 22J. Miller
LS 59Condo
* Rookie
BEARS GAME PROFILE VIKINGS
BEARS
AT
VIKINGS
BEARS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Chicago
Sept. 7 At Indianapolis (+10.5) 29-13
Sept. 14 At Carolina (+3) 17-20
Sept. 21 Tampa Bay (-3) 24-27*
Sept. 28 Philadelphia (+3) 24-20
Oct. 5 At Detroit (-3.5) 34-7
Oct. 12 At Atlanta (-3) 20-22
Oct. 19 Minnesota (-3) 48-41
Oct. 26 BYE
Nov. 2 Detroit (-12.5) 27-23
Nov. 9 Tennessee (+3) 14-21
Nov. 16 At Green Bay (+3.5) 3-37
Nov. 23 At St. Louis (-7) 27-3
Nov. 30 At Minnesota
Dec. 7 Jacksonville
Dec. 11 New Orleans
Dec. 22 Green Bay
Dec. 28 At Houston
* Overtime
BEARS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 81 R. Davis / 23Hester / 85Bennett*
OLT 78St. Clair / 74C. Williams*
OLG 67 Beekman/ 72Buenning
C 57 Kreutz
ORG 63Garza / 72Buenning
ORT 76Tait / 74C. Williams*
TE 88Clark / 82Olsen/ 87 K. Davis*
WR 80Lloyd/ 86Booker / 84Rideau
QB 18Orton/ 8Grossman/ 12Hanie*
RB 22Fort* / 27Jones / 29Peterson/ 25Wolfe
FB 37 McKie
DEFENSE
DLE 93Ogunleye / 71 Idonije / 99Baldwin*
DT 91 Harris / 94Harrison*
NT 98Dvoracek / 95A. Adams / 75Toeaina
DRE 96A. Brown/ 97Anderson
WLB 55Briggs / 52J. Williams / 90LaRocque*
MLB 54Urlacher / 53Roach
SLB 53Roach/ 92Hillenmeyer / 58McClover
LCB 33Tillman/ 21 Graham
RCB 31 Vasher / 26McBride / 24 Hamilton
SS 30M. Brown/ 20Steltz*
FS 44Payne / 38D. Manning
SPECIALISTS
P 4Maynard
PK 9Gould
H 4Maynard
PR 23Hester / 31 Vasher / 85Bennett*
KR 38D. Manning / 23Hester / 81 R. Davis
LS 65Mannelly / 82Olsen/ 88Clark
* Rookie
OVERVIEWThe Bears had no problem pasting the Rams in a
27-3 road victory that enabled them to keep pace with Min-
nesota atop the NFC North. RB Matt Fort (132 yards rushing,
two TDs) spearheaded a 201-yard rushing attack, while
Chicagos defense pitched in with a season-high five sacks. The
Vikings turned a pair of takeaways into a 14-0 lead in the first
1:41 and never looked back in a 30-12 road win over the
Jaguars. The Bears outlasted the Vikings 48-41 in a Week
Seven barn burner without the services of starting CBs Charles
Tillman and Nate Vasher and nickel back Danieal Manning.
Check the status of Vasher and SS Mike Brown, who suffered
thumb and leg injuries, respectively, against the Rams.
MATCHUP TO WATCH Chicagos LB corps, led by Brian
Urlacher and Lance Briggs (combined three interceptions vs.
Rams), must keep Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (423 rushing
yards, seven TDs in three career games vs. the Bears) in check.
BYTHE NUMBERS The Bears have 14 takeaways in the last
five games, including five against Minnesota in Week Seven.
Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008 8:15 p.m. ET
VIKINGS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Minnesota
Sept. 8 At Green Bay (+2.5) 19-24
Sept. 14 Indianapolis (+1.5) 15-18
Sept. 21 Carolina (-3) 20-10
Sept. 28 At Tennessee (+3.5) 17-30
Oct. 6 At New Orleans (+3) 30-27
Oct. 12 Detroit (-13) 12-10
Oct. 19 At Chicago (+3) 41-48
Oct. 26 BYE
Nov. 2 Houston (-5.5) 28-21
Nov. 9 Green Bay (-2.5) 28-27
Nov. 16 At Tampa Bay (+4.5) 13-19
Nov. 23 At Jacksonville (+2) 30-12
Nov. 30 Chicago
Dec. 7 At Detroit
Dec. 14 At Arizona
Dec. 21 Atlanta
Dec. 28 NewYork Giants
VIKINGS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 87 Berrian/ 89Ferguson
OLT 74McKinnie
OLG 76Hutchinson/ 79Hicks
C 78Birk / 65Sullivan*
ORG 64Herrera
ORT 62Cook / 72M. Johnson
TE 81 Shiancoe / 40Kleinsasser / 45Mills
WR 18Rice / 19Wade / 84Allison
QB 12Frerotte / 7T. Jackson/ 4Booty*
RB 28Peterson/ 29Taylor / 43Hicks
FB 38Tahi / 83Dugan
DEFENSE
DLE 91 Edwards / 73Grigsby
NT 94P. Williams / 90Evans
UT 93K. Williams / 97Wyms / 98Guion*
DRE 69Allen/ 96Robison
SLB 52Greenway / 50Er. Henderson
MLB 99Harris / 54Ciurciu/ 58Herron
WLB 51 Leber / 55Thomas
LCB 26Winfield/ 21 McCauley
RCB 23Griffin/ 41 Gordon/ 22Sapp
SS 42Sharper / 39Abdullah
FS 20M. Williams / 25T. Johnson* / 37 Frampton
SPECIALISTS
P 5Kluwe
PK 8Longwell
H 5Kluwe / 12Frerotte
PR 41 Gordon/ 84Allison
KR 29Taylor / 43M. Hicks / 84Allison
LS 46Loeffler
* Rookie
JAGUARS GAME PROFILE TEXANS
JAGUARS
AT
TEXANS
JAGUARS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Jacksonville
Sept. 7 At Tennessee (-3) 10-17
Sept. 14 Buffalo (-4.5) 16-20
Sept. 21 At Indianapolis (+4.5) 23-21
Sept. 28 Houston (-7) 30-27*
Oct. 5 Pittsburgh (-5.5) 21-26
Oct. 12 At Denver (+3.5) 24-17
Oct. 19 BYE
Oct. 26 Cleveland (-7) 17-23
Nov. 2 At Cincinnati (-7) 19-21
Nov. 9 At Detroit (-6.5) 38-14
Nov. 16 Tennessee (+2.5) 14-24
Nov. 23 Minnesota (-2) 12-30
Dec. 1 At Houston
Dec. 7 At Chicago
Dec. 14 Green Bay
Dec. 18 Indianapolis
Dec. 28 At Baltimore
* Overtime
JAGUARS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 18M. Jones / 80Porter / 86Northcutt
OLT 69Barnes / 72Spencer
OLG 77 Nwaneri / 78Reyes
C 63Meester / 62Norman/ 77 Nwaneri
ORG 64Brown/ 61 Miller
ORT 79Pashos / 72Spencer
TE 89Lewis / 83Estandia / 85Angulo
WR 11 R. Williams / 84Williamson/ 81 Walker
QB 9Garrard/ 17 Lemon
RB 28Taylor / 32Jones-Drew/ 34Washington*
FB 33G. Jones / 24Owens
DEFENSE
DLE 95Spicer / 93Groves*
DLT 92Meier / 66Landri
DRT 98Henderson/ 96McDaniel / 73Kennedy
DRE 97 Hayward/ 91 Harvey*
SLB 51 Ingram/ 52Smith/ 59Iwuh
MLB 52Smith/ 54Peterson/ 53T. Williams
WLB 56Durant / 59Iwuh
LCB 27 Mathis / 26Lowe / 36Gardner*
RCB 21 Florence / 22James / 38Witherspoon*
SS 29B. Williams / 43Sensabaugh
FS 25Nelson/ 20Prioleau
SPECIALISTS
P 3Podlesh
PK 10Scobee
H 3Podlesh
PR 38Witherspoon* / 86Northcutt
KR 38Witherspoon* / 32Jones-Drew
LS 88Zelenka
* Rookie
OVERVIEWBoth teams are all but out of playoff contention,
but at least Houston can take something positive away from
its latest game. The Texans defense led the way in Houstons
16-6 win at Cleveland in Week 12, forcing five Browns turnovers
and limiting the Browns to only 13 completions out of 32 pass
attempts. The Jaguars are reeling after committing five
turnovers in a loss to Minnesota.
MATCHUP TO WATCH In the first matchup between the
teams, Jaguars QB David Garrard rushed for 41 yards on seven
carries, with most of his work on the ground coming late in the
game. Garrard doesnt look to run all that often, but hell tuck
the ball and go if a lane opens. Texans MLB DeMeco Ryans
comes off a very good game vs. the Browns and will be called
upon to bring down Garrard if he takes off and runs. There
may be some instances when Garrard has no choice but to
run; hes been sacked four times in each of the last two games.
BYTHE NUMBERS This is the Texans first-ever appearance
on Monday Night Football.
Monday, Dec. 1, 2008 8:30 p.m. ET
TEXANS SCHEDULE
Point spread refers to Houston
Sept. 7 At Pittsburgh (+6.5) 17-38
Sept. 14 BYE
Sept. 21 At Tennessee (+5) 12-31
Sept. 28 At Jacksonville (+7) 27-30*
Oct. 5 Indianapolis (+4) 27-31
Oct. 12 Miami (-3) 29-28
Oct. 19 Detroit (-11) 28-21
Oct. 26 Cincinnati (-9) 35-6
Nov. 2 At Minnesota (+5.5) 21-28
Nov. 16 At Indianapolis (+7.5) 27-33
Dec. 1 Jacksonville
Dec. 7 At Green Bay
Dec. 14 Tennessee
Dec. 21 At Oakland
Dec. 28 Chicago
* Overtime
TEXANS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
WR 80A. Johnson/ 11 Davis
OLT 76D. Brown* / 74Salaam
OLG 69Pitts / 64Studdard
C 55Myers / 63White / 65Brisiel
ORG 65Brisiel / 63White
ORT 73Winston/ 78Butler
TE 81 Daniels / 87 Bruener / 85Dreessen
WR 83Walter / 12Jones / 89Anderson
QB 18Rosenfels / 16Nall / 8Schaub
RB 20Slaton* / 30Green/ 21 Moats
FB 44Leach/ 37 Sapp
DEFENSE
DLE 98Weaver / 93Bulman/ 72Nading*
DLT 91 Okoye / 66De. Robinson
DRT 99T. Johnson/ 92Zgonina / 97 Okam*
DRE 90Williams / 93Bulman/ 72Nading*
SLB 57 Bentley / 52Adibi* / 51 Thompson
MLB 59Ryans / 57 Bentley
WLB 56Greenwood/ 52Adibi* / 53Coley
LCB 35Reeves / 32Bennett / 28Molden*
RCB 23Robinson/ 38Faggins
SS 25Ferguson/ 31 Harrison/ 34Barber*
FS 26Wilson/ 47 Demps
SPECIALISTS
P 1 Turk
PK 3K. Brown
H 1 Turk / 18Rosenfels
PR 12Jones / 89Anderson / 20Slaton*
KR 11 Davis / 12Jones / 20Slaton*
LS 48Pittman
* Rookie
NFL STANDINGS
WEEK 12
EAST W L T PCT PF PA DIVISION CONF
New York Jets 8 3 0 .727 323 234 3 1 0 6 3 0
New England 7 4 0 .636 267 222 3 2 0 5 4 0
Miami 6 5 0 .545 237 245 2 2 0 5 4 0
Buffalo 6 5 0 .545 273 249 0 3 0 4 4 0
NORTH W L T PCT PF PA DIVISION CONF
Pittsburgh 8 3 0 .727 236 160 4 0 0 7 1 0
Baltimore 7 4 0 .636 258 187 3 1 0 6 3 0
Cleveland 4 7 0 .364 207 237 1 3 0 3 5 0
Cincinnati 1 9 1 .136 148 276 0 4 0 1 7 0
SOUTH W L T PCT PF PA DIVISION CONF
Tennessee 10 1 0 .909 257 165 4 0 0 7 1 0
Indianapolis 7 4 0 .636 247 244 2 2 0 6 2 0
Jacksonville 4 7 0 .364 224 240 2 2 0 3 6 0
Houston 4 7 0 .364 252 293 0 4 0 3 6 0
WEST W L T PCT PF PA DIVISION CONF
Denver 6 5 0 .545 258 302 2 2 0 3 5 0
San Diego 4 7 0 .364 274 252 2 1 0 4 5 0
Oakland 3 8 0 .273 159 245 2 2 0 3 5 0
Kansas City 1 10 0 .091 196 327 1 2 0 1 6 0
EAST W L T PCT PF PA DIVISION CONF
New York Giants 10 1 0 .909 329 199 3 0 0 7 0 0
Washington 7 4 0 .636 201 199 2 2 0 6 3 0
Dallas 7 4 0 .636 265 251 2 2 0 5 4 0
Philadelphia 5 5 1 .500 271 229 0 3 0 4 4 0
NORTH W L T PCT PF PA DIVISION CONF
Chicago 6 5 0 .545 267 234 3 1 0 5 4 0
Minnesota 6 5 0 .545 253 246 2 2 0 4 3 0
Green Bay* 5 5 0 .500 274 209 3 1 0 4 4 0
Detroit 0 11 0 .000 193 346 0 4 0 0 9 0
SOUTH W L T PCT PF PA DIVISION CONF
Tampa Bay 8 3 0 .727 257 180 2 1 0 7 2 0
Carolina 8 3 0 .727 250 200 2 2 0 5 3 0
Atlanta 7 4 0 .636 276 226 2 2 0 5 3 0
New Orleans* 5 5 0 .500 266 249 1 2 0 2 4 0
WEST W L T PCT PF PA DIVISION CONF
Arizona 7 4 0 .636 318 265 4 0 0 5 3 0
San Francisco 3 8 0 .273 252 310 2 3 0 3 7 0
Seattle 2 9 0 .182 207 277 2 2 0 2 7 0
St. Louis 2 9 0 .182 147 344 0 3 0 2 6 0
* Monday-night game not included
NFC AFC
WEEK 12 RESULTS
Pittsburgh 27, Cincinnati 10 (Thur.)
Baltimore 36, Philadelphia 7
Houston 16, Cleveland 6
Dallas 35, San Francisco 22
Tampa Bay 38, Detroit 20
Minnesota 30, Jacksonville 12
Buffalo 54, Kansas City 31
New England 48, Miami 28
Chicago 27, St. Louis 3
New York Jets 34, Tennessee 13
Oakland 31, Denver 10
New York Giants 37, Arizona 29
Washington 20, Seattle 17
Atlanta 45, Carolina 28
Indianapolis 23, San Diego 20
Green Bay at New Orleans (Mon.)
WEEK 13 MATCHUPS
ALLTIMES EASTERN
Tennessee at Detroit, 12:30 p.m. (Thur.)
Seattle at Dallas, 4:15 p.m. (Thur.)
Arizona at Philadelphia, 8:15 p.m. (Thur.)
Baltimore at Cincinnati, 1:00 p.m.
Carolina at Green Bay, 1:00 p.m.
Indianapolis at Cleveland, 1:00 p.m.
Miami at St. Louis, 1:00 p.m.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1:00 p.m.
New York Giants at Washington, 1:00 p.m.
San Francisco at Buffalo, 1:00 p.m.
Atlanta at San Diego, 4:05 p.m.
Denver at New York Jets, 4:15 p.m.
Kansas City at Oakland, 4:15 p.m.
Pittsburgh at New England, 4:15 p.m.
Chicago at Minnesota, 8:15 p.m.
Jacksonville at Houston, 8:30 p.m. (Mon.)
LINE OF THE WEEK OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK TEAM ON THE DECLINE
Matt Cassel QB New England Patriots
Matt Cassel, cult hero. In two straight games, the most surprising success story of
this season has put on a passing display, the latest in the Patriots 48-28 win in
Miami that kept them within reach of the surging Jets. Cassel threw for 415 yards in
the victory, bringing his two-game total to 60-of-94 passing for 815 yards, six TDs
and only one interception. Add to that total 10 rushes for 70 yards and another
touchdown, and Cassel has more than won over the once-suspect Patriots fans. The
big game against the Dolphins in Week 12 shows just how far he has come. In the Pa-
triots 38-13 loss to this Dolphins team back in Week Three, Cassel was booed after
completing 19-of-31 passes for 131 yards with a TD and an interception.
Ed Reed FS Baltimore Ravens
Its not clear if new Ravens coach John Harbaugh got as excited as former coach
Brian Billick did in those Coors Light commercials Go, Ed! Go, Ed! but Ed Reed
has that effect with the ball in his hands. Harbaugh can thank Reed for making two of
the games biggest plays in Baltimores thrashing of the Eagles, Harbaughs former
team. Reed picked off Donovan McNabb late in the second quarter, returning the ball
to the Eagles six-yard line, which led to a Ravens TD and a 10-0 lead. In the fourth,
with the Ravens clinging to two-score lead and the Eagles knocking on the door at
their one-yard line, Reed picked off QB Kevin Kolb and ran the ball back a record 108
yards for a TD, breaking his own mark for the longest interception return ever.
Nick Folk PK Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys special teams have taken a beating from beat writers, talk-radio
hosts and fans this season. Injuries, ineffectiveness and game-changing plays on
special teams have cost the Cowboys dearly, but in Week 12, they turned the tables.
Playing against the 49ers owners of some of the leagues best special teams
the Cowboys scored 14 points purely off of those units, helping lead to a 35-22 Dal-
las win. Nick Folk was responsible for 12 of those points, hitting four long field goals,
from 48, 41, 47 and 42 yards. Folk also kept the Niners kickoff-return units in check
with deep and high kickoffs. The Cowboys got two more points from special teams
on a blocked punt for a safety, taking some heat off coordinator Bruce Read.
Terrell Owens WR Cowboys
OPPONENT REC. YDS. AVG. TD
49ers 7 213 30.4 1
Owens tore up his former team, shredding the 49ers sec-
ondary for 213 yards, which was his highest receiving total in
a single game since the 2000 season. He was frustrated in
the weeks leading up to his explosive afternoon Owens
had yet to gain more than 89 yards in a game this year and
was held to 38 or fewer in the previous five. Hes still got it,
Tony Romo announced after Dallas 35-22 win.
Andy Reid pulled the plug on Donovan McNabb, and the
Ravens may have sent the Eagles season down the drain in
Week 12, unleashing a 36-7 beating of Philly. Reid handed the
offense over to Kevin Kolb in what could go down as the end
of an era. Time is winding down for McNabb, who completed
8-of-18 passes for 59 yards, two interceptions and a fumble.
After going three straight weeks without a win, the Eagles
have faded out of contention in the NFC East. Phillys trou-
bles may have just begun with two NFC division leaders
(Cardinals and Giants) next up on the schedule.
Philadelphia Eagles
TEAM ON THE RISE
After one quarter Sunday, the Bucs looked like a team
headed for a season-sinking loss. They trailed the winless
Lions 17-0, but rallied, outscoring Detroit 38-3 in the final
three quarters to win their third straight. Tampa is in a tie for
the top spot in the NFC South, and if the season ended
today, the Bucs would be in the postseason in back-to-back
years for the first time under Jon Gruden. The best news out
of the victory was that Cadillac Williams, out since Week Four
of last season, was able to handle 16 carries and will be more
of a factor the rest of the way than anyone imagined.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
RUSHING
Player Team Att Yds Avg Lg TD
Jones N.Y.J. 217 950 4.4 31 9
Johnson Ten. 187 833 4.5 66 5
Slaton Hou. 159 774 4.9 71 6
Tomlinson S.D. 203 770 3.8 41 5
J. Lewis Clev. 195 716 3.7 29 4
Lynch Buff. 189 710 3.8 28 7
Brown Mia. 154 642 4.2 62 9
L. Johnson K.C. 119 565 4.7 65 3
Fargas Oak. 145 547 3.8 42 0
Jones-Drew Jax. 118 503 4.3 46 11
McGahee Balt. 141 489 3.5 17 5
Parker Pitt. 126 485 3.8 32 4
White Ten. 123 469 3.8 80 11
L. McClain Balt. 117 459 3.9 28 6
Williams Mia. 108 458 4.2 51 3
Addai Ind. 129 457 3.5 23 5
Taylor Jax. 121 436 3.6 34 0
Moore Pitt. 109 432 4.0 32 5
McFadden Oak. 80 392 4.9 50 3
Rice Balt. 93 382 4.1 60 0
Faulk N.E. 67 372 5.6 21 3
Rhodes Ind. 97 359 3.7 38 3
Morris N.E. 82 356 4.3 34 4
Jackson Buff. 81 353 4.4 24 1
L. Washington N.Y.J. 59 322 5.5 61 4
Pittman Den. 76 320 4.2 20 4
Benson Cin. 104 318 3.1 30 1
Charles K.C. 54 308 5.7 30 0
Green Hou. 74 294 4.0 14 3
Green-Ellis N.E. 72 272 3.8 15 5
Young Den. 48 268 5.6 49 1
C. Perry Cin. 99 258 2.6 25 2
Bush Oak. 66 240 3.6 32 1
Harrison Clev. 27 238 8.8 72 1
Garrard Jax. 53 221 4.2 24 1
Thigpen K.C. 27 203 7.5 32 1
Cassel N.E. 53 199 3.8 19 2
Fitzpatrick Cin. 31 190 6.1 22 1
Sproles S.D. 36 182 5.1 21 0
Hillis Den. 38 156 4.1 13 3
Flacco Balt. 40 145 3.6 38 2
Hall Den. 35 144 4.1 16 0
Cutler Den. 34 143 4.2 18 0
B. Smith N.Y.J. 10 116 11.6 36 0
Jordan N.E. 24 106 4.4 11 0
Ko. Smith K.C. 35 100 2.9 19 1
Maroney N.E. 28 93 3.3 17 0
Russell Oak. 14 88 6.3 24 1
Edwards Buff. 27 82 3.0 15 3
Cribbs Clev. 10 75 7.5 27 1
Clayton Balt. 5 69 13.8 42 1
Torain Den. 15 69 4.6 19 1
Mendenhall Pitt. 19 58 3.1 12 0
Watson Cin. 14 55 3.9 7 0
Schaub Hou. 20 54 2.7 10 2
Savage K.C. 15 53 3.5 11 0
Moats Hou. 10 51 5.1 12 0
Anderson Clev. 23 50 2.2 15 0
T. Bell Den. 13 48 3.7 9 0
Russell Pitt. 16 48 3.0 15 1
RECEIVING
Player Team No Yds Avg Lg TD
A. Johnson Hou. 81 1,071 13.2 61 3
Welker N.E. 80 838 10.5 64 1
Houshmandzadeh Cin. 77 746 9.7 26 4
Marshall Den. 67 887 13.2 47 4
Gonzalez K.C. 65 696 10.7 35 6
Wayne Ind. 58 824 14.2 65 5
Bowe K.C. 58 724 12.5 36 6
Royal Den. 58 673 11.6 93 4
Mason Balt. 56 720 12.9 54 2
Camarillo Mia. 55 613 11.1 33 2
Moss N.E. 54 740 13.7 66 8
Ward Pitt. 54 718 13.3 49 5
Cotchery N.Y.J. 54 652 12.1 56 4
M. Jones Jax. 54 623 11.5 35 2
Coles N.Y.J. 53 613 11.6 54 6
Daniels Hou. 48 583 12.1 34 2
Walter Hou. 47 667 14.2 61 7
Scaife Ten. 47 490 10.4 44 1
Gonzalez Ind. 46 568 12.3 58 3
Clark Ind. 45 489 10.9 29 3
Harrison Ind. 45 478 10.6 67 4
Ginn Mia. 43 596 13.9 64 1
Gates S.D. 43 507 11.8 30 6
Evans Buff. 42 810 19.3 87 3
Lynch Buff. 42 282 6.7 42 1
Ocho Cinco Cin. 41 383 9.3 19 4
Edwards Clev. 40 661 16.5 70 3
Winslow Clev. 40 413 10.3 30 3
Jones-Drew Jax. 40 393 9.8 26 0
Jackson S.D. 39 703 18.0 60 5
Holmes Pitt. 39 566 14.5 48 2
Tomlinson S.D. 39 329 8.4 32 1
Stokley Den. 36 366 10.2 32 2
Faulk N.E. 36 315 8.8 22 1
Keller N.Y.J. 33 383 11.6 54 3
B. Jones Ten. 33 361 10.9 26 1
Johnson Ten. 33 218 6.6 25 1
Z. Miller Oak. 32 471 14.7 63 1
Slaton Hou. 32 198 6.2 30 1
Reed Buff. 31 338 10.9 24 1
Moore Pitt. 31 245 7.9 25 1
L. WashingtonN.Y.J. 31 228 7.4 40 2
Rhodes Ind. 30 192 6.4 18 2
Royal Buff. 29 308 10.6 30 1
Gaffney N.E. 28 328 11.7 23 1
Rice Balt. 27 250 9.3 22 0
Lewis Jax. 26 347 13.3 30 2
Chambers S.D. 25 355 14.2 48 5
Miller Pitt. 25 284 11.4 22 2
Jackson Buff. 25 210 8.4 33 0
Jones N.Y.J. 25 140 5.6 19 2
Washington Pitt. 24 405 16.9 65 3
D. Martin Mia. 24 323 13.5 29 1
Bradley K.C. 24 302 12.6 56 3
Bess Mia. 24 275 11.5 36 1
Kelly Cin. 24 180 7.5 31 0
Clayton Balt. 23 311 13.5 53 2
Northcutt Jax. 23 256 11.1 20 0
Heap Balt. 23 237 10.3 20 2
R. Williams Jax. 23 224 9.7 32 2
Gage Ten. 22 413 18.8 56 4
Fasano Mia. 22 305 13.9 24 3
Scheffler Den. 21 363 17.3 72 2
Stuckey N.Y.J. 21 236 11.2 31 3
Chatman Cin. 21 194 9.2 25 0
Brown Mia. 21 191 9.1 39 0
Watson N.E. 20 195 9.8 29 1
Charles K.C. 20 143 7.2 36 1
Addai Ind. 20 131 6.6 23 1
Williams Mia. 19 153 8.1 47 1
Crumpler Ten. 18 185 10.3 28 1
Parrish Buff. 18 185 10.3 22 1
Bush Oak. 18 156 8.7 25 0
C. Perry Cin. 18 53 2.9 12 0
McCareins Ten. 17 247 14.5 37 0
Sproles S.D. 17 234 13.8 66 1
J. Lewis Clev. 17 154 9.1 18 0
Floyd S.D. 16 320 20.0 49 3
Cobbs Mia. 16 256 16.0 80 2
Heiden Clev. 16 205 12.8 51 0
McGahee Balt. 16 120 7.5 35 0
Graham Den. 15 202 13.5 28 4
Walker Oak. 15 196 13.1 29 1
Baker N.Y.J. 15 128 8.5 29 0
Spaeth Pitt. 15 126 8.4 13 0
Utecht Cin. 15 116 7.7 14 0
L. McClain Balt. 15 109 7.3 25 1
Walker Jax. 14 176 12.6 32 0
Steptoe Clev. 14 159 11.4 53 0
Curry Oak. 14 147 10.5 16 1
McFadden Oak. 14 108 7.7 25 0
Morris N.E. 14 104 7.4 28 0
Taylor Jax. 14 86 6.1 17 0
Williams Balt. 13 180 13.8 70 1
Tolbert S.D. 13 171 13.2 67 1
Hillis Den. 13 168 12.9 47 1
D. Anderson Hou. 13 129 9.9 22 2
G. Jones Jax. 13 116 8.9 22 1
Stallworth Clev. 12 122 10.2 19 1
Lelie Oak. 11 197 17.9 51 2
ManumaleunaS.D. 11 85 7.7 17 0
N. Jackson Den. 11 84 7.6 19 1
Benson Cin. 11 76 6.9 21 0
Green Hou. 11 32 2.9 8 0
Pittman Den. 10 112 11.2 40 0
Henry Cin. 10 107 10.7 18 0
Santi Ind. 10 64 6.4 13 1
Ko. Smith K.C. 10 52 5.2 8 0
Darling K.C. 9 135 15.0 68 0
D. Thomas N.E. 9 93 10.3 18 0
Hardy Buff. 9 87 9.7 17 2
Griffith Oak. 9 85 9.4 24 1
L. Johnson K.C. 9 56 6.2 20 0
Higgins Oak. 8 170 21.3 84 1
Davis Hou. 8 133 16.6 49 0
Schilens Oak. 8 124 15.5 60 0
Porter Jax. 8 115 14.4 31 1
Harrison Clev. 8 111 13.9 23 1
Schouman Buff. 8 98 12.3 21 1
J. Wright Clev. 8 65 8.1 17 1
Stewart Oak. 8 48 6.0 11 0
SCORING
Player Team TD XP/att FG/att 2XP Pts
Gostkowski N.E. 0 25/25 26/28 0 103
Lindell Buff. 0 28/28 23/28 0 97
Feely N.Y.J. 0 31/31 20/24 0 91
Dawson Clev. 0 17/17 24/27 0 89
Kaeding S.D. 0 28/28 20/24 0 88
Bironas Ten. 0 27/27 20/23 0 87
Prater Den. 0 28/28 18/24 0 82
K. Brown Hou. 0 27/27 17/19 0 78
Reed Pitt. 0 24/25 18/19 0 78
Stover Balt. 0 28/28 15/20 0 73
Scobee Jax. 0 24/24 16/20 0 72
Janikowski Oak. 0 14/14 19/25 0 71
Vinatieri Ind. 0 27/27 14/17 0 69
Carpenter Mia. 0 28/28 13/15 0 67
Jones N.Y.J. 11 0/0 0/0 0 66
Jones-Drew Jax. 11 0/0 0/0 0 66
White Ten. 11 0/0 0/0 0 66
Brown Mia. 9 0/0 0/0 0 54
Graham Cin. 0 10/10 14/16 0 52
Lynch Buff. 8 0/0 0/0 0 48
Moss N.E. 8 0/0 0/0 0 48
L. Washington N.Y.J. 7 0/0 0/0 1 44
L. McClain Balt. 7 0/0 0/0 0 42
Slaton Hou. 7 0/0 0/0 0 42
Walter Hou. 7 0/0 0/0 0 42
Addai Ind. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Bowe K.C. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Coles N.Y.J. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Gates S.D. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Gonzalez K.C. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Johnson Ten. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Moore Pitt. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Tomlinson S.D. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Rhodes Ind. 5 0/0 0/0 1 32
Wayne Ind. 5 0/0 0/0 1 32
Barth K.C. 0 13/13 6/6 0 31
Chambers S.D. 5 0/0 0/0 0 30
Green-Ellis N.E. 5 0/0 0/0 0 30
Jackson S.D. 5 0/0 0/0 0 30
McGahee Balt. 5 0/0 0/0 0 30
Ward Pitt. 5 0/0 0/0 0 30
Royal Den. 4 0/0 0/0 1 26
Novak K.C. 0 7/7 6/10 0 25
Cotchery N.Y.J. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Faulk N.E. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Gage Ten. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Graham Den. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Harrison Ind. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Hillis Den. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Houshmandzadeh Cin. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
J. Lewis Clev. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Marshall Den. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Morris N.E. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Ocho Cinco Cin. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Parker Pitt. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Pittman Den. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Williams Mia. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Edwards Clev. 3 0/0 0/0 2 22
Evans Buff. 3 0/0 0/0 1 20
Bradley K.C. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Clark Ind. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Clayton Balt. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Cobbs Mia. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Cribbs Clev. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Edwards Buff. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Fasano Mia. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Floyd S.D. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Gonzalez Ind. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Green Hou. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Higgins Oak. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
L. Johnson K.C. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
A. Johnson Hou. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Keller N.Y.J. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
McFadden Oak. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Stuckey N.Y.J. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Washington Pitt. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Winslow Clev. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Mason Balt. 2 0/0 0/0 1 14
Sproles S.D. 2 0/0 0/0 1 14
D. Anderson Hou. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Camarillo Mia. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Cassel N.E. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Daniels Hou. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Flacco Balt. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Ginn Mia. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Greer Buff. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Hardy Buff. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Harrison Clev. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Heap Balt. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Holmes Pitt. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Jones Hou. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
M. Jones Jax. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Lelie Oak. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Lewis Jax. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Mathis Jax. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
McKelvin Buff. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Miller Pitt. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
M. Owens Jax. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Parrish Buff. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
C. Perry Cin. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Reed Balt. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Roethlisberger Pitt. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Schaub Hou. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Scheffler Den. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Stokley Den. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Suggs Balt. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Thigpen K.C. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Wilcox Balt. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
R. Williams Jax. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Gaffney N.E. 1 0/0 0/0 1 8
Hall Ten. 1 0/0 0/0 1 8
AFC INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
WEEK 12
PUNT RETURNS
Player Team No FC Yds Avg Lg TD
Parrish Buff. 14 8 206 14.7 63 1
Jones Hou. 20 10 277 13.9 73 2
Higgins Oak. 33 6 411 12.5 93 2
L. Washington N.Y.J. 23 7 278 12.1 37 0
Welker N.E. 14 3 161 11.5 44 0
Sproles S.D. 14 9 152 10.9 28 0
Carr Ten. 20 16 190 9.5 33 0
Bess Mia. 14 7 127 9.1 25 0
Cribbs Clev. 22 4 190 8.6 32 0
Chatman Cin. 21 5 158 7.5 34 0
Figurs Balt. 19 6 128 6.7 35 0
Holmes Pitt. 23 4 139 6.0 23 0
KICKOFF RETURNS
Royal Den. 15 454 30.3 95 0
McKelvin Buff. 39 1,140 29.2 98 1
L. Washington N.Y.J. 27 778 28.8 94 1
Hobbs N.E. 34 952 28.0 81 0
Carr Ten. 26 707 27.2 52 0
Cribbs Clev. 30 804 26.8 92 1
Sproles S.D. 36 930 25.8 103 1
Witherspoon Jax. 32 798 24.9 51 0
Holt Cin. 41 1,011 24.7 60 0
Savage K.C. 26 633 24.3 59 0
Higgins Oak. 36 842 23.4 69 0
Hall Den. 21 469 22.3 28 0
Bess Mia. 14 311 22.2 32 0
Davis Hou. 28 619 22.1 50 0
Figurs Balt. 20 424 21.2 29 0
Player Team No Yds Lg TD
Finnegan Ten. 5 100 99 1
Polamalu Pitt. 5 35 19 0
Hope Ten. 4 53 39 0
Revis N.Y.J. 4 32 32 1
Meriweather N.E. 4 25 19 0
Griffin Ten. 4 21 15 0
Bullitt Ind. 4 7 3 0
Reed Balt. 3 183 108 2
Mathis Jax. 3 147 72 2
E. Wright Clev. 3 131 94 1
Reeves Hou. 3 95 44 1
ONeal N.E. 3 49 47 0
Pool Clev. 3 45 24 0
R. Lewis Balt. 3 43 29 0
McAlister Balt. 3 28 16 0
Sensabaugh Jax. 3 25 23 0
Rolle Balt. 3 5 3 0
Page K.C. 3 2 2 0
Flowers K.C. 2 118 91 1
Suggs Balt. 2 86 44 2
Greer Buff. 2 75 42 2
Carr K.C. 2 67 35 0
McKelvin Buff. 2 64 64 1
W. Allen Mia. 2 62 32 1
Cromartie S.D. 2 52 52 1
Wilson Hou. 2 36 19 0
B. Williams Jax. 2 31 27 0
McDonald Clev. 2 24 21 0
Adams Clev. 2 18 18 0
Harper Ten. 2 11 11 0
Jennings Ind. 2 9 6 0
Baker Oak. 2 8 8 0
Hobbs N.E. 2 7 4 0
Jammer S.D. 2 2 2 0
Ngata Balt. 2 1 1 0
McFadden Pitt. 2 0 0 0
McGee Buff. 2 0 0 0
PASSING
Comp TD Int Avg
Player Team Att Comp Pct Yds TD Pct Lg Int Pct Gain Rating
Rivers S.D. 327 215 65.7 2,806 23 7.0 67 10 3.1 8.58 103.3
Favre N.Y.J. 347 245 70.6 2,461 20 5.8 56 13 3.7 7.09 94.1
Pennington Mia. 341 225 66.0 2,715 11 3.2 80 6 1.8 7.96 93.7
Schaub Hou. 227 154 67.8 1,762 10 4.4 61 8 3.5 7.76 91.0
Cassel N.E. 359 238 66.3 2,615 13 3.6 66 8 2.2 7.28 90.5
Manning Ind. 424 266 62.7 2,823 19 4.5 75 10 2.4 6.66 87.2
Cutler Den. 406 246 60.6 3,036 19 4.7 93 12 3.0 7.48 87.0
Edwards Buff. 303 204 67.3 2,266 10 3.3 51 10 3.3 7.48 86.6
Collins Ten. 310 181 58.4 1,998 9 2.9 56 4 1.3 6.45 81.9
Garrard Jax. 363 228 62.8 2,461 9 2.5 35 8 2.2 6.78 81.8
Roethlisberger Pitt. 310 191 61.6 2,233 11 3.5 65 11 3.5 7.20 80.5
Flacco Balt. 302 183 60.6 1,996 10 3.3 70 9 3.0 6.61 78.7
Thigpen K.C. 261 140 53.6 1,577 13 5.0 56 7 2.7 6.04 77.4
Russell Oak. 249 130 52.2 1,597 7 2.8 84 4 1.6 6.41 75.0
Fitzpatrick Cin. 247 152 61.5 1,218 6 2.4 31 7 2.8 4.93 70.2
Anderson Clev. 257 126 49.0 1,505 9 3.5 70 8 3.1 5.86 66.0
NON-QUALIFIERS
Rosenfels Hou. 150 102 68.0 1,231 5 3.3 61 9 6.0 8.21 79.1
Palmer Cin. 129 75 58.1 731 3 2.3 36 4 3.1 5.67 69.0
Quinn Clev. 89 45 50.6 518 2 2.2 42 2 2.2 5.82 66.6
Huard K.C. 81 50 61.7 477 2 2.5 68 4 4.9 5.89 65.7
PUNTING
Gross Ins Ret Net
Player Team No Yds Lg Avg TB 20 Blk Ret Yds Avg
Scifres S.D. 33 1,563 67 47.4 3 14 0 14 95 42.7
Lechler Oak. 63 3,141 70 49.9 9 23 0 32 327 41.8
Colquitt K.C. 50 2,259 73 45.2 3 20 0 23 189 40.2
Koch Balt. 55 2,492 74 45.3 5 20 0 29 198 39.9
Moorman Buff. 41 1,847 62 45.0 4 17 0 14 165 39.1
Zastudil Clev. 48 2,141 65 44.6 5 15 0 21 172 38.9
H. Smith Ind. 41 1,833 64 44.7 2 16 0 20 209 38.6
Berger Pitt. 42 1,760 61 41.9 2 14 0 24 121 38.1
Kern Den. 33 1,559 64 47.2 3 9 0 21 253 37.8
Hanson N.E. 33 1,465 70 44.4 8 13 0 7 90 36.8
Podlesh Jax. 46 1,989 60 43.2 5 12 0 24 206 36.6
Hentrich Ten. 62 2,669 75 43.0 8 22 0 23 244 36.5
Turk Hou. 33 1,435 59 43.5 5 8 0 15 130 36.5
Fields Mia. 53 2,367 71 44.7 4 17 0 28 447 34.7
Larson Cin. 70 2,783 57 39.8 2 18 1 35 371 33.4
Weatherford K.C. 38 1,606 61 42.3 7 6 0 19 244 32.2
FIELD-GOAL ACCURACY
Avg Avg Avg
1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50 or Yds Yds Yds
Player Team Yds Yds Yds Yds Longer Total Att Made Miss Lg
Reed Pitt. 1-1 4-4 6-6 6-6 1-2 18-19 36.8 36.0 51.0 53
1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 .500 .947
Gostkowski N.E. 0-0 6-6 12-12 8-10 0-0 26-28 35.9 35.0 48.5 49
.000 1.000 1.000 .800 .000 .929
K. Brown Hou. 0-0 5-5 7-7 5-6 0-1 17-19 36.5 34.6 52.5 48
.000 1.000 1.000 .833 .000 .895
Dawson Clev. 0-0 8-8 10-11 3-3 3-5 24-27 35.9 34.3 48.0 56
.000 1.000 .909 1.000 .600 .889
Graham Cin. 0-0 4-4 3-4 7-8 0-0 14-16 35.1 34.1 42.0 45
.000 1.000 .750 .875 .000 .875
Bironas Ten. 0-0 4-4 6-6 10-13 0-0 20-23 38.7 37.6 46.3 49
.000 1.000 1.000 .769 .000 .870
Carpenter Mia. 0-0 3-3 4-4 6-8 0-0 13-15 38.0 37.1 44.0 47
.000 1.000 1.000 .750 .000 .867
Kaeding S.D. 0-0 9-9 8-8 3-7 0-0 20-24 34.0 32.0 44.3 49
.000 1.000 1.000 .429 .000 .833
Feely N.Y.J. 0-0 7-7 7-10 4-5 2-2 20-24 34.0 33.4 37.0 55
.000 1.000 .700 .800 1.000 .833
Vinatieri Ind. 0-0 1-1 8-9 3-5 2-2 14-17 39.4 38.9 41.3 52
.000 1.000 .889 .600 1.000 .824
Lindell Buff. 1-1 5-5 9-9 7-10 1-3 23-28 38.5 36.4 48.0 53
1.000 1.000 1.000 .700 .333 .821
Scobee Jax. 0-0 6-6 3-6 3-4 4-4 16-20 37.9 37.4 39.8 53
.000 1.000 .500 .750 1.000 .800
Janikowski Oak. 0-0 9-9 6-6 2-4 2-6 19-25 38.6 33.1 56.0 57
.000 1.000 1.000 .500 .333 .760
Prater Den. 0-0 5-6 5-6 3-7 5-5 18-24 39.1 38.0 42.3 56
.000 .833 .833 .429 1.000 .750
Stover Balt. 0-0 4-4 7-8 4-7 0-1 15-20 36.7 34.1 44.4 47
.000 1.000 .875 .571 .000 .750
Player Tm Sks
Porter Mia. 14.5
J. Harrison Pitt. 12.0
Woodley Pitt. 10.5
Haynesworth Ten. 8.5
M. Williams Hou. 8.0
Ellis N.Y.J. 7.0
Freeney Ind. 7.0
Seymour N.E. 7.0
Mathis Ind. 6.5
K. Edwards Oak. 5.0
Pace N.Y.J. 5.0
Suggs Balt. 5.0
A. Thomas N.E. 5.0
J. Johnson Balt. 4.5
Pryce Balt. 4.5
Rogers Clev. 4.5
Thomas N.Y.J. 4.5
Bowens N.Y.J. 4.0
Jenkins N.Y.J. 4.0
Phillips S.D. 4.0
Timmons Pitt. 4.0
Tucker S.D. 4.0
Ball Ten. 3.5
T. Brown Ten. 3.5
Roth Mia. 3.5
Vanden BoschTen. 3.5
Bulman Hou. 3.0
Dumervil Den. 3.0
Ekuban Den. 3.0
Ford Ten. 3.0
Hall Clev. 3.0
Holliday Mia. 3.0
Mitchell Buff. 3.0
Odom Cin. 3.0
Peterson Den. 3.0
Scott Oak. 3.0
Aa. Smith Pitt. 3.0
Spicer Jax. 3.0
Vrabel N.E. 3.0
Warren Oak. 3.0
Wimbley Clev. 3.0
Geathers Cin. 2.5
Harris S.D. 2.5
Harvey Jax. 2.5
Kearse Ten. 2.5
Kelly Oak. 2.5
Moss Den. 2.5
Smith Jax. 2.5
Stroud Buff. 2.5
D.J. Williams Den. 2.5
W. Allen Mia. 2.0
Cesaire S.D. 2.0
Cochran Hou. 2.0
Denney Buff. 2.0
Farrior Pitt. 2.0
Henderson Jax. 2.0
Ingram Jax. 2.0
Jackson Clev. 2.0
Landri Jax. 2.0
Langford Mia. 2.0
Meier Jax. 2.0
Ndukwe Cin. 2.0
Olshansky S.D. 2.0
Richardson Oak. 2.0
Sands Oak. 2.0
Warren N.E. 2.0
Webster Den. 2.0
SACKS
INTERCEPTIONS
NFL TEAM STATISTICS
WEEK 12 Monday-night game not included.
10-1-0 0-11-0 2-9-0 7-4-0 7-4-0 5-5-1 8-3-0 5-5-0 6-5-0 2-9-0 3-8-0 6-5-0 7-4-0 1-9-1 7-4-0 4-7-0
190 161 171 204 255 210 187 178 219 152 192 198 216 170 218 176
70 48 71 74 59 59 69 60 73 54 56 71 99 46 56 60
110 100 86 115 176 136 107 104 137 89 116 118 102 110 146 98
10 13 14 15 20 15 11 14 9 9 20 9 15 14 16 18
3444 2976 2766 3830 4298 3844 3608 3303 3927 2917 3458 3512 3431 2634 3612 3110
313.1 270.5 251.5 348.2 390.7 349.5 328.0 330.3 357.0 265.2 314.4 319.3 311.9 239.5 328.4 282.7
1372 917 1222 1233 892 1039 1471 1083 1237 973 1121 1167 1578 880 868 1165
124.7 83.4 111.1 112.1 81.1 94.5 133.7 108.3 112.5 88.5 101.9 106.1 143.5 80.0 78.9 105.9
2072 2059 1544 2597 3406 2805 2137 2220 2690 1944 2337 2345 1853 1754 2744 1945
188.4 187.2 140.4 236.1 309.6 255.0 194.3 222.0 244.5 176.7 212.5 213.2 168.5 159.5 249.5 176.8
346 233 277 290 267 260 333 273 299 255 265 303 409 262 247 280
4.0 3.9 4.4 4.3 3.3 4.0 4.4 4.0 4.1 3.8 4.2 3.9 3.9 3.4 3.5 4.2
332 355 315 361 438 432 312 323 354 345 336 325 304 380 424 346
193 197 163 220 305 252 178 207 233 195 198 220 185 230 266 171
58.1 55.5 51.7 60.9 69.6 58.3 57.1 64.1 65.8 56.5 58.9 67.7 60.9 60.5 62.7 49.4
7 41 24 18 19 17 16 21 22 37 40 25 21 39 12 12
36 271 137 121 143 109 109 137 111 266 247 160 200 206 79 78
6 14 12 13 8 13 9 6 6 14 14 11 9 11 10 10
52 289 209 271 195 313 128 30 130 340 298 157 87 121 290 141
0 4 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 3 2 1 1 0 3 2
62 64 65 51 36 59 58 40 53 61 44 41 55 71 41 49
43.0 43.1 44.4 44.7 42.4 43.4 42.8 42.8 44.7 49.1 46.1 45.0 45.3 39.2 44.7 44.4
8 3 9 7 4 4 5 5 4 2 6 4 5 2 2 5
36.5 37.5 36.0 36.6 35.4 37.9 37.0 37.0 34.7 40.4 38.3 39.1 39.9 33.4 38.6 38.8
0 0 1 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
22 15 27 25 25 40 30 22 20 20 16 22 29 23 14 24
8.9 9.4 10.9 7.0 6.3 9.4 11.1 13.0 8.7 7.7 12.4 14.5 8.0 8.0 6.0 8.9
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
36 58 51 47 45 49 37 39 43 61 61 53 35 50 47 41
24.6 21.5 25.6 21.9 23.3 23.8 22.6 20.2 19.5 21.5 23.9 25.3 20.4 23.8 21.5 24.0
0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1
72 62 48 84 83 53 76 78 50 75 79 51 80 57 67 70
520 516 371 655 569 476 520 710 436 584 603 391 606 449 487 444
12 21 9 18 17 12 9 15 11 14 22 20 17 18 4 12
5 6 5 7 11 7 6 5 3 8 13 11 7 9 1 5
15 18 21 16 20 16 19 11 17 16 12 16 8 14 17 11
6 11 8 9 12 9 10 2 9 9 4 10 3 8 7 5
150 144 136 147 141 147 143 136 135 144 130 137 157 163 147 139
55 42 42 70 64 50 50 57 49 43 44 54 67 56 72 47
36.7 29.2 30.9 47.6 45.4 34.0 35.0 41.9 36.3 29.9 33.8 39.4 42.7 34.4 49.0 33.8
6 12 8 7 10 8 8 10 11 12 8 8 8 11 13 8
2 6 6 6 6 3 3 4 8 5 3 4 5 6 9 4
33.3 50.0 75.0 85.7 60.0 37.5 37.5 40.0 72.7 41.7 37.5 50.0 62.5 54.5 69.2 50.0
29:12 26:55 25:29 30:13 32:26 29:39 29:39 30:57 31:01 27:35 28:26 30:42 33:28 27:31 27:39 27:45
28 21 23 32 37 29 27 31 28 13 27 29 29 15 29 19
16 7 8 9 13 11 14 7 15 5 8 12 14 4 9 6
10 13 12 21 21 14 12 15 12 7 15 12 11 9 19 11
2 1 3 2 3 4 1 9 1 1 4 5 4 2 1 2
27/27 18/19 21/21 32/32 31/31 29/29 26/26 31/31 28/28 12/12 25/25 28/28 28/28 13/13 27/27 17/17
1/1 1/2 0/2 0/0 1/5 0/0 1/1 0/0 0/0 0/1 1/2 1/1 1/1 0/2 2/2 2/2
20/23 15/16 16/18 13/15 21/24 22/26 20/21 19/23 13/15 19/23 21/24 23/28 16/22 15/17 14/17 24/27
257 193 207 265 318 271 250 274 237 147 252 273 258 148 247 207
165 346 277 251 265 229 200 209 245 344 310 249 187 276 244 237
192 230 225 191 192 179 188 181 201 238 214 202 160 214 221 227
62 100 71 60 66 59 67 80 65 111 70 76 35 81 90 88
109 120 141 114 110 103 107 78 117 113 128 116 110 120 116 128
21 10 13 17 16 17 14 23 19 14 16 10 15 13 15 11
3227 4272 4193 3240 3319 3175 3322 3237 3669 4255 3825 3582 2885 3741 3673 4066
293.4 388.4 381.2 294.5 301.7 288.6 302.0 323.7 333.5 386.8 347.7 325.6 262.3 340.1 333.9 369.6
1143 1834 1342 1082 985 1097 1209 1474 1035 1785 1142 1255 882 1432 1505 1605
103.9 166.7 122.0 98.4 89.5 99.7 109.9 147.4 94.1 162.3 103.8 114.1 80.2 130.2 136.8 145.9
2084 2438 2851 2158 2334 2078 2113 1763 2634 2470 2683 2327 2003 2309 2168 2461
189.5 221.6 259.2 196.2 212.2 188.9 192.1 176.3 239.5 224.5 243.9 211.5 182.1 209.9 197.1 223.7
289 371 333 264 266 316 304 300 270 367 320 294 254 351 349 355
4.0 4.9 4.0 4.1 3.7 3.5 4.0 4.9 3.8 4.9 3.6 4.3 3.5 4.1 4.3 4.5
388 296 386 356 342 356 365 330 360 308 390 357 348 358 328 328
229 197 256 222 218 198 212 170 220 198 240 216 183 221 229 209
59.0 66.6 66.3 62.4 63.7 55.6 58.1 51.5 61.1 64.3 61.5 60.5 52.6 61.7 69.8 63.7
30 23 26 33 24 39 22 17 29 21 19 18 22 11 16 15
184 132 141 213 153 256 146 102 152 144 98 128 162 81 107 84
16 2 5 5 10 9 9 16 8 6 10 7 19 8 10 15
162 -2 199 34 170 139 172 533 102 109 139 171 354 149 46 264
1 0 2 1 1 1 0 6 1 0 1 3 4 0 0 1
59 48 46 46 45 73 60 47 42 46 46 46 58 52 32 41
41.3 43.0 44.5 43.7 45.0 42.6 45.8 43.7 47.9 44.9 42.2 44.9 43.7 41.4 45.1 42.1
6 6 2 5 3 4 7 2 3 9 6 2 6 6 4 5
35.9 37.6 37.2 37.7 40.1 36.4 37.9 36.7 42.3 37.6 35.3 37.2 37.6 35.5 40.0 34.5
1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
23 35 34 28 16 31 33 19 28 46 25 14 29 35 20 21
10.6 8.6 10.6 9.7 10.7 7.9 7.2 6.9 16.0 10.7 9.0 11.8 6.8 10.6 10.5 8.2
43 39 33 49 51 50 36 48 46 33 48 47 50 32 44 42
26.1 22.0 24.8 22.2 25.1 23.9 22.3 22.5 26.4 25.4 23.0 19.8 23.6 22.6 23.0 22.9
63 62 53 70 65 63 63 66 64 61 80 52 81 72 45 69
480 550 433 486 569 462 570 516 456 449 648 380 576 508 357 539
155 136 159 144 135 165 147 138 145 134 156 139 137 154 144 141
54 55 70 56 56 54 51 52 53 56 63 49 44 69 69 58
34.8 40.4 44.0 38.9 41.5 32.7 34.7 37.7 36.6 41.8 40.4 35.3 32.1 44.8 47.9 41.1
16 7 9 9 10 7 16 13 12 5 10 10 11 8 5 14
6 5 5 4 8 4 6 8 8 3 7 4 1 4 2 10
37.5 71.4 55.6 44.4 80.0 57.1 37.5 61.5 66.7 60.0 70.0 40.0 9.1 50.0 40.0 71.4
19 42 28 26 32 24 22 21 27 40 31 25 20 32 23 28
12 18 10 8 8 6 10 9 8 20 10 13 3 14 15 11
7 18 16 15 22 15 8 11 15 16 18 11 12 15 4 14
0 6 2 3 2 3 4 1 4 4 3 1 5 3 4 3
18/18 41/41 28/28 23/23 29/29 23/23 20/20 20/20 24/24 39/39 30/30 25/25 19/19 30/30 21/21 27/27
0/1 0/1 0/0 0/2 1/3 0/1 0/2 0/1 0/3 1/1 0/1 0/0 0/1 0/2 1/2 0/1
11/18 17/20 27/31 24/28 14/17 20/22 16/18 19/22 19/22 21/22 30/34 24/28 16/16 18/19 27/30 14/21
5-5-0 8-3-0 10-1-0 7-4-0 7-4-0 4-7-0 1-10-0 3-8-0 6-5-0 8-3-0 8-3-0 7-4-0 6-5-0 6-5-0 4-7-0 4-7-0
215 212 240 213 218 200 183 148 237 226 197 243 186 196 217 233 201.9
58 67 99 81 86 53 61 61 69 71 64 100 71 75 72 73 68.3
142 133 120 118 111 133 110 77 144 133 118 129 108 104 129 146 118.9
15 12 21 14 21 14 12 10 24 22 15 14 7 17 16 14 14.7
4115 3771 4046 3749 4005 3756 3389 2876 4207 3774 3366 3994 3480 3535 3463 4084 3571.3
411.5 342.8 367.8 340.8 364.1 341.5 308.1 261.5 382.5 343.1 306.0 363.1 316.4 321.4 314.8 371.3 326.5
918 1270 1814 1581 1667 1051 1269 1347 1204 1443 1119 1444 1279 1517 1212 1255 1237.8
91.8 115.5 164.9 143.7 151.5 95.5 115.4 122.5 109.5 131.2 101.7 131.3 116.3 137.9 110.2 114.1 113.2
3197 2501 2232 2168 2338 2705 2120 1529 3003 2331 2247 2550 2201 2018 2251 2829 2333.5
319.7 227.4 202.9 197.1 212.5 245.9 192.7 139.0 273.0 211.9 204.3 231.8 200.1 183.5 204.6 257.2 213.3
251 313 355 341 380 269 257 317 272 321 313 341 317 346 299 288 299.3
3.7 4.1 5.1 4.6 4.4 3.9 4.9 4.2 4.4 4.5 3.6 4.2 4.0 4.4 4.1 4.4 4.1
398 396 338 343 310 327 381 284 410 353 334 375 361 328 365 377 355.1
266 258 210 220 186 215 219 146 248 248 205 249 214 187 228 256 217.8
66.8 65.2 62.1 64.1 60.0 65.7 57.5 51.4 60.5 70.3 61.4 66.4 59.3 57.0 62.5 67.9 61.3
8 17 13 28 13 16 31 33 8 21 35 35 19 31 30 25 22.9
54 89 92 189 80 101 203 223 52 156 209 164 105 179 210 164 146.3
11 9 7 3 6 10 11 6 12 14 11 8 6 13 8 17 9.9
197 170 183 16 29 139 208 33 117 276 111 69 62 228 17 200 159.6
2 1 2 0 0 1 2 0 1 3 1 0 1 2 0 1 1.2
34 51 40 50 43 33 62 63 33 34 54 33 64 54 46 33 49.3
43.0 45.2 43.5 39.1 38.3 47.4 44.7 49.9 47.2 42.5 39.6 44.4 40.8 46.4 43.2 43.5 43.8
3 5 4 3 3 3 7 9 3 1 2 8 4 7 5 5 4.6
34.8 38.6 40.2 31.7 36.5 42.7 37.8 41.8 37.8 37.0 36.6 36.8 36.8 34.1 36.6 36.5 37.2
0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.3
15 34 29 33 32 17 19 33 17 23 29 23 26 24 24 20 24.1
20.4 9.0 10.4 8.8 9.4 9.9 5.8 12.5 11.6 12.1 5.5 11.7 6.6 5.9 10.8 13.9 9.7
3 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.4
43 37 37 34 37 44 58 49 46 36 39 45 51 46 46 53 45.4
22.6 25.2 23.4 24.8 23.0 23.5 21.8 22.0 23.6 25.7 20.3 25.1 22.7 22.0 23.5 21.8 22.9
0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.3
61 70 77 55 52 57 56 85 57 51 68 37 62 69 72 52 64.6
555 611 660 448 433 438 434 630 504 381 584 346 486 558 586 392 512.0
15 16 13 11 9 11 15 19 14 16 15 13 13 18 14 17 14.4
6 11 3 7 5 6 6 8 10 6 4 7 11 9 7 7 6.9
8 12 15 10 10 12 19 16 11 22 12 7 11 28 9 11 14.4
5 7 4 3 4 4 11 7 6 11 4 5 8 12 4 5 6.9
127 157 136 147 155 127 151 149 140 140 150 152 156 151 148 136 144.3
60 65 62 55 67 59 56 38 67 63 60 67 60 53 59 61 56.7
47.2 41.4 45.6 37.4 43.2 46.5 37.1 25.5 47.9 45.0 40.0 44.1 38.5 35.1 39.9 44.9 39.3
11 10 6 10 11 3 11 14 6 9 10 15 9 13 16 16 9.9
5 5 4 6 5 2 4 7 3 8 2 10 3 7 10 9 5.3
45.5 50.0 66.7 60.0 45.5 66.7 36.4 50.0 50.0 88.9 20.0 66.7 33.3 53.8 62.5 56.3 53.5
30:45 32:27 33:11 32:25 31:10 28:00 27:59 27:53 27:43 32:29 31:14 32:17 29:11 31:14 31:44 31:37 30:00
32 26 36 20 30 30 23 14 29 38 26 27 30 26 25 29 26.8
11 7 15 8 16 5 5 5 9 13 12 14 11 10 13 11 10.1
18 12 19 11 11 23 17 7 19 20 13 13 13 13 9 15 14.0
3 7 2 1 3 2 1 2 1 5 1 0 6 3 3 3 2.8
30/31 24/24 34/34 18/18 30/30 28/28 20/20 14/14 28/28 33/33 24/25 25/25 29/29 25/25 24/24 27/27 25.2/25.3
0/1 1/2 0/2 0/2 0/0 2/2 1/3 0/0 1/1 1/5 0/1 1/2 1/1 0/1 0/1 0/2 0.6/1.5
14/19 25/29 25/26 21/28 22/24 20/24 12/16 19/25 18/24 20/25 18/19 26/28 18/21 22/26 16/20 17/19 18.9/22.3
266 257 329 201 276 274 196 159 258 323 236 267 267 253 224 252 245.1
249 180 199 199 226 252 327 245 302 234 160 222 234 246 240 293 245.1
190 158 179 173 208 243 232 229 225 209 170 189 216 177 197 211 201.9
50 49 48 55 67 69 90 94 81 47 45 46 59 47 72 86 68.3
125 96 111 107 132 153 133 110 133 148 113 131 147 118 107 111 118.9
15 13 20 11 9 21 9 25 11 14 12 12 10 12 18 14 14.7
3462 3022 3029 2992 3868 4063 4469 3911 4184 3491 2589 3476 3574 3288 3508 3673 3571.3
346.2 274.7 275.4 272.0 351.6 369.4 406.3 355.5 380.4 317.4 235.4 316.0 324.9 298.9 318.9 333.9 326.5
1110 1101 933 982 1330 1143 1825 1760 1589 858 732 1102 888 774 1254 1420 1237.8
111.0 100.1 84.8 89.3 120.9 103.9 165.9 160.0 144.5 78.0 66.5 100.2 80.7 70.4 114.0 129.1 113.2
2352 1921 2096 2010 2538 2920 2644 2151 2595 2633 1857 2374 2686 2514 2254 2253 2333.5
235.2 174.6 190.5 182.7 230.7 265.5 240.4 195.5 235.9 239.4 168.8 215.8 244.2 228.5 204.9 204.8 213.3
261 282 243 249 272 281 362 373 334 252 253 279 273 249 296 317 299.3
4.3 3.9 3.8 3.9 4.9 4.1 5.0 4.7 4.8 3.4 2.9 3.9 3.3 3.1 4.2 4.5 4.1
342 333 359 351 382 439 342 328 349 395 383 323 441 373 315 311 355.1
194 187 206 196 223 303 228 187 244 249 226 208 273 235 196 195 217.8
56.7 56.2 57.4 55.8 58.4 69.0 66.7 57.0 69.9 63.0 59.0 64.4 61.9 63.0 62.2 62.7 61.3
18 24 32 17 21 23 6 24 20 35 37 21 22 30 22 17 22.9
115 156 223 103 122 111 38 151 115 207 269 158 182 205 140 102 146.3
7 14 15 10 9 7 10 12 4 9 11 11 17 8 10 9 9.9
83 289 294 74 232 71 198 84 29 246 90 90 236 4 203 142 159.6
0 3 2 0 2 1 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 2 1 1.2
41 59 52 60 54 41 36 52 37 47 63 50 54 53 50 41 49.3
42.8 43.1 43.7 43.6 45.0 44.0 44.9 44.2 46.9 43.2 42.5 44.8 42.5 43.1 43.5 46.6 43.8
4 8 4 5 3 2 6 4 6 6 3 6 3 3 5 3 4.6
33.4 35.2 36.4 37.2 38.3 38.9 38.5 34.8 38.4 34.8 39.0 37.1 38.2 39.3 36.3 38.4 37.2
0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0.3
20 25 14 25 11 14 28 32 21 19 26 7 24 30 24 15 24.1
10.9 9.5 3.9 12.4 1.3 6.8 10.3 10.2 12.0 8.9 4.8 12.9 7.4 17.6 8.6 8.7 9.7
44 53 65 44 53 54 44 28 40 57 49 46 50 54 35 47 45.4
23.9 20.9 22.4 20.3 21.7 22.5 24.2 24.1 25.8 21.7 19.2 23.8 24.0 22.5 20.1 22.8 22.9
60 68 80 61 80 60 59 48 63 69 64 55 74 82 58 56 64.6
489 519 604 509 635 484 403 407 580 483 600 424 559 741 521 446 512.0
126 151 137 139 144 145 144 157 148 144 158 134 154 141 137 130 144.3
47 49 51 51 58 59 70 69 66 56 57 59 52 49 54 58 56.7
37.3 32.5 37.2 36.7 40.3 40.7 48.6 43.9 44.6 38.9 36.1 44.0 33.8 34.8 39.4 44.6 39.3
8 12 13 7 10 16 7 6 11 13 12 5 13 7 8 8 9.9
5 5 5 5 5 10 4 4 7 9 5 1 5 3 4 8 5.3
62.5 41.7 38.5 71.4 50.0 62.5 57.1 66.7 63.6 69.2 41.7 20.0 38.5 42.9 50.0 100.0 53.5
25 17 22 22 27 27 36 28 33 26 15 26 25 27 28 34 26.8
5 1 6 7 13 6 19 16 15 7 4 6 10 9 9 15 10.1
16 14 13 12 14 19 14 12 15 15 10 19 13 9 18 17 14.0
4 2 3 3 0 2 3 0 3 4 1 1 2 9 1 2 2.8
23/23 16/16 20/20 20/21 26/26 21/22 34/34 26/26 31/31 23/23 15/15 25/25 24/25 26/26 27/27 32/32 25.2/25.3
1/2 1/1 1/2 1/1 1/1 1/5 1/2 2/2 1/2 2/3 0/0 1/1 0/0 1/1 0/1 2/2 0.6/1.5
24/28 20/22 15/18 15/18 12/15 21/26 25/27 15/23 23/26 17/20 17/18 13/15 20/25 18/27 15/16 17/20 18.9/22.3
NO TB NYG WAS ATL SD KC OAK DEN NYJ PIT NE CHI MIN JAX HOU NFL
AVG
GAMES (W-L-T)
FIRST DOWNS
Rushing
Passing
Penalty
TOTALYARDS GAINED
Average Per Game
RUSHING (NET)
Average Per Game
PASSING (NET)
Average Per Game
RUSHES
Average Yards
PASSES ATTEMPTED
Completed
Percent Completed
Sacked
Yards Lost
Had Intercepted
Yards Opp. Ret.
Opp. TDs On Int.
PUNTS
Gross Average
Touchbacks
Net Average
Blocked
PUNT RETURNS
Average Return
Return For TD
KICKOFF RETURNS
Average Return
Returns For TD
PENALTIES
Yards
FUMBLES
Fumbles Lost
Opponent Fumbles
Opponent Fumbles Rec.
3RD-DOWNATTEMPTS
Conv. to 1st Down
3rd Down Efficiency
4TH-DOWNATTEMPTS
Conv. to 1st Down
4th-Down Efficiency
Time of Possession
TOUCHDOWNS
Rushing
Passing
Returns
1-PT. PAT/ATTEMPTS
2-PT. PAT/ATTEMPTS
FG/FGA
Total Points
OPP. POINTS
OPP. 1ST DOWNS
Rushing
Passing
Penalty
OPP. YDS. GAINED
Avg. Per Game
RUSHING (NET)
Avg. Per Game
PASSING (NET)
Avg. Per Game
OPP. RUSHES
Avg. Yards
OPP. PASSES
Completed
Pct. Comp.
Sacked
Yards Lost
Intercepted By
Yards Ret.
Ret. for TD
OPP. PUNTS
Gross Avg.
Touchbacks
Net Avg.
Blocked
OPP. PUNT RET.
Avg. Ret.
OPP. KICKOFF RET.
Avg. Ret.
OPP. PENALTIES
Yards
OPP. 3RD-DOWNATT.
Conv. To 1st Down
3rd Down Efficiency
OPP. 4TH-DOWNATT.
Conv. To 1st Down
4th-Down Efficiency
OPP. TOUCHDOWNS
Rushing
Passing
Returns
1-PT. PAT/ATTEMPTS
2-PT. PAT/ATTEMPTS
OPP. FG/FGA
TEN DET SEA DAL AZ PHI CAR GB MIA STL SF BUF BAL CIN IND CLE OFFENSE
NO TB NYG WAS ATL SD KC OAK DEN NYJ PIT NE CHI MIN JAX HOU NFL
AVG
TEN DET SEA DAL AZ PHI CAR GB MIA STL SF BUF BAL CIN IND CLE DEFENSE
NFL TEAM RANKINGS
Total Yards/Game
Rushing Yards/Game
Avg. Gain/Rush
Passing Yards/Game
Avg. Gain/Pass Play
Pct. Had Intercepted
Pct. QB Sacks Allowed
First Downs/Game
Avg. Gain/Off. Play
3rd Down Efficiency
4th Down Efficiency
Punt Return Avg.
Kickoff Return Avg.
Gross Punting Avg.
Net Punting Avg.
Points/Game
Extra Point Pct.
Field Goal Pct.
Opp. Yards/Game
Opp. Rush Yds./Game
Avg. Gain/Rush
Opp. Pass Yds./Game
Avg. Gain/Pass Play
Pct. Intercepted By
QB Sack Pct.
Opp. 1st Downs/Game
Avg. Gain/Def. Play
3rd Down Efficiency
4th Down Efficiency
Opp. Punt Return Avg.
Opp. Kickoff Ret. Avg.
Opp. Gross Punt Avg.
Opp. Net Punt Avg.
Opp. Points/Game
Opp. Field Goal Pct.
Point Differential
Turnover Edge
Penalty Yards Edge
Punt Ret. Differential
KO Return Differential
Time of Possession
24 19 32 27 3 4 16 21 25 8 7 11 30 26 13 23
4 21 31 22 19 14 32 18 13 15 7 8 10 24 25 9
25 26 31 15 5 10 30 18 2 16 13 4 12 29 24 22
29 13 30 27 3 4 6 17 23 8 10 16 32 18 7 24
23 9 32 26 5 7 13 24 28 6 16 15 30 19 1 18
20 24 18 17 19 32 13 11 16 3 10 29 9 23 22 4
19 21 27 5 1 18 4 24 22 16 25 15 31 28 11 3
12 18 29 27 4 6 9t 11 26 8 2 7 32 19 17 23
28 14 32 26 3 5 17 24 20 6 16 11 30 25 2 21
12 17 25 28 2 9 1 16 20 22 10 8 32 15 5 21
9t 16t 14 16t 16t 13 5 9t 29 4 6t 1 16t 32 6t 30t
24 2 23 20 9 3 29 12 31 22 8 7 5 32 14 19
29 3 11 8 12 25 26 14 24 32 5 1 22 30 13 7
7 9 30 16 4 18 10 20 11 13 14 26 1 29 3 22
5 6 31 7 11 22 8 19 10 29 17 16 2 20 1 21
13t 8 31 25t 13t 18t 21 24 28 22 10t 2 30 23 7 15t
1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 31 1t 1t
32 24 10 8t 28t 7 23 25t 28t 14t 5 25t 27 3 20 13
2 17 21 27 28 19t 19t 14 32 18 12 13 25 1 26 7
4 20 24 27 26 23 25 19 31 9 13 3 29 1 15t 15t
6 22 18 25 27 24 23 20 32 9 13 4 26 1 17 14
4 16 15 20 25 13 12 14 28 27 18 26 10 1 32 7
7 14 16 29 28 25 18 23 31 24 26 13 12 1 19 2
1 26 22 3 31 14 11 10 12t 23 9 21 8 15 28 6
17 25 31 30 19 21 27 13 32 6 16 5 10 2 23 9
2 16 21t 27 25t 20 24 13 30 15 9 18t 28 3 32 11t
4 18 14 28 29 26 17 21 32 22 24 13 19 1 20 3
1 8 30 22 28 29 31 17 32 10 27 15t 25 9 21 7
1 7t 13t 28t 23 32 7t 13t 17t 24t 2 26 24t 9t 21t 3t
5 27 21 10 28 13 20 11 19 31 30 14 18 3 4 22
20 2 15 17 30 16 18 3 26 32 21 6 25 1 13t 31
17 24 2 3 31 30 28 13 25 32 22 12 20 6 19 1
15 18 8 3 24 25 31 9 27 32 16 6 2 26 28 7
4 20 25 14 28 27 16 15 30 17t 8 12t 17t 1 22 2
32 14t 30 3t 22 11t 24 28 27 17t 19 11t 2 29 7 1
7 14 29 23 25 24 19 22 30 21 11 3 28 5 15 2
6t 24t 22t 8t 31 30 6t 19 10t 3t 15t 17t 8t 17t 24t 1
21 19 10 4 6 11 28 25 22 16 5 3 32 17 13 23
14 10 24 17 19 5 30 12 29 31 22 8 11 16 9 23
30 1 8 10 27 20 24 5 29 32 7 4 26 9 12 23
1 16 30 26 27 9 28 8 24 13 7 3 25 11 23 20
BAL BUF CIN CLE DEN HOU IND JAX KC MIA NE NYJ OAK PIT SD TEN OFFENSE
2 6 17 20 10 28 15 18 1 5 9 22 31 29 12 14
30 2 6 11 16 29 20 5 27 1 26 23 17 28 12 3
32 8 6 19 11 23 21 9 28 1 20 14 7 27 17 3
2 14 22 20 9 25 12 26 1 19 5 15 31 28 11 21
3 4 10 22 8 27 11 25 2 12 14 17 31 29 20 21
5 7 15 2 25 27 6 28 14 8 21 31 26 30 12 1
10 8 13 14 12 30 17 26 2 6 7 32 20 29 9 23
1 9t 24 25 16 30 21 20 5 3 15 22 28 31 14 13
4 9 10 23 8 27 15 22 1 7 12 13 31 29 19 18
7 11 24 18 3 31 13 23 4 6 26 27 29 30 14 19
11t 22t 26t 30t 2 16t 25 15 22t 6t 26t 26t 3 24 16t 11t
28 16 10 27 26 17 4 30 1 13 15 6 11 25 18 21
16 17 19 18 23 28 31 21 20 15 10 9 2 27 4 6
27 32 24 28 12 21 25 5 23 17 19 6 15 2 8 31
26 24 27 18 23 12 15 30 28 4 14 13 25 3 9 32
3 6 20 10t 12 29 4 17 5 1 9 18t 25t 32 15t 27
1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 32 1t 1t 30 1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 1t 1t
11t 6 2 17 14t 4 21t 18t 31 1 18t 11t 8t 21t 16 28t
10 24 11 16 8 31 15 9 22 5 6 23 29 30 4 3
8 21 17 5 10 32 28 2 18 6 11 14 22 30 12 7
8 29 15 3 19 31 30 2 21 10 5 7 16 28 11 12
17 23 9 30 11 19 3 22 24 8 6 29 31 21 2 5
20 17 8 11 10 32 3 15 21 5 4 22 27 30 6 9
12t 20 19 7 29 32 2 24 25 5 18 17 30 27 4 16
12 20 18 26 3 8 24 7 22 4 1 28 15 14 11 29
11t 17 8 23 10 29 14 5 18t 6t 6t 21t 25t 31 1 4
16 27 7 9 10 31 11 12 23 6 2 15 25 30 5 8
23 18 5 4 15t 20 14 6 13 12 3 19 26 24 2 11
31 13t 3t 5t 12 28t 20 11 21t 5t 17t 27 16 19 9t 28t
25 1 7 8 17 12 6 32 26 2 9 15 23 24 16 29
28 7 10 24 9 8 12 13t 23 11 22 19 27 29 5 4
26 27 29 5 16 9 15 11 8 18 7 4 21 23 10 14
29 22 23 13 14 20 12 30 1 11 10 4 19 21 5 17
23 9 7 12t 21 32 11 19 24 5t 10 29 26 31 3 5t
8 5t 23 5t 14t 11t 17t 3t 14t 9t 25t 21 20 31 25t 9t
8 9t 9t 13 17 31 6 18 16 1 12 26 27 32 4 20
12t 14 10t 3t 27 28t 5 20t 24t 2 20t 32 22t 28t 15t 12t
18 1 12 7 30 15 31 2 26 24 20 14 8 29 27 9
28 2 6 21 25 15 4 32 1 3 13 7 18 26 20 27
25 6 15 21 17 19 28 18 22 11 16 13 14 31 3 2
5 12 19 21 17 31 14 10 15 2 18 22 32 29 4 6
AZ ATL CAR CHI DAL DET GB MIN NO NYG PHI SF SEA STL TB WAS
BAL BUF CIN CLE DEN HOU IND JAX KC MIA NE NYJ OAK PIT SD TEN DEFENSE AZ ATL CAR CHI DAL DET GB MIN NO NYG PHI SF SEA STL TB WAS
BAL BUF CIN CLE DEN HOU IND JAX KC MIA NE NYJ OAK PIT SD TEN MISCELLANEOUS AZ ATL CAR CHI DAL DET GB MIN NO NYG PHI SF SEA STL TB WAS
AFC NFC
TEN. 1 0 1 5 6 11 1 1 2 6 16 22 +11
N.Y.G. 0 0 0 3 7 10 1 1 2 4 15 19 +9
CHI. 2 0 2 11 6 17 0 4 4 8 17 25 +8
MIA. 0 1 1 3 6 9 1 1 2 9 8 17 +8
G.B. 0 0 0 5 6 11 0 0 0 2 16 18 +7
BALT. 0 0 0 7 9 16 1 4 5 3 19 22 +6
IND. 0 1 1 1 10 11 1 0 1 7 10 17 +6
CLEV. 2 3 5 5 10 15 0 2 2 5 15 20 +5
OAK. 0 0 0 8 6 14 1 1 2 7 12 19 +5
CAR. 0 0 0 6 9 15 1 0 1 10 9 19 +4
K.C. 3 2 5 6 11 17 0 0 0 11 10 21 +4
ARIZ. 1 1 2 11 8 19 0 0 0 12 10 22 +3
WASH. 1 0 1 7 3 10 0 2 2 3 10 13 +3
ATL. 1 0 1 5 6 11 0 0 0 4 9 13 +2
N.E. 1 1 2 7 8 15 0 1 1 5 11 16 +1
T.B. 3 0 3 11 9 20 1 2 3 7 14 21 +1
N.Y.J. 1 1 2 6 14 20 1 0 1 11 9 20 +0
PITT. 1 0 1 4 11 15 0 1 1 4 11 15 +0
JAX. 3 2 5 7 8 15 0 1 1 4 10 14 -1
MINN. 0 1 1 9 13 22 3 2 5 12 8 20 -2
PHIL. 1 4 5 7 13 20 0 0 0 9 9 18 -2
CIN. 0 1 1 9 11 20 1 0 1 8 8 16 -4
SEA. 0 2 2 5 12 17 1 0 1 8 5 13 -4
BUFF. 0 0 0 11 11 22 3 2 5 10 7 17 -5
N.O. 0 0 0 6 11 17 0 0 0 5 7 12 -5
S.D. 1 0 1 6 10 16 0 1 1 4 7 11 -5
DALL. 1 0 1 7 13 20 1 1 2 9 5 14 -6
DET. 1 2 3 6 14 20 3 0 3 11 2 13 -7
ST.L. 0 4 4 8 14 22 2 0 2 9 6 15 -7
HOU. 0 2 2 7 17 24 2 3 5 5 9 14 -10
DEN. 1 1 2 10 12 22 0 0 0 6 4 10 -12
S.F. 1 1 2 13 14 27 1 0 1 4 10 14 -13
GAME SEASON GAME SEASON DIF
FumInt Tot FumInt Tot FumInt Tot FumInt Tot
1. N.O. 657 3.66 7.87 6.26
2. S.D. 612 3.91 7.89 6.14
3. DEN. 690 4.43 7.18 6.10
4. ARIZ. 724 3.34 7.45 5.94
5. HOU. 690 4.36 7.04 5.92
6. MIA. 675 4.14 7.15 5.82
7. N.Y.G. 706 5.11 6.36 5.73
8. DALL. 669 4.25 6.85 5.73
9. ATL. 703 4.39 7.24 5.70
10. CAR. 661 4.42 6.52 5.46
11. N.Y.J. 695 4.50 6.23 5.43
12. PHIL. 709 4.00 6.25 5.42
13. S.F. 641 4.23 6.22 5.39
14. BUFF. 653 3.85 6.70 5.38
15. G.B. 617 3.97 6.45 5.35
16. N.E. 751 4.23 6.22 5.32
17. IND. 683 3.51 6.29 5.29
18. WASH. 712 4.64 5.84 5.27
19. T.B. 726 4.06 6.06 5.19
20. K.C. 669 4.94 5.15 5.07
21. TEN. 685 3.97 6.11 5.03
22. MINN. 705 4.38 5.62 5.01
23. CHI. 697 4.03 5.79 4.99
24. JAX. 694 4.05 5.70 4.99
25. PITT. 682 3.58 6.09 4.94
26. CLEV. 638 4.16 5.43 4.87
27. DET. 629 3.94 5.20 4.73
28. BALT. 734 3.86 5.70 4.67
29. ST.L. 637 3.82 5.09 4.58
30. OAK. 634 4.25 4.82 4.54
31. SEA. 616 4.41 4.55 4.49
32. CIN. 681 3.36 4.19 3.87
1. PITT. 673 2.89 4.42 3.85
2. PHIL. 711 3.47 5.26 4.47
3. TEN. 707 3.96 4.99 4.56
4. BALT. 624 3.47 5.41 4.62
5. T.B. 639 3.90 5.38 4.73
6. N.Y.G. 634 3.84 5.36 4.78
7. CAR. 691 3.98 5.46 4.81
8. WASH. 617 3.94 5.46 4.85
9. CHI. 736 3.25 5.80 4.86
10. DALL. 653 4.10 5.55 4.96
11. G.B. 647 4.91 5.08 5.00
12. MINN. 652 3.11 6.24 5.04
13. N.Y.J. 682 3.40 6.12 5.12
14. CIN. 720 4.08 6.26 5.20
15. S.F. 729 3.57 6.56 5.25
16. ARIZ. 632 3.70 6.38 5.25
17. IND. 693 4.31 6.30 5.30
18. BUFF. 669 4.27 6.21 5.35
19. OAK. 725 4.72 6.11 5.39
20. S.D. 743 4.07 6.32 5.47
21. JAX. 633 4.24 6.69 5.54
22. MIA. 659 3.83 6.77 5.57
23. N.O. 621 4.25 6.53 5.57
24. N.E. 623 3.95 6.90 5.58
25. SEA. 745 4.03 6.92 5.63
26. HOU. 645 4.48 6.87 5.69
27. ATL. 675 4.89 6.30 5.73
28. CLEV. 698 4.52 7.17 5.83
29. DEN. 703 4.76 7.03 5.95
30. ST.L. 696 4.86 7.51 6.11
31. DET. 690 4.94 7.64 6.19
32. K.C. 710 5.04 7.60 6.29
OFF RUSH PASS OFF
OFFENSE PLAYS AVG AVG AVG
DEF RUSH PASS DEF
DEFENSE PLAYS AVG AVG AVG
OFF TOT TOT SCOR TD
OFFENSE POSS TD FG % %
OFF TOT TOT SCOR TD
DEFENSE POSS TD FG % %
1. IND. 32 23 7 .938 .719
2. MIA. 32 21 7 .875 .656
3. DET. 20 13 4 .850 .650
4. TEN. 34 22 11 .971 .647
5. PITT. 31 20 9 .935 .645
6. DEN. 37 23 9 .865 .622
7. DALL. 30 18 4 .733 .600
8. ARIZ. 52 30 13 .827 .577
9. CHI. 33 19 10 .879 .576
10. G.B. 28 16 10 .929 .571
11. K.C. 30 17 10 .900 .567
12. CAR. 31 17 11 .903 .548
13. BALT. 33 18 9 .818 .545
14. JAX. 33 18 8 .788 .545
15. N.Y.J. 51 27 14 .804 .529
16. N.O. 38 20 10 .789 .526
17. SEA. 27 14 10 .889 .519
18. N.Y.G. 56 29 21 .893 .518
19. BUFF. 37 19 13 .865 .514
20. N.E. 43 22 18 .930 .512
21. ATL. 38 19 12 .816 .500
22. HOU. 42 21 13 .810 .500
23. PHIL. 41 20 16 .878 .488
24. S.F. 39 19 13 .821 .487
25. CIN. 23 11 8 .826 .478
26. S.D. 42 20 17 .881 .476
27. WASH. 36 17 11 .778 .472
28. MINN. 29 12 13 .862 .414
29. CLEV. 34 14 17 .912 .412
30. T.B. 44 15 21 .818 .341
31. OAK. 27 9 14 .852 .333
32. ST.L. 17 5 8 .765 .294
1. PITT. 32 11 14 .781 .344
2. BALT. 28 10 11 .750 .357
3. N.O. 39 16 19 .897 .410
4. G.B. 29 12 12 .828 .414
5. IND. 38 16 17 .868 .421
6. BUFF. 38 17 15 .842 .447
7. T.B. 20 9 11 1.000 .450
8. S.F. 41 19 15 .829 .463
9. CAR. 30 14 10 .800 .467
10. MINN. 34 16 10 .765 .471
11. SEA. 36 17 16 .917 .472
12. N.Y.G. 26 13 10 .885 .500
13. N.Y.J. 41 21 11 .780 .512
14. MIA. 35 18 13 .886 .514
15. TEN. 33 17 9 .788 .515
16. K.C. 46 24 15 .848 .522
17. S.D. 40 21 11 .800 .525
18. DALL. 40 21 16 .925 .525
19. CHI. 38 20 12 .842 .526
20. ATL. 36 19 9 .778 .528
21. CLEV. 37 20 9 .784 .541
22. PHIL. 25 14 8 .880 .560
23. WASH. 28 16 10 .929 .571
24. DEN. 40 23 14 .925 .575
25. OAK. 36 21 9 .833 .583
26. ARIZ. 33 20 8 .848 .606
27. CIN. 36 22 13 .972 .611
28. DET. 44 27 10 .841 .614
29. ST.L. 41 26 10 .878 .634
30. JAX. 35 23 9 .914 .657
31. N.E. 33 22 9 .939 .667
32. HOU. 32 23 6 .906 .719
TURNOVERS TAKEAWAYS TEAM EFFICIENCY INSIDE THE RED ZONE
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PASSES DROPPED THROWN-TO DATA RED-ZONE RECEPTIONS SECOND-HALF YARDS PER CARRY RED-ZONE COMPLETIONS
FOURTH-QUARTER PASSING FIRST-DOWN PASSING CONVERSIONS ON THIRD DOWN
RUSHING
Player Team Att Yds Avg Lg TD
Portis Wash.244 1,206 4.9 31 7
Peterson Minn. 242 1,180 4.9 54 8
Turner Atl. 251 1,088 4.3 66 13
Forte Chi. 225 909 4.0 50 6
D. Williams Car. 172 883 5.1 69 7
Jacobs N.Y.G. 164 879 5.4 44 11
Gore S.F. 191 860 4.5 41 6
Barber Dall. 215 838 3.9 35 6
Grant G.B. 198 770 3.9 57 3
J. Jones Sea. 141 637 4.5 33 2
Ward N.Y.G. 120 600 5.0 22 2
Kev. Smith Det. 133 599 4.5 50 5
Dunn T.B. 123 566 4.6 40 2
Graham T.B. 132 563 4.3 68 4
Westbrook Phil. 137 547 4.0 39 6
Stewart Car. 123 528 4.3 28 6
Jackson St.L. 128 525 4.1 56 4
Norwood Atl. 73 394 5.4 44 2
James Ariz. 112 384 3.4 16 3
Hightower Ariz. 106 320 3.0 30 9
Bradshaw N.Y.G. 49 310 6.3 77 1
McAllister N.O. 81 299 3.7 12 3
Bush N.O. 87 294 3.4 29 2
Morris Sea. 53 278 5.2 45 0
F. Jones Dall. 30 266 8.9 60 3
Buckhalter Phil. 59 249 4.2 28 2
Taylor Minn. 70 247 3.5 18 2
P. Thomas N.O. 52 238 4.6 18 4
R. Johnson Det. 73 233 3.2 27 1
Pittman St.L. 66 232 3.5 24 0
Betts Wash. 44 164 3.7 14 1
Jackson G.B. 31 157 5.1 19 1
OSullivan S.F. 30 145 4.8 18 0
Rodgers G.B. 34 126 3.7 21 3
Arrington Ariz. 21 123 5.9 30 1
J. Campbell Wash. 32 121 3.8 22 0
Duckett Sea. 45 117 2.6 29 6
Jones Chi. 34 109 3.2 16 0
McNabb Phil. 24 95 4.0 17 1
D. Jackson Phil. 13 92 7.1 21 1
Choice Dall. 19 90 4.7 15 0
Ryan Atl. 34 74 2.2 17 0
Wolfe Chi. 14 70 5.0 38 0
Darby St.L. 18 68 3.8 14 0
Weaver Sea. 16 67 4.2 13 0
T. Jackson Minn. 11 65 5.9 19 0
Hasselbeck Sea. 9 59 6.6 15 0
Boldin Ariz. 8 59 7.4 30 0
Hester Chi. 5 58 11.6 20 0
Avery St.L. 7 56 8.0 37 1
Douglas Atl. 10 54 5.4 33 1
Garcia T.B. 16 48 3.0 8 0
Snelling Atl. 9 44 4.9 13 0
Orton Chi. 15 44 2.9 12 1
Stecker N.O. 8 43 5.4 12 0
Bulger St.L. 11 43 3.9 16 0
Foster S.F. 21 43 2.0 11 0
Peterson Chi. 6 42 7.0 16 0
C. Smith T.B. 7 38 5.4 10 0
S. Hill S.F. 8 37 4.6 13 1
RECEIVING
Boldin Ariz. 73 879 12.0 79 11
Fitzgerald Ariz. 72 1,010 14.0 75 6
White Atl. 62 973 15.7 70 6
Cooley Wash. 60 630 10.5 28 1
Breaston Ariz. 54 728 13.5 46 1
A. Bryant T.B. 54 673 12.5 47 2
Moss Wash. 53 773 14.6 67 5
L. Moore N.O. 52 609 11.7 47 5
Witten Dall. 49 594 12.1 42 2
C. Johnson Det. 48 905 18.9 96 8
Jennings G.B. 48 865 18.0 62 5
Smith Car. 48 849 17.7 65 4
Owens Dall. 47 718 15.3 75 7
D. Jackson Phil. 47 699 14.9 60 1
Barber Dall. 46 353 7.7 70 2
Muhammad Car. 45 601 13.4 47 4
Driver G.B. 45 572 12.7 50 3
Forte Chi. 45 336 7.5 19 3
Holt St.L. 42 496 11.8 45 2
Bush N.O. 42 366 8.7 42 3
Smith N.Y.G. 41 402 9.8 30 1
Randle El Wash. 39 473 12.1 31 2
Wade Minn. 39 408 10.5 46 1
Gore S.F. 36 331 9.2 26 1
Hilliard T.B. 36 331 9.2 36 4
Avery St.L. 35 499 14.3 69 2
Burress N.Y.G. 35 454 13.0 33 4
Berrian Minn. 34 673 19.8 86 4
Bruce S.F. 34 558 16.4 63 5
Toomer N.Y.G. 34 395 11.6 31 3
Westbrook Phil. 34 213 6.3 18 2
Jenkins Atl. 33 498 15.1 62 3
Olsen Chi. 33 391 11.8 52 2
Carlson Sea. 32 351 11.0 25 3
Hester Chi. 31 375 12.1 32 2
Ward N.Y.G. 31 296 9.5 35 0
McDonald Det. 31 288 9.3 25 1
Dunn T.B. 31 244 7.9 36 0
R. Davis Chi. 30 379 12.6 36 2
Clark Chi. 30 295 9.8 35 0
Shockey N.O. 30 262 8.7 26 0
Crayton Dall. 29 396 13.7 55 3
Taylor Minn. 29 272 9.4 47 1
D. Lee G.B. 29 202 7.0 26 3
Miller N.O. 28 388 13.9 41 0
Johnson S.F. 27 337 12.5 42 2
Clayton T.B. 27 289 10.7 29 0
Kev. Smith Det. 27 212 7.9 27 0
Shiancoe Minn. 26 353 13.6 40 4
Williams Dall. 26 342 13.2 28 2
Jackson St.L. 25 259 10.4 53 0
Norwood Atl. 25 253 10.1 67 1
Jackson G.B. 25 159 6.4 18 0
Battle S.F. 24 318 13.3 36 0
Urban Ariz. 24 284 11.8 56 2
Engram Sea. 24 256 10.7 21 0
Hightower Ariz. 24 173 7.2 20 0
Baskett Phil. 23 367 16.0 90 3
Stevens T.B. 23 267 11.6 31 2
Boss N.Y.G. 23 265 11.5 28 5
Graham T.B. 23 174 7.6 24 0
Henderson N.O. 22 554 25.2 84 3
Portis Wash. 22 172 7.8 29 0
Hixon N.Y.G. 21 302 14.4 41 1
Buckhalter Phil. 21 247 11.8 44 1
Nelson G.B. 21 247 11.8 29 1
Curtis Phil. 21 229 10.9 26 1
Celek Phil. 20 265 13.3 44 0
K. Robinson Sea. 20 245 12.3 90 2
Avant Phil. 20 226 11.3 31 1
Davis S.F. 19 263 13.8 57 2
A. Smith T.B. 19 228 12.0 34 3
Gaines Det. 19 192 10.1 21 0
L.J. Smith Phil. 19 160 8.4 21 2
Lloyd Chi. 18 269 14.9 32 1
Rosario Car. 18 209 11.6 24 1
Furrey Det. 18 181 10.1 25 0
King Car. 18 160 8.9 31 1
Douglas Atl. 16 252 15.8 69 0
G. Lewis Phil. 16 225 14.1 52 0
P. Thomas N.O. 16 138 8.6 24 0
Peterson Minn. 16 95 5.9 16 0
Pittman St.L. 16 91 5.7 22 0
Colston N.O. 15 252 16.8 49 0
Morgan S.F. 15 214 14.3 31 2
D. Williams Car. 15 98 6.5 25 2
Looker St.L. 14 183 13.1 30 2
Finneran Atl. 14 118 8.4 14 0
J. Jones Sea. 14 66 4.7 17 0
Bennett Dall. 13 207 15.9 34 3
R. Brown Phil. 13 192 14.8 40 1
Weaver Sea. 13 178 13.7 62 2
J. Hill S.F. 13 175 13.5 33 1
Austin Dall. 12 255 21.3 63 3
Galloway T.B. 12 134 11.2 22 0
Gilmore T.B. 12 124 10.3 36 1
Campbell N.O. 12 121 10.1 29 2
D. Hall St.L. 12 105 8.8 20 0
M. Booker Chi. 11 183 16.6 51 2
Patten N.O. 11 162 14.7 39 1
Hackett Car. 11 144 13.1 37 0
McMichael St.L. 11 139 12.6 31 0
Darby St.L. 11 112 10.2 30 0
R. Johnson Det. 11 89 8.1 34 1
D.Thomas Wash. 11 77 7.0 16 0
Morris Sea. 11 68 6.2 13 2
McKie Chi. 11 64 5.8 12 1
Robinson S.F. 10 113 11.3 36 0
Allison Minn. 10 109 10.9 21 0
Rice Minn. 10 97 9.7 23 3
McAllister N.O. 10 76 7.6 15 1
James Ariz. 10 73 7.3 16 0
Askew T.B. 10 48 4.8 18 0
Tahi Minn. 10 26 2.6 7 0
SCORING
Player Team TD XP/att FG/att 2XP Pts
Carney N.Y.G. 0 31/31 24/25 0 103
M. Bryant T.B. 0 24/24 25/29 0 99
Elam Atl. 0 30/30 22/24 0 96
Akers Phil. 0 29/29 22/26 0 95
Rackers Ariz. 0 31/31 21/24 0 94
Longwell Minn. 0 25/25 22/26 0 91
Crosby G.B. 0 31/31 19/23 0 88
Nedney S.F. 0 25/25 21/24 0 88
Kasay Car. 0 26/26 20/21 0 86
Gould Chi. 0 29/29 18/21 0 83
Suisham Wash. 0 18/18 21/28 0 81
Turner Atl. 13 0/0 0/0 0 78
Folk Dall. 0 32/32 13/15 0 71
J. Brown St.L. 0 12/12 19/23 0 69
Mare Sea. 0 21/21 16/18 0 69
Boldin Ariz. 11 0/0 0/0 0 66
Jacobs N.Y.G. 11 0/0 0/0 0 66
Hanson Det. 0 18/19 15/16 0 63
D. Williams Car. 9 0/0 0/0 1 56
Forte Chi. 9 0/0 0/0 0 54
Hightower Ariz. 9 0/0 0/0 0 54
C. Johnson Det. 8 0/0 0/0 1 50
Barber Dall. 8 0/0 0/0 0 48
Bush N.O. 8 0/0 0/0 0 48
Peterson Minn. 8 0/0 0/0 0 48
Westbrook Phil. 8 0/0 0/0 0 48
Gore S.F. 7 0/0 0/0 1 44
Owens Dall. 7 0/0 0/0 0 42
Portis Wash. 7 0/0 0/0 0 42
Duckett Sea. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Fitzgerald Ariz. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Moss Wash. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Stewart Car. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
White Atl. 6 0/0 0/0 0 36
Gramatica N.O. 0 16/16 6/10 0 34
Boss N.Y.G. 5 0/0 0/0 0 30
Bruce S.F. 5 0/0 0/0 0 30
Jennings G.B. 5 0/0 0/0 0 30
L. Moore N.O. 5 0/0 0/0 0 30
Kev. Smith Det. 5 0/0 0/0 0 30
Berrian Minn. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Burress N.Y.G. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Graham T.B. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Hilliard T.B. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Jackson St.L. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
F. Jones Dall. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
McAllister N.O. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Muhammad Car. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Shiancoe Minn. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Smith Car. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
P. Thomas N.O. 4 0/0 0/0 0 24
Hartley N.O. 0 5/5 5/5 0 20
James Ariz. 3 0/0 0/0 1 20
A. Smith T.B. 3 0/0 0/0 1 20
Arrington Ariz. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Austin Dall. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Avery St.L. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Baskett Phil. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Bennett Dall. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Buckhalter Phil. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Carlson Sea. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Collins G.B. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Crayton Dall. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
R. Davis Chi. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Driver G.B. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Grant G.B. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Henderson N.O. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
D. Jackson Phil. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Jenkins Atl. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
D. Lee G.B. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
McKie Chi. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Mehlhaff N.O. 0 9/10 3/4 0 18
Norwood Atl. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Rice Minn. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Rodgers G.B. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Taylor Minn. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Toomer N.Y.G. 3 0/0 0/0 0 18
Lloyd Chi. 2 0/0 0/0 1 14
Blackmon G.B. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
M. Booker Chi. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Bradshaw N.Y.G. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
A. Bryant T.B. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Campbell N.O. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Davis S.F. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Douglas Atl. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Dunn T.B. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Grossman Chi. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Hester Chi. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Holt St.L. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
R. Johnson Det. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Johnson S.F. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
J. Jones Sea. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Karney N.O. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Looker St.L. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Meachem N.O. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Morgan S.F. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Morris Sea. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Moss N.Y.G. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Olsen Chi. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Randle El Wash. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
K. Robinson Sea. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Rossum S.F. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
C. Smith T.B. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
L.J. Smith Phil. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Stevens T.B. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Urban Ariz. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Ward N.Y.G. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Weaver Sea. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Williams Dall. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Winfield Minn. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Witten Dall. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Woodson G.B. 2 0/0 0/0 0 12
Tuck N.Y.G. 1 0/0 0/0 0 8
NFC INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
PUNT RETURNS
Player Team No FC Yds Avg Lg TD
Bush N.O. 13 2 285 21.9 71 3
Blackmon G.B. 22 7 285 13.0 76 2
Jones Car. 28 17 333 11.9 55 0
Hixon N.Y.G. 21 8 239 11.4 50 0
Forsett Sea. 19 1 205 10.8 29 0
D. Jackson Phil. 38 12 371 9.8 68 1
Randle El Wash. 30 13 197 6.6 21 0
Jennings Atl. 23 6 151 6.6 37 0
Hester Chi. 20 9 126 6.3 25 0
Breaston Ariz. 25 8 157 6.3 22 0
A. Jones Dall. 16 0 80 5.0 18 0
D. Jackson T.B. 20 0 97 4.9 19 0
C. Gordon Minn. 15 11 66 4.4 20 0
KICKOFF RETURNS
C. Smith T.B. 16 484 30.3 97 1
Rossum S.F. 40 1,093 27.3 104 1
F. Jones Dall. 16 434 27.1 98 1
Demps Phil. 41 1,070 26.1 100 1
Wilson Sea. 45 1,156 25.7 61 0
Stanley St.L. 14 356 25.4 75 0
Norwood Atl. 31 787 25.4 85 0
Cartwright Wash. 32 799 25.0 58 0
Roby N.O. 14 340 24.3 54 0
P. Thomas N.O. 27 642 23.8 56 0
Forsett Sea. 16 378 23.6 32 0
Jones Car. 19 444 23.4 59 0
D. Jackson T.B. 14 327 23.4 45 0
Stewart Car. 15 349 23.3 38 0
M. Hicks Minn. 26 580 22.3 34 0
Austin Dall. 16 355 22.2 32 0
Middleton Det. 39 864 22.2 42 0
Player Team No Yds Lg TD
Collins G.B. 5 230 62 3
Woodson G.B. 5 124 62 2
Atogwe St.L. 4 91 43 0
T. Williams G.B. 4 73 39 0
Hall Wash. 4 33 21 0
Payne Chi. 3 111 50 0
Webster N.Y.G. 3 65 57 0
Tillman Chi. 3 52 26 1
E. Coleman Atl. 3 48 32 0
Talib T.B. 3 32 19 0
Samuel Phil. 3 14 14 0
Spikes S.F. 3 14 13 0
Horton Wash. 3 13 10 0
Briggs Chi. 3 12 9 0
Wilson Sea. 2 133 75 1
Lucas Car. 2 74 43 0
Barber T.B. 2 67 65 1
Ross N.Y.G. 2 60 50 1
Beason Car. 2 52 44 0
Adams T.B. 2 50 45 1
Dansby Ariz. 2 47 34 0
Mikell Phil. 2 41 41 0
Wilson Ariz. 2 37 28 0
Grant Sea. 2 31 31 0
W. Harris S.F. 2 25 1 0
Gamble Car. 2 19 19 0
M. Johnson N.Y.G. 2 18 18 0
Butler N.Y.G. 2 15 9 0
Clements S.F. 2 13 0 0
Urlacher Chi. 2 11 11 0
Ruud T.B. 2 10 10 0
Houston Atl. 2 10 10 1
Rodgers-Cromartie Ariz. 2 6 6 0
Winfield Minn. 2 5 4 0
M. Williams Minn. 2 -1 0 0
PASSING
Comp TD Int Avg
Player Team Att Comp Pct Yds TD Pct Lg Int Pct Gain Rating
Warner Ariz. 433 302 69.7 3,506 21 4.8 79 8 1.8 8.10 102.4
Romo Dall. 266 170 63.9 2,228 18 6.8 75 7 2.6 8.38 101.8
Brees N.O. 398 266 66.8 3,251 18 4.5 84 11 2.8 8.17 95.4
Garcia T.B. 248 173 69.8 1,783 7 2.8 47 3 1.2 7.19 94.5
Rodgers G.B. 318 205 64.5 2,351 15 4.7 62 6 1.9 7.39 94.5
Manning N.Y.G. 337 209 62.0 2,319 18 5.3 41 7 2.1 6.88 91.6
J. Campbell Wash. 340 218 64.1 2,328 10 2.9 67 3 0.9 6.85 90.2
Ryan Atl. 310 186 60.0 2,418 11 3.5 70 6 1.9 7.80 88.3
Orton Chi. 299 182 60.9 2,049 11 3.7 52 4 1.3 6.85 88.1
McNabb Phil. 400 235 58.8 2,770 14 3.5 90 10 2.5 6.93 81.1
Delhomme Car. 312 178 57.1 2,246 12 3.8 65 9 2.9 7.20 80.4
Orlovsky Det. 156 88 56.4 1,033 5 3.2 96 4 2.6 6.62 76.7
Frerotte Minn. 266 155 58.3 1,877 11 4.1 86 12 4.5 7.06 75.0
OSullivan S.F. 220 128 58.2 1,678 8 3.6 63 11 5.0 7.63 73.6
Bulger St.L. 268 156 58.2 1,679 7 2.6 80 8 3.0 6.26 73.0
Hasselbeck Sea. 171 87 50.9 929 5 2.9 34 9 5.3 5.43 54.9
NON-QUALIFIERS
S. Hill S.F. 116 70 60.3 906 7 6.0 47 3 2.6 7.81 94.3
S. Wallace Sea. 121 64 52.9 669 5 4.1 90 1 0.8 5.53 79.5
Kitna Det. 120 68 56.7 758 5 4.2 47 5 4.2 6.32 72.2
Griese T.B. 147 84 57.1 804 4 2.7 38 6 4.1 5.47 64.6
Culpepper Det. 65 33 50.8 432 2 3.1 51 5 7.7 6.65 50.3
Green St.L. 72 38 52.8 525 0 0.0 53 6 8.3 7.29 41.7
PUNTING
Gross Ins Ret Net
Player Team No Yds Lg Avg TB 20 Blk Ret Yds Avg
Jones St.L. 60 2,974 63 49.6 2 16 0 46 491 40.7
Feagles N.Y.G. 40 1,740 61 43.5 4 17 0 14 54 40.2
Bidwell T.B. 51 2,307 64 45.2 5 18 0 25 238 38.6
N. Harris Det. 64 2,760 58 43.1 3 17 0 35 302 37.5
Lee S.F. 44 2,028 82 46.1 6 7 1 25 225 37.4
Ryan Sea. 53 2,435 63 45.9 9 12 1 28 242 37.3
Rocca Phil. 59 2,559 65 43.4 4 18 1 31 245 37.2
Baker Car. 55 2,485 63 45.2 5 20 3 33 237 37.0
Frost G.B. 40 1,712 65 42.8 5 8 0 19 132 37.0
Maynard Chi. 64 2,613 67 40.8 4 23 0 24 178 36.8
Koenen Atl. 43 1,645 60 38.3 3 19 1 11 14 35.7
Johnson Ariz. 36 1,525 59 42.4 4 13 0 16 171 35.4
Kluwe Minn. 53 2,508 60 47.3 7 20 1 30 529 34.1
Brooks N.O. 26 1,030 60 39.6 0 9 0 12 195 32.1
Plackemeier Wash. 34 1,374 56 40.4 3 6 1 19 234 30.9
FIELD-GOAL ACCURACY
Avg Avg Avg
1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50 or Yds Yds Yds
Player Team Yds Yds Yds Yds Longer Total Att Made Miss Lg
Carney N.Y.G. 0-0 14-14 7-8 3-3 0-0 24-25 30.8 30.7 35.0 48
.000 1.000 .875 1.000 .000 .960
Kasay Car. 0-0 6-6 6-6 7-7 1-2 20-21 36.5 35.7 54.0 50
.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 .500 .952
Hanson Det. 0-0 1-1 2-3 6-6 6-6 15-16 44.5 45.3 33.0 56
.000 1.000 .667 1.000 1.000 .938
Elam Atl. 0-0 8-8 4-5 9-9 1-2 22-24 36.4 35.9 42.0 50
.000 1.000 .800 1.000 .500 .917
Mare Sea. 0-0 4-4 6-7 4-4 2-3 16-18 38.3 37.4 45.5 51
.000 1.000 .857 1.000 .667 .889
Nedney S.F. 0-0 7-7 6-6 7-9 1-2 21-24 36.7 35.4 45.7 53
.000 1.000 1.000 .778 .500 .875
Rackers Ariz. 0-0 7-7 8-10 5-5 1-2 21-24 35.8 34.2 46.7 54
.000 1.000 .800 1.000 .500 .875
Folk Dall. 0-0 1-1 4-5 6-7 2-2 13-15 41.6 41.6 41.5 52
.000 1.000 .800 .857 1.000 .867
M. Bryant T.B. 0-0 9-9 12-12 4-6 0-2 25-29 35.3 33.2 48.8 49
.000 1.000 1.000 .667 .000 .862
Gould Chi. 0-0 4-4 6-6 8-11 0-0 18-21 38.1 36.7 46.3 48
.000 1.000 1.000 .727 .000 .857
Akers Phil. 2-2 9-9 8-8 3-4 0-3 22-26 33.5 30.4 50.3 44
1.000 1.000 1.000 .750 .000 .846
Longwell Minn. 0-0 7-7 6-7 5-8 4-4 22-26 38.3 37.0 45.3 54
.000 1.000 .857 .625 1.000 .846
J. Brown St.L. 0-0 5-5 2-2 8-10 4-6 19-23 41.7 40.4 48.3 54
.000 1.000 1.000 .800 .667 .826
Crosby G.B. 0-0 5-5 7-9 4-4 3-5 19-23 38.3 37.2 43.5 53
.000 1.000 .778 1.000 .600 .826
Suisham Wash. 0-0 6-6 5-7 9-12 1-3 21-28 38.2 36.3 43.7 50
.000 1.000 .714 .750 .333 .750
Gramatica N.O. 0-0 0-0 3-3 2-5 1-2 6-10 43.1 40.8 46.5 53
.000 .000 1.000 .400 .500 .600
Player Tm Sks
Abraham Atl. 12.0
Ware Dall. 12.0
Tuck N.Y.G. 9.5
Peppers Car. 9.0
K. Williams Minn. 8.5
Allen Minn. 8.0
Howard Phil. 8.0
Kampman G.B. 6.5
Kiwanuka N.Y.G. 6.5
Ratliff Dall. 6.0
Robbins N.Y.G. 5.5
White Det. 5.5
Adams T.B. 5.0
Berry Ariz. 5.0
Kerney Sea. 5.0
Parker Phil. 5.0
Peterson Sea. 5.0
J. Hall St.L. 4.5
Haralson S.F. 4.5
C. Johnson Car. 4.5
Little St.L. 4.5
Ogunleye Chi. 4.5
White T.B. 4.5
A. Brown Chi. 4.0
T. Cole Phil. 4.0
Ellis Dall. 4.0
Greenway Minn. 4.0
T. Harris Chi. 4.0
LaBoy Ariz. 4.0
Long St.L. 4.0
McCray N.O. 4.0
C. Smith Det. 4.0
Wilkerson T.B. 4.0
Evans Wash. 3.5
Tollefson N.Y.G. 3.5
Bernard Sea. 3.0
Carter T.B. 3.0
N. Cole Phil. 3.0
Dansby Ariz. 3.0
Dockett Ariz. 3.0
Grant N.O. 3.0
James Dall. 3.0
Lawson S.F. 3.0
Mebane Sea. 3.0
Okeafor Ariz. 3.0
Redding Det. 3.0
Ruud T.B. 3.0
Smith N.O. 3.0
J. Smith S.F. 3.0
Gaither Phil. 2.5
Jenkins G.B. 2.5
Lewis Car. 2.5
SACKS
INTERCEPTIONS
NFL DRAFT 2009
By Nolan Nawrocki
Senior editor
Editors note: This is the sixth article in
a series previewing the top NFL prospects by
position for the 2009 draft. Underclassmen
include juniors and draft-eligible third-
year sophomores.
T
his draft features some elite talent well
suited for 3-4 fronts and could receive a
big boost from underclassmen. But based
on the senior class alone, neither the DE class
nor the DT class is particularly strong, with
a shortage of big-bodied cloggers.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
1
DE-DT Tyson Jackson, LSU (Sr.)
6-4
1
4, 295, 4.9e
Big, strong, physical and versatile, Jackson
fits best as a prototype five-technique for an
odd front in a similar mold as Cowboys DE
Chris Canty. However, Jackson could fit just as
easily as a left defensive end in a 4-3 front and
kick inside on third downs and in passing sit-
uations, possessing the combination of size
and quickness to pose problems for guards.
Will never be a playmaker or a productive sack
artist but will bring great value setting the
edge and stuffing the run. Has shown more
overall effort and intensity as a senior than he
did a year ago and has been more consistent.
Is every bit as good as Marcus Spears, the
Cowboys 20th overall selection in 2005, and
should be able to contribute readily in the
pros. Versatility is a big plus.
2
DE-OLB Aaron Maybin, Penn St. (Soph.-3)
6-4e, 240e, 4.65e
Very lean, naturally athletic, pass-rushing
phenom who shows the ability to transfer his
quickness into power, Maybin has fared excep-
tionally well against bigger, stronger blockers
despite giving up 60-plus pounds and fits the
mold of a rush linebacker. Has received high
marks for his work ethic and leadership and
sets the tone for the defense with his effort,
hustle and pursuit. Is not expected to declare,
with two more years to improve his strength
and lead an up-and-coming Nittany Lions
team headed to a BCS bowl. Could benefit
from additional time in the weight room to bulk
up and help defend the run, but he plays with
good functional strength and if he were to de-
clare early, he could spring up draft boards.
3
DE-OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas (Sr.)
6-3
1
2e, 255e, 4.65e
Has natural burst, athletic ability and quick-
ness to consistently take the corner and pres-
surize the edges. Has played the run
surprisingly well with good leverage and
strength. Is not lighting scouts on fire and
must learn to do a better job using his hands
to separate and come free. His overall durabil-
ity will be called into question and could be the
biggest issue that hinders his draft status,
having missed extended time each of the past
two seasons with injuries. Nonetheless, hes
smart, has a passion for the game, his best
football is ahead of him and he will be drafted
higher than he grades out because of his up-
side and ability to fit as a rush linebacker.
4
DE-OLB Everette Brown, Florida St. (Jr.)
6-3e, 250e, 4.65e
Started the season slowly, but after notch-
ing his third three-sack performance in the last
five weeks, the fourth-year junior ranks among
the nations top sack artists and seems bound
for the NFL. The Seminoles pipeline has lost
some luster as its recent crop of pass rushers
Kamerion Wimbley (2006, 13th overall),
Alonzo Jackson (2003, 59th overall) and Jamal
Reynolds (2001, 10th overall) have strug-
gled to produce in the pros. Brown shows the
explosive burst, natural bend, lower-body
strength and counter moves to dominate, as
he has displayed during the course of the past
month, abusing blockers from the inside and
outside. When he wants to get to the quarter-
back, he is difficult to stop and could emerge
as the top rush LB prospect in the country.
5
DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech (Sr.)
6-7, 260, 4.65e
Has been disappointing defending the run
and has yet to show he can anchor. Questions
persist about how much he loves the game
and whether he has the passion to play in the
trenches. However, there is no denying his
overall skill set for rushing the quarterback
with very long arms, great overall length and
the quick twitch to beat blockers off the ball.
Fell into an interception that he returned 26
yards for a TD against Miami (Fla.) on a na-
tional stage in front of a press box full of
heavyweight evaluators and still has received
some first-round grades from teams employ-
ing 4-3 fronts. Nonetheless, not all are con-
vinced he can be an every-down player.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1
NT-DT B.J. Raji, Boston College (Sr.)
6-1
1
4, 326, 5.19
In a similar mold as Sedrick Ellis and Vince
Wilfork, Raji possesses the raw, brute strength
and toughness to dominate physically and be
very stout inside. He can handle the double-
team, beat blockers with power and control
the middle. Asquare-cut, naturally big-boned,
wide-shouldered run clogger, Raji has ma-
tured since he entered the program, plays
hard and has learned to take the game more
seriously. Having dropped 10 pounds and im-
proved his playing shape, he has made more
lateral plays this season while still showing he
can collapse the pocket and could bring value
to any defensive front. He brings a presence
to the interior and should attract the most in-
terest from a 3-4 front that places a premium
on controlling the middle and keeping its line-
backers clean. Has played like a first-round tal-
ent and easily should fit into the first round.
2
DT-DE Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma (Soph.-3)
6-4e, 295e, 5.0e
A quick, explosive, up-the-field penetrator,
McCoy has brought consistent pressure from
the inside and continually disrupts the middle
by slanting, stunting and playing in gaps. Plays
with the strength to line up outside in an odd
front and the quickness to be disruptive inside
as a three-technique. Is still very young and de-
veloping physically and could benefit from fur-
ther maturation, but there is no denying his
pure skill set. He is very strong, plays smart
and commands respect from his teammates.
His versatility only would add to his draft value,
but he is not expected to declare for the draft
after his third season in Norman. The most tal-
ented interior presence the Sooners have had
since Tommie Harris, McCoy should enter next
season as one of the nations top talents.
3
DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi (Sr.)
6-1
1
2e, 310e, 5.0e
Lack of size will detract from his value for 3-
4 fronts, where he is not a fit and his injury his-
tory could scare any team. Was slowed early
in the season by arthroscopic right knee sur-
gery that he underwent to repair cartilage in
fall camp and has struggled to stay healthy
throughout his career with a thin lower body.
The injury zapped some of his quickness, es-
pecially early in the season, but he has come
on strong in the past month, at times looking
unblockable against Arkansas and continually
beating blockers with his quickness against
Auburn and LSU.
4
NT Terrence Cody, Alabama (Jr.)
6-5e, 365e, 5.5e
Amammoth, widebodied plugger who plays
with excellent strength and extension, control-
ling blockers with his strong hands and natu-
ral girth, Cody has put himself on the map with
a terrific junior season that has helped posi-
tion Alabama atop the college football world.
Despite appearing fairly agile and limber for
as massive as he is, his inability to rush the
passer will limit his overall value. So, too, will
intelligence, work ethic and weight issues that
forced him to take the junior-college route. An
immovable anchor who commands the dou-
ble-team, Cody still could warrant early con-
sideration, but teams will have to do their
diligence to make sure he wont eat himself
out of the league after a major payday.
5
NT-DT Ron Brace, Boston College (Sr.)
6-3e, 330, 5.3e
Playing alongside NT B.J. Raji no doubt has
helped Brace develop. Like Raji, Brace has
dropped some weight and has played with bet-
ter balance. He might not be quite as violent
with his hands, as strong at the point or as
rangy overall as Raji, but Brace is very similar
in stature, still possesses great strength to
stack the point and helps form a wall inside
that has keyed the Eagles top-10 run defense.
Is instinctive to sniff out the ball and plug the
run while showing the ability to push the
pocket in pass-rush situations. He could bring
the most value as a run clogger in an odd front.
NFL DRAFT
5-YEAR BREAKDOWN
Round-by-round recap of where DLs were drafted
Rd 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOT
08 6 5 5 5 6 5 6 38
07 5 6 6 8 5 4 4 38
06 6 1 4 6 7 8 8 40
05 5 3 4 2 4 10 7 35
04 4 7 6 7 7 3 6 40
Avg 5.2 4.4 5.0 5.6 5.8 6.0 6.2 38.2
Jackson, Raji tops in trenches
A
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Teams running 3-4 defenses especially will be excited by the potential of LSU DE Tyson
Jackson (left) and Boston College NT B.J. Raji (right).
By Nolan Nawrocki
Senior editor
When Paul Johnson visits Athens to face
Georgia for the first time as Georgia Techs
head coach, he not only will be trying to snap
a string of seven consecutive losses by the
Yellow Jackets to the Bulldogs but also to
gain better control of in-state recruiting.
In the current age of pressure defense be-
ing employed by the likes of teams such as
Georgia, Johnsons option offense enables
Tech to exploit overaggressiveness. As a re-
sult, it might just squeak out with a win.
Johnson does not enter games with big,
fancy play-calling sheets like many of his
coaching brethren. He has been running the
same offense for 20-plus years and is one of
the best coaches in college football at rec-
ognizing how defenses are trying to attack
him and adapting his play-calling accord-
ingly.
The Bulldogs enter the in-state rivalry with
better personnel, featuring arguably college
footballs best set of triplets in junior QB
Matthew Stafford, sophomore RB Know-
shon Moreno and freshman WR A.J. Green,
not to mention as much team speed on de-
fense as a collegiate team could field. Yet the
Bulldogs will be challenged to stop the
Yellowjackets ground game.
What could level the playing field is the
Bulldogs extra week off to prepare for
Johnsons option. Teams trying to stop it with
only a few days to practice will be majorly
challenged trying to duplicate the speed and
efficiency with which Johnson runs his of-
fense. Since he took over, the Yellowjackets
have been able to run at will and they rank
among the nations top five moving the ball
on the ground.
The option may have been phased out of
the college game, but it is still heavily run
at the high school level and the abundance
of quarterbacks seeking to prolong their
passing days is great. With one of the few
programs in college football that offers
athletic QBs the chance to remain under cen-
ter, Johnson has an advantage in recruiting
with the ability to recruit athletes as quar-
terbacks and switch them to other positions
if they are not performing under center.
The last time Johnson entered Athens
as head coach of Georgia Southern in 2000
he was running an offense with talent
good enough to capture the Division I-AA
crown, but not talented enough to match up
with Georgia, losing 29-7. Now with as much
talent as he has ever fielded, it could change
the way the tide flows in Georgia.
DRAFT AUDIBLES
(Syracuse FB Tony) Fiammetta
catches the ball consistently. Hes not
elusive in space or going to run anyone
over, but he can catch it and turn the cor-
ner. I havent seen a better fullback.
Someone has to show me where
(Texas Tech QB Graham) Harrell steps
up in the pocket. I dont see him getting
away with what he does now in the NFL.
You need to be tough to play quarterback
in our league.
If you just watched (Clemson junior
RB) C.J. Spiller (two weeks ago) and
that was your only exposure, Id take him
over Reggie Bush. Hes got more wiggle.
I liked Reggie and dont get me
wrong, Reggie could go but this guy is a
little more compact in his movement. I
dont know if Ive seen one like him.
(Illinois junior CB) Vontae Davis just
flat out quits at times. He may have a
beautiful body like his brother (Vernon),
but from what Ive seen, hes got no busi-
ness coming out of school early. He gets
beat and quits too much. I dont have tol-
erance for those guys. Look at how long it
has taken his brother for the light to
come on and Im not sure it has yet.
You cant get caught up in the numbers.
The bust rate is high for those guys.
(Ohio State junior RB Chris Wells)
has so much hype that Im not sure he is
going to be able to live up to it. Hes fast
and explosive, but those type of guys
struggle to stay healthy. Look at Adrian
Peterson. Look at Darren McFadden.
Its not easy being a bellcow.
THE WAY WE HEAR IT
This years DL class does not feature
great depth, but a number of seniors have
greatly enhanced their draft stock and
put themselves on the map.
Texas strong-side DE Henry Melton
quietly has flown under the radar on a line
featuring the more heralded Brian
Orakpo, but he has improved his draft
stock in his first year as a starter and
could be a solid mid-round pick because
of his athletic ability and upside. Cincin-
nati DE Connor Barwin, who moved to
the defensive side of the ball for the first
time as a senior after lining up at tight
end earlier in his career, has racked up 10
sacks and shown the effort, intensity and
raw edge speed to warrant interest.
On the inside, Georgia DT Corey Irvin
has impressed enough to warrant an invi-
tation to the Senior Bowl and has shined
on a line that has been without Jeff
Owens (season-ending knee injury).
Temple DT Terrence Knighton and Still-
man (Ala.)s Sammie Hill also have
stood out as developmental projects.
Jackets option test for Dawgs
Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson has found success running an unconventional offense.
After gaining 816 rushing yards in four
September contests, Michigan State RB
Javon Ringer came back down to earth
against better competition, not running for
more than 67 against Ohio State, Wisconsin
or Penn State in the final five games.
An underrated performer in Syracuses
24-23 win over Notre Dame was junior DT
Arthur Jones, who notched 15 tackles, four
tackles for loss and 1
1
2 sacks in dominating
an average offensive line. Regardless of who
replaces Greg Robinson, the best recruit
they could land is Jones.
Alabama may be undefeated, but no two
teams have been as impressive since losing
earlier in the season than Florida and Okla-
homa, which shut down what has been an
explosive Texas Tech offense.
BYU junior QB Max Hall was discussed as
a potential Heisman candidate with impres-
sive statistics in a spread offense for a one-
loss team, but after being flagged for a per-
sonal foul following an interception before
halftime against undefeated Utah, Hall
slipped into a funk. The Cougars were only
down 27-24 heading into the fourth quarter,
but Hall turned the ball over on each of the
final five drives, opening up a 48-24 victory
for a Utes squad that clinched a BCS berth
for the first time since Alex Smith cap-
tained the squad for Urban Meyer in 2004.
Rutgers junior WR Kenny Britt caught 10
passes for a career-high 197 yards to give
him his fifth consecutive 100-yard perform-
ance on the season in what has been a sea-
son-changing, five-game winning streak that
made Rutgers bowl-eligible.
New Mexico State WR Chris Williams
may be a smurf at 5-7
1
2, 155 pounds, but he
is electric when he touches the ball and
should get a chance to at least contribute as
a return specialist in the NFL. Two weeks
after shredding Hawaii for 7-221-3, he
gouged Louisiana Tech for 10-189-2 and has
continually produced something out of noth-
ing.
Auburn junior DT SenDerrick Marks has
been slowed by an ankle injury he suffered
against Arkansas in early October and has
not been much of a factor the past month.
Even before he was hurt, he stayed blocked
too often and did not show the power to cre-
ate many plays on his own. He would be best
served returning to school for another sea-
son. Fellow junior DE Antonio Coleman,
who was taken off the Tigers practice field in
the spring on a stretcher after suffering a
cervical sprain, also has been slowed by a
sore ankle and a right shoulder injury. Cole-
man could be enticed to return to play with
his nephew, Terrance Coleman, who has
committed to join the Tigers next season,
but program sources believe the risk of fur-
ther injury could push him to declare early,
where he could warrant the most interest in
a hybrid role.
COLLEGE NOTES
A
P
NFL DRAFT 2009
AUDIBLES
How can you fly off the handle like (Browns GM Phil Savage) did when you are in a posi-
tion of leadership? You have to have thick skin to let criticism roll off. What does (telling a
fan off) say about a persons ability to lead? Savage might be a good evaluator but he
has failed the Browns as a leader. And Im not talking about this incident. There has been
too much going on behind closed doors for too long. Between the head coach and the GM,
its still a very dysfunctional organization. I know the (league office) contacted the Browns,
but I dont know if he was fined. I would be surprised if he wasnt he left the league with
a big black eye.
The Ravens front office is a well-oiled
machine. John Harbaugh walked into a
great situation. They just plug in talent and
keep rolling. They have the right hierarchy
there. Ozzie Newsome runs a front office
like its supposed to be run and has it set
up the right way.
The Eagles defense plays with such
heart. The offense has to pick up some
slack, but its difficult to criticize them too
much. OLT Tra Thomas gets worse each
week, and they mightve been able to plug
(Shawn) Andrews in if he were healthy.
Without him, it has crippled the O-line.
When you look at the NFC East, its a
battle every year. Im not a statistics guy,
but how many divisions have three teams
ranked in the top 10 statistically in offense
and defense? All four are right there. The
NFLs best football is played in the East.
What (Falcons GM Thomas) Dimitroff
has done in Atlanta has to open up the
eyes of owners. It definitely cant hurt
scouting directors with the way he has
been running with the banner. I thought it
wouldve taken three years to turn that
team around. He walked in, and they are
fighting for a playoff spot out of the gate. I
thought (the selection of Matt) Ryan was a
great move. I thought he wouldve been the
first pick in the draft. He hit on (Michael)
Turner like you only dream it. Youve got to
take your hat off to him. (Bill) Belichick
rules New England with an iron fist, and he
does not allow a lot of opinions to be heard
in the building, but Dimitroff is clearly prov-
ing himself as a decision maker. Hes made
all the right moves.
Look what Bill Parcells did in Dallas
and Miami. Look at all the picks he spent
on the defensive line. He stocked up on
five-techniques he drafted Chris Canty,
Marcus Spears, Jason Hatcher (in Dal-
las). They brought in Jason Ferguson. He
goes to Miami and drafts Phillip Merling,
Kendall Langford and brought Ferguson
with him again. You think that position
might be important?
It might be time for the league to inter-
vene and help some of these franchises
Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City, Oakland,
Cincinnati. You might even have to throw
Cleveland in there. If you add up all the top-
10 picks theyve had the last five years, its
far too many. Alot of it has to do with the
way the front offices are structured and the
people in place making decisions. Theyre
putting a bad product on the field. The fans
deserve better.
(Bears CB Nathan) Vasher is playing
with no confidence. Hes been playing one-
armed with a bad thumb, but even (Corey)
Grahamstruggled against Green Bay when
he went in. Those receivers are talented,
man. Mike Brown is the only guy in the
secondary whos really showing up.
(Browns OLB Kamerion) Wimbley is
too elongated. He does not come to bal-
ance in space. Hes a one-trick pony, and
the league has figured him out. Just look at
his sack production. Its gone straight
downhill every year hes been in the league.
He was able to surprise teams with his
quickness when he got into the league, but
you need more than an outside speed rush
to rush the passer in the NFL.
A
P
The following quotes are from NFL scouts, coaches and front-office personnel, speaking
on the condition of anonymity.
TRANSACTIONS
(As reported, Nov. 17-22)
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
BALTIMORE Nov. 18: Placed on waivers: LB
Robert McCune. Nov. 19: Roster addition: OT Chad
Slaughter (released by Ravens 8/30, by Jaguars
9/13).
BUFFALO Nov. 19: Practice-squad addition:
OT Chris Denman (released by Buccaneers 8/30, by
Bills 9/8, from Bills practice squad 11/12). Practice-
squad deletion: DE Marcus Smith. Nov. 20: Re-
serve/injured: LB Marcus Buggs (ankle). Nov. 21:
Roster addition: CB Dustin Fox (from Bills practice
squad).
CINCINNATI Nov. 18: Reserve/injured: LB
Abdul Hodge (arm). Roster addition: OG Nate Liv-
ings (from Bengals practice squad). Practice-squad
addition: C Digger Bujnoch (released by Giants 8/30,
9/4). Nov. 19: Reserve/injured: WR Antonio Chat-
man (neck). Roster addition: OTDennis Roland (from
Bengals practice squad). Nov. 21: Reserve/injured:
CB Johnathan Joseph (foot). Roster addition: CB
Simeon Castille (from Bengals practice squad).
DENVER Nov. 20: Reserve/injured: TE Nate
Jackson (hamstring). Roster addition: TE Chad Mus-
tard (released by Broncos 8/30, 11/4). Nov. 22: Ros-
ter addition: S Josh Barrett (from Broncos practice
squad). Placed on waivers: RB Alex Haynes.
HOUSTON Nov. 19: Reserve/injured: DE Earl
Cochran (toe). Roster addition: DE Jesse Nading
(from Texans practice squad). Practice-squad addi-
tion: DT Gabe Long (released by Texans 8/30).
INDIANAPOLIS Nov. 18: Reserve/injured: CB
Nick Graham (ankle); TE Tom Santi (shoulder). Nov.
19: Roster additions: CB Brandon Foster (from Colts
practice squad); TE Jamie Petrowski (from Titans
practice squad). Practice-squad additions: CB A.J.
Davis (released by Browns 8/30, from Chiefs practice
squad 10/28, from Colts practice squad 11/14); WR
Marques Hagans (released by Rams 8/29, Chiefs
9/25, 10/21). Practice-squad deletion: TE Eric Butler.
JACKSONVILLE Nov. 18: Practice-squad dele-
tion: TE Charles Davis. Nov. 19: Practice-squad ad-
dition: WR Nate Hughes (released by Browns 6/16,
from Chiefs practice squad 11/4).
KANSAS CITY Nov. 18: Placed on waivers: CB
Dmitri Patterson (injured/foot); RB Dantrell Savage;
LB Erik Walden. Nov. 19: Reserve/injured: DE Turk
McBride (shoulder). Roster additions: RB Jackie Bat-
tle (from Chiefs practice squad); LB Curtis Gatewood
(from Redskins practice squad); DE Andy Studebaker
(from Eagles practice squad). Practice-squad addi-
tion: DTAntwon Burton (released by Bengals 8/30).
Practice squad/injured: DT T.J. Jackson. Nov. 20:
Practice-squad addition: RB Dantrell Savage (re-
leased by Chiefs 11/18).
MIAMI Nov. 18: Practice-squad addition: DT
Joe Cohen (released by 49ers 8/23). Nov. 19: As-
signed on waivers: LB Erik Walden from Chiefs.
Placed on waivers: DE Rob Ninkovich. Nov. 21: Prac-
tice-squad addition: DE Rob Ninkovich (released by
Dolphins 8/31, 11/19). Practice-squad deletion: CB
Wilfred Billingsley (released by Dolphins 8/31, from
Dolphins practice squad 9/25, 10/8, 10/18, 10/29).
NEWENGLAND Nov. 17: Reserve/injured: CB
Terrence Wheatley (wrist). Roster addition: TE Tyson
Devree (from Patriots practice squad). Practice-
squad addition: LB Darrell Robertson (released by
Cowboys 8/30). Nov. 19: Practice-squad deletion:
OG Jacob Bender.
N.Y. JETS Nov. 21: Reserve/suspended by
commissioner: QB Erik Ainge (four games, violation
of policy on steroids and other related substances).
OAKLAND Nov. 17: Placed on waivers: TE Ben
Troupe (injured, foot). Nov. 18: Roster addition: OT
Junius Coston (released by Packers 9/12). Placed on
waivers: FB Jason Davis; OG Fred Wakefield (injured,
knee).
PITTSBURGH Nov. 18: Practice-squad addi-
tion: WR Dallas Baker (released by Steelers 11/15).
SAN DIEGO Nov. 18: Practice-squad addition:
OTCorey Clark (released by Chargers 11/15). Nov. 20:
Reserve/injured: WR Craig Davis (groin). Roster ad-
dition: OT Corey Clark (from Chargers practice
squad). Practice-squad addition: S Grant Mason (re-
leased by Steelers 8/30, from Steelers practice squad
10/1, 11/11). Nov. 22: Roster addition: DE Keith Gren-
nan (from Chargers practice squad). Placed on
waivers: S Tra Battle.
TENNESSEE Nov. 19: Practice-squad addi-
tion: TE Matthew Mulligan (released by Dolphins
8/30, from Dolphins practice squad 11/4). Practice-
squad deletion: TE Jamie Petrowski. Nov. 22: Re-
serve/injured: CB Reynaldo Hill (hip); CB Eric King
(forearm). Roster additions: CB Tuff Harris (from
Panthers practice squad); CB Tyrone Poole (released
by Broncos 8/30).
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
ATLANTA Nov. 18: Roster addition: WR Eric
Weems (from Falcons practice squad). Placed on
waivers: DE Brandon Miller. Nov. 20: Practice-squad
addition: DE Willie Evans (released by Falcons 8/30).
CHICAGO Nov. 17: Activated: OG Terrence Met-
calf (from reserve/suspended by commissioner). Nov.
19: Practice-squad addition: WR Rudy Burgess (re-
leased by Jets 8/30). Nov. 22: Reserve/injured: OT
Fred Miller (shoulder). Roster addition: WR Brandon
Rideau (from Bears practice squad).
DETROIT Nov. 17: Placed on waivers: CB
LaMarcus Hicks. Nov. 18: Practice-squad subtrac-
tions: TE Jake Nordin; CB Antonio Smith. Nov. 19:
Roster addition: S Stuart Schweigert (released by
Raiders 5/20, by Redskins 8/4, by Giants 8/30). Prac-
tice-squad additions: RB Allen Ervin (released from
Lions practice squad 11/14); WR Joel Filani (released
by Vikings, 5/2, by Seahawks 8/26); CB LaMarcus
Hicks (released by Lions 8/30, 11/3, 11/17). Practice-
squad deletion: WR Eric Fowler.
MINNESOTA Nov. 22: Roster addition: WR
Darius Reynaud (from Vikings practice squad).
NEWORLEANS Nov. 18: Reserve/injured: RB
Aaron Stecker (hamstring). Roster addition: FB Dar-
ian Barnes (released by Bills 9/27, by Lions 11/11).
Practice-squad addition: RB Lavarus Giles (released
by Saints 8/14). Nov. 19: Reserve/injured: TE Mark
Campbell (knee). Roster addition: FB Mike Bell (re-
leased by Broncos 7/21, by Texans 8/8). Practice-
squad addition: WR Chris Francies (released by
Packers 8/25).
PHILADELPHIA Nov. 19: Practice-squad ad-
dition: DT Oshinowo Babatunde (released by Bears
5/7, by Redskins 8/24). Practice-squad deletion: DE
Andy Studebaker. Nov. 22: Practice-squad addition:
WR Drisan James (released by Raiders 8/26). Prac-
tice squad/injured: WR Willie Reid.
ST. LOUIS Nov. 18: Roster addition: OT An-
thony Davis (released by Buccaneers 10/25). Placed
on waivers: RB Sam Gado.
SAN FRANCISCO Nov. 19: Reserve/injured:
OT Jonas Jennings (shoulder). Roster addition: OG
Jacob Bender (from Patriots practice squad).
SEATTLE Nov. 18: Roster addition: TE Jeb
Putzier (released by Seahawks 11/15). Placed on
waivers: S Jamar Adams. Nov. 19: Reserve/injured:
DE Patrick Kerney (shoulder). Assigned on waivers:
DE Brandon Miller from Falcons. Nov. 20: Practice-
squad addition: S Jamar Adams (released by Sea-
hawks 8/30, 11/18). Nov. 22: Practice-squad
deletion: OTSamuel Gutekunst (International, injury
settlement).
TAMPA BAY Nov. 19: Reserve/injured: RB
Earnest Graham (ankle); LB Geno Hayes (knee). Ros-
ter additions: RB Noah Herron (released by Packers
8/30); LB Matt McCoy (released by Buccaneers
10/18).
WASHINGTON Nov. 19: Practice-squad dele-
tion: LB Curtis Gatewood. Practice-squad addition:
LB Steve Octavien (released by Chiefs 8/30).
Earnest Graham
A
P

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NOVEMBER 30, 2008

Fantasy football advice

Coverage of free agency and NFL draft

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