NFL Week 9 preview
Examiner Staff Writers
October 4, 2009
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| Texans QB Matt Schaub (Getty Images) |
Player to watch
Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Perhaps no offensive player has turned his career around more than Benson, a first-round pick in 2005 and perennial underachiever. With 720 yards he’s only 27 yards away from tying his career best. But it appears he’s finally matured in what is now his fifth season. And he’s a big reason why the Bengals are 5-2 and in first place in the AFC North entering Sunday’s rematch with Baltimore. He’s also a primary reason why they beat Baltimore on the road last month. He became the first running back in 39 games to surpass 100 yards against the Ravens’ defense, which has been inconsistent this season. Benson also gashed his former team (Chicago) for 189 yards last week. — John Keim
Story lines
1. Just because the NFC East has a team in first place doesn’t mean it’s a conference heavyweight » Unless the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys tie — remember, Donovan McNabb, there are ties in the NFL — the winner of Sunday’s primetime tilt will emerge atop of what used to be the toughest division in the league. The Eagles will argue they deserve more respect, given the way they pummeled the Giants last week, but their abysmal loss to Oakland still makes them look fragile. The Cowboys are always full of drama on the offensive side of the ball — funny how that happens when they put up 75 points in the last two weeks — but the need to improve from 20th in yards allowed (342.1 per game) is more pressing than anything having to do with Tony Romo. — Craig Stouffer
2. Houston’s Coming of Age? » Some are calling Houston’s game at Indianapolis the biggest in Texans’ history. With a win, Houston (5-3) would go three games above .500 for the first time in the franchise’s eight years, and position itself as a serious contender for its first playoff berth. With the exception of a 2-14 free fall in 2005, the Texans’ rise has been slow and steady. Houston has been on the verge of contending, finishing 8-8 the last two years, but AFC South Division foe Indianapolis has had a lot to do with keeping the Texans down, winning 13 of 14 meetings. Is this Houston team, led by QB Matt Schaub, WR Andre Johnson, and DE Mario Williams finally ready to compete? — Kevin Dunleavy
3. Eli Manning vs. Philip Rivers » The big deal of the 2004 NFL Draft was the Chargers shipping No. 1 selection Eli Manning to the Giants for No. 4 pick Philip Rivers and draft picks (which turned into Pro Bowlers Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding). The Giants played the Chargers in 2005, but Rivers was still sitting behind a guy named Drew Brees, so Manning and Rivers’ first head-to-head meeting is Sunday. Manning has a Super Bowl ring & Super Bowl MVP trophy, but Rivers has impressive stats for someone who’s only started three-full seasons (trails Eli by 3,700 career passing yards in 24 fewer starts) and sports a career 93.4 passer rating vs. Manning’s 77.1. There’s no doubt that Eli has the hardware, but Rivers has the numbers on a lesser team. After this matchup, maybe we can judge who is really No. 1. — Leon Saffelle
Upset special
Panthers over Saints
New Orleans has looked vulnerable each of the last two weeks — first at Miami in a game they trailed 24-3 and then at home against Atlanta in a 35-28 win. Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme is definitely a threat to meltdown in almost any game. But the Panthers do have a good offensive line, a star in wide receiver Steve Smith and excellent running backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. They totaled 270 rushing yards last week in a win over Arizona, one of the league’s best run defenses. Carolina has also allowed the fewest passing yards in the league (161 yards-per-game). That gives the Panthers a chance against Drew Brees and Saints’ dynamic passing attack. — Brian McNally
Fantasy watch
Five to start
1. QB Matt Hasselback » He has thrown six TD passes the last three weeks and he’s playing against one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL — Detroit.
2. RB Ryan Grant » The Green Bay back is facing a Tampa Bay defense that’s allowing 162 rushing yards per game and 4.7 yards per rush.
3. RB LaDainian Tomlinson » LT got in the end zone twice last week and the Giants have allowed 12 rushing TDs this season — second most in the NFL.
4. WR DeSean Jackson » The Eagles’ big-play threat has had a catch of more than 50 yards in five out of seven games this season.
5. WR Michael Crabtree » The rookie has 11 catches in two games and he’s facing a Titans’ defense that has allowed the most TD passes in the NFL.
Five to sit
1. QB Matt Ryan » After throwing only 11 interceptions last year, Ryan has nine picks including seven in the last three games.
2. RB Steve Slaton » Due to fumble problems — seven this season — he may have lost his starting job to Ryan Moats (126 rushing yards, 3 TDs last week).
3. RB Knowshon Moreno » After facing the Ravens last week, the Broncos rookie back goes against the Steelers’ top rush defense.
4. WR Torry Holt » The Jaguars wide out has the most receiving yards (424) in the NFL without scoring a TD this season.
5. WR Santonio Holmes » The Steelers receiver has not scored a TD since Week 1 and faces a tough Broncos pass defense.
— Jeffrey Tomik
Game to watch
Philadelphia at Dallas, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Dallas coach Wade Phillips entered the season on the same hot seat as Jim Zorn. All he’s done is guide the Cowboys to a 5-2 record, good for a tie with Philadelphia for first place in the NFC East. Dallas receiver Miles Austin has been one of the biggest surprises of the season with 26 receptions for 563 yards (21.7-yard average) and six touchdowns. However, the Cowboys have the NFL’s 22nd-ranked pass defense. The Eagles’ young receivers are phenomenal game-breakers, particularly second-year wideout DeSean Jackson. He now has four touchdown catches of 54 yards or longer this season. — John Keim
Examiner Power Rankings
— James Irwin
| No. | Team (Record) | Comment | Pvs. |
| 1 | Saints (7-0) | Have created a serious lead in the NFC South | 1 |
| 2 | Colts (7-0) | Tested, but prevailed over stingy 49ers. Upstart Texans next | 2 |
| 3 | Vikings (7-1) | After completing Green Bay sweep, Favre & Co. get a bye | 4 |
| 4 | Broncos (6-1) | Hey, they couldn’t stay undefeated forever, right? | 3 |
| 5 | Patriots (5-2) | Can widen AFC East gap Sunday vs. surging Dolphins | 5 |
| 6 | Steelers (5-2) | Monday night showdown at Broncos a playoff preview? | 6 |
| 7 | Eagles (5-2) | Every time we bump them up something bad happens | 10 |
| 8 | Ravens (4-3) | Super-charged after 30-7 smackdown of Broncos | 9 |
| 9 | Cowboys (5-2) | Have scored 75 points in two games since bye week | 13 |
| 10 | Giants (5-3) | Secondary problems have Big Blue reeling after 5-0 start | 7 |
| 11 | Packers (4-3) | Giving us little reason to believe they can hang with big boys | 8 |
| 12 | Bears (4-3) | Big discovery game Sunday against topsy-turvy Cardinals | 14 |
| 13 | Falcons (4-3) | They’re exciting, but are they good? Hosting Skins will help | 11 |
| 14 | Bengals (5-2) | Can sweep season series with Ravens at home on Sunday | 16 |
| 15 | Chargers (4-3) | Can sneak back into AFC West race with win, Broncos loss | 17 |
| 16 | Jets (4-4) | After hot start, Rex Ryan’s boys have lost four of five | 12 |
| 17 | Texans (5-3) | Game of the season this week at undefeated Colts | 19 |
| 18 | Dolphins (3-4) | Celebrity ownership should change team name to Wildcats | 20 |
| 19 | Cardinals (4-3) | Beat Giants, then lose to Panthers? We give up | 15 |
| 20 | Panthers (3-4) | Within striking distance of No. 2 spot in NFC South | 22 |
| 21 | 49ers (3-4) | Vernon Davis has seven TD catches in last five games | 18 |
| 22 | Bills (2-5) | Pack leaders in the “Ugh” Division | 21 |
| 23 | Titans (1-6) | Chris Johnson averaged 8.7 ypc the past two weeks | 25 |
| 24 | Seahawks (2-5) | In wide-open division, these guys still have no chance | 23 |
| 25 | Raiders (2-6) | Say what you will, but there’s always something going on | 27 |
| 26 | Jaguars (3-4) | Pummeled by winless Tennessee. Officially not worth it | 24 |
| 27 | Lions (1-6) | A couple more stinkers and they’ll be back in the 30s | 26 |
| 28 | Redskins (2-5) | Next five opponents are a combined 26-9. Uh oh ... | 28 |
| 29 | Chiefs (1-6) | A win at Jacksonville gets them out of bottom five | 29 |
| 30 | Rams (1-7) | Announced attendance for “clash” with Lions was 40,857 | 32 |
| 31 | Buccaneers (0-7) | Bye week was only way Bucs avoided basement | 31 |
| 32 | Browns (1-7) | Owner meets with angry fans = franchise in turmoil | 30 |
