STORYLINES
1. Moss fit for Titans? » In the 1998 NFL Draft, the Titans considered Randy Moss with the 16th pick in the first round. They opted, instead, for Kevin Dyson (who has been out of the league since 2003). When their second chance to acquire Moss came this week, the Titans claimed the talented troublemaker off waivers. With the loss of emerging wideout Kenny Britt (hamstring), Moss fills an immediate need for a Tennessee offense that has playmakers in QB Vince Young and RB Chris Johnson. The 6-foot-3 Britt, expected back later this month, will likely start opposite the 6-foot-4 Moss, giving Tennessee (5-3) — which has a bye this week — a dynamic wideout duo. – Kevin Dunleavy
2. The master, the apprentice and the rookie » It’s always an event when a former Bill Belichick disciple faces the hoodied Sith Lord — this week’s installment will be Eric Mangini’s Browns, fronted by rookie quarterback Colt McCoy. With Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace hurt, Mangini has no choice but to trot out the rookie against the Patriots. McCoy did manage to escape his first two starts (at Steelers, at Saints) with a 1-1 record, but the toughest test will be against his coach’s mentor this week. While there will be excitement over the rookie’s home debut and extra prep time due to the bye week, New England (6-1) is still a tall order for Cleveland (2-5). – Leon Saffelle
3. Jerry Jones has made his decision » And — for now — it is to do nothing. That’s unlike the Jones we’ve grown to know so well over the years. But on a Dallas radio station Friday, Jones said he wouldn’t fire coach Wade Phillips despite a disastrous 1-6 record. Some fancied the Cowboys as Super Bowl contenders. But last week’s blowout loss to the woeful Jaguars ended any realistic hope of a playoff berth. But is Dallas really this bad? A franchise with a 33-15 record over the previous three seasons. Jones is likely just postponing a decision until after the season when he’ll try and inject some new life into a team that’s lost all confidence in itself. – Brian McNally
GAME OF THE WEEK
Buccaneers at Falcons, 1 p.m.
The Bucs have been outscored by 27 points, but they’re still 5-2 and tied with Atlanta for first place in the NFC South. Second-year quarterback Josh Freeman has developed nicely, with eight touchdowns and only three interceptions (after tossing 18 in 66 more passes last season) and an 87.1 passer rating. The Falcons, meanwhile, have not beaten a team that currently has a winning record. In Atlanta’s five wins, running back Michael Turner has averaged 5.2 yards per carry. In its two losses, he’s averaged 2.6. Tampa’s run defense allows 5.2 yards per run. – John Keim
UPSET SPECIAL
Bills over Bears
In its last two games, winless Buffalo has taken AFC North-leading Baltimore and AFC West-leading Kansas City into overtime, leading us to the following conclusion: The Bills are bad, but they aren’t 0-16 bad. Meanwhile, the papier-mâché Bears have lost three of four after opening the season with three straight wins. Buffalo lacks a formidable pass rush but Chicago’s blocking-optional offensive line has a unique way of making defenses look good, allowing a league-high 31 sacks this season. – James Irwin
PLAYER TO WATCH
Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
Injuries slowed McFadden in his first two seasons, but that wasn’t the only explanation for his lack of success. He still played 25 games, but rushed for only a combined 856 yards and five touchdowns. But he’s now playing like everyone expected coming out of Arkansas. McFadden has rushed for 668 yards, averaging 5.5 yards a carry with four touchdowns. He’s also a receiving threat, with 20 receptions for 217 yards and two more scores. But he’ll face a Kansas City defense that is seventh in rushing yards allowed a game. If the Raiders are to stay hot, McFadden will need a good day. – John Keim
FANTASY WATCH
Five to start
1. QB Eli Manning » The Giants quarterback has thrown nine touchdowns in the last three games and faces the Seahawks’ fourth-worst pass defense.
2. RB Matt Forte » If the Bears actually run the ball they should find success against the worst run defense in the league. The Bills allow 188.7 yards a game on the ground.
3. RB LaDanian Tomlinson » The Lions have allowed a 100-yard rushers four times this season. The Jets back has scored five touchdowns in the last five games.
4. WR Danny Woodhead » Also running back eligible, Woodhead has had double-digit touches in every game since Randy Moss was traded to Minnesota.
5. WR Mike Williams » The Bucs rookie has had 187 yards receiving over the last two weeks and is facing the Falcons’ sixth-worst pass defense.
Five to sit
1. QB Matt Schaub » The Texans quarterback has thrown just three touchdowns in the last three games and is facing the top pass defense — the Chargers — this week.
2. RB LeGarrette Blount » The rookie is coming off a 120-yard rushing performance, but he’s facing the Falcons’ sixth-best rush defense.
3. RB Cedric Benson » The Bengals back runs into the Steelers’ defense this week and we all know how that usually turns out.
4. WR Dwayne Bowe » The Chiefs receiver has three or less catches in five games this season and is averaging just 51 yards receiving a game.
5. WR Chad Ochocinco » Has caught just one touchdown since Week 2 and has been held under 60 yards in five games this season.
– Jeffrey Tomik
EXAMINER POWER RANKINGS
— Craig Stouffer
| No. Team » Comment » Last week 1. Patriots (6-1) » Have risen above the Moss saga and the rest of the NFL » 3 2. Giants (5-2) » Pass rush ready for fresh meat in Seahawks’ Whitehurst » 6 3. Colts (5-2) » Peyton’s rolling; injury-riddled defense needs to keep up » 7 4. Steelers (5-2) » The Halloween defeat in the Big Easy won’t hurt them » 1 5. Jets (5-2) » Ryan is a good coach, but a home shutout after a bye? » 2 6. Ravens (5-2) » Need an easy one — after having rough year so far » 4 7. Falcons (5-2) » Matt Ryan has won his last 12 starts at Georgia Dome » 8 8. Packers (5-3) » Clay Matthews, please never get injured again » 14 9. Dolphins (4-3) » Desperately seeking Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams » 10 10. Eagles (4-3) » Can they be a contender? Beating Colts would argue yes » 9 11. Saints (5-3) » Pittsburgh win either a statement of intent or urgency » 15 12. Chiefs (5-2) » On pace to have two 1,000-yard rushers for the first time » 13 13. Titans (5-3) » Few teams could be more fortunate in bye week timing » 5 14. Buccaneers (5-2) » Enough talk already, Raheem. Lots of games left to play » 17 15. Texans (4-3) » Starting to feel like a first-half-of-the-season squad » 11 16. Raiders (4-4) » Two big wins over two not great teams. Not buying it yet » 21 17. Chargers (4-5) » One question every week: Can Gates go? » 25 18. Redskins (4-4) » Washington: Where a bad loss is never just a bad loss » 12 19. Bears (4-3) » Healthy Urlacher and Briggs equals trouble for Buffalo » 18 20. Rams (4-4) » If you had Bradford, would you have tried to get Moss? Nope » 20 21. Jaguars (4-4) » Play at Dallas, got a Super Bowl-winning experience » 27 22. Seahawks (4-3) » A good season spoiled in Oakland » 16 23. Browns (2-5) » Mangini-Belichick is Skywalker-Vader with headsets » 22 24. Lions (2-5) » The Lion King? Suh does not need a nickname » 30 25. Vikings (2-5) » A curious way to distract from talk about Favre’s ankle » 19 26. Cardinals (3-4) » Odd that Anderson & Hall stink but Breaston is fantasy gold » 23 27. Bengals (2-5) » ESPN wishes it had flex ability this Monday night » 24 28. 49ers (2-6) » Troy Smith, you’ll get a faceful of Singletary soon enough » 31 29. Broncos (2-6) » Tim Tebow made the Buckingham Palace guards smile » 28 30. Cowboys (1-6) » How ’bout them Rangers? Oh, right. Them, too » 26 31. Panthers (1-6) » Need to look to Cleveland for inspiration against Saints » 29 32. Bills (0-7) » If there’s a week to get win No. 1, it’s this one » 32 |
