Player to watch
Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos
The ex-Redskin hasn’t done much since leaving Washington — after not doing much when he was here. But he’s off to the best start of his career with Denver. Lloyd already has caught 14 passes for 339 yards. He hasn’t had more than 365 yards since his first season in Washington (2006). Injuries have been a factor as Lloyd played just two games last year and hasn’t appeared in more than 11 since ’06. However, the Broncos face the NFL’s seventh-best pass defense in Tennessee. — John Keim
Storylines
1. South Beach diet » The Dolphins (2-1) have gotten off to a hot start and so have the Patriots (2-1). But apparently, not everyone can take their talents to South Beach. Tom Brady is having a solid season so far, but struggles when he travels to Miami (3-5 record, 10 picks). The Dolphins won two on the road before facing some hard knocks in their home opening loss to the Jets. The AFC East will be a dog fight the rest of the way in what is shaping up to be a three-team race. The Jets have done their job by dispatching both the Pats and Dolphins already. Monday night’s game will be no walk on the beach for either team as a playoff spot could ultimately hang in the balance. — Leon Saffelle
2. What happened to Carson Palmer? » The Cincinnati Bengals are off to a 2-1 start and if they beat winless Cleveland will gain a game on someone in the AFC North this weekend as Baltimore (2-1) hosts Pittsburgh (3-0). But don’t the Bengals need more from quarterback Palmer if they actually want to steal the division away from their higher-profile rivals? Maybe not. Yes, his passer rating is 71.3 percent and he has three interceptions and just three touchdown passes. But maybe that’s enough. Palmer has basically turned into Charlie Checkdown, relying again on a strong running game and the Cincinnati defense to do the heavy lifting. — Brian McNally
3. McNabb back in Philly » Could the Eagles fans who helped run Donovan McNabb out of town have it any better? Philadelphia (2-1) leads the NFC East and is trending upward with the spectacular re-emergence of Michael Vick, while McNabb’s team, Washington (1-2) is trending downward. Sunday when the teams meet in Philadelphia, it will be a homecoming similar to last year’s ballyhoed return of Brett Favre to Green Bay. McNabb, a six-time Pro Bowl choice, led the Eagles to five NFC title games and a Super Bowl appearance. Still, his 11 seasons in Philly can be summed up in one word — boo! He will hear even more on Sunday. — Kevin Dunleavy
Upset special
Raiders over the Texans
The Raiders are a Sebastian Janikowski shank away from being 2-1. The Texans are a shrewd Gary Kubiak timeout away from being 1-2. Nnamdi Asomugha will blanket Andre Johnson, forcing Matt Schaub to lean heavily on Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels. Bruce Gradkowski won’t win any awards for style, but the Oakland offense is much better with him under center — and actually looked pretty good against a mediocre Arizona defense last week. Houston’s pass defense is even worse. — James Irwin
Fantasy watch
Five to start
QB Michael Vick » Donovan McNabb’s return to Philly is the story, but Vick is facing the Redskins’ defense that has allowed the most yards in the NFL.
RB Peyton Hillis » The Browns back has scored a touchdown in each game this season and rushed for 144 yards last week against the usually stingy Ravens’ defense.
RB Darren McFadden » The Raiders back has been one of the most consistent fantasy players with his lowest output coming in a 145-yard, no touchdown performance.
WR Malcolm Floyd » Phillip Rivers has passed for the most yards in the NFL and Floyd is his favorite target aside from tight end Antonio Gates.
WR Brandon Lloyd » No one expected Lloyd to be second in the NFL in receiving yards at this point. He’s coming off a 169-yard performance last week.
Five to sit
QB Joe Flacco » Flacco broke out of his early season woes last week, but will face the Steelers’ defense that has allowed one passing TD and has five interceptions.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw » The Giants back is facing a tough Bears’ defense that has allowed just 2.1 yards per carry and an NFL-low 119 rushing yards this season.
RB C.J. Spiller » He scored twice last week — a kick return and a reception. The Bills back has a total of 38 rushing yards on 12 carries the entire season.
WR Mike Wallace » Coming off a huge week — 100 yards and two touchdowns — let’s not forget that Charlie Batch is still the Steelers’ starting quarterback.
WR Steve Smith » The Panthers’ wideout has suffered from the poor quarterback play in Carolina. He’s had only 11 catches for 163 yards this season.
— Jeffrey Tomik
Game of the week
Ravens at Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS
Pittsburgh was supposed to struggle with Ben Roethlisberger out. Instead, the Steelers look like a heavyweight once again in the AFC. They have the highest-scoring team in the AFC North — and backed by a defense that has allowed an NFL-low 33 points. Running back Rashard Mendenhall is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. But the Ravens have the NFL’s top-rated defense in yards allowed (244.3) and passing yards (116.7). Running back Ray Rice rushed for 227 yards on 49 carries vs. the Steelers a year ago. — John Keim
Examiner Power Rankings
— Craig Stouffer
No. Team » Comment » Last week 1. Steelers (3-0) » Undefeated after three weeks without Big Ben » 4 2. Saints (2-1) » Before Super Bowl talk, better focus on NFC South » 1 3. Colts (2-1) » Salivating over prospects vs. Jacksonville secondary » 3 4. Packers (2-1) » Lost tough battle of undefeateds last Monday night » 2 5. Jets (2-1) » Gilbert Arenas looks like Braylon Edwards, or vice versa? » 6 6. Falcons (2-1) » Tony Gonzalez had first 100-yard game as a Falcon » 12 7. Titans (2-1) » Depleted secondary needs to be at its best vs. Kyle Orton » 11 8. Bears (3-0) » Stock will soar with high-profile win at Giants » 15 9. Patriots (2-1) » Guys with four names always make good running backs » 7 10. Ravens (2-1) » Offense still sputtering, and now has to face Pittsburgh » 10 11. Texans (2-1) » Lost battle of Texas, but will bounce back in Oakland » 5 12. Dolphins (2-1) » AFC East: Not as good as AFC South, but as competitive » 8 13. Chiefs (3-0) » Belief is a scary thing, and it’s got a bye week to fester » 18 14. Eagles (2-1) » Vick making ESPN think twice about 24/7 coverage of Heat » 17 15. Bengals (2-1) » Throw out records when Cincy heads to Cleveland — or not » 9 16. Cowboys (1-2) » For heaven’s sake, more Marion Barber. Is it that hard? » 23 17. Vikings (1-2) » Scouring the earth during the bye to find passing game » 22 18. Seahawks (2-1) » Leon Washington: now that’s a comeback story » 25 19. Chargers (1-2) » Tomlinson took San Diego’s mojo with him when he left » 13 20. Redskins (1-2) » McNabb and Philly: Part of D.C. schools curriculum » 14 21. Cardinals (2-1) » Should only get half-credit for win on Janikowski’s miss FG » 20 22. Broncos (1-2) » The problem with the passing offense? It’s the only offense » 19 23. Giants (1-2) » No way these guys can play that bad three weeks in a row » 16 24. Rams (1-2) » Skins forever tied to Bradford’s NFL career and legacy » 29 25. Buccaneers (2-1) » However Chiefs feel during bye, it’s the opposite in TB » 24 26. Raiders (1-2) » Matchup of the week: Nnamdi Asomugha vs. Andre Johnson » 26 27. 49ers (1-2) » You thought you liked Alex Smith’s progress? » 21 28. Jaguars (1-2) » Trent Edwards has traded horrendous for pretty darn awful » 27 29. Browns (0-3) » Three-out-of-four quarters strategy doesn’t get you very far » 31 30. Lions (0-3) » Blowout time in Green Bay? » 28 31. Panthers (0-3) » Blowout time in the Big Easy? » 30 32. Bills (0-3) » So bad that C.J. Spiller is barely getting talked about » 32 |