Player to watch
Osi Umenyiora, DE, New York Giants
The Giants’ pass rush led them to a Super Bowl victory after the 2007 season. The lack of one caused their downfall last season. And Umenyiora was barely playing by the end of 2009, thanks in part to a spat with defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan. But, with Sheridan gone, Umenyiora has rebounded and is a main reason why New York is 4-2. In the past three games, he has seven sacks — matching his 2009 total — and six forced fumbles. The two-time Pro Bowler is on the way to a third. — John Keim
Storylines
1. Fair or foul? » That will be the question this week as NFL players will be subject to harsher penalties for hits to the head and neck, such as those made last week by defenders James Harrison (Steelers), Dunta Robinson (Falcons), and Brandon Meriweather (Patriots). Harrison was so bothered by the league’s decision to fine him he even contemplated retirement … for a day. On Thursday, the league sent a video of those hits — which drew fines totaling $175,000 — to teams in an attempt to clarify what blows will be most heavily sanctioned. It will be interesting to see this week if the tactics of defenders change and how closely officials will be monitoring them. — Kevin Dunleavy
2. California nightmare » So before the season began, San Diego and San Francisco were thought to be the darlings of their respective divisions, but as it stands entering this weekend, both are nearly done. The Chargers (2-4) have shown some signs of life, actually outscoring their opponents, but host the very dangerous Patriots (4-1) this weekend after losing Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates to an ankle injury. Down on the Bay, the 1-5 49ers are essentially finished as an anemic offense and porous defense has left Mike Singletary’s squad hoping they can scrounge a .500 record by season’s end with a relatively weak schedule the rest of the way. — Leon Saffelle
3. Manning loses security blanket » Even Peyton Manning needs some weapons to throw to. Unfortunately, he’s losing one right after the other. The Colts found out Friday that Pro Bowl tight end Dallas Clark needs surgery on his left wrist and will miss the rest of the season. Clark, who was hurt during the Redskins game last week, was third on the team with 37 receptions. He had 100 receptions a year ago and over 1,100 receiving yards. That’s a big blow for Manning, who is already missing wide receivers Austin Collie (thumb surgery) and Anthony Gonzalez (high ankle sprain). His top targets (Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon) are still really good, but Clark took a lot of pressure of those two. — Brian McNally
Upset special
Bengals over the Falcons
A week ago, NFL talking heads anointed the Falcons “the best team in the NFC” by virtue of their 4-1 record. Then the Dirty Birds went out and were rolled by Philadelphia, giving up 326 passing yards to starter-turned-backup-turned-starter Kevin Kolb. Uh, that’s not exactly “best team” material. Cincinnati, meanwhile, is coming off a much-needed bye after its Week 5 meltdown against Tampa Bay. Bengals WR Terrell Owens has caught 17 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns in Cincinnati’s last two games. — James Irwin
Fantasy watch
Five to start
1. QB Kevin Kolb » The Eagles quarterback is fighting to keep the starting job. He has three 300-yard passing games in five career starts.
2. RB Ryan Torain » Last week’s leading fantasy running back is facing a Bears’ defense that has allowed an NFL-worst seven rushing touchdowns.
3. RB DeAngelo Williams » After a bye week, the Panthers have to do something to spark the offense … like give Williams the ball more.
4. WR Terrell Owens » The Bengals receiver had back-to-back 100-yard games, scoring a TD in each, before last week’s bye week.
5. WR Michael Crabtree » After a slow start, the second-year receiver has 162 receiving yards and two touchdowns the last two weeks.
Five to sit
1. QB Ben Roethlisberger » He threw three touchdowns in his return, but the Steelers have a much less favorable matchup this week — the Dolphins.
2. RB Ronnie Brown » He hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1 and faces the Steelers on Sunday — the league’s top run defense.
3. RB LeSean McCoy » The Titans’ defense has only allowed one rushing touchdown this season and will make it tough for the Eagles’ back.
4. WR Deion Branch » He’s back with Tom Brady, but the Patriots face the top pass defense in the league this week — the Chargers.
5. WR Roy Williams » He has five touchdowns in the past three games, but Williams only had three catches for 28 yards last week.
— Jeffrey Tomik
Game of the week
Vikings at Packers, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Any storylines here? Maybe Brett Favre returning to Green Bay? Maybe the Packers (3-3) trying to snap a two-game losing streak? And two teams who are supposed to contend for the NFC North title? Oh, and this is also Viking WR Randy Moss’ first game in Green Bay since his fake moon in 2005. The Vikings (2-3) swept the Packers last season, but Favre is playing much worse. If the Packers’ rush gets to him (Clay Matthews, with his 8 ½ sacks, should play Sunday) watch out. — John Keim
Examiner Power Rankings
— Craig Stouffer
| No. Team » Comment » Last week 1. Steelers (4-1) » Be more scared of Harrison, even with rule enforcement » 1 2. Jets (5-1) » LT at home in Broncos end zone like he was with Chargers » 2 3. Colts (4-2) » McAfee’s behavior overshadowed by Clark’s injury » 5 4. Patriots (4-2) » Woodhead with a chance to out-Sproles Sproles » 6 5. Ravens (4-2) » Rice fantasy owners drooling over Bills at M&T Bank » 3 6. Saints (4-2) » At last, looked like last year’s Saints in win over Bucs » 7 7. Eagles (4-2) » No matter the QB, worry now is Jackson’s rattled noggin » 15 8. Titans (4-2) » Can they stay in front in AFC South with mediocre QBs? » 11 9. Giants (4-2) » Holding calls generated by D-line on Mon. at Dallas? » 12 10. Falcons (4-2) » Road L at PHI not bad, but Saints will take advantage » 4 11. Dolphins (3-2) » Williams needs 89 yds to pass Csonka for most by Miami RB » 17 12. Texans (4-2) » This ranking is based on offense only » 16 13. Redskins (3-3) » Relieved to face a Bears’ offense that has holes » 10 14. Chiefs (3-2) » Part of the trick is managing expectations and 4th quarters » 9 15. Packers (3-3) » Matthews’ return would be a start for injury-ravaged GB » 8 16. Bears (4-2) » In this case, not what their record says they are » 14 17. Vikings (2-3) » The NFC North is officially up for grabs » 22 18. Seahawks (3-2) » Carroll’s actually having a decent NFL return » 27 19. Broncos (2-4) » Hard to give this unbalanced squad the benefit of doubt » 13 20. Rams (3-3) » Bradford’s next lesson: contending in the division » 28 21. Buccaneers (3-2) » Need win to prevent bright start from hitting the skids » 18 22. Chargers (2-4) » … waiting for midseason turnaround … » 19 23. Cowboys (1-4) » How in the world is Jerry Jones’ not exploding with rage? » 21 24. Cardinals (3-2) » Hall, shaky Seattle pass def. make for interesting afternoon » 24 25. Bengals (2-3) » Maybe last season’s success was a fraud » 23 26. Jaguars (3-3) » Fortunately, MNF appearance was opposite MLB playoffs » 20 27. 49ers (1-5) » Maybe the answer is to give Gore the ball on every down » 30 28. Lions (1-5) » Could be intriguing matchup for Skins after bye » 26 29. Raiders (2-3) » Kyle Boller? That’s what it’s come down to? Yeesh » 25 30. Browns (1-4) » Despite a nice debut from McCoy, CLE is banged up » 29 31. Panthers (0-5) » Not sure if there’s a compelling game left on the schedule » 31 32. Bills (0-5) » Fitzpatrick good stats vs. bad defenses, not vs. Ravens » 32 |
