STORYLINES
1. Favre streak in jeopardy » Will a hobbled Brett Favre be able to play Sunday against the Patriots? And even if his left ankle is healed, will Vikings coach Brad Childress bench Favre in favor of Tarvaris Jackson and pull the plug on the NFL’s longest string of consecutive starts (291)? With the season slipping away for Minnesota (2-4), it will be interesting to see what happens Sunday and the fallout. Tension between Favre and Childress has been evident. If he is benched, would Favre walk away? The 41-year-old ranks 30th in the NFL with a career-low 68.0 quaterback rating a year after ranking No. 2 (107.2). He has already thrown three more interceptions than last year. – Kevin Dunleavy
2. Which coach is in trouble already? » There are a ton of quality candidates to be the first NFL coach fired this season. But Denver’s Josh McDaniels — one-time Patriots wunderkind — is a pretty solid bet. His team was destroyed by the Raiders last week, 59-14, and holds a 2-5 record entering Sunday’s matchup in London against the 49ers (1-6). Denver hasn’t had a winning season since 2006. It’s about time to rebuild and you have to wonder if McDaniels is the man capable of overseeing it. The offense ranks smack in the middle of the NFL with 138 points scored. But the defense is dreadful with 199 points allowed. Only Jacksonville (209) is worse. – Brian McNally
3. Playoff scoring discrepancy » Think Week 8 is too early to talk playoffs? Perhaps. But NFC fans should brace for tight postseason games. If the playoffs were to happen this weekend, the team in the top four with the best point differential is the Atlanta Falcons (+36 or an average of 5.1 more points per game than their opponent). Conversely in the AFC, the worst team in the top four is the New England Patriots (6.8). The other three have an average margin of more than 9 points per game. The scary part is the top four in each conference are noted for being defensive teams, so either the competition in the NFC is that much better — or that much worse. – Leon Saffelle
GAME OF THE WEEK
Texans at Colts, Monday, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Houston made a statement to open the season, beating the Colts, 34-24, and pronouncing themselves contenders in the AFC South. And running back Arian Foster announced himself to the NFL with 233 rushing yards. However, though the Texans are 4-2, they’ve been outscored by 14 points. They’ve allowed 167 points, the most by any team with a winning record. Indy is banged up and lost tight end Dallas Clark for the season. The big question: Can the Colts stop Foster? Both teams are 4-2 and trail 5-2 Tennessee. – John Keim
UPSET SPECIAL
Buffalo Bills over Kansas City Chiefs
This is a fringe candidate for the “Irwin is losing his mind” Hall of Fame. The 4-2 Chiefs, behind a great ground game, are coming off a 42-20 dismantling of Jacksonville. They’re also an Andre Johnson touchdown catch away from running away with the AFC West. The Bills? Well, they’re 0-6 and have the second-worst scoring differential in the NFL. But the Bills are on the verge. They took Baltimore into overtime last week and Ryan Fitzpatrick is the league’s second-highest rated quarterback. (Yes, I had to look that up.). – James Irwin
PLAYER TO WATCH
Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota Vikings
This is a rare occurrence, a high-profile player who gets traded during the season only to face his old team a few weeks later. New England traded Moss to Minnesota on Oct. 6. Will he haunt them Sunday? The Pats have gone out of their way to say Moss wasn’t a problem on the team. Actions speak louder, of course. Moss has caught 12 passes, three for scores, in three games with the Vikes. He caught 259 passes in three-plus seasons with New England. – John Keim
FANTASY WATCH
Five to start
1. QB Carson Palmer » The Bengals quarterback has thrown for 992 yards and seven touchdowns the last three games, although all were losses.
2. RB Ryan Torain » After two straight 100-yard games, Torain finds himself in another favorable matchup — this week against the Lions.
3. RB Felix Jones » After Tony Romo went down, the Cowboys are going to be forced to focus more on their running attack.
4. WR Pierre Garcon » Peyton Manning against the worst pass defense in the league means lots of action for the Colts receivers.
5. WR Dwayne Bowe » The Chiefs receiver is facing a Bills’ defense that has allowed 14 passing touchdowns this season — second most in the NFL.
Five to sit
1. QB Ben Roethlisberger » The Saints defense has only allowed 179.7 passing yards a game and six touchdowns through the air this season.
2. RB Ryan Mathews » The Chargers back is getting healthy, but the Titans have only allowed one rushing touchdown this season.
3. RB Tim Hightower » After losing his third fumble Sunday, Hightower could be losing his starting job to Beanie Wells.
4. WR Miles Austin » In three of his last four games, he’s been held to three catches or less and under 40 yards receiving.
5. WR Braylon Edwards » He’s scored touchdowns (four) this season, but hasn’t had more than 87 yards receiving in any game.
– Jeffrey Tomik
EXAMINER POWER RANKINGS
— Craig Stouffer
| No. Team » Comment » Last week 1. Steelers (5-1) » Are defensive injuries the first chink in the armor? » 1 2. Jets (5-1) » Revis needs to prove his hamstring is healed » 2 3. Patriots (5-1) » Have joined Steelers in the “lucky but good” club? » 4 4. Ravens (5-2) » After Bills put up 506 yards, Reed is needed more than ever » 5 5. Titans (5-2) » Defense owns a league-high 12 INTs, bring on Philip Rivers » 8 6. Giants (5-2) » Calling them the NFC’s best isn’t exactly a compliment » 9 7. Colts (4-2) » Peyton’s had two weeks’ prep for Texans rematch » 3 8. Falcons (5-2) » Bye week homework: Secondary reps against Roddy White » 10 9. Eagles (4-3) » And the pendulum swings back to Vick » 7 10. Dolphins (3-3) » Don’t be surprised to see Miami go to 4-0 on the road » 11 11. Texans (4-2) » Paging Arian Foster — another big game vs. Indy needed » 12 12. Redskins (4-3) » Last year’s loss should serve as inspiration at Detroit » 13 13. Chiefs (4-2) » KC’s already matched last year’s win total » 14 14. Packers (4-3) » Motivation easy vs. Favre, but need to raise the level vs. Jets » 15 15. Saints (4-3) » Voodoo queens all over the Bayou searching for NO’s mojo » 6 16. Seahawks (4-2) » Not just playoffs but a division title might be in store » 18 17. Buccaneers (4-2) » Scoring far more on the road than at home » 21 18. Bears (4-3) » Worth noting: Knox was as bad vs. WAS as Cutler » 16 19. Vikings (2-4) » No way Moss actually helps defensive preparation for NE » 17 20. Rams (3-4) » A luxury to have Bradford with so many shaky NFL QBs » 20 21. Raiders (3-4) » Hope they didn’t use up all of their offense in one game » 29 22. Browns (2-5) » Soak up the win — Patriots, Jets await on back side of bye » 30 23. Cardinals (3-3) » Just give Beanie the ball. In NFC West, there’s little to lose » 24 24. Bengals (2-4) » Feels weird to not blame Owens for Cincy’s troubles » 25 25. Chargers (2-5) » If Norv Turner and Wade Phillips swapped jobs, who’d notice? » 22 26. Cowboys (1-5) » Of course they’ll run the ball now. No one will see it coming » 23 27. Jaguars (3-4) » D.C. native, former 1st-Rd pick Harvey headed to the pine » 26 28. Broncos (2-5) » After last week’s loss, leaving the country very appropriate » 19 29. Panthers (1-6) » Little incentive for DeAngelo Williams to hurry back » 31 30. Lions (1-5) » Suh or Haynesworth: who ya got? » 28 31. 49ers (1-6) » Least attractive Sunday activity in London: 49ers/Broncos » 27 32. Bills (0-6) » Evans’ last two games: 11 catches, 192 yards & 4 TDs » 32 |
