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Sunday, November 19, 2006
Redskins-Buccaneers
Washington Post
Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss will miss tomorrow’s game at Tampa Bay with a left hamstring injury that kept him out of practice this week. Moss suffered the injury Oct. 22 at Indianapolis , and even though the Redskins had a bye week following that game, Moss did not play in the Redskins’ 22-19 victory over Dallas on Nov. 5. In Sunday’s 27-3 loss at Philadelphia , Moss clearly was not himself, catching three balls for 17 yards. Moss is the Redskins’ leading receiver this season, with 31 catches for 452 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his touchdowns came in the same game, a 36-30 overtime win over Jacksonville . His frustration regarding the injury is mounting, especially because quarterback Jason Campbell will make his debut tomorrow without the team’s best wide receiver and best running back, Clinton Portis, who was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week. Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs said there was a “slim hope” that Moss would play and that it would be a game-time decision.
Patriots-Packers
Quarterback Brett Favre might be at less than full strength Sunday when the Green Bay Packers meet the New England Patriots at Lambeau Field. Coach Mike McCarthy disclosed that Favre had suffered a groin injury Thursday during practice, an injury that the coach said “really bothered” Favre as he took some but not all of the repetitions with the No. 1 offense Friday. Favre had been listed as probable on the injury report with an ankle injury. The Packers now list him as probable with ankle and groin injuries. McCarthy was asked if he was at all worried about Favre and his ability to move Sunday. “No,” he replied. “I’ve talked to him at length today. He doesn’t think it’s a big deal.” It isn’t certain if wide receiver Greg Jennings (ankle) will start but McCarthy said he expected the rookie to play more than Ruvell Martin.Tight end David Martin (shoulder, thigh) and cornerback Will Blackmon (rib) returned to practice Friday. Martin will play. Blackmon remained doubtful.Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins (ankle) was downgraded from probable to questionable after taking Friday off. Running back Vernand Morency (back) will play and probably return kickoffs. Fullback Brandon Miree (elbow) practiced Friday, struggled and isn’t expected to play. For the Patriots, the only players definitely out are starting safeties Rodney Harrison (shoulder) and Eugene Wilson (hamstring). Game-time decisions probably will determine the availability of guard Stephen Neal (shoulder) and cornerback Asante Samuel (knee). Neal has missed the last three games but appears close to playing. Samuel finished the last game but didn’t practice all week. If Samuel cannot play, the Patriots probably would move safety Chad Scott back to cornerback and start James Sanders at strong safety. Sanders, a fourth-round draft choice in 2005, has played sparingly from scrimmage and, when he has played, has been ineffective.
Boston Globe
The Patriots should be closer to full strength when they take on the Packers tomorrow - defensive end Ty Warren is expected to play. Warren missed the first game of his career last week against the Jets with what was listed as a bad shoulder. While Warren has been seen with both shoulders wrapped in recent weeks, sources say he missed the Jets game because of a strained right calf. The team feared he might tear it if he attempted to play. His importance to the defense was never more apparent than last week, when the Jets ran for over 100 yards and the Patriots were forced to shuffle their defensive line, moving Richard Seymour from his comfortable right end spot to Warren ’s left. Jarvis Green, a right-side player, took Seymour ’s spot. Warren, a fourth-year player out of Texas A&M, is in the midst of his best season. He recorded 43 tackles, two sacks and a safety in his first eight games, and remains on course to set career highs in every defensive category. If he plays the second half like he did the first, he’ll deserve serious All-Pro consideration.
Colts-Cowboys
New York Times
The defense has been decimated by injuries. The run defense, which was ranked in the middle of the N.F.L. at the end of last season, is the lowest ranked in the league, allowing more than 5 yards a rush. The defense is yielding 49 more rushing yards a game than last season. There is a rookie running back, Joseph Addai, replacing the departed Edgerrin James. The offense has been limited in its use of three-receiver plays because of an injury to receiver Brandon Stokely. The Colts have already needed fourth-quarter comebacks in three games to remain unbeaten, and their average margin of victory is 6.6 points — nearly 10 points less than their margin of victory during their 13-0 start last season. Only two victories this season have come by double digits; 9 of the first 13 last year were by double digits. And the Colts have already had two 1-point victories this season. That did not happen at all last season.
Falcons-Ravens
Atlanta Journal Constitution
In a game that could end a losing streak or leave them with a .500 record, the Falcons could, at times, field a defensive line Sunday at Baltimore with two undrafted rookies and two second-year players . Atlanta has lost both starting defensive ends (John Abraham and Patrick Kerney), two defensive backs (Jason Webster and Kevin Mathis) and having to replace both offensive guards (Kynan Forney and Matt Lehr) as the Falcons have. The Falcons (5-4) are left having to count on three players who never started an NFL game until this season and 11 undrafted players to rescue a season that, once again, started well but has leveled off and is at a crossroads.
Steelers-Browns
Post Gazette
Steelers Troy Polamalu went through an entire practice for the first time this week without difficulty and, barring some type of setback, should play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. “He’s gotten better each day,” coach Bill Cowher said of his two-time Pro Bowl safety. Also, center Jeff Hartings (knee/questionable), who has missed the past two games, practiced for the second day in a row and likely will play in Cleveland .
Raiders-Chiefs
San Francisco Chronicle
Raiders coach Art Shell isn’t saying, but all indicators point to Aaron Brooks taking over as the starting quarterback Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Brooks took the majority of first-team snaps at practice Friday, according to a person who watched practice. Shell said he won’t announce his starter until game day. Brooks, signed in the offseason and named the starter in training camp, has been out with a strained pectoral muscle near his right throwing shoulder since the first quarter of Week 2’s game at Baltimore . He ran the scout team offense last week, then declared himself fit to play this week as he shared first-team snaps with Andrew Walter. Friday, the team’s final practice before boarding a plane for Kansas City , was the first time he got most of the work with the starters. Joe Duffy’s sports betting selections are at www.GodsTips.com Walter, a third-round draft pick last year, is 2-5 as a starter with the NFL’s worst-rated total offense and passing offense. He threw nine interceptions versus three touchdowns for the league’s lowest quarterback rating. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards, who named Trent Green his starter this week, thought Brooks would start all along, and prepared for as much.
Rams-Panthers
St. Louis Today
The Carolina Panthers seemed poised for greatness this season, topping many a preseason list as the team most likely to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLI. Yet they prepare to face the Rams with a record of 5-4, one of eight teams in the conference within a game of .500. The Panthers entered the opener without wide receiver Steve Smith, who led the NFL last year in receiving yards and tied for the lead in receptions and receiving TDs but suffered a hamstring injury in camp. Before the end of their 20-6 loss to Atlanta , the Panthers had lost two starters on the offensive line. Center Justin Hartwig has played in just one game since then and was listed as out for Sunday. Left tackle Travelle Wharton was placed on the injured-reserve list. The losses have been felt most keenly in Carolina ’s running game. The Panthers hoped that DeShaun Foster and rookie DeAngelo Williams would form a 1-2 punch to soften defenses for the passing game. Instead, Carolina is ranked 28th in rushing yardage. Foster has gained 588 yards, 19th in the NFL. Williams has just 158 yards but has missed almost four games because of an ankle injury. Perhaps more devastating was the concussion suffered in the opener by middle linebacker Dan Morgan. He was inactive for the next four games, then was placed on injured reserve. The defense ranks in the middle of the pack in rushing, passing and total yards allowed, though defensive end Julius Peppers has stood out. Peppers leads the league with 11 sacks and was named defensive player of the month for October. The Panthers lost their first two games but reeled off four consecutive victories with Smith’s return.
Bengals-Saints
Cincinnati Enquirer
Starting right guard Bobbie Williams had an emergency appendectomy Wednesday afternoon and is out for the game Sunday at New Orleans.Since signing as a free agent before the 2004 season, Williams has started 42 consecutive games. Playing alongside tackle Willie Anderson, Williams is a key part in the Bengals’ power run game. The Bengals played the past four games with the same starting line after juggling the quintet the first five games because of injuries to starting left tackle Levi Jones and starting center Rich Braham. Backup Eric Ghiaciuc has started six games at center, and rookie backup Andrew Whitworth four at left tackle and two at left guard.
Monday, November 19, 2006
Giants-Jaguars
New York Times
Using the same 11 starters from last season, the unit glided through the early stages of this season. It featured an array of star players swirling around the nucleus of an underrated offensive line, usually moving downfield. Now, in the second half of the season, there is concern. Left tackle Luke Petitgout and wide receiver Amani Toomer are on injured reserve. The Giants’ offense has become less a model of cool efficiency and more a contraption of fits and starts. The Giants (6-3) averaged 27.2 points in their first six games, but 17 in their past three. Now they are headed south to play the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4) on Monday night. The Jaguars have allowed 14.1 points a game, third lowest in the N.F.L.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Redskins-Buccaneers
Washington Post
Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss will miss tomorrow’s game at Tampa Bay with a left hamstring injury that kept him out of practice this week. Moss suffered the injury Oct. 22 at Indianapolis , and even though the Redskins had a bye week following that game, Moss did not play in the Redskins’ 22-19 victory over Dallas on Nov. 5. In Sunday’s 27-3 loss at Philadelphia , Moss clearly was not himself, catching three balls for 17 yards. Moss is the Redskins’ leading receiver this season, with 31 catches for 452 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his touchdowns came in the same game, a 36-30 overtime win over Jacksonville . His frustration regarding the injury is mounting, especially because quarterback Jason Campbell will make his debut tomorrow without the team’s best wide receiver and best running back, Clinton Portis, who was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week. Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs said there was a “slim hope” that Moss would play and that it would be a game-time decision.
Patriots-Packers
Quarterback Brett Favre might be at less than full strength Sunday when the Green Bay Packers meet the New England Patriots at Lambeau Field. Coach Mike McCarthy disclosed that Favre had suffered a groin injury Thursday during practice, an injury that the coach said “really bothered” Favre as he took some but not all of the repetitions with the No. 1 offense Friday. Favre had been listed as probable on the injury report with an ankle injury. The Packers now list him as probable with ankle and groin injuries. McCarthy was asked if he was at all worried about Favre and his ability to move Sunday. “No,” he replied. “I’ve talked to him at length today. He doesn’t think it’s a big deal.” It isn’t certain if wide receiver Greg Jennings (ankle) will start but McCarthy said he expected the rookie to play more than Ruvell Martin.Tight end David Martin (shoulder, thigh) and cornerback Will Blackmon (rib) returned to practice Friday. Martin will play. Blackmon remained doubtful.Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins (ankle) was downgraded from probable to questionable after taking Friday off. Running back Vernand Morency (back) will play and probably return kickoffs. Fullback Brandon Miree (elbow) practiced Friday, struggled and isn’t expected to play. For the Patriots, the only players definitely out are starting safeties Rodney Harrison (shoulder) and Eugene Wilson (hamstring). Game-time decisions probably will determine the availability of guard Stephen Neal (shoulder) and cornerback Asante Samuel (knee). Neal has missed the last three games but appears close to playing. Samuel finished the last game but didn’t practice all week. If Samuel cannot play, the Patriots probably would move safety Chad Scott back to cornerback and start James Sanders at strong safety. Sanders, a fourth-round draft choice in 2005, has played sparingly from scrimmage and, when he has played, has been ineffective.
Boston Globe
The Patriots should be closer to full strength when they take on the Packers tomorrow - defensive end Ty Warren is expected to play. Warren missed the first game of his career last week against the Jets with what was listed as a bad shoulder. While Warren has been seen with both shoulders wrapped in recent weeks, sources say he missed the Jets game because of a strained right calf. The team feared he might tear it if he attempted to play. His importance to the defense was never more apparent than last week, when the Jets ran for over 100 yards and the Patriots were forced to shuffle their defensive line, moving Richard Seymour from his comfortable right end spot to Warren ’s left. Jarvis Green, a right-side player, took Seymour ’s spot. Warren, a fourth-year player out of Texas A&M, is in the midst of his best season. He recorded 43 tackles, two sacks and a safety in his first eight games, and remains on course to set career highs in every defensive category. If he plays the second half like he did the first, he’ll deserve serious All-Pro consideration.
Colts-Cowboys
New York Times
The defense has been decimated by injuries. The run defense, which was ranked in the middle of the N.F.L. at the end of last season, is the lowest ranked in the league, allowing more than 5 yards a rush. The defense is yielding 49 more rushing yards a game than last season. There is a rookie running back, Joseph Addai, replacing the departed Edgerrin James. The offense has been limited in its use of three-receiver plays because of an injury to receiver Brandon Stokely. The Colts have already needed fourth-quarter comebacks in three games to remain unbeaten, and their average margin of victory is 6.6 points — nearly 10 points less than their margin of victory during their 13-0 start last season. Only two victories this season have come by double digits; 9 of the first 13 last year were by double digits. And the Colts have already had two 1-point victories this season. That did not happen at all last season.
Falcons-Ravens
Atlanta Journal Constitution
In a game that could end a losing streak or leave them with a .500 record, the Falcons could, at times, field a defensive line Sunday at Baltimore with two undrafted rookies and two second-year players . Atlanta has lost both starting defensive ends (John Abraham and Patrick Kerney), two defensive backs (Jason Webster and Kevin Mathis) and having to replace both offensive guards (Kynan Forney and Matt Lehr) as the Falcons have. The Falcons (5-4) are left having to count on three players who never started an NFL game until this season and 11 undrafted players to rescue a season that, once again, started well but has leveled off and is at a crossroads.
Steelers-Browns
Post Gazette
Steelers Troy Polamalu went through an entire practice for the first time this week without difficulty and, barring some type of setback, should play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. “He’s gotten better each day,” coach Bill Cowher said of his two-time Pro Bowl safety. Also, center Jeff Hartings (knee/questionable), who has missed the past two games, practiced for the second day in a row and likely will play in Cleveland .
Raiders-Chiefs
San Francisco Chronicle
Raiders coach Art Shell isn’t saying, but all indicators point to Aaron Brooks taking over as the starting quarterback Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Brooks took the majority of first-team snaps at practice Friday, according to a person who watched practice. Shell said he won’t announce his starter until game day. Brooks, signed in the offseason and named the starter in training camp, has been out with a strained pectoral muscle near his right throwing shoulder since the first quarter of Week 2’s game at Baltimore . He ran the scout team offense last week, then declared himself fit to play this week as he shared first-team snaps with Andrew Walter. Friday, the team’s final practice before boarding a plane for Kansas City , was the first time he got most of the work with the starters. Joe Duffy’s sports betting selections are at www.GodsTips.com Walter, a third-round draft pick last year, is 2-5 as a starter with the NFL’s worst-rated total offense and passing offense. He threw nine interceptions versus three touchdowns for the league’s lowest quarterback rating. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards, who named Trent Green his starter this week, thought Brooks would start all along, and prepared for as much.
Rams-Panthers
St. Louis Today
The Carolina Panthers seemed poised for greatness this season, topping many a preseason list as the team most likely to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLI. Yet they prepare to face the Rams with a record of 5-4, one of eight teams in the conference within a game of .500. The Panthers entered the opener without wide receiver Steve Smith, who led the NFL last year in receiving yards and tied for the lead in receptions and receiving TDs but suffered a hamstring injury in camp. Before the end of their 20-6 loss to Atlanta , the Panthers had lost two starters on the offensive line. Center Justin Hartwig has played in just one game since then and was listed as out for Sunday. Left tackle Travelle Wharton was placed on the injured-reserve list. The losses have been felt most keenly in Carolina ’s running game. The Panthers hoped that DeShaun Foster and rookie DeAngelo Williams would form a 1-2 punch to soften defenses for the passing game. Instead, Carolina is ranked 28th in rushing yardage. Foster has gained 588 yards, 19th in the NFL. Williams has just 158 yards but has missed almost four games because of an ankle injury. Perhaps more devastating was the concussion suffered in the opener by middle linebacker Dan Morgan. He was inactive for the next four games, then was placed on injured reserve. The defense ranks in the middle of the pack in rushing, passing and total yards allowed, though defensive end Julius Peppers has stood out. Peppers leads the league with 11 sacks and was named defensive player of the month for October. The Panthers lost their first two games but reeled off four consecutive victories with Smith’s return.
Bengals-Saints
Cincinnati Enquirer
Starting right guard Bobbie Williams had an emergency appendectomy Wednesday afternoon and is out for the game Sunday at New Orleans.Since signing as a free agent before the 2004 season, Williams has started 42 consecutive games. Playing alongside tackle Willie Anderson, Williams is a key part in the Bengals’ power run game. The Bengals played the past four games with the same starting line after juggling the quintet the first five games because of injuries to starting left tackle Levi Jones and starting center Rich Braham. Backup Eric Ghiaciuc has started six games at center, and rookie backup Andrew Whitworth four at left tackle and two at left guard.
Monday, November 19, 2006
Giants-Jaguars
New York Times
Using the same 11 starters from last season, the unit glided through the early stages of this season. It featured an array of star players swirling around the nucleus of an underrated offensive line, usually moving downfield. Now, in the second half of the season, there is concern. Left tackle Luke Petitgout and wide receiver Amani Toomer are on injured reserve. The Giants’ offense has become less a model of cool efficiency and more a contraption of fits and starts. The Giants (6-3) averaged 27.2 points in their first six games, but 17 in their past three. Now they are headed south to play the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4) on Monday night. The Jaguars have allowed 14.1 points a game, third lowest in the N.F.L.
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