Game of the Week
San Diego Chargers at New York Jets
I am looking forward to seeing how the Jets respond to their 3-3 record against a fast starting Chargers team. I see this game being hotly contested. Sanchez faces the criticism, but the root cause of the problem is the Jets inability to run the ball. Look for LT to get more snaps as the desperate Jets try to get more production out of their backfield. Any time you involve emotional guys like Rex Ryan and Phillip Rivers, you can expect fireworks.
Quarterback
1.) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (at MIN) – The Vikings secondary is nothing to write home about.
2.) Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (vs. IND) – The Colt’s defense is so bad, they probably have trouble stopping Curtis Painter in practice.
3.) Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (vs. WASH) – Cam didn’t amaze last week, but should bounce back this Sunday at home against the Redskins.
4.) Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (vs. STL) – Romo will be airing it out.
5.) Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (at ARI) – Big Ben is finally getting healthy.
6.) Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (at NYJ) – The Chargers offense appears to be slowly heating up.
7.) Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (vs. ATL) – He should have a good outing, after a very inconsistent performance last week.
Running Back
1.) Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders (vs. KC) – McFadden will keep it rolling against KC.
2.) Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens (at JAX) – The Ravens will let Rice carry the load once they grab the lead.
3.) Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers (at ARI) – The Steelers should be up early and let Mendenhall grind it out in the second half.
4.) Matt Forte, Chicago Bears (at TB) – Forte keeps impressing with his blue collar style.
5.) Arian Foster, Houston Texans (at TEN) – Last year’s rushing leader should get a lot of carries in this one.
6.) Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB) – Even a good defense can’t keep Peterson down.
7.) Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans (vs. HOU) – This game should be a grind it out affair.
Wide Receiver
1.) Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (vs. ATL) – The SF game was a disaster. Megatron will come out swinging.
2.) Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers (vs. WAS) – “Big players ,make big plays, in big games.”
3.) Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys (vs. STL) - Dez was upset he was not targeted in the 2nd half last week. Tony will be looking to keep him happy.
4.) Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals (vs. PIT) – Who else can Kolb throw too?
5.) Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers (at MIN) – He’s WR1 in the best offense in the NFL
6.) Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons (at DET) – Julio is still limited so Roddy should get targets.
7.) Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers (at NYJ) – Jackson will be able to catch a few deep balls on Revis island.
Tight End
1.) Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (vs. IND) – Like a Boston crème, the Colts are soft in the middle.
2.) Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys (vs. STL) – Witten sets the standard for consistency from this position.
3.) Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers (at MIN) – He just needs targets; we all know what he can do.
4.) Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons (at DET) – Atlanta may have to lean on Tony to make up for some of those yards Julio was providing.
5.) Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions (vs. ATL) – Steadily becoming one of the better Tight Ends in the NFL.
6.) Fred Davis, Washington Redskins (at CAR) – Cooley is out so Fred should post big numbers.
7.) Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (vs. WAS) – Cam is always looking for him in the red zone.
Defense / Special Teams
1.) Pittsburgh Steelers (at ARI) – The Cardinals are in big trouble, now and in the future.
2.) Baltimore Ravens (at JAC) – The Ravens have been lights out all year.
3.) Green Bay Packers (at MIN) – Green Bay should be able to get a few takeaways against the rookie QB Ponder.
4.) New Orleans Saints (vs. IND) – Painter won’t do much to scare the Saints.
5.) Dallas Cowboys (vs. STL) – The Cowboys are adopting Rob Ryan’s mental toughness.
6.) Seattle Seahawks (at CLE) – The Browns won’t be able to run and this could end up a blowout.
7.) Detroit Lions (vs. ATL) – The Lions have something to prove after last week.
