Maroney steps up for New England, Ricky runs in Miami, there could be a rematch of collegiate star quarterbacks and the Steelers and Ravens promise a physical matchup.
The Colts remain atop the TSN.ca NFL Power Rankings, but the Vikings have moved into second spot, ahead of the injury-depleted Saints.
Notes
- Patriots RB Laurence Maroney has rushed for touchdowns in five straight games and will figure to get chances in an expected shootout with the Saints this week.
- Dolphins RB Ricky Williams had 119 rushing yards and three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) against the Panthers last week, his first game without Ronnie Brown in the backfield. Lex Hilliard joined the Dolphins backfield and had six touches (four carries, two receptions).
- Raiders S Tyvon Branch has at least eight tackles in seven of his ten games, including 22 in the last two games.
- Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles has run for 161 yards (not to mention a kickoff return and a reception for a touchdown) in the last two games, since taking over the starting job.
- Chiefs WR Chris Chambers has ten catches for 249 yards and three touchdowns since coming over on waivers from San Diego.
- Packers WR Greg Jennings had his first 100-yard receiving game since Week Three.
- Bills WR Terrell Owens has 197 yards receiving, his first 100-yard game since Week 12 of last season.
- Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick pass for 297 yards against Jacksonville, his highest single-game performance since his first NFL game, in Week 12 of the 2005 season, when he passed for 310 yards.
- Giants TE Kevin Boss has four touchdowns in the last three games.
- Giants OLB Michael Boley had 13 tackles and a sack in his second game back from injury.
- Browns QB Brady Quinn threw for 304 yards against the Lions, possibly enhancing the value of WR Mohamed Massaquoi, who had 115 yards receiving against Detroit.
- The Rams spread the ball around against the Cardinals, with Brandon Gibson, Donnie Avery and Danny Amendola all putting up more than 60 receiving yards.
Injury Replacements
- As Cardinals QB Kurt Warner deals with the effects of a concussion, Matt Leinart could get the start against Vince Young and Tennesee's 31st-ranked pass defence.
- With Redskins RB Clinton Portis dealing with a concussion and Ladell Betts done for the season with a knee injury, Rock Cartwright is next in line to get carries for Washington.
- Eagles rookie RB LeSean McCoy, in place of Brian Westbrook, ran for 99 yards and a touchdown against the Bears.
- Bengals RB Bernard Scott is handling the starting job for the Bengals, in the absence of Cedric Benson, and ran for 119 yards against Oakland.
- Chiefs OLB Andy Studebaker filled in for Mike Vrabel against the Steelers, and picked up a half sack and two interceptions.
- Giants LB Chase Blackburn has stepped into the middle of the defence in place of Antonio Pierce, who has a bulging disc in his neck.
- Cowboys TE Jason Witten will be a game-time decision against the Raiders on Thursday, which could make Martellus Bennett a possible sleeper for this week.
- Rams QB Marc Bulger is out with a broken leg, giving Kyle Boller yet another opportunity to start.
Match-ups To Watch
- Pittsburgh's league-best run defence goes to Baltimore, to face Ray Rice. Baltimore's fifth-ranked run defence should also provide a rough welcome for Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall, who undoubtedly remembers having his shoulder broken by Ravens MLB Ray Lewis last season.
- Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is putting up numbers and going against the 32nd-ranked Lions pass defence should ensure that he doesn't slow down.
- Washington's league's best pass defence goes to Philly, to face Donovan McNabb and the Eagles.
- Browns RB Jamal Lewis faces the Bengals' second-ranked run defence in Cincinnati.
- Bears RB Matt Forte has struggled running the ball this season and may not find it any easier going against the third-ranked Vikings run defence.
- The Giants have the second-best pass defence and they visit the Broncos, who have struggled to get the passing game in sync lately as QB Kyle Orton has been banged up and backup Chris Simms has been wholly ineffective.
- The Broncos have the third-ranked pass defence, but Eli Manning has been slightly more effective.
- Green Bay takes the fourth-ranked run defence to Detroit, to face Kevin Smith and the Lions.
- Tampa Bay's league-worst run defence goes to Atlanta, where Falcons RB Jason Snelling is coming off a two-touchdown game.
- Dallas' runners Marion Barber and Felix Jones get to face Oakland's 30th-ranked run defence.
- The Jets have the fourth-ranked pass defence and go up against Carolina's ineffective passing game.
- Cincinnati RB Bernard Scott gets to take on the 29th-ranked Cleveland run defence.
Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@ctv.ca