Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Priest Holmes, Tony Gonzalez, Ahman Green

2nd String: KC Defense, Donald Driver, Brett Favre, Trent Green, Ryan Longwell

Prediction: Chiefs 31, Packers 24

Houston (2-2) at Tennessee (3-2), 1:00 PM
The Texans come off the bye week and are hoping to continue right where they left off: winning. David Carr and Andre Johnson are becoming a lethal mix for opposing defenses. Johnson is amazing and has to be the lead candidate for rookie of the year thus far (side note: Johnson has a minor toe injury and is being listed on the NFL IR list as "status uncertain"). The running game has been feast or famine, and word from Houston is that RB by committee is going to be the plan for the foreseeable future. As a side note, watch out for Tony Hollings, rookie RB out of Georgia Tech, as he has the potential to be the starter for this team if not now then definitely in the near future. Without a solid running threat, the onus is on the passing game to get the scoring done. The Titans D will have something to say about that: the Titans live on QB pressure. David Carr is the most hunted QB in the NFL, and his current offensive line, though improving, may have their hands beyond full with Jevon Kearse & Kevin Carter. CB Samari Rolle is out with 3 to 6 weeks with a dislocated elbow, and this could be good for the Titans: Rolle was becoming the lead target for opposing QB's, and Johnson would definitely have taken advantage.

For the offense of the Titans, it can be summed up in two words: Steve McNair. McNair is to the Titans what Gary Coleman was to the show "Different Strokes": he carries the show (that may be a reach for the kids out there, but I like the comparison!). Even an off game for McNair is awesome: last week he threw for 391 yards, but he also threw the pick that led to the demise of his team (an interception on a short out, just before the 2-minute warning, that Ty Law returned for a TD killing the game for the Titans). He'll bring it again this week, and some help from Eddie George would be nice. Houston has nice rush defense, but is vulnerable to a sustained effort. George can grind it out and help open up the pass game. Houston is on the rise, but the Titans are still too much at this point. McNair can do it against anyone, and without a serious running attack the Texans can't keep up.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Steve McNair, Derrick Mason, Titan Defense, Andre Johnson (status uncertain)

2nd String: David Carr, Eddie George, Erron Kinney, Drew Bennett, Jabar Gaffney

Prediction: Texans 17, Titans 31

Carolina (4-0) at Indianapolis (5-0), 1:00 PM
This is Indy's second week against a top-notch defense, and last week didn't go well. The Colts defense was the untold story going into the game, and after giving up 35 points to a Tampa offense that normally struggles to score, it has some work to do to regain its reputation. They have a good opportunity versus a Panthers' offense struggling to put it all together. Stephen Davis is one the NFL's best RB's and he can find yards and TD's against anyone. The problem has been the arm of Jake Delhomme. Truth be told, Delhomme is a talented QB and though his numbers aren't so good, he is capable of being a solid player. His WR staff isn't the best, though it's not a group of circus freaks either. A better offensive line would help, though the current line isn't too bad. Well, maybe Delhomme is to blame for the lack of offense, but its not keeping the Panthers from winning, and he looks a little better with every game. The Colts will take it to Davis (but don't expect them to stop him; they give up an average of about 120 rushing yards a game) and let Delhomme try to beat them.

The Colts are an offensive juggernaut. If you have watched the last two games for Peyton Manning & you are not convinced that he is the man, you are the new official winner of the Ray Charles NFL Fan award. Tampa came into last weeks' game with Indy giving up an average of only 106 passing yards a game. Manning came INTO Tampa and TORE THEM UP: 386 yards, 2 TD's. If you can pass on the Bucs, you can pass on anyone. The Panthers, though a great defense, is not as tough against the pass: giving up 226 pass yards a game. Manning to Harrison should be the echoed call of this game once again. Edge James should be back following two weeks off with a bad back, and he'll be hungry for some yards. The Colts are just so powerful right now, they have it ALL working, and it hard to deny they are the best team in the NFL right now. Davis can't do it alone, and he won't score 30 points by himself, and the Colts will get to 6 & 0.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Edgerrin James, Stephen Davis, Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison

2nd String: Colt Defense, Reggie Wayne, Mike Vanderjagt, Dallas Clark

Prediction: Panthers 14, Colts 38

New York Giants (2-2) at New England (3-2), 1:00 PM
Can someone check the schedule & see which Giants team is playing this weekend? The team that just lost in sorry fashion to the Dolphins isn't the same Giants team from the previous weeks. Give credit to Miami: they took it to Collins, and they hadn't done that at all this year. The Giants are a team of suspicion: will they come out and light up the sky with long bomb after long bomb, or will they come out and spend the day mistaking the opposing defense for their own receivers. This is not a good week to come in without confidence and with a lap full of concerns. The Patriots are playing well above their condition. This NE defense has been battered and injured, and they do give up some points, but they will make the Giants (as they made the Titans this last week) suffer for every point. They are playing hard-nosed, break-your-jaw and laugh defense with the players they do have healthy. They are not afraid of any team and they have loads of veteran leadership, guys who know how to win. If you had asked most fans if they thought the Pats could be 3 & 2 at this point, maybe 10% would have said yes. The Giants will need great efforts from all offensive facets to win: Collins needs to put last week behind him and heave, Tiki Barber needs to protect the ball and break it open, and Amani Toomer needs to be, well, Amani Toomer.

On defense, the Giants have to be frustrated. If you can lock down Ricky Williams (22 carries, 39 yards), you should beat the Dolphins. Yet they played soft against Chris Chambers and Randy McMichael and lost. Believe the Patriots can throw: Tom Brady is a great QB (though more than capable of making fans scratch their heads) & though the WR's aren't exactly Pro Bowl material this year, any one of them is capable of making plays. The Patriots would love to have Troy Brown show up in every game as he did last week. Deion Branch is talented and can get it done. Christian Fauria is a TE capable of a WR style of play. They will need to throw. Kevin Faulk (currently listed as Questionable) and Mike Cloud won't run against the Giants. They are decent backs, but they are not Ricky Williams, and Ricky did squat versus this defense. This will be a hard fought, old school game of tough defense versus tough defense, and give the edge to the Giants offense: the mix of running and passing should be too much for the Patriots. As long as Kerry Collins can resist throwing up all over himself, the Giants should return to the win column.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Amani Toomer, Tiki Barber, Giants Defense, Tom Brady

2nd String: Kerry Collins, Jeremy Shockey, Troy Brown, Christian Fauria

Prediction: Giants 21, Patriots 17

Chicago (1-3) at New Orleans (1-4), 1:00 PM
The Bears have broken the chain of mediocrity and got a win. The surprising thing isn't the win itself, it's how they won. Anthony Thomas has looked like a totally different player the last two weeks. He's running with power and speed, seems to have a confidence that has been absent since the end of his rookie season, and has become the game breaker for this Bears team. They have another chance to pull of a big upset this weekend against a team that is struggling just as badly for a win. Both these teams are vying for the title of worst team in the NFL, along with San Diego and Arizona, and its not 100% clear who deserves the title. Thomas will try his best to remove the Bears from contention, and the Saints are going to have a tough time stopping him. The Saints did get Dale Carter back from injury but are still suffering through various other injury losses. They haven't had much luck stopping anyone from passing or rushing. Kordell Stewart could have a nice game, or he could have his typical game. If the Bears hope to win, it better be the game of his year thus far, and he better come with something better than the old college option offense. Marty Booker is a top-dog player and deserves more looks. Booker and Thomas will give the Bears their best offensive options, and both could take advantage of this Saints defense.

The Saints offense is total befuddling. Why can't they score???!!! Deuce McAllister is a great RB, Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth are great WR, and…. maybe Aaron Brooks is the weak link. He's not a bad QB, but he seems to have trouble getting the ball out to the receivers with constant success. He can throw for 350 yards, or he can throw for 110. Against the Bears, it's hard to believe he won't throw for closer to 350. The Bears' D isn't bad, but it isn't what it once was. Teams have figured how to remove Urlacher from a role of prominence. He registered only 4 tackles versus Green Bay! Guys like Warrick Holdman and Mike Brown need to step in as big timers to help free up Urlacher. If a team is allowed to double and triple him up, Urlacher is good but no one is good enough to beat those odds. The Saints should follow the same recipe and until someone picks up the slack it's going to be the same story for this defense. This should be a running battle, and the safe money should be on McAllister. Take the Saints in a close one.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Deuce McAllister, Joe Horn (Questionable), Anthony Thomas, John Carney

2nd String: Marty Booker (Questionable), Aaron Brooks, Donte Stallworth, Desmond Clark

Prediction: Bears 17, Saints 20

Oakland (2-3) at Cleveland (2-3), 1:00 PM
Oakland managed to join the group of teams "hoping" to be named as worst in the NFL. They were just plain awful and have been all year. Their wins are a big-time 3 point win over perennial powerhouse Cincinnati, and another 3 point win over San Diego, a team just as bad as they are and the Raiders had to fight and claw from behind to get that one. They have officially crossed the line from being a "veteran" team to being an "old" team. Charlie Garner is the only real threat offensively that has played with any kind of consistency. Rich Gannon is a shadow of the player that just last year won the league MVP. The offense desperately misses Jerry Porter: although Tim Brown has shown some small flashes of his old self, the team is void of a true deep threat or big play maker. Porter serves both those roles well and, though he should be back before long (rumored return is Week 7), it won't be in this game. Cleveland's defense is playing well, and they are more than capable of taking it to the Raiders. They don't allow very much passing at all (162 yards a game on average, 2nd best in the NFL), but the Browns are somewhat vulnerable versus the run, allowing an average of about 125 yards rushing a game. Once again it appears the Raiders will have to lean on Charlie Garner to do the offensive work.

On offense, the Browns seem ripe for a nice QB controversy: Tim Couch has come off the bench in relief of injured Kelly Holcomb and played well, especially last week at Pittsburgh in a crushing defeat of the Steelers. If Couch can win this one, then we can talk controversy. He'll have a good opportunity to take advantage of the weak Oakland pass defense and make some plays. Quincy Morgan has become his go-to guy and Morgan has played like a completely different receiver under Couch. The real key to this game for the Browns will be the running of Willie Green. Green finally broke out the whoppin' stick last week versus Pittsburgh and broke a 100+ yard game (not an easy task versus a good Pittsburgh defense). He'll have an even better game this week: Oakland gives up rushing yards like Oprah gives up on diets, early and often. Giving up an average of 163 rush yards a game, the Raiders have been burned by Anthony Thomas, LaDainian Tomlinson, Mike Anderson, and Corey Dillon, and Willie Green would love to add his name to this list. Look for Cleveland to give the ball to Green, play ball control style of offense, and let the young LB's loose on Gannon and Garner. Oakland is a team on the ropes and the Browns are just too good right now for the Silver & Black.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Willie Green, Charlie Garner, Sebastian Janikowski

2nd String: Rich Gannon, Tim Couch, Cleveland Defense, Tim Brown, Quincy Morgan, Andre Davis

Prediction: Raiders 17, Browns 25

Philadelphia (2-2) at Dallas (3-1), 1:00 PM
The Eagles, somehow, managed another win last week despite all the hard effort to blow it. With all the controversy surrounding McNabb, many expected a much better performance. Say what you will, but the fact of the matter is that McNabb is not a good QB right now. He's just not: he's an inaccurate passer, he's unable to make the big pass play, he is much more of a threat on his feet than with his hands (and teams are playing him that way), and if you don't agree I suggest you look at his stats. He has racked up a huge total of one passing TD so far. One. WR Rod Smith of the Denver Broncos has just as many passing TD's as McNabb. Here's another clue: go through your fantasy league and count how many of Philly's players are on starting lineups, or even on rosters at all. It shouldn't take but the fingers on one hand. James Thrash and Todd Pinkston are talented players, but they aren't getting the ball with any frequency and neither has a TD. The RB by committee hasn't scared anyone: as long as McNabb doesn't run for big yards then the damage is minimal from the other runners on this team. Even David Akers, considered by many as this year's top kicker, hasn't produced much offense as the team has struggled just to get into field goal position. This game has been highlighted by the Cowboys since the preseason. This is a great chance for the Boys, and Parcells, to solidify the numbers, to prove their record isn't a fluke, and to gather a big win over a "solid" opponent. If McNabb has struggled to throw thus far this season, wait till he plays against Roy Williams. Williams is a total stud, and he is capable of taking it to McNabb in so many ways: the pass rush, the coverage, the interception threat. If Williams can play at a fraction of the effort he submitted versus Arizona, it will be a long day for Philly fans.

On offense, the Boys are rolling. The number one ranked offense is led by none other than Quincy Carter, a player considered a total failure and bust just last year. Parcells has turned this team and the play of this QB into a force to be reckoned with: they can throw, they can run, and they can do it all over the field on any down in any situation. Carter's confidence is sky high, his receivers are all turning into major players with every pass, and it's not a fluke. Many of you are waiting for Carter to fall, to take the plunge and go down the crapper. Many of you are also waiting, in the same fashion, for McNabb to suddenly turn into the world's greatest QB show. Neither is going to happen soon: Carter is a great athlete and put the onus on Parcells when it comes to the new found production. He's the greatest coach in the game, bar none. He'll be prepared to attack every weakness this Philly team has, and that list isn't too hard to fill out. With the loss of Brian Dawkins, the Eagles' pass defense is non-existent and troubled. Carter should find nice numbers again this week as Philly gives up an average of 258 yards passing a game (2nd worst in the NFL). He's on fire and the Eagles don't have the players or game to put him out.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Quincy Carter, Dallas Defense, Billy Cundiff, David Akers

2nd String: Donovan McNabb, Antonio Bryant, Joey Galloway, Terry Glenn, Troy Hambrick

Prediction: Eagles 13, Cowboys 27

Tampa Bay (2-2) at Washington (3-2), 1:00 PM
How many of you bet on football? I mean really bet, real money, not Starbucks or any crap like that. You go to the websites like BoDog or Intertops and check out the lines more than you blink in an average day. Here is the bet of the week, and these guys should have good odds for you on this one: how long will it take the Bucs defense to decapitate Patrick Ramsey? Reason I like this one is the fact the Bucs will likely be a tad miffed after choking big time on MNF to the Colts. It was a horrible performance in the second half for the entire defensive unit. They shouldn't have been in that position and you better believe they are going to BRING IT, all the frustration and anger, to the Skins game this week. Ramsey is a good young QB, but he's nothing but an oversized tackling target for the Bucs this week. The Skins offensive line will not be up for this challenge. Ramsey will be on the run, the RB's won't be too anxious to get the ball either, and the Bucs should come out with blood on the mind. Just as a side not, do you think the Tuesday film study with Coach Gruden was fun? I bet it was just like a nice afternoon tea with Mary Poppins, if Mary was yelling at the top of her lungs an endless stream of profanities and spit at every human in sight.

One good thing the Bucs can point at is the amazing production this offensive squad is getting. This is essentially the same unit that struggled to score 35 points over the course of 3 games last season, much less in one MNF game versus a good defense like the Colts. Brad Johnson has found solid receiving in Keenan McCardell (and Joe Jurevicius, when he returns from injury), Michael Pittman has been running like never before, and the team as a whole has been able to put up some nice numbers. This team is still run by the defense, and some of those points that were put up versus Indy were gathered by the defense (and that will happen versus the Skins too, its inevitable), but this Skins defense is not so good and the Bucs should be able to put up points again this week. The Bucs will get back on track and back into the discussions of who is the NFL's best team this week. Washington is a team that is progressing, and getting better every week, but this week will be a learning experience on that journey.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Tampa Bay Defense, John Hall

2nd String: Laveranues Coles, Brad Johnson, Keenan McCardell, Michael Pittman

Prediction: Bucs 21, Redskins 10

Miami (3-1) at Jacksonville (1-4), 1:00 PM
The Dolphins pulled of a football miracle last week: they managed a solid victory over a good Giants team with very little contribution from their best player, Ricky Williams, who had only 39 yards on 22 carries. This is amazing: Ricky usually accounts for, well, about 75% of the Fins offense on any given Sunday. It is not normal for this team to win by the score of 23 - 10 without Ricky picking up at least 130 yards and 2 TD's. Yet they did it, and they did it with passing and defense. It's amazing and it will catch the attention of every NFL coach out there. This team can do it without Ricky. Even if you shut down Ricky, they can win. The Jags had better pay attention, because they won't stop Ricky anyway and they are not a team that wants to rely on passing defense to win. They are not a good team. Against the run, they are not too bad, but they are not good enough to keep Ricky from putting the hurt to them. Against the pass, they are not good at all and Chris Chambers, one of the hottest and most talented young receivers in the NFL, will take full advantage. Look for Miami to mix it up nicely with both rushing and passing, opening up the field to an offensive attack that can go deep, can grind it out with short runs, can go play action and eat up the field in 10 yard passing increments, or can bust out the paddle with a nice long yard TD run.

On offense, the Jags are improving. Freddie Taylor has been a great back, when healthy, for some time now and has shown even better production this year. He hasn't been stopped by too many defensive players this year and has easily been the best player on the Jags offense. Rookie QB Byron Leftwich has shown some skills and ability, and though he's struggled with turnovers, he showed last week that the return of Jimmy Smith could mean the world for this team. Smith's effort last week was amazing, considering he just returned from drug suspension and had not spent a large amount of time with his new QB. These guys look like they could do well, but don't go too far: it was against the Chargers, the worst defensive squad in all of football. Miami's defense is finally starting to gel and play to their talents. Jason Taylor is a stud and if finally getting into the backfield, disrupting the passing game, and keeping the QB's of the world scrambling. He'll be all over Leftwich, as Byron is a straight pocket passer with little to no inclination to scramble. The Miami D should do well as long as they can cover and keep Fred Taylor respectable. Taylor has shown he can run on just about anyone, but he's also shown that won't result in to wins if he's the only one producing. Take the Fins as the Jags will return to the loss column.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Ricky Williams, Miami Defense, Chris Chambers

2nd String: Fred Taylor, Jimmy Smith, Randy McMichael, Byron Leftwich

Prediction: Fins 24, Jags 14

Pittsburgh (2-3) at Denver (4-1), 4:15 PM
The Steelers are team that has me totally baffled. They are loaded with offensive talent yet they are unable to win. They have a solid defense with many players worthy of big time plays, yet they struggle to keep teams out of the end zone. It's hard to figure it out, why are they 2 &3, why did they take such a horrible loss to Cleveland at home, and what will it take to turn this right. They have the best WR corps in the NFL: Burress and Ward are studs and Randle El is working his way up that ladder as well. Amos Zereoue and Jerome Bettis, though not often mentioned in conversations about great RB's, are solid players and give the Steelers a legitimate running threat wherever they go. Maybe Maddox is the blame: 8 interceptions to 5 touchdowns never bring praise. He's a good QB with a great arm and good range, but maybe he shouldn't force so many passes. It would definitely help. What won't help is playing one of the NFL's best teams: the Broncos are rolling this season. The bright side for Pitt is this: the Broncos pass defense is suspect at best, and though they don't allow a lot of yards on average, they are more than capable of giving up the big pass plays (that is how KC stayed with them) and their cover guys just aren't that good. Look for Burress and Ward to do their thing, but it may not be enough for this game.

Denver has got the offense working like a clock. Plummer has shown he's the right man for this team: he's throwing all over the field, using all the receivers, scrambling for big yards (many of you forgot how fast this kid is!), and, most importantly, he's throwing more TD's than picks. Clinton Portis is having a great sophomore year thus far: he's battling some injuries, but has played well in his time and can put up big number against tough defenses (like KC). Portis will be the key to this one: it sounds like Plummer may be laid up with injuries (his status is still uncertain at print time, but he'll be on the IR at least as Questionable). More importantly, the Steelers do not give up passing yards: only 150 a game on average. They can shut down a good passing game and keep the Broncos respectable in the air. Their rush defense is pretty good too, but not nearly as good as the pass protection unit. Portis is capable of running on anyone, and he'll get plenty of opportunities in this game. Give the edge to Denver and Portis is this one. The Steelers' passing game should keep it close, but the running of Portis and the playmaking ability of Trevor Price should keep this game in Denver's favor.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Jake Plummer, Shannon Sharpe, Plaxico Burress, Clinton Portis (Questionable), Ashley Lelie

2nd String: Hines Ward, Rod Smith, Tommy Maddox, Amos Zereoue, Jason Elam

Prediction: Steelers 21, Broncos 26

Buffalo (3-2) at New York Jets (0-4), 4:15 PM
What has happened to the Buffalo Bills? Remember Week 1, when the Bills scored 31 and blanked the Patriots? Or how about in Week 2 when they scored 38 on Jacksonville? Since then they've won one measly game, and didn't win in a fashionable way. It did finally click for Bledsoe late in that game: OH, wait, I have Eric Moulds on the field. This team is still capable of big time offense, it just hasn't put up those big numbers lately. Travis Henry got back into the flow and his presence helps, but it is Bledsoe and Moulds that butter Buffalo's bread. They need to get that chemistry working as it did in weeks 1 & 2, when was lighting it up and Bledsoe could throw the ball all over the field. They could regain that magic again this weekend. The Jets are just horrible: they are giving up 174 yards rushing a game (the worst in the NFL) and though their passing numbers are better they still don't cover well (only 2 INT's thus far). To their credit, they are improving despite all the injuries and problems. But if you allow team after team to run for over 150 yards a game, it makes it so unbelievably tough to win. Henry will have his go at 'em, and don't expect he won't get 'em. Moulds and Bledsoe would like to take some cracks at them as well, and it's never advisable to bet against Moulds.

The Jets offense is trying, really really trying, to get that first elusive win. They played well versus Dallas before their bye week and kept the game respectable. However, that's not good enough. It sounds like Curtis Martin is coming to the realization he may be hurting his teams chances. LaMont Jordan is a much more capable back right now and should be given a shot at starting. Whether or not that will happen remains to be seen: its being reported that Coach Herm Edwards used the bye week to "shake up" the lineup. A better rushing threat could only help. It is known as fact that Santana Moss has been upgraded to starting status over Curtis Conway, and his young legs and playmaking could also provide a boost for the Jets. The fact is a boost, or a few boost, may not be enough. This team needs Chad Pennington behind center. Penny has started throwing drills this week, and though he is still going to be rehabbing for some time, any news is good news for this team. The Buffalo defense needs to play better. They've struggled despite the truckloads of talent they possess. The Jets' struggling offense gives them a good opportunity to get back on track and get the confidence flowing again. The Jets may make a game of this: maybe the bye week has helped the Jets turn the corner, maybe they will return renewed for this game and full of plays they haven't shown yet, and maybe the Jets will look like a totally different team. Don't bet on it.

Last Second Note: Moulds injured his groin at the end of last week's game. We will mark him as Doubtful and keep your eyes on this story.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Travis Henry (Questionable), Eric Moulds (Questionable), Drew Bledsoe

2nd String: Santana Moss, Bobby Shaw, LaMont Jordan, Vinny Testaverde

Prediction: Bills 23, Jets 10

Baltimore (2-2) at Arizona (1-4), 4:15 PM
The Cardinals just can't figure it out. One week they are throwing the ball over the field - Marcel Shipp - and the next week they can't complete a pass. I just can't - Marcel Shipp - figure it out! What can the Cards do - Marcel Shipp - to turn the corner and become - Marcel Shipp - a weekly competitor? The running game has been just - Marcel Shipp - awful. Emmitt hasn't been a real - Marcel Shipp - threat and can't buy a big - Marcel Shipp - breakout run. May be politically incorrect to say it, but the loss of Smith to a broken shoulder blade may actually be the turn of events that could allow the Cardinals to pull it together, at least offensively. Did I mention that Marcel Shipp is the "backup" RB for the Cardinals? Did I mention that maybe, just maybe, Shipp would be a better RB for the Cardinals? Have I ever, during the course of this review, hint that Shipp would be a better option for this team? Well, if I did, I should also mention the Ravens' defense. It's better than average, but not as good as many think. The Ravens don't shut down the run like they use to, and they don't do so hot against the pass either. They have gone from being a top-notch defense to being a not-so-bad defense. Shipp could use this game to showcase, but the chances are slim: he's seen little to no playing time and to think he can come in after all this time and pick up right where he left off last year is a stretch.

The Ravens' offense can be summed up in one word: Lewis. If not for Jamal Lewis running for an average of almost 153 yards a game, the Ravens would be in real trouble. Rookie QB Kyle Boller is struggling through his freshman year, and it's not going well. They did sign Dedric Ward this week to "help bolster the passing game." I'm sure that this move, this very move, will go down as one of the most historical moves in the history of free agency in the NFL. Well, the sarcasm can stay down only so long. Ward is a decent player at best, and to think this will have any effect at all on this offense is just plain stupid. Travis Taylor is a great WR with loads of potential; if Boller can't do it with him, then it's safe to say he can't do it at all (at least this year, let's give him time to grow into the NFL). This game will be closer than you may think, and I'm going with Arizona. In the Arizona heat, the Cardinals seem to prosper over teams that are better (i.e. the Packers). They will throw the ball all day long. The Arizona defense is actually performing very well against the run: they've held Troy Hambrick to 59 yards and Ahman Green to 53 yards. Now, I don't believe they will "shut down" Jamal Lewis, but I also don't believe they have to. If they can pass the ball with success (they can), if Shipp can come out and give enough production to keep the Ravens' D honest (he can), then this is not a team for Baltimore to get into a scoring sprint with. I'm betting Lewis gets his numbers, but his numbers alone won't carry this team to a win. Call me stupid, but this is my upset o' the week!

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Jamal Lewis, Anquan Boldin, Todd Heap, Jeff Blake

2nd String: Bryant Johnson, Kyle Boller, Travis Taylor

Prediction: Ravens 20, Cards 24

San Francisco (2-3) at Seattle (3-1), 8:30 PM
Wasn't it nice to Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens come together in a bond of brotherhood and play some football? It would make me all warm and fuzzy inside, except I wasn't too impressed, once again, with the 49ers or Jeff Garcia or, and especially, Terrell Owens. The guy yells for two weeks straight about getting the ball, and he did have a nice TD grab, but he also dropped a couple of balls including a nice bomb that hit TO right in the hands and would have gone for a TD. With that said, the 49ers' offense is struggling to gain the production they are capable of. TO is a good player, and he should get the ball whenever possible; however, Garrison Hearst is also a good player, a solid RB for many years that seems to have the secret of infinite youth. The guy continues to amaze, yet the 49ers live and die with the pass. Seattle's defense took a big step backwards last week versus Green Bay: Brett Favre and Donald Driver lit up the Seattle defensive backfield. Before this game, the Seattle defense had been amazingly effective. Although they give up some decent passing yards, they have allowed only 4 passing TD's (two of those were to Green Bay last week). The rushing D hasn't been too shabby either: giving up about 107 yards a game (not terribly impressive) but only 4 rushing TD's and not a single run over 20 yards allowed thus far. What the Packers showed the rest of the NFL is that to beat Seattle, you have to have a good defensive effort (we'll get to this in a second) and a good balance of rushing and passing on offense. The 49ers have the passing game, but the rushing is another story. They have the talent to run, they just don't seem to have the confidence to let 'em.

On offense, Seattle is packed with talent. Even in defeat, if you watched the game with the Packers, the Hawks had no trouble moving the ball. Seattle fans had to ask one question: WHY DIDN'T THEY CONTINUE TO GIVE THE BALL TO SHAUN ALEXANDER? The Packers had no answer for him, and I don't believe he had a single run for negative yards. The passing game was rolling (Hasselback actually had more yards than Favre & Koren Robinson was the leading receiver for the game) and Alexander could do no wrong. So, one could deduct that if the Seahawks can gain yards against the Packers, then they should easily gain yards versus the 49ers (a HORRIBLE defense). The problem is just scoring, or, more the point, turnovers. If Hasselback can keep from throwing picks (San Fran can pick a ball or two off, i.e. Ahmed Plummer), and Alexander can run with some success (and he should), then Seattle should find themselves back in the win column. Their defense needs to step it back up to pre-Packer level. The offense needs to use a little run and a little pass (unless Alexander can do it by himself, then maybe a little more rushing than passing will do). The Seahawks need a win, and this 49ers team hasn't given us any reason to believe they can stop them.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Matt Hasselback, Shaun Alexander, Terrell Owens, Koren Robinson

2nd String: Jeff Garcia, Darrell Jackson, Itulia Mili, Seattle Defense, Garrison Hearst

Prediction: 49ers 16, Seahawks 31

Atlanta (1-4) at St. Louis (2-2), Monday, 9:00 PM
The Rams return from their bye week for a nice MNF match up with the Dirty Birds. Too bad this match up isn't quite what it was meant to be: no Mike Vick and no Marshall Faulk. The Falcons are hurt the worst. Doug Johnson finally broke out with a good game last week in a loss to the Vikings (352 yards). He helped Peerless Price put up his best numbers yet as well (168 yards). The two should have hooked up much sooner, but this may be sign of things at least getting better. The Falcons have not had trouble scoring in the first half of games; it's the second half (and the amazing lack of defense0 that has killed them thus far. The running game has shown signs of life, mainly from big man TJ Duckett. Duckett has put together a couple of nice games in a row. Can the Birds keep it going into this game? Tough call: the Rams defense has been pretty solid, allowing only 194 yards passing a game (see Adam Archuletta) and 107 yards rushing a game (doesn't sound very good, but it places them in the top 3rd of the NFL, and they've given up only 3 rushing TD's ). Atlanta fans would like to think their team can continue to improve, and this is definitely a possibility. However, this progression is going to be heavily reliant on defense, and the Rams are not a good team to throw at your defense right now.

The Rams are playing much better under Marc Bulger. The kid is not spectacular, but he has NFL arm strength and accuracy, he has great leadership abilities, and he's been able to get it done. He has definitely excelled versus soft defenses, such as Arizona and San Francisco. You can put Atlanta right in the middle of that group: they are not good. Twice this season I've watch the Falcons build a nice first half lead just to turn around in the second half and blow it (Minnesota last week and Washington in Week 2). Nothing is more frustrating than giving up such big leads, losing games late, and experiencing a total break down of your defensive efforts. It is hard to see how the Birds will keep the Rams at bay. Lamar Gordon is a great backup for the injured Marshall Faulk and is more than capable of rushing against this Falcons squad (by the way, Atlanta give up about 153 yards rushing a game, 4th worst in the NFL). Bulger has built up a great chemistry with Torry Holt, and they should find some nice holes in this defense (by the way, Atlanta give up about 230 passing yards a game, 10th worst in the NFL). This game is as simple as this: the Rams' offense is too much for the Falcons' defense.

Key Fantasy Players

1st String: Torry Holt, Lamar Gordon, Marc Bulger

2nd String: Alge Crumpler, St. Louis Defense, Peerless Price (Questionable), Isaac Bruce, Jeff Wilkens

Prediction: Dirty Birds 14, Rams 30