Game Capsules

By Dalton Del Don – Staff Writer

Editor’s Note: The following is written for RotoWire’s weekly “game capsules;” I cover the NFC home games.

Arizona (+6.5) at Minnesota, Sunday 1 p.m.

Comments: After ending an eight-game losing streak last week, Arizona now travels to face a Minnesota team in the midst of a four-game losing skid of its own. Matt Leinart had his best game as a pro last week (8.0 YPA) and could begin a run of nice statistical games with Anquan Boldin and a healthy Larry Fitzgerald at his side. Pitted against a Vikings team vulnerable through the air, expect the Cardinals to try to beat them with the passing game. As for the ground game, it’s weakness against strength, as Edgerrin James leads the NFL’s worst rushing attack against Minnesota’s top-ranked run defense, which surrenders just 59.6 yards per game. James hasn’t broken the century mark rushing once this year, something that figures to continue Sunday…Although reeling, Minnesota should be extra hungry against an Arizona squad winless during its last six road games. That is assuming Brad Johnson can have even a modicum of success throwing the ball downfield, something glaringly missing from his repertoire this year. Still, against Arizona’s porous secondary, there should be opportunities to exploit this week. It’s Chester Taylor (neck, probable) and Minnesota’s ground game, however, that’s likely to be the focal point of the offense once again. Since Arizona surrenders nearly 120 rushing yards per game, look for Taylor to turn his weekly 25 touches into a big game, helping end the Vikings’ losing streak…Arizona has no major injury concerns, while Minnesota lists Artis Hicks (ankle, questionable), Napoleon Harris (wrist, probable), Marcus Robinson (back, probable) and Pat Williams (knee, probable) on the injury report…Minnesota is 5-1 in its last six games when playing Arizona.

Predictions: Matt Leinart throws for 230 yards and two touchdowns, with Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald being the recipients. Edgerrin James is bottled up and held to 50 total yards. Brad Johnson counters with 240 yards and a touchdown toss to Travis Taylor, while Chester Taylor runs for 110 yards and two scores, putting the home team back into the win column. Vikings 24-17.

Carolina (-4) at Washington, Sunday 1 p.m.

Comments: Losers of five out of its last six games, Washington enters without its original starting quarterback, running back and possibly wide receiver. Jason Campbell had a solid first ever start last week but now faces a Carolina defense becoming a force of late. Bad news for new ball carrier Ladell Betts, who figures to remain a big part of the passing game. If Santana Moss (hamstring, questionable) is again unable to suit up, expect this offense to struggle Sunday. Still, this will actually be the Panthers’ first road tilt since Week 7, possibly opening the door for Washington to hang around…Jake Delhomme has been up and down this year but should excel against a Redskins’ secondary giving up almost 240 yards per game. DeShaun Foster (questionable) says his elbow injury is minor, but he hasn’t practiced all week, possibly opening the door for rookie DeAngelo Williams to earn a more significant role in the Panthers’ backfield. Foster was having a nice day last week before exiting with the injury, but once Williams stepped in, an element of explosiveness was finally added to the Panthers’ running game. Although coach John Fox figures to at least partially stick with veteran Foster when healthy, Williams is clearly the team’s future at the position. Whoever totes the ball Sunday should have a successful game against a Washington team struggling to stop the run…Troy Vincent (hamstring) is questionable to play for Washington, while Jon Jansen (calf), Casey Rabach (shoulder) and Chris Samuels (knee) are probable. Ken Lucas (thigh) and Mike Wahle (shoulder) are questionable to play for Carolina… Washington is 6-1 in its last seven games when playing Carolina.

Predictions: Jason Campbell turns the ball over a couple times, but he does find Chris Cooley in the end zone. Ladell Betts puts up 80 combined yards, along with a rushing score. Jake Delhomme counters with 250 yards and TD strikes to Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson. DeAngelo Williams gets the bulk of the carries for Carolina and rushes for more than 100 yards as a result, as the road team prevails. Panthers 20-17.

New Orleans (+3) at Atlanta, Sunday 1 p.m.

Comments: When New Orleans beat Atlanta earlier in the year, it was chalked up as a pure emotional victory in the re-opening of the Superdome. Since then, it’s become clear that New Orleans may have the better team after all. After hot starts, both clubs enter with losing streaks, but the Falcons’ three-game skid has been the most concerning, as they have fallen to Detroit and Cleveland in recent weeks. While Atlanta may be more desperate at this point, it’s hard to find much to like with its offensive play of late. Setting career-highs in carries in each of the last two seasons may have finally caught up to Warrick Dunn, who hasn’t topped 75 rushing yards since Week 6. After completing the best two-game stretch of his career, Michael Vick has turned in three straight lackluster passing efforts. That inconsistency is a microcosm of Vick’s uneven career. There’s still no denying his rushing ability, however, as he’s on pace to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards this season. John Abraham (groin, questionable) returned to practice this week and would be a nice addition to an injury-riddled defense, but this is a team going in the wrong direction…When not playing the AFC North, New Orleans is 5-1 this year. While the defense has been giving up points in bunches lately, the Saints’ offense has become potent, leading the NFL with 305 passing yards per game, an area where Atlanta’s defense is specifically weak. Possibly missing rookie sensation Marques Colston (ankle, questionable) could hurt, but Drew Brees has proven the ability to effectively pass to all teammates this year, evidenced by his remarkable 8.1 YPA. Look for Brees and company to put up more points than Atlanta can counter with Sunday, effectively making the NFC South a two-team race…New Orleans lists Terrance Copper (knee, questionable) and Fred Thomas (thumb, questionable) on the injury report, while Atlanta does the same with Grady Jackson (knee, questionable), Jonathan Babineaux (foot, questionable) and Jimmy Williams (ankle, questionable).

Predictions: Michael Vick has his best passing game in weeks, resulting in 230 yards and a TD to Michael Jenkins. He also rushes for 70 yards and a score as well. Warrick Dunn doesn’t have a great yardage day, but he does reach paydirt. Drew Brees answers with yet another big performance, passing for 300 yards and TD strikes to Joe Horn and Terrance Copper. Reggie Bush gets 80 combined yards, while Deuce McAllister adds 70 rushing yards and a late score, helping New Orleans pull off the upset. Saints 24-21.

San Francisco (+5.5) at St. Louis, Sunday 1 p.m.

Comments: These two teams couldn’t be going in more opposite directions. San Francisco has won three straight, including an upset over defending NFC champs Seattle last week, while St. Louis has lost five consecutive games, highlighted by getting shut out for the first time since 1998 last week. It’s fair to say the loss of Orlando Pace has taken a significant toll on the offense. Adam Timmerman (ribs, questionable) struggled badly protecting Marc Bulger’s blindside, so Todd Stuessie is expected to replace him at left tackle this week. Coming off back-to-back clunkers, Bulger and the rest of the Rams’ offense better hope the line improves fast, because San Francisco’s defense is getting better each week. However, Shawntae Spencer (ankle, questionable) looks unlikely to play, so look for the Rams to attack a very beatable Sammy Davis in San Francisco’s secondary…Sharp-dressed coach Mike Nolan is winning with defense and pounding the football; a formula likely to continue Sunday, as the Rams are ceding 153 yards per game on the ground. Alex Smith has been doing a nice job “managing” games, but this offense belongs to Frank Gore, whose play can only be criticized right now by pointing to a fumbling problem. The second-year back is punishing defenders, while also flashing speed and elusiveness in the open-field. During his last 46 carries, Gore is averaging more than 8.0 YPC; expect another huge game Sunday against St. Louis’ soft front seven. Arnaz Battle (hand, probable) has surpassed Antonio Bryant as the most likely 49er wideout to score each week, while linebacker Brandon Moore is quietly having a big impact. Since being inserted into the starting lineup three games ago, Moore has racked up 29 tackles and 3.0 sacks, helping rejuvenate the 49ers’ defensive unit…San Francisco has won four out of the last six meetings between these two teams.

Predictions: Marc Bulger bounces back from a couple of rough outings, putting up 270 yards and a TD toss to Torry Holt. Holt also cracks 100 yards receiving for the first time since Week 6. Steven Jackson uses 25 touches to produce130 total yards, while also rushing for a score. Alex Smith answers with another conservative performance, resulting in 210 yards and a scoring strike to Arnaz Battle. Frank Gore rumbles for 160 yards and a TD, while Michael Robinson also takes one in from the goal-line, continuing both teams’ streaks. 49ers 24-23.

Green Bay (+9) at Seattle, Monday 8:35 p.m.

Comments: Brett Favre (elbow, questionable) has started 231 consecutive games, 251 including the playoffs. While he claims not to be worried about being able to go Monday, he hasn’t practiced all week and still feels tingling in his arm due to nerve damage in his elbow. Since he’s so tough, and the backup quarterback is rookie Ingle Martin since Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending foot injury, Favre is likely to give it a go, but don’t be shocked if this injury affects him a bit more than anticipated. Either way, expect Green Bay’s game plan to center around Ahman Green, as Seattle has been getting shredded on the ground recently, exemplified by the 262 rushing yards allowed last week. Green, however, is coming off back-to-back poor efforts and wearing down is always a concern with him. It’s likely Vernand Morency (back, questionable) sees at least a handful of touches this week as well…As for Seattle, Matt Hasselbeck (knee, probable) is expected to return to the lineup and faces a team giving up more than 240 passing yards per game. Offensive linemen Sean Locklear (ankle, questionable) and Robbie Tobeck (hip, questionable) may also return to the field, helping to finally stabilize the offensive unit. Shaun Alexander is another key part of the offense now back in action, and although his numbers were poor last week, he says his foot feels fine. It may take a while to get back into game shape, however. With Deion Branch proving to be more than a nice complement to Darrell Jackson, this Seahawks offense has the chance to be a force down the stretch…Green Bay lists Nick Barnett (hand, doubtful), Cullen Jenkins (ankle, questionable) and Charles Woodson (shoulder, questionable) on the injury report, while Seattle does the same with Rocky Bernard (foot, questionable) and Bobby Engram (illness, probable)… Green Bay is 4-1 in its last five games when playing the Seahawks, but Seattle is 14-1 in its last 15 games at home.

Predictions: If Brett Favre plays, he should be able to throw for 240 yards and a TD strike to Donald Driver. Driver adds 120 receiving yards as well, while Ahman Green rushes for 80 yards and a score. Matt Hasselbeck integrates himself back into the offense nicely, throwing for 240 yards and touchdowns to Deion Branch and Darrell Jackson. Shaun Alexander has his best game of the year, rushing for 110 yards and a score, as Seattle pulls away late. Seahawks 27-17.