Game Capsules

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

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

Dallas (-3) at Atlanta, Saturday 8 p.m.

Comments: Tony Romo came crashing back to earth last week, while Atlanta won its second consecutive road game. The Falcons now return home but may be shorthanded in the backfield, as both Warrick Dunn (calf) and Jerious Norwood (knee) are questionable to play. Don’t expect the rumors of Michael Vick playing some running back to come to fruition, however, as the quarterback is vehemently against it. Facing a Dallas defense stingy against the run, whoever lines up in Atlanta’s backfield is unlikely to have a big game anyway, which means the team needs a solid performance from Vick. Although it’s been reported that Atlanta doesn’t want Vick running as much down the stretch, with both tailbacks banged up, he may not have any other choice. Vick was held to a season-low five rushing yards last week, but facing a physical Cowboys’ secondary, he will need to do a lot of his damage on the ground Saturday…After a torrid stretch, Tony Romo has a 1/4 TD/INT ratio over the last two games. He’s still leading the league, however, with 8.8 YPA. Pitted against the 31st ranked pass defense this week, expect Romo to bounce back in a big way. Guessing which Dallas running back will be more productive on a week-to-week basis has become increasingly difficult, but it’s combo that’s been successful this year, rushing for 130.8 yards per game. The team’s 18 rushing touchdowns rank second in the NFL as well. Atlanta, however, has been easier to beat through the air than on the ground this season, so expect Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens to be busy Saturday night…The Falcons list Jason Webster (groin, questionable), DeAngelo Hall (knee, probable) and Grady Jackson (knee, probable) on the injury report, while the Cowboys don’t have any major injury concerns.

Predictions: Michael Vick starts running again, resulting in 60 rushing yards. He also finds Michael Jenkins for a TD strike. Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood don’t find much success on the ground, but Justin Griffith does run in a short score. Tony Romo picks apart Atlanta’s secondary, finding Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens in the end zone. Julius Jones runs for 80 yards, while Marion Barber adds 40 and a goal line score, as the road team pulls away late. Cowboys 24-17.

Detroit (+5) at Green Bay, Sunday 1 p.m.

Comments: While Green Bay has won 14 straight games against Detroit when playing in Lambeau Field, home field has not been an advantage for the Packers this season. Green Bay is 1-5 at home this season compared to 4-3 on the road, and while the Packers had never been shut out in Lambeau since Brett Favre became the starter, it’s already happened twice this year. The Lions, however, are losing no matter where they play, including an 0-6 road record and a current five-game losing streak. Jon Kitna’s 26 turnovers are the most in the NFL, and the team just lost its top rusher and receptions leader, Kevin Jones, to a season-ending foot injury. Arlen Harris will take over at running back, but with Jones out of the lineup, expect Mike Martz to throw the ball even more frequently, resulting in plenty of sack and turnover opportunities for the defense…Coming off a solid effort last week, Favre now faces a Detroit team in which he had his best game of the season earlier this year (three TD passes, 9.4 YPA). He should be able to shred the Lions’ secondary again this week. Ahman Green (knee, probable) has a nice matchup as well…Detroit will be missing Fernando Bryant (concussion) and Ross Verba (hamstring), while Teddy Lehman (hamstring, questionable) and Marcus Pollard (hamstring, questionable) are also banged up. Green Bay’s Donald Driver (shoulder, questionable) and Charles Woodson (shoulder, probable) aren’t 100 percent but are expected to play.

Predictions: With no ground game to speak of, Jon Kitna chucks it close to 50 times, resulting in 290 yards, two touchdowns and three turnovers. Roy Williams hauls in one of the scores, while Mike Furrey catches the other. Arlen Harris catches enough dump offs to gain 70 total yards, while Ahman Green counters with 80 yards and a score. Brett Favre throws for 250 yards and scoring strikes to Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, as Detroit’s demise continues. Packers 24-20.

New York Jets (+3) at Minnesota, Sunday 1 p.m.

Comments: With the schedule set up nicely, the Jets may have ruined their playoff hopes with a home loss to the Bills last week. Minnesota, however, likely blew its postseason chances weeks ago but got back into the win column last week, as Brad Johnson (7.2 YPA) and the running game had successful days. With Chester Taylor, the team’s primary offensive weapon, sidelined with a rib injury, Artose Pinner came out of nowhere to run for 125 yards and three touchdowns. There might not be a second act to one of the most improbable performances of the year, however, as Taylor (ribs, questionable) looks likely to return. Either way, expect Minnesota to once again rely heavily on the ground game, especially facing a Jets’ run defense ranked near the bottom of the league…Chad Pennington’s (calf, probable) 64.1 completion percentage this season is nice, but his lack of downfield ability has really limited the team’s explosive ability. Still, since the Vikings yield the fewest yards per game on the ground (54.1), the lowest amount in a season since 1942, look for the Jets to attack them through the air, where Minnesota has been far more vulnerable. Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery should present matchup problems for the Vikings’ secondary. The Jets have seemingly found a nice running back combo with Cedric Houston and Leon Washington, but neither should find much running room this week…The Vikings list Napoleon Harris (wrist, probable), Marcus Robinson (ankle, probable) and Pat Williams (knee, probable) on the injury report, while the Jets do the same with Dewayne Robertson (shoulder, probable) and Kimo Von Oelhoffen (shoulder, probable)…The Jets have won five straight games against the Vikings.

Predictions: Brad Johnson has a pedestrian day passing, throwing for 200 yards and a TD to Marcus Robinson. Chester Taylor returns to the lineup and runs for 100 yards and reaches paydirt as well. Chad Pennington responds to last week’s poor effort with a nice outing, resulting in 240 yards and TD tosses to Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery. Coles also adds 100 receiving yards on the day, while Cedric Houston and Leon Washington are stymied on the ground. Still, it’s enough for the road team to pull off the upset. Jets 20-17.

Pittsburgh (-2.5) at Carolina, Sunday 1 p.m.

Comments: Both teams enter amidst two of the most disappointing seasons in the NFL, as each had Super Bowl aspirations but come into this week under .500. Quarterback play has been a problem for both squads, and it will remain a question mark for Carolina Sunday, as Jake Delhomme (thumb, questionable) once again looks unlikely to play. Chris Weinke replaced Delhomme last week and threw for 423 yards, but it took 61 attempts to do so and also resulted in three INTs. Facing a Pittsburgh secondary that has played better of late, things won’t come easy for Carolina’s offense, which ranks last in the league in third down conversions. Steve Smith may be the most explosive player in the NFL, but opposing defenses have been double and triple teaming him lately, as the wideout hasn’t broken 100 yards receiving in any of his last four games. The running game got DeShaun Foster back last week, but that doesn’t mean it improved, as DeAngelo Williams continues to be the more productive ball carrier. Neither should have big days this week against Pittsburgh’s stout run defense…Although just 1-5 on the road this year, the Steelers have won four out of their last five games and enter with momentum. While the competition hasn’t been great, no one would confuse Carolina with an elite team this year either, so expect continued success for Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger has had a rather strange season, as his 7.5 YPA are nice, but he has also thrown an NFL-high 20 interceptions. In the same amount of games played as last year, Roethlisberger has a staggering 125 more pass attempts. He gets a solid matchup this week, as the Panthers have surrendered 20 touchdown passes this season. Although Roethlisberger’s throwing the ball 10.4 more times per contest this year, the running game has remained productive, as Willie Parker is coming off a 223-yard effort and already has 13 touchdowns this season…Chris Gamble (thigh, questionable), Ken Lucas (thigh, questionable) and Mike Wahle (shoulder, questionable) show up on the Panthers’ injury report, while the Steelers list Troy Polamalu (knee, doubtful), Cedrick Wilson (ankle, questionable), Jeff Hartings (knee, probable) and Hines Ward (knee, probable).

Predictions: Chris Weinke mixes in a couple of turnovers with TD strikes to Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson, but both DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams struggle running the ball. Williams, however, does add 40 yards receiving. Ben Roethlisberger throws for 270 yards and finds Heath Miller for a score, while Willie Parker adds 90 yards and a TD run, sealing it for the road team. Steelers 20-17.

Tampa Bay (+13.5) at Chicago, Sunday 1 p.m.

Comments: This one could get ugly. While Chicago hasn’t been playing its best football of late, first with Rex Grossman’s struggles and last week with sub-par defensive play, Tampa Bay hasn’t scored a touchdown over its last 11 quarters and is 0-6 on the road this season. A warm-weather team with one of the worst offenses in football traveling to Soldier Field is a recipe for disaster, especially if Grossman continues his improved play from Monday night. The defense will also be motivated after surrendering 433 yards of offense last week. That task shouldn’t be too difficult against Bruce Gradkowski, who throws one of the most inaccurate deep balls in the league. Gradkowski has zero touchdowns and five interceptions over his last three games and will be on a short leash Sunday, as backup Tim Rattay took more snaps in practice this week. With little to no running game to speak of (its four rushing scores rank last in the league), Tampa Bay should have a hard time moving the ball Sunday…After a rough stretch, Grossman played mistake-free football last week and also got 8.7 YPA, his best game in weeks. The Buccaneers, however, are easier to beat on the ground, so expect the Bears to concentrate on running the ball Sunday. With Thomas Jones (ankle, questionable) banged up, look for emerging second-year back Cedric Benson to be even more involved, as Chicago will want to make sure Jones is fully healthy come playoff time. Benson has been playing well in his own right and should have his best game as a pro Sunday…Tampa Bay lists Juran Bolden (quad, questionable) and Shelton Quarles (knee, questionable) on the injury report, while Chicago lists Todd Johnson (ankle, questionable), John Tait (ankle, questionable), Nathan Vasher (hamstring, questionable) and Olin Kreutz (illness, probable).

Predictions: Bruce Gradkowski struggles once again, resulting in Tim Rattay seeing some time in the second half. Neither signal caller leads his team into the end zone, however, as the offense remains stagnant. Rex Grossman builds off last week’s effort with another solid game, resulting in 200 yards and a TD to Muhsin Muhammad. Cedric Benson gets the brunt of the carries and runs for 100 yards and a score, as Chicago clinches the No. 1 seed. Bears 23-6.

Washington (+10) at New Orleans, Sunday 1 p.m.

Comments: While Washington enters in the middle of a lost season, Sean Payton and Drew Brees have transformed New Orleans from the second-worst team in the league last year to a legitimate Super Bowl contender this year. The Redskins’ offense has been a disappointment, but it’s the defense that’s been the true letdown, as the unit comes in with just 10 forced turnovers and 15 sacks, ranking last in the NFL in both categories. The team is on pace to set the league record for fewest turnovers forced in a 16-game season as well as obliterate the franchise-record for fewest sacks and interceptions. The offense, however, has shown signs of improvement lately, as Jason Campbell had his best game as a pro last week (6.7 YPA). He’ll need to drastically improve his accuracy (51.6 completion percentage) if he wants to take the next step, however. Ladell Betts is having one of the best under the radar seasons in the NFL, getting 4.7 YPC while already ammassing1,100 total yards. He’s broken the century mark rushing in three straight games, including 326 yards over his last two. Against a beatable Saints’ rush defense, expect Washington to once again rely heavily on Betts this week…After giving up 22.8 points per game over the first 10 weeks, the Saints have surrendered just 13.3 during their three-game winning streak. While the defense has shown marked improvement, it’s the league-leading offense that’s truly impressive, as Drew Brees is a legitimate MVP candidate. He leads the NFL in TD passes (25), yardage (4,033) and is getting 8.4 YPA, while completing 66.4 percent of his passes. After a somewhat slow start to his career, Reggie Bush has fast become a force out of the backfield, catching 15 balls for 256 receiving yards and scoring five touchdowns over the last two games. The Redskins’ defense doesn’t have the personnel to stop the Saints’ offense, but beware the possibility of a letdown for New Orleans, who is coming off a big prime time win over Dallas…Washington lists Jon Jansen (calf, questionable), Casey Rabach (hand, questionable) and Santana Moss (illness, probable) on the injury report, while New Orleans lists Joe Horn (groin, questionable), who is not expected to play…Washington is 5-1 during its last six games played in New Orleans.

Predictions: Jason Campbell throws for 160 yards and finds Chris Cooley for a score, while Ladell Betts gets 130 combined yards and runs in a TD. Drew Brees answers with another nice game, resulting in 260 passing yards and TD tosses to Marques Colston and Reggie Bush. Deuce McAllister adds 80 yards and a TD run, as New Orleans clinches its division. Saints 24-17.

Denver (-2.5) at Arizona, Sunday 4:05 p.m.

Comments: In a battle of rookie quarterbacks, it’s Arizona entering with a two-game winning streak and Denver coming in losers of four straight. After winning back-to-back games for the first time since 2004, the Cardinals will now try to make it three straight for the first time since 2002. Matt Leinart has started to flourish over his last four games, completing more than 62 percent of his passes while getting 7.7 YPA and taking just three sacks over that span. The passing game has finally started to open some holes for the running game, as Edgerrin James rushed for 100 yards for the second consecutive game last week after failing to reach the mark in his first 11 games this season. James needs 75 yards to reach 1,000 for the fourth straight year. While both remain factors, Leinart appears to prefer throwing Larry Fitzgerald’s way, as Anquan Boldin has just six catches for 79 yards over the last two games. Fitzgerald was targeted 13 times while Boldin just seven last week…After giving up 12.3 points per game during its 7-2 start, Denver’s defense has allowed an average of 31.2 points during its four-game losing streak. The offense is having its share of problems as well, failing to score more than 20 points in any of its last three games. While playoff hopes lie with the defense’s ability to rebound, the team also needs continued improvement out of Jay Cutler, who was taken one pick after Leinart in last year’s draft. Despite completing just 52.9 percent of his passes and throwing a couple of backbreaking interceptions his first game, Cutler has thrown four touchdown passes in his two starts and faces a Cardinals secondary ranked 30th in the league. It’s also an Arizona defense that can be beat on the ground, and with Tatum Bell finally back to full strength, expect a big game rushing from the tailback…Arizona names Chike Okeafor (calf, probable) on the injury report, while Denver does the same with Adam Meadows (hamstring, questionable), Darrent Williams (toe, questionable), Jason Elam (hamstring, probable), Rod Smith (hip, probable) and Al Wilson (thumb, probable)…Denver has never lost to Arizona, going 6-0-1 all-time.

Predictions: Matt Leinart continues to improve, throwing for 210 yards and touchdowns to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Edgerrin James doesn’t make it three straight 100-yard games, reaching just 75 yards on the ground instead. The Broncos focus on getting Tatum Bell the ball, resulting in 140 rushing yards and a score. Jay Cutler throws for 230 yards and finds Javon Walker and Tony Scheffler in the end zone. Walker also adds 110 receiving yards on the day, as Denver keeps its playoff hopes alive. Broncos 21-17.

Philadelphia (+5.5) at New York Giants, Sunday 4:15 p.m.

Comments: Playoff implications highlight this battle between division rivals, in which the Eagles enter with revenge on their minds after blowing a 17-point fourth quarter lead when these teams met earlier in the season. Jeff Garcia has been a revelation, throwing eight touchdowns and zero interceptions since taking over the quarterback duties, leading Philadelphia to back-to-back wins in the process. He’s been especially impressive of late, showing a downfield ability most thought had long disappeared, while getting 7.7 YPA over his last two contests. Facing a Giants’ defense ranked 29th against the pass, Garcia will have more opportunities Sunday for continued success. Meanwhile, Brian Westbrook is in the midst of a career-season, just five yards shy of his first ever 1,000-yard rushing year…The Giants finally ended their four-game losing skid with a win last week, thanks in large part to Eli Manning’s improved play. Over the last two games, Manning has a 5/0 TD/INT ratio and faces a defense Sunday that has struggled to pressure the passer. After accumulating 23 sacks during the first five games, Philadelphia has just eight sacks over the last eight games. The undersized front seven has been even worse against the run, allowing 142.5 yards per game, good for 29th in the league. Although Tiki Barber has just one touchdown this season, he’s had success running the ball (4.8 YPC) and should be able to shred Philadelphia’s sieve-like defense…The Eagles list Shawn Barber (neck, questionable) and Roderick Hood (hamstring, questionable) on the injury report, while the Giants list Luke Petitgout (foot, out), Michael Strahan (foot, doubtful), Shaun O’Hara (ankle, questionable) and Corey Webster (toe, questionable)…
The Giants have won the last three meetings between these two teams.

Predictions: Jeff Garcia throws for a modest 220 yards and one TD to Donte Stallworth. Brian Westbrook combines for 110 yards and runs in a score as well, while Eli Manning counters with 230 yards and scoring strikes to Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey. Burress adds 100 yards receiving on the day as well. Tiki Barber runs for 140 yards, while Brandon Jacobs punches one in from the goal line, helping the home team prevail. Giants 24-20.