The Colts were able to stay undefeated against the mighty Patriots, but the Bears weren’t so lucky against the surprising Dolphins. Led by Joey Harrington’s three touchdowns and Ronnie Brown’s career-high 157 yards rushing, Miami stunned the Bears 31-13. Interestingly enough, it was the Dolphins that beat Chicago in 1985, when the Bears marched to a 15-1 record on the way to a Super Bowl. The 1972 Dolphins remain the only team to ever go undefeated for an entire season. And guess who they will play on the final week of the season? The Fins travel to Indianapolis in the finale to possibly keep the legacy for themselves.

Backups Tony Romo and David Garrard did their best to keep their jobs with impressive performances Sunday. Anthony Thomas did the most with his opportunity against Green Bay, and could be needed to replace starter Willis McGahee again next week. The A-Train steamrolled for 95 yards and a score, while McGahee was busy getting X-rays on his injured ribs. Another Saints receiver hits the free agent list, a receiver goes down for the Bears and a look at next week’s schedule. We’ll break it all down in this edition of Chutes ‘n’ Ladders.

Free Agent Possibilities
Quarterbacks
Jake Plummer, DEN 16-for-27, 227 yards, two TD
David Garrard, JAC 12-for-22, 177 yards, three TD, 14 yards rushing
Tony Romo, DAL 24-for-36, 284 yards, two TD
Joey Harrington, MIA 16-for-32, 137 yards, three TD, two INT
Bruce Gradkowski, TB 18-for-31, 185 yards, two TD, 12 yards rushing, FL
David Carr, HOU 21-for-30, 176 yards, 24 yards rushing, TD
Charlie Frye, CLE 25-for-43, 236 yards, TD, INT, 27 yards rushing, FL
Mark Brunell, WAS 14-for-23, 192 yards, TD, FL
J.P. Losman, BUF 8-for-15, 102 yards, TD
Steve McNair, BAL 21-for-31, 245 yards
Vince Young, TEN 15-for-36, 163 yards, TD, three INT, 14 yards rushing

With increasing talk that he could loss his job to Jay Cutler, the Broncos got a stellar performance from Jake Plummer. He hooked up with Javon Walker and Rod Smith in the first six minutes of the game, and Denver coasted to a win over the falling Steelers. They are now tied with the Chargers at 6-2, first in the AFC West, so Plummer’s job looks secure – at least for now. … Romo is making the most of his opportunity in Dallas. The Cowboys lost a heartbreaker to Washington in a freak circumstance of events in the final minute, but the mobile quarterback went 24-for-36 for the second straight week. He posted a career-high 284 yards and two touchdowns, including one that concluded with a Terrell Owens’ taking-a-nap endzone celebration. He’s an intriguing pickup, at least worthy of a backup role on your squad. … Garrard put together his second straight impressive start for the Jaguars, and improved to 6-1 as a starter the past two seasons in Jacksonville. As a more mobile option, he might even be a better fit than Leftwich the way the team is designed. It’s uncertain who will start against Houston in week 10 still.

Running Backs
Anthony Thomas, BUF 20 rushes, 95 yards, TD, rec, six yards
Noah Herron, GB five rushes, 25 yards, seven rec, 57 yards
Marion Barber, DAL seven rushes, 45 yards, two rec, 28 yards
Michael Pittman, TB six rec, 27 yards
Najeh Davenport, PIT five rec, 57 yards, 17 yards rushing
Kevin Faulk, NE four rushes, 24 yards, five rec, 31 yards    
Jerious Norwood, ATL five rushes, 34 yards
Cedrick Benson, CHI eight rec, 34 yards
Musa Smith, BAL three rushes, 46 yards
LenDale White, TEN seven rushes, 25 yards
Artose Pinner, MIN three rushes, 29 yards

The Bills got a great performance from former starter Anthony Thomas after McGahee went down. Monitor McGahee’s status throughout the week because Thomas will be a must-start if given the starting nod. Beside him, there’s not a lot of new options at the running back position. Marion Barber, Noah Herron, Najeh Davenport, Cedric Benson and Jerious Norwood are all injury from the starter away from becoming great options.

Wide Receivers
Devery Henderson, NO three rec, 111 yards, two TD
Kevin Curtis, STL seven rec, 59 yards, TD
Rashied Davis, CHI five rec, 40 yards
Ernest Wilford, JAC three rec, 44 yards, two TD
Mark Clayton, BAL eight rec, 73 yards
Drew Bennett, TEN three rec, 51 yards, TD
Rod Smith, DEN four rec, 46 yards, TD
Santonio Holmes, PIT six rec, 58 yards, FL
Patrick Crayton, DAL four rec, 84 yards
Keenan McCardell, SD five rec, 64 yards, FL
Matt Jones, JAC three rec, 66 yards
Troy Brown, NE five rec, 37 yards
Cedrick Wilson, PIT four rec, 59 yards, FL

When the Saints traded away Donte Stallworth right before the season kicked off, some fans were left scratching their heads. With no established No. 2 receiving option, the Saints sure seemed to be putting a lot of stock in some young, unproven players. However, Marquis Colston, Henderson and Reggie Bush have adapted to their roles faster and better than anybody could have predicted. Colston is fourth in the NFL with 700 yards receiving, Bush is seventh in receptions (46) and Henderson is coming off a career-high 111-yard, two-TD effort against Tampa Bay. … Mark Clayton had a nice performance against Cincy, racking up eight catches for 73 yards.  He registered his second career 100-yard performance two weeks prior against Carolina.

Tight Ends
Bo Scaife, TEN five rec, 70 yards
David Martin, GB four rec, 51 yards
Heath Miller, PIT five rec, 34 yards
Kris Wilson, KC rec, 11 yards, TD
Ben Utecht, IND four rec, 49 yards

Major Offensive Injuries
Willis McGahee left Sunday’s contest against Green Bay with a rib injury and did not return. After he was carted off, Anthony Thomas relieved him, rushing for 95 yards and a touchdown. Early on, it’s sounding like McGahee suffered a cracked or badly bruised rib and could miss up to two weeks. That makes Thomas a great waiver-wire addition facing the Colts, who rank near the bottom against the rush.

Bernard Berrian also was knocked out of the game in the second quarter due to a rib injury. He departed with just one reception for 10 yards before Rashied Davis replaced him in the offense. He finished with five passes for 40 yards against the Dolphins. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Berrian will likely miss 2-4 weeks, so Davis is a nice short-term fantasy option.

Jerious Norwood injured his knee late in the Falcons upsetting loss to the Lions. His status for next week’s game against Cleveland is uncertain at this point, but Atlanta won’t really miss a beat with Warrick Dunn and Michael Vick.

Other injuries - Kevin Curtis had to go to the hospital because of a rib injury for observation. Steven Jackson sustained a minor finger injury, and Travis Henry suffered an apparent knee injury, but returned a short time later.  Amani Toomer suffered a leg injury and Josh Reed bruised his kidney. Greg Jennings also exited temporarily, but returned and was productive. Plaxico Burress (back spasms) said he would return in Week 10, while Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said that Damon Huard would probably start at quarterback in Week 10.

Week Ten Schedule
Sunday, Nov. 12
Baltimore at Tennessee 1:00 p.m.
Buffalo at Indianapolis 1:00 p.m.
Cleveland at Atlanta 1:00 p.m.
Green Bay at Minnesota 1:00 p.m.
Houston at Jacksonville 1:00 p.m.
Kansas City at Miami 1:00 p.m.
N.Y. Jets at New England 1:00 p.m.
San Diego at Cincinnati 1:00 p.m.
San Francisco at Detroit 1:00 p.m.
Washington at Philadelphia 1:00 p.m.
Denver at Oakland 4:05 p.m.
Dallas at Arizona 4:15 p.m.
New Orleans at Pittsburgh 4:15 p.m.
St. Louis at Seattle 4:15 p.m.
Chicago at N.Y. Giants 8:15 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 13
Tampa Bay at Carolina 8:30 p.m.    

Questions, comments, quandaries? Contact me at tycoon4477@hotmail.com