This weekend in the NFL features a huge showdown basically determining the NFC East between the red-hot Cowboys and the ice-cold Giants, the start of the Jay Cutler-era in Denver on Sunday night, a fantastic Thursday night matchup and a chance for Drew Brees to enter the record books. There’s just five games remaining in the NFL season so we’re officially in must-win time. This edition of The Weekly Forecast will break down some depth chart battles, the latest on the injury report and some helpful matchup stats to help you set your best possible lineup for the week.
 
NO WR – Marques Colston and Joe Horn are each questionable for Sunday’s contest against the Niners. It doesn’t seem to matter to Drew Brees lately though. He’s registered five straight 300-yard games, tying him for the fourth-longest streak ever. Just three QBs went six straight games. Expect Devery Henderson, who has 317 receiving yards the past two games, and Terrance Copper to emerge if either of their starters have to sit. Also, rookie Reggie Bush ranks No. 6 overall with 64 receptions.

CAR RB – The Panthers could get DeShaun Foster back this week against Philadelphia after he missed most of the past two games with a left elbow injury. Rookie DeAngelo Williams made his first start last week against Washington, tallying 63 yards on 17 carries. Monitor Foster’s health throughout the week. He plays on Monday night, so is a bit risky unless you know for sure he’s going to play.

MIA RB – The Dolphins could be without second-year RB Ronnie Brown for the next two to three weeks because of a broken left hand. Sammy Morris is expected to get the starting nod this weekend against Jacksonville, who have one of the top rush defenses in all of football. He’ll also have another tough matchup against New England the following week, so keep that in mind if you were thinking of picking him up.

PIT WR – The Steelers will be without All-Pro receiver Hines Ward this Sunday against Tampa Bay, so Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington will have larger roles in the pass attack. The Bucs have allowed an NFL-worst 21 touchdown passes so each is a recommended option if you need help at WR. I expect big numbers from Holmes – he’s quietly been one of the better rookies in football this year.

Injuries
Quarterbacks
Marc Bulger (ribs) – probable, will start
Daunte Culpepper (knee) – out indefinitely
Brett Favre (elbow) – probable, will start
Jeff Garcia (arm) – probable, will start
Matt Hasselbeck (finger) – probable, will play
Byron Leftwich (ankle) – Out for the season
Chad Pennington (calf) – probable, will start
Ben Roethlisberger (chest) – probable, will start

Running Backs
Tatum Bell (toe) – probable, expected to start
Ronnie Brown (hand) – out, might return in week 15
Reuben Droughns (foot) – questionable, will start
DeShaun Foster (elbow) – questionable, status uncertain
Ahman Green (knee) – probable, will play
Frank Gore (leg) – questionable, expected to play
Cedric Houston (knee) – probable, expected to start for Jets this week
Thomas Jones (groin) – probable, expected to start
Chris Perry (leg) – out for the season
Michael Pittman (shoulder) – questionable
Chester Taylor (wrist) – questionable, expected to start
Michael Turner (hamstring) – questionable
Brian Westbrook (knee) – probable, will start
LenDale White (hip) – questionable, status uncertain

Wide Receivers
Marques Colston (ankle) – questionable, Devery Henderson would replace him
Bobby Engram (flu) – probable, expected to play
Joe Horn (groin) – questionable, status uncertain
Darrell Jackson (knee) – probable, expected to start
Keenan McCardell (calf) – questionable, will not play
Jerry Porter (hip) – doubtful, will likely not play
Josh Reed (abdomen) – questionable, not expected to play
Brandon Stokley (knee) – questionable, will likely play
Javon Walker (foot) – probable, expected to start
Hines Ward (knee surgery) – out for week 13
Kelley Washington (hamstring) – questionable, game-time decision

Tight Ends
Ernie Conwell (knee) – out indefinitely
Dallas Clark (knee) – out indefinitely
Tony Gonzalez (shoulder) – probable, will play
David Martin (ribs) – questionable, will not play
Bo Scaife (quadriceps) – questionable
Ben Utecht (knee) – questionable
Kellen Winslow (knee) – questionable, will likely play

Kickers
Sebastian Janikowski (back) – questionable, status uncertain

Best/Worst Matchups in week 13
Up against toughest run defenses
1. Minnesota (56.6 YPG) – Thomas Jones, Cedric Benson
2. Baltimore (76.5 YPG) – Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson
3. New England (83.2 YPG) – Kevin Jones (questionable), Arlen Harris
4. Dallas (87.1 YPG) – Tiki Barber, Brandon Jacobs
5. Jacksonville (93.6 YPG) – Sammy Morris, Travis Minor

Up against easiest run defenses
32. St. Louis (154.8 YPG) – Edgerrin James, J.J. Arrington
31. Indianapolis (154.5 YPG) – Travis Henry, LenDale White
30. Tennessee (147.7 YPG) – Joseph Addai, Dominic Rhodes
29. New Orleans (140.0 YPG) – Frank Gore (questionable), Maurice Hicks
28. Philadelphia (139.5 YPG) – DeShaun Foster, DeAngelo Williams

Up against toughest pass defenses
1. Oakland (156.5 YPG) – David Carr, Andre Johnson, Eric Moulds
2. Chicago (163.1 YPG) – Brad Johnson, Travis Taylor, Troy Williamson
3. Indianapolis (163.7 YPG) – Vince Young, Drew Bennett, Bo Scaife
4. Philadelphia (180.5 YPG) – Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith, Keyshawn Johnson
5. Jacksonville (182.5 YPG) – Joey Harrington, Chris Chambers, Randy McMichael

Up against easiest pass defenses
32. Cincinnati (245.1 YPG) – Steve McNair, Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton
31. Minnesota (242.5 YPG) – Rex Grossman, Bernard Berrian, Muhsin Muhammad
30. Atlanta (241.2 YPG) – Jason Campbell, Santana Moss, Chris Cooley
29. Green Bay (232.7 YPG) – Chad Pennington, Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery
28. Houston (231.5 YPG) – Aaron Brooks, Randy Moss, Ronald Curry

Week 13 Schedule/Weather
Thursday, Nov. 30
Baltimore at Cincinnati 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 3
Arizona at St. Louis 1:00 p.m. Dome
Atlanta at Washington 1:00 p.m. 49/30, 10%
Detroit at New England 1:00 p.m. 45/32, 10%
Indianapolis at Tennessee 1:00 p.m. 49/24, 10%
Kansas City at Cleveland 1:00 p.m. 34/27, 30%
Minnesota at Chicago 1:00 p.m. 23/13, 10%
N.Y. Jets at Green Bay 1:00 p.m. 29/17, 30%
San Diego at Buffalo 1:00 p.m. 34/27, 30%
San Francisco at New Orleans 1:00 p.m. Dome
Houston at Oakland 4:05 p.m. 62/44, 10%
Jacksonville at Miami 4:05 p.m. 82/66, 10%
Dallas at N.Y. Giants 4:15 p.m. 48/34, 10%
Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh 4:15 p.m. 41/26, 10%
Seattle at Denver 8:15 p.m. 36/26, 10%

Monday, Dec. 4
Carolina at Philadelphia 8:30 p.m. 42/31, 10%

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