Two weeks in the books in the NFL season and there has already been some very interesting story lines around the league. Randy Moss has been revitalized in New England; the Saints, Giants and Eagles remain without a victory, and the Niners, Redskins, Lions and Packers have yet to suffer a defeat. Brett Favre became the game’s all-time winningest quarterback, Derek Anderson, Chris Brown, Derrick Ward and Shaun McDonald have provided some unexpected fantasy value, and Drew Brees, Larry Johnson and Steven Jackson have gotten off to very slow starts. The Weekly Forecast will run down the latest news around the league to help you get prepared for a big Week 3 of action.
Notes from around the league
After racking up 11 100-yard rushing games in 2006, L.J. has just 98 yards on the ground through two games. He’s a traditional slow starter each season and said on Saturday that he’s back in top football-playing shape and ready to break out again. … LaMont Jordan is slowed by an ankle injury, but remains a fantastic option against the lowly Browns defense. He broke out for a career-high 159 yards against Denver last week. … Burress is hampered by an ankle injury now and isn’t expected to play the whole game Sunday against Washington – that opens the door for Anthony Mix to possibly have a big game. He caught three balls for 39 yards last week.
L.J. Smith, Tarvaris Jackson and Andre Johnson are out of action this week. ... Because of injuries, guys like Dwayne Bowe, Kelly Holcomb and Jacoby Jones are expected to have big roles this week. … If you are needing some help at the quarterback position this week, lower-end QBs Jason Campbell, Rex Grossman, Damon Huard, Josh McCown and Derek Anderson go against the worst-five pass defenses this weekend. They could each be strong short-term surrogate starters. … St. Louis vs. Tampa Bay and Cleveland vs Oakland look like they are going to have some rain. Forecasts are calling for a 60% chance of precipitation in both contests.
Injuries
Quarterbacks
Tarvaris Jackson (groin) – doubtful, Kelly Holcomb will replace
Steve McNair (groin) – probable, Kyle Boller would replace if he’s unable to play
Chad Pennington (ankle) –questionable, likely will start, Kellen Clemens would replace
D.J. Shockley (knee surgery) – out for the season
Chris Simms (hip) – status uncertain
Michael Vick (personal) – out for the season
Running Backs
Mike Alstott (neck) – out for the season
Mike Anderson (personal) – questionable, Musa Smith will be back-up RB
Michael Bush (leg) – might return in week 7
Ron Dayne (chest) – questionable, game-time decision
T.J. Duckett (ankle) – out indefinitely
Ahman Green (knee) – probable, will play
Noah Herron (knee) – out for the season
Priest Holmes (neck) – likely out for the season
Kenny Irons (knee surgery) – out for season
Brandon Jacobs (knee) – out 2-4 more weeks, Derrick Ward will replace
Kevin Jones (foot) – expected to play, expected to get 15-20 plays
LaMont Jordan (back) – probable, good matchup vs Cleveland
Maurice Morris (hip) – doubtful, missed practice all week
Vernand Morency (knee) – questionable, not expected to play
Chris Perry (ankle) – return week 7
Dominic Rhodes (suspension) – return week 6
Chester Taylor (ribs) – questionable, Mewelde Moore would get more time
Brian Westbrook (knee) – probable, will start
Ricky Williams (suspension) – applying for reinstatement
Wide Receivers
Arnaz Battle (groin) – probable, will play
Troy Brown (knee surgery) – return week 7
Plaxico Burress (ankle) – game-time decision, Anthony Mix would likely replace
Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder) – questionable, will start
Tim Dwight (foot) – out indefinitely
Brian Finneran (knee surgery) – out for the season
David Givens (knee surgery) – might return in week 7
Terry Glenn (knee surgery) – out indefinitely, might return in late October
D.J. Hackett (ankle) – out indefinitely, might miss a month
Chris Henry (CIN) (suspension) – return week 9
Ike Hilliard (ankle) – questionable, expected to play
Chad Jackson (knee) – might return in week 7
Darrell Jackson (back) – probable, expected to start
Greg Jennings (hamstring) – questionable, expected to start
Andre Johnson (knee) – out for week 3, Jacoby Jones will start
James Jones (hamstring) – probable, expected to start at slot WR
Eddie Kennison (hamstring) – out indefinitely, Dwayne Bowe will replace
Eric Parker (toe) – might return in week 11
Tab Perry (hamstring) – out indefinitely, Glenn Holt will be slot WR
Josh Reed (thigh) – probable
Koren Robinson (suspension) – applying for reinstatement
Marcus Robinson (quadriceps) – out for the season
Rod Smith (hip) – return week 7
Steve Smith (NYG) (shoulder) – out indefinitely, will miss at least two weeks
Donte Stallworth (knee) – questionable, likely will play
David Tyree (wrist) – out 4-6 weeks
Bobby Wade (ankle) – will play
Troy Williamson (hamstring) – questionable, Sidney Rice would likely replace if he’s out
Tight Ends
Mark Campbell (back) – out for the season
Dallas Clark (neck) – questionable, likely will start
L.J. Smith (groin) – out for week 3, Brent Celek and Matt Schobel will replace
Daniel Wilcox (ankle) - doubtful
Kickers
David Akers (quadriceps) - probable
Josh Scobee (quadriceps) – might be out 5-7 more weeks
Lawrence Tynes (calf) - questionable
Week Three Schedule/Weather
Sunday, September 23 1:00pm ET
Miami @ New York Jets 63/81, 10%
San Diego @ Green Bay 48/73, 10%
San Francisco @ Pittsburgh 56/83, 10%
Buffalo @ New England 60/77, 10%
Minnesota @ Kansas City 65/85, 10%
Detroit @ Philadelphia 64/84, 10%
St. Louis @ Tampa Bay 75/88, 60%
Arizona @ Baltimore 71/87, 10%
Indianapolis @ Houston 70/93, 10%
4:00pm ET
Jacksonville @ Denver 60/82, 10%
Cleveland @ Oakland 56/60, 60%
Cincinnati @ Seattle 51/59, 40%
Carolina @ Atlanta (Dome)
New York Giants @ Washington 66/84, 10%
8:15pm ET
Dallas @ Chicago 53/75, 10%
Monday, September 24 8:30pm ET
Tennessee @ New Orleans (Dome)
Defensive Matchups
(stats based on weeks 1-2 exclusively)
Up against the easiest run defenses
32. Jacksonville (182.0 YPG) – Travis Henry, Cecil Sapp
31. Miami (178.5 YPG) – Thomas Jones, Leon Washington
30. Buffalo (177.5 YPG) – Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris
29. Cleveland (171.5 YPG) – LaMont Jordan, Justin Vargas
28. Cincinnati (166.5 YPG) – Shaun Alexander, Alvin Pearman
Up against the toughest run defenses
1. New England (56.0 YPG) – Marshawn Lynch, Anthony Thomas
2. Baltimore (62.0 YPG) – Edgerrin James, Marcel Shipp
3. Houston (69.0 YPG) – Joseph Addai, Kenton Keith
4. Chicago (73.5 YPG) – Julius Jones, Marion Barber
5. Pittsburgh (74.0 YPG) – Frank Gore, Maurice Hicks
Up against the easiest pass defenses
32. New York Giants (315.5 YPG) - Jason Campbell, Santana Moss, Chris Cooley/Antwaan Randle El
31. Dallas (303.0 YPG) – Rex Grossman, Bernard Berrian, Muhsin Muhammad
30. Minnesota (296.0 YPG) – Damon Huard, Tony Gonzalez, Samie Parker
29. Cleveland (281.0 YPG) – Josh McCown, Ronald Curry, Jerry Porter
28. Oakland (279.0 YPG) – Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow/Joe Jurevicius
Up against the toughest pass defenses
1. Denver (85.0 YPG) - David Garrard, Matt Jones, Reggie Williams/Dennis Northcutt
2. Jacksonville (139.0 YPG) – Jay Cutler, Javon Walker, Brandon Marshall/Brandon Stokley
3. St. Louis (163.5 YPG) – Jeff Garcia, Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard
4. Pittsburgh (186.0 YPG) – Alex Smith, Darrell Jackson, Arnaz Battle/Vernon Davis
5. Indianapolis (188.0 YPG) – Matt Schaub, Owen Daniels, Jacoby Jones