Five Matchups to Watch in Week 6
LaDainian Tomlinson vs. New England's rush defense
In two games last season versus New England, Tomlinson averaged just 2.4 yards per carry; further complicating matters is the toe injury that helped limit him to just 35 yards on 12 carries last week against Miami. New England’s 3-4 defense featuring ends Richard Seymour and Ty Warren and tackle Vince Wilfork is a physical gang that provides enough resistance to give its linebackers an opportunity to penetrate and make tackles. Tomlinson’s matchup and injury make him an undesirable choice. Look for LT to get into the end zone, but a 100-yard rushing performance is not likely. The passing game will have to do the heavy lifting for San Diego.
Joseph Addai vs. Baltimore's rush defense
The last thing a struggling offensive line needs to deal with is the hard-charging Ravens defense. That is bad news for Addai, who doesn’t have a 100-yard game to his credit this season. He has been able to crack the end zone, with four touchdowns in the past three games, but the yardage component is missing. It will not improve for him against Ray Lewis and company. Through four games, Baltimore’s defense has not allowed over 70 yards on the ground. In previous years Peyton Manning would be an advantage, but the Colts' passing game labors to move the ball at times. Take a hard look at benching Addai for Week 6.
Eli Manning vs. Cleveland's defense
Coming off a bye week, Cleveland makes a rare home Monday Night Football appearance facing the defending-champion Giants After scoring 44 points on Seattle in Week Five, it appears that the Giants should maul the Browns, especially with star receiver Plaxico Burress back in the fold. However, the Seattle beatdown is the exception, not the norm under the Coughlin regime. The Browns should be well-prepared for the Giants with two weeks to scheme. Manning’s in-game rhythm with Burress may be a bit off, but he’ll be able to move the ball. Manning will hit his occasional bumps in the road on the way to 250 yards through the air and two touchdowns.
Kurt Warner vs. Dallas' defense
Anquan Boldin's injury changes this matchup a bit. Warner still is likely to move the ball through the air against the Cowboys. However, he’ll have to get rid of the ball quickly. If Arizona elects to have Warner drop back seven steps and throw, he may be in for a long day. Expect the Cowboys to be aggressive and try to force him into mistakes by blitzing. Warner’s Achilles heel is turning over the ball and the easiest way to do that is by pressuring him. The Cowboys defense is fast enough to get to him early and often. Without the gifted Boldin in the lineup, countering that strategy is a bit more difficult. Warner should go for over 200 yards and a pair of scores in what could turn into a shootout if Arizona opts out of playing ball control.
Roddy White vs. Chicago's secondary
The Bears fared well versus Detroit’s duo of Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams last Sunday. One key reason for their success was inordinate amount of pressure put on quarterback Jon Kitna. In his first go-round with the Bears defense, expect quarterback Matt Ryan to have similar problems. Interestingly enough, Chicago ranks 23rd against the pass, but White’s problems in this game stem from the novice Ryan. Both Chicago cornerbacks, Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman, are battling injuries, but the Bears defense will be too much Ryan and his favorite target. White will struggle to reach 60 yards on the afternoon.