By Ted Rossman
High fives
In this section, we examine five strong but unheralded performances from the previous week and determine whether these players are likely to remain hot.
- D’Qwell Jackson (LB, CLE): Jackson led the Browns with nine tackles (all solo) in Week 6, following a Week 5 performance that included a team-high 14 tackles (nine solo). He leads Cleveland with 51 tackles (40 solo) this season. Don’t expect many interceptions or sacks, but consider Jackson a reliable tackler.
- Eric Wright (CB, CLE): It’s a little strange to see two Browns on this list considering the team allowed 31 points in Week 6, but Jackson and Wright are both deserving. Wright made eight tackles (all solo) and had an interception in Week 6. He ranks second on the squad with 44 tackles (41 solo) this season. Like Jackson, Wright isn’t a big sack or interception guy, but he’s another good source of tackles.
- Brian Williams (CB, JAC): Williams made seven tackles (all solo) and an interception in Sunday's win over the Texans. He also deflected two passes. Williams has been a big part of Jacksonville's secondary this season. However, he only has two interceptions in his last 23 games, so think of him primarily as a tackler. He’s averaging a little more than five stops per game this season.
- Landon Johnson (LB, CIN): Johnson led the Bengals with 11 tackles (10 solo) and half a sack in Week 6. Cincinnati’s linebacker corps is depleted by injuries. This could eventually change, but more short-term gains for Johnson are likely.
- Deke Cooper (S, CAR): He made six tackles (all solo) and two interceptions in Sunday’s victory at Arizona. Cooper also deflected two passes. This production came against Arizona’s third-string quarterback, Tim Rattay, so don’t race to the waiver wire to pick up Cooper.
Trend watch
Here, we look at trends and matchups that savvy owners can exploit in the upcoming week.
- Several teams might start weak backup quarterbacks this week because of injuries: the Cardinals are down to their third-stringer (Tim Rattay), the Dolphins likely will start Cleo Lemon and Tennessee might need to use Kerry Collins. Upgrade the Washington, New England and Houston defenses, respectively. Also give a boost to the Giants, because San Francisco starter Alex Smith is coming off a two-week layoff due to a separated throwing shoulder.
- The league’s worst offenses (in terms of points per game) are St. Louis, San Francisco, Buffalo and Atlanta. Those teams, respectively, play at Seattle, at N.Y. Giants, home against Baltimore and at New Orleans this week.
- Remember that many teams fare well following a bye week. This week, that includes Buffalo (home against Baltimore), Denver (home against Pittsburgh), Detroit (home against Tampa Bay), Indianapolis (at Jacksonville), Pittsburgh (at Denver) and San Francisco (at N.Y. Giants).
- Looking for sacks in Week 7? Try the Bucs (vs. Detroit, a team that allows a league-high 5.6 sacks per game), the Bears (at Philadelphia, a team that allows 4.4 sacks per game) and New Orleans (vs. the Falcons, who allow 3.7 sacks per game). Teams to avoid are Jacksonville (vs. Indianapolis, the toughest team to sack), Atlanta (at New Orleans, the second-toughest team to sack) and Miami (vs. New England, the third-toughest team to sack).
- Wondering who is toughest to intercept? Jacksonville is the only NFL team that has not been picked off this year. Tampa Bay has been picked off once, while Philadelphia, New England and Indianapolis have only been intercepted twice apiece. Downgrade the Indianapolis, Chicago, Miami and Jacksonville secondaries, respectively, in Week 7. The easiest teams to pick off? Chicago (at Philadelphia), St. Louis (at Seattle) and Miami (vs. New England).
- Slippery fingers, anyone? Baltimore, Chicago, Houston and Tennessee lead the league with seven fumbles lost, making the Bills (vs. Baltimore), Eagles (vs. Chicago), Titans (at Houston) and Texans (vs. Tennessee) good bets for fumble recoveries in Week 7. The Jets (at Cincinnati) are the only NFL team yet to lose a fumble in 2007, while Indianapolis (at Jacksonville) has only lost one fumble.
Whither the weather
Because bad weather usually means fewer points and more turnovers, you need to know where IDPs should benefit from the elements. Here are some sites where the weather could be a significant factor. Keep in mind that the forecasts can change leading up to game day.
We’re moving toward late October and nearing the midpoint of the NFL season. From here on, the weather should turn progressively worse. Rain is currently projected in Denver for the Broncos-Steelers game and in Seattle for the Seahawks-Rams contest. Denver’s Sunday high is only expected to be 43 degrees, so the temperature could be in the mid-30s by the end of the Sunday night game. Some sleet/snow flurries cannot be ruled out at this point. On the other end of the temperature spectrum, we find Dallas and Miami. Both locales should be in the mid-80s with a 30 percent chance of rain for the Cowboys-Vikings and Dolphins-Patriots games.
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