WEEK 13: NFL GAME SCOUT

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Games:

Sunday

Tennessee Titans (6-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-6)

Kansas City Chiefs (4-7) at Chicago Bears (7-4)

Atlanta Falcons (7-4) at Houston Texans (8-3)

Oakland Raiders (7-4) at Miami Dolphins (3-8)

Denver Broncos (6-5) at Minnesota Vikings (2-9)

Indianapolis Colts (0-11) at New England Patriots (8-3)

Carolina Panthers (3-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)

New York Jets (6-5) at Washington Redskins (4-7)

Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

Baltimore Ravens (7-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-8)

Dallas Cowboys (7-4) at Arizona Cardinals (4-7)

Green Bay Packers (11-0) at New York Giants (6-5)

St. Louis Rams (2-9) at San Francisco 49ers (9-2)

Detroit Lions (7-4) at New Orleans Saints (8-3)

Monday

San Diego Chargers (4-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)

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Tennessee Titans (6-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-6)

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GAME SNAPSHOT

KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

GAMEDATE: 12/4/11

SURFACE: FieldTurf

TV: CBS, Spero Dedes, Steve Beuerlein

PREDICTION: Bills 24-19

KEYS TO THE GAME: Another shuffling of the Bills' line seemed to stabilize the offense and lift the confidence of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick last week. Fitzpatrick will have time to throw if the line can hold off DE Dave Ball (two sacks last week). He must take advantage of matchups on third downs, when CB Cortland Finnegan shifts to the slot and Fitzpatrick will have chances to hit WR Steve Johnson vertically. Third down has become a chronic weakness for Buffalo's defense. How they match up with RB Chris Johnson, coming off his breakout game of 2011, and speedy WR Nate Washington knowing they've generated little pass rush without blitzing is the Bills' pressing question.

FAST FACTS: Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck completed 69.6 percent of his passes in September, compared to 55.9 percent in November. … In his last nine games, Bills RB C.J. Spiller's longest rush was nine yards.

INSIDE THE CAMPS

Titans

As the calendar flips to December and with a trip to Buffalo looming, the Tennessee Titans may have picked a good time to get their running game going in the right direction.

Chris Johnson had 190 yards on the ground in Sunday's win over Tampa Bay, and the Titans are hoping that that is the beginning of a developing trend down the stretch as they try to get on a hot streak and hope to make a run at the postseason.

At 6-5, the Titans are alive in the playoff chase, but will need to probably go at least 4-1 down the stretch to have a legitimate shot to qualify for the postseason.

"That's what we're going to have to do if we're going to make a run at the playoffs and hopefully make a run to the Super Bowl. Those teams have a running game, and we're going to have to have it to complement the passing game that we've got going in order for us to make it a long ways," said Johnson, whose season has mostly been a struggle since signing a $53.5 million deal.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said getting the running game to be more consistently successful is vital to any late-season run. To show that the run game, currently ranked 30th overall, is on the uptick, the Titans will need to take that act to Buffalo, because the running game was strong in Carolina, stifled in Atlanta and back at home against Tampa Bay.

"Forever, this team has been great at running the ball, so if we can get that going like we did last week and like we did three weeks ago, it'd be a huge help," Hasselbeck said. "It would make everybody's job easier."

Guard Jake Scott said that late in the season, perhaps the Titans running game has arrived just in time for the Titans to perhaps be successful.

"You get into this time of year and you start playing outdoor games, it can be really hard to throw the ball at times, and sometimes you're going to have to be able to get that going, so it's a good time to get that started," Scott said.

Bills

Running back Fred Jackson said his rehabilitation for a fractured fibula is progressing well and that he hopes his injury won't negatively impact negotiations for a new contract with the team.

Jackson was injured vs. Miami on Nov. 20 when he was hit hard by a Dolphins' player in the calf. The hit was so hard it broke a bone.

"I saw it on film and I felt it right away but I saw it and it was his knee," Jackson said. "Right where it broke his knee hit right where the fracture is but it was the last play I was in against Miami."

How are things healing?

"I can still feel where it's fractured but it's better," he said. "They said it'll probably be about three weeks before we go in and do another X-ray just to make sure things are going OK. I just got off the crutches and they said I don't need those unless I'm taking a long walk somewhere."

With a 4-6 week window of recovery and seven games to play at the time, the Bills were forced to place Jackson on season-ending injured reserve. With 1,376 all-purpose yards, Jackson was a serious contender for his first Pro Bowl.

"Definitely disappointed," he said. "It was a goal of mine to start the season to get to the Pro Bowl and to not be able to do that again because of the injury is just the icing on the cake to how disappointed I am in it. I wanted to play for the Bills' fans one more time and I can't do that now."

Jackson is a free agent but he hopes to finish his career a Bill.

"I felt like I did as much as I could and that hopefully will take care of itself," he said. "It's not something that I'm going to worry about right now. Like I said, I put faith in Buddy (general manager Nix) and that's all I can do. He's a man of his word so I'll have faith in him and see what happens."

PERSONNEL NEWS

Titans

—LB Colin McCarthy practiced fully on his sore knee and will play Sunday at middle linebacker.

—RT David Stewart got in some work and is expected to practice again on Friday. If he can practice again on Friday without issues, he should start Sunday.

—DE Derrick Morgan returned to practice fully on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday.

—DE Jason Jones was back at practice fully on Thursday with his sore knee, after being limited Wednesday.

—C Eugene Amano sat out Wednesday with a hip flexor, but was back on Thursday practicing fully.

Bills

—CB Leodis McKelvin, who missed a day with sore ribs, returned to practice. Pain tolerance will likely determine McKelvin's availability for Sunday's game vs. Tennessee, but he is expected to try and suit up.

—WR Naaman Roosevelt, who missed last week's game with a shoulder problem, is practicing this week and should be OK for Sunday's Titans game. Buffalo's receiving corps has been depleted and his return would be welcomed.

—LT Demetrius Bell is practicing fully but no decision has been made on if he'll return to the starting lineup. Bell has missed seven games and rookie Chris Hairston has taken over his spot.

—SS George Wilson remains doubtful for Sunday's Jets game with a neck stinger. He did not practice again Thursday. He was leading the team in tackles with 77 and interceptions with four when he was hurt three weeks ago against Dallas.

—PK Rian Lindell, who has missed three games with a broken shoulder, is getting closer to a return but isn't expected to play in Sunday's game against Tennessee. Until he gets clearance for contact, he would not be able to handle kickoff duties. Dave Rayner has done a good job so far filling in.

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Kansas City Chiefs (4-7) at Chicago Bears (7-4)

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GAME SNAPSHOT

KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

GAMEDATE: 12/4/11

SURFACE: Natural grass

TV: CBS, Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots

PREDICTION: Bears 23-13

KEYS TO THE GAME: Caleb Hanie's first career start was predictably uneven, but the Bears will use mostly the same plan anticipating more man coverage outside and a safety in the box from the Chiefs. Marion Barber has stepped up to give the running game a jolt as Matt Forte seems to be missing fewer tacklers. The Chiefs, lacking a bell-cow runner, could start Tyler Palko for the third time or turn to Kyle Orton. The Bears match up well with the Chiefs' jumbo receivers, but 5-7 dynamo Tim Jennings can be too aggressive for his own good, a trait the Chiefs no doubt studied.

FAST FACTS: The Chiefs have gone 27 possessions without a touchdown. … The Bears have 16 takeaways in their last five games.

INSIDE THE CAMPS

Chiefs

It might be one of the most unusual quarterback controversies in the NFL over the last decade.

Just three weeks ago Tyler Palko and Kyle Orton were mired in very similar situations with very different teams. Palko was with the Chiefs and he couldn't get on the field because the snaps all belonged to starter Matt Cassel. Orton was with the Denver Broncos and he couldn't get on the field because the snaps all belonged to the greatest phenomenon in recent NFL history, Tim Tebow.

On November 13, that all changed. Cassel broke his right hand and Tebow led the Broncos to a victory over the Chiefs. A day later, Orton asked the Broncos for his release and Palko became the Chiefs starter.

Now in the first days of a new month, Palko and Orton are together, splitting the snaps with the first team offense and essentially in a competition for the last five quarterback starts of the 2011 Chiefs season.

"Tyler is our starter; we are getting Kyle ready to play," Haley said. "Kyle's not like a guy that's been here for a couple of years. He might have to play and he might not, but we've got to get ready to win a big game. We've got to do it by whatever means possible and if it takes playing three quarterbacks and going wildcat 20 plays, we've got to do that. Then the week after this, it'll be a similar deal."

Palko has the edge despite his 0-2 record as a starter and his seven turnovers that were such important factors in both defeats. Orton will get his second full practice on Thursday, and while there is ground to make up, his 66 previous starts for the Bears and Broncos allow him to catch on very quickly.

"For me it's a race to see how fast I can understand the nuances and little difference of this offense," Orton said after Wednesday's practice. "I'll go in and do my role as best I can, whatever that role is. I don't make the decision on whether I play or not, I just go out and prepare and try to play well on the practice field."

Palko says his confidence hasn't been fractured by his poor numbers from his first two NFL starts.

"Other than probably having a lot of people in Kansas City that are mad at me for turning the ball over seven times, I really haven't changed that much," Palko said. "There's a sick feeling in your gut because you know you didn't give your team the best chance to win turning the ball over that many times. It's a learning experience and you just have to continue learning from it."

Bears

Sometimes it seems six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers would rather get double-teamed and held by both blockers than talk about himself, but his teammates are more than willing to weigh in on the topic.

Earlier this week, Peppers was named the NFC's defensive player of the month for November, based on his four sacks, three pass breakups and 10 quarterback pressures. Peppers is tied for sixth in the NFC with eight sacks, including six in his last six games and two last week vs. the Raiders.

"Last week, if you watched any of the game, every single play he was dominating whoever was against him," Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said. "So that (award) was well deserved. It's nice to see people taking notice of what he's been doing. Sacks haven't been a huge number, but he gets double-teamed. When he doesn't get double-teamed, you see what happens, like last week, he just dominated those guys."

At 6-7 and 287 pounds, Peppers has movement skills that defensive backs envy. As a freshman at North Carolina, where he started 33 games and had 30.5 sacks in three years, he also was a top reserve on the Final Four basketball team. At 290 pounds, he ran a 4.68 40 at the Combine. In high school, Peppers was a member of the North Carolina state championship 4x200 relay team.

"The guy is a monster," linebacker Lance Briggs said. "When you stand in the huddle next to Peppers, he stands out. I can only imagine what it was like when he was in high school and (being) the guy who was going against him as you prepare for him and you watch him on film. That had to kind of suck for the guy."

As impressive as LeBron James looked playing flag football against Kevin Durant recently, it doesn't compare to what Peppers was able to do on a basketball court.

"I've seen some film of him playing basketball," Briggs said, "and he looks a lot better playing basketball than LeBron does playing football. I'm just saying. He's a big athlete, and Peppers is a max effort guy. You put that plus the talent that he has, he's a dominant force in the NFL."

Peppers was stuck for a reaction when told of Briggs' evaluation. While he realizes he's had a wealth of physical riches bestowed upon him, the game doesn't come as easy to him as he sometimes makes it look.

"I was blessed with a tremendous amount of athletic ability, so sports in general have come easy," Peppers said. "But the game is a work in progress. You have to come out and do things right and try to be exact all the time."

Playing on the opposite end of the line from Peppers, Bears left end Israel Idonije doesn't get much chance to watch him during games. But he gets a great appreciation of Peppers' talents when the defense watches film of the previous week's game.

"He just literally is throwing guys all over the place," Idonije said. "I mean throwing tackles, tight ends, it doesn't matter who he's lined up against. He has his way with those guys. It's just incredible to watch. It's not just one play but a consistent showcase of technique and ability."

For part of the season, the Bears' defensive line has underachieved, and even Peppers has had times when he didn't make a big difference. But he believes the D-line has made progress.

"We've been doing better," he said. "Coach (defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli) has been pushing us harder to get better and improve. We've been coming out and working harder trying to do that. We've got a ways to go, but we've come a little ways."

The soft-spoken Marinelli isn't prone to hyperbole, but his evaluation of Peppers' two-sack performance vs. the Raiders borders on gushing.

"The numbers don't talk about what he did," Marinelli said. "It was the intensity of the game he played at; the speed. My God, the details of his pass rush.

"Forget the sacks, some of the rushes where the ball came out quick, they were some of the prettiest rushes you'd ever want to see; just beautiful. The skill, the technique, the work habit; he's starting to really come on right now. It ignites everybody else around him."

That's bad news this week for a Chiefs offense that has inexperienced Tyler Palko and recently acquired Kyle Orton at quarterback and is 27th in passing yards, 29th in interceptions and 21st in sacks allowed.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Chiefs

—QB Kyle Orton got his first chance in nearly two months to get extended practice time with the first-team offense. After losing the starting job in Denver to Tim Tebow, Orton saw little practice reps. Released by the Broncos and claimed by the Chiefs last week, he did not arrive in Kansas City early enough to get any time with his new teammates.

—OT David Mims is a very big young man, standing 6-8 and weighing 335 pounds, and now that he's off the practice squad and on the active roster, the Chiefs are anxious to see him play. Out of Virginia Union, a Division II school where he was a four-year starter, Mims was an undrafted free agent when he signed with Kansas City. He's got very long arms and good quick feet.

—QB Tyler Palko continues to be viewed as the Chiefs' starting quarterback, according to head coach Todd Haley. Despite being 0-2 as Matt Cassel's replacement with no TD throws and six interceptions, Palko reportedly will get another chance this Sunday against Chicago.

—CB Javier Arenas needs to break one in the return game, especially when the Chiefs are facing a team like Chicago with a weapon like Devin Hester. Arenas has returned 99 punts and kickoffs in his two-year career without a score.

— SS Jon McGraw seems to have finally gotten over the neck/shoulder injury that hampered him throughout the month of November. McGraw suffered the injury on Halloween evening against the Chargers.

— LG Ryan Lilja has practiced all week and should be back in the starting lineup on Sunday against the Bears. Lilja suffered a blow to the head in the New England game and missed playing time against Pittsburgh. There's also the chance that Lilja will share the position with rookie Rodney Hudson, who did a good job filling in for him.

Bears

—WR Devin Hester missed part of Thursday's practice, but it wasn't injury related, although he has been hampered in recent weeks with ankle and shin injuries. He has caught one pass in the last four games and none in the last three.

—CB D.J. Moore (ankle), was limited in Thursday's practice and could be probable by Friday.

—NT Anthony Adams (back), who was a healthy scratch last week, did not practice on Thursday.

—CB Charles Tillman (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice and will play Sunday.

—CB Zack Bowman (groin) was a full participant Thursday, and he is expected to play on Sunday.

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Atlanta Falcons (7-4) at Houston Texans (8-3)

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GAME SNAPSHOT

KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

GAMEDATE: 12/4/11

SURFACE: Natural grass

TV: FOX, Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

PREDICTION: Falcons 23-20

KEYS TO THE GAME: The Falcons shouldn't mind speeding up the game with the no-huddle looks that have clicked for them lately, forcing Texans rookie first-time starter T.J. Yates to try to keep pace. QB Matt Ryan leads a Falcons offense that goes to sleep for stretches, but the stellar play of late from WR Roddy White (17-267 the past two games) has the passing game humming along. The Texans will use RBs Arian Foster and Ben Tate to set up play-action for Yates. The Texans were conservative in protecting a lead last week, but Yates has a strong arm and experience in a pro style offense, and Houston has to be able to exploit the Falcons' weak secondary.

FAST FACTS: Atlanta is slated to play three straight games against rookie quarterbacks (Carolina, Jacksonville). … The Texans had scored in 12 straight quarters before going scoreless in the third and fourth quarters at Jacksonville last week.

INSIDE THE CAMPS

Falcons

Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes underwent successful surgery to repair his right knee on Thursday.

"We've been in communication with him and he's finished with the procedure," coach Mike Smith said.

The Falcons have not set a timetable for his return, but players with similar surgeries are out two to three weeks, according to Dr. Jonathan Glashow, an orthopedic surgeon and co-chief of sports medicine at New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Grimes had been playing with the injury since the Detroit game on Oct. 23.

"We see a lot of players who get tears mid-season and we try to put the surgery off until after the season if they don't bother them so much," said Glashow, who's been a medical consultant for ESPN. "Sometimes the tears get so big and bothersome that they interfere with their function or ability to run. A lot of times we get players back in two to three weeks. It's certainly been done before."

If Grimes can hit the early part of that window, he could be back in time to play against Jacksonville and have a game under his belt before the Falcons play the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 26, in a game that may decide the NFC South title.

The surgery should not affect Grimes' extraordinary leaping ability.

"Unless it's really a huge tear, which I doubt this is, mostly likely he'll get everything back," Glashow said. "Some of these young fellows are really incredible athletes and they are able to return amazingly quickly even after a surgery."

Cornerback Dominique Franks saw his most extensive action in the NFL last week against the Minnesota Vikings.

With nickel back Kelvin Hayden inactive and Grimes able to only play six plays, Franks found himself on the field for 58 plays.

It was a minor surprise that he opened the game at nickel back over Christopher Owens, who was the regular-season starter at that spot.

Franks dazzled the coaching staff with strong practices during the exhibition season, but faltered in the exhibition games. When the season started, he continued to practice at a high level.

With Grimes out for two to three weeks, Franks will now get an extended opportunity to transfer his amazing practice play to the football field.

Texans

While the Texans are preparing for the T.J. Yates era, there's a lot of speculation about what they have to do over the last five games to win the AFC South.

Before quarterback Matt Schaub was lost for the season, the Texans appeared good enough to possibly win out, finish 13-3 and compete for home-field advantage in the playoffs. Even one slip would have left them 12-4.

It is possible the Texans could place a claim for Donovan McNabb, but they're behind the Bears and other teams that could have interest, including the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas, though comfortable with starter Tony Romo, placed a claim for Kyle Orton. Some suspect it was a move to block him from the Bears.

When Matt Leinart replaced Schaub, the Texans figured they were still good enough to finish 3-2 at worst, meaning an 11-5 record.

With Yates replacing Leinart, there's talk around Houston that they'll be fortunate to win two of five and finish 10-6, limping into a first-round game at home and then be one and done in the playoffs.

The remaining schedule looks like this: Atlanta (7-4), at Cincinnati (7-4), Carolina (3-8), at Indianapolis (0-11), Tennessee (6-5).

The Texans are 8-3. They have a five-game winning streak, a team record. They have a two-game lead over the Titans in the AFC South. They won the first game 41-7 at Tennessee.

The Titans' remaining schedule: at Buffalo (5-6), New Orleans (8-3), at Indianapolis (0-11), Jacksonville (3-8), at Houston (8-3).

Even if Schaub were healthy, the Texans might have lost to the Falcons, who have won five of six and have the best offense they've faced since losing 40-33 at New Orleans in September.

They could have lost at Cincinnati, too.

With Yates, the key is to defeat the Panthers at home and the Colts on the road. The last game against the Titans at Reliant Stadium could have playoff implications for both teams.

The Texans and their fans will know more about the team in general and Yates in particular after the Falcons game. The fifth-round pick benefits from the No. 1 defense and the No. 3 running game.

If Yates can keep from turning the ball over, the Texans run well enough to control the clock and the defense contains the Falcons' high-powered offense, they'll have a chance to extend their winning streak.

But those are big IF'S.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Falcons

—LT Sam Baker, who's battling to return from back surgery, is adjusting to his role as a reserve and special teams player. "It feels better every day," Baker said. "I'm just doing anything I can to help the team right now." Baker started the first six games, but coach Mike Smith announced that Will Svitek will start at left tackle.

—CB Darrin Walls, an undrafted rookie free agent from Notre Dame will be the top reserve cornerback against Houston, and will see his first NFL action on special teams.

—WR Roddy White has 17 catches for 267 yards and a touchdown over the last two games. After leading the league with 115 catches last season, he has 64 receptions for 830 yards and four touchdowns.

Texans

—QB T.J. Yates is the first North Carolina quarterback to start a game in the NFL. He set 37 records in college. Last season, when many of his teammates were suspended, he led the Tar Heels to a victory over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl. He's working with two proven quarterback coaches in Gary Kubiak and Greg Knapp. He's got two veterans, Jake Delhomme and Kellen Clemens, playing behind him and supporting him going into his first start against Atlanta.

—WR Jacoby Jones plays an important role. With a rookie quarterback, the Texans need good field position. He averages 12.5 yards on punt returns, ranking fifth in the league. His role becomes even more significant because the Texans need him to return punts and keep them away from their goal line.

—OLB Connor Barwin leads the team with 8.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 20 hits on the quarterback. That's a 38.5 total. Next is defensive end Antonio Smith, who moves inside in passing situations. He has 4.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. His 23.5 leads outside linebacker Brooks Reed, who has 23 (six sacks, six tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits).

—K Neil Rackers leads the team with 95 points, tying him for seventh among non-kickers. He's connected on 21-of-24 field goals, including 3-of-3 from the 50 and beyond With a rookie quarterback, T.J. Yates, starting for the first time, the game figures to be close, which means Rackers must be accurate. Expect him to get a lot of field goal chances over the last five games. He needs five points to give him at least 100 for the sixth time in his career.

—OLB Brooks Reed has six sacks, a team record for a rookie. He broke Amobi Okoye's record of 5.5 in 2007. Reed has registered at least one sack in five consecutive games. The team record is six by Mario Williams in 2007. Reed, 6-3, 263, has recorded five of his sacks when he drops to end in a four-man front. He's relentless coming off the edge, and he's extra dangerous because he works so hard until the whistle blows.

—LT Duane Brown, who has played so well he's considered the team's best offensive lineman this season, missed a block against Jacksonville that allowed DE Jerome Mincey to drill QB Matt Leinart. Leinart came down on his left shoulder and sustained a season-ending broken collarbone.

—WR Derrick Mason needs nine catches to give him 952 in his career, moving past Andre Reed and into 10th place on the NFL's career list. He needs 86 yards to have 12,147 and move past Charlie Joyner into 17th place on the all-time list.

—RB Arian Foster needs one touchdown rushing against Atlanta to give him at least one in a team record six consecutive games. Foster is looking for his fifth 100-yard game this season and his 14th in the last two seasons.

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Oakland Raiders (7-4) at Miami Dolphins (3-8)

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GAME SNAPSHOT

KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

GAMEDATE: 12/4/11

SURFACE: Natural grass

TV: CBS, Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf

PREDICTION: Dolphins 22-19

KEYS TO THE GAME: The Raiders haven't lost since Carson Palmer's first start against Denver on Nov. 6, and he has more than done his part considering RB Darren McFadden and multiple key receivers have been out. Credit RB Michael Bush, who'll get a stiff test against a rested Dolphins defense playing gangbusters in the last four games. The Raiders' run defense is no stone wall, and Miami sets the table for QB Matt Moore to throw out of a moving pocket with short passes and inside runs to RB Reggie Bush. Moore will get one-on-one matchups outside and push the ball to WR Brandon Marshall, who has 98-plus receiving yards in four of Moore's seven starts.

FAST FACTS: The Raiders are 1-8 in the Eastern time zone since the start of the 2008 season. … Dolphins LT Jake Long has allowed five sacks this season.

INSIDE THE CAMPS

Raiders

Fullback Marcel Reece needs no statistical validation to feel like a contributing member of the Raiders.

"Egos don't win championships," Reece said. "If you have an ego at this game it just hurts you because if you don't get the ball then you're down on yourself.

"I just stay neutral and cheer on my teammates. I'm a fan of this game as well, a fan of this team, and just try to do the best I can."

Reece's best was a career-high five receptions for 92 yards, with a long of 47 yards, in a 25-20 win over the Chicago Bears.

The Raiders were hurting at wide receiver, with Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore both out of the lineup with injuries. So Reece, a wide receiver in college at Washington, found himself split wide on occasion, lining up in the slot, and at his normal position at fullback.

He provides a different look than any other fullback in the NFL in that he can do so many things.

"I don't know that you go into a game against any other team wondering where the fullback is going to line up," Miami coach Tony Sparano told Bay Area reporters on a conference call.

Reece is a prime of example of coach Hue Jackson's philosophy of finding ways to put players in positions to maximize their skills.

"He is a very skilled athlete," Jackson said. "He blocks, he catches, he runs, he's strong and he's very intelligent, so you can put him in so many different spots.

"Somebody's got to match up with him. Is a team going to put a linebacker on him? A safety? A corner?"

Reece has 16 catches for 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns and 11 carries for 63 yards despite missing five games with a high ankle sprain.

He came to the Raiders after being invited to a rookie minicamp and was asked to play wide receiver the first day, tight end the second day and fullback on the last day. At the camp's end, he was awarded a Raiders' helmet for his versatility.

He spent most of 2008 and 2009 on the practice squad learning his craft as a fullback and improving his blocking.

Quarterback Carson Palmer is a fan.

"He looks like a fullback but he runs like a receiver, and once the ball is in his hands he looks like a tailback," Palmer said. "He is kind of a chameleon. Whatever we ask him to do, whether it's line up in the backfield, get in a three-point stance or line up as a receiver, he'll do it. He can do anything that is asked of him."

Dolphins

It's getting to the point where we have to wonder if Brandon Marshall is wearing out his welcome in South Florida.

Marshall remains an effective player on the field for the Miami Dolphins. He's consistently drawing extra attention from defenses, and has produced 59 receptions for 850 yards and three touchdowns heading into Sunday's game against the Raiders. But he's also had a handful of issues off the field that have served as a black eye to the organization.

Last offseason Marshall was involved in an altercation with his wife, which led to her arrest and his diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, a mental illness that creates pervasive patterns of instability and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.

Even though the charges against his wife, Michi Nogami-Marshall, whom police claim stabbed her husband, were dropped the week camp opened, the ordeal was still disturbing.

This week Marshall had to address a dispute he had last month with a Miami cab driver that led to him being detained and handcuffed by Broward Sheriff's Office deputies.

He was accused of fleeing to evade paying a $142 cab fare. Marshall had attended a 30th birthday party for teammate Karlos Dansby at the Fontainebleau on Miami Beach and called the cab to take him to his home in Southwest Ranches, which is located near the team's facility in Davie.

Instead Marshall was taken first to Miami International Airport and then to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, where the taxi driver claimed an upset Marshall attempted to evade the fare. Marshall said the matter was a misunderstanding, and the issue was resolved when he agreed to pay the drive instead of fighting it in court.

"Being honest and serious, I think the guy was a nice guy. I don't think he was trying to take advantage of me," Marshall said. "We ended up at two different airports. At the end of the day he didn't understand me and I didn't understand him. It was a long ride."

After this season, the Dolphins still have three years left on the $47.5 million contract they signed Marshall to in 2010, but it's uncertain at this point if possible new management will want to deal with this mercurial player, and if he'd like to remain with the Dolphins under new leadership, and without a proven quarterback.

While the 27 year old is still a productive player, whoever takes over this offseason will have to decide if Marshall's worth the money, and heartache.

Coach Tony Sparano certainly likes the impact Marshall has on Sundays.

"Take a look at his numbers. You guys be the judge. I think he's averaging the best he has averaged per reception right now," Sparano said. "He's made some big plays. I think his run after the catch has helped him. Brandon is not catching 15-yard balls but he's catching eight-yard balls and running with it. I think that's improved a lot too.

"The other thing that people don't realize when it comes to Brandon is we're putting him in a lot of places so we're asking him to do a lot of things and he's done that well and handled that well so that's a credit to him and the guys that are working with him."

PERSONNEL NEWS

Raiders

—LB Rolando McClain faced four misdemeanor charges in his hometown of Decatur, Ala., in a shooting incident following a fight.

—WR Denarius Moore did not practice and is unlikely to face Miami.

—WR Jacoby Ford did not practice and was unlikely to face Miami.

—DT Richard Seymour did not practice and is unlikely to face Miami.

—RB Darren McFadden did not practice and isn't expected to face Miami.

Dolphins

—QB Sage Rosenfels, who has been on the Dolphins' reserve/non-football illness list, was waived on Thursday, opening the door for the veteran quarterback to sign with another team.

—RG Vernon Carey sat out his second straight practice because of the left ankle sprain he suffered against Dallas.

—OG Nate Garner practiced as the starting right guard for the second straight day, increasing the possibility he'll start his second game of the season.

—S Yeremiah Bell had his participation limited on Thursday because of a turf toe injury he's been nursing for a couple weeks.

—K Dan Carpenter participated on a limited basis because of the groin injury he's nursed the past two weeks.

—RB Reggie Bush averaged 1.9 yards on the 14 carries he had in his one game against Oakland. But he did score two touchdowns in that game.

—FS Reshad Jones is entering his third week as the starting free safety.

—DE Phillip Merling played the past two weeks against the Cowboys and it looks like he'll continue to be in the defensive line rotation.

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Denver Broncos (6-5) at Minnesota Vikings (2-9)

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GAME SNAPSHOT

KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

GAMEDATE: 12/4/11

SURFACE: FieldTurf

TV: FOX, Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin

PREDICTION: Broncos 25-12

KEYS TO THE GAME: The Vikings have the pass rush to spare their secondary, but opposing quarterbacks complete 68.2 percent of their passes with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2011. That's enough to bring even run-first QB Tim Tebow out of his shell. The Broncos have a 249-125 run-to-pass ratio since Tebow's Oct. 16 start at Miami. They won't veer far from RB Willis McGahee and Tebow, but the Vikings are ninth in the NFL against the run. QB Christian Ponder's shortage of playmakers hasn't severely stunted his growth, but RB Toby Gerhart lacks speed through the hole if Adrian Peterson (ankle) is sidelined again and Denver's defense is chewing up third-and-long situations.

FAST FACTS: Ponder has been sacked once per quarter in his last four starts. … Tebow has zero turnovers in his last four games.

INSIDE THE CAMPS

Broncos

A Vikings coaching staff that's already used six different combinations of starters in the secondary this season, has four defensive backs on IR and starting cornerback Asher Allen now ailing can tell you the benefits of stability on the back end of the defense.

It's helped explain that team's 29th overall league ranking vs. the pass.

Denver's defensive backfield falls on the other end of the spectrum. Its consistent rotation coupled with increased repetitions in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme have cut down the number of breakout plays and is operating at its highest level all season heading into Sunday's game in Minneapolis.

"Really, I think it's two-fold. It's a combination of being able to get a consistent group out there that stays together and understands where everybody's going to be on each particular play," Allen said Thursday. "And then obviously, there's nothing that helps pass coverage more than a pass rush and we've been able to do a