GAME OF THE WEEK
Baltimore Ravens (5-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Sunday, 8:20 ET, NBC, Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
Last meeting: The Ravens won, 35-7, at Baltimore, forcing seven turnovers in Week 1.
Streaking: QB Ben Roethlisberger has nine touchdown passes with a 68.6 completion percentage (94-of-137) at home this season.
Flacco Finding Form: The Steelers lead the NFL in pass defense but Ravens QB Joe Flacco had a memorable game Week 1—tossing three touchdowns and looking at ease against Pittsburgh's backpedaling linebackers. The Steelers have excelled on third down with their last three opponents converting just 10-of-33, and Baltimore's game-planning became more difficult with Pittsburgh incorporating more man defense last week. Flacco found his rhythm working the ball inside to TEs Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson, who were targeted a total of 15 times against Arizona.
Linebacker Who?: Coach Mike Tomlin warned an unfamiliar look—or many of them—was in the offing for the Steelers, who might go without three of their top four linebackers—LaMarr Woodley (hamstring), James Farrior (calf) and James Harrison (eye). To protect a patchwork defense, the Steelers will emphasize long drives and third-down efficiency. The Steelers had as many turnovers as points in Week 1 (seven), but Roethlisberger has turned to more quick passes to help his line and move the chains. Roethlisberger's ability to spread the ball around adds a fear factor for a Ravens secondary counting on unproven cornerbacks, including rookie Jimmy Smith.
Need to know: Ravens WR Anquan Boldin has nine catches for 192 yards and two scores in his last two regular-season meetings with the Steelers. … Woodley has multiple sacks in a franchise-record four consecutive games.
Miami Dolphins (0-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)
Sunday, 1:00 ET, CBS, Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots
Gameplan: With rookie Jonathan Baldwin starting to produce opposite Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs QB Matt Cassel has a pair of tall, physical wideouts to go get the ball. Miami's secondary has been a sore spot, so the Dolphins must bottle up RB Jackie Battle with the front seven, freeing the safeties to support the corners. Miami finally saw RB Reggie Bush's big-play flair last week, but still hopes Daniel Thomas (hamstring) can return to attack between the tackles. QB Matt Moore (rib) is playing banged up and only WR Brandon Marshall truly threatens downfield.
Need to know: Bush is averaging 6.2 yards per carry the past three games, but on only 35 attempts. … OLB Tamba Hali has six of the Chiefs' nine sacks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) at New Orleans Saints (5-3)
Sunday, 1:00 ET, FOX, Dick Stockton, John Lynch, Jennifer Hale
Gameplan: Bucs QB Josh Freeman's ability to rally in the fourth quarter is well documented. But it's his slow starts - a 47.6 passer rating with no touchdowns and four interceptions on his first 10 pass attempts of a game - that has helped dig too many holes. Tampa Bay is counting on RB LeGarrette Blount returning from his knee injury to run hard and help set up play-action for Freeman. New Orleans' cast of playmakers has been particularly potent at home. The Saints will attempt to establish the run to create more one-on-one matchup for receivers to attack Tampa Bay's 26th-ranked pass defense.
Need to know: The Saints are 3-0 at home, where Brees has a 124.4 passer rating this season. … Freeman had three touchdown passes and no interceptions in last year's meetings.
Cleveland Browns (3-4) at Houston Texans (5-3)
Sunday, 1:00 ET, CBS, Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
Gameplan: If RB Peyton Hillis (hamstring) can't go, the Browns will trot out Chris Ogbonnaya and Thomas Clayton, who was signed Tuesday. With QB Colt McCoy already having a tendency to look at the oncoming pass rush and lacking downfield threats to keep defenses honest, Cleveland has to stay close and committed to the ground game - even if it's only 2-3 yards per pop. Texans WR Andre Johnson (hamstring) is day-to-day, and might be shadowed by CB Joe Haden in a compelling matchup. But RB Arian Foster has excelled shouldering the load in the running and passing games to keep some pressure off QB Matt Schaub.
Need to know: Browns WR Greg Little is second among NFL rookies with 29 catches. … Foster has five straight games with 100-plus total yards.
Atlanta Falcons (4-3) at Indianapolis Colts (0-8)
Sunday, 1:00 ET, FOX, Ron Pitts, Jim Mora, Drea Avent
Gameplan: The Colts' young offensive line has been under constant duress trying to protect QB Curtis Painter while attempting to play from behind. With Falcons DE Ray Edwards closer to full strength and providing a book end to John Abraham, Painter must get help from his ground game - although Atlanta is seventh in defending the run. Falcons rookie WR Julio Jones is expected back from his hamstring injury to help attack Indianapolis' beleaguered secondary, which will be severely overmatched unless RB Michael Turner is stuffed and DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis assert themselves.
Need to know: Turner's teams are 25-1 when he has 21-plus carries. … The Colts are 6-0 against Atlanta at home.
N.Y. Jets (4-3) at Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Sunday, 1:00 ET, CBS, Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
Gameplan: Bills rookie DL Marcel Dareus moved from end to nose tackle last week following Kyle Williams' injury and racked up 2.5 sacks. Generating pressure won't be as critical as occupying double-teams against the Jets, who have gotten back to using the run to set up the pass. RB Fred Jackson enters as the NFL's fourth-leading rusher. With the Jets matching up well against the Bills' receivers, Jackson's versatility will again be crucial. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick's protection has been hit or miss and Jackson's receiving ability thwarts over-aggressive blitz packages.
Need to know: The Jets are 4-0 at home and 0-3 on the road. … The Bills are 4-0 at home.
San Francisco 49ers (6-1) at Washington Redskins (3-4)
Sunday, 1:00 ET, FOX, Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
Gameplan: The 49ers' top-ranked run defense can overwhelm the ground game of the Redskins, limping following Tim Hightower's torn ACL. QB John Beck lacks the protection and downfield threats to consistently work out of third-and-long. San Francisco's ground-and-pound approach with RBs Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter is setting QB Alex Smith up for high percentage passes. Washington needs to flip the script, get Smith in dangerous down-and-distances and allow OLBs Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan to make impact plays.
Need to know: The 49ers are the first team since the 1920 Buffalo All-Americans to rush for a touchdown while not allowing one in each of their first seven games. … Beck is 0-6 in his career as a starter.
Seattle Seahawks (2-5) at Dallas Cowboys (3-4)
Sunday, 1:00 ET, FOX, Chris Myers, Tim Ryan, Jaime Maggio
Gameplan: Seahawks quarterbacks have been taking a pounding thanks to the league's second-worst ground attack (77.7 yards per game), and coach Pete Carroll is stressing a more balanced attack. Dallas is fourth against the run, but was gashed by the Eagles' ability to get to the edge and cut back Sunday night. With ILB Sean Lee (wrist) out, Keith Brooking, 36, takes over and could be targeted in coverage. Dallas has had similar issues in pass protection, but QB Tony Romo needs to get WRs Miles Austin and Dez Bryant involved early while attacking an injury-depleted cornerback unit.
Need to know: Seahawks undrafted rookie WR Doug Baldwin leads all NFL rookies with 403 receiving yards. … Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware has 18 sacks in his past 10 games.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) at Tennessee Titans (4-3)
Sunday, 4:05 ET, CBS, Marv Albert, Rich Gannon
Gameplan: Still waiting for Chris Johnson to return to form? Don't bet on it this week. Cincinnati is No. 2 against the run and Javon Ringer could play the bigger role as the Titans embrace a high-efficiency passing game that has kept sturdy defenses off balance. Walling off the Bengals' active front seven won't be easy for a Titans front five built to bulldoze. The Bengals aren't yet in a comfort zone on offense. Three rookies—play-caller Jay Gruden, QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green—have been on the same page of late, but RB Cedric Benson, back from a one-game suspension, needs to be the focal point.
Need to know: The Bengals' October opponents have a combined current record of 9-19. Their scheduled November foes are 18-11. … The Titans' 64.3 rushing yards per game is last in the NFL.
Denver Broncos (2-5) at Oakland Raiders (4-3)
Sunday, 4:05 ET, CBS, Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
Gameplan: The Broncos are likely to stay conservative with RB Willis McGahee (hand) planning to play after sitting last week. It'll be tough sledding for McGahee and QB Tim Tebow with the Raiders filling the box fearless of Tebow's throwing arm - although Oakland (eight sacks) doesn't rush the passer well. The Raiders' offense was disjointed in Carson Palmer's debut and must adjust with Darren McFadden (foot) iffy entering the game. McFadden has destroyed Denver with three straight 100-yard games, including two games with at least 150. Michael Bush is a capable replacement, although not as explosive. Palmer should be more comfortable with two more weeks of practice in the system.
Need to know: Six different players have led Denver in tackles through seven games. … Oakland has won the past four meetings.
St. Louis Rams (1-6) at Arizona Cardinals (1-6)
Sunday, 4:15 ET, CBS, Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington, Jody Jackson
Gameplan: The Cardinals have owned the Rams of late, but are likely to be strained offensively with QB Kevin Kolb (turf toe) potentially replaced by John Skelton. St. Louis is coming off of an impressive all-around showing against New Orleans. The Rams shoveled the ball to Steven Jackson, and he'll get plenty of work facing an Arizona defense that surrendered 299 rushing yards to him over the past three meetings. Rams DE Chris Long had three sacks last week and has a favorable matchup against RT Brandon Keith or Jeremy Bridges. Rams QB Sam Bradford (ankle) could again be replaced by A.J. Feeley.
Need to know: The Cardinals have outscored the Rams 259-148 in winning eight of the last nine meetings. … The Rams' next four opponents are a combined 7-21.
New York Giants (5-2) at New England Patriots (5-2)
Sunday, 4:15 ET, FOX, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver
Gameplan: The Giants have the active defensive line to flush QB Tom Brady from the pocket, and their secondary has held up with CB Corey Webster stepping into a starring role. Webster figures to be assigned to WR Wes Welker, and the Giants can push S Antrel Rolle over the slot to counter the Patriots' use of their tight ends as wideouts. To slow down the Giants' front four, the Patriots can bring in Kevin Faulk or Danny Woodhead in the screen game. Giants QB Eli Manning needs more of an assist from RBs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, but has been stellar in averaging 25.8 completions with seven touchdowns the past four games.
Need to know: Patriots coach Bill Belichick is 2-3 all-time against the Giants. … Manning leads the NFL with a 119.3 fourth-quarter passer rating.
Green Bay Packers (7-0) at San Diego Chargers (4-3)
Sunday, 4:15 ET, FOX, Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin
Gameplan: The Packers go for a 14th straight win; the Chargers, home for the first time since Oct. 2, have to rebound from consecutive tough road losses. The Chargers' secondary is ripe for continued abuse without a steady pass rush. Their third-down numbers (15-of-27 converted past two games) are of particular concern with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers—71.5 completion percentage, 20 touchdowns—in town. San Diego's offense is bogging down in the red zone with five touchdowns in last 15 trips, and shooting itself in the foot with penalties (25 the past two weeks) to go with eight turnovers the past three games. The Packers will bring pressure often and QB Philip Rivers has speed advantages downfield, but he has also been struggling with his accuracy of late.
Need to know: The Packers lead the all-time series 8-1. … Rivers has two interceptions in five of his past seven games.
Chicago Bears (4-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)
Sunday, 8:30 ET, ESPN, Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden, Suzy Kolber Gameplan: RBs Matt Forte and LeSean McCoy make for a stellar Monday showcase. Forte leads the NFL with 1,091 yards from scrimmage and has been the Bears' clear MVP, easing the heat on an erratic offensive line. McCoy is the only player in the NFL with a touchdown in every game and is coming off a career-best 185 rushing yards last week. McCoy has a better supporting cast, including QB Michael Vick, but the Eagles haven't typically matched up well against defenses dedicated to two-deep coverage. However, no Andy Reid-coached Eagles team has been this committed to running the ball. Vick and McCoy have combined for 72 carries for 414 yards the past two games, and the Bears have been lit up for 5.2 yards per rush.
Need to know: Bears QB Jay Cutler had a career-best 146.2 passer rating in last year's 31-26 victory over the Eagles. … McCoy leads the NFL with 58 first downs and 48 rushing first downs.
—By Jeff Reynolds, The Sports Xchange
