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Countdown: Packers to rely on air attack vs. Titans
GAME: Green Bay at Tennessee
TIME: 1 ET
NFL Week 17
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Week 17 action
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Vikings 20, Giants 19 -- Recap | Box
Panthers 33, Saints 31 -- Recap | Box
Packers 31, Lions 21 -- Recap | Box
Falcons 31, Rams 27 -- Recap | Box
Texans 31, Bears 24 -- Recap | Box
Patriots 13, Bills 0 -- Recap | Box
Colts 23, Titans 0 -- Recap | Box
Steelers 31, Browns 0 -- Recap | Box
Raiders 31, Bucs 24 -- Recap | Box
Bengals 16, Chiefs 6 -- Recap | Box
Eagles 44, Cowboys 6 -- Recap | Box
Dolphins 24, Jets 17 -- Recap | Box
49ers 27, Redskins 24 -- Recap | Box
Ravens 27, Jaguars 7 -- Recap | Box
Cardinals 34, 'Hawks 24 -- Recap | Box
Chargers 52, Broncos 21 -- Recap | Box
Analysis
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WHAT TO WATCH FOR: With the release of DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, the Packers are hoping that newly activated DT Justin Harrell will help them stop Tennessee's vaunted running game. The Packers are pretty healthy on defense for the first time in a while with the return of CB Al Harris (spleen). Green Bay isn't sure it can pound RB Ryan Grant at the Titans, so look for newly extended QB Aaron Rodgers to come out throwing, hoping to isolate on the aggressive Tennessee cornerbacks. The Packers believe they have to get up on the Titans in order to win. WR Jordy Nelson was dinged in Thursday's practice and there's a chance he could be inactive and that would mean James Jones could take his place. The Packers plan on double-teaming Albert Haynesworth, believing that LT Chad Clifton can handle Kyle Vanden Bosch one-on-one.
CZAR'S SCOOP: There is no denying that the Packers' decision-makers love Rodgers. They wouldn't have traded Brett Favre if they didn't prefer him. But it's pretty interesting that after a seven-game career they gave him $20 million guaranteed and locked him up through 2014 when they had the system on their side. With no deal on a collective bargaining agreement in sight, Rodgers would have been a restricted free agent in 2010, the season when salaries would be uncapped. He basically was going nowhere; the Packers held all his options. Their reasoning was that they were almost $20 million under this year's salary cap, so why not spend that money now. When the Cowboys and Jaguars opted to give their young starting quarterbacks franchise-like contracts last season, at least both Tony Romo and David Garrard had started more than a full season. Besides, the Packers are still reeling for overpaying Grant. His contract is considered by most teams as the worst deal of 2008. And that one was negotiated under duress when the Packers were dealing with an unretired Favre. KGB's release took a $7.7 million cap number off their list.
GAME: Tampa Bay at Kansas City
TIME: 1 ET
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Bucs got a look at the running ability of Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen, and how he can operate a college-style spread attack and no-huddle offense. It's what Thigpen ran at Coastal Carolina. The Chiefs caught the Jets by surprise with the style, which will be tried again because Kansas City has no other offensive option without RB Larry Johnson. Rookie RB Jamaal Charles should share the load with Kolby Smith. The Bucs will be minus RB Warrick Dunn, who will be replaced by Michael Bennett. Rookie Jeremy Zuttah starts for Tampa Bay LG Arron Sears. On defense, second-year safety Sabby Piscitelli steps in at SS for injured starter Jermaine Phillips. Piscitelli is very likely to replace Phillips permanently after this season. Phillips, the team's second-leading tackler, is in the final year of his contract and there hasn't been much effort to re-sign him. The Bucs are 4-0 at Raymond James Stadium but 1-3 on the road, losing close games by a total of 11 points. Bucs WR Maurice Stovall, a solid special-teams performer, reportedly will be inactive.
CZAR'S SCOOP: The word is that Chiefs coach Herm Edwards wasn't happy that the NFL opted to suspend Larry Johnson for just one game — next week's division game in San Diego. Edwards and the Chiefs have disciplined Johnson, sitting him for three consecutive games. The suspension costs Johnson, who still hasn't been convicted of anything, money. But the three inactive games don't cost Johnson a dime. Both the Bucs and Chiefs could be in the market for college quarterbacks in the offseason. Garcia couldn't find two wide-open receivers in the end zone against the Cowboys in last Sunday's failed fourth-quarter drive to win the game. His relationship with coach Jon Gruden hasn't improved much since training camp. You have to wonder if Gruden will be tempted to start Brian Griese whenever he's healthy enough to play. The Bucs don't seem to be in a hurry to rush RB Cadillac Williams back onto the field.
GAME: Detroit at Chicago
TIME: 1 ET
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Bears QB Kyle Orton, who is 11-2 in home starts, lit up the Lions' secondary for 334 yards and a pair of touchdown passes in Week 5 with a personal-best 121.4 passer rating. Detroit's cornerbacks must play better, and the safeties have to provide more support in coverage and tackle better. But Orton will be in for a repeat performance unless the Lions' pass rush can contribute more than the one sack it registered in the first meeting. Six Chicago receivers have at least 200 receiving yards, led by TE Greg Olsen. The Bears are getting healthier on defense, and they should be able to blitz Lions starter Dan Orlovsky, who has thrown 81 passes without an interception in his three starts. And who knows how long that will last with the team reportedly signing veteran Daunte "I'm no longer retired" Culpepper? To keep the game close, Detroit must get more production from RBs Rudi Johnson and Kevin Smith, who combined for 54 rushing yards in the first meeting. The Bears get both starting cornerbacks — Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman — back, plus first-round pick OT Chris Williams (back surgery) will be active for the first time this season. Williams could be the extra blocker in short-yardage situations.
CZAR'S SCOOP: The Lions apparently took a clause out of Al Davis' legal playbook when they quit paying former GM Matt Millen, citing the dreaded "for cause" reasons. If Millen wants his money, he will have to file a claim, just like ex-Raiders coach Lane Kiffin did this past week, with commissioner Roger Goodell. Lions offensive coordinator Jim Colleto got himself in hot water with coach Rod Marinelli when he was quoted as saying that QB Drew Stanton wasn't ready to be put into a game and that if he did Stanton "would embarrass himself." Stanton took exception and Marinelli followed by publicly saying he wouldn't be against Stanton, who has been getting some reps in practice with the first-team offense, playing pretty soon. Who knows what Detroit is thinking long-term at quarterback? They have Jon Kitna on IR and now Culpepper. It's difficult to believe they really plan on getting Culpepper ready to be next season's starter. Garrett Wolfe, the Bears' 5-foot-7, 185-pound running back, leads the special teams with 12 tackles, including nine solos.
GAME: Arizona at St. Louis
TIME: 1 ET
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Well, the Cardinals have decided to start rookie RB Tim Hightower over Edgerrin James, who reportedly is taking the news in stride. On the other side, Rams WR Torry Holt feels that he's being phased out of the offense, which has been explosive with rookie WR Donnie Avery. Rams RB Steven Jackson, who was inactive last Sunday, will be a game-time decision. However, he said on his personal Web site that he would play. Antonio Pittman and Kenneth Darby would share the load if Jackson can't go. On defense, Adam Carriker returns to the starting lineup at defensive tackle. Arizona is awfully talented on offense with WR Steve Breaston being very productive the past three games, plus there's Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The forgotten man is QB Matt Leinart, who lost his job to Kurt Warner and the team is talking about giving Warner a contract extension. Rams offensive coordinator Al Saunders has done a marvelous job opening up the offense ever since Scott Linehan was fired.
CZAR'S SCOOP: When the NFL schedule was released in April, the Rams and Linehan knew they were in trouble. Well, Linehan got fired after he benched Marc Bulger and after an expected 2-5 start, the Rams have faced the second-toughest schedule in the NFL. Those seven opponents are 33-13. But the Rams are done with the tough NFC East and might have a chance to turn their season around. Ironically, it was the fired Linehan's idea to induct former coach Dick Vermeil in the team's ring of honor this weekend with his former quarterback, Warner, in town. The Rams' nine remaining opponents have a combined record of 29-35. Boldin returned to the starting lineup and proved once again what a warrior he is, catching nine passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns, giving him seven on the year. He leads the NFL in receiving touchdowns despite missing two games after suffering a concussion and having facial surgery to protect broken bones. "I just wanted to get it all out of the way," Boldin said. "I was tired of everybody talking about the injury and wondering how I was going to react to a hit or anything like that. I'm just glad that's all behind me now."
GAME: Dallas at N.Y. Giants
TIME: 4:15 ET
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| The Giants' Eli Manning is facing a depleted Cowboys secondary. (Rick Stewart / Getty Images) |
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Cowboys' secondary was supposed to be a source of strength this season, but safety Ken Hamlin is the last man standing. Pacman Jones is suspended. Roy Williams (broken forearm) is out for the year. Terence Newman (sports hernia) is expected back after the bye. And Anthony Henry, who bruised a quad against Tampa Bay, practiced this week and might play. The Cowboys were forced to play rookies — Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins — and Alan Ball, last year's seventh-round pick, against the Bucs. "I think they've played well," Giants QB Eli Manning said. "They know the concepts. When they do press up and play man, they seem like they do a great job. I think they have some talent." Still, you can bet that Manning believes he can beat the Cowboys deep. On the flip side, the Giants will be able to apply too much pressure to Brad Johnson because OTs Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo have struggled with speed rushers all year.
CZAR'S SCOOP: A lot of the Cowboys, including Wade Phillips, appreciated the fact that veteran LB Zach Thomas stepped up last week, encouraging his teammates to work hard but have some fun out there. Dallas has been accused during this slump of not having enough veteran leadership. Regardless of today's outcome, Wade's future will be tied to how Dallas finishes this season, especially with a new $1.3 billion stadium opening next year in Arlington. The Cowboys are hoping that QB Tony Romo will be fine after their bye next week. There is no question that Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will have his pick of head-coaching jobs in the offseason if he decides to leave. There could be as many as seven vacancies.
GAME: Philadelphia at Seattle
TIME: 4:15 ET
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: For the fifth straight game, Seattle is minus QB Matt Hasselbeck and you can bet Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson plans to blitz Seneca Wallace as much as possible while spying him with a linebacker just in case the Seahawks quarterback decides to run. The Eagles want to be balanced because RB Brian Westbrook is feeling better, plus Donovan McNabb also has the use of all of his wide receivers. The Eagles didn't ease WR Kevin Curtis back into the offense last week. Curtis, who missed the first six games recovering from sports hernia surgery, was on the field for 59 of the Eagles' 68 offensive plays in their win over the Falcons. Curtis finished with three catches for 45 yards. Philadelphia continues to struggle on short-yardage runs without G Shawn Andrews. Seattle's defense will be minus DE Patrick Kerney and there's a chance that MLB Lofa Tatupu, who didn't practice Friday, could be a morning scratch.
CZAR'S SCOOP: There seems to be no question that the University of Washington had Seattle secondary coach Jim Mora at the top of its wish list to replace Ty Willingham. But Mora issued an "I'm not interested" statement via the team Friday, which makes sense with him already signed to replace Mike Holmgren next season. Remember, it was Mora's radio comments with old college roommate Hugh Millen that got him in trouble with Falcons owner Arthur Blank a few years ago. Back then, Mora said he would love to be the coach at his alma mater, Washington. Although it was a borderline late hit, Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy wasn't fined this week for a head shot on Eagles TE L.J. Smith (concussion). Smith is out for this game.
GAME: Atlanta at Oakland
TIME: 4:15 ET
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| Michael Turner needs lots of touches if the Falcons are going to win. (Chris Trotman / Getty Images) |
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: On the road, the Falcons will try to get their third-ranked running game untracked. Atlanta has been held under 60 rushing yards each of the past two games, but the Raiders allow 144.1 rushing yards a game. Look for Atlanta rookie QB Matt Ryan, who hasn't been playing like a rookie, to test former Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall. The Raiders have surrendered 20 pass plays of 20 yards or longer, with many of them against Hall. But Atlanta's best chance is to stick with Michael Turner and pound away. Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell has a 91.6 passer rating in home games and he should test Atlanta's young secondary. Oakland needs Justin Fargas to hit the holes a little quicker, considering Darren McFadden (turf toes) isn't available. When Turner has at least eight carries, his teams are 15-3.
CZAR'S SCOOP: Former Falcons QB Michael Vick wasn't permitted to plea bargain his state of Virginia dogfighting charges this past week and thus must wait until he finishes his 23-month term in January. Falcons LT Sam Baker had a disectomy, a surgical procedure for herniated disc material in his lower back. With the first-round pick out, the team signed 14-year veteran Wayne Gandy, who began last season as their starting left tackle. Gandy started five games before tearing the ACL in his left knee. NT Grady Jackson tested positive for using the weight-loss product called StarCaps that includes a banned substance called bumetanide, which the NFL believes is a masking agent. Johnson is appealing his case and doesn't believe he will be suspended. The NFL is considering expanding the review process to the final four minutes of the half to prevent what happened to the Falcons last Sunday in Philadelphia when the officials incorrectly called a muffed punt. Atlanta coach Mike Smith had no timeouts left and couldn't challenge the play, which would have been overturned.
Other Games:
N.Y. Jets at Buffalo: New York QB Brett Favre has thrown seven INTs in his past three games and he needs to put a clamp on the turnovers. Coach Eric Mangini has told him as much. Bills QB Trent Edwards needs Roscoe Parrish to step up with WR Josh Reed out. Amazingly, RB Marshawn Lynch is still searching for his first 100-yard rushing game of the season. The Jets are very good against the run.
Baltimore at Cleveland: The Ravens held a 15-minute time of possession advantage in crushing the Browns in the first meeting of these AFC North foes. However, Cleveland QB Derek Anderson is playing much better and he should have all of his key receivers working against a Baltimore defense minus CB Chris McAlister. Anderson had three interceptions in the first game. Rookie Ravens head coach John Harbaugh used both quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Troy Smith in the game at the same time last Sunday and the trick plays worked. Still, Cleveland must stop Baltimore's running game and go after Flacco to have any chance.
Houston at Minnesota: In their past five games, the Texans have averaged a league-best 410 yards of offense, which gives them some hope. However, QB Matt Schaub has won only once on the road as a starter. The Vikings figure to play keep-away, considering Houston allows 4.5 yards per rush and Adrian Peterson is ready to unload.
Jacksonville at Cincinnati: The Jaguars need to get back to .500 against the winless Bengals, who are 0-8 for the fifth time in franchise history. Despite the return of C Brad Meester, the Jaguars' once-vaunted running game has continued to struggle. Jaguars RB Fred Taylor needs 13 rushing yards to reach 11,000 for his career. During their struggles this season, the Jaguars seemingly have lost their identity. It will be interesting to see if they can regroup and make a run at a wild-card berth.
Miami at Denver: Honestly, the Dolphins appear to be the better team right now. Chad Pennington is playing well and the fact that the offense is looking to gain 350 yards for a sixth consecutive game (that hasn't happened since 1986) says it all. The Broncos are ranked 28th against the pass and are without injured CB Champ Bailey. The Dolphins have allowed more than 100 rushing yards in three consecutive games, and the Broncos expect touted rookie RB Ryan Torain to see his first action of the season. Denver is 10-3 after bye weeks.
New England at Indianapolis: Even with the return of safety Bob Sanders and probably RB Joseph Addai, the story here is that Peyton Manning's passer rating of 79.0 is the lowest it's been since his rookie year. But Manning refuses to admit that he's in a slump, saying that it's a team thing and that's why the Colts are 3-4. Manning also said that his knee is fine and he and the offense simply need to play better.
Pittsburgh at Washington: The Steelers are without FS Ryan Clark (shoulder) and cornerback Bryant McFadden (forearm) and that should help Redskins QB Jason Campbell, who hasn't thrown an interception this season. Opponents tend to be overpowering Pittsburgh's offensive line. Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 47 times last season and he's on pace to be sacked 53 times this season. That would tie Cliff Stoudt's franchise low watermark set in 1983. Big Ben ran his record to 1-7 when he's thrown three interceptions, throwing four for the second time in his career last Sunday against the Giants. Speaking of Clark, he was fined $5,000 by the NFL by honoring the late Sean Taylor by putting the No. 21 in his eye black.
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