With Bert Berry done for the season, Joe Tafoya took over as the starter, but Darryl Blackstock replaced him as a situational pass rusher and when they showed more of a 3-4 front. Blackstock had the only sack for the Cardinals, his second in as many games. ILB Karlos Dansby had his third pick of the season, all in the last two games, as well as 8 tackles (7 solo) before he left with a left shoulder injury in the second half. He returned and is expected to play through it this week.

Atlanta
A week after breaking out after missing most of the season recovering from injuries, DT Rod Coleman went down again. He left the game late in the first quarter after injuring his right arm, but returned on a few passing rushing situations later in the game. The injuries to his right triceps and hand landed him on the IR, done for the season. Fellow DT Trey Lewis also left the game early with a right knee injury and joins Coleman on the IR. After releasing Grady Jackson earlier this year, the ATL DT situation is in shambles. Jonathan Babineaux returns to the starting lineup and the recently-acquired Tim Anderson joins him. Anderson was just signed a few weeks ago after being cut by the Bills. The team moved DE Kevin Huntley up from the practice squad and signed FA DT Jesse Mahelona off the street for depth to fill the open roster spots. While they’re likely to stick with Babineaux and Anderson starting inside, I’d be interested to see first-round pick Jamaal Anderson slide from end and Huntley get a chance at DE. Anderson has struggled to make an impact off the edge as a rookie, but has the size and explosion to be a disruptive force inside. Huntley had sporadically shown upside as a pass rusher previously in Oakland with 2.5 sacks in six games last year. Mahelona is a warm body who was cut after his rookie year in 2006 with the Titans and only lasted a week with Dolphins this year.

DE John Abraham got his team-leading seventh sack of the season. He isn’t getting any tackles, but he also hasn’t gone consecutive games without a sack.

Baltimore
Frustrated with the offense, MLB Ray Lewis took matters in to his own hands when he returned his second pick of the season 35 yards for a score in the second quarter. Lewis also led the team in tackles with 16 (12 solo) and recovered a fumble forced by DE Terrell Suggs on a sack during the first CLE drive of the game. DT Haloti Ngata drew a personal foul after that sack when he bopped CLE rookie OT Joe Thomas in the head. Ngata explained he thought Thomas was going after Lewis’ knees after the turnover. After a slow start to the season in tackle production, Lewis has been on a tear lately. He had one double-digit tackle game through the first five. He has four double-digit tackle games through the last five. Speaking of remaining hot, Suggs has all four of his sacks in the last five games, after going sackless through the first five. He also had 28 tackles in his last three games, after the same number in his first seven.

CB Chris McAllister returned from a knee to break up 2 passes and post 4 solo tackles, but CB Samari Rolle (mystery illness) missed his sixth game. Corey Ivy continued to start in place of Rolle, who is expected to return this week.

DE Trevor Pryce left the game in the fourth quarter with a strained or torn left pec. The team awaits word on the severity of the injury, but HC Brian Billick indicated he thought it was serious. Dwan Edwards will see more work while Pryce is out.

Buffalo
No sacks or turnovers in their embarrassing loss to the Pats. MLB John DiGiorgio led the team with 11 tackles (10 solo). Reserve CB Kiwaukee Thomas was put on the IR due to his groin tear.

Carolina
DE Julius Peppers had his first sack since Week 6, the only one for CAR, and forced a fumble on it. He has just 2.5 sacks on the season. He had 4 other solo tackles in the game. MLB Jon Beason led the team with 9 tackles (7 solo). CB Chris Gamble dislocated his thumb during the game, but is expected to play this week.

Chicago
DT Tommie Harris didn’t start and was limited as he continues to battle a sore left knee. There were reports he’ll need surgery on the knee after the season that HC Lovie Smith denied. Harris, who has a career high seven sacks this season, is unlikely to push it with the team falling out of playoff contention and could have his season cut short if CHI is eliminated from the playoffs early. Darwin Walker and Anthony Adams started at DT and Walker had his first sack as a Bear. CB Nathan Vasher missed another game with a partially torn groin and remains very questionable.

Cincinnati
After sorting through the recent IR moves at LB, the reconstituted CIN lineup kept Landon Johnson in the middle despite Anthony Schlegel returning. Dhani Jones was at Johnson’s normal WLB spot, and Rashad Jeanty at SLB. Even though Schlegel was still battling a bad back, the LB group might be stronger without him. Johnson is also nursing a sore back, but is expected to be fine to play this week. Jones led the team in tackles with 7 (4 solo).

Rookie CB Leon Hall replaced the Deltha O’Neal in the starting lineup. Robert Geathers returned to focusing on DE (he had been rotating at SLB in certain packages recently) and has 1.5 sacks.

Cleveland
The team and his fantasy owners suffered a big blow when productive rookie CB Eric Wright went down on Cleveland’s first defensive play of the game. He suffered a sprained right knee and is expected to miss several weeks. The nature wasn’t revealed, but it is likely an MCL sprain, based on the length of absence (possibly a month) being suggested. Wright is currently leading the team in tackles. Daven Holly replaced Wright and led the team with 8 solo tackles. Rookie Brandon McDonald took over Holly’s nickel duties. Holly should continue to start while Wright is out. On the other side, CB Leigh Bodden battled back spasms while allowing previously unspectacular BAL reserve WR Devard Darling to look like a star. FS Brodney Pool grabbed his second pick in as many games and returned 100 yards for a franchise record.

More bad injury news for the team was DE Shaun Smith being inactive after hurting his knee during practice last week. Smith is likely to miss another game. This forced DE Orpheus Roye, who has been battling knee problems of his own, back to the starting lineup. Roye responded with 8 tackles (5 solo), including sharing a sack with ILB Leon Williams, the first of the season for either. The team had a season-high six sacks on Sunday, giving them ten in their last two games after a league-worst seven in their first eight games. DE Robaire Smith led the way with two sacks. Smith now leads the team with four sacks. Some positive injury news was ILB D’Qwell Jackson returned from a sprained ankle. Andra Davis remained the starter, but Jackson saw some limited action. Jackson’s return hurts the value of all three ILBs as he is eased back in, but mostly downgrades Davis, who did nothing in the two games Jackson missed to reclaim his starting role.

Dallas
OLB Demarcus Ware had the only sack for the Cowboys, his ninth on the season, among his 7 tackles (4 solo) and he forced a fumble. He battled dehydration in the game, but should be OK for this week. SS Roy Williams led the team with 10 tackles (9 solo, including one on special teams). CB Anthony Henry continues to play, but not start, on a tender ankle.

Denver
FS John Lynch returned from a pinched nerve and looked a little dazed after a big hit during the game, but is OK and expected to play this week. Hamza Abdullah remained the starter at SS. Rookie Tim Crowder continues to impress, getting his third sack of the season, all in the last two games.

Detroit
DE Dewayne White missed his second consecutive game with a left triceps injury, however he expects to play on Thursday. Jared DeVries got the start in White’s place. DeVries recovered a fumble forced by MLB Paris Lenon. On the other side, DE Kalimba Edwards got his third sack of the season, and first since Week One. He had 3 other solo tackles. SLB Boss Bailey had his first sack since Week Two.

CB Travis Fisher was dinged during the third quarter and left, but later returned. On the other side, CB Fernando Bryant played after spraining his foot in the previous game. Nickel CB Keith Smith is the top back-up as former starter Stanley Wilson has fell down the depth chart. SS Kennoy Kennedy forced a fumble he recovered himself. He also had 8 tackles (6 solo). Back-up free safety Idrees Bashir injured his right knee during the opening kick-off. He tore his ACL and is done for the season. The team signed FA S Greg Blue to replace him.

Green Bay
DT Johnny Jolly left the game with a shoulder sprain and is very questionable for this week. DT Corey Williams saw more work in his place and had his second two-sack game in his last three. He has six on the season. Rookie Justin Harrell could finally see some significant action with Jolly out. Harrell has been out almost a month with an ankle injury, but is ready to return.

MLB Nick Barnett led the team with 9 tackles (8 solo). CB Charles Woodson had his fourth pick of the season. He has one in each of the last three games. Rookie Aaron Rouse continued to replace Nick Collins (knee) at FS and had his first career pick. Collins could return this week despite being expected to miss a few more.

Houston
DE Mario Williams came out on top in his first meeting in Houston with NO RB Reggie Bush, after the team passed on Bush to take Williams first overall in last year’s draft, much to the chagrin of many fans. Williams had 6 tackles (3 solo), including his fifth sack of the season, as the defense held Bush to 34 yards rushing on 2.3 ypc and shut out the previously resurgent NO offense in the second half. Williams forced a fumble on the sack and while NO recovered it, the effort helped end the drive deep in NO territory, setting up a FG and 17-10 lead for Houston going in to halftime.

MLB DeMeco Ryans led the team with 10 tackles (6 solo) and broke up 2 passes. As expected, Von Hutchins moved to CB opposite rookie Fred Bennett with Dunta Robinson done for the year. Will Demps replaced Hutchins as the starting FS. The versatile Hutchins thrived in the role, getting his first pick of the season and totaling 9 tackles (7 solo). CB Jamar Fletcher is expected to return from recovering after an appendicitis, but will, at best, compete with Petey Faggins for the nickel CB role.

Indianapolis
DE Dwight Freeney was put on the IR last week with a Lisfranc sprain in his left foot. Josh Thomas moved in to the starting lineup in Freeney’s place and DE Robert Mathis brought the pass rush with his team-leading sixth sack, and fourth in the last three games.

WLB Freddie Keiaho returned from post-concussion syndrome and led the team with 9 tackles (7 solo). Tyjuan Hagler (neck) remained inactive, giving Rocky Boiman another start. Hagler is expected to miss this week, as well.

Jacksonville
MLB Mike Peterson broke his right hand in the third quarter, but finished the game and led the team with 6 tackles (5 solo). However, the hand requires surgery and he is expected to miss several weeks. WLB Darryl Smith moved to the middle, opening up a starting role again for rookie Justin Durant outside with Clint Ingram. Smith was solid, but unspectacular, when he filled in for Peterson in the middle much of last year, so his value doesn’t get much of a bump.

Both safeties, Sammy Knight and rookie Reggie Nelson, had their third picks of the year. CB Rashean Mathis strained his groin in the game and sat out the second half. Scott Starks saw more work in his absence. Mathis is very questionable for this week.

Kansas City
Greg Wesley got his first start at SS over Bernard Pollard on Sunday, but left on their third play on defense with a sore knee. Pollard replaced him and led the team with 7 tackles (6 solo) and broke up a pass. Wesley is expected to be out this week, so Pollard remains the starter and likely should hold on to the job the rest of the season now.

DE Jared Allen had a rare sackless game, but DE Tamba Hali had his fourth sack of the season.

Miami
FS James Allen picked off PHI QB Donovan McNabb twice, but the team’s fortunes changed after McNabb was knocked out of the game. Both picks were deep in MIA territory and Allen also had 6 solo tackles, including one on special teams, in his best game of his career. CB Andre’ Goodman had his second pick of the season on replacement PHI QB A.J. Feeley, but it was not enough. CB Will Allen (CB, FS) appeared to force a fumble on a sack early in the third quarter, but was called offsides. The Eagles would score the eventual game-winning TD on the next play. MLB Zach Thomas continued to battle migraine headaches last week, so he missed his fifth game of the season. Channing Crowder continues to replace Thomas in the middle, despite battling a leg injury, and led the team with 12 solo tackles. Derrick Pope remained on the weakside in place of Crowder and had 4 solo tackles. SLB Joey Porter had 7 solo tackles and brought some pressure, but the team had no sacks.

After struggling to recover from what was supposed to be a minor knee procedure several weeks ago, Travares Tillman was placed on the IR. DE Matt Roth was inactive after straining his groin in the previous game and is expected to be out this week, as well. Vonnie Holliday started at DE in his place and Rodrique Wright started at DT in place of Holliday.

Minnesota
WLB Chad Greenway was involved in both turnovers the defense forced. With MIN up by just three late in the fourth quarter, rookie DE Brian Robison sacked OAK QB Daunte Culpepper knocking the ball away which Greenway recovered. Then with less than two minutes to play, it looked like Greeway sealed the victory when he grabbed his first career pick. However, he fumbled it on the return and OAK recovered, giving them a fresh set of down. Fortunately for the Vikings, the drive stalled after they entered MIN territory and the Vikings got the win. Robison leads the team with 4.5 sacks as a pass rush specialist.

DE Ray Edwards had his fourth sack of the season and reserve DE Erasmus James had his first sack since 2005. MLB E.J. Henderson also had a sack among his 6 solo tackles. DT Pat Williams led the team with 9 tackles (6 solo) as the Raiders inexplicably kept trying to run in the strength of the MIN D, up the middle.

CB Antoine Winfield returned after missing two games with a pulled hamstring, but aggravated the injury and sat out the second half. Rookie Marcus McCauley stepped in for him. HC Brad Childress said Winfield could have returned, but was kept on the sidelines as a precaution and Winfield says he expects to play this week.

New England
After just a half sack through his first nine games as a Pat, ILB Adalius Thomas had 2.5 in their dismantling of the Bills. OLB Mike Vrabel had at least one sack for the fourth straight game and leads the team with 9.5 on the season, tying his career high. CB Ellis Hobbs put the cherry on the blowout cake when he picked up a fumble forced by FS James Sanders for a TD. DE Jarvis Green suffered a leg injury in the game.

New Orleans
DE Charles Grant was inactive after trying to play through a sprained left ankle in their previous game. Josh Cooper remained the start, but Grant is expected back this week. On the other side, DE Will Smith remained hot. He now leads the team with four sacks and had his third in the last four games. Smith totaled 3 tackles (2 solo) and also recovered a fumble. DT Brian Young remained out after recent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

WLB Scott Shanle returned after missing two games with a hamstring injury, but had problems with it after the game and is questionable for this week. Brian Simmons would get another start if Shanle can’t go. SLB Scott Fujita led the team with 9 tackles (6 solo) and recovered a fumble.

Another week, another toasting for CB Jason David. This time it was a 73-yard TD to HOU WR Andre Johnson in his first game in a while. David incredibly remains a starter.

New York Giants
The Giants brought great pressure all day and turned the turnover game around on the league’s leader in takeaways. Up by just six late in the fourth quarter, SS James Butler wrestled a potential TD ball away from DET WR Shaun McDonald for his first pick of the season. CB Sam Madison forced a fumble on McDonald earlier in the drive, but it went out of bounds before the Giants could recover. However, the Giants went three-and-out, giving DET one more chance. They drove in to NYG territory, but McDonald was the goat again as he deflected a pass up and Madison came down with his third pick of the year. Earlier in the game, FS Gibril Wilson grabbed his team-leading fourth pick of the season. Butler (5 solo) and Madison (4 solo) both had 7 tackles, Butler also recovered a fumble by McDonald right before the half.

The team had three sacks, all by DE Michael Strahan. He now is tied with DE Osi Umenyiora for the team lead with 8 sacks. Strahan is among the hottest DLs in the league as he now has 7 sacks in his last four games. Umenyiora just had an assisted tackle for the day. MLB Antonio Pierce led the team with 10 tackles (7 solo). He also forced the fumble Butler recovered and recovered a fumble himself later in the game. Pierce played through a mild concussion suffered two days earlier in practice. SLB Mathias Kiwanuka broke his left fibula on the second play of the game. He will have surgery this week and may miss the rest of the season. Reggie Tobor replaced him and should continue to start in Kiwanuka’s place.

New York Jets
Rookie ILB David Harris didn’t miss a beat coming off the bye week. He posted double-digit tackles (11) for the third straight game and got his second sack of the season. He now leads the team in tackles despite starting just three games.

The team had a season-high seven sacks, led by NT Dewayne Robertson with 2.5 and 2 for DE Shaun Ellis.

Oakland
Tweener Chris Clemons was rewarded for his outstanding play as a situational pass rusher and got his first start as a Raider at LDE. He responded with 2 sacks, forcing a fumble recovered by DT Warren Sapp on one of them. Sapp also forced a fumble on one of his 6 tackles (5 solo). Clemons now leads the team with 5 sacks and has some upside in leagues where sacks score big. On the other side, DE Derrick Burgess had his third sack of the season, all in the last four games.

Sam Williams returned from a shoulder injury, but Robert Thomas remained the starter at SLB. Thomas, a former first round pick of the Rams, is undersized, but a solid tackler and good in coverage. He had 4 tackles (3 solo) and forced a fumble that MLB Kirk Morrison recovered. Morrison led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo).

CB Nnamdi Asomugha returned from a knee injury that kept him out of the previous game and grabbed his first pick of the season in their own end zone on an outstanding athletic play before leaving in the third quarter with a concussion after being accidentally kicked in the head by MIN RB Chester Taylor. Fabian Washington replaced Asomugha. FS Stuart Schweigert injured his hip on the first play of the game and was replaced by Hiram Eugene. Schweigert was in and out of the game, finally locked in when Eugene left with a stinger in the fourth quarter.

Philadelphia
DE Juqua Thomas replaced Jevon Kearse and rookie Victor Abiamiri as the starting LDE. Thomas only had 2 solo tackles, but the last one was huge. On a fourth-and-goal with seconds left, he tackled MIA RB Jesse Chatman for a 13-yard loss on a pitch that was a shockingly bad play call. Kearse has been battling knee problems, but has been unimpressive all year. He could be active this week, but will likely remain a reserve. Darren Howard continues to barely be involved, as well. Both players could be gone after this season, although Abiamiri needs to show something soon.

The team had no sacks or turnovers. SLB Chris Gocong led the team with 7 tackles (6 solo, including one on special teams). WLB Takeo Spikes had 6 solo tackles and broke up a pass.

As expected, Quintin Mikell replaced Sean Considine, who is done for the season, at SS. However, Mikell suffered a sprained MCL on the final play of the first half and did not return. The team awaits results of an MRI. After losing Considine, the team is extremely thin at safety. J.R. Reed replaced Mikell, but Reed is more return specialist than defender. Rookie UDFA Marcus Paschal may be a better starting option on the roster, but he was inactive on Sunday as he was just moved up from the practice squad last week. The team will likely bring a FA off the street if Mikell misses significant time. FS Brian Dawkins had a sore thigh after the game, but is expected to play this week. After being benched last week, former nickel corner Will James was active, but did not play this week.

Pittsburgh
FS Ryan Clark is done for the season and was placed on the IR after his spleen was removed last week. Clark had battled an inflamed spleen since their late October game in Denver. The problem is a blood condition that was aggravated as a result of the combination of exertion and altitude in Denver. The good news is he can play again, but I suspect not in Denver. Anthony Smith remains the starter at FS in his place. The news got worse at safety as Troy Polamalu suffered a knee sprain in the game and is doubtful this week. Tyrone Carter replaced him as SS and should get the start this week.

St. Louis
FS O.J. Atogwe sealed the victory with his team-leading third pick of the season on the final play of the game. He led the team with 9 tackles (6 solo). MLB Will Witherspoon set a career high with his fourth sack of the season. He also had 7 tackles (3 solo) and 3 passes defensed. Witherspoon has had sacks in three straight games, as he is one of the key people DC Jim Haslett is leaning on to help their pass rush with DE Leonard Little out for the season. He has even been lining up as an end in certain packages. Witherspoon gets a big bump in leagues where sacks score well.

San Diego
After an incredible string of performances the last few weeks, Antonio Cromartie bumped Drayton Florence and remained a starter at corner with Quentin Jammer returning from a hamstring. Unfortunately, Cromartie ended up a huge disappointment for those who played him, not showing up in the box score, much less turning in another amazing big play. He should continue to remain a starter and remains a strong starting fantasy candidate because of his home run potential, despite a disappointing showing on Sunday.

The team had no sacks and no turnovers. OLB Shaun Phillips led the team with 10 solo tackles. Jacques Cesaire continues to start in place of DE Luis Castillo, who will miss up to another four weeks after surgery on a right ankle tendon.

San Francisco
ILB Jeff Ulbrich hurt his ankle in the game and didn’t see as many snaps as usual. He had been playing more the starter Derek Smith lately. Ulbrich is questionable for this week. Rookie ILB Patrick Willis had just 4 tackles (3 solo) and continues to not produce as well playing with a cast on his broken right hand.

The team had a season-high six sacks, led by 2.5 by DE Bryant Young. On the other side, DE Marques Douglas had half a sack and led the team with 10 tackles (6 solo).

Seattle
OLB Leroy Hill returned after missing a game with a hamstring strain and led the team with 10 tackles (5 solo), including second sack of the season. DE Patrick Kerney had three sacks, he now has 7.5 on the season, the most he’s had since 2004. DT Rocky Bernard suffered a concussion in the game, but is expected to play this week.

Tampa Bay
CB Ronde Barber picked a fumble forced by DE Greg White on a sack in the second quarter and returned it 41 yards for a the fourth fumble return TD of his career. It was his eleventh career TD and ninth in the regular season, tying MIN S Darren Sharper for the lead among active defensive players. It was the first defensive TD for the Bucs this year. The less-heralded rookie DE, White, had 2 sacks. He now leads the team with 4.5 sacks as a situational player, including 3.5 in the last four games. The more-heralded rookie DE, Gaines Adams, got his second start at RDE with Greg Spires out again and despite Patrick Chukwurah returning. Adams had a sack, giving him 2.5 for the year. Spires has a torn left calf and is expected to miss at least two more weeks.

MLB Barrett Ruud continues to slip in the tackle department. After posting double-digit tackles in five of his first six games, he now has done it in just one of the last four games. Ruud had just 4 tackles (3 solo) in the game, but he did reward his fantasy owners with his second pick of the season. SLB Cato June led the team with 9 solo tackles and celebrated a bit too much after the game, as it was also his 28th birthday. He was arrested and charged with a DUI on early Monday morning. If this is his first offense of the league’s substance abuse policy, nothing should happen. If it isn’t, he could be in a little trouble.

Tennessee
DT Albert Haynesworth missed his second game with a sore hamstring. Randy Starks started in his place and Haynesworth is expected back this week. CB Nick Harper was inactive with a concussion and Reynaldo Hill returned to a starting role in his place. Harper is expected back this week.

Washington
With an unexpected three point lead late in the third quarter, the momentum shifted on consecutive plays. WLB Rocky McIntosh appeared to have a pick that he returned deep in DAL territory, but the play was challenged and ruled an incomplete pass. On the next play, FS Reed Doughty was called for a 51-yard pass interference that would lead to a DAL TD. Despite a good effort by the offense to keep up with DAL in the fourth quarter, WAS never regained the lead. Doughty got the start over Pierson Prioleau, as the two both keep the spot warm for Sean Taylor who is expected to miss at least this week with an MCL sprain in his knee.

CB Shawn Springs (6 solo) and MLB London Fletcher (5 solo) led the team with 7 tackles. Fletcher also had a pick. SLB Marcus Washington was back in the starting lineup and played through a lingering left hamstring injury.