Terrell Suggs, LB (BAL) - after
DE Marques Douglas sacked Drew Henson and forced him to fumble on
his first NFL play, Suggs recovered it and was stopped just short
of the end zone. Suggs also had a sack of his own and 5 tackles
(3 solo).
Lawyer Milloy, S (BUF) - remains
hot since returning from his broken arm. The front seven wasn't
getting to Bulger, but the secondary did, and Milloy led the way
with 3 sacks. He also had 6 solo tackles.
Nate Clements, CB (BUF) - another
of the secondary starts for the Bills, he had 6 tackles (4 solo),
a pass defended, and a forced fumble, but his biggest play was
an 86-yard TD on a punt return.
Julius Peppers, DE (CAR) -
he has turned his season around with his third consecutive two-sack
game. He also had 4 solo tackles, a pass defended, and a forced
fumble. In his last three games, Peppers has 13 tackles (12 solo),
6 sacks, a forced fumble and 2 passes defended.
Will Witherspoon and Mark Fields,
LBs (CAR) - Witherspoon continues to thrive whenever Morgan
is out. He had a game-high 13 tackles (12 solo) and a sack. Witherspoon
is tied for fourth in the NFC in tackles. Fields had almost identical
numbers Sunday, with 12 tackles (11 solo) and a sack where he
forced a fumble.
Colin Branch, S (CAR) - recorded
first 2 career interceptions, including returning one 76 yards
to the AZ one yard-line, setting up a TD. He also had 2 tackles
(1 solo) and broke up another pass. He did all this still wearing
a cast for a broken thumb.
Landon Johnson, LB (CIN) -
with Caleb Miller again inactive, had MLB all to himself, and
had second huge game in a row. Game-high 12 tackles (6 solo),
as well as 1.5 sacks.
Duane Clemons, DE (CIN) - 6
tackles (2 solo), 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Lance Briggs, LB (CHI) - fantasy-wise,
he was solid with a game-high 11 tackles (10 solo) and a pass
defended, however most tackles were downfield, as the Colts averaged
over 7 yards a run. Also, the pass defended was on what should
have been an interception for a TD thrown right in his hands,
but he dropped it trying to run before he had it.
Chaun Thompson and Andra Davis, LBs
(CLE) - the Browns had six sacks Sunday and Thompson led
the way with 2, as well as 3 other assisted tackles and 2 pass
defended. After a slow start, Thompson has 11 tackles and all
of his 3 sacks on the season in the last two games. Davis led
the team with 8 tackles (7 solo) and also had a sack.
Champ Bailey, CB (DEN) - led
the team with 13 tackles (11 solo), had a pick and broke up another
pass.
James Hall, DE (DET) - after
a fast start, Hall hit a wall in his career year, but he is back
on track, posting 2 sacks and another solo tackle Sunday. He has
3 sacks in his last two games, for a team-high 8.5 on the season.
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. DE (GB)
- 2 more sacks kept KGB en fuego. Over the last three games, he
has10 tackles (9 solo) and 5 sacks. He leads the team with 6.5.
Robert Mathis, DE (IND) - continues
to excel in a part-time role, registering his ninth sack of the
season (and another solo tackle). He hit the trifecta on his sack,
forcing the fumble and recovering it himself. He is tied for second
overall in the NFL in sacks.
Greg Favors, DE (JAX) - had
a strong start after converting to DE, but had no sacks the last
two games and the addition of Jason Gildon looked like it might
impact his snaps and limit his production. Instead, he had his
first multi-sack game Sunday, finishing with 2, as well as 5 solo
tackles.
Patrick Surtain, CB (MIA) -
led the team with 9 tackles (8 solo) and posted a sack, a pick,
and broke up another pass, as well.
Lance Johnstone, DE (MIN) -
the pass rush specialist had 5 tackles (4 solo) and 3 sacks, to
give him a team-high 8 for the season.
Antoine Winfield, CB (MIN)
- with 6 solo tackles and a pick, he continues to lead the team
in both categories. His third INT of the season sets a new season-high
for Winfield.
Rodney Harrison, S (NE) - grabbed
his first pick of the year in the Pats end zone to halt a scoring
drive, and led the team with 8 solo tackles.
Ty Warren, DE (NE) - career-game
with 7 solo tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defensed.
Orlando Ruff, LB (NO) - continues
to start over Courtney Watson in the middle, and led the team
with a season-high 12 tackles (9 solo). However, too many were
too far downfield, as he and the rest of the Saints D were powerless
from stopping Reuben Droughns from running wild most of the game,
to the tune of almost 6 yards per carry.
Danny Clark, LB (OAK) - thanks
to LT2 running wild on them, Clark, the lone IDP bright spot on
the dismal Raider defense, provided a good day with 16 tackles
(13 solo).
James Farrior, LB (PIT) - the
consistent force in an otherwise sporadic fantasy LB group this
season had 4 tackles (2 solo), 2 passes defended, and 1 INT returned
for a TD.
Tony Parrish, S (SF) - after
recently being criticized for his lack of picks in this column,
Parrish responded Sunday with his first two of the season, as
well as posting 7 tackles (4 solo).
Seattle Back-ups - Grant Wistrom's
return moved Antonio Cochran back to a reserve role, but AC had
a sack, forced fumble, and INT. Michael Boulware showed he was
a playmaker early in the season, but the success of Seattle's
starting secondary was leaving him as an afterthought the last
few weeks, until he returned his fourth INT of the season 63-yards
for the game-winning TD on Sunday. With Anthony Simmons done for
the year and his back-up, Tracy White, inactive as well, Isaiah
Kacyvenski started and had 8 tackles (6 solo), a sack, and a forced
fumble. Rookie reserve Niko Koutouvides saw additional work with
LB so thin, finishing with 4 tackles and his first career sack.
With the latest injury to Chad Brown, Koutouvides should see even
more time.
Derrick Brooks, LB (TB) - had
8 tackles (6 solo) and continues to lead the NFC on the season.
He also had his first sack and forced fumble of the year.
Duds
Atlanta penalties, hands, and a Giant challenge - a strong overall
day by the Falcons defense was prevented from providing more IDP
stars by a few untimely defense penalties, drops, and instant
replay. 1st round pick CB DeAngelo Hall had a nice pick taken
away due to penalty and a fumble recovery taken away after a success
challenge by New York. LB Keith Brooking had a sack and a fumble
taken away by a defensive holding penalty on CB Kevin Mathis.
Brooking, who led the team with 8 tackles (5 solo), also dropped
an Eli Manning pass right in his hands. Overall, the team had
9 passes defended on the day, but only turned two into INTs.
Bears Front Four - after starting
to emerge as a top unit this year, they were categorically AWOL
against the Colts. DT Ian Scott had the best day, posting 3 tackles
(1 solo). DE Alex Brown was one of the hottest IDPs in the league
the last few weeks, but he managed only 1 solo tackle. Opposite
him, Adewale Oguleye had been playing well since his return from
injury, but he didn't even appear in the box score Sunday.
Roy Williams, S (DAL) - after
averaging 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, almost 4 INTs, and a TD a
season his first two years, Williams has yet to turn in a big
play this season, posting just 4 tackles (3 solo) in Week 11.
Facing a bad Bear offense this week, he could atone and turn in
a season's worth of big plays on Thanksgiving alone.
Tony Dixon, S (DAL) - after
starting the season well at SS in place of Darren Woodson, Dixon
was demoted to mostly special teams work Sunday and Lynn Scott
got the start.
D.J. Williams, LB (DEN) - the
1st round draft pick finished with just 2 solo tackles, however
the Saints ran only 14 times. He has consistently posted solid
tackle numbers, but just does not turn in the big plays (yet)
to be a fantasy stud.
Chris Hovan, DT (MIN) - he
has been in the coaches' doghouse all season and undrafted FA
rookie Spencer Johnson has slowly been getting more involved.
It culminated Sunday with Hovan finally being replaced in the
starting lineup by Johnson and only seeing work in some passing
packages.
Kenechi Udeze, DE (MIN) - the
rookie started strong, getting a handful of tackles each game
and a sack every other game through the first half of the season,
but now he hasn't gotten to the QB since Week 8 and has just 5
tackles in his last 3 games.
Charles Grant, DE (NO) - he
did have 7 tackles (4 solo), so not a complete dud, but he just
isn't getting to the QB lately, which is what his owners are counting
on. After moving into the NFL-lead for sacks last month, he has
been shut out since Week 6.
Larry Foote, LB (PIT) - continued
to start at ILB over Kendrell Bell, but posted only 1 assist.
With Bell aggravating his groin injury Sunday, Foote's starting
job remains safe.
Rams LBs - Tommy Polley dressed,
but was limited and played little due to a hamstring. Brandon
Chillar started in his place and had 8 tackles, but 2 were on
special teams. Pisa Tinoisamoa had 4 tackles. Robert Thomas remains
demoted to special teams, while Trev Faulk, who replaced him at
MLB, remains unimpressive. Faulk finished with 3 tackles.
Chad Brown, LB (SEA) - in his
four games back from a broken leg, he has yet to get to the QB.
Though he's posted some tackles the prior three weeks, he was
a bust Sunday, finishing with a season low 3 tackles. After the
game, a torn meniscus in his knee was found and he has surgery
Monday. He'll now miss a few more weeks.
Key Inactives and Related Storylines
AZ LB Karlos Dansby was out
with a neck injury after the rookie had his best game the prior
week.
BAL CBs Chris McAlister and
Deion Sanders. Corey Fuller started for McAlister, who suffered
a neck stinger the previous week. Sanders missed his second straight
game with a toe injury. It was again Chad Williams who took advantage
of the extra playing time. He had 2 solo tackles and returned
an INT for a TD. SS Ed Reed also helped pick up the slack in pass
defense, as he had a pick for the third straight game. LB Peter
Boulware had his recovery from a knee injury slowed by turf toe.
The team has until 11/30 to decide if he'll be active or put on
the IR.
BUF CB Troy Vincent remained
out due to a knee injury. Terrence McGee continues to post nice
stats while filling in for him. McGee finished with 8 tackles
(7 solo), a sack, 2 passes defended, and an interception. FS Izell
Reese was inactive after losing his starting job to undrafted
FA rookie Rashad Baker. However, Baker had just 1 solo tackle
and CB Kevin Thomas was the beneficiary of more playing time resulting
from Reese being out. Thomas led the team 10 tackles (8 solo).
CAR LB Dan Morgan was inactive
again due to a concussion after a brief return the previous week.
Not only this season, but possibly his career, is in jeopardy
with this latest round of head problems.
CHI LB Brian Urlacher was out,
as expected. Hunter Hillenmeyer started in his place, and while
he finished with 7 tackles (6 solo), he was clearly not an adequate
replacement for Urlacher's speed and playmaking ability. CB Charles
Tillman was still inactive, but is expected to play on Thanksgiving.
CIN CB Deltha O'Neal was inactive
to rest a sore elbow. Keiwan Ratliff started in his place.
DAL S Darren Woodson will not
practice this week and the window for his return grows shorter.
The Cowboys roster exemption for him expires 11/30, at which time
he'll likely move to the IR.
DEN DE Trevor Pryce remains
inactive, but John Lynch returned to the starting lineup. Reggie
Hayward, who returned to the starting lineup after being demoted
when Pryce went down had 2 tackles (1 solo), a sack, an INT, and
broke up another pass.
DET LB Boss Bailey practiced
with the team Monday for the first time since preseason, but he
is not expected back for the Thanksgiving Day game.
IND CB Nick Harper is the latest
member of the Colts secondary to miss a game, inactive due to
a shoulder injury that has been bothering him for a few weeks.
Injury-prone Joseph Jefferson got his first career start in his
place and led the team with 6 solo tackles. Jefferson also had
an INT and a forced fumble.
JAX LB Daryl Smith dressed,
but did not play, still recovering from an MCL strain. Tommy Hendricks
started in his place and had 4 tackles (2 solo).
KC LB Monty Beisel remained
inactive and Quinton Caver started for him. Kawika Mitchell remained
at MLB and led the team with 8 solo tackles.
NE CBs Ty Law and Tyrone Poole
remained inactive, replaced by Randall Gay and Earthwind Moreland.
Asante Samuel returned to play the third corner.
NO LB Derrick Rodgers (back)
was inactive and rookie Colby Bockwoldt got his first career start
in his place, finishing with 7 tackles (5 solo). CB Mike McKenzie
(knee) was also inactive and Fred Thomas started in his place.
PHI LB Mark Simoneau, who replaced
Nate Wayne as the WLB the previous week, was out with a concussion.
Wayne, whose battles with a hamstring problem are one of the reasons
he was replaced, was inactive. That left the Eagles thin and Ike
Reese a starter. Reese has 6 solo tackles and an INT. In the middle,
Jeremiah Trotter continues to start, after replacing Simoneau
last week, bumping him to WLB. Trotter led the team with 8 solo
tackles and broke up 2 passes.
NYG Rookie stud SS Gibril Wilson
was out with a shoulder burner. Terry Cousin started in his place.
LB Barrett Green was inactive again due to knee problems and rookie
Nick Greisen remained the starter on the weakside. Greisen led
the team with 10 tackles (5 solo) and is likely to keep the job
when Green returns.
OAK LB/DE DeLawrence Grant
was a healthy scratch, as the team wanted to give Sam Williams
a start at OLB and Grant offers nothing on special teams. Williams
did nothing, but the more notable impact was the base 4-3, where
DE Tyler Brayton started at OLB opposite Williams and undrafted
FA rookie Tommy Kelly, who has had a sack in each of his first
three career games, got the start at DE. Kelly didn't have a sack,
but had 3 tackles and a forced fumble. Warren Sapp moved back
inside to DT.
SF CB Ahmed Plummer remained
inactive with a bulging disk in his neck and CB Jimmy Williams
was also inactive again. Rookie Shawntae Spencer returned to start
at one corner and reserve S Dwaine Carpenter got another start
at the other corner. Carpenter led the team with 8 solo tackles
and also had a sack.
SEA LB Anthony Simmons was
placed on IR last week and his back-up, Tracy White is out another
week or so with a hamstring injury.
TB FS Jermaine Phillips was
out, as expected, with a fractured in his right forearm. Jack
Howell started in his place and had a solo tackle. DT Anthony
McFarland had season ending surgery on his injured triceps. Chidi
Ahanotu started for him and, once again, had a sack. Reserve DL
Dewayne White continues to produce as he continues to see time.
He shared a sack with LB Jeff Gooch and has gotten to the QB each
of the last four games for a total of 3.5 sacks.
TEN The defense is decimated
by injuries, with DT Albert Haynesworth, FS Lance Schulters, SS
Tank Williams, LB Rocky Boiman, and rookie LB Robert Reynolds
all inactive. Rien Long started for Haynesworth and had a sack.
Lamont Thompson and Donnie Nickey started at FS and SS, respectively,
and will for the near future, as Williams is done for the season
and Schulters is not close to returning. On the plus side, Rocky
Calmus finally returned from injury, posting 5 solo tackles. He
started on the strongside with Boiman out, leaving Brad Kassell
in the middle. DE Carlos Hall also returned and started on the
rightside, opposite Kevin Carter, who will remain at end. Hall's
return didn't slow down rookie Travis LaBoy, who had another sack
in a reserve role. He's gotten to the QB in 3 of his 4 first career
games.
WAS Just a mess in the front
seven. MLB Mike Barrow had yet to play a down this year. LB Lavar
Arrington missed his eight straight game. DE Phillip Daniels is
out again with groin problems. DT Cornelius Griffin was inactive
after injuring his buttocks in the prior game. Those four were
suppose to be the respective stars of the DL and LB groups. Without
them, the reserves hung tough for almost three quarters, but were
no match for the Eagles in the end. Antonio Pierce has made the
biggest impact as a replacement starter for Barrow this year.
He led the team with 8 tackles (6 solo) and is tied for fourth
in the NFC in tackles for the season.
Notable Injuries
Bert Berry, DE (AZ) - coming
off a four-sack day and leading the league in sacks with 9, Berry
suffered a thigh injury last week in practice. He started Sunday,
but left early, after aggravating the injury. He did not return,
with Kyle Vanden Bosch and Calvin Pace seeing more action in his
place. Berry is day-to-day.
Bob Sanders, S (IND) - remained
the starter over Mike Doss, who suited up despite a lingering
groin injury, but Sanders sprained MCL in the second half and
was carted off the field. Doss, who already had an INT in the
game, finished the day as the starter at SS. Sanders is expected
to miss 3-6 weeks, so Doss will return to the starting SS role.
Darren Sharper, S (GB) - still
has his snaps limited while Bhawoh Jue started at FS again. However,
after the game, Sharper said his knee felt better. He is recovering
from a torn PCL.
Zach Thomas, LB (MIA) - missed
the second half with a hamstring injury and the team is awaiting
results of an MRI to determine the severity. He had 8 solo tackles
before leaving.
Victor Hobson, LB (NYJ) - suffered
a sprained ankle in the game and the team is awaiting an MRI result
to determine the extent. Any extended absence could resolve the
return of Sam Cowart. Cowart was finally active again Sunday,
but 1st round pick Jonathan Vilma was the starter and Cowart saw
limited action. On the weakside, Eric Barton has been playing
well, and he led the team with 10 tackles Sunday, so a Hobson
injury may be Cowart's best opportunity to see any extensive playing
time in the near future, although Mark Brown is behind Hobson
on the depth chart.
Kendrell Bell, LB (PIT) - aggravated
lingering groin injury after posting just 1 solo tackle. He is
expected to miss more time in what is already a lost season for
him.
Rams Secondary - Travis Fisher,
in the midst of some ridiculously poor luck with health this season,
had a pick and then later left the game in the first half with
a knee injury. DeJuan Groce, who would be his back-up, was already
out of the game after hurting his knee trying to block for Fisher
on his pick. That moved their fourth corner, Kevin Garrett, in
at first-string CB, but he left in the third quarter with a concussion
after a blow to the head. Aeneas Williams, whose time is already
limited at FS due a lingering shoulder injury, was forced into
action back at CB. Rich Coady started for Williams again at FS,
and is likely to continue to in the near future. None of the injured
players returned to the game after getting hurt. Fisher and Garrett
are expected back next week, while Groce's injury sounds more
serious. HC Mike Martz and some of the players complained that
the Bills were intentionally taking shots at the Rams players'
knees.
Anthony Simmons, LB (SEA) -
was placed on the IR last week after undergoing wrist surgery,
ending a disappointing, injury-plagued year for the former IDP
stud. His back-up, Tracy White, is also out for a few weeks with
a hamstring, so the Seahawks are really thin at LB.
Titans Secondary - already
devastated by injuries, a few more went down. CB Samari Rolle
aggravated a knee injury, while reserve DBs Andre Woolfolk and
Scott McGarrahan also left the game with injuries. Woolfolk has
a dislocated wrist and is likely going to end the season on the
IR again. Rookie DBs Rich Gardner and Michael Waddell had to be
used more than usual, with Gardner getting his first career pick
off a pass batted up by DT Rien Long. Also, Justin Sandy, an undrafted
rookie FA DB promoted from the practice squad last week after
Tank Williams was hurt, saw some action due to the injuries.
