• Week 9 Byes: BUF, DAL, DEN, STL
• BAL MLB Lewis expected to miss a month
• TB DE Rice healthy scratch, sent home before game
• PHI DE Kearse injures shoulder, leaves game
• NE LB Bruschi back
• Season officially over for CIN S Madieu Williams
• NO MLB Watson benched after DUI arrest
• DEN CB Bailey aggravates hammy, leaves game
• NYJ LB Barton done, put on IR
• OAK DT Sapp has best game in years
• GB QB Favre turns the ball over to Bengals five times, to fan once

Corner remained thin with Raymond Walls (groin) and rookies Antrel Rolle (knee) and Eric Green (shoulder) all inactive again. Rolle’s injury is the most serious, while Walls and Green should be back soon. Rolle is definitely out this week and expected to be out for the season. Robert Tate remained a starter opposite normal starter David Macklin.

Atlanta
DE Brady Smith rested his broken toe during the bye and was wearing a walking boot the whole week. He is unlikely to practice this week, but could still play. Chauncey Davis will continue to replace him if he cannot go.

Baltimore
The struggling Ravens took another hit last week as MLB Ray Lewis is expected to miss at least three weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered in Week Seven. Bart Scott replaced Lewis as the starting MLB in their base set, but Tommy Polley took Lewis’s place in pass packages, as well as playing outside in the base 4-3. Scott had 5 tackles (4 solo) and Polley led the team with 9 tackles (7 solo).

The team was short another former NFL Defensive Player of the Year as SS Ed Reed missed another game due to a sprained ankle. Chad Williams continued to replace him.

DE Terrell Suggs shared a sack with pass rush specialist LB Peter Boulware. Suggs now has 2 sacks on the season, putting him on pace to fall well short of the double-digit production expected from him.

Buffalo
MLB London Fletcher had just 2 tackles (1 solo) and has struggled while playing through lingering hamstring problems the last several weeks. After being one of the most consistent top LB fantasy producers the last several years, he is well off the pace for a normal year’s output in all categories, particularly solo tackles.

FS Troy Vincent left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury. Coy Wire replaced him.

Streaky DE Aaron Schobel is hot again. After starting the year with 2 sacks, he had none for five weeks, and now has had 3 in his last two games after registering 2 on Sunday night. He forced a fumble he recovered on one of the sacks and had 2 other solo tackles.

Carolina
DE Julius Peppers (broken right hand), MLB Dan Morgan (shoulder), and CB Chris Gamble started despite injuries. Morgan is playing with a harness on his shoulder during games to help hold a previously dislocated shoulder, so expect to see him to be a regular in the injury report each week. Peppers had 2 solo tackles, Morgan had 4 tackles (2 solo), including a sack, and Gamble had 6 tackles (5 solo) and a pass defensed.

OLB Will Witherspoon had his first sack of the season, along with 3 solo tackles and 2 passes defended. Witherspoon has been a bit of a disappointment this year after a career year in 2004.

Chicago
The last time the Bears faced Jeff Garcia, they were in first place and the game was won on an interception returned for a TD in OT. A week short of five years later, history repeated itself as Charles Tillman cut in front of Mike Williams for the pick and ran it 22 yards for the win. Tillman has been the goat a few times this year, including getting toasted by Detroit’s Roy Williams for a TD in the first match-up of these teams earlier this year. On Sunday, in addition to the game-winner, Tillman broke up a TD with another pass defense and had 7 tackles (6 solo). MLB Brian Urlacher led the team with 11 tackles (9 solo).

DE Alex Brown missed an opportunity to get his first sack of the year early in the game after a defensive holding penalty erased it, but he recorded one later. Brown has been a big disappointment this year. He’s still not on pace to match his career-low 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks as a rookie, when he wasn’t even a starter for all of the season.

Reserve DT Tank Johnson had a sack, giving him 3 in the last two games, and looked very impressive once again.

Cincinnati
Cincinnati intercepted Packer QB Brett Favre five times and a Bengal fan made an attempt for a sixth turnover, as a goof ran on the field and took the ball out of Favre’s hands during Green Bay’s failed attempt to come back late in the game. It was the third time this season the Bengals had 5 picks in a game, and all have been against NFC North opponents.

Deltha O’Neal took over the league-lead in picks, grabbing numbers 5 and 6 in the game. O’Neal had gone four games without an INT after getting three in the first three games. Rookie MLB Odell Thurman also had 2 interceptions in the game. Easily the leader for Defensive Rookie of the Year halfway through the season, Thurman has been involved in a turnover every game but one for Cincinnati this year. He has 4 picks, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He also leads the team in tackles for the season. CB Tory James had the other pick, his fourth of the year and got one for the second consecutive week.

After speculation it would occur, FS Madieu Williams was placed on the IR due to his shoulder this week after he missed another game on Sunday. Ifeanyi Ohalete remains the starter at SS and Kevin Kaesviharn should remain at FS. Kaesviharn led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo). David Pollack was inactive with a knee injury suffered in the game the previous week. Landon Johnson, who Pollack had just replaced as a starter, returned with the first team at SLB and had 9 tackles (6 solo, including 1 on special teams).

Reserve DE Duane Clemons had a sack for the second consecutive game and another solo tackle.

Cleveland
Leigh Bodden replaced Gary Baxter and was quite functional. Bodden led the team with 10 tackles (6 solo). He also had a pick and broke up 3 other passes.

SS Chris Crocker was limited after injuring his shoulder. He had an MRI and said he’d play this week. Rookie Brodney Pool saw more work in his absence.

ILB Andra Davis had 9 tackles (8 solo) and his first sack of the year.

Dallas
ILB Dat Nguyen was active after missing several games with a neck stinger, but Scott Shanle remained the starter. Nguyen had 1 solo tackle in limited action. OLB Al Singleton broke his right collarbone in the fourth quarter. His potential extended absence opens the door for Scott Fujita to move into the starting lineup and rookie Kevin Burnett to finally see some significant action. Fujita had his first sack of the season in the game.

DE Greg Ellis had a sack and shared another with LB Bradie James. Ellis now leads the team with 5 on the season and although his tackles are down, he remains on pace to at least match his career-high of 9 last year, despite the switch to a 3-4.

CB Anthony Henry continues to be a worthwhile off-season addition. He grabbed his third INT of the season and returned it for a 58-yard TD. He also had 6 solo tackles, taking over the team lead for the season.

Denver
A week after looking back to form from injury problems, CB Champ Bailey aggravated his hamstring injury and almost single-handedly allowed the Eagles back in the game briefly, as Terrell Owens kept burning him. Bailey finally left the game in the third quarter. Rookie Domonique Foxworth replaced him and had a pick in the end zone. Bailey has the bye week this week to get healthy. Rookie CB Darrent Williams started opposite Bailey and had his first career sack. Williams has taken advantage of his opportunities, demonstrating great playmaking ability, and his lock on a starting role is ensured after Lenny Walls is apparently about to be released.

MLB Al Wilson dislocated a finger during the game, but was back in after a trainer popped it back into place.

DT Trevor Pryce had his first sack of the season.

Detroit
As expected, CB Dre’ Bly (dislocated wrist) and DT Shaun Rogers (MCL knee sprain) were inactive. R.W. McQuarters started in place of Bly and rookie Shaun Cody replaced Rogers. Cody had 4 solo tackles and forced a fumble that was recovered by reserve DE Kalimba Edwards. That was the only production from Edwards, as the return of James Hall last week has cut into his time. Hall had his best game of the season with 6 solo tackles, including a sack. Opposite him, Cory Redding had his first sack of the season. Redding also hurt his shoulder in the game.

Earl Holmes led the team in tackles with 8 solo and just missed a safety on one of them as Chicago’s Thomas Jones barely stretched the ball across the goal line as he went down. Holmes sprained his wrist during the game.

SLB Boss Bailey had to leave the game in the third quarter with an injury. FS Terrence Holt (concussion) and reserve LB Teddy Lehman (foot) were also injured in the game. Lehman has a serious sprain that needs further evaluation. FA Nate Wayne was signed, which means the injury to Lehman or Bailey could be serious.

Green Bay
With Na’il Diggs (MCL tear in knee) remained inactive, Paris Lenon remained the starting SLB and had a sack for the second straight game. CB Al Harris had the only other sack, among his 6 tackles (5 solo). Diggs is expected back this week, while WLB Robert Thomas needs a MRI to determine why his shoulder continues to bother him.

FS Nick Collins recovered from a quad injury in the game the previous week and remained in the starting lineup. He broke up 2 passes and had 4 tackles (3 solo). Reserve S Earl Little was placed on the IR due to a hamstring injury. Little was a vet brought in to help supplement the loss of Darren Sharper and as another veteran presence in a young secondary. All he really accomplished before ending his season early was show he had no business complaining about losing his starting job in Cleveland.

MLB Nick Barnett led the team with 12 tackles (8 solo).

Houston
DE Gary Walker returned from a shoulder injury with a bang, after missing several games. Walker had 2 sacks, forcing a fumble on one, among 7 tackles (3 solo).

ILB DaShon Polk, who replaced Kaliee Wong (IR), had another solid game. He again led the team in tackles, posting 9 (7 solo). OLB Jason Babin finally returned from a torn labrum he suffered in Week Two. Babin remained a reserve and posted 1 assist.

Indianapolis
Pass rush specialist DE Robert Mathis kept a share of the league-lead in sacks despite the bye. TEN DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and SF DE Bryant Young tied him at eight.

Jacksonville
DE Paul Spicer had a sack, giving him a new career-high of 4.5, thanks to his anomaly three-sack game back in Week Three. MLB Mike Peterson also had a sack, his first of the season, and led the team with 10 solo tackles.

CB Robert Mathis had two picks and FS Deon Grant had one. Mathis leads the team with four.

FS Deon Grant twisted his ankle in the game, so rookie Gerald Sensabaugh would see more time if he can’t go.

Kansas City
The interior pass defense was beaten badly and the whole secondary was beaten up. San Diego TE Antonio Gates was a one-man gang, reserve S Jerome Woods and MLB Kawika Mitchell couldn’t cover him, while SS Sammy Knight couldn’t tackle him. Gates sealed the victory running over Knight for his third TD in the fourth quarter. Mitchell led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo, including 1 on special teams). Woods suffered a strained right hamstring in the game. Another ding was CB Eric Warfield, who had a hip pointer. Warfield had 5 tackles, broke up 3 passes, and recovered a fumble. Of all the injuries, the one with the most concern is CB Patrick Surtain. He suffered a sprained left knee and did not play during the second half. He’ll have a MRI this week. Dewayne Washington replaced Surtain. Reserve CB Dexter McCleon, who missed another game due to a groin injury, could return this week and looks like he’ll be needed. FS Greg Wesley had a pick and 7 tackles (4 solo). The pass defense wasn’t helped by the inability to get to the QB. The team had no sacks on Sunday.

OLB Kendrell Bell was a fantasy non-factor again, posting 4 tackles (3 solo). Opposite him, 1st round pick Derrick Johnson had 8 tackles (6 solo) and a pass defensed.

DT Ryan Sims remains inactive with a foot sprain suffered in their first game.

Miami
DE Jason Taylor continues to play through a torn plantar fascia. He was limited to just 2 solo tackles and a pass defended. Opposite him, Kevin Carter started after leaving the game early the previous week with a leg injury. Carter had a sack for his second career safety and another solo tackle. The rest of the line played very well. DT Vonnie Holliday had his best game as a Dolphin, with 6 solo tackles and a sack. DT Keith Traylor and reserve DT Jeff Zgonina each had a sack, as well.

SS Tebucky Jones (IR) was replaced by Travares Tillman in the starting lineup. Tillman had 4 tackles (2 solo). FS Lance Schulters played through a quad injury and had 2 tackles (1 solo). CB Sam Madison was unable to play through a hip pointer and was inactive, breaking a streak of 59 straight games played. Embattled CB Reggie Howard started in his place and had 4 solo tackles and a pick. Kiwaukee Thomas moved into the nickel CB role.

SLB Juinor Seau missed another game due to lingering calf problems and Donnie Spragan continues to start in his place. MLB Zach Thomas had just 2 solo tackles, but no injury was reported. Odd.

Minnesota
CB Fred Smoot began the trash talk with Carolina WR Steve Smith before the game even started, but there wasn’t much left for him to say after being beaten for most of Smith’s franchise-record 201 yards receiving and a TD. Smith didn’t just let his play do the talking, he threw a little smack back, mimicking rowing a boat after one catch, apparently a reference to the Lake Minnetonka boat incident. All the chasing around of Smith did help Smoot’s fantasy performance, as he led the team with 10 tackles (9 solo). He also led the team in penalties with five. Injury was added to insult when Smoot had to leave in the fourth quarter with an injury to his right shoulder. The injury is being called a bruise after a MRI and he should be good for this week.

The starting LB corps remained the same. Outside, Keith Newman and Raonall Smith have yet to register a sack in the three games since the switch to a 3-4. The team had no sacks or turnovers in the game. Inside remained Sam Cowart and E.J. Henderson. Cowart had 7 tackles (6 solo) and a pass defended. Reserve LB Dontarrious Thomas missed another game with a knee injury.

1st round pick DE Erasmus James had a rare appearance in the box score erased by a penalty. A fumble he forced on a sack and recovered was overturned by a Fred Smoot defensive holding penalty.

CB Antoine Winfield echoed similar comments posted in this column weeks ago – the Vikings scheme (ergo, DC Ted Cottrell) is hurting the defense. Interesting read.

New England
Unless you are living in a cave without ESPN, you are probably aware ILB Tedy Bruschi returned. He started, played on over 80% of the defensive snaps, and was even on special teams. He finished the game with 7 tackles (2 solo). He bumped Chad Brown from the starting lineup. Brown was inactive, despite not being on the injury report last week. Rosey Colvin also was a starter on the outside opposite Willie McGinest, with Mike Vrabel moving inside next to Bruschi. This bumped Monty Beisel out of the starting lineup. Brown and Beisel were two of the vets brought in to help offset the lose of Bruschi and retirement of Ted Johnson in the off-season, and neither has been impressive. If Bruschi can maintain this level of play the rest of the year, both lose almost all the little value they had as starters. Colvin and Vrabel each had a sack, while Vrabel also led the team with 14 tackles (9 solo) and a pass defensed. Obviously the move inside agrees with him and his fantasy value goes up.

DE Richard Seymour missed his third straight game with a knee injury, despite being expected back this week. Jarvis Green continues to start in his place.

The murky week-to-week CB picture in New England got a little clearer. Tyrone Poole is done for the season, and possibly his career, after being put on the IR with a foot injury. Poole played in the season opener and hasn’t played since. Asante Samuel has been the one constant at corner for the Pats, starting every game. He had his first pick on Sunday. Opposite him, a healthy Duane Starks appears to be hanging on to the other starting job. Randall Gay was inactive after the bye, despite playing in Week Six. He has been battling ankle problems.

Journeyman Arturo Freeman got the start at SS and looks to be the latest option to replace Rodney Harrison, who is on the IR. Freeman had 5 tackles (3 solo). If he hangs on to the starting job, he has some value in the opportunistic Patriot defense.

New Orleans
MLB Courtney Watson was benched after an arrest for DUI on late Wednesday/early Thursday. The Notre Dame grad had an open bottle of beer in a cup holder and was “combative” during questioning and a failed field sobriety test. Ronald McKinnon replaced him in the starting lineup and had 8 tackles (7 solo). Watson saw limited work later in the game.

SS Dwight Smith returned after missing a game and had 7 solo tackles and a pick.

DE Darren Howard showed no ill effects of a dislocated finger, posting 7 tackles (5 solo), a sack, and forced a fumble he recovered. Reserve DE Will Smith also had a sack and leads the team with 4 for the year. DE Charles Grant appears to continue to be limited by a toe injury. He had 3 solo tackles, but has just 1.5 sacks on the season.

CB Mike McKenzie aggravated a shoulder injury during the game, but should play this week.

New York Giants
SLB Carlos Emmons was inactive due to his chest injury and Reggie Tobor returned to the starting lineup in his place. Tobor had only 1 assist on defense, but 2 solo tackles and a forced fumble on special teams. Nick Greisen remains the WLB, posting 4 tackles (3 solo) and forcing a fumble. MLB Antonio Pierce led the team with 11 tackles (7 solo) and an INT.

Ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora each had 4 solo tackles. One of those was a sack for Strahan, while two were for Umenyiora, who also had a fumble recovery.

Reserve S Shaun Williams left the game in the first quarter with a pulled hamstring.

New York Jets
WLB Eric Barton’s season is officially over after going on the IR. Bump up the value of his replacement, Mark Brown.

Oakland
A restructured Raider secondary featured 1st round pick Fabian Washington moving into the starting lineup to replace Charles Woodson (broken right leg) and Jarrod Cooper was at SS in place of Derrick Gibson (dislocated wrist). Washington had 3 solo tackles and broke up 3 passes. Cooper had 6 solo tackles and was in the right place at the right time to make a big play and help stop the Tennessee from getting back in the game in the second quarter. After falling behind by 17, the Titans scored a couple quick TDs to get within 5 points. Then an 82-yard punt return for a TD that would have given the Titans the lead was erased on a penalty. With Tennessee instead stuck deep in their own territory, DT Warren Sapp sacked Tennessee QB Steve McNair, forcing a fumble that rolled to the end zone and Cooper recovered for a TD. The Titans were unable to overcome that key 14 point swing for the Raiders. Sapp had his best game as a Raider, finishing with 6 tackles (5 solo), 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Sapp had just 2.5 sacks all of last season, his first as a Raider. He now has 4.5 and is on track for his best season since 2002. The team had a season-high 6 sacks in the game.

ILB Danny Clark had his best game of the season, leading the team with 12 tackles (7 solo) and getting a sack, his first big fantasy play of the season.

DE Bobby Hamilton left after turning his ankle, but returned to the game. Hamilton finished with 5 solo tackles and a fumble recovery. DE Derrick Burgess, who had been hot lately despite not being a starter, was a non-factor. He had just 1 assist.

Philadelphia
Injury was added to insult during a whipping by the Broncos. DE Jevon Kearse suffered an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder in the first quarter and did not return. X-rays were negative and a MRI will be done this week. He is considered day-to-day, at this point. Kearse was looking like he might have his first big game of the season after an early sack. Rookie Trent Cole replaced him and had 4 tackles (2 solo). CB Lito Sheppard hurt his knee last week in practice and was questionable for the game, but he did start. He clearly wasn’t 100%, coming in and out of the game, and getting beaten on some easy routes. He sat out the second half when he couldn’t play through the injury. He had 4 solo tackles before leaving. Roderick Hood replaced him with the first unit in the second half. CB Sheldon Brown played through a hip injury that occurred during the game. Reserve DT Sam Rayburn had a neck stinger during the game. SS Michael Lewis left that game in the third quarter after being shaken up. Quintin Mikell replaced him.

MLB Jeremiah Trotter led the team with 11 tackles (10 solo).

Pittsburgh
OLB Clark Haggans returned from a partially torn groin and picked up where he left off. He had 6 tackles (4 solo), including a sack.

FS Chris Hope had a pick for the second consecutive game and has 3 on the season. SS Troy Polamalu led the team with 10 tackles (6 solo). CB Ike Taylor, who has been a tackle-machine this season, added 9 more (8 solo) and had his first INT of the season.

St. Louis
For the second straight game, a big play by FS Mike Furrey clinched victory. He returned a pick in the fourth quarter 37 yards, setting up the game-winning TD by RB Steven Jackson. Furrey also had a fumble recovery and 6 tackles (5 solo). The converted WR has thrived since being moved to starting FS and has a knack for the big play.

CB Corey Ivy led the team with 8 solo tackles. Ivy also applied pressure on a key fourth down play, forcing an incomplete to help seal the win. He started in place of Travis Fisher, who was inactive with a groin injury suffered in Week 7.

DE Leonard Little missed his second straight game since the tragic murder of his brother. He is expected back next week. Tyoka Jackson again started in his place, but got dinged up, giving Brandon Green a chance for some more time. Green responded with 4 tackles (3 solo) and a sack.

There was a Chris Claiborne sighting. The MLB had a rare productive day in his embattled first season with the Rams. He finished 6 solo tackles, a forced fumble, and shared a sack with DT Ryan Pickett. Fortunately, there was no sighting of DT Damione Lewis punching anyone in the groin this week.

Rookie reserve LB Brandon Chillar had his first career TD. Reserve LB Drew Wahlroos came in clean on a punt and blocked it, which Chillar scooped up and returned 29-yards for a TD.

San Diego
A week after making his first start, 1st round pick Shawne Merriman had his first impact game. A regular visitor in the Kansas City backfield, he posted 2 sacks, forcing a fumble after losing his helmet on one of them, among his 5 tackles (4 solo). He also knocked Priest Holmes out of the game with a big hit. He tweaked his groin during the game, but it didn’t appear to slow him down. This performance was needed, as the Chargers were short-handed in the LB corps. ILB Randall Godfrey was out with a neck injury. Stephen Cooper started in his place and posted 8 tackles (5 solo), half a sack, and had the key pressure in forcing a fourth down, fourth quarter incompletion by Chief QB Trent Green in the Charger red zone. OLB Steve Foley was inactive with an abdominal strain that has apparently been bothering him for weeks, and would help explain why the 2004 breakout star has not been as productive. Shaun Phillips replaced him as a starter outside and had 2 tackles (1 solo), as well as recovering the fumble Merriman forced. ILB Donnie Edwards played through a knee injury from Week Sever, finishing with 11 tackles (5 solo).

A week after having to be carted off the field with a rib injury, CB Sammy Davis showed no ill effects, as he led the team with a career-high 11 tackles (10 solo). SS Terrence Kiel had to leave the game with a calf injury after posting just 1 solo tackle.

San Francisco
After a couple of quiet weeks, DE Bryant Young was on a tear again. He had his third multi-sack game of the season, picking up 2 and forcing a fumble on one. He’s moved back into a tie for the league-lead in sacks with 8, the most he’s had in a season since 2000.

CB Ahmed Plummer (ankle) and LB Saleem Rasheed (knee) were both inactive after arthroscopic surgery on their ailments a few weeks ago. Plummer could be back this week, but is likely to miss some more time.

Seattle
FS Ken Hamlin is improving as he now rests at home. Hamlin suffered a blood clot in his brain, skull fracture, bruising of brain tissue, and a broken hand in a fight after their Week Seven game. Marquand Manuel should continue to replace him in the foreseeable future. Hamlin was placed on the non-football injured reserve list, which means the team could release him and recover the remainder of his contract for getting hurt outside of football. However, this would not only seem like a bad PR move, but Hamlin is a talented player if he can fully recover and be ready for next year.

CB Andre Dyson is expected back this week after missing two games with a hamstring.

Tampa Bay
Several IDP owners were unpleasantly surprised by a goose egg from DE Simeon Rice on Sunday. Rice was a healthy scratch, and apparently even sent home from San Francisco, for allegedly missing a team meeting on Saturday before the game. HC Jon Gruden said the situation is over and Rice will be back this week. Dewayne White started in his place and had 4 solo tackles.

LB Derrick Brooks led the team with 9 tackles (6 solo). He tweaked his hamstring during the game, but was able to finish. It bothered him a bit more after the game, so keep an eye out for his status this week.

As expected, FS Dexter Jackson was inactive due to a hamstring injury. He remains out indefinitely. Will Allen started at FS and had 7 tackles (6 solo).

Tennessee
What could have been the game with his first big impact, ended with another highlight for the folly file of embattled 1st round pick PacMan Jones. After spotting Oakland 17 points, two quick scores in the second quarter brought the Titans within five. The defense held Oakland the next drive and then Jones took the punt back 82 yards for what should have given Tennessee the lead for the first time. Instead, a questionable personal foul on SS Tank Williams erased the return. Buried deep in their own territory, the Titans would turn the ball over for an Oakland defensive TD three plays later. The Titans managed to hang around, down only two when Jones cost them the game in the fourth quarter. On a short pass to Jerry Porter, Jones made a weak tackle attempt on him on the sidelines. Porter then turned it up field for a 44-yard score with less than five minutes left to seal the victory. Porter, covered mostly by Jones, had his best game of the season, mostly comprised of that play. Jones finished the day with 2 solo tackles and a pass defended. Opposite Jones, CB Andre Woolfolk was inactive with a hamstring injury. Reynaldo Hill started in his place and turned in a huge play. He posted 5 tackles (4 solo) and returning a pick 52 yard for a score.

DE Kyle Vanden Bosch had a half sack and regained a share of the league-lead with 8 on the season. He also finished with 4 tackles (2 solo). Opposite him, DE Antwan Odom had to leave the game briefly in the second quarter with an apparent leg injury. He returned and finished with 3 tackles (1 solo). Reserve DT Rien Long had a sack for the second straight game.

OLB Keith Bulluck led the team with 6 tackles (4 solo).

Washington
The Giants running wild on them left plenty of tackle opportunities, and three Redskins finished with double-digit tackles. MLB Lemar Marshall led the team with 13 tackles (10 solo, including 1 on special teams). SS Ryan Clark had 11 solo and a pick. CB Walt Harris had 10 (6 solo).

DT Cornelius Griffin was limited by a strained hip flexor he suffered during Week Seven. He was limited to only two plays in the game before leaving. DE Phillip Daniels also had to leave the game with an ankle injury. The absences meant more time for Demetric Evans, who had a sack among his 7 tackles (6 solo) and broke up a pass.

LB Lavar Arrington saw decent work again, primarily in passing situation, and posted 4 tackles (3 solo).