START ‘EM
WR Braylon Edwards, Browns at Cardinals: Edwards continued his breakout season with a score last week, his 11th of the year. The Browns’ top receiver plays just as well on the road as he does at home, as two of his three 100-yard games have come away from Cleveland.
RB Clinton Portis, Redskins vs. Bills: The Bills bring one of the softest rushing defenses with Portis needing a good game after two subpar weeks. Expect a game with 100 yards and a TD.
QB Kurt Warner, Cardinals vs. Browns: Warner has posted three multiple-TD games in a row after exploding for 484 yards and 2 TDs against the 49ers last week. He faces a Browns defense that has allowed 25 passing TDs.
RB Frank Gore, 49ers at Panthers: Gore finally found the end zone again last week, his first score since Week 2. He also rushed for 116 yards and 2 TDs while leading the 49ers with 98 yards receiving. He should be able to sustain the momentum this week against the Panthers.
SIT ‘EM
RB Kevin Jones, Lions at Vikings: Jones has been solid this season, but the Vikings field the league’s toughest rush defense, averaging 74.8 yards allowed per game. The Lions will be doing a lot of passing, and Jones will be a forgotten man in the offense.
RB Rudi Johnson, Bengals at Steelers: Rudi Johnson will have his work cut out for him on Sunday night vs. the Steelers, who rank second in the NFL with an average of 77.1 rushing yards allowed per game.
RB Maurice Morris, Seahawks at Eagles: There is a good possibility that Shaun Alexander returns this week and reclaims the majority of Seattle’s carries. Even if Alexander doesn’t return, Philadelphia has allowed only six rushing TDs this season.
QB David Garrard, Jaguars at Colts: Only two QBs have managed more than one score playing at the RCA Dome this season. Garrard only has two games with more than one TD this season.
SLEEPERS
WR Bobby Engram, Seahawks at Eagles: Fellow receiver D.J. Hackett will miss this game, moving Engram back into the starting lineup as Seattle’s slot receiver. Last week, New England’s slot receiver, Wes Welker, caught 13 passes for 149 yards against the Eagles.
WR Anthony Gonzalez, Colts vs. Jaguars: Gonzalez returned last week and posted the best game of his young career with six receptions for 105 yards. He is still waiting for his first NFL touchdown, which should come this week.
TE Chris Cooley, Redskins vs. Bills: Over his last two games, Cooley has 185 yards and two TDs, a trend that should continue vs. a poor secondary.
WR Joe Jurevicius, Browns at Cardinals: Jurevicius faces a secondary that has given up two scores through the air and more 250 passing yards in each of its last three games.
