Lets take a trip around the NFL to look at some key situations that may help or hurt teams come Sunday:
Carolina at Minnesota, 1pm ET Sunday
The Panthers are in a heap of trouble on both sides of the ball due to injuries. Receiver Steve Smith is listed as questionable again for Sunday, but Carolina also lost left tackle Travelle Wharton for the season.
Middle linebacker Dan Morgan missed most of the second half last week against Atlanta and will not play. Adam Seward will replace Morgan in the lineup.
With Morgan out, Minnesota will likely try to accomplish what the Falcons did last week by trying to run misdirection plays to get the Panthers defense to over pursue. The Vikings gave the ball to running back Chester Taylor 31 times against the Redskins Monday night and I can’t see them getting away from that approach with Morgan not in the lineup this Sunday.
Tampa Bay at Atlanta, 1pm ET Sunday
Bucs head coach Jon Gruden wants his quarterback, Chris Simms, to change his arm motion so defensive lineman don’t bat down his passes as much as Baltimore was able to last week. The issue is a focal point for Gruden to iron out because of the pressure the Falcons defensive line can put on a quarterback.
With that said, however, Atlanta has injury concerns among its defensive line. John Abraham (groin) and Patrick Kerney (triceps) both have been limited in practice this week and Abraham might not even play come Sunday.
Arizona at. Seattle, 4:00pm ET Sunday
ESPN.com posted an interesting article about Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby. Dansby has been regarded as one of the best defenders on Arizona’s squad since he entered the NFL three years ago, but injuries have forced him off the field – the latest bump in the road was Dansby suffering ligament damage to his right pinkie finger and left thumb that caused him to miss most of the preseason.
Dansby is now healthy, but it appears that the Cardinals have nowhere to put him with the defense playing well without him. The team had been talking about re-upping his contract at the end of the year, but now it seems that Dansby will have to earn more playing time by beating out either strongside backer Calvin Pace or weakside man Orlando Huff.
On Seattle’s side of things, newly acquired wide receiver Deion Branch will not see action Sunday, but head coach Mike Holmgren is thinking about using more three or four-receiver sets now that he has Branch, Darrell Jackson, Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson.
Pittsburgh at. Jacksonville, 8:30pm ET Monday
As I noted in my NFL Game of the Week posted on Bullz-Eye.com, the Steelers are likely to give quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the nod this Monday night in Jacksonville. As John Paulsen noted in his latest fantasy update, Roethlisberger is coming off an emergency appendectomy, but says he is ready to go for Bill Cowher.
Possibly a more pressing issue than Roethlisberger’s potential comeback is the shoulder injury that safety Troy Polamalu suffered against Miami last Thursday in the opener. Polamalu is a gamer, but he’s listed as questionable and the way he gives up his body on plays may lead to more damage if he forces the injury.
I imagine Fred Taylor is going to have a tough time running in between the tackles against the Steelers defense much like Ronnie Brown did last week. So, look for the Jaguars to take a couple of shots downfield to receiver Matt Jones if either Polamalu can’t play or is limited, to try and back up that stout Pittsburgh front seven.
Got a fantasy question? Don’t forget to ask John Paulsen before you set your lineup for Sunday.
Got a comment or question about your favorite teams game plan heading into Sunday? Post it right here and we’ll get it answered for you.
