The GM Certified Injury Report

Chicago at Atlanta Game Preview

Posted: Wednesday October, 2008 06:29PM, Updated: Wednesday October, 2008 06:29PM

The Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons were expected to be rebuilding this season. With strong play from the quarterback and running back positions, both teams have emerged as big surprises in the NFL.

The NFC North-leading Bears look to win their third straight game, while the Falcons try to build off an impressive victory when they meet Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

Before the start of the season, Chicago's offense did not look like it was going to be keeping the Bears (3-2) in many games. Four-year veteran Kyle Orton beat out Rex Grossman for the starting quarterback job and rookie Matt Forte was named the starting running back after Cedric Benson was released in June following his second alcohol-related arrest in a month.

Orton and Forte have managed to lead an offense that ranks ninth in the league in scoring with 25.6 points per game, and Chicago moved into sole possession of first place in the North with last Sunday's 34-7 win at hapless Detroit.

"If we stay there, we get to the playoffs," Bears safety Mike Brown said. "If we don't, it's going to be a battle.

"Our goal is to stay there."

Against the Lions, Orton set career highs in yards (334), completions (24) and quarterback rating (121.4), while throwing two touchdowns.

"Kyle is real poised," said Devin Hester, who caught one of Orton's TD passes. "He doesn't let things get to him. He's relaxed in the pocket. It seems like he wants to be the guy that takes control of the game."

Orton improved to 15-8 all-time as a starter, as he's back in the role full time for the first time in three years.

As a rookie in 2005, Orton led the Bears to a 10-4 record before being pulled for Grossman at halftime of Chicago's 16-3 win over Atlanta on Dec. 18, the last meeting between these teams.

While Orton was asked to simply manage the game in 2005, he has had to step up in Chicago's last two games as its opponents have keyed on the running game. He has thrown for 533 yards, five TDs and two interceptions in his last two.

Forte rushed for 304 yards on 73 attempts in his first three games, but has been limited to 79 yards on 34 carries in the last two. He still leads all rookies with 383 rushing yards and has emerged as Orton's favorite target, catching a team-high 22 passes for 172 yards.

Despite the Bears' success through the air, coach Lovie Smith insists Chicago is a running team.

Atlanta (3-2) is using a similar formula, as it ranks second in the league in rushing with 180.6 yards per game.

"We're always going to set out to try to run the football," first-year coach Mike Smith said. "I think in the first five games we've done that. When you're able to run the ball effectively, it allows you to do a number of different things, especially in the passing game."

Michael Turner rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in last Sunday's 27-24 win at Green Bay, while rookie Matt Ryan completed 16 of 26 passes for 194 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Ryan, the third overall pick in this year's draft, and Turner, who spent the last four years as a backup in San Diego, have helped Atlanta rebound from a disappointing 2007 marred by Michael Vick's legal troubles and coach Bobby Petrino's late-season resignation.

The Falcons, 12th in scoring (23.4) and ninth in total offense (353.2), are one win away from matching their victory total from a year ago.

"We've been positive and upbeat since the beginning of training camp," Ryan said. "Focused on trying to be the best team we can be."

While Ryan has looked poised in Atlanta's victories, he has been unable to get comfortable when the running game struggles.

Turner leads the league in rushing yards (543) and touchdowns (six), but has been limited to only 98 yards on 32 carries in the two losses. He is averaging 148.3 yards and has scored all his TDs in the wins.

Ryan has completed 45.9 percent of his passes for 316 yards and two interceptions in Atlanta's two losses, compared to completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 547 yards, four touchdowns and one pick in the wins.

Turner may have trouble against a Bears team that limited Detroit to 54 rushing yards last week and ranks fourth in the league in rushing defense (74.2). Ryan may also find himself under pressure, as Chicago's recorded seven sacks in its last two games.

The Bears have won three straight and eight of the last nine meetings with the Falcons.

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Baltimore at Indianapolis Game Preview

Posted: Wednesday October, 2008 03:24PM, Updated: Wednesday October, 2008 03:24PM

The Indianapolis Colts know they could be winless if not for some quick work by Peyton Manning. The Baltimore Ravens might be undefeated if not for a few frustrating penalties.

In a matchup of teams struggling to find consistency, Indianapolis tries to avoid an 0-3 start at home for the first time in 11 years when it meets Baltimore Sunday.

Indianapolis (2-2) is looking for its first win at the new Lucas Oil Stadium after losses there to Chicago and Jacksonville. The Colts, who were 28-4 at the RCA Dome over the previous four seasons, haven't lost three consecutive home games since dropping four in a row in 2001, and haven't lost their first three home games since 1997 en route to a 3-13 finish.

Indianapolis is also looking for its first decisive win of the season. The 2006 Super Bowl champs are coming off a 31-27 victory at Houston last Sunday, rallying from 17 points down with just over four minutes remaining. Manning led two of the scoring drives, including connecting with Reggie Wayne for the decisive score with 1:54 remaining after Gary Brackett recovered Sage Rosenfels' fumble and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown with 3:36 to go.

Indianapolis also had to rally in its previous win, coming back from a 15-0 deficit in the third quarter to beat Minnesota 18-15 on Sept. 14. Manning threw a 32-yard TD pass to Wayne with 5:54 left and the Colts converted a 2-point try to tie that contest.

"You just don't have that many 15 or 17-point comebacks in the NFL, and we've had two in three weeks," coach Tony Dungy said. "Then, we have another game where we score to take the lead and don't hold it. It's been a roller coaster, but it probably just tells us that we aren't playing consistent enough."

Inconsistency has also plagued the Ravens (2-2), who won their first two games then dropped their next two by three points a piece, including 13-10 last Sunday to Tennessee.

Joe Flacco was 18-of-27 for 153 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns, while Le'Ron McClain rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown. Most damaging, besides the ineptness of the offense, was that the Ravens were hit with 11 penalties for 91 yards.

One of those - a blow to Titans quarterback Kerry Collins' helmet by Terrell Suggs - extended an 11-play scoring drive by Tennessee that set up the go-ahead score.

"We are the bad boys of football. They are always going to look at us like that," Suggs said. "From the way the game was going, I think the referee just probably wanted to feel important."

In the last two weeks, the Ravens have been penalized 19 times for 163 yards, but first-year coach John Harbaugh has no interest in changing the reputation of the team, which had been in place long before he came.

"I'm encouraged in the sense we have a tough, hard-nosed, clean, disciplined football team," he said. "Guys that play football the right way - the Raven Way. We're building on that."

Despite a .500 record, the Ravens have one of the NFL's best defenses. They're holding opponents to a league-low 207.3 yards per game and are third in points allowed (14.0), but that hasn't always been enough to make up for the offensive struggles of the team.

Baltimore is 27th in the league with 18.8 points per game, but could have an easier time scoring against Indianapolis' woeful defense.

Although the Colts were able to capitalize on the Texans' miscues - three fumbles and an interception - last weekend, the defense struggled again, giving up 391 yards. Indianapolis is allowing 361.8 yards per game - ninth-most in the NFL - including a league-leading 188.5 rushing. The Colts had one of the NFL's best defenses last season, allowing 289.8 yards per game.

Dungy said he hopes to see more of the defensive effort the Colts showed late last week.

"I thought we had that passion at the end. But it was missing during the middle of the game and we've got to get that back somewhere," he said.

The Colts have won six of the eight all-time meetings against the Ravens, including the last five. They've won all thee games played in Indianapolis, although those came by an average of 5.7 points.

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Detroit at Minnesota Game Preview

Posted: Wednesday October, 2008 10:11PM, Updated: Wednesday October, 2008 10:11PM

Though his team has been throughly overmatched this season, wide receiver Roy Williams still thinks the Detroit Lions have a shot at reaching the playoffs.

Before considering that lofty goal, they probably should focus on ending one of the NFL's longest active road losing streaks against an opponent.

On Sunday, the woeful Lions will try to snap a 10-game slide at the Metrodome as they meet the Minnesota Vikings, who will try to build off their biggest win of 2008.

Poor play and front-office turmoil this season have established the Lions as perhaps one of the worst teams in recent memory.

Since 2001, Detroit was an NFL-worst 31-84 under general manager Matt Millen before finally firing him on Sept. 24. That change, though, failed to pay immediate dividends on the field. After a 34-7 loss to Chicago last week, the Lions (0-4) remain the only team without a point in the first quarter or a defensive interception at any point of a game.

One day after the latest defeat, head coach Rod Marinelli brushed aside a reporter's suggestions of quitting.

"Just you saying that to me, I would take that as a personal insult,'' said Marinelli, now 10-26.

Williams' proclamation also seems unrealistic considering the Lions have fallen behind by a combined score of 94-3 to start their games this year, and they've lost by a combined 81 points, breaking their record for worst point differential through four games

Despite those numbers, he's surprisingly optimistic.

"We still have a realistic chance to make the playoffs, believe it or not,'' Williams said. "We can still be 12-4, 10-6 or 11-5. It happened before. It happened with the '92 Chargers. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.''

Sixteen years ago, San Diego lost its first four games before winning 11 of its final 12 to reach the postseason. The Chargers eventually were ousted by Miami in an AFC divisional playoff game.

Meanwhile, the Lions this year have the fifth-worst offense in the NFL, averaging 16.5 points and 263.0 yards per game. They also have the second-worst rushing offense as rookie Kevin Smith and former Bengal Rudi Johnson have combined for 72.3 yards.

The Lions also could be without starting quarterback Jon Kitna, who had an MRI exam on his injured back and could miss this game. Marinelli said he doesn't know yet whether Kitna will be available, putting his streak of 36 consecutive starts in jeopardy.

Detroit's 10-game road skid against the Vikings is the fifth-longest active streak of its kind. In fact, the Lions own the two longest road losing streaks against one opponent, having dropped 18 in a row in Washington dating back to 1939, and 16 straight in Green Bay since 1992.

The Vikings (2-3) return to Minnesota after overcoming two second-half punt returns for touchdowns by New Orleans' Reggie Bush in a 30-27 victory over the Saints on Monday night.

"It's good to beat a good team on the road to get the win and bounce back like that. There's plenty of adversity. They made some fantastic plays, obviously, but to be able to have that resolve and win it in the end? That's huge. Hopefully we'll continue to do that," center Matt Birk said.

The win allowed the Vikings to move into a second-place tie with Green Bay in the NFC North. Following this contest, Minnesota will face the division-leading Bears on Oct. 19 before heading into its bye week.

Gus Frerotte, starting his third game last week after taking over at quarterback for Tarvaris Jackson, was 19-of-36 for 222 yards with one touchdown, and Antoine Winfield returned a blocked field goal attempt 59 yards for a score.

Reigning offensive rookie of the year Adrian Peterson, though, had his worst game as a starter, rushing for only 32 yards on 21 carries. Still, he's third in the league with 452 rushing yards this season, and had 116 yards with two touchdowns Dec. 2 in the Vikings' 42-10 home victory over the Lions.

Minnesota's defense has been one of the highlights of its decade-long domination of Detroit at the Metrodome. The Vikings have allowed 19 points or fewer while averaging four sacks the last five times the teams have met there.

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Oakland at New Orleans Game Preview

Posted: Wednesday October, 2008 04:52PM, Updated: Wednesday October, 2008 04:52PM

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis shook up his organization again by firing coach Lane Kiffin at the end of last month. It remains to be seen, however, if the move will help turn the struggling team around.

Following a bye week, the Raiders play their first game under interim coach Tom Cable when they visit the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

After several reports predicted Kiffin's firing, Davis made it official on Sept. 30. The Raiders (1-3) claimed that Kiffin was dismissed for cause, and thus would not pay him for the remainder of the three-year deal worth about $6 million he signed when he took the job prior to last season.

Davis publicly lamented his decision to hire Kiffin, detailing acts of what he called insubordination.

"I just couldn't go on much longer with what I would call the propaganda, the lying that had been going on for weeks and months and a year and time," said Davis, adding that the move was based more on Kiffin's criticisms of the franchise than it was Oakland's poor start.

Since reaching the Super Bowl in 2002, Oakland has been anything but a stable organization. The Raiders have gone 20-64 in that span, and Cable - originally hired to be Kiffin's offensive line coach - becomes the fifth Raiders coach in six years.

Davis is hoping the latest change in leadership can help restore the franchise to respectability.

"We'll get back, we'll be back," Davis said. "The Raiders will be back. I have unshakable confidence, the will to win, and I just know that the fire that burns brightest in this building is the will to win, and we will win. We will win."

That could be hard to do considering the Raiders' recent problems.

They relinquished fourth-quarter leads in each of their last two games. After blowing a nine-point advantage in a 24-23 loss at Buffalo in Week 3, they failed to hold a 12-point lead in a 28-18 home defeat to San Diego on Sept. 28.

Cable, though, hopes to help the Raiders forget those results as he makes his NFL head coaching debut.

"I really believe that if we can be better out there on third down, better in the red zone, and finish the game in the fourth quarter, then those things will take care of themselves," Cable told the Raiders' official Web site. "Right now we need to do those three things as good as we can to help us win football games."

Cable has helped the Raiders develop the third-best rushing game in the NFL (155.0 yards per game). This week, they face a Saints defense that is allowing the eighth-most total yards (364.8 per game) in the league.

On Monday, New Orleans (2-3) held Minnesota to a season-low 270 yards - including only 44 on the ground - but couldn't protect a seven-point, fourth-quarter lead as it fell 30-27 at home.

Mistakes plagued the Saints, who had four turnovers, several dropped passes and 11 penalties for 102 yards.

"The quickest way I know how to get rid of that feeling and to get going again is to put some wins together," coach Sean Payton told the Saints' official Web site. "You can't put wins together without getting the first one, so it starts well with playing well in this Oakland game, it starts with eliminating the turnovers and the penalties."

New Orleans' miscues overshadowed a strong special teams performance by running back Reggie Bush, who tied an NFL record by returning two punts for touchdowns.

Quarterback Drew Brees threw two interceptions, but also completed 26 of 46 passes for 330 yards, and connected with Devery Henderson on a 17-yard touchdown. Brees leads the league with 334.6 yards per game and ranks seventh with a 97.7 passer rating.

Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell, meanwhile, looks to build on his career-best 277-yard effort from the loss to the Chargers.

The Raiders have lost four of their last six matchups with the Saints, including a 31-26 defeat at home on Oct. 24, 2004, in the most recent matchup. They last played in New Orleans on Nov. 19, 2000, when Oakland posted a 31-22 victory.

The Saints placed kicker Martin Gramatica on injured reserve with a groin injury on Wednesday, and re-signed sixth-round draft pick Taylor Mehlhaff to take his spot.

They also placed rookie starting cornerback Tracy Porter on injured reserve. Porter will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a dislocated right wrist.

The GM Certified Injury Report

Cincinnati at New York Game Preview

Posted: Friday October, 2008 08:19PM, Updated: Friday October, 2008 08:19PM

It appears to have taken Brett Favre only four games with the New York Jets to erase the culture of losing that came with last year's 4-12 squad. It is uncertain if Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis can overcome that same problem with his young team.

Coming off one of the best games of his storied career, Favre tries to get the Jets back over .500 as they host the winless Bengals on Sunday.

The Jets (2-2) spent the bye week getting healthy and trying to find ways to further the momentum from their 56-35 victory over Arizona on Sept. 28. Favre - in his 18th year - set a career high and equaled a franchise record with six touchdown passes as the Jets raced to a 34-0 halftime lead and had a few nervous moments before putting the game out of reach with his final scoring toss, a 24-yarder to Dustin Keller with 1:54 left.

"It's a work in progress every day,'' center Nick Mangold said of Favre, who leads the league with 12 TD passes and a 110.8 passer rating. "He's doing a great job and I think all of the guys in here are doing a good job of working and making sure we all know what we need to do and how to get it done.''

Favre appears to have found a comfort zone with his receivers, most notably Laveranues Coles, who has 14 catches for 180 yards and four touchdowns - three against Arizona - in his last two games after totaling four receptions for 77 yards his first two.

"I know the guy is a playmaker," Favre said of Coles. "Trying to get the ball to him is important. Even when he's not the primary guy, he's going to make a lot of plays. Several of the touchdowns I threw... he was not the primary read. It could have easily gone to someone else. Our communication has been great from day one. The fact that we've practiced and played together has made all the difference."

While the offense has righted itself with 85 points the last two games, coach Eric Mangini will be trying to tighten a defense that was burned for five second-half touchdowns by Arizona. In his first two seasons, Mangini has made successful defensive adjustments during the bye week, resulting in wins at New England in 2006 and at home against Pittsburgh last year.

"The consistent thing and the thing I stress to the players is the importance of going back and look at things individually,'' Mangini said. "First starting with yourself and being brutally honest and saying, 'What can I improve and have I worked on those things that I need to improve? Am I where I should be at this point and if not, how can I get there?'''

The Bengals (0-5) were thought to have erased that culture of losing by winning the AFC North in 2005, but the last two-plus seasons has seen them backslide into the losing ways that preceded Lewis' arrival in 2003, going 15-22 in that span. Partially due to a youth movement at the beginning of this year that saw Cincinnati release key veterans including Rudi Johnson and Deltha O'Neal, Lewis has been trying to do more with less-experienced players - including seven defensive starters with three years or less - and seeing up close how fine a line there is between winning and losing.

"We've taken some lumps this year, and that doesn't change how I approach what I do,'' said Lewis, whose job is secure despite being the only 0-5 team in the league. "I'm excited about our football team. I actually like our football team, other than being 0-5. I like our guys. I like what we're doing. We're working very, very hard.''

But the Bengals may have to work harder behind backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will start this game while Carson Palmer continues to recover from a sore right elbow. Palmer suffered the injury against the New York Giants on Sept. 21, resulting in him missing a game, and Lewis has not decided whether Palmer will be the backup or the third quarterback behind Carson's younger brother Jordan.

"I've got that first game out of the way," Fitzpatrick told the Bengals' official Web site, referring to a 20-12 loss to the Browns on Sept. 28. "I've been in a live rush situation. I'm going to be smarter with the ball. I'm not going to try and make things happen. I'm just going to stay within myself and run the offense."

Carson Palmer threw for 226 yards and a touchdown in a 38-31 victory over the Jets last year in which they rallied from a 13-point, second-half deficit. Kenny Watson rushed for 130 yards and three TDs for Cincinnati, ending a five-game losing streak to New York that dated to 1990.

The Jets have won six straight at home over the Bengals since a 31-30 defeat on Sept. 13, 1981, when they played at Shea Stadium. Favre is 3-1 lifetime against the Bengals, but lost to them in his most recent meeting in 2005.

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Carolina at Tampa Bay Game Preview

Posted: Wednesday October, 2008 09:12PM, Updated: Wednesday October, 2008 09:12PM

Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said he had to walk away after watching film of the Carolina Panthers' defense.

On Sunday, the Buccaneers coach will see why the Panthers' have frustrated so many opponents this season when Carolina looks to create further separation atop the NFC South.

The Panthers (4-1) lead the division thanks to one of the NFL's best defenses, which has held opponents to five touchdowns the last four games and 268.6 yards per game overall - fourth-best in the NFL.

Carolina hasn't allowed a touchdown in its last nine quarters, shutting out the Kansas City Chiefs 34-0 last Sunday after limiting the Atlanta Falcons to three field goals in a 24-9 victory on Sept. 28. Still, defensive end Julius Peppers doesn't think the team's done anything special yet.

"We're taking care of the things we should be taking care of going into the sixth week of the season," said Peppers, who got his third sack of the year Sunday to surpass the 2 1/2 he had in his abysmal 2007. "I only see us getting better from here."

While Peppers might not be impressed, Gruden said he was after watching film.

"I had to turn the film off and go for a walk," he said. "I got a little nervous, you know what I mean?"

Gruden has good reason to be. Last Sunday, the Chiefs were held to 127 yards of total offense - 35 on the ground. Larry Johnson joined Michael Turner, Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte and LaDainian Tomlinson as leading rushers who have failed to gain 100 yards against the Panthers.

It helps that they were backed by a solid offensive effort by DeAngelo Williams, who rushed for a season-high 123 yards and two touchdowns, and Jake Delhomme was 14-of-22 for 236 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

The 4-1 start is Carolina's best since going 5-0 in 2003, when the Panthers lost to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Panthers returned to the playoffs in 2005, losing in the NFC title game, but went 15-17 the last two years and failed to make the postseason.

While the defense has received much of the attention, coach John Fox also credits a big part of the turnaround to Delhomme.

Delhomme, who missed the final 13 games last season to undergo ligament-replacement surgery in his elbow, has thrown five touchdowns against only two interceptions, and is ninth in the NFL with 1,096 passing yards

"I don't think we wanted to be 8-8 two years ago or 7-9 last year. The reality is we didn't have a quarterback a year ago," Fox said. "Those things happen. ... When you can't throw the ball it's rough."

While the revival of Delhomme and the work of the defense gives the Panthers reason to be optimistic about the future, the Buccaneers (3-2) aren't even sure who will be starting at quarterback on Sunday when they try to bounce back after having their three-game winning streak snapped.

Brian Griese was knocked out of Tampa Bay's 16-13 loss to Denver in the third quarter last Sunday with a swollen right elbow. Griese was 13-of-19 for 88 yards before he was replaced by Jeff Garcia, who went 13-of-17 for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Griese had started all three of Tampa Bay's wins, throwing four touchdowns and six interceptions after taking over in Week 2 for Garcia, who was struggling with injuries suffered in the preseason.

Gruden wouldn't commit to a starter and said it will be a day-to-day situation.

"We're going to address the quarterback situation once we get all the facts," he told the Buccaneers' official Web site. "Obviously, health is going to be an issue. I thought Jeff did do some good things (Sunday). His health has been an issue, and his return to health is also something that we're excited about."

Garcia started 13 games for Tampa Bay in 2007, throwing 13 touchdowns, four interceptions and averaging 187.7 passing yards. The Buccaneers went 9-7 last season, losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the playoffs.

Tampa Bay and Carolina split their two meetings last season with each winning on the road. The Panthers have won five straight at Raymond James Stadium.

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St. Louis at Washington Game Preview

Posted: Wednesday October, 2008 11:45AM, Updated: Wednesday October, 2008 11:45AM

After getting through a tough early schedule, the surprising Washington Redskins know the challenge for them now is to remain focused.

They'll try for a fifth straight win Sunday and look to avoid a letdown when they host the winless St. Louis Rams, who will play their first game under new coach Jim Haslett.

Under first-year coach Jim Zorn, Washington (4-1) faced three NFC East road matchups in the season's first five games. After losing to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants in Week 1, the Redskins have responded with four straight wins, including two in a row within their rugged division.

Washington went into Dallas two weeks ago and handed the Cowboys their only loss, 26-24, before an impressive comeback last Sunday at Philadelphia. The Redskins fell behind by two touchdowns before rallying for a 23-17 win.

"He's got an offense that's moving and doing things well," Washington defensive coordinator Greg Blache said about Zorn. "I think the guy's done everything that could be asked of a head coach. You wouldn't ask anymore from a veteran head coach, let alone a first-year head coach."

After the emotional wins over the rival Cowboys and Eagles, it may be hard for Washington to get motivated for a three-game stretch which includes St. Louis (0-4), Cleveland and Detroit - three teams that have combined for one win.

"It's a one-week season," right tackle Jon Jansen told the Redskins' official Web site. "We have to focus on the Rams and concentrate on what they're doing. We need to make sure that we don't take any teams for granted."

It would be easy to take St. Louis for granted. The Rams replaced coach Scott Linehan with Haslett after a fourth straight loss, 31-14 to Buffalo two weeks ago before their bye.

Haslett, who compiled a 45-51 record in six seasons coaching New Orleans from 2000-05, knows he has a lot of work to do.

"We'll try to get my personality into them as fast as we can, if that's the way you want to look at it," he said. "I do like guys who are tough and hard-nosed and love to play the game."

While the Rams are struggling in all facets of the game, the offense under first-year coordinator Al Saunders has been particularly stagnant. St. Louis has scored the fewest points in the NFL, but Marc Bulger has been re-installed as the starter at quarterback after Linehan replaced him with Trent Green for the Buffalo game.

Bulger was sacked 11 times in his first three games, and has thrown for only two touchdowns.

"Certainly, it didn't start out the way we wanted," Bulger said. "But guys haven't quit, and we honestly still think we do have a chance in the division. Believe it or not."

Before Saunders came to St. Louis, he served for two years as Washington's offensive coordinator. Zorn has in effect replaced him, taking the unusual step as a first-year head coach of also handling the play-calling responsibilities.

It has seemed to benefit quarterback Jason Campbell, who never truly thrived under Saunders. In a division in which the other starting quarterbacks have all played in the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl or both, Campbell has held his own. He has been steady and efficient, and has yet to throw an interception in 153 attempts this year.

"Anytime that you are winning in the NFL and especially in this division, people start to talk about you," Campbell said. "One thing we have to do as a team is continue to understand that we must improve, because now teams are going to put that X on our back. That means everybody is going to turn it up a notch more when they play us."

Washington running back Clinton Portis has posted back-to-back 100-yard efforts as he gets ready to face the porous St. Louis defense. The Rams are allowing 166 rushing yards per game - second-most in the NFC.

The Redskins have won six of their last eight meetings with the Rams.

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Miami at Houston Game Preview

Posted: Wednesday October, 2008 12:12PM, Updated: Wednesday October, 2008 12:12PM

An organizational overhaul is beginning to pay dividends for the Miami Dolphins, giving the once-downtrodden franchise some hope. Continuity, meanwhile, doesn't seem to have helped the Houston Texans progress.

With consecutive wins over last season's AFC finalists, the confident Dolphins look to keep the Texans winless Sunday.

Houston (0-4) improved in each of coach Gary Kubiak's first two seasons with the team, going 6-10 in 2006 and 8-8 last year. But the Texans are still seeking their first win of '08, and are coming off two particularly disheartening defeats.

Miami's last two games, meanwhile, have lifted the team's spirits, beating New England and San Diego by a combined 55-23 to double its win total from a season ago. The Dolphins (2-2) reshaped their organization in the offseason, hiring Bill Parcells as vice president of football operations and Tony Sparano as coach, and they've now won consecutive contests for the first time since a four-game run in November 2006.

"It's only two wins," said linebacker Matt Roth, a holdover from last year's team that has had more than half the roster turned over. "But coming from last year, it seems like we're on top of the world."

After two well-earned victories, the Dolphins could be surprise contenders in the AFC this season. They outgained the Patriots by 235 yards and the Chargers by 188.

"The Dolphins are here," receiver Greg Camarillo said. "We have arrived. Other teams would doubt us before. Now they have to prepare to play a great team. We're ready to play anybody."

The improvement of Miami's defense has been perhaps the biggest surprise. Facing an outstanding San Diego offense, the Dolphins allowed 202 yards and 10 first downs in a 17-10 win last Sunday.

That included a stuff of Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. Miami held Tomlinson to 35 yards rushing, and is seventh in the NFL in rushing defense at 82.8 yards a contest.

The Dolphins' defense has been complemented by steady play from quarterback Chad Pennington (93.5 passer rating), and a rushing offense that is averaging 126.0 yards per game. Miami's Ronnie Brown is tied for the NFL lead with six rushing touchdowns and has thrown for another.

Houston is coming off its best rushing game of the season, gaining 156 yards against Indianapolis last Sunday. But Texans backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels fumbled twice, leading to 21 points in 2:10 for the Colts as they erased a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Houston 31-27.

Matt Schaub will return at quarterback for Houston, but he has thrown five interceptions while getting sacked eight times in three games. Schaub missed last Sunday's game recovering from a virus that forced him to spend the previous night in the hospital.

"You can't wait for that next opportunity to get out on the field and get a win," he said. "We're definitely looking forward to getting back out there this week and getting past this last game and moving on."

Schaub will try to help the Texans avoid their first 0-5 start since they lost their first six games in 2005 en route to a 2-14 finish. That led to coach Dom Capers being fired, with Kubiak taking over.

Kubiak expected Houston to make a playoff run in his third year, but the Texans are having a tough time getting on track. Kubiak, though, is encouraged by the attitude of his team.

"The way I see these guys battling and talking and going about their jobs, I expect them to pull out of it," he said. "They expect themselves to pull out of it."

Houston did have a couple of bright spots against the Colts, with rookie running back Steve Slaton continuing to impress. He has rushed for 285 yards and three TDs while catching 16 passes for 100 yards and a score in three starts.

Defensive end Mario Williams, meanwhile, had a pair of sacks - his first since Week 1.

But after two straight demoralizing defeats, the Texans have to be wondering when their hard work will finally result in a win. Houston lost 30-27 in overtime at Jacksonville on Sept. 28.

"The only thing you can try to do is just put it behind you and that's it," wide receiver Andre Johnson said of the tough losses. "It'll probably be hard."

Houston has won all three of its meetings with Miami, including 22-19 on Oct. 7, 2007. Brown rushed for 114 yards and a TD for the Dolphins in that game.

The GM Certified Injury Report

Jacksonville at Denver Game Preview

Posted: Wednesday October, 2008 10:45PM, Updated: Wednesday October, 2008 10:45PM

The Denver Broncos haven't had a problem racking up yards this season, ranking first in the AFC in total offense on the way to four wins in their first five games.

They're banking on their latest victory being a sign of better things to come from their defense.

Hoping their previously struggling defense has turned a corner, the Broncos will try to improve to 4-0 at home when they face the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Invesco Field.

Denver (4-1) has surged to a two-game lead in the AFC West thanks to an offense that's averaging 415.0 yards through its first five games. Jay Cutler and the Broncos' passing attack have led the way, throwing for 296.8 yards per game, and Cutler leads all AFC quarterbacks in passing yards (1,502) while he's tossed 10 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

As dominant as Denver's offense has been, though, its defense has been nearly as bad. The Broncos are 29th in the league in total defense, allowing 388.4 ypg, and they came into last week's game against Tampa Bay giving up 29.3 points per game.

But in a game where Cutler and the offense struggled to find the end zone, Denver's defense came up big, allowing just two Buccaneers field goals in the game's first 58 minutes en route to a 16-13 win.

"We've been in some high-scoring ballgames, back and forth, and our defense has caught a little heat,'' said Cutler, who was 23-of-34 for 227 yards and a touchdown. "We had some trouble stopping some people, but we knew they were a lot better than that. It's good to see them lock it down this week.''

It was the Denver's third home win this season, all by a field goal or less. Dating back to their regular-season finale last year, the Broncos have won four straight at home by a total of nine points.

The Jaguars (2-3) are certainly used to playing close games. All five of Jacksonville's games this season have been decided by a touchdown or less.

With a win Sunday, the Jaguars can become just the sixth team ever outside the AFC West to post back-to-back wins in Denver. Jacksonville knocked off the Broncos 23-14 at Invesco Field on Sept. 23, 2007.

If they can't end Denver's six-game home losing streak, the Jaguars would fall 3 1/2 games behind idle Tennessee in the AFC South. Jacksonville had a chance to move within two on Sunday night against Pittsburgh, but down one late in the fourth, the Steelers drove for a touchdown to cap a 26-21 victory.

It was the fourth straight game in which the Jaguars had blown a fourth-quarter lead, though they'd rallied to win the previous two.

"It's something that simply has to be better,'' coach Jack Del Rio said, trying to explain another defensive meltdown. "It's the difference between being good and not being good. If you can't get off the field on third down, you give yourself more exposure to all the things you want to avoid.''

Jacksonville's defense ranks 22nd in the league in total defense (344.0 ypg) and has allowed 22.2 ppg, but it's been dealing with some key injuries. Safety Reggie Nelson and cornerback Drayton Florence missed the game against the Steelers, and Ben Roethlisberger took advantage, repeatedly going downfield against a Jaguars' secondary that's yielding 237.2 ypg.

Florence is expected back in Denver, but Nelson's return is unlikely and defensive tackle Rob Meier (knee) may be out as well.

Cutler will certainly look to air it out on Sunday, and he's got one of the game's best weapons at his disposal. Brandon Marshall leads the AFC in receiving ypg (105.8), and he's caught three touchdowns. Marshall had seven catches for 133 yards in the Broncos' loss to the Jaguars last year.

Del Rio, though, knows Marshall's success is all predicated on the man delivering the ball.

"(Cutler) is really operating at a very high level right now," he said. "Their offense overall is very, very productive and it all starts with the trigger man. He's done a great job with their offense."

Though Cutler will have Marshall and is likely to have rookie receiver Eddie Royal (sprained ankle) at his disposal, he'll be without Tony Scheffler and tailback Selvin Young, both of whom injured groins in the win over Tampa Bay.

Michael Pittman and Andre Hall are expected to fill in for Young, while Nate Jackson should get more time with Scheffler hurt.

"Injuries are always unfortunate but guys have always got to be able to jump in and make plays when they're called upon,'' Jackson said. "And my preparation's not going to change at all. Hopefully, the offense won't change at all, either.''

The Jaguars have been without the three interior members of their offensive line, and those absences have shown in their struggles to run the ball. After ranking second in the NFL with 149.4 ypg on the ground last season, Jacksonville is averaging just 108.8 ypg through five games this season.

Denver has done a better job containing Jaguars running back Fred Taylor than any team in Taylor's 11-year career. He's averaging just 50.6 yards in five career games against the Broncos.