MNF: Saints Preview

Players To Watch:

DT Sedrick Ellis – The New Orleans defense has greatly improved this year, and has a great pass defense to go along with their ability to create turnovers. Their stout pass defense starts up front with Ellis, as the 3^rd year big man is a nightmare to block and doesn’t give opposing QBs much time to operate in the pocket. Ellis has 6 sacks this year and is getting better with every game, making neither the run nor the pass attracting options for his opponents. Matt Ryan is an elite QB, but still is only in his 3^rd year, so pressure will be key to rattling Matty Ice.

WR Marques Colston – Drew Brees likes to spread it around to numerous targets, but if there is one go to guy its Coltson. He’s a big play receiver averaging over 12 yard per catch with 7 touchdowns. Because of the lack of a running game, defenses have keyed on Saints passing gaming, and this has resulted in more interceptions for Brees. Look for Brees and Colston to try to establish a rhythm early, because mistakes against the Falcons will kill a football team.

RB Reggie Bush – He has missed a large chunk of games with a broken leg, but Bush has been disappointing in the games he has played in. While Bush’s statistics are never going to be exceptional, he remains an integral part of the offense. He can always break a big gain and is a threat catching out of the backfield. Bush will need to elevate his game, and deliver his best game of the season in order to give Brees the options he needs to limit his mistakes. Look for Bush to make his impact felt through screens and dump passes and end up with a big game.

Key Matchup – QB Drew Brees v. CB Brent Grimes – Grimes has the 2^nd most interceptions in the last 2 seasons of any player, and the Falcons will be looking to him to rattle the Super Bowl MVP. Brees will have to be more perfect than usual if he wants to beat a tough Falcons team, so he can’t give the gifted Grimes any opportunities to pick the ball.

Why the Saints Will Win – They took the Falcons to overtime the first time around, and the Super bowl champions haven’t given up hope for the division title. Atlanta’s season has been extremely impressive, but most of their wins are close. Eventually the Falcons will be on the wrong side of a close game, and the Saints are just the team to be able to come into the Georgia Dome and hand Matt Ryan a rare home loss. Both offenses are among the best in the league so look for a shootout, but the Saints will come away with the win.

Prediction: Saints 38, Falcons 34

MNF: Falcons Perspective

Players To Watch:

WR Roddy White - White has really become a go to target for QB Matt Ryan when the game is on the line, he has showed that he can be clutch, and the 6'0" speedster has definitely put himself into the conversation of top receiver in the NFL. Much like WR Andre Johnson, White has gone about his business quietly but has still been ultra-productive notching a fourth year in a row with over 1,100+ yards receiving. Look for White to add to his NFL leading 106 receptions tonight.

DE John Abraham - Last year was the first time in Abraham's long career that he started more than 15 but was unable to get more than 10+ sacks (he had just 5.5). I thought that this was a sign that the 32 year old Abraham was simply getting old and would not be able to produce like we are used to seeing. This year, however, Abraham proved me wrong; he is back to his usual disruptive ways already registering 12 sacks. He has 4 sacks and 2 FF's in the last 4 games so watch for him to have a big game on MNF.

LB Curtis Lofton - A very underrated linebacker who has the job of roaming the middle of the field tonight. QB Drew Brees does a great job of passing in-between the numbers and exploiting matchups with linebackers. Lofton, who leads the Falcons with 107 tackles to go along with 3 forced fumbles 2 sacks and an interception, will have a tough test stopping the run and trying to slow down Brees.

Key Matchup - RB Michael Turner vs Saints front 7 - Even though QB Matt Ryan has really come on this year, Turner is the most important part of the Falcons offense. Turner is the Falcons work horse who just gets better as the game goes on. When the big 5'10" 244 lbs back has rushed for 50 yards or less this year the (12-2) Falcons are 2-2 with their wins only coming by a total of 8 points. The Saints defense allows 117 yards a game so look for Turner to have a big night.

Why the Falcons Will Win - The Falcons know how to get it done in front of a home crowd. The Falcons are undefeated this year at home, they seem to always have a flair for the dramatic and have the ability to win close games. I think that this game will come down to the very end and with the way the Falcons have been playing all year, I have no doubt they will be able to pull off another close victory.

Prediction: Falcons 34 Saints 31

MNF: Bears Preview

Players to Watch:

RB Matt Forte- The field is likely to be in terrible condition, and there are reports that there could be as much as 6 inches of snow on the ground by kickoff. Throwing the ball through the air is going to be a tough task, so look for the Bears to lean on Forte. He is a threat both on the ground and as a receiver, and rushes and screens are a good game plan to combat the elements tonight.

TE Greg Olsen- He’s been a major disappointment this year, and only has one catch in each of his last 3 games. Olsen was predicted to be a major part of Mike Martz’s offense, but Cutler has found Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett to be more reliable targets. Olsen will have to step up in this game if the Bears want to be successful in the passing game. Footing will be tough, but if Olsen can find open spots in the flats and middle of the field, he could have a big game.

LB Brian Urlacher- The undisputed leader of the team has put in another fine season, and has shown no ill effects from missing almost the entire season last year with a dislocated wrist. He’s played in harsh conditions before, and the Bears will need him to rise to the occasion. Tackling in the cold isn’t the easiest job in the world, but if anyone excels at doing so, it’s Urlacher.

Key Matchup: Jay Cutler vs. Vikings Secondary– After a rough first 2 seasons in Chicago, Cutler has finally shown why the Bears gave up 2 first round picks to get him. Cutler has cut down on the unadvised long passes and made smarter decisions. He will need to do the same in this game if the Bears want to win. His last game in the snow against the Patriots left a lot to be desired, and will need to limit his mistakes tonight. The Vikings secondary will be hungry for picks, something Cutler must be aware of.

Why the Bears Will Win-The Vikings will either be starting an injured Brett Favre or an inexperience Joe Webb. Neither QB is well-suited to be playing in this game, as conditions will be brutal. The Bears have a very good defense, and will be able to key in on stopping the run, and try to make the Vikings beat with their passing game. The Vikings season is over and their best weapon Adrian Peterson is out. The Bears on the other hand can NFC North crown with a win tonight, so they will be going all out tonight. Weather is the great-equalizer, but I expect a battle-tested Bears to win out in the end.

Prediction: Bears 17, Vikings 13

MNF: Texans Perspective

Players to Watch:

RB Arian Foster - Foster has had an unbelievable season so far compiling a league high 1230 yards on the ground and another 479 yards through the air. The second year undrafted back has transformed the Texans' offense from a one dimensional passing attack (ranked 30th in rushing last year) to a balanced dynamic offense. The Texans need a big game out of Foster tonight if they want a chance at winning the game.

DE Mario Williams - The 6'6" 295 lb defensive end has everything you look for in a defensive playmaker. Williams has had some big games this year, but has also disappeared at times. The Texans need Williams to play big and take some pressure off of the extremely porous secondary.

WR Jacoby Jones - When you play the Texans all the focus is generally on WR Andre Johnson, and rightfully so, as Johnson is the best receiver in the NFL. With S Ed Reed and the Ravens' secondary focusing primarily on Johnson, look for Jones to possibly have a break out game receiving or on special teams, where he returns both punts and kickoffs.

Key Matchup: QB Joe Flacco vs Texans Secondary - To say the Texans' secondary has been miserable may be an understatement. They have been carved up by pretty much every quarterback they have faced. Flacco is a good quarterback, but if they let him put up MVP type numbers they will not have a very good chance in this game considering how good the Ravens defense has been. The Texans front seven needs to pressure Flacco (he has been sacked 17 times in the last 5 games) and the secondary needs to step up and make plays when it matters tonight.

Why the Texans Will Win - Their offense can be as explosive as any. The Texans have shown this year that they can go up against some of the best defenses (Jets, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders) and still put up points. If QB Matt Schaub and their other playmakers can come out and play to their potential they will be able to score on the Ravens. The Ravens are more talented overall, but the Texans have some great individual talents such as Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, Mario Williams, and Brian Cushing, all who can just take over a game. They need some big plays from each of them tonight.

Prediction: Texans 24 Ravens 20

MNF: Ravens Perspective

Players to Watch

QB Joe Flacco- He has been on fire recently, and even had a solid game against the great Steelers defense last week. Flacco and Matt Ryan were drafted in the same class and while Ryan gets a lot of the attention, Flacco is not far behind him in terms of talent. Tonight he faces the worst defense in the league, so you can expect another great game from Flacco as the Ravens will air it out against the Texans.

S Ed Reed- Despite only playing in 6 games this year, veteran Ed Reed has made a large impact on the team with 4 interceptions. Reed and Lewis are the leaders of the Ravens defense and they will be needed to stop a Texans offense that has no problems with scoring. Reed will look to neutralize Andre Johnson by providing extra help over the middle and capitalizing on any mistakes that Matt Schaub makes.

LB Terrell Suggs- Averaging over 5 sacks in his last 5 games, Suggs has become a nightmare for opposing QBs this season. He is currently playing some of his best football since his tremendous rookie season. Schaub usually gets decent protection from his offensive lineman, but they will need to step up tonight if they hope to contain Suggs. Turnovers and sacks are the best ways to stop a high powered offense so Suggs must keep the pressure on Schaub throughout the game.

Key Matchup: DT Haloti Ngata v. RB Arian Foster– In a battle of strength versus strength, the top rusher in the league will face one of the best tackles. Foster is averaging over 100 yards per game, but those yards will be hard to come by against the Ravens stellar rush defense. The 350 pound behemoth takes up a lot of space in the middle and moves extremely well for a big man. Ngata is an asset to both the pass and rush defense. If Ngata can stuff Foster in the backfield, the Texans will lose their play-action ability, which is a key to their success.

Why the Ravens Will Win- 3 of their 4 losses were to the Patriots, Steelers, and Falcons, all elite teams, and they haven’t lost a game by more than 5 points. Their defense is one of the best in the league, and while their offense has struggled at times, playing the Houston Texans is a great recipe for righting the ship. Houston has lost 6 of their last 8, and their playoff hopes are slim at best. The Ravens are clearly the better team and have more to play for in this game and will come away with the W.

Prediction: Ravens 31, Texans 20

MNF: Jets Perspective

Players to Watch

WR Braylon Edwards- He’s a homerun threat who could pose serious problems against the Patriots young defensive backs. He scored one touchdown against the Patriots the first time around, and will look to have another good game against them tonight.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson- He is the Jets leading rusher but also has been a big part of the Jets passing game, and a solid option for Sanchez out of the backfield. He doesn’t necessarily need carries to make his presence felt on offense. His legs have been winding down a little bit as the season has worn on, so watch for the Jets to utilize Tomlinson on screens and quick passes, where Tomlinson has space to work.

CB Darrelle Revis- He injured his hamstring trying to cover Moss during the first meeting with the Patriots, but with Moss gone his attention will likely shift to Wes Welker. Welker is Brady’s favorite target, and Welker’s effectiveness is a big determinant in how successful their offense is. Revis is known for his ability to cover elite receivers, but it will be interesting to see how he fares against one of the best route-running possession receivers in the NFL. Limiting Welker’s effectiveness is the first priority in stopping Tom Brady.

Key Matchup: Mark Sanchez vs. Patriots Secondary- Sanchez had his best game against the Patriots this year, but this time around will likely be a tougher test. No one is better at fixing their past mistakes than Belichick, so it will be interesting to see if Sanchez can beat the unfamiliar formations that he is likely to see. He’s thrown at least one interception in his last 6 games, and mistakes will kill you against an always capitalizing Patriots team. Will Ryan limit Sanchez to a game manager, or if he will let him try to replicate the success he had last time against New England? I'm betting the latter.

Why the Jets Will Win- The Jets have been squeaking by average opponents as of late, but Rex Ryan should have no problem pumping up his team against the Pats. Gillette Stadium is one of the toughest places to play, especially in December, but the Jets are a team built to play in the cold, with their excellent running game, and brutal run defense. If Mark Sanchez can limit his mistakes, and the pass defense can shut down Welker, I think the Jets will be able to sweep the Patriots this year. The offense is good enough for 3 touchdowns against the Patriots, which will be good enough for the W.

Prediction: Jets 24, Patriots 20

MNF: Patriots Perspective

Players to Watch

Patriots' Tight Ends - The one place Tom Brady and the Patriots may want to attack the Jets' defense is in the middle of the field with their tight ends. The Jets have very talented corners, so the best option may be trying to beat their linebackers and safeties (especially because the Jets are missing the quarterback of the defense in S Jim Leonard). Look for Aaron Hernandez (who went for over 100 yards last game against the Jets), Rob Gronkowski, and Alge Crumpler to have a huge impact.

RB Danny Woodhead - I think Woodhead will have a big game against his former teammates. Lining it up and trying to run straight at the Jets defense is tough, so the Patriots will probably spread them out and feature Woodhead a good amount in the passing game. Woodhead averages 5.4 yards per carry and has already racked up 24 receptions for 230 yards in limited playing time.

CB Devin McCourty - McCourty has really come on as of late, bringing in 5 interceptions in the last 6 games and defending 9 passes. McCourty is a very good looking rookie that has started all 11 games and is second on the Pats with 61 tackles, if he continues his great play he should be in the running for defensive rookie of the year.

Key Matchup: Antonio Cromartie vs. Patriots Smaller Receivers - One of the reasons the Jets beat the Patriots in their first match-up was because of Cromartie's dominant play against WR Randy Moss (who did not have a reception when Cromartie was covering him). With Moss now off the team, Cromartie will be matched up against the Patriots' smaller, quicker receivers. Cromartie has been known to lock on to bigger faster receivers and dominate them, but it will be interesting to see if he can dominate tonight.

Why the Patriots Will Win - Tom Brady is playing his best football. Brady has been absolutely dominant in his last 3 games. He looks extremely confident in the offense and reminds me of the Tom Brady from the super bowl winning seasons. He is spreading the ball out to a lot of different players, finding the open guy and protecting the ball (13 touchdowns 0 interceptions last 6 games). I expect Brady to put up great numbers tonight and get his 25th straight win at Foxborough even with the cold, windy conditions.

Prediction: Patriots 34 Jets 17

MNF: 49ers Perspective

Players to Watch

QB Troy Smith - The former Heisman winner will be making his third straight start of the year. Smith will be using the rest of the season to audition for next year as many believe the 49ers are done with former first overall pick QB Alex Smith and are in line to draft/trade/pick up a new starter. I am a huge fan of Smith, he has good accuracy, an underrated arm and most importantly, he is a winner. This is a huge game for him and the 49ers who still have a chance at the division.

TE Vernon Davis - Davis has been awfully quiet the last couple of games. Look for Smith to target the big tight end early in the game and get him going. The 6'3" 250 lb burner is a nightmare to match up against, so the worst case is Davis takes on double teams and opens things up for other receivers.

LB Patrick Willis - Willis is the best linebacker in the NFL, unfortunately he is on one of the worst teams so he is still somewhat underrated. It will be fun to watch Willis make plays from sideline-to-sideline tonight. Willis has already racked up 91 tackles, 4 sacks and a forced fumble.

Key Matchup: Frank Gore vs. Cardinals Defense- Frank Gore has really been the 49ers' entire offense this year. He leads the team with 801 rushing yards and receptions with 46. Gore has been the workhorse of the offense and I would not expect anything to change tonight. If the Cardinals defense can stop Gore they can really slow down the 49ers offense.

Why the 49ers Will Win- The 49ers are more talented. The 49ers match up well against the Cardinals team which ranks in the bottom of the NFL in most offensive and defensive categories. If they can run the ball with RB Frank Gore and keep the turnovers down I think they will be able to easily win this game. The 49ers have lost a lot of close games to some good teams, but I do not see them losing to the Cardinals if they play their game.

Prediction: 49ers 31 Cardinals 13

MNF: Cardinals Perspective

Players to Watch

WR Larry Fitzgerald- Some analysts predicted a tremendous drop-off in production for Fitzgerald with Derek Anderson under center, but his statistics are not off by much from last year. A lot of his production is a result of being the 4^th most targeted person in the league despite playing against multiple double coverage packages. Steve Breaston has stepped up to replace Anquan Boldin as the #2 receiver, but besides him and Fitzgerald, there’s not much to like about the offense. Look for the extremely talented Fitzgerald to see many passes thrown his way against a mediocre 49ers pass defense, and for his amazing hands and jumping ability to be able to beat the double coverage or safety help he is likely to face.

S Adrian Wilson- The 3-time Pro-Bowler is again playing at a very high level and is one of the few bright spots for a defense that ranks near the bottom of the league. The longtime Cardinal plays his position with a linebacker mentality and is quick to recognize plays. Wilson will be making sure that Vernon Davis doesn’t get any cheap yardage in the middle of the field, and punishing Troy Smith for any mistakes that the inexperienced QB will likely make.

RB Beanie Wells- He’s had a very disappointing injury filled season so far and is only averaging 3.5 ypc in the games he has played. With the sporadic playing of Tim Hightower, the Cardinals are looking to make Wells the more featured back in the offense. Wells is finally getting healthy and could have a break out game against an average 49ers rush defense.

Key Matchup: Derek Anderson v. Patrick Willis – The 25-year Willis is the heart and soul of the 49ers defense and has 3 sacks in his last 2 games. Anderson has a decent arm, but has been plagued by his inaccuracy over his career. Anderson will need to take note of where Willis is at all times, or else the linebacker will cause a lot of trouble for the QB. If Arizona is able to limit Willis’s effectiveness, Anderson will be able to improve on his dreadful completion percentage and move the Cardinals offense down the field.

Why the Cardinals Will Win- In a matchup of 3-7 teams, this one is likely to be a toss-up. Arizona is 2-2 at home this year, so they have that working in their favor. They beat the Saints earlier this year and gave the Vikings and Tampa Bay close games, so they are capable of playing good football; it’s just a matter of whether they will. A playoff team a year ago, the Cardinals still has enough talent to be able to overcome the loss of Kurt Warner despite the dreadful play they have gotten from their QBs. I think that the Cardinals, led by Fitzgerald and Wells, will do just enough to win this game against the equally disappointing 49ers.

Prediction: Cardinals 27, 49ers 24

MNF: Chargers Perspective

Players to Watch

RB Mike Tolbert - Ryan Mathews is likely out for tonight’s game so Tolbert will get the bulk of carries. In many ways he has been more effective than Mathews and is a touchdown machine with 7 already. He’ll be going up against the worst ranked rushing defense in the league, so expect big yards on the ground and a couple touchdowns for Tolbert.

LB Kevin Burnett - #99 is one of the more underrated linebackers in the league. He doesn’t excel at any one area, but his abilities are solid across the board. He seems to always be around the ball due to his quickness, which will be essential to make sure receivers are not gaining any yards after the catch.

QB Phillip Rivers- Not the most likable guy in the league, but he is putting up elite numbers for the 3^rd straight year. If the Chargers had a better record, he would be right at the top of the MVP conversation. Rivers likes to air the ball out and leads the league in average yards per attempt. The Broncos have some weaknesses in their pass defense, and Rivers will exploit them for another big game.

Key Matchup: San Diego Chargers vs. Themselves- San Diego’s biggest challenge this year has been themselves. Stupid penalties, costly turnovers, and lousy special teams have resulted in a losing record for a team with one of the best offenses and defenses in the league. If the Chargers limit their mistakes they can beat anyone, but they have not been able to do so with any constancy this year. If the Chargers can play disciplined football, they will win big tonight.

Why the Chargers Will Win- Dating back to last season, the Broncos have lost 10 of their last 13 games. Kyle Orton has been playing extremely well this year, but the complete lack of a running game and suspect defense have prevented this team from wins. The Chargers have more talent and a better game plan on their side, and they will have to make a lot of mistakes to end up losing this game. The Broncos did beat the Chiefs last week, but history tells us that win was more of a fluke and is not likely to continue. Phillip Rivers and Mike Tolbert are in for a big game and it will likely be over by halftime.

Prediction: Chargers 42, Broncos 10

MNF: Broncos Perspective

Players to Watch

QB Kyle Orton - Despite having the worst rushing attack in the NFL, Orton has put up MVP type stats, passing for 2,806 yards,16 TDs and only 5 interceptions. Orton will have to find a way to exploit the stingy Chargers defense which ranks first in the NFL.

WR Brandon Lloyd - Lloyd is probably the surprise player of the year. The former fourth rounder out of Illinois is in his 8th year in the league and on his fourth different team. Pretty much everyone wrote Lloyd off because he has done virtually nothing in the last 3 years, only starting 7 games. This year he already has 48 receptions for 968 yards and 6 touchdowns, all career highs and he has only started 7 games. Lets see if Lloyd can show off in front of a national audience.

LB D.J. Williams - Williams, who is the Broncos top linebacker, was benched last game after getting arrested for a DUI. He should be in the starting lineup tonight and we will see if he tries to rectify his off the field mistakes and has a big game. Williams has 74 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and 4 pass deflections on the season.

Key Matchup: San Diego's rushing attack vs. Broncos run defense - The Broncos are one of the worst teams in the NFL at stopping the run but the Chargers have had some struggles running the ball themselves. If the Broncos can get the better of this match-up then they can focus on stopping QB Phillip Rivers. I think they have a good chance at beating Rivers tonight because of veterans like S Brian Dawkins and CB Champ Bailey. Bailey is still one of the best corners in the NFL but seems to be forgotten because of the emergence of CB Darrelle Revis and other young corners.

Why the Broncos Will Win- The Chargers wont be ready for the Broncos passing attack. The Chargers really have not faced a balanced passing attack like the Broncos possess this year. I think the Broncos are going to go out and not even attempt to run against the Chargers; they are going to go out and spread the Chargers defense out and try to attack them through the air. If you look at the Chargers schedule this year, they have played some pretty mediocre teams (other than the Patriots). Everyone is forgetting that the Chargers are a 4-5 team this year and they have not even gotten to the hardest part of their schedule. I think the Broncos are a very underrated team and have a good chance of pulling off an upset against the Chargers, who have found ways to lose games all year.

Prediction: Broncos 31 Chargers 28

MNF: Redskins Perspective

Players to Watch

S LaRon Landry - Landry has become one of the best safeties in the NFL this year. He is a big hitter, does an excellent job at blitzing the and seems to always be around the ball. He leads the team the team in tackles and definitely brings an intimidation factor in the secondary.

WR Anthony Armstrong - The Redskins have been searching for another receiver to emerge to help take some pressure off of WR Santana Moss. Armstrong comes from a small division II school (West Texas A&M) and has been playing arena football for the past 3 years, he finally got a chance in the NFL this year and has shined starting the last four games. He is averaging 21.6 yards per catch and finally given the Redskins another receiving option.

OLB Brian Orakpo - It is a hard transition switching from being a down linesman to a linebacker, but Orakpo so far has done a great job of adjusting to his new role. Orakpo has 5 sacks in the last 4 games and they need him to have a big game tonight and get some pressure on Vick.

Key Matchup: CB DeAngelo Hall vs WR DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin- Hall has gotten back to his pro-bowl form this year leading the NFL in interceptions and passes defended to go along with 63 tackles. He has been dominate at times and has single handedly won the game against the Bears. Hall will most likely be matched up against the Eagles two young fast receivers and will have his hands full tonight. This match-up will be key to winning this game. The Redskins are 31st in pass defense so they are going to need a big game out of Hall and the rest of the secondary.

Why the Redskins Will Win- McNabb will be motivated. McNabb has taken a lot of criticism some of it has been well deserved. I think with a big contract under his belt (just signed a 5 year $78 million), he is going to come out on national TV with everyone watching and prove his critics wrong and show that he is worth the money. McNabb knows what it is like to be benched, in 2008 he was benched by Andy Reid when he was on the Eagles. The next game McNabb came out and responded by throwing for 4 touchdowns and blowing out the Cardinals. I would not be surprised to see that happen again. Another big reason is that Eagles QB Michael Vick has been flawless throwing for 7 TDs and 0 interceptions and a QB rating of 105.3. When he was at Atlanta Vick's QB rating was generally around 75 (a high of 81) so I think he is going to come back to reality sooner rather than later.

Prediction: Redskins 24 Eagles 17

MNF: Eagles Perspective

Players to Watch

QB Michael Vick- One of the most excited players in the game, he gets another chance at beating the Redskins after he left the 1^st game with a rib injury that kept him out for 3 weeks. He showed against the Colts last week that his MVP-type season through his first 4 weeks was no fluke. Perhaps most impressive about Vick’s resurrection is that he has no interceptions so far on the year, and his completion percentage is over 60%, two things that have plagued Vick previously. Vick will continue his more balanced approach to quarterbacking, and look for a big game for him through the air against the league’s 2^nd worst passing defense.

WR DeSean Jackson- The speedy receiver had one of his best games last week and will try to put together back-to-back 100 yard receiving games for the 2^nd time this year. As mentioned before, the Redskins are vulnerable to the pass, which is great news for one of the greatest young receivers in the league.

CB Asante Samuel- The consistent veteran is once again a nightmare for opposing QBs and has 5 interceptions in his last 5 games. McNabb just received a 5 year contract extension with Washington for $78 million and Samuel will make McNabb earn it tonight. Santana Moss receives a lot of targets from McNabb, so look for Samuel to try to jump some routes.

Key Matchup: LeSean McCoy vs. Albert Haynesworth- It’s easy to forget the Eagles’ young running back in an offense full of exciting players, but McCoy is crucial to Andy Reid’s style of offense. Averaging 4.7 ypc, McCoy’s success has opened up the passing game for the Eagles, and is also an excellent option on screens. Haynesworth has shown improvement every week, but if McCoy is able to pound in through on the ground against him, look for the entire Eagles offense to have a big game.

Why the Eagles Will Win- The Eagles likely would have won the first matchup if it weren’t for the injury to Vick. Philadelphia has far more talent on both sides of the ball and their playmakers are healthy. They have been playing good football as of late, while the bye will not be able to solve the problems the Redskins experienced in their loss to the Lions. McNabb was lucky to get one win against his former team, but will find that the Eagles are just too good a team to beat twice.

Prediction: Eagles 31, Redskins 17

MNF: Bengals Perspective

Players to Watch

WR Chad Ochocinco- He has been playing the role of Robin in the Steelers pass attack, allowing T.O. to amass some of his best statistics of his career. Many people thought T.O. was finished, but now he is a consistent target for Palmer in the red zone. With T.O. getting much of the attention from the Steelers secondary, look for #85 to see single coverage and big opportunities.

CB Leon Hall- Just like DeAngelo, this Hall has been a ball-hawk for the Bengals this year. Roethlisberger has shown very little rust, so the Bengals are going to need turnovers if they want to stop the Steeler’s offense. Hall has been challenged by opposing quarterbacks all year but is making them pay, and he will need to continue to do so tonight.

RB Cedric Benson- He isn’t producing at the same pace he was last season, partially because the Bengals have been down early and forced to abandon the run. He is going up against a the #1 run defense in the NFL, but Cincinnati desperately needs some production out of him in order to control the clock and tempo of the game. Look for the Bengals to get creative with their run offense and for Benson to try to help keep the Steelers' linebackers honest.

Key Matchup: Bengals Defensive Line vs. Ben Roethlisberger- Big Ben is not the fastest Qb and takes his fair share of sacks. In the loss to New Orleans, Roethlisberger was sacked 3 times and hit 7 times, and was forced to throw a lot of short passes. If the Bengals defensive line can get a solid pass rush on Roethlisberger, it will help their suspect defense tremendously. The Bengals do not have a great run defense, so they will need to make up for that in other ways. By putting the Steelers in 2^nd or 3^rd and longs after incompletions or sacks, Pittsburg will be forced to move away from the run.

Why the Bengals Will Win- The Bengals are still in the AFC North race, but a loss here would eliminate almost all hope. The Bengals play some of their best football when there are low expectations, and with this being a divisional game, they should have no problem being amped up. I think Palmer shows some of his past ability in this game and torches the Steelers’ secondary. The game will be high scoring, but thanks to turnovers, the Bengals defense will be able to stop the Steelers just enough to pull out a victory.

Prediction: Bengals 28, Steelers 24

MNF: Steelers Perspective

Players to Watch

WR Mike Wallace - Averaging an NFL best 23.4 yards per catch, it is safe to say that Wallace is a home run hitter. Wallace is unbelievably fast and looks similar to WR DeSean Jackson. The 6'0" 199 lbs. receiver will be matched up against two great corners tonight, so his play making ability will really be tested.

RB Rashard Mendenhall - Look for Mendenhall to have a big game against a Bengals defense that is allowing 4.5 yards per carry. Mendenhall has struggled of late, but he should be able to take advantage of the banged up defense of the Bengals.

Lawrence Timmons - On a team filled with big name players on defense like James Harrison, Troy Polamalu,and LaMarr Woodley, Timmons is the forgotten man. In his third season, Timmons has really turned it on leading the team in tackles, and adding 3 sacks and an interception. Look for Timmons to continue to make plays tonight.

Key Matchup: Steelers Secondary vs Bengals Receiving Core - The one area that the Steelers are weak, is their pass defense which ranks 25th in the NFL. The Bengals biggest strength is the amount of weapons in their passing game. The one reason Steelers can come out on top of this match-up, however, is because of QB Carson Palmer. Palmer has been pretty bad this year. He has thrown some costly interceptions and has struggled on third downs (49 percent completion rate, 431 yards, 62 rating - Bill Simmons). With the Steelers ability to stuff the run, Palmer should be faced with a lot of third and longs, which is exactly what Troy Polamalu and the Steelers defense, which already has 10 interceptions, wants to see.

Why the Steelers Will Win: Ben Roethlisberger will have time to find the right guy. Roethlisberger is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL at buying time going through multiple reads and finding the right receiver. The Bengals this year have had a very hard time of getting after the opposing teams quarterback (last in the NFL with 6 sacks), so Roethlisberger should have plenty of time to sit back and do what he does best. Roethlisberger with time + Mendenhall + defense creating havoc = easy win for the Steelers.

Prediction: Steelers 31 Bengals 13

MNF: Texans Perspective

Players to Watch

LB Brian Cushing- After missing four games because of suspension, last years defensive rookie of the year will be back on the field for his third start. The Texans defense, which is last in the NFL in yards allowed, is in desperate need of someone to step up and be a playmaker. With Cushing getting two games under his belt and a bye week to help get him back to form, I expect to see him all over the field making plays in this game.

DE Mario Williams - The key to beating Peyton Manning is getting a lot of pressure on him. That is exactly why the Texans used the first overall pick in the 2006 draft on DE Mario Williams. They need a big game out of Williams tonight, a couple of sacks would go a long way.

RB Arian Foster - Everyone trashed the Colts defense after Foster lit them up in week one and ran for 231 yards. I would expect the Colts defense to come out with a chip on their shoulder and do everything in their power to stop him. It will be interesting to see if Foster can still have a big game against the Colts porous defense.

Key Matchup: WR Andre Johnson vs Colts Secondary

Last game against the Colts, Andre Johnson was held to only 33 yards receiving. Since then Andre Johnson, who in my opinion is the best receiver in the NFL, has been dominant. Even with ankle problems Johnson has put up big numbers. I would be shocked if the Colts defense could shut down Johnson again. Look for him to have a big game against a Colts defense that does not have anyone that can match up with the 6'3" 225 lbs burner.

Why the Texans Will Win: The Texans were 1-15 against the Colts before beating them in week one. I think that win really boosted their confidence and got the monkey off of their back. The Texans should have a different swagger going into this game. It also helps that the Colts will be extremely thin on both sides of the ball tonight, with many key players down with injuries or questionable for the game. Look for this game to be a shootout between two great offenses and two poor defenses. The Texans will be able to pull this one off because they can both run and pass the ball effectively and they have a more talented team tonight.

Prediction: Texans 38 Colts 28

MNF: Colts Perspective

Players to Watch

RB Mike Hart and RB Donald Brown-Joseph Addai is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game, so Hart and Brown should split the majority of the carries in the backfield. Manning has absolutely been torching teams through the air and had 433 passing yard in the first match up against the Texans. Houston will likely design their game plan around limiting Manning. If they do so, look for the Colts to want a more balanced attack this time so that they can control the clock, which means opportunities for these two relatively unknown backs.

DE Robert Mathis-Part of the Colts dynamic defensive ends, Mathis will be key to putting pressure on Matt Schaub. Schaub likes to air it out and as a result is prone to throwing interceptions if pressured. Mathis will be a key player for the Colts to win the turnover battle.

WR Pierre Garcon-With Austin Collie and Dallas Clark sidelined, Garcon will likely see a lot of throws from Manning. Last week he had his first 100-yard receiving game of the year and will be looking for another against the Texan’s last ranked pass defense. He is likely in for a big game.

Key Matchup: Colts’ Defensive Tackles vs. Arian Foster

Foster is having a fantastic year, in large part due to his 231 yard rushing effort vs. the Colts in week 1. The Colts need to prevent another explosive outing from Foster and it all starts up front. The Colts are 28th overall in rushing defense and tackles Daniel Muir and Fili Moala are a part of the problem. They don’t record many sacks, so the Colts need them to be stopgaps against the run, something they haven’t been doing a good job of so far this season. The Colts’ defensive ends will need to prevent Foster from running all over them if they do not want a repeat of their first meeting.

Why the Colts Will Win: You can bank on Peyton Manning turning in another stellar game for the Colts, and they should have no problem scoring points against a weak Texans defense. It will be up to the defense to slow down the Texan’s offense. If they can limit Houston to less than 27 points, which is very manageable, I think the Colts win this game. The Colts will find a way to hold Foster under 150 yards rushing and will force Schaub to move out of the pocket and force throws. Peyton Manning will take care of the rest.

Prediction: Colts 31, Texan 24

MNF: Giants Perspective

Players to Watch

RB Brandon Jacobs- Things looked rocky for Jacobs and the Giants earlier in the season as he was seeing significantly less carries and pouting about it on the sideline and after games. Recently, however, Jacobs has kept his mouth shut, and has been rewarded with several goal line opportunities which have resulted in 4 touchdowns in his last three games. Look for Jacobs to once again be used in goal line and short yard situations, which is crucial in the usual smash mouth football games against the rival Cowboys.

DE Osi Umenyiora- The British defensive end has been on an absolute tear recently, and is only .5 sacks behind leader Clay Mathews III. The Cowboys have a very suspect offensive line, so look for Osi to exploit the weaknesses and take become the NFL sack leader after this game.

WR Hakeem Nicks- The sophomore out of UNC is listed as questionable for tonight’s game, but Nicks is determined to play, which the Eli Manning needs as Nicks has quickly become his go-to receiver. If Nicks can play at a decent level, look for the Giants offensive to go to the air often.

Key Matchup: Corey Webster vs. Miles Austin

In what was supposed to be a ridiculously high powered offense, Austin has become the only real true threat. Roy Williams isn’t worth a 4^th round pick, let alone the 1^st rounder the Cowboys gave up to get him back in 2008. Dez Bryant is going to be a great receiver in this league, but rookies hardly have pro-bowl seasons in their rookie year. That leaves the talented Austin, and if the Giants can lock him down, then they have an outstanding chance at stopping the Cowboys. The defensive line won’t give Tony Romo much time back in the pocket, so coverage will be key to force Romo into picks or to allow another big sack night for the Giants.

Why the Giants Will Win: The Giants have a better running game and defense than the Cowboys which is what you look for in these divisional rivalries. This is a must win game for the Cowboys, but frankly if you cannot treat every game in the NFL as if it is a must win then you have no business playing. Tom Coughlin is a lot better coach than Wade Phillips, and will expose the Cowboys weaknesses just enough to win.

Prediction: Giants 20, Cowboys 17