NFL Week 10 Preview - Late Games

We get the dream matchup of New England and Indianapolis in the Sunday night game. Besides that, there are a couple of 4:00 games that are interesting.

Kansas City (1-7) @ Oakland (2-6)

Chiefs: The days of RB Larry Johnson in KC are no more and the search for a starting running back begins. As of Friday, Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was noncommital on who would start against the hated Raiders. One thing we all know for sure, the Chiefs are severely lacking from an offensive standpoint. 30th overall, 28th in passing, 24th in rushing, and 27th in scoring. Protecting Cassel will be important as he's been sacked 30 times. The last time these old foes clashed, the Chiefs totally dominated the Raiders in every phase of the game...and lost. That one was on he offense.

The defense has been, how do I say this, lackluster at best. KC has only 10 sacks and 3 INT. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars have less sacks and KC is last in INT. Things might change with the equally woeful Raiders offense and a struggling QB JaMarcus Russell.

Raiders: Most would agree that QB JaMarcus Russell has shown absolutely no signs of improving or becoming a team leader. Your QB has to be one of your team leaders, and Russell is by far that. A QB rating of 48.3, 48.4 completion percentage, 2 TD and 9 INT. This translates to a -9 turnover ratio. You're not going to win games with that. But there may be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel as RB Darren McFadden may be back in action this week. The anemic offense needs some good news and having another weapon, provided it's propely used, is a good thing. Right?

Like KC, Oakland has its share of defensive woes, too. But those woes are pretty much limited to the rushing defense (29th), and not the pass D (13th). There is a bright side in Oakland...somewhat. Look at their next three games: Cincinnati, at Dallas for Thanksgiving, and at Pittsburgh.

Fantasy Alert: KC: If Todd Haley were more decisive on who would start at RB, you might consider Jamaal Charles as a start against a bad run defense. OAK: K Sebastian Janikowski could be the difference maker in this game and KC allow 8.5 points a game to kickers, 3rd most.

Seattle (3-5) @ Arizona (5-3)

Seahawks: Before we all atart to get carried away with Seattle's three wins, analyze who they beat. St. Louis, Jacksonville, and Detroit. Only Jacksonville, at 4-4, is at .500 or better. When Arizona vivsited Qwest Field a month ago, the Seahawks sputtered on offense. The best news is that this game is at Arizona. How's that good news you may ask? The Cards are only 1-3 at home, but 4-0 on the road. Despite a sore shoulder and ribs, QB Matthew Hasselbeck will start and he'll have T Sean Locklear for this game. It's simple: the Cards can't stop the pass, but they can stuff the run. WRs Nate Burleson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and TE John Carlson are a trio to worry about.

It's simple on defense, too: pressure Cards QB Kurt Warner and he will make mistakes. It could be a fumble or a pick. This is a must win for Seattle.

Cardinals: It's no secret that QB Kurt Warner (left) is the leader of this Cards team. And he could even have WR Anquan Boldin back this week. That will provide more headaches for the Seattle defense. RB Beanie Wells has had a couple of decent games over the Cards last three. But with his fumbling, RB Tim Hightower has been the man in the redzone with 5 TD. And Hightower is more involved in the pass offense.

Where the Cards have improved in on the rushing defense, 4th best. If the 27th rated pass defense wants to get pressure on Seattle QB Matthew Hasselbeck, they may have to do it without LB and former Seahawk Chike Okefor due to a back injury. Pass attack against pass defense. But, whoever has more success running, amy come out on top.

Fantasy Alert: SEA: QB Matthew Hasselbeck is a solid start, but it's WRs Nate Burleson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and TE John Carlson that could shine for you this week. ARI: If you don't start WRs Larry Fitzgeral, Anquan Boldin, and even Steve Breaston, you may miss the bus. QB Kurt Warner is solid as always.

Dallas (6-2) @ Green Bay (4-4)

Cowboys: Will QB Tony Romo ever get credit? I include myself among those that haven't. All Romo did last week was throw for 307 yards and a game winning TD toss to WR Miles Austin for the win in Philly. Now, he's got another road test going against the Packers in Lambeau. No need to fear Cowboy fans. You have RB Marion Barber. You have TE Jason Witten. And you have the ever emerging WR Miles Austin. But don't forget the self-proclaimed #1 WR, Roy Williams. There's a reason Dallas has the #3 offense. Did I mention RB Felix Jones and WR Patrick Crayton?

Dallas will win if they can get pressure on Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. What am I saying? Everyone gets pressure on Rodgers. The linebackers and secondary will be integral on pass defense. Scary thing is Dallas could get 5 sacks and still lose. That's why the defensive backfield will be so important. They are a bit stingy against the run, but stopping the run will allow LB DeMarcus Ware and DL Jay Ratliff the chance to go after Rodgers.

Packers: Was it possible that the Packers looked past Tampa Bay last week? No one would blame them if they did. Now, the Green Bay faces a must win situation and their opponent is the NFC East leading Cowboys. Despite all the rumblings of the offensive line not being good, Green Bay is still 9thin passing and 10th in rushing. It will have to start with RB Ryan Grant. If Grant can get established, that may stem the pass rush of Dallas. Not having T Mark Tauscher and TE Jermichael Finley doesn't help matters, but the Packers can win this contest. Rodgers just has to remain vertical and no turnovers.

The one disturbing fact from last week's loss was how in the world did Tampa Bay manage 38 points? Well, 7 was on a punt block and another 7 was the late INT. That leaves 24. So, no punt block and no INT returned for a TD, and Green Bay would've won. Those two miscues were directly responsible for the loss as the Packers dominated all phases, except the obvious, the final score. It's a fact that pressure on QB Tony Romo will yield turnovers. Not having LBs Brady Poppinga (quad) and Aaron Kampman (concussion) create a void that Dallas could exploit.

Fantasy Alert: DAL: You drafted QB Tony Romo for a reason. TE Jason Witten, same. GB: The same goes for QB Aaron Rodgers as for Romo. But WR Grg Jennings is due for a good game this season. This could be that week.

Philadelphia (5-3) @ San Diego (5-3)

Eagles: Talk about not ready for prime time. The Eagles are on that list along with Bears QB Jay Cutler. Not having Mr. Do-Everything Brian Westbrook severly hampered the Eagles offense last week. Westbroo is listed as probable, but I would think his action could be limited. QB Donvan McNabb still doesn't lack for weapons with WRs DeSean Jckson and Jeremy Maclin. The only knock on the tandem is that they are young. That goes for TE and new Captian Morgan spokesman Brent Celek, too. A strong dose of Westbrook and rookie LeSean McCoy will be needed against the Bolts and the 26th ranked run defense.

CB Ellis Hobbs (neck) was placed on IR this week and his season is over. He's not the only Eagle defenser that's ailing. About half of the starters are. I'll take a deep breath before I begin. LB Akeem Jordan (knee) is out. DE Victor Abiamiri (knee) and S Quentin Demps (ankle) are questionable. LB Moise Fokou (ill), LB Chris Gocong (hamstring), S Victor Harris (ankle), CB Dimitri Patterson (quad), and DT Mike Patterson (toe) are all probable. Long list, huh?

Chargers: What a win for the Bolts last week. QB Philip Rivers (right) led San Diego perfectly in the two-minute drill to sneak out of the Meadowlands with a very important win. The Chargers get to go home to face another NFC East team in Philly. Since San Diego can't run (last in the NFL), the game will be once again placed on the arm Rivers. He can handle it. Who couldn't? TE Antonio Gates and WR Vincent Jackson are both having Pro-Bowl seasons. Once again C Nick Hardwick is out, but San Diego has done fine in his absence. The only thing that doesn't seem right is that running game, or lack thereof.

While the Chargers have returned to '07 form on pass defense, they've struggled against the run. And that's an area Philly usually hasn't really excelled at this season. But with RB Brian Westbrook due to play, the Bolts will be giving him a lot of attention. CBs Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie don't have a lot of picks, but they are a main reason for the Chargers ecelling on pass defense. They have to step up to stop the young duo of Jackson and Maclin.

Sunday Night
New England (6-2) @ Indianapolis (8-0)

Patriots: QB Tom Brady (left) is already being considered for Comeback Player of the Year. Rightfully so, but he doesn't do it alone. Brady has every offensive weapon available to him. This whole "running back by committee" thing got a tad more complicated this week as RB Sammie Morris wll miss the game. You think New England will be okay with RBs Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk? Me too.  Funny how people bash the Pats running attack but it's 16th. Not bad.

We know what New England can do offensively, but waht about defensively? The defense will be a major focus against a potent Colts offense, well, from a passing perspective anyway. The one weakness the Pats have is a rush defense. And Indy isn't exactly a running jaugernaut. So it could boil down to the Pats pass rush against Peyton Manning. Who wouldn't oay money to see that?

Colts: Who else thinks QB Peyton Manning (right) is the NFL's MVP to this point in the season? I do. Take these facts into consideration. New head coach. No Marvin Harrison. No Anthony Gonzalez. No real running game. A rookie and second year as your #2 and #3 WR. No one in the NFL has done more with less than #18. Getting rookie RB Donald Brown back for this week is critical. If Brown and fellow RB Joseph Addai get a runninggame going, it will be a long night at Lucas Oil Stadium for the Patriots.

Could someone please tell the Colts defense to stop getting hurt. Their IR list is simply amazing. Bob Sanders, Kelvin Hayden, Marlin Jackson, Tyjuan Hagler. At least DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are healthy. And their pass rush will determine this game. Just don't go after Brady's knees. We've all seen what happens if you do that.