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24 Hours 'Til Sunday — Andy Richardson

I've got an 11-0 team. I'm mentioning it because I expect to lose this week, and this way I can blame the column for jinxing me. Happened a year ago at 7-0. This year I decided to wait a whole month longer before mentioning it. Anyway, on to the games.

Carolina at Atlanta: Jerious Norwood is questionable, but he'll play. Not that you'd necessarily start him, but maybe Michael Turner gets a few more carries if he's actually hurting. Good matchup regardless. For Carolina, Jake Delhomme is really struggling. Atlanta should win this game. (Should have won last week, of course, too.)

N.Y. Jets at Tennessee: It's a little worrisome the way the media is talking up Favre right now. Usually that's the prelude to him having a lousy game. It's when they're ripping him, like before the Buffalo and New England games, talking about him throwing it up for grabs and stuff, that he tends to come out and play a flawless 265-yard, 2-3 TD game. I don't have the numbers on it, but it's true. He does better when people are doubting him than when he's getting all the accolades. If the Jets should make it to the Championship Game, I might just write a column ripping him and hope it somehow makes it onto a bulletin board. Perhaps a lot of Jets players read Fantasy Index. Or just one. Anyway. I think the Jets will be able to run and the Titans will be able to pass, and the game could go either way. No injuries or suspensions of note, unless you count a steroid suspension for the Jets' 4th-string quarterback who was on injured reserve anyway. Big deal; he got beat out in the preseason to be the QB of the future by a guy named Brett Ratliff anyway.

Chicago at St. Louis: The Rams have started their last two games losing by a total of 75-3 at the half. Maybe they'll bounce back from that, but you have to like the Bears and all their players here. Rams are particularly bad against the run, but I wouldn't be afraid to start Kyle Orton anyway. Good luck figuring out which Bears receiver will be the No. 1 this week; even they don't know.

New England at Miami: I'd like to see Miami win this game, but I don't know how they will. This time, New England will stop their running game. The Patriots have had an extra four days to stew over their loss to the Jets. They'll be ready for this one. That said, I'm not going to underestimate Miami's chances. They can bring pressure and stop the run themselves. Patriots should start ex-Dolphin Sammy Morris at running back.

Philadelphia at Baltimore: So Donovan McNabb didn't know an overtime game could end in a tie. My guess is he's not the only one out there on the field unclear on things, and I'd still like to believe that maybe he was half joking. Or his confusion was because he'd been hit a lot during the game, which is possible. More important for this game, there's a good chance Brian Westbrook won't play. No interest in Correll Buckhalter against this defense. Derrick Mason aggravated his shoulder injury but he should play. The Ravens don't have any other serviceable receivers; Mason with one arm would still be their No. 1. Willis McGahee is banged-up and who knows how much he'd play anyway. Both of these run defenses are very good.

Houston at Cleveland: Brady Quinn will be playing with an injured finger. Can't blame him wanting to face Houston's defense. Jamal Lewis should have a big day. Steve Slaton is banged-up but it sounds like he's fine and the team is just limiting him in practice to keep him fresh. Should be some good offensive numbers in this game.

San Francisco at Dallas: This matchup always takes me back, back to the only meaningful NFL game back in the early part of the '90s. For all the talk about Dallas not winning a playoff game over the last decade (heh), at least they're not the 49ers, who haven't won much period over that time span. No Felix Jones for Dallas, no Arnaz Battle or Josh Morgan for San Francisco. Matchup should be fine for the stars who are playing -- Romo (who rescued a kitten from a tree as I wrote this), Barber, Owens, Gore. Maybe roll the dice with a healthy Niners wideout, I'm voting for Jason Hill.

Tampa Bay at Detroit: This is the popular choice for a Lions win. I don't think so. Bucs may have Cadillac Williams active, but probably Warrick Dunn, Clifton Smith, and even Noah Herron will get the carries (mostly Dunn). Low-scoring game.

Minnesota at Jacksonville: Lots of Adrian Peterson for Minnesota. Matt Jones should play for Jacksonville; nice matchup. Have to start Jones-Drew despite the tough matchup; he has 6 TDs in his last three games.

Buffalo at Kansas City: I wonder if the Bills will be glad about the extension they gave Dick Jauron if the team finishes 6-10? Good matchup for Marshawn Lynch, and with the Bills secondary banged up, it's also a good matchup for Tyler Thigpen and company. Josh Reed is evidently going to play; not that I'd start him, but maybe his return helps Lee Evans (couldn't hurt). Mark Bradley practiced fully on Friday, he's fine.

Oakland at Denver: If you've got Peyton Hillis, I think it's OK to start him again this week. Selvin Young isn't going to play and Tatum Bell is Tatum Bell. Broncos should also pass the ball fairly well, although the Raiders are better at stopping that -- but how do you bench Cutler, Marshall, and Royal? Or Scheffler? Tough to do. Denver's defense is probably worse than Oakland's and Darren McFadden is playing; maybe he's a sleeper if you're exceedingly bold. With Oakland's season (decade) about over, may as well try the rookie and see if he can spring a huge upset, right?

Washington at Seattle: When I was a little kid I got confused over whether these teams played in the same state. I've got Portis and I don't know what to do, but I'm leaning toward sitting him; he's questionable, and it's a better matchup for Washington's passing game anyway. I want no part of Seattle's players at any position. Nice defense Washington has, lousy Seattle offense.

N.Y. Giants at Arizona: One of the games of the week. Can the Giants shut down Arizona's passing game? I doubt it. Can Arizona (unbeaten at home) knock off the Giants? Could go either way. Brandon Jacobs seems more likely to play than Plaxico Burress. Check Sunday morning to be sure. Jacobs is on too much of a roll to sit if he's available. Burress is shakier; sounds like the team is less inclined to play him, which would make Domenik Hixon intriguing as a fill-in.

Indianapolis at San Diego: Indy's Bob Sanders is the main question mark here. I like Tomlinson regardless (much is made of Sanders' ability against the run, but even with him they're only better against it -- still not good. Colts should have a nice day throwing the ball. Huge game for the Chargers, who can't afford to drop any more games if they want to win the AFC West.

Green Bay at New Orleans: The Monday game. A probably slugfest. I'd start everyone I had and the kitchen sink in this one. And wish I were back in a little cafe just off Bourbon Street, having a cold beverage and a warm bowl of gumbo.

Enjoy the games.

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