Huge MNF matchup highlights Week 9
By John Clayton
ESPN.com

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots (ABC, Monday, 9 p.m. ET) Scouting reportMonday night's Colts-Patriots game is the most anticipated of the year, and there are some interesting twists to the rivalry this time around. For once, the Colts don't have everything to lose if they can't beat the Patriots.--football gambling--

Since 2003, the Colts and Patriots have met four times with something on the line, and the Patriots won all four. The regular-season losses cost the Colts the chance to play at home in the playoffs. The playoff losses propelled the Patriots to the Super Bowl.--football gambling--

This time, the Colts are 7-0 and the Patriots are 4-3. If the Colts lose, it's unlikely it would affect their chances of having home-field advantage over the Patriots in the playoffs. In some ways, that takes away some pressure from the Colts, whose offense tends to unravel when playing the Patriots. If anything, the pressure is on the Patriots. But not as much as you would think.--football gambling--

Bill Belichick realized once he got into the season that his team was in for a tough fight. The schedule was ridiculously tough, with a five-game stretch from Week 2 to Week 6 in which the Patriots faced five non-division teams that won an average of 11 games last season. The Patriots limped into their Week 7 bye at 3-3, with a roster damaged by injuries. They had lost safety Rodney Harrison, left tackle Matt Light and halfback Kevin Faulk. Their secondary was patched together weekly because of injuries. Defensive tackle Richard Seymour had missed games with a knee injury and running back Corey Dillon struggled with an ankle injury. --football gambling--

The Colts, meanwhile, have lived a charmed life. They have faced only one team that currently has a winning record, division rival Jacksonville. Their 7-0 record came at the expense of teams with a combined record of 17-34. But that has helped solidify the Colts' confidence. The defense fought through its own injuries but ranks fourth in the league for fewest yards allowed (277.9) and is allowing an NFL-low 11 points a game. --football gambling--

Perhaps the most interesting thing happening with the Colts is how they are responding to being "Belichicked" on offense. Opposing teams have copied what Belichick has done so often to the Colts' offense. Knowing how efficient Peyton Manning can be slicing a defense apart through the air, defenses have dropped seven and eight men into coverage, taking away Manning's ability to go downfield.--football gambling--

Under those circumstances, Manning has no chance to repeat his 49-touchdown season. No problem. Manning cares more about the seven wins than the seven points and he is content handing the ball off to Edgerrin James and letting James be the team's most valuable player in the first half of the season. James leads the NFL with 801 rushing yards because Manning is seeing so few defenders in the defensive box in front of him and simply handing the ball off to James.--football gambling--

The interesting twist in Monday night's game is what strategies Belichick comes up with this time against the Colts. How will the Patriots be able to execute them? Because of a lot of different factors, this hasn't been a typical Patriots defense. It's given up 128.4 yards a game on the ground. Problems in pass coverage have let the Patriots fall to 26th in the NFL in total defense (359.1 yards per game) and points allowed (25.7 per game).--football gambling--

The return of Tedy Bruschi came at a perfect time. His presence helped seal the victory over the Bills, the only true team left in the AFC East to challenge the Patriots for the division title. With that victory Sunday night, the Patriots took a 1½-game lead and shouldn't have to worry about winning the division. But despite Bruschi's presence, the Patriots still gave up 394 total yards and 147 rushing yards.--football gambling--

At this point, the Patriots' biggest concern is getting a higher playoff seed. But they seem to be destined to get a third or fourth seed, which would add an extra game to their bid to win a fourth Super Bowl.--football gambling--

No doubt, this game will be the biggest challenge to the Colts' defense. Despite problems running the ball because of injuries in the backfield, the Patriots remain explosive on offense with Tom Brady leading the way. He's better than ever. He's completing 63.1 percent of his passes and he's getting the ball downfield to David Givens and Deion Branch. --football gambling--

This has the chance to be a high-scoring game. The Patriots need to win just to keep the seeds of doubt in the minds of the Colts. If these teams meet again, it will be in the playoffs, probably in Indianapolis. Keeping doubt in the minds of the Colts' players is important, which is why Tony Dungy knows he needs to take advantage of the situation and get this victory.--football gambling--

He won't find a better time to beat the Patriots. They still haven't gotten their defense together. By January, it could be a different story because Belichick will find ways to get this defense to peak at some point. --football gambling--

In some ways, the Colts come into this game with nothing to lose, but they also come in with more to gain. If they win, they would have a four-game edge over the Patriots in the playoff standings. They would gain a slight psychological edge if they win. But the Patriots are the Patriots. They have been the obstacle the Colts haven't been able to jump to get to the next level. Can they jump it this week? --football gambling--

This game should be fascinating to watch. John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com. --football gambling--

Fantasy Football: Be ready for sudden changes
By MICHAEL SALFINO
Special to the Union Leader

IT'S BEEN SAID that the only mistake is one from which we learn nothing. -NFL Football-

A few weeks back, we recommended selling Rams RB Steven Jackson. The statistical support was solid. St. Louis was running the ball 32 percent of the time, not enough for NFL running backs to make a fantasy impact (especially with Marshall Faulk getting much of the receiving touches). But Jackson has gone off since then. What happened? -NFL Football-

Rams coach Mike Martz, who calls the plays, subsequently developed serious heart problems and had to step down for the season. Since he's departed, the Rams have run the ball more than 50 percent of plays. Jackson has thrived in the expanded role. The lesson is to always be alert to circumstances that can change how players are used. Opportunity is as big a factor in predicting player performance as is talent. -NFL Football-

Let's again look at NFL defenses, so we can better exploit matchups as the fantasy season progresses. -NFL Football-

The most important passing statistic is yards per attempt (YPA). There are seven defenses that you want to avoid, as they are top 10 in allowing the fewest YPA and also yield one or less passing TDs per game. They are, in the order of lowest YPA (with TD passes allowed in parentheses), Ravens (7), Bears (6), Redskins (5), Jets (5), Bucs (2), Bengals (7), Colts (5). -NFL Football-

On the other extreme, these teams are bottom 10 in YPA allowed while also yielding more than 1.5 TD passes per game: Niners (16), Patriots (13), Titans (17), Chiefs (14), Vikings (14), Eagles (13), Rams (16), Packers (14). -NFL Football-

For running backs, these teams allow less than 4.0 per carry and less than one rushing TD per game (rushing TDs allowed in parentheses): Bucs (4), Bears (1), Panthers (4), Packers (2), Chargers (7), Steelers (5), Dolphins (5), Ravens (4), Seahawks (2). -NFL Football-

Allowing more than 4.0 per carry and one rushing TD per game: Bills (13), Texans (10), Cardinals (9), Redskins (9), Vikings (9), Saints (10), Cardinals (10). -NFL Football-

Buy

Rudi Johnson (RB, Bengals): He's scored only two TDs to date. But he's had a run longer than 10 yards in every game, is over 4.0 per carry and never sees eight-man fronts because of the Bengals passing game. Cincy has the most red zone possession in football, but Johnson only has three attempts all year inside the 3 (scoring twice). He could easily be among the league leaders in goal-line carries going forward. -NFL Football-

Mike Anderson (RB, Broncos): Tatum Bell is better. But Anderson is Mr. Inside and has as many runs inside the opposing 10 as does LaDainian Tomlinson (15). So he'll continue to score. -NFL Football-

Hold

Kevin Curtis (WR, Rams): The knee-jerk reaction is to get rid of him because St. Louis has a bye and then Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce are due back. But "due" is the key word. The Rams have downplayed Holt's knee injury for weeks and Bruce has turf toe and plays on turf. -NFL Football-

Jerry Porter (WR, Raiders): A perfect storm is brewing for Porter the next few weeks. Randy Moss is hobbled but distracting with his mere presence. The Raiders lost half their secondary last week and will be forced to put up 30 points every week. Plus, Porter is top 20 in WR targets (times thrown to). -NFL Football-

Sell

Fred Taylor (RB, Jaguars): Only the Texans and Niners have fewer red zone possessions than Jacksonville, so the TDs will be few and far between. -NFL Football-

Byron Leftwich (QB, Jaguars): The Jaguars have three pass attempts inside the opposing 10-yard line all year. Jake Plummer has 16 (10 TDs). -NFL Football-

For recommendations on which players to play this week, see the Matchup Meter on Salfino's Web site, www.RotoAction.com.

Bills RT Williams to play against Patriots

NFL.com wire reports

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (Oct. 29, 2005) -- Buffalo Bills right tackle Mike Williams will play against the New England Patriots on Sunday night. -NFL Football-

After originally being listed as questionable, Williams was updated to probable after Friday night's practice. He participated fully for the first time this week. -NFL Football-

Williams, the fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft, has been nursing a left ankle injury he aggravated in a 38-17 loss to Oakland in Week 7. He missed two games earlier this year after originally being injured in Week 2 against Tampa Bay. -NFL Football-

Buffalo will be without Williams' backup, Greg Jerman, who sprained his right ankle against the Raiders. Second-year player Jason Peters, a converted tight end, will back up Williams. -NFL Football-

Cornerback and kickoff returner Terrence McGee is probable with a right knee injury sustained against Oakland, but coach Mike Mularkey said he should be ready to go against the Patriots. -NFL Football-

McGee practiced just hours after signing a four-year contract extension. -NFL Football-

Hamlin at same bar as murder victim
Police not saying if Miliam was in fight with Seahawk
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SEATTLE (AP) -- Police confirmed on Thursday that a man shot to death this week had been, a few hours earlier, at a bar where two men beat up Seattle Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin.--- nfl ---
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Officers did not say whether they believe Terrell Milam, 31, was involved in the fight with Hamlin early Monday, as Milam's family has contended. The detectives have been investigating whether there was a connection between the fight and Milam's death a few hours later.--- nfl ---
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Police Department spokesman Rich Pruitt said Milam, who had a long criminal history including a manslaughter conviction, visited with a number of other people in the time between the fight and when he was found dead on a sidewalk near Seattle's Seward Park, about 5½ miles from the bar.--- nfl ---
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Hamlin suffered a fractured skull, a blood clot on the brain and a fractured hand in the fight. He was moved out of the intensive care unit at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center on Wednesday, and remained in satisfactory condition Thursday--- nfl ---
.--- nfl ---
"Currently, he is getting much-needed rest," Hamlin's representative, Joel Anderson, told The Associated Press in an e-mail Thursday.--- nfl ---
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According to King County Superior Court and U.S. District Court documents, Milam had a long history of drug use. During a dice game in 1994, he shot an acquaintance -- a member of a rival gang -- five times, killing him, and was sentenced to 4½ years for manslaughter.--- nfl ---
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Chargers' Foley hopes to play through pain

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 7, 2005) -- Outside linebacker Steve Foley, the Chargers' top pass rusher, gingerly went through practice Oct. 7 and said he'll be available to play when San Diego hosts Pittsburgh on Oct. 9. - NFL Football -

Foley missed practiced on Oct. 5 and Oct. 6 with an abdominal strain.

"It hurts, man," Foley said. "We've done everything we can do to this point; trying not to aggravate it." - NFL Football -

Foley, who had a team-high 10 sacks last year, has two this season.

He hopes adrenaline can get him through the game.

"If not for that, there is no way I could play," he said. "It's very frustrating not being able to practice and not be with the guys during the week. It's tough missing the two main work days. It's hard just coming out." - NFL Football -

Foley is banking on his experience compensating for his lack of practice time. "The biggest thing is getting those mental reps, and me knowing the defense well." - NFL Football -

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC.

Mexico, beware: Cardinals no bueno

JOHN MCGRATH; THE NEWS TRIBUNE

This Sunday night, in Mexico City, the Arizona Cardinals will make pro-football history by serving as the “home” team for the first regular-season NFL game ever played outside the United States.

They might consider staying there.

Remember when the Cardinals, who won their most recent division title 30 years ago, were seen as the trendy pick to finish first in the NFC West? The high hopes – and we must emphasize the word “high” – were based on a defense that became respectable last year, an offense built around a trio of rangy receivers, and head coach Denny Green’s knack for turning around dormant teams.

Most of all, there was the sense the Cardinals’ time had come because, hey, anybody can have a bad century.

Arizona will not win a division title this season. It’s usually unwise to write off a team three weeks into a 16-game schedule, but these guys are a special case.

A week after an illegal procedure penalty cost the Cardinals a chance to rally for a last-second comeback victory against St. Louis, they put on a show of ineptitude at Qwest Field that bordered on the comical.

They couldn’t slow down the Seahawks’ rush. During the first half, Seattle defensive end Bryce Fisher ran past Leonard Davis, the Cardinals’ 6-foot-6, 366- pound tackle, as if he were standing still. (Come to think of it, he was.) Quarterback Kurt Warner was the lucky stiff who got to resemble a tackling dummy for Fisher, until the former league MVP strained a groin muscle scrambling out of the pocket and was replaced by Josh McCown.

Meanwhile, Arizona was disinclined to pressure Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, failing to register a sack or even a hurried pass. No wonder they couldn’t force a turnover.

What the Cardinals did do was stop the clock, redefining the definition of “flag football.” They were charged with four false starts, two face-mask grabbings, and enough other violations to fill the glossary of an official’s rule book.

Flags were dropped on the visitors for encroachment. For delay of game. For offensive holding and for defensive holding. For illegal motion, and illegal use of hands, and illegal touch of a pass.

As if to underscore the totality of the team effort, the Cardinals also were penalized for 12 men on the field.

Had the Seahawks not declined four of the penalties, the Cardinals would have tied the franchise record for penalties in a game: 16, set against Green Bay in 1936.

“It’s just stupid penalties,” said second-year wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. “We’re moving the ball, then there’s an offsides here, a holding there, a dropped pass, a missed block. It’s a cumulative effect, and everyone has to be accountable.”

The buck, of course, stops with Green.

“It’s not working,” the coach said after the 37-12 defeat left The Trendy Pick To Win The NFC West at 0-3. “Clearly, it’s not working.

“When I say it’s not working, I’m talking about the strategy that I put forth. The job I thought I could do, I am not able to do right now, and I’m not happy about it.”

Wideout Anquan Boldon, two seasons removed from a rookie campaign of unprecedented productivity, pondered the thought of 0-3.

“I’ve never been 0-3 my life,” said the former Florida State star, “so this is new territory for me.”

Really? The Cardinals haven’t gotten off to an 0-3 start since way back in, uh, 2004. Boldon can’t be faulted for disregarding his association with that dubious achievement, as a knee injury suffered in training camp kept him on the sidelines until midseason.

Still, you’ve got to wonder about the team-first commitment of somebody so cavalier in dismissing the facts.

Just as you’ve got to wonder how Chike Okeafor – the ex-Seahawks defensive end signed by the Cardinals as a free agent – appeared to skip off the field Sunday, evidently unfazed by the 25-point thumping.

“The game is supposed to be fun,” said Okeafor. “It’s supposed to be happy. That’s joy. That’s happiness coming out of me. If I didn’t give that back, I wouldn’t be appreciating the gift that I’ve been given.

“It goes back to why I had to leave: I wasn’t happy here. I owe it to myself to be happy.”

Yikes. Here’s the hoss the Cardinals brought in to beef up their pass rush, and he sounds like he finds motivation from the kind of sorority-house wall poster that typically portrays snuggling kittens.

“They didn’t deserve to have me here, know what I’m saying?” Okeafor continued. “I took myself elsewhere. I’ve got to be happy every day.

“It’s a game. We’re just big kids blessed to still play a game. That’s why I call it ‘recess,’ just going out there and having fun. If it’s not fun, it isn’t worth it. That’s the day I’ll hang it up, when it’s not fun anymore. Of course we like to win, but there’ll be a time for that.”

The grittiest face on the Arizona sideline Sunday? That would be the red bird on the team’s redesigned helmet. According to the NFL, “the Cardinal has a sleeker, tougher appearance.”

A crowd of 110,000 is expected to show up next week to watch the Cardinals take on the San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Chike Okeafor has his work cut out for him.

He’s got six days to learn the Spanish word for “recess.”

© Copyright 2005 Tacoma News, Inc. A subsidiary of The McClatchy Company

Newspaper: Csonka rescued in Bering Sea

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Sept. 12, 2005) -- NFL Hall of Famer Larry Csonka was among six people plucked by helicopter from a stranded boat during a harrowing rescue in the Bering Sea, a newspaper reported. - NFL Football -

Csonka, his partner, and a film crew from his television show were not injured, but the boat was abandoned at sea, the Anchorage Daily News reported in its Sept. 11 editions.

Csonka was part of a group returning from filming a hunting trip on an isolated island about 100 miles west of Unalaska on Sept. 7 when their 28-foot boat encountered bad weather.

The newspaper reported that 9-foot seas and gale-force winds made it difficult to navigate the vessel, which then drifted away from the Aleut village of Nikolski. - NFL Football -

After hours of worsening conditions, the Coast Guard was called to help shortly after midnight Sept. 7. A Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched from Kodiak, 600 miles away; it arrived around 10:45 a.m. Sept. 8 and hoisted those on the battered boat one-by-one in a basket.

"We might very well have died if we stayed out there. It was tense," the 58-year-old Csonka told the newspaper Sept. 10 in a phone interview from a hotel in Unalaska.

"It was 10 or 12 hours of moment-to-moment with sea sickness and not being able to drink water because it was so rough, and hanging onto each other," he said. - NFL Football -

Csonka, his partner Audrey Bradshaw, film crew members John Dietrich and Rich Larson, and Thomas McCay, the guide for the hunt, were taping the event for the show North to Alaska when the weather worsened. Also on board the distressed boat was captain Dwight Johnson.

The former fullback for the Miami Dolphins, Csonka runs Zonk! Productions, which films episodes for his outdoor sports TV show. - NFL Football -

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2005, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved