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Home , Chad Johnson, Charlie Frye, Joey Harrington, Kellen Clemens, Norv Turner, Rudi Johnson

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D10 DAILY 09-16-07 MD BD D10 CMYK

D10 Sunday, September 16, 2007 B x

NFLGameday Compiled By Desmond Bieler, Matt Bonesteel, David Larimer and Christian Swezey

THE RUNDOWN The Spy Who Coached Me Out-and-Out Blackmail 1 Force San Diego Coach Buffalo (+9 ⁄2) at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. Today, the man who puts the Espy in espionage visits San to hand over (WUSA-9, WJZ-13) Diego. So what manner of subterfuge will Patriots Coach Bill his game plan by Already coping with the life-threatening injury threatening to reveal San Diego at Belichick employ to get the drop on the Chargers? We did some to Steve Everett, the Bills also have a safety on his career record to New England injured reserve, two linebackers and a sleuthing of our own and obtained Belichick’s secret plans: Chargers brass, which 8:15 p.m. cornerback out indefinitely, one defensive end obviously was unaware WRC-4, out until at least mid-October and another of Turner’s 58-82-1 WBAL-11 serving a four-game suspension. mark before hiring him. BREAKDOWN Green Bay (+2) at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m. Double- (WTTG-5, WBFF-45) Agent Seau 41 Have Pats Giants QB ’s streak of 40 straight The most points linebacker Junior regular season starts, the fourth-longest active scored against the Seau put back on run, is in danger. It’s 199 fewer consecutive Patriots since Bill the Chargers starts than that of Packers QB , who Belichick became uniform that he with a victory today would set the all-time mark in wore for 13 for wins at his position. legendary seasons, 1 2000. The feat Houston (+6 ⁄2) at Carolina, 1 p.m. was accomplished stand on the San by the Chargers Diego sideline The Presidential Approach The Panthers, trying to prevent the Texans from the last time they and see if Have Congress pass the opening 2-0 for the first time, have a scout in visited Gillette anyone Patriots Act, which backup QB David Carr, who suffered 56 losses Stadium (Oct. 2, notices. enables New England to over five seasons as Houston’s starter. 2005). wiretap anyone deemed a threat to its security Atlanta (+10) at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. in the NFL elite. The Jaguars had ’s No. 3 rushing offense last season, when they ran for 375 The Trojan Horse yards in two games against the Titans. But their Put a bug in a bottle If All Else Fails . . . running backs totaled just 13 carries last week marked “Perfectly Legal Does “Porky’s” in a three-point loss to Tennessee. Performance-Enhancing ring a bell? 1 Drugs” and plant it in New Orleans (-3 ⁄2) at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. Shawne Merriman’s locker. Saints RB was a non-factor in Week He’ll never bother to 1, but last October against the Bucs he had his look in there. coming out with his first career , on a punt return, and 11 receptions.

TEXT BY DESMOND BIELER, ILLUSTRATION BY LAURA STANTON — THE WASHINGTON POST San Francisco (+3) at St. Louis, 1 p.m. 49ers RB , who totaled 231 rushing yards in two games against the Rams last season, is expected to play despite leaving the team on Thursday after the death of his mother. BRAGGING RIGHTS 1 ’s Woofing, Cincinnati (-6 ⁄2) at Cleveland, 1 p.m. The NFL Gameday crew picks Chad Johnson BY DAVID KOHL — their locks of the week, listed And the Dawgs Are Barking ASSOCIATED PRESS The Browns are the first team since the AFL-NFL with this year’s record: merger in 1970 to trade their Week 1 starting The Bengals have owned the Browns of late, before Week 2. winning a series-record five straight over TENNESSEE (+7) over Indianapolis Cincinnati Cleveland. But more specifically, the Bengals’ big Indianapolis (-7) at Tennessee, 1 p.m. So I’m protesting my loss last week, at Cleveland three of quarterback , The Titans have won seven of eight overall and since my pick was the Jets, and we 1 p.m. and Chad Johnson now know that the one and only gave the Colts fits last season. But Indianapolis BREAKDOWN have owned the Browns. has lost in September just twice in Coach Tony reason they got mauled by 24 Palmer is 5-1 against Cleveland, with the only points is because — as noted else- Dungy’s five-plus seasons, and not since the loss coming in October 2004, and has 13 2004 season opener. where on this page — the Pats are 82 touchdown passes in those games. Rudi Johnson big, stinky cheaters. But because Receiving yards has rushed for at least 125 yards in four of his last Minnesota (+3) at Detroit, 4 p.m. I’m suddenly the underdog in this needed by WR five games against the Browns. And Chad Johnson thing, I’ll go with another one and Chad Johnson to has averaged 86.2 yards per game in his last five The Vikings have won 10 in a row over the rely on the personal integrity of become the games against Cleveland. Lions, the longest current streak of one NFL Tony Dungy to keep it close. Bengals’ all-time Chad Johnson, continuing in his quest to be team over another, and 16 of the last 18. — Desmond Bieler (0-1) leader 1 endlessly entertaining, said this week that if he Dallas (-3 ⁄2) at , 4 p.m. reaches the today, he will jump into the 1 Cincinnati (-6 ⁄2) over CLEVELAND infamous “Dawg Pound” at No one likes playing in hot, humid Miami in The Bengals are 15-4-1 against the 5.3 September, but the Dolphins’ early-season Average yards per Stadium. spread in their last 20 road games dominance is on the wane: They’re 5-17 in carry for Browns “If y’all beat up on me, don’t hit me too hard,” and 4-1 ATS in their last five September and October since 2004. RB Jamal Lewis in he pleaded with the Dawg Pounders this week. against the Browns. Cincinnati had 11 career games Meanwhile, the fans in Cleveland, who began six take-aways last week against the Seattle (-3) at Arizona, 4 p.m. against the chanting ’s name early in the first Ravens, while Cleveland coughed Bengals. His quarter last week, may get their wish. Derek QB Charlie Frye has gone from Browns starter up the ball five times against the overall career Anderson will start the game, but Coach on opening day to spending this past week on Steelers. That, my friends, is easy average is 4.3. Romeo Crennel has not ruled out playing the Seahawks’ scout team. He is now working money. Quinn. under his fifth since — Matt Bonesteel (1-0) 2004, his senior season at Akron.

1 New Orleans (-3 ⁄2) over TAMPA BAY N.Y. Jets (+10) at Baltimore, 4:15 p.m. Most road favorites I touch turn to (WUSA-9, WJZ-13) lead. But today that’s merely a part Thrown to the Lions Better With Bob It’s safe to say few would tune into this one for of the Bucs’ color scheme. The a battle of the , but even the Saints, meanwhile, are gold, baby! The Vikings tied with the Bengals last What the Colts’ defense has gained — and prospect of vs. might Is this any way to pick a game? No, season for the worst pass defense in the regained — seems to make all the difference. have viewers contemplating watching golf’s but it fills space until I get to the league (238.6 yards per game), but last Indianapolis lost four defensive starters futile attempt at relevancy in September. part about the Saints being ripe for week they gave up only 169 yards through after winning the , but no one a rebound game after their beat- Minnesota the air and returned two for Indianapolis ascribed much credit for the title run to that Oakland (+10) at Denver, 4:15 p.m. down last week, especially against a at Detroit in a win over the Falcons. But at Tennessee unit. The run defense was hideous much of 4:05 p.m. that was against , who 1 p.m. last season, allowing 173 yards per game, by Broncos Coach has a 19-5 moribund offense and aging defense (.792) career record against the Raiders and they handled by 17 points on the frankly isn’t all that good. This week, they’ll far the worst in the league. In last week’s BREAKDOWN face a stiffer challenge against a Lions team BREAKDOWN season opener, the Colts, with those new has won seven straight home openers. Seeking road last season. another advantage, he jokingly suggested to — David Larimer (1-0) that has a solid quarterback in starters, looked faster and meaner in 10 and a bevy of receiving options. 156 thrashing the high-powered Saints offense. reporters the Raiders start QB JaMarcus Russell. DENVER (-10) over Oakland Consecutive wins Detroit’s two deep threats, rookie Calvin Rushing yards last But the key might be the health of safety Kansas City (+12) at Chicago, 4:15 p.m. It was Robert DeNiro’s character in by the Vikings over Johnson (6 feet 5) and (6-3), season for Titans Bob Sanders, who missed 12 games last the movie “This Boy’s Life” who the Lions, the could pose matchup problems for shorter RB Chris Brown. season. Dating from the 2006 opener, The cast of the 1971 Bears-centric weeper said, “I know a thing or two about a NFL’s longest Vikings cornerbacks Cedric Grifin (6 feet), He had a including the playoffs, Indianapolis allowed a “Brian’s Song” is holding a reunion in Chicago thing or two.” That clearly is a active streak Antoine Winfield (5-9) and rookie Marcus career-high 175 more respectable 122 rushing yards per this weekend, the Chicago Tribune reported, thing or two more than my col- against one team. McCauley (6-1), who is on the field in on 19 carries in game when Sanders played. They forced 2.7 though neither James Caan nor Billy Dee leagues know, considering they left Minnesota’s nickel package. Add Mike last week’s 13-10 turnovers per game with him, 1.8 without Williams was scheduled to attend. In that case, no offense, but what’s the point? this obvious lock of the week for “We don’t Furrey, who had the second-most receptions win over him. 1 me. Broncos Coach Mike Shanahan worry about (98) in the league last season, and Shaun Jacksonville. One of the games Sanders played over that San Diego (+3 ⁄2) at New England, knows a thing or two about beating the Lions. McDonald, who had six catches for 90 yards span was a 20-17 loss at Tennessee Dec. 3. 8:15 p.m. (WRC-4, WBAL-11) the Raiders — he is 19-5 against Basically, they and a touchdown last week, and the Lions The Titans rushed for 219 yards in handing them in his career. have to worry could be a dangerous team through the air. the Colts their only loss in the last nine Chargers RB LaDanian Tomlinson is angry at the — Christian Swezey (1-0) about us.” “They are going to spread you all over. games Sanders has played. This time around, Patriots — he said “they have no class at all” It’s not so much ‘Where’s Waldo?’ It’s how Tennessee is coming off a win in which it after New England knocked San Diego from last Vikings NT season’s playoffs. He’s also more than Pat Williams you line up to the formations that they are pounded Jacksonville’s highly regarded giving you,” Vikings Coach defense for 282 rushing yards, second most productive against them, having averaged 137 told reporters this week. in a game in franchise history. rushing yards with seven scores in four games.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

EAST W L T Pct. SOUTH W L T Pct. NORTH W L T Pct. WEST W L T Pct. EAST W L T Pct. SOUTH W L T Pct. NORTH W L T Pct. WEST W L T Pct. New England 1 0 0 1.000 Tennessee 1 0 0 1.000 Cincinnati 1 0 0 1.000 Denver 1 0 0 1.000 Dallas 1 0 0 1.000 Carolina 1 0 0 1.000 Green Bay 1 0 0 1.000 San Francisco 1 0 0 1.000 Buffalo 0 1 0 .000 Houston 1 0 0 1.000 Pittsburgh 1 0 0 1.000 San Diego 1 0 0 1.000 Washington 1 0 0 1.000 Atlanta 0 1 0 .000 Minnesota 1 0 0 1.000 Seattle 1 0 0 1.000 Miami 0 1 0 .000 Indianapolis 1 0 0 1.000 Baltimore 0 1 0 .000 Kansas City 0 1 0 .000 N.Y. Giants 0 1 0 .000 New Orleans 0 1 0 .000 Detroit 1 0 0 1.000 Arizona 0 1 0 .000 N.Y. Jets 0 1 0 .000 Jacksonville 0 1 0 .000 Cleveland 0 1 0 .000 Oakland 0 1 0 .000 Philadelphia 0 1 0 .000 Tampa Bay 0 1 0 .000 Chicago 0 1 0 .000 St. Louis 0 1 0 .000

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Ends 9/30/2007

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