QUARTERBACK
DREW BLEDSOE
Cowboys
VS. Giants
This isn't as much a nod to Bledsoe
's abilities as it is to his newfound
chemistry with wideout Terrell Owens
. As a Cowboy, Bledsoe
has been mortal
against the Giants, averaging 229 yards and one TD. But Owens
and Terry Glenn
could have a field day against New York
's overmatched corners, to Bledsoe
's
benefit.
BRUCE
GRADKOWSKI
Buccaneers
VS. Eagles
Here's this week's Waiver Wire Quick Fix at QB. Jon Gruden
clearly has faith in
the rookie from Toledo
(he has thrown 75 passes in two starts), and the kid has
proved a safe bet (four TDs, one interception). And anyone who saw the Eagles
lose to the Saints
knows this: Philly has pass-defense problems.
CHAD
PENNINGTON
Jets VS. Lions
Pennington
's last go-round with Detroit
was glorious: four TDs on 229 yards
passing. That came in '02, and since then the Lions
' pass defense has somehow
gotten worse. Statistically it ranks near the league bottom, and only the 49ers
have given up more points. After two so-so weeks Pennington
will bounce
back.
RUNNING BACK
TATUM BELL
Broncos
AT Browns
Every featured back who has faced Cleveland
has gained at least 86 rushing
yards; three ( DeShaun Foster
, LaMont Jordan
and Rudi Johnson
) have exceeded
100. Now fully entrenched as the Broncos
' top runner, the speedy Bell, playing
behind the AFC's best run-blocking line, should also crack the century
mark.
FRED TAYLOR
Jaguars
AT Texans
When we last saw Taylor
he was running for 111 yards and a touchdown on 21
carries in a trouncing of the Jets. Now, after a bye week, he's ready to be
unleashed against the Texans, who rank among the worst units against the run,
giving up 145.8 rushing yards per game and six rushing TDs in the last
four.
KEVIN JONES
Lions
AT Jets
Just a week after being shut down by the Vikings
in his worst game of the year
(eight yards), Jones
bounced back against Buffalo with his best (127 yards, one
TD) while playing behind a patchwork offensive line. Jones
should have a
cakewalk against a woeful rushing defense that has allowed a league-high 12
TDs.
WIDE RECEIVER
MICHAEL
CLAYTON
Buccaneers
VS. Eagles
With big names such as Holt, Berrian and Horn on their bye weeks, Clayton may
be this week's best stopgap at receiver. He had his best game of the year on
Sunday against the Bengals
(six catches, 55 yards and a TD) and seems to be a
nice fit with new QB Bruce Gradkowski
.