NFL mismatches: Where to find the edge in Sunday's games
Covers.com
The following is a selection of Sunday games where mismatches in key positions could have a major affect on the outcome.
Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson vs. Denver’s rush defense
Rookie running back Adrian Peterson is the one person ultimately responsible for Minnesota’s success. The Oklahoma product leads the Vikings against one of the league’s weakest rush defenses.
Peterson ranks first in the NFL, averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game, and has more than 1,300 rushing yards this season. Peterson ran for a career-high 296 yards and three touchdowns on Nov. 4 versus San Diego. He also rushed for 224 yards last month against the Bears.
Denver’s opponents have compiled 140 rushing yards per game and have scored 14 rushing touchdowns. Denver allowed Raiders running back Justin Fargas, averaging 72 rushing yards, to accumulate 146 rushing yards against it on Dec. 2.
Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre vs. Detroit’s pass defense
Brett Favre, who has played like an MVP candidate this season, will attempt to exploit the Lions’ mediocre secondary.
Expect the veteran quarterback to suit up against the Lions. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that they will “play to win the game” against Detroit.
Favre enters the game as the fifth-most efficient quarterback in the league. He has completed 66 percent of his passes for more than 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. It is also just the fifth time in Favre’s 17-year career that he has passed the 4,000-yard mark. Favre is averaging more than 270 passing yards per game.
Meanwhile, Detroit’s opponents are averaging 263 passing yards. The Lions have conceded 29 passing touchdowns and are allowing a league-high 27 points per game.
Cleveland receiver Braylon Edwards vs. San Francisco’s secondary
Edwards, tied with Dallas’ Terrell Owens for second in the NFL with 15 touchdowns, will attempt to increase his scoring total against the 49ers.
Edwards is averaging 80 receiving yards and ranks sixth in the league with 1,220 total receiving yards. His 16 yards per reception, ranks eighth. Edwards caught eight passes for 52 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday against the Bengals.
San Francisco has yielded 23 passing touchdowns and is conceding more than 220 passing yards per contest. It also allowed three Tampa Bay receivers to each accumulate more than 70 receiving yards last Sunday.
Philadelphia running back Brian Westbrook vs. Buffalo’s rush defense
Westbrook could be in for a spectacular performance Sunday when Philadelphia faces the Bills’ permeable rush defense.
Westbrook has totaled 1,220 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He rushed for 100 yards in last Sunday’s victory in New Orleans, his second 100-yard rushing total in three contests and his sixth overall this campaign. The all-purpose running back also caught five touchdown passes.
Buffalo is conceding 128 yards per night on the ground, resulting in 10 rushing touchdowns. It allowed two New York running backs to each amass more than 140 rushing yards last Sunday.
San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie vs. Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell
Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell will make his first start Sunday. However, things could get ugly for the rookie when he meets Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie, the league leader in interceptions.
Russell passed for 83 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions in last Sunday’s setback to the Jags. He also has a shaky 24.6 passer rating.
Cromartie leads the league with 10 interceptions in 14 games. He has six interceptions in his last five games and has returned his 10 interceptions for a total of 126 yards.
Indianapolis’ turnovers recovered vs. Tennessee’s turnovers lost
The Colts shouldn’t need Peyton Manning to topple the Titans.
Indianapolis’ defense ranks third in the NFL in yards per game (274) and fourth in points allowed per game (16.4). Most impressively, it ranks second in turnovers recovered.
The Colts have forced 35 turnovers this campaign (22 interceptions and 13 fumbles). Linebacker Gary Brackett leads Indianapolis with four picks, while defensive end Robert Mathis is the team leader in sacks (7.0) and forced fumbles (4).
The Titans have struggled to protect the ball and have turned it over 32 times (22 picks and 10 fumbles). That includes twice in last week’s triumph over the Jets.