Week 8 Oct 26, 2007 | More

BYE WEEK: ARI, ATL, BAL, DAL, KC, SEA

Player Notes, Rumors and Quotes:

Koren Robinson (GB) practiced on Monday for his first time since he was reinstated by the league and is likely to play on Sunday. Marvin Harrison (IND) saw limited action in his return from a bruised knee because coach Tony Dungy said he was on a play count. After being a week removed from knee surgery, on Monday, coach Jeff Fisher said Brandon Jones (TEN) could return this Sunday and Jones was also running on a side field at practice on Wednesday. Brandon Marshall (DEN) was arrested and charged with suspicion of a DUI on Monday. Michael Clayton (TB) is expected to miss several weeks after being diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain on Tuesday. Plaxico Burress (NYG) missed practice on Tuesday, but remains likely to play this Sunday. Coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday, said that Hines Ward (PIT) did not have any setbacks after returning to the lineup last Sunday. Rod Smith (DEN) practiced for the first time Wednesday, since having hip surgery over 10 months ago. Chris Henry (CIN) dislocated a finger in his return to practice on Wednesday after being cleared by the league to resume practices, but he still has 2 weeks remaining in his suspension. Nate Burleson (SEA) has had frequent mental breakdowns on the field that are starting to frustrate the coaching staff. Andre Johnson (HOU) will likely not start until after the bye week. Johnson is trying to regain strength in his knee and does not have full range of motion yet. Chris Davis (TEN), Hines Ward (PIT), Michael Clayton (TB), Plaxico Burress (NYG) and Darrell Jackson (SF) all missed practice on Wednesday. Torry Holt (STL), Laveranues Coles (NYJ), Antonio Chatman (CIN), Rod Smith (DEN) and Steve Smith (NYG) were all limited or participated in practice on Wednesday. Drew Bennett (STL), Justin McCareins (NYJ) and Joe Jurevicius (CLE) all fully practiced on Wednesday. Dante Hall (STL) has been ruled out for this week. Ashley Lelie (SF) would start at split end if Darrell Jackson can not go.

Injury Watchlist: A list of injuries reported throughout the week, some teams did not report and player status will be reported when the official injury report is released on Friday.

BUF: Sam Aiken (hamstring) - CIN: Antonio Chatman (hamstring) - CLE: Joe Jurevicius (knee) - HOU: Andre Johnson (knee), Harry Williams (quadriceps) - IND: Marvin Harrison (team decision) - NYJ: Laveranues Coles (calf), Justin McCareins (calf) - NYG: Plaxico Burress (ankle), Steve Smith (shoulder) - OAK: Jerry Porter (shoulder) - PIT: Hines Ward (knee) - STL: Torry Holt (knee), Drew Bennett (hamstring), Dante Hall (ankle) - SF: Darrell Jackson (quadricep) - TB: Joey Galloway (team decision), Michael Clayton (ankle) - TEN: Brandon Jones (knee), Chris Davis (ankle)

Favorable Matchups:

PIT @ CIN: Cincinnati ranks as the worst fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They are ranked as the 4th worst fantasy group against the quarterback position. Cincinnati has allowed 1046 yards to the receivers and 12 out of 16 touchdowns have been allowed to the receivers. Cincinnati allows a touchdown reception on 15% of converted receptions or every 6.84 receptions to the receivers on average.

PHI @ MIN: Minnesota ranks as the 4th worst fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They are ranked as the 5th worst fantasy group against the quarterback position. Minnesota has allowed 1032 yards to the receivers and all 9 passing touchdowns allowed have gone to the receivers. Minnesota allows a touchdown reception on 12% of converted receptions or every 8.34 receptions to the receivers on average.

NYG @ MIA: This game is actually being played in London. Miami ranks as the 6th worst fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They are ranked as the 2nd worst fantasy group against the quarterback position. Miami has allowed 1075 yards to the receiver position and 12 touchdowns. Miami allows a touchdown reception on 19% of converted receptions or every 5.50 receptions to the receivers on average. Their stats wouldn't be this bad, but NE took them out to the woodshed last week, but Miami has lost their starting QB, RB and traded their #1 wideout. The offense should struggle to adjust and stay on the field, leaving their defense more exposed to wear down. The defense has given up 49 and 41 points in back to back games.

Unfavorable Matchups:

CIN vs PIT: Pittsburgh ranks as the 6th best fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They rank as the 8th best fantasy group against the quarterback position. Pittsburgh has only allowed 803 yards to the receivers and 3 touchdowns. Pittsburgh has only allowed a touchdown reception on 5% of converted receptions or every 22 receptions to the receivers on average, so lower your expectations.

JAC @ TB: Tampa Bay ranks as the 3rd best fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They rank as the best fantasy group against the quarterback position. Tampa Bay has only allowed 858 yards to the receivers and 2 touchdowns. Tampa Bay has only allowed a touchdown reception on 3% of converted receptions or every 39 receptions to the receivers on average. Jacksonville ranks as the 5th best fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They rank as the 13th best fantasy group against the quarterback position. Jacksonville has only allowed 847 yards to the receivers and 1 touchdown. Jacksonville has only allowed a touchdown reception on 2% of converted receptions to the receivers on average, best in the league. Look elsewhere or definitely lower your expectations for both teams.

DEN vs GB: Green Bay ranks as the 7th best fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They rank as the 9th worst group against the quarterback position. Green Bay has only allowed 697 yards to the receivers and 5 touchdowns. Green Bay has allowed a touchdown reception on 11% of converted receptions or every 9.20 receptions to the receivers on average. Not great stats, but alot of those stats were from their first four games. Their last 2 games they only allowed, 8 receptions, 112 yards and no touchdowns to the receiver position, best in the league during those two games and their coming off a bye.

Watchlists: Players that may be available or are worth keeping an eye on.

Brandon Stokley - DEN: Last Week: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 84%RC (reception conversion), 70 yards and 1 touchdown. Walker had knee surgery and should be out at least a month, so Stokley will see plenty of action during that time. 

Marty Booker - MIA: Last Week: 8 targets, 3 receptions, 38%RC, 28 yards and no touchdowns. Not great stats but, NE took Miami out to the woodshed last week. With Chambers being traded, Booker becomes the #1 and will see alot of targets because of it and they should be playing from behind often, so they'll have to air it out.

Biggest Bust of the Year Watchlist:

1. Lee Evans - BUF: 39 targets, 17 receptions, 44%RC, 211 yards, 0 touchdowns

2. Reggie Brown - PHI: 37 targets, 17 receptions, 46%RC, 214 yards, 0 touchdowns

3. Mark Clayton - BAL: 34 targets, 18 receptions, 53%RC, 153 yards, 0 touchdowns

Rookie of the Year Watchlist:

1. Dwayne Bowe - KC: 46 targets, 29 receptions, 63%RC, 499 yards, 3 touchdowns

2. Calvin Johnson - Det: 24 targets, 13 receptions, 55%RC, 229 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown

3. James Jones - GB: 39 targets, 23 receptions, 59%RC, 293 yards, 1 touchdown