Friday December 30th, 2004 - Page updated at 1:30pm
NFL Week 17 Game Previews
By: C. McDermott
NFL Handicapper For WagerOnFootball.com Sportsbook Review

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NFL Preview - Miami (4-11) at Baltimore (8-7)

(Wager On Football - NFL Picks - NFL Matchup Previews)- The Baltimore Ravens will be clinging to the slimmest of playoff hopes when they host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, which is more than can be said for the Dolphins or 14 other NFL teams that will definitely be watching the postseason from the comfort of their own living rooms.

The Ravens, who saw their postseason chances take a large hit in last week's 20-7 loss to the Steelers, would need a win against Miami and losses for Buffalo (vs. Pittsburgh), Denver (vs. Indianapolis) and Jacksonville (at Oakland) in order to win a three-way tie-breaker for the AFC's final wild card spot. Brian Billick's club, which sits in second place in the AFC North, a game ahead of third-place Cincinnati, has lost four of five since a 7-3 start.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, will be looking to close out the Jim Bates era with a third consecutive win. The Fins have gone 3-3 in six games under Bates, who took over as interim head coach when Dave Wannstedt resigned following Week 9. The team announced last Saturday that LSU's Nick Saban would take over head coaching duties beginning in the 2005 season, meaning Sunday will serve as something of a going-away party for Bates. Miami was a 10-7 winner over Cleveland last Sunday night.

SERIES HISTORY

Miami is 4-0 against Baltimore all-time, winning at Memorial Stadium in the 1997 season and at home in 2000, 2002, and 2003. Last season, the Dolphins were 9-6 overtime winners against the Ravens.

Though they have never defeated the Dolphins during the regular season, the Ravens were 20-3 road victors when the teams met in a 2001 AFC First-Round Playoff.

Billick is 1-3 against Miami all-time, including the playoff win. Bates will be meeting both Billick and the Ravens for the first time as a head coach.

DOLPHINS OFFENSE VS. RAVENS DEFENSE

Though the Dolphin running game has made some strides since struggling mightily early in the season, Miami still ranks a distant 31st in NFL rushing offense (82.8 yards per game), ahead of only Oakland. Bates' squad amassed 116 ground yards against the Browns, including 69 on 17 carries for Sammy Morris (434 yards, 5 TD). Travis Minor (380 yards, 3 TD) offered a change of pace, bolting six times for 30 yards in the win. Miami is averaging just 3.4 yards per rush on the year.

The vaunted Baltimore defense had no answer for Pittsburgh's Jerome Bettis last week, allowing the bruiser to rush for 117 yards on 27 carries in a winning effort. Inside linebacker Ray Lewis (146 tackles), who led the team with 13 stops in the loss, is listed as questionable for this week with a fractured wrist. Fellow ILB Edgerton Hartwell (90 tackles) posted 12 tackles against Pittsburgh, and end Marques Douglas (71 tackle, 5.5 sacks) led the line with 12. Despite last week's struggles, the Ravens rank eighth in the league against the run (105.6 yards per game).

Miami will make a change at quarterback this week, as third-year pro Sage Rosenfels will likely make his first career start in place of the injured A.J. Feeley (ribs). Rosenfels played briefly in the win over the Browns, but his only pass attempt fell incomplete. Feeley completed 25 of 43 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland, connecting on an 18-yard scoring strike to Derrius Thompson (22 receptions, 4 TD on the year). Tight end Randy McMichael (71 receptions, 4 TD) was the Dolphins' No. 1 target in the game, finishing with nine receptions for 59 yards. Wideout Marty Booker caught four passes for 31 yards, but is doubtful for this week due to an ankle injury. Chris Chambers (65 receptions, 6 TD), who leads the team in touchdowns this year, was limited to three catches for 25 yards against the Browns. The Miami line has given up 49 sacks on the year, and the team ranks 22nd in NFL passing offense (187.8 yards per game).

The playmaking Ravens secondary was marginalized last week, as the only turnover the team caused, that being an interception by safety Will Demps (84 tackles, 1 INT) was not turned into points. The Steelers kept the ball out of fellow safety Ed Reed's (72 tackles, 8 INT) hands, and cornerbacks Gary Baxter (81 tackles, 1 INT) and Chris McAlister (38 tackles, 1 INT) failed to generate much of an impact. Baltimore also failed to break through with a sack against Pittsburgh, as leading sackman and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs' (56 tackles, 9.5 sacks) day was defined by a costly unnecessary roughness foul against Steeler QB Ben Roethlisberger. Billick's crew comes into the Miami game ranked 10th in the league in passing defense (191.6 yards per game).

RAVENS OFFENSE VS. DOLPHINS DEFENSE

Ravens running back Jamal Lewis (839 yards, 6 TD) will be looking to bounce back this week from one of the weakest outings of his pro career. The former All-Pro rushed 14 times for 26 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers, and will need a huge effort in his final game just to reach the 1,000-yard barrier. Backup Chester Taylor (713 yards, 2 TD), who had three carries for 17 yards in the Pittsburgh loss, nearly surpassed Lewis' total despite 11 fewer attempts. Baltimore ranks ninth in the league in rushing offense (124.9 yards per game).

Miami defeated Cleveland on the strength of its defense, and the return of middle linebacker Zach Thomas (132 tackles) from a three-week absence due to a hamstring injury was a huge development in that regard. Thomas recorded a game-high 18 tackles in the win, helping the Fins to a victory despite 143 rushing yards from Cleveland's Lee Suggs. Fellow LB Morlon Greenwood (99 tackles) chipped in with 10 tackles in the victory, and end Jason Taylor (63 tackles) led the line with nine stops. The Dolphins rank just 30th in NFL rushing defense (140.8 yards per game) entering the Baltimore game.

Baltimore quarterback Kyle Boller (2417 passing yards, 12 TD, 11 INT) couldn't do enough to lead his team to an upset of the Steelers, completing 18 of 32 passes for 177 yards and an interception in the defeat. Boller did lead the team with 28 rushing yards in the contest, however. Wideout Randy Hymes (24 receptions, 2 TD) was the team's leading receiver with four catches for 55 yards. Tight end Todd Heap caught three passes for 34 yards, but was hobbled by a sore ankle and is questionable for Sunday. Travis Taylor, who leads the club in catches (34) and passing yards (421), was inactive despite being healthy last week. Boller was not sacked by the Steelers, and has been dumped 35 times on the year. The Ravens rank next-to-last in the league in passing offense (144.7 yards per game), ahead of only the Bears.

The Dolphins terrorized Cleveland rookie QB Luke McCown last week, intercepting him twice, forcing a fumble, and sacking the youngster twice more. Cornerback Patrick Surtain (53 tackles, 4 INT) and safety Arturo Freeman (30 tackles, 4 INT) notched the picks, and safety Sammy Knight (91 tackles, 4 INT) forced two fumbles in the win. Taylor (9.5 sacks) and fellow end David Bowens (7 sacks) each had sacks in the contest, giving Miami 36 on the year. The Dolphins rank first in the league in passing defense (163.3 yards per game).

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The last time the Ravens went up against an unpolished quarterback was in Week 14, when they humiliated Giants rookie Eli Manning and emerged with a 37-14 victory. Baltimore was fresh off a tough loss to the Bengals in that game, and if possible, the team will be even angrier when it faces the Dolphins. The Ravens need a ton of help to reach the postseason, but you can count on them coming through on their end of the equation. Rosenfels will run for his life, and Baltimore will roll.

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NFL Preview - Cleveland (3-12) at Houston (7-8)

(Wager On Football - NFL Picks - NFL Matchup Previews) The Houston Texans will look to finish the third season in franchise history on a positive note, when Dom Capers' squad plays host to the struggling Cleveland Browns at Reliant Stadium.

After finishing with records of 4-12 and 5-11 in their first two years of existence, the Texans have a chance to finish .500 with a victory on Sunday. Houston has won two in a row entering Week 17, including a 21-0 road upset of the Jaguars last week. Capers and company are currently third in the AFC South, a game back of second-place Jacksonville.

Cleveland, meanwhile, will be attempting to snap a nine-game losing skid by winning their final contest of the year. The Browns were 10-7 losers in Miami last Sunday, and their most recent win occurred in Week 6 against Cincinnati. The franchise is 0-4 under interim head coach Terry Robiskie, who took over when Butch Davis resigned following Week 12, and has scored just 29 points over that stretch.

SERIES HISTORY

Cleveland won the only meeting between the Browns and Texans all-time, prevailing by a 34-17 margin at home during the 2002 season. The franchise last visited the city of Houston in 1995 under head coach Bill Belichick, defeating the Oilers, 14-7.

Capers is 0-1 in his career against the Browns. Robiskie will be meeting both Capers and the Texans for the first time as a head coach.

BROWNS OFFENSE VS. TEXANS DEFENSE

The Browns gave running back Lee Suggs (613 yards, 2 TD on the year) a turn in the backfield last week, and Suggs responded with 143 yards on a career-high 38 carries in the loss. Suggs did hurt the team, however, with a fumble near the Dolphins' goal line. Former starter William Green (585 yards, 2 TD) was active but did not have a carry against Miami, and is unlikely to see much action in Houston. The Browns currently rank 26th in NFL rushing offense (101.3 yards per game).

Houston took away the Jacksonville run last week, allowing the Fred Taylor- less Jaguars to amass just 95 rushing yards on the day. Linebackers Jamie Sharper (127 tackles) and Kailee Wong (65 tackles), who combined for 15 tackles in the win, will this week concentrate on Suggs. Defensive end Robaire Smith (49 tackles) paced the line with five tackles against Jacksonville. Nose tackle Seth Payne (50 tackles), who leads all Houston linemen in stops, was limited to one against the Jaguars. The Texans rank 13th in the league in rushing defense (113.7 yards per game).

Cleveland appears poised to make a change at quarterback this week, as Kelly Holcomb (509 passing yards, 6 TD, 3 INT), finally over sore ribs that have plagued him for over a month, is set to take over for rookie Luke McCown (608 passing yards, 4 TD, 7 INT). McCown struggled to a QB rating of 52.6 in his four starts, and last week completed just nine of 16 passes for 161 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. One of the rookie's better-thrown balls was a 58-yard scoring strike to wideout Dennis Northcutt (50 receptions, 2 TD), who caught a total of four passes for 114 yards in the defeat. Antonio Bryant (35 receptions, 4 TD) added two catches for 15 yards in the game. McCown was sacked twice by the Dolphins, and the Cleveland line has now given up 40 sacks on the year. The Browns rank 27th in NFL passing offense (173.1 yards per game).

The Houston secondary had its finest day of 2004 last week,

holding the Jaguars to just 54 aerial yards. Cornerbacks Dunta Robinson (80 tackles, 6 INT) and Aaron Glenn (58 tackles, 5 INT) held Jacksonville receivers Jimmy Smith and Troy Edwards in check, as the tandem combined for just five catches on the afternoon. Robinson also ranked among team leaders with five tackles in the game. A pass rush that had struggled to bring pressure for much of 2004 recorded three sacks against the Jaguars, with outside linebackers Wong (5.5 sacks on the year) and Jason Babin (4 sacks) both getting in on the action. Houston ranks near the bottom of the league with 23 sacks through 15 games. Capers and company are 23rd in the league in passing defense (225.9 yards per game).

TEXANS OFFENSE VS. BROWNS DEFENSE

Houston's winning formula of late has relied heavily on running back Domanick Davis (1077 rushing yards, 64 receptions, 13 TD), who has posted three 100- yard rushing days in his past five games. Despite playing against Jacksonville's vaunted run-stopping unit last Sunday, Davis rushed for a season-high 150 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries, and also caught a team- best five passes for 39 yards out of the backfield. Davis was spelled by backup Jonathan Wells (294 rushing yards, 3 TD), who managed 34 yards on just five rushes against the Jags. The Texans now rank 17th in NFL rushing offense (115.9 yards per game).

Davis will be eager to show what he can do against Cleveland, which enters this week next-to-last in the league in rushing defense (145.2 yards per game). The Browns allowed Miami to rush for 116 yards last Sunday, including 69 for Sammy Morris. Linebackers Barry Gardner (40 tackles), Chaun Thompson (61 tackle), and Kevin Bentley (58 tackles) will be charged with the task of slowing Davis. Gardner had a team-high eight tackles against the Dolphins. End Kenard Lang (55 tackles, 7 sacks) leads the line in stops, and posted three against Miami. Tackle Gerard Warren (16 tackles, 4 sacks) had a sack and a forced fumble in the game.

Texans quarterback David Carr (3425 passing yards, 15 TD, 14 INT) hasn't exactly been spectacular of late, but has been steady enough to help his team to a modest two-game winning streak. Carr completed 14 of 20 passes for 139 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions last week, and his passer rating now sits at 83.6 for the year. After throwing for 215 yards or more in each of his first nine games, Carr has eclipsed the 200-yard plateau just twice in his last six contests. Pro Bowl-bound wideout Andre Johnson (77 receptions, 6 TD) caught four passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in the Jacksonville game, and No. 2 receiver Jabar Gaffney (40 receptions, 2 TD) added three catches for 39 yards. The Houston line has allowed a bloated 43 sacks of Carr this year, including four last week. The Texans are 16th in NFL passing offense (210.1 yards per game).

Cleveland's strength in 2004 has been its secondary, which has helped the team rank an impressive seventh in NFL passing defense (186.6 yards per game). Safety Robert Griffith (106 tackles), who was named the team's MVP earlier this week, had six tackles and a sack against Miami. Cornerback Anthony Henry (73 tackles, 4 INT), who paces the squad in picks, tallied four tackles. The Browns pass rush has managed only 26 sacks on the year, and had two against the Dolphins. Warren now ranks second on the team to Lang with four sacks on the year.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Texans and Browns clearly appear to be taking different routes to the finish line, with Houston's late-season success likely to elicit great hope for 2005 and Cleveland's swoon enveloping the franchise and its fans in despair. But that doesn't mean this won't be a good game, as the Texans are bound for a letdown following last week's emotional win and the Browns will be fired up to end their year on a positive note, while giving Robiskie a win. Holcomb should be able to keep Cleveland in the contest, but it will be Davis and the Houston ground attack that comes up bigger in the endgame.

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NFL Preview - Detroit (6-9) at Tennessee (4-11)

(Wager On Football - NFL Picks - NFL Matchup Previews) - A pair of teams looking to put a final positive spin on disappointing seasons will square off in the Music City on Sunday, when the Tennessee Titans play host to the Detroit Lions.

One season after finishing 12-4 and narrowly missing a spot in the AFC Championship, the Titans have sputtered to a 4-11 record, their worst since 1994, when the franchise was located in Houston. Jeff Fisher's injury-plagued team dropped its fifth in a row last Saturday, falling to the Broncos, 37-16. Tennessee has clinched last place in the AFC South.

After beginning 2004 with a promising 4-2 record, the Lions lost seven of their next eight to drop out of playoff contention. Steve Mariucci's team was able to secure a rare win last week, when they held off the Bears, 19-13. Detroit currently resides in third place in the NFC North, a game ahead of fourth-place Chicago.

SERIES HISTORY

Tennessee is 5-3 all-time against Detroit, and won the most recent head-to- head matchup, 27-24, on the road during the 2001 season. The Lions' last win over the franchise came in 1995 against the then-Oilers in Houston. Detroit will be making its first trip to Nashville in franchise history.

Fisher is 1-1 in his career against the Lions. Mariucci is 1-0 against both Fisher and the Titans as a head coach, with the win coming for his 49ers during the 1999 season.

LIONS OFFENSE VS. TITANS DEFENSE

The Lions did an excellent job of running the ball against the Bears last weekend, compiling 158 yards on the ground. Rookie running back Kevin Jones (1,061 yards, 5 TD this season) led the way with 123 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. The 22-year-old Jones has posted 753 yards rushing in the last six games alone (125.5 yards per game). Quarterback Joey Harrington also added 26 yards on five scrambles in last week's win. The Lions have the league's 19th- rated rushing offense this season (111.6 yards per game).

The Titans' defense was pushed around in all areas of last Sunday's game against the Broncos. Denver set up its offensive domination with a powerful running attack that racked up 193 yards in Tennessee. Keith Bulluck was very busy for the Titans, as he notched 14 tackles. Bulluck's fellow linebacker Brad Kassell added 11 stops in the loss. The Titans are currently ranked 18th in the league in rushing defense (120.9 yards per game).

As has been the case for much of the year, the Lions struggled throwing the ball in last week's victory. Harrington (2,701, 17 TD, 11 INT) completed just 15-of-30 passes for 166 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. It marked the sixth time in the last seven games that Harrington was held to under 200 yards passing. Reggie Swinton (15 catches, 188 yards, 1 TD) led the Lions with two catches for 42 yards. Rookie wideout Roy Williams, who leads Detroit receivers in catches (50), yards (755) and touchdowns (7), was held to just three catches for 33 yards. The Lions have the NFL's 28th-best passing offense (172.3 yards per game).

The Titans have struggled defending the pass all season long and are ranked 25th in the NFL in terms of passing defense (231.7 yards per game). Tennessee was abused by Jake Plummer and the Broncos last week, as the quarterback completed 21-of-26 passes for 303 yards. Plummer threw a pair of touchdowns, but was also picked off by Bulluck. The Titans, who have just 30 sacks on the season, were unable to get any pressure on Plummer. Cornerback Michael Waddell turned in nine tackles for the Titans.

TITANS OFFENSE VS. LIONS DEFENSE

The Titans' offense was nearly as bad as its defense in last week's loss to the Broncos. Tennessee was held to just 153 yards of total offense and only 59 of those yards came on the ground. Titans leading rusher Chris Brown missed last week's game with a toe injury and is expected to sit out on Sunday. Brown's absence forced Tennessee to turn to Antowain Smith (420 yards, 3 TD) and the team's reserve running back struggled to 59 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. It was a sub-par effort from a team that is ranked 14th in the NFL in rushing offense this season (118.4 yards per game).

The Lions struggled a bit against the Bears' rushing attack last week, as they surrendered 124 yards on the ground. Thomas Jones paced Chicago with 109 yards on 22 carries. James Davis led the Lions linebacking corps with eight total tackles, while defensive linemen James Hall and Dan Wilkinson each posted three stops. Detroit has been an average run-stopping team this season and is ranked 17th in the NFL at running defense (119.5 yards per game).

Tennessee couldn't get anything accomplished with its passing attack in last week's loss to the Broncos. Starting QB Billy Volek, who has been filling in for the injured Steve McNair, completed just 8-of-20 passes for 111 yards with no touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Volek (2,311 yards, 17 TD, 11 INT) injured his knee in the loss and is listed as questionable for this week's game. If Volek can't go the Titans will have to turn to Doug Johnson. Derrick Mason (92 catches, 1,120 yards, 7 TD) led the Titans with four catches for 65 yards against Denver, while Drew Bennett was held to just two catches for 26 yards. Bennett (78 catches, 1,197 yards, 10 TD) had compiled 517 yards and eight touchdown catches in his previous three games. Tennessee has the league's ninth-best passing offense (226.6 yards per game).

The Lions' defense didn't allow much in terms of passing last week against the Bears. Chad Hutchinson connected on 20-of-35 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. Veteran safety Brock Marion posted seven tackles to lead Detroit's secondary. The Lions were able to exert some pressure on the quarterback, as Cory Redding and Jared DeVries each posted a sack. Detroit is currently ranked 20th in the NFL in terms of passing defense (219.8 yards per game).

OVERALL ANALYSIS

This game doesn't offer much in terms of excitement, as the league and its fans turn their attention to the postseason. But both the Lions and Titans would desperately like to finish their seasons on positive notes. However, it would be understandable if Tennessee simply packed it in and ended its nightmare season. After all, countless injuries have lead to the Titans' late- season slide and the ailments have just been too much for the team to overcome. Detroit on the other hand is a young team that hasn't had the same trouble with injuries this season. Look for the Lions to use that fact to their advantage as they pull out a close one.

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NFL Preview - Green Bay (9-6) at Chicago (5-10)

(Wager On Football - NFL Picks - NFL Matchup Previews) - The Green Bay Packers will look to enter the playoffs on a high note, when Mike Sherman and company travel to take on NFC North rival Chicago in Sunday's regular season finale for both teams.

Green Bay wrapped up the NFC North title and a No. 3 playoff seed with a thrilling 34-31 victory at Minnesota on Christmas Eve, and in Week 17 will be attempting to win for the ninth time in 11 games following a 1-4 start. A victory for the Packers on Sunday would give the franchise its fourth consecutive campaign with 10 wins or more.

The Bears, meanwhile, will be attempting to end a disappointing 2004 season with a rare trip to the win column. Lovie Smith's squad suffered its fifth loss in six games last Sunday, losing a controversial 19-13 decision to the Lions. Chicago currently resides in fourth place in the NFC North, a game behind the third-place Lions.

SERIES HISTORY

Chicago holds a 84-77-6 advantage in the series, which dates back to the 1921 season, and was a 21-10 winner at Lambeau Field in Week 2. The Packers had won seven straight games and 18 of 20 matchups prior to that loss. Green Bay will carry a 10-game winning streak at Soldier Field into Sunday's matchup, with their last defeat at the venue occurring in 1993. Chicago last swept the home- and-home with its longtime division rival in 1991.

For all their storied history together, the teams have met just once in the postseason, a 33-14 Bears victory in a 1941 NFL Playoff.

Sherman is 7-2 against Chicago since becoming head coach in 2000, and is 4-0 on the road against the Bears. Smith is 1-0 versus both the Packers and Sherman as a head coach.

PACKERS OFFENSE VS. BEARS DEFENSE

Though much attention will be paid to how long quarterback Brett Favre appears in Sunday's tilt, running back Ahman Green (1150 yards, 39 receptions, 8 TD) is probably the better candidate to see fewer reps in a meaningless game. Green rushed 19 times for 64 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota, and also caught four passes out of the backfield. Backups Najeh Davenport (359 yards, 2 TD) and Tony Fisher (182 rushing yards, 35 receptions, 2 TD) will probably see most of the carries on Sunday. Davenport rushed 11 times for 40 yards against the Vikings, and Fisher had four receptions. The Packers rank 10th in NFL rushing offense (123.2 yards per game).

A Chicago defensive unit playing without linebacker Brian Urlacher (hamstring) failed to stop Detroit's Kevin Jones, allowing the rookie to rush for 123 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. LBs Lance Briggs (121 tackles) and Hunter Hillenmeyer (68 tackles) each registered an impact, however, as Briggs had 10 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown, while Hillenmeyer chipped in with seven tackles. End Alex Brown (47 tackles) has been the line's best run-stopper in 2004, but had just one tackle last week. Tackle Ian Scott (42 tackles, 2 sacks) had three tackles and a sack in the loss. Chicago ranks 26th in NFL rushing defense (132.7 yards per game).

Favre (3892 passing yards, 28 TD, 17 INT) wrote another chapter in his legend last Friday, rebounding from a costly interception return for a touchdown that gave Minnesota a late lead to engineer the game-tying and winning drives. Favre completed 30 of 43 passes for 365 yards and three touchdowns on Christmas Eve, but is unlikely to do as much work against the Bears. Backup Craig Nall (183 passing yards, 3 TD, 0 INT) should see extended time. Wideouts Javon Walker (86 receptions, 11 TD) and Donald Driver (83 receptions, 9 TD) will probably see their workloads reduced as well. Driver had 11 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota, and Walker added five grabs for 90 yards and a score. Favre was sacked only once by the Vikings, and has been dropped a mere 12 times on the year. The Packers rank third in NFL passing offense (274.3 yards per game).

Chicago's team strength in 2004 has been a playmaking secondary that will be attempting to add to the 14 interceptions it has racked up this year. The Bears have scored five of their 24 touchdowns off of INTs in '04. Cornerbacks Jerry Azumah (45 tackles, 4 INT), Charles Tillman (36 tackles) and R.W. McQuarters (66 tackles, 2 INT) will all be looking for the big play against Favre. Safety Michael Green (103 tackles) led the way with 11 tackles and a sack against the Lions. Chicago had two sacks versus Detroit, and have now recorded 35 on the year. The Bears are 12th in the league in passing defense (200.9 yards per game) coming into the Green Bay contest.

BEARS OFFENSE VS. PACKERS DEFENSE

Despite last week's loss to the Lions, Bears running back Thomas Jones (840 yards, 5 TD, 53 receptions) turned in one of his most encouraging performances of the year. Jones rushed 22 times for 109 yards in the loss, and also caught four passes for 34 yards out of the backfield. The 100-yard outing was the first for Jones since Week 3. Jones last scored a touchdown on Oct. 24. Little-used running back Adrian Peterson backed Jones last week, rushing twice for four yards in the loss. Anthony Thomas (404 yards, 2 TD) was active but did not play. The Bears come into Sunday's contest ranked 27th in NFL rushing offense (100.9 yards per game).

Green Bay's corps of linebackers played well in the Minnesota win, as Hannibal Navies (47 tackles), Nick Barnett (112 tackles) and Na'il Diggs (76 tackles) each made their presence felt. Navies led the Pack with eight tackles, and Barnett added six in the game. End Aaron Kampman (67 tackles), who is first on line and fourth on the team in tackles, notched six stops in the game. After some early season struggles, Green Bay now ranks 16th in the league in rushing defense (117.9 yards per game).

Bears quarterback Chad Hutchinson (707 passing yards, 4 TD, 2 INT) shook off a slow start to nearly rally his team last week, but an apparent touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian late in the game was ruled incomplete. Hutchinson completed 20 of 35 passes for 114 yards in the contest, and threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to fullback Jason McKie (11 receptions, 2 TD). McKie led the team with five receptions on the day. Starting wideouts David Terrell (38 receptions, 1 TD) and Bobby Wade (38 receptions) combined for just six catches and 37 yards in the loss. The Bears line has given up 57 sacks this year, including two last week, and the team ranks dead last in NFL passing offense (137.1 yards per game).

Chicago's deficient aerial attack will go up against the Packers' 26th-ranked passing defense (235.1 yards per game), which allowed Minnesota's Daunte Culpepper to throw for 285 yards and three touchdowns last week. Rookie cornerbacks Ahmad Carroll (45 tackles, 1 INT) and Joey Thomas (18 tackles) had their struggles in the game, as did veteran Al Harris (56 tackles, 1 INT). Safety Darren Sharper, who led the secondary with four tackles against the Vikings, has three of the DBs' six INTs in 2004. The Green Bay pass rush has managed 31 sacks this season, with end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (40 tackles, 9.5 sacks) leading the team in that category, but the unit did not pick up one of Culpepper last Friday.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Bears are favored in this game mainly because the Packers are expected to limit the play of their starters, but the absence of players like Favre and Green might not be enough to help Chicago to a win. Green Bay should be able to control the tempo of the game with Davenport and Fisher operating against a poor Bears run-stopping group. On the other side of the ball, there is little reason to expect Chicago to suddenly move the ball effectively, even against the Packers' second group.

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