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Few surprises on who to start in playoffs
By Duane Cahill
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, December 11, 2003
There shouldn't be many tough choices to make in the playoffs. Dance with who brung ya. Here are the top ten rankings for the coming week:
Running backs
1: Priest Holmes, Kansas City -- Eleven touchdowns in six home games is all you need to know about Holmes. Look for two or three more against Detroit.
2: Jamal Lewis, Baltimore -- The Raiders have licked, stamped and mailed in the 2003 season. Only a rainy day will stop Lewis from getting 150 yards and two scores.
3: Clinton Portis, Denver -- The Browns have allowed 275 rushing yards in their last two games and Portis is averaging 184 yards per game in his last three.
4: Deuce McAllister, New Orleans -- For the first time in ten weeks, McAllister was held to less than 100 yards last week. The Giants are no Tampa Bay, and McAllister starts a new streak.
5: Ahman Green, Green Bay -- The only reason Green isn't higher on this list is because Favre will be throwing the ball all day. Still, look for 100 yards and a score.
6: Edgerrin James, Indianapolis -- Before James' two scores last week, an opposing running back had not found the end zone at Tennessee. He's hot at the right time.
7: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego -- Since Doug Flutie has become the starter for the Chargers, Tomlinson has been more effective as teams can't stuff the run and dare Drew Brees to beat them.
8: Stephen Davis, Carolina -- The only thing that stops opposing rushers in Arizona is the heat. Kickoff weather in Tempe on Sunday will be 65 degrees and partly cloudy.
9: Thomas Jones, Tampa Bay -- The Texans have allowed 153 yards per game since their bye week. Jones has been given the No. 1 running back spot. Jon Gruden won't let the Bucs lapse further.
10: Jerome Bettis, Steelers -- For the second straight week, the Steelers get to face the No. 32 rushing defense in the NFL.
Passing game
1: Indianapolis -- Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison is the league's leading pitch-and-catch duo, and both will continue to pad their stats this week.
2: Green Bay -- The golden rule to follow in 2003 is to start any quarterback not named Harrington against the Chargers, who have already given up 29 touchdowns through the air.
3: Cincinnati -- Jon Kitna and Chad Johnson bounce back from a tough week in Baltimore to light up a suspect 49ers secondary.
4: Minnesota -- Quick. Who is the second-leading receiver for the Vikings? Didn't think so. Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss go wild against the Bears.
5: New York Jets -- Chad Pennington has completed over 65 percent of his passes at home, and the Steelers secondary hasn't improved enough to stop the play action. Look for two long scores, one from Santana Moss.
6: Atlanta -- After a week to knock off the rust, Michael Vick and Peerless Price will lead the Falcons in a high-scoring shootout. Teams complete 63.4 percent of their passes vs. the Colts.
7: St. Louis -- The Rams don't lose at home, the Seahawks don't win on the road. Marc Bulger plus your choice of poison.
8: Philadelphia -- The Dolphins have allowed only five passing touchdowns in six home games, but Manning is the only quality quarterback that they've shut down in Miami. The Eagles are on a roll.
9: Kansas City Chiefs -- The poorer the opponent, the better Trent Green plays. Opponents don't come in flavors much poorer than Detroit.
10: Tennessee -- Steve McNair's ankle could be the injury that puts an end to a terrific season. Even if he plays, the Bills defense will be all over him.
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