QUARTERBACK
DREW BREES
Saints VS.Jaguars
He's coming offthree solid outings (801 yards, eight TDs) against mediocre Seahawks, Falconsand Niners defenses, so you can finally be comfortable with Brees as apotential starter—but not against a Jacksonville defense that has allowed amere four passing touchdowns in seven games.
JON KITNA
Lions VS.Broncos
It's time to lookpast coordinator Mike Martz's reputation as a passing genius and recognize thatit's been a month since Kitna's last TD toss. Denver brings one of the NFL'stop-rated air defenses to Motown.
RUNNING BACK
WILLIE PARKE
Steelers VS.Ravens
His per-carryaverage against Baltimore is an ugly 3.1 yards; his per-game average is 43; hisTD tally is zero. Case closed.
LAURENCEMARONEY
Patriots ATColts
As if you needanother reason to sit this leading candidate for Most Frustrating Player of theYear: What about Bob (Sanders)?
DESHAUN FOSTER
Panthers ATTitans
Take Tennessee'srun defense extremely seriously: No back has cracked 82 yards against it.
TIGHT END
KELLEN WINSLOW
Browns VS.Seahawks
Yes, Cleveland issure to go aerial against Seattle, which allows 212.7 passing yards a game. ButDerek Anderson is more likely to look deep for Braylon Edwards and JoeJurevicius, and the Seahawks have yet to allow either 45 yards or five catchesto a tight end.
WIDE RECEIVER
STEVE SMITH
Panthers ATTitans
Carolina's brittleQB combo of Vinny Testaverde and David Carr diminishes Smith's value. That plusTennessee's swarming defense will add up to a disappointing day.
REGGIE WAYNE
Colts VS.Patriots
Sit him only ifyou have great receiver depth, but in eight career regular- and postseasongames against the Pats, he's averaged 58.5 yards and has only two TDs.
LAVERANUESCOLES
Jets VS.Redskins
Coles has beenmaking Gang Green feel blue, gaining a total of 70 yards on five catches, withone touchdown, in the Jets' last three home games.
KICKER
JASON ELAM
Broncos ATLions
Detroit plays aseldom-seen defensive style: break but don't bend. The Lions give up 25.4points per game, but opponents have made only five field goals.
DEFENSE / SPECIALTEAMS
COLTS VS.Patriots
Don't expect anylow-score bonuses in this matchup of the NFL's elite; the powerhouses haveaveraged a combined 60 points in their last three meetings.
ALSO SIT WRMarques Colston Saints, WR Derrick Mason Ravens, TE Heath Miller Steelers, allBears, Dolphins, Giants, Rams (bye)
PHOTO
TIM UMPHREY/GETTY IMAGES (BREES)
PHOTO
JL DYKSTRA/ICON SMI (SMITH)
PHOTO
THOMAS E. WITTE (WINSLOW)
PHOTO
SIMON BRUTY (PARKER)
