NFL Game Previews: Hoover Breaks Down Week 10

Indianapolis (-3) @ Jacksonville, Thursday 8:20 p.m.

Comments:Andrew Luck is coming off a record-setting performance in which he broke Cam Newton's one-year-old rookie mark for most passing yards in a single game by a one yard. It will be interesting to see if the confidence he surely gained from that big day carries over in the short week versus the first team Luck will play twice. If he's better prepared for the Jags this time around after posting 300+ and two scores on them the first time, this could be another monster game for the No. 1 NFL draft pick. With the declining play of a Jaguars defense devoid of difference makers presenting little resistance against either the run or pass, all the Colts primary skill players figure to be very useful this week. Vick Ballard should continue to shine in place of Donald Brown if the latter's knee/hip issues hold him out again, particularly against a run defense that's allowed 12 scores on the ground. Reggie Wayne and promising speedsters T.Y. Hilton and Donnie Avery will look to keep putting up yards through the air... Although the Jaguars are still dead last in total yards per game by a wide margin, Blaine Gabbert is enjoying his best two-game stretch of the season and hoping to continue his improved play against a Colts defense that he burned for an 80-yard game-winning touchdown to Cecil Shorts in Week 3. Gabbert has thrown for 523 yards and three scores the past two weeks and has benefited largely from Jacksonville's increased use of a no-huddle attack. Moreover, the return of Laurent Robinson from concussion symptoms and the slow but steady emergence of Justin Blackmon have combined with the steady play of Shorts to provide Gabbert some legitimate firepower. To fend off Luck and the Colts again though, the Jags will need Rashad Jennings to produce much better than his 3.1 yards-per-carry average, as Jacksonville relied heavily on Maurice Jones-Drew who turned in a monster 177-yard performance the first time the teams played.

Predictions: Gabbert throws for 238 yards and touchdowns to Robinson and Shorts, while Jennings contributes 106 total yards and a rushing score. Luck counters with 304 yards and touchdowns to Hilton and tight end Dwayne Allen. Ballard adds 96 total yards and Delone Carter vultures a short TD. Colts 27-24.

New York Giants (-4) @ Cincinnati, Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Comments: In the past three games Eli Manning has thrown for just 654 yards with only one score and four picks. He's gone without a touchdown in back-to-back weeks for the first time since Weeks 3 and 4 of the 2010 season. His struggles can largely be attributed to having faced two top-5 pass defenses, but for a quarterback with elite tools and superb receivers surrounding him, Manning should theoretically be matchup proof. Everyone's allowed an off day or two, however, and getting a Bengals defense that's allowing a 99.0 passer rating to opposing QB's should serve as a nice pick-me-up for Manning and his owners. That means despite his recent struggles and minor injuries (calf/ribs), Victor Cruz remains a must-start. The same cannot be said however for his usually awesome teammate, Hakeem Nicks, who is again dealing with knee swelling and is a risky play even if he does suit up. On the ground Ahmad Bradshaw will look to overcome his foot issues against a Bengals rush defense that's average at best. His upside though remains limited as Andre Brown has now vultured a short score from him in three straight... The Giants defense does not allow a lot of points per game (20.6) because they are second in the league in both turnovers forced (26) and turnover differential (+14), but they are surprisingly generous in the yards department. Andy Dalton has averaged 266 yards throwing it and should have little trouble hitting or surpassing that mark given that the G-Men give up 264 per game. Also, with Cinci's D giving up 27.3 points a contest, Dalton is likely to have to throw it plenty to keep up with the New York offense. A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham will remain the top beneficiaries and best options among the Bengals skill players. BenJarvus Green-Ellis should remain a solid flex because although he has not topped 4.0 yards per carry in a single game since Week 1, he's had less than 15 carries just once.

Predictions: Manning throws for 297 yards and connects with Cruz and Rueben Randle for scores. Bradshaw totals 81 yards and punches in a short TD. Green-Ellis counters with 74 rushing but can't match the score. Dalton hooks up with Green and Gresham for touchdowns in a 312-yard day but comes up short. Giants 27-23.

Tennessee (+6) @ Miami, Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Comments:Chris Johnson found a seam in garbage time and saved an otherwise horrendous fantasy day with one 80-yard sprint to the end zone in the beating Tennessee took from Chicago last week. Chicago did what their defense has been doing all year and forced turnovers galore. Johnson gave away two fumbles on the day, but made up for it. He may not be so lucky versus a Dolphins defense giving up just 3.6 yards per carry and the third fewest rushing yards per game, but that doesn't mean Johnson should be benched. In fact, given his breakaway speed, there really is no defense he can't run on so he's a no-brainer start as long as he maintains his CJ2K form. While Miami is among the best versus the run, they're just 30th stopping the pass and just gave up a rookie-record 433 yards to Andrew Luck. That means Jake Locker, who is on track to return from his shoulder injury and replace Matt Hasselbeck, and his receiving weapons, primarily Kenny Britt and Nate Washington, could all be useful in fantasy... The Dolphins may be one-dimensional on defense, but the Titans are no-dimensional. As in, they don't stop the run OR the pass. Rookie QB Ryan Tannehill has racked up 1,129 yards throwing it in his past four full starts, but has struggled to get into the end zone with just four scores. A Titans defense that's tied for allowing the most passing TD's at 20 could remedy that. Top targets Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are solid flexes as a result. On the ground, the duo of Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas should similarly find little resistance against Tennessee's 30th ranked run defense which has given up 141.6 yards per week.

Predictions: Johnson carries it for 114 yards and a score, while Locker throws for 232 yards and a TD to Britt. Bush and Thomas combine for 148 total yards with each netting a score on the ground. Tannehill hooks up with tight end Anthony Fasano for a score in a 212-yard effort. Dolphins 27-17.

Detroit (-1) @ Minnesota, Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Comments: A week after turning in his best game of the season with 352 yards and four total touchdowns, Matthew Stafford had his worst fantasy day so far versus the Jaguars last week. With the Lions electing to run it down Jacksonville's throat from start to finish and building a big lead via Mikel Leshoure's three first-half TD's, Stafford didn't have to do much. He went without a single touchdown as he threw less than 40 passes for just the second time this year. With the Vikings defense having allowed a 100-yard rusher in three straight games, and with Calvin Johnson still dealing with knee pain, don't be shocked if this game is relatively similar. Not only is Leshoure running well with short-area quickness and power, but Joique Bell is also performing at a high level, so Stafford's upside may be limited against a 10th ranked Vikings pass defense that held him without a TD pass in Week 4... The Minnesota offense is likely in line for a major hit to an already anemic passing game, as Percy Harvin is doubtful with an ankle sprain that looks like it will keep him out until after the team's Week 11 bye. If Harvin sits, that may actually make Christian Ponder's 372 yards over the last three weeks seem like a decent number. On the plus side for fantasy owners getting sick of the Vikings pass attack, no Harvin could mean Kyle Rudolph may finally catch some passes again after hauling in just two in three games. Regardless of the dynamic wideout's availability, expect coach Leslie Frazier to continue relying on the legs of Adrian Peterson, who much to his owners' delight has turned in monster performances with over 450 yards and four scores in the past three weeks. Despite a stingy Lions run defense that's allowed only two touchdowns on the year, Mr. All Day isn't likely to be slowed any time soon.

Predictions: Leshoure carries it for 86 yards and a score, while Bell adds 70 total yards. Stafford connects with Broyles and tight end Tony Scheffler for touchdowns in a 271-yard day. Ponder throws for 164 yards as Peterson carries the offense again with 132 yards and a score rushing. Lions 24-16.

Buffalo (+11) @ New England, Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Comments: When the Bills hosted the Patriots in Week 4 they had them right where they wanted them, up 21-7 almost midway through the third quarter. Then the real Bills defense showed up and let a potent Pats offense unload 45 points on them in barely 21 minutes of game action. That both C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson were both playing at well under 100% severely hurt Buffalo's ability to maintain their lead. The two backs combined for just 62 yards on 21 carries. With both close to full strength though, they should find much more success despite a New England defense that allows just 88.6 rushing yards per game on average. Spiller in particular is still a quality fantasy option, as the blazing back has totaled over 100 yards in three straight weeks. Ultimately, the Bills figure to get behind and have to throw a fair amount on the Patriots' 28th ranked pass defense. Ryan Fitzpatrick burned them for 350 yards and four TD's the first time out and despite the four picks he also threw, he remains a tantalizing option, as do his top receiving targets, Steve Johnson, Scott Chandler and Donald Jones... The Patriots are rested and relatively healthy coming off their bye week. Tom Brady remains loaded with weapons and the backfield, headlined by Stevan Ridley, is still deep and talented. The Bills allowed Brandon Bolden to explode for 137 yards in their last meeting and with Bolden out, Shane Vereen could find himself producing flex numbers this weekend against the 31st ranked run D. Expect many points out of the Pats offense and don't be afraid to roll the dice on their defense as well. They will give up plenty of yards, but Fitzpatrick has proven he cannot protect the ball well and New England leads the AFC in takeaways.

Predictions: Spiller totals 116 yards while Jackson goes for 82 total and punches one in on the ground. Fitzpatrick hooks up with Johnson and Chandler for touchdowns in a 310-yard effort. Brady throws for 317 yards and scores to Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd. Ridley rumbles for 122 and a TD, with Vereen pitching in 75 total yards. Patriots 37-24.

Atlanta (-1.5) @ New Orleans, Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Comments: The Falcons undefeated record is about to get a big test from a Saints team fired up to make a Wild Card push. If Atlanta wants to maintain it's perfect start to the season for a ninth week it had better stiffen against the run, as it would be a long game and likely an uphill climb if they let a revitalized rush attack help Drew Brees drag out long drives. If Matt Ryan is efficient in the passing game, however, it may not matter what Atlanta's defense does. The Saints, despite a strong effort against Philadelphia, are still by far the worst defense in terms of total yards allowed, and they're right their among the bottom in points given up too. Ryan will look to carve up the 29th ranked pass defense to studs Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez while Michael Turner pummels the league's worst run defense... The Saints may have lost a bit of juice in the pass game without Darren Sproles last week, but the absence of the ball of lightning opened the door for Mark Ingram and Chris Ivory to get more touches. Both were impressive, running with great aggression and bringing a physical tone to an already elite offense. Against a Falcons defense giving up 4.9 yards per carry they figure to combine with Pierre Thomas to form a three-headed monster that could swing the game in favor of New Orleans. Look for Thomas to lead them yardage while Ingram and Ivory have better shots at scoring. In the passing game expect more of the same from Brees. Though Sproles is gone he's got Jimmy Graham and Lance Moore close to full strength and there's always his go-to guy Marques Colston to cause secondaries fits.

Predictions: The Saints RBBC combines for 152 yards on the ground while Ingram adds a score. Brees connects with Graham (2) and Colston for TD's in a 312-yard showing. Turner rumbles for 92 yards, while Ryan rattles off scoring strikes to White, Jones and Gonzalez in a 344-day. Saints 31-27.

San Diego (+3) @ Tampa Bay, Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Comments: If only the Chargers could play the Chiefs every week, Norv Turner might actually keep his job at the end of the season. Unfortunately for fans and owners of Chargers, they have to travel to a Tampa team that plays pretty stiff defense and takes care of the ball on offense. Ryan Mathews won't have much running room against the top ranked Bucs rushing defense that's giving up less than 80 yards per game on average and limiting opponents to a pitiful 3.4 yards per carry. This would be a great week to bench the "feature" back, particularly as Ronnie Brown has stolen most of his third down work. In the passing game Philip Rivers looks to be in much better shape considering the Bucs are at the other extreme against the pass, giving up the most yards of any team through the air. They have only allowed 13 passing scores, however, while also intercepting the same number, so Rivers' upside is limited. Rivers' weapons, Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd in particular, should see good yardage totals given the matchup, and Brown is actually worth a gamble in PPR leagues... It's difficult to put into words just how amazing Doug Martin's second half was against Oakland. He became the first back since 1940 to score three TD runs from at least 45 yards in one game and just the second back all-time to top 250 rushing yards with four touchdowns. AND he did virtually all of that in just one half. Astonishing. Ridiculous. There really aren't many words to describe it, but yet in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately society and league, his crazy stretch of 608 total yards and seven touchdowns in the past three games could be forgotten soon if he stops delivering. With the expectations set so high, expect him to come back down to Earth against a 4th ranked Chargers run defense that has the speed at linebacker to corral him much more effectively than either Oakland or Minnesota has the past two weeks. Lost in all the Muscle Hamster madness is that Josh Freeman has been quite awesome in his own right for five games now, having totaled 1,556 yards and 12 scores during that run with just two picks. With Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams providing highly difficult matchups for defensive backs with their size, strength and athleticism, don't expect this offense to get off track anytime soon.

Predictions: Mathews rushes for 56 yards while Brown totals 88, mostly through the air. Rivers passes for 268 yards and touchdowns to Gates and Danario Alexander. Freeman tosses it for 273 and hits Jackson and Dallas Clark for scoring strikes. Martin totals 113 yards and puts in two more rushing touchdowns. Buccaneers 28-20.

Denver (-4) @ Carolina, Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Comments:Peyton Manning failed to top 300 yards passing with three TD's for a fifth straight game last week. He only got to 291 and three scores. He is surgically demolishing opposing defenses right now and with two big, athletic outside targets in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker there's little reason to think he'll slow down on what looks like a fifth MVP campaign in the making. His next stop does propose a bit of a challenge, as the Panthers defense has allowed just nine passing touchdowns on the season and give up only 224 yards per game. Nevertheless, Manning is too hot for Carolina to cool him off much and only Julio Jones and Roddy White presented the matchup problems to the Panthers that Thomas and Decker will. On the ground McGahee figures to continue his recent struggles against a Carolina defense that has surprisingly not allowed a 100-yard rusher since Week 4, and have limited Marshawn Lynch, Matt Forte and Alfred Morris in the process... Cam Newton wasn't a total bust last week because of the rushing score he added, but only throwing for 201 yards and one score on a tragically bad Redskins pass defense was a huge disappointment, especially when nearly half of those yards came on an 82-yard catch-and-run by Armanti Edwards that was the result of a blown coverage. The 10th ranked Denver pass defense doesn't figure to be kind to him. And unfortunately for fantasy owners the talented duo of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams has yet to produce a feature back. As it stands neither gets the usage he'd need to have much success versus a Broncos run D allowing just 3.7 yards per carry.

Predictions: McGahee rushes for 70 yards, while Manning passes for 286 and touchdowns to Thomas, Decker and Jacob Tamme. Stewart totals 66 yards to Williams' 40 and the former finds paydirt on a short score. Newton throws for 246 yards and a TD to Greg Olsen, but is picked twice in the loss. Broncos 26-17.

Oakland (+9) @ Baltimore, Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Comments: Oakland got walloped by the Doug Martin Express in a brutal second half of football for a defense that had been stout against the run since Week 2. Martin, a back who has drawn many comparisons to Baltimore's Ray Rice, ripped through their defense for three scores over 40 yards in an epic performance. How they bounce back against the real Ray Rice could be a deciding factor in this game, as will be the play of the Raiders' own rushing attack. With both Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson out with high ankle sprains, the Raiders will need to rely on the blazing speed of second-year back Taiwan Jones to test the Ravens' 28th ranked run defense. Jones, and to a lesser extent fullback Marcel Reece, could both be worth a flex start in deeper leagues, however, there's also a good chance Carson Palmer's arm gets a healthy workout and limits either back's upside For Palmer that may still not translate to the big yardage and scores he found last week though facing a Baltimore pass D that's allowed just six scores in eight games... Joe Flacco is in the midst of a miserable stretch over his last five games. He's thrown just four scores during this period and hasn't made it to 250 yards in four straight contests, with less than 200 in three of them. A Raiders defense that has just 11 sacks and five INT's this season could be good medicine for Flacco and his wideouts Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin who have suffered by association, but even though the lack of pressure should open the passing game, if Baltimore takes any cues from Tampa Bay, they'll figure out how to ride Rice to a win-just as they did last week when they fed the franchise back 25 carries.

Predictions: Jones starts in place of Run DMC and Goodson and totals 74 yards. Palmer throws for 246 and connects with Darrius Heyward-Bey and Brandon Myers for touchdowns. Flacco passes for 243 yards and hooks up with Smith and Tandon Doss for scores, while Rice totals 135 yards with a TD on the ground. The Ravens D puts the icing on the cake with a pick six. Ravens 31-17.

New York Jets (+6.5) @ Seattle, Sunday 4:05 p.m.

Comments: Coming off their bye the Jets will travel cross-country to one of the league's toughest venues to play in for a road team. They are in a bad way and at 3-5, this is truly a must-win situation if they want to have a prayer at sniffing a Wild Card. Jets fans of course aren't thinking playoffs after the team lost in demoralizing fashion at home to Miami prior to the bye. A Seattle defense that's third in points allowed, fourth in yards allowed and undefeated at home-with wins over Green Bay and New England-figures to put a hurting on a Jets offense that was held to 5-for-17 on third downs against Miami. Mark Sanchez simply doesn't have the weapons to be effective against a pass defense of Seattle's caliber. Jeremy Kerley and Dustin Keller may see a lot of targets, but if they catch more than 50% of those it would be a surprise. Shonn Greene is also set up for a struggle against a run defense that's only allowed Adrian Peterson to top 50 yards on their turf... Russell Wilson has made great strides in recent weeks and now has eight touchdown passes in the last four games. His chemistry is improving with Sidney Rice and Golden Tate, both of whom are athletic playmakers, and his ability to read the defense is getting quicker, which allows him to hit throwing windows he was missing earlier in the year. He has nine touchdowns to zero picks in four home games this year, but he may find the going a bit tougher against the Jets' top-10 pass defense. On the other hand, facing the 29th ranked run defense should allow Marshawn Lynch to keep his three-game streak of 100+ yards going despite a wrist injury that's limited his practice time this week.

Predictions: Sanchez throws for 147 yards and a score to Keller, but gets two picks in the process. Greene fights his way for 78 on the ground. Lynch bests him with 113 yards and a touchdown, while Wilson hits Tate and Doug Baldwin for TD's in a 198-yard performance. Seahawks 27-10.

Dallas (-1) @ Philadelphia, Sunday 4:25 p.m.

Comments: A divisional rivalry that traditionally is a battle to see which team will finish near the top of the NFC is shaping up more like a back-alley, punchless scuffle between two drunks. Two of the worst scoring offenses in football have made for serious disappointments in fantasy play this year given the talent level of each team's skill positions. Tony Romo has been getting plenty of yardage at just shy of 300 per game, but he's averaging barely one TD a week and has three more picks than scores thus far. Nevertheless, if he can avoid turnovers, Romo could have a solid outing against an Eagles defense that's somehow 31st in sacks this year with 11 after tying for the league lead in 2011 with 50. His security blanket, Jason Witten, figures to be the best option in the passing game given the talented corners Philly boasts. On the ground, DeMarco Murray looks to be out again, and though the Eagles looked susceptible to the run against New Orleans, don't be fooled into expecting much from Felix Jones. In three starts he's rushed 37 times for just 102 yards, and Jones carried it only nine times last week to rookie Lance Dunbar's eight totes... Woe is the Eagles offensive line. The Saints have 20 sacks on the season but registered more than a third of those against Michael Vick as they ran through and around the Philly front at will. At the rate they were blocking in Week 9, DeMarcus Ware may be taking the shotgun snaps before they get to Vick this week. If Philly wants to have a chance against a Dallas D that's surrendered just seven passing scores they'll need to get LeSean McCoy going early and often to at least cause some hesitation from the pass rush. Ultimately this game will come down to turnovers as these teams are the last two in the division in turnover differential.

Predictions: Romo throws for 279 yards and scores to Witten and Dez Bryant. Jones and Dunbar combine for 90 total yards, as McCoy makes them look bad with 136 by himself. He adds a ground score, while Vick is held out of the end zone and finishes with 207 yards passing. An Eagles pick six keeps it interesting. Cowboys 20-17.

St. Louis (+11) @ San Francisco, Sunday 4:25 p.m.

Comments: This week does not look like a pretty one for Rams fans or anyone relying on a St. Louis skill player in fantasy. Sam Bradford draws the 2nd ranked pass defense on the road, coming off their bye and with a very limited contingent of weapons. Even if top target Danny Amendola (shoulder, questionable) does return from a three-game absence, Bradford doesn't figure to have much time to throw, as he's been one of the league's most sacked quarterbacks. On the ground San Fran is equally stiff, so the tandem of Steven Jackson and Darryl Richardson, which has become almost an even split, does not figure to produce much in the way of fantasy help. After all, the 49ers have allowed just eight offensive touchdowns in eight games and given up only 12 combined points in their last four wins... Alex Smith had a career game prior to the Niners' bye going 18-for-19 with three touchdowns against what is still the third ranked Cardinals pass defense. And that ranking is even after Arizona let Aaron Rodgers throw four scores on them in Week 9. That speaks volumes for Smith's ability to perform against even the stingiest defenses, and given that the Rams have allowed just 11 passing scores all year, he'll need to stay accurate to continue putting up numbers. His favorite target of a couple weeks ago, Michael Crabtree, could be limited severely by Cortland Finnegan, so look for Vernon Davis and Randy Moss to be more involved. It won't matter though if the 49ers struggle to throw the ball, as Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter should have little trouble gashing them on the ground.

Predictions: Bradford passes for 194 yards. Jackson and Richardson combine for 107 total yards. Greg Zuerlein kicks two field goals. Smith connects with Davis and Crabtree for scores in a 212-yard effort while Gore rushes for 108 yards and a touchdown in an easy Niners W. 49ers 27-6.

Houston (+1) @ Chicago, Sunday 8:20 p.m.

Comments: These teams are so evenly matched that this contest will come down to one major difference. Having taken just 10 sacks on the season, 31 other quarterbacks have gone down more times than Matt Schaub. Conversely, only Aaron Rodgers has taken more sacks than Jay Cutler's 28. With both defenses being tied for third with 25 sacks apiece, it seems that the nod will go to the Texans in the battle for ball control. While Arian Foster grinds against the Bears' 6th ranked run defense and Matt Schaub-who's thrown just four picks-protects the ball with safe throws, the Texans will look to put themselves in a lot of 3rd-and-short and 3rd-and-medium situations. Conversions will mean points in this game and with the Texans potentially being without the services of Owen Daniels and Ben Tate (hamstring, doubtful), they'll want a low-scoring affair. With Daniels (hip) banged up he'll likely be a game-time decision, which means fantasy owners will likely want to roll out a replacement in the earlier games given the Sunday night start. If he's out though, Andre Johnson should see a boost in value despite a tough matchup with Charles Tillman... Houston has already announced their intention to double Brandon Marshall on every snap and essentially make Chicago completely one-dimensional. For all those owners who've enjoyed a monster campaign from Marshall thus far, be prepared to be disappointed, as this is shaping up to be an outing for the Bears offense similar to their Week 2 loss to Green Bay. Marshall was blanketed by double teams that entire game as well and with Cutler under constant pressure from a relentless Packers pass rush, the stud wideout brought in just two catches for 24 yards. Though Matt Forte's ankle injury limited the offense further in that game, his presence Sunday night may not make much difference as the Texans are allowing an average of only 82 yards per game on the ground and have yet to relinquish a rushing score.

Predictions: Forte totals 86 yards, while Cutler throws for 189 and a touchdown to Devin Hester. Foster grinds out 92 yards and a score rushing, as Schaub tosses it for 204 yards and finds Johnson in the end zone. Texans 17-13.

Kansas City (+12) @ Pittsburgh, Monday 8:30 p.m.

Comments: With Matt Cassel again starting in place of Brady Quinn-who has yet to be cleared for contact after suffering a concussion in Week 8-owners of the Steelers defense must be licking their chops. Cassel has committed multiple turnovers in every game he's played in and is responsible for a whopping 19 in only seven games. So even though the Steelers are among the worst in takeaways, expect this to be their exception. Cassel is just giving them out like candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Facing the top ranked defense against the pass and in total yards, expect minimal returns from the only fantasy-worthy skill players in Kansas City, Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe... The Chiefs have not given up many passing yards this season, as they allow just 222 per game on average. That is not a by-product of good defense however, as short fields resulting from their league-leading 29 turnovers and the fact that they've yet to hold a lead all year have limited the attempts they've faced. They still have a terrible 17-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio though, so Ben Roethlisberger should find little difficulty putting one or two into the end zone, even without the services of Antonio Brown who is doubtful with a high ankle sprain. Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery could see an uptick in value in Brown's absence, but it's likely the Steelers won't need to throw much, so the upside is greatly limited. While Isaac Redman looks in line to start again after a monster 147 yards against the Giants last week, he'll share carries with Jonathan Dwyer who is probable to return from a quadriceps strain. Both players have plenty of value as they figure to get a healthy number of touches killing the clock against a KC defense that allows 4.6 yards per carry.

Predictions: Cassel throws for 171 yards. Bowe grabs 72 of them, while Charles totals 83 yards and gets loose for a score. Roethlisberger passes it for 205 yards and touchdowns to Mike Wallace and Heath Miller. Redman rushes for 87 yards while Dwyer rumbles for 103 yards and a late TD. The defense gets in the act with a fumble return for six. Steelers 31-10.