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ON SALE NOV. 24-30, 2010 www.usatoday.com

Defying
THOMAS
JONES

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RBs still
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after years
of wear
and tear

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2 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

Baseball NFL
4 Running against time
The lifespan of an NFL running back is typical-
ly short and painful. But this trio of NFL stars
keeps on churning out the yards even as their
odometers keep rolling:
uLaDainian Tomlinson, Page 5
uThomas Jones, Page 6
uRicky Williams, Page 7
By Tom Pedulla

8 NFL report
Bill Belichick and Andy Reid have successfully
reloaded their rosters without reeling in the
standings.
By Jamie Squire, Getty Images By Jim Corbett
Looking back: Zack Greinke won uPower rankings, Page 9
the AL Cy Young Award in 2009. uRookie focus: Alterraun Verner, Page 9
More NFL
30 MLB report FANTASY .......................................................................................... 10
VALUE METER ................................................................................ 12
Exploring potential WEEK 12 PREVIEWS, TEAM NOTES ................................. 14-29
trades of Zack Greinke
and Justin Upton; plus,
awards surprises and
possible playoff changes.

32 Seattle slump Cover credits

Organizational report:
The 2010 Mariners went Thomas Jones by Denny Medley, US Presswire;
from darlings to door- LaDainian Tomlinson by Rick Stewart, Getty Images
mats, shifting focus back
to player development. Advertising rep firm
By Paul White Craig Renfro
35 Patience, D.C. 972-416-9782
craig@renfromediagroup.com
Organizational report:
Despite improvement, Live scores and stats
Nationals general man- on your cellphone
ager Mike Rizzo cautions Send text message to 4INFO (44636) with:
organization is in infancy. §TEAM NAME (YANKEES) or
By Seth Livingstone §PLAYER NAME (DEREK JETER)

Corrections & Clarifications

USA TODAY is committed to accuracy.
To reach us, contact Reader Editor
Brent Jones at 800-872-7073 or
e-mail accuracy@usatoday.com.
After the shuffle,
Woods’ raw deal
The Bengals’ Ickey Woods was a punishing ballcarrier whose
career was cut short by injuries after four seasons.
1989 photo by Rusty Kennedy, AP

c Sports Weekly Volume IX, No. 12 (ISSN 1541-5228)

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John Hillkirk, Editor
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Your connection
to sports coverage
online and TV
Holiday broadcasts
serve up some turkeys
As CBS celebrates its 5,000th NFL game
broadcast with Miami Dolphins-Oakland
Raiders on Sunday (4 p.m. ET), the week
also offers two modern NFL TV twists:
uThe Thanksgiving Day triplehead-
er. Some good teams will be on display.
The problem is they won’t be playing
each other.
CBS kicks off with the 8-2 New England
Patriots at the 2-8 Detroit Lions
(12:30 p.m. ET) in the annual Lions home
game that the NFL should rotate between
various teams, rather than upsetting the
Online
nation’s digestion with
its annual spotlight on
the Lions.
and on TV Then Fox offers a
Michael flawed second course in
the 7-3 New Orleans
Hiestand
Saints at 3-7 Dallas. The
Cowboys are usually the NFL’s biggest TV
star, and Fox’s Terry Bradshaw on Sun-
day suggested Dallas could make the
playoffs. But a game that seemed tasty
when the NFL’s TV menu first came out
looks a little bland.
With the arrival of the NFL Network
(NFLN) having turned Turkey Day into a
three-course TV sit-down, it’s worth sav-
ing room for its 2-8 Cincinnati Bengals at
8-2 New York Jets dessert (8:20 p.m. ET),
if only because the Jets have been consis-
tently entertaining since appearing on
HBO’s preseason Hard Knocks.
As NBC’s Bob Costas put it: “A smart
man once said, ‘It’s better to be lucky
than good.’ Better yet to be both. Exhib-
it A for 2010: the New York Jets.”
Oddly, the NFL TV carrier without any
Turkey Day action might have the biggest
rooting interest. If the Patriots and Jets
win, ESPN will inherit a monster big-mar-
ket showdown when the teams play the
next week on Monday Night Football.
uAnnouncer-less game coverage
with lots of talking. Given NFLN’s game
analysts — loquacious Joe Theismann
and Matt Millen — there’ll be plenty of
talk for its live Bengals-Jets coverage. But
there’ll probably be even more when it
re-airs the game Saturday night (8:30
ET). NFLN will not use announcers but
will instead draw from about 15 players
and coaches miked during the game —
with any expletives scrubbed.
MLB note: With ESPN having dropped
announcers Joe Morgan and Jon Miller
from the 21-year perch calling Sunday
night MLB games, Miller says he’s mulling
an offer to keep calling those marquee
games for ESPN Radio. But while he plans
to listen to the offer, Miller tells the San
Francisco Chronicle, he’s not likely to ac-
cept it. Miller also calls San Francisco Gi-
ants games.
Overheard at
usatoday.com
Johnson: Worthy of Hall?
In The Huddle blog’s ongoing series, USA
TODAY’s Nate Davis examines the Hall of
Fame credentials of current NFL players. This
week: the Houston Texans’ Andre Johnson.
It’s been a frustrating season for Johnson,
a trend that continued Sunday when the
wide receiver was limited to four catches
for 32 yards against the New York Jets.
Johnson, a Pro Bowler in four of the last
six years, has been nursing an ankle injury
that has cost him one game, and he’ll need
a strong finish to become the first man to
post three consecutive 1,500-yard receiving
seasons while trying to drive the suddenly
flagging Texans to their first playoff birth.
Still, coming into Week 11 the two-time
first-team all-pro ranked No. 1 in NFL histo-
ry with 79.4 receiving yards a game, has a
strong claim as the game’s top wideout and
has quickly built an impressive case to be
the first member of the Texans worthy of a
ticket to Canton, Ohio.
In seven-plus seasons, Johnson has 643
Managerial merry-go-round
When baseball’s regular season ended, nine
managerial jobs were available, and as Terry Col-
lins’ hiring by the New York Mets fills the last
available slot, an old theme has been revisited:
Retreads are in.
Of the nine managers hired or retained since
the end of the season, four are in at least their
second go-round as managers: Eric Wedge (Se-
attle Mariners), Fredi Gonzalez (Atlanta Braves),
Clint Hurdle (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Collins.
Three were interim managers retained by their
clubs: Kirk Gibson (Arizona Diamondbacks),
Mike Quade (Chicago Cubs) and Edwin Rodri-
guez (Florida Marlins).
— Gabe Lacques
Get MLB news at dailypitch.usatoday.com
ricig
USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 3
I thought they were going to say
.
that (Brett) Favre was going to Webline
coach from the backfield.
— Lefty.Greene, on the Minne-
sota Vikings firing coach Brad Chil-
dress
By Sam Riche, The Indianapolis Star
Super sub: The Colts’ Blair White, right, has
been filling in for injured Austin Collie.
By Stephen Morton, AP
Held in check: Texans wide receiver Andre
Johnson has had a tough go of it lately. Thursday
Fantasy football chat: USA TO-
catches for 8,761 yards, leaving him 10th
Noon DAY’s Matt Pitzer answers your
Week 12 lineup questions
among current players in both categories. Click here: fantasyfootball.usatoday.com
uIs Andre Johnson a Hall of Famer?
NFL picks: USA TODAY’s panel picks the
O Still has to improve credentials ............51%
O No way ........................................................25% Week 12 winners
O Absolutely ..................................................24% Click here: nfl.usatoday.com
Friday
Votes: 1,475 at thehuddle.usatoday.com
Bell Tolls: USA TODAY’s Jarrett Bell pre-
views Week 12
Click here: nfl.usatoday.com
Sunday
Fantasy football chat: USA
Noon TODAY’s Matt Pitzer helps set
your Week 12 lineup
Click here: fantasyfootball.usatoday.com
Monday
10 Questions: USA TODAY’s Sean Leahy
spins around the NFL with 10 questions
from Sunday’s Week 12 games
Click here: thehuddle.usatoday.com
Tuesday
NFL replay: USA TODAY’s Jarrett Bell’s
By Koji Watanabe, Getty Images best and worst from Week 12
Back in business: Terry Collins previ- Click here: nfl.usatoday.com
ously managed the Angels and Astros.
All times Eastern
by Mike Ricigliano
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4 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

National Football League

A senior circuit of running backs

Position can cut careers short,
but 30-somethings Tomlinson,
Jones, Williams are new breed
By Tom Pedulla second game.
He would not step on the field
CINCINNATI again for 13 months.

I
CKEY WOODS OFFERS HIS mid-
dle-aged version of the “Ickey
Shuffle,” the end-zone dance he
made popular when his bruising
running ability helped the fun-loving
Cincinnati Bengals reach Super
Bowl XXIII to close the 1988 season.
Woods barely has a perceptible
bounce to his step as he extends his
right leg three times and repeats
that motion rather stiffly to the left.
There is nothing pleasant about
watching this “Ickey Shuffle” and
certainly nothing to celebrate. His in-
ability to do much of a shuffle at all
provides a grim reminder of the
enormous toll the NFL can take on
running backs.
“I have problems with my knees
every day,” says amiable Woods,
speaking before he appeared at a re-
cent ESPN Monday Night Football
Chalk Talk luncheon at Cincinnati
Music Hall. “I can’t even really bend
them.
“It’s a process getting up in the
morning. It’s half an hour, 45 min-
utes before I’m walking good. And
on really cold days, they ache some-
thing fierce.”
He is due to have both knees re-
placed in February. Doctors urged
him to have surgery earlier, but he
wanted to wait until after the Super
Bowl. That’s how much football
means to him.
Woods’ chest all but swells with
The freak injury to his right knee
that forced retirement after four sea-
sons underscores how quickly it can
all end for a running back.
According to the NFL Players Asso-
ciation, the average career of a run-
ning back is 2.57 years.
Woods was going through a non-
tackling drill during training camp
with Cincinnati when a rookie, ap-
parently thinking he was impressing
coaches with his toughness, grabbed
the veteran by the face mask.
Woods’ neck and body twisted,
causing his right leg to land at an im-
possible angle.
“Needless to say, he was sent
home the very next day,” Woods
says. “But the damage was done.”
Maladies all too common
Jerome Bettis, known as “The Bus”
during a 13-year career, can identify
with the discomfort Woods experi-
ences when he awakens.
“I think there’ll come a time when
I need to get my knees replaced,” he
says, “just because of the pounding
of the sport I was involved in.”
Thickly-built Bettis was initially
known as “The Battering Ram” when
he broke in with the Los Angeles
Rams. He pounded out 1,429 yards
on the ground as the 1993 offensive
rookie of the year.
He soon found he was neither a 1996 photo by Keith Srakocic, AP

pride when he reflects on a career
shortened to four years by devastat-
ing injuries to both knees. As he de-
scribes his straight-ahead style, he
refers to himself as a bulldozer.
“It was fun to actually run some-
body over,” he says, “being in the
film room and talking about it and
laughing about it.”
Woods’ rookie season was memo-
rable as he played a key role in help-
ing Cincinnati reach the Super Bowl
by rushing for 1,066 yards and 15
touchdowns. He bulled ahead for an-
other 228 yards and three touch-
downs during the postseason.
His second year became forgetta-
ble when he tore the anterior cruci-
ate ligament in his left knee in the
bulldozer nor a battering ram.
“Early on in my career kind of pre-
pared me for the end of my career,”
says Bettis, another participant in
the Chalk Talk program. “My first
year in the NFL I had a litany of inju-
ries. I had a bruised sternum. I had a
baseball-sized contusion on my hip. I
had sore ribs, a sore knee. Every-
thing was sore.”
Bettis had relished contact as a
fullback at Notre Dame. He soon
found he was playing not only a dif-
ferent position but a more punishing
game in the pros.
“I realized if I wanted to play run-
ning back,” he says, “I couldn’t sus-
tain this type of punishment and still
be effective. I came to the quick real-
Steelers great: “I realized if I wanted to play running back,” Jerome Bettis says, “I couldn’t sustain this type of punish-
ment and still be effective. I came to the quick realization that I had to make people miss, and I had to avoid contact.”
ization that I had to make people many of Bettis’ sentiments. “I don’t back system. It can extend careers of
miss, and I had to avoid contact.” take too many hits. I can make guys quality runners and help keep them
Woods never changed his bulldoz- miss,” he says. “If you’re a smart fresh and productive for critical late-
er mentality. Bettis did. runner, you can play a long time.” season games and the playoffs.
“If there were two or three guys Fans envision running backs “There are a limited number of
making the tackle and there was no straining with everything they have hits a guy can take, plain and sim-
way out,” he says, “you have to be for extra yardage even as tacklers ple,” says NFL Network analyst and
smart about it and go down instead tear at their arms and legs. That is former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian
of fighting for another yard and put- the stuff of Hollywood, not reality. Billick. “Nobody, in my opinion, takes
ting yourself in a bad position. “Sometimes you have to know more of a beating than the running
“I was always physical. When when to go down,” Jones says. “You back. He is being hit more than any
there was an opportunity, I took it. have to pick your battles because the player on the field.”
When there was zero opportunity, I whole point is being durable and With defensive players bigger,
was smart enough to pull back.” playing the whole season.” stronger and faster, those hits seem
The Kansas City Chiefs’ Thomas More and more, teams are getting to be increasingly difficult for one
Jones, in his 11th NFL season, echoes that point by resorting to the two- back to continue to get up from.

http://hotnpapers.blogspot.com

Ex-Charger recharged: The Jets’ LaDainian Tomlinson, 31, found strength he did not know existed in his workouts.
The Atlanta Falcons and Michael
Turner learned a lesson about the
nature of the position in 2008. The
team was eager to showcase Turner
after signing him as a free agent. Tur-
ner was equally enthusiastic about
strutting his stuff after being stuck
behind LaDainian Tomlinson with
the San Diego Chargers.
Turner carried 376 times for 1,699
yards that season and set a franchise
record with 17 rushing touchdowns.
But there was a price to pay. He was
not nearly the same player last year,
missing five games with an ankle in-
jury. He was limited to one carry af-
ter Nov. 29.
“I do think we have to manage his
exposure to the number of times he
is being hit,” says Falcons third-year
coach Mike Smith of Turner, 28. “I’m
not going to set a number because
that would be an artificial number,
but we know he can’t have 376
touches in a season and be produc-
tive year in and year out.”
There are only so many miles on
the tires, leading teams to be keenly
aware of age.
“With any player, when he turns
30, you say, ‘OK, let’s evaluate where
we are because the curve is trending
downward,’ ” Billick says. “That’s
running backs, especially, because of
the hits they take.”
Jones, 32, calls it annoying that
some observers believe even the
best runners outlive their usefulness
and inevitably slow down at 30.
“It sounds good. It sounds as
though it might be logical,” he says.
“But you have to take into consider-
ation the player and his personality.
It’s all about the person and his char-
acter and his production.”
The Miami Dolphins’ Ricky Wil-
liams, 33, says of his longevity, “Peo-
ple say running backs last a certain
number of years. I guess I never real-
ly believed it, so I’m not surprised.”
Like Jones, Williams does not ap-
preciate it when he hears commen-
tators attach timelines to running ca-
reers.
“It’s frustrating in the sense that
people are putting their limitations
on us,” he says.
USA TODAY Sports Weekly looks
at the New York Jets’ Tomlinson,
Jones and Williams, three 30-some-
thing backs who do not appear to be
running on empty:
By Richard Mackson, US Presswire
Tomlinson’s
resurrection
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — “How do
you feel?” strength and conditioning
expert Joe Carini asked Tomlinson
soon after the running back signed
with the Jets following his release
from the Chargers.
“I’ve got a lot left in me,” Tomlin-
son replied. “I’ve got to get stronger.
If I get stronger, I can get back to
where I was.”
Carini, who owns the House of
Iron in Pine Brook, N.J., emphasized
the need for dedication if his pro-
gram was to make a difference for a
onetime superstar coming off a ca-
reer-low 730 rushing yards. He had
piled up more than 1,000 yards on
the ground every year before that.
“I’m committed,” LT assured him.
Then Carini watched Tomlinson
work and understood why he ranks
among the finest backs of all time.
“To be honest, commitment went
beyond committing,” he says. “The
man would train, between running
and lifting, 41⁄2 hours straight.”
Tomlinson, 31, found strength he
USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 5
did not know existed.
“When he was all those years in
San Diego, (lifting) 225 pounds was a
lot. To me, we’re warming up at 400
pounds,” Carini says. “After the first
hour, he was like, ‘This is no joke, but
this is what I need to be doing.’ ”
This season, Tomlinson has carried
the ball 153 times for 692 yards, 38
shy of his total of last season. He has
scored five of the Jets’ eight rushing
TDs. He also leads the club with 43
catches for 315 yards.
“This is how I expected things to
go,” Tomlinson says contentedly.
The same holds true for Jets coach
Rex Ryan. He envisioned the one-
time franchise back as an ideal run-
ning mate for hard-charging second-
year man Shonn Greene.
“When people said, ‘Well, his play
is going down,’ I was like, ‘Well, I still
see a great pass protector, a great re-
ceiver and still a great runner,’ ” Ryan
says. “He’s been everything we ex-
pected, and more.”
Tomlinson heard boos from San
Diego fans who cheered him for so
many years when the Jets held him
to 24 yards on 12 carries in the Char-
gers’ 17-14 playoff loss in January. He
looked very much like a worn-out
back that afternoon.
But Tomlinson, 5-10 and 221
pounds, says many factors explain
his revival. The biggest is a return to
health after what he describes as
two years of nagging physical issues,
including toe and groin injuries in
2008 and a sprained ankle in 2009.
“I think everybody at one point in
time gets injured because it’s a vio-
lent game. I’ve had my share of that,”
Tomlinson says. “If I hadn’t had that
the last couple of years, nobody
would be talking about 30 and get-
ting old and this kind of stuff.”
He finds the change in teams and
coasts invigorating. “You get to the
point where . . . mentally you start
to get drained,” he says. “In coming
here, I feel great.”
Ryan’s “Ground and Pound” phi-
losophy evokes memories of “Marty-
ball,” the smashmouth style he rel-
ished under former San Diego coach
Marty Schottenheimer. His run un-
der Schottenheimer, the Chargers’
coach from 2002-06, culminated in
1,815 rushing yards and an NFL sin-
gle-season record 28 rushing TDs
when he was league MVP in 2006.
“It is a better fit for me,” Tomlin-
son says of Ryan’s run-first mental-
ity. “(The Jets) use me the right way.”
Norv Turner, in his fourth year as
San Diego’s coach, emphasizes a
passing attack that capitalizes on the
Pro Bowl talents of quarterback Phil-
ip Rivers. The Chargers went to the
air 519 times last season vs. 427 run-
ning plays.
“Norv has his own philosophy,”
Tomlinson says. “I tried to do the
things they wanted me to do, but it
just didn’t work out.”
Jets cornerback Antonio Cromar-
tie, acquired from San Diego in a
trade, credits New York’s offensive
line for Tomlinson’s revival.
“He’s the same guy he was in
2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009,” Cro-
martie says. “But he has an offensive
line that can block.”
The Jets led the NFL by averaging
172.3 rushing yards last season. They
reached the AFC Championship
Game for the first time since 1998.
The running game remains an es-
sential element in New York’s suc-
cess. The 8-2 Jets, tied with the New
England Patriots for the AFC East
lead, rank fourth in rushing with
145.9 yards.
“They run the football as good as
anybody in the game,” Houston Tex-
ans coach Gary Kubiak says.
According to Jets veteran right
tackle Damien Woody, success on
the ground is a mind-set.
“Our basis is going to be ground-
and-pound. That’s where everything
starts,” Woody says. “We want to get
off the bus running.”
Ryan and general manager Mike
Tannenbaum were intrigued by
more than what Tomlinson can do
with a handoff.
“When you talk about third
downs in particular, you not only
have a great receiver out of the back-
field . . . but you’d better be able to
protect the quarterback. That’s what
he does,” Ryan says. “Oh, by the way,
he’s a great runner with it.”
Second-year quarterback Mark
Sanchez calls Tomlinson “that securi-
ty blanket underneath who can run
for 20-plus yards on a 3-yard pass.”
The Jets saw Tomlinson, 10th all-
time with 17,452 all-purpose yards,
and Greene as an ideal tandem.
“LT is such a threat out of the
backfield, and he can get to the pe-
rimeter,” says offensive coordinator
Brian Schottenheimer, Marty’s son,
“and Shonn’s such a bruiser. . . . It’s
awfully nice to have a change-of-
pace back where Shonn’s pounding
you between the tackles and, next
thing you know, LT’s on the edge.”
For a team so confident it can
reach the Super Bowl that Ryan
wrote, “Soon to be champs” when
asked to sign an ESPN tour bus dur-
ing training camp, one of the keys is
keeping Tomlinson fresh and there-
fore productive.
Ryan started allowing him to miss
one midweek practice, giving him
more time to study the game plan
while allowing a body that has taken
so many hits extra time to heal.
As Tomlinson pursues an elusive
Super Bowl ring, the Jets value the
way he carries himself at all times.
“It starts with being selfless,” says
Marty Schottenheimer, an analyst for
Sirius Radio. “It’s never been about
LT. It’s always been about the team.”
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
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6 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

New breed
of back is
thriving
into 30s
(FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)

Chiefs’ Jones is
Charles’ mentor
When the Jets released Thomas
Jones on March 5, the Chiefs did not
allow his age or wear and tear dimin-
ish their interest.
“From the first day he walked in
here,” coach Todd Haley says, “when
he was on our list of potential free
agents and he came and visited . . .
and he spent time with everybody
involved in the process, when we
talked about it and started to go
through the discussions, it was,
‘Wow, this guy is something.’ ”
Jones signed with Kansas City four
days after New York released him. He
is proving to be a perfect comple-
ment to dazzling young running
mate Jamaal Charles and an ideal fit
overall for a developing team in the
thick of the AFC West fight.
“I was excited when I signed here.
When I visited, I felt the energy of
the place,” Jones says. “It’s a perfect
fit for me. Guys love playing football.
They love playing together. It’s a fam-
ily atmosphere.”
Charles and Jones have formed a
dynamic tandem, spearheading a po-
tent ground game that leads the NFL Ed Zurga, AP

with 164.7 yards a game for the sur- Rule to live by: “I don’t take too many hits. I can make guys miss,” says the Chiefs’ Thomas Jones, 32. “If you’re a smart runner, you can play a long time.”
prising AFC West leaders.
Kansas City has not won a division and one TD. the time the Arizona Cardinals se-
title since finishing 13-3 under Dick Charles raves about what Jones lected him with the seventh overall Thirtysomethings with legs
Vermeil in 2003. The Chiefs’ last means to him. pick in the 2000 draft. Those doubts
playoff win came against the old “We have a captain in the running intensified when he failed to meet The best rushing seasons by NFL running backs who were at least 30 years old:
Houston Oilers 28-20 at the Astro- backs room, and we never had that,” expectations in the desert and was Player Season Age Team Yards Following season
dome on Jan. 16, 1994. he says. “He stays after work, work- traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tiki Barber 2005 30 Giants 1,860 1,662*
Jones is the kind of player and ing out and watching film, and I do for his only season there in 2003. Curtis Martin 2004 31 Jets 1,697 735*
leader who can help the franchise the same thing. I feel like a little He finally found his stride during a Walter Payton 1984 30 Bears 1,684 1,551
end that drought. Former Jets team- brother, and he’s the big brother.” three-year stint with the Chicago Tiki Barber 2006 31 Giants 1,662* —
mates raved about his leadership, as Jones’ production suggests he im- Bears and was a major factor in help- Corey Dillon 2004 30 Patriots 1,635 733
the Chiefs do now. proved with age and experience. ing that team reach Super Bowl XLI Walter Payton 1985 31 Bears 1,551 1,333
“I do whatever comes naturally,” Helped by a powerful and savvy of- to close the 2006 season, only to be
he says. “I’m not a rah-rah guy. I lead fensive line in New York, he erupted dealt from the Bears to the Jets. *Final season; bold indicates league leader

by example. I watch more film. I
work out extra. If I see a guy slack-
ing, I’ll pick his energy up.”
His guidance is playing a huge role
in the development of Charles, one
of the league’s brightest young tal-
ents who only needs more team suc-
cess to gain more national attention.
Charles, a third-round draft choice
out of Texas in 2008, is averaging 6.0
yards a carry with 139 attempts for
848 yards and two touchdowns. He
is a major factor in the passing game,
too making 30 catches for 356 yards
for a career-high 1,402 rushing yards
to help the wild-card Jets reach the
AFC Championship Game in 2009.
He entered this season with five
consecutive 1,000-yard efforts, join-
ing the St. Louis Rams’ Steven Jack-
son as the only players to accomplish
that. With 1,541 attempts, no back
was asked to do more than Jones
during that span.
At 5-10, 212 pounds, the former
University of Virginia star faced
questions about how well he would
handle the rigors of the league from
“The odds were always stacked
against me,” Jones says. “I’ve always
had a chip on my shoulder. I don’t
think that chip ever left.”
That determination to prove skep-
tics wrong fuels the mental tough-
ness that he cites as a key to his lon-
gevity. “You continue to push
forward,” he says, “despite what
someone may say.”
Jones also feeds off his passion for
the game. Haley recalls walking
through the aisle on the flight home
from a painful loss to the Houston
Texans in mid-October. The veteran
had his headphones on and was
watching a DVD.
The coach could not help but take
a peek at the screen. To his surprise,
Jones was enjoying some of the runs
his younger brother Julius made as a
high school football player.
Haley will not soon forget that
moment.
“Of all the options to keep your
mind active after a difficult loss, he
said, ‘This is what gets me in a good
mood when I’m down,’ and it’s his
brother from the ’90s playing high
school football, and he’s got DVD af-
ter DVD, and he’s rewinding it
watching runs. Amazing,” Haley
says.
Charles, meanwhile, is driven ev-
ery day by the desire to emulate the
teammate he so admires.
“I see how many years he stayed
in the league, and I want to stay in it
as well,” he says. “I think I can see
myself in this league for a long time.”

http://hotnpapers.blogspot.com
K USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 7
Dolphins’ Williams
is rejuvenated
DAVIE, Fla. — Chad Pennington,
making his first start in place of dis-
appointing Chad Henne for the Dol-
phins, had suffered a shoulder injury
on the first play from scrimmage in a
Nov. 14 game against the visiting
Tennessee Titans to end his season, if
not his career.
Henne hurt his knee in the final
minute of the third quarter as Miami
struggled to fend off Tennessee and
protect a tenuous 20-17 edge.
Just when it seemed as if the Dol-
phins were running out of answers,
their running backs came through.
They resorted to the Wildcat for-
mation that served them well the
past few seasons. Ronnie Brown took
a direct snap from center and, on
consecutive plays, Williams showed
what he can still do.
He took the handoff from Brown
and dashed around left end for 14
yards. They repeated that scenario
for another 23 yards to the Titans’
28-yard line. It was as much fun to
watch as it was to execute it.
“We talk about it with a smile,”
Williams says of the formation.
Williams’ two strong Wildcat runs
were part of an eight-play, 41-yard
drive in which Miami did not com-
plete a pass but positioned Dan Car-
penter for a 42-yard field goal.
Emergency quarterback Tyler
Thigpen entered in the opening min-
ute of the fourth quarter to engineer
a touchdown drive that helped seal a
29-17 victory. But those consecutive
bursts by Williams said so much
about where the 10th-year veteran
is at this stage of his career — and
what he can still do on his best day.
The game was clearly no longer
fun for him when he abruptly retired
before the start of training camp in
2004. It is now. “Emotionally and
mentally, I want to keep doing this,”
he says. “Having Ronnie here makes
it fun. It keeps me engaged.”
It helps that Williams, who has
6,164 yards to trail only Larry Cson-
ka (6,737 yards) as the franchise’s
all-time leading rusher, is not ex-
pected to bear nearly the punishing
workload he did in 2002. He carried
383 times during that season for
1,853 yards. He gained a club-record
2,216 yards from scrimmage.
The toll that year took was reflect-
ed in his 2003 production, when 392
rushes yielded 1,372 yards. His aver-
age plunged from 4.8 yards in 2002
to 3.5. While some Miami fans and
even some Dolphins players might
never forgive him for leaving his
teammates on such short notice in
2004, it is somewhat understandable
that a world tour seemed more ap-
By Scott Cunningham, Getty Images
pealing than crashing into the line of
Finding his legs: “If I want to play this game comfortably, it’s a priority that I take care of my body not only on Sun- scrimmage almost 400 times.
days but on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,” says the Dolphins’ Ricky Williams, 33, who is in his 11th season. Williams essentially had no one to
lighten his load when Miami ac-
quired him from the New Orleans
Saints before the start of the 2002
season. It is a different deal now that
he and Brown, drafted second overall
in 2005, feed off each other.
“We’re both first-round picks, and
we’ve both had success in this
league,” Williams says. “We do a
good job up front, and I think we
really believe in our running game.
As a running back group, we like to
be the strength of the team, so we
really want the ball in our hands.”
Says Brown, “I think Ricky and
myself look at it the same way. We’re
out here to win football games and,
no matter who’s in there, we’re con-
fident in both of us.”
When Brown suffered a foot injury
in 2009, Williams showed how
much good football he had left. He
carried 241 times for 1,121 yards
and 11 touchdowns to go with 35
catches for 264 yards and two more
scores and was honored as the
team’s Most Valuable Player. With
four 100-yard rushing efforts, he be-
came the oldest player in Dolphins
history to surpass the century mark.
Listen to fullback Lousaka Polite
discuss Williams, and it is clear how
much he has changed from the
young man who ran afoul of the
league’s substance-abuse policy and
was essentially forced into exile with
the Canadian Football League in
2006.
“He’s always looking for new chal-
lenges,” Polite says. “He challenges
himself in practice. With condition-
ing, he’s always in the front of the
pack. He’s always pushing himself.”
Such enthusiasm is one reason the
front office wanted to keep him.
“He’s done a tremendous job with
offseason programs and any of those
things that are necessary to help him
play longer,” coach Tony Sparano
says. “He’s certainly running around
like a young guy out there.”
Although he once appeared to be a
shooting star, Williams is proud of
his staying power.
“I’m just doing a better job of tak-
ing care of my body. If I want to play
this game comfortably, it’s a priority
that I take care of my body not only
on Sundays but on Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday.”
He stresses the mental aspect as
well. “I just try to stay even keel. I
don’t ride the roller coaster,” he says.
“It’s easy to get burned out.”
Williams is unclear about whether
he’ll retire for good after this season.
“I feel good,” he says. “I feel if I had
to, I could still play a couple of more
years and still be productive.”
He has pondered life after football.
It is not always a pleasant thought.
“I enjoy coming to work, and I en-
joy the guys on the team,” he says.
“Once you leave this job, it’s going to
be hard to find anything with this
many people on the same page.”
http://hotnpapers.blogspot.com
8 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

NFL Reid, Belichick defy their critics

Eagles, Patriots exceed expectations

.
report By Jim Corbett
News from around the league
Andy Reid and Bill Belichick. The Phila-
delphia Eagles (7-3) and New England Pa-
triots (8-2) were supposed to be on the
downside, too young to win now.
Remember the preseason perceptions?
Yet, instead of a season of rebuilding,
Reid and Belichick have gotten younger,
faster and, arguably, better on the fly.
So much for underestimating the vi-
sion of two of the league’s most consis-

Steelers take a punch tent team builders.

PITTSBURGH — When it comes to the NFL’s crackdown on
potentially dangerous hits, the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room
has been the home office for timeouts.
Linebacker James Harrison has
been fined a total of $100,000 this
season for three hits, including
ones against quarterbacks Drew
Brees and Vince Young.
Fellow linebacker LaMarr Woo-
dley was docked $12,500 for a
roughing call against New England
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady
during a 39-26 loss in Week 10.
The Steelers were penalized a
franchise-record 163 yards in their
35-3 rout of the Oakland Raiders
on Sunday.
But it was a Raiders defender
who gained the spotlight for what
By Bob Donaldson, AP
Steelers guard Chris Kemoeatu
Reid and Belichick maximized what
many called the deepest draft in years.
They’re right back contending for Super
Bowl berths without missing a beat.
Reid and Belichick were also the coach-
es who struck the most interesting trades
over the last seven months. Reid traded
six-time Pro Bowler Donovan McNabb to
the Washington Redskins on Easter Sun-
day after 11 seasons, five trips to the NFC
title game and one Super Bowl appear-
ance.
On Oct. 6, Belichick traded Randy
Moss, the deep threat receiver with 50
touchdown receptions in 52 games as a
Patriot, to the Minnesota Vikings.
Reid and offensive coordinator Marty
Mornhinweg reinvented “The Michael
Vick Experience, 2.0.”
“Andy’s done a great job,” says ESPN
Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gru-
den. “It all starts with the way he’s man- By Jae S. Lee, The (Nashville) Tennessean

Harrison: Has been fined called a cheap shot on Pittsburgh
$100,000 this season. quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
After Roethlisberger threw a
touchdown pass in the second quarter, defensive tackle Richard
Seymour hit Roethlisberger in the jaw.
The team’s medical staff examined Roethlisberger’s jaw on
the sideline. He finished the game.
Seymour was fined $25,000 by the NFL on Monday but was
not suspended, and the issue figures to be the hot-button ques-
tion this week.
Harrison is definitely the guy to ask about whether Seymour
deserved to be suspended for his punch that leveled the Steel-
ers quarterback after the whistle.
Should Seymour’s actions have warranted a suspension?
“I don’t see why not,” Harrison said as he pointed out that
suspensions have been handed down for hits before the whistle.
“Tell me what the next step is for a guy who blatantly outside
of the play, a guy’s celebrating with his teammates and you
punch a guy in his face.”
Woodley straddled a fine line when asked if the league was
targeting the Steelers’ punishing, high-profile defense with its
crackdown.
“If you look across the board and what’s been happening this
year, I’ll let you answer that one,” he said.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Seymour’s shot was unprecedented.
“I haven’t seen a quarterback get punched since I’ve been in
this league after a play like that,” Tomlin said.
Kemoeatu scuffled with Seymour on the field. “He took a
cheap shot at my quarterback,” the left guard said.
The Steelers enjoyed finishing what Seymour started.
“It is fun when it gets physical like that,” Kemoeatu said. “But
it’s not fun when you get the FedEx package (containing noti-
fication from the league of a fine).
“I’m hoping I won’t get one. But that’s not in my control.”
aged the quarterback position. He trades
Donovan McNabb, and if you listened to
anybody two months ago, they thought
he was out of his mind for trading him
within the NFC East division.
“Now Eagles fans want to carry Andy
Reid down Broad Street.”
Reid is lauded more in Philadelphia for
giving Vick the second chance the former
Atlanta Falcons star has run with after
serving 18 months in federal prison for
his role in a dogfighting ring. Reid, whose
two sons served jail time on drug-related
issues, signed Vick in 2009, after he con-
sulted with Vick’s adviser, former Indian-
apolis Colts coach Tony Dungy.
The Eagles are 5-0 in games Vick has
started and finished. Vick has the
league’s top passer rating (108.7) with 11
touchdowns and no interceptions and is
completing 62.8% of his passes after a
previous high of 56.4% with the Falcons.
He is reading progressions, extending
plays and resetting his feet before using
his strong left arm to hit receivers in
stride. When they’re covered, he’s aver-
aged 6.8 rushing yards with five TDs.
“Andy’s got two outstanding quarter-
backs in Vick and Kevin Kolb he’s brought
along,” Gruden said. “Michael Vick is un-
believable. His preparation is off the
charts compared to what it used to be.
“He understands the fundamentals of
the position now.”
Vick has combined with receiver De-
Who’s laughing now? Eagles fans have learned not to question the resourcefulness of
coach Andy Reid, who has his team atop the NFC East.
Sean Jackson, the 49th pick in 2008, for
four of the 11 touchdown passes, includ-
ing that 88-yard, Week 10 streak past
Washington Redskins safety LaRon Lan-
dry on the opening play.
“A lot of people don’t realize how well
Andy’s drafted,” Gruden said. “But they
also don’t realize the key free agents and
trades he made. Their weakside lineback-
er, Ernie Sims, is playing well.
“Jerome Harrison has learned the of-
fense as a complementary back to LeSean
McCoy. Jason Peters is a Pro Bowl left
tackle Andy got in a trade with Buffalo.
“They hit the lottery on Jackson and a
great job drafting Jeremy Maclin. And for
a (2007) fifth-round pick, Brent Celek is
an emerging tight end.’’
Belichick drafted a league-high 12
players in April, most notably multidi-
mensional tight ends Aaron Hernandez
and Rob Gronkowski, cornerback Devin
McCourty and linebacker Jermaine Cun-
ningham. Belichick passed legendary
Paul Brown with his 171st career win (in-
cluding playoffs) Sunday against the Pey-
ton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts to
move into 11th place all time.
“This guy (Belichick) has a vision that
not many of us have,” Gruden said. “He’s
able to adjust because of his tremendous
experience as an assistant and head
coach. He knows personnel better than
all of us.’’
Belichick traded Moss to Minnesota for
a third-round pick. Then he reacquired
former Patriots Super Bowl MVP Deion
Branch from the Seattle Seahawks to re-
unite with quarterback Tom Brady, who
has thrown 10 touchdowns with two in-
terceptions since the Moss trade.
“Bill Belichick has a sure sure-fire Hall
of Fame quarterback taking every snap,”
Gruden said. “Tom Brady takes the torch
from Belichick, and those two collaborate
on kicking your ass.
“Their cars are always in their parking
spot at the facility. They’re always looking
at film and are both arguably the best in
the world at what they do. You combine a
great quarterback with a great Hall of
Fame coach — good luck.”
Especially with the way Belichick
mixes and matches tight end transform-
ers Hernandez, Gronkowski and veteran
Alge Crumpler. With their multiplicity,
they create and exploit mismatches.
Gronkowski is a tall red-zone target
with six touchdowns. Hernandez has 35
receptions and three touchdowns.
“And if you make one little mistake,
even an innocent mistake, Tom Brady
saws your face off,” Gruden said.
“And he likes doing it.”

http://hotnpapers.blogspot.com
 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 9

NFL report Titans’ fourth-round pick pays big dividends

.

Rookie focus: Alterraun Verner

Power rankings
Subtle moves that go largely unnoticed of-
Voting is on a 32-31-30-etc., basis by a panel of USA ten pay significant dividends.
TODAY football writers and editors. The Tennessee Titans made such a maneu-
Last
Team week ver when they traded up in the fourth round
1. Atlanta Falcons 1 in April to draft Alterraun Verner, a cornerback
Face stiff test when Packers arrive Sunday. many teams did not list prominently.
2. New England Patriots T2 Verner, who was included among USA
Have beaten back Steelers and Colts in consecutive weeks. TODAY’s Draft Gems before the player selec-
3. Baltimore Ravens T2 tion process began, has emerged as a solid
Ed Reed has four interceptions in four games since return. contributor for Tennessee. He ranks among
4. New York Jets 4 the team’s leading tacklers with 49 stops, 45
Three wins in row have come down to final minute. unassisted, to go with two interceptions. He
5. Green Bay Packers 5 has appeared in all of the Titans’ 10 games
Have outscored opponents 76-10 in last two wins. with six starts.
6. New Orleans Saints 6 made it even better. I miss it already, being
After three wins in row, midseason troubles are long gone. The player
7. Pittsburgh Steelers 7 Height: 5-10. Weight: 181.
No 100-yard rushers since Ben Roethlisberger returned. Hometown: Carson, Calif.
8. Philadelphia Eagles 10 College highlights: Set a UCLA record by
Michael Vick hasn’t thrown pick in 191 passes this year. returning four interceptions for scores, setting
9. Indianapolis Colts 8 the mark with a 68-yard return vs. Washing-
Trouble spot: Have won two of their six road games. ton in 2009. Started all 13 games for the Bru-
10. New York Giants 9 ins last year and finished with 72 tackles, in-
Two losses in row have them on outside of playoff field. cluding five for loss. Led the nation in passes
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13 defended in 2008. Also saw limited action as a
Next two against Ravens, Falcons will prove worth. kick- and punt-return man.
12. San Diego Chargers 11 Scouting report: Lacks exceptional size or
In usual charge, one game back in AFC West. athleticism but still finds a way to get the job
13. Chicago Bears 17 done. Time spent studying and asking ques-
They get next crack at trying to contain Michael Vick. tions leads to an excellent understanding of
14. Kansas City Chiefs 14 defensive schemes and his role. Reacts well to
Regained first place in AFC West with win vs. Cardinals. what he sees. Works hard to support against
15. Jacksonville Jaguars 18 .
By Tim Heitman, US Presswire
Titan move: Alterraun Verner is doing the lit-
tle things well, coach Jeff Fisher says.
the run. Does not shy away from contact.
Quotable: “The one thing about that spot is
you need to know where your help is, and
he’s very much aware of where his help his.
And he’s doing the little things well.” — Titans
coach Jeff Fisher
The person
Biggest adjustment: “I’d say the aspect
that this game is a job. You’re basically work-
ing 8-5, 9-5. Your days can get pretty tiring. It’s
a matter of time management and getting ev-
erything you want done.”
Best advice: “I can’t really remember who
told me this, but they gave me this quote: ‘If
better is possible, then good is not enough.’ ”
Greatest strength: “Being a competitor.
I’ve always wanted to win at whatever I did.”
Greatest weakness: “Always saying ‘yes’ to
things. People can take advantage of that.”
UCLA career: “Growing up, it was my
dream school. My college experience was
amazing, and being part of the team there
with the guys and the people I met.”
Fisher: “He’s a great coach. He really takes
care of his players. He makes sure you are
fresh and ready to go. You can talk to him, and
he’s not intimidating at all.”
Life after football: “I’d like to teach math
and coach in high school. I was a math major,
and it’s a subject I always liked. I know a lot of
people don’t like math. I’d like to help people
overcome that and enjoy it.”
NFL dream: “If I can be blessed to play
eight to 10 years in the NFL and contribute ev-
ery year in some way, shape or form and win a
Super Bowl and one of those years be able to
make the Pro Bowl, that would be a dream.”
— Tom Pedulla

Who would have guessed they’d have share of first place? Whatever happened to . . . Christian Okoye?
16. Oakland Raiders 12
Loss in Pittsburgh showed they’re not ready for prime time.
17. Cleveland Browns
Five of seven losses have been by seven points or fewer.
18. Miami Dolphins
19

As injuries mount, they’ve fallen 3 games back in AFC East.
19. Washington Redskins
In up-and-down season, their playoff hopes are still alive.
T20. Tennessee Titans
With Vince Young on IR, distractions probably will dwindle.
T20. Dallas Cowboys
Consecutive wins could reignite their faint playoff hopes.
22. St. Louis Rams
Two-game skid hard way to begin three-game road trip.
23. Seattle Seahawks
Matt Hasselbeck now rounding into his best form of season.
24. Houston Texans
Porous pass defense doomed them two weeks in row.
25. Denver Broncos
All of Kyle Orton’s passing yards can’t buy them wins.
26. Minnesota Vikings
Now it’s Leslie Frazier’s opportunity to rescue this team.
27. San Francisco 49ers
Troy Smith was exposed in 21-0 loss to Buccaneers.
28. Buffalo Bills
Steve Johnson tied for third in NFL with nine TD catches.
29. Detroit Lions
Their NFL-record streak of road losses has hit 26.
30. Cincinnati Bengals
After seven losses in row, T.O. says maybe he’s bad luck.
31. Arizona Cardinals
Two games out in NFC West despite five consecutive losses.
32. Carolina Panthers
They are last team yet to win two games.
15
Former Chief pays price for punishing style
22 In 1987, Christian Okoye rumbled out of
Azusa Pacific University and into the NFL as a
15 26-year-old rookie running back with the
Kansas City Chiefs. The two-time Pro Bowler’s
27 finest season was in 1989, when he pounded
away for a league-high 1,480 yards rushing.
24 More recently, he founded the California
Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and has his own
25 foundation which supports underprivileged
children. Okoye, 49, who lives in Alta Loma,
20 Calif., chatted with USA TODAY’s Jon Saraceno.
At 6-2, 260 pounds, your running style
26 was punishing. How are you feeling now?
I had spine surgery in July. It was extensive.
21 I’m getting along, trying to rehab, but it’s go-
ing to take awhile.
23 Was that from an accumulation of
blows?
31 In 1989, I jammed my neck and hurt my
spinal cord. . . . The past few years, I started
29 feeling numbness in my arms. They found my
spinal cord was badly compressed. The sur-
28 gery took five hours. So, I had a nice, deep
five-hour nap (laughs).
30 Are you sorry you played pro football?
Football, as they say, has been very good to
32 me. But I wasn’t a fan; it was my job. I didn’t
even fully understand it. I preferred other
sports — soccer, track and field, basketball. I
File photo by Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
‘Nigerian Nightmare’: Christian Okoye says
he wasn’t a football fan: “It was my job.”
would watch the Lakers before I watched the
Super Bowl. (But) I was blessed to play the
game. It gave me the opportunity to help my
family. I’m glad I played it, but I am also glad I
left the game when I did.
You played soccer in your native Africa
and participated in track and field in col-
lege. How did football find you?
I started playing my junior year because Ni-
geria wouldn’t take me to the ’84 Olympics. I
was so disappointed. I wanted to play another
sport, and people had been bugging me to
play football. I kept saying, “No, I hate the
game.” But I gave it a try. Making the Pro Bowl
was a major accomplishment for a kid who
grew up in Nigeria.
Who gave you the nickname “Nigerian
Nightmare”?
(Former Chiefs tackle) Irv Eatman. He start-
ed calling me “The Nightmare,” and ESPN
picked it up.
Is it true that a knee injury prompted
you to retire in 1992 after starting only 65
games?
I didn’t quit because of that. I already was
fading away from the game. I had given myself
five years. I had a new contract, but after six
years I told myself, “This is it. I gotta go.”
Biggest hitter?
(Former Denver Broncos safety) Dennis
Smith.
Do you see yourself when you watch the
New York Giants’ Brandon Jacobs?
He had that one big year, but his career al-
ready is winding down. Once you carry the
ball a lot in one season, and you’re a big back,
the next year you’re physically worn down.
Funny thing is you don’t feel any different. But
your body knows the difference.

http://hotnpapers.blogspot.com
10 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY
Will bad teams bring good players down?
The NFL world is in full throat again about
Brett Favre’s future now that Brad Childress
has been fired. What does the rest of his sea-
son hold? How will the Minnesota Vikings fin-
ish the season? What do all of those injuries
mean for Favre’s starting streak?
All of that hot air leads to an important ques-
tion as we hit Thanksgiving: What should we
do with some of the NFL’s worst teams? Can
we continue to count on them to provide reg-
ular statistical production, or will their perfor-
mance be a total crapshoot?
These downtrodden teams include impor-
tant players such as Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Steve Johnson and the Vikings’ Adrian Peter-
son. Whether their teams continue to show up
NFL
fantasy
By Matt Pitzer
and how well they compete will be vital. Let’s
look at some of those clubs.
uArizona Cardinals: The best thing the
Cardinals have going for them is their schedule;
they do not have a game left against a team
with a winning record.
But the Cardinals have done nothing to in-
spire any confidence and do not have any con-
sistent performers. Larry Fitzgerald is having
one of the worst seasons of his career. Quarter-
back Derek Anderson is not reliable, regardless
of matchup. Plus, the running game has been a
wreck between Chris “Beanie” Wells and Tim
Hightower.
This team has talent and could stitch togeth-
er scores against bad defenses. But if you leave
yourself in the position of having to rely on the
Cardinals, you’ll likely be disappointed.
uBuffalo Bills: The Bills have been one of
the most exciting fantasy teams, thanks to the
emergence of Johnson and quarterback Ryan
Fitzpatrick. And the Bills provide a perfect
brew because they have an awful defense,
which frequently forces the offense into speed-
up mode, and they continue to play hard even
as their losses pile up.
Still, Buffalo is difficult to trust against better
defensive teams, including this week against
the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But Johnson is tough to keep out of the line-
up, considering he has nine touchdown recep-
tions (tied for third in the league) and has
scored in six of the Bills’ 10 games. And the
Steelers have been vulnerable to pass-heavy
offenses, having given up at least 248 yards
seven times.
Still, if you have another good quarterback
this week, sit Fitzpatrick, knowing he and
Johnson will have big games down the stretch.
Another concern is how the weather affects
the passing game during home games in
Getting job done: Jon Kitna has revived the Cowboys for now, but a tough schedule looms.
Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns and
Week 16 against the New England Patriots. Be
ready to sit Fitzpatrick and Johnson should a
blizzard roll into Buffalo.
Running back Fred Jackson has picked up the
pace with back-to-back 100-yard, two-TD
games. But Jackson has a history of steady but
not stellar games. He likely will go back to that
level, especially when C.J. Spiller is healthy.
uCarolina Panthers: There’s not much
hope for the Panthers, who have broken 18
points once. Running back Mike Goodson does
have two 100-yard games. But when Jonathan
Stewart returns, Goodson goes back to second
string.
Stewart might yet have a couple of decent
games. But he is quite a risk. The passing game
is worthless.
uCincinnati Bengals: Carson Palmer has
had multiple TD passes seven games in a row,
but the Bengals are 0-7 in that stretch and are
on the brink of further collapse. The schedule is
not friendly. The Bengals do not look much like
a team that will fight hard through the finish,
and they are losing guys to injuries.
uDallas Cowboys: The Cowboys have
stopped the bleeding for the moment, and
quarterback Jon Kitna is turning into a strong
play with seven total TDs over the last two
weeks. The Cowboys have all but given up on
the run, so almost all of the offense funnels
through Kitna.
But Dallas’ schedule is not especially kind.
The next three games are against winning
teams, and the Cowboys play the Philadelphia
Eagles twice and the Washington Redskins
once. So they should at least be interested in
playing despite the record. The big, juicy game
left is in Week 16 at the Arizona Cardinals,
By Tom Pennington, Getty Images
where the Cowboys could determine many
fantasy titles.
uDetroit Lions: The Lions do not have a re-
liable running game, which has resulted in
quarterback Shaun Hill throwing 97 passes the
last two weeks.
Despite just three TDs to show for all of
those throws, he has the potential for good
numbers throwing to wide receivers Calvin
Johnson and Nate Burleson.
Detroit has not shown any signs of quitting,
though you have to consider that possibility if
the team does not get another win.
uMinnesota Vikings: Let’s face facts on
Favre: He has two multiple-TD games and
three games with more than 225 passing
yards. If you have been getting by with Favre as
your quarterback, the rest of your club must be
stacked. But interim head coach Leslie Frazier
says Favre will remain the starter.
The true worry is what will happen with
wide receiver Percy Harvin and possibly Sidney
Rice. Harvin tied his Week 1 season-low with
12 yards last week. Is that a one-week fluke or
a bad game because of either the team’s poor
play or Rice’s return?
Leave Harvin in your lineup going into what
should be good matchups against Washington
and Buffalo. If you are desperate for receivers,
give Rice a shot; otherwise, wait until he does
something to play him.
As for running back Adrian Peterson, keep
your fingers crossed.
If Favre does not finish the season, Peter-
son’s role could increase. Regardless of who is
quarterback, Peterson can dominate any game
and should not come out of your lineup. Just
hope the Vikings don’t decide to lessen Peter-
son’s load.
Mailbag
Better stick with Garcon, Orton
Should I give up on the Indianapolis
Colts’ Pierre Garcon and pick up either
St. Louis Rams wideout Danny Amendola
or the Oakland Raiders’ Jacoby Ford?
BHS
Pitzer: A week ago, I would have said
to let go of Garcon. But with Austin Collie
leaving his second game in a row because
of concussions, Garcon has value. How
much value is another question. Garcon is
a great talent, but he has not had a great
season. He appears to have had frequent
communication problems with quarter-
back Peyton Manning, resulting in inter-
ceptions and incompletions. But the Colts
have no choice but to continue giving Gar-
con time. Besides, your two alternatives
are fairly weak.
I lost Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony
Romo and have been using Kyle Orton.
Will Romo be back, and should I pick him
back up?
Matt
Pitzer: It probably is not worth your
while to grab Romo again unless you have
several roster spaces to burn. Yes, he
might return for the final few weeks of
the season. But there is no telling what
condition the Cowboys will be in at that
point, or if they will even bother risking
Romo for a couple of meaningless games.
You would be better off finding another
quarterback who could step in immedi-
ately for Orton if needed.
Orton has been great, and four of his
next five games are against pass defenses
that rank 20th or worse.
For news and analysis, visit Fantasy Joe at
fantasyjoe.usatoday.com. Send questions
and comments to fantasy@usatoday.com.
Live scores and stats
on your cellphone
Send text message to 4INFO (44636) with:
§TEAM NAME (STEELERS) or
§PLAYER NAME (BEN ROETHLISBERGER)
uSan Francisco 49ers: The 49ers had a
brief flicker of hope after two good games from
new quarterback Troy Smith before the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers shut them out last week. That
reminds us that the 49ers are a bad team that
will have unpredictable results.
There has not been any quit in the team yet,
suggesting that you should get some good
games out of running back Frank Gore. Wide-
out Michael Crabtree and tight end Vernon Da-
vis remain frustratingly inconsistent. If you
continue to count on the latter two, the rest of
your lineup needs to be rock solid to avoid an
early departure.
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USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 11

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12 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

Value meter
By Matt Pitzer

Rankings are based on USA TODAY’s RapidDraft — a point-per-recep-

tion, single-player game that awards three points for passing touch-
downs, six points for rushing and receiving touchdowns, 0.5 points for
each 10 yards passing and 0.5 points for each 5 yards rushing and re-
ceiving. To play for free against Matt Pitzer, Joe Namath and nine other
experts, visit usatoday.rapiddraft.com.
*check status (not necessarily injury-related)

Quarterbacks 34. Danny Woodhead, N.E. at Det.

35. Carnell Williams, T.B. at Bal.
1. Drew Brees, N.O. at Dal.
36. Keiland Williams, Was. vs. Min.
2. Philip Rivers, S.D. at Ind.
37. Mike Goodson, Car. at Cle.
3. Michael Vick, Phi. at Chi.
38. Jahvid Best, Det. vs. N.E.
4. Aaron Rodgers, G.B. at Atl.
39. Marshawn Lynch, Sea. vs. K.C.
5. Peyton Manning, Ind. vs. S.D.
40. Willis McGahee, Bal. vs. T.B.
6. Tom Brady, N.E. at Det.
41. Chris Wells, Ari. vs. S.F.
7. Matt Ryan, Atl. vs. G.B. By Margaret Bowles, AP By George Walker IV, The (Nashville) Tennessean
42. Ricky Williams, Mia. at Oak.
8. Joe Flacco, Bal. vs. T.B. Full tank: Buccaneers running back Carnell Williams Injury bug: Redskins running back Clinton Portis has
43. *Ryan Mathews, S.D. at Ind.
9. Ben Roethlisberger, Pit. at Buf. is finding the end zone with more regularity. played in 13 games the last two seasons.
44. Justin Forsett, Sea. vs. K.C.
10. Kyle Orton, Den. vs. St.L.
45. Michael Bush, Oak. vs. Mia.
11. Eli Manning, N.Y.-G vs. Jac.
12. Matt Cassel, K.C. at Sea.
46. Derrick Ward, Hou. vs. Ten. Sizzlers . . . . . . and fizzlers
47. Chester Taylor, Chi. vs. Phi.
13. Jon Kitna, Dal. vs. N.O.
48. *Donald Brown, Ind. vs. S.D. Carnell Williams RB Buccaneers Clinton Portis RB Redskins
14. Jay Cutler, Chi. vs. Phi.
49. Jason Snelling, Atl. vs. G.B. Tampa Bay is dominating on the ground and has two backs His groin injury flared up again after five carries Sunday;
15. Shaun Hill, Det. vs. N.E. worth considering. “Cadillac” has scored two weeks in a row. it figures to be a problem for the rest of the season.
50. Maurice Morris, Det. vs. N.E.
16. Josh Freeman, T.B. at Bal. Bruce Gradkowski QB Raiders Hines Ward WR Steelers
17. Mark Sanchez, N.Y.-J vs. Cin.
18. Sam Bradford, St.L. at Den.
Wide receivers Oakland needs a spark on offense, so don’t be surprised if Once a lock to pile up statistics, he has not topped three
Jason Campbell gets pulled again for Gradkowski. receptions or 28 yards in his last four starts.
19. Carson Palmer, Cin. at N.Y.-J 1. Roddy White, Atl. vs. G.B.
Evan Moore TE Browns Dustin Keller TE Jets
20. David Garrard, Jac. at N.Y.-G 2. DeSean Jackson, Phi. at Chi.
Second on the team last week with 69 receiving yards, and he Probably has another good game left in him, but he continued
21. Matt Schaub, Hou. vs. Ten. 3. Brandon Lloyd, Den. vs. St.L. might get more looks if starter Ben Watson is out. his slide with a season-low 7 yards last week.
22. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buf. vs. Pit. 4. Marques Colston, N.O. at Dal. Rusty Smith QB Titans Chris Wells RB Cardinals
23. Matt Hasselbeck, Sea. vs. K.C. 5. Calvin Johnson, Det. vs. N.E. Might get shot to start this week; he showed more ability — His knee is healthy enough to play, but Wells is stuck behind
24. *Troy Smith, S.F. at Ari. 6. Greg Jennings, G.B. at Atl. and willingness — to get the ball downfield than Vince Young. Tim Hightower and isn’t much of a fantasy threat.
25. Jason Campbell, Oak. vs. Mia. 7. Andre Johnson, Hou. vs. Ten. Blair White WR Colts Devery Henderson WR Saints
8. Reggie Wayne, Ind. vs. S.D. Should have a chance to be the slot receiver with Austin Once a decent gamble in deeper leagues, he has not been a
Running backs 9. Dwayne Bowe, K.C. at Sea. Collie out again because of a concussion. key target since the last time he broke 33 yards, in Week 5.
10. Terrell Owens, Cin. at N.Y.-J
1. Chris Johnson, Ten. at Hou.
11. Mike Wallace, Pit. at Buf.
2. Frank Gore, S.F. at Ari.
12. Anquan Boldin, Bal. vs. T.B.
3. Ahmad Bradshaw, N.Y.-G vs. Jac.
13. Dez Bryant, Dal. vs. N.O. 43. Davone Bess, Mia. at Oak. 21. Jermaine Gresham, Cin. at N.Y.-J 24. Ryan Longwell, Min. at Was.
4. Adrian Peterson, Min. at Was.
14. Steve Johnson, Buf. vs. Pit. 44. *Mike Sims-Walker, Jac. at N.Y.-G 22. Kevin Boss, N.Y.-G vs. Jac. 25. Shaun Suisham, Pit. at Buf.
5. Rashard Mendenhall, Pit. at Buf.
15. Jeremy Maclin, Phi. at Chi. 45. Blair White, Ind. vs. S.D. 23. Heath Miller, Pit. at Buf.
6. Ray Rice, Bal. vs. T.B.
7. Peyton Hillis, Cle. vs. Car.
16. Mario Manningham, N.Y.-G vs. Jac. 46. Lance Moore, N.O. at Dal. 24. Brent Celek, Phi. at Chi. Defenses
17. Santonio Holmes, N.Y.-J vs. Cin. 47. Steve Smith, Car. at Cle. 25. Tony Scheffler, Det. vs. N.E. 1. Cleveland vs. Car.
8. Steven Jackson, St.L. at Den.
18. Vincent Jackson, S.D. at Ind. 48. Nate Burleson, Det. vs. N.E. 2. Pittsburgh at Buf.
9. Darren McFadden, Oak. vs. Mia.
10. Michael Turner, Atl. vs. G.B.
19. Mike Williams, T.B. at Bal. 49. Deion Branch, N.E. at Det. Kickers 3. New York Jets vs. Cin.
20. Miles Austin, Dal. vs. N.O. 50. Derek Hagan, N.Y.-G vs. Jac. 1. Sebastian Janikowski, Oak. vs. Mia. 4. Tennessee at Hou.
11. LeSean McCoy, Phi. at Chi.
21. Percy Harvin, Min. at Was. 2. Rob Bironas, Ten. at Hou. 5. Green Bay at Atl.
12. Arian Foster, Hou. vs. Ten.
13. Jamaal Charles, K.C. at Sea.
22. Mike Williams, Sea. vs. K.C. Tight ends 3. Matt Bryant, Atl. vs. G.B. 6. Oakland vs. Mia.
23. Johnny Knox, Chi. vs. Phi. 1. *Antonio Gates, S.D. at Ind. 4. Dan Carpenter, Mia. at Oak. 7. New England at Det.
14. Shonn Greene, N.Y.-J vs. Cin.
24. Sidney Rice, Min. at Was. 2. Jacob Tamme, Ind. vs. S.D. 5. Billy Cundiff, Bal. vs. T.B. 8. Arizona vs. S.F.
15. Knowshon Moreno, Den. vs. St.L.
25. Santana Moss, Was. vs. Min. 3. Jason Witten, Dal. vs. N.O. 6. Adam Vinatieri, Ind. vs. S.D. 9. New York Giants vs. Jac.
16. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac. at N.Y.-G
26. Larry Fitzgerald, Ari. vs. S.F. 4. Chris Cooley, Was. vs. Min. 7. David Akers, Phi. at Chi. 10. Kansas City at Sea.
17. Matt Forte, Chi. vs. Phi.
27. Wes Welker, N.E. at Det. 5. *Zach Miller, Oak. vs. Mia. 8. Nick Folk, N.Y.-J vs. Cin. 11. Baltimore vs. T.B.
18. *Jonathan Stewart, Car. at Cle.
28. Randy Moss, Ten. at Hou. 6. *Vernon Davis, S.F. at Ari. 9. Robbie Gould, Chi. vs. Phi. 12. Philadelphia at Chi.
19. Brandon Jackson, G.B. at Atl.
29. Hines Ward, Pit. at Buf. 7. Kellen Winslow II, T.B. at Bal. 10. Neil Rackers, Hou. vs. Ten. 13. Seattle vs. K.C.
20. *Reggie Bush, N.O. at Dal.
30. Malcom Floyd, S.D. at Ind. 8. Aaron Hernandez, N.E. at Det. 11. Mason Crosby, G.B. at Atl. 14. San Francisco at Ari.
21. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, N.E. at Det.
31. Chad Ochocinco, Cin. at N.Y.-J 9. Tony Gonzalez, Atl. vs. G.B. 12. Nate Kaeding, S.D. at Ind. 15. New Orleans at Dal.
22. Mike Tolbert, S.D. at Ind.
32. Braylon Edwards, N.Y.-J vs. Cin. 10. Brandon Pettigrew, Det. vs. N.E. 13. Ryan Succop, K.C. at Sea. 16. Tampa Bay at Bal.
23. LeGarrette Blount, T.B. at Bal.
33. Nate Washington, Ten. at Hou. 11. Todd Heap, Bal. vs. T.B. 14. Garrett Hartley, N.O. at Dal. 17. San Diego at Ind.
24. Ronnie Brown, Mia. at Oak.
34. *Brandon Marshall, Mia. at Oak. 12. Dustin Keller, N.Y.-J vs. Cin. 15. Josh Brown, St.L. at Den. 18. Chicago vs. Phi.
25. LaDainian Tomlinson, N.Y.-J vs. Cin.
35. Mike Thomas, Jac. at N.Y.-G 13. Marcedes Lewis, Jac. at N.Y.-G 16. Josh Scobee, Jac. at N.Y.-G 19. Cincinnati at N.Y.-J
26. Fred Jackson, Buf. vs. Pit.
36. Michael Crabtree, S.F. at Ari. 14. Greg Olsen, Chi. vs. Phi. 17. Matt Prater, Den. vs. St.L. 20. Washington vs. Min.
27. *Joseph Addai, Ind. vs. S.D.
37. Jabar Gaffney, Den. vs. St.L. 15. Visanthe Shiancoe, Min. at Was. 18. Olindo Mare, Sea. vs. K.C. 21. St. Louis at Den.
28. Tim Hightower, Ari. vs. S.F.
38. Pierre Garcon, Ind. vs. S.D. 16. Rob Gronkowski, N.E. at Det. 19. Phil Dawson, Cle. vs. Car. 22. Atlanta vs. G.B.
29. Cedric Benson, Cin. at N.Y.-J
39. James Jones, G.B. at Atl. 17. Evan Moore, Cle. vs. Car. 20. Lawrence Tynes, N.Y.-G vs. Jac. 23. Minnesota at Was.
30. Thomas Jones, K.C. at Sea.
40. Derrick Mason, Bal. vs. T.B. 18. *Jeremy Shockey, N.O. at Dal. 21. Graham Gano, Was. vs. Min. 24. Detroit vs. N.E.
31. *Chris Ivory, N.O. at Dal.
41. Lee Evans, Buf. vs. Pit. 19. Anthony Fasano, Mia. at Oak. 22. Shayne Graham, N.E. at Det. 25. Miami at Oak.
32. Felix Jones, Dal. vs. N.O.
42. Eddie Royal, Den. vs. St.L. 20. *Tony Moeaki, K.C. at Sea. 23. Connor Barth, T.B. at Bal.
33. Brandon Jacobs, N.Y.-G vs. Jac.

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 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 13

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14 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

Week 12 matchup:
Patriots (8-2) at Lions (2-8)
uThursday, 12:30 p.m. ET, at Ford Field, Detroit uTV: CBS
Short prep Short week
time for
uTV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
uKeys to the game: The Patriots passing
game lacks big-play flair, but QB Tom Brady
adds insult
scrappy foe has meticulously carved up most secondaries.
The Lions press outside receivers, trusting to injury
their revamped defensive line won’t leave
The challenge for the Patriots this them isolated downfield for long, but open- After crushing road losses to the
week isn’t just about preparing for field tackling remains an issue. Rookie safety Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys,
an opponent; they also must deal Amari Spievey is a solid tackler, but he’s not extending Detroit’s NFL-record road
with the difficult situation that is perfect in coverage and could be exploited losing streak to 26, the Lions had
created by a Thanksgiving Day road deep. Detroit’s running game has been useless three days to prepare for the New
trip. in recent weeks. Lions coach Jim Schwartz fig- England Patriots.
The Detroit Lions (2-8) are a ures to encourage a quick-hitting passing of- “You don’t have a choice. You
scrappy team. Second-year head fense early in the game to loosen the Patriots’ have to move on,” defensive end
coach Jim Schwartz, a former Bill back seven. Kyle Vanden Bosch said.
Belichick assistant in the early uMatchup to watch — Lions C Dominic The Lions might have to play
1990s with the Cleveland Browns, Raiola vs. Patriots ILB Jerod Mayo: Teams without their top two running
has his team fighting, though not that have zeroed in on sealing Mayo have backs. Primary backup Kevin
winning much. found consistent running lanes between the Smith was placed on injured re-
The game at Ford Field should be tackles. The Lions’ personnel is best suited for serve, and rookie starter Jahvid
no cakewalk for a Patriots team that a perimeter running game. Fiery but under- Best was severely limited by turf
had a heated battle with the chief ri- sized Raiola will have his hands full with the toe injuries on both feet.
val Indianapolis Colts at home Sun- Patriots’ wave of active defensive linemen, in- Maurice Morris (10 carries for
day. That left the Patriots with a cluding Pro Bowl NT Vince Wilfork. Mayo had 31 yards) and fullback Jerome Fel-
quick turnaround, mentally and 11 tackles last week and has totaled nine or ton (four for 14) wound up carrying
physically, following the 31-28 vic- more in all but one game this season. most of the load. The Lions were
tory that wasn’t decided until the uPlayer spotlight — Patriots RB Danny held to 75 yards rushing.
game’s final possession for the Colts. Woodhead: Woodhead is an essential role By Rick Stewart, Getty Images uTrending: Strange things con-
The victory pushed New England player for the Patriots. His awareness as a tinue to haunt the Lions. Last week’s
Oh, look out: Lions center Dominic Raiola will face a serious
to 8-2 to keep pace with the New blocker and soft hands as a receiver helped loss turned on a bizarre special-
charge of Patriots on Thanksgiving Day.
York Jets atop the AFC East. him easily slide in to replace injured veteran teams play. Leading 12-7, the Lions
uLineup watch: Dan Connolly Kevin Faulk. Woodhead had New England’s appeared to have the Dallas Cow-
has started nine of New England’s longest run of the season with a 36-yard The Bodog.net line: Patriots by 7 boys pinned inside the 5-yard line
10 games this season. The first sev- touchdown Sunday. for the fourth time in the game.
en came in Logan Mankins’ place uFast facts: The Lions have committed 98 Who will win and why John Wendling got to Nick Harris’
at left guard; the last two have been The Patriots are hitting on all cylinders. It won’t be easy, but the Li- punt at the goal line and batted it
penalties and had 10 last week, the sixth time ons lack the fixings to challenge the NFL’s elite, no matter the venue.
in the stead of injured right guard this season they hit double digits. . . . Brady back toward the 5. But the ball was
Stephen Neal. The fifth-year veter- threw his 244th touchdown pass in the sec- fielded by the Cowboys’ Bryan
an had four career starts heading ond quarter last week to tie John Hadl for 15th
Our pick: Patriots 33-20 McCann, who ran it back 97 yards
into 2010, all in place of Neal last in NFL history. Boomer Esiason (247) is 14th. for a touchdown.
season. uLineup watch: The Lions
uBy the numbers: The Patriots Patriots statistics Lions statistics benched No. 3 receiver Bryant
Yds/ Sack/ Yds/ Sack/
have three previous Thanksgiving Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
Johnson. In the second year of a
Day games. They are 1-2 on the holi- Brady 329 215 2362 65.3 7.18 19 4 65t 14/96 100.6 Sh. Hill 305 188 1921 61.6 6.30 12 9 75t 12/83 80.5 three-year, $9.3 million contract, he
Patriots 331 215 2362 65.0 7.14 19 5 65t 14/96 98.8 Stafford 96 57 535 59.4 5.57 6 1 36 4/36 91.3
day: 1-1 vs. the Lions and 0-1 vs. the Opp. 395 274 3005 69.4 7.61 20 13 51 18/109 94.8 Lions 438 265 2689 60.5 6.14 19 11 87t 18/130 82.1 had nine catches in nine games.
Dallas Cowboys. Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Opp. 319 195 2313 61.1 7.25 16 9 89t 27/177 88.2
Green-Ellis 133 568 4.3 26 7 Welker 57 502 8.8 27 4 Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD
Woodhead 56 312 5.6 36t 3 Branch 30 320 10.7 23 1 Best 127 382 3.0 33 4 C. Johnson 55 725 13.2 87t 10
Patriots 266 1128 4.2 36t 11 Hernandez 35 444 12.7 46 3 K. Smith 34 133 3.9 15 0 Pettigrew 50 487 9.7 35 3
Woodhead 22 217 9.9 26 1 Best 49 375 7.7 75t 1
Opp. 263 1088 4.1 36 7 Gronkowski 20 245 12.3 25t 6 Lions 233 805 3.5 40 5
Burleson 37 433 11.7 58 4
Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Tate 18 301 16.7 65t 1 Opp. 281 1306 4.6 80t 11 Scheffler 32 283 8.8 25 1
Gostkowski 0 0 0 0 56 Moss 9 139 15.4 35t 3 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts K. Smith 11 123 11.2 27 0
Patriots schedule Green-Ellis 7 7 0 0 42
Patriots
Opp.
215 2362 11.0 65t 19
274 3005 11.0 51 20 C. Johnson 10 0 10 0 62 Morris 11 94
B. Johnson 9 87
8.5
9.7
16
24
0
0
Lions schedule
Gronkowski 6 0 6 0 36 Hanson 0 0 0 0 55
W .............. Cincinnati .............. 38-24 Welker 4 0 4 0 25 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng Best 5 4 1 0 30
Lions 265 2689 10.1 87t 19 L ................ at Chicago ................ 19-14
Opp. 195 2313 11.9 89t 16
L ................ at N.Y. Jets ................ 28-14 Woodhead 4 3 1 0 24 McCourty
Chung
3
2
37 12.3 37
77 38.5 51t
Burleson 4 0 4 0 24 L .............. Philadelphia .............. 35-32
Graham 0 0 0 0 16 Pettigrew 3 0 3 0 18 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
W ................. Buffalo ................. 38-30 Hernandez 3 0 3 0 18
Meriweather 2 39 19.5 39
Suh 1 0 0 1 6 A. Smith 5 48 9.6 42t L ............. at Minnesota ............. 24-10
Sanders 2 32 16.0 32t
W ................ at Miami ................ 41-14 Tate 3 0 1 2 18 Ninkovich 2 1 0.5 1 Lions 27 5 19 3 234
C. Williams
Berry
1
1
27
23
27.0
23.0
27
23
L ............. at Green Bay ............. 28-26
.............................. Bye .............................. Arrington 1 0 0 1 6 Guyton 1 59 59.0 59t Opponents 30 11 16 3 237 Suh 1 20 20.0 20 W ................. St. Louis ................. 44-6
Brady 1 1 0 0 6 Page 1 0 0.0 0 Sacks: Suh 7, Avril 4, Vanden Bosch 4, Lions 9 118 13.1 42t
W ......... Baltimore ......... 23-20 (OT) Patriots 36 11 19 6 289 Patriots 13 245 18.8 59t Jackson 3.5, Delmas 2, McBride 2, Sa. Opp. 11 130 11.8 48t
L ............. at N.Y. Giants ............. 28-20
W ............ at San Diego ............ 23-20 Opponents 28 7 20 1 242 Opp. 5 12 2.4
Sacks: Wright 5.5, Banta-Cain 3, G. War-
12 Hill 1.5, Peterson 1, C. Williams 1, TM
Kicking PAT FG Pts
.............................. Bye ..............................
27, OPP 18
W .............. Minnesota .............. 28-18 Kicking PAT FG Pts ren 2.5, Deaderick 2, Cunningham 1, Fum/Lost: Sh. Hill 3/1, Stanton 3/1, Bur- Hanson 19/19 12/14 55 W ............ Washington ............ 37-25
Gostkowski 26/26 10/13 56 Guyton 1, Mayo 1, Ninkovich 1, Crable Rayner 2/2 3/4 11 L ............. N.Y. Jets ............. 23-20 (OT)
L ............... at Cleveland ............... 34-14 Graham 7/8 3/3 16 TM 0.5, Pryor 0.5, TM 18, OPP 14 Fum/
leson 2/2, Logan 2/1, Stafford 2/1, Best Suh 0/1 0/0 0
W ........... at Pittsburgh ........... 39-26 Patriots 34/35 13/16 73 Lost: Brady 2/1, Gronkowski 1/1, Morris
1/1, Felton 1/1, C. Johnson 1/0, Raiola
1/0, A. Smith 1/0
Lions 21/22 15/18 66 L ................ at Buffalo ................ 14-12
Opp. 24/24 14/18 66 Opp. 27/27 10/11 57
W ............ Indianapolis ............ 31-28 1/1, Tate 1/1, Welker 1/0 L .................. at Dallas .................. 35-19
Det. Opp. Det. Opp.
Nov. 25 ........... at Detroit ........... 12:30
N.E. Opp. N.E. Opp.
Possession Avg. 30:02 29:58 Total First Downs 188 198 Nov. 25 ....... New England ....... 12:30
Possession Avg. 27:41 32:19 Total First Downs 207 235
Dec. 6 ............... N.Y. Jets ............... 8:30 Total Net Yards 3394 3984 Rushing 70 61 Total Net Yards 3364 3442 Rushing 40 59 Dec. 5 .................. Chicago .................. 1
Dec. 12 ............... at Chicago ............... 1 Avg. Per Game 339.4 398.4 Passing 123 160 Avg. Per Game 336.4 344.2 Passing 129 114 Dec. 12 .............. Green Bay .............. 1
Total Plays 611 676 Penalty 14 14 Total Plays 689 627 Penalty 19 25
Dec. 19 ........... Green Bay ........... 8:20 Avg. Per Play 5.6 5.9 3rd Down/Att. 52/116 68/134 Avg. Per Play 4.9 5.5 3rd Down/Att. 62/160 47/126 Dec. 19 ............ at Tampa Bay ............ 1
Dec. 26 ................ at Buffalo ................ 1 Net Yards Rushing 1128 1088 3rd Down Pct. 44.8 50.7 Net Yards Rushing 805 1306 3rd Down Pct. 38.8 37.3 Dec. 26 ................ at Miami ................ 1
Avg. Per Game 80.5 130.6 4th Down/Att. 7/10 2/8
Jan. 2 .................... Miami .................... 1 Avg. Per Game 112.8 108.8 4th Down/Att. 5/8 7/9
Net Yards Passing 2559 2136 4th Down Pct. 70.0 25.0
Jan. 2 ................ Minnesota ................ 1
Net Yards Passing 2266 2896 4th Down Pct. 62.5 77.8 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 226.6 289.6 Penalties/Yards 55/499 55/440 Avg. Per Game 255.9 213.6 Penalties/Yards 98/732 73/606

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 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 15

Week 12 matchup:
Saints (7-3) at Cowboys (3-7)
uThursday, 4:15 p.m. ET, at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas uTV: Fox
Steady climb Win would
leaves team
uTV announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman,
Pam Oliver
uKeys to the game: The Saints are playing
bring spark
in range as well defensively as they have since 2006,
coach Sean Payton insists, but the one area in of hope
which the team isn’t matching last season’s ef-
Slowly but surely, the Saints are fort is in takeaways. The Cowboys haven’t Are the Cowboys one win away
starting to gain momentum in a bid been shy about giving the ball away (21 turn- from being relevant again?
to make a move in the NFC South overs) this season, and they’ll be in trouble if Time will tell, and the Thanksgiv-
over the final six weeks of the sea- they give the Saints extra possessions. New ing Day game against the defending
son. Orleans’ offense is starting to click, and that’s Super Bowl champion New Orleans
The only problem is they can’t with RBs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas and Saints gives them the opportunity
seem to catch up with the Atlanta TE Jeremy Shockey working their way back to move a step closer to relevance.
Falcons or even separate themselves from injuries. Cowboys QB Jon Kitna has six At 3-7, there is no shaking the dis-
from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in touchdown passes among 31 completions appointment of the 1-7 start, but a
what has become a torrid division since interim coach Jason Garrett took over. three-game winning streak would
race. Garrett calls a lot of screen passes and misdi- spark optimism.
The Saints (7-3) notched their rection, designs that should break up the many After a 35-19 victory vs. the De-
third consecutive win and fourth blitzes the Saints can send. troit Lions, the Cowboys were feel-
victory in five games with a 34-19 uMatchup to watch — Saints QB Drew ing a little better about themselves
decision vs. the Seattle Seahawks Brees vs. Cowboys Ss Gerald Sensabaugh and their chances of salvaging what
but could not make up ground on and Alan Ball: New Cowboys coordinator Paul had been a lost season.
the Falcons (8-2) or Bucs (7-3), both Pasqualoni is incorporating a zone-heavy pass “Well, I’ll tell you what. We’re
of whom also won. defense. That places more pressure on the looking for crumbs, and it doesn’t
But at this moment, what the Fal- back end. Brees never got comfortable against take but a little piece to smile,” own-
cons and Bucs are doing doesn’t the Cowboys last season, when he was sacked er Jerry Jones said.
matter much to the Saints after they four times. If OLB DeMarcus Ware can apply The Cowboys hadn’t won consec-
put together their first three-game similar pressure, the Cowboys’ secondary By Bill Kostroun, AP utive games all season, and they
winning streak of the season. stands a chance. hadn’t won at home. The win ended
Pressure’s on: Cowboys strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh
Starting a stretch in which they uPlayer spotlight — Cowboys NT Jay a four-game home losing streak.
must defend against the passing of Drew Brees.
would play two games in five days, Ratliff: Ratliff has to deal with one of the top And they go for another streak
ending with a Thanksgiving Day guard combinations in the league: Jahri Evans against the Saints. They beat them
matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, and massive Carl Nicks. The Cowboys need his The Bodog.net line: Saints by 3 last year, turning their season
the Saints took care of business with penetration to free the back seven to range to around when it looked lost last De-
the win vs. the Seahawks. the ball. Who will win and why cember.
Drew Brees led the Saints to a The Saints offense is starting to play circa 2009, and several stars uTrending: Bryan McCann’s
uFast facts: The Cowboys have three are nearing returns. New Orleans gave up yards in big chunks last
season-high 494 total yards, topping touchdown passes in five of their past seven punt return for a touchdown against
week but must dodge the home run ball at Dallas.
the 475 yards they had in a Week 6 games. . . . Brees had five games with 36 or the Lions was the third punt return
win vs. the Bucs. more pass attempts last season. He has 36- score by Dallas this season (Dez
uLineup watch: It will be inter-
Our pick: Saints 28-24 Bryant has two), which establishes
plus attempts in nine of 10 games this season.
esting to see how much action roo- a single-season team record.
kie running back Chris Ivory gets Saints statistics Cowboys statistics uBy the numbers: Jason Wit-
Yds/ Sack/ Yds/ Sack/
when Reggie Bush and Pierre Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
ten’s four catches against the Lions
Thomas get back on the field. Brees 417 290 2969 69.5 7.12 22 14 80t 13/91 93.3 Romo 213 148 1605 69.5 7.54 11 7 69t 7/41 94.9 gave him 50 for the season, his sev-
Saints 417 290 2969 69.5 7.12 22 14 80t 14/101 93.3 Kitna 158 100 1223 63.3 7.74 10 7 71t 11/60 89.7
uBy the numbers: Brees has Opp. 311 189 1985 60.8 6.38 7 6 68 19/122 78.8 Cowboys 372 248 2828 66.7 7.60 21 14 71t 18/101 92.5 enth consecutive season with at
1,862 completions, which is a club Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Opp. 323 219 2497 67.8 7.73 22 8 59 20/146 103.2 least 50 catches.
Ivory 101 481 4.8 33 1 Colston 62 705 11.4 30 4 Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD
record. J. Jones 27 126 4.7 54 0 Moore 38 491 12.9 80t 5 Jones 98 404 4.1 34 0 Witten 50 561 11.2 31 3
Betts 45 150 3.3 12 2 Shockey 31 314 10.1 31 3 Barber 92 294 3.2 24 2 Austin 49 732 14.9 69t 5
D. Thomas 29 215 7.4 22 2 Bryant 44 547 12.4 46 6
P. Thomas 46 147 3.2 12 1 Meachem 27 354 13.1 50 4 Kitna 14 54 3.9 29t 1
Saints 248 955 3.9 54 4 Jones 30 277 9.2 71t 1
Henderson 23 279 12.1 39 1 Cowboys 227 839 3.7 34 3 R. Williams 27 386 14.3 63t 5
Opp. 254 1054 4.1 68 6 Betts 23 141 6.1 25 0 Opp. 273 1173 4.3 42 6 Bennett 18 154 8.6 32 0
Saints schedule Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Graham
P. Thomas 17 133 7.8 23 0
13 170 13.1 27 1 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Cowboys
Opp.
248
219
2828
2497
11.4
11.4
71t 21
59 22
Cowboys schedule
Hartley 0 0 0 0 53 Bush 9 63 7.0 19 1 Buehler 0 0 0 0 59
W ............... Minnesota ............... 14-9 Moore 5 0 5 0 30 H. Evans 6 39 6.5 18 1 Bryant 8 0 6 2 48 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng L ............... at Washington ............... 13-7
W ........ at San Francisco ........ 25-22 Colston 4 0 4 0 24 Saints 290 2969 10.2 80t 22 Austin 5 0 5 0 30 Newman 2 30 15.0 30 L .................... Chicago .................... 27-20
Meachem 4 0 4 0 24 Opp. 189 1985 10.5 68 7 R. Williams 5 0 5 0 30 McCann 1 101 101.0 101t
L ................ Atlanta ................ 27-24 (OT) Carney 0 0 0 0 18 Witten 3 0 3 0 20 Brooking 1 41 41.0 41 W .............. at Houston .............. 27-13
Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
W ................ Carolina ................ 16-14 Shockey 3 0 3 0 18 Greer 2 50 25.0 26 Barber 2 2 0 0 12
Ball
Sensabaugh
1
1
27 27.0 27
8 8.0 8
................................ Bye ................................
L .................. at Arizona ..................30-20 Greer 1 0 0 1 6 Torrence 1 21 21.0 21 McCann 2 0 0 2 12 Cowboys 8 203 25.4 101t L ................. Tennessee ................. 34-27
Saints 27 4 22 1 235 Porter 1 5 5.0 5 Jones 1 0 1 0 6 Opp. 14 175 12.5 62t
W ............ at Tampa Bay ............ 31-6 Opponents 18 6 7 5 170 Vilma 1 5 5.0 5 Cowboys 28 3 21 4 229 Sacks: Ware 8.5, Spencer 3, Bowen 1.5,
L ............... at Minnesota ............... 24-21
L ................... Cleveland ................... 30-7 Sacks: Ellis 4, Smith 2.5, Vilma 2, Ayo- Saints
Opp.
6
14
87 14.5 26
283 20.2 66
Opponents 32 6 22 4 271 Ratliff 1.5, Brooking 1, Butler 1, Hatcher L .................. N.Y. Giants ..................41-35
dele 1, A. Brown 1, Charleston 1, Dun-
W .............. Pittsburgh .............. 20-10 bar 1, Hargrove 1, Harper 1, Jenkins 1, Kicking PAT FG Pts
1, Sensabaugh 1, Ball 0.5, Lissemore 0.5,
Scandrick 0.5, TM 20, OPP 18
L ................ Jacksonville ................ 35-17
Kicking PAT FG Pts
W ............... at Carolina ............... 34-3 Torrence 1, Wilkerson 1, Young 1, Prio- Hartley 23/23 10/15 53
Buehler
Cowboys
26/27 11/15
26/27 11/15
59
59 Fum/Lost: Kitna 3/1, R. Williams 2/1, L ................ at Green Bay ................ 45-7
................................ Bye ................................
leau 0.5, TM 19, OPP 14
Fum/Lost: Brees 6/1, Ivory 3/2, Moore
Carney
Saints
3/3
26/26 15/21
5/6 18
71
Opp. 32/32 15/16 77 Bryant 1/1, Choice 1/1, Gurode 1/0, W ............ at N.Y. Giants ............ 33-20
Jones 1/1, McCann 1/1, Witten 1/1
W .................. Seattle .................. 34-19 2/1 Opp. 15/16 15/19 60 W ................. Detroit ................. 35-19
Dal. Opp. Dal. Opp.
Nov. 25 ............... at Dallas ............... 4:15
N.O. Opp. N.O. Opp.
Possession Avg. 29:19 30:41 Total First Downs 194 199 Nov. 25 ........... New Orleans ........... 4:15
Possession Avg. 32:27 27:33 Total First Downs 225 165
Dec. 5 ................ at Cincinnati ................ 1 Total Net Yards 3823 2917 Rushing 58 58 Total Net Yards 3566 3524 Rushing 51 55 Dec. 5 .......... at Indianapolis .......... 4:15
Dec. 12 ............... St. Louis ............... 4:05 Avg. Per Game 382.3 291.7 Passing 153 91 Avg. Per Game 356.6 352.4 Passing 130 126 Dec. 12 ........... Philadelphia ........... 8:20
Total Plays 679 584 Penalty 14 16 Total Plays 617 616 Penalty 13 18
Dec. 19 ............... at Baltimore ............... 1 Avg. Per Play 5.6 5.0 3rd Down/Att. 67/133 46/127 Avg. Per Play 5.8 5.7 3rd Down/Att. 50/123 55/130 Dec. 19 ............... Washington ............... 1
Dec. 27 .............. at Atlanta .............. 8:30 Net Yards Rushing 955 1054 3rd Down Pct. 50.4 36.2 Net Yards Rushing 839 1173 3rd Down Pct. 40.7 42.3 Dec. 25 ............. at Arizona ............. 7:30
Avg. Per Game 83.9 117.3 4th Down/Att. 9/14 1/4
Jan. 2 .................. Tampa Bay .................. 1 Avg. Per Game 95.5 105.4 4th Down/Att. 5/8 8/13
Net Yards Passing 2727 2351 4th Down Pct. 64.3 25.0
Jan. 2 .............. at Philadelphia .............. 1
Net Yards Passing 2868 1863 4th Down Pct. 62.5 61.5 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 286.8 186.3 Penalties/Yards 51/494 55/468 Avg. Per Game 272.7 235.1 Penalties/Yards 73/605 53/416

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16 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

Week 12 matchup:
Bengals (2-8) at Jets (8-2)
uThursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, at New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. uTV: NFL Network
Team’s fall Turkey Day
diminishes
uTV announcers: Bob Papa, Matt Millen,
Joe Theismann
uKeys to the game: A listless Bengals
feast is
game’s luster rushing attack had limited offensive coordina-
tor Bob Bratkowski’s play-calling, but the first anticipated
26 plays last week included 16 runs before
When the schedule was made in Cincinnati’s collapse against the Buffalo Bills. Mark Sanchez has advice for Jets
April, the rematch of last season’s Sticking with RB Cedric Benson is necessary to fans.
AFC playoff game between the Ben- keep ailing QB Carson Palmer out of harm’s “Eat your turkey on Wednesday,”
gals and New York Jets was sup- way. The Jets are doing enough in the passing he said after the Jets’ latest heart-
posed to be one of the marquee game to keep safeties from crowding the line pounding win, “and not on Thurs-
games of 2010. of scrimmage, and there’s reason to have con- day.”
Now it has the potential to be a fidence in QB Mark Sanchez after he produced Makes sense, considering the NFL
Thanksgiving night rout. another game-winning drive in the final sec- has thoughtfully served up the pro
After blowing a 21-point second- onds last week. Injuries have hurt the Bengals’ football version of a turkey for the
quarter lead and losing 49-31 to the depth at cornerback, and they don’t match up Jets to potentially devour Thanks-
Buffalo Bills, the Bengals have lost well against the Jets’ three-receiver sets. giving night.
seven in a row, are 2-8 and have uMatchup to watch — Bengals CB Joh- The Jets’ 30-27 comeback victory
clinched their 18th non-winning nathan Joseph vs. Jets WR Santonio vs. the Houston Texans was the first
season in the last 20. A year ago Holmes: When the Jets need key catches, es- of two home games for them at
they were in line to be the third pecially late in the game, Holmes is Sanchez’s New Meadowlands Stadium in five
seed in the AFC playoffs. Now they preferred target. Joseph has the bounce back days. Thursday, the Jets (8-2) will
have the worst record in the confer- in his step and picked off two passes Sunday, host the Cincinnati Bengals (2-8),
ence and could be picking in the top returning one for a touchdown. The press-cov- losers of seven consecutive games,
five of the draft. er corner is no stranger to Holmes, a former di- including a 49-31 defeat to the vis-
With three days to prepare for vision foe with the Pittsburgh Steelers, or iting Buffalo Bills on Sunday in
the Jets, the Bengals are going to Braylon Edwards, a former Cleveland Brown. which they blew a 28-7 first-half
have to put together a patchwork uPlayer spotlight — Jets CB Antonio By Al Bello, Getty Images lead.
secondary. Four of their defensive Cromartie: The healthier Darrelle Revis gets, The Jets are tied with the New
Big-play man: Jets wideout Santonio Holmes, above, will
backs were injured Sunday: safeties the more important offseason acquisition Cro- England Patriots atop the AFC East
match up against Bengals cornerback Johnathan Joseph.
Roy Williams (concussion) and martie is to the Jets’ defensive game plan. He’s and hold the tiebreaker because of a
Chris Crocker (knee) and corner- among NFL leaders in passes broken up and September win vs. the Patriots.
backs Johnathan Joseph (ankle) will be locked up with either Terrell Owens or The Bodog.net line: Jets by 81⁄2 New England also will play Thurs-
and Brandon Ghee (groin). The Chad Ochocinco. day, in the first game of the day at
Bills’ Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 316 uFast facts: Palmer has multiple touch- Who will win and why the Detroit Lions. After that, the Jets
yards and four touchdowns. The Bengals have firepower but keep inventing ways to lose. The and Patriots will have plenty of time
down passes in seven consecutive games. He Jets live for this stage and will stretch the Bengals’ nose dive to eight
uTrending: During the seven- had seven multiple-touchdown performances to prepare for their Monday night
games on national television.
game losing streak, quarterback in his previous 20 games. . . . The Jets have game at New England.
Carson Palmer has thrown 10 five interceptions this season. They had 17 last uLineup watch: Wide receiver
passes that were intercepted, and
Our pick: Jets 27-14 Jerricho Cotchery sat out with a
year.
opponents have converted those groin injury and was replaced in
picks into 45 points. Bengals statistics Jets statistics three-wide-receiver sets by Brad
Yds/ Sack/
uBy the numbers: The Bengals Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att
Yds/
TD Int Lng
Sack/
Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds
Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
Smith and Patrick Turner.
were winless in their history at the C. Palmer 394 240 2625 60.9 6.66 18 13 78t 17/127 82.1 Sanchez 336 185 2306
55.1 6.86 15 7 74t 17/116 82.8 uBy the numbers: LaDainian
Bengals 397 243 2643 61.2 6.66 18 13 78t 19/147 82.3 Jets 338 187 2316
55.3 6.85 16 7 74t 17/116 83.9
Meadowlands (0-8 vs. the Jets, 0-3 Opp. 340 205 2287 60.3 6.73 15 12 54 10/57 80.4 Opp. 349 178 2329
51.0 6.67 14 5 46 21/129 79.8 Tomlinson’s yards per carry con-
vs. the New York Giants). They hope Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Rushing No. Yds Avg
Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD tinued to diminish last week as he
Benson 200 747 3.7 26 4 Owens 62 897 14.5 78t 8 Tomlinson 153 692 4.5
31 5 Tomlinson 43 315 7.3 21 0
their luck changes at New Meadow- Scott 27 119 4.4 18 0 Ochocinco 50 587 11.7 42 4 Greene 122 505 4.1
23t 1 Keller 35 479 13.7 41 5 averaged 3.0 yards on 12 attempts.
Gresham 42 330 7.9 27 3 Edwards 33 598 18.1 74t 6
lands Stadium. Leonard 7 58 8.3 42 0
Shipley 35 480 13.7 64t 1
B. Smith 24 161 6.7
22 0
Cotchery 29 315 10.9 49 2
Bengals 254 966 3.8 42 4 Benson 19 126 6.6 16 1 Sanchez 18 54 3.0
20 2 Holmes 27 447 16.6 52 3
Opp. 267 1183 4.4 61 10 Leonard 12 73 6.1 11 1 Jets 328 1459 4.4
31 8 Greene 8 58 7.3 12 0
Opp. 260 903 3.5
30 6
Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Caldwell 10 75 7.5 19 0 Richardson 4 24 6.0 14 0
Bengals schedule Nugent 0 0 0 0 62
Scott
Bengals
9 52 5.8 25 0
243 2643 10.9 78t 18 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Jets B. Smith 3 21 7.0 11 0
187 2316 12.4 74t 16 Jets schedule
Owens 8 0 8 0 48 Opp. 205 2287 11.2 54 15 Folk 0 0 0 0 86 Opp. 178 2329 13.1 46 14
L ............. at New England ............. 38-24 Benson 5 4 1 0 32 Edwards 6 0 6 0 38 L ................... Baltimore ................... 10-9
Ochocinco 4 0 4 0 24 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng Keller 5 0 5 0 30 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng W ........... New England ........... 28-14
W ............... Baltimore ............... 15-10 Gresham 3 0 3 0 18 Hall 4 19 4.8 22 Tomlinson 5 5 0 0 30 Cromartie 2 66 33.0 66
W ............... at Carolina ............... 20-7 A. Jones 1 0 0 1 6
Joseph 3 38 12.7 21t
Holmes 3 0 3 0 18
Lowery 1 26 26.0 26t W ................ at Miami ................ 31-23
B. Johnson 1 12 12.0 12 Coleman 1 0 0.0 0
L ................ at Cleveland ................ 23-20 Leonard 1 0 1 0 6 A. Jones 1 10 10.0 10 Cotchery 2 0 2 0 12 Pool 1 0 0.0 0 W ............... at Buffalo ............... 38-14
L .................. Tampa Bay .................. 24-21 Shipley 1 0 1 0 6 Ndukwe 1 0 0.0 0 Sanchez 2 2 0 0 12 Jets 5 92 18.4 66 W ............. Minnesota ............. 29-20
Bengals 24 4 18 2 215 Trent 1 0 0.0 0 Greene 1 1 0 0 6 Opp. 7 52 7.4 18
................................ Bye ................................ Opponents 30 10 15 5 262 R. Williams 1 0 0.0 0 Jets 25 8 16 1 238 Sacks: J. Taylor 4, Ellis 3.5, Thomas 3, W ............... at Denver ............... 24-20
L ................... at Atlanta ................... 39-32 Sacks: Crocker 2, Atkins 1, Dunlap 1, Bengals 12 79 6.6 22 Opponents 20 6 14 0 177 Pace 2.5, Ihedigbo 2, Lowery 2, Coleman ................................ Bye ................................
Geathers 1, Maualuga 1, Rivers 1, Ruck- Opp. 13 294 22.6 59t 1, Harris 1, Pouha 1, Scott 1, TM 21, OPP
L....................... Miami ....................... 22-14 er 1, B. Johnson 0.5, M. Johnson 0.5, Pe- Kicking PAT FG Pts 17 L ................... Green Bay ................... 9-0
Kicking PAT FG Pts
L .................. Pittsburgh .................. 27-21 ko 0.5, Sims 0.5, TM 10, OPP 19 Nugent 17/17 15/19 62
Folk
Jets
23/23 21/28
23/23 21/28
86
86
Fum/Lost: Sanchez 4/0, Greene 3/2, W .......... at Detroit .......... 23-20 (OT)
Tomlinson 3/0, Wilson 2/0, Edwards
L .............. at Indianapolis .............. 23-17
Fum/Lost: Benson 5/4, C. Palmer 5/2,
Gresham 2/1, R. Nelson 1/1, Scott 1/1
Pettrey
Bengals
4/4
21/21 16/21
1/2 7
69
Opp. 18/19 13/16 57
1/1, Holmes 1/1, B. Smith 1/1
W ....... at Cleveland ....... 26-20 (OT)
L ..................... Buffalo ..................... 49-31 Opp. 29/29 17/21 80 W ................ Houston ................ 30-27
NY-J Opp. NY-J Opp.
Nov. 25 ............. at N.Y. Jets ............. 8:20
Cin. Opp. Cin. Opp.
Possession Avg. 31:51 28:09 Total First Downs 199 183 Nov. 25 ............. Cincinnati ............. 8:20
Possession Avg. 31:13 28:47 Total First Downs 209 188
Dec. 5 ............... New Orleans ............... 1 Total Net Yards 3462 3413 Rushing 53 65 Total Net Yards 3659 3103 Rushing 69 41 Dec. 6 ......... at New England ......... 8:30
Dec. 12 .............. at Pittsburgh .............. 1 Avg. Per Game 346.2 341.3 Passing 139 107 Avg. Per Game 365.9 310.3 Passing 114 116 Dec. 12 ................. Miami ................. 4:15
Total Plays 670 617 Penalty 17 16 Total Plays 683 630 Penalty 16 26
Dec. 19 ................. Cleveland ................. 1 Avg. Per Play 5.2 5.5 3rd Down/Att. 55/143 54/130 Avg. Per Play 5.4 4.9 3rd Down/Att. 60/146 52/141 Dec. 19 ........... at Pittsburgh ........... 4:15
Dec. 26 .............. San Diego .............. 8:20 Net Yards Rushing 966 1183 3rd Down Pct. 38.5 41.5 Net Yards Rushing 1459 903 3rd Down Pct. 41.1 36.9 Dec. 26 ................ at Chicago ................ 1
Avg. Per Game 145.9 90.3 4th Down/Att. 2/6 2/4
Jan. 2 ................. at Baltimore ................. 1 Avg. Per Game 96.6 118.3 4th Down/Att. 9/10 2/6
Net Yards Passing 2200 2200 4th Down Pct. 33.3 50.0
Jan. 2 ..................... Buffalo ..................... 1
Net Yards Passing 2496 2230 4th Down Pct. 90.0 33.3 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 249.6 223.0 Penalties/Yards 61/471 56/448 Avg. Per Game 220.0 220.0 Penalties/Yards 76/686 54/527

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 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 17

Week 12 matchup:
Titans (5-5) vs. Texans (4-6)
uSunday, 1 p.m. ET, at Reliant Stadium, Houston uTV: CBS, DirecTV 706
QB Young’s Heartbreak
future with
uTV announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
uKeys to the game: Houston’s pass de-
fense catches a break with sixth-round rookie
strikes again
team unclear QB Rusty Smith expected to start for Tennes-
see. The Texans are allowing 301 passing yards in loss to Jets
a game and have been responsible for consec-
Is the Vince Young era over? utive final-possession losses. Offensive coor- After starting the season with a
Young tore a flexor tendon in his dinator Mike Heimerdinger let Smith cut it 4-2 record, the Texans have lost four
right thumb against the Washington loose a few times Sunday, but the Titans will consecutive games to drop to 4-6.
Redskins. But that might be the least run the offense through RB Chris Johnson and They remain in the AFC South cellar
of his worries. will lean on Smith’s arm only as much as going into the game against the Ten-
The quarterback shed his jersey forced to. Johnson rushed 45 times in two nessee Titans at Reliant Stadium.
and shoulder pads and tossed them meetings last season, averaging 174 yards a The Texans have suffered three
into the stands after the game. game and 7.7 yards a carry. The Texans have to heartbreaking losses in a row, but
With all that transpired, the ques- score in bunches to make up for deficiencies the players continue to play hard for
tion becomes whether Young has on defense, especially a porous pass defense coach Gary Kubiak.
played his last snap as a Titan. that has given up game-winning touchdown The Texans’ most recent defeat
Chances are, only owner Bud Ad- passes in the final possession of two consec- was even more difficult to stomach.
ams, who has long been a Young utive games. Texans RB Arian Foster has a They trailed the New York Jets 23-7
backer and championed drafting league-leading 13 touchdowns and 1,382 total early in the fourth quarter but ral-
him in the first place, can resolve yards; he will find room to run against the Ti- lied to take a 27-23 lead with 55
the situation. tans. The play-to-play jostling between Titans seconds remaining. The Jets had to
Twice before, Adams has ordered CB Cortland Finnegan and Texans WR Andre go 72 yards in 45 seconds with no
Young into the lineup, during his Johnson will be worth watching. timeouts remaining. And that’s ex-
rookie season of 2006 after a 0-3 be- uMatchup to watch — Texans kick cov- actly what they did.
ginning, and last year after a 59-0 erage vs. Titans RS Marc Mariani: The Ti- So where do the Texans in general
beat-down at the New England Pa- tans’ latest rookie find, Mariani returned a and the secondary in particular go
triots that finished off a 0-6 start. punt 87 yards for a touchdown last week, and By Jae S. Lee, The (Nashville) Tennessean from here? Tennessee quarterbacks
Young has had issues before with the seventh-round rookie averages 17.1 yards Kerry Collins and Vince Young are
He could go all the way: The Titans’ Marc Mariani returns a
his emotions. During his rookie sea- a punt return. He scored on a 98-yard kickoff injured.
punt 87 yards for a touchdown Sunday vs. the Redskins.
son, he hurled his cleats into the return in a Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos. uBy the numbers: Kubiak’s rec-
wall in Indianapolis and refused to uPlayer spotlight — Titans LB Stephen ord in November is 5-14 during his
meet with the news media. In 2008, Tulloch: A tackle machine and the Titans’ top The Bodog.net line: No line five seasons with the Texans.
he refused to go back into a game. linebacker in pass coverage, Tulloch earns the uUnder the radar: Middle line-
uLineup watch: With Young out spotlight as the player most essential to slow- Who will win and why backer Kevin Bentley is a nine-year
and Kerry Collins hurt, the Titans Two teams with plenty of question marks. But what the Texans can veteran and the Texans’ special-
ing Foster. do is put points on the board, and the Titans will be hard-pressed to
will have to start Rusty Smith on uFast facts: Smith is Florida Atlantic’s all- teams captain. Unless a starter is in-
keep up with rookie QB Rusty Smith at the controls.
Sunday against the host Houston time leader with 10,112 passing yards and 76 jured, he spends all of his time on
Texans. The rookie will be making TD passes. . . . The Texans are 4-1 at home in special teams, where he does a ter-
his first NFL start
Our pick: Texans 23-13 rific job.
their last five games against AFC opponents.
uBy the numbers: Lost in the But he has started the last two
Young soap opera is the fact that the Titans statistics Texans statistics games at middle linebacker so Bri-
Yds/ Sack/
Titans’ defense has been awful over Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att
Yds/
TD Int Lng
Sack/
Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
an Cushing could return outside.
the past month. Last week was no Young 156 93 1255 59.6 8.04 10 3 71t 13/80 98.6 Schaub 332 211 2574 63.6 7.75 13 7 60 22/145 91.6 Bentley led the Texans with eight
K. Collins 107 62 638 57.9 5.96 5 3 80t 5/28 79.1 Texans 332 211 2574 63.6 7.75 13 7 60 22/145 91.6
exception; Washington rolled up Titans 272 158 1955 58.1 7.19 15 7 80t 18/108 88.1 Opp. 372 251 3139 67.5 8.44 25 6 73t 17/129 109.2 tackles, including six unassisted, in
465 yards of total offense. Opp. 405 259 2780 64.0 6.86 12 15 69t 30/193 78.4 Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD the loss to the Jets.
Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Foster 194 1004 5.2 74t 12 Johnson 56 813 14.5 60 4
C. Johnson 216 968 4.5 76t 9 Scaife 30 281 9.4 30 2 Ward 29 169 5.8 38t 3 Foster 39 378 9.7 50 1
Ringer 40 178 4.5 54 1 Washington 29 494 17.0 71t 5 Slaton 19 93 4.9 23 0 Walter 30 372 12.4 35 4
Young 25 125 5.0 20 0 C. Johnson 25 103 4.1 17 0 Jones 25 242 9.7 23 1
Schaub 16 21 1.3 8 0 Dreessen 19 321 16.9 43t 3
Britt 23 434 18.9 80t 7
Titans 285 1270 4.5 76t 10 Gage 13 184 14.2 30 0 Jones 1 10 10.0 10 0 Daniels 16 200 12.5 27 0
Opp. 268 1035 3.9 36 4 Williams 11 146 13.3 26 0 Texans 260 1270 4.9 74t 15 D. Anderson 7 72 10.3 35 0
Titans schedule Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Stevens
Titans
7 83 11.9 28 1
158 1955 12.4 80t 15
Opp. 270 1078 4.0 35 8 Casey
Leach
6
6
69 11.5 33 0
63 10.5 18 0 Texans schedule
Bironas 0 0 0 0 83 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Ward 4 33 8.3 12 0
W ................ Oakland ................ 38-13 C. Johnson 9 9 0 0 54
Opp. 259 2780 10.7 69t 12
Foster 13 12 1 0 78 Slaton 3 11 3.7 12 0 W ........... Indianapolis ........... 34-24
L .................. Pittsburgh .................. 19-11 Britt 7 0 7 0 44 Int.
Griffin
No. Yds Avg Lng
4 50 12.5 28
Rackers 0 0 0 0 76 Texans 211 2574 12.2 60 13 W ..... at Washington ..... 30-27 (OT)
Washington 5 0 5 0 30 Johnson 4 0 4 0 24 Opp. 251 3139 12.5 73t 25
W ............ at N.Y. Giants ............ 29-10 Mariani 2 0 0 2 12 Finnegan 2 41 20.5 41t Walter 4 0 4 0 24
L ...................... Dallas ...................... 27-13
Verner 2 22 11.0 12 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
L ..................... Denver ..................... 26-20 Scaife 2 0 2 0 12 McCourty 2 11 5.5 11 Dreessen 3 0 3 0 18 Nolan 2 34 17.0 20 W .............. at Oakland .............. 31-24
W ................ at Dallas ................ 34-27 Finnegan 1 0 0 1 6 Hope 1 32 32.0 32 Ward 3 3 0 0 18 Jackson 2 23 11.5 23 L .................. N.Y. Giants .................. 34-10
Schommer 0 0 0 0 2 Tulloch 1 18 18.0 18 Jones 1 0 1 0 6 Bentley 1 18 18.0 18
W ........... at Jacksonville ........... 30-3 Titans 28 10 15 3 257 Titans 15 170 11.3 41t Texans 28 15 13 0 244 McManis 1 1 1.0 1 W ............. Kansas City ............. 35-31
W ............ Philadelphia ............ 37-19 Opponents 17 4 12 1 198 Opp. 7 51 7.3 43 Opponents 34 8 25 1 287 Texans
Opp.
6
7
76
60
12.7
8.6
23
25t
................................ Bye ................................
L ................. at San Diego................. 33-25 Sacks: M. Williams 7.5, A. Smith 3, M.
Kicking PAT FG Pts Sacks: Babin 8, Ball 7, T. Brown 3.5, Ford
3, Witherspoon 3, Jones 2, Morgan 1.5, Anderson LG 2, M. Anderson TM 2, Kicking PAT FG Pts
L .............. at Indianapolis .............. 30-17
................................ Bye ................................ Bironas 26/26 19/20 83 L .................. San Diego .................. 29-23
Titans 26/26 19/20 83 Finnegan 1, Hope 1, TM 30, OPP 18 Okoye 2, Lewis 1, Ryans 1, Nading 0.5, Rackers 28/28 16/18 76
L .................... at Miami .................... 29-13 Opp. 15/15 27/33 96 Fum/Lost: Young 6/4, K. Collins 3/2, C. TM 17, OPP 22 Texans 28/28 16/18 76 L ............... at Jacksonville ............... 31-24
Johnson 3/2, Mariani 2/2, Scaife 2/1 Fum/Lost: Schaub 5/2, Foster 2/2, Drees- Opp. 33/33 16/21 81
L ............ Washington ............ 19-16 (OT) sen 1/1, Jones 1/0 L .................. at N.Y. Jets .................. 30-27
Hou. Opp. Hou. Opp.
Nov. 28 ................ at Houston ................ 1 Tenn. Opp. Tenn. Opp.
Possession Avg. 27:47 32:13 Total First Downs 212 235 Nov. 28 ................ Tennessee ................ 1
Possession Avg. 26:35 33:25 Total First Downs 158 215
Dec. 5 ................ Jacksonville ................ 1 Total Net Yards 3117 3622 Rushing 54 59 Total Net Yards 3699 4088 Rushing 76 70 Dec. 2 .......... at Philadelphia .......... 8:20
Dec. 9 ............. Indianapolis ............. 8:20 Avg. Per Game 311.7 362.2 Passing 87 134 Avg. Per Game 369.9 408.8 Passing 127 147 Dec. 13 .............. Baltimore .............. 8:30
Total Plays 575 703 Penalty 17 22 Total Plays 614 659 Penalty 9 18
Dec. 19 .................. Houston .................. 1 Avg. Per Play 5.4 5.2 3rd Down/Att. 49/133 63/152 Avg. Per Play 6.0 6.2 3rd Down/Att. 46/114 51/125 Dec. 19 .............. at Tennessee .............. 1
Dec. 26 ............. at Kansas City ............. 1 Net Yards Rushing 1270 1035 3rd Down Pct. 36.8 41.4 Net Yards Rushing 1270 1078 3rd Down Pct. 40.4 40.8 Dec. 26 .............. at Denver .............. 4:05
Jan. 2 .............. at Indianapolis .............. 1 Avg. Per Game 127.0 107.8 4th Down/Att. 3/8 6/8
Avg. Per Game 127.0 103.5 4th Down/Att. 3/5 4/13
Net Yards Passing 2429 3010 4th Down Pct. 37.5 75.0
Jan. 2 ................. Jacksonville ................. 1
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Net Yards Passing 1847 2587 4th Down Pct. 60.0 30.8 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Avg. Per Game 184.7 258.7 Penalties/Yards 81/694 76/705 Avg. Per Game 242.9 301.0 Penalties/Yards 55/408 63/554

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18 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

Week 12 matchup:
Buccaneers (7-3) vs. Ravens (7-3)
uSunday, 4:15 p.m. ET, at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore uTV: Fox, DirecTV 711
Morris: ‘We’re Flacco finds
impossible
uTV announcers: Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan,
Jaime Maggio
uKeys to the game: The Bucs continue to
success with
to ignore’ build a strong ground game with RB LeGar-
rette Blount. The Ravens have been more vul- long pass
nerable than in recent seasons on the ground,
The Buccaneers offense is giving but their real weakness has been the propen- The Ravens revived their down-
opponents plenty for which to pre- sity to allow big plays on the right side. CB Josh field passing game heading into
pare. Wilson hasn’t been much better than ousted their showdown against the Tampa
Take last weekend’s 21-0 win at starter Fabian Washington, and Bucs rookie Bay Buccaneers.
the San Francisco 49ers. WR Mike Williams has a 4-inch and 20-pound Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco
Wide receiver Michael Spurlock advantage in the matchup. Tampa Bay’s de- completed five passes of more than
threw a pass on a fake punt at mid- fense is coming off a shutout at the San Fran- 20 yards in the Ravens’ 37-13 win at
field. Backup quarterback Josh cisco 49ers. Baltimore presents a much differ- the Carolina Panthers. The Ravens
Johnson ran for a first down, com- ent test with veteran receivers to go with a had nine such completions in their
pleted a pass and lined up at wide- solid running game. RB Ray Rice should get past four games.
out. Left tackle Donald Penn had a plenty of early work to help set up the Bucs Flacco’s first pass Sunday was a
touchdown reception. And rookie secondary. 56-yard touchdown strike to T.J.
Mike Williams crossed the goal uMatchup to watch — Bucs QB Josh Houshmandzadeh, which was in-
line again. Freeman vs. Ravens FS Ed Reed: Freeman tended to send a message.
“We’re impossible to ignore,” has shown growth and maturity in his second The perception is that the Ravens
Bucs coach Raheem Morris said af- season, going without an interception in five of have possession wide receivers in
ter watching his team improve to his past six games. But no one is better at bait- Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason
7-3 by winning at Candlestick Park ing quarterbacks into mistakes than Reed, who and Houshmandzadeh and that
for the first time since 1980 and the has four interceptions in as many games this they lack speed to stretch the field
second time in franchise history. season. Reed makes many of his plays through against defenses.
“We’re an exciting brand of foot- sheer anticipation, so it will be up to Freeman “We’re going to take our shots,”
ball.” to disguise where he is going with the ball. By Ezra Shaw, Getty Images Mason said.
The Buccaneers head into a tough uPlayer spotlight — Ravens WR Donté Baltimore coach John Harbaugh
Growth spurt: Improving Buccaneers quarterback Josh
two-game stretch. Tampa Bay visits Stallworth: Stallworth is the team’s fourth estimated there are eight to 10 op-
Freeman, above, will get a test from Ravens safety Ed Reed.
the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday be- wide receiver, but offensive coordinator Cam portunities to throw deep in each
fore hosting the Atlanta Falcons on Cameron is experimenting with ways to get game, and he stressed the impor-
Dec. 1. the ball in his hands. Stallworth has one recep- The Bodog.net line: Ravens by 71⁄2 tance of being able to convert six or
uTrending: Defensive tackle tion, but the Ravens’ fastest receiver has three seven of those.
Gerald McCoy is starting to make a carries on end-around plays in his first two Who will win and why “We need those downfield
big impact. Against the Carolina This is a trap game for the young Bucs, playing a second consec- strikes,” he said.
games of the season. utive road game before hosting the Atlanta Falcons next week. Balti-
Panthers, he forced a fumble and uFast fact: Joe Flacco is tied with Vinny uLineup watch: Offensive line-
more will run the ball early and set up a few big passes to pull away.
had a tackle for a loss. Sunday, Mc- Testaverde for the Ravens franchise record man Tony Moll could be pressed
Coy recorded two half-sacks — his with 51 career touchdown passes. into action for a couple of weeks un-
first of the season. “It feels good.
Our pick: Ravens 24-17 til Chris Chester recovers from cel-
You work hard; you keep working,” lulitis, a skin condition.
McCoy said. Buccaneers statistics Ravens statistics uBy the numbers: The Ravens,
Yds/ Sack/ Yds/ Sack/
uBy the numbers: With his in- Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
who have struggled to get pressure
terception vs. 49ers quarterback Freeman 290 177 2099 61.0 7.24 14 5 58t 18/114 92.0 Flacco 330 206 2433 62.4 7.37 16 7 58 19/124 92.1 on the quarterback, had three sacks
Buccaneers 305 188 2194 61.6 7.19 14 5 58t 20/122 91.9 Ravens 332 208 2440 62.7 7.35 16 7 58 19/124 92.2
Troy Smith, Ronde Barber became Opp. 314 181 2083 57.6 6.63 15 15 49 14/75 73.8 Opp. 338 202 2231 59.8 6.60 12 10 88t 19/131 78.9 Sunday. This tied a season high for
the first cornerback in NFL history Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Baltimore, which had been on pace
Blount 101 441 4.4 48 4 M. Williams 43 681 15.8 58t 6 Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD
to record at least 40 interceptions C. Williams 104 338 3.3 45t 2 Winslow 43 436 10.1 40 1 Rice 184 730 4.0 30 3 Boldin 48 625 13.0 38 6 for the fewest sacks in franchise his-
C. Williams 30 226 7.5 20 1
and 25 sacks. Freeman 39 236 6.1 33 0
Stroughter 17 188 11.1 27 0
McGahee
L. McClain
68
24
262
64
3.9 30t 4
2.7 11 0
Rice
Mason
40
37
345 8.6
489 13.2
34
40
0
3 tory.
Graham 18 98 5.4 61 1 Spurlock 14 205 14.6 43 2 Heap 35 467 13.3 35 4
Buccaneers 275 1178 4.3 61 7 Benn 13 186 14.3 53 2 Flacco 30 52 1.7 13 1 Houshmandz. 15 255 17.0 56t 2
Opp. 285 1365 4.8 39 8 Graham 11 100 9.1 46 1 Ravens 313 1166 3.7 30t 8 L. McClain 15 105 7.0 19 0
Buccaneers schedule Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Opp.
Buccaneers 188 2194 11.7 58t 14
181 2083 11.5 49 15
Opp. 244 1018 4.2 48 5 McGahee
Ravens
10
208
34 3.4
2440 11.7
32t
58
1
16
Ravens schedule
Barth 0 0 0 0 59 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Opp. 202 2231 11.0 88t 12
W ............... Cleveland ............... 17-14 M. Williams 6 0 6 0 36 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng Cundiff 0 0 0 0 77 W ............... at N.Y. Jets ............... 10-9
W ............... at Carolina ............... 20-7 Blount 4 4 0 0 24 Talib
Barber
5
3
66 13.2 45t
98 32.7 64
Boldin 6 0 6 0 36 Int.
E. Reed
No. Yds Avg Lng
4 83 20.8 40
L ............... at Cincinnati ............... 15-10
Spurlock 3 0 2 1 18 McGahee 5 4 1 0 30
L .................. Pittsburgh .................. 38-13 C. Williams 3 2 1 0 18
Grimm 2 24 12.0 13 Heap 4 0 4 0 24 Lewis 2 26 13.0 24t W ............... Cleveland ............... 24-17
Hayes 1 41 41.0 41t Webb 1 32 32.0 32
................................ Bye ................................ Benn 2 0 2 0 12 Buccaneers 15 279 18.6 64 Mason 3 0 3 0 18 Carr 1 12 12.0 12
W ............ at Pittsburgh ............ 17-14
W ........... at Cincinnati ........... 24-21 Graham 2 1 1 0 12 Opp. 5 120 24.0 79t Rice 3 3 0 0 18 Hamlin 1 0 0.0 0 W .................. Denver .................. 31-17
Grimm 1 0 0 1 6 Sacks: White 4.5, Crowder 2, Barber 1, Houshmandz. 2 0 2 0 12 Wilson 1 0 0.0 0
L ................. New Orleans ................. 31-6 Penn 1 0 1 0 6 Bennett 1, Black 1, Hayward 1, Magee Landry 1 0 0 1 6 Ravens 10 176 17.6 42t L ....... at New England ....... 23-20 (OT)
W ................ St. Louis ................ 18-17 Buccaneers 25 7 14 4 209 LG 1, Magee TM 1, McCoy 1, Ruud 1, Ravens 26 8 16 2 233 Opp. 7 110 15.7 66 W ............ Buffalo ............ 37-34 (OT)
Opponents 25 8 15 2 206 Woods 0.5, TM 14, OPP 20 Opponents 17 5 12 0 178
W .............. at Arizona .............. 38-35 Fum/Lost: Freeman 4/1, M. Williams
Sacks: Suggs 7.5, Ngata 5, Lewis 2, Krug-
er 1, Landry 1, J. McClain 1, Redding 1,
................................ Bye ................................
Kicking PAT FG Pts Kicking PAT FG Pts W .................. Miami .................. 26-10
L ................... at Atlanta ................... 27-21 Barth 23/23 12/16 59
3/2, Benn 1/0, Blount 1/1, Faine 1/0,
Cundiff 26/26 17/20 77 Johnson 0.5, TM 19, OPP 19
W ................. Carolina ................. 31-16 Buccaneers 23/23 12/16 59
Graham 1/1, Mack 1/1, Spurlock 1/1,
Stroughter 1/1, C. Williams 1/1, Wins-
Ravens 26/26 17/20 77 Fum/Lost: Flacco 6/3, McGahee 2/2 L .................. at Atlanta .................. 26-21
Opp. 24/24 10/12 54 Opp. 16/16 20/23 76 W .............. at Carolina .............. 37-13
W ......... at San Francisco ......... 21-0 low 1/0
Balt. Opp. Balt. Opp.
Nov. 28 ............... at Baltimore ............... 1
T.B. Opp. T.B. Opp.
Possession Avg. 31:34 28:26 Total First Downs 210 167 Nov. 28 ............. Tampa Bay ............. 4:15
Possession Avg. 31:04 28:56 Total First Downs 178 191
Dec. 5 ..................... Atlanta ..................... 1 Total Net Yards 3250 3373 Rushing 62 78 Total Net Yards 3482 3118 Rushing 66 51 Dec. 5 .............. Pittsburgh .............. 8:20
Dec. 12 ............. at Washington ............. 1 Avg. Per Game 325.0 337.3 Passing 103 102 Avg. Per Game 348.2 311.8 Passing 124 104 Dec. 13 ............ at Houston ............ 8:30
Total Plays 600 613 Penalty 13 11 Total Plays 664 601 Penalty 20 12
Dec. 19 ................... Detroit ................... 1 Avg. Per Play 5.4 5.5 3rd Down/Att. 59/135 58/131 Avg. Per Play 5.2 5.2 3rd Down/Att. 53/132 51/140 Dec. 19 .............. New Orleans .............. 1
Dec. 26 .................... Seattle .................... 1 Net Yards Rushing 1178 1365 3rd Down Pct. 43.7 44.3 Net Yards Rushing 1166 1018 3rd Down Pct. 40.2 36.4 Dec. 26 ............... at Cleveland ............... 1
Avg. Per Game 116.6 101.8 4th Down/Att. 2/6 1/4
Jan. 2 .............. at New Orleans .............. 1 Avg. Per Game 117.8 136.5 4th Down/Att. 6/10 5/13
Net Yards Passing 2316 2100 4th Down Pct. 33.3 25.0
Jan. 2 .................. Cincinnati .................. 1
Net Yards Passing 2072 2008 4th Down Pct. 60.0 38.5 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 207.2 200.8 Penalties/Yards 61/502 52/454 Avg. Per Game 231.6 210.0 Penalties/Yards 56/457 79/657

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 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 19

Week 12 matchup:
Jaguars (6-4) vs. Giants (6-4)
uSunday, 1p.m. ET, at New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. uTV: CBS, DirecTV 704
Team’s mettle Turnover
will be tested
uTV announcers: Greg Gumbel, Dan Dier-
dorf
uKeys to the game: The Giants defense
issue not
on the road can take on many looks, but the three-safety
package has been most effective. Using S An- going away
trel Rolle as a hybrid linebacker-safety gives
The Jaguars, riding a three-game the Giants another active body near the line of The Philadelphia Eagles have
winning streak, start a critical two- scrimmage. Jaguars QB David Garrard, who overtaken the Giants as the leaders
game road trip Sunday against the was rattled into three interceptions Sunday, in the NFC East, thanks to Sunday’s
New York Giants. will have to make smart decisions under con- 27-17 win, and the Giants find
The Jaguars, who beat the Dallas stant duress. The Giants don’t expect themselves on a two-game slide.
Cowboys on the road and recorded WR Steve Smith back from a strained pectoral, New York’s offense again failed to
home victories vs. the Houston Tex- and QB Eli Manning misses his security blan- sustain drives as the team was out-
ans and Cleveland Browns to boost ket. The Jaguars have allowed 20 touchdown scored 13-3 in the first half.
their record to 6-4, play the Giants passes. As for turnovers, running back
and Tennessee Titans in their next uMatchup to watch — Giants RB Ahmad Ahmad Bradshaw, who in 2010
two games. Bradshaw vs. Jaguars’ blitz packages: Jack- has lost five of his six fumbles, was
The Jaguars are tied for first place sonville has turned to a blitzing defense that is guilty of coughing up the ball again;
with the Indianapolis Colts with six high-risk and high-reward. The scheme the Eagles converted on the ensuing
games left. It is the latest they’ve change, necessitated by underperformance drive with a 38-yard field goal by
been in first place since 1999. (Derrick Harvey) and injury (Aaron Kamp- David Akers.
Four of their last six games are on man), leaves the defense perilously exposed if But it was quarterback Eli Man-
the road, including three against di- the linebackers crashing down are picked up, ning whose turnovers were most
vision teams. If they split the road especially against a back such as Bradshaw, glaring.
games and win their home games who is effective on delayed draws, screen In addition to throwing three in-
against the Oakland Raiders and passes and isolation plays that demand sure terceptions, he had a critical fourth-
Washington Redskins, the Jaguars tackling. quarter fumble after picking up a
would be 10-6 and have a good uPlayer spotlight — Giants WR Mario By William Perlman, The (Newark) Star-Ledger first down on a fourth-and-6 scram-
shot at making the playoffs. Manningham: He has been more precise ble, effectively ending the Giants’
Tough to tackle: Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw has
The Jaguars’ four losses have sticking to designed pass routes this season, chances of winning.
compiled 1,064 yards from scrimmage this season.
come by a total of 99 points, but earning more looks from Manning with his Next, the Giants face the Jackson-
two of their victories have come on newfound discipline and a few clutch grabs ville Jaguars. New York dropped to
the final play, and they beat the early in the season. He has sticky hands and The Bodog.net line: Giants by 7 6-4, one game behind Philadelphia.
Browns with 1:30 left. good quickness to separate underneath, uTrending: The Giants were
They also beat the Browns despite meaning he’ll get plenty of looks against the Who will win and why held to 61 rushing yards, the first
committing six turnovers. The Giants have been stagnant in the first half of consecutive time this season they haven’t
Jaguars’ horrendous third-down defense. games. If they give the Jaguars life with a slow start, an upset is feasi-
uLineup watch: Deji Karim uFast facts: The Jaguars have been out- cracked the 100-yard mark. New
ble if QB David Garrard plays well.
fumbled a kickoff late in the victory scored 138-39 in their four losses and 270-220 York also found itself in third-and-
vs. Houston. He recovered it but overall this season. . . . Manning has 16 touch- long seven times, converting once.
might have lost the confidence of
Our pick: Giants 32-17 uBy the numbers: The Giants
down passes in his last six games.
the coaches. He was inactive against had five turnovers, bringing their
the Browns as Tiquan Underwood Jaguars statistics Giants statistics season total to 30. They have had at
Yds/ Sack/
handled kick-return duties. Passing Att Cmp Yds
Yds/
Cmp% Att TD Int Lng
Sack/
Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
least one turnover in each game,
uTrending: The Jaguars, who Garrard 214 145 1694 67.8 7.92 17 10 75 21/151 98.5 Manning 352 231 2595 65.6 7.37 21 16 54t 12/82 88.4 and opponents have converted 15 of
Bouman 34 18 222 52.9 6.53 2 2 29 1/6 68.5 Giants 352 231 2595 65.6 7.37 21 16 54t 12/82 88.4
had 14 sacks last season, have 20 Jaguars 292 188 2176 64.4 7.45 19 15 75 24/173 87.1 Opp. 309 173 2102 56.0 6.80 14 10 87t 27/173 78.7 those miscues into 73 points.
this season after getting six against Opp. 317 213 2790 67.2 8.80 20 9 61t 20/144 103.9 Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD
Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving Bradshaw 185 867 4.7 45 5 Nicks 62 800 12.9 46t 9
the Browns. Jones-Drew 209 878 4.2 24 4 M. Thomas
No. Yds Avg Lng TD
46 572 12.4 50t 3 Jacobs 78 387 5.0 38 5 Smith 47 517 11.0 45 3
Garrard 35 140 4.0 25t 2 Lewis 35 445 12.7 42t 8 Ware 15 81 5.4 14 0 Manningham 38 500 13.2 54t 4
Karim 27 105 3.9 15 0 Sims-Walker 32 418 13.1 39 4 Bradshaw 28 197 7.0 18 0
Manning 23 49 2.1 16 0 Boss 21 318 15.1 54 2
Jennings 22 100 4.5 15 0 Jones-Drew 24 263 11.0 75 2 Giants 306 1383 4.5 45 10
Miller 17 182 10.7 52t 1 Beckum 11 83 7.5 25 2
M. Thomas 8 98 12.3 33 0 Opp. 241 895 3.7 50t 6 Jacobs 7 59 8.4 22 0
Jennings 9 86 9.6 25 0
Jaguars schedule
Jaguars
Opp.
311
266
1353
1122
4.4
4.2
33 6
70 12
Underwood
Osgood
8 111 13.9 22 0
5 54 10.8 24t 1
Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Giants
Hagan 3 10 3.3 5t 1
231 2595 11.2 54t 21 Giants schedule
Tynes 0 0 0 0 63 Opp. 173 2102 12.2 87t 14
W ................. Denver ................. 24-17 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Jaguars 188 2176 11.6 75 19 Nicks 9 0 9 0 54 W ................ Carolina ................ 31-18
Opp. 213 2790 13.1 61t 20 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
L ................ at San Diego ................ 38-13 Scobee 0 0 0 0 70 Bradshaw 5 5 0 0 30
Thomas 3 29 9.7 28
L .............. at Indianapolis .............. 38-14
Lewis 8 0 8 0 48 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng Jacobs 5 5 0 0 30
L ................. Philadelphia ................. 28-3 Jones-Drew 6 4 2 0 36 D. Cox 2 14 7.0 14 Manningham 4 0 4 0 24
Grant 3 0 0.0 0 L .................. Tennessee .................. 29-10
Webster 2 2 1.0 2
W ............ Indianapolis ............ 31-28 Sims-Walker 4 0 4 0 24 Jaguars 9 96 10.7 47 Smith 3 0 3 0 18 Rolle 1 36 36.0 36 W .................. Chicago .................. 17-3
Opp. 15 180 12.0 35
W ............... at Buffalo ............... 36-26
M. Thomas 3 0 3 0 18 Beckum 2 0 2 0 12 Phillips 1 0 0.0 0 W ............. at Houston ............. 34-10
Garrard 2 2 0 0 12 Kicking PAT FG Pts Boss 2 0 2 0 12 Giants 10 67 6.7 36
L ................... Tennessee ................... 30-3 Jaguars 25 6 19 0 220 Scobee 25/25 15/17 70 Giants 31 10 21 0 253 Opp. 16 282 17.6 101t W ................. Detroit ................. 28-20
L .............. at Kansas City .............. 42-20 Opponents 34 12 20 2 270 Jaguars 25/25 15/17 70 Opponents 23 6 14 3 220 Sacks: Umenyiora 8, Tuck 7, Kiwanuka W ................ at Dallas ................ 41-35
Opp. 33/33 11/13 66 4, Cofield 3, Canty 1.5, Boley 1, Grant 1,
W ................ at Dallas ................ 35-17 Fum/Lost: Garrard 4/3, Karim 3/0,
Sacks: Knighton 4.5, Kampman 4, Alua- Kicking PAT FG Pts Ross 1, Goff 0.5, TM 27, OPP 12 Fum/Lost: ................................ Bye ................................
Jones-Drew 2/2, M. Thomas 2/2, Lewis
................................ Bye ................................ 1/1, Sims-Walker 1/1 lu 3.5, Mincey 3, Da. Smith 2, Harvey
Tynes
Graham
27/27 12/15
4/4 0/0
63
4
Manning 7/5, Bradshaw 6/5, Blackmon W ................. at Seattle ................. 41-7
1/0, Boss 1/1, Dodge 1/1, Jacobs 1/1,
W ................ Houston ................ 31-24
1.5, Considine 1, Hart 0.5, TM 20, OPP 24 Giants 31/31 12/15 67 Koets 1/0, Nicks 1/0, Reynaud 1/0, Seub- L ...................... Dallas ...................... 33-20
Opp. 20/21 18/20 74
W .............. Cleveland .............. 24-20 ert 1/1 L .............. at Philadelphia .............. 27-17
NY-G Opp. NY-G Opp.
Nov. 28 .............. at N.Y. Giants .............. 1
Jax Opp. Jax Opp.
Possession Avg. 34:00 26:00 Total First Downs 221 142 Nov. 28 ............... Jacksonville ............... 1
Possession Avg. 30:58 29:03 Total First Downs 204 211
Dec. 5 ............... at Tennessee ............... 1 Total Net Yards 3356 3768 Rushing 84 63 Total Net Yards 3896 2824 Rushing 76 44 Dec. 5 ................ Washington ................ 1
Dec. 12 .................. Oakland .................. 1 Avg. Per Game 335.6 376.8 Passing 106 133 Avg. Per Game 389.6 282.4 Passing 124 91 Dec. 12 .............. at Minnesota .............. 1
Total Plays 627 603 Penalty 14 15 Total Plays 670 577 Penalty 21 7
Dec. 19 ............ at Indianapolis ............ 1 Avg. Per Play 5.4 6.2 3rd Down/Att. 47/120 53/116 Avg. Per Play 5.8 4.9 3rd Down/Att. 49/128 36/128 Dec. 19 .............. Philadelphia .............. 1
Dec. 26 ............... Washington ............... 1 Net Yards Rushing 1353 1122 3rd Down Pct. 39.2 45.7 Net Yards Rushing 1383 895 3rd Down Pct. 38.3 28.1 Dec. 26 ........... at Green Bay ........... 4:15
Avg. Per Game 138.3 89.5 4th Down/Att. 2/9 6/12
Jan. 2 .................. at Houston .................. 1 Avg. Per Game 135.3 112.2 4th Down/Att. 9/16 6/12
Net Yards Passing 2513 1929 4th Down Pct. 22.2 50.0
Jan. 2 .............. at Washington .............. 1
Net Yards Passing 2003 2646 4th Down Pct. 56.3 50.0 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 200.3 264.6 Penalties/Yards 55/436 57/512 Avg. Per Game 251.3 192.9 Penalties/Yards 65/558 77/687

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20 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

Week 12 matchup:
Panthers (1-9) vs. Browns (3-7)
uSunday, 1 p.m. ET, at Cleveland Browns Stadium uTV: Fox, DirecTV 709
QB Clausen Offense
will start if
uTV announcers: Chris Rose, Torry Holt
uKeys to the game: The Panthers have no
passing game, and it doesn’t seem to matter
needs Cribbs
he’s healthy whom they use at quarterback. Coach John
Fox hasn’t named a starter and first plans to to return
gauge Jimmy Clausen’s recovery from a
Brian St. Pierre had his day in Week 10 concussion. But the Panthers The Browns played the Jackson-
the sun, but if Jimmy Clausen is might’ve found an answer to what had been a ville Jaguars last week without ver-
cleared to practice this week he’ll stalled rushing attack. Mike Goodson has aver- satile Josh Cribbs. It is a situation
be back as the starting quarterback aged 4.3 and 5.5 yards a carry in his two starts. they are hopeful they do not experi-
Sunday when the Panthers visit the He’s not a bulldog in the red zone but should ence Sunday when they host the
Cleveland Browns. complement Jonathan Stewart nicely; Stewart Carolina Panthers.
Clausen sat out last week’s game could return after missing two weeks with a Cribbs was injured in the second
with a concussion, and the Panthers concussion. The Browns continue to ride RB quarter against the New York Jets
went with St. Pierre, who finished Peyton Hillis, the team’s leading rusher and re- when he tried jumping at the end of
13 of 28 for 173 yards, including an ceiver. Rookie QB Colt McCoy has been the a 37-yard catch-and-run. As he did,
88-yard touchdown pass but had Browns’ second-best weapon but is dealing someone stepped on his foot. He
two costly fourth-quarter intercep- with a left ankle injury. suffered four dislocated toes.
tions that were returned for touch- uMatchup to watch — Panthers WR Two days later, the Browns signed
downs by Baltimore Ravens defend- Steve Smith vs. Browns LCB Eric Wright: Clifton Smith to absorb Cribbs’
ers Dawan Landry (off an Ed Reed Teams have aggressively gone after Wright in workload on punt and kick returns,
lateral) and Ray Lewis. coverage. He’s in a contract year. But the mis- but the Browns have no one to take
When asked if St. Pierre would takes are piling up, and he’s desperate to turn Cribbs’ spot as a receiver and Wild-
start if Clausen is healthy, coach it around. Smith draws a lot of attention, cat quarterback.
John Fox replied, “We’ll see. I doubt which could lead to rookie WR David Gettis When healthy, Cribbs is on the
that.” matching up with either Sheldon Brown or Joe field for about 50% of the offensive
Fox made the controversial move Haden one-on-one. snaps, coach Eric Mangini said.
to start newly signed St. Pierre over uPlayer spotlight — Panthers RB Mike By Amy Sancetta, AP Cribbs is involved in an average of
rookie Tony Pike, who has been Goodson: His past two games — 45 carries, 10% to 15% of the plays, depending
Needs a big game: Browns cornerback Eric Wright has had
with the team all season. 220 yards — have been more productive than on the flow of the game, but even
his share of struggles this season.
uLineup watch: The Panthers any two games by all the other running backs when he is a decoy, opponents have
deactivated defensive tackle Ed on the roster. Goodson flashed his big-play to be aware of where he is. When
Johnson. Johnson has gone from speed on a 45-yard scamper Sunday and will The Bodog.net line: Browns by 6 he doesn’t play, the Browns do not
starter the first six games to inac- remain involved in the base offense. have Wildcat options.
tive. Undrafted rookie Andre Ne- uFast facts: The Panthers won the only Who will win and why Offensive coordinator Brian Da-
blett was activated instead. The Browns are capable of winning games with their defense, and, boll said his play sheet has 20 plays
game this season in which they managed to coming off last week’s four-sack, six-takeaway effort, the Panthers
uTrending: The Panthers are score more than 18 points (23-20 vs. San Fran- designed specifically for Cribbs.
should be easy prey.
slow starters on both sides of the cisco). . . . The Browns have scored at least 20 Rookie Colt McCoy made his fifth
ball. points in four consecutive games for the first consecutive start in the 24-20 loss
On offense, the Panthers have
Our pick: Browns 23-12 to the Jaguars. He suffered a
time since 2008.
scored 15 points in the first quarter sprained ankle in the third quarter
this season — all on field goals. Panthers statistics Browns statistics but continued playing.
Yds/ Sack/
Meanwhile Carolina’s defense has Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att
Yds/
TD Int Lng
Sack/
Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds
Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
uTrending: John St. Clair start-
allowed opponents to score a touch- Moore 143 79 857 55.2 5.99 5 10 39 13/90 55.6 McCoy 127 81 975
63.8 7.68 3 3 47 15/80 85.3 ed at right tackle after missing six
Clausen 138 67 692 48.6 5.01 1 4 55t 13/85 53.8 Wallace 100 63 693
63.0 6.93 4 2 65t 6/33 88.5
down on its opening drive in four of Panthers 321 165 1769 51.4 5.51 7 16 88t 30/208 54.4 Browns 290 180 2024
62.1 6.98 8 9 65t 23/123 79.2 games with an ankle injury.
the last six games before settling in. Opp. 323 200 2144 61.9 6.64 15 11 56t 16/109 82.6 Opp. 352 216 2562
61.4 7.28 19 14 78t 20/128 85.0 uBy the numbers: McCoy’s
Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Rushing No. Yds Avg
Lng TD
D. Williams 87 361 4.1 39t 1
Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD
Smith 34 411 12.1 37t 2 Hillis 173 774 4.5
48 8
Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD
Hillis 40 351 8.8 47 2
streak without throwing an inter-
Goodson
Stewart
61 270 4.4 45 0
69 208 3.0 24 1
Gettis
Goodson
25 400 16.0 88t 3
25 184 7.4 23 0
McCoy
Cribbs
20
16
87
69
4.4
18 1
4.3
19 0
Watson
Stuckey
36 434 12.1 44 2
31 272 8.8 25 0
ception ended at 98 passes.
Sutton 7 41 5.9 32 0 Rosario 21 170 8.1 26 0 Hodges 1 68 68.0
68 0 Massaquoi 19 232 12.2 41t 2
Panthers 257 964 3.8 45 3 LaFell 20 264 13.2 44 1 Browns 277 1133 4.1
68 10 Cribbs 17 235 13.8 65t 1
King 13 87 6.7 14 0 Moore 14 306 21.9 49 1
Panthers schedule
Opp. 322 1284 4.0 68t 8 D. Williams 11 61 5.5 14 0 Opp. 291 1164 4.0
55 3 Browns 180 2024 11.2 65t 8 Browns schedule
Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Stewart 5 85 17.0 55t 1 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Opp. 216 2562 11.9 78t 19
L ................ at N.Y. Giants ................ 31-18 Kasay 0 0 0 0 55 Panthers 165 1769 10.7 88t 7 Dawson 0 0 0 0 66 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng L ............. at Tampa Bay ............. 17-14
Opp. 200 2144 10.7 56t 15
L ................... Tampa Bay ................... 20-7 Gettis 3 0 3 0 18 Hillis 10 8 2 0 60 Haden 3 89 29.7 62 L .............. Kansas City .............. 16-14
Smith 2 0 2 0 12 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng Bowens 2 0 0 2 12 Bowens 2 94 47.0 64t
L .................... Cincinnati .................... 20-7 Stewart 2 1 1 0 12 Godfrey 4 94 23.5 38 Massaquoi 2 0 2 0 12 Ward 2 39 19.5 23 L .............. at Baltimore .............. 24-17
L ............. at New Orleans ............. 16-14 LaFell 1 0 1 0 6 Marshall 2 66 33.0 66 Watson 2 0 2 0 12 S. Brown 2 0 0.0 0 W .............. Cincinnati .............. 23-20
E. Johnson 1 5 5.0 5 M. Adams 1 26 26.0 26
L ..................... Chicago ..................... 23-6
Vaughan 1 1 0 0 6
Munnerlyn 1 2 2.0 2
Cribbs 1 0 1 0 6
Browns 14 265 18.9 64t L ................... Atlanta ................... 20-10
D. Williams 1 1 0 0 6 Elam 1 0 0 1 6
................................ Bye ................................ Hardy 0 0 0 0 2
Panthers
Opp.
11
16
166 15.1 66
218 13.6 42t Stuckey 1 1 0 0 6
Opp. 9 139 15.4 64
Sacks: Benard 6.5, Fujita 3.5, Roth 2.5,
L ............. at Pittsburgh ............. 28-10
W ........... San Francisco ........... 23-20 Panthers 10 3 7 0 117
Sacks: C. Johnson 4.5, Anderson 2.5, E.
Browns 21 10 8 3 192 Coleman 2, Rubin 2, M. Adams 1, Go- W .......... at New Orleans ..........30-17
Opponents 27 8 15 4 252 Opponents 24 3 19 2 206
L .................. at St. Louis .................. 20-10 Brown 2, Hardy 2, Landri 2, Connor 1, cong 1, Trusnik 1, Rogers 0.5, TM 20, .............................. Bye ..............................
Kicking PAT FG Pts Marshall 1, TM 16, OPP 30 Kicking PAT FG Pts OPP 23
L ................. New Orleans ................. 34-3 Kasay 10/10 15/17 55 Fum/Lost: Clausen 7/2, Moore 4/2, Dawson 21/21 15/19 66 Fum/Lost: Hillis 5/4, Cribbs 4/0, Stuckey W ........... New England ........... 34-14
L ................ at Tampa Bay ................ 31-16 Panthers 10/10 15/17 55 Goodson 3/1, Smith 3/2, Munnerlyn Browns 21/21 15/19 66 3/2, Delhomme 1/0, Haden 1/0, Harri- L ............. N.Y. Jets ............. 26-20 (OT)
Opp. 27/27 21/22 90 Opp. 23/23 13/19 62 son 1/1, Wallace 1/0
L ................... Baltimore ................... 37-13
2/1, Stewart 2/2 L ............ at Jacksonville ............ 24-20
Nov. 28 ............... at Cleveland ............... 1
Car. Opp. Car. Opp. Clev. Opp. Clev. Opp. Nov. 28 ................ Carolina ................ 1
Possession Avg. 26:51 33:09 Total First Downs 143 196 Possession Avg. 28:28 31:32 Total First Downs 170 204
Dec. 5 ............... at Seattle ............... 4:15 Total Net Yards 2525 3319 Rushing 40 73 Total Net Yards 3034 3598 Rushing 55 55 Dec. 5 ................. at Miami ................. 1
Dec. 12 ................... Atlanta ................... 1 Avg. Per Game 252.5 331.9 Passing 84 106 Avg. Per Game 303.4 359.8 Passing 99 134 Dec. 12 ............... at Buffalo ............... 1
Total Plays 608 661 Penalty 19 17 Total Plays 590 663 Penalty 16 15
Dec. 19 ................... Arizona ................... 1 Avg. Per Play 4.2 5.0 3rd Down/Att. 44/143 51/137 Avg. Per Play 5.1 5.4 3rd Down/Att. 52/131 59/142
Dec. 19 ............ at Cincinnati ............ 1
Dec. 23 ........... at Pittsburgh ........... 8:20 Net Yards Rushing 964 1284 3rd Down Pct. 30.8 37.2 Net Yards Rushing 1133 1164 3rd Down Pct. 39.7 41.5 Dec. 26 ............... Baltimore ............... 1
Jan. 2 ................... at Atlanta ................... 1 Avg. Per Game 96.4 128.4 4th Down/Att. 6/14 3/4 Avg. Per Game 113.3 116.4 4th Down/Att. 2/3 9/10 Jan. 2 ................ Pittsburgh ................ 1
Net Yards Passing 1561 2035 4th Down Pct. 42.9 75.0 Net Yards Passing 1901 2434 4th Down Pct. 66.7 90.0 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 156.1 203.5 Penalties/Yards 62/530 68/590 Avg. Per Game 190.1 243.4 Penalties/Yards 56/483 57/507

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 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 21

Week 12 matchup:
Steelers (7-3) vs. Bills (2-8)
uSunday, 1 p.m. ET, at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y. uTV: CBS, DirecTV 705
Rejuvenation Third win
comes in
uTV announcers: Kevin Harlan, Solomon
Wilcots
uKeys to the game: As testament in last
in row will
rebound win week’s rally to win at the Cincinnati Bengals,
the Bills have far more speed and agility than be challenge
power as an offense and will focus on spread-
The Steelers feel a whole lot bet- ing out the Steelers’ 3-4 defense that is No. 1 Chan Gailey knows that he
ter about themselves heading into against the run. That won’t mean eliminating doesn’t have the most talented
their road game vs. the Buffalo Bills, RB Fred Jackson from the game plan. Jackson team in the NFL, but he sure likes
having rebounded from a bad loss shaking free on short outlet routes is vital for coaching the Bills.
with a blowout win. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick facing the Steelers’ zone “They kept fighting,” Gailey said
Pittsburgh remains tied with the blitz. Improved statistics defending the run of his team, which overcame a 28-7
Baltimore Ravens atop the AFC aren’t enough to prevent the Steelers from at- deficit to beat the Cincinnati Bengals
North Division at 7-3, and those tacking Buffalo’s front seven, but WR Mike 49-31.
teams will meet in Baltimore on Wallace has become one of the league’s top The Bills have won two in a row.
Dec. 5. big-play threats and has an NFL-best seven Of course, those wins have come
The Steelers displayed renewed touchdowns of 20-plus yards. With Wallace to against the Detroit Lions and the
life as they socked the Oakland contend with, teams haven’t been able to zero Bengals, teams that share the Bills’
Raiders 35-3. The victory came one in on RB Rashard Mendenhall as much. record of 2-8. This week, the task
week after the New England Patri- uMatchup to watch — Steelers C Maur- becomes more difficult for Buffalo as
ots embarrassed them at Heinz kice Pouncey vs. Bills NT Kyle Williams: it hosts the 7-3 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Field. Pouncey might be a Pro Bowl pick, and Wil- Chances are, if the Steelers get up
The Steelers have two games left liams, if not for the overall play of the defense, 28-7, there won’t be any miracle
against playoff contenders down the would be in line to join him. Williams plays comebacks.
stretch — at Baltimore and at home with a constant high-running motor and has Buffalo has four victories in its his-
against the New York Jets. After been a major key to the defense’s recent im- tory in which it came from at least
playing the next two games on the provement. To be a significant factor, he’ll have By Mike Groll, AP
21 points behind to win: the historic
road, they play three of their final to needle through Pouncey and LG Chris Ke- 32-point comeback against the
four at home; the road game is at A nose for tackling: Kyle Williams has played a role in the Houston Oilers in the 1992 playoffs;
moeatu. Bills’ recent improvement on defense.
the Cleveland Browns. uPlayer spotlight — Steelers TE Heath a rally from 26 points down against
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberg- Miller: A minimal role in the passing game the Indianapolis Colts in 1997; and a
er had a nice comeback game with wasn’t expected this season after Miller set the The Bodog.net line: Steelers by 6 comeback from 21 points against
three touchdown passes vs. Oak- franchise record for tight ends with 76 recep- the Miami Dolphins in 1987.
land. tions in 2009. The Bills struggle to slow active Who will win and why uBy the numbers: The Bills’ 35
uLineup watch: Ramon Foster tight ends, and Miller and QB Ben Roethlis- Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had his second 300-yard game of the sea- second-half points were their most
started at right guard as coach Mike son last week; it was also the fourth time in eight games that he in a half since 1994 when they
berger are almost always in sync. threw two picks. Giveaways are a death knell against the Steelers’
Tomlin demoted his starter since uFast facts: The Steelers have allowed one scored 35 in the second half of a win
meat-grinder defense.
2009, Trai Essex. “It was based 100-yard rusher in their past 44 games. . . . in Miami. It was the fourth time the
solely on performance,” Tomlin said. The Bills have outscored opponents 71-48 in Bills had scored that many points in
“Trai was below the line. We felt like
Our pick: Steelers 34-23 a half; their 49 total points tied for
the fourth quarter this season.
Ramon gave us a better shot today. sixth highest in team history.
We like his tenacity.” Steelers statistics Bills statistics uLineup watch: George Wil-
Yds/ Sack/ Yds/ Sack/
uUnder the radar: Rookie Em- Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds
Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
son took over at free safety for
manuel Sanders has replaced vet- Roethlisber. 187 117 1579 62.6 8.44 12 4 53t 14/89 101.9 Fitzpatrick 285 169 196159.3 6.88 18 9 54 14/102 88.1 struggling second-year man Jairus
Batch 49 29 352 59.2 7.18 3 3 46t 4/21 76.2 Bills 337 198 220258.8 6.53 19 11 54 21/165 83.5
eran Antwaan Randle El as the Steelers 269 169 2224 62.8 8.27 16 8 53t 23/151 96.3 Opp. 310 191 219961.6 7.09 20 4 48 15/110 99.1 Byrd for much of the second half
No. 3 wideout. Sanders caught his Opp. 388 253 2583 65.2 6.66 11 13 50 30/192 79.6 Rushing
F. Jackson
No.
129
Yds
562
Avg
Lng TD
4.439 5
Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD
St. Johnson 52 728 14.0 45 9
against Cincinnati. Wilson intercept-
second touchdown pass in two Rushing
Mendenhall
No.
202
Yds
811
Avg Lng TD
4.0 50t 8
Receiving
Wallace
No.
33
Yds
759
Avg
23.0
Lng TD
53t 8 Fitzpatrick 26 178 6.822 0 Evans 33 497 15.1 54 4 ed a Carson Palmer pass in the end
Lynch 37 164 4.417 0 Parrish 33 400 12.1 37 2
games. Redman 34 146 4.3 17 0 Ward
Miller
33
28
403
329
12.2
11.8
43 4
36 1 Spiller 41 164 4.019 0 F. Jackson 21 78 3.7 16t 1 zone and returned it 56 yards.
Roethlisber. 16 85 5.3 31 1 Spiller 18 81 4.5 14 1
Moore 19 159 8.4 29 0 Bills 254 1137 4.539 6 D. Nelson 17 189 11.1 37 0
Steelers 287 1180 4.1 50t 9 Randle El 17 205 12.1 34 0 Opp. 351 1635 4.733 10 Jones 7 98 14.0 28t 1
Opp. 216 630 2.9 24 4 Sanders 11 152 13.8 22t 2
Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Martin 4 30 7.5 15 1
Bills schedule
Steelers schedule Scoring
Reed
TD
0
Rsh
0
Rec
0
Ret
0
Pts
64
Steelers
Opp.
169
253
2224
2583
13.2
10.2
53t 16
50 11 St. Johnson 9 0 9 0 54
Bills
Opp.
198 2202 11.1 54 19
191 2199 11.5 48 20
W ............. Atlanta ............. 15-9 (OT) Mendenhall 8 8 0 0 48 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
Lindell 0 0 0 0 51 L ................... Miami ................... 15-10
F. Jackson 6 5 1 0 36 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
W ............ at Tennessee ............ 19-11 Wallace 8 0 8 0 48 Polamalu 3 39 13.0 38
Evans 4 0 4 0 24 Wilson 1 56 56.0 56 L .............. at Green Bay .............. 34-7
I. Taylor 2 9 4.5 9
W ........... at Tampa Bay ........... 38-13
Ward 4 0 4 0 24
Timmons 2 5 2.5 5 Parrish 2 0 2 0 12 Davis
D. Edwards
1
1
11 11.0 11
8 8.0 8
L .......... at New England .......... 38-30
Sanders 2 0 2 0 12
L ................... Baltimore ...................17-14 Brown 1 0 0 1 6
Harrison 2 2 1.0 2 Spiller 2 0 1 1 12 Florence 1 2 2.0 2 L .................. N.Y. Jets .................. 38-14
Keisel 1 79 79.0 79t Florence 1 0 0 1 6 Bills 4 77 19.3 56
................................ Bye ................................ Redman 1 0 1 0 6 Steelers 13 153 11.8 79t Jones 1 0 1 0 6 Opp. 11 165 15.0 40
L .............. Jacksonville .............. 36-26
Steelers 27 9 16 2 235
W ............... Cleveland ............... 28-10 Opponents 16 4 11 1 165
Opp. 8 122 15.3 62 McIntyre 1 1 0 0 6 Sacks: Scott 3, K. Williams 3, Stroud 2, .............................. Bye ..............................
Sacks: Harrison 9, Woodley 6.5, Tim-
W ................ at Miami ................ 23-22 Kicking PAT FG Pts mons 3, Farrior 2, McFadden 2, Worilds
Bills
Opponents
27 6 19 2 213
31 10 20 1 276
Kelsay 1.5, Corner 1, D. Edwards 1, Ellis L ......... at Baltimore ......... 37-34 (OT)
1, Sp. Johnson 1, Posluszny 1, TM 15,
L ............. at New Orleans ............. 20-10 Reed 19/19 15/22 64 2, Eason 1.5, Foote 1, Gay 1, Hampton 1, OPP 21
L ........ at Kansas City ........ 13-10 (OT)
Kicking PAT FG Pts
W ............ at Cincinnati ............ 27-21
Suisham
Steelers
5/5 0/0
24/24 15/22
5
69
Keisel 1, TM 30, OPP 23
Fum/Lost: Roethlisberger 3/1, Batch 2/0, Lindell 24/25 9/14 51 Fum/Lost: F. Jackson 3/2, Fitzpatrick 2/0, L ............... vs. Chicago ............... 22-19
Bills 24/25 9/14 51 Spiller 2/1 W ................. Detroit ................. 14-12
L ............... New England ............... 39-26 Opp. 13/14 18/22 67 Dixon 2/1, Randle El 2/0, Sanders 2/1
Opp. 29/29 19/25 86
W ................. Oakland ................. 35-3 W ........... at Cincinnati ........... 49-31
Buff. Opp. Buff. Opp.
Nov. 28 .................. at Buffalo .................. 1
Pitt. Opp. Pitt. Opp.
Possession Avg. 27:51 32:09 Total First Downs 178 217 Nov. 28 .............. Pittsburgh .............. 1
Possession Avg. 30:19 29:41 Total First Downs 161 184
Dec. 5 ............. at Baltimore ............. 8:20 Total Net Yards 3253 3021 Rushing 64 36 Total Net Yards 3174 3724 Rushing 60 83 Dec. 5 ............. at Minnesota ............. 1
Dec. 12 ................. Cincinnati ................. 1 Avg. Per Game 325.3 302.1 Passing 92 128 Avg. Per Game 317.4 372.4 Passing 106 124 Dec. 12 ............... Cleveland ............... 1
Total Plays 579 634 Penalty 5 20 Total Plays 612 676 Penalty 12 10
Dec. 19 ............... N.Y. Jets ............... 4:15 Avg. Per Play 5.6 4.8 3rd Down/Att. 48/128 45/132 Avg. Per Play 5.2 5.5 3rd Down/Att. 57/138 60/141 Dec. 19 ................ at Miami ................ 1
Dec. 23 ............... Carolina ............... 8:20 Net Yards Rushing 1180 630 3rd Down Pct. 37.5 34.1 Net Yards Rushing 1137 1635 3rd Down Pct. 41.3 42.6 Dec. 26 ............ New England ............ 1
Avg. Per Game 113.7 163.5 4th Down/Att. 6/16 7/9
Jan. 2 ................. at Cleveland ................. 1 Avg. Per Game 118.0 63.0 4th Down/Att. 0/2 3/7
Net Yards Passing 2037 2089 4th Down Pct. 37.5 77.8
Jan. 2 ................ at N.Y. Jets ................ 1
Net Yards Passing 2073 2391 4th Down Pct. 0.0 42.9 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 207.3 239.1 Penalties/Yards 62/546 54/491 Avg. Per Game 203.7 208.9 Penalties/Yards 52/416 56/397

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22 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

Week 12 matchup:
Eagles (7-3) vs. Bears (7-3)
uSunday, 4:15 p.m. at Soldier Field, Chicago uTV: Fox, DirecTV 708
McCoy picks Stingy defense
perfect time
uTV announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl
Johnston, Tony Siragusa
uKeys to the game: During the bye week,
continues
for big game somebody in Chicago’s organization had a talk
with offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who
to lead way
has called more than 30 running plays in each
The Eagles entered their NFC East of the last three games after the Bears totaled The Bears have the NFL’s best de-
showdown against the New York Gi- 30 runs in a pair of losses heading into the bye. fense where it matters most — on
ants ranked third in the league in Pass protection remains an issue, and Philadel- the scoreboard.
rushing, but star running back Le- phia will attack rookie RT J’Marcus Webb on No team has allowed fewer points
Sean McCoy has been relatively long passing downs. The Bears racked up six a game than the Bears’ 14.6, and
quiet of late. sacks in their shutout win at the Miami Dol- seven times they’ve allowed 17
McCoy had a three-touchdown, phins but face a different challenge in Eagles points or fewer. That defense will be
120-yard rushing performance QB Michael Vick. The key is not only to keep tested Sunday when Michael Vick
against the Detroit Lions in Week 2, Vick in the pocket but to get him to make off- and the Philadelphia Eagles visit Sol-
and he rushed for 92 yards and a balance throws. Chicago is allowing 78 rushing dier Field.
score in a Week 5 win against the yards a game, but Philadelphia runs more “We’re playing a true Cover 2 de-
San Francisco 49ers. But since then, screen passes than anyone in the NFL to help fense right now,” Bears general
he has mainly earned his keep as a complement a mediocre ground game. manager Jerry Angelo said of the
receiver and a blocker. uMatchup to watch — Eagles CB Dimitri pass defense that features the safe-
Even newcomer Jerome Harri- Patterson vs. Bears WR Johnny Knox: Knox ties playing deep in protection.
son had a big game, rushing for 109 is emerging as a true No. 1 wideout in his sec- “There are no bells and whistles to
yards in Philadelphia’s 59-28 win ond season out of Abilene Christian. The it. It’s pretty vanilla, pretty stan-
against the Washington Redskins in speedster is averaging 18.2 yards a reception. dard.”
Week 10. Chicago will attempt to take advantage of this And pretty effective. While win-
But McCoy came up big against mismatch as Patterson has been a popular tar- ning three in a row to boost their
the Giants, scoring on a 50-yard run get since taking over the starting job three By Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
record to 7-3, the Bears have al-
with 4½ minutes left in the game to games ago. He has been playing solidly, but lowed a total of 32 points, and they
erase a 17-16 deficit and lead the Ea- Rising fast: Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox has one believe they’re getting better as the
that’s the result of playing opposite ballhawk touchdown but is averaging 18.2 yards a catch.
gles to a 27-17 win. McCoy followed Asante Samuel. season goes along.
his 50-yard romp with a 40-yard uPlayer spotlight — Bears WR Devin “We’re evolving every week,”
run on Philadelphia’s next posses- Hester: He remains highly inconsistent as a re- The Bodog.net line: Eagles by 3 middle linebacker Brian Urlacher
sion to finish with 111 yards on 14 ceiver, but Hester’s 13 career regular-season said.
carries. return touchdowns is tied for the most all- Who will win and why uTrending: For the last seven
Before his TD run, he had man- time with Brian Mitchell. This is a fascinating matchup between Eagles quarterback Michael weeks, the Bears have been in the
aged 13 yards on eight carries. Vick and an excellent — and rested — Bears defense. Chicago’s de- top five in preventing third-down
uFast facts: The Eagles have won five of fense rarely makes assignment mistakes and will keep the game
uLineup watch: Rookie tight their last six games at Soldier Field, including conversions. And they have allowed
close, but the offense won’t keep pace.
end Clay Harbor was activated for playoff games. . . . Bears CB Corey Graham has two conversions in the last 20 third-
the second consecutive game and 14 special-teams tackles, more than twice as down plays.
saw a lot of action in two-tight-end
Our pick: Eagles 24-20 uBy the numbers: Before sack-
many as anyone else on the team.
sets. ing Miami Dolphins quarterback Ty-
uBy the number: With the win Eagles statistics Bears statistics ler Thigpen six times, the Bears had
Yds/ Sack/ Yds/ Sack/
against the Giants, the Eagles im- Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
three sacks in their previous four
proved their November to January Vick 191 120 1608 62.8 8.42 11 0 88t 18/97 108.7 Cutler 271 166 2064 61.3 7.62 12 10 89t 33/203 84.2 games.
Kolb 153 97 1035 63.4 6.76 6 4 83t 10/60 85.3 Bears 305 181 2187 59.3 7.17 12 15 89t 37/233 74.0
regular-season record under Andy Eagles 344 217 2643 63.1 7.68 17 4 88t 28/157 98.3 Opp. 375 228 2250 60.8 6.00 6 15 53t 19/126 66.4
Reid to 66-33-1. Opp. 352 198 2324 56.3 6.60 18 19 80t 26/188 71.0 Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD
Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Forte 150 567 3.8 68t 4 Knox 37 672 18.2 67 1
McCoy 146 726 5.0 62 6 McCoy 51 381 7.5 31 1 Taylor 76 216 2.8 24 1 Forte 32 331 10.3 89t 3
Vick 55 375 6.8 32 5 Maclin 47 705 15.0 83t 7 Cutler 29 172 5.9 25 0 Olsen 28 322 11.5 39t 4
D. Jackson 33 652 19.8 88t 5 Bennett 28 297 10.6 48 1
Harrison 13 115 8.8 50t 1 Bears 264 990 3.8 68t 5 Hester 28 284 10.1 38 2
Avant 33 396 12.0 34 1
D. Jackson 11 95 8.6 31t 1 Celek 23 237 10.3 32 2 Opp. 225 780 3.5 29 9 Taylor 14 100 7.1 18 0
Eagles 279 1508 5.4 62 13 Schmitt 16 126 7.9 18 0 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Aromashodu 8 120 15.0 34 0
K. Davis 1 19 19.0 19t 1
Eagles schedule
Opp. 249 997 4.0 33 8 R. Cooper
Eagles
4 71 17.8 37 1
217 2643 12.2 88t 17
Gould 0 0 0 0 69 Bears 181 2187 12.1 89t 12 Bears schedule
Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Opp. 198 2324 11.7 80t 18 Forte 7 4 3 0 44 Opp. 228 2250 9.9 53t 6
L .................. Green Bay .................. 27-20 Akers 0 0 0 0 90 Hester 4 0 2 2 24 W .................. Detroit .................. 19-14
Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
W ............... at Detroit ............... 35-32 Maclin 7 0 7 0 42 Int.
Samuel
No. Yds Avg Lng
7 70 10.0 33
Olsen 4 0 4 0 24
D. Moore 4 95 23.8 54t W ................ at Dallas ................ 27-20
McCoy 7 6 1 0 42 Bennett 1 0 1 0 6
W ........... at Jacksonville ........... 28-3 D. Jackson 6 1 5 0 36 D. Patterson 3 40 13.3 40t K. Davis 1 0 1 0 6
Tillman 3 29 9.7 17 W .............. Green Bay .............. 20-17
Allen 3 27 9.0 16 C. Harris 2 5 2.5 5
L ................. Washington ................. 17-12 Vick 5 5 0 0 30 Hanson 1 17 17.0 17 Knox 1 0 1 0 6 Briggs 2 1 0.5 1 L ................ at N.Y. Giants ................ 17-3
W ........ at San Francisco ........ 27-24
Celek 2 0 2 0 12 Lindley 1 8 8.0 8 D. Moore 1 0 0 1 6 Jennings
Manning
1
1
39 39.0 39
0 0.0 0
W .............. at Carolina .............. 23-6
Mikell 1 0 0 1 6 Eagles 19 169 8.9 40t Taylor 1 1 0 0 6
W .................. Atlanta .................. 31-17 Eagles 32 13 17 2 284 Opp. 4 103 25.8 41t Bears 20 5 12 3 191 Peppers 1 0 0.0 0 L ..................... Seattle ..................... 23-20
Opponents 27 8 18 1 226 Opponents 17 9 6 2 146 Urlacher 1 0 0.0 0 L ................ Washington ................ 17-14
L ................ at Tennessee ................ 37-19 2-Pt Conv: Avant
Sacks: T. Cole 7, Parker 5, Laws 3, Dixon Bears 15 169 11.3 54t
................................ Bye ................................ 2, Graham 2, Sims 2, Tapp 2, Allen 1, Kicking PAT FG Pts Opp. 15 163 10.9 92t ................................ Bye ................................
Kicking PAT FG Pts Bradley 1, Mikell 1, TM 26, OPP 28 Gould 18/18 17/21 69 Sacks: Idonije 6, Peppers 5, Urlacher 2.5,
W ............ Indianapolis ............ 26-24 Akers 30/30 20/25 90 Fum/Lost: Kolb 5/2, Vick 4/1, Calvin 2/1, Bears 18/18 17/21 69 Melton 2, TM 19, OPP 37 W .................. Buffalo .................. 22-19
W .......... at Washington .......... 59-28 Eagles 30/30 20/25 90 D. Jackson 2/0, McCoy 2/1, M. Bell 1/0, Opp. 15/16 9/15 42 Fum/Lost: Cutler 8/4, Forte 3/2, Olsen W .............. Minnesota .............. 27-13
Opp. 26/26 12/14 62 Buckley 1/1, Hobbs 1/0, D. Patterson 2/1
W ............... N.Y. Giants ............... 27-17 1/0, Samuel 1/1 W ................. at Miami ................. 16-0
Chi. Opp. Chi. Opp.
Nov. 28 ............. at Chicago ............. 4:15
Phil. Opp. Phil. Opp.
Possession Avg. 30:14 29:47 Total First Downs 164 163 Nov. 28 ........... Philadelphia ........... 4:15
Possession Avg. 32:08 27:52 Total First Downs 201 187
Dec. 2 ................ Houston ................ 8:20 Total Net Yards 3994 3133 Rushing 72 56 Total Net Yards 2944 2904 Rushing 46 49 Dec. 5 .................. at Detroit .................. 1
Dec. 12 ............... at Dallas ............... 8:20 Avg. Per Game 399.4 313.3 Passing 119 108 Avg. Per Game 294.4 290.4 Passing 101 107 Dec. 12 ............. New England ............. 1
Total Plays 651 627 Penalty 10 23 Total Plays 606 619 Penalty 17 7
Dec. 19 .............. at N.Y. Giants .............. 1 Avg. Per Play 6.1 5.0 3rd Down/Att. 59/140 49/132 Avg. Per Play 4.9 4.7 3rd Down/Att. 43/133 41/134 Dec. 20 .......... at Minnesota .......... 8:30
Dec. 26 ................ Minnesota ................ 1 Net Yards Rushing 1508 997 3rd Down Pct. 42.1 37.1 Net Yards Rushing 990 780 3rd Down Pct. 32.3 30.6 Dec. 26 .................. N.Y. Jets .................. 1
Avg. Per Game 99.0 78.0 4th Down/Att. 2/5 3/6
Jan. 2 ...................... Dallas ...................... 1 Avg. Per Game 150.8 99.7 4th Down/Att. 5/8 3/8
Net Yards Passing 1954 2124 4th Down Pct. 40.0 50.0
Jan. 2 ................ at Green Bay ................ 1
Net Yards Passing 2486 2136 4th Down Pct. 62.5 37.5 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 248.6 213.6 Penalties/Yards 88/806 57/449 Avg. Per Game 195.4 212.4 Penalties/Yards 60/508 67/567

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 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 23

Week 12 matchup:
Vikings (3-7) vs. Redskins (5-5)
uSunday, 1 p.m. ET, at FedEx Field, Landover, Md. uTV: Fox, DirecTV 707
Playoff hopes Injuries don’t
fading fast as
uTV announcers: Dick Stockton, Charles
Davis, Charissa Thompson
uKeys to the game: The Redskins were
prevent win
losses pile up shorthanded because of injuries but survived
to win in overtime at the Tennessee Titans last in overtime
week. There’s no time to exhale for a defense
A Vikings season that had barely a stretched in consecutive weeks by QB Michael Give the Redskins the persever-
heartbeat entering the game vs. the Vick of the Eagles and RB Chris Johnson of the ance award for Week 11.
Green Bay Packers appears to be Titans. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson will be fea- Already missing strong safety La-
over. The Packers throttled the Vik- tured unless the Vikings fall too far behind, as Ron Landry (Achilles), top cover
ings 31-3 at Mall of America Field, has become the recent trend. The Redskins’ cornerback Carlos Rogers (ham-
dropping Minnesota to 3-7 on the play-calling imbalance and poor execution on string) and right guard Artis Hicks
season. This comes a year after the third downs have hindered their ability to play (thigh) for the visit to the Tennessee
Vikings went 12-4 and advanced to keep-away. Poor offensive-line play and inju- Titans, they lost running back Clin-
the NFC title game. ries at running back have affected Washing- ton Portis, who had just returned
As the Vikings prepare to visit the ton’s offensive approach, but the Vikings’ de- from a groin injury, center Casey
Washington Redskins on Sunday, fense has crumbled and lacks playmakers to Rabach (knee), linebackers Loren-
that success has to seem like a life- turn the tide in close games. With the firing of zo Alexander (hamstring) and
time ago for many. This includes ex- coach Brad Childress and signs of infighting Rocky McIntosh (thigh), defensive
coach Brad Childress, who was fired among players in Minnesota’s locker room, the end Kedric Golston (groin), reserve
Monday, and quarterback Brett Redskins have far more to play for. guard Derrick Dockery (knee),
Favre, who returned for a 20th NFL uMatchup to watch — Redskins SS La- backup running back Chad Simp-
season with the hope of making a Ron Landry vs. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson son (foot) and rookie safety Ander-
Super Bowl run. and TE Visanthe Shiancoe: Landry, who son Russell (knee) during the
After the loss, Favre was vague plays regularly as an in-the-box safety, is ever game.
when asked if he planned to finish willing to deliver punishment in run support And yet, Washington improved to
the season with the Vikings. The 41- and when receivers creep into the center of 5-5, prevailing 19-16 in overtime on
year-old said that he needed to re- the field. His main assignment will be wrap- By Andy Blenkush, AP a 48-yard field goal by Graham Ga-
evaluate the situation. ping up Peterson; Landry will have responsi- no, who had missed kicks of 51 and
Vikings weapon: Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, above, will
Owner Zygi Wilf refused to ad- bilities against Shiancoe downfield, but he’s 47 yards earlier in the game. Coach
bear close watching by Redskins strong safety LaRon Landry.
dress Childress’ future Sunday but been underused as a deep threat. Mike Shanahan has topped the
then fired him Monday. uPlayer spotlight — WR Sidney Rice: His four victories recorded by predeces-
uLineup watch: Right guard first game action in 2010 implied Rice could be The Bodog.net line: Redskins by 1½ sor Jim Zorn in 2009.
Anthony Herrera suffered what a factor down the stretch. Rice has the ability uTrending: All three of Wash-
appeared to be a serious knee inju- to open up the field, and Washington’s pass Who will win and why ington’s games against the AFC have
ry, forcing Ryan Cook to finish the If the Redskins can muster more out of their running game, they been undecided until the final min-
defense has been routinely torched deep. should be in position to put the Vikings away in the second half. Min-
game at that position. Rookie Chris uFast facts: At 25.2% conversions on third ute.
nesota is winless on the road and showing little mental fortitude.
DeGeare also can play guard, but down, the Redskins are 32nd in the NFL. . . . Before beating Tennessee, the
it’s likely Cook will be the starter for The Vikings have allowed 27.6 points a game Redskins had lost 30-27 in overtime
the remainder of the season.
Our pick: Redskins 27-19 at home to the Houston Texans and
in their past five games.
uBy the numbers: The 28 had fallen to the visiting Indianapo-
points by which the Vikings lost to Vikings statistics Redskins statistics lis Colts 27-24 in a result that wasn’t
Yds/ Sack/
the Packers was the team’s worst Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att
Yds/
TD Int Lng
Sack/
Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp YdsCmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
sealed until a Colts interception
defeat at home since Dec. 23, 2001. Favre 327 197 2274 60.2 6.95 10 17 53t 19/117 69.8 McNabb 358 206 2642 57.5 7.38 10 12 76 27/198 76.1 with 24 seconds left.
Vikings 333 201 2310 60.4 6.94 11 17 53t 20/127 71.0 Redskins 365 210 2686 57.5 7.36 10 12 76 28/211 76.1
That was when the Jacksonville Jag- Opp. 326 208 2273 63.8 6.97 17 8 65t 17/93 91.5 Opp. 401 258 2917 64.3 7.27 18 10 88t 20/116 90.6 uBy the numbers: Eleven play-
uars cruised to a 33-3 victory. Days Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Rushing No. Yds AvgLng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD ers on Washington’s 53-man roster
Peterson 211 980 4.6 80t 7 Harvin 46 595 12.9 53t 4 Torain 91 391 4.3 36 3 Moss 57 738 12.9 56 3
later, Dennis Green was fired as Harvin 10 92 9.2 17t 1 Peterson 31 297 9.6 33 1 Portis 54 227 4.2 27 2 Cooley 49 554 11.3 35 2 were injured and unable to play dur-
Shiancoe 30 366 12.2 33 2 K. Williams 24 162 6.8 26 2
Minnesota’s coach. Gerhart 24 86 3.6 11 0
Berrian 18 176 9.8 30 0
K. Williams 49 195 4.032t 3
Armstrong 23 492 21.4 76 1 ing overtime Sunday.
Jackson 1 33 33.0 33 0 Lewis 14 176 12.6 33 0 McNabb 25 139 5.6 36 0 Sellers 14 143 10.2 28 0
Vikings 262 1185 4.5 80t 8 Camarillo 14 167 11.9 31 1 Redskins 235 969 4.1 36 8 F. Davis 12 248 20.7 71 0
Opp. 271 991 3.7 51 6 Moss 13 174 13.4 37t 2 Opp. 258 1310 5.1 71 6 Galloway 12 173 14.4 62 0
Vikings schedule Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Rice
Gerhart 13 139 10.7 23 0
3 56 18.7 20 0 Scoring
Torain
TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Redskins
8 55 6.9 13 1
210 2686 12.8 76 10
Redskins schedule
Longwell 0 0 0 0 50 Tahi 3 19 6.3 10 1 Gano 0 0 0 0 76 Opp. 258 2917 11.3 88t 18 W .................... Dallas .................... 13-7
L .............. at New Orleans .............. 14-9 Peterson 8 7 1 0 48 Vikings 201 2310 11.5 53t 11 K. Williams 5 3 2 0 30
Int. No. Yds Avg Lng L ............... Houston ............... 30-27 (OT)
Harvin 6 1 4 1 38 Opp. 208 2273 10.9 65t 17 Torain 4 3 1 0 24
L ...................... Miami ...................... 14-10 Moss 2 0 2 0 12 Moss 3 0 3 0 18 Hall 6 92 15.3 92t L .................. at St. Louis .................. 30-16
W ................. Detroit ................. 24-10 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng Buchanon 1 43 43.0 43
Shiancoe 2 0 2 0 12 E.J. Henderson 2 10 5.0 10 Cooley 2 0 2 0 12 Moore 1 5 5.0 5 W .......... at Philadelphia .......... 17-12
................................ Bye ................................ Camarillo 1 0 1 0 6 Abdullah 2 5 2.5 5 Hall 2 0 0 2 12 Rogers 1 5 5.0 5
W .......... Green Bay .......... 16-13 (OT)
Tahi 1 0 1 0 6 Leber 1 19 19.0 19 Portis 2 2 0 0 12 Landry 1 0 0.0 0
L .................. at N.Y. Jets .................. 29-20 Vikings 20 8 11 1 172 J. Allen 1 4 4.0 4 Banks 1 0 0 1 6 Redskins 10 145 14.5 92t L ................. Indianapolis ................. 27-24
W .................. Dallas .................. 24-21 Opponents 28 6 17 5 226 M. Williams 1 0 0.0 0 Young 1 0 1 0 6 Opp. 12 201 16.8 64
W ............... at Chicago ............... 17-14
Winfield 1 0 0.0 0 Redskins 21 8 10 3 202
L ................ at Green Bay ................ 28-24 Sacks: J. Allen 6.5, Edwards 5.5, Green-
Vikings 8 38 4.8 19 Opponents 28 6 18 4 245
Sacks: Orakpo 7.5, Haynesworth 2,
L ................... at Detroit ................... 37-25
way 1, Mitchell TM 1, Robison 1, K. Wil- McIntosh 2, Alexander 1.5, Carter 1.5,
L ............. at New England ............. 28-18 liams 1, Kennedy 0.5, M. Williams 0.5,
Opp. 17 258 15.2 66
Fletcher 1.5, Holliday 1.5, Daniels 1, ................................ Bye ................................
Kicking PAT FG Pts
W ............ Arizona ............ 27-24 (OT) TM 17, OPP 20 Kicking PAT FG Pts
Gano 19/19 19/26 76 Landry 1, Carriker 0.5, TM 20, OPP 28
L ................ Philadelphia ................ 59-28
Fum/Lost: Favre 6/5, Berrian 2/0, Ger- Longwell 17/18 11/12 50 Fum/Lost: McNabb 6/0, Banks 2/0, Coo-
L ................... at Chicago ................... 27-13 hart 2/2, Harvin 1/1, Kennedy 1/0, Sulli- Vikings 17/18 11/12 50 Redskins
Opp.
19/19 19/26
24/24 17/24
76
75 ley 2/0, Moss 2/1, Torain 2/1 W ....... at Tennessee ....... 19-16 (OT)
L .................... Green Bay .................... 31-3 van 1/0
Minn. Opp.
Opp. 28/28 10/14
Minn.
58
Opp. Wash. Opp. Wash. Opp. Nov. 28 ................ Minnesota ................ 1
Nov. 28 ............. at Washington ............. 1 Possession Avg. 30:09 29:51 Total First Downs 187 172 Possession Avg. 28:23 31:37 Total First Downs 186 218
Dec. 5 ............... at N.Y. Giants ............... 1
Dec. 5 ..................... Buffalo ..................... 1 Total Net Yards 3368 3171 Rushing 64 57 Total Net Yards 3444 4111 Rushing 45 66
Dec. 12 ................ Tampa Bay ................ 1
Avg. Per Game 336.8 317.1 Passing 106 110 Avg. Per Game 344.4 411.1 Passing 120 143
Dec. 12 ................ N.Y. Giants ................ 1 Total Plays 615 614 Penalty 17 5 Total Plays 628 679 Penalty 21 9 Dec. 19 .................. at Dallas .................. 1
Dec. 20 ................ Chicago ................ 8:30 Avg. Per Play 5.5 5.2 3rd Down/Att. 44/124 59/137 Avg. Per Play 5.5 6.1 3rd Down/Att. 32/127 45/131
Dec. 26 ............. at Jacksonville ............. 1
Net Yards Rushing 969 1310 3rd Down Pct. 25.2 34.4
Dec. 26 ............ at Philadelphia ............ 1 Net Yards Rushing 1185 991 3rd Down Pct. 35.5 43.1
Avg. Per Game 96.9 131.0 4th Down/Att. 2/6 7/9 Jan. 2 .................. N.Y. Giants .................. 1
Avg. Per Game 118.5 99.1 4th Down/Att. 5/13 3/6
Jan. 2 ................... at Detroit ................... 1 Net Yards Passing 2183 2180 4th Down Pct. 38.5 50.0 Net Yards Passing 2475 2801 4th Down Pct. 33.3 77.8 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 218.3 218.0 Penalties/Yards 68/509 57/475 Avg. Per Game 247.5 280.1 Penalties/Yards 63/462 76/615

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24 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

Week 12 matchup:
Packers (7-3) vs. Falcons (8-2)
uSunday, 1 p.m. ET, at Georgia Dome, Atlanta uTV: Fox, DirecTV 710
Offense is Aiming for
accelerating
uTV announcers: Thom Brennaman, Bri-
an Billick, Laura Okmin
uKeys to the game: For all the yards and
slack in foe’s
at right time touchdowns QB Aaron Rodgers is piling up, it’s
the injury-riddled defense that is setting the sack attack
tone for the Packers. Green Bay has surren-
Greg Jennings is making up for dered a combined 10 points in its past three The Falcons will face another
lost opportunities. games, but the Falcons will bring the most bal- sack-happy team when they met
After the Packers’ top wideout ap- anced attack the Packers will face until they the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
peared to be a forgotten man at the host the New York Giants in Week 16. Green They were able to control the
outset of the season, Jennings is Bay will attempt to contain RB Michael Turner St. Louis Rams, who were tied for
again the focal point of an offense on first and second downs, and then play the league lead (with Green Bay)
that is humming. physical outside coverage while pressuring QB with 28 sacks.
“We’ve got a foot on the gas, Matt Ryan on third downs. Generating pres- Offensive coordinator Mike Mu-
hands on the wheel, and we’re sure is also critical for the Falcons, who have a larkey had to dig deep into his bag
looking straight ahead. That’s what modest 18 sacks and were without John Abra- of wizardry to slow down defensive
you have to do in November,” coach ham (groin) last week. If Rodgers has time, his ends James Hall (71⁄2 sacks) and
Mike McCarthy said. playmaking receivers will have little trouble Chris Long (51⁄2 sacks).
The hard-driving Packers extend- getting open because the Falcons are over- Quarterback Matt Ryan con-
ed their winning streak to four matched in the secondary. trolled the tempo of the game by
games with a 31-3 road knockout of uMatchup to watch — Packers CB slowing down the play calls, then
the Minnesota Vikings and stayed Charles Woodson vs. Falcons WR Roddy speeding them up out of the no-
tied with the Chicago Bears atop the White: With 79 receptions on the season, huddle and by going with dummy
NFC North. White has been particularly dangerous at cadences to keep the Rams off bal-
Next up for Green Bay is a show- home, where nine of his 41 catches this season ance.
down Sunday at the 8-2 Atlanta Fal- have gone for 20-plus yards. Woodson will at- Not only did the Rams not regis-
cons, owners of the NFC’s top rec- tempt to jam White at the line and prevent ter a sack but they were penalized
ord. him from getting over the top quickly. But By Jeff Roberson, AP twice for being offsides.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and White is no pushover at 6-0, 212 pounds and uLineup watch: Right defensive
Prolific catcher: Falcons wide receiver Roddy White has
Jennings played big roles in com- has feasted off man coverage. end John Abraham, who had start-
caught 79 passes this season.
pleting the season sweep of Brett uPlayer spotlight — Packers RB Dimitri ed 55 of the last 56 games, was a
Favre and the Vikings after Green Nance: The Packers continue to search for a late scratch at St. Louis with a groin
Bay suffered the same fate last year. respectable ground game, and the rookie dou- The Bodog.net line: Falcons by 2 injury. Jamaal Anderson made the
uTrending: A key aspect of the bled his previous career total with 12 carries start in his spot and was solid.
four-game spurt has been discipline. for 37 yards against the Minnesota Vikings as Who will win and why Tight end Justin Peelle returned
Green Bay has been penalized eight Both teams enter with four-game winning streaks. Along with after missing three games. He re-
he vies for more touches down the stretch. home-field advantage, the Falcons’ ability to control the ball more
times for 60 yards during the streak, uFast facts: White has at least nine catches claimed his role as the second tight
with their ground game gives Atlanta a slight edge.
including one infraction for 5 yards in three of his past four games. . . . Packers end from rookie Michael Palmer.
in Sunday’s game. With 45 penalties WR Greg Jennings has 37 career touchdown uBy the numbers: With a
after the first six games this season,
Our pick: Falcons 24-20 26-yard reception in the first quar-
catches, with 15 going for 40-plus yards.
the Packers were on pace to finish ter, Roddy White passed former
with 120 and eclipse their league- Packers statistics Falcons statistics Falcons receiver Andre Rison for the
Yds/ Sack/
leading total of 118 last season. Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att
Yds/
TD Int Lng
Sack/
Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
third-most receiving yards in fran-
uBy the numbers: The Packers Rodgers 334 214 2601 64.1 7.79 19 9 86t 20/135 95.7 Ryan 377 238 2518 63.1 6.68 18 5 46 15/94 92.9 chise history. Rison totaled 5,633 re-
Packers 337 215 2606 63.8 7.73 19 9 86t 20/135 95.1 Falcons 377 238 2518 63.1 6.68 18 5 46 15/94 92.9
have allowed 10 points in the last Opp. 356 199 2300 55.9 6.46 9 15 52 29/187 66.5 Opp. 345 231 2574 67.0 7.46 18 15 83t 18/133 88.2 ceiving yards in four seasons in At-
three games, the fewest points Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Rushing No. Yds AvgLng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD lanta, while White has 5,706 yards
Jackson 122 488 4.0 71 3 Jennings 46 703 15.3 86t 9 Turner 200 864 4.3 55 6 White 79 1017 12.9 46 7
scored against the team in a three- Kuhn 62 225 3.6 18 1 Driver 32 338 10.6 48 3 Snelling 70 293 4.2 30 2 Gonzalez 45 448 10.0 34 3 in his six seasons.
J. Jones 30 458 15.3 45 3 Snelling 31 207 6.7 28t 2
game stretch since 1974. Rodgers 37 194 5.2 27 3
Nelson 29 301 10.4 27 0
Ryan 30 82 2.7 13 0
Jenkins 20 285 14.3 43 0
Packers 248 1005 4.1 71 7 Jackson 29 231 8.0 36 1 Falcons 316 1290 4.1 55 8 Douglas 16 191 11.9 34 1
Opp. 248 1121 4.5 40 4 Finley 21 301 14.3 34 1 Opp. 222 954 4.3 80t 3 Finneran 15 127 8.5 21 3
Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Quarless 8 104 13.0 23 1 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Turner 10 69 6.9 19 0
Packers schedule Crosby 0 0 0 0 72
D. Lee
Kuhn
8
6
68 8.5 17 1
37 6.2 10 0 M. Bryant 0 0 0 0 90
Mughelli
Weems
6
5
42 7.0 18 0
54 10.8 18 0 Falcons schedule
Jennings 9 0 9 0 54 Crabtree 3 40 13.3 33 0 White 7 0 7 0 46 Peelle 5 40 8.0 15 1
W ......... at Philadelphia ......... 27-20 Jackson 4 3 1 0 24 Swain 2 14 7.0 12 0 Turner 6 6 0 0 36 Palmer 5 29 5.8 11 1 L .......... at Pittsburgh ..........15-9 (OT)
W ................... Buffalo ................... 34-7 Driver 3 0 3 0 18 Packers 215 2606 12.1 86t 19 Snelling 4 2 2 0 24 Norwood 1 9 9.0 9 0 W .................. Arizona .................. 41-7
J. Jones 3 0 3 0 18 Opp. 199 2300 11.6 52 9 Finneran 3 0 3 0 18 Falcons 238 2518 10.6 46 18
L ................ at Chicago ................ 20-17 Rodgers 3 3 0 0 18 Gonzalez 3 0 3 0 18 Opp. 231 2574 11.1 83t 18 W..... at New Orleans ..... 27-24 (OT)
Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
W ................. Detroit ................. 28-26 Collins 1 0 0 1 6 T. Williams 4 78 19.5 64 Biermann 1 0 0 1 6 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng W ........... San Francisco ........... 16-14
L ....... at Washington ....... 16-13 (OT) Finley 1 0 1 0 6 Woodson 2 48 24.0 48t Palmer 1 0 1 0 6 Moore 4 90 22.5 34 W............. at Cleveland ............. 20-10
Matthews 1 0 0 1 6 Hawk 2 33 16.5 21 Peelle 1 0 1 0 6 Grimes 3 40 13.3 36
L .............. Miami .............. 23-20 (OT) Woodson 1 0 0 1 6 Packers 15 280 18.7 64 Falcons 27 8 18 1 256 Falcons 15 217 14.5 40 L ............ at Philadelphia ............ 31-17
W .............. Minnesota .............. 28-24 Packers 30 7 19 4 252 Opp. 9 33 3.7 17 Opponents 24 3 18 3 192 Opp. 5 50 10.0 39 W .............. Cincinnati .............. 39-32
Opponents 14 4 9 1 146 Sacks: Matthews 11.5, Jenkins 4, Raji Sacks: Abraham 8, Babineaux 2, Lofton .............................. Bye ..............................
W ................. at N.Y. Jets ................. 9-0 2.5, Bishop 2, Zombo 2, Chillar 1, Neal 1,
Kicking PAT FG Pts
2, Anderson 1, Biermann 1, Jerry 1, Pe-
W .................... Dallas .................... 45-7
Kicking
Crosby
PAT FG
30/30 14/19
Pts
72
Poppinga 1, T. Williams 1, Wilson 1,
M. Bryant
Falcons
24/24 22/25
24/24 22/25
90
90 terson 1, Weatherspoon 1, Williams 1, W .............. Tampa Bay .............. 27-21
.............................. Bye .............................. Packers 30/30 14/19 72 Woodson 1, Wynn 1, TM 29, OPP 20 Opp. 21/21 9/17 48 TM 18, OPP 15 W .............. Baltimore .............. 26-21
Opp. 14/14 16/20 62 Fum/Lost: J. Jones 3/1, Nelson 2/2, T. Fum/Lost: Ryan 3/3, DeCoud 1/1, White
W ............. at Minnesota ............. 31-3 Williams 2/0 1/1 W .............. at St. Louis .............. 34-17
Atl. Opp. Atl. Opp.
Nov. 28................ at Atlanta ................ 1
G.B. Opp. G.B. Opp.
Possession Avg. 32:43 27:17 Total First Downs 231 180 Nov. 28 .............. Green Bay .............. 1
Possession Avg. 30:24 29:36 Total First Downs 189 182
Dec. 5 ............. San Francisco ............. 1 Total Net Yards 3476 3234 Rushing 49 52 Total Net Yards 3714 3395 Rushing 74 49 Dec. 5 ............. at Tampa Bay ............. 1
Dec. 12................ at Detroit ................ 1 Avg. Per Game 347.6 323.4 Passing 131 109 Avg. Per Game 371.4 339.5 Passing 130 122 Dec. 12 .............. at Carolina .............. 1
Total Plays 605 633 Penalty 9 21 Total Plays 708 585 Penalty 27 9
Dec. 19....... at New England ....... 8:20 Avg. Per Play 5.7 5.1 3rd Down/Att. 51/124 54/136 Avg. Per Play 5.2 5.8 3rd Down/Att. 77/158 52/120 Dec. 19 ............ at Seattle ............ 4:05
Dec. 26 ........... N.Y. Giants ........... 4:15 Net Yards Rushing 1005 1121 3rd Down Pct. 41.1 39.7 Net Yards Rushing 1290 954 3rd Down Pct. 48.7 43.3 Dec. 27 ......... New Orleans ......... 8:30
Avg. Per Game 129.0 95.4 4th Down/Att. 7/9 4/8
Jan. 2 ................... Chicago ................... 1 Avg. Per Game 100.5 112.1 4th Down/Att. 3/8 2/14
Net Yards Passing 2424 2441 4th Down Pct. 77.8 50.0
Jan. 2 .................. Carolina .................. 1
Net Yards Passing 2471 2113 4th Down Pct. 37.5 14.3 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 247.1 211.3 Penalties/Yards 53/415 64/498 Avg. Per Game 242.4 244.1 Penalties/Yards 38/418 65/520

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 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 25

Week 12 matchup:
Chiefs (6-4) vs. Seahawks (5-5)
uSunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, at Qwest Field, Seattle uTV: CBS, DirecTV 712
Bowe breaks Home games
team record
uTV announcers: Bill Macatee, Rich
Gannon
uKeys to the game: The Chiefs offense is
smooth path
with streak becoming far more dangerous with QB Matt
Cassel making more consistent reads down- to playoffs
field and hurting defenses geared up to stop
Against the Arizona Cardinals, RBs Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. Charles At 5-5, the Seahawks sit alone
Dwayne Bowe set a Chiefs record also has at least four receptions in five of his atop the NFC West. And Seattle has
by extending his streak of games last six games. The Seahawks continue to a favorable schedule the rest of the
with a touchdown catch to six. He struggle running the ball, and RB Marshawn way, playing four of its next six
has 11 touchdown receptions this Lynch had two fumbles against the New Or- games at home.
season — more than the five he had leans Saints. But the passing game has sudden- The Seahawks are 3-1 at Qwest
in his big rookie season or the seven ly become a quick-strike unit. QB Matt Hassel- Field, with the lone loss coming
he scored in his even better second beck, playing with broken bones in his left against the New York Giants three
season or the four he tallied during wrist, is coming off consecutive 300-yard pass- weeks ago.
his troubled 2009 performance. ing games and looks comfortable in offensive The Seahawks host the Kansas
Bowe caught six passes for 109 coordinator Jeremy Bates’ system. City Chiefs on Sunday, and then get
yards and two touchdowns in the uMatchup to watch — Chiefs WR the Carolina Panthers the next
Chiefs’ victory against the Cardinals Dwayne Bowe vs. Seahawks secondary: week.
and afterward talked to the news Bowe has caught a touchdown pass in a team- “When you look at it, we only
media for the first time since the record six consecutive games. And at 6-2, have a couple road games left on the
offseason program in May. 221 pounds, he has size that is difficult for season,” coach Pete Carroll said.
“At this level you have to learn to Seattle’s cover men to contend with. When “So we do have a big opportunity
keep your mouth closed, keep your CB Marcus Trufant left Sunday’s game with a here to go home and rally for a big
head down and just work,” Bowe head injury, rookie Walter Thurmond was finish. We need everybody involved.
said. “That’s what I’ve been doing.” picked on by the Saints. Look for the Chiefs to “We need the crowd. We need
uLineup watch: Defensive coor- move Bowe around, searching for mismatches. By Charlie Riedel, AP
our players and every factor work-
dinator Romeo Crennel continues uPlayer spotlight — Seahawks WR Mike ing positively for us. Every game is
to tinker with his sub defenses, es- Chess piece: The Chiefs figure to shift Dwayne Bowe around going to be a dogfight.”
Williams: Williams has topped his previous in search of mismatches with the Seahawks secondary.
pecially his dime scheme. For a career totals for catches and yards. Known pri- uLineup watch: Wideout Ben
while that six-defensive-backs look marily as a big receiver with strong hands, Obomanu had another strong per-
would include outside linebacker Williams has been starting to stretch the field The Bodog.net line: Chiefs by 1 formance in his second start of the
Mike Vrabel. But near midseason, with cornerbacks overplaying underneath season, finishing with five catches
Crennel started lifting Vrabel in routes. But he also left Sunday’s game with a Who will win and why for 87 yards and his third touch-
those situations for linebacker Andy foot injury that bears watching. The Seahawks are a difficult team to beat at home, but this is a down of the season.
Studebaker. Now the Chiefs also good matchup for the run-based Chiefs. Seattle isn’t big along the de- uTrending: Rookie offensive
uFast facts: Seahawks FS Earl Thomas has fensive line and has been hurt by injuries up front that will allow
are using linebacker Demorrio tied Michael Boulware’s franchise rookie rec- tackle Russell Okung got his first
Kansas City to dictate the action.
Williams as a pass rusher in the ord with five interceptions. . . . Bowe has 563 start in more than a month at left
dime scheme. receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his last tackle, and he held up.
uBy the numbers: The Chiefs
Our pick: Chiefs 24-19 The Seahawks did allow a sack
six games.
are 5-0 this season at Arrowhead against the New Orleans Saints’
Stadium. There is nothing unusual Chiefs statistics Seahawks statistics pressure defense. One of the reasons
Yds/ Sack/
about a team playing well at home, Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att
Yds/
TD Int Lng
Sack/
Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
Seattle’s offense is playing much
but those five victories exceed the Cassel 291 173 2074 59.5 7.13 18 4 53t 15/97 96.2 Hasselbeck 314 189 2110 60.2 6.72 8 7 68 23/137 79.4 better is because of the protection
Chiefs 291 173 2074 59.5 7.13 18 4 53t 15/97 96.2 Seahawks 344 206 2304 59.9 6.70 9 10 68 24/137 76.5
four wins they had on their home Opp. 386 221 2576 57.3 6.67 16 7 65t 21/133 83.9 Opp. 393 220 3002 56.0 7.64 16 9 69t 26/170 84.6 up front. The Seahawks front line
field in the 2007-09 seasons com- Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD has given up two sacks in the past
Charles 139 848 6.1 56t 2 Bowe 45 715 15.9 53t 11 Lynch 81 253 3.1 39 2 M. Williams 52 654 12.6 68 1
bined. In that stretch, the Chiefs Jones 156 644 4.1 70 5 Moeaki 31 378 12.2 34 2 Forsett 93 407 4.4 32 2 Butler 25 265 10.6 63t 3 three games.
Charles 30 356 11.9 31 1 Carlson 25 254 10.2 37 1
were 4-20 at Arrowhead. McCluster 11 60 5.5 20 0
McCluster 15 147 9.8 31t 1
Washington 18 59 3.3 21 0
Forsett 24 201 8.4 21 0
Cassel 17 55 3.2 9 0 Chambers 13 122 9.4 15 1 Hasselbeck 16 53 3.3 20t 2 Stokley 17 210 12.4 36 0
Chiefs 341 1647 4.8 70 8 Copper 12 117 9.8 20 0 Seahawks 236 837 3.5 39 6 Obomanu 15 231 15.4 42 3
Opp. 256 1041 4.1 38t 6 Pope 6 64 10.7 14 0 Opp. 269 1054 3.9 49 9 Branch 13 112 8.6 41 1
Chiefs schedule Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Jones
Castille 6
5
23 3.8 14 0
40 8.0 19 0 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Seahawks
Tate 10 151 15.1 52 0
206 2304 11.2 68 9 Seahawks schedule
Succop 0 0 0 0 69 Tucker 3 62 20.7 38 1 Mare 0 0 0 0 75 Opp. 220 3002 13.6 69t 16
W ............... San Diego ............... 21-14 Bowe 11 0 11 0 66 Chiefs 173 2074 12.0 53t 18 Butler 3 0 3 0 18 W ............ San Francisco ............ 31-6
Jones 5 5 0 0 30 Opp. 221 2576 11.7 65t 16 Obomanu 3 0 3 0 18 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng L .................. at Denver .................. 31-14
W ............. at Cleveland ............. 16-14 Charles 3 2 1 0 18 Forsett 2 2 0 0 12 Thomas 5 68 13.6 34
W ........... San Francisco ........... 31-10 McCluster 2 0 1 1 12
Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
Hasselbeck 2 2 0 0 12
Trufant 1 32 32.0 32t W ............... San Diego ............... 27-20
Berry 2 48 24.0 35 Babineaux 1 20 20.0 20
................................ Bye ................................ Moeaki 2 0 2 0 12 Flowers 2 33 16.5 33t Lynch 2 2 0 0 12 Hawthorne 1 5 5.0 5 L .................. at St. Louis .................. 20-3
L ............... at Indianapolis ............... 19-9 Battle 1 1 0 0 6 McGraw 2 4 2.0 4 Washington 2 0 0 2 12 Jennings 1 0 0.0 0 ................................ Bye ................................
D. Johnson 1 0 0 1 6 D. Johnson 1 15 15.0 15t Trufant 1 0 0 1 6 Seahawks 9 125 13.9 34
L .................. at Houston .................. 35-31 Vrabel 1 0 1 0 6 Chiefs 7 100 14.3 35 Babineaux 0 0 0 0 2 Opp. 10 119 11.9 28 W .............. at Chicago .............. 23-20
W ............ Jacksonville ............ 42-20 Chiefs 29 8 18 3 243 Opp. 4 1 0.3 1 Seahawks 18 6 9 3 185 Sacks: Clemons 7.5, Milloy 4, Brock 3, W ................. Arizona ................. 22-10
Opponents 24 6 16 2 207 Sacks: Hali 8, Gilberry 4, Berry 2, Ed- Opponents 26 9 16 1 233 Curry 3, Babineaux 1.5, Bryant 1, Chan- L .................. at Oakland .................. 33-3
W ............. Buffalo ............. 13-10 (OT) wards 2, Studebaker 1.5, Arenas 1, D. cellor 1, Cole 1, Davis 1, Herring 1, R.
L ............. at Oakland ............. 23-20 (OT)
Kicking
Succop
PAT FG
27/27 14/18
Pts
69
Williams 1, Dorsey 0.5, TM 20, OPP 15 Kicking
Mare
PAT FG
18/18 19/22
Pts
75 Lewis 1, Mebane 1, TM 26, OPP 24 L ................... N.Y. Giants ................... 41-7
L .................. at Denver .................. 29-49 Chiefs 27/27 14/18 69 Fum/Lost: Cassel 2/1, Charles 2/1, Are- Seahawks 18/18 19/22 75 Fum/Lost: Hasselbeck 3/2, Lynch 2/2 W .............. at Arizona .............. 36-18
nas 1/1, Bowe 1/0, Jones 1/0, McCluster
W ................. Arizona ................. 31-13
Opp. 24/24 13/17 63
1/0
Opp. 23/23 16/19 71 L ............. at New Orleans ............. 34-19
Sea. Opp. Sea. Opp.
Nov. 28 .............. at Seattle .............. 4:05
K.C. Opp. K.C. Opp.
Possession Avg. 27:32 32:28 Total First Downs 158 204 Nov. 28 ............ Kansas City ............ 4:05
Possession Avg. 30:12 29:48 Total First Downs 204 191
Dec. 5 ..................... Denver ..................... 1 Total Net Yards 3624 3484 Rushing 80 53 Total Net Yards 3004 3886 Rushing 43 53 Dec. 5 ................ Carolina ................ 4:15
Dec. 12 ........... at San Diego ........... 4:15 Avg. Per Game 362.4 348.4 Passing 107 126 Avg. Per Game 300.4 388.6 Passing 103 139 Dec. 12 ........ at San Francisco ........ 4:05
Total Plays 647 663 Penalty 17 12 Total Plays 604 688 Penalty 12 12
Dec. 19 ................ at St. Louis ................ 1 Avg. Per Play 5.6 5.3 3rd Down/Att. 45/131 52/142 Avg. Per Play 5.0 5.6 3rd Down/Att. 51/140 54/145 Dec. 19 ................ Atlanta ................ 4:05
Dec. 26 ................ Tennessee ................ 1 Net Yards Rushing 1647 1041 3rd Down Pct. 34.4 36.6 Net Yards Rushing 837 1054 3rd Down Pct. 36.4 37.2 Dec. 26 .............. at Tampa Bay .............. 1
Avg. Per Game 83.7 105.4 4th Down/Att. 3/9 5/14
Jan. 2 .................... Oakland .................... 1 Avg. Per Game 164.7 104.1 4th Down/Att. 8/17 7/15
Net Yards Passing 2167 2832 4th Down Pct. 33.3 35.7
Jan. 2 ................. St. Louis ................. 4:15
Net Yards Passing 1977 2443 4th Down Pct. 47.1 46.7 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 197.7 244.3 Penalties/Yards 58/483 70/603 Avg. Per Game 216.7 283.2 Penalties/Yards 68/613 63/485

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26 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

Week 12 matchup:
Dolphins (5-5) vs. Raiders (5-5)
uSunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, at Oakland Coliseum uTV: CBS; DirecTV: 713
Long ailing; Strengths
left tackles
uTV announcers: Gus Johnson, Steve
Tasker
uKeys to the game: Dolphins RBs Ronnie
vanished in
worked out Brown and Ricky Williams combined for six
carries in Miami’s shutout loss to the Chicago lopsided loss
Bears despite QB Tyler Thigpen making his first
The Dolphins are seriously con- start since 2008. Coach Tony Sparano said Coach Tom Cable wants his play-
sidering shutting down Jake Long Thigpen generally made the right reads as Chi- ers to put the loss to the Pittsburgh
in advance of Sunday’s trip to play cago’s defense dictated more passes, but look Steelers behind them.
the Oakland Raiders or perhaps for Miami to call more dedicated run plays, Oakland fell to 5-5 and is a game
soon after. The team worked out a even if Chad Henne is able to return from his in back of the Kansas City Chiefs
pair of left tackles last weekend. left knee injury. The Raiders’ speed at wideout (6-4), but the Raiders are the only
Levi Jones, who made a com- will test the Dolphins secondary, which did a AFC West team that is unbeaten in
bined 97 starts for the Cincinnati poor job of being physical at the line against the division (3-0). With games
Bengals and Washington Redskins Bears receivers. Oakland will have no problem against all three division opponents
from 2002-09, was one of them. dedicating much of its playbook to running remaining, the Raiders are in control
The other was left tackle Tony Ugoh, plays. With an offensive line that is shaky in of their own destiny.
who made 27 starts for the Indian- long passing situations, the Raiders will work Maintaining control will be tough
apolis Colts from 2007-09. hard to set up play-action. if the Raiders struggle as they did
Jones, 31, has battled leg, foot and uMatchup to watch — Dolphins C Joe against the Steelers, for it’s conceiv-
knee injuries at various times in his Berger vs. Raiders DTs Tommie Kelly and able the Denver Broncos will be the
career. Ugoh, a second-round pick in Richard Seymour: With backup Cory Procter only of the remaining six opponents
2007 out of Arkansas — where he out for the season, Miami hopes Berger can re- on the schedule with a losing rec-
just missed Dolphins quarterbacks turn from a knee injury and prevent further ord.
coach David Lee — was waived be- shuffling along the line, where LT Jake Long Included in the non-division
fore this season while battling a lin- could be facing shoulder surgery. The Dolphins games are a road game vs. the Jack-
gering toe injury. gave up six sacks in Week 11. Kelly and Sey- By Steve Mitchell, US Presswire
sonville Jaguars (6-4) and a home
uBy the numbers: Since the mour provide rare upfield pressure from the date with the Indianapolis Colts
start of the 1999 season, the Dol- Up in the air: The status of Dolphins quarterback Chad (6-4).
interior, and Seymour should enter motivated. Henne, recovering from a knee injury, is uncertain.
phins are 11-6 in the Mountain and uPlayer spotlight — Dolphins RB Ronnie The Raiders found that all of the
Pacific time zones. But since the Brown: Brown has been held to 3.9 yards a areas of strength that led them to
start of 2004, they are 4-4 when carry, but he isn’t being given much of a The Bodog.net line: Raiders by 3 their first meaningful November
heading west, including a 23-13 loss chance to get into a rhythm. He has a com- game in seven years deserted them
at the San Diego Chargers in 2009. bined 24 carries the past three weeks. Who will win and why vs. the Steelers.
Their last trip to Oakland came uFast facts: Anthony Fasano (26 recep- The Dolphins offense is in shambles with QB Chad Henne (knee) Their improved defense gave up
Nov. 27, 2005, a 33-21 win. They and WR Brandon Marshall (hamstring) in doubt and the offensive 162 yards rushing, and Pittsburgh
tions) is the only Dolphins tight end to be tar- line banged up. The Raiders will control the ball on the ground at
suffered a 27-0 playoff loss in Oak- geted with a pass this season. . . . Miami has quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had
home, setting up big completions off play-action.
land after the 2000 season. won nine of the past 11 regular-season meet- ample time to pass. Oakland’s sec-
uTrending: Last week’s out- ings. ond-ranked running game had 61
come against the Chicago Bears was
Our pick: Raiders 23-15 yards on 18 carries, with Darren
the second home shutout loss for McFadden gaining 14 yards on 10
the Dolphins in the past 40 seasons Dolphins statistics Raiders statistics attempts.
Yds/ Sack/
and the fifth in club history. Aside Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att
Yds/
TD Int Lng
Sack/
Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
uLineup watch: Rookie line-
from the 2001 loss to the New York Henne 305 195 2140 63.9 7.02 9 11 54 13/79 79.4 J. Campbell 190 104 1322 54.7 6.96 7 6 69t 23/147 75.8 backer Travis Goethel saw time in
Thigpen 41 23 266 56.1 6.49 1 2 31 6/39 63.7 Gradkowski 125 66 807 52.8 6.46 4 5 70 9/72 67.0
Jets (24-0), the only other home Dolphins 350 219 2425 62.6 6.93 10 13 54 19/118 77.1 Raiders 316 170 2129 53.8 6.74 11 11 70 32/219 72.1 place of Quentin Groves.
shutout loss since the 1970 merger Opp. 311 183 2122 58.8 6.82 13 7 86t 26/154 84.1 Opp. 297 161 2114 54.2 7.12 19 5 56t 29/182 91.2 uBy the numbers: Oakland’s
Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD
came in Don Shula’s second home R. Brown 116 454 3.9 51 3 Marshall 58 693 11.9 46 1 D. McFadden 149 771 5.2 57t 4 Z. Miller 36 470 13.1 43t 4 average drive started on the 18.7 in
game. Williams
Dolphins
92 401 4.4 23 1
260 979 3.8 51 4
Bess 49 489 10.0 26t 3
B. Hartline 39 540 13.8 54 1
Bush
J. Campbell
89 357 4.0
28 101 3.6
30 4
16 0
D. McFadden 26 258 9.9 43 2
Murphy 24 362 15.1 70 1 its first 10 possessions Sunday.
Fasano 26 383 14.7 31 3 Heyward-Bey 19 266 14.0 69t 1
Opp. 289 1127 3.9 30 6 R. Brown 21 139 6.6 16 0 Reece 18 97 5.4 31 1 Reece 13 160 12.3 51 2
Ford 4 48 12.0 23 0
Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Williams 9 64 7.1 28t 1 Ford 12 212 17.7 47 0
Dolphins schedule D. Carpenter 0 0 0 0 80 Polite
Cobbs
8
4
41 5.1 14 0
35 8.8 13t 1
Murphy
Gradkowski
1 43 43.0
12 41 3.4
43 0
12 0
Bush
Higgins
11 145 13.2 55 0
10 103 10.3 26 0
Raiders schedule
Bess 3 0 3 0 18 Moore 2 20 10.0 13 0 Myers 9 69 7.7 16 0
W ............... at Buffalo ............... 15-10 R. Brown 3 3 0 0 18 Wallace 2 18 9.0 12 0
Raiders 317 1521 4.8 57t 9
N. Miller 3 40 13.3 32 0
L ................ at Tennessee ................ 38-13
Opp. 282 1285 4.6 76t 8
W ............ at Minnesota ............ 14-10 Fasano 3 0 3 0 18 Dolphins 219 2425 11.1 54 10 Figurs 2 17 8.5 11 0 W ................ St. Louis ................ 16-14
Williams 2 1 1 0 12 Opp. 183 2122 11.6 86t 13 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Bennett 2 9 4.5 6 0
L ..................... N.Y. Jets ..................... 31-23 Cobbs 1 0 1 0 6 Janikowski 0 0 0 0 92 Raiders 170 2129 12.5 70 11 L .................. at Arizona .................. 24-23
Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
L ................ New England ................ 41-14 Marshall 1 0 1 0 6 J. Allen 3 17 5.7 17 D. McFadden 6 4 2 0 36 Opp. 161 2114 13.1 56t 19 L .................... Houston .................... 31-24
................................ Bye ................................
Misi 1 0 0 1 6 S. Smith 1 18 18.0 18 Bush 4 4 0 0 24 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng W .............. San Diego .............. 35-27
Dolphins 15 4 10 1 172 V. Davis 1 0 0.0 0 Z. Miller 4 0 4 0 24 Raiders 5 41 8.2 30t
W ....... at Green Bay ....... 23-20 (OT) Opponents 22 6 13 3 208 Jones 1 0 0.0 0 Reece 3 1 2 0 18 Opp. 11 136 12.4 38 L .............. at San Francisco .............. 17-9
L .................. Pittsburgh .................. 23-22 Sacks: Wake 9.5, Misi 3.5, Dansby 2, Sapp 1 0 0.0 0 Raiders 24 9 11 4 238 Sacks: Kelly 5, Shaughnessy 5, Seymour W ............... at Denver ............... 59-14
Dolphins 7 35 5.0 18 Opponents 28 8 19 1 223 4.5, Wimbley 4.5, Houston 3, Branch 2,
W ............ at Cincinnati ............ 22-14 Langford 2, Starks 2, Bell 1.5, Dobbins 1, Opp. 13 109 8.4 51t Huff 2, T. Scott 1.5, Bryant 1, McClain W ................... Seattle ................... 33-3
Jones 1, McDaniel 1, Moses 1, Soliai 1, Kicking PAT FG Pts
L ................ at Baltimore ................ 26-10 Clemons 0.5, TM 26, OPP 19 Kicking PAT FG Pts Janikowski 23/23 23/30 92
0.5, TM 29, OPP 32 W ........ Kansas City ........ 23-20 (OT)
Fum/Lost: J. Campbell 9/1, Gradkowski
W .............. Tennessee .............. 29-17 Fum/Lost: Williams 3/1, Henne 2/0 D. Carpenter
Dolphins
14/14 22/25
14/14 22/25
80
80
Raiders 23/23 23/30 92 3/1, D. McFadden 2/1, N. Miller 2/1,
................................ Bye ................................
Opp. 28/28 9/13 55 L ................. at Pittsburgh ................. 35-3
L ..................... Chicago ..................... 16-0 Opp. 22/22 18/21 76
Oak. Opp.
Murphy 2/1
Oak. Opp.
Nov. 28 ............. at Oakland ............. 4:05
Miami Opp. Miami Opp.
Possession Avg. 31:19 28:41 Total First Downs 195 178 Nov. 28 ................. Miami ................. 4:05
Possession Avg. 30:04 29:56 Total First Downs 187 174
Dec. 5 .................. Cleveland .................. 1 Total Net Yards 3286 3095 Rushing 55 61 Total Net Yards 3431 3217 Rushing 69 59 Dec. 5 ............ at San Diego ............ 4:05
Dec. 12 ............. at N.Y. Jets ............. 4:15 Avg. Per Game 328.6 309.5 Passing 122 103 Avg. Per Game 343.1 321.7 Passing 99 92 Dec. 12 ............. at Jacksonville ............. 1
Total Plays 629 626 Penalty 10 10 Total Plays 665 608 Penalty 27 27
Dec. 19 .................... Buffalo .................... 1 Avg. Per Play 5.2 4.9 3rd Down/Att. 60/140 55/141 Avg. Per Play 5.2 5.3 3rd Down/Att. 47/144 46/136 Dec. 19 ................ Denver ................ 4:15
Dec. 26 ................... Detroit ................... 1 Net Yards Rushing 979 1127 3rd Down Pct. 42.9 39.0 Net Yards Rushing 1521 1285 3rd Down Pct. 32.6 33.8 Dec. 26 ........... Indianapolis ........... 4:05
Avg. Per Game 152.1 128.5 4th Down/Att. 5/12 2/6
Jan. 2 ............. at New England ............. 1 Avg. Per Game 97.9 112.7 4th Down/Att. 1/7 7/14
Net Yards Passing 1910 1932 4th Down Pct. 41.7 33.3
Jan. 2 ............... at Kansas City ............... 1
Net Yards Passing 2307 1968 4th Down Pct. 14.3 50.0 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 230.7 196.8 Penalties/Yards 41/349 55/446 Avg. Per Game 191.0 193.2 Penalties/Yards 98/849 84/881

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 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 27

Week 12 matchup:
Rams (4-6) vs. Broncos (4-6)
uSunday, 4:15 p.m. ET, at Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver uTV: Fox, DirecTV: 714
Three-game Tebow still
road trip
uTV announcers: Ron Pitts, John Lynch,
Nischelle Turner
uKeys to the game: The Rams are becom-
playing on
looms large ing more confident with putting the offense in
QB Sam Bradford’s hands. Facing a tough At- limited basis
lanta Falcons run defense, Bradford threw 42
In a division that no team seems passes last weekend. That willingness to adapt Sam Bradford, the top overall
to want to win, the Rams lost by 17 and attack a defense’s weakness should bring draft pick last April, was handed the
points at home to the Atlanta Fal- the Rams back to a run-heavy game plan on keys to the St. Louis Rams offense
cons and lost no ground in the NFC the road against the Broncos’ soft run defense. from Day One.
West. In truth, the Rams played the Denver can rack up points quickly and will Denver has handled the second
Falcons (8-2) tougher than the 34- stress a St. Louis secondary that isn’t deep player at the position taken on draft
17 score indicates. But the loss end- with cover corners. QB Kyle Orton will attack day, Tim Tebow, like a kid with a
ed a four-game home winning rookie nickel back Jerome Murphy and dime learner’s permit — driving the car
streak, and they face a three-game back Justin King, or Kevin Dockery if he’s ac- only sparingly.
road trip that could determine tive this week. St. Louis had no sacks against Tebow finally threw his first NFL
whether they are able to remain in Atlanta and must bring a strong pass rush vs. pass Nov. 14 against the Kansas City
the division race. Orton. Chiefs after a slew of option runs.
The Rams have not won away uMatchup to watch — Rams LT Rodger But while Tebow watches Bradford
from home this season, and three of Saffold vs. Broncos LB Mario Haggan: The run the show at Invesco Field at
the four losses have been by a total Broncos had Haggan inside during the offsea- Mile High this Sunday, he’ll be oper-
of six points. The Denver Broncos son, moved him back outside when Elvis Du- ating under his usual one-play in,
are next, followed by the Arizona mervil was lost for the season, shifted him several-series out playing schedule.
Cardinals and New Orleans Saints. back inside for several games and then moved The Monday night meeting with
uTrending: The Rams were 1- him outside again when Robert Ayers was in- the San Diego Chargers also rekin-
for-10 on third-down conversions, jured. Outside, he has been one of the few dled questions about Tebow’s me-
and their only success came late in Broncos able to apply pressure in the backfield. By Jack Dempsey, AP
chanics. Perhaps there haven’t been
the fourth quarter. Saffold has been dealing with an ankle injury two quarterbacks whose throwing
At one point, going back to the Bringing the heat: Broncos linebacker Mario Haggan, tak- motions were scrutinized more
and was seen limping against the Falcons. ing down the Chiefs’ Matt Cassel on Nov. 14, has three sacks.
week before when they failed on uPlayer spotlight — Rams TE Michael closely in recent years than the
their last seven third downs, the Hoomanawanui: After being an integral part Chargers’ Philip Rivers and Tebow.
Rams hadn’t converted 13 consec- of the passing game during the preseason, the The Bodog.net line: Broncos by 3 uUnder the radar: The lingering
utive third-down plays. fifth-round pick missed four games with a quadriceps/hip issues of cornerback
Said quarterback Sam Bradford, high ankle sprain suffered in the season open- Who will win and why Andre Goodman have meant more
“I think that all comes down to what er. Healthy, Hoomanawanui has 10 receptions St. Louis has lost its past two road games by a total of four points playing time for rookie Perrish Cox.
we do on first and second down. but hasn’t been able to break through away from home. The thin Syd’Quan Thompson, a seventh-
over his past four games. Denver air can take a toll on visitors and will be a new obstacle for
We’ve got to keep ourselves out of uFast facts: The Rams haven’t won in Den- round selection out of California,
many of the young Rams.
third-and-long; get ourselves into ver since 1979. . . . Orton has a 96.6 passer has been part of Denver’s dime
third-and-manageable, third-and- rating with 10 touchdowns and two intercep- package in recent weeks.
short.”
Our pick: Broncos 27-21 uBy the numbers: The Rams
tions at home this season.
uBy the numbers: An intercept- and the Broncos have met four
ed shovel pass broke a streak of 169 Rams statistics Broncos statistics times since the 2000 season. The
Yds/ Sack/
consecutive passes without an in- Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att
Yds/
TD Int Lng
Sack/
Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
Broncos won the only meeting at In-
terception by Bradford. He holds Bradford 376 228 2158 60.6 5.74 14 9 49 20/125 79.0 Orton 388 241 3023 62.1 7.79 17 6 71 26/185 94.5 vesco Field at Mile High (23-16) in
Rams 376 228 2158 60.6 5.74 14 9 49 20/125 79.0 Tebow 1 1 3 100.0 3.00 1 0 3t 0/0 118.8
club rookie records for attempts Opp. 361 214 2503 59.3 6.93 12 8 65 28/198 82.2 Broncos 389 242 3026 62.2 7.78 18 6 71 26/185 95.3 2002. But the Rams have swept
(376) and completions (228) and is Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Opp. 300 184 2425 61.3 8.08 20 6 58 14/104 100.8 both home meetings in 2000 (41-
S. Jackson 203 811 4.0 42t 3 Amendola 60 493 8.2 36 3 Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD
third in yardage (2,158). Darby 27 86 3.2 13 1 B. Gibson 31 342 11.0 33 2 Moreno 111 416 3.7 17 3 Lloyd 54 1046 19.4 71 7 36) and 2006 (18-10).
Bradford 19 50 2.6 17 0 S. Jackson 28 243 8.7 49 0 Orton 20 93 4.7 14 0 Gaffney 51 606 11.9 40t 2
Clayton 23 306 13.3 39 2 Royal 45 478 10.6 41 2
Rams 270 1024 3.8 42t 4 Fells 23 210 9.1 36 2 Buckhalter 38 82 2.2 13 1
Opp. 240 1018 4.2 39t 4 D. Thomas 22 283 12.9 31 2
Robinson 19 154 8.1 24 1 Maroney 36 74 2.1 13 0 Moreno 22 239 10.9 45 3
Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Hoomanaw. 12 110 9.2 25t 2 Tebow 12 28 2.3 6 3 Buckhalter 19 124 6.5 12 1
Rams schedule Jo. Brown 0 0 0 0 69
Bajema
Rams
8 74 9.3 18 0
228 2158 9.5 49 14
Broncos
Opp.
231
329
754
1435
3.3 19 7
4.4 57t 15
Graham
Gronkowski 6
14 100
43
7.1
7.2
28 0
13 0
Broncos schedule
Amendola 3 0 3 0 18 Opp. 214 2503 11.7 65 12
L ................... Arizona ................... 17-13 S. Jackson 3 3 0 0 18 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts
Maroney 4 50 12.5 28 0 L ............ at Jacksonville ............ 24-17
Int. No. Yds Avg Lng Larsen 4 40 10.0 29 1
L ................ at Oakland ................ 16-14 Clayton 2 0 2 0 12
Atogwe 2 34 17.0 34
Prater 0 0 0 0 61 Willis 1 17 17.0 17 0 W .................. Seattle .................. 31-14
Darby 2 1 1 0 12 Lloyd 7 0 7 0 42
W ............ Washington ............ 30-16 Fells 2 0 2 0 12
Fletcher 2 32 16.0 28
Moreno 6 3 3 0 36
Broncos
Opp.
242 3026
184 2425
12.5
13.2
71 18
58 20
L .............. Indianapolis .............. 27-13
J. Butler 2 13 6.5 16
W ................... Seattle ................... 20-3 B. Gibson 2 0 2 0 12 Murphy 1 19 19.0 19 Tebow 3 3 0 0 18 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
W ........... at Tennessee ........... 26-20
L .................. at Detroit .................. 44-6 Hoomanaw. 2 0 2 0 12 Laurinaitis 1 4 4.0 4 Buckhalter 2 1 1 0 12 Bailey 2 0 0.0 0 L .............. at Baltimore .............. 31-17
Alexander 1 0 1 0 6 Rams 8 102 12.8 34 Royal 2 0 2 0 12 Broncos 6 45 7.5 18
W ............... San Diego ............... 20-17 Robinson 1 0 1 0 6 Opp. 9 148 16.4 65 Hunter 1 0 0 1 6 Opp. 6 119 19.8 44
L .................. N.Y. Jets .................. 24-20
L .............. at Tampa Bay .............. 18-17 Rams 18 4 14 0 177 Sacks: Hall 7.5, Long 5.5, Ah You 3, Lau- Broncos 26 7 18 1 217 Sacks: D. Williams 3.5, Haggan 3, Hunt- L ................. Oakland ................. 59-14
Opponents 18 4 12 2 198 rinaitis 3, Grant 2, Robbins 2, Selvie 1.5,
W ................ Carolina ................ 20-10 Atogwe 1, M. Lewis LG 1, M. Lewis TM 1,
Opponents 37 15 20 2 287 er 3, Ayers 1.5, Bannan 1, Dawkins 1, M. L ........... vs. San Francisco........... 24-16
Thomas 1, TM 14, OPP 26
.............................. Bye ..............................
Kicking
Jo. Brown
PAT FG
18/18 17/21
Pts
69
Vobora 1, Cudjo 0.5, TM 28, OPP 20 Kicking PAT FG Pts
Fum/Lost: D. Thomas 3/2, Moreno 2/1,
.............................. Bye ..............................
Fum/Lost: Bradford 3/1, Amendola 1/1, Prater 25/26 12/14 61
L ...... at San Francisco ...... 23-20 (OT) Rams 18/18 17/21 69 Bajema 1/0, Ja. Brown 1/0, Gilyard 1/1, Broncos 25/26 12/14 61 Orton 2/2, Royal 2/0, Thompson 2/0 W ............. Kansas City ............. 49-29
Opp. 16/16 24/26 88 Ryan 1/1 Opp. 35/35 10/14 65 L .............. at San Diego .............. 35-14
L ................... Atlanta ................... 34-17 Denv. Opp. Denv. Opp.
Nov. 28 ............ at Denver ............ 4:15
St.L. Opp. St.L. Opp.
Possession Avg. 28:53 31:07 Total First Downs 200 207 Nov. 28 ............. St. Louis ............. 4:15
Possession Avg. 31:11 28:49 Total First Downs 193 192
Dec. 5 ............. at Arizona ............. 4:15 Total Net Yards 3057 3323 Rushing 55 48 Total Net Yards 3595 3756 Rushing 40 80 Dec. 5 ............ at Kansas City ............ 1
Dec. 12 ....... at New Orleans ....... 4:05 Avg. Per Game 305.7 332.3 Passing 116 124 Avg. Per Game 359.5 375.6 Passing 143 112 Dec. 12 ........... at Arizona ........... 4:15
Total Plays 666 629 Penalty 22 20 Total Plays 646 643 Penalty 17 15
Dec. 19 .............. Kansas City .............. 1 Avg. Per Play 4.6 5.3 3rd Down/Att. 53/146 48/137 Avg. Per Play 5.6 5.8 3rd Down/Att. 48/134 54/126 Dec. 19 ........... at Oakland ........... 4:15
Dec. 26 ............ San Francisco ............ 1 Net Yards Rushing 1024 1018 3rd Down Pct. 36.3 35.0 Net Yards Rushing 754 1435 3rd Down Pct. 35.8 42.9 Dec. 26 ............. Houston ............. 4:05
Avg. Per Game 75.4 143.5 4th Down/Att. 4/13 6/11
Jan. 2 .............. at Seattle .............. 4:15 Avg. Per Game 102.4 101.8 4th Down/Att. 5/10 3/6
Net Yards Passing 2841 2321 4th Down Pct. 30.8 54.5
Jan. 2 ............. San Diego ............. 4:15
Net Yards Passing 2033 2305 4th Down Pct. 50.0 50.0 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 203.3 230.5 Penalties/Yards 72/646 89/642 Avg. Per Game 284.1 232.1 Penalties/Yards 61/618 64/629

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28 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

Week 12 matchup:
Chargers (5-5) vs. Colts (6-4)
uSunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis uTV: NBC
Big road test Road games
awaits at
uTV announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collins-
worth, Andrea Kremer
uKeys to the game: Chargers QB Philip
continue to
Indianapolis Rivers and Colts QB Peyton Manning have had
similarly impressive seasons in that they have be unkind
continued to move their offenses despite little
The Chargers, who visit the Indi- help from their ground games and a slew of in- Another road game, another loss.
anapolis Colts on Sunday, have hit juries. Manning did struggle with several high Indianapolis fell to 6-4 overall and
the road, and it has hit back in losses passes at the New England Patriots last week 2-4 on the road after a 31-28 loss to
at the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle and was picked off three times. The Chargers the New England Patriots.
Seahawks, Oakland Raiders and must pounce on any errant pass in a very diffi- The Colts dropped into a first-
St. Louis Rams. cult road venue. The Colts were gashed by the place tie in the AFC South with the
Still, after winning their last road Patriots on the ground, and Chargers coach Jacksonville Jaguars, who have the
game at the Houston Texans, the Norv Turner would be wise to give RB Mike tiebreaker, thanks to a win against
Chargers are confident about their Tolbert — and rookie Ryan Mathews if his an- Indianapolis on Oct. 3.
road prospects. Peyton Manning kle is healthy enough — a few early carries to Coach Jim Caldwell’s team has
and his vaunted passing game will try to slow down the Colts’ fierce pass rush yet to lose at home, which should
be ready, and the Chargers have to that is far more explosive at home. help the team’s preparations for this
prove up to the challenge. uMatchup to watch — Chargers cover- week’s game with the San Diego
San Diego’s secondary says it is age teams vs. Colts WR-KR Brandon James: Chargers.
striving for perfection, perhaps the An undrafted rookie out of Florida, James was Indianapolis also has a Dec. 5
only thing that can stop the Colts. signed off the practice squad earlier this home game with the Dallas Cow-
“We’ve been good, but we can be month and has taken over as the primary kick- boys.
better in all areas,” cornerback off returner and punt returner. He has yet to This week’s visit by the Chargers
Quentin Jammer said. “We haven’t find much room to run as a return man, but will be their first to Lucas Oil Stadi-
come in and dominated a game San Diego’s special teams have been a sore um and their first to Indianapolis
from start to finish. We have the spot all season. The last thing the Chargers By Stew Milne, US Presswire
since 2005 (a 26-17 Colts loss).
ability to do that, but we haven’t put need is to set up Manning with shorter fields The Colts haven’t defeated San
it all together.” Opportunity knocks: Brandon James, signed off the prac- Diego in a home game since 2004
to play with. tice squad, has emerged as the Colts’ top return man.
There have been rocky games, in- uPlayer spotlight — Colts WR Blair (34-31 in overtime).
cluding the win vs. the Tennessee White: The undrafted rookie overcame a uTrending: The Colts entered
Titans when the Chargers gave up shoulder injury to play at New England and The Bodog.net line: Colts by 3 the game with New England con-
more than 300 passing yards. catch a pair of touchdowns. He’ll continue to verting 43.7% of their third-down
“It’s been better, but it’s not per- play a big role with Austin Collie suffering an- Who will win and why opportunities (45 of 103). Indian-
fect,” Jammer said. other blow to the head against the Patriots. All the ingredients are in place for an offensive slugfest. The Colts apolis was good on 11 of 14 third-
uLineup watch: Vincent Jack- are 4-0 and averaging 27.5 points at home, and QB Peyton Manning down chances against the Patriots.
uFast facts: Rivers has a 99.8 passer rating will work with whoever is healthy while his offensive line holds the
son should contribute immediately with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions on uLineup watch: Wide receiver
pocket.
and be inserted into the starting the road this season. . . . Colts DE Dwight Blair White played extensively af-
lineup, especially with Legedu Naa- Freeney has five sacks in four home games this ter sitting out the Cincinnati Bengals
nee having hamstring issues. Jack-
Our pick: Colts 31-27 game with a shoulder injury. White
season.
son and Philip Rivers had more 20- had a career-high five pass recep-
plus yards completions (67) than Chargers statistics Colts statistics tions for 42 yards (tying his career
Yds/ Sack/ Yds/ Sack/
any combination last season. Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp YdsCmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
high) and two touchdowns (a career
uBy the numbers: The Char- Rivers 353 230 3177 65.2 9.00 23 9 59t 23/148 105.0 Manning 438 286 3059 65.3 6.98 20 7 73t 12/63 94.2 single-game high).
Chargers 356 232 3213 65.2 9.03 23 9 59t 23/148 105.0 Colts 438 286 3059 65.3 6.98 20 7 73t 12/63 94.2
gers’ record in their past five match- Opp. 318 184 2046 57.9 6.43 9 9 71t 32/207 74.8 Opp. 328 210 2206 64.0 6.73 13 9 61 21/129 85.2 An undrafted free agent from
ups with the Colts is 4-1, including a Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Rushing No. Yds AvgLng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Michigan State, White has caught 14
Tolbert 112 506 4.5 36 8 Gates 40 663 16.6 48t 9 Addai 93 406 4.4 46 3 Wayne 71 865 12.2 42 4
divisional playoff game at Indian- Mathews 87 382 4.4 20 2 Sproles 34 327 9.6 57t 2 D. Brown 76 265 3.5 36 1 Collie 50 562 11.2 73t 6 passes for 150 yards and three
Crayton 28 514 18.4 49 1 Clark 37 347 9.4 50t 3
apolis. Sproles 31 145 4.7 34 0
Floyd 26 537 20.7 55 4
Hart 38 177 4.7 35 1
Garcon 33 406 12.3 57t 1 touchdowns this year.
Hester 20 48 2.4 6 0 Davis 21 259 12.3 49 1 Colts 243 885 3.6 46 8 Tamme 31 305 9.8 26 2
Rivers 21 32 1.5 14 0 Hester 17 119 7.0 21 1 Opp. 274 1367 5.0 62 11 Addai 18 118 6.6 15 0
Brinkley 1 9 9.0 9 0 Tolbert 16 141 8.8 28 0 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts White 14 150 10.7 33 3
Chargers schedule
Chargers
Opp.
278 1117 4.0 36 10
240 868 3.6 56t 8
Naanee
Ajirotutu
11 181 16.5 59t 1
9 185 20.6 55t 2 Vinatieri 0 0 0 0 82
D. Brown
Gonzalez
10 126 12.6 25 0
5 67 13.4 34 0 Colts schedule
McMichael 7 84 12.0 28 2 Collie 6 0 6 0 36 Colts 286 3059 10.7 73t 20
L ............... at Kansas City ............... 21-14 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Kr. Wilson 4 63 15.8 37 0 Wayne 4 0 4 0 24 Opp. 210 2206 10.5 61 13
L ..................at Houston ..................34-24
W ............ Jacksonville ............ 38-13 Gates 9 0 9 0 54 Sperry 2 21 10.5 13 0 Addai 3 3 0 0 18
Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
W................N.Y. Giants................ 38-14
Tolbert 8 8 0 0 50 Chargers 232 3213 13.8 59t 23 Clark 3 0 3 0 18
L ................... at Seattle ................... 27-20 Kaeding 0 0 0 0 44 Opp. 184 2046 11.1 71t 9 J. James 3 3 0 0 18
Hayden 2 56 28.0 31t W .................at Denver .................27-13
Powers 2 11 5.5 11
W ................. Arizona ................. 41-10 Floyd 4 0 4 0 24 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng White 3 0 3 0 18 Francisco 2 10 5.0 11 L ...............at Jacksonville ...............31-28
L .................. at Oakland .................. 35-27 Brown 0 0 0 0 20 Cason 3 51 17.0 28 Hayden 2 0 0 2 12 Lacey 1 44 44.0 44 W .............. Kansas City.............. 19-9
Chargers 34 10 23 1 274 Chargers 9 99 11.0 31t Moala 1 0 0 1 6 Hagler 1 35 35.0 35
L .................. at St. Louis .................. 20-17 Opponents 23 8 9 6 211 Opp. 9 74 8.2 34 Robinson 1 0 1 0 6 Bullitt 1 19 19.0 19 W............at Washington............27-24
L ............... New England ............... 23-20 Kicking PAT FG Pts Sacks: Phillips 9, Burnett 5, Garay 4, Colts 31 8 20 3 268 Colts
Opp.
9
7
175 19.4 44
121 17.3 47
................................ Bye ................................
Barnes 2, Cesaire 1.5, English 1.5, Ap- Opponents 24 11 13 0 216 W .................Houston ................. 30-17
W .............. Tennessee .............. 33-25 Kaeding
Brown
23/23 7/10
8/8 4/5
44
20 plewhite 1, Cooper 1, T. Johnson 1, Mar-
Sacks: Mathis 7.5, Freeney 7, Foster 2.5,
W ............. at Houston ............. 29-23 Chargers 31/31 11/15 64 tin 1, Siler 1, Strickland 1, Thomas 1,
Kicking
Vinatieri
PAT FG
31/31 17/19
Pts
82
Angerer 1, Hagler 1, Session 1, TM 21, L ............. at Philadelphia ............. 26-24
OPP 12
................................ Bye ................................ Opp. 21/21 16/16 69 Tucker 1, TM 32, OPP 22 Colts 31/31 17/19 82 Fum/Lost: Manning 3/1, Addai 2/1, D. W ...............Cincinnati ............... 23-17
Fum/Lost: Rivers 6/3, Mathews 3/3, Tol-
W .................. Denver .................. 35-14 bert 3/2, Sproles 2/2
Opp. 24/24 16/18 72 Moore 2/1, K. Moore 2/1 L .............at New England ............. 31-28
Ind. Opp. Ind. Opp.
Nov. 28 ......... at Indianapolis ......... 8:20
S.D. Opp. S.D. Opp.
Possession Avg. 30:38 29:23 Total First Downs 235 197 Nov. 28 .............. San Diego .............. 8:20
Possession Avg. 33:01 26:59 Total First Downs 229 157
Dec. 5 ................ Oakland ................ 4:05 Total Net Yards 4182 2707 Rushing 58 47 Total Net Yards 3881 3444 Rushing 56 74 Dec. 5 ................... Dallas ................... 4:15
Dec. 12 ............ Kansas City ............ 4:15 Avg. Per Game 418.2 270.7 Passing 154 96 Avg. Per Game 388.1 344.4 Passing 166 113 Dec. 9 .............at Tennessee ............. 8:20
Total Plays 657 590 Penalty 17 14 Total Plays 693 623 Penalty 13 10
Dec. 16 .......... San Francisco .......... 8:20 Avg. Per Play 6.4 4.6 3rd Down/Att. 58/127 44/130 Avg. Per Play 5.6 5.5 3rd Down/Att. 61/131 50/123 Dec. 19................ Jacksonville................ 1
Dec. 26 ........... at Cincinnati ........... 8:20 Net Yards Rushing 1117 868 3rd Down Pct. 45.7 33.8 Net Yards Rushing 885 1367 3rd Down Pct. 46.6 40.7 Dec. 26 ..............at Oakland .............. 4:05
Avg. Per Game 88.5 136.7 4th Down/Att. 3/5 4/11
Jan. 2 ................ at Denver ................ 4:15 Avg. Per Game 111.7 86.8 4th Down/Att. 3/8 6/15
Net Yards Passing 2996 2077 4th Down Pct. 60.0 36.4
Jan. 2 ...................Tennessee ................... 1
Net Yards Passing 3065 1839 4th Down Pct. 37.5 40.0 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 306.5 183.9 Penalties/Yards 63/499 65/472 Avg. Per Game 299.6 207.7 Penalties/Yards 53/471 58/479

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 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 29

Week 12 matchup:
49ers (3-7) vs. Cardinals (3-7)
uMonday, 8:30 p.m. ET, at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz. uTV: ESPN
Time grows Even at 3-7,
short for
uTV announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jawor-
ski, Jon Gruden, Michele Tafoya, Suzy Kolber
uKeys to the game: Both teams have been
playoffs not
playoff bid hurt by inconsistent quarterback play. Niners
coach Mike Singletary is sticking with Troy out of reach
Smith for a fourth consecutive start. Cardinals
The 49ers remain two games out QB Derek Anderson was plagued by drops The Cardinals have lost five con-
in the NFC West despite their 21-0 from his normally sure-handed receiving secutive games, the most since
loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. corps last weekend. The 49ers need to be able 2006, when they lost eight under
But with six games to play, time is to throw against teams that load up against RB Dennis Green.
running out. Frank Gore, but pass protection is a concern af- This team has myriad problems.
Will the team’s conservative ap- ter Smith was sacked six times by the Tampa Quarterback Derek Anderson is
proach on offense change to a more Bay Buccaneers. Oft-injured Cardinals RB Chris not accurate enough to compensate
go-for-broke mentality Monday “Beanie” Wells returned to the lineup but was when other parts of the offense un-
against the division rival Arizona limited to eight carries. He’s more explosive derperform. And that’s almost al-
Cardinals? than Tim Hightower and needs to be given an ways the case.
The 49ers appeared to make such opportunity to carry the ground game. Arizo- In the 31-13 loss to the Kansas
a change in a Nov. 14 win vs. the na won’t win many games playing from be- City Chiefs, Arizona’s offense was
St. Louis Rams. Their passing game hind and asking Anderson to throw 46 passes penalized seven times. The Cardi-
averaged more than 20 yards a like he did at the Kansas City Chiefs. nals didn’t commit a turnover, but
completion in that game, and Troy uMatchup to watch — 49ers LT Barry the penalties killed any hope they
Smith threw for 356 yards, the Sims vs. Cardinals OLB Joey Porter: Sims had of pulling off the upset.
highest total for a San Francisco struggled in place of injured Joe Staley and will The Cardinals remain in playoff
quarterback in six seasons. have to practice well this week to keep the contention because they are in the
But they reverted to their stodgy job. Porter has five sacks in his first season NFC West. At 3-7, they are two
selves against Tampa Bay. Early on with Arizona but none in the past two weeks. games behind the Seattle Seahawks.
the passing game mainly consisted The Cardinals need him to exploit this weak- By Ted S. Warren, AP
Their next three games are at home,
of screens and swing passes. Smith ness and at the very least force the 49ers to two vs. division foes.
fired the ball downfield twice in the Sack man: Cards linebacker Joey Porter has five sacks this The loser of Monday night’s game
dedicate an extra blocker to help out Sims. season, including this one of the Seahawks’ Matt Hasselbeck.
first half. uPlayer spotlight — 49ers TE Vernon vs. the San Francisco 49ers could
Tight end Vernon Davis finished Davis: The Cardinals held Davis to a combined find itself out of playoff contention.
the game with one catch for 3 yards. eight catches for 74 yards and a touchdown The Bodog.net line: 49ers by 1 uLineup watch: Running back
uLineup watch: Safety Reggie despite losing both matchups last season. Da- Chris “Beanie” Wells is healthy
Smith got the start and never left vis left last weekend’s game with a nagging Who will win and why again, and it probably won’t be long
the game. Taylor Mays watched ankle injury he has been dealing with for sev- Neither offense inspires much confidence. San Francisco has aver- before he returns to the starting
from the sideline and didn’t play on aged 12.5 points in losing all four road games and is coming off being lineup. Wells played against Kansas
eral weeks. shut out at home. Arizona has to be motivated to snap its five-game
defense for the first time since early uFast facts: The teams have alternated City, backing up Tim Hightower.
losing streak.
this season. sweeping the series each of the past four sea- Wells had moved into the starting
uBy the numbers: For the sec- sons. . . . Davis has 17 touchdown receptions lineup a month ago but had an ad-
ond consecutive week, San Francis-
Our pick: Cardinals 19-16 verse reaction to an injection in his
since the start of 2009.
co struggled on third downs. knee.
Against the Buccaneers, the 49ers 49ers statistics Cardinals statistics uUnder the radar: Jeremy
Yds/ Sack/
were 3-for-12 on third downs. The Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att
Yds/
TD Int Lng
Sack/
Lost Rtg Passing Att Cmp Yds Cmp% Att TD Int Lng Lost Rtg
Bridges is expected to play right
problem was the team failed to A. Smith 242 143 1554 59.1 6.42 9 9 53 13/74 75.0 Anderson 272 146 1776 53.7 6.53 7 8 37 23/163 70.3 tackle for the rest of the season, and
T. Smith 78 45 700 57.7 8.97 2 1 65 11/63 90.8 M. Hall 75 38 360 50.7 4.80 1 5 26 12/78 41.0
make consistent gains on first down. 49ers 333 193 2321 58.0 6.97 11 11 65 25/142 76.7 Cardinals 348 185 2153 53.2 6.19 8 13 37 35/241 64.3 he could improve the team’s run-
Running back Frank Gore, who Opp. 328 217 2355 66.2 7.18 15 8 71 22/141 92.2 Opp. 355 225 2756 63.4 7.76 16 10 70 20/139 90.5 blocking. Brandon Keith, who
Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD Rushing No. Yds Avg Lng TD Receiving No. Yds Avg Lng TD
typically runs up the middle on first Gore 198 801 4.0 64 3 Gore 46 452 9.8 41 2 Hightower 91 438 4.8 80t 3 Fitzgerald 55 691 12.6 33 5 started the first nine games, is out
down, averaged 1.9 yards a carry. T. Smith
A. Smith
12 59 4.9 15 1
12 43 3.6 12 0
V. Davis
Crabtree
38 516 13.6 53 4
36 461 12.8 32t 4
Wells 78 270
Cardinals 196 845
3.5
4.3
24 2
80t 6
Breaston
Doucet
34 548 16.1 37 1
17 195 11.5 36 1 for the season.
Morgan 26 384 14.8 65 1 Patrick 15 123 8.2 21 0
49ers 244 958 3.9 64 5 Del. Walker 19 257 13.5 38 0 Opp. 308 1351 4.4 48 12 Hightower 14 111 7.9 20 0
Opp. 289 1068 3.7 43 6 Zeigler 8 88 11.0 20 0 Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Roberts 12 148 12.3 30t 1
49ers schedule Scoring TD Rsh Rec Ret Pts Ginn
Westbrook 5
6 75 12.5 19 0
38 7.6 19 0
Feely 0 0 0 0 54 Cardinals 185 2153 11.6 37 8
Opp. 225 2756 12.2 70 16
Cardinals schedule
Nedney 0 0 0 0 50 49ers 193 2321 12.0 65 11 Fitzgerald 5 0 5 0 32
L ................... at Seattle ................... 31-6 Gore 5 3 2 0 30 Opp. 217 2355 10.9 71 15 Hightower 3 3 0 0 18 Int. No. Yds Avg Lng W .............. at St. Louis .............. 17-13
L .............. New Orleans .............. 25-22 V. Davis 4 0 4 0 26
Int. No. Yds Avg Lng
Stephens- 3 1 0 2 18 Rhodes
Rodgers-
2
2
131 65.5 66
54 27.0 28t
L .................... at Atlanta .................... 41-7
Crabtree 4 0 4 0 24 Howling
L ............. at Kansas City ............. 31-10 Dixon 1 1 0 0 6 Spencer 3 0 0.0 0 Rhodes 2 0 0 2 12 Cromartie W ................ Oakland ................ 24-23
Clements 2 46 23.0 39 Adams 1 0 0 1 6 Lenon 2 12 6.0 10 L ................ at San Diego ................ 41-10
L ................. at Atlanta ................. 16-14 Mays 1 0 0 1 6 McDonald 1 31 31.0 31t
L. Brown 1 0 0 1 6
Wilson 2 4 2.0 4
L ............... Philadelphia ............... 27-24
Morgan 1 0 1 0 6 Spikes 1 6 6.0 6
Hayes 1 0 0 1 6
Cardinals 10 208 20.8 66 W ........... New Orleans ........... 30-20
T. Smith 1 1 0 0 6 Lawson 1 0 0.0 0 Opp. 13 237 18.2 45t
W ................. Oakland ................. 17-9 49ers 18 5 11 2 160 49ers 8 83 10.4 39 Cardinals 22 6 8 8 188 ................................ Bye ................................
Sacks: Porter 5, Campbell 3, Branch 2,
L ................ at Carolina ................ 23-20 Opponents 23 6 15 2 219 Opp. 11 115 10.5 32t Opponents 31 12 16 3 292
Dockett 2, Haggans 2, Wilson 2, Davis 1, L ................... at Seattle ................... 22-10
Sacks: J. Smith 5, Haralson 4, Willis 4,
W .............. vs. Denver .............. 24-16 Kicking PAT FG Pts LaBoy 3, Brooks 2, Lawson 2, Clements Kicking PAT FG Pts Lenon 1, Toler 1, Washington 1, TM 20, L ................. Tampa Bay ................. 38-35
Nedney 17/17 11/13 50 Feely 21/21 11/12 54 OPP 35
.............................. Bye .............................. 49ers 17/17 11/13 50
1, Jean-Francois 1, TM 22, OPP 25
Cardinals 21/21 11/12 54 Fum/Lost: Anderson 5/2, M. Hall 4/2,
L .......... at Minnesota .......... 27-24 (OT)
Fum/Lost: Gore 4/2, A. Smith 3/1, Mor-
W ........... St. Louis ........... 23-20 (OT) Opp. 22/23 19/22 79
gan 2/1, T. Smith 2/0, Adams 1/1, Baas
Opp. 31/31 25/33 106 Hightower 3/3, Komar 3/1 L ..................... Seattle ..................... 36-18
L ................. Tampa Bay ................. 21-0 1/0, Clements 1/1, Del. Walker 1/1 L ............... at Kansas City ............... 31-13
Ariz. Opp. Ariz. Opp.
Nov. 29 ........... at Arizona ........... 8:30
S.F. Opp. S.F. Opp.
Possession Avg. 26:26 33:34 Total First Downs 158 219 Nov. 29 .......... San Francisco .......... 8:30
Possession Avg. 28:50 31:10 Total First Downs 165 188
Dec. 5 ............. at Green Bay ............. 1 Total Net Yards 3137 3282 Rushing 52 53 Total Net Yards 2757 3968 Rushing 42 70 Dec. 5 ................ St. Louis ................ 4:15
Dec. 12 ............... Seattle ............... 4:05 Avg. Per Game 313.7 328.2 Passing 101 115 Avg. Per Game 275.7 396.8 Passing 102 124 Dec. 12 ................ Denver ................ 4:15
Total Plays 602 639 Penalty 12 20 Total Plays 579 683 Penalty 14 25
Dec. 16 ......... at San Diego ......... 8:20 Avg. Per Play 5.2 5.1 3rd Down/Att. 43/132 49/133 Avg. Per Play 4.8 5.8 3rd Down/Att. 36/125 57/144 Dec. 19 ................ at Carolina ................ 1
Dec. 26 .............. at St. Louis .............. 1 Net Yards Rushing 958 1068 3rd Down Pct. 32.6 36.8 Net Yards Rushing 845 1351 3rd Down Pct. 28.8 39.6 Dec. 25 ................. Dallas ................. 7:30
Avg. Per Game 84.5 135.1 4th Down/Att. 4/11 6/12
Jan. 2 ............... Arizona ............... 4:15 Avg. Per Game 95.8 106.8 4th Down/Att. 6/11 2/6
Net Yards Passing 1912 2617 4th Down Pct. 36.4 50.0
Jan. 2 .......... at San Francisco .......... 4:15
Net Yards Passing 2179 2214 4th Down Pct. 54.5 33.3 Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change
Game times in weeks 11-17 subject to change Avg. Per Game 217.9 221.4 Penalties/Yards 80/674 61/544 Avg. Per Game 191.2 261.7 Penalties/Yards 71/568 74/641

http://hotnpapers.blogspot.com
30 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY
Where might Greinke move for 2011?
As baseball’s offseason unfolds, USA TODAY’s Daily
Pitch will examine players who figure to land on the
trade block, potential deals for them and the likeli-
hood they will get dealt in a series called “Trade se-
crets.”
uPlayer: Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals
uWhy he could get traded: The Royals could
be a year or two away from being the next hot
young team; that’s how highly regarded their farm
system is. And Greinke is two seasons away from
the end of his contract. But Greinke, the 2009
American League Cy Young Award winner, said dur-
ing the 2010 season
that he wasn’t to-
tally sold on general
manager Dayton
Moore’s rebuilding
program and didn’t
know if he wanted
to wait and see
To follow the series, how it works out.
go to dailypitch.usatoday.com That’s enough to
get the trade vul-
tures circling.
As much as he could make a nice ace/cornerstone
for a team on the rise, he also can hasten the Royals’
rebuilding by fetching major league-ready talent. At
$13.5 million a year, he’d certainly be intriguing for
anyone who couldn’t land free agent Cliff Lee.
uPotential destinations: This is where it gets
tricky. Greinke has a clause in his contract for 2011
that allows him to block trades to 15 teams. Those
teams haven’t been revealed.
The Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins are
strong candidates. Both have the prospects, espe-
cially those at or near the major league level. And
did we mention Greinke’s wife, Emily, is a former
Dallas Cowboys cheerleader? The Toronto Blue Jays
and Washington Nationals — if they’re on Greinke’s
list of approved teams — would be others a notch
below the usual big spenders who could be looking
to make a splash this winter.
uPotential roadblocks: Moore doesn’t have to
move Greinke now, so he can hold out for a verita-
ble Christmas list. He’s certainly paid close atten-
tion to how the Rangers converted their 2007 haul
for Mark Teixeira — including shortstop Elvis An-
drus and closer Neftali Feliz — into a key compo-
nent of their rise to pennant winners. The probable
price in talent will be prohibitive even for a team in
a win-now mode.
uProjection: We projected in the Daily Pitch
that Lee would wind up with the New York Yan-
kees. So here’s the place for the Rangers to get over
the disappointment, especially because they have
the high-ceiling pitching prospects the Royals
would demand. Moore probably would want both
of Texas’ top young arms: Martin Perez and Tanner
Scheppers. So our package is lefty Perez, who was
in Class AA as a teenager this year, plus Derek Hol-
land, who has been relieving for Texas but was
groomed as a starter. Shortstop Jurickson Profar,
another teenage blue-chipper, becomes the Andrus
of this deal — he’s blocked by Andrus anyway —
and outfielder Julio Borbon is the final piece, a solu-
tion for center field and leadoff for the Royals.
— Paul White
Major League Baseball: Trade secrets
Diamondbacks say
asking price for Upton,
23, will be steep
Justin Upton’s appearance in this winter’s
trade market is more than just another off-
season rumor.
New Arizona Diamondbacks general
manager Kevin Towers has made certain of
that. While Towers insists any deal for argu-
ably his team’s best player would have to be
a clear win for the Diamondbacks — in Tow-
ers’ mind at least — he has been open about
the fact he’s accepting calls on his right
fielder’s availability.
“The asking price is going to be steep,”
Towers said last week at the general man-
agers’ meetings. “If someone wants to meet
that, we’ll have to strongly consider it. If
not, we’ll keep Justin and move on.”
Towers said more than half the major
league teams inquired about Upton, who
has $49.5 million remaining on a contract
that runs through 2015. That contract also
allows him to block trades to the Oakland
Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals
and Cleveland Indians.
So, why would Towers roll into town and
deal the 2005 No. 1 overall pick who got to
the majors as a teenager and was an All-Star
as a 21-year-old?
Because someone else might be con-
vinced he not only is that good but, at 23,
has time to get significantly better. That
would result in a superstar player.
Trading Upton could accelerate the proc-
Limited field:
Royals ace Zack
Greinke has a list
of 15 teams he
can contractually
block trades to.
By Paul Sancya, AP
winter’s trade market, and they even have
late-August birthdays. That could be signifi-
cant for the purpose of comparisons.
Check out these numbers (age is what
they reached that August):
Year Age Avg. HR RBI BB SO
B.J. Upton
2007 23 .300 24 82 65 154
2008 24 .273 9 67 97 134
Justin Upton
2009 22 .300 26 86 55 137
2010 23 .273 17 69 64 152
The year difference in these stats is perti-
nent, because the first season was each
By Matt York, AP player’s first year with more than 500 plate
A lot of interest: More than half of the appearances. B.J.’s path to the majors was
teams have inquired about Justin Upton. slowed as Tampa Bay transitioned him from
infielder to outfielder.
ess of rebounding from back-to-back last- More pertinent is that B.J.’s numbers
place, 90-plus loss seasons, but only if Ari- have steadily declined since, at least part of
zona gets several players who can be sig- the reason why the Rays might consider
nificant contributors. Upton’s raw abilities moving him. A combined .239 batting aver-
have been partially obscured by his infec- age over the last two years has reduced his
tion of what could be called Diamondbacks stock below that of Justin.
disease, marked by continued and persis- Over the past two seasons, B.J.’s strike-
tent strikeouts. Arizona’s batters whiffed out-to-walk ratio has slipped to a concern-
1,529 times last year, 154 more than any ing 2.55-1. Justin’s ratio hasn’t deviated
other NL team. much from his 2.43-1 career mark. In their
Or could there be a potential Upton afflic- combined six seasons with 500 or more
tion on Towers mind? plate appearances, the Uptons have aver-
Consider this: Justin’s older brother B.J. is aged 149 strikeouts.
the Tampa Bay Rays’ center fielder and has Both can hit. Both can run. Both are
similar physical gifts, so similar that both above-average defenders. For now, at least,
have even battled through shoulder injuries Justin finds himself a notch above on one
that have clouded the assessment of their list — that of the offseason’s most intriguing
performances, current and future. trade possibilities.
Both also have a potential role in this — Paul White
http://hotnpapers.blogspot.com
 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 31

Selig, GMs support

expanded playoffs
Extra wild-card round targeted for ’12
By Bob Nightengale
ORLANDO — Commissioner Bud
Selig is making it clear he wants to
expand baseball’s playoff field to 10
teams, and barring any obstacles, he
could formally present the proposal
to general managers and owners at
their quarterly meeting in January.
“We will move ahead and move
pretty quickly,” says Selig, who will
address the specifics of another play- The extra playoff round likely would
off round with his 14-member com-
mittee for on-field mat-
ters. “I just need to
work my way through
it. When we’re ready,
we’ll take it to all con-
stituencies and move
By Ben Margot, AP
forward. I pretty much
Cy Young winner: Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez was 13-12 this season but led the majors with a 2.27 ERA. know where all the
constituencies (stand)
playing scheduled doubleheaders to
shrink the schedule.
“There’s very little support for
doubleheaders from the clubs, and I
can understand that,” Selig says. “I
went to a lot of doubleheaders in the
late 1940s and ’50s, but games were
played a lot quicker, too. We’re living
in a little different era.”
Baseball likely will not expand the
postseason until the 2012 season.
be part of labor negotiations in the
next collective bargaining
agreement, Selig says, echo-
ing thoughts of Michael
Weiner, executive director
of the Major League Players
Association. The CBA is set
to expire in Decem-
ber 2011.
“In the middle of a con-

Voters look at big picture

right now.”
Selig says he heard
little opposition to the
proposal at the general Selig: Proceeding
managers meetings last with caution.
tract,” says Rob Manfred,
baseball’s chief labor nego-
AP
tiator, “we can’t act unilat-
erally.”
There also has been talk

Award winners startling in the case of the Seattle

let numbers
tell their stories
By Jorge L. Ortiz
The power of the Internet might
have trumped East Coast bias.
Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernan-
dez and San Francisco Giants catcher
Buster Posey looked like no better
than even-money candidates to
claim postseason awards during the
season’s stretch run.
The former was not even certain
to finish with a winning record, let
alone convince voters he was worthy
of the Cy Young Award as the Ameri-
can League’s best pitcher. The latter
played four months and had to over-
come the considerable hype advan-
tage enjoyed by Atlanta Braves out-
fielder Jason Heyward, his chief rival
for National League rookie of the
year.
And both played their home
games on the West Coast, often at
times when much of America was
asleep.
But the Internet never sleeps, and
apparently neither do the stats-ad-
dicted bloggers who kept flogging
their cases. When the voting was re-
vealed, Hernandez and Posey won
fairly handily, which was especially
right-hander, considering his pedes-
trian 13-12 record.
No starting pitcher had ever won
the Cy Young with fewer victories in
a full season.
Hernandez received 21 of the 28
first-place votes to pile up 167
points, easily outdistancing Tampa
Bay Rays left-hander David Price
(111) and New York Yankees ace CC
Sabathia (102).
“When I first heard, my mind was
like, ‘Really, really?’ ” the Venezuela
native said by phone from his home-
land. “I had to ask again, ‘Did I win
the Cy Young?’ And then I started
crying and jumping around the
house. It was a great, great, great,
great, amazing thing.”
King Felix’s case was made not by
his victory total, which was tied for
18th in the league, but by his major
league-best 2.27 ERA, 249Z innings
(tops in the AL) and 232 strikeouts,
one behind league leader Jered
Weaver of the Los Angeles Angels.
Hernandez had the AL’s second-
best walks-plus-hits-allowed-per-
inning (1.06) and ranked No. 1 in op-
ponents’ lowest batting average
(.212) and on-base-plus-slugging
percentage (.585), as well as fewest
hits per nine innings (seven).
In the NL, Roy Halladay had a
clear-cut case for becoming the fifth
pitcher to win a Cy Young Award in
both leagues. The Philadelphia Phil-
lies right-hander was selected unani-
mously after going 21-10 with a 2.44
ERA and leading the league in in-
nings pitched (250Z), shutouts
(four) and complete games (nine).
Joey Votto’s victory as NL MVP
was almost as decisive, as the Cincin-
nati Reds’ first baseman garnered 31
of 32 first-place votes to easily out-
distance three-time MVP Albert Pu-
jols of the St. Louis Cardinals.
In other awards:
uPosey received 20 of 32 first-
place votes to defeat Heyward, who
had nine, despite the latter’s two-
month head start. Their key offensive
numbers were fairly similar — a .305
batting average, 18 homers, 67 RBI
and an .862 on-base-plus-slugging
percentage for Posey, compared to
.277, 18 homers, 72 RBI and an .849
OPS for Heyward — but catching the
majors’ top pitching staff the second
half of the season carried weight.
Texas Rangers closer Neftali Feliz,
who set a rookie record with 40
saves, earned the AL honor.
uBud Black, who led the San Die-
go Padres to a 15-win turnaround
that fell just short of the playoffs,
took NL manager of the year honors,
edging out the Reds’ Dusty Baker
104-103. In the AL, the Minnesota
Twins’ Ron Gardenhire won the top
managerial prize after finishing sec-
ond five times in the last eight years.
Awards voting, Page 39. The results
of the AL MVP voting were an-
nounced too late for this edition.
week in Orlando. The
playoff field would be expanded
from eight to 10 teams, with two
among GMs and owners
about possible realignment and re-
turning to a balanced schedule.
wild-card teams playing one another
in the first round.
“When we went to three divisions
(in 1994),” Chicago White Sox Chair-
“I’ve heard the pros and cons,” Se- man Jerry Reinsdorf says, “I was in
lig says. “I’m very cautious. Change is favor of two divisions and two wild-
not a temporary thing. Once you do card teams. I could still see two 15-
it, it’s a permanent part of our struc- team leagues, but that would mean
ture. Eight (playoff teams) is a very having an interleague game every
fair number. So is 10.” night.
Several general managers say they “That way you could still have an
are opposed to a one-game playoff in unbalanced schedule, but it just
the first round, preferring a best-of- wouldn’t be as unbalanced.”
three format. Andy MacPhail, president of base-
That would give the division win- ball operations for the Baltimore
ners a competitive advantage with a Orioles, says he would be in favor of
first-round bye without a lengthy simply going to a balanced schedule
layoff. in which teams play each other the
“I think best-of-one would be a lit- same amount of games. In the cur-
tle short,” New York Mets general rent schedule, teams play division
manager Sandy Alderson says, “but I foes up to 18 or 19 times a year.
don’t see how you go more than The teams in the American League
best-of-three, given the need for East would no longer get nine home
travel and all the other playoffs that games apiece against the New York
have to take place.” Yankees and Boston Red Sox, but
The difficulty with a best-of-three they might also have a better chance
format is making sure that the layoff at reaching the postseason.
for the division winners is kept at a “Selfishly, if that’s something base-
minimum. Selig also wants to keep ball wanted to do, we wouldn’t fight
the postseason from expanding into it,” MacPhail says. “I’d be willing to
November. give up the revenue for additional
Perhaps the perfect scenario New York and Boston games if it’s
would be for the regular season to be going to have an impact in the stand-
reduced, but Selig says there has ings.
been no support from the owners “Really, we’re open-minded about
because of lost revenue. everything. . . . You just have to be
Selig also says that owners aren’t careful about making too many
ready to embrace the idea of teams changes.”

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32 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

MLB organizational report

Seattle Mariners

GM: ‘Some nice

things going on’
High hopes fizzled quickly
in 2010, but prospects loom
By Paul White
About this series
OK, that didn’t work.
Even general manager Jack Zduriencik was Sports Weekly is taking an in-depth
getting uncomfortable with all of the attention look at each major league organization
for his Seattle Mariners by the end of spring during the offseason, starting with the
training. teams with the worst records and moving By Kevin P. Casey, AP

“I’ll be honest,” he said near the end of a
spring marked by the Mariners being anointed
2010’s breakthrough contender. “I don’t know
how good we are.”
The truth became painfully obvious — quick-
ly.
Zduriencik turned out to be more prescient
in identifying the elements of his team that
would have to be positives during 2010 — such
as the need for Chone Figgins to combine with
Ichiro Suzuki for a high-octane top of the order
and for Milton Bradley to be productive in the
middle of the order — than he was at produc-
ing immediate results.
Figgins got over .200 to stay May 30. By
then, Seattle was 19-30. Bradley left the team
for two weeks in May to deal with personal is-
sues and, when he was playing, didn’t muster
much offense.
The Mariners scored 100 fewer runs than
any other AL team.
Even if the defense Zduriencik built to get all
of those preseason accolades was as good as
advertised, even if the pitching staff was led by
Felix Hernandez in a Cy Young Award-winning
season, the offense doomed the team.
up. We analyze what teams are doing to
improve this offseason, look ahead to next
season, share fun facts and more.
This week: Mariners and Nationals
Next week: Orioles and Cubs
Follow the series at baseball.usatoday.com
“I think some of these players are better than
they were,” Zduriencik said after the season.
That sentiment might preclude a total over-
haul, but it puts the Mariners back in the realm
of harsh reality as opposed to the spring’s fast
track. And that’s Zduriencik’s expertise, the
player development reputation that got him
hired in the first place.
“We’ve done a lot of positive things, espe-
cially in building up the minor league system,”
he says. “There are some nice things going on.”
While Zduriencik, who has also built a rep-
utation for not shying away from making
trades, won’t get specific about what kind of
roster shake-up could be forthcoming, he’s
eliminating elements of the team that hardly fit
Slow start: Chone Figgins was expected to contribute to the Mariners offense, but he didn’t get
his average over .200 to stay until May 30. Seattle was 19-30 at that point.
into the “nice things” category.
First basemen Casey Kotchman and Russell
Branyan, who hit .217 and .237 in 2010, re-
spectively, are gone. Third baseman Jose Lopez
could be next with the Dec. 2 deadline for ten-
dering contracts looming.
That opens first base for second-year man
Justin Smoak, acquired in the July trade for Cliff
Lee, and could mean Figgins moves to third to
make second base available for Dustin Ackley,
the organization’s top offensive prospect.
Bradley is back, at least in part because his
$12 million price tag for 2011 makes him vir-
tually untradeable. He’ll not only have to earn
playing time, but he’ll have to show he and
new manager Eric Wedge, with whom Bradley
had disagreements while they were with the
Cleveland Indians, can co-exist.
He could vie for left-field time or be in the
DH mix for the Mariners, because those were
two of the team’s most unproductive positions
last season and there’s little immediate help
within the organization.
Still, it will take more to fix things than can
be provided by a couple of young players and
an enigmatic outfielder/DH coming off a .205
season in which he was limited to 73 games,
thanks in part to knee surgery.
There is hope. Michael Saunders hit .211 but
is 24 and will get a chance to develop into the
left fielder.
Figgins hit 51 points higher in the second
half than in the first half, is 32 and is a year re-
moved from a 183-hit, 101-walk season. Suzu-
ki is the constant on offense that Hernandez is
on the pitching staff.
That rotation won’t have the one-two punch
of Hernandez and Lee from the spring, but the
Mariners hope they have another front-liner-
in-waiting in hard-throwing 21-year-old Mi-
chael Pineda. Zduriencik says he’ll get a chance
to make the rotation out of spring training.
It’s back to building with young players for
the Mariners, probably a more realistic propo-
sition than the pitching-and-defense euphoria
of the spring.

Attendance Wins Highest-paid player Payroll dollars per win

(in millions) 2006: Richie Sexson (in millions)
5 100 $13 million $2.5
78
4 80 61 2007: Richie Sexson $2.0
$15.5 million $1.4
2.5 $1.5 $1.1
3 2.1 60
2008: Ichiro Suzuki
2 40 $17.1 million $1.0
2009: Ichiro Suzuki
1 20 $18 million $0.5

0 0 2010: Ichiro Suzuki 0

$18 million 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Source: USA TODAY list of opening-day payrolls Source: USA TODAY list of opening-day payrolls

By Bob Laird, USA TODAY

http://hotnpapers.blogspot.com
 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 33

In-depth chart 2010

record:
A detailed look, from the parent club 61-101
through the farm system

Left field Center field

.

Franklin Gutierrez e
.

Michael Saunders 5 .

Right field
Ichiro Suzuki
.

Milton Bradley 5 t .

Ichiro Suzuki e
Michael Saunders t
.

Matt Tuiasosopo
.

t .

Milton Bradley t
Milton Bradley
.

Greg Halman t t .

.
Michael Saunders t
Johermyn Chavez +
.

Johermyn Chavez +

Shortstop
.
Second base
.

Rotation
.
Jack Wilson
.
e Dustin Ackley 5
Felix Hernandez
.

.
e
.
Josh Wilson t Chone Figgins 5
Jason Vargas
.

.
e Nick Franklin + Josh Wilson t
Doug Fister
.

.
e Kyle Seager +
.
Luke French 5
Ryan Rowland-Smith 5 Third base
.

.
First base
David Pauley 5 Chone Figgins 5
.

.
Justin Smoak e
Michael Pineda 1 Jose Lopez 5
.

.
Mike Carp t
Blake Beavan 1 Matt Mangini t
.

.
Jose Lopez t
.
Taijuan Walker + Matt Tuiasosopo t
.

By Otto Greule Jr., Getty Images

Mauricio Robles + Alex Liddi 1
Improvement: First baseman Justin Smoak, the centerpiece in the Cliff Lee trade, hit poorly at Closer
first and was sent to the minors, but he rebounded in his second tour with the Mariners. DH
.

David Aardsma e .

Milton Bradley 5 Catcher

.

Brandon League t
Around the horn
. .

Mike Carp 5 Adam Moore 5

.

Dan Cortes 1 . .

.
Matt Tuiasosopo 5 Rob Johnson 5

After Suzuki, uncertainty

Greg Halman 5

KEY: e Full-timer 5 Competition 1 Up-and-coming t Backup + Long-range prospect & Injured

Where the Mariners
stand at each position
Catcher
Adam Moore and Rob Johnson were given
opportunities to seize the job — or at least
seize half of it — last season. Neither did; nei-
ther hit .200. At least Johnson could say his 35%
caught-stealing rate was nearly double Moore’s
19%. The opportunity remains. So do the lack
of alternatives for the Mariners.
First base
The rush to judgment on Justin Smoak was
swift from fans starved for any kind of offense
when he hit .159 in his first 16 games for Seat-
tle and was sent to the minors. But the key
piece for Seattle in the Cliff Lee trade with the
Texas Rangers in July is the first baseman. He
hit .340 with a 1.001 OPS (on-base-plus-slug-
ging percentage) in 14 games after Seattle
brought him back to the majors in September.
Second base
Dustin Ackley, who hit .424 with four hom-
ers and 19 RBI in 20 games to win Arizona Fall
League MVP honors, is the team’s best hope to
be the next big thing. He’ll get a chance to win
the second-base job. That would make it easy
to move Chone Figgins back to third base after
a one-year experiment at second. Josh Wilson
and Matt Tuiasosopo are the most likely short-
term possibilities if Ackley isn’t ready, unless a
more veteran utility man is signed.
Third base
The Mariners didn’t exercise the option year
on Jose Lopez’s contract and could decide in
the next couple of weeks to not tender him a
contract. That would leave third base to Fig-
gins. The Mariners have prospects — Matt
Mangini got a brief look in 2010, and Alex Liddi
is promising but probably a year away — but
none is a 2011 option.
Shortstop
Jack Wilson is one of the linchpins of the
Mariners’ emphasis on defense. But he was
limited to 61 games last season by a hamstring
problem, then a broken hand. The job is his
again as he heads into the final year of a two-
year contract; Josh Wilson is his backup.
Left field
Seattle left fielders (seven of them) hit .218
in 2010, worst in the majors. They also were
last in hits and runs and last in the AL in total
bases. Michael Saunders is 24 and could ex-
pand his part-time role. That could depend
partially on whether Milton Bradley hits
enough to earn time. Infielders Mike Carp and
Tuiasosopo could play. Prospect Greg Halman,
23, has power but too many strikeouts.
Center field
Franklin Gutierrez remains a darling of the
statistical analysts, consistently ranking among
leaders in defensive measurements. That he
was the team’s top offensive threat for much of
the first half of 2010 was more an indictment
of the rest of the lineup.
Free agents: C Josh Bard, LHP Erik Bedard, 1B Russell Branyan, SS Chris Woodward, RHP Jamey Wright
Right field
The one absolute bastion of stability in the
Seattle lineup is where Ichiro Suzuki plays. He
has spent time in center field in the past, but
right field is his home and will continue to be
for at least two more seasons.
Designated hitter
Bradley was one part of a disaster at what is
supposed to be an offensive position. So were
Ken Griffey Jr. and 14 others who at one time
or another filled the spot in 2010. Bradley is
back and, when not in left field, will be in the
DH mix with few other options. The Mariners
can look at young hitters who don’t fit into the
club’s defensive emphasis; first baseman Carp
and outfielder Halman are examples, but nei-
ther has proved he’s ready for the offensive
part of the big leagues.
Starters
The rotation begins with its youngest mem-
ber, Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez.
Little is certain after that. No other candidate to
start in 2011 had a winning record in the ma-
jors last season. They’re all younger than 30, so
how they continue to develop will determine
the pecking order. Lefty Jason Vargas is the
clear No. 2, and Doug Fister has an edge over
the rest, who include Ryan Rowland-Smith, Da-
vid Pauley and Luke French. Help is coming, as
soon as opening day if the Mariners think Mi-
chael Pineda, the top pitching prospect in the
system, can handle the job at age 22. The other
starter likely to find major league time in 2011
is right-hander Blake Beavan.
Bullpen
The bad news is that the Mariners bullpen
ranked 11th in the AL in ERA last season and
11th in opponents’ slugging percentage — even
in their spacious ballpark. The good news is
that Seattle had the fewest innings pitched by
relievers in the majors. The group is solid but
not deep, led by right-handed setup man Bran-
don League. Garrett Olson was the lone lefty at
the end of the year, and the only possible help
for him from within the organization is Maur-
icio Robles, who had control issues at
Class AAA. Sean White and Shawn Kelley
should return to bullpen slots, and potential
starters French (a lefty) and Pauley could get
bumped to relief. Dan Cortes, who was con-
verted from starting, is a fireballer who should
make the big-league club and could be a future
closer.
Closer
David Aardsma’s 31 saves and 3.44 ERA
were solid enough, but not nearly as eye-open-
ing as the 38 saves and 2.52 when he emerged
as Seattle’s closer in 2009. With League the
only viable short-term option on the roster,
there’s little competition for Aardsma.
By Paul White

http://hotnpapers.blogspot.com
34 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

Prospect report Mariners

Pipeline
Top salaries
Milton Bradley’s contract will expire after this
season, and Ichiro Suzuki can become a free
agent after 2012.

to produce Player
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Milton Bradley
2011 salary
$18 million
$12 million

slowly RHP Felix Hernandez

IF Chone Figgins
SS Jack Wilson
OF Franklin Gutierrez
$10.7 million
$9.5 million
$5 million
$4.3 million
Patience required as IF Dustin Ackley $1.8 million

future is evaluated Arbitration eligibles

David Aardsma has saved 69 games in two
The Mariners’ farm system isn’t likely to pro- seasons, setting up a significant payday
vide any immediate solutions to the major through arbitration.
league club’s offensive issues. But there’s Player 2010 salary
enough in the pipeline for long-term optimism. IF Jose Lopez $3 million
The system has more depth on offense, with RHP David Aardsma $2.7 million
much of it approaching the upper levels. The RHP Brandon League $1 million
pitching includes many raw youngsters, LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith $440,000
though most of them probably have several By Lisa Blumenfeld, Getty Images
IF Josh Wilson $420,000
seasons of development ahead of them. Springing into the majors: A successful spring training could catapult second baseman Dustin
Five intriguing Mariners prospects: Ackley, a contact hitter, into a starting role with the Mariners. Division power rankings
uRHP Michael Pineda: The best pitcher in The Mariners are last in the league and divi-
the system is also the closest to the majors. He
dominated Class AA for 13 starts and was solid Mariners 2010 statistics sion.

at AAA. AL West rank League

He’ll get a chance to pitch himself into the P No B Batters BA SLG OBA G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS vsLH vsRH Home Road E
1. Rangers 1st
RF 51 L Ichiro Suzuki .315 .394 .359 162 680 74 214 30 3 6 43 45 86 42 9 .309 .318 .313 .317 4
Seattle rotation in spring training. But he’ll be 2B 9 B Chone Figgins .259 .306 .340 161 602 62 156 21 2 1 35 74 114 42 15 .286 .247 .251 .267 19 2. Athletics 9th
just 22, and the hard thrower could use more 3B 4 R Jose Lopez .239 .339 .270 150 593 49 142 29 0 10 58 23 66 3 2 .277 .226 .233 .246 18
3. Angels 10th
CF 21 R Franklin Gutierrez .245 .363 .303 152 568 61 139 25 3 12 64 50 137 25 3 .248 .244 .253 .236 0
time at Class AAA, especially after missing 1B 13 L Casey Kotchman .217 .336 .280 125 414 37 90 20 1 9 51 35 57 0 0 .179 .231 .214 .221 1 4. Mariners 14th
much of 2009 with elbow trouble. He throws SS 16 R Josh Wilson .227 .294 .278 108 361 22 82 14 2 2 25 14 74 5 0 .196 .239 .287 .178 22
LF 55 L Michael Saunders .211 .367 .295 100 289 29 61 11 2 10 33 35 84 6 3 .202 .215 .220 .204 4
in the mid-90s and has been polishing his off- LF 15 B Milton Bradley .205 .348 .292 73 244 28 50 9 1 8 29 28 75 8 2 .235 .190 .202 .209 2
speed pitches.
uOF Johermyn Chavez: The power-hitting
C
DH
SS
10
30
2
R
L
R
Adam Moore
Russell Branyan
Jack Wilson
.195
.215
.249
.283
.483
.316
.230
.319
.282
60 205
57 205
61 193
12
23
17
40
44
48
6 0 4 15 8 63
10 0 15 33 30 82
11 1 0 14 7 35
0 1 .212 .190 .140 .241 4
1 0 .180 .229 .215 .214 0
1 2 .264 .243 .279 .213 8
Fan information
corner outfielder came from the Toronto Blue C 32 R Rob Johnson .191 .281 .293 61 178 24 34 10 0 2 13 25 46 1 1 .184 .193 .122 .250 4
Jays in the trade for Brandon Morrow in De- 1B
1B
27
17
R
B
Matt Tuiasosopo
Justin Smoak
.173
.239
.307
.407
.234
.287
50 127
30 113
12
11
22
27
5 0 4 11 9 49
4 0 5 14 8 34
0 0 .133 .195 .154 .187 7
0 0 .357 .169 .214 .263 1
Key dates
cember. His arm is close to good enough to C 26 B Josh Bard .214 .357 .276 39 112 9 24 7 0 3 10 10 27 0 0 .283 .167 .145 .300 2 Jan. 10-28: Mariners’ winter caravan
make him a right-field candidate, but left is a LF
DH
12
5
L
R
Ryan Langerhans
Mike Sweeney
.196
.263
.318
.475
.344
.327
60 107
30 99
16
11
21
26
2 1 3 4 24 51
3 0 6 18 9 14
4 1 .091 .243 .212 .182 1
2 0 .227 .291 .241 .293 0
Jan. 29-30: FanFest, Safeco Field
position of greater need in this organization. DH 24 L Ken Griffey Jr. .184 .204 .250 33 98 6 18 2 0 0 7 9 17 0 0 .250 .174 .208 .156 0 More information on this and the winter car-
Regardless, he’ll get to the majors because of C
3B
41
61
R
L
Eliezer Alfonzo
Matt Mangini
.220
.211
.317
.211
.220
.250
13 41
11 38
4
2
9
8
1 0 1 4 0 10
0 0 0 1 2 13
0 0 .188 .240 .238 .200 2
0 0 .133 .261 .286 .167 0
avan available at mariners.com
offense. He’ll be 22 in January and, if he con- 1B 20 L Mike Carp .189 .243 .268 14 37 1 7 2 0 0 0 4 8 0 0 .222 .179 .000 .233 0 Feb. 14: First workout for Mariners pitchers
tinues to improve his walk-strikeout ratio at LF 1 R Eric Byrnes .094 .156 .237 15 32 1 3 2 0 0 0 6 9 1 0 .000 .158 .071 .111 0 and catchers
CF 56 R Greg Halman .138 .172 .167 9 29 1 4 1 0 0 3 1 11 1 0 .286 .000 .250 .059 0
Class AA next year, could find himself on the 1B 6 R Chris Woodward .158 .211 .273 8 19 0 3 1 0 0 0 3 9 0 0 .333 .077 .167 .154 1 Feb 19: First full-squad workout
fast track, though a September 2011 call-up C 40 R Guillermo Quiroz .286 .429 .286 2 7 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .333 .250 .333 .250 1 Feb 27: First spring game, vs. San Diego Pa-
would be a long shot. No T Pitchers W L Pct. ERA G GS SV IP H ER R HR BB SO SB H/9 BB/9 SO/9 BA LH RH dres in Peoria, Ariz.
34 R Felix Hernandez 13 12 .520 2.27 34 34 0 249.2 194 63 80 17 70 232 15 6.99 2.52 8.36 .212 .213 .212
uSS Nick Franklin: High school draftees 38 L Jason Vargas 9 12 .429 3.78 31 31 0 192.2 187 81 86 18 54 116 9 8.74 2.52 5.42 .251 .200 .268
traditionally develop power as they fill out, but 58
18
R
L
Doug Fister
Ryan Rowland-Smith
6
1
14
10
.300 4.11
.091 6.75
28
27
28
20
0
0
171.0
109.1
187
141
78
82
85 13 32 93 2 9.84 1.68
94 25 44 49 11 11.61 3.62
4.89
4.03
.277
.314
.274
.342
.279
.304
Ticket information
Franklin, 19, has a lean middle-infielder’s body 36 L Cliff Lee 8 3 .727 2.34 13 13 0 103.2 92 27 31 5 6 89 1 7.99 0.52 7.73 .231 .287 .214 1250 First Ave. South
yet hit 23 home runs in his first full season after 39 R David Pauley 4 9 .308 4.07 19 15 0 90.2 89 41 44 13 30 51 8 8.83 2.98 5.06 .254 .247 .261 Seattle, WA 98134
25 L Luke French 5 7 .417 4.83 16 13 0 87.2 88 47 47 13 29 37 2 9.03 2.98 3.80 .262 .256 .264
being picked in 2009’s first round. He could 43 R Brandon League 9 7 .563 3.42 70 0 6 79.0 67 30 38 7 27 56 5 7.63 3.08 6.38 .229 .243 .218 206-346-4000 or mariners.com
jump from that low-A performance to Class AA 53 R David Aardsma 0 6 .000 3.44 53 0 31 49.2 33 19 19 5 25 49 2 5.98 4.53 8.88 .198 .244 .148 Individual tickets go on sale March 12. Sea-
35 R Ian Snell 0 5 .000 6.41 12 8 0 46.1 60 33 36 10 25 26 2 11.65 4.86 5.05 .308 .302 .313
this year but needs to work on plate coverage. 49 L Garrett Olson 0 3 .000 4.54 35 0 1 37.2 42 19 20 6 15 31 2 10.04 3.58 7.41 .271 .245 .284 son ticketholders will have early access.
He’s at least a year away from the majors, 50 R Jamey Wright 0 1 .000 3.41 28 0 0 37.0 30 14 15 2 16 19 8 7.30 3.89 4.62 .231 .153 .296
but his stock continues to rise. 37
46
R
R
Brian Sweeney
Sean White
1
0
2
1
.333 3.16
.000 5.24
24
38
0
0
0
0
37.0
34.1
33
45
13
20
16 5 6 14 1 8.03 1.46
20 4 11 15 0 11.80 2.88
3.41
3.93
.239
.336
.308
.357
.198
.321 Spring information
u2B Kyle Seager: Nobody will have more 23 R Shawn Kelley 3 1 .750 3.96 22 0 0 25.0 26 11 11 5 12 26 0 9.36 4.32 9.36 .265 .261 .269 Peoria Sports Complex
52 L Chris Seddon 1 0 1.000 5.64 14 0 0 22.1 21 14 14 4 10 16 0 8.46 4.03 6.45 .250 .276 .236
to prove at every level than the 5-10, 175- 54 R Kanekoa Texeira 0 1 .000 5.30 16 0 0 18.2 22 11 12 0 10 14 1 10.61 4.82 6.75 .293 .270 .316
16101 N. 83rd Ave.
pound contact hitter. Seager, 23, is neither 37 R Jesus Colome 0 1 .000 5.29 12 0 0 17.0 15 10 10 1 11 16 2 7.94 5.82 8.47 .242 .294 .179 Peoria, AZ 85382
57 R Mark Lowe 1 3 .250 3.48 11 0 0 10.1 11 4 5 1 5 7 0 9.58 4.35 6.10 .282 .400 .208
powerful nor spectacular but just hits and oth- 33 R Chad Cordero 0 1 .000 6.52 9 0 0 9.2 10 7 7 1 5 6 0 9.31 4.66 5.59 .313 .294 .333
Spring training tickets go on sale Jan. 8. For
erwise gets on base. A .419 on-base percentage 57 R Danny Cortes 0 1 .000 3.38 4 0 0 5.1 3 2 3 0 3 6 2 5.06 5.06 10.13 .158 .222 .100 ticket information, call 623-773-8720 or e-mail
helps alleviate any skepticism that his .345 bat- 60 R Anthony Varvaro 0 1 .000 11.25 4 0 0 4.0 6 5 5 2 6 5 0 13.50 13.50 11.25 .333 .200 .385 ticket.office@peoriaaz.gov
uTeam-leading totals in bold; league-leading totals in box
ting average is a product of the hitter-friendly
park at high-A High Desert (Adelanto, Calif.).
u2B Dustin Ackley: The Mariners seem to May 2011 Mariners schedule
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun September
have settled on him as a second baseman rath- April 1 June July August Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun BOS Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 1 2 3 4
er than an outfielder, and he could reach the 1
OAK
2
OAK
3
OAK
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 1
SD
2
SD
3
SD
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
5 6 7
LAA
8
OAK
9
OAK
10
OAK
11
TEX TEX TEX CWS CWS CWS BAL TB TB TB TB OAK OAK OAK LAA LAA LAA
majors in 2011, possibly winning an opening- 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 LAA LAA LAA KC KC KC KC
TEX TEX TEX CLE CLE CLE BAL BAL BAL CLE CLE CLE CWS CWS CWS DET DET DET DET OAK OAK OAK LAA LAA LAA LAA TEX TEX TEX BOS BOS BOS 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
day job with a big spring. He’s a contact hitter 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 NYY NYY NYY TEX TEX TEX
TOR TOR TOR KC KC KC KC ASG TEX TEX TEX TEX 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
who should produce high on-base percentages. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
MIN
23
MIN
24
LAA
25
LAA
26
SD SD SD
27 28 29
LAA LAA LAA
20 21 22 23
PHI
24
PHI
25
PHI
26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
TOR
22
TOR
23
TOR
24
TB TB TB
25 26 27 28 MIN MIN MIN TEX TEX TEX
DET DET DET OAK OAK OAK OAK MIN MIN MIN NYY NYY NYY WAS WAS WAS FLA FLA FLA TOR TOR TOR BOS BOS BOS CLE CLE CLE CWS CWS CWS 26 27 28 29 30
25 26 27 28 29 30 30 31 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 OAK OAK OAK
By Paul White DET DET DET BOS BOS BAL BAL ATL ATL ATL NYY NYY NYY TB TB TB LAA LAA LAA uHome games shaded

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 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 35

MLB organizational report

Washington Nationals

Core players key to future progress

No Strasburg for
now, but Rizzo
likes direction
team is taking
By Seth Livingstone

The Washington Nationals improved by 10

games in 2010.
They shepherded pitching phenom Stephen
Strasburg to the majors and signed 2010’s first
overall draft pick, Bryce Harper. But the Nation-
als appear to have miles to go before they can
be considered contenders.
General manager Mike Rizzo is a player de-
velopment guy at heart, and his Nationals are
proof that his idea is to build from within.
“There will be a day in 2011 when we’re go- By John Bazemore, AP

ing to have (Wilson) Ramos catching, (Ryan)
Zimmerman at third, (Ian) Desmond at short,
(Danny) Espinosa at second and a young (Rog-
er) Bernadina in the outfield,” Rizzo says.
“Those are young core players that have come
through our farm system or through trade and
been developed by us.
“We’re looking forward to that and a 2011
spring training that has Jordan Zimmermann
18 months out of Tommy John (elbow) sur-
gery. We’re excited about our young pitching
staff.”
The 2010 season saw progress on several
fronts. But the timetable for rapid improve-
ment was dealt a serious blow when much-
heralded Strasburg, the first overall pick in the
2009 draft who signed for $15.1 million — a
record for a baseball draft pick — required el-
bow surgery that could cost him all of the 2011
season.
There are examples of pitchers, such as the
Florida Marlins’ Josh Johnson, who have come
Impressive audition: The Nationals liked what they saw of infielder Danny Espinosa, who hit six homers and committed one error in 28 games.
back stronger after Tommy John surgery.
Strasburg, a right-hander, finished his rookie
year 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts. He struck
out 92, allowed 56 hits and walked 17 in 68
innings.
“All we’re asking for is that he’s just as
good,” Rizzo says.
For now, the Nationals are shopping for a
front-line starter and counting on the matura-
tion of pitchers such as Cuban Yunesky Maya,
who got his first major league experience in
2010, and Craig Stammen, who has a 5.12 ERA
in 54 major league games.
Manager Jim Riggleman worked a number of
young players into the 2010 mix, including
shortstop Desmond, who showed power but
also led the majors with 34 errors. Late in the
season, Espinosa got a chance to play second
base in the majors, pairing with Desmond and
showing pop with six homers in 28 games.
Bernadina emerged as a strong candidate to
play center field but suffered from a similar
problem that plagued incumbent Nyjer Mor-
gan. Bernadina, who hit 11 homers, had a .307
on-base percentage. Morgan, who battled in-
jury and the commissioner’s office (two sus-
pensions for on-field conduct), didn’t homer
but stole 34 bases despite a .319 OBP.
The Nationals sorely need another depen-
dable and productive outfielder. First base is
another question mark. Aside from rock-steady
Zimmerman (.307, 25 homers) at third, Wash-
ington’s most productive hitter in 2010 was
Adam Dunn, who belted 38 homers and drove
in 103. But Dunn, who batted .260, remains a
liability in the field and is seeking a multiyear
contract as a free agent.
Rizzo has repeatedly said he’d like to sign
Dunn, but on his terms. The market happens to
be flush with left-handed hitting first basemen.
The bullpen, led by Tyler Clippard, was the
team’s most improved area in 2010. Clippard
won a staff-high 11 games, making 78 appear-
ances.
Sean Burnett and Doug Slaten, along with
expected 2011 closer Drew Storen, provide
reason to believe the bullpen could be a
strength again in 2011.
Riggleman will be back to manage the Na-
tionals in 2011, the team giving him a vote of
confidence in October. He had been given the
permanent job last November, about three
months after Rizzo became the full-time GM.
“We’ve made great strides in a very short
period of time, and that can’t be swept away,”
Rizzo says. “We’re just in our infancy as an or-
ganization, and I can’t be a knee-jerk general
manager. . . . Everyone wants this develop-
mental process to be microwaved. You just
can’t do it. It’s impossible.”

Attendance Wins Highest-paid player Payroll dollars per win

(in millions) 2006: Alfonso Soriano (in millions)
5 100 $10 million $2.5
71 69
4 80 2007: Nick Johnson $2.0
$5.5 million
3 2.2 60 $1.5
1.8 2008: Chad Cordero
$0.8 $0.8
2 40 $6.2 million $1.0
2009: A. Dunn/C. Guzman/A. Kearns
1 20 $8 million $0.5

0 0 2010: Adam Dunn 0

$12 million 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Source: USA TODAY list of opening-day payrolls Source: USA TODAY list of opening-day payrolls

By Bob Laird, USA TODAY

http://hotnpapers.blogspot.com
36 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

In-depth chart 2010

record:
A detailed look, from the parent club 69-93
through the farm system

Center field
.

Nyjer Morgan 5 Right field

Left field .
.

Roger Bernadina 5 Michael Morse 5

Josh Willingham e .
.

Eury Perez + Roger Bernadina 5

Mike Morse t .
.

Justin Maxwell & Justin Maxwell &

Bryce Harper + .

Michael Burgess +
Destin Hood + .

Rotation Bryce Harper +

.

Livan Hernandez
.
e Shortstop
.
Second base
.

John Lannan e Ian Desmond

.
e Danny Espinosa e
.
.

Jordan Zimmermann e Alberto Gonzalez t Alberto Gonzalez t

.
.

Jason Marquis e Jeff Kobernus +

.

.
Ross Detwiler 5
Yunesky Maya 1
First base
.

Matt Chico t .

Michael Morse 5
Luis Atilano t
Third base
.

Josh Willingham t
Shairon Martis t
.

Ryan Zimmerman e
.

Chris Marrero +
Tom Milone +
.

Alberto Gonzalez t
.

Tyler Moore +
.
Sammy Solis +
Stephen Strasburg &
By John Amis, AP Catcher
Closer
.

Defensive deficiency: Shortstop Ian Desmond led the league in errors, but the Nationals expect . Wilson Ramos e
him to improve in time. Says GM Mike Rizzo: “He relies a little too much on his powerful arm.” Drew Storen e
.

. Ivan Rodriguez e
Tyler Clippard t
.

Wil Nieves t
Around the horn
.

Sean Burnett t
.

Jesus Flores &

At hot corner, no question

KEY: e Full-timer 5 Competition 1 Up-and-coming t Backup + Long-range prospect & Injured

Free agents: RHP Miguel Batista, 1B Adam Dunn, OF Willie Harris, 2B Adam Kennedy, OF Kevin Mench

Where the Nationals late-season call-up. “He has a chance to hit

stand at each position
Catcher
Ivan Rodriguez is likely to be the opening-
day starter and a mentor, but the plan is to
phase in Wilson Ramos as the everyday catch-
er before long. “We think he has the ability to
hit for power and be an excellent catch-and-
throw guy,” general manager Mike Rizzo says
of Ramos. “Pitchers love to throw to him.” Ra-
mos was acquired from the Minnesota Twins
last season in the deal for closer Matt Capps.
Wil Nieves has a chance to stick as a backup.
Jesus Flores, once the starter, has been de-
toured by shoulder problems that have affect-
ed his throwing. He could be traded or used at
first base.
First base
A true question mark at this point. Washing-
ton hasn’t put together a deal to satisfy free
agent Adam Dunn and will likely plunge into
the free agent market itself, perhaps finding a
less-costly alternative such as Adam LaRoche
or Lyle Overbay. In-house, barring a Dunn sign-
ing, outfielder Mike Morse becomes a candi-
date to start. Prospects Chris Marrero and Tyler
Moore aren’t ready.
Second base
The Nationals appear ready to hand the job
to Danny Espinosa, who was impressive in a
home runs, steal bases and be a Gold Glove-
type defender at second base,” Rizzo says. The
Nationals elected not to pick up an option on
Adam Kennedy’s contract. If Espinosa falters,
Alberto Gonzalez could take over. (Espinosa
played shortstop in the minors, so he’s a po-
tential future option there.) On the horizon,
the Nationals like the bat of minor league sec-
ond baseman Jeff Kobernus.
Third base
Ryan Zimmerman is the Nationals’ rock. He
batted a career-high .307 in 2010 and in the
last two seasons has 58 homers, 191 RBI and a
Gold Glove. The Nationals have no suitable re-
placements.
Shortstop
The Nationals love the upside of Ian Des-
mond and are willing to see him improve his
defense with time at the big-league level. Des-
mond can make outstanding plays, but he led
the majors in errors (34) last season. “He needs
to cut out the plays he should make and
doesn’t because of the over-aggressiveness of
youth,” Rizzo says. “He relies a little too much
on his powerful arm, but he does have a gun
and brings terrific range.”
Left field
The Nationals need Josh Willingham’s power
bat back in the lineup. After recovering from
August knee surgery, Willingham should settle
back in. Mike Morse is a possibility — at least
until top prospect Bryce Harper, 18, is ready to
enter the discussion.
Center field
Nyjer Morgan can be a weapon with his
speed, but his on-base percentage makes it dif-
ficult to rely on him as a leadoff man. Roger
Bernadina offers speed and power and could
start unless he’s needed in right field. The Na-
tionals have another speed merchant in the
minors in Eury Perez.
Right field
Look for Morse or Bernadina, who combined
for 26 homers and 88 RBI in 680 at-bats last
season, to settle in, depending upon what the
Nationals do at first base. Hard-hitting prospect
Michael Burgess is probably a year away. His
arm could encourage the Nationals to shift Har-
per from right field to left.
Starters
Without Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals go
into the winter looking for a top-tier starter,
though they have quantity. Veterans Livan Her-
nandez (211Z innings last season) and Jason
Marquis (a 15-game winner in 2009 who had
elbow surgery in 2010) will be back, along
with left-hander John Lannan, who pitched
better in the second half of 2010. Lannan, the
Nationals’ ace in 2008 and 2009 who was de-
moted to Class AA Harrisburg (Pa.) last year,
was 6-3 with a 3.42 ERA after the All-Star
break and 8-8, 4.65 overall. The Nationals ex-
pect progress from young pitchers Ross Det-
wiler, a first-round pick in 2007 who was de-
railed by hip surgery, and Yunesky Maya, a
Cuban whom the team signed to a four-year,
$8 million deal in the spring. There’s an outside
shot the team could benefit from veteran
Chien-Ming Wang (signed by the Nationals in
2010 but unsigned for 2011) after shoulder re-
hab, but there’s a better chance to see some-
one from the J.D. Martin-Craig Stammen-Gar-
rett Mock-Matt Chico mix before the end of the
season. “We certainly need another guy we
think can win 14-15 ballgames and pitch 200-
220 innings,” manager Jim Riggleman says.
“Those guys don’t just show up for you.”
Bullpen
Perhaps the team’s most improved area in
2010, Washington counts on solid setup work
from lefty Sean Burnett and righty Tyler Clip-
pard, the team leader with 11 wins. Lefty Doug
Slaten (4-1, 3.10 ERA in 49 games last year) has
a chance to become a fixture. The Nationals
have numerous candidates to round out the
bullpen, but appear eager to see what Collin
Balester (2.57 ERA in 17 relief appearances in
2010 but who also has big-league starting ex-
perience) can offer as a long man in the spring.
Closer
Drew Storen, a first-round pick in 2009, took
the job and ran with it as a rookie. Barring the
unforeseen, he will close for Washington in
2011 and beyond.
By Seth Livingstone

http://hotnpapers.blogspot.com
 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 37

Prospect report Nationals

Harper atop
Top salaries
Bryce Harper also will receive a $1.25 million
installment of his signing bonus in 2011.
Player 2011 salary

list heavy 3B Ryan Zimmerman

RHP Jason Marquis
RHP Stephen Strasburg
$9 million
$7.5 million
$4.3 million

on outfield C Ivan Rodriguez

RHP Livan Hernandez
C Bryce Harper
$3 million
$1.2 million
$500,000
Arbitration-eligibles
Burgess packs power; Jesus Flores once was a nice Rule 5 project, but
Perez flashes speed now he’s a non-tender candidate after injury
woes and the acquisition of Wilson Ramos.
The Nationals have successfully drafted and Player 2010 salary
signed the previous two No. 1 overall picks in OF Josh Willingham $4.6 million
the draft, Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper. LHP Sean Burnett $775,000
Other recent draftees are being polished, but C Jesus Flores $750,000
some, such as pitchers Sammy Solis and A.J. LHP John Lannan $458,000
Cole, won’t be ready to sparkle for two or three OF Michael Morse $410,000
more years.
A look at the Nationals’ most intriguing Division power rankings
prospects: By Christian Petersen, Getty Images
The offseason hasn’t helped the Nationals’ up-
uOF Harper: The Nationals say they won’t No hurry: The Nationals say they won’t rush Bryce Harper, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010. He is ward mobility much, because the Atlanta
rush Harper, even though the first pick in projected to start 2011 in low-A ball, working on converting from catcher to corner outfielder. Braves-Florida Marlins trade involving Dan Ug-
the 2010 draft signed a five-year deal worth gla seemed to help two teams that finished
$9.9 million. A catcher in college, he is being
groomed as a corner outfielder to accelerate Nationals 2010 statistics ahead of them in 2010.

his progress to the majors. NL East rank League

“We project him to start at lower A ball and P No B Batters BA SLG OBA G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS vsLH vsRH Home Road E
1. Philadelphia Phillies 2nd
1B 44 L Adam Dunn .260 .536 .356 158 558 85 145 36 2 38 103 77 199 0 1 .199 .286 .261 .259 13
develop at his own pace,” says general man- 3B 11 R Ryan Zimmerman .307 .510 .388 142 525 85 161 32 0 25 85 69 98 4 1 .331 .300 .317 .296 17 2. Atlanta Braves 4th
ager Mike Rizzo, who watched Harper lead the SS 6 R Ian Desmond .269 .392 .308 154 525 59 141 27 4 10 65 28 109 17 5 .300 .257 .248 .289 34
3. Florida Marlins 8th
CF 1 L Nyjer Morgan .253 .314 .319 136 509 60 129 17 7 0 24 40 88 34 17 .200 .273 .259 .248 5
Nationals’ instructional league team in hits, RF 2 L Roger Bernadina .246 .384 .307 134 414 52 102 18 3 11 47 35 93 16 2 .250 .246 .269 .223 4 4. New York Mets 10th
home runs and RBI. C 7 R Ivan Rodriguez .266 .347 .294 111 398 32 106 18 1 4 49 16 66 2 3 .292 .258 .295 .236 4
5. Washington Nationals 14th
LF 16 R Josh Willingham .268 .459 .389 114 370 54 99 19 2 16 56 67 85 8 0 .277 .264 .294 .242 1
Harper, who turned 18 last month, was also 2B 20 L Adam Kennedy .249 .327 .327 135 342 43 85 16 1 3 31 37 44 14 2 .316 .240 .257 .240 9
holding his own as a hitter in the Arizona Fall 2B 15 B Cristian Guzman .282 .361 .327 89 319 44 90 11 4 2 25 17 53 4 2 .330 .257 .327 .239 9

Fan information
RF 28 R Michael Morse .289 .519 .352 98 266 36 77 12 2 15 41 22 64 0 1 .295 .287 .278 .301 0
League, which is made up of elite prospects. LF 22 L Willie Harris .183 .362 .291 132 224 25 41 6 2 10 32 33 60 5 2 .222 .180 .193 .171 3
uOF Michael Burgess: A left-handed hitter, 2B 12 R Alberto Gonzalez .247 .301 .277 114 186 19 46 8 1 0 5 7 30 0 0 .254 .244 .265 .233 5
C 23 R Wil Nieves .203 .310 .244 59 158 10 32 8 0 3 16 8 29 0 0 .212 .200 .215 .190 5
Burgess, 22, has 37 homers over his last two RF 30 R Justin Maxwell .144 .288 .305 67 104 16 15 6 0 3 12 25 43 5 1 .155 .130 .140 .148 2
minor league seasons, six in 21 games after SS 18 B Danny Espinosa .214 .447 .277 28 103 16 22 4 1 6 15 9 30 0 2 .200 .218 .212 .216 1 Key dates
making the jump to Class AA last year. He also C 3 R Wilson Ramos .269 .404 .296 15 52 3 14 4 0 1 4 2 9 0 0 .571 .222 .280 .259 0 Feb. 28: Open the spring season vs. the New
RF 3 R Willy Taveras .200 .257 .243 27 35 7 7 0 1 0 4 2 6 1 2 .389 .000 .200 .200 0
improved his 2009 average from .235 in high-A LF 32 R Kevin Mench .111 .111 .172 27 27 2 3 0 0 0 1 2 6 0 0 .111 .111 .091 .125 0 York Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
in 2009 to .265 between high-A and Class AA C
C
25
32
R
R
Carlos Maldonado
Jamie Burke
.273
---
.545
---
.333
--- 1
4 11
0
1
0
3
0
0 0 1 3 1 2 0 0 .000 .429 --- .273 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- --- --- --- 0
March 1: First spring home game, vs. Mets
in 2010. No T Pitchers W L Pct. ERA G GS SV IP H ER R HR BB SO SB H/9 BB/9 SO/9 BA LH RH
Reporting dates and information on Nation-
“He’s a prototypical right fielder with a pow- 61 R Livan Hernandez 10 12 .455 3.66 33 33 0 211.2 216 86 93 16 64 114 4 9.18 2.72 4.85 .270 .295 .248 als Fanfest and winter caravan TBA. Check
erful arm and a big power stroke,” Rizzo says. 31
35
L
R
John Lannan
Craig Stammen
8
4
8
4
.500 4.65
.500 5.13
25
35
25
19
0
0
143.1
128.0
175
151
74
73
82 14 49 71 18 10.99 3.08 4.46 .302 .287 .307
78 13 41 85 4 10.62 2.88 5.98 .297 .291 .301
nationals.com for updates.
His arm could influence Washington to shift 36 R Tyler Clippard 11 8 .579 3.07 78 0 1 91.0 69 31 33 8 41 112 5 6.82 4.05 11.08 .212 .242 .188
Harper from right field to left. 56
43
R
R
Luis Atilano
Miguel Batista
6
1
7
2
.462 5.15
.333 3.70
16
58
16
1
0
2
85.2
82.2
96
71
49
34
56 11 32 40 1 10.09 3.36 4.20 .282 .275 .286
36 9 39 55 8 7.73 4.25 5.99 .234 .243 .229
Ticket information
u1B Chris Marrero: A .281 hitter since go- 19 L Scott Olsen 4 8 .333 5.56 17 15 0 81.0 93 50 54 10 27 53 3 10.33 3.00 5.89 .289 .289 .289 Nationals Park
ing pro, Marrero, 22, has averaged 17 homers 37 R Stephen Strasburg 5 3 .625 2.91 12 12 0 68.0 56 22 25 5 17 92 2 7.41 2.25 12.18 .221 .241 .207 1500 South Capitol Street, SE
17 L Sean Burnett 1 7 .125 2.14 73 0 3 63.0 52 15 17 3 20 62 4 7.43 2.86 8.86 .220 .273 .182
in his four full minor league seasons. He played 21 R Jason Marquis 2 9 .182 6.60 13 13 0 58.2 76 43 47 9 24 31 9 11.66 3.68 4.76 .315 .336 .296 Washington, D.C. 20003
at Class AA Harrisburg (Pa.) in 2010, hitting 58 R Drew Storen 4 4 .500 3.58 54 0 5 55.1 48 22 24 3 22 52 2 7.81 3.58 8.46 .241 .247 .238 202-675-6287/nationals.com
62 R Joel Peralta 1 0 1.000 2.02 39 0 0 49.0 30 11 12 5 9 49 3 5.51 1.65 9.00 .170 .212 .145
.294 with 18 homers and 82 RBI in 141 games. 51 R J.D. Martin 1 5 .167 4.13 9 9 0 48.0 56 22 30 9 11 31 0 10.50 2.06 5.81 .287 .337 .245
“He can hit it a mile,” Rizzo says, “and he 55
45
R
L
Matt Capps
Doug Slaten
3
4
3
1
.500 2.74
.800 3.10
47
49
0
0
26
0
46.0
40.2
51
34
14
14
20 5 9 38 1 9.98 1.76 7.43 .274 .244 .300
18 2 19 36 3 7.52 4.20 7.97 .225 .151 .295
Spring information
uses the whole field. As he matures and learns 39 R Tyler Walker 1 0 1.000 3.57 24 0 0 35.1 35 14 16 5 8 30 1 8.92 2.04 7.64 .265 .245 .277 Space Coast Stadium
how to pick pitches, better power numbers 27 R Jordan Zimmermann 1 2 .333 4.94 7 7 0 31.0 31 17 20 8 10 27 3 9.00 2.90 7.84 .256 .276 .238 5800 Stadium Parkway
48 L Ross Detwiler 1 3 .250 4.25 8 5 0 29.2 34 14 22 5 14 17 4 10.31 4.25 5.16 .288 .381 .268
will come.” 29 R Yunesky Maya 0 3 .000 5.88 5 5 0 26.0 30 17 18 3 11 12 1 10.38 3.81 4.15 .294 .333 .250 Viera, FL 32940
uLHP Tom Milone: A 10th-round pick in 99 R Collin Balester 0 1 .000 2.57 17 0 0 21.0 15 6 6 2 11 28 0 6.43 4.71 12.00 .203 .257 .154 Spring training season tickets are on sale at
32 R Brian Bruney 1 2 .333 7.64 19 0 0 17.2 21 15 18 1 20 16 1 10.70 10.19 8.15 .309 .219 .389
2008, Milone, 23, blossomed at Harrisburg in 50 L Jesse English 0 0 --- 3.86 7 0 0 7.0 10 3 3 0 2 4 0 12.86 2.57 5.14 .323 .188 .467
321-633-9200 or nationals.com. Individual
2010, going 12-5 with a 2.85 ERA, earning the 47 L Matt Chico 0 0 --- 3.60 1 1 0 5.0 6 2 2 0 0 3 0 10.80 0.00 5.40 .286 .500 .263 game tickets go on sale Jan. 29 at the Space
46 R Joe Bisenius 0 0 --- 9.64 5 0 0 4.2 6 5 6 1 6 5 2 11.57 11.57 9.64 .300 .167 .357
Nationals’ minor league pitcher of the year 49 R Garrett Mock 0 0 --- 5.40 1 1 0 3.1 4 2 2 2 5 3 0 10.80 13.50 8.10 .286 .000 .400
Coast Stadium box office, nationals.com and
honors. His 155 strikeouts led the Eastern 57 R Jason Bergmann 0 1 .000 15.43 4 0 0 2.1 3 4 4 2 1 2 0 11.57 3.86 7.71 .300 .200 .400 888-632-6287.
League. uTeam-leading totals in bold; league-leading totals in box

uOF Eury Perez: Speed, which resulted in

64 steals for low-A Hagerstown (Md.) in 2010, May
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
2011 Nationals schedule September
is his calling card. Perez, who also hit .299, pro- March/April 1 June July August Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun SF Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 1 2 3 4
jects as a leadoff hitter and a center fielder who 28 29 30 31
ATL
1 2 3
ATL ATL
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3
PIT PIT PIT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
5 6 7
ATL NYM NYM NYM
8 9 10 11
SF PHI PHI PHI FLA FLA FLA PHI ARI ARI ARI ARI ATL ATL ATL COL COL COL COL
can get to balls that others can’t. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 LAD LAD LAD LAD HOU HOU HOU
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
FLA FLA FLA NYM NYM NYM ATL ATL ATL FLA FLA FLA SF SF SF SD SD SD SD CHC CHC CHC CHC COL COL COL CHC CHC CHC PHI PHI PHI
Rizzo calls Perez, 20, “one of the shining 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 NYM NYM NYM NYM FLA FLA FLA
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
ASG ATL ATL ATL
stars from our new Dominican program.” PHI PHI PHI MIL MIL MIL
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
PIT
23
PIT
24
NYM NYM
25 26
BAL
27
BAL BAL
28 29
STL STL
20 21 22
STL
23
BAL BAL BAL
24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
CIN
22 23
CIN
24
CIN PHI PHI PHI
25 26 27 28 PHI PHI PHI ATL ATL ATL
STL STL STL PIT PIT PIT MIL MIL MIL SD SD SD SEA SEA SEA CHWCHWCHW HOU HOU HOU LAD LAD LAD ARI ARI ARI ARI CIN CIN CIN 26 27 28 29 30
25 26 27 28 29 30 30 31 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 FLA FLA FLA
By Seth Livingstone NYM NYM NYM SF SF PHI PHI LAA LAA LAA FLA FLA FLA NYM NYM NYM ATL ATL uHome games shaded

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 USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · 39

NFL transactions NFL standings MLB awards

Nov. 15 Jacksonville Jaguars: Claimed WR Jason Hill off
waivers from San Francisco. Waived CB Chevis Jack- East
American Football Conference
W L T Pct PF PA Monday’s result
Week 11 NL MVP
son. Voting by the Baseball Writers Association of Ameri-
Cincinnati Bengals: Placed CB Morgan Trent and K New England 8 2 0 .800 289 242 San Diego 35, Denver 14
New England Patriots: Signed LB Pierre Woods. ca with first-, second- and third-place votes and to-
Mike Nugent on injured reserve. N.Y. Jets 8 2 0 .800 238 177 Sunday’s results
San Francisco 49ers: Signed K Shane Andrus to a tal points based on a 14-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis:
Miami Dolphins: Signed QB Patrick Ramsey. Placed Miami 5 5 0 .500 172 208 Dallas 35, Detroit 19
one-year contract. 1st 2nd 3rd Total
QB Chad Pennington on injured reserve. Buffalo 2 8 0 .200 213 276 Pittsburgh 35, Oakland 3 Joey Votto, Cincinnati 31 1 - 443
San Diego Chargers: Signed S Pat Watkins. Waived St. Louis Rams: Signed TE Derek Schouman. Placed South W L T Pct PF PA Washington 19, Tennessee 16 (OT)
TE Fendi Onobun on injured reserve. Albert Pujols, St. Louis 1 21 8 279
WR Gary Banks. Indianapolis 6 4 0 .600 268 216 N.Y. Jets 30, Houston 27 Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado - 7 13 240
Washington Redskins: Signed QB Donovan Jacksonville 6 4 0 .600 220 270 Buffalo 49, Cincinnati 31 Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego - 1 3 197
McNabb to a contract extension. Nov. 18 Tennessee
Houston
5 5 0
4 6 0
.500 257
.400 244
198
287
Kansas City 31, Arizona 13
Jacksonville 24, Cleveland 20
Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado
Roy Halladay, Philadelphia
-
- 1
- 2 132
3 130
Nov. 16 Cleveland Browns: Signed OL Jeff Hansen to the
practice squad.
North
Baltimore
W L T
7 3 0
Pct
.700 233
PF PA
178
Baltimore 37, Carolina 13
Green Bay 31, Minnesota 3
Aubrey Huff, San Francisco
Jayson Werth, Philadelphia
-
-
-
-
-
-
70
52
Arizona Cardinals: Placed T Brandon Keith on in- Cincinnati Bengals: Signed DE Victor Adeyanju. Pittsburgh 7 3 0 .700 235 165 Martin Prado, Atlanta - - - 51
Atlanta 34, St. Louis 17 Ryan Howard, Philadelphia - 1 1 50
jured reserve. Signed T D’Anthony Batiste. Released Placed DE Jonathan Fanene on injured reserve. Cleveland 3 7 0 .300 192 206 New Orleans 34, Seattle 19 Buster Posey, San Francisco - - 1 40
WR Ed Gant from the practice squad. Signed RB Al- Kansas City Chiefs: Signed LB Eric Bakhtiari to the Cincinnati 2 8 0 .200 215 262
practice squad. Tampa Bay 21, San Francisco 0 Matt Holliday, St. Louis - - - 32
fonso Smith to the practice squad. West W L T Pct PF PA New England 31, Indianapolis 28 Brian Wilson, San Francisco - - 1 28
Carolina Panthers: Signed QB Brian St. Pierre from New York Jets: Waived DL Jarron Gilbert. Kansas City 6 4 0 .600 243 207 Philadelphia 27, N.Y. Giants 17 Scott Rolen, Cincinnati - - - 26
the practice squad. Waived RB Andre Brown. Signed Oakland 5 5 0 .500 238 223 Ryan Braun, Milwaukee - - - 19
Thursday’s result
LB Sean Ware to the practice squad.
Cincinnati Bengals: Signed K Aaron Pettrey and T
Nov. 19 San Diego
Denver
5 5 0
3 7 0
.500 274
.300 217
211
287
Chicago 16, Miami 0 Ryan Zimmerman, Washington -
Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia -
-
-
-
-
18
12
Kirk Chambers. Signed T Andrew Gardner to the Week 12 Dan Uggla, Florida - - - 12
New York Jets: Signed WR Patrick Turner from the National Football Conference
practice squad. practice squad. Signed LB Shawn Crable and DT Jar- Thursday’s games Adam Wainwright, St. Louis - - - 12
East W L T Pct PF PA
Cleveland Browns: Signed DB Eric King and RB Clif- ron Gilbert to the practice squad. Released CB Will New England at Detroit, 12:30 Jason Heyward, Atlanta - - - 11
Philadelphia 7 3 0 .700 284 226
ton Smith. Placed OL Billy Yates on injured reserve. Billingsley from the practice squad. N.Y. Giants 6 4 0 .600 253 220 New Orleans at Dallas, 4:15 Brian McCann, Atlanta - - - 9
Waived QB Brett Ratliff. Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets, 8:20 Adam Dunn, Washington - - - 9
Washington 5 5 0 .500 202 245 Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado - - - 7
New York Giants: Signed WR Derek Hagan. Placed Sunday’s games
WR Ramses Barden on injured reserve. Nov. 20 Dallas
South
3 7 0
W L T
.300 229
Pct PF
271
PA Green Bay at Atlanta, 1 David Wright, New York
Corey Hart, Milwaukee
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
2
Pittsburgh Steelers: Released K Jeff Reed. Signed K Minnesota Vikings: Activated WR Sidney Rice. Atlanta 8 2 0 .800 256 192 Tennessee at Houston, 1
Josh Johnson, Florida - - - 2
Shaun Suisham. New Orleans Saints: Signed LS Jake Ingram. New Orleans 7 3 0 .700 235 170 Minnesota at Washington, 1 Heath Bell, San Diego - - - 2
San Francisco 49ers: Waived WR Jason Hill. New York Giants: Signed TE Jake Ballard from the Tampa Bay 7 3 0 .700 209 206 Pittsburgh at Buffalo, 1
Tennessee Titans: Signed TE Riar Geer to the prac-
tice squad. Waived TE Joel Gamble.
practice squad. Waived DB D.J. Johnson. Carolina
North
1 9 0
W L T
.100 117
Pct PF
252
PA
Carolina at Cleveland, 1
Jacksonville at N.Y. Giants, 1
AL Cy Young Award
Kansas City at Seattle, 4:05 BBWAA voting; points awarded on a 7-4-3-2-1 basis.
Nov. 17 Nov. 22 Chicago
Green Bay
7 3 0
7 3 0
.700 191
.700 252
146
146 Miami at Oakland, 4:05 1st 2nd 3rd Pts.
Minnesota 3 7 0 .300 172 226 Philadelphia at Chicago, 4:15 Felix Hernandez, Mariners 21 2 3 167
Cincinnati Bengals: Placed S Chris Crocker and DE
Carolina Panthers: Placed RB DeAngelo Williams Detroit 2 8 0 .200 234 237 St. Louis at Denver, 4:15 David Price, Rays 4 15 7 111
Frostee Rucker on the injured reserve list. Signed CB CC Sabathia, Yankees 3 10 12 102
on injured reserve. Signed G C.J. Davis from the prac- Jonathan Wade. Activated DE Antwan Odom. West W L T Pct PF PA Tampa Bay at Baltimore, 4:15
tice squad. Signed RB Jeremiah Johnson to the prac- Jon Lester, Red Sox - - 1 33
Miami Dolphins: Signed OL Eric Ghiaciuc. Placed Seattle 5 5 0 .500 185 233 San Diego at Indianapolis, 8:20 Jered Weaver, Angels - 1 2 24
tice squad. OL Cory Proctor on injured reserve. St. Louis 4 6 0 .400 177 198 Nov. 29
Denver Broncos: Released DL-LB Jarvis Moss. Clay Buchholz, Red Sox - - 2 20
Minnesota Vikings: Fired coach Brad Childress. Arizona 3 7 0 .300 188 292 San Francisco at Arizona, 8:30 Cliff Lee, Mariners/Rangers - - 1 6
Signed LB David Veikune. Named Leslie Frazier interim coach. San Francisco 3 7 0 .300 160 219 Rafael Soriano, Rays - - - 5
Trevor Cahill, Athletics - - - 4
Joakim Soria, Royals - - - 2
Francisco Liriano, Twins - - - 1
MLB transactions uNational League
Houston Astros: Named Tony DeFrancesco man-
P Nick Hagadone from Akron (Eastern/AA).
Detroit Tigers: Agreed to terms with P Joaquin Be-
New York Mets: Purchased the contracts of P Josh
Stinson and 3B Zach Lutz from Buffalo (Interna- Justin Verlander, Tigers - - - 1
ager of Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast/AAA). noit on a three-year contract and P Alberto Albur- tional/AAA), IF Jordany Valdespin from Binghamton
Nov. 15 St. Louis Cardinals: Purchased the contracts of P
Eduardo Sanchez, P Adam Reifer, P David Kopp, IF
querque on a one-year contract. Purchased the con-
tracts of P Charlie Furbush and SS Cale Iorg from
(Eastern/AA) and P Armando Rodriguez from Savan-
nah (South Atlantic/A).
NL Cy Young Award
uAmerican League Pete Kozma and OF Adron Chambers. Toledo (International/AAA) and P Lester Oliveros, P Philadelphia Phillies: Agreed to terms with IF-OF BBWAA voting; points awarded on a 7-4-3-2-1 basis.
Boston Red Sox: Claimed P Taylor Buchholz off San Francisco Giants: Purchased the contracts of IF Jose Ortega, P Brayan Villarreal and P Duane Below Tagg Bozied, IF Josh Barfield, P Eddie Bonine, P Ryan 1st 2nd 3rd Pts.
waivers from Toronto. Ehire Adrianza from San Jose (California/A) and OF from Erie (Eastern/AA). Assigned P Fu-Te Ni outright Feierabend, C Erik Kratz, IF Jeff Larish, P Dan Meyer, Roy Halladay, Phillies 32 - - 224
Cleveland Indians: Signed P Anthony Reyes to a mi- Thomas Neal from Richmond (Eastern/AA). to Toledo. OF Matt Miller, OF Brandon Moss, IF Pete Orr, P Juan Adam Wainwright, Cardinals - 28 3 122
nor league contract. Kansas City Royals: Purchased the contracts of P Perez and C Dane Sardinha on minor league con- Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies - 4 19 90
Everett Teaford, 1B Clint Robinson, OF David Lough tracts. Purchased the contracts of P Justin De Fratus, Tim Hudson, Braves - - 3 39
uNational League
Arizona Diamondbacks: Signed IF Geoff Blum to a
Nov. 18 and OF Derrick Robinson from Omaha (Pacific Coast/ IF Freddy Galvis, IF Harold Garcia, IF Cesar Hernandez Josh Johnson, Marlins
Roy Oswalt, Astros/Phillies
-
-
-
-
5
1
34
14
AAA). Designated P Bryan Bullington, P Gaby Her- and IF Matt Rizzotti from Lehigh Valley (Interna-
two-year contract. Announced the resignation of di- uAmerican League nandez, P Victor Marte and OF Jordan Parraz for as- tional/AAA).
Brian Wilson, Giants - - - 7
rector of player development Rico Brogna. Named Kansas City Royals: Signed P Steven Shell and OF Heath Bell, Padres - - 1 4
Mike Bell director of player development, Billy Ryan signment. Pittsburgh Pirates: Purchased the contracts of P Mat Latos, Padres - - - 4
Brett Carroll to minor league contracts. Re-signed P
assistant general manager and Shiraz Rehman direc- Minnesota Twins: Purchased the contracts of P Da- Mike Crotta, P Jeff Locke, P Kyle McPherson, P Daniel Brett Myers, Astros - - - 2
Luis Mendoza, P Julio Pimentel, C Cody Clark, IF Ir-
tor of player personnel. vid Bromberg, OF Joe Benson, OF Chris Parmelee and Moskos and P Tony Watson. Tim Lincecum, Giants - - - 2
ving Falu, IF Mario Lisson and IF Jamie Romak to mi-
Cincinnati Reds: Signed C Ramon Hernandez to a OF Rene Tosoni. St. Louis Cardinals: Purchased the contracts of P Bronson Arroyo, Reds - - - 1
nor league contracts.
one-year contract. New York Yankees: Released P Jonathan Albalade- Blake King from Springfield (Texas/AA) and C Tony Matt Cain, Giants - - - 1
Minnesota Twins: Signed manager Ron Garden-
Los Angeles Dodgers: Signed P Hiroki Kuroda to a jo. Named Larry Rothschild pitching coach. Pur- Cruz from Memphis (Pacific Coast/AAA). Assigned P
hire to a two-year contract extension through 2013.
chased the contracts of P Dellin Betances from Tren- Adam Ottavino, C Steven Hill, OF Daryl Jones and OF
one-year contract.
Milwaukee Brewers: Named Rick Kranitz pitching
Signed pitching coach Rick Anderson, bench coach
Steve Liddle, bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek, third-
ton (Eastern/AA) and IF Brandon Laird and P Ryan Nick Stavinoha outright to Memphis. Named Mark AL rookie of the year
coach, Jerry Narron bench coach, Garth Iorg first- Pope from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (International/ DeJohn minor league field coordinator, Derrick May
base coach Scott Ullger, hitting coach Joe Vavra, first- BBWAA voting; points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.
base coach, Ed Sedar third-base coach and John AAA). Acquired OF Cody Johnson from Atlanta for minor league roving hitting instructor, Bryan
base coach Jerry White, athletic trainer Rick 1st 2nd 3rd Pts.
Shelby outfield instructor. cash considerations. Eversgerd pitching coach and Jason Hall trainer of
McWane, assistant athletic trainer Dave Pruemer Neftali Feliz, Rangers 20 7 1 122
Philadelphia Phillies: Named Ryne Sandberg man- Oakland Athletics: Purchased the contracts of OF Springfield (Texas/AA), Dennis Martinez pitching
and strength and conditioning coordinator Perry Austin Jackson, Tigers 8 19 1 98
ager at Lehigh Valley (International/AAA). Michael Taylor, OF Corey Brown, IF Adrian Cardenas coach of Palm Beach (Florida State/A) and Dernier Danny Valencia, Twins - 1 9 12
Castellano to two-year contracts through 2012.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Named Clint Hurdle manager. and IF Sean Doolittle from Sacramento (Pacific Orozco pitching coach of the Cardinals (Gulf Wade Davis, Rays - - 11 11
uNational League Coast/AAA) and P Trystan Magnuson from Midland Coast/R).
Arizona Diamondbacks: Acquired 1B Juan Miran- John Jaso, Rays - 1 - 3
(Texas/AA). San Diego Padres: Purchased the contracts of P Si- Brennan Boesch, Tigers - - 3 3
Nov. 16 da from the New York Yankees for P Scott Allen.
Atlanta Braves: Named Marty Reed pitching coach
Seattle Mariners: Purchased the contracts of P Mi- mon Castro, P Brandon Gomes, P Jeremy Hefner, P Brian Matusz, Orioles - - 3 3
chael Pineda, P Tom Wilhelmsen, P Josh Lueke, OF Jo- Evan Scribner, OF Cedric Hunter, C Luis Martinez and
MLB: Announced the retirement of vice president for Gwinnett (International/AAA); Rocket Wheeler
of rules and on-field operations Bob Watson, effec- manager and Mike Alvarez pitching coach for Mis-
hermyn Chavez, OF Carlos Peguero, IF Alex Liddi, P
Maikel Cleto, P Cesar Jimenez, P Yoervis Medina and
IF Jeudy Valdez from Portland (Pacific Coast/AAA).
San Francisco Giants: Purchased the contracts of P NL rookie of the year
tive at the end of the year. sissippi (Southern/AA); Luis Salazar manager, Derek P Mauricio Robles. Jose Casilla, P Steve Edlefsen and P Clayton Tanner. BBWAA voting; points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.
uAmerican League Botelho pitching coach and Bobby Moore hitting Texas Rangers: Purchased the contracts of P Fabio Sent IF Brett Pill outright to Fresno (Pacific Coast/
Baltimore Orioles: Signed P Mitch Atkins to a mi- coach for Lynchburg (Carolina/A); Paul Runge man- 1st 2nd 3rd Pts.
Castillo, P Wilmer Font, P Miguel De Los Santos and AAA). Released P Waldis Joaquin. Buster Posey, Giants 20 9 2 129
nor league contract. ager, Derrick Lewis pitching coach, Carlos Mendez OF Engel Beltre from Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast/ Washington Nationals: Purchased the contracts of Jason Heyward, Braves 9 20 2 107
Detroit Tigers: Named Kevin Bradshaw minor hitting coach and Ty Cobbs trainer for Rome (South AAA). Agreed to terms with C Kevin Cash, OF Doug P Adam Carr, P Cole Kimball and 1B Chris Marrero. Jaime Garcia, Cardinals 1 1 16 24
league field coordinator, Joe DePastino minor league Atlantic/A); Randy Ingle manager, Gabe Lukert Deeds and IF Esteban German on minor league con- Gaby Sanchez, Marlins 2 1 5 18
catching coordinator and Dave Owen minor league pitching coach and D.J. Boston hitting coach for Dan- Neil Walker, Pirates - 1 - 3
infield coordinator. ville (Appalachian/A) and Jonathan Schuerholz
tracts.
uNational League Nov. 20 Starlin Castro, Cubs - - 3 3
Toronto Blue Jays: Released P Shawn Hill. manager, Vladimir Nunez pitching coach and Bran- Ike Davis, Mets - - 2 2
Arizona Diamondbacks: Claimed P Juan Jaime off uNational League
uNational League don Harris trainer for the Braves (GCL). Jose Tabata, Pirates - - 1 1
waivers from Washington. Purchased the contracts New York Mets: Fired director of amateur scouting Jonny Venters, Braves - - 1 1
Atlanta Braves: Acquired 2B Dan Uggla from Flori- Houston Astros: Acquired IF Clint Barmes from
of P Josh Collmenter and P Yonata Ortega from Reno Rudy Terrasas.
da for OF Omar Infante and P Mike Dunn. Colorado for P Felipe Paulino.
(Pacific Coast/AAA).
Colorado Rockies: Released P Manuel Corpas. Atlanta Braves: Purchased the contracts of P Ran- AL manager of the year
Florida Marlins: Signed C John Buck to a three-year
contract.
Nov. 19 dall Delgado, P Cory Gearrin and OF Matt Young from Nov. 21 BBWAA voting; points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.
Gwinnett (International/AAA). 1st 2nd 3rd Pts.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed P Jose Contreras to a uAmerican League Chicago Cubs: Purchased the contracts of P Chris uAmerican League
Chicago White Sox: Claimed P Waldis Joaquin off Ron Gardenhire, Twins 16 8 4 108
two-year contract with a club option for 2013. Baltimore Orioles: Assigned P Armando Gabino Archer, P Kyle Smit and OF Brandon Guyer from Ten- Ron Washington, Rangers 10 8 7 81
St. Louis Cardinals: Re-signed P Jake Westbrook to and IF Rhyne Hughes outright to Norfolk (Interna- nessee (Southern/AA) and P Alberto Cabrera from waivers from San Francisco.
Joe Maddon, Rays 1 10 9 44
a two-year contract with a mutual option for 2013. tional/AAA). Purchased the contracts of P Zach Brit- Daytona (Florida State/A). Sold the rights to the con- uNational League Terry Francona, Red Sox - 2 7 13
San Diego Padres: Named Brad Ausmus special as- ton, IF Joe Mahoney and OF Matt Angle from Norfolk. tract of IF Micah Hoffpauir to Nippon Ham (Japan). Houston Astros: Named Tom Lawless manager, Cito Gaston, Blue Jays 1 - - 5
sistant to baseball operations. Boston Red Sox: Purchased the contracts of C Luis Cincinnati Reds: Purchased the contracts of IF Zack Don Alexander pitching coach, Stubby Clapp hitting Joe Girardi, Yankees - - 1 1
Esposito, P Stolmy Pimentel and IF Oscar Tejeda from Cozart, IF-OF Todd Frazier, IF Kris Negron and P Daryl coach and Eric Montague athletic trainer for Corpus
Nov. 17 Pawtucket (International/AAA).
Chicago White Sox: Purchased the contracts of P
Thompson.
Colorado Rockies: Purchased the contracts of P
Christi (Texas/AA).
Los Angeles Dodgers: Named Dave Hansen hitting
NL manager of the year
uAmerican League Anthony Carter and SS Eduardo Escobar from Bir- Bruce Billings, P Cory Riordan, P Casey Weathers, C instructor, Trey Hillman bench coach, Davey Lopes BBWAA voting; points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.
Seattle Mariners: Claimed IF Sean Kazmar off mingham (Southern/AA) and P Nate Jones from Jordan Pacheco and C Wilin Rosario from Colorado first-base coach and Tim Wallach third-base coach. 1st 2nd 3rd Pts.
waivers from San Diego. Winston-Salem (Carolina/A). Springs (Pacific Coast/AAA). New York Mets: Named Terry Collins manager. Bud Black, Padres 16 7 3 104
Cleveland Indians: Purchased the contracts of IF Ja- Houston Astros: Purchased the contracts of P Da- Philadelphia Phillies: Named Mark Parent man- Dusty Baker, Reds 13 12 2 103
Toronto Blue Jays: Acquired OF Rajai Davis from Bruce Bochy, Giants 1 4 13 30
Oakland for P Daniel Farquhar and P Trystan Magnu- red Goedert, P Josh Judy, P Zach McAllister and P Co- vid Carpenter, P Jorge De Leon, P Arcenio Leon and IF ager of Reading (Eastern/AA), Mickey Morandini
manager of Williamsport (N.Y.-Penn) and Chris Tru- Bobby Cox, Braves 1 4 11 28
son. rey Kluber from Columbus (International/AAA) and Jimmy Paredes from Round Rock (Pacific Coast/
by manager of Lakewood (South Atlantic/A). Charlie Manuel, Phillies 1 4 3 20
AAA). Brad Mills, Astros - 1 - 3

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40 · NOVEMBER 24–30, 2010 · USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY

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