Line of Scrimmage: Week 10 - Halfway Awards

Football Betting Lines

11/07/2007 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With all 32 NFL teams having reached the midway point of the 2007 season, it's time to hand out our annual "Halfway Awards":

-First-Half MVP: Tom Brady, QB, New England

...And there's absolutely no reasonable argument to be made to the contrary. Brady, who has ripped the soul out of nine straight opponents, leads the NFL in passing yards (2686), passer rating (131.8), and TD tosses (33), while throwing fewer interceptions (4) than just one player who has suited up for the entire year to date (Jeff Garcia, 3). Forget being the 2007 MVP, Brady might just be putting together the finest individual campaign of any player in NFL history.

-Offensive Player of the Half-Year: Brady

See above. If Brady doesn't win both of these awards when all is said and done, it will be a shock.

-Defensive Player of the Half-Year: Sean Taylor, S, Washington

Albert Haynesworth of the Titans could also make a serious case, but it's going to be tough for a defensive tackle to win this award unless he finishes with double-digit sacks (Haynesworth has five, but three of those came in one game). The better choice is the hard-hitting Taylor, who has supplemented his reputation as an in-the-box safety by intercepting a league-high-tying five passes in the first half. Apart from a disaster against the Patriots, the Redskins have been one of the NFL's top defensive units, allowing just 15.4 points to teams other than New England and ranking in the league Top 10 in both total and rushing defense.

-Offensive Rookie of the Half-Year: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota

Another award that does not need to be determined by a straw poll. Peterson (1036 rushing yards, 9 TD) is well on pace to breaking Eric Dickerson's rookie record for NFL rushing yards (1,808 in 1983), and could also flirt with 2,000 yards, with a little luck. The most impressive things about Peterson's half- year are that a) the Vikings didn't even make him the starter until a couple of weeks ago and b) he's running wild on a team that has no other offensive threat. He'll see lots of eight- and nine-man fronts the rest of the way, but Peterson is so good, it might not matter.

-Defensive Rookie of the Half-Year: Amobi Okoye, DT, Houston

Okoye was overshadowed in the 2007 Draft by a couple of pass rushers, Gaines Adams (Buccaneers) and Jamaal Anderson (Falcons), who have yet to make much of an impact for their respective teams. Not the case with Okoye, who has started every game and has 24 sacks and five sacks to show for his first nine contests. The Louisville product will improve his candidacy if the Texans can improve their team ranks in total defense (15th) and rushing defense (21st) in the second half.

-Comeback Player of the Half-Year: Randy Moss, WR, New England

It is worth debating how much Moss' need to "come back" was caused by his own apparent indifference and lack of motivation to perform in Oakland over the past two years. No matter the circumstances, it is indisputable that Moss has once again become the top deep threat in the game, after a couple of years of people wondering whether he had lost a step or two. Moss' 12 touchdowns lead the league, and are one more than he had over his entire 29-game career with the Raiders. He's also way out in front in receiving yards (924), and in the face of almost constant double-teams, is high up the list in catches (56).

-Coach of the Half-Year: Rod Marinelli, Detroit

Marinelli took on a major task when he agreed to become head coach in Detroit, a place with a losing culture just about unparalleled in NFL annals. During last year's 3-13 debacle, Marinelli looked no closer to changing that culture than had predecessors Steve Mariucci and Marty Mornhinweg, but 2007 has shown the world a 6-2 Lions team with a new energy. The Mike Martz-led offense is among the most exciting in the league, and the defense has forced a league- high 24 turnovers. What's more, this team has clearly bought in to what Marinelli is selling, making the Lions a definite NFL team on the rise.

WEEKLY SEED REPORT

Beginning this week, we will be issuing an up-to-date ranking of where teams lie in the playoff race:

AFC

1 - New England (9-0) 2 - Indianapolis (7-1) 3 - Pittsburgh (6-2) 4 - Kansas City (4-4) 5 - Tennessee (6-2) 6 - Jacksonville (5-3)

NFC

1 - Dallas (7-1) 2 - Green Bay (7-1) 3 - Tampa Bay (5-4) 4 - Seattle (4-4) 5 - Detroit (6-2) 6 - N.Y. Giants (6-2)

NFL POWER POLL

The Sportsbook Betting Lines's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams, can be found at:

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/misc/nfl- poll.htm

FANTASY - FIVE TO START

J.P. Losman, QB, Buffalo (at Miami) - Losman will ratchet up Buffalo's QB controversy with a second consecutive strong outing.

Cedric Benson, RB, Chicago (at Oakland) - Raiders haven't stopped the run all year, and Benson is due for a big day.

David Patten, WR, New Orleans (vs. St. Louis) - He's become Drew Brees' No. 2 option, and we all know how much the Saints love to throw.

Donald Driver, WR, Green Bay (vs. Minnesota) - Greg Jennings and James Jones have overshadowed him of late, but don't sleep on the veteran.

Carolina Defense (vs. Atlanta) - Panthers know they have little margin for error defensively with an uncertain QB situation on the other side.

FANTASY - FIVE TO BENCH

Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland (at Pittsburgh) - Did you see what the Steeler defense did to Steve McNair on Monday night?

Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay (vs. Minnesota) - Surprising first-year player will find the sledding rough against a big Vikings d-line.

Kevin Jones, RB, Detroit (at Arizona) - Doesn't seem like the Lions are truly committed to the run, and Arizona has been good against opposing ground games.

Brandon Marshall, WR, Denver (at Kansas City) - Hard to say what their QB situation is going to look like this week.

Rian Lindell, K, Buffalo (at Miami) - The awful Dolphins defense gives up touchdowns, not field goals.

SUICIDE POOL PIX

1. Carolina (vs. Atlanta) - No way do the woeful Falcons send Carolina to 0-4 at home.

2. Pittsburgh (vs. Cleveland) - The Steelers are one of those teams Cleveland just won't be able to outscore.

3. Seattle (vs. San Francisco) - 49ers won in Seattle last year, but Seahawks won't underestimate them this time.

THE GAMES

I was 9-5 in my picks last week, and also went 6-8 against the spread. The latter mark might not look so great, but I celebrated upon learning that for the first time all year, I tied my 10-month-old daughter with a weekly mark. We discussed her failings, and she seemed to suggest with a series of "da-da- da's" that her Week 9 record was a fluke. I am now 80-50 (.615) on my picks this year, and 49-74-7 (.404) against the spread. Little Miss Moss is 72-51-7 (.580) when factoring in Vegas.

Atlanta (2-6) at Carolina (4-4), Sunday, 1:00 (Carolina -4)

Storylines: Panthers enter the day a half-game back of first-place Tampa Bay in the NFC South...Status of Carolina quarterbacks David Carr (concussion) and Vinny Testaverde (Achilles) unknown for Sunday, meaning rookie Matt Moore could be pressed into service as the starter...Joey Harrington, who presided over a 20-16 win over San Francisco last week, expected to make his second straight start in place of the injured Byron Leftwich (ankle)...Carolina (0-3 at home this season) joins the winless Dolphins and Rams as the only NFL teams without a home victory this season...Panthers have lost five straight at home dating back to last season... Falcons are 0-4 away from Atlanta this season... Panthers have a league-low-tying seven sacks on the year, along with Cleveland...Carolina has forced a league-high 11 lost fumbles on the year... Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan (Achilles) was ruled out for the season earlier this week...Carolina was a 27-20 winner in Atlanta in Week 3.

Fast Fact: The 33 receiving yards posted by Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith in his last two outings are his fewest in a two-game stretch since the 2002 season.

Prediction: For all their problems, the Panthers still have twice the talent and coaching of the Falcons. Panthers 23, Falcons 9.

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Minnesota (3-5) at Green Bay (7-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Green Bay -6)

Storylines: Either Tarvaris Jackson (concussion) or Brooks Bollinger will start at quarterback for Vikings...Green Bay and Dallas are tied for the best record in the NFC...Packers have won three straight and can match their entire 2006 win total with a win Sunday...Vikings take the field for the first time since running back Adrian Peterson set the NFL rushing record with 296 yards on 30 carries against the Chargers last week...Peterson leads the league in rushing yards (1036) and rushing TDs (8), and Minnesota is tops in the league in rushing offense (183.1 yards per game) and yards per rush (5.8)...Green Bay is last in the league in rushing offense (72.1 yards per game)...Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman is tied for the league lead in sacks (9) along with the Eagles' Trent Cole...Green Bay is 11-1 in its last 12 games dating back to last season...Packers won the front end of the 2007 home-and-home with Minnesota, taking a 23-16 decision at the Metrodome in Week 4...Packers safety Nick Collins (knee) is expected to miss several weeks...Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield (hamstring) considered questionable for Sunday.

Fast Fact: Each of the last nine regular season games between the Packers and Vikings has been settled by seven points or fewer, including six settled by three points or less.

Prediction: Packers will be able to contain Peterson better than most, and Minnesota won't bring enough of a passing game to help him out. Packers 24, Vikings 13.

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Denver (3-5) at Kansas City (4-4), Sunday, 1:00 (Kansas City -3)

Storylines: Chiefs enter Week 10 in a tie for first place in the AFC West along with San Diego...Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler (lower leg) and Chiefs running back Larry Johnson (foot sprain) both considered questionable for Sunday...Patrick Ramsey would start at QB for Denver if Cutler is absent, and Johnson would be replaced by veteran Priest Holmes...Denver has lost five of six since a 2-0 start, including last week's 44-7 defeat at Detroit...Broncos receiver Javon Walker (knee) expected to miss one more game, and safety John Lynch (neck) is questionable to return to the lineup...Chiefs receivers Dwayne Bowe and Eddie Kennison, both of whom are nursing hamstring injuries, are expected to play Sunday...Denver placed rookie defensive end Jarvis Moss (fibula) on season-ending injured reserve earlier in the week, and signed ex- Falcons ends Paul Carrington and Josh Mallard along with former Redskins and 49ers receiver Taylor Jacobs...Broncos are last in NFL rushing defense (161.5 yards per game).

Fast Fact: The home team has won the last nine games in the Broncos/Chiefs series since a 37-34 overtime win for Denver at Arrowhead Stadium in 2002.

Prediction: Denver has been terrible for most of the past month-and-half, but you still have to be suspicious of a poor Kansas City offense. Broncos 17, Chiefs 16.

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Buffalo (4-4) at Miami (0-8), Sunday, 1:00 (Buffalo -3)

Storylines: Miami, which is still seeking its first win of the Cam Cameron era, joins St. Louis as one of the NFL's two remaining winless teams...Buffalo has won four of its last five since an 0-3 start, including a 33-21 win over the Bengals last week...Bills will start J.P. Losman at quarterback for the second straight week, after Losman threw for 295 yards in place of the injured Trent Edwards (wrist) in last week's win over Cincinnati...Buffalo running back Marshawn Lynch comes off his first career 100-yard outing...Dolphins have allowed an NFL-high 28 touchdowns, and are tied with Cincinnati for last in league scoring defense (30.5)...Miami has recorded a league-low four interceptions and eight takeaways on the year...Dolphins are 11-7 all-time following the bye week, but have lost two of their last three following the open date...Miami is 5-19 in the first half of the season over the past three years, but went a combined 10-6 in the second half in 2005 and 2006...Buffalo has won five of its last six against Miami.

Fast Fact: After combining for 113 yards and zero touchdowns in his first five games of the year, Buffalo receiver Lee Evans has 401 yards and two scores in his last three contests combined.

Prediction: Bills are beginning to find their way under Dick Jauron, while Miami is still searching for its compass. Bills 19, Dolphins 14.

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St. Louis (0-8) at New Orleans (4-4), Sunday, 1:00 (New Orleans -11)

Storylines: Saints have won four straight, their longest win streak since taking their final four games in 2004...New Orleans, which begins the day a half-game back of Tampa Bay in the NFC South, last won five in a row in 2000...Rams and Dolphins are NFL's two remaining winless teams...Rams running back Steven Jackson, who hasn't finished a game since Week 3, expected to be in the starting lineup on Sunday...St. Louis is last in the league in scoring offense (12.4), touchdowns (8), and rushing touchdowns (1)...Injury-plagued St. Louis placed defensive end Leonard Little (toe) on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week...Saints have allowed a league-low five sacks on the year...Rams and Bears have thrown a league-high-tying 16 interceptions on the year...Rams are last in the league in turnover margin (-13)...St. Louis and Houston are tied with a league-high-tying 24 turnovers each...Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett was head coach in New Orleans from 2000 through 2005...St. Louis is 9-9 all-time following the bye week, but has lost three straight after the open date.

Fast Fact: New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees has thrown multiple touchdown passes in four straight games, the longest such streak of his seven-year NFL career.

Prediction: Injuries have made the prospect of beating a good team impossible for the Rams. Saints 27, Rams 7.

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Cleveland (5-3) at Pittsburgh (6-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Pittsburgh -9)

Storylines: Browns have won five of seven since suffering a 34-7 home loss to Pittsburgh in Week 1, and can gain a share of first place in the AFC North with a win at Heinz Field on Sunday...Pittsburgh has won 14 of its last 15 regular season games against Cleveland, including eight straight since the Browns pulled off a 33-13 win at Heinz Field in 2003...Pittsburgh comes off a 38-7 thrashing of the Ravens on Monday night, a game in which Ben Roethlisberger threw five first-half touchdowns...Steelers have a league-high 12 rushes of 20 yards or longer this season...Pittsburgh leads the NFL in total defense (237.8 yards per game) and passing defense (161.8 yards per game), while Cleveland is last in the league in both categories (411.8, 276.6) ...Steelers also lead the NFL in scoring defense (12.2 points per game), touchdowns allowed (11), and are tied for first in rushing touchdowns allowed (2) along with Baltimore... Browns have allowed 20 touchdown passes, tied with Cincinnati for the highest figure in the league...Cleveland has posted seven sacks on the year, tied for the lowest figure in the league along with Carolina.

Fast Fact: With a win on Sunday, Pittsburgh (54-55 all-time against Cleveland) will even its regular season series with the Browns for the first time since it began in 1950.

Prediction: Cleveland should be in the Wild Card hunt until the very end, but it simply doesn't match up with Pittsburgh. Steelers 28, Browns 13.

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Jacksonville (5-3) at Tennessee (6-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Tennessee -4)

Storylines: Rematch of a Week 1 showdown in Jacksonville, won by the Titans in 13-10 upset fashion...Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard (ankle) could return to the lineup after a two-game absence...Tennessee is last in the NFL in touchdown passes (3)...Titans running back LenDale White has 100 or more rushing yards in three straight games...Jacksonville rusher Fred Taylor needs 13 yards to become the 21st player in NFL history to reach 10,000...Titans lead the NFL in rushing defense (66 yards per game)...Tennessee's 11 lost fumbles are tied for the highest figure in the league...Tennessee running back Chris Brown (ankle) considered questionable for Week 10, and if he plays, rookie Chris Henry (violation of NFL steroid policy) could begin a four-game suspension...Jacksonville Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud will begin serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's steroid policy on Sunday...Titans kicker Rob Bironas has an NFL-best 20 made field goals, and is 20-of-22 on the year...League ruled this week that it would not reduce the one-year suspension handed down to Tennessee cornerback Pacman Jones for violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Fast Fact: The last four matchups played between the Titans and Jaguars in Nashville have all been settled by seven points or fewer.

Prediction: The loss of Stroud weakens a Jaguars front seven that needs to stop the run to have any chance at all. Titans 20, Jaguars 15.

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Philadelphia (3-5) at Washington (5-3), Sunday, 1:00 (Washington -3)

Storylines: Rematch of a Monday night game from Week 2, won by the Redskins, 20-12...Redskins enter Sunday's game two games back of Dallas and one behind the Giants in the NFC East...Washington running back Clinton Portis rushed for 196 yards in a 23-20 overtime win over the Jets last week, his best-ever showing in a Redskins uniform...Eagles were 38-17 home losers to Dallas last Sunday night, the sixth time in eight games this year they have been held to 17 points or fewer...Eagles running back Brian Westbrook had a career-high 14 receptions against Dallas...Philadelphia is tied with a league-low four interceptions thrown on the year...Redskins safety Sean Taylor is tied for the league lead in interceptions (5)...Eagles defensive end Trent Cole is tied for the NFL lead in sacks (9) along with the Packers' Aaron Kampman...Eagles placed safety Sean Considine (shoulder) on season-ending injured reserve on Wednesday...Philadelphia cornerback Lito Sheppard (knee) expected to play Sunday.

Fast Fact: The last two times the Eagles have lost the front end of their Redskins home-and-home in Philadelphia, they have won the return trip in Washington (2000 and 2001).

Prediction: Something's missing with this Eagles team, which won't match Washington's physical nature for 60 minutes. Redskins 17, Eagles 12.

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Cincinnati (2-6) at Baltimore (4-4), Sunday, 4:05 (Baltimore -4)

Storylines: Bengals have lost five of six since defeating the Ravens, 27-20, in Week 1...Cincinnati has won five of the last six meetings with Baltimore overall...Ravens were 38-7 losers at Pittsburgh on Sunday, managing just five first downs on the night in the worst loss of the Brian Billick era... Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson (strained neck) considered questionable for Sunday...Bengals' T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Ravens' Derrick Mason are tied for the NFL lead in receptions (56)...Houshmandzadeh is the only player in the NFL who has scored in every game this season...Ravens' 11 lost fumbles are tied for the worst figure in the league...Bengals are tied for last in the league in scoring defense (30.5 points per game) along with Miami... Ravens safety Ed Reed is tied for the league lead in interceptions (5)...Baltimore and Pittsburgh are tied with the fewest rushing touchdowns allowed (2) on the year...Bengals have allowed 20 touchdown passes, tied with the Browns for the highest figure in the league...Cincinnati placed linebacker Ahmad Brooks (groin) on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday...Ravens cornerbacks Chris McAlister (knee) and Samari Rolle (spleen) and tight end Todd Heap (hamstring) all considered questionable for Sunday.

Fast Fact: Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (at least one touchdown in every game this season) has reached the end zone in six of 10 lifetime appearances against Baltimore.

Prediction: In a battle of two dysfunctional teams, look for Cincinnati to make the final mistake. Ravens 20, Bengals 17.

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Detroit (6-2) at Arizona (3-5), Sunday, 4:15 (Arizona -1)

Storylines: Lions and Cardinals both begin play a game back of first-place in their respective divisions...Detroit capped off its best first-half of a season since 1999 with a 44-7 rout of Denver last week, the Lions' most decisive victory since 1997...Lions last started 7-2 in 1993, when they finished 10-6...Arizona held the football for fewer than 17 minutes in last week's 17-10 loss at Tampa Bay, the team's third straight defeat...Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is 0-2 as a starter and has two touchdown passes versus four interceptions since suffering ligament damage in his non-throwing elbow against Carolina in Week 6...Lions have surrendered a league-worst 36 sacks on the year...Detroit leads the NFL in takeaways (24) and interceptions (14)...Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after posting two-and-a-half sacks and a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown in last week's win...Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby (knee) questionable to return this Sunday...Lions are 0-4 in Arizona since last winning there in 1993.

Fast Fact: Lions running back Kevin Jones rushed for a career-high 196 yards on 26 carries with a touchdown in a 26-12 win over the Cardinals in Week 13 of the 2004 season.

Prediction: In a classic trap game for the Lions, Arizona will get its offense back on track and remain in the NFC West title hunt. Cardinals 26, Lions 20.

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Dallas (7-1) at N.Y. Giants (6-2), Sunday, 4:15 (Dallas -1)

Storylines: First-place on the line in the NFC East...Giants have won six straight since an 0-2 start, which included a 45-35 loss at Dallas in Week 1...New York last won seven in a row in 1990, when it went on to win the Super Bowl...Cowboys are 7-1 for the first time since opening at 8-1 in most recent Super Bowl season of 1995...Giants also started 6-2 last year, before finishing 2-6 down the stretch...New York is 8-18 (.308) in the second half and playoffs under head coach Tom Coughlin...Dallas quarterback Tony Romo has passed for more than 300 yards in five of eight starts this season...Giants running back Brandon Jacobs has gone over 100 yards in three of his past four games...Cowboys cornerback Anthony Henry is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions (5)...G-Men are an NFC-worst 4-14 all-time following the bye week, including 1-2 under head coach Tom Coughlin...Giants running back Derrick Ward (ankle/groin) and wide receiver Steve Smith (hamstring) not expected to be in uniform...Cowboys placed fullback Deon Anderson (torn rotator cuff) on injured reserve earlier this week

Fast Fact: The Giants' six wins this season have come against opponents that are a combined 13-36 (.265) entering Week 10.

Prediction: Consistent Cowboys offense places a cut above Eli Manning and the hit-or-miss Giants. Cowboys 35, Giants 27.

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Chicago (3-5) at Oakland (2-6), Sunday, 4:15 (Chicago -3)

Storylines: Raiders have lost four straight since a 2-2 start, and have averaged just 12.5 points per game during their losing streak...Oakland expected to stick with Josh McCown, who threw three interceptions in last week's 24-17 loss to Houston, under center...Raiders also expected to start running back Justin Fargas, who rushed for 104 yards on 23 carries and scored his first touchdown of the year last week...Bears and Rams are tied with an NFL-worst 16 interceptions thrown...Chicago is the only team in the league without a rush of 20 yards or longer this season...Raiders have allowed an NFL-high 12 rushing touchdowns on the year, are surrendering a league-worst 5.1 yards per rush, and are the only team in the league that has yet to force a lost fumble this season...Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher (groin) could return Sunday after missing the last five games...Bears are 11-7 all-time following the bye week, but are 1-4 following the open date since 2002... Chicago head coach Lovie Smith served as an assistant in Tampa Bay (1996-2000) under defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, the father of Oakland head coach Lane Kiffin.

Fast Fact: Current Chicago quarterback Brian Griese's final appearance as a member of the Denver Broncos came on Dec. 22, 2002, when he completed 7-of-15 passes for 48 yards and two interceptions in a 28-16 loss at Oakland.

Prediction: Bears should come off of the bye week with some urgency, knowing that a loss will effectively sink their playoff chances. Bears 27, Raiders 21.

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Indianapolis (7-1) at San Diego (4-4), Sunday, 8:15 (Indianapolis -3)

Storylines: Indianapolis, a 24-20 loser to New England last Sunday, tries to avoid back-to-back defeats...Chargers try to bounce back from 35-17 loss at Minnesota last week, a game in which San Diego surrendered an NFL-record 296 rushing yards to Vikings rookie Adrian Peterson... Colts lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns (13)...San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson has been held under 70 rushing yards in five of eight starts this season...Indianapolis has committed a league-low seven turnovers on the year, and is tied for the NFL lead in turnover margin (+11) along with New England...Colts receivers Marvin Harrison (knee), Anthony Gonzalez (thumb), left tackle Tony Ugoh (neck), and linebackers Freddy Keiaho (ear) and Tyjuan Hagler (neck) all considered questionable for Sunday...Chargers will be without defensive tackle Luis Castillo (ankle) for up to six weeks, and center Nick Hardwick (foot) could also miss Sunday's contest...San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie has scored touchdowns off of a missed field goal return, interception return, and fumble return over his last two games.

Fast Fact: In his last appearance at Qualcomm Stadium, on Sept. 26, 1999, Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning passed for 404 yards & two touchdowns as the Colts scored 17 unanswered points to beat the Chargers, 27-19.

Prediction: Still-suspect Chargers secondary won't have much of an answer for Manning, and Tomlinson and company won't keep up on the other side of the ball. Colts 31, Chargers 16.

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San Francisco (2-6) at Seattle (4-4), Monday, 8:30 (Seattle -10)

Storylines: Seattle owns a one-game lead on second-place Arizona (3-5) in the NFC West as Week 10 begins...Seahawks, who were 23-3 winners in San Francisco in Week 4, going for a sweep of 49ers after losing both matchups to their division rival last season...Niners have lost six straight since an 0-2 start, their longest skid since losing seven in a row in 2005...49ers are last in the league in total offense (224.2 yards per game) and passing offense (132.8 yards per game), and have averaged just 11.2 points per game during their six- game skid...San Francisco expected to get running back Frank Gore (ankle) back for this week...Seattle running back Shaun Alexander (knee), defensive end Patrick Kerney (oblique), and linebacker Leroy Hill (hamstring) were all injured in last week's 33-30 overtime loss in Cleveland, and their status for this week is unclear...Hawks could wide receiver Deion Branch (foot) back after a three-game absence...Seahawks have allowed an NFL-low five touchdown passes on the year...49ers placed tackle Jonas Jennings (ankle) and guard Justin Smiley (shoulder) on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week.

Fast Fact: San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith's only multi-touchdown performance in a road game came in Week 15 of last season in Seattle, when he completed 14-of-25 passes for 162 yards and two scores in a 24-14 upset.

Prediction: Niners showed some signs of life in Atlanta last week, but won't be able to fully rouse themselves in the tough environment of Qwest Field. Seahawks 16, 49ers 13.