Peek at the Week: Eagles try to shred new 'Skins cred

Game of the week

Washington at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Eagles by 5½

The story: Here we go again. The Redskins gained instant credibility with their upset last weekend at Dallas. Now they go for their fourth straight against a club that is 27-27 since losing Super Bowl XXXIX to New England.

Defensive end Jason Taylor probably won't be available, but so what? Washington won without him a week ago. The bigger issue here is Brian Westbrook's availability. Philadelphia's star running back missed the game last weekend in Chicago, the Eagles lost and, yes, there is a correlation.

Look for Washington running back Clinton Portis to have a difficult time navigating the league's top rush defense, which means the pressure is on Jason Campbell. No problem. He hasn't been intercepted all season.

The key, of course, will be how Washington's offensive line handles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's blitzkrieg. Expect the Eagles to try to pressure the pocket as they did against Pittsburgh, sometimes rushing seven bodies to force Campbell into atypical mistakes.

Something to consider: Washington is the only team in the league without a turnover on offense, and Campbell the only quarterback without an interception. As a team, the Redskins have gone 253 passing attempts in a row without an interception during regular-season games.

Three games I'd like to see

Tennessee at Baltimore, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Titans by 2½

The story: The Titans are one of three unbeaten teams in the NFL, and look no further than the league's fifth-ranked defense for an explanation. The front seven is as good as any in the league, and the secondary features the NFL's leading interceptor in cornerback Cortland Finnegan.

Nobody has scored more than 17 points on the Titans in any of their past eight games, and I don't see that changing here. Baltimore has a rookie quarterback. Running back Willis McGahee is banged up. The offensive line is little more than adequate. I think you get the idea.

But that doesn't mean the Ravens lose. Like Tennessee, they can beat you with a defense that is physical, intimidating and tough to solve ... and the envelope, please: Baltimore is first against the pass, second against the run and first overall.

Rewind the videotape to the Monday game in Pittsburgh, and you realize the Steelers didn't win as much as they survived. It was a game of inches, not yards, and this could be a repeat. If I'm Kerry Collins, I'm throwing off three-step drops.

Something to consider: Defensive tackles Albert Haynesworth and Tony Brown have 8½ of Tennessee's 15 sacks.

Tampa Bay at Denver, 4:05 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Broncos by 2½

Earnest Graham will see plenty of openings in Denver. (AP)

The story: This is more about Denver than it is Tampa Bay. We know the Bucs will be in the middle of the NFC South playoff picture; what we don't know is how long the Broncos last in the AFC West before their defense sabotages them.

That unit was shredded by Kansas City a week ago, the third consecutive game where Denver surrendered 30 or more points, and it's not the Broncos defenders I feel for; it's quarterback Jay Cutler. He's forced to throw a zillion times a game just to keep up. That can't last, and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan knows it. So here's an idea: Try stopping the run by stacking the box.

The Bucs are effective with running backs Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn, and there are gaping holes in the Denver front seven to exploit. But if they don't -- or can't -- find them, it forces Brian Griese to beat you. Yeah, so he's 3-0 since taking over; he also suffered six interceptions the past two games. If that happens again, he's toast, and I'm not sure I like his chances here.

If there's anyone who knows how to get inside Griese's head, it's Shanahan. He drafted him. He coached him. He let him go. Tampa Bay better hope this one doesn't come down to Griese vs. Cutler.

Something to consider: Denver is tied with Washington for the most drives of at least 10 plays. Both have nine, with the Broncos producing touchdowns on six of them.

Pittsburgh at Jacksonville, 8:15 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Jaguars by 3½

Paul Spicer's Jags don't put much heat on QBs. (Getty Images)

The story: Poor Pittsburgh. One week it's Philadelphia; the next, Baltimore; now, Jacksonville. The Steelers can't catch a break, running into one punishing defense after another.

OK, so Jacksonville ranks 18th overall, 27th in sacks and is next-to-last in red-zone play. The Jags are home, where they're always tough. Plus, Pittsburgh is crippled, with guard Kendall Simmons and running back Rashard Mendenhall lost for the year and running back Willie Parker sidelined another week.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been resilient, but he takes too many hits. He also missed two days of practice this week. Big Ben can't last if the Steelers don't shore up their pass protection, and look for them to try Darnell Stapleton at right guard in place of Simmons.

But the numbers say pass protection might not be a problem here, with Jacksonville producing ... five sacks? That is not a misprint. Of course, pass protection could be a headache for Jacksonville, with the Jags trying to hold off an attack that has 15 sacks and a defense ranked second only to Baltimore.

Few people run on Pittsburgh, which means another tough game for Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. It also means it's your move, David Garrard. He made the decisive play to beat the Steelers the last time he faced them, and he might be forced into that role again.

Something to consider: Jacksonville is 11-6 in nationally televised prime-time games at home.

Why Mondays shouldn't get you down

Minnesota at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Saints by 3½

Drew Brees will attack the Vikes' pass defense. (Getty Images)

The story: It's time for the Vikings to prove they're worthy of all those nice things people said about them before the season. At 1-3, they aren't in trouble, but they're headed in that direction. That's why a victory here is critical, and it can be done if the offense produces something more than a lot of Adrian Peterson highlight footage. Touchdowns, people, touchdowns! Minnesota has five offensive TDs all year, and that's barely more than one a game. Try that here, and you suffer a quick and painful demise.

The Saints not only score; they score a lot. Three-hundred-yard games are the norm for quarterback Drew Brees, and I would expect another -- not because Brees likes to throw but because he must. Minnesota ranks third against the run, and the Saints have about as good a chance of moving defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams as Rob Schneider has of winning an Oscar. The pass defense is another story. It ranked last a year ago and is 17th now.

Nevertheless, pass defense is a bigger problem in New Orleans, where the Big Easy often refers to game-planning the Saints secondary. It ranks 29th, and maybe, just maybe, this is Gus Frerotte's opportunity to take a curtain call. Imagine: Minnesota winning with the forward pass. It could happen, especially with the return of tackle Bryant McKinnie.

Something to consider: In his past seven games at home, Brees has completed 71.3 percent of his passes for 2,201 yards, 15 touchdowns, five interceptions and a passer rating of 110.4.

Crummy game of the week

Cincinnati at Dallas, 4:15 p.m. ET | Preview | Endzone: Bad Bengals

The line: No odds posted.

DeMarcus Ware is poised to extend his sack streak. (Getty Images)

The story: Too bad the NFL doesn't adopt the Slaughter Rule. Then we could all go home after two quarters.

The Cowboys need a break after their loss to Washington, and they just caught one. Cincinnati can't win and might have to play without Carson Palmer again. Hey, if I were Palmer I would sit this one out, too. His offensive line couldn't figure out the Giants' blitz, so why should this experience be different?

You know, I wondered why Dallas receiver Terrell Owens calmed down this week, making nice with reporters who criticized him. Then I looked at the schedule. He can see dead people.

Something to consider: Linebacker DeMarcus Ware aims for his eighth consecutive game with a sack.

Upset of the week

Baltimore over Tennessee | Preview | Endzone

John Hargbaugh's Ravens try to rebound in Nashville. (AP)

Tennessee is the most complete team in the AFC right now and in the middle of a seven-game winning streak. Baltimore has a rookie quarterback and is coming off a Monday night loss. So it's a slam dunk, right?

Not so fast. The Ravens are home, where they nearly knocked off then-unbeaten New England late last season, and their defense is brutal -- ranking first or second in nine defensive categories.

I see the Baltimore defense stacking the line to stuff Chris Johnson and LenDale White, then squeezing the pocket in third-and-longs.

This time, I think Kerry Collins wilts under the pressure. It's Super Bowl XXXV all over again, only without a barrage of Ravens points.

Games within the games

Brian Griese returns to Denver. Once, he was the Broncos' next franchise quarterback. Now he's trying the sequel in Tampa Bay. When they talk about the Orange Crush, it's what I expect he'll catch from the stands.

Randy Moss returns to the Bay Area vs. the Niners. (US Presswire)

Mike Zimmer returns to Dallas. The Cowboys' former defensive coordinator, Zimmer has done a credible job with the Bengals. Defense isn't the problem in Cincinnati; offense is. The expectations are low here, so Zimmer has a chance to make a name for himself.

Randy Moss back in the Bay Area. A lot of bad vibes here, mostly coming from the East Bay. If Randy Moss wonders what he left behind, he could've tuned in the Al Davis News Hour the other day. Moss had forgettable moments in Oakland, but he does well against the 49ers -- with four touchdowns in his past two games against them.

Chad Clifton vs. John Abraham. Clifton is the Packers' left tackle; Abraham is the Falcons' right defensive end and the league's sack leader. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the guy with the most at stake in their battle. Beware: Rodgers has a sprained right shoulder that could worsen if Clifton can't keep Abraham off his quarterback.

Chad Johnson/Ocho Cinco vs. the Dallas star. So Chad can't make plays. He can still talk, and now he promises to score against the Cowboys and kiss the Texas Stadium star "to show my respect for Dallas and its owner." OK, fine. But who throws him the ball?

Five guys I want to be this weekend

Jacksonville CB Rashean Mathis. He has five interceptions in his past four games against the Steelers, including the playoffs. The Jags are 13-6 when he makes an interception.

Jon Kitna knows how to score against the Bears. (Getty Images)

Detroit QB Jon Kitna. For some reason, he plays well against Chicago. In each of his past four starts against the Bears he has passer ratings of 90 or more.

Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning. In his past four games against Houston he has 10 touchdown passes, no interceptions and a passer rating of 120.0.

San Diego TE Antonio Gates. The last time he faced Miami he torched the Dolphins for 13 catches, 123 yards and a touchdown. He has a touchdown in three of four games this season and aims for his third consecutive week with a score.

Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb. He's 10-5 against Washington, with 25 TDs and 11 interceptions. In his last game against the Redskins, he threw for four touchdowns and no interceptions and had a 138.5 passer rating.

Kurt Warner decimates AFC teams at home. (AP)

Just a hunch

Kurt Warner bounces back this week. Maybe that doesn't sound right after he threw for 472 yards last week, but Warner made too many mistakes against the New York Jets.

I don't see it happening again, partly because he's where he feels most comfortable -- and that's home. In 10 home games against the AFC, he has a 70.9 completion percentage, 3,293 yards passing, 28 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 118.0 passer rating.

I know Buffalo is unbeaten, but the Bills almost certainly play without starting cornerback Terrence McGee. Just a hunch, but Warner takes advantage.

Meaningful numbers

Plaxico Burress begins his vacation. (Getty Images)

The New York Giants will enter Sunday having played only three times in the past 37 days, which means they should be rested and ready for Seattle. It doesn't, however, mean they should be successful.

First of all, they're home, where they were 3-5 last season and where they had to go to overtime to beat Cincinnati two weeks ago.

Second, star receiver Plaxico Burress is missing from the lineup after the club suspended him for one game.

Third, the Giants are coming off a bye, and they aren't good after having a weekend off. They're 4-15 overall and 1-3 under Tom Coughlin after byes.

Sunday's weather watch

Poll What is the best game of Week 5?   15%  Titans at Ravens     10%  Vikings at Saints     51%  Redskins at Eagles     16%  Steelers at Jaguars     9%  Buccaneers at Broncos     Total Votes: 46072

• Baltimore: Partly cloudy, high of 66 degrees
• Charlotte: Sunny, high of 78
• Detroit: Dome
• Green Bay: Few showers, high of 56
• Houston: Sunny, high of 87
• Miami: Scattered thunderstorms, high of 84
• East Rutherford, N.J.: Mostly sunny, high of 65
• Philadelphia: Partly cloudy, high of 66
• Denver: Isolated thunderstorms, high of 63
• Phoenix: Partly cloudy, high of 82
• Dallas: Partly cloudy, high of 87
• San Francisco: Sunny, windy, high of 62
• Jacksonville: Partly cloudy, high of 85

Where we will be

• Pete will be in Jacksonville to act as a speed bump to Ben Roethlisberger.
• I'll be at Giants Stadium to hand the binoculars to Plaxico Burress.
• Gregg Doyel will be in Green Bay to test the market for New York Jets No. 4 jerseys.
• Mike Freeman will be in New Orleans to audition as Gus Frerotte's backup.