Peek at the Week: Romo to the rescue for Big D in D.C.?

Game of the week

Dallas at Washington, 8:15 p.m. ET | Endzone

The line: Cowboys by 1½

The story: Let's get to the point: Dallas must win this game. It's as simple as that. The Cowboys are in free fall, losing three of their past four, but have Tony Romo, Terrence Newman and Kyle Kosier back on the field after taking last week off. Never has a bye been more welcome, with the Cowboys in retreat before stepping back to regroup. Here's my question: Is there a rust factor with these guys, and, if so, how does it affect the Cowboys?

The company line, of course, is that because Romo is back everything is hunky dory, and maybe that's true. But I'd be careful. The secondary isn't very good. The pass protection is nothing more than adequate. And offensive coordinator Jason Garrett needs to find Marion Barber, giving him more than the eight carries he had the last time these two met.

Romo is a big jump from Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger. He's a franchise quarterback who can make plays downfield and, more important, avoid the pass rush. Washington's Greg Blache is doing a nice job with the Redskins' defense and will throw exotic blitzes at Romo in third-and-long situations. So try to minimize the third-and-longs to minimize the damage the Redskins' defense can inflict.

One other thing: Washington plays man-to-man defense with its corners, and they are solid. But if Romo can buy time with his legs, he can beat the coverage. That's another plus for the woebegone Cowboys, a team that had four offensive touchdowns in the three games Romo missed. Guaranteed that changes.

With all this talk about Dallas, it's easy to forget that Washington knocked off these guys earlier this year -- with Tony Romo in the lineup. Clinton Portis ran for 121 yards and Cowboy killer Santana Moss had another monster game, producing 145 yards in receptions. But Portis probably won't play and should yield the floor to backup Ladell Betts -- provided he is OK. That might mean the Redskins lean a little harder on Jason Campbell, who carved up the Cowboys in September and always turns to Moss and tight end Chris Cooley against Dallas.

Something to consider: Before Campbell's two interceptions against Pittsburgh, the Redskins had not been intercepted in 12 straight regular-season games, a streak of 379 pass attempts. Their two this season are three fewer than the next-best clubs.

Three games I'd like to see

Baltimore at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Giants by 6½

LB Lewis will have his hands full trying to stop Brandon Jacobs. (US Presswire)

The story: The Giants lead the league in rushing, have three backs who can beat you and one back who can pulverize you. Four times this season they exceeded 200 yards rushing, and there's a reason: Nobody can stop these guys. But the Baltimore Ravens aren't nobodies. They haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 28 straight games and are the immovable object to the Giants' irresistible force.

One problem: The Ravens are hurt. I don't know how first-year coach John Harbaugh has managed, but he has these guys tied for first in the AFC North despite 16 players on injured reserve. The latest casualties are starters Chris McAlister and Dawan Landry, and, yeah, that should affect the pass defense. So maybe it's Eli Manning, and not Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw, who pushes the Baltimore defense.

It worked in Indianapolis when Peyton Manning threw for 271 yards and three TDs in a 31-3 waxing. It could happen again, except that Baltimore is better now, and its quarterback, Joe Flacco, is beginning to play beyond his years ... er, year.

Flacco is a rookie the Ravens expected to play somewhere around midseason. Those plans got junked when neither Kyle Boller nor Troy Smith was available for the season opener. Flacco started, took his lumps and now looks like the quarterback the Ravens envisioned when they made him the 18th pick of the draft.

Look at the past four games, and tell me what you notice beside no losses. No Flacco interceptions. He has six touchdowns, no picks and the club has gone to the head of the class.

But this isn't just about Flacco. Like the Giants, Baltimore can throw three backs at you, and Willis McGahee, Le'Ron McClain and Ray Rice need no introductions. All they've done is combine for 1,185 yards and 10 touchdowns -- with the Ravens ranked third in rushing and leading the league in time of possession at 33:56.

The Giants better be careful. They could lose this one, especially if the Ravens start playing keep-away.

Something to consider: The Ravens have scored at least 27 points in each of their past four games, a franchise best, and they erupted for 29 in the second half last week against Houston.

Chicago at Green Bay, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Packers by 3½

Aaron Rodgers has to turn it around or the Packers are sunk. (US Presswire)

The story: Get used to first place in the NFC North being on the line every week. There are three teams bunched at the top -- including these two -- and no signs of a jail break. I like the Bears to win the division, but I don't like them to win this game. Reason: The Packers are feeling the heat, knowing that another loss might cripple their chances for a division repeat.

Quarterbacks dominate the conversation, with Chicago crossing its fingers that Kyle Orton is ready. If he's not, get ready for more Good Rex, Bad Rex, No Rex. Rex Grossman wasn't bad in last week's start; he just wasn't all that good. Orton, on the other hand, was making plays and minimizing his mistakes before bowing out of the lineup.

Green Bay's concerns are twofold: 1) Stopping Matt Forte, who leads the Bears in rushing yards and receptions; and 2) Getting Aaron Rodgers started again. After throwing 11 touchdowns in his first six starts, he suddenly has gone into hibernation for the winter -- with just two TDs the past three games.

The Bears can be beaten with the pass. Kerry Collins proved that last week. So maybe the Packers rely a little less on Ryan Grant and a little more on Rodgers to pull them out of their three-game skid.

Something to consider: Orton is 2-0 against the Packers and had a passer rating of 103.2 the last time these two met. When he has a rating of 100 or better the Bears are 4-0.

Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Bucs by 3½

Adrian Peterson takes his 100-yard-game streak to Tampa. (US Presswire)

The story: Everyone is eager to bury the Vikings, but the last time I checked they were tied for first in the NFC North. That's because coach Brad Childress pulled the ripcord on Tarvaris Jackson before it was too late, and the results speak for themselves: Minnesota is 5-2 under Gus Frerotte.

Frerotte has been resilient, be it bouncing back from three interceptions against Green Bay or responding to a report of a rift with his teammates. I don't know about a rift; all I know is the guy wins. Which is why this game is fascinating. Frerotte and his teammates are in the middle of a two-game swing to Florida, and they must win this weekend or next in Jacksonville. An 0-2 slump might start talk of a rift again, only this time with the direction of the club.

The Vikings aren't difficult to figure out. There's Adrian Peterson left, Adrian Peterson right and Adrian Peterson up the gut. Stop him, and you make Frerotte beat you, which is exactly what Tampa Bay will try. The Bucs aren't flashy but they keep winning with Jeff Garcia and the league's seventh-ranked defense. Garcia and Frerotte aren't old enough to apply for AARP cards yet, but they're smart enough to figure out how to win -- with the two a combined 8-4 this season.

Tampa Bay has the edge here because it is 4-0 at home and because it's coming off a bye. But don't dismiss the Vikings. Knock them all you want; they have won four of their past five -- including three with fourth-quarter comebacks.

Something to consider: The Vikings lead the league with 11 touchdowns of 20 or more yards.

Why Mondays shouldn't get you down

Cleveland at Buffalo, 8:30 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Bills by 4½

Romeo Crennel's job status will be questioned with another loss. (US Presswire)

The story: Romeo Crennel swears some of his players didn't quit last week, as a couple suggested, so let's see the Browns prove it. This is a game they could win, especially with Buffalo reeling from injuries and a spate of defeats -- four in the past five games to be exact.

Quarterback Brady Quinn looked good against Denver, but c'mon now: It was Denver, and Aidan Quinn might've looked good against the Broncos. The Bills are tougher to solve on defense and are difficult to beat at home. So Quinn will be under fire, though he might get lucky. Though Buffalo safety Donte Whitner returned to practice this week, he is not expected to play. Neither is pass-rush defensive end Aaron Schobel.

The Browns are playing for Crennel's job. The Bills are playing for position in the AFC East. Once they seemed a cinch to win the division; now they're tied for last and in danger of falling out of the race with another loss. Their problem lately has been offense, with the running game almost a nonfactor and quarterback Trent Edwards committing mistakes that were missing early in the season.

The smart money here is on Marshawn Lynch to bounce back. Edwards isn't built to carry this club -- not yet anyway -- but the rushing attack is ... provided, of course, Lynch does something more than rush for 62 yards, which is his total the past two games. A lot of that has to do with his offensive line, but this is one game where it should excel: Cleveland allows an average of 4.7 yards per rush.

Something to consider: If this comes down to a Buffalo field goal, I have a tip for special teams coach Bobby April: Stay away from Shaun Rogers. He has 12 blocked kicks in his career, including one last month against Jacksonville.

Upset of the week

Jacksonville over Tennessee, 4:15 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: Titans by 2½

David Garrard regained his rhythm in Detroit last week. (US Presswire)

The story: I promise this is the last time I call for an upset of the Titans. I picked them to lose to Baltimore, and a questionable Terrell Suggs penalty got in the way. So then I picked them to lose to Green Bay, and they won in overtime. The Titans are good ... real good ... but they're going to fall sooner or later, and I say it's sooner.

It's not that Jacksonville is better. It isn't. It's because the Jaguars should be hungry, knowing that another loss probably ruins their playoff chances and because Jacksonville always plays these guys tough. Plus, the Jags are home, though that's not exactly great news these days. Once they were virtually unbeatable there; now they're 1-3, with the only win in overtime.

The Jaguars won't be able to run on Tennessee, so it comes down to David Garrard and how he handles the passing attack. A week ago he was marvelous, producing his best numbers of the season, but that was against Detroit. Now, he's trying to outwit Jim Schwartz's defense, and good luck. Only one of the Titans' past 12 regular-season opponents has scored more than 17 points, and that was Indianapolis in a loss.

Still, I almost always like desperate teams at home ... unless, of course, they're playing the Giants.

Something to consider: Garrard has four touchdowns and no interceptions at home this year. That's the good news. The bad? Tennessee has 14 interceptions, tied with Baltimore for first in the AFC.

Crummy game of the week

St. Louis at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. ET | Preview

The line: 49ers by 5½

Antonio Pittman is a step down at RB from Steven Jackson. (US Presswire)

The story: The Rams have lost their past three; the 49ers have lost their past six. Something has to give, and it might be Jim Haslett's temper. The Rams suddenly look like Lambs again, losing three straight by an average of 24 points. They were so bad last week against the Jets that Haslett benched quarterback Marc Bulger, and don't ask if he intends to do that again.

Don't ask about running back Steven Jackson's sore thigh, either. He reinjured it after returning to practice this week and probably will miss another start. Great. That means more of Antonio Pittman, Kenneth Darby and Travis Minor and more futility for the league's 31st-ranked offense.

This one shouldn't come down to the last snap, which means offensive coordinator Mike Martz and coach Mike Singletary can relax. The 49ers might have found something in quarterback Shaun Hill, but here's a suggestion: Polish up that two-minute drill. If it does come down to a frantic finish at least make it look as if you've practiced it before.

Oh, one more suggestion: Next time you need a couple of yards, give the ball to Frank Gore, not Michael Robinson. Gore has six rushing TDs in his past five games against the Rams, and he's the 49ers' top playmaker.

Something to consider: The 49ers rank 30th in points allowed; the Rams rank 32nd.

Games within the games

Isaac Bruce gets to face his former team for the first time. (US Presswire)

San Francisco's Mike Martz and Isaac Bruce vs. St. Louis. Both were part of "Greatest Show on Turf," and both left as less-than-happy campers. This is their chance to remind the Rams what they lost, and, just a guess, Martz finds a way to get Bruce the ball near the goal line. When Mad Mike has something to prove, I don't want to get in his way.

Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan vs. Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Two of the best assistants anywhere. The Ravens rank second in overall defense, first against the run; the Giants rank third in overall defense, second against the pass. A field goal could decide this one.

Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio vs. linebacker Mike Peterson. I don't get this spat, but it's clearly a power struggle -- with Del Rio exerting the power. Peterson was sent home twice last week, then benched for the Detroit game. He returned to practice this week but said he doesn't expect to play ... maybe for the rest of the season. Memo to Jacksonville: The object is to beat your opponent, not yourself.

Giants running back Brandon Jacobs vs. Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis. Jacobs hits the hole as hard as any back I've seen; Lewis hits ball carriers harder than any defender I've seen. Now the two hit each other, and you might want to keep the kids home. "He comes downhill, I come downhill and whatever happens, happens," said Jacobs. At 6-feet-4, 264, Jacobs is actually bigger than the 6-2, 250-pound Lewis. "The only way to stop somebody like that," said Lewis, "is to run into him full speed. That's the name of football -- hit or be hit."

Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin vs. Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson has four straight games with 100 or more yards rushing, and one more ties the team record set by Robert Smith in 2000. Only problem: Kiffin is in the way, and he has a habit of neutralizing opponents' strengths. Let's see how he shuts down the Vikings' top playmaker.

Five guys I'd like to be this weekend

Dallas still hasn't figured out a way to stop Santana Moss. (US Presswire)

1. Washington wide receiver Santana Moss. He aims for his fourth straight game against the Cowboys with eight or more catches and at least 115 yards.

2. Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme. He's home and he is playing the Lions. In his past four games in Charlotte, Delhomme has completed 67 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns, one interception and a 120.6 passer rating. In each of those games he exceeded a rating of 115, and that's significant. When that happens the Panthers are 15-0.

3. Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers. Not only is he coming off his best performance of the season, he has five sacks and two forced fumbles in his past three games against Detroit.

4. Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning. Guaranteed he produces big numbers. Look at his history against Houston: He has completed 72 percent of his passes for 31 touchdowns, five interceptions and a passer rating of 118.4. If I'm the Texans I start six defensive backs and go to church Sunday morning.

5. Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Now I know why he's playing this weekend. It's Arizona week, and Hasselbeck is tougher on the Cards than East Coast trips. The envelope, please: In his past three games against Arizona, he has eight touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Just a hunch

Sebastian Janikowski has been the Oakland first-half offense. (US Presswire)

The Oakland Raiders go another week without scoring a first-half touchdown. The Raiders have one all season, and based on their past two performances the question might better be: Can they score a touchdown in either half?

They're in Miami, and you know about the futility of West Coast teams in the Eastern time zone, especially in 1 p.m. starts. But the Raiders' offense is trapped in the Twilight Zone, so dreadful the team took the play-calling out of coordinator Greg Knapp's hands and gave it to head coach Tom Cable. Yeah, that will do it. Oakland produced two field goals and was 2-of-17 on third downs in his first try. Where I come from, that's called flunking.

But wait, it gets worse. In five games under Cable this is what the Raiders have accomplished in the first half: They have produced two field goals, were blanked the past three games and were outscored 70-6. The more I see of the Raiders under Cable the more I admire them under Lane Kiffin.

Significant numbers

Right on schedule, the Colts get back on track with Bob Sanders. (US Presswire)

Beware the Indianapolis Colts. They're starting to heat up, and funny how it coincides with the return of safety Bob Sanders.

Two years ago they couldn't stop the run down the stretch without Sanders, with Jacksonville shredding them for 375 yards rushing in a December blowout. Then all of a sudden, Sanders returns and they turn into the '85 Bears -- not stopping until they win Super Bowl XLI.

Now look at them: The past two games with Sanders in the lineup, opponents have averaged 99.5 yards rushing and 3.4 yards a carry; the previous seven contests those figures were 148.1 and 4.2. The Colts are 2-3 without Sanders (he played the first two games); they're 3-1 with him, and that is no coincidence. After all, he was last season's Defensive Player of the Year.

Sunday weather watch

Poll What is the best game of Week 11?   6%  Browns at Bills     15%  Bears at Packers     21%  Ravens at Giants     13%  Jaguars at Titans     38%  Cowboys at Redskins     7%  Vikings at Buccaneers     Total Votes: 58682

• Atlanta: Dome
• Charlotte: Sunny, high of 54.
• Cincinnati: Flurries, high of 43.
• Green Bay: Mostly cloudy, high of 33.
• Indianapolis: Partly cloudy, high of 40 (retractable roof).
• Kansas City: Sunny, high of 54.
• Miami: Partly cloudy, high of 69.
• Tampa: Sunny, windy, high of 64.
• San Francisco: Partly cloudy, high of 74.
• Seattle: Partly cloudy, high of 55.
• Jacksonville: Sunny, high of 61.
• Pittsburgh: Snow, showers, high winds, high of 37.
• Washington, D.C.: Partly cloudy, windy, high of 49.

Where we will be

• Pete will be home gaining Prisco Advantage Points in Jacksonville.

• I'll be in Pittsburgh calling defenses with Ron Rivera.

•  Mike Freeman will be in Washington to cover Wade Phillips' back.

• Gregg Doyel will be in Green Bay to conduct the latest Brett Favre/Ted Thompson poll.