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WEEK 1 MATCHUPS
September 8, 2006
SUNDAY: ATLANTA AT CAROLINA
Steve Smith's hamstring problems would be worse had Carolina not signed Keyshawn Johnson in the off-season. John Abraham and Lawyer Milloy boost a Falcons defense that was 26th in the league against the run.
PICK: Carolina. The Panthers defense is well-equipped to contain Michael Vick and Warrick Dunn.


SUNDAY: NEW ORLEANS AT CLEVELAND
Rookie Reggie Bush and free agent Drew Brees should help Saints fans forget the hurricane-impaired 3-13 last season. The Browns are hoping Kellen Winslow helps revive an offense that ranked 26th in the league.
PICK: New Orleans. The Saints are vastly improved over last year, Cleveland is pretty much the same


SUNDAY: SEATTLE AT DETROIT
Seattle running back Shawn Alexander has 62 million reasons to prove the Seahawks' Super Bowl run was no fluke. Detroit is armed with a new coach (Rod Marinelli) and a new quarterback (Jon Kitna), but unfortunately, the defense remains intact.
PICK: Seattle. Detroit's defense will be caught with its pants down trying to stop Alexander.


SUNDAY: PHILADELPHIA AT HOUSTON
Donovan McNabb gets a new No. 1 receiver in Donte Stallworth, acquired from New Orleans, to help fill Terrell Owens' shoes. New Coach Gary Kubiak hopes Houston quarterback David Carr finally realizes his potential.
PICK: Philadelphia. McNabb is healthy and the Eagles are rejuvenated. Houston has no running game.


SUNDAY: CINCINNATI AT KANSAS CITY
Kansas City running back Larry Johnson gets the starting gig for a full season, hoping to prove worthy of the top pick in fantasy leagues. A solid preseason has Carson Palmer looking recovered from knee reconstruction surgery.
PICK: Kansas City. Johnson and the Chiefs offense are too much for the Bengals defense to handle.


SUNDAY: BUFFALO AT NEW ENGLAND
With his top two receivers from 2005 and kicker Adam Vinatieri gone, we'll see how good Tom Brady really is. Marv Levy returns to the Bills as general manager hoping for a breakout year from third-year quarterback J.P. Losman.
PICK: New England. The Patriots aren't as good as in the past, but they're still better than the Bills.


SUNDAY: DENVER AT ST. LOUIS
Jake Plummer, coming off a career year, gets a new target in Javon Walker and a nice complement to Rod Smith. Running back Steven Jackson will carry a bigger load for the Rams in new Coach Scott Linehan's system.
PICK: Broncos. The Broncos are a team on the rise and the Rams are in a rebuilding stage.


SUNDAY: BALTIMORE AT TAMPA BAY
Steve McNair takes over at quarterback in Baltimore, which should ease some pressure on the Ravens defense. After a terrific rookie season, Cadillac Williams is poised to emerge as one of the league's top running backs.
PICK: Tampa Bay. Williams and Chris Simms are enough offense to balance a solid defense.


SUNDAY: N.Y. JETS AT TENNESSEE
Curtis Martin is out at least five weeks, so Jets' fate rests on QB Chad Pennington's surgically repaired shoulder. Titans Coach Jeff Fisher hasn't announced a starting quarterback and could use three signal callers, including rookie Vince Young.
PICK: New York. Both teams have questions on offense, but the Jets can rely on a solid defense.


SUNDAY: SAN FRANCISCO AT ARIZONA
Edgerrin James debuts for the Cardinals, joining Kurt Warner and the league's top passing offense from 2005. San Francisco is 6-26 over the last two years and hasn't improved its defense enough to avoid another long year.
PICK: Arizona. James will face little challenge against the NFL's worst defense from 2005.


SUNDAY: CHICAGO AT GREEN BAY
Brett Favre is back, but the question is for how long after a career-high 29 interceptions and career-low 20 TDs last year. Brian Urlacher and the Bears defense, which gave up a league-best 12.2 points last year, won't make it easy.
PICK: Chicago. QB Rex Grossman was shaky in preseason, but the Bears defense will dominate.


SUNDAY: DALLAS AT JACKSONVILLE
Terrell Owens finally got off the exercise bike and has been working on routes with QB Drew Bledsoe this week. Byron Leftwich and Fred Taylor are both healthy — a rarity for the Jaguars, who were 12-4 last year without full seasons from their leaders.
PICK: Jacksonville. But only if the Jaguars find a receiver to fill the shoes of retired Jimmy Smith.


SUNDAY: INDIANAPOLIS AT N.Y. GIANTS
The headlines are all about the Manning brothers, but Peyton no longer has Edgerrin James and Eli is hoping a Giants defense that ranked 27th against the pass last year can somehow slow his big brother.
PICK: Indianapolis. The Colts won't need a running back against this porous pass defense.


MONDAY: MINNESOTA AT WASHINGTON
Clinton Portis is doubtful with a separated shoulder, putting extra pressure on Mark Brunell, Santana Moss and the Redskins passing attack. Brad Johnson leads a low-risk Vikings offense brought in by new Coach Brad Childress.
PICK: Washington. Brunell might be 36, but he's coming off of one of his best seasons.


MONDAY: SAN DIEGO AT OAKLAND
LaDainian Tomlinson, who feasts on the Raiders (1,215 yards and 9 TDs in 10 games), makes it easier on new Chargers starting QB Philip Rivers. Art Shell returns as coach, hoping Aaron Brooks and Randy Moss can revitalize Raiders offense.
PICK: San Diego. Tomlinson will run wild against a Raiders defense that's rebuilding.

The Week Ahead

Important updates and announcements for Players Challenge including breaking fantasy football news, valuable insights and in-your-face commentary for the football game week ahead.  

Announcement:  As of May 1, 2006, Players Challenge name and all assets including website, game play and proprietary programming has been sold to and assumed by Baybridge Technologies.  We are a small, private company based in Bermuda with experience in online wagering and will operate Players Challenge for the 2006 fantasy football season.  Players Challenge and its previous owners had ceased operations of the website and business after the 2005 season.  Any and all debts and liabilities of the previous owners are not the responsibility of the new Players Challenge and its current owners.


WEEK 2 MATCHUPS
September 15, 2006

SUNDAY MATCHUPS

TAMPA BAY (0-1) AT ATLANTA (1-0)
Injuries to Falcons defensive ends Jonathan Abraham and Patrick Kearney could hurt a much-improved Atlanta defense. Despite getting replaced last week, Chris Simms will again start at quarterback for the Buccaneers.
Pick: Atlanta. The Falcons' revamped defense is too much for the woeful Tampa Bay offense.

OAKLAND (0-1) AT BALTIMORE (1-0)
The Raiders gained only 129 total yards, gave up nine sacks last week and now must face a defense that posted a shutout in its opener. Steve McNair seems to have solved the quarterback puzzle in Baltimore and Jamal Lewis is his usual self.
Pick: 		Baltimore. A second consecutive shutout could be on the horizon for Ray Lewis and Co.

DETROIT (0-1) AT CHICAGO (1-0)
Lions receiver Mike Williams guaranteed a victory even though his team did not score a touchdown last week and the Bears didn't give up a point. Brian Urlacher and the boys handed Brett Favre the first shutout in his career.
Pick: Chicago. It's pretty much a guarantee, despite what Williams says.

CLEVELAND (0-1) AT CINCINNATI (1-0)
The Bengals defense had seven sacks and held Larry Johnson to 68 yards last week, overshadowing a mediocre effort by Carson Palmer. Browns quarterback Charlie Frye was sacked five times in Week 1 and scrambled so much he led the Browns in rushing.
Pick: Cincinnati. Rudi Johnson has averaged 166 yards in his last three games against Cleveland.

NEW ORLEANS (1-0) AT GREEN BAY (0-1)
Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister give the Saints a formidable 1-2 punch at running back, and Drew Brees and Joe Horn provide a nice deep-threat balance. Lost in the Packers' futile offensive effort last week was a 110-yard rushing effort by Ahman Green.
Pick: New Orleans. Brett Favre won't get shut out again, but he'll be running from the Saints defense a lot.

HOUSTON (0-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS (1-0)
At some point, the Colts will have to find a running game to replace Edgerrin James, but Peyton Manning is 8-0 against Houston and should handle this week because the Texans secondary has two injured starters. Running back Ron Dayne makes his Texans debut.
Pick: 		Indianapolis. Make sure Manning and the Colts receivers are starting in your fantasy league.

BUFFALO (1-0) AT MIAMI (0-1)
Injuries to safety Troy Vincent and linebacker Takeo Spikes further hamper a Bills defense that gave up 183 rushing yards in its opener. Daunte Culpepper passed for 262 yards in Week 1, but the Miami running game produced only 38 yards.
Pick: 		Miami. Both teams squandered late leads last week; this time the Dolphins will hold on.

CAROLINA (0-1) AT MINNESOTA (1-0)
Steve Smith's injury is not as much a problem for the Panthers as their defense, which gave up 252 rushing yards in Week 1 and will be without linebacker Dan Morgan this week. The Vikings' new ball-control offense was effective against the RedskinsMinnesota. Injuries to Smith, Morgan and two offensive linemen are too much to overcome.

N.Y. GIANTS (0-1) AT PHILADELPHIA (1-0)
After Donovan McNabb and Donte Stallworth helped the Eagles gain a league-best 441 yards, the Eagles are officially over the Terrell Owens episode. Tiki Barber had 110 yards last week, effective enough to give Eli Manning ample opportunities. Philadelphia. McNabb should torment a Giants secondary that struggled against the Colts.

ST. LOUIS (1-0) AT SAN FRANCISCO (0-1)
The Rams had the upset of Week 1 when they defeated Denver, and Jeff Wilkins had a team-record six field goals, but they can't expect to keep winning without scoring a touchdown. Half of the 49ers' four wins last year came against the Rams.St. Louis. A shaky 49ers offensive line will struggle against the Rams' complex blitz packages.

ARIZONA (1-0) AT SEATTLE (1-0)
Receiver Deion Branch is expected to play and boost a Seahawks offense that led the NFL with 452 points last year but scored only nine in Week 1. Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals passing attack are primed for a big season.Seattle. It's doubtful that Shaun Alexander will be held in check two weeks in a row.

KANSAS CITY (0-1) AT DENVER (0-1)
Both teams are reeling from losses last week, but Kansas City took the worst of it, losing quarterback Trent Green indefinitely because of a concussion. Another outing like last week's by Jake Plummer and Denver will be looking for a new quarterback.Kansas City. It will come down to the running game and Larry Johnson trumps the Bells.

NEW ENGLAND (1-0) AT N.Y. JETS (1-0)
First-year Jets Coach Eric Mangini faces his old team: He was New England's defensive coordinator last year. He'll face a Patriots pass offense that struggled last week as Tom Brady passed for only 163 yards. Jets quarterback Chad Pennington passed for 319.New York. Mangini's inside knowledge of the Patriots gives his team the edge.

TENNESSEE (0-1) AT SAN DIEGO (1-0)
LaDainian Tomlinson and a stingy Chargers defense made it easy for first-year starter Philip Rivers to acclimate at quarterback in Week 1. Kerry Collins will start for the Titans, but he'll be looking over his shoulder with Vince Young ready to take over. San Diego. Shawne Merriman may get nine sacks by himself against the lead-footed Collins.

WASHINGTON (0-1) AT DALLAS (0-1)
Drew Bledsoe's three-interception performance last week has kindled a quarterback controversy in Dallas, momentarily removing the attention from Terrell Owens. Clinton Portis expects to play for Washington, though he's still not fully recovered from a shoulder injury.Dallas. Bledsoe will bounce back against a soft and injured Washington secondary.

MONDAY NIGHT
PITTSBURGH (1-0) AT JACKSONVILLE (1-0)
The Steelers will enter this game with 10 days of rest and 10 days to decide if Ben Roethlisberger will play. Charlie Batch played admirably as a backup. Jacksonville's Byron Leftwich makes his first Monday night start looking to show he's ready for prime time.Jacksonville. Fred Taylor is a Monday night machine, averaging 5.3 yards a carry.