By Land, By Air

Some may ask which is bigger - gaining 234 total yards on thirty touches, or the extripation of a defense by the score of 41-7? Perhaps the most important component would be how scarily accurate the sleepers were for week seven. Houston Texans running back Arian Foster may disargee, but we know better.

Byes:  Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, NY, Jets, Oakland, Tampa Bay

QB

John Beck (Was @ Buf)  The indictment falls on Buffalo's 30th ranked pass defense, giving up 284.8 yards/game coupled with the fact that the Redskins will probably be playing from behind in this contest.

Andy Dalton (Cin @ Sea)  The rookie QB from TCU has began to develop focus against the elite defenses. Seattle ranks 20th (250 pass ypg).

Joe Flacco (Bal vs Ari)  The entire Raven offense needs redemption after the product they left on the field on Monday night. Arizona's 28th rated pass defense should serve as an anecdote.

RB

Knowshon Moreno (Den vs Det)  The Lions are giving up 129.4 rushing yards per game, which is 29th of 32 NFL teams.

Daniel Thomas (Mia @ NY Giants)  At 0-6, the Dolphins are a rather desperate opponent, not to mention the Giants may be on upset alert as they possess one of the worst defenses in the league versus the run (27th).

Delone Carter (Ind @ Ten)  The Syracuse alumnus should be a solid sleeper against the 24th ranked run defense if your RB is on bye this week.

WR

Greg Little (Cle @ SF)  Although the 'Niners defense has a tough reputation with the second-best defensive unit against the run, their pass D - not so much, 22nd rated as of week eight.

Nate Washington (Ten vs Ind)  The Colts have given up 95 first downs by way of the pass. This shouldn't be too hard to figure out.

Doug Baldwin (Sea vs Cin)  Baldwin is emerging as one of the most talented rookie wide receivers, leading the Seahawks in receiving. Playing against the 4th-ranked pass defense, Baldwin should be a descent number two WR, lining up with teammate Sidney Rice, in week eight.

TE

Aaron Hernandez (NE @ Pit)  Even though Pittsburgh has the third-ranked pass defense, New England seems to have figured out how to exploit the run-stopping linebackers in pass coverage by saturating the middle of the field with pass-catching tight ends.

Greg Olsen (Car vs Min)  The Vikings are giving up 296 receiving yards per game, which is 30th. If they double Steve Smith, Olsen should get a few red zone looks.

Brandon Pettigrew (Det @ Den)  With the primary focus on Megatron, Pettigrew should pay dividends against the 19th-ranked receiving defense in the NFL this week. 

DEF

Cincinnati @ Sea

Cleveland @ SF

Houston vs Jac

QB

Matthew Stafford (Det @ Den)

Eli Manning (NY Giants vs Mia)

RB

Beanie Wells (Ari @ Bal)

DeAngelo Williams (Car vs Min)

WR

Sidney Rice (Sea vs Cin)

Dwayne Bowe (KC vs SD)

TE

Marcedes Lewis (Jac @ Hou)

Vernon Davis (SF vs Cle)

DEF

Pittsburgh vs NE

Dallas @ Phi

Gentle Giant

With Brandon Jacobs sidelined with a knee injury, his partner in the backfield, Ahmad Bradshaw, saw all of the goaline touches for the Giants during their 27-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills Sunday. Three one-yard scores and 104 rushing yards put the Marshall alumnus over the top for week seven. The Giants go into the bye week with a 4-2 record, which is good enough for first place in the NFC East. They host Miami (0-6) on October 30.

Byes: Buffalo, Cincinnati, New England, NY Giants, Philadelphia, San Francisco

QB

Colt McCoy (Cle vs Sea)  The Seahawk defense ranks around the middle of the league (18th), however, with Peyton Hillis hobbled with a hamstring injury, the offense falls on McCoy's shoulders at home.

Christian Ponder (Min vs GB)  If anything, the Vikings should be playing from behind for the majority of the game.

Curtis Painter (Ind @ NO)  The Saints' secondary has given up five passing plays over 40 yards. Plus the Colts are rushing for only 84 yards per game.

RB
Daniel Thomas (Mia vs Den)  Denver is yielding the eighth most rushing yards per game (123.4) in the NFL, coupled with the fact that Matt Moore is the Fins' QB.
DeMarco Murray (Dal vs StL)  The Rams are currently allowing 161.8 rushing yards/game, the NFL's worst.
Ryan Torain (Was @ Car)  The only team giving up more rushing yards per game than the Panthers are the St. Louis Rams (140.3). Torain should benefit.

WR
Brandon Lloyd (StL @ Dal)  With the Rams being 0-6, desperate, and Dallas having the stingiest rush defense in the NFL, the newly acquired Lloyd should have a decent day, at worst, no matter who the quarterback is.
Jacoby Jones (Hou @ Ten)  Tennessee has a top ten defense against receivers, but with Andre Johnson out yet another game, Jones should be a solid sleeper for week seven.
Darrius Heyward-Bey (Oak vs KC)  The Chiefs are giving up around 255 receiving yards per contest. And don't forget, Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry is out for the season.

TE
Brandon Pettigrew (Det vs Atl)  Atlanta's defense against receiving is the fifth worst that the NFL has to offer. Pettigrew should get a few red zone looks.
Ed Dickson (Bal @ Jac)  Although the Jags possess the seventh best defense against the air attack, the middle of the field should be open often with their cornerbacks occupied with Boldin and Smith.
Fred Davis (Was @ Car)  Regardless of which defense is on the field, it's time to take the training wheels off. Davis is currently leading Washington in receiving with 343 and second in receptions with 22.

DEF

Cleveland vs Sea
Jacksonville vs Bal
Dallas vs StL

QB
Matt Ryan (Atl @ Det)
Joe Flacco (Bal @ Jac)

RB
Adrian Peterson (Min vs GB)
Michael Turner (Atl @ Det)

WR
Vincent Jackson (SD @ NYJ)
Anquan Boldin (Bal @ Jac)

TE
Marcedes Lewis (Jac vs Bal)
Kellen Winslow (TB vs Chi)

DEF
NY Jets vs SD
Green Bay @ Min

Best Foot Forward

Despite suffering a sprained left foot, Ben Roethlisberger threw five touchdowns on 24 of 34 passes in a 38-17 slaughter of Tennessee's defense. 'T must be the shoes, aye?  Week six...

Byes:
Arizona, Denver, Kansas City, San Diego, Seattle, Tennessee

QB

Mark Sanchez (NYJ vs Mia)  The Dolphins had a bye week to address their deficiencies in the secondary. It won't help (307 pass ypg - 31st).

Sam Bradford (StL @ GB)  The defending champs are still giving up nearly 300 yards to opposing qb's per game. Bradford should perform no differently.
Eli Manning (NYG vs Buf)  Buffalo's arena style of play (defense 283.4 pass ypg) fits perfectly into Eli's game plan - to play catch up.

RB
James Starks (StL @ GB)  The winless Rams and their matador-like run defense are yielding a league-worst 179.8 yards on the ground.
Tim Hightower (Was vs Phi)  Marshall Faulk said it best, describing the Eagles defense as a 'collection of talent', as opposed to a unit, giving up 140.2 rushing yards per game (30th).
Cedric Benson (Cin vs Ind)  The Colts' defense is 31st in the league against the run, averaging 145.2 yards and a league-high 45 rushing first downs per contest.

WR
Victor Cruz (NYG vs Buf)  Buffalo's defense has given up 74 first downs to pass plays this season.
Mike Sims-Walker (StL @ GB)  318.6 is a lot of passing yards to give up per game, which is 31st in the NFL. Sims-Walker should benefit.
Roy Williams (Chi vs Min) The Vikings secondary is the ultimate remedy to an anemic passing game (294 rec. ypg - 26th).

TE
Ed Dickson (Bal vs Hou)  Although Houston is ranked sixth at defending receivers, Dickson should benefit from the loss of LB/DE Mario Williams, who is 6'6".
Scott Chandler (Buf @ NYG)  Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick spreads the pigskin wealth. Plus Chandler's 6'7" frame is an easy red zone target.
Kellen Winslow (TB vs NO)  The Saints have given up a touchdown to opposing tight ends in the last four games.

DEF

Washington vs Phi  The 'Skins are currently holding opponents to 15.8 points per game (3rd).
Cincinnati vs Ind
Cleveland @ Oak

QB
Joe Flacco (Bal vs Hou)
Josh Freeman (TB vs NO)
RB
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE vs Dal)
DeAngelo Williams (Car @ Atl)
WR
Brandon Marshall (Mia @ NYJ)
Reggie Wayne (Ind @ Cin)
TE
Vernon Davis (SF @ Det)
Jermichael Finley (GB vs StL)
DEF
San Francisco @ Det
Green Bay vs StL

Week Five: The Beginning of the Byes

Everybody please stand if you knew the NFL season was going to begin on schedule. Okay, of those who remain standing, if you had any idea Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton would be third in passing behind Brady and Brees by week five, please remain standing. Interesting, no?
Let's get down to business without delay, shall we?

Byes:
Baltimore, Cleveland, Dallas, Miami, St. Louis, Washington

QB
Donovan McNabb (Min vs Ari)  Arizona ranks 26th in the league, giving up 282.8 yards passing per game.
Alex Smith (SF vs TB)  The Bucs have yielded 47 first downs to passes while giving up 270.7 (21st) yards per contest through the air with only two interceptions.
Curtis Painter (Ind vs KC)  So far this season, opposing qb's of Kansas City have a 94.1 rating.
RB
Pierre Thomas (NO @ Car)  The Panthers are currently giving up 143.8 rushing yards per game (31st).
Joseph Addai (Ind vs KC)  The Chiefs rank 27th against the run.
Willis McGahee (Den vs SD)  With the Chargers giving up 101.5 rushing yards per game, McGahee should be a solid sleeper for week five.
WR
Darrius Heyward-Bey (Oak @ Hou)  The Texans are getting passed on at a rate of 235.8 yards per through four games.
Nate Burleson (Det vs Chi)  Two reasons: The Bears are giving up 315 receiving ypg, and Calvin Johnson is on Burleson's opposite side.
Early Doucet (Ari @ Min)  The Vikings rank 28th in the NFL with 304 yards per through the air.
TE
Dustin Keller (NYJ @ NE)  The Patriots are last in the league vs. the pass.
Owen Daniels (Hou vs Oak)  The Raiders pass defense has given up 60 first downs. Plus with Andre Johnson hobbled, Daniels should pay dividends at home.
Scott Chandler (Buf vs Phi)  The Eagles are confused with no chemistry in the secondary,  yielding 237.2 passing ypg.
DEF

Houston vs Oak
Cincinnati @ Jac
Detroit vs Chi

QB
Drew Brees (NO @ Car)
Jay Cutler (Chi @ Det)
RB
Michael Turner (Atl vs GB)
Rashard Mendenhall (Pit vs Ten)
WR
Mike Wallace (Pit vs Ten)
Brandon Lloyd (Den vs SD)
TE
Kellen Winslow (TB @ SF)
Marcedes Lewis (Jac vs Cin)
DEF
NY Jets @ NE
Green Bay @ Atl