Breckunitch: Predicting studs, busts

Driver and Garrard should have big games, Tennessee may struggle

By Kelly Breckunitch

Published on Fri., September 14th, 2007

Here are some of the position mismatches for the NFL weekend.

Matchup benefits

— WR Donald Driver, Green Bay. Last weekend, Jason Witten had six receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown against the Giants secondary. Driver must be salivating while preparing to play the Giants this weekend. Brett Favre will find Driver open on many occasions this Sunday.

— Chicago Defense. Kansas City barely made a dent against the Houston defense last weekend, how do you think it’ll fare against one of the league’s best? The Texans held Larry Johnson to 43 yards rushing and Damon Huard to 168 passing yards. Just think what the Bears defense can do to the Chiefs.

— QB David Garrard, Jacksonville. The Falcons could not stop a rookie from rushing for more than 100 yards or a first-year starter from throwing for more than 150 yards. Garrard is not as focused on running this year, but he is definitely a much better quarterback than Minnesota’s Tarvaris Jackson. Garrard and Jacksonville will cause many problems for the Atlanta defense.

— RB Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati. Willie Parker breezed to a 100 yard rushing performance against the Browns last weekend. Rudi Johnson will face the opposite of the Baltimore defense that held him to 50 yards when the Bengals take on Cleveland this weekend. Johnson should put up 100 yards rushing without a problem.

Matchup busts

— QB Vince Young, Tennessee. Young has to face an Indianapolis defense that shut down a high-powered Saints offense. The Colts defense is for real and the lack of another star player on offense only hurts Young more. Young will have a mediocre game at best this Sunday against the Colts.

— RB Tatum Bell, Detroit. Bell had a solid game against Oakland, rushing 15 times for 87 yards and one touchdown. Minnesota had no problem shutting down Atlanta’s two big rushers, though, and it could end up being a long day for Bell this Sunday.

— WR Torry Holt, St. Louis. Holt had eight catches for 73 yards and one touchdown against Carolina. But he had little production in the second half of that game. San Francisco’s defense shut down Arizona’s top two receivers, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, and it will look to do the same to Holt.

— Tennessee defense. Last week the Titans played against a team with a weak passing offense. This week they will play against the Colts and one of the league’s best passing offenses. Reggie Wayne may have an even bigger day than his seven catches, 115 yards and two touchdowns on opening night against the Saints. Tennessee’s defense was already in trouble after star cornerback Pacman Jones was suspended, and now the Titans defense will get run over by the Colts on Sunday.

— Edited by Tara Smith

Discussion

The Kansan.com staff reviews comments regularly. Please be respectful of your peers. For our full user policy, click here.

Headlines

Students go green to save green

Local gardening organizations help students grow their own produce.

Video