Players in the News

At this stage in the season, some teams have absolutely nothing to play for and some teams have everything on the line. Here is a brief run-down of teams that should (or shouldn't) be motivated this weekend. The teams not listed have nothing to gain this weekend (as they have no chance to be playoff bound), but they will likely play their normal skill players.

Baltimore Ravens – If the Bengals lose their day game on Sunday, then the Ravens will lock up the division and have nothing more to play for. However, Cincinnati should be able to handle the Browns so Baltimore will likely need a win against the Steelers. Also, there's Jamal Lewis' quest to become the league's all-time single season rusher.

Carolina Panthers – They have nothing to play for (already have one home-game sewn up) so it wouldn't be surprising to see some starters sitting late in the game.

Chicago Bears – A win gives them a .500 record. That should be motivating for them.

Cincinnati Bengals – They must win (and have the Ravens lose) to make the playoffs so the effort will definitely be there for the Bengals.

Dallas Cowboys – If the Eagles lose on Saturday, then the Cowboys will win the division with a win against the Saints. However, with Bill Parcells at the helm (and with such a young team) the team will play as usual whether they need the win or not.

Denver Broncos – They have nothing to play for so it wouldn't be surprising to see some starters sitting late in the game.

Green Bay Packers – A Seattle defeat on Saturday will put the Packers in the playoffs. However, they will still play for the win because a win (and a Vikings loss) would give Green Bay the division. The Packers and the Vikings play at the same time so they will not know the outcome of the other game.

Indianapolis Colts – The Colts need either a win or a Titans loss to claim the division title. Both games will be played at the same time so the Colts will try to win their contest.

Kansas City Chiefs – If the Patriots lose on Saturday, the Chiefs would claim the top record in the league with a win on Sunday. If the Patriots win on Saturday, the Chiefs would have nothing to play for on Sunday so it wouldn't be surprising to see some starters sitting late in the game.

Minnesota Vikings – A Seattle defeat on Saturday will put the Vikings in the playoffs. However, they will still play for the win because a win (or a Packers loss) would give Minnesota the division. The Vikings and the Packers play at the same time so they will not know the outcome of the other game.

New England Patriots – A win (or a Chiefs loss) gives them home-field advantage until the Super Bowl, and it also will serve as a little payback for the Bills demolishing them 31-0 week one.

New Orleans Saints – A win gives them a .500 record. That should be motivating for them.

Philadelphia Eagles – They will be playing hard because a win (or a Cowboys loss) will give the Eagles the division. Philadelphia plays on Saturday so they must go ahead and play for the win.

Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers have only one thing to play for this weekend: A win could keep the Ravens out of the playoffs.

San Francisco 49ers – A win gives them a .500 record. That should be motivating for them.

Seattle Seahawks – They will play hard because they need a win (and a loss from either Minnesota or Green Bay) to make the playoffs.

St. Louis Rams – If the Eagles lose on Saturday, the Rams will have nothing to play for as they will already have home field advantage until the Super Bowl. If the Eagles win on Saturday (and they should), the Rams will need a win to gain that advantage.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – A win gives them a .500 record. That should be motivating for them.

Tennessee Titans – The Titans need a win and Colts loss to claim the division title. Both games will be played at the same time so Tennessee will try to win their contest.

Quarterbacks

QB Joey Harrington (Det) should start this weekend, but Mike McMahon is also expected to play.

QB Brett Favre (GB) will spend most of the week in Mississippi with his family but will play this weekend.

QB Kerry Collins (NYG) should sit again with his ankle sprain.

QB Rick Mirer (Oak) was benched in the second half of last Monday night's debacle against the Packers, but he will start again this weekend.

QB Drew Brees (SD) will again start for the team this weekend.

QB Steve McNair (Ten) was sore after last weekend's game, but he says he is no worse than last he was at this time last week.

Running Backs

RB Travis Jervey (Atl) has been placed on the injured reserve list with a strained neck.

RB Stephen Davis (Car) is expected to play this weekend (after sitting last week), but his playing time will not be extensive.

RB Lee Suggs (Cle) played well last weekend (although he did have a pair of fumbles) and should receive a good deal of touches again this weekend.

RB Clinton Portis (Den) has unofficially been ruled out again this weekend. Quentin Griffin is expected to be given another chance to dazzle the eye. Mike Anderson should get some carries as well.

RB Ricky Williams (Mia) is expected to play as usual this weekend despite likely needing off-season surgery on his shoulder.

RBs Michael Bennett & Onterrio Smith (Min) are expected to form “a nice 1-2 punch in the playoffs” according to HC Mike Tice. He adds to Bennett (who practiced on Tuesday) hasn't lost his starting job to Smith, but Smith is simply the healthier back right now.

RB Correll Buckhalter (Phi) was inactive last week because he had been late to meetings and practices. He should be available this weekend, but his workload is not known.

RB Kevan Barlow (SF) will start again this weekend.

RB Marshall Faulk (StL) could see very little action this weekend if Philadelphia loses on Saturday. If Faulk does sit, Lamar Gordon is expected to play a very big role in the St. Louis offense.

RB Ladell Betts (Was) is out this weekend.

RB Trung Canidate (Was) should sit this weekend with his injured ankle.

RB Rock Cartwright (Was) is expected to start again this weekend.

Wide Receivers

WRs Dez White & Justin Gage (Chi) will both likely sit this weekend as each player (oddly enough) has a sprained MCL in his left knee.

WR Peter Warrick (Cin) should sit again this weekend after undergoing arthroscopic surgery last Friday on his knee.

WR Ashley Lelie (Den) could sit this weekend as the team would like his sprained shoulder to heal up before the playoffs begin.

WR James McKnight (Mia) is out with his injured wrist.

WR Joe Horn (NO) is out for the season with a separated shoulder.

WR Donte' Stallworth (NO) will start in place of the injured Joe Horn.

WR Jerry Porter (Oak) will likely sit this weekend with his strained calf.

WR Terrell Owens (SF) is out for the season with a broken collarbone (although he likely will not need surgery). Tai Streets, Cedrick Wilson, and Brandon Lloyd are all expected to see increased playing time this weekend with Owens out.

WR Isaac Bruce (StL) will likely sit another week and get close to 100% for the playoffs.

WR Derrick Mason (Ten) suffered a small fracture in a rib during last week's game against the Texans. He finished the game with the injury and should play this weekend as well.

Tight Ends

TE Jabari Holloway (Hou) should sit this weekend with his injured groin.

TE Dallas Clark (Ind) is still out with his injured ankle.

TE Marcellus Rivers (NYG) should sit again with his injured knee.

TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) should sit again with his injured knee.

TE L.J. Smith (Phi) practiced on Tuesday and should play this weekend.

Place Kickers & Special Teamers

KR Michael Bates (NYJ) has been released by the team.

Offensive Linemen

C Pete Kendall (Ari) should sit this weekend with his injured shoulder.

T Qasim Mitchell (Chi) broke his right fibula last Sunday and is out for the season.

G Paul Zukauskas (Cle) is out with his injured knee.

G Dan Neil (Den) should sit this weekend with his injured ankle.

G Zach Wiegert (Hou) should sit this weekend with his injured elbow.

T Adam Meadows (Ind) has been placed on the injured reserve list with his injured knee.

G Kendyl Jacox (NO) has signed a three-year extension with the team.

T Lincoln Kennedy (Oak) has retired from the NFL.

C Barret Robbins (Oak) should sit this weekend with his injured knee.

T Marvel Smith (Pit) has been placed on the injured reserve list with his injured neck.

G Jerry Wunsch (Sea) should sit this weekend with his injured ankle.

Defensive Linemen

DE Kalimba Edwards (Det) has been placed on the injured reserve list with his injured groin.

DT Luther Elliss (Det) should sit this weekend due to his concussion.

DE Tony Brackens (Jac) will likely sit this weekend with his injured knee.

DT Brian Young (StL) will likely sit this weekend in order to get healthy for the playoffs.

DE Greg Spires (TB) has been placed on the injured reserve list with his torn rotator cuff. DE Corey Smith was signed from the practice squad.

Linebackers

LB Adrian Ross (Cin) is out for the season with a torn ACL. Riall Johnson, Khalid Abdullah, and Frank Chamberlin are all expected to see increased repetitions in Ross' absence.

LB Shantee Orr (Hou) has been placed on the injured reserve list.

LB Jim Nelson (Ind) should sit again this weekend.

LB Monty Beisel (KC) should sit this weekend with his injured groin.

LB Mike Maslowski (KC) should sit this weekend with his injured knee.

LB Henri Crockett (Min) will start again this weekend, but Chris Claiborne could see some time as well.

LB Wesly Mallard (NYG) is out with his injured knee.

LB Carlos Emmons (Phi) has been placed on the injured reserve list with a broken leg.

LB Robert Thomas (StL) will likely miss another week with his injured groin.

LB Rocky Calmus (Ten) is out with his injured leg.

Defensive Backs

CB Terry Cousin (Car) should sit with his injured leg.

S Mike Green (Chi) has finally landed on the injured reserve list with his injured groin.

CB Anthony Henry (Cle) is out with his injured knee.

S Nick Ferguson (Den) is out for the season with a broken wrist that was suffered last Sunday night again the Colts.

CB Kelly Herndon (Den) broke two metacarpals in his hand last Sunday against the Colts and is most likely out this weekend.

CB Kenny Wright (Hou) has been placed on the injured reserve list.

S Cory Bird (Ind) should sit this weekend with his injured shoulder.

CB Eric Warfield (KC) should sit this weekend with his injured back.

CB Phillip Buchanon (Oak) was benched in the second half of last Monday night's debacle against the Packers, but he will start again this weekend.

CB Troy Vincent (Phi) should sit with his injured hip.

S Zack Bronson (SF) is out with his injured neck.

CB Andre Woolfolk (Ten) has been placed on the injured reserve list.

S Ifeanyi Ohalete (Was) is out with knee and ankle sprains.

S David Terrell (Was) should sit this weekend with his injured knee.