NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Stats:

The Ravens, who haven't allowed a touchdown, have a home opener against Cleveland did not score a touchdown against them in two games last year, a game against 2-0 Pittsburgh who hasn't scored an offensive touchdown in regulation, and a game against the worst offense in football, Buffalo, coming up.

Baltimore has kept Palmer who had 2 TD @ New England and Mark Sanchez who had 3 TD vs. New England, out of the end zone.

LaDainian Tomlinson had 102 yards from scrimmage against New England, a total only matched once last year as a Charger, at home against Cincinnati with 117. His 76 yards rushing vs. NE was matched just once last year as well, at home vs. Philadelphia.

Brian Finneran caught his first TD since week 14 2008 @ NO.

Under Ken Whisenhunt, the Cardinals have lost 6 games by at least 21 points and have won the next game 5 of those times. It also is no guarantee that Atlanta will beat Arizona in a potential playoff match-up as the Packers and Eagles have both beaten Whisenhunt teams by 21 or more in the regular season only to lose in the postseason to them.

Matt Hasselbeck has had multiple touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time since games 12 and 13, @PHI and vs. ARI, in 2007. Aaron Rodgers has had multiple touchdowns in four of his last five games, five out of six if you count the playoffs with the only time he didn't achieve this being a 48-10 beating of Hasselbeck's Seahawks.

Kyle Orton passed for more than 275 yards three times in 33 starts as a Chicago Bear, games 5, 6, and 7 in 2008. He did the same just once in his first 12 games as a Bronco, then five times in his last six games. He is 2-4 as a Bronco, 4-5 overall in those games.

Despite not throwing the ball a lot, Orton is turnover prone. There were rumors that Jay Cutler's lack of intelligence led to McDaniels listening to trade offers but Sunday ended a run of 9 out of 10 games in which Denver has had a QB turn the ball over, one of which was Chris Simms off the bench.

Atlanta's defense had 15 INTs last season and have 4 already this year.

Tampa Bay is 12-2 in their last 14 turnover-free games. Raheem Morris's Bucs are 4-2 when they win the turnover battle.

Match-up: Cleveland (0-2) @ Baltimore (1-1)

Stadium: M&T Bank Stadium

Home Sweet Home:

Finally the Ravens are back home for their season opener after two tough road games. Another divisional match-up as the Cleveland Browns come to town and they are hungry for a win.   After the Ravens last offensive performance the team should be motivated to get back on track and focused. The Ray Lewis and the defense are playing stellar, especially in the red-zone. The unit has yet to allow a touchdown.

Cleveland Browns:

The Browns despite being 0-2 are a much improved team and made some upgrades on both sides of the ball. The team signed veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme to take control of the offense. They also traded for QB Seneca Wallace who put up some decent numbers last week filling in for Delhomme (ankle injury). The team has high hopes for the young receiver Mohammed Massaquoi who has the potential to be a big playmaker. The dangerous kick returner Joshua Cribbs has been infused in the offense as a receiver and in the Wildcat formation.

Defensively, the team added a few veterans and improved the talent in the secondary. The team signed the veteran linebacker Scott Fujita and drafted Joe Haden, the top cornerback in the draft, along with rookie safety T.J. Ward (leads team with 18 solo tackles).

Chalk it Up:

Ravens Offense: After the offensive debacle in the last game, the unit may be looking for a more balanced approach. That means more carries for RB Ray Rice and more play action for Flacco.  A key for Flacco: taking control at the line of scrimmage and recognizing coverages.

Ravens O-Line: There is a possibility of RT Oniel Cousins returning. In the meantime, M. Yanda will remain art right tackle and Chris Chester as guard. The Browns have a good defensive front with DE Robaire Smith, NT Shaun Rogers and ILB D'Qwell Jackson. While the Ravens pass protection has not been bad, they do need to tighten it up a bit.

Ray Rice vs. Browns LB's: The Browns will be keying in on Ray Rice. LB Scott Fuijta  and LB Chris Gocong were picked up by the Browns in the offseason to help contain the run.

Ravens Receivers vs. Browns Secondary: CB Sheldon Brown, rookie CB Joe Haden and rookie safety TJ Ward have been playing well.  It is critical for Mason, Houshmanzadeh, Boldin and Heap to get separation from defenders.

Ravens Run Defense: The team will be focused on stopping the running game of Jerome Harrison and the defense could see RB James Davis in this game. Because the Browns have had some success through the air, the Ravens can't over play the run.

Ravens Pass Rush: The defense will continue to show different looks at the line of scrimmage to improve the pass rush.   This week means getting pressure on QB Seneca Wallace. Wallace threw for 229 yards with a TD and 1 INT in his first start for the Browns. On area of improvement for the unit will be increasing the number of take-aways and sacks.

Shaun Rogers, NT vs. C Matt Birk: The Browns strong nose tackle will be a challenge for veteran center Matt Birk.

OLB Suggs vs. LT Thomas: T-Sizzle will take on a solid left tackle in Joe Thomas.

ON THE RAVENS RADAR:

Joshua Cribbs, KR/WR: Joshua Cribbs is a threat whenever the ball is in his hands as a returner or receiver.

TE Benjamin Watson: QB Seneca Wallace became comfortable with TE Watson, connecting on 4 passes for 44 yards against the Chiefs.

Wild-Cat Formation: It wouldn't be unusual for the Browns offense to bring in Joshua Cribbs or QB Seneca Wallace under center. The team used the Wildcat formation 4 times in their opener against Tampa.

"PLAYER TO MAKE HIGHLIGHT FILM:"

Jonathan Scruggs: Joe Flacco

"Reason: After two weeks of lackluster play, Joe has a lot to prove to his critics. This weekend against the Browns he can regain form by blowing out a weaker opponent in front of a raucous home crowd. "

Matt Jergensen: Ray Rice

"This guy is the offensive star of the team so when your offense sputters every fan will look to his stat line first. He was fairly productive against Cincinnati and he should have been even more involved. Look for his number to be called early and often for the home opener."

Gene Winner: Derrick Mason

"Flacco has to get back to his bread and butter. Mason should provide some key receptions in the game."

Last week's 'Highlight Player' winner:Jonathan Scruggs picking Terrell Suggs.

BROWNS of Late:

Most likely QB Seneca Wallaceshould be the starter as Jake Delhomme is not yet recovered from a high ankle sprain.

RB Peyton Hillisis the teams goal-line and short yardage specialist. Hillis had eight carries and scored a TD against Kansas City.

The Browns steady punter Dave Zastudil (former Raven) is on IR and the team signed free agent Reggie Hodges.

RAVENS players returning:

CB Cary Williams returns from a two game suspension, we may see him in for a few plays.

DT Terrence Cody should be ready for this game after recovering from a minor knee procedure.

RT Oniel Cousins: There is a possibility he may be inserted in the line.

According to Ken Whisenhunt, it's starting to play like a broken record, the report on Beanie Wells, that is.  Wells' status for Arizona's upcoming game is once again in question, though, like last week, he's expected to play.

If you read between the lines of what Ken Whisenhunt had to say about Wells' injury, you may come tho the conclusion that the head coach has grown tired of this issue as well.  "It seems like it's a broken record now," Whisenhunt said.  "We're saying the same thing (as last week) but I think he'll do a lot more in practice (Thursday) if there's not any swelling or reaction to what he did today.  He did more today than he's ever done (the past few weeks).  I expect him to be more integrated into practice (Thursday) if we don't have a setback."

Even Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official website expressed surprise over Wells' lengthy recovery time when commenting on a "knee injury that certainly seems to be something more than the simple bruise mentioned a couple of weeks back."  I guess Wells or the Cardinals could be holding out on the true nature of his injury, but at this point we have to listen to the "broken record" at least one more time.  Hopefully Wells changes the tune this Sunday against Oakland.

The Houston Texans Texans will face off with their Lone Star state rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, at Reliant Stadium Sunday.  It will be the second match of the year, the first being a preseason win at Reliant less than a month ago.  That was then, a 23-7 Texans victory where both Brian Cushing and Duane Brown played and the Cowboys may have just been playing in preseason fashion.   Today, the Texans are without both suspended Cushing and Brown, they are the NFL's highest total yards on offense (881) and points scored (64), and the Cowboys are staring an 0-2 record in the face with a bye week creeping up in week 4.  Every Sunday's a big day during the NFL Regular Season, and this in-state rivalry match-up will by far be one of the season's biggestgames for both teams.

What to Look For

Reliant Stadium. Do you feel it Texans fans?  I hope so.  The city of Houston is close a to even split between Cowboys and Texans fans it must be a first in an NFL team's city.  From the so many Mexican Americans with Cowboy blood instilled into their heritage to the football fans that dumped the Oilers for the Cowboys to the traditional Cowboy fans, Houston is full of Dallas Cowboys fans.   And that may be a problem.  Look for the Cowboys fans to cheer just as loud, if not louder, for their team come Sunday.  It will be interesting to see which team's fans will be the effective 12th Man.

Texans

Rashad Butler. Since starting left tackle Duane Brown will begin serving his suspension effective immediately, he'll miss Sunday's game.  He will be replaced by swing tackle Rashad Butler, who has never started a game in his five-year NFL career.  Butler has a big job Sunday against the likes of rushers Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware, but he could do just fine.  Chicago did in filling-in for their injured left tackle Chris Williams last week against the Cowboys.  Kubiak said he has made an impact for the Texans in the past:

"He's played for us in some tough situations last year when we lost Duane to some injuries, so he's been on the field in big games and played against some good players.  I think the whole football team replaces the loss. We've got a big loss with Duane and everybody's going to have to step up their play and we're all going to have to play better around him."

Andre Johnson.  Johnson's recovering from a minor ankle sprain that took place in the third quarter of last Sunday's Texans-Redskins game.  He was able to get back on the field and score the game tying touch down after two cortisone shots to the ankle.  He's been day-to-day and there's no speculation that he'll miss the big game.  He should be playing at 100% even if he's not.  Johnson's a beast and the Cowboys will likely gameplan Terrence Newman his way, and that should be an easy matchup for Johnson.  If they deploy zone specialist Mike Jenkins, Johnson's day will be even better.

DeMeco Ryans. Ryans hasn't made this year's What to Watch For list, but it's not because he wouldn't be an impact player in the middle the first two games.  Rather, Ryans has yet to face a talent set of backs in the run game like this Sunday's stable.  Although the preseason-hyped "three headed monster" of Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice has yet to live up to expectations, Ryans job won't come easy.  He will man the middle  against Marion Barber's trashing running style, Jones' speed and screen opportunities and Choice's deceptive speed and great mix of moves.  With his talent and ability plus the team he's playing, Ryans should register a great game and get his name back in the talk of the Texans' best defensive playermaker.

Cowboys

Dallas Cowboy Playcalling. Jason Garrett was once heralded as a superb offensive coordinator and a great future head coach.  In 2007 he was expected to usurp head coach Wade Phillips, but Jerry Jones stuck to his guns.  Since then Dallas has been a failing team, worsening by the game. And their team's facing exploitation every time they go out.  But why?  For one, Wade Phillips has yet to coach the players to execute and play football.  Additionally, Jason Garrett's play calling has been awful.  He disbands the run for 2/3 to 3/3 passing downs; of course ending in a four-and-out.  He's called 99 pass plays to 42 runs this season. Cowboys fans are upset with good reason, there's something wrong with those numbers.  This week it would be wise to run the ball heavy and pass when you can;  Mario and Antonio will be coming.

Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware. The Dallas Cowboy' defense is focused on the powerful outside rushing linebackers Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware.  Both tremendous talents, the Cowboys switch them around causing opposing offensive lines headaches.  The Texans should gameplan the offensive line to assist Butler, limiting the playbook and opportunities for the offense.  Ware and Spencer should be licking their chops for the chance to throw off the Texans' offense, enabling the possible opportunity for a Cowboys win.

Tony Romo. The Cowboys quarterback was once at superstar status; now his star is fading in the shadows of a failing coach and a lack of team execution in general.  Romo has seemed to lost any and all confidence, and his offensive line obviously haven't turned to him as the leader.  But Romo still has weapons.  Tight end Jason Witten, presumed ready from last week's concussion, returned to practice and will play Sunday.  He is a gamer, and he's always putting himself out there for Romo.  Bernard Pollard did well against Dallas Clark for the most part, but still expect Witten, like Clark, to still make plays.  Veteran and rookie receivers Roy Williams and Dez Bryant are super talents who can make plays if given the chance, but expect the Texans defensive line to pushing Dallas' before they'll get the ball.  Miles Austin, on the other hand, is Dallas' premiere receiver and will be getting the ball all day.  Him and Romo have a connection with or without their offensive line.  The Texans D will have to step up big to keep Romo in the same slumping position he's been all season.

Editor's Pick

The Texans and Cowboys start  at 12 pm Sunday and it should be a great game.  The Texans should route the Cowboys 27-17 with a Cowboys late push.  Expect Garrett to keep up the same strategy, pass first then run.  The Texans' D have been suspect in the passing game, evidenced by Donovan McNabb's +420-yard game that will definitely influence the Cowboys' game plan Sunday.  But don't expect the Texans' D to play a bend-but-don't break defense this week.  Frank Bush's methodical defensive attack should keep Tony and his front men busy.  Arian Foster's day should be rough but effective.  Expect a 3.5 yard average that just opens up the Texans' play action, which looked great in the preseason against the Cowboys.  This game should be intense from start to finish, expect a great game.  And if you're in Texas, prepare for the "who's the better Texas team" debate to legitimately begin!