Five Players To Watch During Week 14

Added on Dec 10, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

There aren’t as many intriguing matchups on the Week 14 schedule as in previous weeks, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t games to talk about. The Raiders look to stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race with a trip to Jacksonville, while the AFC West leading Chiefs battle with division rival San Diego. Tom Brady’s Pats face Jay Cutler’s Bears in a key inter-conference showdown and Michael Vick leads the Eagles into Dallas to face the dangerous Cowboys. With playoff spots on the line, here are five players to keep an eye on.

James Starks (Packers) – Green Bay has yet to find an adequate replacement for running back Ryan Grant. Brandon Jackson is more suited to be a third-down specialist and John Kuhn is a fullback. Starks’ debut last week against the Niners netted him 73 yards on 18 carries. Not exactly Pro Bowl numbers, but he ran with power and fresh legs. This Sunday he’ll draw a generous Lions defense that allows 127 yards on the ground. If Starks can solidify the backfield, the Packers could be the team to beat in the NFC.

Brian Urlacher (Bears) – It’s offense versus defense when the Bears host the Patriots. Tom Brady has been playing lights out football for weeks and is coming off a Monday night massacre against the Jets. Chicago boasts perhaps the league’s best overall defense. Urlacher’s ability to disrupt the Pats simple, yet effective scheme will go a long way in deciding the outcome. He must be smart and aggressive against the very crafty Brady. Could this be a Super Bowl preview? Maybe.

Mark Sanchez (Jets) – The Jets, and Sanchez in particular, need to bounce back on a short week. The second-year signal caller was abysmal on Monday night in throwing 16 incompletions and three interceptions. Miami’s defense is a classic Jekyll-Hyde unit. Statistically, they rank in the Top 10 in most categories, but Sanchez did toss for three touchdowns in the first meeting. If he can’t focus and forget about Monday’s blowout loss, the Jets could be staring at another setback.

Quentin Jammer (Chargers) – Jammer limited Dwayne Bowe to one catch for 13 yards in Week 1. He’ll need to do the same on Sunday because Bowe has been an absolute beast in 2010. Champ Bailey shut Bowe out a week ago, so he should be eager for redemption. Jammer has been inconsistent thus far, but his job could me made much easier if Brodie Croyle, not Matt Cassel, is under center for the Chiefs.

Tashard Choice (Cowboys) – In his first significant action of the season last week, Choice ran roughshod on the Colts defense for 100 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys might try to play keep away with Michael Vick’s offense. If so, Choice will be the primary ball carrier. The Eagles defense has been exposed as of late, which means Dallas could be poised to win their fourth straight in this intense rivalry.