Week 11 M*A*S*H Report: Dallas and Tampa Bay Lead Teams in Need of Healthy Defenders
Atlanta and the New York Giants are two teams who are in a prime spot to score a lot of points. Read on for a preview of other match-ups that will be influenced by key injuries.
Cowboys at Falcons
Atlanta’s defense had already been dealing with injuries, which are a major reason why it ranks 29th in points per game allowed. There was hope that starting middle linebacker Deion Jones would return. But, he has been ruled ‚out.‘ Dallas’ defense, though, will also be thinned by injury. Three defensive linemen—Taco Charlton, David Irving, and Daniel Ross will not play. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins was upgraded to limited practice on Thursday and is listed as ‚questionable.' Linebacker Sean Lee is likewise still injured. Atlanta averages over 30 points at home and Dallas could have extra trouble stopping the Falcons.
Titans at Colts
Tennessee’s second- and third-leading receivers in terms of receptions are both listed as ‚questionable.‘ Taywan Taylor didn’t practice all week and Tajae Sharpe was limited in practice on Friday. If they were both to miss Sunday’s game, then that would leave Corey Davis as Tennessee’s only active receiver with more than 10 receptions. Quarterback Marcus Mariota also likes to lean on running back Dion Lewis out of the backfield. The Colts, though, may miss starting corner Nate Hairston and starting safety Malik Hooker. Indianapolis ranks 24th in opposing pass yards per game, but could still do well against a Tennessee offense that ranks 30th in pass yards per game. There is some reason to think that this will be a lower-scoring game. Starting linebacker Derrick Morgan and safety Dane Cruikshank will return for Tennessee’s number-one scoring defense after missing last week’s game against the Patriots. Despite their return and the possible absence of two receivers, the public loves the „over,“ which currently sits at 50.5 points.
Buccaneers at Giants
It might seem unusual that oddsmakers set a total above 50 points in a game with the Giants, who average fewer than 20 points per game. But this game offers a great spot for the Giants to light up the scoreboard. Tampa Bay’s defense will miss at least three starters— defensive end Vinny Curry, linebacker Lavonte David, and safety Justin Evans. Star middle linebacker Kwon Alexander is still on injured reserve. Tampa Bay allows 4.4 yards per carry, ranking 18th, but are allowing 5.2 YPC in their last three games. Their banged-up defense should really struggle to limit Saquon Barkley.
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Steelers at Jaguars
The Jaguars, who have failed to cover their last five games (last week was a push for most), continue to suffer bad injury luck. Their offensive line was already banged up with the season-ending injuries of left tackle Cam Robinson and center Brandon Linder. Right guard A.J. Cann is listed as ‚questionable.‘ Pittsburgh’s seventh-ranked pass rush in terms of sack percentage should take advantage. Jacksonville's defense faces mixed news. It will benefit from the return of cornerback A.J. Buoye, but may miss veteran run-stuffing lineman Marcell Dareus
Raiders at Cardinals
If you are a fan of team totals, the Oakland team total ‚under‘ may be hidden gem. Oakland will miss wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Martavis Bryant to injury. Tight end Jared Cook figures to play an even larger-than-usual role in the offense, although Arizona is eighth-best in opposing receiving yards to tight ends. Oakland’s two primary receivers will be Seth Roberts and Brandon LaFell. Both have combined for just over 300 receiving yards this season. Arizona ranks fifth in opposing pass yards per game and should have no problem limiting an Oakland team that averages 11 points on the road and has scored nine points combined in its last two games.
Bengals at Ravens
Not all sports books have come out with a line for this game because of Baltimore’s injury situation. The usual starting quarterback Joe Flacco is listed as ‚doubtful‘ with a hip injury. It was rumored that first-round draft pick Lamar Jackson would start, although he began to suffer stomach pains late in the week, meaning that Robert Griffin III was the only quarterback who practiced on Thursday. However, Jackson practiced on Friday and he should get his first career start. Left Tackle Ronnie Stanley is listed as ‚questionable,‘ meaning that Baltimore could be without both starting tackles because James Hurst is still ‚out.‘ On defense, slot cornerback Tavon Young is listed as ‚questionable.‘ Cincinnati has injury problems of its own. It looks like star receiver A.J. Green will be absent again. Linebackers Preston Brown and Nick Vigil will be absent. Vontaze Burfict returned to practice, but remained limited and is listed as ‚questionable.‘ Out of necessity, the Bengals called up a linebacker from its practice squad.
Atlanta and the New York Giants are two teams who are in a prime spot to score a lot of points. Read on for a preview of other match-ups that will be influenced by key injuries.
Cowboys at Falcons
Atlanta’s defense had already been dealing with injuries, which are a major reason why it ranks 29th in points per game allowed. There was hope that starting middle linebacker Deion Jones would return. But, he has been ruled ‚out.‘ Dallas’ defense, though, will also be thinned by injury. Three defensive linemen—Taco Charlton, David Irving, and Daniel Ross will not play. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins was upgraded to limited practice on Thursday and is listed as ‚questionable.' Linebacker Sean Lee is likewise still injured. Atlanta averages over 30 points at home and Dallas could have extra trouble stopping the Falcons.
Titans at Colts
Tennessee’s second- and third-leading receivers in terms of receptions are both listed as ‚questionable.‘ Taywan Taylor didn’t practice all week and Tajae Sharpe was limited in practice on Friday. If they were both to miss Sunday’s game, then that would leave Corey Davis as Tennessee’s only active receiver with more than 10 receptions. Quarterback Marcus Mariota also likes to lean on running back Dion Lewis out of the backfield. The Colts, though, may miss starting corner Nate Hairston and starting safety Malik Hooker. Indianapolis ranks 24th in opposing pass yards per game, but could still do well against a Tennessee offense that ranks 30th in pass yards per game. There is some reason to think that this will be a lower-scoring game. Starting linebacker Derrick Morgan and safety Dane Cruikshank will return for Tennessee’s number-one scoring defense after missing last week’s game against the Patriots. Despite their return and the possible absence of two receivers, the public loves the „over,“ which currently sits at 50.5 points.
Buccaneers at Giants
It might seem unusual that oddsmakers set a total above 50 points in a game with the Giants, who average fewer than 20 points per game. But this game offers a great spot for the Giants to light up the scoreboard. Tampa Bay’s defense will miss at least three starters— defensive end Vinny Curry, linebacker Lavonte David, and safety Justin Evans. Star middle linebacker Kwon Alexander is still on injured reserve. Tampa Bay allows 4.4 yards per carry, ranking 18th, but are allowing 5.2 YPC in their last three games. Their banged-up defense should really struggle to limit Saquon Barkley.
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Steelers at Jaguars
The Jaguars, who have failed to cover their last five games (last week was a push for most), continue to suffer bad injury luck. Their offensive line was already banged up with the season-ending injuries of left tackle Cam Robinson and center Brandon Linder. Right guard A.J. Cann is listed as ‚questionable.‘ Pittsburgh’s seventh-ranked pass rush in terms of sack percentage should take advantage. Jacksonville's defense faces mixed news. It will benefit from the return of cornerback A.J. Buoye, but may miss veteran run-stuffing lineman Marcell Dareus
Raiders at Cardinals
If you are a fan of team totals, the Oakland team total ‚under‘ may be hidden gem. Oakland will miss wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Martavis Bryant to injury. Tight end Jared Cook figures to play an even larger-than-usual role in the offense, although Arizona is eighth-best in opposing receiving yards to tight ends. Oakland’s two primary receivers will be Seth Roberts and Brandon LaFell. Both have combined for just over 300 receiving yards this season. Arizona ranks fifth in opposing pass yards per game and should have no problem limiting an Oakland team that averages 11 points on the road and has scored nine points combined in its last two games.
Bengals at Ravens
Not all sports books have come out with a line for this game because of Baltimore’s injury situation. The usual starting quarterback Joe Flacco is listed as ‚doubtful‘ with a hip injury. It was rumored that first-round draft pick Lamar Jackson would start, although he began to suffer stomach pains late in the week, meaning that Robert Griffin III was the only quarterback who practiced on Thursday. However, Jackson practiced on Friday and he should get his first career start. Left Tackle Ronnie Stanley is listed as ‚questionable,‘ meaning that Baltimore could be without both starting tackles because James Hurst is still ‚out.‘ On defense, slot cornerback Tavon Young is listed as ‚questionable.‘ Cincinnati has injury problems of its own. It looks like star receiver A.J. Green will be absent again. Linebackers Preston Brown and Nick Vigil will be absent. Vontaze Burfict returned to practice, but remained limited and is listed as ‚questionable.‘ Out of necessity, the Bengals called up a linebacker from its practice squad.
