BEST PLAYER MATCHUP OF THE WEEK: Colts QB Peyton Manning vs. Ravens MLB Ray Lewis
The Colts rank last in rushing. The Ravens rank first in run defense. That's going to put a lot of pressure on Manning to call a perfect game at the line. "There have been plenty of times where Ray has called out the play we're running, and he's fairly accurate," Manning said. "If he's right, I'm not saying you can't execute the play, but it is extremely impressive the way he prepares for the mental aspect."
COACHING MATCHUP OF THE WEEK: Mike McCarthy vs. Mike Holmgren
Seattle's Holmgren has lost three of four games and is coming off the worst beating of his career, a 44-6 loss to the Giants in New York. That's not exactly what he envisioned when he announced he would retire at the end this season. The Seahawks face a Packers team that has lost in a row. This probably will be the last time Holmgren faces the team he led to victory in Super Bowl XXXI.
HERO OF THE WEEK: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
What do you get when you mix the Lions, homefield advantage and a great running back who hasn't rushed for more than 80 yards in three consecutive weeks? A 100-yard game and a victory, for starters. The Lions rank 30th in run defense. For those with short attention spans, the NFL record for rushing yards in a game is 296.
FANTASY PICKS: Four emergency Sunday morning pickups
Bears TE Greg Olsen is making Kyle Orton look good and his numbers are going up each week. Ditto for Greg Camarillo (WR) in Miami with Chad Pennington. The Cards' Steve Breaston (WR) fills in for Anquan Boldin against a hurting Dallas secondary. And why not Gus Frerotte? (Chris Carr)
