Week 8 preview

There was quite a bit of injury news floating around Wednesday, so let's update that:

- Cowboys QB Tony Romo (pinkie) will be out at least two more games. And the way Brad Johnson filled in last Sunday, don't expect much production from the Dallas receivers until Romo returns.

- Rams RB Steven Jackson (quadriceps) didn't practice Wednesday but expects to play Sunday against New England. Don't expect to know until Friday at the earliest, though.

- Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck (back) will sit Sunday against San Francisco. With how awful Seneca Wallace looked as his replacement last week, sit every Seattle player except TE John Carlson, who caught Seattle's lone TD.

- Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder) was limited Wednesday, while WR Laveranues Coles (thigh) sat. With both ailing, RB Thomas Jones is a good start against an awful Chiefs run defense.

Now for a few Sunday previews:

Bills at Dolphins, 1 p.m.: For Buffalo, start RB Marshawn Lynch. He still hasn't rushed for more than 85 yards all season, but has 5 TDs and boosts his fantasy value by averaging more than three catches per game. QB Trent Edwards is a good low-tier starter or bye week fill-in. He threw for 261 yards last week in his return from a concussion, and Miami is 27th in the NFL against the pass (235.5 ypg). WR Lee Evans, who has a TD in three straight games, is another good start. Buffalo's defense, which averages 2 sacks per game and allows only 19.8 ppg, is another good start. For Miami, start RB Ronnie Brown. He ran for only 27 yards last week against Baltimore, but the Ravens are first against the run, Buffalo is 15th (107.2). Sit RB Ricky Williams. Since Miami's bye in Week 4, he hasn't eclipsed 50 yards. Sit QB Chad Pennington and all his receivers. Pennington has four straight 220-yard games, but only 4 TDs in that time. And Buffalo is eighth against the pass (185.8). Sit TE Anthony Fasano, a hot starter who has only six catches for 84 yards and 0 TDs the past three games.

Redskins at Lions, 1 p.m.: For Washington, start every key position player. That'd be RB Clinton Portis, WR Santana Moss, TE Chris Cooley. Even QB Jason Campbell is a good low-tier starter or fill-in. Detroit is 31st against the pass (251.2) and 31st against the run (167.5). Washington's defense is also a good start. Detroit's averaging 16.2 ppg. For Detroit, the only sure starter is WR Calvin Johnson. He caught only two passes last week, but for 154 yards and 1 TD. A good free agent pick up is WR Mike Furrey. He caught six passes for 89 yards against Houston and seems to be the replacement for the traded Roy Williams. Washington's seventh against the run (86.4) so sit RB Rudi Johnson, who has emerged as the starter over Kevin Smith.

Chargers vs. Saints in London, 1 p.m.: For San Diego, keep starting RB LaDainian Tomlinson. Yes, he hasn't rushed for more than 80 yards since Week 4, but he's too good to sit. Start QB Philip Rivers, WR Vincent Jackson and TE Antonio Gates. WR Chris Chambers (ankle) is still hobbled, and Jackson's been the primary receiver in his absence (nine catches for 176 yards and 2 TDs the past two games). Rivers has two straight 200-yard games, with 5 TDs in that time. And New Orleans is 21st against the pass (222.4). Sit San Diego's defense. It allows 23.2 ppg, and New Orleans scores 25.6 ppg. For New Orleans, start QB Drew Brees (every week) and WR Marques Colston. Brees should bounce back from his "meager" 231-yard game, even with RB Reggie Bush out. Colston didn't catch a pass last week in his return from a thumb injury, but should be in better game shape with a week under his belt. And San Diego is last against the pass (254.6). WR Lance Moore is a good No. 3 or flex, though he caught only three passes for 10 yards last week and seemed less of an option with Colston and TE Jeremy Shockey back. Shockey caught five passes for 50 yards in his return from a sports hernia, but I'd be reluctant to start him. He didn't practice Wednesday and said the injury is still bothering him. He'll likely play, but TE Billy Miller, who caught four passes for 56 yards, might be used more. Sit RB Deuce McAllister. He'll get more carries with Bush out, but isn't the receiving threat Bush is, and rarely gets looks near the end zone. 

Friday I'll preview three more games as we inch toward the weekend.     

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.