■ 15 November 2008 | 1:29 AM
The biggest injury news from Friday is that Saints RB Reggie Bush (knee) and Rams RB Steven Jackson (thigh) both won't play Sunday. That's good news for Saints RB Deuce McAllister, who faces the worst run defense in the league.
In other news:
- Bears QB Kyle Orton (ankle) is probable, but not a good start because Green Bay's run defense is much worse than its pass defense.
- 49ers WRs Arnaz Battle (foot) and Josh Morgan (groin) are both out, good news for WR Isaac Bruce against a lousy Rams pass defense.
- Redskins RB Clinton Portis (knee) is questionable, but RB Ladell Betts is a better start against a weak run defense.
The full injury report will appear in Sunday's paper, but for now here's four more Sunday previews:
Eagles at Bengals, 1 p.m.: For Philadelphia, start QB Donovan McNabb, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Kevin Curtis and RB Brian Westbrook. Cincinnati is 25th against the run (138.1 ypg), so Westbrook should run wild. Cincinnati is 10th against the pass (193.7), but McNabb has 543 yards and 5 TDs the past two games. Philadelphia's defense also is a good start because Cincinnati averages only 16 ppg. For Cincinnati, start only WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Philadelphia is sixth against the pass (190.4) but Houshmandzadeh has 23 catches for 177 yards the past three games.
Vikings at Buccaneers, 1 p.m.: For Minnesota, obviously start RB Adrian Peterson, though Tampa Bay has allowed 1 rushing TD all season. QB Gus Frerotte, who hasn't had a 200-yard game since Week 7 and has 5 TDs to 4 INTs since then, is a sit against the fifth-ranked pass defense (190.1). However, I'd start WR Bernard Berrian, who is bound to bounce back from a no catch game last week. For Tampa Bay, sit all running backs. There's too many of them sharing carries against the third-ranked run defense (70.1). Start QB Jeff Garcia, who has 866 yards the past three games and faces the 19th-ranked pass defense (219.2). WR Antonio Bryant, who has 20 catches for 275 yards and 2 TDs the past three games, is another good start. Start the defense, which has forced 16 turnovers in nine games.
Cardinals at Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.: For Arizona, start QB Kurt Warner, WR Larry Fitzgerald, WR Anquan Boldin and RB Tim Hightower. WR Steve Breaston is a good option also against the 31st-ranked pass defense (252.2). Seattle's also 22nd against the run (119.9). For Seattle, start WR Bobby Engram. He had 63 receiving yards last week and should be boosted by the return of QB Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck is a decent free agent pickup as a backup security blanket, but sit him until he proves he's capable of being a quality quarterback. He should do decent though. Arizona has allowed a league-worst 18 passing TDs. Sit RB Julius Jones, who has no TDs the past three games.
Rams at 49ers, 4:05 p.m.: For St. Louis, start no one. The Rams looked awful last week in scoring three points against the Jets, and haven't scored more than 16 since Week 7 and have scored more than 19 once all season. San Francisco looks improved under coach Mike Singletary, so this should be ugly. For San Francisco, start RB Frank Gore, who is probable despite a neck injury. St. Louis is 30th against the run (161.0). Start WR Isaac Bruce, who will be the primary target against the 25th-ranked pass defense (237.6). QB Shaun Hill was solid Monday against Arizona and is a quality fantasy backup, but no more. I would start San Francisco's defense and figure St. Louis scores 10 points max.
Sunday morning I'll finish up the previews. The Fantasy Chatter column appears in Saturday's Virginian-Pilot with added advice until then.
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