Player to watch
Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons
One reason the Falcons were a surprise team last season was the performance of Turner. He rushed for 1,669 yards and allowed a team with a rookie quarterback in Matt Ryan to blossom offensively. With defenses often focusing on Turner, Ryan flourished. But after three games, Turner has been rather average. He’s gaining just 3.5 yards per carry, has lost two fumbles and his longest run of the season is 16 yards. In his past four years, his longest run has been at least 70 yards. The line has not opened up a lot of holes for Turner. It won’t get easier this weekend; San Francisco is fourth in the NFL in rushing defense (73.8 yard per game) and allows only 3.1 yards per carry. — John Keim
Recommended Stories
Story Lines
1. Braylon’s fresh start » Upon his arrival with the New York Jets, WR Braylon Edwards wowed coaches with his adaptability to the playbook. It was as if the Jets were expecting the worst from the underachieving Edwards, 26, acquired last week in a trade with the fed up and winless Cleveland Browns, who have now discarded a No. 3 overall choice in Edwards and a No. 6 in TE Kellen Winslow. Edwards made the Pro Bowl in 2007, but dropped an NFL-high 16 passes last season. Edwards, in the final year of his contract, looks for a fresh start with promising rookie QB Mark Sanchez. Edwards gives the Jets a much-needed big target at 6-3, 215. He’ll be in the lineup Monday night when New York (3-1) plays at Miami (1-3). — Kevin Dunleavy
2. How many teams will stay undefeated » At least one, since New Orleans has a bye. But the reality is that while it’ll be shocking if at least three other teams make it to 5-0, one of them likely won’t. Of course, Denver is ripe for the picking with New England in town, but that’s too easy. Why would Peyton Manning and Indianapolis overlook the winless Titans? Why not? (Chance of an upset: Slim to none.) How about Oakland traveling cross-country for a 1 p.m. kickoff at the Giants? (Chance of an upset: Slim to none.) And Minnesota won’t need Brett Favre’s heroics at St. Louis. (Chance of an upset: Slim to none.) But remember, this is the NFL, and trap games are called as such for a reason. — Craig Stouffer
3. Have the Bengals returned to being a contender? » The 3-1 Bengals could easily be 4-0, if not for a miracle finish. Of course, if not for some last-minute heroics on their part, they also could be 0-4. Dating to last season, they’ve won six of their last nine games. Quarterback Carson Palmer is not playing great, but he has been effective. And running back Cedric Benson, once a punch line, is grinding out yards. Rookie middle linebacker Ray Maualuga has produced, giving the defense a physical presence. But playing the Ravens on the road represents their biggest test. With three straight home games up next, the Bengals could end up as a first-half surprise. They’ll need to have five or six wins entering a tough second-half schedule. — John Keim
Upset Special
Broncos over Patriots
The Broncos are 4-0 and yet no one really takes them seriously. They pulled a miracle in Week 1 at Cincinnati, pounded a pair of miserable teams in Oakland and Cleveland and squeaked past Dallas at home. And now the schedule takes a treacherous turn with New England in town Sunday followed by games at San Diego and Baltimore and a Monday night home date with the defending champion Steelers. Ouch. But Denver has one more solid performance in them and coach Josh McDaniels’ team will pull the upset at home. Remember, these aren’t your father’s Patriots, who themselves would be 2-2 if not for a miracle finish vs. Buffalo in Week 1. Broncos win it on a last-second field goal. — Brian McNally
Fantasy Watch
Five to Start
1. QB Matt Schaub » Has eight TD passes this season and will be in a shootout against Arizona and its prolific air attack.
2. RB Willis McGahee » May not be the Ravens starting running back, but keeps finding the end zone — leading the NFL with seven touchdowns.
3. RB Fred Jackson » His carries reduced with return of Marshawn Lynch, but he made the best of his touches and faces the Browns.
4. WR Santonio Holmes » The Lions have allowed an NFL-high 12 TD passes this season so the Steelers will be airing it out.
5. WR Pierre Garcon » The Colts receiver has filled the void left by Marvin Harrison and injured Anthony Gonzalez as the No. 2 wide out.
Five to Sit
1. QB Matt Ryan » Can he bounce back after a bye week and loss to the Pats in Week 3? The Falcons head to San Francisco.
2. RB Steve Slaton » The Texans will throw the ball against a Cardinals’ defense that has been pretty good against the run.
3. RB Thomas Jones » His role is decreasing and the Jets face a tough Miami run defense that is allowing just 2.9 yards per carry.
4. WR Randy Moss » In small fantasy leagues you may find a better option this week. Denver’s defense has yet to allow a passing TD.
5. WR Steve Smith » Becoming the “other” Steve Smith. He has yet to catch a TD pass this season for the winless Panthers.
— Jeffrey Tomik
Game to Watch
Patriots at Broncos, 4:15 p.m., CBS
Surprising Denver is 4-0, but does anyone believe that the Broncos are for real? Their defense has been terrific, allowing 6.5 points per game. But they’ve played three mediocre-to-bad offenses. Still, they held Dallas to 10 points in a win last weekend and they’ve forced 10 turnovers (three fewer than in 2008). But the Patriots, by far, represent the biggest test. Oh, and did we mention that Denver’s first-year coach, Josh McDaniels, used to work for Pats coach Bill Belichick? New England quarterback Tom Brady is off to a pedestrian start, with four touchdowns and an 83.7 passer rating. The offense has not been explosive downfield. — John Keim
Examiner Power Rankings
— James Irwin
| No. | Team (Record) | Comment | Pvs. |
| 1 | Giants (4-0) | In midst of three-game stretch with Bucs, Chiefs, Raiders | 1 |
| 2 | Vikings (4-0) | Favre turns back the clock with big MNF performance | 3 |
| 3 | Saints (4-0) | Arguably the most impressive team at quarter pole | 4 |
| 4 | Colts (4-0) | Reggie Wayne averaging 99.8 receiving yards per game | 5 |
| 5 | Ravens (3-1) | 27-21 loss to Pats suggests they might be just short of elite | 2 |
| 6 | Patriots (3-1) | Has Tom Brady gotten his groove back? | 7 |
| 7 | Jets (3-1) | Sanchez falls back to earth against Saints | 6 |
| 8 | Falcons (2-1) | Gotta get Michael Turner going (3.5 ypc) | 8 |
| 9 | Eagles (2-1) | McNabb says he’ll play against winless Bucs. Bold move | 9 |
| 10 | Bears (3-1) | 48 points vs. Lions were most since Week 7 last year | 11 |
| 11 | Steelers (2-2) | Mendenhall’s 165 yards vs. Bolts eclipsed career total | 13 |
| 12 | 49ers (3-1) | All of a sudden, Michael Crabtree wants to play football | 14 |
| 13 | Chargers (2-2) | Fighting Norv’s absolutely shredded by Steelers offense | 10 |
| 14 | Packers (2-2) | Jared Allen should pay for Aaron Rodgers’ therapy session | 12 |
| 15 | Broncos (4-0) | Has Josh McDaniels signed a deal with the devil? | 16 |
| 16 | Bengals (3-1) | After beating Browns, should play Bearcats for Ohio supremacy | 18 |
| 17 | Cowboys (2-2) | Dear Tony: One … two … three … four | 15 |
| 18 | Texans (2-2) | Playing against JaMarcus Russell is like having a bye week | 20 |
| 19 | Cardinals (1-2) | After a week of rest, can NFC champs turn it on? | 19 |
| 20 | Titans (0-4) | Stick a fork in ’em. They’re done | 17 |
| 21 | Dolphins (1-3) | Played like a team fighting for its life vs. Bills | 24 |
| 22 | Jaguars (2-2) | Don’t look now, but Jags have managed consecutive wins | 25 |
| 23 | Panthers (0-3) | Fox, Delhomme under the gun entering must-win vs. Skins | 23 |
| 24 | Bills (1-3) | In danger of being left in the dust in AFC East | 21 |
| 25 | Seahawks (1-3) | T.J. Houshmandzadeh wishes he stayed in Cincinnati |
22 |
| 26 | Redskins (2-2) | Hiring an offensive consultant = pushing the panic button |
26 |
| 27 | Buccaneers (0-4) | Had they played Leftwich, they might have beaten Skins |
27 |
| 28 | Lions (1-3) | Looked bad vs. Bears, but safely above the bottom quartet |
28 |
| 29 | Raiders (1-3) | Russell’s right arm behaving like malfunctioning Nerf gun |
29 |
| 30 | Browns (0-4) | Lose in OT to Bengals, then trade Edwards to Jets. Bad week |
30 |
| 31 | Chiefs (0-4) | Cassel finding that Kansas City is not New England |
31 |
| 32 | Rams (0-4) | Have been outscored 108-24 through first four weeks |
32 |
