FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

PHI (2-0) vs DET (2-0)

Game Prediction: PHI 20, DET 17

The big battle of the undefeated teams. The Eagles come off a big Monday night win over the Vikings and are on the road for the first time this season with a short week to prepare. The Lions are sitting at home dreaming of a 3-0 start that hasn't happened since Barry Sanders was a rookie in 1980.

Pre-Game Notes - PHI

At 2-0 and with two big point wins, the Eagles are starting to like this season even if Buckhalter is gone. The defense looks good and the offense looks even better.

Running Backs: While Brian Westbrook only had 12 carries, he gained 69 yards last week and added 69 more on five catches. That is vintage Westbrook and with only 17 touches, he's not going to be used up as hoped by the opponents. He and McNabb had all but one meaningless rush by Dorsey Levens.

Wide Receivers: While perhaps his total of 12 catches for 147 yards is hardly league leading, Terrell Owens four receiving scores is the best. None of the other receivers have really mattered and that, too, keeps TO happy.

Tight Ends: Both Chad Lewis and L.J. Smith figure into the passing game equally so far, but Smith now has two touchdowns in only two games. He's becoming a go to guy in the endzone particularly when McNabb has to scramble.

Match Against the Defense: The rushing defense of the Lions have only allowed Domanick Davis (25-78) and Thomas Jones (21-67) marginal success on the ground but Jones scored twice and Davis also had 95 yards receiving. That fits very well into what Westbrook can do. He should have over 100 total yards this week with a shot at a very nice game.

Where the Eagles will find most success will be in the passing game. The Texans had 313 yards and two scores against the Lions last week and both wideouts scored. The absence of Dre' Bly will continue and cause a benefit for McNabb and likely Owens who is moved around the formation enough that it is hard to call him a split end.

The Eagles will be tired and possibly underprepared with the shortened timeframe this week and they are coming off a big win on MNF. They are ripe for a let down but it shouldn't last all four quarters and even a late surge should be enough to win.

Pre-Game Notes - DET

Starting 2-0 with a road win no less. The times they are a' changing in Detroit. Not enough to keep Rogers healthy, but they're still better.

Running Backs: Kevin Jones continues to improve, gaining 57 yards on 12 carries against Houston and catching another pass. He'll continue to be spelled by Artose Pinner for about 40% of the time but Pinner is not nearly as effective a runner and in games where the score gets out of reach and the Lions must pass, Pinner will be even less a factor.

Wide Receivers: The Lions pretty much start and end with Roy Williams now. He had four catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns last week and his long ball abilities have made a difference already. Against a team like the Eagles, he'll be getting even more passes this week. Tai Streets (4-32) and Az-Zahir Hakim (2-26) share in the duty of filling for Rogers absence and already are better than anything on the field for Detroit last season.

Hakim strained a hamstring last week but it will be mid-week before the decision is made to practice or play. I am assuming he does and will update as warranted.

Tight Ends: Stephen Alexander and Casey Fitzsimmons continue to share in three catches a game for 19 yards. Consistent but not a factor.

Match Against the Defense: The biggest hope for the Lions is that the Eagles are tired and underprepared for this new brand of cat. That's unlikely, at least for the whole game but it would be no shock to see Philly with a slow start.

The Eagles have given up only one passing score this year to Culpepper and Moss so it's unlikely that Williams will repeat his two touchdown day of last week. There could be some decent points in this game if PHI has a slow start and then has to make up the difference with passing but more than likely this should be a game with only moderate - at best - fantasy numbers for the Lions' players. PHI only has to get through this game and another road trip to Chicago before reaching their bye so they won't be overlooking this matchup.

They just need to be completely awake to keep a game from breaking out.