FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

CAR (1-3) vs PHI (4-0)

Game Prediction: CAR 14, PHI 31

Let's see. The Panthers beat the Eagles in the NFC championship game last year and are now 1-3 with a defense that is surprisingly struggling. The Eagles, on the other hand, are 4-0 with a defense that is surprisingly good and a passing game that is one of the best in the league.

Maybe the Eagles, coming off a bye week, won't remember that whole NFC championship game this week. And maybe they will cancel the presidential election this year due to lack of interest.

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty."

Update: Davis has practiced at least on a limited basis and appears likely to play barring any setback. However, he is not a lock to go and against the Eagles would likely have a sub-par game even if healthy. Nick Going and even Joey Harris have a shot at some playing time depending on how well Davis plays. If Davis ends up a late scratch, then Goings is the likely starter.

Pre-Game Notes - CAR

The Panthers continue to free fall from their giddy heights of 2003, last week on the road in Denver in a game they could have won but came up short. They are about to learn why the Eagle cage at the zoo is more than an arm's length away.

Running Backs: De'Shaun Foster has a broken clavicle and will miss at least six weeks. Unfortunately, Stephen Davis is still healing from his knee injury and wasn't active last week though he has practiced some. That leaves Nick Goings as the only healthy back on the roster. The Panthers may promote Joey Harris from the practice squad.

I am assuming that Davis returns this week and will update as needed.

Wide Receivers: As expected, Muhsin Muhammad drew Champ Bailey last week and ended with only one catch for nine yards while Keary Colbert had the lone touchdown during his four catches for 115 yards. Colbert gets the benefit of the secondary focusing more on Muhammad on obvious passing downs and has the speed for a good catch or two. He's scored twice this year but has not exceeded four receptions in any game.

Tight Ends: Never have, never will.

Match Against the Defense: These two teams are fairly different than last season when they met. After allowing the Giants to run well in week one, the Eagles have not allowed any opponent to gain more than 43 yards on the ground. With Davis returning from a knee surgery, it's unlikely he will post any decent numbers.

Delhomme will face a defense that has allowed the last three quarterbacks to score at least once but never more than twice and that includes Kurt Warner, Culpepper and Harrington. Delhomme should post some decent yardage if only from late game throwing to catch up, but he's probably not going to be able to top two scores.

Muhammad gets the better matchup this week and there should be a higher volume of passes but the secondaries are slanting towards him and letting Colbert get more man to man. Either have a decent chance of one score.

Pre-Game Notes - PHI

The Eagles have satisfied every goal up to this point and come off a bye week with red-hot McNabb and Owens and a perfect 4-0 record. And realize that even though the Eagles are 4-0, they have only had one home game so far this season.

Running Backs: Brian Westbrook already has two 100+ rushing yard efforts and only the Detroit game saw him dip below 138 total yards. The only element missing here is rushing touchdowns since only McNabb has carried in a score this year. The only time Westbrook gets relief has been late in games already decided.

Wide Receivers: In theory, this group should not be hard to defend since only Terrell Owens catches touchdowns or gets big yardage. Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell occasionally crack the 50 yard barrier but this show is "all TO, all the time". The defense knows this and so far that just hasn't mattered.

Tight Ends: After three big games to start the season, L.J. Smith was held to no catches in week four against the Bears. His one game at home this year he had 50 yards and one touchdown.

Match Against the Defense: The Panthers on the road have been far kinder to quarterbacks and running backs, and the defense has not been nearly so dominating as last season. Look for McNabb to make amends for his January effort against the Panthers by trotting out his new toy in Owens. Yes, they will be double covering him. Yes, it hasn't stopped him yet from scoring. Don't expect major yardage here though, no wideout has managed more than 76 yards against the Panthers and that was Johnnie Morton with one long pass. It could happen with Owens but the Panthers will be watching for it and more able to control it than most teams.

The Panthers rush defense is where the biggest weakness has lied, allowing two big efforts against them including 190 yards to Droughns last week. And the Panthers are on the road again. Expect Westbrook to turn in a nice game here and have a very good chance at his first 2004 touchdown.