Here’s this week’s Looking Glass…

• Brett Favre (GB, at Det) – This should be as easy as it gets. There’s no way the Lion CBs – older than dirt the two starters are – will be able to stop the Packer WRs this week. And with Ahman Green likely out, Favre should throw plenty. It’s a shame the Lion offense is so bad or else Favre may be throwing often into the 4^th quarter. As it stands now, Favre, who won’t have to worry about a serious Lion pass rush, will move the ball up and down the field the first three quarters and should be good for 2-3 TDs.

• Peyton Manning (Ind, at Hou) – The Texan defense has actually been solid, but CBs Aaron Glenn and Marcus Coleman weren’t shipped out of New York for nothing; they are shaky at times. Coleman, in particular, should be picked up frequently as Glenn will do his best against Marvin Harrison. Manning with throw for 250 yards and 2 TDs at the worst this week.

• Rodney Peete (Car, at Min) – Head coach John Fox appears to be a sly one, as Peete has realistically played two perfect games for the Panthers in terms of what they want him to do. He’s getting good protection and has quickly developed a chemistry with his WRs. This week, the Panthers won’t get to run the ball as much as they’d like because the Viking run defense has been solid, and the Minnesota offense will put points on the board. So, without much of a pass rush to worry about, Peete will work over the terrible Viking secondary to the tune of 250+ yards and 1-2 TDs (likely two).

• Tom Brady (NE, vs. KC) – As we said Monday, the Chief defense is stacking the line against the run, and opposing WRs have been wide open. We wouldn’t be surprised if the Pats came out running this week because the Chiefs will likely make adjustments to try to stop Brady, but the bottom line here is that the Chief LBs are terrible in coverage, and their CBs are very shaky. A Patriot TE should have a big game, and WR Troy Brown should be all over the place this week and wide open in the process, so look for Brady to have at the very least a good game with 225+ yards and 1-2 TDs. He should be even better than that.

• Aaron Brooks (NO, at Chi) – The Bear’s injuries on defense didn’t show against the Falcons, but they will this week against the potent Saint offense. Without their starting DT Ted Washington and, more importantly, their starting DE Phillip Daniels and their best CB R. W. McQuarters, the Bears are going to have a tough, tough time slowing down the three Saint WRs. Look for WR Joe Horn to work over shaky CB Jerry Azumah and for either Donte Stallworth or Jerome Pathon to score again this week.

• Michael Vick (Atl, vs. Cin) – The stage will be set for Vick to shine at home, on national TV on Sunday night. The Bengal defense is not improved, especially in their secondary, so look for Vick, the passer, to reign supreme in this one, since the Bengal pass rush has been so-so and their CBs vulnerable. Of course, he’ll want to run in the spotlight, so don’t be surprised if he throws for a TD and runs for one.

• Steve McNair (Ten, vs. Cle) – It’s dangerous to list him here, but last year he was very questionable before a Brown-Titan game and he wound up tearing Cleveland up. In his two games last year, McNair averaged 260 yards passing and 2 ½ TDs. This week, he could be without RB Eddie George, and his banged up and shaky secondary will likely force him to throw often. McNair has Cleveland’s number and some solid weapons to throw to, so we expect another productive game at home.

• Trent Green (KC, at NE) – The way this league is these days, it wouldn’t surprise us if Green shocked with a good game, but there’s absolutely no reason to believe he will. In fact, there’s absolutely every reason to believe he’ll struggle. If Green can’t excel against an undermanned Jaguar defense, there’s no way in the world he’ll move the ball through the air against what is clearly the best coached and most confident defense in the league. The Patriots have enough depth in their secondary to field two starting secondaries, and these guys are going to be all over the shaky Chief WRs, and their schemes will confuse Green and force at least two picks.

• Jake Plummer (Ari, vs. SD) – Very quietly, the Charger defense is emerging as one of the best in the league – and it will only get better when #1 pick CB Quentin Jammer is up to speed. Plummer played poorly last week, and the Charger defense will be up in his grill this week with a good pass rush, an active LBs corps, and some CBs. Plummer may surprise with a decent effort at home, but there’s no way you should take the chance by starting him.

• Drew Bledsoe (Buf, at Den) – It’s easy to assume the Patriot offense will continue to roll, but there’s a good chance that won’t happen this week. Comparing the Viking defense (last week’s opponent) to the Bronco defense in Denver is like comparing rapper Eminem to Michael Bolton; they are night and day. The Broncos will bring the house at Bledsoe, and that’s how you slow him down. If their solid corners can contain the Bill WRs downfield, Bledsoe’s yardage numbers will be down this week, and he’ll be hard-pressed to throw more than one TD pass.

• Vinny Testaverde (NYJ, at Mia) – We get the sneaky suspicion that Testaverde will throw a TD or two, but we have no problems listing him here, even though the Dolphin secondary could be hurt by the injured CB Patrick Surtain. Fact is, Testaverde’s Jets looked terrible last week, and WRs Laveranues Coles and Santana Moss have been alarmingly quiet. Given this fact, and the fact that Miami is still very strong against the run, we wouldn’t risk starting Vinny this week.

• Ricky Williams (Mia, vs. NYJ) – We keep listing him here and the Jet run defense continues to look soft as hell, so with no evidence that Ricky will slow down or that the Jets will stop the run, we’re more than willing to list Williams here again. Bill RB Travis Henry went for 178 and the Patriots rushed for 163 last week against these Jets. Run, Ricky, run.

• Edgerrin James (Ind, at Hou) – The Texans have actually been okay against the run, but teams have still racked up good yardage on the ground against them through two games. Their undersized 3-4 defense should have problems with James’ size and versatility, so expect a big game.

• Tiki Barber (NYG, vs. Sea) – He’s not 100%, but he could probably rush for 80 against Seattle with his shoelaces tied together. Two years ago we made a living advocating backs going up against this group, and it looks like we’ve found an additional source of income again this year. It helps that DT John Randle and LB Brian Simmons are still out, but this group make Thomas Jones look like OJ Anderson last week and should make Tiki look like Joe Morris this week (that’s good, in case you don’t know who Morris is).

• Corey Dillon (Cin, at Atl) – The Falcons did a good job of using stunts and run blitzes to shield their undersized defensive front last week against the Bears, but RB Anthony Thomas still logged in a solid fantasy effort. This week, they face a stiffer challenge in Corey Dillon, who should get the call early and often on national television. After all, would the Bengals want to "showcase" Gus Frerotte on the national stage? The Falcons’ 3-4 defense will allow Dillon to gain just enough yardage to move the chains early, then a big run will be very possible.

• Warrick Dunn (Atl, vs. Cin) – Week One the Bengals had all kinds of problems with the cutback running of LaDainian Tomlinson, so look for Dunn to get plenty of opportunities to make plays.

• Garrison Hearst (SF, vs. Was) – As we mentioned Wednesday, it is imperative for the 49ers to get their running game going to help free up WR Terrell Owens and get the sluggish 49er passing game on track. Washington is okay against the run, but they’ll be weakened this week due to the injury to "Big Daddy" Wilkinson, and fellow DT Daryl Gardner is nowhere near 100%.

• Antowain Smith (NE, vs. KC) – While we do like the Patriot passing game this week against horrible Chief pass coverage, we have a feeling the Pats will come out running this week against a decent, but definitely beatable, Chief run defense. And with a big lead likely, we bet the Pats will want to make a statement this week and show that they can, in fact, run the ball with Smith. Give him the start this week and watch the fantasy points come in.

• Duce Staley (Phi, vs. Dal) – Dallas is solid overall on defense, but this week we look for the Eagles to completely shut their offense down, so this undersized group will likely wear down in the second half, when Staley will start to gain big yardage. It helps that rookie RB Brian Westbrook is hurting, too, but Dorsey Levens is a definite concern, since he could take on an expanded role this week. Staley, though, has gone over 100 yards rushing the last three times he’s faced the Cowboys, and that’s saying something for him. Two games ago, he had an "okay" game with 262 total yards and a TD.

• Shaun Alexander (Sea, at NYG) – Wow, this is a tough call because Alexander could go off at the drop off a hat. But the bottom line here is that he’s not running well, and the Giant defense is as physical as they come, especially at home. He could always do well, but he has no chance of going off, that’s for sure.

• Eddie George (Ten, vs. Cle) – Healthy, we’d be all over George like white on rice against a Brown defense that has yet to show it can stop a power back like George since the franchise re-joined the league. But George isn’t healthy right now, so he’s risky. However, if you really, really need him, you should give him the start because a) he has torn apart the Brown defense in the past, and b) George claims that he won’t play unless he’s 100%. Of course, you have to be sure he’s starting, which we’ll be able to help you with on Sunday.

• Michael Bennett (Min, vs. Car) – The Panthers actually feature a solid front seven, so they won’t be easy to run on. Most likely, the Vikings will look to throw the ball a lot in this one, and that’s not good for Bennett because he’s a liability in pass protection, and Moe Williams is a better receiver. Of course, knowing the Vikings, they’ll probably give him the ball 20 times and he’ll go for 100 yards. But we wouldn’t bet $10 on that happening to win $1000.

• Emmitt Smith (Dal, at Phi) – Clearly, the Eagle secondary will be able to handle the Cowboy WRs, so the Eagles will go after QB Quincy Carter and Smith. With the likelihood that the Cowboys will be down to the Eagles good, don’t expect Emmitt to get many carries in the second half, so another 50-60 yard day appears to be on the horizon for the future all-time leading rusher.

• Marvin Harrison (Ind, at Hou) – The Texans are expected to try to stick CB Marcus Coleman on Harrison this week, and that would be a big mistake. Coleman has good size, but he’s vulnerable downfield. Expect Harrison to make a big player or two this week.

• Derrick Mason (Ten, vs. Cle) – This guy totaled 200 yards and 3 TDs against the Brown last year. The Browns will likely focus on preventing another big day, but Mason cannot be stopped, period.

• Joe Horn (NO, at Chi) – Horn has been a serious go-to guy thus far, which was not the case this time last year. This week, he gets to face a Bear defense that will be without its best corner, so look for the Saints to work over shaky CB Jerry Azumah with Horn. If he does not have a big game, it would be a big surprise.

• Terrell Owens (SF, vs. Was) – That’s right: Terrell Owens. Over the last two weeks, WRs David Boston and James Thrash have gone over 100 yards against this vaunted Redskin secondary, and the main reason is because the Redskins have no pass rush, none. Look for the 49ers to have success on the ground this week and then for Owens to make a big play for a score.

• Curtis Conway (SD, at Ari) – CB Duane Starks has been a marked man this year and now he’s hurting. In addition, the other corner, David Barrett, is also hurt. Let’s see…Darrell Jackson dropped two passes and should have had about 200 yards and a TD last week, and the Cardinal secondary could be in worse shape health-wise this week, while Conway is coming off a huge game and working with Drew Brees? Think you should start him? Does Britney Spears look good in those Pepsi commercials?

• Terry Glenn (GB, at Det) – This is one of those matchups that should prompt you to submit your lineup the day before and then sleep like a baby that night knowing that whatever happens you did the right thing. Nothing is 100% sure in this league, except for the fact the Lions have a lackluster pass rush and probably the slowest and oldest CBs in the league. If Glenn doesn’t go off in this one, we’re flying to Green Bay to boo him ourselves next week.

• Marty Booker (Chi, vs. NO) – Booker will be a very inviting target this week against the small Saint CBs, who will have trouble with this physical receiver. CB Fred Thomas is expected to play, but he could be limited playing with a cast on his arm, so make sure Booker is in your lineup.

• Kevin Johnson (Cle, at Ten) – Titan CB Samari Rolle is no longer an elite corner, and the Titans are hurting in their defensive backfield after him, so look for Johnson to have success this week working with his best friend Tim Couch, who’ll look for him often. Oh, and we should remind you that Johnson scored 3 TDs against these Titans last year.

• Donald Driver (GB, at Det) – It’s been stated above; the Lion secondary is terrible. Driver is a starter and has already gone over 80 yards Week One and scored a TD Week Two. You do the math.

• Ed McCaffrey (Den, vs. Buf) – McCaffrey will be covered mostly by CB Antoine Winfield, who is solid but who gives up a whopping 8 inches to Easy Ed. We’re thinking red zone target here.

• Corey Bradford (Hou, vs. Ind) – Bradford is expected to work often on CB David Macklin, who is small and slow. Bradford is big and fast, so look for him to get the ball this week and get it often, since the Texans figure to be behind. If you’re ever going to start him, this should be the week.

• Quincy Morgan (Cle, at Ten) – Morgan’s a good bet to make an impact this week because #2 CB Andre Dyson is hurting with a hamstring injury and may not go. Even if he does, he could be limited, and if he’s out, the Titans have some shaky players behind him. If Dyson is out, the Browns will likely work on his replacement (Dainon Sydney) with Morgan.

• Brian Finneran (Atl, vs. Cin) – The Bengal CBs are not getting help from the pass rush and both Jeff Burris and Artrell Hawkins lack speed and are vulnerable to the big play, so Finneran, who also has a distinct height advantage especially against Hawkins. If not them Finneran, then Willie Jackson will.

• Rod Gardner (Was, at SF) – This is another tough matchup for Gardner. The 49er defense could get well against the Redskins this week, since they have a good pass rush (that’s the key to stop the Redskin passing game, for sure) and a potential shutdown CB in Ahmed Plummer.

• Laveranues Coles (NYJ, at Mia) – He did score 2 TDs against Sam Madison last year, but Madison is still a top corner, and the Jets have thrown Coles the ball only a handful of times. At this point, it’s a serious reach to assume Coles will do well this week.

• Joey Galloway (Dal, at Phi) – Quincy Carter, on the road, against the best secondary in the league? No way.

• Bill Schroeder (Det, vs. GB) – He’s doubtful to play, and if he does, he’s unlikely to finish, since the talk in Green Bay this week is how the defenders want to take their shots on Schroeder, who was not well liked in Green Bay. If you don’t know what "Alligator Arms" are, you may see the definition in action this week if Schroeder plays.

• Jeremy Shockey (NYG, vs. Sea) – Seattle is not particularly good at covering the TE, as their LBs are more suited to stop the run and to rush the passer. Plus, Seattle is shaky at safety. With Springs covering Toomer, Shockey should be a busy man.

• Shannon Sharpe (Den, vs. Buf) – Sharpe should be a factor this week against a young Bill defense that will have trouble containing the veteran and shielding their inexperience against him.

• Eric Johnson (SF, vs. Was) – Eagle TE Jeff Thomason looked like a Pro-Bowler a couple of times last week against the Redskins. S Sam Shade is weak in coverage and the LBs look lost, plus Johnson is obviously needed, given the heat Owens is taking thus far.

• Alge Crumpler (Atl, vs. Cin) – Three different Brown TEs – none of them good – caught a pass against the Bengals last week, and the week before that, a TE you never heard of (Josh Norman) scored against Cincy. Crumpler is clearly the man here, so he’s a good start again this week.

• Wesley Walls (Car, at Min) – Hey, who isn’t open when against the Vikings? Your mom could have caught a pass in the middle of the field against Minnesota last week.

• Bubba Franks (GB, at Det) – This is actually a good sport for him, but until they throw him the ball more, he’s looking worse than usual.

• Byron Chamberlain (Min, vs. Car) – He may not play, and if he does, it may be part time.

• Marcus Pollard (Ind, at Hou) – He’s still no lock to play…or at least play full-tilt.

• Philadelphia (vs. Dal) – They were looking shaky after Week One, but they turned it around last week and they get to face a very inconsistent QB in Quincy Carter, who doesn’t play well on the road. They should force plenty of turnovers this week.

• Green Bay (vs. Det) – The Lion offense is as bad as you can get, and the Packer defense will get to face a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start. What more could you want?

• Carolina (vs. Min) – They’re looking better overall but not this week. The Vikings will test their weak secondary from the opening snap until the end of the game.

• Chicago (vs. NO) – The Bear defense was one of the better ones just a few weeks ago, but now they’re without two starters on the defensive line and one starter in the secondary. This will prove too much to over come against the Saints on Sunday.

Defensive Line

Looking Better Than Usual:

• Julius Peppers (vs Min) – He rebounded from a poor Week One with a strong showing in Week Two. He’ll get to face a shuffled Viking offensive line, and he should have a decent game.

• Marcellus Wiley (vs. Ari) – He appears here for the second straight week because he’ll face a beat-up Cardinal offensive and he should have another big game.

• Jason Taylor (vs. NYJ) – He appears here for the second straight week and faces another team that doesn’t give up many sacks.

Linebacker

Looking Better Than Usual:

• Marcus Bell (vs. NYG) – He’s slated to start again for starting OLB Anthony Simmons, and he’s been piling up tackles and should again because the Giants figure to run the ball a lot on Sunday.

• Marcus Washington (vs. Hou) – We don’t have him ranked too high, but he’s a decent sacker and he should get one against the depleted Texan offensive line.

• Mike Peterson (vs. Hou) – The knee that was surgically repaired is sore, and the other one was injured this week. Even if he plays, he won’t be 100%.

• Ken Lucas (vs. NYG) – When the Giants throw the ball, they will target Lucas just as other teams have done, and they will help boost his tackle total this week.

• Todd Lyght (vs. GB) – As with Lucas, he’ll be picked on this week, and he’ll post big tackle numbers.

• Pierson Prioleau (vs. Den) – He helps against the pass and run, and this week he’ll be even busier against the Bronco offense.

• Zack Bronson (vs. Was) – He’s usually solid, but he’ll be playing with a bad shoulder.