A good week for Charlotte, Los Angeles, and Oakland, disappointing for Ohio, Atlanta, and Nashville. Tough sledding for Las Vegas without Jake Plummer in action, and a heartbreaking loss for Baltimore as they let one slip away against the Maulers. In a Week 11 that still has not produced any playoff clinches or eliminations, there is a lot of battling to be had over playoff position and the Wild Card spots in particular. Las Vegas in particular has to be feeling nervous as they lose Jake Plummer for 1-2 weeks, and in losing to Houston they now fall a game behind Oakland and have a hot LA team right on their heels. We will recap all of Week11’s games, take a look at the Las Vegas ownership situation, and at some more QB shifting near the bottom of the standings as teams try to find answers and coaches try to avoid a bad Black Monday. All right here This Week in the USFL.
ATLANTA FIRE 16 CHARLOTTE MONARCHS 19 OVERTIME
The two top contenders clash in a late season game with a lot of potential impact. Both came into the game with the same record, so the victor would put themselves in a position to control their own destiny. It was a game that could decide the division, but it would take overtime to get there. It was a game that was defined by penalties (15 total in the game), defensive stops, and drives ending with field goals, 7 in total over the game’s final 3 quarters. Both defenses bent quite a bit (344 yards allowed for Atlanta, 321 for Charlotte) but did not break as drive after drive stalled before hitting paydirt.
Atlanta came into the game having won 5 in a row to go from 1-4 to a contender at 6-4. Charlotte had been atop the division since early in the season, but losses to Nashville and Tampa Bay had allowed others to draw closer to them. Both entered the game with Top 10 defenses, and that showed, particularly in the first quarter where neither team crossed midfield. Defense and field position would play a major role the entire game, and while the 2nd quarter produced both of the game’s touchdowns, it did so largely because of field position.
Atlanta got the first break when a poor punt from Charlotte’s Ken Walter went out of bounds at the Fire’s 48-yard line. The Fire used that shank, as well as a costly roughing the passer call against Rolando McClain to get the ball inside the 10. From there, Steven Jackson did the rest, crossing the plane for the first score of the game. Jackson would finish the game with only 47 yards on 15 carries, but the threat of the run helped Kyle Orton stave off the Charlotte pass rush.
Charlotte would respond, thanks again to field position, as a nice kick return from Hakeem Nicks helped shorten the field. D. J. Hacket had his best catch of the day on this drive, a one-handed grab along the sideline that put the ball in the redzone. From there Brandon Wheedon connected with Luke Wilson and we had a 7-7 game. Atlanta would add a field goal to end the half, and after 30 minutes we had a 10-7 slugfest on our hands.
In the third, penalties started to play an even larger role. A 15-yarder against Andre Woolfork, and then a defensive holding call on a key 3rd down helped Charlotte get in range for a short Brandon Coutu kick that evened the score at 10. Atlanta would follow that with a good drive, but a holding call on 3rd and 7 both negated a first down in Charlotte territory and pushed the Fire out of field goal range. They would get another shot after Charlotte went 3-and-out, and this time it was a defensive PI call that helped the Fire, again putting them in field goal range. Ollie Brody, the rookie kicker for the Fire, connected on his 2nd attempt of the game, and once again Atlanta held a 3-point lead as the game went into the 4th.
Charlotte opened the final period with a nice drive, using up nearly 6 minutes and 14 plays, but again had to settle for a short kick when Wheedon missed on a 3rd down endzone throw to Mark Clayton. The game was again tied up. Atlanta would again go on top with yet another kick on a drive that saw Demaryius Thomas catch balls on three consecutive throws. Thomas would end the game with 6 receptions for 122 yards, with half of those on this one drive. But again a penalty cost Atlanta a shot at 6 and they settled for a 16-13 lead with 6:08 left to play.
Charlotte would once again be seeking to equalize the score. Despite a rough day for the Monarch run game (72 total yards), they stuck with it, and the Fire were forced to keep safeties closer to the line. That allowed Wheedon to find space behind them to connect with Brandon Pettigrew and Luke Wilson as well as slot receiver Hakeem Nicks. As time wound down, the Monarchs positioned the ball, setting up Coutu for a makeable 49-yarder. Not the easiest of kicks, but one that the veteran kicker has made, and made again on this date.
The game would go to overtime. Atlanta won the toss and opted to receive. After an initial first down on an Orton to Reed toss, the Fire cost themselves with a holding penalty and could not recover from 1st and 20. They would punt the ball to the Monarchs. With short passes to his backs (Jackson and FB Justin Green, Charlotte managed to break down the Atlanta zone. They again bogged down around the Atlanta 30, but that was still within Brandon Coutu’s range. This time from 50 yards out, Coutu would need to connect to end the game and give the Monarchs a 1-game lead in the division race.
Coutu’s kick was straight down the middle and the home Monarch crowd celebrated a big win over their rival and a return to sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division. With a bye week still possible for the SE Division winner, Charlotte now holds the advantage of 1 game and a much better divisional record (5-1) than Atlanta (2-3) or the rising Orlando Renegades (also 2-3). That puts them in the driver’s seat with 6-5 Birmingham now a target as Charlotte hopes to lock up a 2nd seed and that coveted week of rest in the postseason.
BIRMINGHAM 3 NEW ORLEANS 14
A big win for the Breakers and a rough game for Cam Newton, as the Breaker D held the Stallion QB to only 11 of 30 passing, 102 yards, and a grand total of -5 yards rushing. Add to that 6 sacks, including 3 from LE Ty Warren, and you have defensive domination by a team that needs their D to help lead the way. Matt Forte rushed for 95 yards for the Breakers, but when the New Orleans D limits Birmingham to a grand total of 14 yards rushing, 95 yards looks awfully good.
TAMPA BAY 52 JACKSONVILLE 28
While the Breakers were winning with defense, Tampa Bay was simply scoring, over and over again. Again it was 8 times in 10 drives, but this time those 8 scores included 7 touchdowns, 5 of which came off the arm of Daunte Culpepper. The Bandit QB only put up the ball 19 times, but averaged 22.7 yards per completion for a stunning 432 yards passing and 5 TDs. Vincent Jackson averaged over 35 yards with his 5 receptions. Santonio Holmes averaged 49.7 yards on 3 catches, and between the two of them, they accounted for all 5 scores as the Bandits just “shock and awed” the Bulls.
LOS ANGELES 24 ST. LOUIS 17
The Skyhawks needed a big win to set up a playoff run, but it was LA that declared that they will be a player down the home stretch. The LA defense sacked Josh Freeman 4 times and picked the QB off as well. While Eddie Lacy led all rushers with 114 yards on 18 carries, LA got touchdowns from FB Timothy Frederickson, TE L.J. Smith, and from Keyshawn. The Express held St. Louis to 3 for 14 on third down and controlled the clock to take a huge road win if they want a shot at a Wild Card.
LAS VEGAS 10 HOUSTON 33
Houston sacked Jake Plummer 3 times, knocking him out of the game early in the 2nd, and that was all she wrote for the Thunder. Ingle Martin came in and was also sacked 3 times as the Houston D held the Thunder at bay all game. Meanwhile Tim Rattay went 15 of 20 and Michael Turner had a huge game, his first big result as a Gambler, rushing for 187 yards and 2 scores to give Houston a much-needed W and put them over .500.
NEW JERSEY 3 WASHINGTON 26
Another rough outing for the New Jersey offense, as Washington allowed only 28 yards rushing and did not give up a touchdown to Charlie Whitehurst and New Jersey. Deuce McCallister rushed for 98 yards and Joe Webb hit Deion Branch for a score as the Federals consolidated their record at 9-2, and sent New Jersey to a precarious 4-7 record after 11 weeks.
TEXAS 26 DENVER 24
The Gold gave it their all but could not come back against a solid Outlaws team. Both Marques Colston and Chris Cooley went over 100 yards as Joe Flacco went 14 of 23 for 357 yards on the day. Four Kai Forbath field goals were paired with TDs from Colston and HB Felix Jones as the Outlaws move their record to 7-4 and send Denver below .500 again at 5-6.
ORLANDO 34 MEMPHIS 23
Don’t look now but the Orlando Renegades are in playoff position at 5-6 after knocking off the Showboats in Memphis. Russell Wilson had his best day as a pro, going 20 of 26 and connecting for 4 TDs, including two to Michael Jenkins. Add in a 115-yard day from Knowshon Moreno and the ‘Gades find themselves in the Wild Card mix with only 5 games left.
ARIZONA 26 DALLAS 14
A 13-0 run in the 2nd quarter gave Arizona a 16-7 lead and they bolstered that with a Joe Haden pick-six in the third to pull away and secure their 11th win in 11 tries. Dallas returned to Jake Locker on offense, and he actually fared pretty well against the nasty Wrangler D, throwing for 182 yards and a TD, but it was not enough as Dallas dropped their 9th consecutive game.
PITTSBURGH 33 BALTIMORE 31
A bad loss for the Blitz, who were working their way into the playoff picture. The Blitz give up 427 yards of offense to the Maulers, as Andy Dalton throws for 304 and 3 scores. Dalton also scrambled for 42 yards, which is a shocker to all who have seen him play before. Victor Cruz is making a push for recognition as he catches 7 balls for 136 and a score as Pittsburgh shock the Baltimore crowd.
CHICAGO 24 SEATTLE 17
Not the blowout win most Machine fans expected, but a win nonetheless. Brady Quinn goes 25 of 33 for 302 yards and 2 scores, while Doug Martin adds 88 yards and a score as the Machine outlast a pretty game Dragon squad. It was tied at 17 at halftime and through the 3rd before a fourth quarter TD from Quinn to Sanders broke the game for Chicago.
MICHIGAN 29 PORTLAND 3
A rough game for Stag fans as they had hoped to get win number 5 at home against a 2-win Panther squad. LeVeon Bell found plenty of holes in the Stag D on his way to 128 yards rushing and Kirk Cousins went 9 of 18 with 2 TD tosses on the game as Michigan spoiled the Stags’ plans. With Jonathan Stewart dinged up, the Stags could not muster a run game with LeGarrette Blount and Javon Ringer, and that doomed them against the Panthers.
OHIO 13 OAKLAND 35
Ohio hoped this would be a statement game, but it was Oakland who spoke the loudest, with Pat White subbing for Joey Harrington. The former Mountaineer threw for 204 yards and 3 TDs. Not all good news for Oakland however, as Ryan Williams came up hobbling after only 1 carry. The Invaders muddled through with BenJarvis Green-Ellis, but fans now have to wonder what this means for Williams.
PHILADELPHIA 34 NASHVILLE 16
The Sunday nightcap game saw Peyton Manning return under center for Nashville, but it was a rough return for the veteran as Philadelphia sacked him 5 times and picked him off twice in a decisive road win for the Stars. Matt Gutierrez went 14 of 20 for 152 and 2 scores but it was rookie HB Zac Stacy who had the biggest game. Starting for the injured Steve Slaton, Stacy declared his presence with 82 carries and 3 touchdowns on the day as the Stars show just how deep their roster is.
Muddle in the Middle as Playoff Race Heats Up
While it is hardly a surprise that Week 11 has us staring at a cluster of teams all within 1 game of each other and all within 1 game of one of the season’s final Wild Card spots. While no teams have clinched this early in the season, we have a pretty sizeable cluster of teams right around the .500 mark, all hoping that they can string together some wins and make a move into safe playoff position.
Current count right now is 13 teams all within range for the sixth seed in each division. Right now Orlando (5-6) and Los Angeles (6-5) have the advantage and sit in the sixth position, but there is no security in that. In the East, there are 3 other 5-6 clubs right there except for the complex tiebreakers, with Tampa Bay, Baltimore, and New Orleans all tied with Orlando. Add to that three more teams at 4-7 and only 1 game out (New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and Nashville). In the West it is LA at 6-5, as are the Houston Gamblers, but sitting at 5-6 we find St. Louis, Denver, and Ohio. All of this means that one bad week could lead a team to drop from playoff position, or one good week could propel another into the postseason mix. It also means that as the final weeks of the season progress, the pressure will build and teams will either make a move or peal off as pretenders.
This very scenario is what the league hopes for with its playoff formula. Not only are there 4-5 teams in each conference who are feeling good about their playoff lives, but these additional 13 teams are also in the mix, and that means13 more fanbases riveted to their tv screens, to the daily updates on their favorite teams, and on the results of games from across the league. All in all, that makes 22 of 28 cities and regions still fully invested in the USFL season, and it is that kind of engagement that has helped build the USFL into the nation’s spring obsession.
Outlaws lose their Marshall
One team that is looking a bit shakier as the playoff push continues is Texas, who have lost 2 of their past 4 games, but who now have also lost a key contributor in wideout Brandon Marshall. The 7-year veteran receiver got the news he feared on Monday when MRI’s revealed that he had ruptured his Achilles tendon. It is both a painful and a slow-to-improve injury that will cost Marshall the rest of the season.
Marshall was having a strong season with Joe Flacco back under center. In 10 games he had accumulated 27 receptions, which is not eye-popping, but his 23.6 YPC average translated those 27 catches into 636 yards and 6 touchdowns. And while the receiver is now on IR and will spend the rest of summer undergoing surgery and rehabbing his heel, the Outlaws will move forward towards what they hope is a playoff appearance without one of their biggest weapons.
Texas currently sits at 7-4, good enough for 2nd place behind the unbeaten Wranglers in the Southwest division, but only 1 game ahead of Los Angeles and Houston in the race for 2 Wild Card spots. Losing a key target for Joe Flacco could be a huge factor in their ability to hang onto the 5 seed. With Marshall out, Texas will likely alternate possession receiver Reggie Brown and straight line speedster Marquise Goodwin in the position, hoping to equalize the number of targets between the two. It also likely means that TE Chris Cooley and slot receiver Roscoe Parrish may also see more balls headed their way as the Outlaws try to diversify the offense and spread around the targets that had been going to their number 2 receiver.
Plummer to Miss 1-2 Weeks with Ankle Injury
More bad news out West, but not horrible news, as Jake Plummer’s ankle is a lower ankle strain, and not the dreaded High Ankle Sprain that can cost a player weeks of recovery time. Plummer is expected to miss 2 weeks, but could be back in action by Week 13. The problem for Las Vegas is that their three-point loss to Houston this week broke the tie atop the Pacific Division and gave Oakland a 1-game lead in the division.
That is a bad situation for Las Vegas, but the upside is that Plummer is expected back in action well before the Week 15 showdown between the two contenders in the Pacific Division. What has to be on the minds of the Thunder team now is that they need to keep that gap between themselves and the Invaders to 1 game. They cannot drop another unless Oakland does likewise. And while Oakland faces 3 tough games with a road trip to Birmingham and Texas before a home date with LA, Las Vegas does have an easier route to that Week 15 clash, as they start off at home against New Orleans, before a road game in Portland, and another home date against Denver. Those are all winnable games, particularly if Plummer is under center, but now, with Ingle Martin expected to start those games, the question of an easier schedule gets a lot more complicated.
Ryan Williams Injury a Pinched Nerve, Probable for Week 12
While Las Vegas is concerned about 1-2 games without Jake Plummer, their rival in the division, Oakland, is sighing in relief after learning that the injury that took lead tailback Ryan Williams out of action this past week was only a pinched nerve, not a muscular or ligature injury. That means that with some treatment, massage, ice and heat, Williams should be good to go this week when the Invaders visit Birmingham. Oakland has listed Williams as “probable” on the injury report, and we won’t get final word until Saturday, but the prognosis is certainly better than initially expected.
No clinched teams yet, but we are getting close. Arizona needs only 1 more win to lock up a playoff spot, but with only a 3-game lead on the Outlaws, the division title will take more time. Most of the other divisions are much closer, with Philadelphia and Washington tied atop the NE, Oakland, Charlotte, and Birmingham sitting on 1-game leads, and Chicago the other 3-game leader as St. Louis’s loss gives the Machine a 3-game advantage with 5 to play.
The Wild Card race is looking very much like a battle to be over .500 as Atlanta (6-5), Orlando (5-6), Tampa Bay (5-6), Baltimore (5-6) and New Orleans (also 5-6), all battle for 2 spots. In the West, it is 6-5 LA, 6-5 Houston, 5-6 St. Louis, 5-6 Denver, and 5-6 Ohio all fighting for just 1 spot unless 7-4 Texas and Las Vegas start to slip.
No eliminations from the playoffs yet, but we are watching both 2-9 clubs, Jacksonville and Dallas, as the final whistle is not far off for both clubs.
We have briefly discussed the situations of Brandon Marshall, Jake Plummer, and Ryan Williams, and that certainly would have been enough this week, but as we have come to expect, there are more players with a range of injuries, including some concerns that likely mean the end of the regular season for several players. Here is the rundown:
OUT
CB Trumaine McBride DAL Groin IR
FB JeromeFelton SEA Hamstring IR
WR Brandon Marshall TEX Achilles IR
LB Paul Posluszny ORL Leg IR
CB E. J. Bibbers MEM Abdomen 2-4 Weeks
LB Nico Johnson BIR Jaw 1-2 Weeks
QB Jake Plummer LV Ankle 1-2 Weeks
WR Greg Jennings MEM Concussion 1-2 Weeks
DOUBTFUL
WR Stevie Johnson PHI Finger
LB Alonzo Johnson JAX Appendicitis
QB Pat White OAK Back
QUESTIONABLE
DT Terrell Troupe TEX Finger
CB Darius Slay ATL Biceps
DE Tamba Hali CHI Jaw
TE Anthony Fasano CHI Concussion
QB Changes As Teams Scramble for Answers
In football, the position of quarterback is the most pivotal and most scrutinized position on the field. Get yourself a good one and your team can overcome a lot of weaknesses. Struggle at the position and your franchise could be in for a very rough patch. So it is no surprise that teams that are struggling to find success at the position often switch back and forth between their options, hoping that one player will step forward and make it clear that they should be starting. This week, we have seen three teams announce changes as they try to either salvage the last month of the season or build to the future.
NEW JERSEY: Whitehurst to Hoyer
The injury to Sam Bradford proves our point about the indispensability of a top QB. With Bradford out at least the next 3-4 weeks after missing most of the season, the Generals have floundered. They started the post-Bradford period with backup Bobby Hoying, made a deal with Charlotte to bring Charlie Whitehurst over, and then gave the former NFL player 5 starts to see what he could do. Whitehurst went 1-4 over that span, including 4 straight losses, so this week the Generals announced that they will return to Bryan Hoyer at QB. Will that help them salvage something out of the year? We don’t know. But with Bradford expected to be cleared to play in Week 15, the question is now whether the Generals should put him out there if their season is already a lost cause. For now it is Bryan Hoyer taking over once again. Here is a quick look at the comparison between Hoyer and Whitehurst.
HOYER: 83 of 182 (45.6%), 815 Yards, 3:5 TD: INT, 52.8 QBR, 1-3 Record
WHITEHURST: 122 of 213 (57.3%), 1409 Yards, 6:4 TD:INT, 78.9 QBR, 1-4 Record
PORTLAND: Fitzpatrick to McGloin
This one is a bit of a surprise as Ryan Fitzpatrick helped Portland get 3 consecutive wins, with upsets of Texas and Seattle during that run, but the Stags are sitting at 4-7 and are clearly thinking about 2014. That desire to see what they had is the reason they are now turning to Matt McGloin. Fitzpatrick’s numbers have not been bad, attested to by his 88.4 QB Rating, but with rookie Matt McGloin getting a short look during a 2-game Fitzpatrick absence (injury) earlier this year, the Stags clearly want to see more. McGloin got 2 starts, but failed to throw a TD in those two games (he also did not throw a pick), and with both games against brutal defenses (Arizona and Las Vegas) the Stags feel that McGloin was certainly held in check and held back by Coach Mornhinweg. It seems that ownership has said that they want a longer look, so they pushed for McGloin to finish out the year despite a healthy Fitzpatrick ready to go. How McGloin fares could well determine Fitzpatrick’s future with the team. Here again is a quick comparison of the two to date:
FITZPATRICK: 192 OF 333 (73.4%), 1,681 Yards, 11:7 TD:INT, 4-5 Record
MCGLOIN: 51 of 83 (61.4%), 468 Yards, 0:0 TD:INT, 0-2 Record
DALLAS: Jones to Locker
Another team trying to decide if their rookie pick is the future face of the program or if they should give their oft-criticized season starter another year. Jake Locker started the season well, winning his first 2 games, but then lost 5 in a row, leading to his removal and the arrival of Oklahoma rookie Landry Jones. Jones started the next 3 games, all losses, before Locker was reinstated for Week 11. So, the question now is whether Locker can do anything to give Coach Sherman confidence in him going into his final contract year. The drafting of Jones seemed to be a clear signal that Locker may be on the way out, but Jones struggled in three starts this year, and may have given Locker a shot to redeem his image with the coaching staff. One last head to head comparison of the QB’s:
LOCKER: 199 of 325 (61.2%) 1,956 Yards, 7:6 TD:INT, 79.0 Rating 2-6 Record
JONES: 46 of 119 (38.7%), 493 Yards, 1:2 TD:INT, 47.4 Rating 0-3 Record
Chicago Owner Rocky Wirtz Wants to Sell, League Concerned
As if things were not confusing enough with the situation in Las Vegas and the potential for both new ownership from outside the league and for an owner seeking to sell off his club and get in on the Las Vegas market, now we have news out of Chicago that Machine owner Rocky Wirtz, son of the team’s founder Bill Wirtz, wants to cash out. Chicago is having a strong season both on the field and at the ticket office, and that success has apparently signaled to Wirtz that the time is right for him. Wirtz is not particularly engaged in the day to day operations of the club, preferring instead to focus his attention on the NHL Blackhawks, but it seems that he has decided that the time is right to get maximum dollar for his franchise.
Chicago should be a very attractive market for a new ownership group. The club is playing well, draws consistently between 38,000-45,000, right in the sweet spot of USFL attendance, and the deal with Soldier Field is a solid one, providing ample revenue from parking, ticket sales and concessions. While the Machine have never really challenged the Bears within the market, they have certainly carved out a niche in the busy spring sports schedule of the city, competing alongside the Cubs, White Sox, Hawks and Bulls.
The addition of Chicago as a possible market could actually pull away investors from the Las Vegas sale, as certainly there are several investment groups that would love to get into the USFL through the 3rd largest market in the nation, rather than Las Vegas’s glitzy but smaller metro area. Sure, Las Vegas will have a shiny new domed stadium by 2015, but the team has neither the history nor the draw that Chicago can boast, partially due to the transient nature of the Las Vegas population and the inherent limitations of the current Thunder stadium (Sam Boyd Stadium). Even with the promise of a new stadium, there will certainly be investment groups that see Chicago as a market with a higher ceiling and a better chance at long term financial viability.
So, we now have 2 teams up for sale, a third in Nashville, that is throwing some questions out there, and ownership groups still trying to get teams to places like San Diego, Miami, Oklahoma City, and Minneapolis. The question now is whether all this fluidity in the USFL leads to quick sales or long protracted issues of relocation and franchise uncertainty.
Week 12 starts the sprint towards the season finale, and a series of weeks with heavy divisional action. Seven of fourteen games will be divisional clashes in the week, starting on Friday with Michigan visiting Chicago. The Machine are having one of their best seasons in recent history, while Michigan is still trying to find themselves, but you know the Panthers would love to play spoiler in this rivalry game.
While some of the most interesting matchups of Saturday are interdivisional games (Oakland at Birmingham, Charlotte @ Philadelphia), we also have some good old rivalry games, starting with Memphis at Nashville in the Battle of Tennessee, Baltimore and Washington in an always hard-fought battle, and Houston headed up to Dallas in what Roughneck fans see as their game of the year against their downstate rivals.
Sunday has more divisional clashes with Atlanta hosting Jacksonville, New Jersey visiting Pittsburgh, and our nightcap, Portland heading to Los Angeles. We also have three interdivisional games as one of the league’s best offenses, Ohio, heads out to Arizona to face the top rated defense of the Wranglers. Denver is in Tampa Bay, with both teams 1 game under .500 and trying to stay engaged in a Wild Card hunt. Finally, we have New Orleans visiting Las Vegas, and hoping they can reach .500 and get right back in the mix for the Southern crown against a Thunder team still unsure if Jake Plummer can suit up or not.
Friday @ 8pm Michigan (3-8) @ Chicago (8-3) NBC
Saturday @ 12pm Oakland (8-3) @ Birmingham (6-5) ABC
Saturday @ 12pm Charlotte (7-4) @ Philadelphia (9-2) FOX
Saturday @ 4pm Memphis (3-8) @ Nashville (4-7) ABC
Saturday @ 4pm Seattle (3-8) @ St. Louis (5-6) FOX
Saturday @ 7pm Baltimore (5-6) @ Washington (9-2) NBC
Saturday @ 9pm Houston (6-5) @ Dallas (2-9) ESPN/EFN
Sunday @ 12pm Denver (5-6) @ Tampa Bay (5-6) ABC
Sunday @ 12pm Jacksonville (2-9) @ Atlanta (6-5) FOX
Sunday @ 12pm New Jersey (4-7) @ Pittsburgh (4-7) FOX
Sunday @ 4pm Ohio (5-6) @ Arizona (11-0) ABC
Sunday @ 4pm Orlando (5-6) @ Texas (7-4) ABC
Sunday @ 4pm New Orleans (5-6) @ Las Vegas (7-4) FOX
Sunday @ 8pm Portland (4-7) @ Los Angeles (6-5) ESPN/EFN