From: ProFootballTalk.com

A reader tells us that KSHB in Kansas City is reporting that Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez has requested a trade, and that one of the teams in the running is the New York Gootball Fiants.A (It's an inside joke that you'll understand onlyA if you check the site every day, multiple times per day.)

Though we haven't confirmed that KSHB is reporting this information, we've learned separately that, indeed, an effort is afoot to move Gonzalez out of Kansas City.

The trade deadline is October 14 at 4:00 p.m. EDT.

The Indianapolis Pacers announced Friday on the team website that they have traded controversial forward Shawne Williams to the Dallas Mavericks. The Pacers received veteran Eddie Jones, two future second-round draft picks and cash considerations in return for Williams.

Pacers Team President Larry Bird said he had given the matter a lot of thought. Bird said [...]

The Bengals shot at pulling off a major upset this weekend in the Meadowlands vs the Jets just got a lot more difficult, as franchise QB Carson Palmer is again going to sit due to a sore elbow. The team announced today that Palmer is out, meaning that the team will again go with [...]

From: KFFL.com

Lions quarterback vs. Vikings SS Darren Sharper

Sharper has intercepted 11 passes against the Lions and returned two of them for touchdowns. Quarterback Jon Kitna (back) has thrown three picks to Sharper. From Scott Mitchell to Charlie Batch to Joey Harrington to Kitna to J.T. O'Sullivan, Lions quarterbacks have struggled against Sharper. No matter who plays quarterback for the Lions, he must keep on eye on No. 42. Kitna isn't certain to play this week, which would leave the duties to either Dan Orlovsky (knee, ankle), who has very limited experience, or Drew Stanton, who has none.

Lions WR Calvin Johnson vs. Vikings CB Cedric Griffin

Opposing quarterbacks have made Griffin a frequent target this season in part because they want to stay away from veteran left corner Antoine Winfield. Griffin has given up plenty of short-to-medium range passes - something that is not a sin in Minnesota's defensive scheme. The Lions are likely to test Griffin by going to Johnson, the Lions' leading receiver with 19 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns. It would not be surprising to see the Lions' quarterback take a few long shots against Griffin as well.

Lions OT Jeff Backus vs. Vikings DE Jared Allen

Allen led the NFL with 15.5 sacks last season and has two this year. All the Lions' quarterbacks are coming off injuries. If Backus can't contain Allen, it could lead to a fate even worse than sacks. If Orlovsky plays, he would be an inviting target for Allen. He is the least mobile of the Lions' quarterbacks.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson vs. Lions run defense

The Lions held the Chicago Bears to 2.9 yards per carry Sunday. It allowed Chicago quarterback Kyle Orton to have a career day in the meantime, though. Peterson was held to 1.5 yards per carry Monday night at the New Orleans Saints. He ripped through the Lions last year at the Metrodome, though, with 15 carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns. He hasn't rushed for 100 yards in the past three games. Detroit middle linebacker Paris Lenon is second on the Lions with 35 tackles. He will need help from nose tackle Chuck Darby and defensive tackle Cory Redding.

From: KFFL.com

Packers RB Ryan Grant vs. Seahawks run defense

The last time Grant faced the Seahawks, his day started off as a nightmare. Two quick fumbles almost knocked the Packers out of their Divisional Round playoff game. Grant bounced back and finished with 201 rushing yards, though. After the way the New York Giants' Brandon Jacobs pounded the Seahawks' run D last week, Sunday's game is setting up as a possible replay of the January performance. Grant could use this matchup to get back on track.

Seahawks RB Julius Jones vs. Packers run defense

The Packers' run defense is in shambles right now, and Seattle is decimated at receiver, so look for Jones to carry a heavy load and have a productive game Sunday. The Packers' front four is struggling in all facets of the game and sustained a major blow with the loss of defensive end Cullen Jenkins (chest). With backups Michael Montgomery (ankle) and Jason Hunter (hamstring) both likely to miss this week, the Packers will be extremely shorthanded at defensive end. Of the likely replacements, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila has never been stout against the run, and rookie Jeremy Thompson played poorly in his first NFL game last week.

From: KFFL.com

Raiders TE Zach Miller vs. Saints SS Roman Harper

The Raiders finally let Miller loose last week after defenses had clamped down on him through three games. He had five receptions for 95 yards, including a career-best 61-yard touchdown catch that came when four receivers ran vertical routes and quarterback JaMarcus Russell found him in the seam. He is the receiver Russell trusts the most. With head coach Tom Cable promising to balance what had been a run-heavy offense, Miller figures to get additional work. Harper, a second-round draft pick in 2006, is a physical player who tackles well but can be had in coverage - especially against a player who is as adept as Miller at finding open areas in a zone.

Saints RB Reggie Bush vs. Raiders LB Thomas Howard

Bush returned two punts for touchdowns last week. With Shane Lechler as their punter, the Raiders may be more concerned with him as a receiver out of the backfield. Bush leads the NFL with 38 catches, virtually all of them on safe, shallow routes near the line of scrimmage, although he has the skill set to go deep. Howard led NFL linebackers with six interceptions last year and returned two for touchdowns. He is one of the few players at his position with enough speed and athleticism to entrust with covering Bush. Howard has gone six games without an interception and could be looking to take one back the other way - which could be dangerous if Bush springs a double move.

Saints RB Deuce McAllister vs. Raiders DT Tommy Kelly

The Saints will likely look to lean on the running game more this week. The Raiders' run defense isn't as stout as the Minnesota Vikings' run stoppers. Oakland ranks 17th in the league; they're surrendering 113.2 yards per game. McAllister helped open up the Saints offense two weeks ago versus the San Francisco 49ers. The high-priced, underperforming Kelly will be the Raiders' first line of defense to stop McAllister.

Saints WR Devery Henderson vs. Raiders CB DeAngelo Hall

Henderson has always been known as the Saints' biggest threat for the deep ball. He became more involved in the passing game in the Monday night loss to the Vikings, when he caught four passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. He's averaging 31.7 yards per catch. Although Hall has two interceptions, teams have been picking on him considering that Nnamdi Asomugha, a more accomplished yet lesser known corner, is on the other side of the field.

From: KFFL.com

Rams RB Steven Jackson vs. Redskins LB London Fletcher

Jackson is coming off his first 100-yard rushing game of the season and finally has his legs under him after his 27-day contract holdout in the summer. To approach those kinds of numbers against Washington, he will have to avoid Fletcher, the tough veteran who still has a nose for the football and the range to get there in his 10th NFL season.

Rams WR Torry Holt vs. Redskins CB Carlos Rogers

Cornerback Shawn Springs may be limited this week with a sore calf that kept him out of the Philadelphia Eagles game. The assignment of checking Holt will therefore fall on Rogers, who is having an excellent season. Not even a year removed from knee surgery, Rogers has started every game and ranks fifth on the team with 20 tackles. He also leads the club with eight pass breakups. Holt has 15 catches for 187 yards this season and gets Marc Bulger back as the starting quarterback this week.

Redskins WR Santana Moss vs. Rams CBs Ron Bartell and Jason Craft

In the Redskins' win last week against Philadelphia, and for only the second time since coming to the Redskins in 2005, Moss was held without a catch. The Rams' cornerbacks aren't nearly as good as Philly's Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard. Expect the Redskins to re-establish Moss early in the game against the Rams' 28th-ranked pass defense. Moss' 27 catches are tied for eighth in the NFL, and he has three touchdowns. The Rams have only one interception. Less than three weeks after joining the Rams, Craft will find himself starting Sunday in what has become a patchwork secondary; starter Tye Hill (knee) is expected to miss three to four weeks. Craft, who began the year with the New Orleans Saints, has good footwork and speed, but his normal job is to cover slot receivers as the nickelback.

From: KFFL.com

Ravens RBs Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain vs. Colts run defense

The Ravens are fourth in the NFL at 153.8 yards rushing per game, but more importantly, they commit to the run and pound it. They have 160 carries. Consider that the Colts have just 75. The Colts are the NFL's worst at stopping the run at 188.5 yards allowed per game. McClain is a bruising second-year fullback type who leads the team with 266 yards on 63 carries, a 4.2-yard average and four touchdowns. The oft-injured McGahee (knee) has 170 yards on 50 carries but has trouble finishing games because he always gets nicked up. The Colts struggle to tackle, and their smallish front is shoved around a lot.

Ravens TE Todd Heap vs. Colts linebackers

Heap had more catches last game (four) than he did in his first three games combined (three). There is no sign that Heap will become an integral part of the passing game any time soon, though. He is still being utilized as a blocker for half of the Ravens' pass plays. Plus, Heap has never been an impact player against the Colts. In four regular season games against Indianapolis, Heap has averaged 2.75 receptions and 35.8 yards; he has one touchdown against them.

Colts QB Peyton Manning vs. Ravens pass defense

Two of the best to play their position square off in what linebacker Ray Lewis referred to as a "chess match." Manning was sharp at the start of the Houston Texans game, but then he wasn't the same until the end, when the Colts rallied with 21 points in the final 2:10 for the stunning victory. Baltimore has allowed 13 points or less in three of four games. Lewis is still the man with a team-high 42 tackles on the NFL's No. 1 defense. The Ravens rank first against the pass this season, but this is deceiving because this secondary is banged up. Cornerback Samari Rolle is out with a shoulder injury, and his replacement, Fabian Washington, is nursing a shoulder injury. Manning will try to check to runs when Lewis and his mates give certain looks; however, Lewis and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan are sure to bluff a bit, switch into other looks and try to blitz Manning when he's not expecting it. Teams have had success against the Colts when they crowd the box because Manning has missed on those deep throws, which are needed to back the blitzers off. Manning is one of the few quarterbacks to have had success against the Ravens, though. In six games against the Ravens, he has thrown 13 touchdown passes and averaged 283 yards passing.

From: KFFL.com

Rams RB Steven Jackson vs. Redskins LB London Fletcher

Jackson is coming off his first 100-yard rushing game of the season and finally has his legs under him after his 27-day contract holdout in the summer. To approach those kinds of numbers against Washington, he will have to avoid Fletcher, the tough veteran who still has a nose for the football and the range to get there in his 10th NFL season.

Rams WR Torry Holt vs. Redskins CB Carlos Rogers

Cornerback Shawn Springs may be limited this week with a sore calf that kept him out of the Philadelphia Eagles game. The assignment of checking Holt will therefore fall on Rogers, who is having an excellent season. Not even a year removed from knee surgery, Rogers has started every game and ranks fifth on the team with 20 tackles. He also leads the club with eight pass breakups. Holt has 15 catches for 187 yards this season and gets Marc Bulger back as the starting quarterback this week.

Redskins WR Santana Moss vs. Rams CBs Ron Bartell and Jason Craft

In the Redskins' win last week against Philadelphia, and for only the second time since coming to the Redskins in 2005, Moss was held without a catch. The Rams' cornerbacks aren't nearly as good as Philly's Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard. Expect the Redskins to re-establish Moss early in the game against the Rams' 28th-ranked pass defense. Moss' 27 catches are tied for eighth in the NFL, and he has three touchdowns. The Rams have only one interception. Less than three weeks after joining the Rams, Craft will find himself starting Sunday in what has become a patchwork secondary; starter Tye Hill (knee) is expected to miss three to four weeks. Craft, who began the year with the New Orleans Saints, has good footwork and speed, but his normal job is to cover slot receivers as the nickelback.

From: KFFL.com

Raiders TE Zach Miller vs. Saints SS Roman Harper

The Raiders finally let Miller loose last week after defenses had clamped down on him through three games. He had five receptions for 95 yards, including a career-best 61-yard touchdown catch that came when four receivers ran vertical routes and quarterback JaMarcus Russell found him in [...]

From: KFFL.com

Patriots WR Randy Moss vs. Chargers CBs Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie

Despite having some of the most talented corners in the league, San Diego currently ranks last in the NFL in pass defense; they allow more than 265 yards per game. Moss and quarterback Matt Cassel seem to be on the same page after their 66-yard scoring hookup against the San Francisco 49ers. Cassel looked deep to Moss on two other occasions in that game, too. Stretching the field with Moss is key to New England's offensive success, and Jammer or Cromartie will have the task of preventing Moss from having another big day.

Patriots KR Ellis Hobbs vs. Chargers special teams

Hobbs' mark of 34.2 yards per kickoff return is tops in the league by nearly three yards; he had been an above-average returner but seems to have kicked it up a notch this season. His returns have allowed New England to start with excellent field position, which comes in handy for Cassel and the rest of the offense. San Diego isn't the worst coverage team in the league, but it is in the bottom third in terms of yards allowed per return. The Chargers will have to work hard to limit Hobbs this week.

Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson vs. Patriots run defense

Tomlinson's toe is still hurting, and the league's top back is not in top form. Last Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins was the third time this season that Tomlinson averaged less than three yards per carry. In addition to LT's lost step because of the toe injury, his offensive line isn't clearing holes in the same manner it did in previous seasons. New England's run defense has been a bit softer than normal, this season but the Patriots' front, led by defensive end Richard Seymour, could be due to clamp down.

Chargers WR Vincent Jackson vs. Patriots defensive backs

The Chargers might be without receiver Chris Chambers (five touchdowns) because of an ankle injury, which would give Jackson (17 receptions) even more of a chance to excel. Chambers' absence would also mean potential playing time for wideout Malcom Floyd; the duo of the 6-foot-5 Jackson and the 6-foot-5 Floyd could pose problems for the Patriots in the red zone. New England's secondary suffered a blow when it lost cover corner Asante Samuel in free agency and could be vulnerable to the Chargers' explosiveness.

From: KFFL.com

Packers RB Ryan Grant vs. Seahawks run defense

The last time Grant faced the Seahawks, his day started off as a nightmare. Two quick fumbles almost knocked the Packers out of their Divisional Round playoff game. Grant bounced back and finished with 201 rushing yards, though. After the way the New York Giants' Brandon Jacobs pounded the Seahawks' run D last week, Sunday's game is setting up as a possible replay of the January performance. Grant could use this matchup to get back on track.

Seahawks RB Julius Jones vs. Packers run defense

The Packers' run defense is in shambles right now, and Seattle is decimated at receiver, so look for Jones to carry a heavy load and have a productive game Sunday. The Packers' front four is struggling in all facets of the game and sustained a major blow with the loss of defensive end Cullen Jenkins (chest). With backups Michael Montgomery (ankle) and Jason Hunter (hamstring) both likely to miss this week, the Packers will be extremely shorthanded at defensive end. Of the likely replacements, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila has never been stout against the run, and rookie Jeremy Thompson played poorly in his first NFL game last week.

From: KFFL.com

Lions quarterback vs. Vikings SS Darren Sharper

Sharper has intercepted 11 passes against the Lions and returned two of them for touchdowns. Quarterback Jon Kitna (back) has thrown three picks to Sharper. From Scott Mitchell to Charlie Batch to Joey Harrington to Kitna to J.T. O'Sullivan, Lions quarterbacks have struggled against Sharper. No matter who [...]

From: KFFL.com

Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Jets pass defense

The Jets are susceptible in the passing game; witness their ranking (31st, 265 yards allowed per game). They are allowing a 68.2 percent completion rate. Cornerback Darrelle Revis is playing well and has three interceptions. The rest of the secondary has been poor, though, and offenses are picking on rookie cornerback Dwight Lowery. New York is getting a solid pass rush, with 13 sacks in four games. Linebacker Bryan Thomas has four, and defensive end Shaun Ellis, three.

Bengals WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson vs. Jets CB Dwight Lowery

With the rookie Lowery learning on the job, he has been very inconsistent, and Housh could put up big numbers against him Sunday. In the last few games, opposing quarterbacks have picked on Lowery and stayed away from Revis. Expect that to continue. This game could also be the one in which the Bengals get the ball to Ocho Cinco, who has just 14 receptions and one touchdown in five games.

Bengals TE Ben Utecht vs. Jets linebackers

Jets linebackers haven't covered opposing tight ends very well this year. The San Diego Chargers' Antonio Gates and the Miami Dolphins' Anthony Fasano both did some damage against the Jets. There is a good chance that Utecht has a breakout game against Gang Green. Utecht is an underrated receiving tight end, and the stars are aligned for him to have a big game in the Meadowlands.

Jets RB Thomas Jones vs. Bengals run defense

New York is faring only a little better than the Bengals in the rush game. It is ranked 26th and is gaining 3.8 yards a carry, compared to 3.3 for the Bengals. Thomas Jones is the workhorse, running 67 times for 254 yards (3.8-yard average) with a long of 16 yards and one touchdown. Though the Bengals run defense is better, they have allowed 229, 177 and 198 yards rushing in three of their five losses. The Bengals are 27th in rush defense at 167.6 yards a game.

From: KFFL.com

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb vs. 49ers defense

McNabb held a team meeting the day after the Eagles' most recent loss. Although he probably will be without running back Brian Westbrook (ribs, ankle) in Week 6, McNabb is publicly invested in turning the season around this week, before the Eagles' bye. Teammates expect him to be [...]