Week Seven Preview - Combines at Cheap Trick

The Inland Empire Fightin' Combines (2-4) take on Cheap Trick (5-1) this weekend. The Combines will be missing five starters due to bye weeks while Cheap Trick is missing one major cog, RB Duce Staley. FightinCombines.blogspot.com takes a look at the matchups...

Quarterback: Donovan McNabb (Cheap Trick) vs. Michael Vick (Inland Empire) - McNabb had an below average game last week but should bounce back against a weak Cleveland defense. McNabb started the season out with three games of 25 points or over. Vick finally truly showed what he can do in week seven passing for 218 yards and three touchdwons (two passing and one rushing). He takes on a surprisingly solid Kansas City Chiefs passing defense who only allows an average of 204 yards a game. Advantage: Cheap Trick

Running back 1: Ahman Green (CT) vs. Rudi Johnson (IE) - Green has been held without a touchdown for the last five weeks after scoring three in the first game. He has been bothered by injuries and has sat out of practice this week with an Achilles problem. Johnson has also struggled all season long. Without a decent passing attack defenses have keyed on Rudi and his stats have suffered. He also plays Denver who has the number one ranked defense in the NFL Advantage: Cheap Trick

Running back 2: Corey Dillon (CT) vs. T.J. Duckett (IE) - Dillon came up big in a huge game last week rushing for over 100 yards and scoring two touchdowns. The Washington native has been able to avoid the injury bug that has plagued his career and continues to play better each week. Is Duckett the all-time worst second round fantasy draft pick in the history of the CFFL? This week should answer that question. Duckett had more rushes than Warrick Dunn last week and could possibly see some more action after posting solid yards. His fumble didn't help matters much though. Advantage: Cheap Trick

Flex: Andre Davis (CT) vs. Michael Pittman (IE) - Davis has had two straight games of 15 points or over. However all of last week's points came on one play, a 99 yard touchdown reception. Davis is listed as questionable on the injury list and is in danger of missing a start. Pittman has been serviceable so far in his first three games. His numbers haven't been eye popping, just consistent. He will take on a Chicago Bears defense that saw Clinton Portis rush for 171 yards against it. Advantage: Combines

Wide Receiver 1: Koren Robinson (CT) vs. Nate Burleson (IE) - Robinson is rumored to be facing a four game suspension for a drug infraction and most likely will lose some playing time to Jerry Rice. Robinson did post 150 yards last week but continues to drop passes at an alarming rate. The newly acquired Burleson could see a huge spike in his numbers if WR Randy Moss is unable to go. Last week with Moss injured, Burleson had 134 yards. Advantage: Combines

Wide Receiver 2: Amani Toomer (CT) vs. Jerry Porter (IE) - Toomer leads the Giants with 24 receptions this season but hasn't managed to score a touchdown yet. He will face the Lion's 28th ranked passing defense so he should get some opportunities to score his first TD. Porter has been miserable this season so far. The only reason he is in the lineup anymore is because Andre Johnson has the week off and Dane Stallworth is injured. If Stallworth can play he will replace Porter in the lineup. Even TE Courtney Anderson is catching more passes that Porter. Advantage: Cheap Trick

Tight End: Antonio Gates (CT) vs Courtney Anderson (IE) - Gates has emerged as one of the top tight ends in the league. The former Kent State basketball player already has 422 yards and three touchdowns. If Anderson is consistent, then he should post three points this week. The Combines hope he can also score a touchdown but that might be asking a little much. Advantage: Cheap Trick

Kicker: David Akers (CT) vs. Matin Gramatica (IE) - Akers has had three straight games of 15 points or more including 22 points in week five. Gramatica has missed three field goal attempts in his last two games. Advantage: Cheap Trick

Defense: Jets (CT) vs. Buccaneers (IE) - The Jets have actually been pretty good this season. However they play New England this week. The Buccaneers have been merely ok this year. However they play Chicago. Advantage: Combines

Overall: This should be a thorough ass-kicking by Cheap Trick, the CFFL's best team, against the CFFL's worst team, the Fightin' Combines.