Thursday, Oct. 30
Chargers at Dolphins (Sunday): San Diego cornerback Brandon Flowers has recovered from his concussion and should be a go.
Perception: Bad news for Mike Wallace.
Nover's View: Agree. Wallace is the Dolphins' only decent receiving threat. Flowers's anticipated presence is especially huge because good-looking rookie cornerback Jason Verrett is out with a shoulder injury. Pro Football Focus rates Flowers as the No. 1 cornerback in the NFL.
Jaguars at Bengals (Sunday): Bengals running back Giovani Bernard is doubtful with a hip injury.
Perception: So what, the Bengals are playing the Jaguars.
Nover's View: It matters for the Bengals especially since they are laying double-digits. Where does the firepower come if Bernard can't play and A.J. Green remains out? Andy Dalton hasn't thrown a touchdown pass in his last two games. The Bengals go back to being a power run team spotlighting Jeremy Hill and resurrecting Cedric Peerman as a change of pace back. Those moves certainly are not conducive to covering a big number.
Cardinals at Cowboys (Sunday): Cowboys linebacker Justin Durant is out for the season after suffering a torn bicep last week.
Perception: I'm far more interested in Tony Romo's status than some non-descript linebacker.
Nover's View: I'd be surprised if Romo didn't play. Durant, though, is definitely out and it's a blow to the Cowboys already thin talent level on defense. Keep in mind, the Cowboys lost their best linebacker, Sean Lee, before the season even started. Durant may have been Dallas' next best linebacker.
Rams at 49ers (Sunday): Rams wide receiver Brian Quick is likely out for the season with a dislocated left shoulder and torn rotator cuff.
Perception: Aren't all of the Rams wide receivers worthless these days?
Nover's View: All except Quick. This was his pivotal third season and he was starting to have a breakout year with career-highs in catches, yards and touchdowns. Quick was St. Louis' one decent receiver. Now the Rams are down to Austin Davis throwing to perennial tease Kenny Britt and Stedman Bailey behind an offensive line that lost three starters last week, including Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long.
Colts at Giants (Monday): Colts cornerback Vontae Davis suffered a knee injury last week, but practiced on Thursday and is likely to play against the Giants.
Perception: Can you name anyone on the Colts defense?
Nover's View: Davis may be the most important player on Indy's defense, which totally fell apart against the Steelers when Davis departed. Darrelle Revis gets a lot of publicity, but Davis is better. Davis is so good that under the total is back into the handicapping equation.