NFL whip around: What we're watching in Week 7
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — So, this could be awkward.
Players face former teams all the time, but when San Francisco 49ers cornerback Perrish Cox lines up against Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on Sunday, it'll pit two former friends who once squared off in the courtroom.
Thomas, Denver's No. 1 receiver, was called as a witness for the prosecution in Cox's trial on felony sexual assault charges in 2012. Thomas and Cox, members of the Broncos' 2010 draft class, had been partying together on the night of the alleged assault over Labor Day Weekend of their rookie year.
Cox was ultimately acquitted, despite Thomas' testimony. Thomas told the jury that Cox said "I think she's ready," after the woman passed out. The prosecution presented DNA evidence at the trial that Cox had impregnated the woman.
Cox was released by the Broncos after the 2011 preseason and spent that season out football while his legal case was pending. He signed with the 49ers less than a month after his acquittal. He was never punished by the NFL.
"I was being punished because no one would pick me up because of the situation. So once it played out and it was all over with, someone took a chance on me," Cox told Paste BN Sports recently.
Cox had an ally in San Francisco in defensive backs coach Ed Donatell, who had been his position coach in Denver in 2010. But before signing, he met with 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke, though neither man asked Cox to explain his side of the sexual assault case.
"I guess they were just trying to get a feel for where my mind was. They liked me, and we went on from there," Cox said.
Cox has replaced injured Tremaine Brock in the starting lineup this season for the 49ers, and is tied for the NFL lead with three interceptions. He told reporters in Santa Clara this week that his return to Denver won't be emotional — that came for him when the 49ers played at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in the 2012 preseason. But he didn't face Thomas in that game, though they did line up against each other in a preseason game at Levi's Stadium this year.
Cox expects to spend plenty of time against Denver receiver Emmanuel Sanders, in addition to Thomas, as the 49ers secondary gets its biggest test of the season.
"I love to go out and see what I can do and make my statement," Cox said this week. "I know they're going to come out and they're going to try to attack it the best way they can. I'm hungry for more. If you're going to bring it, bring it."
KEY STORY LINES FOR WEEK 7
And now on to the NFL Whip-Around, your game day guide to the weekend's biggest stories:
Percy Harvin fallout
Need to know: The Seattle Seahawks boarded a plane headed for St. Louis on Friday without wide receiver Percy Harvin, who was traded away to the New York Jets that afternoon. The timing of the trade means Harvin won't play this week anywhere (because the Jets played on Thursday night) and it should mean some significant changes for the Seattle offense that looked lost last week against Dallas. Now the Seahawks won't feel forced to get the ball to Harvin and won't have to deal with drama if Harvin wasn't happy with his role.
What to expect: Running back Marshawn Lynch had only 10 carries in the loss to Dallas, and that has to change for the Seahawks' offense to be successful. Also look for receiver Doug Baldwin to have a bigger role in the slot with Harvin gone, and pay attention to rookie second-round pick Paul Richardson, who had been the odd man out numbers-wise when Harvin was on the roster. Richardson isn't as big as Harvin, but he has similar speed and could be a factor on jet-sweep and bubble screen plays.
Red hot Cowboys
Need to know: Dallas has gone on a five-game winning streak since losing its opener to San Francisco — and now the Cowboys have a chance to make an NFC East statement in a home game against the New York Giants. A big reason the Cowboys have failed to make the playoffs since 2009 has been an ability to maintain momentum and string together wins. That makes this game one the Cowboys can't lose, not after such a confidence building win last week in Seattle.
What to expect: Stick with the formula that's been working: Run the ball — and no one has been better at it this year than DeMarco Murray – let the offensive line set the tone, control the clock and keep the defense fresh. If it worked in Seattle, there is no reason it shouldn't work against a Giants team that must account now for the loss of slot receiver Victor Cruz.
A test for the Chargers
Need to know: The San Diego Chargers have built their half-game lead in the AFC West with one quality win — at home against Seattle in Week 2. Other wins have come at home against Jacksonville and the New York Jets, and at winless Oakland. Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs is the first of two huge division games in five days, followed by Thursday's game in Denver. The Chiefs, who have already lost to the Broncos this season, need to win this game to keep themselves in the AFC West race.
What to expect: The Chiefs' challenge is all about stopping Philip Rivers — a test for the defense, especially cornerback Marcus Cooper and Sean Smith, but also for the offense to put together long drives that will keep Rivers off the field. Rivers has been at his best on third downs this season, meaning the Chargers offense is going to eat up clock. The Chiefs need Jamaal Charles and Alex Smith to do the same.
Fantasy watch: Perhaps you drafted Joe Flacco or Carson Palmer late as a backup fantasy option. It seems like a good time to be starting either player. That should be the lesson from watching Flacco throw five touchdowns last week against Tampa (was he on your bench? Ouch). For Palmer, he's making his second consecutive start since returning from the nerve issue in his arm that kept him out of three games — and this week that comes against his former team, the winless Oakland Raiders.
For Entertainment Purposes Only: Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning needs three touchdowns to break Brett Favre's all-time NFL record. There is certainly no guarantee that will come Sunday night against the Niners — though Manning has thrown at least two touchdowns in each game this season. But let's say he does throw No. 509. Who is the favorite to catch it? According to gambling site oddsshark.com, tight end Julius Thomas is a 2-1 favorite — no surprise considering Thomas leads the NFL with nine touchdown catches this year. Receiver Demaryius Thomas, who has 28 touchdowns from Manning since 2012, is next at 3-1, followed by Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker, both at 5-1. You could bet on any other player (perhaps tight end Jacob Tamme or running back Ronnie Hillman) at 3-2.
Rookie watch: So by now, Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles and Derek Carr are all entrenched as their teams' starting quarterbacks. But none has led his team to a win yet. Will that change on Sunday? Bridgewater's Vikings play the Buffalo Bills, as confusing a team as there is in the NFL this year. Carr's Raiders are a home underdog to the Arizona Cardinals, while Bortles' Jaguars host the Cleveland Browns. That game might be the most interesting, considering the Browns' interest in Bortles this spring — and Jacksonville's surprising move to draft him at No. 2, before Cleveland had a shot at him. Johnny Manziel, quarterback the Browns did draft later in the first round, remains on the bench behind ascending starter Brian Hoyer.
Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones.
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