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From SI.com:

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1. Star Running Backs
http://tinyurl.com/2mgv5l
---

It's a bad year to be a big-time running back.
Last year's MVP, LaDainian Tomlinson, has
just 130 yards and is averaging 2.3 yards per
carry. Larry Johnson (140 yards, 2.8 ypc),
Frank Gore (175 yards, 3.4 ypc) and Steven
Jackson (233 yards, 3.4 ypc) aren't doing
much better.

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2. Saints
http://tinyurl.com/ytwexl
---

After the Saints run to the NFC Championship
Game in 2006, many experts had them pen-
ciled in as Super Bowl picks. Drew Brees
and Co. have started out 0-3 and have shown
no signs of turning things around in the Big
Easy. Now New Orleans will have to adjust
to losing running back Deuce McAllister (torn
ACL).

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3. Bears Offense
http://tinyurl.com/2a9fbz
---

You hear a lot about quarterback Rex Gross-
man's shortcomings, but this whole unit de-
serves blames for their woes this season.
Receiver Bernard Berrian came into the sea-
son with huge expectations and has done little
except drop a possible touchdown against
Dallas. And running back Cedric Benson is
averaging 3.2 yards per rush and doesn't look
like he can handle the primary back role.

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4. Lee Evans, WR, Bills
http://tinyurl.com/26dqoq
---

It's easy to blame quarterbacks J.P. Losman
and Trent Edwards for Buffalo's offensive
woes, but the biggest surprise on this team
is how poorly Evans has played. After com-
piling 82 catches for 1,292 yards and eight
touchdowns last season, he has just five
catches for 29 yards and no TDs after three
games.

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5. Rams
http://tinyurl.com/yvhyxf
---

With Steven Jackson emerging as one of
the top running backs in the league and Pro
Bowler Marc Bulger at quarterback, the
Rams figured to have a good shot at captur-
ing the NFC West. But their offense has fal-
len apart and they didn't improve a medio-
cre defense in the offseason.

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6. Bengals Defense
http://tinyurl.com/2up4y3
---

Head coach Marvin Lewis was considered
a defensive genius, so most people figured
this unit had to improve at some time. Their
51-45 loss to a bad Browns team was a
new low. Even if the Bengals improve this
season, giving up that many points to Cleve-
land is unforgivable.

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7. Matt Leinart, QB, Cardinals
http://tinyurl.com/3yblo5
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With plenty of offensive weapons around him,
Leinart was supposed to become a star this
year. He's been more of a dud, and now may
lose his job to veteran Kurt Warner. Leinart
has completed 54 percent of his passes and
has thrown two touchdowns and three picks
in three lackluster outings.

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8. Chargers Defense
http://tinyurl.com/2rgnys
---

The Chargers' D was dominant last season,
but after an impressive debut against a
pathetic Bears' offense, this unit has fallen
apart. They let up 38 points to the Patriots
and 31 to the Packers. They weren't able to
get consistent pressure on the QB in either
game and haven't come up with enough big
plays.

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9. Jason Taylor, DE, Dolphins
http://tinyurl.com/39qru2
---

It may be seem unfair to single out Taylor,
but he's been the face of the Dolphins' de-
fense for years, so it makes sense for him
to take blame for the whole unit. He has
just 12 tackles and one sack and Miami
ranks 26th in scoring defense. Taylor and
the rest of the D better step it up, because
the Dolphins' offense isn't going to beat
anyone without help.

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10. Alex Smith, QB, 49ers
http://tinyurl.com/2ojyh2
---

The Niners quarterback was supposed to
take a big jump forward in his third season,
but he's thrown just one touchdown pass in
three games and completed only 51.8 per-
cent of his passes (down from 58.1 last
season).

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