The more Matt Cassel sees opposing defenses, the better he plays. The stand-in for Tom Brady who became a standout for the New England Patriots hasn’t seen anything like the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the right thigh and spent the night in the hospital, another dramatic turn in a tumultuous season in which the star New York Giants receiver has been fined and suspended.

The lonely linebacker is about to get some company. Antonio Pierce patrolled the middle essentially by himself last week when the New York Giants were beating up on the Arizona Cardinals. Kurt Warner threw the ball so often (52 times) that the Men in Blue loaded up on defensive backs.

PITTSBURGH - The Steelers re-signed running back Najeh Davenport and released rookie cornerback Roy Lewis. Davenport spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons with Pittsburgh but was released in June. He was re-signed in October after Willie Parker injured a knee, first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was lost for the season with a shoulder injury and fullback Carey Davis sprained an ankle. He was released again Nov. 8.

Chris Johnson was untouched on a short run to the outside and a long gain up the middle. The two plays were symbolic of the canyon-like gap between the once-beaten Tennessee Titans and the winless Detroit Lions.

Walking around Redskins Park, it becomes evident that Sean Taylor still is here. He’s in the film room, as players get chills while watching tapes from previous games and seeing No. 21 jump in and make a play.

a closer look Yesterday was an off day for the Redskins, as coach Jim Zorn allowed the players a “victory Monday” to celebrate their 20-17 victory in Seattle on Sunday. That’s not to say that nobody visited the team’s Ashburn facility, though. It’s the time of year when injuries begin to mount in the NFL, and the Redskins are no exception. Trainers took stock of the bumps and bruises yesterday in advance of a Sunday matchup with the 10-1 Giants.

The game between the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 7 has been moved to 8:15 p.m. as part of the NFL’s Flex Schedule. New England at Seattle will be moved to 4:05 p.m. as the other half of the switch. Both the Redskins and the Ravens will be in playoff contention when the neighboring teams meet in Baltimore—both teams are currently 7-4 and in second place in their division. Since the teams are in different conferences, they are only guaranteed to play each other every four years despite their proximity.

At every stage in his career, Jim Zorn has made adjustments to fit in as a football coach. Now, 20 years after starting as a quarterbacks coach at Boise State, he’ll be the first to tell you he’s still not close.

N.Y. JETS (7-3) AT TENNESSEE (10-0)
Time: 1 p.m. Line: Titans by 5½ TV: WTVR-6 Jets: New York is rested after last week’s Thursday victory over Patriots, and Brett Favre has Jets going for their first five-game winning streak since 1974. If they continue to score big, they can win. Titans: Until they close the season vs. Steelers and Colts, this is the Titans’ biggest chance for a loss. And they know it. Defense can turn it on. Fantasy outlook: Thomas Jones (U.Va.) is on a roll for Jets with 9 TDs in past six games and two straight 100-yard games. QB Kerry Collins is making the Titans a passing threat with 5TD tosses in past two games. The Wrath of Woody: The real reason Favre wanted to play for the Jets? On his off days, he visits all the Seinfeld landmarks in Manhattan. Tennessee 24, New York Jets 16 SAN FRANCISCO (3-7) AT DALLAS (6-4)
Time: 1 p.m.

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was limited at practice yesterday because of an injury to his right hamstring, and he will be a game-time decision tomorrow when the Super Bowl champions play the Arizona Cardinals.

Cowboys rookie running back Felix Jones is done for the season. The team said yesterday that Jones, one of Dallas’ two first-round draft picks, will be placed on injured reserve because of a big left toe injury.

The theme of the week for the Redskins’ defense is that statistics can be deceiving. Against Seattle on Sunday, that will mean ignoring the team’s 2-8 record and less-than-gaudy stats.

Shaun Alexander isn’t going to let himself make Sunday’s game any bigger than it needs to be. Sure he’s returning to Seattle, the city where he was league MVP in 2005, but he’s also returning as a third-string running back.

Washington Redsksins running back Clinton Portis sat out practice today but is expected to play in Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Portis, battline through a knee injury, did not practice last week, but played in the 14-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday, rushing for 68 yards on 15 carries. An assortment of knee and ankle injuries kept receiver Antwaan Randle El, guard Pete Kendall, left tackle Chris Samuels and linebacker Marcus Washington out of practice today. All but Washington are expected to play Sunday.