The second-round pick the Colts gave up last Tuesday for defensive tackle Anthony McFarland may have been a bargain. Where would the Colts be without him? McFarland, despite arriving midweek, started and was on the field for about 40 plays Sunday in the Colts 36-22 victory over the Redskins. Defensive tackle Montae Reagor was in a hospital because of a car accident that caused a head wound. Without McFarland, the Colts would have been severely undersized and undermanned at defensive tackle. The Colts entered the game giving up 167 rushing yards a game. They gave up 114 Sunday.

• It took until the fourth quarter of their boring 17-7 victory over the Browns for the Broncos defense to give up their second offensive touchdown of the year, an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Joe Jurevicius. The game was under control, but they have now only surrendered two touchdowns in 65 opposing offensive possessions. The Broncos limited the Browns to only 165 yards of offense. Next Sunday, though, the Broncos get the supreme test. Mike Shanahan has been stocking his defense for three years trying to stop the Indianapolis Colts. That will be the true test of the defensive improvement.

• The four-game steroid suspension of Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman really comes at a horrible time for the team. Linebacker Shaun Phillips is expected to be out four to six weeks with a calf injury. They've lost linebacker Steve Foley for the season. The only outside linebacker of note is Marques Harris or Nick Speegle, which might the Chargers move Tim Dobbins or Donnie Edwards to the outside.

• You kinda sensed injuries would be catching up to the Jacksonville defense. Once considered one of the soundest and toughest defenses in football, the Jaguars have holes. First, the season-ending losses of linebacker Mike Peterson and defensive end Reggie Hayward has taken away their speed and pass-rushing. Marcus Stroud's lingering ankle problems sidelined him Sunday and allowed the Texans to gain 131 yards on the ground with Samkon Gado as the main back. Even Texans quarterback David Carr came out of the game upright. He was sacked only once and had a 110.4 quarterback rating.

• Another key injury to follow this week involves Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour. The Patriots aren't saying how bad he's hurt, but he's hurt. Patriots safety Rodney Harrison jumped over a pile and landed on his arm while it was planted into the game. "It took a good, square shot on it," Seymour told reporters after the game. "We'll see how it feels in the morning. Obviously, I think it will be pretty sore." Seymour was already playing with a wrist injury, but this is considered more serious. The Patriots visit the Vikings next Monday.