Best Vs. Best

VS.

Adalius Thomas

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
LINEBACKER

When the Patriots danced after knocking off San Diego in the playoffs, the normally stoic Tomlinson called them out for lacking class. Whether or not the Pats added that in the off-season, they surely added firepower with free agent Adalius Thomas, who tried his hand at nearly every defensive position as a Raven. Says Tomlinson, who rushed for 98 yards but no TDs against Baltimore last year, "The guy is just a freak of nature." LT's a do-it-all guy himself. Not only did he score a record 31 TDs in '06--28 on the ground, three through the air--but he also tossed two TD passes. In this matchup of AFC Super Bowl contenders, may the best slash win.

WEEK 4 ||| SEPTEMBER 30

Larry Johnson

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
RUNNING BACK

VS.

Shawne Merriman

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
LINEBACKER

The legends of Johnson and Merriman each date to a ferocious hit on Oct. 30, 2005. Merriman, then a Chargers rookie, laid out Chiefs running back Priest Holmes, giving LJ, then languishing in Dick Vermeil's doghouse, his chance. Over the next nine games Johnson rushed for 16 TDs; Merriman, meanwhile, was named defensive rookie of the year. Since then, Johnson has done some of his best work versus the stout Chargers, averaging 116 yards and a TD. He'd be even better in those games if not for Merriman. In three head-to-head matchups, Merriman has ridden Johnson to the ground 15 times. Rematch: Week 13.

WEEK 4 ||| SEPTEMBER 30

Marvin Harrison

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
WIDE RECEIVER

VS.

Champ Baily

DENVER BRONCOS
CORNERBACK

Such is the game of back-and-forth in the NFL. The Broncos traded for Bailey in '04 as a means of stopping Harrison, who'd torched them for 32 catches and 4 TDs between 2001 and '03. Since then Bailey has held Harrison to an average of five catches and 41 yards in three games. Of facing the six-time All-Pro, Peyton Manning has said "That's why you throw a lot in the off season, with nobody covering. You pretend it's Champ Bailey covering. You have to throw a perfect throw and run a perfect route." Harrison doesn't have much to prove in his career, but regaining the upper hand on Bailey, the NFL's best cornerback would be sweet.