The Nickel Package

5 PROBABLE ALL-ROOKIE PICKS

Joseph Addai

Indianapolis RB

* With Addai in the backfield, the Colts don’t miss Edgerrin James nearly as much as was expected.

Marques Colston

New Orleans WR

* The 252nd pick in the draft is the NFL’s fourth-leading receiver.

DeMeco Ryans

Houston LB

* According to NFL.com, Ryans leads the league in tackles with 58.

Mark Anderson

Chicago DE

* He has 7 1/2 sacks and is a key component of an ultra-tough Bears defense.

Laurence Maroney

New England RB

* A strong, punishing runner, Maroney never stops fighting for yardage.

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5 OTHER ROOKIES TO WATCH

WR Greg Jennings, Green Bay

* Even while battling an ankle injury, Jennings is having an outstanding season.

DE Mario Williams, Houston

* The No. 1 overall pick is coming on strong, with 4 1/2 sacks since October.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville

* The former UCLA standout has upstaged his USC counterpart. Reggie who?

QB Bruce Gradkowski, Tampa Bay

* The Buccaneers aren’t very good, but this Toledo alum has been a pleasant surprise.

RB Leon Washington, New York Jets

* Heir apparent to Curtis Martin is very small and very fast. Versatile too.

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5 LONGEST NO-LOSS RUSHING STREAKS

Lorenzo Neal, San Diego

* 92 games: The last time he was tackled behind the line, he was playing for Tennessee.

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego

* 47: He’s gained 183 and 172 yards rushing in the last two weeks.

Steven Jackson, St. Louis

* 46: He has four touchdowns and four runs of 20-plus yards this season.

Verron Haynes, Pittsburgh

* 44: He doesn’t get the ball much, but when he does he grinds out the tough yards.

Tony Richardson, Minnesota

* 31: Longtime Kansas City fullback is now blasting open holes for the Vikings.

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5 POISED FOR A BREAKOUT

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego

* In three games against the Bengals, Tomlinson has averaged 142 yards rushing.

QB David Garrard, Jacksonville

* The Jaguars’ starter the last two games, he has a career passer rating of 95.7 against Houston.

WR Javon Walker, Denver

* The Broncos play at Oakland and Walker has 100-plus yards receiving in three consecutive road games.

WR Derrick Mason, Baltimore

* The last time he faced Tennessee, his former team, Mason had eight catches and a touchdown.

QB Michael Vick, Atlanta

* The Falcons play Cleveland and Vick has won his last seven starts against AFC teams.

Source: STATS LLC

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5 LOCKS

Atlanta over Cleveland -- The Falcons will bounce back from their embarrassing loss to Detroit last week.

* Indianapolis over Buffalo -- Run defense is still a problem for the Colts, but that shouldn’t cost them here.

* Jacksonville over Houston -- The Texans pounded the Jaguars early this season, but they’ve lost 12 in a row on the road.

* New England over New York Jets -- Since 2003, the Patriots are 5-0 in games a week after playing the Colts.

* Denver over Oakland -- In their last two meetings against the Raiders, the Broncos have allowed a total of six points.

* Last week: 3-2.

* Season: 34-11.