Because the midway level of the season arrives, the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champions are nonetheless the lone undefeated staff. The Chiefs will finish the weekend by making an attempt to get to 8-0.
Alongside the way in which, there might be loads of fascinating video games. He’s a fast take a look at every one, together with a truth or two that I discovered fascinating — and that you simply may, too.
And, sure, that is the third week of the preview column. What do you consider it? In case you have any concepts or feedback or generalized insults, let me know at florio@profootballtalk.com.
3-4 Cowboys at 5-3 Falcons (-3), Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox (Adam Amin and Greg Olsen)
It’s a Mike Zimmer and Kirk Cousins reunion. They spent 4 years collectively in Minnesota. There was friction. There was underachievement. There was a single playoff look. There was one viral second of pushing and shoving that carried one thing greater than celebration.
Zimmer’s protection has allowed a whopping 37.3 factors per sport in 4 losses, and solely 16.3 factors per sport in three wins.
For Cousins, he’s 3-3 in video games towards groups aside from Tampa Bay, with six landing passes and 6 interceptions.
A Dallas loss would give them 5 on the 12 months — that’s the full quantity they’d in every of the three prior seasons.
5-3 Broncos at 5-3 Ravens (-9), Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS (Jim Nantz and Tony Romo)
Lamar Jackson is sweet to go after lacking two days of follow, with again and knee accidents. The Ravens had their five-game successful streak finish in Cleveland final Sunday. They’ve added receiver Diontae Johnson through commerce; some would say they need to be wanting so as to add gamers within the secondary.
Denver has fattened up its file towards groups with a mixed file of 11-29. They’ll face the 5-3 Ravens, 7-0 Chiefs, and 5-3 Falcons over the subsequent three weeks.
Final weekend, Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix set the franchise rookie file with 5 wins. He had 284 passing yards and 4 complete touchdowns in a 28-14 win over the Panthers.
2-5 Dolphins at 6-2 Payments (-6), Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS (Kevin Harlan and Trent Inexperienced)
A win by Buffalo would full the sweep of Miami and, barring an epic collapse, nail down the division.
Josh Allen is 12-2 towards the Dolphins; Tua Tagovailoa has received solely considered one of eight towards the Payments.
The Payments have a three-game successful streak; the Dolphins have misplaced 5 of six.
2-6 Saints (-7.5) at 1-7 Panthers, Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS (Tom McCarthy and Jay Feely)
After a 2-0 begin, the Saints have misplaced six in a row. The final 4 have occurred by double digits.
They’ll get quarterback Derek Carr again within the lineup; he has missed three video games with an indirect damage.
Bryce Younger will get one other begin for the woeful Panthers, who’re 4-12 towards the Saints because the begin of the 2017 season.
2-6 Raiders at 3-5 Bengals (-7), Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox (Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston)
These groups final met within the 2021 playoffs, a wild-card sport the Raiders practically received.
Las Vegas has misplaced 4 in a row, its longest dropping streak since shifting to Nevada. They haven’t misplaced 5 straight since 2018.
The Bengals are 0-4 at dwelling this season. Quarterback Joe Burrow thinks it’s “doable” to win seven of the subsequent 9 — although they’ve misplaced 5 of the primary eight.
4-3 Chargers (-1.5) at 2-6 Browns, Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS (Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta)
Jim Harbaugh returns to Ohio, with a staff not practically as dominant as his Wolverines had been. And with Jameis Winston at quarterback, the Browns have gotten a raise.
The L.A. protection is getting it performed; they’re giving up 13 factors per sport and have but to give up greater than 20. Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey had a breakout sport in Week 8, with a pair of touchdowns and 111 receiving yards.
In opposition to the Ravens, the Browns scored greater than 20 factors for the primary time this season, whereas additionally ending a five-game dropping streak.
6-2 Commanders (-3.5) at 2-6 Giants, Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox (Chris Myers and Mark Sanchez)
The Giants would have crushed the Commanders in Week 2, in the event that they solely had a kicker. The Commanders did that day, getting seven area objectives from Austin Seibert in a 21-18 win.
The Commanders have an opportunity to begin 7-2 for the primary time since 1996. That 12 months, Washington opened 7-1 however misplaced six of the subsequent eight and missed the playoffs. It was their last season at RFK Stadium.
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones nonetheless has no touchdowns at dwelling this season. He hasn’t thrown a landing go at MetLife Stadium since Week 17 of the 2022 season. He’s the primary NFL quarterback since 1950 to lose six straight dwelling video games and never throw a landing go in any of them.
2-6 Patriots at 1-6 Titans (-3.5), Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox (Jason Benetti and Mark Schlereth)
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is questionable after struggling a concussion within the Week 8 win over the Jets. If Maye can’t go, will probably be Jacoby Brissett, backed up by Joe Milton III.
Titans quarterback Will Levis can also be questionable, with a lingering shoulder damage. They’ve been outscored of their final two losses 86-24.
4-3 Bears at 4-4 Cardinals (-1.5), Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS (Ian Eagle and Charles Davis)
These are the one two groups remaining for the unique NFL, which launched in 1920.
The Bears will attempt to maintain one loss from turning into two, following the Hail Mary debacle that price them a win over the Commanders. The Bears additionally will try and win on the highway for the primary time this season.
The Cardinals have received three of 4, two straight with walk-off area objectives. Rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has 411 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns.
2-6 Jaguars at 5-2 Eagles (-7.5), Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS (Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, and Jason McCourty)
Doug Pederson returns to face the staff he took to a Tremendous Bowl win seven years in the past. It’s Pederson’s second sport in Philly since being fired after the 2020 season; in 2022, the Jaguars misplaced to the Eagles, 29-21.
The Jaguars have allowed 30 or extra factors in three of the final 4 video games, and in 4 of the final six.
The Eagles have received three in a row, with 4 touchdowns scored in every of their final two video games. They proceed to be undefeated (4-0) when receiver A.J. Brown performs.
6-1 Lions (-3.5) at 6-2 Packers, Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox (Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady)
The Lions have received 5 in a row, with 25 touchdowns and solely 20 incomplete passes. This week, Detroit performs open air for the primary time all season.
The Packers have received 4 in a row. Quarterback Jordan Love is questionable with a groin damage. His availability is predicted to be a game-time resolution.
Inexperienced Bay has received two in a row with walk-off area objectives, each from new kicker Brandon McManus.
3-4 Rams (-1.5) at 4-4 Seahawks, Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox (Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma)
The Rams have received two in a row; their Week 8 upset of the Vikings ended speak of a Cooper Kupp commerce.
Seattle has been constantly inconsistent. They received three to begin the season. Then, they misplaced three. Then, they received by 20 factors on the highway in Atlanta. Then, they misplaced by 21 at dwelling to the Payments.
Receiver Puka Nacua suffered a knee damage in follow on Thursday. He’s questionable for the sport.
4-4 Colts at 5-2 Vikings (-5), Sunday 8:25 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock (Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth)
Two years in the past, these groups performed an epic late-season Saturday sport. The Colts led at halftime, 33-0. The Vikings received in extra time, 39-36.
The Colts are the primary staff ever to have every of their first eight video games of the season determined by six factors or fewer.
Joe Flacco begins for Anthony Richardson, who was benched after a Week 8 loss to the Texans. The Vikings have misplaced two in a row after beginning 5-0.
4-4 Buccaneers at 7-0 Chiefs (-8.5), Monday 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC (Joe Buck and Troy Aikman)
It’s a Tremendous Bowl LV rematch. The Bucs have misplaced two in a row and three out of 4. The Chiefs haven’t misplaced since Christmas Day, 2023.
Patrick Mahomes has eight landing passes and 9 interceptions. That ties him for essentially the most interceptions within the league. He has thrown not less than one in each sport.