8:15 PM PITTSBURGH STEELERS (3-2) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-2)

Big Tilt in NFC North

    The NFC North race is in full swing and this one could serve to go along way towards determining who will win the division and, at the very least, could have serious playoff implications down the road. Both clubs are coming off losses. The Steelers were upended by the improving Browns, 20-15, while the Bengals were handled by the Packers, 37-24. Pittsburgh was entagled in a tense contest with Cleveland and could not find a way to ever get on top. The game was relatively evenly played with neither team able to get their running game untracked. The main difference might be found in the fact Steeler QB Aaron Rodgers would be sacked 7 times compared to Cleveland's rookie signal caller, Shedeur Sanders, enduring just 3 sacks. The normally rugged Cincinnati defense would get hit early and often by Green Bay resulting in a 28-7 deficit the club could not recover from. Missing injured top back Chase Brown did seem to effect the team negatively with backup tailback Samaje Perine  getting just 5 carries for 38 yards. He was solid in the passing game, however, snagging 5 balls for 38 yards out of the backfield, but it was not enough.

   Cinci still leads the PFL in scoring defense surrendering just 18.29 PPG. Pittsburgh is not too shabby ceding 25.52 PPG (11th ranked). Both teams are very good in the turnover department. The Bengals are #1 in the AFC with a +8 margin, while the Steelers march in ranked #3 in the AFC with a +6 ratio. It will likely just get down to which team gets the lucky breaks. Cincinnati 26-24.

9:30 AM: LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-4) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-4)

Deceivingly Huge Inter-Conference Matchup

    Under normal circumstances, two teams meeeting in week 7 with identical 2-4 records would not warrant much interest. However, these are not normal times in the PFL and this game, although seemingly mundane, is indeed significant! The Rams probably are not going to vie for the NFC West crown, but they are bunched in with at least five other teams all competing for a Wild Card berth and they are just 1 game out in that regard! The Jags play in the league's most notorious division for having the winner enter the playoffs, all too often, with a poor record. As of now, the Jaguars, yes folks, are tied for first in the AFC South with their 2-4 slate! Any win, therefore, is huge.

   Both teams are sitting in the lower portion of the league in terms of scoring. The Jags are 29th in the PFL scoring at just a 22.89 PPG clip, while the Rams are not much better checking in at 23.38 PPG, so scoring is at a premium in this one. The big difference could be an LA defense that is giving up a very respectable 25.65 PPG and come in with 40 sacks! That gives them a decided edge over a Jaguars' D that is yielding 30.67 PPG...

   Final Analysis: Feel the LA defense could be the difference maker in this one. Los Angeles 26-20.

  1:00 PM MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-2) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-2-1)

Possible Major Playoff Ramifications? Could Weather be a Factor?

    As the season unfolds, weather can become more of a factor. The Miami Dolphins are used to warm weather and, at times, rain. But they head North to face a Browns' team that seems to be improving each week with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders learning on the job and First Energy Stadium can present some daunting weather conditions from this stage of the seaon going forward. While snow is highly unlikely, cool and wet conditions are common and Miami might suffer if they have to play in that type of environment. The Dolphins easily dispatched the LA Chargers, 27-10, last week in a game that was not as close as the score might suggest. The Miami defense was stout versus the run giving up just 28 yards rushing and the passing game came up with a number of big plays. The Browns were able to survive a rough and tumble affair against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers last week emerging with a hard fought, 20-15, victory. All-World edge rusher Myles Garrett ate up the Steelers' O-line getting to veteran QB Aaron Rodgers for 4.5 sacks. Garrett now has 10 sacks on the season.

   Final Analysis: Miami is #4 in the league against the run allowing just 68 YPG. Their ability to stop the run puts teams into too many passing situations and that has, in turn, led to the Fish recording an AFC best 39 sacks. The Dolphs are averaging 33.85 PPG and get a Cleveland bunch that comes in scroing at a 30th ranked 21.36 PPG. That puts a premium on the Browns' defense to shut things down and the unit might not be able to quite get that done. Miami 28-21.

  1:00 PM CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-4) AT NEW YORK JETS (6-0)

Rampaging Jets Set to Bomb Visiting Cats

    The Jets have been an elite unit right from the get go this season. They have scored 40+ points in four of their games to date as nobody has been able to slow them down. They are, though, coming off a tougher-than-expected, 42-35, slugfest victory over the Denver Broncos last week. QB Justin Fields threw for a season high 529 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win. but the defense allowed little used Bronco backup QB Jarret Stidham to have a fine day passing for 397 yards and 4 TDs of his own! Carolina lost to Dallas.

   NO LINE

1:00 PM: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-1) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (2-4)

Pats Stay on Heels of Jets. Titans Battling in Sad Sack AFC South?

    There seems to be differing neighborhoods in the PFL lately. The AFC East, for example, has three of its four teams all with solid records and are serious playoff contenders. The AFC South, on the other hand, has had back-to-back champions (The Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars respectively) finish with 9-8 records and, currently, the leaders have 2-4 records! Such is the scenario for this matchup. The Patriots are scrambling every week to stay up with the unbeaten New York Jets and are a game behind due to a narrow, 24-21, week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Titans have not been able to gain any traction but, then again, that has been the case for the entire division and, now, the rival Colts are without leadership. 

   This game features two teams with stats one would expect of clubs with 5-1 and 2-4 records. New England is averaging 32.25 PPG on offense and surrendering just 20.77 PPG on defense. Tennessee is scoring at a 27.33 PPG rate and allowing teams to score at a 28.07 clip.  How Tennessee's rookie QB Cam Ward performs is the main key factor in this one. In the Titans' two wins, Ward has completed 78% (53/68) of his passes for 735 yards (367.5 YPG) and 6 touchdowns. In the team's four losses he has connected on only 61% (71/116) of his throws with just 7 touchdowns.

   Final Analysis: The Patriots are one of the top teams in the AFC and should keep the Titans reeling. New England 30-19.

 1:00 PM: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-1) AT CHICAGO BEARS (5-0) 

Saints Leave Warm and Dry NOLA For Visit to Rugged and Hostile Soldier Field

    Being a dome team that plays in the South is not a good resume for a club that has to enter Soldier Field to confront a Chicago Bears' bunch that sees itself as the best team around. The Saints were knocked out of the undefeated group last week as they were dispatched by the New England Patriots, 33-21. QB Spencer Rattler, who had been a league darling, was sacked a season most 9 times and tossed an interception for the second straight game in the defeat. The Bears, playing in dreadful weather conditions, stormed back and caught the Washington Commanders for a, 30-26, win to preserve their unbeaten record. QB Caleb Williams flipped a season high 4 TD passes in the win.

   Both clubs are near the top of the league in scoring. New Orleans is chugging along tallying 38.11 PPG with Rattler doing his thing, while Chicago is putting up 37.44 PPG. The Bears are the top passing team in the NFC (343 YPG) with the Saints right behind them at #2 (338 YPG). However, the Bears hold a bigger margin in the running game averaging 131 YPG compared to the Saints' 108.17 YPG. Chitown also holds the edge on defense giving up just 21.44 PPG, while the NOLA gang comes in with a solid, but less impressive, stat line allowing some 26.58 PPG.

Final Analysis: The Bears have the advantage in many areas and Rattler might be starting to show some cracks in his armor. Chicago 29-24.

 1:00 PM: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (6-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-4)

Slumping Vikes Hope Bye Week Heals Wounds. Eagles Keep on Winning 

   A big divisional win over a rival can go a long way towards securing a divisional title. The Eagles were able to push aside their top competitor in the NFC East last week as they deflated the New York Giants, 26-17. They now hold a commanding 3 game lead within the division and are increasingly eying, yet another, trip back to the Super Bowl. The Philly defense is starting to round into form and that is bad news for the rest of the league. They did surrender some 204 yards rushing to a bound-and-determined Giants' sqaud that insisted on running the ball. However, the D also shut down rookie QB Jaxson Dart limiting him to a season low 136 yards passing as well as a season worst 55.88% (19/34) completion rate. Minnesota is coming of its bye week and needed it badly. The defense is allowing 400+ YPG and some 34.2 PPG and the offense is dead last in the league rushing the ball for just 71.6 YPG.

   Final Analysis: The Eagles have been vulnerable to the run but, as stated, Minny has not been rushing the ball well, thus far, this season. The Vikings can score with the best of them (34.2 PPG and 4th in the PFL), but have done much of their damage via the pass with QB JJ McCarthy.  In order for them to match Philadelphia, the passing will need to remain potent, but the improving Eagles' D could prove problematic. Philadelphia 32-26.

GAME OF THE WEEK

1:00 PM: LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4-2) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-2)

Revived Rivalry Brings High Drama to KC

   For years now the Raiders have been an afterthought in the PFL and rarely even considered in the AFC West as the Kansas City Chiefs have utterly dominated the division. That all changed last season when these Raiders shocked the league and ended the Kansas City reign. While some may have thought that it was a one-off for Vegas, the team clearly has had a different opinion. Now, this once legandary rivalry has re-emerged and the old hatreds and tensions are back in the air. This one is for sole possession of first place within the division. The Raiders have won four of their last five, but are 0-2 against teams with an above .500 record. KC has won three of its last four and also does not own a win over a team with a record above .500. So, this game not only has divisional implications, but it also can be viewed as a barometer for where these two teams might actually be.

   Vegas, of course, wants to run the football with rookie sensation Ashton Jeanty powering the attack. The 5'9" 211 Lbs back, built in the mold of Emmitt Smith, does not possess elite speed, but he is super in just about everything else. if there is one drawback to how the Raiders have been using him, though, it would have to be in the fact he has just 3 rushing touchdowns on the season and none over the team's last three games! Everyone knows who keeps the fires burning in Kansas City: QB Patrick Mahomes. He has had to bear an even larger burden, thus far this season, as tailback Isaiah Pacheco just has not gotten it going. Pacheco has run for 59 or fewer yards in every game this season except in the exciting week 3, 58-56, loss to the Eagles when he rushed for 164 yards. That has all meant, of course, that Mahomes has had to be the man and then some. Mahomes has thrown for 357 or more yards in every game this year including two games where he has thrown for over 500 yards and another game where he connected for over 400 yards!  They are #2 in scoring averaging 38.67 PPG and #1 in passing (402.67 YPG)!

   Obviously, Vegas will need to try to find some way to slow down Mahomes. That might not be an easy task for a team with just 4 interceptions to its credit, although the club does have 29 sacks. The Raiders will need to keep Mahomes in the pocket or else risk having him wreck them with his legs and improvisational skills. KC has not been great at stopping the run (119 YPG) and that could enable Vegas to control some clock with Jeanty, but at some point it is likely QB Geno Smith may have to make some plays. Smith has managed games pretty well, but he has been throwing for an average of just 159.45 YPG and that stats might not be nearly enough to stay with the Chiefs. Kansas City 32-20.

4:05 PM: NEW YORK GIANTS (3-3) AT DENVER BRONCOS (2-4)

Two Teams in Need of a W in Mile High

    The Giants are coming to Denver fresh off a disappointing loss to the rival Philadelphia Eagles, 26-17, that really hurt their chances of dethroning the Eagles in the NFC East. They need to get a win here as the pressure to make the playoffs begins to increase each week now. New York ran the ball extremely well against the Eagles with backs Cam Skattebo (14-80) and Tyrone Tracy (6-81) pacing the team's 204 rushing yard effort. But rookie QB Jaxson Dart would endure his worst performance of the season throwing for season lows of 138 yards and a completion percentage of just 55.88% (19/34). Denver would rally from a seemingly insurmountable, 17-0, half-time deficit, and almost pulled off the comeback, only to fall, 42-35, to the Jets. Starting QB Bo Nix would exit the game with an injury and be replaced by Jarrett Stidham, who would lead the charge back finishing the day with 397 yards passing and 4 touchdowns while completing a stunning 83.87% (26/31) of his passes!

   Final Analysis: Both teams have above average talents on the defensive side of the ball. Denver is giving up only 21.07 PPG, while the G-Men are allowing just 21.53 PPG. Tight games allow the Giants to plug into their desire to run the football (130.33 YPG), whereas Denver prefers passing the ball (328.67 YPG). Obviously, one style or the other is going to win out here. The Broncos are #2 in the league versus the run (63.83 YPG), while the Giants are ranked 27th at stopping the pass (312.67 YPG). Advantage Broncos. Denver 25-22.

4:05 PM: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-4) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-4)

Colts Without a Rider in the Saddle. Bolts Doused by Dolphins

 The Indianapolis Colts are a twam without leadershop following the sudden resignation of long time HC Buck. The Chargers were swept aside by a solid Miami Dolphins' team, 27-10, last week leaving the club in bad shape as far as the playoffs are concerned.

  NO LINE

Duel in the Desert: Undefeated Pack Heads to 'Zona to Face Red Hot Cards

  This is one of the marquee matchups in the PFL this week. The Packers come in unblemished as they dumped the Cincinnati Bengals, 37-24, last week. QB Jordan Love had an excellent game throwing for a season best 443 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Packers rolled out to a 28-7 lead and then held on. The Cardinals were busy demolishing the Indianapolis Colts, 50-13, as their league leading running game chewed up 188 yards of turf. HB Trey Benson raced for 137 yards on 21 carries boosting his season totals to 587 yards, 6 touchdowns, and a stirling 5.44 YPC average. Arizona is pacing the PFL averaging a gaudy 166.33 YPG on the ground and an NFC leading 10 rushing scores. Amazingly, the passing game has been deceptively fantastic as well. QB Kyler Murray is second in the NFC with an eye-popping 128.97 QBR! He has posted 16 TD passes, with just 2 interceptions, while completing 72.11 % (106/147) of his attempts. In addition, the mercurial Murray has been sacked only 11 times all season! As if those stats are not impressive enough, consider that the Cardinals are tops in the league allowing only 271.17 YPG on defense, are second in the PFL in sacks with 39 (led by Josh Sweat's league best 13.5 sacks and BJ Ojulari's 6th best 9.5 sacks), and are ranked #3 in defensive scoring ceding a paltry 19.63 PPG! Green Bay comes in #2 in YPG and scoring defense in the league. The Packers are giving up 295.4 YPG and only 18.72 PPG. Love has completed 78% (117/150) of his passes with 16 TD throws compared to a lone interception and only 11 sacks. 

   Final Analysis: Arizona has won five straight since their season opening loss to the Saints and have blasted teams to the tune of 44,40, and 50 points over their last three games! The Packers have scored 30+ points in every game this season, but their defense has not faced an offense as balanced and explosive as the Cardinals possess. That, plus the tremendous pass rush and defense Arizona can employ makes this one an easy choice. Arizona 31-21. 

 4:25 PM: WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-5) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (1-5) 

Once Great Battles With Rabid Fans has Dissolved into Empty Seats and Boos

   The Dallas Cowboys finally have a new head rancher in town as coach Paul has returned to the sidelines. Washington, on the other hand, remains without a FT staff. The records of the two franchises are reflective of the instability, but it is hoped Paul can revive the proud Dallas organization.

NO LINE 

8:20 PM:  ATLANTA FALCONS (1-4) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-3)

Are Falcons Flying South for the Season? Niners trying to Gain Some Momentum

    The defending NFc South Division champion Falcons have struggled much of the season to gain consistency. An injury to top back Bijan Robinson slowed the club early on. The team's run first philosophy has the team near the top of the league in rushing, but it also has Atlanta as one of just two teams (Seattle is the other) with more rushing than passing touchdowns. San Francisco got back to .500 last week with a narrow, 28-21, win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and every game this season has been decided by 9 points or less as the team has gotten accustomed to close ones. The Niners have, though, moved more towards a balanced attack rather than just leaning on QB Brock Purdy like in past seasons. HB Christian McCaffrey has rushed 77 times for 348 yards and 5 touchdowns.

   Final Analysis: San Francisco can take a big step towards a playoff berth with a win here in the Golden Gate City. The Falcons are trying, desperately, to get things going and need a W badly. San Francisco 24-18.

    It has already been a long season for these two franchises and it is about to get even longer for the loser of this one. Both teams average almost identical amouts of points per game (Detroit-24.79, Tampa Bay-24.64) on offense and on defense (Detroit-33.58 PPG, Tampa Bay-31.85 PPG) so who knows? The Lions like to utilize their dual tailback attack with Jahmyr Gibbs (84-461-5.49) and David Montgomery (57-248-4.35) leading the way. The Bucs rely on the explosive play of RB Bucky Irving (98-561-5.72) to get the job done. Overall, both teams can run the ball, so this one could get down to quarterback play. Both Detroit's Jared Goff and Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield have 5 interceptions apiece and neither has been overly prolific passing the football. 

   Final Analysis: The Bucs have been one of football's most porous teams at stopping the run allowing some 139 YPG (30th ranked). The Lions are allowing 91.67 YPG rushing (11th best) and that could be the difference in a game between two teams that rely on the run so much. Detroit 27-23.

10:00 PM HOUSTON TEXANS (1-4) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-6)

It's Always Raining in Seattle These Days...

   The Houston Texans are used to hot, humid weather. Seattle is used to rain and the cold. In recent times, the Seahawks have been an annual playoff club that has rolled out a rugged pass defense and pass rush, a powerful running game, and solid QB game management play. The present pass D might be better if the run defense was improved. As of now, Seattle is ranked dead last in the NFC defending the run allowing a staggering 146.83 YPG! The offense is at the bottom of the league scoring just 15.85 PPG and the combination of poor D and weak O has left the team winless. Houston has not been all that much better, averaging just 23.32 PPG (26th in the league) on offense. Both teams have not been able to stop teams from lighting up the scoreboard. Seattle is giving up an NFC most 36.79 PPG, while the Texans are seeing teams rock them for 35.52 PPG (27th ranked).

   Final Analysis: Neither team has played well. Houston tried to get top back Joe Mixon going last week as he toted the rock a season high 15 times, but he could only muster 32 yards in a very close, 27-25, loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Not sure who will come out of this one on top, but just got a hunch Seattle finally gets the Ape off its back. Seattle 20-17.

TEAMS ON A BYE