THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

8:20 PM Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) at Atlanta Falcons (1-3)

Falcons Need a Reversal Right Now!

   The Atlanta Falcons may have put themselves into a much earlier than expected "Must-Win" situation. A loss to the Bucs, inside the NFC South, would leave them 3 games behind Tampa Bay and in dire shape. They have the tools to win this game, but the pressure is squarely on their shoulders. The Bucs suffered their first loss of the season last week as they fell, 24-21, to Philadelphia. QB Baker Mayfield did throw 3 TD passes, but he also had an interception and the running game never got going.

   Hard to believe Atlanta can keep scuffling along like this. QB Kirk Cousins has played well, but the running game with Bijan Robinson has not gotten it done. He has rushed for 46 or fewer yards in three of four games and has a long run of just 14 yards! The Falcons must get him going. Tampa Bay is tied for 3rd in the PFL with 6 takeaways and have been allowing around 80 YPG versus the run. They are second in the league with 31 sacks, so it is imperative that Atlanta stay out of predictable passing downs and situations.

   Final Analysis: The Falcons have to get better on 1st and 2nd down in this one in order to avoid the Buccaneers' pass rush. Their current 35% (17-48) third down conversion rate is not good enough. In addition, their 18% red zone efficiency number is woefully low and the Bucs do not give up many big plays,  Tampa Bay 23-19.

9:30 AM New York Jets (2-2) at Minnesota Vikings (1-2-1)

International Setting Has Two Teams Teams Seeking Stability

   Both teams lack full time coaching staffs, which has led to some inconsistent play at times. The Jets are right in the mix of a hotly contested AFC East, while the Vikings are licking their wounds after being thoroughly outplayed by the Green Bay Packers last week.

   Final Analysis: The truth is New York has the better overall talent and should prevail, especially since this game is not being played in Bloomington. New York 26-20.

 1:00 PM Carolina Panthers (2-2) at Chicago Bears (1-3)

Improving Panthers Chasing Saints and Bucs. "Monsters of the Midway"? Not Quite Yet

  The Carolina Panthers may have, finally,  figured out an offensive scheme that suits the talents of their young quarterback Bryce Young. A shorter, quick passing attack designed to get the ball out of his hands quickly seems to be working. In last week's resounding, 37-16, upset of the previously undefeated Cincinnati Bengals, Young would complete 22 of 31 passes for 333 yards and 4 touchdowns while not throwing a pick! The Bears, on the other hand, ran the ball just 6 times all game and leaned exclusively on the rookie arm of QB Caleb Williams. Williams would toss the pigskin some 52 times, completing 32 of them, for 393 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he would also be intercepted 3 times. One of the picks would be taken 45 yards to the house by Ram LB Jared Verse as Chicago dropped a, 27-14, decision to Los Angeles.

   Carolina leads the PFL in 3rd down conversion rate (54%), but Young has flipped an NFC most 5 interceptions dampening some solid team stats. Still, the latest offensive game plan may mitigate that tendency and allow the club, and Young, to flourish going forward. Young did not have a turnover in the last contest and the success of the passing attack opened the door for rookie HB Jonathan Brooks to rush for 125 yards on 16 carries. TE Tommy Trimble caught a 71 yard TD pass on a seam route that caught Cinci in a cover 2 as the safety rolled off the seam route.

   Final Analysis: The Panthers are excited about their success and are trending upwards. They are looking up at both the Saints and Bucs in their division, but a win here would keep the pressure on and set them up for a possible nice run of games heading toward their bye in week 11. Carolina 24-18.

GAME OF THE WEEK

1:00 PM Baltimore Ravens (3-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)

Can Bengals Find Way to Hunt Down Hi-Flyin' Ravens?

    The Cincinnati Bengals have not been in this position in the AFC North in quite some time. The offense leads the PFL in scoring (29.5 PPG) with QB Joe Burrow having tossed 10 TDs already. A duo of backs, Zach Moss and Chase Brown, have combined for 302 yards rushing on 66 carries (4.48 YPC) more than compensating for the loss of long-time Bengal Joe Mixon. If they can win this game, at home, they will put themselves in the driver's seat for the rest of the season giving them the inside track to a rare divisional title! However, they got caught looking ahead last week and were shocked by the improved Carolina Panthers, 37-16, as the defense was shredded by Panther QB Bryce Young as Burrow kinda looked like the Burrow of past failed seasons. That defense will now face the talents of LaMar Jackson who has been simply on fire since the start of the year. L-Jax enters this game averaging 337.5 YPG passing with 10 TD passes, just 1 pick, and an eye-popping 128.1 QBR! The Ravens' run game has not really gelled as of yet, however, with veteran back Derrick Henry accumulating only 206 yards on 72 carries (2.9 YPC) while not exceeding more than 64 yards in any game this season. He did, though, show some signs of getting in the groove last week as he ran 16 times for 64 yards (4 YPC).

   The big question in this one has to be the ability, or not, of the Bengals to successfully move the ball through the air. Baltimore has posted 30 sacks and their pass defense is allowing only 181.5 YPG. That may mean Cinci will need Moss and Brown to be effective in the running game if the team hopes to maintain its current lofty offensive points totals. Burrow has played, overall, pretty well, but he has thrown 5 interceptions already and he simply cannot do that when confronting a quarterback as efficient as LaMar Jackson. 

   Of course, if the Bengals can keep Henry at bay again this week and at least limit Jackson, they have a very real shot at walking away from this one in first place. But, as stated above, the team's performance versus the Panthers has to be worrisome. If they cannot slow down the Ravens' passing attack, it seems probable they will not be able to put up enough points to win despite leading the PFL coming in. First and second down will be crucial for both teams. Baltimore has really had difficulties on third down converting just 29 % (12-41) of the time and it has been a bit of an achilles heal for them. Cinci has not been all that much better, though, checking in with a 31% (15-48) rate, so early down succes/failure is key. These are two of the least penalized teams in the league. They both have been flagged an identical 6 times for 41 yards! Obviously, this means they have been very disciplined and not likely to shoot themselves in the foot. 

   Final Analysis: A huge game within the division. There is a bit of a concern for Cincinnati with their -2 turnover margin and 5 Burrow give-aways compared to Baltimore's +1 ratio with just 2 gifts.  Baltimore 28-20   

1:00 PM Miami Dolphins (2-2) at New England Patriots (2-2)

Big Intra-Divisional Matchup in Foxboro

    The AFC East is kinda bunched up at the moment and this matchup could prove pivotal in the long run. New England is 1-0 in the division having dumped the Jets in week 2, while the Dolphins are 0-1 in the East with a week 2 defeat to Buffalo. It would appear, then, that this one is more important to Miami than it is to New England but...

   The truth is neither team has played all that great thus far. Patriot rookie QB Drake Maye does have a 100+ QBR, but he also has thrown 4 interceptions and HB Rhamondre Stevenson has slumped the past two weeks rushing 26 times for 81 yards (3.12 YPC). Tua Tagovailoa has not been very good coming in with a 95.7 QBR. He has completed just 61% (64-104) of his throws and been sacked 19 times. Tailback Raheem Mostert has been very inconsistent having games of 145 and 79 yards sandwiched around 13 and 24 yard outings!

   Final Analysis: Both teams seraching for any kind of consistency. Miami has the better overall weapons in Tagovailoa throwing to WRs Tyreek Hill, Jayden Waddle, and Odell Beckham Jr.. Miami 27-22.   

1:00 PM Cleveland Browns (3-1) at Washington Commanders (0-4)

Browns in AFC North Battle. Commanders Going Through Growing Pains

   This a matchup between two clubs with a very different current situation confronting them. The Browns are among a host of NFC North teams vying for both the playoffs as well as the divisional crown. Washington has a rookie quarterback, who has played very well, but is not getting much support from his running game nor a defense that has given up the 2nd most points in the NFC.

   Cleveland has employed a conservative passing game with QB DeShaun Watson. He has 4 TD passes without a turnover, but is averaging just 160.3 YPG passing. That has worked just fine, however, backed by the relentless running of bruising Nick Chubb and a solid defense. Chubb has rushed 95 times (23.75 carries per game) for 393 yards while the defense is allowing just 14.75 PPG. The offense has committed only 1 turnover, thus far, and the overall effect is a solid winning formula.

  Washington has to be excited about the play of rookie signal caller, Jayden Daniels, but the attack has not been balanced and the D has only 2 takeaways while giving up over 25 PPG. In fact, DC is dead last in the PFL in rushing (32.25 YPG) and, obviously, that is not going to lead to an effective offensive output.

   Final Analysis: Washington will not likely have much success running the ball versus a rugged Cleveland front 7 and their offensive woes will probably continue. Cleveland 26-16.  

1:00 PM Indianapolis Colts (0-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)

Colts Lacking Kick. Jags White Hot

   This is the classic tale of two franchises heading in complete opposite directions. The Colts have not won a game yet with an offense that has been, to say the least, putrid! Indianapolis has scored 10 or fewer points in each of its first four losses including a, 21-0, whitewashing in a week 2 encounter with Green Bay! Jacksonville, conversely, has been on fire ever since their week 1 loss to Miami. They have scored 30+ points in all three wins while giving up just 38 points (12.67 PPG!) with often maligned QB Trevor Lawrence leading the PFL with a remarkable 152.6 QBR!

   The Colts have just been horrid on offense. They are averaging a league low 6.8 PPG with just 1 touchdown tallied to date! QB Anthony Richardson has a 60.3 QBR, with 4 picks and just 1 TD pass, while completing a woefully low 55% (60-109) of his throws. To make matters worse, consider that elite back Jonathan Taylor has rushed for 57 or fewer yards in three of four games and does not have a rushing score yet! The defense does not have a single takeaway, the club is the only team in football with a 0% red zone rate, and their 151 penalty yards is the third most in football!  Aaaaaaaggghh!

   The big story in Florida is the play of Lawrence. He has been spectacular, with 10 TD passes without a turnover and completing 72% (64-88) of his passes for 1124 yards! The vertical attack has been unreal as targets Robbie Chosen, Brian Thomas Jr., Christian Kirk, and TE Evan Engram all have double digit receptions while averaging over 15.2 YPC!  HB Travis Etienne has also gotten into the fray with 12 catches for 146 yards (12.2 YPC)!

   Final Analysis: This would be an upset of biblical proportions given the stats coming in. J-Ville has it going big time with dynamic downfield play, while the Colts have been dead and look much more like mules than mustangs these days.  Jacksonville 31-9

1:00 PM Buffalo Bills (2-2) at Houston Texans (2-1-1)

Bills and Texans Try to Avoid Slide 

     After starting out the season with two straight wins the Buffalo Bills were feeling mighty good about their club. QB Josh Allen was off to a great beginning and the offensive line and play calling was not resulting in unrelenting sacks. Since then, though, Buffalo has given up 34 and 38 points respectively and Allen has, yet again, begun to absorb too many sacks. He was crunched 7 times in a,34-24, loss to Jacksonville and then stomped another 9 times in a, 38-26, defeat versus Baltimore last week. In the team's defense, the Jaguars and Ravens are talented teams with good defenses, but that is not overly comforting as Houston is no slouch on defense themselves. The Texans have a similar resume going as the Bills. They also began the year 2-0 and then suffered a tie against Minnesota before being throttled by the Jaguars, 34-14, last week. QB CJ Stroud completed just 40% (10-25) of his pass attempts last week with 6 sacks and 2 interceptions as the club was held below 20 points for the second consecutive game.

   Buffalo must protect Allen  in order to be successful. They were able to get a solid running game going in their two wins, which really helped Allen out quite a bit, and need that to happen in this matchup. Texan back, Joe Mixon, saw his string of 100+ rushing games snapped last week at three games, but he still managed to tally 2 rushing touchdowns for the third time this season!  However, Stroud has run into the same dilemma Allen has of late, getting sacked 8 and 6 times over the last two outings after being dropped only 4 times over the first two games of the year.

   Final Analysis: Obviously, pass protection is the name of the game for these two teams. Whichever club can best keep their quarterback upright, while giving him time to throw the ball, should win. Like the Texan run game and defense just a bit more in this one. Houston 28-22.

4:05 PM PM Las Vegas Raiders (2-2) at Denver Broncos (1-3)

AFC West Rivals in Key Early Season Skirmish

    Neither team has gotten off to a terrific start, and the loser of this one could be in deep trouble going forward. The Broncos have not been able to score points (10.8 PPG) and that has made it awfully hard to win any games. Vegas is averaging 19 PPG and have a healthy +4 turnover ration due to the defense's 6 take aways. Amazingly, QB Gardner Minshew has played well and a trio of backs toting the ball, Dylan Laube, Alexander Mattison, and Kareem Hunt, have performed better than expected. The three have rushed a combined 75 times for 423 yards (5.64 YPC and 105.75 YPG).

   Final Analysis: Denver need s full-time coaching staff. Vegas is a bit better club than their record may indicate. Their two losses came to the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns who have a combined 6-2 record. Las Vegas 25-18.

4:05 PM Arizona Cardinals (1-3) at San Francisco 49ers (4-0)

Undefeated Niners Want to KO Desperate Cards

  The San Francisco 49ers have been the best team in the NFC to date and they can just about knock the Cardinals out of divisional contention with a win here in Candlestick Park. QB Brock Purdy has been very good completing 68% of his pass attempts with 9 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. RB Christian McCaffrey has not been explosive, but he does have 5 rushing touchdowns and the receiving corps has been getting the ball in an extremely balanced manner making it tough for opposing defenses to focus on any one player. Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, and TE George Kittles all have at least 26 receptions. Kittles, in fact, leads the Niners averaging 15.6 YPC!

   Arizona has gotten solid play out of the diminutive Kyler Murray. Murray has 7 touchdown passes and just a lone pick on the season and a trio of targets have benefitted. Veteran WR Michael Thomas has 28 catches for 302 yards, TE Trey McBride has 28 more receptions for 381 yards, and dynamic rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. has snagged 21 balls for 306 yards, a 14.6 YPC resume, and 4 touchdowns. The problem has been a defense that has recorded only 9 sacks, and the lack of a solid pass rush has impaired the ability to get off the field.

   Final Analysis: Arizona has played a bit better than their record would suggest, but they get a tough customer in the Niners that can score and play defense. San Francisco 28-17.

4:25 PM Green Bay Packers (3-1) at Los Angeles Rams (3-1)

Duel in LA Has Possible Major Implications!

    The Green Bay Packers head to LA to face a Rams' team, that is an OT loss away from being undefeated, in what shapes up as a big time early season showdown. Green Bay looked crisp last week under new (and returning) head coach Jeff Beyel as the team whipped the Minnesota Vikings, 41-6. The Rams steamrolled the Bears enroute to a 24-0 half-time bulge and coasted from there. In their three wins this season, Los Angeles has allowed just 15 PPG and had an incredible 6 takeaways in last week's victory over Chicago! They now have a league leading 8 takeaways on the season.

   The Pack looked razor sharp last week and were extremely well balanced. QB Jordan Love had his best game of the year throwing 3 TD passes, completing 78% of his throws, and finishing with a perfect 158.3 QBR (All season highs)! He also was sacked only twice which was a season low. His passing was aided by a solid running game that had HB Josh Jacobs rush 21 times for 123 yards and a touchdown. That was eye opening considering he had run a total of just 23 times in his his prior three outings for only 72 yards!  The defense has given up 10 or less points in its three wins (10.75 PPG on the year) and has recorded 31 sacks and 7 takeaways.

   Los Angeles leads the NFC in scoring (28.5 PPG) . The D is tied for the league lead in interceptions (5) and forced fumbles (3). Tailback Kyren Williams continues to trend upwards. He has now rushed for 92, 53, and 107 yards over his last three games and the receiving corps has enjoyed a well rounded effort to date. All three top wideouts, Cooper Kupp, Tutu Atwell, and Puka Nacua have 12 or more receptions while TE Tyler Higbee has snared an additional 15 balls. Kupp, Nacua, and Higbee each have 3 TDs on the year! Unheralded DEs rookie Braden Fiske and second year man Kobie Turner lead the club with 8 and 5 sacks respectively while blitzing SS Kamren Curl has 4. 

   Final Analysis: Packers still in flux under returning HC Beyel, while Rams seem to be playing steady and solid ball.  Los Angeles 26-21.

4:25 PM New York Giants (2-2) at Seattle Seahawks (2-2)

G-Men and 'Hawks Search For Consistency

     The New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks have been a bit up and down thus far this season. The Giants are coming off a win over Dallas, while Seattle was able to get their running game and conservative passing game going last week in a convincing, 23-14, victory over the Detroit Lions.

   Seattle plays well whenever it can get HB Kenneth Walker III rolling. His effectiveness then plays into the passing game of QB Geno Smith. And, if the Seahawks get a lead, their secondary and pass defense begins to take over the game...The Giants must have at least some balance in this one in order to avoid having to lean on QB Daniel Jones to win the contest. Seattle has been giving up almost 100 YPG versus the run, so the G-Men do have a chance to power the ball at least a little.

   Final Analysis: Both teams need a W badly here. The Seattle secondary can shut things down and this may force New York to have success running the ball. Not sure Big Blue can run it as well as needed nor positive the front 7 can hold down Walker. Seattle 26-18.   

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

8:20 PM Dallas Cowboys (1-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)

Old Rivals Meet In Sunday Night Battle in Heinz Field

   These two franchises have a storied history between them. Recent times have not gone well for the Steelers, however, and the Cowboys come in dragging a 1-3 record with them. The Steelers have returned to their roots featurng the top defense in the league (6.5 PPG) and that D has put them right into the middle of a tense AFC North war for dominance. Dallas, on the other hand, has not posted a single take away yet on the season and QB Dak Prescott has not played very well at all. Prescott comes in with a 76.9 QBR and only 1 TD pass! Veteran Zeke Elliott has been largely ineffective at tailback, and the club may be looking to get Rico Dowdle (15-129-8.6 YPC) the ball more going forward. The Cowboys' 7.8 PPG average is the worst in football and that, in conjunction with the Steelers' top rated defense, could spell doom here in this one. If there is hope in Big D, it would have to be in the fact that Pittsburgh has not exactly been an offensive juggernaut. The Steelers are averaging only 14.8 PPG and no back is averaging more than 3.6 YPC.

   Final Analysis: Probably going to be a low scoring affair, which means any team could come on top with just one key play. Dallas will likely struggle to run the ball, although Dowdle could prove effective if used correctly. Just seems the Pokes have not figured out their attack just yet.  Tight one... Pittsburgh 16-14.  

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

8:20 PM New Orleans Saints (3-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-3)

Can KC Get it Going? Saints Looking Like SB Team of Two Seasons Ago?

    To be quite honest, nobody has seen the Kansas City Chiefs have any issues in a very long time. They are too talented and well coached to remain a floundering squad and, based upon last week's result, one can anticipate a breakout here sooner or later. Meanwhile, the Saints have reinvigorated their super bowl winning style from two years back using the punishing running of Alvin Kamara and the accurate play of veteran QB Derek Carr. Kamara has smashed his way for 20+ carries in all three of New Orleans' wins and ran just 16 times in the lone defeat. 

   KC looked much like folks have become accustomed to seeing last week. QB Patrick Mahomes threw 3 TD passes, back Isiah Pacheco ran the ball 32 times for 195 yards, and the defense recorded 9 sacks and 2 interceptions of Chargers' QB Justin Herbert. The old sack pack of Chris Jones, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, and George Karlaftis totalled 8.5 sacks, 19 TFLs, and a deflection in the, 41-6, romp.

   Final Analysis: The Chiefs may have found their mojo again last week and that does not bode well for any opposing club. The Saints are a hard nosed team, but they may have trouble keeping up with KC if the Chiefs are playing well. Kansas City 28-18.

TEAMS ON A BYE