THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

8:20 PM Washington Commanders (1-9) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)

Rook QB Daniels Thriving Even Though a Tackling Dummy! Eagles In Control of NFC East

    The ice tub, hot tub, pain meds cabinet have been in overdrive much of the season for Commanders' young quarterback Jayden Daniels. He has played well, but he has also had to live through a nightmare initial season where he has become a weekly stat line. Daniels has now been sacked a league most 81 times including the 15 he endured in last week's, 30-20, defeat by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has put up solid numbers and has the top rookie QBR at 106.9 despite it all. In fact, his QBR ranks him in the top 10 in the league! Nonetheless, the avalanche of sacks has taken its toll ending drives and putting Washington into near impossible scenarios. This all casts a dark cloud over the team's prospects of shocking the Eagles this week as they head up route 95. Philadelphia used two pick-6's (Off Cowboys' QB Dak Prescott) from FS Reed Blankenship to spoil Dallas' ambitions and win the rivalry clash, 25-17.

   Philly is now solidly in control of the NFC East division and can turn their attentions toward securing the conference's top seed for the playoffs. The team has not gone without some serious concerns, however. The running game, featuring HB Saquon Barkley, has not materialized yet and that is pushing the team into becoming a bit one-dimensional. They will likely need the running game to be in gear come the playoffs if they wish to advance very far.  Barkley rushed for just 39 yards on 16 carries in the win over Dallas and, to be honest, it was the defense that won the day. Despite their apparent offensive deficiencies, the Eagles are 4th in the PFL in scoring averaging 25.8 PPG!

   Final Analysis: Even though it may look like Philly is vulnerable, it is hard to argue with a 7-2 record and a team that puts points up on the board one way or another. They should have little trouble putting away Washington this week. Philadelphia 28-17.   

1:00 PM Green Bay Packers (5-4) at Chicago Bears (4-5)

Oldest Rivalry Has Meaning Again!

    Green Bay and Chicago have been battling each other forever and the rivalry is one of football's most intense. In recent PFL times, the Bears have ruled the NFC North with an iron fist as the rest of the division has made attempt after attempt to dislodge them. This matchup is nothing new for the Bears, but the Packers are treading in uncharted waters and could get caught in the limelight...

   The Pack is coming off its bye week after beating the Detroit Lions, 23-13, in a game that was not as close as the score might suggest. QB Jordan Love threw for 329 yards and the defense racked up a dozen sacks enroute to the victory. Green Bay is giving up just 18.88 PPG on defense and possesses the #1 pass defense in the PFL giving up just 159.1 YPG through the air. The D has posted 62 sacks and 11 takeaways on the season leading to a +7 turnover margin. Third string back, Emanual Wilson, ran for 88 yards in the W over Detroit.

   The Bears have been rolling up scores of late as well as wins. Rookie QB Caleb Williams has been on fire throwing for 817 yards and 7 touchdowns in his last two games with the offense averaging 37.5 PPG in the two wins over Arizona and New England! As good as the passing has been, the running game has struggled. Top back, D'Andre Swift has not had a 100-yard game all season and has eclipsed the 90 yard plateau just once all year. Chicago owns a -5 turnover ratio 

   Final Analysis: Hard to figure this one given recent results. The winner will take over first place in the division. Green Bay 26-22.

 1:00 PM Jacksonville Jaguars (9-1) at Detroit Lions (1-8)

A Tale of Two Trains Passing in the Night...

   This one features two organizations going in complete opposite directions. The Jaguars are seen as football's top team, at the moment, while the Lions must be viewed as a major disappointment. Jacksonville has been the most dominant team in the PFL winning nine in a row. They lead the PFL in many categories and have been led by the leading MVP candidate in QB Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence has tossed 16 TD passes over his last four games and has just 1 interception on the season! WRs Brian Thomas, Robbie Chosen, Christian Kirk, amd TE Evan Engram are all averaging over 17 YPC! The pass rush has been ridiculous as well,with Devin Lloyd, Josh Hines-Allen, and Foyesade Oluokun piling up 23, 19, and 17 sacks respectively! Meanwhile, the Lions have seen their quarterback get dropped a league most 79 times...Ugh.

   Final Analysis: As big of a mismatch as we have seen in quite some time. The Lions will need to roar mightily, but they are probably in big trouble in this cat fight. Jacksonville 35-13

1:00 PM Minnesota Vikings (3-5-1) at Tennessee Titans (6-3)

Vikes Hire new HC! Titans Keep Winning...

       The big news in Minneapolis this week is the hiring of head coach Gilbert Mosely to take over the reins in Minnesota. Mosely has never won a PFL title and takes control of a franchise that has gotten to the Super Bowl just once (SB XXX), losing that lone event, 19-17, to legendary coach Jim Hatzis and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Titans remain without a steady staff in place, but keep on putting games in the win column. HB Tony Pollard rushed for 112 yards on 21 carries in last week's, 18-0, whitewashing of the Chargers.

   Final Analysis: The new staff in Minny wipes clean the team's record. It is probable that Mosely will need time to get back in the groove and get the feel for his team. Tennessee 28-12.

1:00 PM Las Vegas Raiders (3-6) at Miami Dolphins (4-4-1)

Stymied Fish Need to Get Going Vs Silver and Black

   The Miami Dolphins looked like they were on their way after a, 44-19, blasting of the Buffalo Bills in week 9. But they would find themselves in a real battle with the LA Rams last week in a game that would end in a disappointing, 20-20, Monday Night Football sister-kisser. The Mike Kleinknecht passing tendency was evident again as QB Tua Tagovailoa threw for 364 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he would also be stomped into the turf some 14 times as the running game petered out. HB De'Von Achane could not double up his week 9 effort and would be held to 32 yards rushing on 14 carries. Vegas is coming off its bye week and are in the midst of a miserable four game losing streak. They were shutout, 12-0, in Cincinnati two weeks ago despite RB Kareem Hunt's 18 carry 95 yard performance.

   Final Analysis: Miami should be able to get their passing game revved up this week, but they could continue to have running issues facing one of the better run defenses in the AFC. The Raiders have the worst third down conversion rate in football (26%) and have allowed the fifth most sacks in the league (62) so running the ball effectively on early downs could be the key here. Miami 30-17.

1:00 PM Los Angeles Rams (6-2-1) at New England Patriots (4-6)

LA Stays in NFC West Hunt With Big Tie Vs Miami. Pats Suffer Tough Loss to Bears. Both Clubs Under Pressure to Win

   The league has moved past the half-way mark of the season and games begin to matter much more now. This matchup is a crucial one for both teams. The Rams were able to snag a, 20-20, tie against the Dolphins last week avoiding what could have been a major loss. The Patriots were not nearly as fortuante as they saw the Chicago Bears slip by them, 34-30, at Soldier Field...

   The Rams should have their coaching staff back this week and that could be welcome news facing a Patriots' team that has lost three of its last four games due to a faltering defense. New England surrendered 515 yards to the Bears last week and has allowed 30+ points in three of its last four outings (all losses). The Pats rank 30th in the league versus the pass, while the Rams have been a team with just 3 rushing scores all season long! Only the Minnesota Vikings (With 0!) have fewer rushing touchdowns.

   Final Analysis: This could become a bit of a shootout type game. LA has been pretty solid much of the year and should be fine if their staff is back on the sidelines. Los Angeles 24-20.

1:00 PM Cleveland Browns (5-4) at New Orleans Saints (7-3)

Big Game in the Big Easy

    The Cleveland Browns have fallen on tough times of late and need a win here badly. They are coming in having dropped three of their last four games after starting the season at 4-1. The main culprit has been an extremely inconsistent offense. In the team's four losses, the Browns have scored 49 points (7 PPG) and been shoutout once! In their five wins they have averaged 23 PPG. The play, in particular, of QB Deshaun Watson has been a major worry spot. In the three games he started. and the team lost, Watson has thrown 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. In the four games in which his team has won, he has tossed 8 touchdowns with just 1 pick. The Saints are gunning for the NFC South crown and coming out of a hard fought, 29-27, win over a game Atlanta Falcons' squad. HB Alvin Kamara saw his streak of 100+ yard games halted at three as he was limited to 50 yards on 19 carries and a season low 2.6 YPC average. However, QB Derek Carr was able to avoid throwing an interception for the first time in seven games and finished with 269 yards and 2 touchdowns despite completing just 45% (11-24) of his attempts. 

   Final Analysis: The problems at quarterback are the main concerns for these two teams. Both like to power the football on the ground with the Browns leaning on Nick Chubb (177-795-4.5-5) and the Saints handing it off to Kamara (207-845-4.1-5). However, the Saints are 7th in the PFL at stopping the run (71.6 YPG) while the Browns rank 25th (97.1 YPG) giving New Orleans the slight edge here. New Orleans 24-22.

GAME OF THE WEEK

1:00 PM Baltimore Ravens (8-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4) 

Can Steelers' D Tar and De-Feather Ravens?

   Pittsburgh has brought back a rugged style of play to the Steel City reviving recollections of the old Steel Curtain defenses that terrrorized teams back in the day. That defense has given up an AFC low 142 points and currently ranks second against the run (557 yards) and fourth versus the pass (1688 yards). The Pittsburgh D will need to contend with a Baltimore offense that is #1 in passing yardage (2855 yards) and fifth in scoring averaging 25.5 PPG. QB Lamar Jackson enters this contest with a sparkling 118.8 QBR, which is 4th in the PFL, 22 touchdown passes, and an excellent 10.3 YPA stat line...

   If the Steelers can hold down Jackson, they have a shot here. Of course, that would only be one part of the puzzle. The Steeler's passing game is ranked 23rd while the running game sits at #22. Those numbers translate into an offense that averages 19.3 PPG, a 36% red zone efficiency rate, and a 37% third down conversion number. The Ravens have been good against the pass coming in ranked 9th with 1868 yards allowed, and their 65 sacks is second in the AFC and fourth overall in the PFL. They are a bit vulnerable to the run ceding 90.2 YPG, but, again, this is a bit misleading. 

   Baltimore is 7-0 in any game where power back Derrick Henry has rushed 16 or more times in a game regardless of his yardage gained. Obviously, the Ravens will run the football more in games they are leading. Jackson has had just three games this season where he did not post a 100+ QBR and the team lost two of those three games! Another key number would be the fact that L-Jax has completed 60% or less of his pass attempts in a game this year just three times resulting in two losses and the club's three lowest scoring outputs!

   Final Analysis: The Steelers can win this game, but there are numbers that they will need to hold the Ravens to or Baltimore is going to win this bitter rivalry battle. Somehow, Pittsburgh must hold down Jackson early on in the game and also find some way to score points.  Baltimore 25-18...

4:05 PM Atlanta Falcons (3-7) at Denver Broncos (2-8)

Falcons' Make Bold Statement on QB Willis. Broncos Blow Big Lead in KC

   Atlanta Falcon HC Pat declared that QB Malik Willis would "...be top quarterback in the league." in a statement that raised more than one coach's eyes! It is true, though, the youngster has played well in his three starts for Atlanta after being acquired in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. He has compiled a solid 109.7 QBR completing 69% of his throws with 4 touchdowns and just 1 interception. He has also run the ball 22 times for 79 yards, but has not been quite as effective of a runner as he was two seasons ago for the Titans when he ran 27 times for 123 yards. Atlanta did get back to their bread and butter and gave the ball to HB Bijan Robinson 18 times for 89 yards and 2 scores versus the Saints. The run total was the third most carries he has had on the season and his two touchdowns tied a season high. Denver rolled out to a surprising, 17-3, lead on the Kansas City Chiefs, but then the offense slowly stalled and the defense could not hold up. In the end, the Broncos would lose, 38-23, getting outscored 35-6 in the second half! The defense would sack QB Patrick Mahomes 12 times, but also see him throw for 473 yards and 4 touchdowns. TE Travis Kelce and WR Rashee Rice would get free time and again combining for 20 receptions, 355 yards, and three touchdowns.

   Final Analysis: While the Broncos showed some promise early on last week, the team could not hang with the hi-powered Chiefs. Rookie QB Bo Nix threw for a season best 347 yards and 2 touchdowns without a turnover, but his effort was stifled by a virtually non-existent running game. HB Javonte Williams was utterly stuffed rushing for a mere 14 yards on 18 carries! Atlanta should have some success passing the ball here and really just needs to make sure that Williams does not get going. Atlanta 26-21.

4:05 PM  Seattle Seahawks (7-2) at San Francisco 49ers (5-4)

Rolling 'Hawks to Frisco as host Niners Need Big W

   The Seattle Seahawks have quietly put themselves in position to not only win the NFC West, but possibly claim the top seed in the conference come playoff time! They have been getting back to their traditonal style of using the explosive running of tailback Kenneth Walker, the calculated passing of QB Geno Smith, and a rugged defense to win six in a row and take over the top spot in the division. The Niners have continued to ignore the running game and have, as a result, lost four in a row after starting their season at 5-0! After scoring 5 touchdowns in the team's first five games, top back Christian McCaffrey has not scored at all during the losing streak while rushing the ball 6 or fewer times in three of the four losses! QB Brock Purdy, on the other hand, has thrown the ball 40+ times in all four defeats while absorbing 50 sacks and throwing 5 interceptions. Yes, he has tossed 8 touchdowns and thrown for over 500 yards in two of his last three games, but the passing game has led to the team losing the time-of-possession battle by a whopping 18+ minutes over the prior three games putting a ton of stress on the defense.

   Final Analysis: Seattle is allowing just 197.4 YPG against the pass with 60 sacks. If the Niners keep leaning on the pass, it could be a long game for them. However, San Fran is #1 in the league at stopping the run (49.1 YPG) which could get Seattle out of rhythm a bit. San Fran yields a league worst 292 YPG passing, so expect Geno Smith to have a big day. Seattle won the first meeting, 24-9, with the D in the backfield all game long to the tune of 15 sacks and hammering down on the running game as the Niners ended with only 12 yards rushing!!  But the Seahawks could not run the ball much themselves finishing with just 64 yards. This one seems destined to be a passing duel and whichever team can protect their QB better. Gonna take the 'Hawks here. Seattle 24-16.

4:25 PM Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) at Buffalo Bills (3-7)

Reawakened KC In Control of AFC West. Bills' Season on the Brink

    Trailing 17-3 to the Denver Broncos and with nothing going right, it would have been understandable had the Kansas City Chiefs tossed in the proverbial towel and moved on. But KC would regroup and outscore Denver 35-6 in the second half to win going away, 38-23, and take one more step towards another AFC West title. That being said, the Chiefs winning a divisional championship is old hat, it has been the post-season where their issues have come to the forefront. The Bills lost their third in a row,41-22, to the Indianapolis Colts as the defense gave up 30+ points in a game for the sixth time this season. QB Josh Allen would be sacked 12 times and throw 3 interceptions.

   As the KC offense goes so too, it seems, the team goes. In their five wins, the Chiefs have scored 30+ points averaging some 37.6 PPG! In their four losses, though, the team has averaged just 15.75 PPG. Mahomes has accumulated 20 TD passes in the five wins, but only 7 scores in the four defeats. Additionally, Mahomes has completed only 57% of his pass attempts (70-123) in the losses, while connecting on 66% of his throws (117-176) in the five wins.

   Final Analysis: The Chiefs have gone 5-1 since their early season 0-3 start. Mahomes has had a QBR of 116 or better in six consecutive games. He leads the AFC in YPG with 363.2 YPG and his 120.1 QBR is second in the conference trailing only the Jags' Trevor Lawrence. Buffalo probably cannot score enough nor protect Allen well enough to survive this one. Kansas City 35-16.

4:25 PM Cincinnati Bengals (5-5) at Los Angeles Chargers (1-8)

Cinci Hopes O Woes Get Cured in LA

   The Bengals have had all types of problems this season. The running game just has not been the same without the departed Joe Mixon carrying the ball and QB Joe Burrow has suffered as a result. Burrow has 16 TD passes, but he also has found an opposing player 11 times on the season which is tied for the 2nd most in the PFL along with Saints' Derek Carr. His 90.9 QBR has him sitting 28th in the league among eligible starters. The Chargers could be the cure, but the truth is LA has been one of the better pass defending units in the league allowing only 184.8 YPG which is #4!  The weakness in Charger-land has been a run defense that is dead last in the PFL ceding 121.1 YPG. So, it would seem, the Bengals need to get their running game going in this one if they wish to get the much needed win...Of course, the Bolts have had plenty of troubles of their own especially at the quarterback spot where Justin Herbert has had a disastrous campaign thus far. He leads the league in picks (17) and has a dreadful 66.4 QBR!

   Final Analysis: Both teams have serious offensive concerns. One way to take the pressure off your quarterback is to run the football. The Chargers are porous versus the run and that should allow the Bengals to control the game enough to keep the heat off Burrow. Cincinnati 28-18.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

8:20 PM PM Indianapolis Colts (4-6) at New York Jets (5-5)

Grounded Jets Entertain Unpredictable Colts in Key AFC Test

     The Jets could not have imagined a worse scenario than the one veteran QB Aaron Rodgers presented in last week's deflating, 24-7, loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the Desert. A-Rod was, to say the least, horrific putting up an 11 for 23 (47%), 110 yard, 2 interception, 25.6 QBR stinker. The offense never got going at all with 8 total first downs and just 3 third down conversions. It was, easily, one of Rodgers' worst games of his career marking season lows in QBR, yards, and completions. The Colts, as unpredictable as ever, got a solid game out of their quarterback with Anthony Richardson throwing for 303 yards, 3 touchdowns, and finishing with a 124.9 QBR! His efforts sparked Indy to a, 41-22, rout of the Buffalo Bills and has kept the Ponies' playoff hopes alive.

   the Colts have now won four of their last five games after starting the year 0-5! An offense that was averaging a paltry 6.8 PPG after five games has now averaged 32.25 PPG over their last five outings! Much of the team's success has to be attributed to the play of Richardson and head coach Buck. Buck has found a way to get the most out of the elusive gun slinger. Richardson has had 100+ QBR performances in six of his last seven games. He waltzes into this meeting having had back-to-back 300+ yard games for the first time all season with 7 TD passes in the two outings! DE Kwity Paye has really picked up his game of late recording 9 sacks over his prior six games including three last week.

  The Jets are, basically, tied with the Dolphins atop the AFC East. They get to their bye week following this one, but the schedule gets brutal down the stretch and this meeting almost is a Must-win type event. After the bye, the Jets will have two games against Miami, the Seattle Seahawks, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Rams.

   Final Analysis: If only the Colts were a bit more consistent. That being said, winning four of five is impressive and another W here would vault them right back into the playoff discussion. Their running game has been so-so and it is probable that Richardson will need to continue his recent success. New York does not have a single player with double-digit sacks so it is a good bet Richardson stays hot. Indianapolis, 27-20.

8:15 PM Houston Texans (5-4-1) at Dallas Cowboys (5-5)

Battle for Texas has Major Playoff Implications

    This relatively new intra-conference rivalry has some added zest to it this time around. Both clubs are intensely immersed in wild card races within their conferences and can ill-afford a loss here. Houston is likely not going to catch the white hot Jaguars in the AFC South and they are currently looking up at fellow divisional foe Tennessee and have to contend with a horde of other competitors for the wild card berths. Dallas is coming off a frsutrating loss to bitter rival, Philadelphia, in which QB Dak Prescott threw a season most 4 interceptions and HB Rico Dowdle was jammed for a season low 29 yards rushing since becoming the backfield's bell cow. Eagle FS Reed Blankenship would intercept Prescott twice and take both to the house to help seal the key, 25-17, victory. Houston continued to power its way to wins with HB Joe Mixon. He would tote the rock 29 times for 150 yards and a touchdown in the Texans', 24-7, win over the Detroit Lions last week. Mixon leads the PFL in rush attempts (226), yards (1057), and rushing touchdowns (9)!

   Final Analysis: Dallas comes in ranked 28th in the league at stopping the run (104.3 YPG) while Houston struts in boasting the top running game in the AFC (119.5 YPG). If the Texans can run the football and hold down Dowdle, they should win this critical matchup. Houston is 3-1 in games in which Mixon has exceeded 100 yards rushing and 2-3-1 when he has not. The Cowboys have allowed only two runners to rush for 100 yards against them all season long.  Dallas 24-22.

ON A BYE