8:20 PM: CHICAGO BEARS (0-2) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-0)

Can Bears Use Old Rivalry to Revive Their Season?

   This is an ancient and bitter rivalry between two teams that have had success in the NFC North. The Bears annually ruled the roost for a number of seasons until, in recent times, the Packers have had something to say about that. The two rivals split their season series last year in two rugged contests. Chicago has dropped its first two games this year and is coming off a tough, 41-34, loss to the Denver Broncos. After QB Caleb Williams struggled in week 1, though, the sophomore signal caller completed 37 of 43 throws (86%!) for 437 yards and 4 touchdowns! Still, Williams would fumble the ball, after being hit by Denver OLB Baron Brownin, and defensive end John Franklin-Myers would scoop it up and rumble 19 yards to paydirt providing the final margin of victory for the Broncos. The Bears' running game has not kicked in yet. HB D'Andre Swift has rushed 41 times for 110 yards (2.7 YPC) with no touchdowns. The Packers come in 2-0 after routing the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, 55-10. The running game chewed up 232 yards while QB Jordan Love connected on 28 of his 30 attempts (93%) for 337 yards and 4 TDs. Rookie tailback Nicholas Singleton ripped through for 150 yards and 2 scores on 25 carries and backup Marshawn LLoyd added 11 totes for 71 yards and a score. The Bears' normally solid defense has faltered a bit out of the gate. They are allowing 384.5 YPG on defense and the club has a -2 turnover margin. Conversely, the Green Bay D is ceding just 225.5 YPG and only 11.5 PPG thus far.

   Final Analysis: This is a near must-win game for Chicago even though it is still early in the season. The Packers seem to be a very different club than the one that had some issues at both stopping and having a successful running game a season ago. Green Bay 27-20.

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (0-2)

Winless Teams in Critical Week 3 Clash

    The defending NFC South champs did not envision starting this campaign at 0-2. QB Baker Mayfield, who enjoyed an excellent season last year, now has tossed 3 picks compared to only 2 TD passes in his first two games and has a 73.1 QBR! HB Rachaad White, who ran for over 1400 yards with 9 TDs and a 4.2 YPC stat line last season is averaging only 2.7 YPC thus far. The team has also committed 23 penalties for 163 yards which ranks 29th in the PFL. The Panthers have rookie QB Shedeur Sanders at the helm. While he has not been great, he has been better than Bryce Young and the running game featuring HB Jonathon Brooks has played pretty well. Brooks has rushed for 233 yards and is averaging a very healthy 4.9 YPC. The defense could be better ranking 20th against the pass (241.4 YPG) and 18th versus the run (103.8 YPG), but the group also has 4 picks and a fumble recovery while giving up 22.5 PPG.

   Final Analysis: The Panthers seem close to getting it right. The D needs to be just a little bit better and the offense needs to put the ball in the endzone more. Sanders has 2 TD passes and Brooks does not have a rushing score to date. While they have converted 40% of their red zone ventures, they have only gotten inside the RZ five times. Tampa has all types of problems on offense that must get fixed ASAP. This looks like it could be a close one in Florida. Tampa Bay 22-20?

 SUNDAY 1:00 PM: NEW YORK JETS (1-1) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (0-2)

Jets' Run D Needs Shoring Up. Big-D-epressed?

   The Jets could be 2-0 if their run defense was just a bit better. They allowed Saints' HB Alvin Kamara to gash them for 147 yards and 3 touchdowns in week 1, but still came out on top. But, they then allowed Buffalo tailback James Cook to rip through them for 164 yards and 2 scores and lost, 41-20. This was a bit surprising considering the D picked off Bill's QB Josh Allen 3 times and limited him to a 57% (12-21) completion rate. New York's rookie QB Jalen Milroe, though, would suffer 13 sacks and the running game was non-existent with Breece Hall gaining a paltry 23 yards on 19 carries to doom the team's efforts. Dallas dropped its second in a row and continues to have a myriad of issues it has not resolved as of yet.The 'Boys hoped for an improved running game this year and it is possible the Jets' run D could be just what the doctor ordered.

   Final Analysis: The Jets have to stop the run much better. Dallas needs to run the ball much better. Something has to give here. The other issue will be how rookie QB Milroe and Dallas' vet QB Dak Prescott plays should the ground games be absent yet again. New York 24-21.

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1-1)

Early Season Showdown at Metlife

    A season ago, these two teams battled it out during the regular season and then would meet in the playoffs as well. Unfortunately for the Giants, the Eagles would win all three encounters on their way to a Super Bowl date with the Kansas City Chiefs. Philly has looked as dominant, and maybe even more so, this year compared to last season's team, and that team went 15-2! To date, they have steam rolled over two solid teams in the Miami Dolphins (31-12) and the Seattle Seahawks (44-24). Seattle met the Eagles in last year's NFC title game. QB Jalen Hurts threw for 496 yards and 5 touchdowns last week and even ran 5 times for 50 more yards in the romp. The running game, overall though, plodded along again as HB Saquon Barkley could only muster 29 yards on 19 carries. The Giants were taken by surprise in Las Vegas last week as the Raiders gave the G-Men a dose of their own medicine. The Vegas' defense held the vaunted New York running game to 42 yards while rookie back Omarion Hampton blasted his way to 148 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. QB Daniel Jones, who had a 6 TD game in week 1, would be sacked 8 times and picked off twice.

   Final Analysis: The Eagles' defensive front is fierce and the offense finds ways to score despite the lack of a running game. The G-Men need to get back to what makes them tick and not rely on Jones to carry them. The Giants have had a top tier defense for some time now and will need it to play at a very high level this week. Philadelphia 27-21.

 1:00 PM ATLANTA FALCONS (2-0) AT BUFFALO BILLS (1-1)

Unblemished Falcons to Test Improving Bills

    The Atlanta Falcons find themselves atop an NFC South division that has three winless clubs residing there. They can begin to put some serious distance between themselves and the rest of the division with a big W here in Western New York. The Bills continued to show signs they might be for real as they dismantled the New York Jets, 41-20, last week. QB Josh Allen would be sacked just 5 times, but he threw 3 picks. That did not matter, though, as HB James Cook raced for 164 yards on 21 carries and the Buffalo D stuffed Jets' HB Breece Hall for just 23 yards on 19 carries.

   Final Analysis: Atlanta could run away from Carolina, Tampa Bay, and New Orleans if those teams do not get it going soon. They may have some issues running on the Bills, but this one will likely get down to how Josh Allen plays as well as Cook. It is not likely Allen throws 3 picks this week, but can the Oline keep him upright?  Buffalo 23-18.

1:00 PM HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-1)

Stunned Texans in Must-Win Deal? Titans Looking to Continue Upswing

   it is highly doubtful the Houston Texans foresaw losing to both the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers in their first two games. Afterall, Denver was 6-11 last year and the Niners finished 9-8, while the Texans completed a 10-6-1 campaign. But things have not gone well for them to date. QB CJ Stroud has been sacked 16 times and has just 1 TD pass and the team is somewhat determined to run the football again this season. Joe Mixon, who led the league in rushing last year, has taken a back seat to rookie Treveyon Henderson and, while the two have combined for 306 yards on 65 carries (4.7 YPC), the club is averaging a 19th rated 22 PPG. Much of that would be due to the team's 25% (2-8) red zone efficiency number. The Titans clipped the Colts last week, 26-20, as QB Will Levis threw for 266 yards and 3 TDs. However, a more significant stat would be the 95 yards on 16 carries by HB Tony Pollard. The defense played well racking up 10 sacks and an interception of Colts' QB Anthony Richardson.

   Final Analysis: The running game is still king in Houston, but it has not been as dominant as a year ago causing Stroud to play a much more significant role. Houston is giving up just 69.5 YPG against the run and should be able to check Pollard this week. That likely means Levis might have to carry the load again. Houston 23-21.

1:00 PM ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-0) AT DETROIT LIONS (1-1)

High Flying Cards Face Off Versus Dangerous Lions

   Arizona has enjoyed a stellar start to their campaign upsetting the Seattle Seahawks in week 1 and following that up with another big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Seattle and Tampa Bay each won their division last year with a combined 26-8 regular season record! QB Kyler Murray is playing well, the running game has been solid, and the defense has been just good enough. The D is giving up 22 PPG and Murray's ability, thus far, to avoid the big turnover has the club sitting with a +2 turnover margin. Detroit sealed off the Carolina Panthers last week enroute to a, 29-20, victory. The defense did,however, give up a ton of rushing yards to Panther tailback Jonathon Brooks (29-153-5.28 YPC). In a very odd quirk to the game, Carolina starting QB rookie Shedeur Sanders was shaken up and had to briefly come out of the game in favor of Bryce Young. Young would throw one pass and complete it to Lion CB Terrion Arnold who returned it 85 yards for the pick 6!

   Final Analysis: Lions could be slowly getting better, but still do not have a coaching staff in place. Arizona looks to become legit after two huge wins to start their season. Arizona 28-18.

1:00 PM SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-1)

Streaking Niners Seek Third in a Row. Vikes Ailing O Seeking Answers

   The 49ers were criticized quite a bit last season for ignoring the running game. So far this year, though, the same cannot be said and, as a result, the club is 2-0. Last year HB Christian McCaffery carried the ball 20+ times only three times and, amazingly, the team won all three of those games! This season, he has started off with back-to-back 20+ carry efforts and, lo and behold, the club has won those two as well! QB Brock Purdy is taking too many sacks (14), but he has been efficient and is not near the top of the league in that dubious category. The defense could be better, though, sitting 22nd (335.5 YPG). Still, the team is allowing just 16.5 PPG which is more than enough to win. The Vikings are having problems getting their offense in line. Second year signal caller JJ McCaffrey has completed a sparkling 71% (53-74) of his pass attempts, but does have 2 interceptions and a 91.7 QBR. A bigger problem is the run game where Aaron Jones is averaging just 3.2 YPC. That number has pushed Minnesota into 30 third down situations where they have converted just 36% (11-30) of the time.

   Final Analysis: San Fran will be a tough team to beat if they can keep up the offensive balance they are currently employing. The Vikings' lack of a run game is putting the team into too many third and longs. The Niners come in ranked #7 against the run (81.8 YPG) and should slow down Jones and force McCarthy to the air on early downs or face unfavorable third down deals. The X-factor in this one could be if the Niners start letting Purdy get sacked again. San Francisco 27-22.

1:00 PM CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-0)

Can Bengals' Low Output Offense Survive Versus Powerful Ravens?

  Cincinnati has scored 14 and 15 points, respectively, in its first two games. They were able to get by the Vikings last week due to a solid defensive effort, but the offense scored just 1 touchdown. That type of offensive production almost certainly will not be nearly good enough versus a rugged Ravens' defense that also has a pretty good offense. Baltimore held the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns to 23 total points (11.5 PPG) while averaging 27 PPG in its first two outings. The big problem for the Ravens is the continuing inability to run the football. Derrick Henry is averaging a woeful 2.1 YPC which is even worse than last season's 3.5 YPC stat.

   Final Analysis: Cinci's offensive woes are a concern. The expected downside to rookie HB Ja-Quinden Jackson is already rearing its ugly head. He simply lacks break away speed and has a long of just 12 yards after his first two games, and the running game problems are spilling over into the overall offensive portfolio. Baltimore has running issues of its own, but QB LaMar Jackson and the defense have, so far, been able to overcome that. Baltimore 26-17.

4:05 PM LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (1-1) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (0-2)

Bolts' D in Jeopardy? Washington "Close But No Cigar" Trend Continues

    The Chargers are 1-1, but the team has allowed 32 and 38 points, respectively, and that is just too much to expect in order to have consistent winning ways. QB Justin Herbert has played well with 428 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 turnovers, and a 134.2 QBR. The running game could be better, but backs JK Dobbins  and Gus Edwards have powered together for 198 yards on 51 carries (3.88 YPC). The offense has been extremely vertical with rookie WR Emeka Egbuka, second year man Ladd McConkey, and Joshua Palmer all averaging over 20 YPR! Still, the defense is dead last in the PFL allowing 476.5 YPG, 35 PPG, and with zero takeaways. Washington was hoping for big things this season. The team has played well enough to be 2-0, but has also played just poorly enough to be 0-2. Similar to last season, the club seems to come up just a shade short all too often. A pattern is developing that could be a sign of what is ailing the team. There seems to be an over-reliance on sophomore QB Jayden Daniels and a disregard, at times, for the running game. Daniels has thrown for 764 yards (382 YPG) in his first two games, but leading rusher Brian Robinson has rushed just 23 times for a mere 36 yards (1.6 YPC) and that is not gonna get it done. Rookie WR Tet McMillan has played as expected with 15 receptions for 228 yards and a touchdown while averaging a solid 15.2 YPR.The pass rush has seemingly declined with the loss of key defensive linemen and the team has only 3 sacks on the year thus far.

   Final Analysis: The Chargers do have 15 sacks in two games, but come in with the worst pass defense (371 YPG) in the league. That could open the door for Washington's style of ball to thrive. See the Commanders breaking through here, although their lack of a pass rush could also see Herbert light it up. Washington 30-24.

4:05 PM DENVER BRONCOS (2-0) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-0)

AFC West Risers Butt Heads in Vegas

   Playing in the same division with the world champs is never fun, but the Broncos and Raiders are trying to at least make the AFC West competitive. The game will feature two young gunslingers in Denver's second year arm Bo Nix and Vegas' rookie Cam Ward meeting for the first time. Nix has played extremely well throwing for 725 yards (387.5 YPG) with 5 touchdowns and no turnovers, while Ward has been more of a game manager throwing for only 298 yards with 3 TD passes and no turnovers. The big difference between the two teams is the Raiders' running game with rookie HB Omarion Hampton rushing for 226 yards (113 YPG) and coming off a sparkling 148 yard game versus the New York Giants in last week's, 23-10, win. Denver's defense has allowed a 30th ranked 430.5 YPG including 114 YPG versus the run. Vegas comes in allowing 323.5 YPG, but have been stingy against the run ceding only 47 YPG.

   Final Analysis: Both teams have had some trouble stopping opposing passers so this one could become a bit of a shootout. However, Vegas can control a game a bit better with their running game and have a knack for protecting the football. They come in with a +5 turnover margin. Nonetheless, the Raiders will likely need Ward to pick it up some in this one if they wish to come out on top and the jury is still out on Ward's ability to produce big numbers. The Broncos' high octane attack could be too much. Denver 31-23.

4:15 PM PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-0)

Steelers' D Licking Wounds. Pats' Error-Free Football Good Enough to Win First 2. 

    Defense has been the calling card for the Steelers for awhile now, but they ran into a buzz saw last week in the form of the Green Bay Packers and were rolled, 55-10. They need to put that behind them and focus on the task at hand. Pittsburgh will be facing a Patriots' team that has won two close games due, in part, to playing error-free football. New England has yet to commit a turnover and come in with a +3 turnover margin as a result. The Pats, though, have not yet seen the big time rushing numbers expected when the team drafted stud back Ashton Jeanty and then bolstered up their offensive line. Jeanty has posted 167 yards rushing (83.5 YPG) including a 127 yard, 2 touchdown game in week 1, but he has done that on 57 carries (2.9 YPC)! QB Drake Maye has not committed a turnover yet and has been sacked just 3 times and the overall effect has been a steady offense that will not give games away. The defense has been pretty solid recording a 4th most 21 sacks and giving up only 24.5 PPG. Steeler's rookie QB Quinn Ewers has done a very nice job in his first two starts. He has thrown for 603 yards (301.5 YPG) with 4 TDs, and 1 pick and struts into this matchup with an eye popping 135.7 QBR! However, the same problem that has plagued Pittsburgh in recent times has continued this season as the running game just is not getting it done. To date, backs Najee Harris and rookie Quinshon Judkins are averaging 2.5 and 2.4 YPC respectively. That has put the club into too many third and longs where the team is a dreadful 21% (5-23)!

   Final Analysis: Have to figure the Patriots will turn it over sooner or later. The Steelers are a better team than showed up last week and should bounce back here, but the lack of a ground game is probably going to plague them all season long. That will mean the Patriots will get their shots at Ewers in this one. New England 26-18.

4:15 PM NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-2) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (1-1)

Saints Can Run But They Cannot Hide! Can Rams Keep Outscoring Folks?

  Stats are nice, but wins are better. The New Orleans Saints are continuing to try to replicate their super bowl running offense of a few season ago and, so far, have not been able to do it. They dumped ineffective QB Derek Carr in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart and have gone back to leaning heavily on HB Alvin Kamara to pound defenses. While Dart has not been horrible, he has posted back-to-back games in which he completed 53.6% and 50% of his throws, respectively. And the team has converted on third down just 30% (9-30) of the time, thus far, and is ranked 31st in the PFL averaging only 123 YPG through the air! Kamara does lead the PFL in rushing (59-339-5.7 YPC- 4 TDs), but that has not led to wins. LA has shown it can score, but it has also become evident that they may need to score alot if they wish to keep winning games. They are averaging 32 PPG on offense, but they are also giving up an equal 32 PPG on defense! QB Matt Stafford's 6 TD passes is trailing only the Giants' Daniel Jones (7) and his 135.1 QBR is third in the league! The running game is third in the NFC averaging 140.5 YPG too. The pass defense, in particular, has been suspect. The unit has allowed an NFC most 636 yards (318 YPG) and has just 1 takeaway. LA does have a +1 TO ratio, but that is due to the fact the team has not turned it over yet.

   Final Analysis: The Rams need to play better pass defense, The Saints need a better passing game. Neither team has been good at stopping the run early on. New Orleans has allowed 137 YPG while LA has given up 115.5 YPG against the run. Kamara should continue his ground and pound routine, but they need Dart to be much more consistent. The Rams can run the ball and probably have the better passing game right now. Los Angeles 30-27.

4:15 PM CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-2) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-2)

Old School Rivals Battle for Initial Win

  Years ago, this would have been a big game in the NFL. In recent PFL times, though, the two clubs have not been able to rise to the elite levels yet, although the Colts did make it to the playoffs last year. Cleveland rookie QB Kurtis Rourke has not gotten off to the type of start he had hoped for. He was sacked 13 times, picked off once, and completed just 51% (14-27) of his pass attempts in last week's, 33-16, whipping by the Ravens. Rourke was dropped 11 times by the 49ers in week 1 and the pounding is starting to take its toll. The Colts dropped a close, 26-20, decision to the Tennessee Titans last week. The running game with Jonathan Taylor (22-56-2.2 YPC) was absent again and QB Anthony Richardson just could not overcome that fact.

   Final Analysis: Both teams need a better running game. Cleveland got just 40 yards on 13 carries out of HB Nick Chubb and the Browns desperately need him to succeed in order to take the heat off Rourke. Richardson can win games even if Taylor is average. Indianapolis 25-20.

8:20 PM JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-0) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-2)

Hot Jags Hope to Keep Seahawks on Ice

    With wins over the defending champs and a playoff team from a season ago under their belts, one can excuse the confidence flowing in Northeast Florida these days. The team scored 34 points versus the Chiefs in week 1 and followed that up with another 35 points in last week's win over the Rams. Now they get a reeling Seattle team that is coming off a, 44-24, blasting by the Eagles and has surrendered 82 points (41 PPG) in its first two games! While those numbers are alarming, there really is no reason to panic just yet. Afterall, these Seahawks began last season 1-2 and then stormed to a 13-4 record and a playoff run to the NFC title game.  

   Jacksonvilles' rise can be directly related to the vast improvement of QB Trevor Lawrence. Once seen as an underachiever, Lawrence has quckly become one of the league's top signal callers. In his first two games this season he has completed 74% (31-42) of his pass attempts for 515 yards, 5 touchdowns, 0 picks, and only 4 sacks! The running game has been better than anticipated with Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne combining for 246 yards (123 YPG) on 38 carries (6.21 YPC)! Seattle's Kenneth Walker is off to another good year coming in with 263 yards rushing, 6 touchdowns, and a 5.7 YPC stat line. But, the defensive woes have forced the Seahawks out of their comfort zone and compelled QB Geno Smith to perform at a level he might not be capabale of sustaining. Normally, Smith has been a game manager with the defense dominating play. So far this season, the defense has given up the second most passing yards in the league (814) with just 1 takeaway.

   Final Analysis: Seattle is still a very good team, especially if it can get back to its winning routine. They did get close to 20 TFLs in last week's loss to Philly and did a great job at limiting the Eagles' running game, but the pass defense has inexplicably become vulnerable. The Jags and Lawrence stand a good chance at exploiting the Seattle's weak spots enough to keep the pain coming in the Great Northwest. Jacksonville 30-23.

GAME OF THE WEEK 

8:30 PM MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-1) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-1)

Dolphs Try to Jump to Elite Status in AFC. Is KC Back in Possum Mode?

    The Miami Dolphins keep tinkering with their offense and it is hoped that, sooner or later, they get the right blend. The defense played well in stopping the Saints' QB Jaxson Dart last week, but it was run over a bit by HB Alvin Kamara. QB Tua Tagovailoa was KO'd out of the game and backup Joshua Dobbs proved his value with a 15-23-293-1 and zero turnovers stat line enroute to the Miami, 27-13, win. Kansas City rocked the LA Chargers, 38-3, with QB Patrick Mahomes completing 15 of 16 throws (94%) for 302 yards and 3 touchdowns! Backs Isaiah Pacheco and rookie Kalel Mullings enjoyed fine days combining for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns on 44 carries.

   The key to this one could get down to the Dolphins' ability to run the ball at least a little. If Tua has to drop back all game long, it is probable the KC pass rush will start to impact the game. The Chiefs should be able to run the ball on the soft Dolphin front seven and the Miami secondary will need to avoid the obvious vertical big plays KC loves to employ.

   Final Analysis: If Miami can deny the Chiefs the big play, they can at least get the game into a manageable situation. Regardless, the Dolphins will likely have to score 30+ to win this one. Kansas City 32-28.