8:20 PM: CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-3) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-2)

Desperation Time in Steel City For Both Clubs?

   The winless Browns are in a rebuild mode and, while winning is always a prerogative, the reality is the franchise has moved on from the failed DeShaun Watson debacle to rookie QB Kurtis Rourke. Rourke, the 4th highest rated signal caller out of this year's draft class, has some tools to be successful but, more significantly, needs a great deal of seasoning before he is likely to be seen as a top tier play caller. That fact has plunged the Browns into an 0-3 start with Rourke suffering through quite a few rookie mistakes. He has thrown 7 interceptions compared to 5 touchdown passes and been sacked 33 times already, though, he also shown promise with his 63% completion rate. The running game with Nick Chubb (31-93-3.1 YPC 0 TDs) has not been nearly good enough to afford protection for Rourke. The lack of a running game has put Rouke into too many third and longs (third most 3rd downs in the league with 47) and, consequently, sacks, turnovers, and short field for the opponent has become all too routine. Cleveland has converted just 27% (13-47) on third down. The Steelers' once proud defense has been under seige of late. Their 111 points allowed (37 PPG) is the second most in all of football trailing only the New York Jets (112). The pass rush has not been there (11 sacks) and the defense has not recorded a single takeaway on the season as of yet leading to a 5th worst -3 turnover ratio. The Steelers have their own rookie in the pocket in Quinn Ewers. He has played well coming in with a 127.6 QBR, 8 TD passes, 2 picks, and just 15 sacks! But, like the Browns, the running game has struggled with Najee Harris (43-137-3.2 1 TD) still getting the vast majority of the touches. Harris' lack of speed has really hindered the club inside the red zone where Pittsburgh enters this matchp with a dreadful 18% conversion rate.

   Final Analysis: The lack of Steeler pressure and takeaways could really help the young Rourke this week. If the Browns can actually get some semblance of a ground game going they could pull this one off. Still, if Rourke is put into the same sitiations as in the first three games, he is not likely to have much success despite the recent Pittsburgh defensive woes. The Steelers have real issues inside the red zone and need to get that resolved ASAP. The Browns have the worst TO ratio (-6) in the league. Pittsburgh 21-20?

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: BUFFALO BILLS (2-1) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-2)

Can Surging Bills Finally Break Through? Slumping Fish in Need of a Reboot?

    The Buffalo Bills had a major breakthrough a season ago and were hoping to capitalize on that momentum and maybe even threaten the AFC East this year. So far this season they have done pretty well. They knocked off the previously undefeated Atlanta Falcons, 17-14, last week with a stiff defense that intercepted mistake prone Falcon quarterback Malik Willis twice and recovered a fumble from HB Bijan Robinson. The offense was not dominant and did commit two turnovers, but HB James Cook's 23-119-1 day along with fellow back Ray Davis 6-33 outing provided just enough to win the game. A big key, again, was Buffalo's offensive line and the coaching staff's improved play calling leading to just 4 sacks of QB Josh Allen. The Dolphins proved to be no match for the mighty Kansas City Chiefs as they fell, 30-6, last week. QB Tua Tagovailoa was mostly ineffective throwing for just 180 yards and not having a completion beyond 28 yards. The running game was ok with HB De'Von Achane gaining 86 yards on 20 carries, but much of that was on one 21 yard burst. Taking that away, he averaged only 3.4 YPC. The defense saw Patrick Mahomes complete 80% (16-20) of his throws for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns and halfback Isaiah Pacheco gash them for another 123 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.

   Final Analysis: Tagovailoa has just 1 TD pass on the year, a 61.2% completion rate, and a 76.9 QBR. The ground game simply is not strong enough to offset his poor play to start the season. Obviously, the Dolphins either get this figured out or a long season could be in the cards. Their 15 PPG on offense in ranked 30th in the PFL. Buffalo is playing much better and have been one of the most balanced offensive teams in the league (448 Pass, 420 Rush), but they have not been a scoring juggernaut either scoring 21.7 PPG. Just feel the Dolphs have run into some rugged customers in the Eagles and Chiefs in two of their first three weeks and might be a bit better than they have shown to date. Miami 27-20.

 SUNDAY 1:00 PM: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-1) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (1-2)

Jags and Texans in Key AFC Bout

   The Jacksonville Jaguars won this division last year edging out the Texans, with the two clubs splitting the season series. J-Ville is coming off a disappointing, 23-13, loss to a good Seattle Seahawks' team as the team could not run the football ending up with QB Trevor Lawrence as their top rusher (8-46) on the day! Lawrence played fine completing 26 of 36 pass attempts for 292 yards and 2 touchdowns but, as stated, HB Tank Bigsby would be stuffed for 21 feet on 10 carries. Kicker Cam Little would miss a PAT as well as a field goal which did not help the cause. The team's 56 total rushing yards was the worst the team has had over the past full season and the 3 games this year! Houston got the proverbial monkey off their back in a big way last week as they blasted the Tennessee, Titans, 40-14, for their first win of the season. The defense was all over Titans' QB Will Levis to the tune of 17 sacks and 2 interceptions with the defensive line accounting for 10.5 of those traps! QB CJ Stroud threw for 310 yards and 3 scores. The running game chewed up clock as the game dissolved into more of a game management situation which dampened the stats. Rookie tailback Treveyon Henderson had 28 carries for 74 yards and Joe Mixon added 22 yards on 6 carries.

   Final Analysis: Jacksonville has begun their year against three consecutive playoff teams from a season ago and this will be the fourth in a row. Overall, they have played solid ball except for the hiccup last week against a defensively rugged Seahawks' squad. Houston looked alot like the team folks expected to see this season in last week's win, but it remains to be seen if that win was an outlier or a trend. Not sure where this one is going to fall. Jacksonville 24-22?

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: GREEN BAY PACKERS (3-0) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-2)

Pack Hoping to Stay Hot in Cinci. Bengals Trying to Avoid Slow Start

   Not much has gone wrong, thus far, to the Green Bay Packers' start to their season. They come into this game ranked #1 in both scoring (35.3 PPG) and scoring defense (7.66 PPG). Still, the record and stats could be a bit of a mirage as the team has wins over the Detroit Lions (1-2), Chicago Bears (0-3), and Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2) and have not really beeen tested yet. Nonetheless, QB Jordan Love is off to a solid start to his campaign completing 72% (62-185) of his attempts for 785 yards, 9 touchdowns, and just 1 interception, just 8 sacks, and a 131.7 QBR. The running game has been good too with rookie back Nicholas Singleton entering this week second in the PFL with 409 yards rushing. The Bengals have had offensive woes so far. They have scored 14, 15, and 13 points in their first three games respectively. QB Joe Burrow has played solid ball, but the running game just has not been able to get it going yet. Rookie Ja' Quinden Jackson has rushed 46 times for only 134 yards (2.9 YPC) with no touchdowns and reserve back Tyler Allgeier has not been any better posting a 24-51-2.1 YPC resume. The D has been ok, but the pass defense has given up the third most yards in the AFC (976) although the team does have 3 interceptions and 15 sacks. The team's 27% (12-43) third down conversion rate and 28% (2-7) red zone rate has been a problem.

   Final Analysis: Cinci can win this game if they can get the Packers off their game a bit. Their run defense is ranked 4th in the PFL(44 YPG) and could get Green Bay to become more one-dimensional. The problem, however, is the Packers' run defense is tied with the Bengals (44 YPG) and has been solid against the pass as well (140 YPG). Do feel Green Bay cannot keep up this pace and that Cinci is better than their numbers thus far. Green Bay 28-21.  

 1:00 PM NEW YORK JETS (1-2) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (2-1)

Jets in Need of a Parachute to Halt Free Fall? Falcons Eye Third W

    The New York Jets were drubbed by the Dallas Cowboys, 43-17, last week as the team gave up more than 40 points for the second straight week. Rookie QB Jalen Milroe would struggle and veteran backup Aaron Rodgers would toss an interception. The running game was not present as well with Breece Hall mustering just 49 yards although he did do that on a mere 8 carries. But the bigger problem was a defense that allowed Cowboys' QB Dak Prescott to rifle them for 403 yards and 4 touchdowns that more than offset the two interceptions New York was able to snag. DE Jermain Johnson was the lone bright spot with his 13 yard pick 6. The Falcons were stopped by the Buffalo Bills, 17-14, as QB Malik Willis flipped two interceptions and the team's 178 yards on the ground was negated by the Bills' matching 174 yards rushing.

   Final Analysis: Atlanta is determined to run the ball and take pressure off Willis. Willis has some interesting stats thus far completing a PFL best 78% of his pass attempts, but is also 17th in the league with a 106.5 QBR due, mostly, to his propensity for throwing interceptions. However, they get a Jets' team that has allowed the second most rushing yardage (469 yards/156.33 YPG) in the league. Atlanta 26-22.

1:00 PM WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2)

Old Rivals in Big D For Vital Skirmish

  The Commanders and Cowboys both began their season at 0-2 and both are coming off uplifiting (and crucial) wins last week. Washington edged the Los Angeles Chargers, 24-22, with HB Brian Robinson rushing for 87 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries. His limited, but effective, workload offset the 2 interceptions tossed by QB Jayden Daniels who now has 4 on the year. The Cowboys smoked the New York Jets, 43-17, with QB Dak Prescott throwing for 403 yards and 4 touchdowns. Prescott has been able to evade the sack (8) so far this year but, has now had 3 picks in his last two games. HB Dylan Sampson had his biggest workload yet carrying the pigskin some 29 times and WR Cee Dee Lamb hauled in 11 balls for 167 yards.

   Washington may have gotten some yardage out of Robinson last week, but the MO in DC remained the same. Robinson has not rushed more than 13 times in any of the club's first three games while Daniels has averaged 30.66 throws per game. In the first three games of this season, Daniels has been sacked 22 times (7.33 PG) and thrown 4 interceptions. The Cowboys have not really fixed their running woes from a season ago despite drafting HB Dylan Sampson. Their 207 total rushing yards (69 YPG) is the 5th worst in the NFC. Despite the lack of a potent ground game, the Cowboys are 5th in the PFL in scoring averaging 30.7 PPG.

   Final Analysis: Washington opts to not run the ball much and Dallas has trouble running it no matter how much they try. Both teams have done a decent to good job at stopping the run with the Commanders giving up 50.33 YPG and Dallas allowing 80.66 YPG. That likely means neither team will have much success, again, running the football and will have to rely on their quartebacks to get it done. Washington has the second fewest defensive sacks in the NFC (11) while Dallas has the fifth fewest (14), so it is probable this one becomes a shootout type contest.Tough one to figure. Dallas 32-30 

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

Outgunned Raiders Take On Top Gun KC

  The Raiders began the season with two straight wins and some false euphoria hit the strip. That feel good emotion was wiped away, literally, by a swarming Denver Broncos' defense that smashed rookie QB Cam Ward into the turf over 10 times and denied Vegas the end zone in  rough and tumble, 13-3, Denver victory. Now they travel to Kansas City to meet the reigning champs who are coming off a very convincing, 30-6, rout of the Miami Dolphins in which QB Patrick Mahomes threw for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns and tailback Isaiah Pacheco rushed for 123 yards and a third score. WRs Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and rookie Dane Key all come in averaging over 19 YPR.

   Final Analysis: This is a major mismatch. While the Raiders are clearly an improved team with the additions of QB Cam Ward, WRs Savion Williams and Jaden Higgin, Tailback Omarion Hampton, and RT Riley Mahlman, the defense is lacking and the rookies are, well, rookies. Mahomes, Pacheco, the speed at WR, TE Travis Kelce and Co. combined with the an outstanding defense led up front by DE George Karlaftis and future PFL HOFer Chris Jones is just too much, Kansas City 35-15. 

1:00 PM DETROIT LIONS (1-2) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1-2)

Lions Trying to Get Untracked. G-Men Lug in Two Game Skid as Run Game Stalls

    The Lions cannot afford to fall further behind the Packers in the NFC North and desperately need a win. The major issue, of course. is the franchise is still devoid of a coaching staff. The Giants come in having lost two in a row to the Raiders and Eagles. The larger picture, though, shows the running game, that was the team's bread and butter a season ago, has floundered of late. They were able to garner just 42 yards against Vegas two weeks ago and were checked for 90 yards on 28 carries (3.21 YPC) last week. Not coincidently, the team scored just 10 and 8 points, respectively, in the two losses.

   Final Analysis: The absence of a FT coaching staff will probably open the door for the G-Men to get their offense clicking. One would expect a heavy dose of running from backs Devin Singletary, Jaydon Blue, and Roschon Johnson which could also unlock QB Daniel Jones. New York 30-16.

1:00 PM MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-1-1) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-0)

Powerhouse Eagles Hosting Marauding Vikings

   For the second year in a row the Minnesota Vikings have engaged in a game ending in a tie! They concluded last week's game versus the San Francisco 49ers at a deadlocked 32-32. The running game has not come to fruition yet with veteran back Aaron Jones checking in with a 44-104-2.4 stat line that is simply not getting it done. QB JJ McCarthy has paid a bit of the price by tallying a 93.9 QBR with 4 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. Philadelphia has been dominating teams with an overpowering defensive front seven that allows the defense to get pressure and run stops without having to blitz. Josh Sweat and Jalen Carter have 13 and 11 TFLs with Sweat tabulating 4.5 sacks and Carter wreaking havoc with 6 traps. QB Jalen Hurts has thrown for 898 yards already with 7 touchdowns and just 1 INT. He has also rushed 14 times for 109 yards (7.8 YPC)!

   Final Analysis: The Eagles are heads and tails above the rest of the NFC in terms of talent and are flexing their muscles week in and week out. They have now gone 18-2 over their last 20 regular season games and the Vikes should be win #4 on this season. Philadelphia 32-16.

4:15 PM TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-2) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-2)

Two Teams Enter, One Team Leave...

   This is a huge game in the NFC South. The winner stands a solid chance of hanging with the front running Atlanta Falcons while the loser could find themselves looking up a growing hill. The Bucs finally got their first win of the season last week as they smacked the winless Carolina Panthers, 49-14. QB Baker Mayfield looked alot like the player of a year ago as he threw for 351 yards and 5 touchdowns while completing 81% (27-33) of his pass attempts. HB Rachaad White also resembled the player of a season ago rushing 21 times for 110 yards. And the defense made life miserable for Panther rookie QB Shedeur Sanders sacking him 10 times and holding him to a 56% completion rate. New Orleans played, perhaps, their most complete game of the young season last week in their, 27-17, win over the Los Angeles Rams. Rookie Jaxson Dart managed the game beautifully with 289 yards passing and 2 touchdowns while not committing a turnover and the league's leading rusher, Alvin Kamara, powered the ball 30 times for 141 yards and a score. In many ways, this is the type of ball the Saints want to play so spirits are high in the Big Easy.

   Final Analysis: Two teams that may have found their mojo last week clash in a meaningful early season matchup. The key to this one has to be the Tampa Bay run defense (87.33 YPG allowed) versus the power running of Alvin Kamara. If the Bucs can hold down Kamara and compel Dart to carry the Saints, they can win this one. That, though, is a tall task as Kamara has rushed for 141, 192, and 147 yards over his first three games of the season. Tampa Bay 27-24.

4:15 PM NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-0) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (1-2)

Undefeated Pats to California to Meet Bolts

    The New England Patriots are in first place in the AFC East and one of four remaining undefeated teams in the PFL. Stats, alone, do not quite tell the tale as to how or why this team is 3-0. QB Drake Maye has played extremely well completing 70.2% (66-94) of his pass attempts for 758 yards and 7 touchdowns. These are good numbers, for sure, but what has separated him from many others in the league is the fact he has zero turnovers and been sacked just 3 times! HB Ashton Jeanty has been a workhorse back. The super talented Boise State rookie has carried the ball the third most times in the league (83 runs) for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns. Those are not eye-popping stats, but consider the fact he leads the league in broken tackles with a startling 20 and one gets a better idea of how impactful he has been. That stat is even more impressive when one sees that the second most broken tackles in the league is 12 by Pittsburgh's Najee Harris and Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley. The Chargers' Justin Herbert has played pretty well to date. While he has been sacked 20 times, he has 7 TD passes to just 1 pick, completed 70% (55-78) of his throws, and owns a sparkling 125.1 QBR. The defense, however, is allowing over 30 PPG and surrendering some 334.67 YPG versus the pass!

   Final Analysis: The combination of the porous Charger pass defense and the solid play of New England's Drake Maye will probably be the difference here. Jeanty has muscled his way to two 100+ outings in his first three games as a pro and just had his best game yet, last week, as he ran 26 times for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns versus the Steelers. New England 27-16.

4:15 PM CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-3) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (1-2) 

Laboring Panther Rook QB Heads to Sofi. Rams' Defense Gets Heat

   It has already been a long season for a Panthers' franchise that put so much into selecting QB Shedeur Sanders with the 4th pick in this year's rookie draft. While he has not, as of yet, performed as many in Charlotte had hoped he would, the truth is he has been under constant seige and the running game has not afforded him many free opportunities. Sanders has now been sacked 27 times and the offense has converted just 28% (11-39) of its third down situations. And, to make matters worse, the team's 42 total first downs ranks near the bottom of the league. At the same time, the defense has just 12 sacks and 2 takeaways leading to a -5 team turnover margin that has the Panthers sitting 31st in the PFL in that category. The Rams, for their part, have been pretty solid on offense averaging a healthy 27 PPG. The running game has been good while the passing could be better but, overall, the unit has been steady. The problem seems to be on the defensive side of the ball where the Rams are giving up 30.33 PPG with just 1 takeaway thus far. The pass defense, in particular, has been spotty ceding 289 YPG which rates 28th in the league.

   Final Analysis: Carolina is averaging a league worst 12.3 PPG and the offense just seems, well, inadequate especially in pass protection.  The Rams' defense has been porous versus the pass, but that has been the very area the Panthers have been lacking in the most. Los Angeles 30-15.

4:15 PM TENNESSEE TITANS (1-2) AT DENVER BRONCOS (3-0)

Buckin' Broncos Mile High in Denver! Humbled Titans Hunt Big W

  The Titans will need to travel to this year's early season Cinderella Story, in the form of the white hot Denver Broncos, and do so coming off a deflating, 40-14, loss to the Houston Texans. QB Will Levis was crushed a stunning 17 times by the Texan defense last week and now has to face a Broncos' unit that just smashed Vegas' rookie quarterback Cam Ward into the ground over 10 times in last week's, 13-3, Tour-de-Force Denver victory. The Broncos are one of just four remaining undefeated teams. Their offense could not get much going against the Raiders last week, but the defense was stifling to say the least.

   Final Analysis: Tennessee runs the risk of falling off a bit in the AFC South and cannot afford to slip much further. They can win this game, but obviously have to protect Levis better and cannot keep trying to compensate for the Jekyll and Hyde antics of HB Tony Pollard. A week after rushing for 95 yards on just 16 carries, Pollard reverted to his week 1 form rushing for a meager 18 yards on 7 carries last week. A lopsided offense will not likely get it done against these stampeding Broncos. Denver 24-17.

GAME OF THE WEEK

4:15 PM ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-0) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-0-1)

NFC West Fray For First Pits Undefeated Duo

    It is hard to believe the Cardinals are at 3-0, but here they are folks! They have recorded wins over the defending NFC South Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the reigning NFC West titlest Seattle Seahawks so far! They have done it with a nice mix of passing from QB Kyler Murray and an unexpected dose of running from backs Trey Benson (48-216-2) and James Conner (22-94-1). The defense has played extremely well the past two weeks giving up just 6 points to Tampa Bay in a, 17-6, win and then only 7 points last week to the Detroit Lions in a, 30-7, romp. The Niners got caught up in a shootout with the Minnesota Vikings last week that led to a, 32-32, tie! QB Brock Purdy would throw for 422 yards and 4 touchdowns, but also absorb a shocking 17 sacks! He got little help from the running game as HB Christian McCaffrey only got 14 carries for 21 yards (1.5 YPC).

   Final Analysis: Purdy has now been sacked 31 times already and it seems the club is relying upon last year's fact that sacks did not impact his play at all. That may or may not be the case again this season, but the cumulative effect of being hit every weekend should take its toll over time. Arizona is playing solid ball right now and have the balance to win this one if they can run the ball effectively. That could be easier said than done as San Fran ranks 9th (69 YPG) against the run. Arizona 32-27.

8:20 PM INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-2)

Can Colts/Seahawks Keep Good Mojo Going?

    Both teams began their season going 0-2. The Colts, who snuck into the playoffs last season after starting 0-5, are coming off a, 38-23, win over the Cleveland Browns as HB Jonathan Taylor rushed for 82 yards and QB Anthony Richardson added 41 more. The Seahawks got into the win column by dumping the previously undefeated Jacksonville Jaguars, 23-13, as they got back to their normal MO of running the ball, utilizing judicious passing, and employing a rock solid defense. 

   This is an intriguing matchup as Colt Coach Buck and Seattle Coach Steve have very different styles. Indianapolis can be unpredictable and a bit erratic at times, while Seattle is steady and routinized. Both teams have good running backs and quarterbacks who, at times, can be either tremendous or below average, and each team has a defense that can be disruptive. 

   Final Analysis: Seattle's steadfastness could prove decisive in this one. They simply do not take many chances and play relatively calm defense forcing teams to have long drives or take some risks. Indy has been known to be willing to gamble a bit if things do not go well early on. Seattle 26-22.

8:30 PM CHICAGO BEARS (0-3) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-0)

Clawless Bears VS Big Bad Ravens?

    A matchup between a winless and undefeated team. The Bears have had one rough start to their season and just got shut out by the rival Green Bay Packers, 35-0. They are scoring just 13 PPG, which is the worst in the league besides the Carolina Panthers, and they are averaging just 41.66 YPG rushing which ranks 31st! The traditionally rugged defense has been faltering as well allowing 33.33 PPG while recording just 11 sacks and 1 takeaway. Of course, no such problems exist in Raven-World. Baltimore has started off brilliantly and have now gone 16-4 over their last 20 regular season games including going 9-1 at home during that time span! So far, the Ravens' offense has not been quite as productive as in past years averaging 27 PPG, but the defense has been as suffocating as ever with 30 sacks, 4 interceptions, and allowing a paltry AFC best 12 PPG! They lead the PFL in rushing defense giving up a mere 29.33 YPG!

   Final Analysis: The Baltimore defense is as good as any in football. The defensive front 4 was upgraded in a huge way when the team snagged DE Abdul Carter and DT Tyliek Williams in the draft. Those two work alongside DE Nnamdi Madubuike and super large human DT Michael Pierce (injured) to form a quartet that is matched only by the outstanding unit found in Philadelphia. To make matters even worse for the oppositon, consider the play of LB Roquan Smith who already has a stunning 24 TFLs and 12 sacks!  Baltimore 30-14.