8:20 PM: BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-2-1)

Can Hosting Vikes Slow Down Rampaging Ravens?

    The Minnesota Vikings are one of several NFC teams in the midst of a playoff hunt and, in addition, the Vikings are still holding out hopes of catching the front running Green Bay Packers who have numerous tough games all over their schedule going forward. A huge upset here would go a very long ways towards giving them an upper hand on the playoff picture as well as running down the Packers. In truth, Minny has been a bit of an up and down club this season. In last week's, 23-20, nipping of the Detroit Lions QB JJ McCarthy threw for 303 yards and a TD and HB Aaron Jones rushed for 81 yards on 18 carries, while the defense came up with 8 sacks and an interception of Lions' QB Jared Goff. Those type numbers, though, have not been present week in and week out and consistency needs to be found ASAP. In the team's two losses, for example, McCarthy has thrown for 198 and 194 yards with 1 touchdown pass and 2 interceptions. In the Club's two wins and tie he had threw 4 TD passes and 1 pick, while connecting for 294 or more yards in each game! The Baltimore run defense has been near invincible, and was dominant again last week, as the team dumped the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, 34-20. The D stuffed tailback Isaiah Pacheco for 18 yards on 10 carries. The pass defense did see Patrick Mahomes riddle them for 420 yards, but the ability to make KC one-dimensional was a key factor.

  Final Analysis: It is not likely the Vikings will have any room to run versus the Baltimore front seven. That means McCarthy will have to find some way to match Raven QB Lamar Jackson. Baltimore 30-15

GAME OF THE WEEK

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-2) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-0)

AFC East Showdown in Foxboro: Can Dolphins Stop Pats?

    It has not been very often, in recent times, to see a Mike Kleinknecht coached team in a game of this significance this early in the season and, in this case, being much more crucial to his team than the opponent. A loss in New England would put Miami three games back and, while still time to recover, leave the Dolphins in dire shape as far as the division goes. The Dolphins have put together back-to-back excellent outings with convincing wins over the Buffalo Bills, (30-13) and New York Jets (42-0) and seem poised to take on the undefeated Patriots. Last week, the Miami defense completely shut down the Jets' offense holding New York to an incredibly low 28 total yards! New England remained unblemished with a narrow, 18-15, win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The win marked the third game this season the Patriots have come out on top where the margin of victory was 3 points or less! RB Ashton Jeanty was clamped up by the Bengals finishing with 21 yards on 13 carries. 

   Final Analysis: Miami's defense has played well of late. However, they are going up against an offense that has seen QB Drake Maye not throw a single pick yet, while also only being sacked 7 times! That being said, the reality is the Patriots have not had to open it up much in any game this season and have been able to play safe ball control football much of the time. Miami has gotten into trouble, like versus the Chiefs and Eagles, when either QB Tua Tagovailoa or HB De'Von Achane could not get going. They need the balance. Tough one to call. Miami 26-23.

 SUNDAY 1:00 PM: PITTSBURGH STEELERS (3-2) AT BUFFALO BILLS (3-2)

Rising New Comers Meet in Orchard Park!

   This is one of those fun games gang! The Pittsburgh Steelers look like they may be finding their footing with back-to-back wins. More importantly, though, was the play of their defense which held its last two opponents to 10 and 7 points respectively after the unit came under heavy criticism for its 97 points allowed in losses to Green Bay and New England. The Bills keep trying to climb the hill and get over the top. After losing a big test to the Dolphins two weeks ago, they got right back on the proverbial horse and stopped the Carolina Panthers, 30-12, last week. QB Josh Allen would only be sacked twice and HB James Cook rumbled for 133 yards on 28 carries in the win.

   Final Analysis: The Steelers have been leaning on their defense the past few seasons and really need the D to play well in order for them to win games. They gobbled up Charger QB Justin Herbert last week for 8 sacks and a pick, while also limiting him to a 51% (14-27) completion rate. The Bills' key to success is pass protection for Allen. If they can keep him upright, he has success and that, then, opens the door for Cook to find room to run. The problem for Pittsburgh is they only have 26 sacks and just 1 takeaway all year! Pittsburgh's 31% (6-19) red zone efficiency rating is a major concern when compared to Buffalo's 21% (4-19) red zone defensive number that ranks #2 in the AFC! The Steelers, conversely, are last in the PFL allowing teams to score 75% (15-20) of the time inside the red zone! Buffalo 26-22.

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (3-2) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-1)

Slumping Silver and Black Tries to Avoid Getting Black and Blue vs Philly

    After starting their season by going 3-0 in the pre-season and then 2-0 to start the regular season, folks in Vegas were on a near sugar high! But, drinking the Raiders' Koolaide proved to be a bit of a mirage when the Denver Broncos' defense slammed the team in a rugged, 13-3, defeat and then the winless Cleveland Browns exposed the defense with a come-from-behind, 30-27, victory over them last week. The team's defense, quite simply, is one of the least talented in all of football, especially at the middle level linebacking unit. The offense is dangerous, but is loaded with first year players who, at times, play like rookies. Philadelphia is easily one of the top two or three teams in football with an overpowering defense that features 7 players rated at least with an 80 OVR. The defensive line, in particular, could be viewed as the best in the PFL. The D is 5th in the league versus the run (78 YPG) and #2 in all football defending the pass (136.8 YPG) with 6 takeaways (tied for 2nd in the NFC)! Coming off their first loss of the year (to Dallas), one can anticipate a big time rebound out of the Eagles.

   Final Analysis: This is a serious mismatch in many ways. Vegas has shown it has real problems if it cannot run the football with rookie back Omarion Hampton as that gets fellow rookie QB Cam Ward having to throw behind a weak offensive line. They will not likely be able to move the ball on the ground in this one. Philadelphia 35-16.

 1:00 PM: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-3) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (3-2)

Defending Champs on the Ropes? Titans Surging? Big Game With Major Implications on Tap!

    Last season the Kansas City Chiefs were able to relax as they coasted to the AFC West crown and then rolled to their first PFL title. Despite many regular season problems, the team did not suffer from them. This year, however, the rise of the Denver Broncos, as well as the improvements in Vegas, has put the Chiefs into unfamiliar territory and winning the division is no longer a gaurantee nor is even making the playoffs! When you add in the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and these Titans you can see the importance of this matchup! QB Patrick Mahomes continues to make unreal passes and recognition plays and can even run at times, but the offense has not been as dynamic as in past years with the running game thus far. HB Isaiah Pacheco has just one 100+ yard game on the season and has rushed for just 70 yards on 26 carries (2.69 YPC) over his last two games resulting in losses. The Titans, as is their tradition, have found themselves right in the mix within the AFC South as well as the AFC playoff picture. They are coming in with back-to-back upsets of the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars and are, currentlys, tied for first in their division! The running game is still not very good, but QB Will Levis has risen to the occasion a number of times and rookie LB Trey Mooore has brought a vicious pass rush (12 sacks) to the defense. Levis' numbers would be even better if not for the plethora of drops by his receivers. Titan targets have now dropped some 17 passes already!

   Final Analysis: Hard to figure this Chiefs' team out, but they need a win here badly. Tennessee needs a W as well, as their schedule is littered with tough games going forward. Neither team is running the ball well, but the Titans come in ranked dead last in rushing (38 YPG). KC is, amazingly, ranked last in the PFL with just 16 sacks and that could be the difference in this one. If the Titans cannot run the ball they will need to rely on Levis. However, if the Chiefs cannot generate a pass rush, Levis will probably excel. Tennessee 27-23.

1:00 PM: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-3) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-5)

Halos See Opening in NFC South. Panthers Resigned to Rebuild

    The current state of affairs in the NFC South has three of the four teams bunched up within 1 game of each other following the emerging Tampa Bay Buccaneers', 42-13, dress down of the Atlanta Falcons last week. A win by the Saints combined with losses by the Falcons to Seattle and the Bucs to Jacksonville would throw the entire division into a three way first place tie! New Orleans got a solid game from rookie QB Jaxson Dart (23-33-268) in last week's upset of the undefeated Arizona Cardinals. 16-14. HB Alvin Kamara was held in check for the second consecutive game (13-42), but the defense shut off Cardinal QB Kyler Murray for just 155 yards passing, while also accumulating 11 sacks. Carolina rookie QB Shedeur Sanders, meanwhile, was smashed into the ground a season high 16 times by a Bills' team that got to turn the table on an opponent for once. The defense could not get to QB Josh Allen nor stop HB James Cook (28-133) in the loss. Carolina is allowing 128.2 YPG against the run.

   Final Analysis: Carolina has a tough time stopping the run and that is never a good formula for success against a Saints' team led by Kamara. Kamara has had two straight sub-par games and is overdue to have a big outing. New Orleans 30-18.

1:00 PM: DETROIT LIONS (1-3-1) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-4)

Two Teams searching for Some Daylight

    It has not been good times, of late, for either of these two franchises. The Lions remain without a coaching staff in place, while Washington continues to lean on QB Jayden Daniels, while eskewing the running game. HB Brian Robinson, yet again, had a truncated workload in last week's, 23-5, loss to the Giants. He has rushed 13 or fewer times in every game this season and has touched it 14 or less times in 12 consecutive games dating back to last year! The defense has played well enough to win games allowing 24 or less points in each of the five games this year, but the offense is not playing to the defensive efforts.

   Final Analysis: Washington could win more games, if it found some offensive balance, as the defense is actually playing pretty well overall. Detroit does not have a staff in place making it hard to predict any outcomes. NO LINE

1:00 PM: GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-0) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (3-2)

Can Pack Stay Hot? Cowboys' West Coast Styled Attack on Display in Upset Bid

    This is a classic matchup. Ever since Packer quarterback Bart Starr snuck it in from the 1-yard line over Elizabeth City State Alum DT Jethro Pugh, as time ran out, to win the 1967 NFL Championship in the famed "Ice Bowl", these two teams have been intertwined in history. Green Bay rolls into Jerry-World on a five game winning streak while the Cowboys have been finding recent success with a new offensive scheme. That scheme could frustrate a Packer defense that has allowed just 6 PPG so far and ranks at or near the top of most PFL defensive charts. Dallas' QB Dak Prescott has been playing very well within the new system. WRs Cee Dee Lamb and Brandin Cooks have not been big time downfield playmakers, but have been extremely efficient catching balls underneath, moving the chains, and chewing up the clock. TE Jake Ferguson has also flourished within the system. The Packers have had a nice balance to their offense with QB Jordan Love throwing 13 TD passes compared to a lone interception, while only being sacked 15 times. Rookie HB Nicholas Singleton leads the league in rushing with 640 yards on 129 carries (5 YPC) and has run for over 100 yards in all five games to date.

   Final Analysis: Green Bay really has not played much in the way of top tier teams yet and it is unclear how the team will react when things get dicey. Dallas has been surprisingly good versus the run giving up just 76.4 YPG. The Cowboys lead the league in third down conversion rate (47%), which translates into ball control and, again, chewing up the clock. The Packers (119) and Cowboys (100) rank #1 and #2 in the NFC for first downs. While both teams can score, their offensive schemes could result, oddly, in a low scoring game!  Green Bay 23-21.

4:05 PM: CHICAGO BEARS (0-5) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (2-2-1)

Proud Bears Stagger into Improving Giants' D and Team

    Being one of just two teams in the PFL without a win is not fun. It has been especially tough on a Bears' franchise that is accustomed to being the top dog in the NFC North. At 0-5, little has gone right for them and they were handled, for the second time this year, by the hated Green Bay Packers, 27-6, last week. The team's 11.8 PPG on offense is the worst in football and the 45.6 YPG rushing ranks last in the NFC. They now head to New Jersey to confront a Giants' team that is beginning to show improvement in quite a few areas. New York's defense has started to show signs of getting back to top tier status as the unit has allowed 23 or fewer points in four straight games. They shut down the Commanders last week limiting them to 217 yards of offense and come into this matchup ranked 7th overall on defense and versus the pass, while allowing only 18.6 PPG.

   Final Analysis: An improving and rugged G-Men defense does not favor the lowest scoring team in the league by any means. Nonetheless, Chicago could pull off the upset if QB Caleb Williams gets it going along with HB De'Andre Swift. Still, New York has been among the top defensive teams in recent times and appears to be rounding into form. New York 26-12.

4:05 PM: ATLANTA FALCONS (3-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-2)

Are Falcons an Emu in Disguise? Hot Seahawks on Prowl for Fourth W in a Row!

    The Falcons enter this game fourth in the league in rushing (127.2 YPG) trailing only the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints in the NFC and the Buffalo Bills in the AFC. However, they also rank 22nd in passing (218.4 YPG), 23rd in scoring (20.2 PPG), and have a quarterback in Malik Willis who has tossed an NFC high 5 interceptions and lost two fumbles on the season. The defense has actually played as advertised and been solid. The unit's 9 takeaways is second only to the San Francisco 49ers' 10 and, if the team can find a way reduce its turnovers, the defense and team could become a real force in the league. They face, however, a Seattle defense that could be problematic. The Seahawks have slowly gotten back to defensive form and are again disrupting teams at the line of scrimmage. They enter the game with 83 TFLs and second year star DE Byron Murphy has been on a tear of late with 8.5 sacks over his last three games! The offense has also returned to its more traditonal balanced attack. QB Geno Smith threw the ball 30+ times in the club's two losses to start the season, but that number was trimmed down to him tossing it 23 or less times in each of the team's last three games (all wins). 

   Final Analysis: Atlanta's defense can be thorny and the offense has the ability to be unsettling at times. Seattle is playing to its strengths again and having success doing it. Still, the Seahawks have not been nearly as solid versus the pass as in past seasons and come in allowing 343.2 YPG (31st in the league)! Atlanta does not like passing the ball as their primary method of attack, but this could be a game where Willis needs to take over a bit while also avoiding the big turnover. See this one as being a defensive battle. Seattle 24-18.

4:15 PM: HOUSTON TEXANS (1-4) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-2)

Texans Running Out of Bullets? Did Rams Salvage Season With Win Over Niners?

    They say the sun slowly sinks in the West. That saying might be applied to the Houston Texans' season as well. The team is allowing 31.6 PPG on defense and that has proven to be too big a hill for the offense to scale. Despite having the third most sacks (44) and fourth most takeaways (7) in the league, the club still has not been able to prevent teams from scoring! They come into this game having allowed 40+ points in each of their last two games. The Rams found themselves in deep trouble verus the 49ers last week after blowing a substantial lead, but they would recover and then pull away at the end for a hard earned, 46-37, crucial victory in the NFC West. CB Darius Williams would pick off an errant Brock Purdy pass and take it back 32 yards for a huge pick 6 and the defense hounded Purdy for 13 sacks as well.

   Final Analysis: LA is scoring at a 29.3 PPG clip and are atop the PFL averaging 448.4 YPG. Houston is right there tallying 25.7 PPG and are #2 in football putting up 433.6 YPG! Amazingly, The Texans are sitting 30th allowing 33.8 PPG, while the Rams are dead last ceding 36 PPG! Can you say wild shootout folks? It often seems that when two teams like this meet ya get an unexpected outcome. Houston can still run the football a bit better than the Rams seem to, and being able to run the football can give a team some stability in a storm. Houston 30-26? 

4:15 PM: DENVER BRONCOS (4-1) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (1-4)

Stampeding Broncos Eying AFC West Crown! 

   Denver bounced back nicely after their week 4 upset loss to the Tennessee Titans and posted 56 points on the backs of the Indianapolis Colts in a, 56-34, win last week. QB Bo Nix threw for a career best 6 touchdowns and little known HB Jaleel McLaughlin ran for 137 yards and 2 scores on 18 carries to pace the offensive explosion. They would need every one of those yards and points to offset a 430 yard output from Colts' QB Anthony Richardson. The Chargers dropped their fourth game in a row, 27-7, to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the offense failed to score 10 points for the third time this season. The running game tallied a near impossible 14 yards on 14 carries from its running backs in the loss.

   Final Analysis: Denver keeps winning but, again, the defense is showing troubling signs. The Broncos have now allowed 30+ points in three of their five games this year. LA does not seem to possess the firepower to threaten a Denver offense that leads the AFC averaging 34.2 PPG. Denver 31-16.

8:20 PM: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-2) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-2)

Significant Florida Intra-Conference Battle Looms

    This is a game of potential significance for both clubs. Jacksonville has been a bit unsteady this season and have lost two of their last three including a huge upset loss to the Tennessee Titans last week. QB Trevor Lawrence has played well and rookie MLB Lander Barton has blitzed his way to a team leading 12 sacks as part of a PFL most 51 traps, but the team is converting just 30% (19-63) on third down and only 28% (6-21) inside the red zone. Tampa Bay started their season off slowly, but they have now seemed to have unlocked the attack and enter this game leading the PFL in scoring averaging a whopping 35.6 PPG! QB Baker Mayfield is pacing the PFL with a league best 18 TD passes.

   The Bucs own a -3 turnover margin due, mostly, to the fact the defense has just 3 takeaways. Mayfield has thrown 4 picks on the year, but has had only 1 over his last three games as the offense has really heated up scoring 49, 52, and 42 points over its last three. Jacksonville has the pass rush to get after Mayfield who has been sacked 35 times this year and has been dropped 6 or more times in every game except 1. Tampa Bay 32-30?

    The Cleveland Browns got their first win of the season last week, and did so in dramatic fashion, as they upset the Las Vegas Raiders, 30-27! The game featured a number of dueling rookies. The Browns' Kurtis Rourke would have his best game of his young career throwing the ball over 50 times for the second time this year! He would throw for 334 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner as time was running out, to complete an improbable comeback. Fellow rookie WR Isaiah Bond would haul in a season high 12 balls for 115 yards and a TD. Rourke and Bond would outgun Raider rookies QB Cam Ward and WRs Jayden Higgins and Savion Williams. The Bengals, on the other hand, lost their third straight, 18-15, to the undefeated New England Patriots. The game was a major disappointment as the defense had shut down HB Ashton Jeanty for just 21 yards on 13 carries. However, QB Joe Burrow would be sacked 10 times limiting the offensive production. Rookie HB Ja'Quindon Jackson ran for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns on 23 carries and the Bengals' D held New England to a mere two third down conversions.

   Final Analysis: Both teams did show some major improvements last week. Obviously Cleveland's comeback was one good sign, but it was the play of Rourke-Bond-and HB Jerome Ford (22-126) along with the defense holding down the Vegas' running game (64 yards) that has everyone excited. Cinci's defense played big last week in the narrow loss to the Patriots. The offense, though, failed to score more than 15 points for the fifth consecutive game this season! Cleveland 24-17. 

 TEAMS ON A BYE