8:20 PM: CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-6) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-4)

DC Looks Poised to Jump Back Into Playoff Pool. Panthers Still Searching for First W

    In a truly unique game, the Washington Commanders may have reenergized their season with a dramatic, 26-20, overtime victory against the Detriot Lions last week. The game was made compelling due, mostly, to the Lions' game plan and the Commanders' offensive philosophy. Taking away two pass completions, by Lions' QB Jared Goff that totalled 64 yards, Detroit would accrue a trifling 135 yards on their other 16 receptions (8.44 yards per completion)! At the same time, the Lions would run and run and run it some more ending the loss with 45 carries for 170 yards (3.78 YPC). The strategy led to an incredible lopsided time-of-possession in favor of Detroit (37-9!) and the tactic served to reduce the sacks of Goff to just 2! At the same time, Washington QB Jayden Daniels would be sacked 11 times, but still complete 19 of 29 pass attempts (65.5%) for 346 yards and 2 touchdowns. Carolina dropped its 6th consecutive game to start the season losing to the Saints last week.

   Final Analysis: Washington did run the ball 20 times last week, but did not have much success doing so averaging 2.75 YPC. The inability to run the ball is pushing Daniels to throw the ball under duress too often and leading to drive killing sacks. However, neither the Panthers nor Commanders have been able to generate pressure. Washington is last in the PFL with 15 sacks and Carolina is right behind them with only 17 traps! The low sack totals should allow both teams to get their QBs untracked. This one could be interesting. Washington 26-20.

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-3) AT BUFFALO BILLS (3-3)

Bucs-Bills Endeavor to Stay Above Water and Relevant in NFC West and AFC East Races

    This is a key matchup for both combatants. The Bucs were drubbed last week, 48-11, by a talented Jacksonville Jaguars' club, while Buffalo lost a tight one to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 22-14 as both teams could not get their offenses in sync. Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield would throw 3 interceptions and, similar to Seattle's Geno Smith in the Seahawks' loss to Atlanta last week, marked the first time he had thrown a trio of picks in any game from all of last season through the first five games of this year! The Bills did not play poorly as much as they got trumped by an excellent Steelers' defensive effort. HB James Cook's 77 yard rushing production was his lowest and QB Josh Allen's 8 sacks was his most since week 1!

   Final Analysis: This is a game between two teams that play different styles. Tampa Bay is averaging 31.5 PPG on offense, which is #4 in the league, whereas the Bills are scoring 20.3 PPG. Conversely, Buffalo is allowing only 19.88 PPG (8th best in the PFL), while the Bucs are relinquishing 25.83 PPG (20th). The two teams are near the top of the league in red zone efficiency, but are also, oddly, near the bottom of the league in turnover margin. Buffalo has a -6 TO ratio and the Bucs are dead last in the PFL with a -8 TO margin! Should be a close one for sure.  Tampa Bay 26-23?

 SUNDAY 1:00 PM: NEW YORK GIANTS (3-2-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-3-1)

G-Men Returning to Form! Is Viking Ship Taking on Water?

    For the first few weeks of the season the New York Giants' offense, that had made the league sit up and take notice a season ago, was AWOL. The club lost to the Raiders and Eagles and then ended up in a tie with the Lions in week 4. The 1-2-1 start was having Giants' fans nearing panic levels. But, since then, Big Blue began to get back to its roots. In last week's, 41-17, rout of the winless Chicago Bears the Giants rolled for 230 yards on the ground with veteran back Devin Singletary (14-113-1) and Texas' rookie speedster Jaydon Blue (11-116-1) leading the stampede. The defense is also showing signs of getting back to elite status. The unit held Washington to just 5 points in their game two weeks ago and slammed the door shut on Chicago's HB D' Andre Swift last week holding him to just 17 yards on 16 carries! The Vikings have been an up and down group all season long thus far. They were, and this is hard to comprehend, held to 0 (That's right folks) yards rushing last week by the vaunted Baltimore Ravens' front seven and lost, 45-26. QB JJ McCarthy did throw for 420 yards and 4 touchdowns, but he would also be sacked 7 times and throw a pick in the game. The defense was ripped by a powerful Baltimore ground game that saw bulldozing back Derrick Henry attain his first 100+ yard rushing game of the season (21-118-1) and get help from fellow back Dameon Pierce (14-50) and even QB Lamar Jackson (7-39).

   Final Analysis: The Giants are now allowing just 18.33 PPG and only 198.5 YPG versus the pass. Their 30% third down conversion rate is still woefully low, but their 47% red zone efficiency number is #3 in the NFC. A concern has to be the turnover margin, however. The G-Men are tied for 15th in the NFC with a dreadul -6 TO ratio. This is due, mostly, to a defense. albeit very good, that is not getting takeaways (2) yet. The Vikings lead the NFC in sacks with 47 and can get after the quarterback if given the opportunity. But they are 13th in the NFC allowing 107.66 YPG versus the run and 26.17 PPG on defense. New York 28-20.

SUNDAY 1:00 PM: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-2) AT CHICAGO BEARS (0-6)

Eagles in Regroup Mode. Bears in Hybernation?

    Just three weeks ago, the Eagles were viewed as, perhaps, the best team in football. While that notion is certainly not to be readily dismissed, the past two weeks have brought the team into at a more human realm and there is at least some hope that they can be beaten. The Dallas Cowboys upset them two weeks back, 21-7, and then the Vegas Raiders shocked them last week, 38-26. The Raiders' win was even more surprising when you consider that Las Vegas was coming off a, 30-27, upset loss to the winless Cleveland Browns in a game where they could not run the ball at all and were not facing one of football' s very best run defenses. But, Philly would cede 174 yards rushing to the Raiders and another 348 yards passing from rookie QB Cam Ward and get outscored as a result. To be sure, this will not be the norm going forward and Chicago can only hope that they can find some way to improve upon their horrendous rushing output from a week ago when RB D'Andre Swift was cruched for a dreary 17 yards on 16 carries versus a rejuvenated Giants' defense. That, though, might be wishful thinking as Swift has not had a game this season where he has rushed for more than 67 yards and being devoid of any running game has put way too much pressure on the arm and legs of second year signal caller Caleb Williams. Philadlephia's front seven is elite and can cause havoc all on their own without even blitzing. QB Jalen Hurts is very hard to contain, especially when he scrambles and gets loose. His scrambling freezes secondaries and opens up passing lanes and his speed and power also enables him to be an effective runner. The Raiders were able to finally get him and the passing game under control by employing a combination of a pass rush with a spy.

   Final Analysis: The Eagles get the near perfect team to get back on track with. Chicago has givenn up the most points (33.67) in the NFC and have just 21 sacks and 2 takeaways to their credit. Philadelphia 32-13.

 1:00 PM: CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-4) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-2)

Defenses Shaping Up for Cinci and Pitt! Will Offenses Follow or Flop?

   In many ways, this could be seen as a do-or-die game for the Bengals as well as a crucial contest for the Steelers if they wish to hold out any hopes of catching the Ravens in the NFC North. For much of the season Cinci's defense has played very well. The D has allowed 18 or fewer points in three of its six games and just 20 PPG! Unfortunately, the offense has not been able to get into any semblance of a groove this year entering this battle ranked 30th in total yards (1471) and last in the PFL tallying a skimpy 12 PPG! Overall, the Steelers' defensive stats do not seem impressive, however, they have now played three consecutive defensive gems in which the club has given up 10, 7, and 14 points respectively. And, while the offense has not been explosive, it has been steady scoring 25 PPG with just 4 giveaways on the season. Sadly, Pittsburgh still has a -2 turnover margin due the fact the D, as good as it has played, has just 2 takeaways all year.

   Final Analysis: Both teams playing solid defense. The difference, though, could be a Steelers' offense that is at a different level than the Bengals.  Pittsburgh 23-17.

GAME OF THE WEEK

1:00 PM: ATLANTA FALCONS (4-2) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-3)

Can Falcons Change the Guard or Will Saints Regain Championship Form?

    The Atlanta Falcons have not been seen as a serious contender for many years now in the PFL. However, they now have a golden opportunity to exorcise some of the demons of the past if they can take care of the Saints here in the Big Easy. Atlanta upended the defending NFC West, and NFC Conference Finalist from last season, Seattle Seahawks last week, 27-20, as the defense came up with an unusual stat to save the day. The Halos dumped the Carolina Panthers and now have won two straight including beating the, then, undefeated and NFc West leading Arizona Cardinals two weeks ago, 16-14.

   The Falcons' defense came up with a 3-interception game last week with CB Tremon Smith, CB Xavien Howard, and rookie CB Azareye'h Thomas each getting one. Seattle quarterback Geno Smith had not had a three pick game during all of last season nor in any contest this year! QB Malik Willis would complete 76% (19-25) of his pass attempts for 252 yards, while HB Bijan Robinson rushed 18 times for 93 yards and a score. Falcon DE Ruke Orhorhoro had a huge day with 4 sacks. The Atlanta D leads the PFL in takeaways with 12 and are #1 in both fumble recoveries and interceptions! 

   New Orleans needs to lean on its power running game with Alvin Kamara to be successful on offense. They have gone 6-3 over the past two season in games in which he has rushed for 100 or more yards. Rookie QB Jaxson Dart has played well managing games and has just 1 interception on the season!

   Final Analysis: Atlanta holds the edge over New Orleans in almost every major statistical category. Both teams are a bit vulnerable to the run, which could allow the teams to play to their preferred style of ball. However, that could also shorten the game considerably and turn this into a low scoring affair. The Falcon defense has been extremely successful in taking the ball away and that could be the difference in this one. Going to go with the Falcons breaking through, but their history of flops in big games combined with New Orelans' past success in situations like this make this one iffy. Atlanta 24-18.

1:00 PM: GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-0) AT DETROIT LIONS (1-4-1)

Can Pack Stay Hot? Hard Luck Lions Need Some Good Fortune to Come Their Way

    Sometimes a team can get on an inexplicable roll and run up some impressive stats and wins as a result. For the Packers, not much has gone wrong this year, thus far, and the result has been an unblemished record. The top rated defense, though, had Dallas QB Dak Prescott complete 70 % (28-40) of his pass attempts last week for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns and allowed rookie tailback Dylan Sampsonto have his best game of his young career as he got his first 100+ yard game (24-112-4.67 YPC)! Still, Green Bay answered the challenge with 312 yards, 3 TDs, and a 76% (22-28) completion day from QB Jordan Love and another 100-yard game out of the league's top rusher, rookie back Nicholas Singleton (25-129-5.16 YPC) to lead the team to a, 36-20, victory. Detroit has been awfully close in each of its last three games. They ended up in a, 21-21, tie three weeks ago with a very good Giants' squad, and followed that result up with a 3 point defeat to Minnesota two weeks back and then a 6 point white-knuckler in another OT game last week to Washington! They are getting better and closer.

   Final Analysis: A very dangerous game for the Packers. Hardly anything has gone wrong in Green Bay, while the Lions just need a bit of luck. This could be the game where Detroit breaks through and the Pack breaks down. Green Bay 27-22.

1:00 PM: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-1) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-4)

Pats Licking Wounds. Jets Try to Get Off the Ground and Take Flight

   The Patriots' undefeated season came crashing to a halt as they were soundly beaten, 30-13, last week in their showdown game against the Miami Dolphins. HB Ashton Jeanty was held in check and QB Drake Maye, while he again did not turn it over and was sacked just 3 times, threw for only 198 yards on the day. The Jets are coming off their bye week and are hoping to reset their season. The last time they were on the field they were drubbed by the Miami Dolphins, 42-0, as the offense, if you wish to call it that, garnered a staggeringly low 2 yards passing and 26 yards rushing!

   Final Analysis: The Jets' defense has been near the bottom of the league allowing a league most 32 PPG and 162 YPG versus the run! In their last outing, The Jets' offense and defense took the night off leading to the embarrassing rout by Miami. Rookie QB Jalen Milroe has played well when given the opportunity and the backfield tandem of Breece Hall and Braelon Allen has combined for 392 yards on 90 carries (4.35 YPC). New England should be out for blood in this one and Jeanty will be licking his chops to get a shot at the Gang Green D. New England 31-15.

4:05 PM: DALLAS COWBOYS (3-3) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (1-5)

Pokes Ponder Playoffs. Bolts Bummed by Breakdowns

   Yes, they did lose their GOTW to the Green Bay Packers last week, 36-20, but the Cowboys are still very much in the playoff hunt. QB Dak Prescott was sacked just 3 times with zero turnovers and rookie tailback Dylan Sampson rushed for 112 yards on 24 carries (4.66 YPC) in the loss. The 20 points Dallas was able to tally was more than the Packers' prior four opponents had scored combined! So, while the loss was disappointing, the Cowboys came away from the defeat with some promise and potential to build upon. The Chargers were thumped by the Denver Broncos, 34-14, despite HB JK Dobbins' 27-190-2 performance. QBs Justin Herbert (3-8-25) and Notre Dame rookie Riley Leonard (7-9-77) were generally ineffective and the defense could not stop either QB Bo Nix or HB Javonte Williams who had a season best 153 yards rushing and 2 TDs. 

   Final Analysis: Dallas may have found some footing, no pun intended, with their floundering running game last week. Sampson's effort marked his first 100+ yard game of his young career and supplied the Cowboys with some much needed offensive balance. The D needs to be better, though, as it saw Packer QB Jordan Love rip them for 300+ yards and 3 TDs and then the unit gave up a huge 53 yard TD scamper to HB Nicholas Singleton after having bottled him up much of the game. Dallas 27-17.

4:05 PM: LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-3) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-1)

High Noon for the Rams? LA in Near Must-Win Situation

   It has been a bit of a roller coaster type season, thus far, for the Rams. A narrow week 2 loss to the Jaguars and a depressing defeat to the Texans last week has put the club in a precarious position. QB Matt Stafford threw two interceptions, his first two of the season, and a trick pass from HB Kyren Williams would also get plucked off as LA lost to Houston, 24-14. At 3-3, a loss to the front running Cardinals would make winning the NFC West a long shot at best and put the club outside of the playoff picture for the moment. While it is still somewhat early in the season, the reality is the sand in the hour glass is sifting out quicker each ensuing week now. Arizona is coming off their bye week after seeing their modest four game winning streak to start the year  stopped by the New Orleans Saints, 16-14. The offensive point total was the Cards' lowest of the season as QB Kyler Murray suffered through a sub-par 15-24-155 performance and the defense could not disrupt Saint rookie QB Jaxson Dart (23-33-268) who would be sacked just twice.

   Final Analysis: This is a monster game for the Rams who need a W if they wish to contend in the division. The offense is averaging 29 PPG, but the defense has been coughing up 30 PPG! The Cards are 8th in the league allowing just 18 PPG, while their offense comes in #13 scoring at a 27 PPG clip. Do not expect Murray to have back-to-back poor outings. Arizona 31-22

4:15 PM: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-2-1) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-3)

Niners and 'Hawks Clinging to NFC West Hopes. Loser in Big Trouble?

   While the Rams and Cardinals will be battling it out in the Desert, these two clubs will be duking it out in the Great Northwest. The Niners are entering this crucial matchup coming off their bye week. They have gone 0-2-1 in the three games prior to the bye and needed some time to regroup. The team continues to score points, even in defeat, and has averaged 32.5 PPG over its' last four games. However, the well documented abandonment of the running game is extending games and putting the defense on the field a lot. QB Brock Purdy threw for 462 yards and 4 touchdowns in the club's, 46-37, Week 5 loss to the Rams. He has now had three consecutive games in which he has tossed for 4 touchdowns! But, he also has been sacked a mind-blowing 38 times over his last three games, while HB Christian McCaffrey has run the ball a mere 31 times for 53 yards! The team has now gone 9-1-1 in games where McCaffrey has rushed at least 14 times, and gone 2-9 in contests where he has run it less than 14 times! Seattle took one on the chin last week as they dropped a, 27-20, decision to the Atlanta Falcons. QB Geno Smith threw a season high 40 times for 340 yards, but he would be picked off 3 times. The three interceptions was the most he has had in any game in this or all of last season! The 40 attampts also marked the most pass attempts by Smith over the past season and a half!

   Final Analysis: It just seems that any time the Seahawks get away from their winning formula they get into trouble. The defense is not playing anywhere near as good as it did a season ago (28 PPG and a 31st rated 409.5 YPG!) and that is putting increased pressure on an offense that is geared for game management more so than explosive outbursts. The Niners will, more than likely, pass the ball at will, and could find success versus the worst pass D in the league. Seattle lugs in an ugly 352.2 YPG stat line against the pass and that could pave the way for a big Purdy day. San Francisco 33-25.

8:20 PM: BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-0) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-2) 

AFC Aspirants Take Center Stage in Prime Time Clash

    Both the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars saw their playoff desires halted last season a bit earlier than either would have preferred. The Ravens would get KO'd by the Chiefs, 38-27, in the AFC title game, while the Jags would get upset in the first round by the Bills, 28-18. Each team, though, has its eyes firmly set upon the Pete Russo Trophy this season and can make a serious statement with a win in this one. Baltimore has been near impenetrable on defense thus far this season. Teams keep trying to, and failing miserably, run on their front seven. To date, the Ravens lead the PFL allowing a paltry 28.7 YPG against the run and the club is allowing just 16 PPG! Meanwhile, the offense is churning along averaging 32 PPG and is second in the league in YPG (409.5) and passing (301.5 YPG). Jacksonville appears to be a team capable of matching up with the Ravens. Their defense comes in ranked 6th in points allowed (18 PPG) and the pass D is allowing only 199.2 YPG. Their offense has not been shabby at all scoring 31 PPG and has been failry balanced. QB Trevor Lawrence has been spectacular completing 75.4 % (144-191) of his throws for 1851 yards, and a stunning 15 touchdowns without a single interception on the season! Rookie LB Lander Barton (Drafted 57th Overall) is leading the team with 12 sacks followed by DE Josh Hines-Allen with 11. The Jags lead the PFL with 63 sacks with the Ravens right behind them with 55! 

   A big factor could be the third down conversion rate of the Jaguars. If they cannot run the football, their 31% conversion rate on third down could slowly effect the game. The Ravens have not exactly been prolific (39%) on third either, but they have been much better inside the red zone (46%) with 15 touchdowns in 32 ventures compared to the Jaguars' 10 TDs in 29 attempts (34%).

   Final Analysis: Neither team has been stellar at running the ball. J-Ville is 11th (110 YPG) and Baltimore is 13th (108 YPG) in the league in rushing. It seems probable that neither team will have much success on the ground and that means pass protection and quarterback play could determine the victor here. Lawrence has been flawless, but Baltimore TE Mark Andrews could have a big day against Jacksonville safeties Andre Cisco and Xavier Nwankpa. Baltimore 24-21.

8:30 PM: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-4) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (2-4)

Can Colts Turn Their Horses Around? Texans Try to Lasso Ponies and Gain Momentum

    This is a perilous game for both teams. While the Colts can take some solace in knowing they were 0-5 to start last season before rallying back to gain an improbable playoff berth, it would be hard to envision a similar outcome this time around. The Texans have not played near their potential yet this season, but did show some positive signs in last week's, 24-14, win over the LA Rams. QB CJ Stroud threw the ball a season low 20 times, but averaged 14.6 YPA and finished with an excellent 133 QBR! The running game, which had been missing much of the season, had Ohio State rookie Treveyon Henderson rush for 97 yards on 16 carries and backup Joe Mixon add 52 yards on 6 carries. The defense also showed up picking off Ram QB Matt Stafford twice (His first two interceptions of the season!) and sacking him 5 times,while also corralling him for a season low 62 QBR. Indy, meanwhile, did get 430 yards passing from QB Anthony Richardson, but the running game was, again, absent as HB Jonathan Taylor could muster only 30 yards on a mere 11 carries and the team was bludgeoned, 56-34, by the upstart Denver Broncos. The defense was torn to pieces by Denver's Bo Nix (32-40-447-6) and little known HB Jaleel McLaughlin (18-137-2) who paced a 670 total yard onslaught! Indy's defense now has just 25 sacks and 1 takeaway on the year and is giving up a whopping 35 PPG!

   Final Analysis: While it easy to get hyped up over the passing yards per game of Anthony Richardson, the reality is averaging 75 YPG rushing as a team is just not getting it done on a consistent enough basis. The Texans, who led the league in rushing a season ago, are averaging 4.51 YPC with the combined workload of Henderson (124-530-7) and Mixon (30-164-1). The Colts are giving up 120.6 YPG against the run. Houston 29-22.