8:15 PM SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-3) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-1)

One Flock Flying South the Other North?

   It has not been a good start, by any stretch of the imagination, for the Seattle Seahawks. Leading, 23-10, at the half versus the New Orleans Saints last week, it seemed the team might have finally turned the corner. Instead they flew right into an ambush as the Saints would roar back and then roll away outscoring Seattle with a startling 33-0 second bulge! QB Sam Darnold continued to have problems. His tendency to remain in the pocket along with his lack of creativity is hampering the offense. In addition, he also has a habit of throwing the ball away rather than making a play. His 57% (57/100) completion rate is the lowest in the league among all regulars! Arizona got by the 49ers last week and is primed to seize control of the division. The offense has been solid and the defense is playing better than many may have anticipated.

   Final Analysis: Seattle is reeling. Still, if they can get their offense untracked and play better defense, they could win this one and maybe salvage their year. Nonetheless, this one has to be viewed as a do-or-die game for them. Arizona 27-20.

9:00 AM: MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-2) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-1)

Vikes Need D VS Cardiac Kids of Pitt

    Coming into this early morning European game the Vikings' defense is yielding an NFC worst 38.17 PPG, 171.33 YPG versus the run, and 464.33 YPG overall and could use a good dose of coffee to wake it up! Those types of numbers, if not corrected soon, are going to make it difficult for the defending NFC North Champs to repeat, Their opponent this week is a surprising bunch of Pittsburgh Steelers fresh off an exhilarating, 24-21, white-knuckler win over the New England Patriots. K Chris Boswell would boot the winning trey with just 10 seconds remaining in the OT session! Veteran QB Aaron Rodgers has been enjoying a bit of a renaissance in Steel-Town.

   Obviously, Minnesota must get better on defense, but there are other areas of concern as well. The offense has committed 6 turnovers and the 42.86% Red Zone rate ranks 29th in the league. Minnesota will be facing a Pittsburgh team that struts onto the Croke Park Field with a +6 turnover margin that is the 4th best in the PFL and a defense that is 4th in both sacks (16) and takeaways (7). Simply put, the Vikings cannot continue to tread upon thin ice...

   The enthusiasm is running high in Northwest Pa. these days with the Steelers having won two straight. The team is a game behind the white-hot undefeated Cincinnati Bengals and needs to keep the good mojo flowing. As long as they can keep protecting the football (Just 1 TO thus far) and get teams into predictable passing situations they can keep winning. DE TJ Watt is coming off a 3.5 sack game and now has 6 traps on the season. LB Alex Smith as another 4.5 sacks.

   Final Analysis: The Vikings can win this one with just a bit better defense. QB JJ McCarthy is 2nd in the league averaging 394.22 YPG passing and has 8 TDs, but he also has tossed 3 picks and been sacked an NFC most 16 times. If the defense can play better then the O will play better. And if the Vikes can get a lead, then the pass rush will improve. Check your BP Folks the Steelers are in Dublin!  Pittsburgh 32-27.

  1:00 PM TENNESSEE TITANS (2-1) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (0-3)

Ward, Pollard Power Titans' Surge. Houston in Alamo Moment?

    The play of rookie QB Cam Ward and Ex-Dallas Cowboys' tailback Tony Pollard has moved Tennessee to the top of AFC South. Ward threw for over 300 yards for the second consecutive week and had 4 touchdown passes as the Titans rolled over the Indianapolis Colts, 38-7, last week! The defense has played well too led by edge rushers Oluwafemi Oladejo and Arden Key who have combined for 33 tackles, 17 TFLs, and 7 sacks. Houston may be running out of bullets fast. They are at a point where they need to make a stand or risk perishing. HB Joe Mixon does not have a rushing touchdown on the season and QB CJ Stroud has not thrown for more than 232 yards in a game. Last week, Stroud's yards-per-attempt number dropped to just 5.4 marking the second straight week where has been below 6 YPA! Top WR Nico Collins has posted elite reception averages (18.1 YPR), but has just 9 catches on the season.

   Final Analysis: The combination of not having any rushing scores and just 5 passing touchdowns has the Texan offense averaging just 15 PPG (30th). Neither team has been good on third down (Houston 30th at 32% and Tennessee 25th at 38%) so early down success is important. However, Houston is giving up 141,33 YPG versus the run and that could open the door for Pollard to get going. Tennessee 27-18.

  1:00 PM CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-2) AT DETROIT LIONS (1-2)

Can Browns Fire Up Enough O to Stay With Hi-Octane Lions?

   When you are facing a team that is averaging 31 PPG and some 171 YPG rushing, it would seem that scoring could become somewhat paramount. The Browns, though, are 31st in third down conversions (13-40-32%) and in red zone scoring (2-11-18%) and those numbers do not bode well in this matchup. In last week's. 31-17, loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Browns got a meager 20 yards rushing on 18 carries out of HB Quinshon Judkins who was coming off a 125 yard effort the week before versus the Baltimore Ravens. The Lions got into a wild shootout with the Baltimore Ravens and ended up hanging on for a narrow, 48-45, win. The Motor City gang ran the ball extremely well with Jahmyr Gibbs gashing Baltimore for 143 yards on 15 carries and reserve back David Montgomery adding 99 more yards on 13 tries as part of a 249-yard rushing day!

   Final Analysis: The Browns are giving up 107 YPG rushing and cannot let the Lions get it going again this week. The lack of defense in Detroit is a concern and Cleveland might be able to navigate through the game if it can get the ground game going or if QB Sheduer Sanders manages the game. Just feel the Lions might have a bit too much firepower. Detroit 30-21.

1:00 PM: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (1-2) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (2-1)

Can Chargers Get Some Offensive Juice Flowing Against Opportunistic Giants' D?

    Any win is welcomed when a team is 0-2 and that was the feeling in Charger-Land after the team slipped past the Denver Broncos, 29-24, last week. QB Justin Herbert avoided the turnover issue that had plagued him in his first two games of the season and would throw for 329 yards and 2 touchdowns, while WRs Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen would come up with some big receptions combing for 12 catches and 210 yards. They now head East to confront a Giants' team that likely feels it let a big one get away last week. Leading, 20-10, at half-time in their match against the Kansas City Chiefs, New York would watch that lead evaporate in the back half and eventually fall to KC, 27-23. The offense, being run by rookie QB Jaxson Dart, could not sustain its early success and tallied just 3 points in the second half. Still, the Big Blue defense played well, intercepting Chiefs' QB Patrick Mahomes twice and forcing three Kansas City turnovers and now lead the NFC with 9 takeaways.

   The big question here is: Can the Bolts create enough offense to stay with the Giants? If the Herbert, who threw three picks in games 1 and 2, shows up the answer is a resounding no. The G-Men hold a +8 turnover margin that ranks second in all of football, while the Chargers own a -2 ratio. LA's defense has just 1 takeaway on the year. However, New York still wants to run the football and keep Dart out of harm's way. The Chargers have been very good against the run allowing just 47 YPG. They have held opposing starting tailbacks to just 86 yards rushing on 32 carries (2.69 YPC)! So, if they can shut down the Giant's Cam Skattebo (54-239-4.4) they might be able to keep this one close.

   Final Analysis: The Giants have been consistent on defense. As long as their D keeps things in check, the offense can continue to play game management and field position football with rookies Dart and Skattebo. The Chargers did win last week, but it was not easy and the team, at times, looked a bit out of sync. Herbert will need to play well  and the defense will need to hold up. New York 26-19.

 1:00 PM: WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (0-3) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1-2)

Commanders Without a Commander to Hotlanta to Face Floudering Falcons

    The Commanders saw a tight game against the Vegas Raiders dissipate in a flash last week. Leading, 10-6, in the fourth quarter, Washington would see a series of plays that would result in 21 straight Raider points within a matter of seconds! QB Jayden Daniels had a miserable day, overall, despite the miseading stats. His interception and then a horrid decision to try to flip a lateral as he was being sacked opened the floodgates for Vegas. The lateral would go awry and roll backwards where Maxx Crosby would scoop it up. The lack of any type of a pass rush also hurt the DC Denizens as the Raider O-line was able to easily thwart any type of pressure.  Atlanta would be without the services of top back Bijan Robinson and his absence seemed to stymie the attack versus an upstart Carolina Panthers' squad. Backup tailback Cordarrelle Patterson could only gain 49 yards on 17 carries as the game went into overtime and Panther K Ryan Fitzgerald would seal the big win.

   Final Analysis: Robinson broke his finger in practice and is listed with a 1-3 week injury. It is possible he may be able to return this week. Washington lacks a FT staff and, like the Dallas Cowboys, is paying the price. 

NO LINE

 1:00 PM: CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-1) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-1)

Upstart Panthers Try to Claw Way to Respectability. Pats Coming Off Heartbreaker Loss

  One can excuse the ferver these days in Charlotte. Afterall, this Carolina franchise has not had many wins in recent years nevermind a stunning upset of the defending division champion Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers would get into a back-and-forth affair with the Falcons last week before finally prevailing in OT, 27-24. The offense was balanced with QB Bryce Young and tailback Chubba Hubbard each having solid games and the defense was able to keep the Falcons under control with Atlanta not having the services of top back Bijan Robinson. New England dropped from the ranks of the unbeaten as they were shocked in overtime, 24-21, by the surging Pittsburgh Steelers. Unlike last season, QB Drake Maye has not been taking care of the football. He endured very little pressure last season and was among the league leaders in throwing the fewest picks. This year he has already found the opposing uniform 5 times and endured 15 sackes. He leads the team in rushing as HBs Antonio Gibson and Treyveon Henderson have not had much room to roam. The two have combined for a mere 113 yards on 37 carries (3.05 YPC). The lack of a running game has put Maye into situations he is not accustomed to and resulted in negative outcomes. 

   Fortunately for New England, the Panthers seem weaker in the very areas the Pats need to improve upon. Carolina has a league low 4 sacks on the year and is allowing 123.67 YPG against the run. If the Panthers cannot shut down Henderson and Gibson, or if the team cannot get pressure on Maye, the liklihood of Patriot success is vastly improved.

   Final Analysis: Interesting game here and many will want to see if the Panthers can keep moving forward. That being said, New England could just as easily be 3-0 and the stats suggest they will have the upper hand in this one. New England 26-18. 

 1:00 PM: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-0) AT BUFFALO BILLS (0-2-1)

Saints in 7th Heaven. Bills' Tough Early Season Sked Continues

    Trailing, 23-10, at the half versus the Seattle Seahawks had many in the Big Easy fretting and wringing hands. But a stunning 33 point second half explosion, complimented by a defense that would shut down the Seahawks, would lead to a one-sided, 44-23, romp! QB Spencer Rattler would continue his unexpected good play throwing for 415 yards and 3 touchdowns. His 10 touchdown passes and incredible 141.97 QBR are both tops in the PFL! Meanwhile, Buffalo QB Josh Allen has seen an old trait come back with a vengeance: The turnover bug. Allen has now thrown a league most 5 picks compared to 6 TD passes and that is not gonna get it done. His 61.34 completion percentage (73/119) ranks 26th in the league among regulars. HB James Cook has not been as effective as last season either. His 5.8 YPC stat line is certainly healthy enough, but he has run just 41 times and that rates just 16th in the league in that category. 

   Final Analysis: Buffalo has had success the past two season mixing in a very healthy dose of James Cook running. That, then, takes the pressure off Josh Allen and allows Allen to be much more effective. The Saints, while they did win last week, also showed some vulnerability and the elite play of Rattler is not likely to remain. Still, Buffalo needs to figure some things out here...Mmmm...Can they do it? Not sure why, but smell an upset here. Buffalo 24-21.

1:00 PM: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-0) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-2)

Eagles Looking Like Champs Again. Bucs Hurting After Whipping by Jets

    QB Jalen Hurts was on fire and WRs AJ Brown (6-177-2) and Davonta Smith (12-136-1) were the primary recipients of his excellent performance verus the Rams last week. WLB Zach Baun would cause havoc again recording 4 sacks of Ram QB Matt Stafford and Philadelphia looked very much like a team ready to defend its title. HB Saquon Barkley did not have a good game, though, rushing 14 times for a paltry 9 yards, but the Eagles won anyway defeating the Los Angeles Rams, 29-14. Tampa Bay would be routed by the New York Jets, 45-23, as QB Baker Mayfield suffered through a miserable day throwing for only 161 yards. That effort was not nearly enough to offset a defense that was run over by the Jets. Jet HBs Braelon Allen and Breece Hall combined for 135 yards and 3 rushing scores on 16 carries and QB Justin Fields found some room to scramble for an eye-popping 96 yards on just 4 totes! Fields' robust numbers included a 52 yard burst!

   Final Analysis: The Eagles have shown they can win games in a variety of ways. They can win with their defense, Hurts' passing and running, or the running of Saquon Barkley. Tampa Bay's 180.67 YPG allowed against the run could signal a big day for Barkley. Philadelphia 30-20.

4:05 PM: CHICAGO BEARS (3-0) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-1)

Early Season Darlings Meet in Sin City!

   The Bears and Raiders are two of the league's early season feel good stories. Chicago is under new HC Matej Orazem and the team has everyone betting they are the favorites to take the NFC North after they blasted the Minnsota Vikings and Detroit Lions in weeks 1 and 2. The Windy City bunch racked up 41 points against Minnesota and another 44 the following week versus the Detroit Lions! The Silver and Black, meanwhile, won their second in a row as they were able to turn a 4th quarter, 10-6, deficit against the Washington Commadners into a 27-10 lead in less than 1 minute!  A key Pick-6 interception by S Jeremy Chinn and then a huge defensive play that had Washington Commanders' QB Jayden Daniels flip an ill-advised lateral, on the second play of the ensuing drive, that became a fumble recovered by Maxx Crosby paved the way to victory. The offense was bottled up much of the day with QB Geno Smith throwing for just 191 yards and HB Ashton Jeanty tallying just 69 yards on 24 carries.

   Final Analysis: Chicago would love to stay atop the NFC North with a big win here. Vegas has won two straight putting up 30+ points in both wins. But it just feels like the defense deserves an awful lot of the credit and not sure that D can slow down this Chicago group. If the Raiders get into a high scoring type game, it may force coach Gabe El Guapo out his comfort zone. Chicago 30-22.

4:05 PM: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-2) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-2)

Renewed Enthusiasm in J-Ville Following Successful Coaching Debut. Niners Seeking Answers

   The arrival of any new coaching staff can bring with it both hope as well as anxiety. For Jaguar fans, however, the return of coach Jim Cruiser to the sidelines was like a typhoon generated blast of fresh air! After dropping their first two games to the Carolina Panthers and Cincinnati Bengals, things were looking downright gloomy in the Florida panhandle. But Cruiser and the Gang would put some life back into the party with a resounding, 38-13, lambasting of the Houston Texans! QB Trevor Lawrence looked like the guy the club had seen in recent seasons throwing for 334 yards and 2 touchdowns and HB Travis Etienne had, by far, his best day running the ball finishing with 151 yards and 2 scores on 24 carries. His 161 yards was more than the combined total of his first two games! The Niners lost their game against the Arizona Cardinals and need to regroup quickly or risk letting the Cards slip away. 

   Final Analysis: Folks will be paying a great deal of attention to Cruiser's week 2 result. If the team can continue to play like it did last week, the Jags stand to become not only the divisional favorite, but perhaps a true contender within the AFC. Jacksonville 26-18.   

4:05 PM: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-2) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (1-2)

Two Clubs Searching for Stability

    The complete lack of a running game from HB Jonathan Taylor (40-59-1.48 YPC) has really inhibited the Indianapolis' offense. QB Anthony Richardson has proven to be an unreliable passer who can carry a team as his 4 touchdown passes, 3 picks, and 34 sacks reveal. Daniel Jones appears to be the better choice to go under center going forward, yet he did not play in the team's crushing week 3, 38-7, loss to the Tennessee Titans. A-Rich, instead, would be sacked as many times (11) as he actually got a pass off (11)! The Rams have been competitive, but QB Matt Stafford had his worst game of the young season in last week's, 29-14, defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles with season lows in attempts (24), completions (14) and yards (156). HB Kyren Williams is proving to be a reliable option, but he was not able to replicate his 28 carry 169 yard effort from week 2 and ended with 67 yards on 16 carries. 

   Final Analysis: The Colts have actually been pretty solid on defense. The run D ranks 8th in the league relinquishing just 81.33 YPG and the team sits in the middle of the pack (15th) against the pass allowing 265 YPG. But the running game is dead last in the league (42.33 YPG), the passing ranks 28th (204.67 YPG), and the 247 total yards per game is the worst in all of football. On the other hand, Matt Stafford's 94.4 QBR is even worse than Richardson's! LA leads the PFL giving up just 31.67 YPG against the run and that could mean Taylor stays grounded. LA also leads the NFC in sacks with 18 and could get after Richardson or Daniels should the Colts not be able to run the ball again.. Close one for sure, but gonna say Indy gets a bit better this week and finds a way. Indianapolis 23-20.

4:25 PM:  BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-2-1) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-1)

Traditional Powerhouses Meet Amid Growing Doubts

    In past years, this matchup would be the premier game of the AFC season. But a slow start by the Ravens and the lack of domination by the Chiefs has opened the door for some doubt to sneak in. Baltimore has had a suffocating defense for some time now behind an near impenetrable front 7 that could stop the run and also exert as ferocious pass rush. The effectiveness of the front 7, then, allowed the team to play a lot of man defense behind it with incredible success. However, so far this season, the defense simply has not been there, especially up front. Teams hav been able to rush for 158.33 YPG and the ability to have positive early down running outcomes is setting teams up to mix in a variety of plays and options. The net result has been an exposed secondary that is giving up big plays and a defense that is allowing opponents to average 467 YPG overall (31st in the league)! the Ravens; offense is just as powerful as ever, but it now has to outscore folks rather than just blow teams out. The teamis 3rd in football averaging 481.67 YPG and is scoring at a 32.83 PPG clip, but the D is giving up 36.78 PPG. Kansas City had to rally back to edge the New York Giants, 27-23, last week. The offense has been pretty good despite some inconsistency in the running game. QB Patrick Mahomes has the passing game perched at #2 in the league averaging 360.33 YPG, but the running game has been up and down. The normally outstanding defense is ranked 26th giving up some 422 YPG including a 23rd rated run defense that is seeing teams rush for 137.67 YPG.

   Final Analysis: Both teams have not been their norman selves on defense. but both have still been good on offense. This one shapes up as a potential offensive fireworks type contest. Do feel KC is just a bit better on D than Baltimore currently is so....Kansas City 35-32.

    The Packers have played three different games with three very different game plans. Last week, they got a balanced effort out of their offense to pull away from the Cleveland Browns for a, 31-17, victory. QB Jordan Love would employ a short passing game, and not suffer a single sack, HB Josh Jacobs was effective rushing 13 times for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns and DE Micah Parsons was a one-man wrecking ball recording 4 sacks and hunting down would-be runners from behind. The Packers are ranked 2nd in the league on defense allowing only 261.33 YPG and 168 YPG verus the pass. Dallas remains without a FT coaching staff and is paying a heavy price for that. Parsons returns back to Dallas.

NO LINE

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL DOUBLE HEADER 

GAME OF THE WEEK

7:15 PM: NEW YORK JETS (3-0) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-1)

First Place on the Line With Two Very Familiar Coaches Meeting Again

    The Jets' Mike Kleinknecht and the Dolphins' Steve Dillon know each other quite well from their days doing battle with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks over in the NFC West. Kleinknecht has had a huge upper hand in those matchups and that could have a psychological impact in this one. Mikey-Ball is, so it seems forever now, once again ruling the PFL with the Jets averaging an absurd 47.7 PPG on offense! QB Justin Fields, much like many past signal callers under Kleinknecht, has been marvelous throwing for over 1000 yards and 9 touchdowns already! He has also been a major thorn in the sides of opposing defenses when he gets outside the pocket having run 18 times for 155 yards and 4 touchdowns!  His electric 52 yard scamper to paydirt last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a sight to behold. Miami, though, has been pretty dynamic as well. The Dolphins enter this one leading the league in sacks (24), takeaways (10), and in turnover margin (+9)! A gang of edge pass rushers, led by Chop Robinson's 5.5 traps, can flat out get after the quarterback and that could be a key factor in this one. 

   New York has been ceding over 160 YPG rushing and get a Miami club ruunning the ball at a 123 YPG clip. The Dolphins have been utilizing a bit of the old thunder and lightening routine with backs Alexander Mattison (24-153-2) and Da'Von Achane (33-106-1) sharing the duties. QB Tua Tagovailoa has been very good as well tossing just 1 interception, thus far, compared to 7 touchdown passes.  He is coming off a sparkling 354 yard, 4 touchdown performance in a big win over the Buffalo Bills, 36-29, as the Fish posted their second 30+ point game of the season. The Jets like to play more coverage concepts on defense than most teams and often rely upon getting incompletions and interceptions than pressure and sacks. If Tagovailoa can continue to protect the football and the running game can be at least average, Miami can pull off the upset here. Another factor to be considered, though, has to be the woeful red zone number the Dolphins have posted to date. Miami has scored just three touchdowns on 16 RZ ventures (18%) and that number has them sitting tied for 30th in the PFL! That could be big trouble if the Dolphins cannot, then, get some big play scores from outside the red zone area and that is something the Jets do very well at protecting against.

   Final Analysis: The Jets and Kleinknecht can light up the scoreboard, but could run into some trouble if the Dolphins' pass rush gets home and can contain Fields. Miami will have issues if they cannot get some big play scores or if they turn it over while trying to force the ball downfield. Kleinknecht has kinda owned Dillon over the years as well. New York 30-24.

8:15 PM: CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-0) AT DENVER BRONCOS (1-2)

Blistering Bengals to Mile High to Contend With New Coaching Staff on Denver

    Cincinnati has had a long history of slow starts and strong finishes that has, at times, had the club come up just short of making the playoffs. It has been awhile since the team began a campign at 3-0 and there is quite a bit of excitement in the Ohio area air these days. The offense has been humming along behind the outstanding play of QB Joe Burrow, the running of tailback Chase Brown, and the receiving of WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Brown, in particular, has been excellent coming out the backfield on Texas routes. He has snagged 16 receptions to lead all running backs in that category. But it has been the defense that truly needs to get the accolades here. To date, the Cinci D is #1 in the PFL allowing only 259.33 YPG. They are 5th against the pass (195.67 YPG) and 4th versus the run (63.67 YPG) and that has led to a league best 10.39 PPG allowed! This all does not bode well for a Denver offense that comes in averaging a 31st rated 46.33 YPG running the ball. The arrival of new HC Mac Whyte, though, has fans hopeful things can get turned around starting this week with his debut.

   Final Analysis: Whyte's debut has the betting line up in the thin Denver air. The Broncos have enough talent to compete with anyone, but it might take the team some time to acclimate to the new staff. The Cinci Offense is diverse and difficult to defend with Brown adding pressure as a viable option out of the backfield in the passing game. Cincinnati 28-22.