A pair of clubs starting to gel a bit meet. For the Giants, a modest two game winning streak, that includes last week's huge upset of the Philadelphia Eagles, has restored some moxey in Jersey. As far as the Seahawks go, their utter demolition of the San Francisco 49ers resurrected playoff expectations in the Great Northwest and has the team sitting just 1 game behind the first place Arizona Cardinals. New York was able to get back to its roots and power running game last week. Their, 34-31, win over Philly saw the club use Malik Nabers effectively out of gadget formations, as well as Can Skattebo, to rush for a combined 185 yards. The defense did give up 552 yards passing and 3 touchdowns to QB Jalen Hurts, but the G-Men also sacked him 7 times and intercepted him twice. Seattle got things going early and often in their big win over the Niners. Backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet totalled 175 yards rushing on 42 carries.

   Final Analysis: A beast of a game for both clubs. If the Giants can win here, they will jettison themselves back into the NFC East race and playoff picture. If Seattle can keep winning, they can stay on the heels of Arizona, who they will face two weeks from now after their bye week! NY has just 6 takeaways compared to Seattle with 15.  The Giants' 29% third down conversion rate has them sitting 29th in the PFL. Seattle's red zone defense has been among the best in football and is #1 in the NFC (27%), whereas New York ranks 27th (45%). Still, this one should get down to which team can stop the other from running the ball. Seattle 24-22.

1:00 PM- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-3)

Can Cats Defeather Grounded Birds?

    The Eagles suffered a major blow last week as they were upset by the Giants, 34-31. HB Saquon Barkley went out with an injury and that made Philly one-dimensional. QB Jalen Hurts would end up getting sacked 7 times and picked off twice as a result offsetting his.otherwise, sparkling game in which he threw for 552 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Jaguars were clipped by the Dallas Cowboys and are quickly sinking in the AFC South without a full-time coaching staff in place.

   Final Analysis: Jags without leadership should be easy pickings for the Eagles, but Philly was shown to be vulnerable if they cannot run the football. NO LINE

1:00 PM-CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-4) AT BUFFALO BILLS (3-3)

Which Team is Going To take That Next Step?

   Final Analysis: Both teams can be solid if the running game is chugging along. Sanders gets into trouble if he has to carry the offensive load, while Allen stumbles if he gets under too much pressure. A tight one seems probable, but kinda feel the Bills have a more proven offensive balance with Allen and Cooks over Sanders and the Judkins/Sampson duo. Buffalo 27-23.

1:00 PM-DETROIT LIONS (2-4) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-5)

Can Either Club Make a Run?

 1:00 PM- CHICAGO BEARS (4-3) AT NEW YORK JETS (6-0)

Can Bears Swat Jets Out Of The Air?

    The NFC North is shaping up as a two team race between the Bears and their rival, the Green Bay Packers. However, Chicago beat the Pack already this year and seem in control of their destiny. That being said, they now have to contend with the undefeated, near invincible Jets. New York has now won 25 of its last 26 games and is one of just two teams (Indianapolis is the other) left with an unbeaten record. Chicago's offense has been steady all year and enters this one averaging 34.7 PPG (Third best in the League). The problem, however, has been a defense that has been equally as porous giving up 29.43 PPG. The defense relies upon getting sacks (NFC leading 38) to stop teams and, while at times successful, the tactic has all too often led to big plays by the opposition. Giving up big plays is not a good formula for beating any Mike Kleinknecht run club. While the Jets have not, as of yet, been nearly as productive offensively as in the past, the team did put up 34 last week versus the league's #1 scoring defense in the form of the LA Chargers.

   Final Analysis: The Jets play very good D and, as was evident last week, Kleinknecht is probably playing possum with his offense this year. The Bears could very well be doing the same thing with their defense! This one should have each club showing more of its true colors. New York 32-24.  

   1:00 PM- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-4) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-6)

No Hero in Patriotland. Dolphs In Free Fall

   New England remains without a coaching staff and has, basically, fallen out of AFC East contention and is in serious jeopardy of missing the post-season as well. Miami's team hit land quite awhile ago and really are in "play-it-out" mode.

   Final Analysis: Dolphs had a shot at stopping the Bears last week, but never figured out how to contain Chicago's RPO game. NO LINE

 1:00 PM- HOUSTON TEXANS (3-4) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-2)

Texans Still Have Some Bullets Left! Hot Commanders Eye NFC East Top Spot!

    While still in a precarious situation, the Houston Texans still have a pulse and a big win here would propel them right back into the AFC playoff mix. Washington has won four of its last five and, now, are tied with the Eagles in the NFC East. They have a very tough string of games coming up that will, in all liklihood, determine their ultimate fate. The Commanders' defense has been very good allowing only 18.33 PG. However, the team's 7 takeaways ranks 26th in the league. Still, the offense has been efficient turning it over only 5 times while putting up 29 PPG!

   Final Analysis: The Commanders have found a very good mix of defense and offense and are playing as well as any team in the league. Houston has a golden opportunity here, but must find a way. Their 5 takeaways is tied for the second fewest in football and, considering how the Washington O does not turn it over, the task at hand is, well, daunting. Washington 29-17.

4:15 PM-BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-1) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-6)

Ravens in Control Again in AFC North. Slumping Steelers Chasing An Upset

     The AFC North has belonged to the Ravens for some time now and, with a commanding 2 game lead in the division, things are once again looking up for Baltimore. They come into this game, off their bye week,  against the rival Steelers having won five consecutive games and on a roll. Pittsburgh, conversely, has lost six straight since the team won its opener. Bad things keep happening and, last week the team saw a 17-10, halftime lead get wiped out as the Cleveland Browns would tally 20 unanswered points in the second half and walk away with a, 30-17, victory. Rookie QB Ty Simpson would be sacked a season high 7 times and be intercepted once as the growing pains continued.

   Final Analysis: Clearly two clubs heading in opposite directions. Pittsburgh is really feeling the effects of the rookie play of Simpson and a defense that is yielding 28.14 PPG. Baltimore 30-17.

   4:15 PM- DENVER BRONCOS (3-4) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-1)

Can Hot Broncos' D Gun Down Cooled Off Cards?

   For most teams starting off 0-4 would signal white-flag time. But, for these Denver Broncos, a never-say-die attitude and a suddenly rugged defense has the club galloping into this key matchup on a three game winning streak! The main propellent has been a defense that has allowed 15,11, and 17 points over its last three games with the signature W being a, 31-15, rout of the, then, undefeated Seattle Seahawks three weeks ago. Yes, the last two wins came against the 1-6 Miami Dolphins and 0-7 LA Rams, but the D has played well nonetheless. That defense is now going to get a firm test as it will face an Arizona Cardinals' team that saw its undefeated season stopped by the Dallas Cowboys, 43-28, two weeks back. QB Kyler Murray had his five game 100+ QBR ratings streak snapped as he finished with a dismal 71.2 QBR. Despite the poor game, Murray comes in leading the PFL with 21 TD passes and 123.4 QBR! The Cards are pacing the league averaging 38.3 PPG and also boast a defense that is ceding only 19.66 PPG and is third in sacks with 37!

   Final Analysis: This is a major step up in talent for the Broncos. The defense is playing well, but the offense is scoring at a modest 24 PPG clip and that might not be enough to hang with 'Zona. Arizona 34-16.

4:15 PM-NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-6) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (3-4)

Saints Winless No More! Stumbling Raiders Need W Badly

   The hooting and hollering coming from inside the jubilant Saints' locker room could be heard all the way down to the French Quarter! Not only had the club won its first game of the year, but it did so against a heavily favored Tampa Bay Buccaneers' team that had entered the contest atop the NFC South Division! Yes QB Spencer Rattler would be picked off twice and not have a TD pass. And, yes, Bucs' back Bucky Irving would run for 120 yards on just 12 carries. But the defense would come up with 3 interceptions of TBay QB Baker Mayfield and S Justin Reid would add to his interception with a fumble recovery to help the cause. The team also benefitted from two Chase McGlaughlin missed field goals. The Raiders have dropped their prior two games and now are in a bit of a dilemma within the AFC West. While the Chargers did lose to the Jets last week, the team could not capitalize and was stopped by the Kansas City Chiefs, 24-20, leaving them still 2 games behind LA and having lost to the Chargers two weeks ago. Vegas is averaging only 20.9 PPG and, despite leading the league with 15 interceptions, only has a +2 turnover margin due to giving it away some 14 times...

   Final Analysis: Vegas should win this one especially considering the Saints allow 130.71 YPG versus the run. Expect HB Ashton Jeanty to get it going big time. Las Vegas 31-15.

8:20 PM-INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-0) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (5-2)

Indy Looks To Wrap Things Up In AFC South. Titans Likely In Must-Win Deal If They Wish To Contend

   A huge game in the AFC and the AFC South Division. The unblemished Colts can all but wrap up the divisional title with a win here, Tennessee, on the other hand, can really put some heat under the Colts' hooves with a big win of their own. Both teams have had major injuries to their backfields. Indy is without both Jonathan Taylor and DJ Giddens who are done for the year, while the Titans are still missing Tony Pollard. The Colts, though, were still able to run the ball 37 times for 132 yards (3.57 YPC) in their hard fought, 29-19, win over New England last week. The ground game was, though, noticeably a bit less impactful. Rookie QB John Mateer was good enough completing 16 of 23 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown despite being sacked 8 times. Tennessee got 402 yards passing and 2 touchdowns out of QB Cam Ward, but the second year signal caller would also throw three interceptions as the team lost to Baltimore, 31-16. HB Ty Spears was not able to duplicate his fine effort of a week ago against the Bengals forcing Ward to the air too much.

   Final Analysis: The Colts have been relying upon a powerful running game and a solid defense. They lead the AFC in scoring (37.6 PPG) and rushing (226.58 YPG)! The defense is extremely aggressive and has a PFL best 49 sacks!  Indianapolis 33-20.

8:30 PM-CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-3) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-3)

Pressure Cooker in Frisco!

TEAMS ON A BYE