WEEK 7 MATCHUPS
DENVER (3-2) AT L.A. CHARGERS (2-4) After four losses, most of them close, the Chargers have two straight wins. With the Dodgers headed to the World Series, it’s unlikely many Angelenos will notice if the Bolts win again. Denver, which beat the Chargers 24-21 to open the season, has the NFL’s top-ranked defense and wins in 11 of the past 13 meetings with the Chargers.
ARIZONA (3-3) VS. L.A. RAMS (4-2) Two teams from bordering states face off in London. Adrian Peterson made this journey with the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 1. Then he was dealt to Arizona, which lost star RB David Johnson in the opener. The Rams are one of the NFL’s surprise squads under first-year coach Sean McVay, the youngest in league history at 31.
NEW ORLEANS (3-2) AT GREEN BAY (4-2) Green Bay placed QB Aaron Rodgers (broken collarbone) on injured reserve Friday, meaning he’s out at least eight weeks, so Brett Hundley will make the first start of his NFL career. New Orleans has won three straight and has its franchise quarterback, Drew Brees, doing what he does and doing it well. It won’t help the Packers that their secondary is banged up again.
BALTIMORE (3-3) AT MINNESOTA (4-2) Minnesota has to be thinking big with Rodgers down. The first step is to not stumble against the inconsistent Ravens, whose offense doesn’t make enough big plays.
TAMPA BAY (2-3) AT BUFFALO (3-2) Buffalo must find a way to spring loose running back LeSean McCoy, who is without a touchdown five games into an NFL season for the first time. He hasn’t topped 80 rushing yards since gaining 110 in the opener. The Buccaneers are ranked 12th in rushing defense, 31st against the pass.
CINCINNATI (2-3) AT PITTSBURGH (4-2) The Bungles have become Bengals again, winning two in a row after dropping their first three. This, however, is a tough spot: The Steelers have won seven of the past eight meetings between the AFC North rivals, including the past three. And last week, they marched into Kansas City and handed the Chiefs their first loss in a defensive showcase.
CAROLINA (4-2) AT CHICAGO (2-4) Both teams have shown some strength on defense, with Carolina ranking fourth and Chicago sixth. The Bears’ twopronged running attack of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen could determine this one.
N.Y. JETS (3-3) AT MIAMI (2-3) The Jets, seemingly headed for a forgettable season, have energized their fan base with enthusiasm and resilience. Miami hasn’t done quite that, but last week’s rally from a 17-0 hole to win at Atlanta was sensational, the Dolphins’ biggest road comeback victory since 1994.
JACKSONVILLE (3-3) AT INDIANAPOLIS (2-4) The Jaguars lead the NFL in rushing, have the next-to-worst rushing defense and lead the league with 23 sacks. The Colts don’t do a whole lot through the air these days with quarterback Andrew Luck still progressing after surgery, but they do have veteran RB Frank Gore, who’s still impressive.
DALLAS (2-3) AT SAN FRANCISCO (0-6) The all-time series is tied 17-17-1, with some classics through the years. This doesn’t have that look, with the 49ers keeping every game close this season before losing and the Cowboys struggling to find their form while already equaling last season’s loss total. Dallas RB Ezekiel Elliott, who got another legal reprieve to delay his six-game suspension, rushed for 138 yards against San Francisco last season.
SEATTLE (3-2) AT N.Y. GIANTS (1-5) Despite all their injuries and turmoil, the Giants broke into the win column last week — and at Denver no less. They have lost three in a row to Seattle, which has not truly hit its stride this season but typically excels in the Meadowlands.
WASHINGTON (3-2) AT PHILADELPHIA (5-1) The Monday night matchup is for the NFC East lead, believe it or not. The Eagles have surprised while compiling the NFC’s best record and already have a win at Washington. The Redskins, though, have an underrated defense.