WEEK 5 MATCHUPS
MINNESOTA (1-2-1) AT PHILADELPHIA (2-2)
When last they met, the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles were squaring off for a spot in the Super Bowl. Now they’re searching for consistency while looking up at other division leaders. Coming off its championship season, Philadelphia has won twice at home and fallen twice on the road, last week blowing a 14-point lead to lose in overtime to the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. The defense remains stout much of the time, but it fell apart in key spots against the Titans. Minnesota’s dilemma is deeper. While the Eagles are just a half-game out of the NFC East lead, the Vikings trail both Chicago and Green Bay in the NFC North. Most importantly, the Vikings must find a running game — theirs ranks last in the NFL.
L.A. RAMS (4-0) AT SEATTLE (2-2)
The Seahawks have won two straight, and their former Legion of Boom might have given the Rams’ booming offense fits. This group, while well-coached and aggressive, figures to struggle against an opponent that has had 10 days off since its most recent game and features three wide receivers who eclipsed 100 yards in that one: Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. The Rams are no slouches on defense, either.
MIAMI (3-1) AT CINCINNATI (3-1)
Despite some awful statistics, including being outgained by 435 yards and outscored 90-82 this season, Miami leads the league with nine interceptions and sits atop the AFC East. Of course, the Dolphins were routed last weekend in New England. Also on top of their division, tied with Baltimore in the AFC North, the Bengals are struggling on defense, but their offense has sizzled, scoring on its past 34 trips into the red zone — the longest active streak in the NFL.
BALTIMORE (3-1) AT CLEVELAND (1-2-1)
Here’s a matchup the former team from Cleveland loves. Under coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore has won five straight and 18 of the past 20 meetings with the Browns. While defense is the calling card for the Ravens as usual, Joe Flacco has eight touchdown passes with only two interceptions, and Justin Tucker could make field goals kicking from Lake Erie. Cleveland can play some defense, too, posting a league-high 13 takeaways this season.
JACKSONVILLE (3-1) AT KANSAS CITY (4-0)
Kansas City’s powerful offense, led by emerging star quarterback Patrick Mahomes (14 TD passes, no interceptions, an NFL-leading 15 passes of at least 25 yards), faces the league’s best defense. Jacksonville excels particularly in pass coverage, and the potential matchup of cornerback Jalen Ramsey versus Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill is a juicy one. The Jaguars haven’t allowed an opponent to score on its opening possession this season. The Chiefs have scored 52 points in first quarters.
OAKLAND (1-3) AT L.A. CHARGERS (2-2)
Both teams can move the ball and are vulnerable on defense, so a shootout might be in the offing. Oakland QB Derek Carr is fourth in the league in completions (120) and completion rate (71.0 percent), and the Raiders are one of three teams with a 100-yard receiver in every game this season. The Chargers are more balanced. Melvin Gordon leads the AFC in yards from scrimmage (475) and first downs (25), and backup RB Austin Ekeler has averaged 8.6 yards per play from scrimmage, tops for his position.
N.Y. GIANTS (1-3) AT CAROLINA (2-1)
The Panthers, coming off a bye, are No. 1 in rushing offense; the Giants are No. 29 in rushing defense. New York hasn’t scored much despite the presence of two dynamic performers, WR Odell Beckham Jr. and RB Saquon Barkley, who can become the third NFL player with at least 100 yards from scrimmage in his first five games, joining Adrian Peterson and Kareem Hunt.
GREEN BAY (2-1-1) AT DETROIT (1-3)
Aaron Rodgers is 13-3 against Detroit, but to win this one he might turn to his running game with his backfield banged up. The Lions rank last against the run, and Green Bay has a three-pronged attack. Detroit’s offense probably will concentrate on having Matthew Stafford throwing to WRs Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Golden Tate.
DALLAS (2-2) AT HOUSTON (1-3)
The Texans were ballyhooed as a club ready to rise as they got back the likes of J.J. Watt and Deshaun Watson. The first time they rose was last Sunday at Indianapolis, and they needed overtime and a gamble by Colts coach Frank Reich that backfired to get their lone victory. Dallas got its offense on track while beating Detroit and faces a mediocre pass defense. The problem is that the Cowboys rank 30th in passing.
DENVER (2-2) AT N.Y. JETS (1-3)
New York has little offensive flair behind rookie QB Sam Darnold, which was to be expected. He’ll face another difficult defense that can pressure the quarterback: Denver has 10 sacks, four by All-Pro linebacker Von Miller. The Broncos can run the ball with a pair of solid rookies, Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay, but Case Keenum has just three touchdown passes and twice as many interceptions.
ARIZONA (0-4) AT SAN FRANCISCO (1-3)
This would seem a good spot for the Cardinals to become the last NFL team this season to get a win. But the 49ers, despite losing QB Jimmy Garoppolo, showed plenty of fight in their loss last week to the more talented Chargers.
WASHINGTON (2-1) AT NEW ORLEANS (3-1)
This Monday night matchup is a major test for the Redskins, who are coming off a bye and alone atop the NFC East. The Saints showed against the Giants that they can win without Drew Brees putting on an aerial spectacular as Alvin Kamara scored three TDs on the ground.