San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Cleveland, Indianapolis meet in battle of surprise 3-1 teams
Both will try to prove they’re the real deal despite soft schedules so far
The Browns might be for real. The Colts, too.
We could find out today, when Indianapolis visits Cleveland. Both are 3-1, winners of three in a row, but carrying questions about the teams they beat.
The Browns were pummeled by Baltimore before defeating Cincinnati, Washington and Dallas (combined record3-8-1). Indy lost badly at Jacksonville, which since has dropped three in a row, and then defeated Minnesota, the Jets and Chicago (combined record 5-8).
This matchup could prove something, with Cleveland’s dynamic offense facing the league’s most stingy defense.
“This will be our defense’s biggest challenge. You’ve got the No. 1 offense as far as running the ball,” Colts coach Frank Reich said. “The other thing that they are No. 1at is explosive plays in the run game. We’ve got theNo. 1defense, so this iswhat it’s all about. We’ll see how it stacks up.”
PHILADELPHIA AT PITTSBURGH
The Pennsylvania showdown matches two firstplace teams. Say what?
Yep, the Eagles are atop thewretchedNFCEast, displaying the kind of grit and resourcefulness any fan base should be proud of. Theymay even be proud in the City ofBrotherlyLove— until the Eagles lose again.
About 5,500 fans will be allowed at Heinz Field for the first time this season after Pennsylvania officials amended occupancy guidelines at outdoor events.
BUFFALO AT TENNESSEE
The Bills and Titans might need another Music City Miracle to actually play this game, which has been moved to Tuesday. The Titans’ coronavirus outbreak, which forced postponement of their matchup with the Steelers last week, has wreaked havoc ever since.
The Bills are 4-0 for the first time since 2008 and looking to start 5-0 for the first time since 1991on their way to a Super Bowl berth. A victory also would give the Bills their first fivegame winning streak since 2004.
The Titans are 3-0 for the first time in 12 years. About 8,500 fans will be allowed at this game — if it comes off.
DENVER AT NEW ENGLAND
Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore, possibly the Patriots’ two best players, have tested positive for coronavirus.
New England comes off a mediocre offensive performance at Kansas City, but the Patriots have won six of the past seven meetings between the teams, including four straight inFoxborough.
The Broncos haven’t won a road game in the series since 2006, and get an extra day to prep with the NFLmoving this one back a day because of the Patriots’ outbreak.
LAS VEGAS AT KANSAS CITY
The Raiders have dropped two straight, and this isn’t a good place to turn it around. They have lost their past seven games at Kansas City and five straight in the series overall.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are 4-0 for the fourth straight season, an NFL record. They’re trying to start 5-0 for the third time in four seasons, havewon a franchise-record 13 consecutive games, and their 10game regular season winning streak is the secondbest in club history.
CINCINNATI AT BALTIMORE
Joe Burrowlooks like the real thing: He has three straight 300-yard passing games, a rookie record. And his top running back, Joe Mixon, has been a stud.
That said, the Bengals, coming off their first win, face a difficult test in Baltimore. The Ravens are 26-11 against the AFC North at home under coach John Harbaugh, who took over in 2008. Baltimore is 73-25 overall at home under Harbaugh.
MIAMI AT SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco is 0-2 at home but 2-0 at the Meadowlands. Huh?
The Niners can’t keep struggling in the league’s toughest division, where Seattle already is 4-0. But at least the 49ers are getting healthier on both sides of the ball.
Miami is playing decently despite its record, outscored only 96-93. The game is the Dolphins’ first in San Francisco since 2012, and their first on the West Coast since 2017.
L.A. RAMS ATWASHINGTON
Ron Rivera has benched Washington’s supposed future quarterback, Dwayne Haskins, for Kyle Allen. Apparently the team has run out of patience with Haskins’ slow education in the offense.
No such woes in LA, where the Rams’ attack is humming behind Jared Goff and his collection of receivers. Believe it or not, this is the Rams’ third trip to the Atlantic side of the nation already.
MINNESOTA AT SEATTLE
Despite a bunch of gambles and a hole-filled defense, the Seahawks are off to a terrific start. They never have been 5-0, and the previous time they took their first four games, they went on to win the Super Bowl.
Russell Wilson tied Peyton Manning’s record with 16TDpasses inthe first four games of a season. Wilson has a113.5 career passer rating in five games against the Vikings.
Minnesota hasn’t beaten Seattle coach Pete Carroll, dropping six in a row against the Seahawks.
L.A. CHARGERS AT NEW ORLEANS
A game that at one point could have been headed elsewhere as Hurricane Delta threatened the Big Easy will happen in the Superdome.
The Saints could get back their key weapon, 2019 Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas, who has been upgradedtoquestionable. The star receiver’s ankle injury damaged the offense in two losses before New Orleans scored five straight TDs at Detroit for a victory.
The Chargers have dropped five consecutive Monday night games.
ARIZONA AT N.Y. JETS
Things looked so bright for the Cardinals with their 2-0 start. Then they fell to Detroit and Carolina, not exactly playoff contenders. Of course, the Jets seem like the leading contender for the first overall draft choice.
Kyler Murray tops NFL quarterbacks with 265 yards rushing and is tied with New England’s Cam Newton with four TD runs. DeAndreHopkins leads the NFL with 39 catches.
New York is without quarterback Sam Darnold (shoulder), which means Joe Flacco tries to get something done.
CAROLINA AT ATLANTA
Another defeat could send Atlanta’s Dan Quinn packing.
Carolina has shown lots of spunkunderformerBaylor coach Matt Rhule, winning two straight and getting solid offensive contributions from everyone in the absence of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey (ankle).