San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Young QBs leading theway
When the Dolphins leave the oceanfront and head to the desert to play the Cardinals on Sunday, it will be about more than Tua Tagovailoa vs. Kyler Murray.
It’s about two rising teams, perhaps earlier than anyone truly thought logical. Two playoff contenders with dynamic young coaches, one trained to test defenses with wide-open offensive schemes (Arizona’s Kliff Kingsbury). The other, a former assistant in New England (Miami’s Brian Flores) who just might be a product of the Patriots’ coaching tree who can succeed in charge elsewhere.
Off this week are Cincinnati (2-5-1), Cleveland (5-3), Philadelphia (3-4-1) and the Los Angeles Rams (5-3).
NEW ORLEANS AT TAMPA BAY
Forget the over/under on this game, what’s the over/ under on the times the broadcasters mention DrewBrees and TomBrady.
It figures their matchup could not only decide this game, but eventually the NFC South. The Saints won the opening-week meeting, but both teams have progressed significantly since.
SEATTLE AT BUFFALO
The Bills could go 7-2 for the first time since 1993, when they went to the Super Bowl for the last time.
Seattle’s Russell Wilson is on the verge of several NFL marks. Wilson’s 92 wins are tied with Peyton Manning for most through a quarterback’s first nine seasons, and his 101 career wins are tied with Brady for most by a quarterback over the same span.
CHICAGO AT TENNESSEE
This could come down to whether Chicago, with its mediocre offense, can ride its defense to victory. That would mean shutting down Titans running back Derrick Henry, the NFL’s leading rusher with 775 yards.
BALTIMORE AT INDIANAPOLIS
Baltimore has won a league-high nine straight road games, including three this season. The Ravens have a takeaway in 20 straight outings.
They will be missing two 2019 All-Pros, though. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) is done for the season, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey is on the COVIDlist.
CAROLINA AT KANSAS CITY
Christian McCaffrey might finally be back froma sprained ankle that sidelined the 2019 All-Pro running back for six weeks.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid has 229 wins, tied with Curly Lambeau for fifth most in NFL history. Kansas City is tied for the league lead in takeaways with 14 and has caused at least one turnover in 10 straight regular-season games.
LAS VEGAS
AT L.A. CHARGERS
The Chargers have lost eight straight against AFC West opponents, tied with Detroit for the longest current losing streak in division games.
Las Vegas had three drives last week that covered at least eight minutes and five drives of at least 10 plays. Running back Josh Jacobs had 31carries for a season-high 128 yards, the most carries in a game for a Raiders player in 13 years.
NEW ENGLAND AT NEW YORK JETS
New England enters Monday’s game on a fourgame losing streak, its longest skid since 2002.
The Patriots will try to avoid losing five straight games for the first time since 1995.
DENVER AT ATLANTA
Denver’s defense could be the deciding factor. Bradley Chubb has sacks in four consecutive games, Malik Reed in three. And the Broncos rank third in red-zone defense (48 percent); the Falcons are 27th in red-zone offense (53.3 percent).
DETROIT ATMINNESOTA
One of themore lopsided division rivalries, with Minnesota ahead 76-39-2 and havingwon six in a row. But the Vikings also have lost their past five home games since a win against Detroit last December.
NEW YORK GIANTS ATWASHINGTON
New York must protect Daniel Jones against pass rushers Ryan Kerrigan, who has 7½ sacks against the Giants, defensive end Montez Sweat, who leads Washington with five sacks, and second overall draft pick Chase Young.