San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Bills eye redemption against Chiefs
Let’s hold off on the talk of the Bills’ second trip to Kansas City this year being a possible AFC championship game preview. Sure, they met in January for a chance to go to the Super Bowl, with the Chiefs prevailing. And yes, they both can be powerhouses in the superior conference.
Kansas City (2-2) has won five of its last six against Buffalo (3-1).
“I mean, of course we hated the way that it ended last year,” 2020 All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs said. “Anybody with a competitive nature would hate the way that it ended. But it’s a big game because it’s the next game, and it’s the same way that we approached all the games previous to this, so I wouldn’t make it more than what it is. And we aren’t doing that.”
That could be made easier by a slumping KC defense that ranks 31st overall and in scoring.
Meanwhile, the Bills have yet to allow 300 yards of offense or 80 yards rushing in a game and have two shutouts.
San Francisco (2-2) at Arizona (4-0)
Their impressive win at the Rams last Sunday stamped the Cardinals as legit. This is a rapidly maturing team on offense, defense, special teams and in coaching. The last time they were 5-0 was 1974 in St. Louis.
San Francisco is tied with Jacksonville with a leaguelow one takeaway and has the third-worst turnover margin at minus-5. Firstround draft pick Trey Lance could start if Jimmy Garoppolo’s calf injury sidelines him.
Cleveland (3-1) at L.A. Chargers (3-1)
Maybe the Browns don’t seem too concerned with Baker Mayfield’s left shoulder issues because their running game with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt is so dangerous. Or maybe because they have allowed 266 yards rushing through four games, the fewest in franchise history, and have the league’s top sackmaster in Myles Garrett with six.
They’ll need that kind of pressure against Justin Herbert, who has 10 300-yard passing games through his first 19 starts.
Green Bay (3-1) at Cincinnati (3-1)
Despite some key injuries since, the Packers and 2020 MVP Aaron Rodgers have turned it around. Rodgers has 420 career touchdown passes, one shy of Philip Rivers for fifth place. But the Pack hasn’t won in Cincinnati since 1998.
Miami (1-3) at Tampa Bay (3-1)
The last time Miami won at Tampa Bay, the Dolphins had Don Shula as coach, Dan Marino at quarterback and Raymond James Stadium was nearly a decade from being built. Miami
won at Tampa Stadium 17-14 in 1988; the Dolphins are 0-3 at Tampa since.
Denver (3-1) at Pittsburgh (1-3)
So much depends on the status of Denver’s Teddy Bridgewater, who has been in the concussion protocol.
The Steelers’ rebuilt blocking unit has allowed at least two sacks in each of the first four games. Denver has a strong pass rush led by Von Miller, who already has 4½ sacks.
Chicago (2-2) at Las Vegas (3-1)
So Justin Fields is now the full-time starter in Chicago, ending the confusion coach Matt Nagy created.
Good luck to the rookie behind this O-line: The Bears have allowed sacks on a league-worst 13.7 percent of pass plays.
Philadelphia (1-3) at Carolina (3-1)
Sam Darnold must eagerly be anticipating this matchup. He will face a Philadelphia defense that has allowed a whopping 83 points and 851 total yards in the past two weeks. Darnold, showing form he never displayed with the Jets, also has five touchdown rushing, the most ever by an NFL quarterback through four games.
New Orleans (2-2) at Washington (2-2)
Washington was supposed to excel defensively, yet it ranks 29th overall and 30th in scoring.
New Orleans either looks great or abysmal, which it was at home to the thenwinless Giants last Sunday, allowing 485 yards of total offense.
New York Jets (1-3) vs. Atlanta (1-3)
Atlanta will be without its prime weapon, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, for personal reasons in London. The Falcons’ defense has been wretched, but then again, New York’s offense was invisible until last week’s win over Tennessee.
Indianapolis (1-3) at Baltimore (3-1)
Facing the Ravens in prime time Monday night is no treat. Baltimore is 16-2 at home at night under coach John Harbaugh. They could set an NFL record with a 44th straight 100-yard rushing game.
Tennessee (2-2) at Jacksonville (0-4)
Tennessee did everything but win at the Jets last week. Another collapse against the Jaguars would raise some serious doubts about the Titans. Tennessee has won three in a row and seven of the last eight against the Jags, but listed 21 players on its injured list.
Detroit (0-4) at Minnesota (1-3)
The Lions have dropped eight in a row dating to last season. The Vikings have won seven straight games over the Lions, who have have lost 21 of their last 27 at Minnesota.