San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Bengals take on Ravens for top spot in tough AFC North
Nearly everyone expected a tight race for the AFC North title, which also could carry a playoff bye with it.
Not many of those prognosticators would have cited the Bengals as being in the division mix. Yet, if they win at Baltimore on Sunday, the Bengals (4-2) will be tied for the top spot with the Ravens (5-1), and looking back at Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
The Bengals have a solid defense led by linebacker Logan Wilson, and an emerging attack with Joe Burrow throwing to an upgraded group of receivers that includes firstround draft choice Ja’Marr Chase.
This can be a true statement game for Cincinnati. Baltimore has won the past five meetings. The Ravens are 5-1 for the fourth time in franchise history and the second straight season. They have never started 6-1.
The action began Thursday night, when Case Keenum stepped in for Baker Mayfield and made the most of his first start in two years, leading the Browns to a 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos.
Off this week are Buffalo (4-2), Dallas (5-1), Jacksonville (1-5), Minnesota (3-3), Pittsburgh (3-3) and the L.A. Chargers (4-2).
Detroit (0-6) at L.A. Rams (5-1)
Detroit is the NFL’s only winless team and has lost 10 straight, going back to last year, the league’s longest active losing streak. Coach Dan Campbell questioned quarterback Jared Goff ’s performance against Cincinnati, and now Goff returns to L.A., from which the
Rams dealt him to Detroit for Matthew Stafford.
Washington (2-4) at Green Bay (5-1)
Green Bay has won five
in a row, and Aaron Rodgers has thrown 12 touchdown passes with only one interception during the streak.
Washington ranks last in stopping the pass and in scoring, and is 31st overall.
Kansas City (3-3) at Tennessee (4-2)
Neither defense has shown the ability to take command, which means Patrick Mahomes could
be completing tons of passes for K.C., and Derrick Henry might be rushing for hundreds of yards for Tennessee.
Philadelphia (2-4) at Las Vegas (4-2)
Following a strong performance in a victory at Denver, the Raiders must show some staying power. Las Vegas had seven pass plays of at least 25 yards last week, the most in a game since
at least 1991.
Chicago (3-3) at Tampa Bay (5-1)
Nobody envies Chicago, which goes from Aaron Rodgers, who yelled so accurately during last’s week’s win at Soldier
Field that he owns the Bears, to Tom Brady.
Brady is 5-1 lifetime against the Bears, with the lone loss coming last season.
Indianapolis (2-4) at San Francisco (2-3)
Jimmy Garoppolo returns at quarterback for the Niners, who come off an open date during which they stewed about three consecutive defeats.
The Colts have won the past four meetings in the series.
New Orleans (3-2) at Seattle (2-4)
The Seahawks are 0-2 at home in 2021, and the previous time Seattle dropped four consecutive home games was 2008, when the Seahawks lost five straight.
New York Jets (1-4) at New England (2-4)
Even as the Patriots have become mediocre without Brady, they’ve handled the Jets. A win would give them 12 in a row, the past four without their quarterback.
Carolina (3-3) at New York Giants (1-5)
The Giants’ best weapon could be kicker Graham Gano. Indeed, the Panthers’ past two wins over New York came on field goals by the current Giants kicker.
Carolina has lost its past three outings, not coincidentally games in which standout running back Christian McCaffrey was sidelined.
Atlanta (2-3) at Miami (1-5)
Miami is 9-0 when it scores at least 20 points against Atlanta, 0-4 otherwise.