The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bills seek spark with new OC
New coordinator Joe Brady and the Buffalo offense hope to start fast against the rival Jets
PITTSBURGH (6-3) at CLEVELAND (6-3) Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Browns by 4
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Steelers 6-3; Browns 6-3
SERIES RECORD: Steelers lead 79-61-1
LAST MEETING: Steelers beat Browns 26-22 on Sept. 18, 2023
LAST WEEK: Steelers beat Packers; Browns beat Ravens
KEY MATCHUP: Cleveland's offensive tackles vs. Pittsburgh edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Protecting QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson will be paramount against a Steelers defense known for making life miserable for young QBs. Both Highsmith (interception return) and Watt (fumble return) scored in the Week 2 matchup.
FANTASY TIP: Browns RB Jerome Ford rushed for 106 yards and a TD in the first meeting with Pittsburgh. He could have an even larger role in the game plan this time as Cleveland may want to keep things simple for Thompson-Robinson.
LAS VEGAS (5-5) at MIAMI (6-3) Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Dolphins by 12½
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Raiders 5-5; Dolphins 6-3
SERIES RECORD: Raiders lead 21-19-1 (including postseason)
LAST MEETING: Raiders beat Dolphins 31-28 on Sep. 26, 2021
LAST WEEK: Raiders beat Jets; Dolphins were on a bye
KEY MATCHUP: The Raiders defense vs. Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill, who has yet to have consecutive sub-100-yard receiving games all season. Hill is coming off a 62-yard outing against his former team, Kansas City, in Week 9, and he didn't reach the end zone for the first time in four games. Hill still leads the NFL in yards (1,076), receiving touchdowns (eight), and plays of at least 40 yards (seven) as defenses simply haven't found a way to contain him downfield.
FANTASY TIP: The Raiders have held each of their previous two opponents to 12 points or fewer, but it's hard to believe that they'll be able to slow down Hill, Tua Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Waddle, especially at home. The Raiders are also suspect against the run, so even if they find a way to contain Miami's deep threats, it could be another big game for Mostert.
ARIZONA (2-8) at HOUSTON (5-4) Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Texas by 4½
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Arizona 5-5; Houston 5-4
SERIES RECORD: Cardinals lead 3-2
LAST MEETING: Cardinals beat Texans 31-5 on Oct. 24, 2021
LAST WEEK: Cardinals beat Falcons; Texans beat Bengals
KEY MATCHUP: Houston QB C.J. Stroud vs. Arizona's pass defense. The second overall pick ranks second in the NFL with 2,626 yards passing and has 15 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Stroud is the second rookie in NFL history with consecutive games with at least 350 yards passing and a 350-yard game Sunday would make him the first rookie to have three in a row. He'll face a pass defense which ranks 11th in the NFL, allowing just 208.4 yards passing a game after limiting the Falcons to a season-low 70 yards passing last week.
FANTASY TIP: Texans WR Nico Collins could be a good pickup after having two games with more than 145 yards receiving at home this season.
NEW YORK GIANTS (2-8) at WASHINGTON (4-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Washington by 9½
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Giants 2-7-1; Commanders 5-4-1
SERIES RECORD: Giants lead 107-71-5
LAST MEETING: Giants beat Commanders 14-7 on Oct. 22
LAST WEEK: Giants lost to Cowboys; Commanders lost to Seahawks
KEY MATCHUP: Giants’ RB Saquon Barkley vs. the Commanders defense. One of Washington's biggest problems has been allowing plays of 20 yards or more, and Barkley is capable of continuing that trend. Commanders defenders say the problem has been individual mistakes, not defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio's scheme, and hope they can limit the big plays this weekend.
FANTASY TIP: RB Brian Robinson is still an important part of the Commanders offense, even if they slant heavily toward the pass. The 2022 third-round pick out of Alabama has 256 yards receiving this season, which ranks seventh among running backs.
TENNESSEE (3-6) at JACKSONVILLE (6-3) Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Jaguars by 7
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Tennessee 4-5; Jacksonville 6-3
SERIES RECORD: Titans lead 33-23
LAST MEETING: Jaguars beat Titans 20-16 on Jan. 7, 2023
LAST WEEK: Titans lost at Buccaneers; Jaguars lost to 49ers
KEY MATCHUP: Titans' Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry versus Jacksonville's struggling offensive line. Simmons (4 1/2) and Autry (6) have a combined 10 1/2 sacks in nine games and should give Tennessee an edge up front against the Jaguars. QB Trevor Lawrence has been sacked 24 times, three shy of last season's total, and many believe O-line play has been Jacksonville's biggest offensive issue in 2023.
FANTASY TIP: Titans RB Derrick Henry versus his hometown team is always a safe play. WR DeAndre Hopkins has been fairly quiet against the Jaguars over the years, totaling just six TDs and two 100-yard games in 15 starts.
DALLAS (6-3) at CAROLINA (1-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Cowboys by 10½
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Dallas 6-3; Carolina 1-6-2
SERIES RECORD: Cowboys lead 10-5
LAST MEETING: Cowboys beat Panthers 36-28 on Oct. 3, 2021
LAST WEEK: Cowboys beat Giants; Panthers lost to Bears
KEY MATCHUP: Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb vs. the Carolina secondary. The prolific wideout has been on an absolute tear of late with 51 receptions for 617 yards and three touchdowns in the past four games. He's surpassed 100 yards receiving in each of those games. He will face a Carolina secondary that has been plagued by injuries, but may get CB Jaycee Horn back this week. Horn has been out since Week 1 with a hamstring injury. Regardless of whether Horn is back, Lamb presents all sorts of problems for a defense that has allowed the third-most points in the league.
FANTASY TIP: Cowboys RB Tony Pollard has had a rather disappointing season from a fantasy football perspective, but this could be the game he finally breaks out. Pollard will face a Carolina defense that has struggled all season to stop the run. Carolina is allowing nearly 132 yards per game on the ground and has allowed 15 touchdowns rushing. Start Pollard with plenty of confidence this week.
CHICAGO (3-7) at DETROIT (7-2) Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Lions by 8½
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Bears 3-6-1; Lions 7-2
SERIES RECORD: Bears lead 104-77-5
LAST MEETING: Lions beat Bears 41-10 on Jan. 1
LAST WEEK: Bears beat Panthers; Lions beat Chargers
KEY MATCHUP: Detroit's running game against Chicago's run-stuffing defense. The Lions have developed a dynamic ground game with David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, ranking fourth in team rushing.
FANTASY TIP: Lions’ WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is averaging a league-high 8.1 catches a game, is one of the hottest players in the NFL. If St. Brown has 100 yards receiving, he will join Odell Beckham Jr. and Isaac Bruce as the three players in league history under 25 with 100plus yards receiving in five consecutive games.
L.A. CHARGERS (4-5) at GREEN BAY (3-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Chargers by 3
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Chargers 4-5; Packers 4-5
SERIES RECORD: Packers lead 10-2
LAST MEETING: Chargers beat Packers 26-11 on Nov. 3, 2019
LAST WEEK: Chargers lost to Lions; Packers lost to Steelers
KEY MATCHUP: QB Justin Herbert vs. Packers secondary. Green Bay has been dealing with multiple injuries in its secondary, but has allowed just 119 yards passing in each of its past two games. The opposing quarterbacks in those games were Brett Rypien and Kenny Pickett. Herbert obviously offers a significantly tougher challenge.
FANTASY TIP: After a rough stretch, QB Jordan Love has played better of late. The Packers will need to score to keep up with the Chargers' high-powered offense. That could mean Love produces some big numbers against a Chargers defense that allows the most yards passing per game in the league.
TAMPA BAY (4-5) at SAN FRANCISCO (6-3) Sunday, 4:05 p.m., Fox
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: 49ers by 10½
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Buccaneers 6-3, 49ers 5-3-1
SERIES RECORD: 49ers lead 19-7
LAST MEETING: 49ers beat Buccaneers 35-7 on Dec. 11, 2022
LAST WEEK: Buccaneers beat Titans; 49ers beat Jaguars
KEY MATCHUP: Bucs OL vs. Niners pass rush. Tampa Bay has done a good job protecting QB Baker Mayfield with the 16 sacks allowed this season tied for the fourth fewest in the NFL. But the Bucs could have their hands full against the Niners. San Francisco's pass rush got a big boost with the addition of edge rusher Chase Young as a bookend across from Nick Bosa and had five sacks last week.
FANTASY TIP: 49ers’ RB Christian McCaffrey had his recordtying 17-game streak with at least one TD snapped last week. Keeping him out of the end zone two weeks in a row could be tough. Even without a TD, McCaffrey gained 142 yards from scrimmage to add to his league-leading rushing total.
NEW YORK JETS (4-5) at BUFFALO (5-5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Bills by 6½
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Jets 4-4-1; Buffalo 3-7
SERIES RECORD: Bills lead 68-58
LAST MEETING: Jets beat Bills 22-16 in OT on Sept. 11
LAST WEEK: Jets lost to Raiders; Bills lost to Broncos
KEY MATCHUP: Bills QB Josh Allen vs. Jets S Jordan Whitehead. Allen leads the NFL with 11 interceptions and has been picked off at least once in a career-worst stretch of six consecutive games. Whitehead's four interceptions are tied for third in the NFL, with three of them thrown by Allen in the season opener. He also intercepted Allen in the Jets' 2017 win a year ago.
FANTASY TIP: Don't be fooled by the Bills switching coordinators. The Jets' defense is a solid play against a Bills offense that turned the ball over four times against Denver and 13 times in its past six. New York's defense has also had Buffalo's number over the past three outings in limiting the Bills to a combined 43 points, with 13 sacks and forcing six turnovers.
SEATTLE (6-3) at L.A. RAMS (3-6)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Seahawks by 1
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Seahawks 4-5; Rams 3-4-2
SERIES RECORD: Seahawks lead 27-23
LAST MEETING: Rams beat Seahawks 30-13 on Sept. 10
LAST WEEK: Seahawks beat Commanders; Rams had bye
KEY MATCHUP: Rams WR Cooper Kupp vs. Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon. Both players missed the teams' first game while sidelined by hamstring injuries, so this will be the first time the All-Pro receiver and outstanding rookie defender face off. Kupp got off to a fast start, totaling 15 catches for 266 yards and one touchdown in his first two games, but has eight grabs for 98 yards plus a 2-point conversion in his past three. Witherspoon has 12 passes defended, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception he returned 97 yards for a touchdown through his first eight games. The positional versatility of both players should result in an intriguing chess match as Seahawks try to find ways to keep Witherspoon on Kupp while the Rams attempt to free him up.
FANTASY TIP: The Rams tend to have a good handle on the Seahawks' passing game in recent years, so Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf might not be automatic starts this week. Lockett is averaging five receptions and 64.8 yards in his past six games in the series, including two grabs for 10 yards in the opener. Metcalf has one 100-yard game in nine regular-season meetings.
MINNESOTA (6-4) at DENVER (4-5) Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Broncos by 2½
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Minnesota 6-4, Denver 3-5-1
SERIES RECORD: Vikings lead 8-7
LAST MEETING: Vikings beat Broncos 27-23 on Nov. 17, 2019
LAST WEEK: Vikings beat Saints; Broncos beat Bills
KEY MATCHUP: QB Joshua Dobbs vs. a Broncos defense that has forced nine turnovers in the past two games, five against Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs and four against Josh Allen's Bills.
FANTASY TIP: RB Javonte Williams has averaged 82 yards rushing during the Broncos' three-game winning streak and has touchdown catches in each of his past two outings. But he has yet to run for a TD since returning from the knee injury that sidelined him for most of last season.
PHILADELPHIA (8-1) at KANSAS CITY (7-2)
Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Chiefs by 3
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Eagles 5-2-2; Chiefs 6-3
SERIES RECORD: Chiefs lead series 6-4
LAST MEETING: Chiefs beat Eagles 38-35 in the Super Bowl on Feb. 12, 2023
LAST WEEK: Eagles bye; Chiefs bye
KEY MATCHUP: Eagles WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith against the Kansas City secondary, which held the high-flying Dolphins under wraps - Hill had eight catches for 62 yards and Waddle had three for 42. Brown is coming off a seven-catch, 66-yard performance against the Cowboys, and Smith had three for 51 yards, while both had TD receptions.
FANTASY TIP: If there is one weakness for Philadelphia, it is the pass defense, which is better than only four other teams in the league. TE Travis Kelce is always a must-start player, but this could be a good week to stick WR Rashee Rice into the starting lineup, and perhaps take a flyer on big-play threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling.