Browns, Falcons look to `mash' it up behind RBs
passes in each of his starts and last week ran for more than 100 yards for the second consecutive game. These are two of the best teams in the league, and they should score a lot of points. Still, the outcome should be close.
VIKINGS VS. SAINTS
This one's set for London. The Vikings stole a game against the Detroit Lions last week but lost running back Dalvin Cook, who dislocated his shoulder and is listed as day-to-day. Defenses are playing the Vikings' star receiver Justin Jefferson tough, and he hasn't scored a touchdown in Minnesota's past two games.
The Saints lost to a bad Carolina Panthers team last week, but New Orleans' flop appeared to have had more to do with penalties, turnovers and poor quarterback protection by the offensive line than with Jameis Winston's back injury.
TITANS AT COLTS
The Titans and Colts aren't just
AFC South Division rivals, the teams also feature two of the best running backs in the NFL. Derrick Henry was the league rushing champ in 2019 and 2020, then missed the back half of Tennessee's 2021 season, when Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor claimed the title. After the confounding choice not to feed Taylor in a shutout loss to the Jaguars in Week 2, the Colts returned to what works, handing him 21 carries in a shocking win over Kansas City. In that game, rookie tight end Jelani Woods emerged for two touchdown catches. Henry had to be not only the Titans' best rusher but, catching five passes for 58 yards last week, also the team's second-best receiver.
CHIEFS AT BUCCANEERS
Tonight's prime-time game is a rematch of the 2020 season's Super Bowl, which was the last time these two teams faced each other. Kansas City and Tampa Bay are both coming off losses, but Tom Brady looks to get a boost from the return of receiver Mike Evans and, potentially, Julio Jones' first start of the season. Brady had just three touchdown passes in as many games playing without his top three receivers. The Buccaneers treaded water behind one of the best defenses in the NFL and now the offense might finally find its spark.
COMMANDERS AT COWBOYS
This very well might be Cooper Rush's last game as the Cowboys' starting quarterback now that Dak Prescott has indicated that he plans to be back on the field by Week 5. Winning his two starts, Rush proved he can manage the offensive game plan. Washington looked terrible last week, giving up nine sacks of Carson Wentz and face the NFL's sack leaders. But the Commanders still rank higher than Dallas in nearly every offensive statistical category.
SEAHAWKS AT LIONS
The Lions face some key injuries to starters, including those of receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, running back D'Andre Swift and safety Tracy Walker. Walker's absence in the secondary will matter: Last week, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith put up 325 yards of offense against a battered Falcons defense.
CHARGERS AT TEXANS
There were concerns last week about Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert's rib injury; now, there are concerns about the whole team. Los Angeles added eight players to the injury report after Sunday's blowout loss to the Jaguars, including tackle Rashawn Slater (out for the season with a torn biceps) and linebacker Joey Bosa (out for surgery to repair a groin injury).
BEARS AT GIANTS
The Giants' two-game win streak came to an abrupt halt, met by the Cowboys' defense that pressured Daniel Jones a record 23 times and collected five sacks. Adding injury to insult, Giants receiver Sterling Shepard tore his anterior cruciate ligament on the offense's last play of the game. The Bears are coming off a win despite a poor Week 3 performance from quarterback Justin Fields, who threw two interceptions against the Texans and has not thrown a touchdown pass since the season opener. He should be able to hand the ball off with ease to Khalil Herbert or David Montgomery against the Giants, who give up 5.3 rushing yards per attempt, fifthmost in the league.
JETS AT STEELERS
The Jets put left tackle George Fant on injured reserve, where he joined two of the team's other offensive lineman. The timing couldn't be worse as quarterback Zach Wilson is expected to return to the lineup this week after getting knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus in training camp. Pittsburgh struggled against the Browns last week, and fans' calls have grown louder for coach Mike Tomlin to bench quarterback Mitch Trubisky in favor of rookie Kenny Pickett. Tomlin is benching veteran nose tackle Tyson Alualu for Montravius Adams, probably a reaction to Nick Chubb's running for 113 yards on the Steelers last Thursday night.
CARDINALS AT PANTHERS
The Cardinals' best weapon is their quarterback, Kyler Murray, who is one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the NFL. For some reason, the team hasn't been letting him scramble and run. His rush attempts are down from 6.3 per game to 4. Carolina is coming off its first win of the season, but its defense still let a banged-up Jameis Winston throw for 353 yards.
PATRIOTS AT PACKERS
Mac Jones looked tough last week in New England's loss to the Ravens, but he sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter after the game was all but lost. Brian Hoyer, a 14-year NFL veteran, will replace him. Hoyer is 1-12as a starter since the 2016 season.
BRONCOS AT RAIDERS
The Raiders sneaked into the playoffs last season but, after spending to add Davante Adams and Chandler Jones before this season, are the only 0-3 team in the league. This may be a good week to get their first win. Las Vegas hosts the Broncos, who got a second win last week by beating the 49ers by one point in an unimpressive effort in which Denver punted 10 times. The Broncos might be the worst 2-1 team in the NFL.