High-powered Browns take on stingy Colts in showcase game
The Browns might be for real. The Colts, too.
We could find out today, when Indianapolis visits Cleveland. Both teams are 3-1, winners of three in a row, and carrying questions about whom they have beaten.
The Browns were pummeled by Baltimore before defeating Cincinnati, Washington and Dallas, who have a combined record of 3-8-1. Indy lost badly at Jacksonville, which since has dropped three in a row, and then defeated Minnesota, the Jets and Chicago, who are a combined 5-8.
This matchup could prove something, with Cleveland’s dynamic offense facing the league’s most stingy defense.
Today:
Philadelphia (1-2-1) at Pittsburgh (3-0):
The Pennsylvania showdown matches two firstplace teams. Say what?
The Eagles are atop the wretched NFC East, displaying the kind of grit and resourcefulness any fan base should be proud of — until they lose again.
Pittsburgh was off last week while planned opponent Tennessee dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak. Fans are allowed at Heinz Field for the first time this season, since Pennsylvania officials amended occupancy guidelines at outdoor events.
Las Vegas (2-2) at Kansas City (4-0): The Raiders have dropped two straight, and this isn’t a good place to turn it around. They have lost their past seven games at Kansas City and five straight in the series overall.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are 4-0 for the fourth straight season, an NFL mark. They are trying to start 5-0 for the third time in four seasons, have won a franchiserecord 13 consecutive games.
Cincinnati (1-2-1) at Baltimore (3-1): Joe Burrow looks like the real thing: He has three straight 300-yard passing games, a rookie record. And his top running back, Joe Mixon, has
been a stud.
That said, the Bengals face a difficult test in Baltimore. The Ravens are 26-11 against the AFC North at home under coach John Harbaugh.
Two of this year’s most productive kickers will be featured. The Ravens’ Justin Tucker is 8 for 8 on field goals and owns an NFL career-best 91% success rate on field goals. Cincy’s Randy Bullock is tied for the NFL lead in scoring with 45 points.
Miami (1-3) at San Francisco (2-2): San Francisco is 0-2 at home, 2-0 at the New Jersey Meadowlands. Huh?
The Niners can’t keep struggling in the league’s toughest division, where Seattle already is 4-0.
Miami is playing decently despite its record, outscored only 96-93. The game is the Dolphins’ first in San Francisco since 2012.
Minnesota (1-3) at Seattle (4-0): The Seahawks are off to a terrific start. The previous time they took their first four games, they went on to win the Super Bowl.
Russell Wilson tied Peyton
Manning’s record with 16 TD passes in the first four games of a season. Wilson has a 113.5 career passer rating in five games against the Vikings.
Minnesota has never beaten Seattle coach Pete Carroll, dropping six in a row vs. the Seahawks since a 2009 win.
Jacksonville (1-3) at Houston (0-4): Coach Bill O’Brien is out in Houston, with Lynchburg native Romeo Crennel becoming the league’s oldest head coach at age 73. The talent seems to be there for the Texans, but they rank last in rushing offense AND defense.
Jacksonville has dropped three in a row in 2020 and four straight to the Texans.
Carolina (2-2) at Atlanta (0-4): Another defeat could send Atlanta’s Dan Quinn packing like O’Brien, and the Falcons’ winless start is just as puzzling.
Carolina, however, has shown lots of spunk under rookie head coach Matt Rhule, winning two straight and getting solid offensive contributions from everyone in the absence of 2019 All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey (ankle).