Jets, Dolphins clash for 112th time
Historic rivalry is deadlocked at 55-55-1, which includes one playoff meeting
The Miami Dolphins and N.Y. Jets have played 111 times including a postseason game won by Miami and the series is tied 55-55-1. The Dolphins have won six of the last seven meetings and could reclaim the series lead for the first time in just over 21 years. Miami is coming off a stunning 2210 victory over Baltimore. New York lost last week to Buffalo and is the first team to give up at least 45 points three times in a four-game span since the Giants in 1966. Joe Flacco will start at quarterback for the Jets in place of the injured Zach Wilson.
MIAMI (3-7) at N.Y. JETS (2-7) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS
BETTING LINE: Dolphins by 3 .5.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Dolphins 4-6; Jets 2-7.
SERIES RECORD: Series tied 55-55-1.
LAST MEETING: Dolphins beat Jets 20-3 in 2020, in New Jersey.
LAST WEEK: Dolphins beat Ravens 22-10; Jets lost to Bills 45-17.
KEY MATCHUP: New York offensive line vs. Miami front seven. Miami made things miserable for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in their last game by dialing up lots of Cover Zero with blitzes and a heavy pass rush. That’s one reason New York chose to start veteran Joe Flacco over the inexperienced Mike White this week, hoping he’ll be able to take advantage of the weakness in the secondary if/when the Dolphins run that scheme.
FANTASY TIP: Dolphins RB Myles Gaskin has been frustratingly inconsistent for fantasy managers who have plugged him in every week. This might be the week to keep him in your lineup. The Jets’ run defense has been awful and Gaskin might find room to make plays out of the backfield.
SAN FRANCISCO (4-5) at JACKSONVILLE (2-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox
OPENING LINE: 49ers by 6.5.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: San Francisco 3-6; Jacksonville 4-5.
SERIES RECORD: 49ers lead 3-2.
LAST MEETING: 49ers beat Jaguars 44-33 in 2017, in California.
LAST WEEK: 49ers beat Rams 31-10; Jaguars lost at Colts 23-17.
KEY MATCHUP: San Francisco’s improving ground game versus Jacksonville’s stout run defense. The Niners are coming off a season-high 156 yards rushing against the Rams and averaged 8.6 yards a carry two weeks earlier at Chicago. The Jaguars settled down after a shaky start last week against the Colts – Jonathan Taylor had 93 yards rushing in the first quarter -- and were solid for the fourth consecutive game.
FANTASY TIP: Samuel and Kittle are must starts against Jacksonville, whose defense is a sleeper pick. The Jaguars have allowed two touchdowns and five field goals in their last two games.
DETROIT (0-8-1) at CLEVELAND (5-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox
OPENING LINE: Browns by 11 .5.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Lions 5-4; Browns 5-5.
SERIES RECORD: Lions lead series 19-5.
LAST MEETING: Lions beat Browns 38-24 in 2017, at Detroit.
LAST WEEK: Lions tied Steelers 16-16; Browns lost to Pats 45-7.
KEY MATCHUP: Lions TE T.J. Hockenson vs. Browns LBs and secondary. Hockenson (48 catches) is one of Detroit’s primary offensive weapons, so he’ll get plenty of attention from Cleveland’s defense, which has struggled against tight ends. Rookie LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has shown he can cover and could draw the assignment.
FANTASY TIP: The pressure is building on Mayfield to deliver some quality performances to not only help keep the Browns in the playoff race but convince them he’s worthy of a contract extension. He’s played his best with his back to the wall, and that’s the case again — assuming he’s healthy enough to go.
HOUSTON TEXANS (1-8) at TENNESSEE (8-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS
BETTING LINE: Titans by 10.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Texans 4-5; Titans 7-3.
SERIES RECORD: Titans lead 21-17.
LAST MEETING: Titans beat Texans 41-38, Jan. 3 in Houston.
LAST WEEK: Texans had a byei; Titans beat Saints 23-21.
KEY MATCHUP: The Titans have been trying to find a rhythm with D’Onta Foreman and Adrian Peterson replacing Derrick Henry in the run game. The Texans are giving up an average of 136.9 yards per game on the ground.
FANTASY TIP: Titans WR A.J. Brown. He had 10 catches for 151 yards and a TD in the last game in this series. Brown caught only one pass for 16 yards last week and usually bounces back strong after such a performance. WASHINGTON (3-6) at CAROLINA (5-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox OPENING LINE: Patriots by 3 .5.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Washington 2-7; Panthers 5-5. SERIES RECORD: Washington leads 9-7.
LAST MEETING: Panthers beat Washington 20-13 in 2020 in Maryland.
LAST WEEK: Washington beat Bucs 29-19; Panthers beat Cardinals 34-10.
KEY MATCHUP: Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey vs. Washington front seven. McCaffrey is starting to feel healthier and that’s a problem for the opposition. The 2019 All-Pro had 161 yards from scrimmage last week vs. Arizona despite still seeing a reduced number of carries since returning from injured reserve. He faces a stingy run defense that ranks sixth in the league. However, Washington is 30th in pass defense, which means McCaffrey could be a dominant weapon through the air. McCaffrey has 11 games with 10 or more catches during his career, the most by a running back in NFL history.
FANTASY TIP: Panthers WR Robby Anderson has endured a brutal season with Sam Darnold at the helm, but he seems rejuvenated now that Newton has taken over at quarterback. Anderson had a touchdown last week and could be ready to re-emerge as a receiving threat with a new QB.
INDIANAPOLIS (5-5) at BUFFALO (6-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS
BETTING LINE: Buffalo by 7.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Buffalo 6-3; Indianapolis 6-4.
SERIES RECORD: Bills lead 38-32-1.
LAST MEETING: Bills beat Colts 27-24 on Jan. 9 at Buffalo in AFC wild-card playoff.
LAST WEEK: Colts beat Jags 23-17; Bills beat Jets 45-17.
KEY MATCHUP: RB Jonathan Taylor vs. Bills D. Taylor has topped 100 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown in each of his past seven games. It’s the NFL’s third-longest streak, behind Lydell Mitchell and LaDainian Tomlinson, who each had eight-game runs. Taylor combined for just 84 yards from scrimmage (78 rushing) in the playoff loss at Buffalo in January. The Bills have held seven of nine opponents under 80 yards rushing this season.
FANTASY TIP: Don’t expect the Colts to defend Diggs with single-man coverage as the Jets did last weekend, which would lead to Allen eyeing other targets such as WR Emmanuel Sanders or TE Dawson Knox.
GREEN BAY (8-2) at MINNESOTA (4-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox
BETTING LINE: Packers by 2 .5.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Packers 9-1, Vikings 5-4.
SERIES RECORD: Packers lead 63-55-3.
LAST MEETING: Vikings beat Packers 28-22 in Green Bay in 2020.
LAST WEEK: Pack beat Seahawks 17-0; Viks beat Chargers 27-20
KEY MATCHUP: Packers OLB Preston Smith vs. Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw. With the status of OLB Rashan Gary uncertain because of an elbow injury and another key pass rusher, OLB Whitney Mercilus, out for the season with a torn biceps, the Packers will lean heavily on Smith to pressure Cousins and hold the edge against RB Dalvin Cook. Smith, a former teammate of Cousins in Washington, has three sacks this year. The rookie Darrisaw will make his fifth career start.
FANTASY TIP: Packers kicker Mason Crosby has missed seven of his last 12 field goal attempts, after making a franchise-record 27 in a row. Vikings kicker Greg Joseph has made all 14 kicks, including six field goals, over the last three games. He’s 10 for 11 on field goals and 6 for 6 on extra points inside U.S. Bank Stadium this year.
NEW ORLEANS (5-4) at PHILADELPHIA (4-6) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS
BETTING LINE: Eagles by 2.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Saints 5-4; Eagles 5-5.
SERIES RECORD: Eagles lead 18-15.
LAST MEETING: Eagles beat Saints 24-21 in 2020, in Philadelphia.
LAST WEEK: Saints lost to Titans 23-21; Eagles beat Broncos 30-13.
KEY MATCHUP: The Saints rank first in run defense, allowing 72.9 yards per game. The Eagles are third in rushing, averaging 144.3 yards per game. Led by dual-threat QB Jalen Hurts and Howard and Scott, the Eagles surpassed 175 yards rushing in three straight games, including 200-plus in both of their victories. Overall, they have 626 yards rushing in the past three games, an average of 208.7 per contest.
FANTASY TIP: Eagles rookie WR DeVonta Smith is coming off his first career two-TD game and is facing the 26th-ranked pass defense.
BALTIMORE (6-3) at CHICAGO (3-6) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS
BETTING LINE: Ravens by 5.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Baltimore 3-6, Chicago 4-5.
SERIES RECORD: Chicago leads 4-2.
LAST MEETING: Bears beat Ravens 27-24, OT, in 2017, in Baltimore
LAST WEEK: Ravens lost at Miami 22-10; Bears had a bye.
KEY MATCHUP: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson against Bears LB Roquan Smith. With his ability to beat teams with his arm and legs, Jackson poses a huge challenge. And Smith, the Bears’ best open-field tackler, figures to play a big role in containing him. Jackson was sacked four times last week and held to 39 yards rushing with Miami blitzing.
FANTASY TIP: Chicago TE Cole Kmet set season highs with six catches and 87 yards against Pittsburgh. And the second-year pro will be going against a team that has struggled to defend tight ends.
CINCINNATI (5-4) at LAS VEGAS (5-4) Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EST, CBS
BETTING LINE: Bengals by 1.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Cincinnati 4-5; Las Vegas 4-5.
SERIES RECORD: Raiders lead 21-11.
LAST MEETING: Raiders beat Bengals 17-10 in 2019, in Oakland.
LAST WEEK: Bengals had a bye; Raiders lost to Chiefs 41-14.
KEY MATCHUP: Bengals RT Reilly Reiff vs. Raiders DE Maxx Crosby. Reiff will have his hands full with Crosby, one of the most effective edge rushers this season. Crosby leads the NFL with 63 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, and had four sacks in his last game against the Bengals.
FANTASY TIP: After TE Darren Waller had only four catches on seven targets for 24 yards last week, the Raiders will likely make it a priority to get Waller involved early this week.
DALLAS (7-2) at KANSAS CITY (6-4) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, Fox
BETTING LINE: Chiefs by 2 .5
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Dallas 8-1, Kansas City 3-7.
SERIES RECORD: Cowboys lead 7-4.
LAST MEETING: Cowboys beat Chiefs 28-17 in 2017, in Texas.
LAST WEEK: Cowboys beat Falcons 43-3; Chiefs beat Raiders 41-14.
KEY MATCHUP: Cowboys QB Dak Prescott against Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. Sure, they won’t face each other, but whichever quarterback has the better game probably means his team wins. Prescott has a career-best six-game run with multiple TD passes, the longest active streak in the NFL, while Mahomes threw for 406 yards and five TDs last week against Las Vegas.
FANTASY TIP: Keep an eye on the inactive list Sunday. If the Chiefs have Edwards-Helaire active, it would greatly eat into the touches for Williams, who has become a fantasy star in his absence. Williams ran 11 times for 43 yards and caught nine passes for 101 yards and a score against the Raiders last week.
ARIZONA (8-2) at SEATTLE (3-6)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, Fox
OPENING LINE: Cardinals by 2.5
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Cardinals 7-3; Seahawks 5-4.
SERIES RECORD: Seahawks lead 22-21-1.
LAST MEETING: Seahawks beat Cardinals 28-21 in 2020, in Seattle.
LAST WEEK: Cardinals lost to Panthers 34-10; Seahawks lost to Packers 17-0.
KEY MATCHUP: Seattle’s run game vs. Arizona’s run defense. The Cardinals have taken over the crown of having the best secondary in the NFC West. If there is an area where Arizona has shown vulnerability it’s stopping the run. Seattle is desperate to get more consistency out of its run game to help the overall offensive efficiency. Expect the Seahawks to focus on getting Alex Collins, Rashaad Penny and others carries early to try and get the run game going.
FANTASY TIP: WR DK Metcalf has five touchdown receptions in his past three home games. He said after last week’s loss that Seattle’s playmakers need the ball more. It seems likely Wilson will give Metcalf more looks to find the end zone.
PITTSBURGH (5-3-1) at L.A. CHARGERS (5-4) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST, NBC
BETTING LINE: Chargers by 5 .5.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Pittsburgh 3-6; Los Angeles 5-4.
SERIES RECORD: Steelers lead 24-10.
LAST MEETING: Steelers beat Chargers 24-17 in 2019, in California.
LAST WEEK: Steelers tied Lions 16-16, OT; Chargers lost to Vikings 27-20.
KEY MATCHUP: Steelers RB Najee Harris vs. Chargers DL Linval Joseph. Just when Los Angeles showed glimpses of improvement stopping the run, limiting Minnesota to 103 yards that came mostly from the volume of attempts, it could face the rookie rusher from Alabama with interior lineman Jerry Tillery and edge presence Joey Bosa on the COVID-19 list. Joseph must be stout at the point of attack to limit Harris, who is coming off his second 100yard game. No matter who starts at quarterback, Pittsburgh will want a heavy dose of Harris to dictate the pace of play.
FANTASY TIP: Considering the Steelers allowed the Lions to pile up 229 yards on the ground on 5.8 yards per carry without any threat of a passing attack, Chargers RB Austin Ekeler should have his most productive outing since getting 117 yards rushing against Las Vegas in Week 4. If Ekeler, who hasn’t topped 66 yards in any other game, can’t get going as a runner, it will be time to write him off in formats that don’t reward his contributions as a receiver.
N.Y. GIANTS (3-6) at TAMPA BAY (6-3) Monday, 8:15 p.m. EST, ESPN
BETTING LINE: Buccaneers by 11.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Giants 5-4; Buccaneers 3-6.
SERIES RECORD: Giants lead 16-8.
LAST MEETING: Bucs beat Giants 25-23 in 2020 in New Jersey.
LAST WEEK: Giants had a bye, beat Las Vegas 23-16 on Nov. 7; Buccaneers lost at Washington 29-19.
KEY MATCHUP: Giants QB Daniel Jones against a defense that allowed Washington to compile nearly a 2 to 1 advantage in time of possession en route to last week’s upset of the defending Super Bowl champions. Tampa Bay’s secondary is still reeling from a rash of injuries that’s sidelined starting CBs Sean Murphy-Bunting and Carlton Davis for most of the season. CB Richard Sherman was placed on injured reserve this week. Another backup pressed into action because of injuries, CB Dee Delaney, left last week’s game with a concussion.
FANTASY TIPS: Evans has averaged 18.2 yards per catch, 116.4 yards per game, and scored six TDs in five career games against the Giants.
— All betting lines are according to FanDuel SportsBook
— The Associated Press