Unbeatens square off in an AFC showdown
Maybe all the delays involving the Titans and the jumbled NFL schedule led to the kind of showcase game we all need: Pittsburgh (5-0) at Tennessee (5-0).
Yes, the COVID-19 outbreak in Nashville provided some understandably nervous and upsetting times. And it could be a harbinger for a league attempting to play a collision sport all across the nation during a pandemic. No one should ever downplay that.
Sportswise, there’s no reason to downplay this matchup.
Steelers-titans will be the eighth time in league history undefeated and untied teams with at least five wins have met in the regular season, the sixth such game since the 1970 merger, and only the fifth in the past 46 seasons.
“We’re humbled and excited to be in these five-star matchups,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We will show that appreciation by how we prepare and ultimately by how we play as we move into the weekend.”
The Steelers have played better nearly every week, and come off their usual annihilation of Cleveland. Tennessee has romped past Buffalo and needed overtime to subdue Houston since having its facility shut down amid the coronavirus issues.
“These are the type of games you look forward to, man,” says Titans linebacker Rashaan Evans, “having two undefeated teams going against each other and having great players on display on Sunday. I think it’s going to be an exciting game, and I’m excited too to be a part of it.”
It’s only October, but it’s fair to surmise the winner of this game is a favorite for the lone postseason bye under the new playoff format.
SEAHAWKS AT CARDINALS
The Seahawks, whose defense has been a sieve despite the unblemished record, are 6-0-1at Arizona since a 2012loss. They are scoring an NFLhigh 33.8points per game and winning the close wins: Seattle has outscored opponents by less than seven points a game. Arizona’s defense is yielding 18.7 points per game, the second-best mark in the NFL. A victory Sunday in a game switched to prime time would be Russell Wilson’s 92nd regular-season win, tying Peyton Manning for the most in a quarterback’s first nine seasons.
BILLS AT JETS
Adam Gase has survived another week as coach of the Jets, though the prospects of his beleaguered team getting off the schneid against Buffalo are minimal. The Bills easily handled the Jets in the season opener, and Buffalo is coming in with a bad mood after two straight defeats. Third downs could be significant. The Bills lead the NFL in third-down conversions on offense at 56%. New York, the only team shut out this season, went 2of 17at Miami and ranks last with a 30% conversion rate.
LIONS AT FALCONS
A nice Bulldogs flavor visiting the ATL. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford will playing in the state for the first time since he starred at the University of Georgia in 2008. Rookie RB D’andre Swift and Stafford became the first former Georgia players to throw a TD pass and rush for a score as teammates in an NFL game since Charlie Trippi and Joe Geri in 1952 with the Chicago Cardinals. Atlanta won its first game of the season by beating Minnesota as Raheem Morris took over for the fired Dan Quinn as coach.
CHIEFS AT BRONCOS
If new addition Le’veon Bell plays, the Chiefs will become the first franchise to have a quarterback (Patrick Mahomes), tight end (Travis Kelce), wide receiver (Tyreek Hill) and running back (Bell) on the field who at some point was an All-pro. The Chiefs already have established a dynamic running game to go with Mahomes’ creative passing. Coach Andy Reid needs two wins to tie Curly Lambeau (229) for fifth most in NFL history. Kansas City is seeking a 10th consecutive win over the Broncos, who had won seven straight before the current skid.
COWBOYS AT WASHINGTON
The other NFC Least game. It was 2001when these two archrivals met with a lower winning percentage: They both were 0-4and were “featured” on Monday night. Dallas won 9-7. Given the Dallas defense right now, holding anyone to seven points in one quarter would be a major achievement. Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott lost two fumbles in the loss to the Cardinals for the first time in his pro career. Elliott’s five fumbles (four lost) are two shy of his career high set two years ago.
PANTHERS AT SAINTS
Teddy Bridgewater was very popular in the Big Easy last year when he went 5-0as the starter with Drew Brees injured. He shouldn’t expect any good vibes in his return. New Orleans comes off a bye. Saints receiver Michael Thomas was expected to return from a Week 1ankle injury and his one-game Week 5team suspension stemming from a practice outburst. But a new hamstring injury this week will sideline Thomas for a fifth straight game. And the Saints placed Emmanuel Sanders on their reserve COVID-19LIST after his positive test.
PACKERS AT TEXANS
Aaron Rodgers comes off one of his worst performances in a 38-10flop at Tampa Bay. The Packers look to avoid losing two straight games for the first time since Matt Lafleur took over in 2019. Lafleur began his NFL coaching career as an offensive assistant for the Texans from 2008-09. Texans DE J.J. Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, had a sack and forced a fumble at Tennessee. He needs one sack to become the first player in franchise history with 100.
BROWNS AT BENGALS
Following another flop in a statement game, the Browns can silence the doubters some by beating their Ohio rivals. They did so in Week 2, though the Bengals have gotten better since. Cincinnati also has Cleveland-style turmoil in the locker room with veteran defenders Carlos Dunlop and Geno Atkins complaining about reduced playing time. Browns DE Myles Garrett has a sack in five consecutive games and leads the AFC with seven. He got one of his three strip-sacks on Bengals QB Joe Burrow in the first matchup.
JAGUARS AT CHARGERS
Jacksonville’s first game in Los Angeles, and the Jaguars enter it having lost five in a row. But they are the only team with three wide receivers with at least 25 receptions: Keelan Cole Sr. (27), rookie Laviska Shenault Jr. (26), and DJ Chark Jr. (25). The Chargers have dropped four in a row, mostly close calls, and rookie Justin Herbert has impressed. He leads the league with a 140.9 passer rating on third downs. His 68.8% completion rate and a 107.1 passer rating are the highest by a rookie in league history with a minimum of 100 pass attempts.