WEEK 9 PREVIEW
roll’s team has been maddeningly inconsistent but knows how to finish.
Colts (2-6) at Texans (3-4)
TV: Sunday, 1, CBS (Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl)
The matchup: The worst possible news hit the injury-prone Texans on Thursday afternoon when multiple reports said that spectacular rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson had suffered a non-contact torn ACL in practice Thursday and he will be lost for the season. Watson threw for 402 yards and four touchdowns, though he had three interceptions, in a 41-38 shootout loss to the Seahawks last week. Watson is the third key loss for the Texans this season: Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt (tibial plateau fracture) and LB Whitney Mercilus (a torn pectoral muscle) are both out for the year as well. Tom Savage will likely replace Watson. A 24-23 loss to the Bengals on a late picksix touchdown was another kick to the gut for the Colts after more bad news of Andrew Luck’s sluggish return from shoulder surgery and lingering soreness preventing his comeback this season.
Bengals (3-4) at Jaguars (4-3)
TV: Sunday, 1, CBS (Andrew Catalon, James Lofton)
The matchup: The Bengals would like rookie RB Joe Mixon and rookie WR John Ross, just back from injury, to take a leap and help QB Andy Dalton’s efforts. He can’t do much lying on his back though, and the offensive line has to improve. The defense is good enough, and after a 0-3 start the Bengals feel good about where they’re at. Jaguars rookie RB Leonard Fournette is the headliner for a team that has been better than anyone outside the locker room thought it would be. He should be back in the lineup after being forced to sit out one game before the bye week to let his ankle heal. As good as the Jaguars defense has been, it has been vulnerable against the run. The Bengals need a big day from Mixon to keep the chains moving and set up long passes.
Buccaneers (2-5) at Saints (5-2)
TV: Sunday, 1, CBS (Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman, Peter Schrager)
The matchup: A once promising season for Tampa Bay seems to be slipping away in a losing streak that has reached four games in a row and five of its last six. Franchise QB Jameis Winston is hampered by an injured throwing arm, suggesting the free fall isn’t over. After the latest loss, 17-3 to Carolina that triggered boos from the home crowd and apologies from Winston, the Bucs need to right their ship quickly. A year ago, they started 3-5 before winning five in a row. If Winston struggles vs. the Saints, don’t be surprised if coach Dirk Koetter goes to veteran backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Saints remain atop the NFC South, thanks to a resilient defense and a patchwork offensive line that has allowed seven sacks, fewest in the NFL. For the first time since 2013, the Saints are playing complementary football and finding ways to win.
Rams (5-2) at Giants (1-6)
TV: Sunday, 1, Fox (Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber, Kristina Pink)
The matchup: An unexpectedly highscoring offense has received much of the publicity through the Rams’ surprisingly strong start, their best since 2003, but lately the defense has risen to a championship level. In its last three games, L.A. has allowed 275.3 yards and 11 points per game while recording 11 sacks and five interceptions. Their 10.6 points-per- game margin of victory is the NFL’s largest, more bad news for the Giants, who come out of their bye week knowing that, for all intents and purposes, their season is over. The story lines floating around are familiar to losing teams — who’s to blame (general manager Jerry Reese and coach Ben McAdoo are on the hot seat) and whether to bench aging QB Eli Manning in favor of rookie Davis Webb. The offense has been a disaster all season, ranking 30th in scoring (16 points per game). Expect the booing to continue.
Falcons (4-3) at Panthers (5-3)
TV: Sunday, 1, Fox (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews)
The matchup: Atlanta stays on the road for a third consecutive week before returning home to the friendly indoor environment of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Falcons rallied for a 25-20 win against the Jets, their fourth consecutive game vs. an AFC East foe. It ended a three-game slide and perhaps saved their season. The Panthers are second in the NFL in average time of possession
(33:34) but have little to show for it on the scoreboard. They’re 23rd in points per game (18.5) and rank near the bottom in red-zone offense (11 of 24,
46.3%). The return of Pro Bowl MLB Luke Kuechly (concussion) was a boon for the defense, however. The status of four players is in doubt: RB Devonta Freeman (right shoulder) and DE Takkarist McKinley (possible concussion) for the Falcons and RG Trai Turner (knee) and LB Thomas Davis (ribs) for Carolina.
Broncos (3-4) at Eagles (7-1)
TV: Sunday, 1, CBS (Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn)
The matchup: This is the third of three consecutive road games for the Broncos, who have six takeaways after seven games. There have been consistent offensive issues in a stretch of five games in which they have scored a total of 71 points. In the last three games, the Broncos had 11 turnovers and went 13 quarters with only one TD. With Eagles LT Jason Peters lost for the season (knee), Halapoulivaati Vaitai played the position in the 33-10 victory over the 49ers. The jury remains out as QB Carson Wentz was sacked three times and the offense had six three-and-outs, averaged 4.6 yards per play and was 4-for-14 on third down. The Eagles have been especially strong coming out of the locker room, outscoring opponents 47-9 in the first quarter and 58-30 in the third.
Ravens (4-4) at Titans (4-3)
TV: Sunday, 1, CBS (Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon) The matchup: Baltimore unleashed anger and frustration on the Dolphins in a 40-0 rout in Week 8 in response to criticism after its two-game losing streak and because of a late hit on QB Joe Flacco that knocked him out of the game with a concussion. The rout was the most lopsided shutout in team history. With Flacco still in protocol, Ryan Mallett might be called upon to face the Titans. This is the first of three games in a row for the Titans against AFC North teams. With or without Flacco, don’t expect much of a battle through the air on either side. Tennessee’s secondary has held opposing passers below 300 yards in all but one game, the win over Seattle, while Baltimore has held opponents to fewer than 200 yards passing in four consecutive games. Titans QB Marcus Mariota needs to be wary of Baltimore’s sneaky good defensive backs, who love to gamble for picks.
Cardinals (3-4) at 49ers (0-8)
TV: Sunday, 4:05, Fox (Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin)
The matchup: The Cardinals struggled to hold off the hapless Niners in a home game five weeks ago, and now they will try to do it without QB Carson Palmer (broken left arm). They were able to use the bye week to readjust to Palmer’s longtime backup, Drew Stanton. Arizona’s recent trade to acquire aging RB Adrian Peterson signaled a now-or-never approach for the franchise, making this a must-win situation. The loss of Palmer makes Peterson an even more important piece of the offense. San Francisco’s rookie QB C.J. Beathard hasn’t been the answer, but maybe newly acquired Jimmy Garoppolo is. The possibility of being without WR Pierre Garcon (neck) could add to the issues. The 49ers sacked Palmer six times in the first meeting. Veteran LB Elvis Dumervil had two as the 49ers harassed Palmer all afternoon.
Redskins (3-4) at Seahawks (5-2)
TV: Sunday, 4:05, Fox (Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis, Pam Oliver)
The matchup: A Redskins defense that held the Raiders to 10 points a few weeks ago has given up more than 30 points to Philadelphia and Dallas backto-back, and Seattle is coming off its most impressive offensive performance of the season. QB Kirk Cousins might have to be at his best, because Washington’s leading rusher last weekend, RB Rob Kelley, gained 19 yards. Washington is 3-1 this season when holding opponents to fewer than 100 yards and 0-3 when teams run for triple figures. But Seattle’s offensive line won’t pose the same challenge the Cowboys’ line does. While Seahawks QB Russell Wilson continues to make plays when needed, he’ll need more out of the run game and a better performance from the defense if the Seahawks are to survive again. Pete Car-
Chiefs (6-2) at Cowboys (4-3)
TV: Sunday, 4:25, CBS (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo)
The matchup: The Chiefs are among the AFC’s elite thanks to their top-five offense. The catalyst is QB Alex Smith, in the midst of his best season. The veteran leads the league in passer rating (120.5), completion percentage (.724) and interception percentage (0). RB Kareem Hunt leads the league in rushing (763 yards), but winning the time of possession battle will be tough vs. the Cowboys, who have topped 32 minutes in each of their last three games. RB Ezekiel Elliott had his six-game suspension reinstated, but the players union has appealed and it’s possible the NFL will let him play this weekend. That would be huge for the Cowboys as the Chiefs rank near the bottom of the league against the run. The Chiefs have turned the ball over only three times this season but will be tested by a Dallas defense that has suddenly begun forcing turnovers.
Raiders (3-5) at Dolphins (4-3)
TV: Sunday, 8:30, NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya)
The matchup: All the good feelings from a Raiders win against the Chiefs in Week 7 dissipated last week in a 34-14 loss at Buffalo. Oakland turned the ball over four times and the defense allowed 166 yards rushing (4.5 average) without getting a sack. Playing without suspended RB Marshawn Lynch, the Raiders rushed for 54 yards on 14 attempts. The Raiders have only five takeaways and have coughed up 11 turnovers in eight games (-six). Their +16 was tied for the best differential in the NFL last season. After last week’s 40-0 loss to Baltimore, Dolphins coach Adam Gase blistered the offense, calling out team leaders and criticizing offensive players for “not putting the work in.” Then they traded RB Jay Ajayi to Philadelphia for a draft pick. Miami’s defense had no sacks, no takeaways and allowed 174 rushing yards. The offense gets QB Jay Cutler (ribs) back. Oakland LB Khalil Mack needs to pressure him.
Lions (3-4) at Packers (4-3)
TV: Monday, 8:30, ESPN (Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters)
The matchup: Detroit piled up 482 yards in its 20-15 loss to the Steelers, the third most in NFL history by a team without a TD. QB Matthew Stafford posted his eighth 400-plus yard passing game — the Lions are 3-5 in them — and, along with the defense, played much better after the bye than he was heading into it. It’s a brave new world for the Packers, who placed QB Aaron Rodgers on injured reserve Oct. 20 with a broken right collarbone and start Brett Hundley. The Packers must forge a new offensive identity to stay in the division race with the 6-2 Minnesota Vikings, winners of four in a row including the game that likely ended Rodgers’ season. The Packers should have their five starting offensive linemen on the field together and return a healthier pass defense. After going 0-for-5 in the red zone vs. Pittsburgh, the Lions are 5-for-16 since Week 3 (31.25%), a span in which they’re 1-5.
Bye: Bears, Browns, Chargers, Patriots, Steelers, Vikings
Compiled by Brian Allee-Walsh, Zac Jackson, Jordan Godwin, Scott Pitoniak, Arthur Arkush, Andy Friedlander, Scott Johnson, Howard Balzer.
Times p.m. Eastern.