As the NFL wraps up the first quarter of the 2018 season, three undefeated teams remain – Kansas City, the Los Angeles Rams and Miami – all stand at 3-0. But as they say, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish and while a fast start helps, it does not guarantee you a trip to the postseason. Since 1990, when the current 12-team playoff format was adopted, 102 of the 138 teams (73.9 percent) to start 3-0 have qualified for the postseason. Last season, the Falcons and Chiefs both qualified for the postseason after starting 3-0.
Fourteen teams enter Week 4 with a sub-.500 record but hope still remains. Since 1990, 74 teams with a losing record after the first three games made the playoffs, including the 2017 New Orleans Saints, who became the first team in the Super Bowl era to win its next eight games immediately following an 0-2 start.
As the league enters the quarter turn, quarterbacks across the NFL continue to shine. Entering Week 4, league-wide passing numbers continue to trend at a record pace, as the marks for completions (2,248), completion percentage (65.5 percent), touchdown passes (168) and passer rating (93.2) are all the highest in NFL history through the first three weeks of a season.
SEASON – COMPLETIONS
2018 – 2,248
2016 – 2,202
SEASON – COMPLETION PCT.
2018 – 65.5
2015 – 64.6
SEASON – TD PASSES
2018 – 168
2015 – 157
SEASON RATING
2018 – 93.2
2015 – 91.1
Through Week 3, nine quarterbacks have a passer rating of at least 100 (min. 60 attempts), tied with the 2015 and 2008 seasons for the most in NFL history through three weeks of a season. There have been 42 individual performances, including 15 last week, with a passer rating of 100 or higher (minimunm of 15 attempts) through Week 3, the most in league annals through the first three weeks of a season. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes has a 137.4 passer rating through Week 3, the third-highest mark in NFL history by a quarterback through the first three weeks of a season, trailing only Tom Brady (141.8 in 2007) and Randall Cunningham (141.2 in 1992).
Six quarterbacks have completed at least 70 percent of their passes (min. 60 attempts) through the first three weeks of the season, the second-most in league history through Week 3, trailing only the 2015 season (seven). New Orleans’ quarterback Drew Drees leads the NFL with an 80.6 completion percentage, the highest ever by a quarterback through Week 3. Oakland’s Derek Carr (76.6 percent) has the fourth-highest completion percentage through the first three weeks of a season in league history.
As familiar faces continue to excel across the league, a new wave of quarterbacks is set to take the stage. Four rookie QBs are expected to start in Week 4 – Arizona’s Josh Rosen (first-career start), Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield (first-career start) and the New York Jets’ Sam Darnold. This marks the fourth time in the Super Bowl era (excluding the 1987 season) that at least four rookie quarterbacks will have started a game in the first four weeks of a season, joining the 2016 (four), 2012 (five) and 1971 (five) seasons.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN WEEK 4
HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Six active quarterbacks – New Orleans’ Drew Brees, New England’s Tom Brady, the Los Angeles Chargers’ PHILIP RIVERS, the New York Giants’ Eli Manning, Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers – rank in the top 10 in NFL history in passing touchdowns.
Brees needs four touchdown passes to become the third player in league annals with 500 career touchdown passes, joining PEYTON MANNING (539) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre (508).
Manning, who faces off against Brees and the Saints on Sunday, needs one touchdown pass to break a tie with Pro Football Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton (342 touchdowns) and move into sole possession of seventh place on the league’s all-time touchdown passes list.
The players with the most touchdown passes in NFL history:
PLAYER – TEAM(S) (PASSING TOUCHDOWNS)
Peyton Manning – Indianapolis and Denver (539)
Brett Favre – Green Bay, New York Jets and Minnesota (508)^
Drew Brees – San Diego amd New Orleans – (496)*
Tom Brady – New England (494)*
Dan Marino – Miami (420)^
Philip Rivers – San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (350)*
Eli Manning – New York Giants (342)*
Fran Tarkenton – Minnesota amd New York Giants (342)^
Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh (336)*
Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay (319)*
*Active
^Pro Football Hall of Famer
Five active quarterbacks – Brees, Brady, Manning, Roethlisberger and Rivers – rank in the top 10 in league history in passing yards.
With 316 passing yards against the Giants, Brees will surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre (71,838) for the second-most passing yards in league annals.
With 222 passing yards on Sunday against San Francisco on Sunday, Rivers will surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway (51,475) for the eighth-most passing yards in NFL history.
The players with the most passing yards in NFL history:
PLAYER – TEAM(S) (PASSING YARDS)
Peyton Manning – Indianapolis and Denver (71,940)
Brett Favre – Green Bay, New York Jets and Minnesota (71,838)^
Drew Brees – San Diego and New Orleans (71,523)*
Tom Brady – New England (66,803)*
Dan Marino – Miami (61,361)^
Eli Manning – New York Giants (52,482)*
Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh (52,205)*
John Elway – Denver (51,475)^
Philip Rivers – San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (51,254)*
*Active
^Pro Football Hall of Famer
LIKE A FINE WINE: Indianapolis kicker Adam Vinatieri has made 565 career field goals during his 23-year career. With his next converted field goal, Vinatieri will surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Morten Andersen (565) for the most made field goals in NFL history.
The players with the most career made field goals in NFL history:
PLAYER – TEAM(S) (CAREER FIELD GOALS
Morten Andersen – New Orleans, Atlanta, New York Giants, Kansas City and Minnesota (565)^
Adam Vinatieri – New England and Indianapolis (565)*
*Active
^Pro Football Hall of Famer
Vinatieri is the only player in NFL history to make at least 250 field goals with two different teams, converting 263 with New England (1996-2005) and 302 with Indianapolis (2006-present).
THREE’S COMPANY: Tampa Bay quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick passed for 411 yards and three touchdowns Week 3, becoming the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 400 yards in three consecutive games.
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 24 of 38 attempts (63.2 percent) for 314 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 115.5 passer rating in the Chiefs’ Week 3 victory over San Francisco. Mahomes has 13 touchdowns passes through the Chiefs first three games this season, the most by a player in his team’s first three games to start a season in NFL history.
Fitzpatrick and Mahomes, who have both thrown at least three touchdown passes in each of their team’s first three games of the season, can join TOM BRADY (2007) and Pro Football Hall of Famers STEVE YOUNG (1998) and KURT WARNER (1999) as the only players in NFL history to throw at least three touchdown passes in each of their team’s first four games to begin a season.
The players with the most consecutive games of at least three touchdown passes to begin their team’s season in NFL history:
PLAYER, TEAM (SEASON, CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 3+ TD PASSES TO BEGIN SEASON)
Tom Brady, New England (2017, 10)#
Steve Young, San Francisco (1998, 5)^
Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams (1999, 4)^#
Many tied with 3
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tampa Bay (2018, 3)*
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City (2018, 3)*
*Active streak
^Pro Football Hall of Famer
#Named MVP
BETTER TOGETHER: New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees and Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisbergerwere both named Offensive Player of the Week in their respective conferences after leading their teams to victory in Week 3.
Among active head coach and quarterback tandems, the Saints duo of Sean Payton and Brees and the Steelers combination of Mike Tomlin and Roethlisberger have each recorded 107 regular-season wins together.
With their next respective victories, the duos would surpass Pro Football Hall of Famers Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw (107) for the third-most wins by a head coach and quarterback tandem in NFL history.
The head coach and quarterback tandems with the most wins in NFL history:
TEAM – HEAD COACH AND QUARTERBACK (REGULAR SEASON WINS)
New England – Bill Belichick and Tom Brady (197)*
Miami – Don Shula and Dan Marino (116)^
Pittsburgh – Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw (107)^
New Orleans – Sean Payton and Drew Brees (107)*
Pittsburgh – Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger (107)*
*Active
^Pro Football Hall of Famer
SHAKE AND BAKER: Cleveland rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, the number 1 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, completed 17 of 23 attempts (73.9 percent) for 201 yards and caught a two-point conversion while leading Cleveland to their first win of the season in his NFL debut last week.
Mayfield is slated to make his first-career start on Sunday at Oakland and can join David Carr (2002), Michael Vick (2001), Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHN ELWAY (1983) and Jim Plunkett (1971) as quarterbacks selected number 1 overall in the Super Bowl era to win their first-career start. Of the four quarterbacks taken number 1 overall to win their first career start, Elway was the only QB to accomplish the feat on the road.
The quarterbacks selected number 1 overall in the Super Bowl era with the highest passer ratings in their first-career start:
PLAYER, TEAM (SEASON – PASSER RATING)
Cam Newton, Carolina (2011 – 110.4)
Carson Palmer, Cincinnati (2003 – 105.2)
JaMarcus Russell, Oakland (2007 – 91.3)
Jeff George, Indianapolis (1990 – 88.9)
Jim Plunkett, New England (1971 – 82.5)
The quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall in the Super Bowl era with the most passing yards in their first-career start:
PLAYER, TEAM (SEASON – PASSING YARDS)
Cam Newton, Carolina (2011 – 422)
Vinny Testaverde, Tampa Bay (1987 – 369)
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis (2012 – 309)
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis (1998 – 302)
Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams (2010 – 253)
LIKE MIKE: New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas recorded 10 receptions for 129 yards in the Saints’ Week 3 overtime win at Atlanta. Thomas has 38 receptions in the Saints’ first three games of the season, the most by a player in his team’s first three games of a season in NFL history and has recorded at least 10 receptions in every game this season.
With 10 receptions at the New York Giants on Sunday, Thomas can join Calvin Johnson (four games in 2012) as the only players in NFL history to record at least 10 receptions in four consecutive games.
The players with the most consecutive games of at least 10 receptions in NFL history:
PLAYER, TEAM (SEASON – CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 10+ RECEPTIONS)
Calvin Johnson, Detroit (2012 – 4)
Many tied with 3
Michael Thomas, New Orleans (2018 – 3)*
*Active streak
KEEP IT 100: New York Giants rookie running back Saquon Barkley had 117 scrimmage yards (82 rushing, 35 receiving) and a rushing touchdown in the Giants’ Week 3 victory at Houston. Barkley has totaled at least 100 scrimmage yards in each of his first three career games.
With 100 scrimmage yards on Sunday against New Orleans, Barkley can become the fifth player in NFL history to record at least 100 scrimmage yards in each of his first four career games.
The players with the most consecutive games of at least 100 scrimmage yards to begin their career in NFL history:
PLAYER, TEAM (SEASON – CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 100+ SCRIMMAGE YARDS TO BEGIN CAREER)
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City (2017 – 7)
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota (2007 – 5)
Billy Sims, Detroit (1980 – 4)
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego (2001 -4)^
Many tied with 3
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (2018 – 3)*
*Active streak
^Pro Football Hall of Famer
SEVEN FROM SUNDAY
•New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees completed 39 of 49 passes (79.6 percent) for 396 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 120.7 passer rating and rushed for two touchdowns in the Saints’ 43-37 overtime victory at Atlanta.
Brees, who has 6,326 completions in his 18-year NFL career, surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Farve (6,300) for the most completions in NFL history.
Brees became the first player in NFL history with at least 350 passing yards, three touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns without an interception in a single game.
Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas had 10 catches for 129 yards in the win. Thomas has 38 catches through three games in 2018, the most by a player in his team’s first three games of a season in league history. Thomas is the first player in NFL history to record at least 10 catches in each of his team’s first three games to start a season.
Saints running back Alvin Kamara had a career-high 15 catches for 124 yards and rushed for 66 yards in the win. Kamara’s 15 receptions tied William Andrews (November 15, 1981) and Rickey Young (December 16, 1979) for the second-most catches by a running back in a single game in NFL history. Only Clark Gaines (17 on September 21, 1980) recorded more catches as a running back in a single game in league annals.
•Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for 314 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 115.5 passer rating in the Chiefs’ 38-27 win against San Francisco.
Mahomes has 13 touchdown passes in the Chiefs’ first three games of the season and surpassed Peyton Manning (12 in 2013) for the most touchdown passes by a player in his team’s first three games of a season in NFL history.
The Chiefs, who scored 38 points in Week 1 and 42 points in Week 2, are the third team in league history to score at least 38 points in each of their first three games of a season. The 2007 New England Patriots and 1967 Baltimore Colts are the only other teams to accomplish the feat.
•Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff completed 29 of 36 (80.6 percent) for 354 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for a 123.8 passer rating in the Rams’ 35-23 win against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Goff, who threw for 354 yards and completed 75 percent of his passes (24 of 32) in Week 2, is the third quarterback in league history with at least 350 passing yards and a completion percentage of 75 or higher in consecutive games. Kansas City’s Trent Green accomplished the feat in consecutive games in Weeks 8-9 of the 2004 season and Tampa Bay’s Ryan Fitzpatrick, who plays Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football in Week 3, has thrown for at least 350 yards with a completion percentage of at least 75 in each of the Buccaneers’ first two games of the 2018 season.
•Miami wide receiver Albert Wilson threw a 52-yard touchdown pass and caught a 74-yard touchdown pass in the Dolphins’ 28-20 win against Oakland.
Wilson is the fourth player in league history to throw a touchdown pass of at least 50 yards and have a touchdown reception of at least 50 yards in the same game, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Jimmy Conzelman (December 9, 1923), Tom Tracy (September 24, 1960) and David Patten (October 21, 2001).
•Washington running back Adrian Peterson rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the Redskins’ 31-17 victory over Green Bay.
Peterson has 102 career rushing touchdowns and moved into sole possession of seventh place on the all-time rushing touchdown leaderboard.
Peterson, who has 25 career games with at least two rushing touchdowns, tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen, Shaun Alexander and Priest Holmes for the fourth-most games in NFL history with at least two rushing touchdowns. The three players with more such games are all enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: La Danaian Tomlinson (38 games), Emmitt Smith (36) and Jim Brown (27).
•Carolina quarterback Cam Newton had two touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns in the Panthers’ 31-21 win against Cincinnati.
Newton has 57 career rushing touchdowns – the most by a quarterback in NFL history – and has three career games with at least two touchdown passes and at least two rushing touchdowns, the second-most in league annals. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young (four) has more such games in NFL history.
•Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs recorded 1.5 sacks and kicker Justin Tucker connected on two 52-yard field goals in the Ravens’ 27-14 win over Denver.
Suggs, who has 128 sacks in his 16-year career with the Ravens, has the fifth-most sacks by a player with a single team since the individual sack became an official statistic in 1982. The four players to record more sacks with a single franchise are all enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Bruce Smith (171 sacks with Buffalo), Michael Strahan (141.5 with the New York Giants), Lawrence Taylor (132.5 with the New York Giants) and Jason Taylor (131 with Miami).
Tucker has six-career games with multiple converted field goals of at least 50 yards, the most such games by a player in NFL history.
Last week, we went 9-7 (for the season, 34-18) and while that’s not great, it means that we’ve gone .500 or better for the 30th consecutive week in a row. Carolina and Washington have byes this week and return to action next week. Week 4 kicked off on Thursday night as Los Angeles Rams remained unbeaten, defeating Minnesota on the West Coast and concludes in Denver as a pair of AFC West foes square off as Denver hosts the Kansas City Chiefs in prime time.
Cincinnati (2-1) at ATLANTA (1-2), 1 p.m. on CBS and DirecTV 705. Week four Sunday afternoon action gets underway in the Big Peach as Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals travel to Atlanta to meet Matt Ryan and the Falcons. Both teams enter the Sunday afternoon affair with losses under their belts.
The Bengals fell out of the ranks of the unbeatens after their 31-21 loss to Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte last Sunday afternoon. Although they trailed 21-14 in the Tar Heel State at the break, Newton and the Panthers would pull away in the second half as they would outscore the Bengals 10-7. Newton, sacked once, threw for 150 yards with a pair of passing TDs and a pair of rushing TDs, while RB Christian McCaffrey ran for 184 yards (the Panthers outrushed Cincinnati 230-66) in the win. Dalton threw for 352 yards and a pair of TDs but was sacked twice and picked off four times. Carolina was 6 of 13 on third down (0 of 1 on fourth down) and kept the ball for 33:55, while the Bengals kept the ball for 26:05, going 4 of 10 on third down conversions.
Atlanta went through a back and forth battle with NFC South foe New Orleans last Sunday in the Big Peach and came out on the short of a 43-37 overtime loss to the Saints. Atlanta trailed 16-14 at the intermission and actually rallied to take a 37-30 lead with 6:58 left in regulation thanks to Ryan tossing a 5-yard TD strike to WR Mohammaed Sanu. That lead would not last long as Saints QB Drew Brees tied things up at 37-37 with 75 seconds left on a 5-yard scamper into the endzone. The Saints then won the toss to start the overtime and made sure that Ryan and the Falcons would not get the ball back, going on a 15- play, 80 yard drive that used 7:05 of clock and ended with Brees scoring from a yard out. New Orleans outrushed Atlanta 143-48 and Brees threw for 396 yards and three TDs, while Ryan (sacked three times) threw for 374 yards and five TDs, connecting with rookie WR Calvin Ridley on three of those tosses (Ridley finished with seven catches for 146). Atlanta was 4 of 11 on third down, keeping the ball for 29:20, while the Saints went 7 of 14 and 1 of 1 on third and fourth downs, holding on to the ball for 37:45, including the overtime.
The Bengals hold an 8-5 lead in the series and have outscored Atlanta 310-276. Cincinnati won the last meeting, taking a 24-10 win along the shores of the Ohio River in 2014, while Atlanta’s last win came in the Big Peach by a final of 39-32 in 2010 at the old Georgia Dome. Atlanta’s favored by 6 and the over/under’s 51 1/2. Both teams would like to bounce back from their losses from last week. Atlanta will bounce a little higher Sunday in the Big Peach. Falcons may not cover the 6 but they take the win at home.
Buffalo (1-2) at Green Bay (1-1-1), 1 p.m. on CBS and DirecTV 706. It’s wings vs. Bratwurst as Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers host Buffalo at Lambeau Field in the land of cheese, beer and Bratwurst.
Buffalo comes to Green Bay with a 27-6 win over Minnesota at US Bank Stadium under their belts. The Bills outrushed Minnesota 128-14 and led 27-0 at the intermission before the Vikings tallied their only points of the contest with 2:59 left to play when Kirk Cousins and KYle Rudolph connected on a 4-yard TD pass (Minnesota missed the extra point). Buffalo on third down tries in the Land of 10,000 Lakes went 4 of 13 on third down (they were 1 of 1 on fourth down) and held the ball for 35:45, while the Vikings kept the ball for 24:15, going 5 of 14 on third down, 0 of 1 on fourth down in the loss.
Rodgers and the Packers struggled against Washington last Sunday in Landover, falling to the Redskins 31-17 at FedEx Field. Green Bay trailed 28-10 at the intermission, although they would outscore Washington in the second half by a 7-3 margin. Washington outrushed Green Bay 166-100, with Redskins RB Adrian Peterson leading the way with 120 yards and a pair of TDs. Rodgers, despite being sacked four times, threw for 265, while Alex Smtih threw for 220 (both men threw a pair of TDs, with Smtih throwing the lone interception in the contest). Green Bay went 6 of 14 on third down in Landover (they were 0 of 2 on fourth down) and kept the ball for 30:55, while Washington kept the ball for 29:05, going 5 of 11 on third down conversions.
Buffalo leads the series 8-4 and the Bills have outscored Green Bay 258-212. The Bills won the last meeting, which took place in upstate New York in 2014, as they would circle the wagons and come away 21-13, while Green Bay’s last win in the series took place in 2010 at Lambeau by a final of 34-7. Green Bay’s favored by 10 and the over/under’s 45. The 45 is reasonable. The 10? A bit steep. Buffalo will give Green Bay problems at Lambeau and while the Packers won’t cover, they will take the win at home.
Houston (0-3) at Indianapolis (1-2), 1 p.m. on CBS and DirecTV 707. A pair of AFC South rivals square off in the Hoosier State as Houston travels to Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium to take on Andrew Luck and the Colts.
Trailing the New York Giants throughout their contest at NRG Stadium last Sunday, the Texans fell to Eli Manning and Big Blue 27-22 in the Lone Star State. Trailing 20-6 at halftime, the Texans eventually did manage to pull to within five on a 4-yard TD toss from DeShaun Watson (385 yards) to RB Lamar Miller with :01 second left. Houston was outrushed by the Giants 114-59 (Saquon Barkley led all rushers with 82 yards and a TD), while Manning threw for 297 yards in the contest (both men threw a pair of TDs, Watson was sacked three times and picked off once, Manning was sacked four times). The Giants were 7 of 13 on third down tries and kept the ball for 35:30, while the Texans, who kept the ball for 24:30, went 5 of 12 on third down, 2 of 2 on fourth down.
The Colts are coming back to Indiana after they were taken to task by Philadelphia 20-16 at Lincoln Financial Field. Trailing 10-3 at the half, the Colts would eventually take the lead with 14:20 left in regulation when K Adam Vinatieri nailed a 28-yard field for a 16-13. Luck and the Colts then watched the Eagles burn as much time as they could off the clock, using an 17-play, 75-yard drive that took 11:18 of clock to give the defending Super Bowl champs the lead back for keeps when Wendell Smallwood scored with 3:02 left from a yard out. The Colts had one final chance to come away with the road win but their final drive was stalled at their 46-yard line. Philadelphia outrushed Indianapolis 152-68 and Carson Wentz, making his first start in over a year, threw for 255 yards, while Luck threw for 164 yards (both threw a TD pass in the contest, Wentz was sacked five times, Luck was sacked twice). The Colts were 2 of 12 on third down conversions (they were 1 of 2 on fourth down tries) and held the ball for 19:40, while the Eagles were stingy with the clock and the ball, keeping it for 40:20, while going 6 of 14 on third down.
Indy leads the series 25-7 and the Colts have outscored the Texans 833-619. The Colts swept the series last year, taking wins in the Hoosier State and the Lone Star State (Houston’s last win over the Colts came in 2016, when they swept the series that year).
The first meeting took place in Houston in week nine and the Colts came away 20-14 winners at NRG Stadium. The Colts led 10-7 and the half and Jacoby Brissett threw for 308 yards and a pair of TDs, while Tom Savage threw for 219 yards and a TD (Brissett was sacked three times, Savage sacked twice). The Texans outrushed Indy 94-92 and each team fumbled the ball once. Both clubs were 4 of 14 on third down (the Texans were 0 of 1 on fourth) and the Colts kept the ball for 30:59 to Houston’s 29:01.
Indy made it a clean sweep of the series in the season finale at Lucas Oil Stadium, coming away 22-13 winners. Erasing a 13-7 deficit at the half, the Colts scored the final 15 points of the contest without a challenge. Indy outrushed Houston 146-85, with Colts RB Frank Gore leading the way with 100 yards on the ground. The Colts were 6 of 13 on third down in the Hoosier State and held on to the ball for 31:13, while the Texans kept the ball for 28:47, going 5 of 11 on third down conversions.
In the week nine contest, the Texans were favored by 7 but the Colts won by only 6. The 45 1/2 over/under was safe, as both teams could only muster 34 points. Indy covered the 3 1/2-point spread, winning by 9 but both teams missed the 41 over/under by 6 points. The oddsmakers like the Colts as a 2-point favorite in the Hoosier State and the over/under’s 47 1/2. Houston’s trying to win their first game, while the Colts are looking to pull even. Houston gets win number one and pulls the upset n the Hoosier state, covering the 2 on the road.
Miami (3-0) at New England (1-2), 1 p.m. on CBS and DirecTV 708. A pair of AFC East rivals meet in Foxboro as the unbeaten Dolphins and New England meet at Gillette Stadium,
The unbeaten Dolphins rallied in the final seconds in the Sunshine State against Oakland, scoring twice in the final quarter against the Raiders to take a 28-20 win at Hard Rock Stadium. The Raiders led 17-14 with 55 seconds left in the third quarter when Miami went on their scoring rampage in the third when WR Jakeem Grant caught TD passes from QB Ryan Tannehill and WR Albert Wilson to take an eight-point lead. Oakland would eventually make it an 8-point contest with 20 seconds left when K Matt Nugent connected on a 52-yard field goal to pull themselves closer than Dolphin fans would have wanted. Although the Raiders outrushed Miami 109-41 and Derek Carr threw for 345 yards with a TD, Tannehill threw for 289 yards and three TDs to take the win. Miami, taking advantage of three Oakland turnovers (two Carr interceptions and a fumble), went 2 of 8 on third down tries and held on to the ball for 21:29, while the Raiders kept the ball for 38:31, going 7 of 13 on third down, 0 of 1 on fourth down.
The Pats and Tom Brady struggled against Detroit in the Motor City last Sunday night as they faced off against their former defensive co-ordinator Matt Patrica, falling to the Lions 26-10 at Ford Field. Brady and New England trailed 13-3 at the break and could never get on track as the Lions would get their first 100-yard rusher in six years as rookie RB Kerryon Johnson ran for 101 yards, while Matthew Stafford threw for 262 yards and a pair of TDs (Brady threw for 133 yards with a TD but was sacked twice, both Brady and Stafford threw an interception). New England was 2 of 9 on third down (0 of 1 on fourth down) and kept the ball for 20:45, while the Lions ruled the clock and kept the ball for 39:15, going 7 of 14 on third down conversions in the Sunday night contest.
Miami leads the series 53-49 and the Dolphins have outscored New England 2,198-2,197. Taking wins last year at their home fields, the two clubs split the season series.
Week 12… Foxboro. Brady was good for four TDs and 227 yards as they took Miami to task 35-15 at Gillette Stadium. New England led 21-10 at the break, then proceeded to outscore Miami 14-7 in the final 30 minutes of action in western Massachusetts. New England outrushed Miami 196-67, with Patriots RB Dion Lewis leading the way with 112. The Patriots, who forced three Miami turnovers, went 5 of 12 on third down (1 of 2 on fourth down) and held the ball for 32:41. As for the Dolphins? They were 2 of 11 and 2 of 3 on third and fourth downs, keeping the ball for 27:19.
Miami would get their revenge two weeks later in the Sunshine State at Hard Rock Stadium in week 14. Leading 13-10 at the intermisson, the Dolphins held off a late New England rally and came away 27-20 winners at home. Miami held New England to 25 yards rushing, while tallying 120, with Kenyan Drake leading the way with 114 yards. Jay Cutler threw for 263 yards and three TDs, while Brady threw for 233 yards with a TD (Brady and Cutler were sacked twice, with Brady throwing a pair of interceptions). Miami was 4 of 14 on third down and 1 of 1 on fourth down, keeping the ball for 36:09, while the Patriots were a dismal 0 for 11 on third down and held the pigskin for 23:51.
In the week 12 contest, the Pats covered the 16-point spread with the 18-point win and both clubs covered the 47 1/2 over/under with 52 points. New England was favored by 11 in the week 14 contest on a Monday night in the Sunshine State; while Miami did win the contest, they did not cover the 11-point spread, winnning by only 7 but both clubs matched the 47 over/under with the 47 combined points. Even though they’re one game below .500, the oddsmakers like the Patroits as 7-point favorites and the over/under’s 47 1/2. Can the Dolphins remain unbeaten? Can Brady and the Pats right their ship? It’ll be closer than the 7 but Miami prevails on the road against their AFC East rivals.
Tampa Bay (2-1) at Chicago (2-1), 1 p.m. on FOX and DirecTV 709. A pair of 2-1 teams meet in the Windy City when Tampa Bay travels to Chicago to face the Monsters of the Midway at Soldier Field.
Tampa Bay trailed Pittsburgh 30-10 at the intermission last Monday night at Raymond James Stadium, then scored their last 17 points in the second half unchallegened but still lost to the Steelers 30-27. The Bucs, dropping their first contest of the season, was paced by Ryan Fitzpatrick (who took over for the suspended Jameis Winston), who threw for 411 yards, while Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger threw for 353 yards (each man threw three TDs and was sacked three times, Roethlisberger threw an interception, while Fitzpatrick threw three picks). Tampa Bay, outrushed by Pittsburgh 78-63, went 3 of 9 on third down tries (they were 1 of 1 on fourth down) and held on to the ball for 29:39, while the Steelers held the pigskin for 30:21, going 3 for 11 on third down.
Da Bears erased a 14-3 deficit against Arizona in the desert and they did manage to come away 16-14 winners in Glendale. The Monsters of the Midway used a 1-yard TD run from Jordan Howard (who led all rushers with 61 yards), a pair of Cody Parkey field goals and a last-second stop of an Arizona drive to take the lead and the road win at State Farm Stadium. Chicago outrushed Arizona 122-53 and Mitch Trubisky threw for 220 yards, with an interception, while Sam Bradford threw for 157 yards and a pair of TDs (both Bradford and Trubisky were sacked three times, while Bradford threw a pair of interceptions). Chicago was 5 of 14 on third down conversions (they were 1 of 1 on fourth down) and kept the ball for 36:21, while the Desert Angry Birds kept the ball for 23:39, going 3 of 10 and 0 of 1 on third and fourth downs.
Chicago leads the series 38-20 and they have outscored Tampa Bay 1,231-952. Tampa Bay has won the last two meetings, including taking a 29-7 decision last year in the Sunshine State (Chicago’s last win over Tampa Bay came in 2015 in Tampa by a final of 26-21.
The week two contest last year at Raymond James Stadium saw Tampa Bay score their 29 points unchallenged before Da Bears got on the scoreboard with 1:43 left to play when WR Deonte Thompson and QB Mike Glennon connected on a 14-yard TD toss as the Buccaneers had the game in hand. Leading 26-0 at the intermission, Tampa Bay outrushed Chicago 117-20 and Glennon threw for 301 yards with the TD and a pair of interceptions, while Jameis Winston threw for 204 yards with a TD and a pair of sacks. Chicago was 7 of 14 on third down (Da Bears were 0 of 2 on fourth down) and kept the ball for 26:49, while Tampa Bay ruled the clock and kept the pigskin for 33:11, going 8 for 15 on third down conversions.
Tampa Bay covered the 7-point spread with the 22-point win but the 45 over/under stayed intact as both clubs combined for only 36 points. Chicago’s favored by 2 1/2 in the Windy City and the over/under’s 48. Both numbers make a lot of sense and both teams look pretty decent so far in the 2018 campaign. Da Bears prevail at home in the Windy City and cover the 2 1/2.
Detroit (1-2) at Dallas (1-2), 1 p.m. on FOX and DirecTV 710. A pair of sub-.500 teams meet in the Lone Star State as Dallas hosts the Detroit Lions at Jerry World (AT&T Stadium).
Detroit pulled off a major upset in the Motor City last Sunday night as head coach Matt Patrica faced off against his former team and beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 26-10 at Ford Field. Brady and New England trailed 13-3 at the break and could never get on track as the Lions would get their first 100-yard rusher in six years as rookie RB Kerryon Johnson ran for 101 yards, while Matthew Stafford threw for 262 yards and a pair of TDs (Brady threw for 133 yards with a TD but was sacked twice, both Brady and Stafford threw an interception). New England was 2 of 9 on third down (0 of 1 on fourth down) and kept the ball for 20:45, while the Lions ruled the clock and kept the ball for 39:15, going 7 of 14 on third down conversions in the Sunday night contest.
Dallas was held in check by Russell Wilson and Seattle in the Pacific Northwest as the Seahawks took a 24-13 win at Century Link Field last Sunday. The Cowboys trailed 17-3 at the half and could never really get on track, even though they did outscore Seattle 10-3 in the second half. Dallas did outrush Seattle 166-113, with Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott rushing for 127 yards, while Seattle was paced by Chris Carson, who ran for 102 yards and a rushing TD. wilson threw for 192 yards and a pair of TDs, while Dak Prescott threw for 168 yards with five sacks and picked off twice by CB Earl Thomas. Seattle was 7 of 16 on third down tries and held the ball for 32:44, while the Cowboys kept the ball for 27:16, going 3 of 13 on third down conversions, 1 of 2 on fourth down tries.
Including contests that took place at Tiger Stadium, the Cotton Bowl, Texas Stadium and the Silverdome, the Cowboys lead the series 13-11 and they have outscored Detroit 650-458. Dallas’ last win in the series came in 2016 in Arlington by a final of 42-21, while Detroit’s last win came in 2013 in the Motor City by a slim 31-30 final. Dallas is favored by 3 at Jerry World and the over/under is 43 1/2. Are either of these teams playoff bound? Hard to say. The Cowboys are coming off a tough loss on the Pacific Coast, while the Lions are coming off a huge win last Sunday night. Dallas prevails at Jerry World and covers the 3.
New York Jets (1-2) at Jacksonville (2-1), 1 p.m. on FOX and DirecTV 711. A pair of East coast teams with losses under their belts meet in the Sunshine State as the New York Jets make the 947-mile trip down I-95 to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
GangGreen let a 14-3 halftime lead against the Cleveland Browns get away from them as the home team would rally to pick up a 21-17 come-from-behind win over the New York Jets along the shores of Lake Erie on a Thursday night. The Browns rallied in the second half, outscoring GangGreen 18-3 in the final 30 minutes of action, with RB Carlos Hyde scoring with 2:04 left to play from a yard away to take the lead for good. Tyrod Taylor struggled under center for the Browns and left the contest of rookie QB Baker Mayfield, who threw for 201 yards without an interception in the win (Mayfield also caught a two-point conversion in the contest as well, Taylor threw for 19 yards and was sacked three times). Hyde rushed for 98 yards and a pair of TDs as Cleveland outrushed the J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! 133-107 in the win at home, while Jets QB Sam Darnold threw for 169 yards with a pair of sacks and a pair of interceptions (Isiah Crowell had a pair of TDs for the Jets, while teammate Bial Powell led his team with 73 yards on 14 carries). The Browns were 7 of 18 on third down and kept the ball for 30:52, while the J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! were 6 of 15 on third down, 1 of 1 on fourth down and kept the ball for 29:08.
Jacksonville saw their hopes of an unbeaten season come to an end in the Sunshine State as they fell to AFC South foe Tennessee 9-6 at TIAA Bank Field. Going into the intermission tied at 3-3, thanks to field goals from Jacksonville’s Josh Lambo and Tennessee’s Ryan Succop. The two men would late exchange field goal to tie things back up at 6-6 before Succop would give the Titans the lead back for good with a 28-yard field goal with 4:09 left in regulation. Tennessee outrushed Jacksonville 150-87 and Marcus Mariota threw for 100 yards in the win, while Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles threw for 155 yards with three sacks (Mariota was sacked once and neither man threw an interception). Jacksonville was 5 of 14 on third down tries (they were 0 for 1 on fourth down) and kept the ball for 27:13, while the Titens ruled the clock and kept the ball for 32:47, going 5 of 15 on third down tries.
They’ve met 12 times and each team has six wins in their ledger and the Jaguars have outscored GangGreen 232-208. The J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! have won the last four contests, including taking a 23-20 win in overtime last year (Jacksonville’s last win came in 2009 in the Meadowlands by a final of 24-22). Tied 10-10 at the intermission at Met Life Stadium in week four, the J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! took a 20-10 lead going into the fourth quarter before Jacksonville would tie things up with 10 points of their own in the fourth quarter to re-tie things up and send the contest into overtime. Each team kept the ball twice in the extra period and could not dent the scoreboard and after Jacksonville had the ball once more, they punted it back to the J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS!, who used a 4-play, 2-yard drive that used 70 seconds of clock, sending their fans home happy when Chris Catanzaro connected on a 41-yard field goal with 28 seconds left in the overtime. GangGreen outrushed Jacksonville 256-175 with Bilal Powell leading the way with 163 yards and a rushing TD, while Josh McCown threw for 224 yards with five sacks and an interception (Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles threw for 140 yards and a TD toss to Leonard Fournette). GangGreen was 6 of 17 on third down (they were 1 of 1 on fourth down) and held the ball for 34:24 (including the overtime), while Jacksonville kept the pigskin for 35:08, going 4 of 15 on third down tries.
Jacksonville was favored by 3 1/2 and the J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! won by 3, missing the spread. Both teams did manage to cover the 39 1/2 over/under by merging to score 43 points in the overtime affair in upstate New Jersey. Jacksonville’s favored by 7 1/2 at home and the over/under’s 38. This one might be an entertaining game to watch. The J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! and the Jaguars are coming off heartbreaking losses from last week’s action and in the end, someone will check into the Heartbreak Hotel. It won’t be the Jaguars. Jacksonville recovers and wins at home, covering the 7 1/2.
Philadelphia (2-1) at Tennessee (2-1), 1 p.m. on FOX and DirecTV 712. A pair of 2-1 teams square off in the Music City as the defending World Champs travel to Nashville for an afternoon showdown with the Tennessee Titans.
Philadelphia used a long fourth quarter drive against the Indianapolis Colts and took a 20-16 win at Lincoln Financial Field. Although they took a 10-3 at the half, the Colts would eventually take the lead with 14:20 left in regulation when K Adam Vinatieri nailed a 28-yard field for a 16-13. Luck and the Colts then watched the Eagles burn as much time as they could off the clock, using an 17-play, 75-yard drive that took 11:18 of clock to give the defending Super Bowl champs the lead back for keeps when Wendell Smallwood scored with 3:02 left from a yard out. The Colts had one final chance to come away with the road win but their final drive was stalled at their 46-yard line. Philadelphia outrushed Indianapolis 152-68 and Carson Wentz, making his first start in over a year, threw for 255 yards, while Luck threw for 164 yards (both threw a TD pass in the contest, Wentz was sacked five times, Luck was sacked twice). The Colts were 2 of 12 on third down conversions (they were 1 of 2 on fourth down tries) and held the ball for 19:40, while the Eagles were stingy with the clock and the ball, keeping it for 40:20, while going 6 of 14 on third down.
The Titans dashed Jacksonville’s hopes of an unbeaten season as they would leave the Sunshine State with a 9-6 win over their AFC South rivals at TIAA Bank Field. Going into the intermission tied at 3-3, thanks to field goals from Jacksonville’s Josh Lambo and Tennessee’s Ryan Succop. The two men would late exchange field goal to tie things back up at 6-6 before Succop would give the Titans the lead back for good with a 28-yard field goal with 4:09 left in regulation. Tennessee outrushed Jacksonville 150-87 and Marcus Mariota threw for 100 yards in the win, while Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles threw for 155 yards with three sacks (Mariota was sacked once and neither man threw an interception). Jacksonville was 5 of 14 on third down tries (they were 0 for 1 on fourth down) and kept the ball for 27:13, while the Titens ruled the clock and kept the ball for 32:47, going 5 of 15 on third down tries.
Philadelphia leads the series 7-4 and the Eagles have outscored the Titans 257-220, which includes games that were played in Houston when the Titans were known as the Oilers. Philly won the last meeting, taking a 43-24 win in the City of Brotherly Love in 2014, while Tennessee’s last win over the Eagles came in 2010 in the Music City by a final of 37-19. Philadelphia’s favored by 3 1/2 and the over/under’s 41 1/2. Both numbers make a lot of sense. Eagles may not cover the 3 1/2 but they do win in the Music City.
Seattle (1-2) at Arizona (0-3), 4:05 p.m. on FOX and DirecTV 713. A pair of NFC West rivals meet in the desert as Seattle heads to Glendale for a late-afternoon meeting with the Arizona Cardinals.
Seattle held Dallas and Dak Prescott in check last Sunday in the land of Grunge, Salmon and Starbucks, as they took the Cowboys to task by a 24-13 final at Century Link Field.. Seattle led 17-3 at the half and kept the Cowboys in check in the second half, although Dallas did outscore Seattle 10-3 in the second half. Dallas did outrush Seattle 166-113, with Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott rushing for 127 yards, while Seattle was paced by Chris Carson, who ran for 102 yards and a rushing TD. wilson threw for 192 yards and a pair of TDs, while Dak Prescott threw for 168 yards with five sacks and picked off twice by CB Earl Thomas. Seattle was 7 of 16 on third down tries and held the ball for 32:44, while the Cowboys kept the ball for 27:16, going 3 of 13 on third down conversions, 1 of 2 on fourth down tries.
Arizona let a 14-3 lead against Chicago get away from them in the desert, allowing Da Bears to rally to come away 16-14 winners in Glendale. Chicago used a 1-yard TD run from Jordan Howard (who led all rushers with 61 yards), a pair of Cody Parkey field goals and a last-second stop of an Arizona drive to take the road win. Chicago outrushed Arizona 122-53 and Mitch Trubisky threw for 220 yards, with an interception, while Sam Bradford threw for 157 yards and a pair of TDs (both Bradford and Trubisky were sacked three times, while Bradford threw a pair of interceptions). Chicago was 5 of 14 on third down conversions (they were 1 of 1 on fourth down) and kept the ball for 36:21, while the Desert Angry Birds kept the ball for 23:39, going 3 of 10 and 0 of 1 on third and fourth downs.
The Desert Angry Birds lead the series 19-18-1 (including games that took place in St. Louis and in the old Kingdome) and the Seahawks have outscored Arizona 949-733. The NFC West foes met twice last year and each took wins in the other team’s ballpark.
They met in the desert in week 10 and Seattle led 15-7 at the half, coming away 22-16 winners at University of Phoenix Stadium. Seattle outrushed Arizona 75-34 and Wilson threw for 238 yards and a pair of TDs to TE Jimmy Graham, despite being sacked five times, while Darren Dalton threw for 273 yards and a TD. The Seahawks on third down conversions in Glendale went 3 of 13 and kept the ball for 30:53, while Arizona was 29:07 in time of possession, going 6 of 15 on third down, 1 of 3 on fourth down.
Arizona would get revenge in their second meeting, a week 17 affair in the land of Grunge, Salmon and Starbucks, coming away 26-24 winners at Century Link Field in the closing moments. Arizona led 20-3 at the intermission in the season finale for both clubs, then trailed 24-23 with 10:24 left in regulation when Wilson and WR Doug Baldwin connected on a 29-yard TD toss to give Seattle the lead briefly. Arizona would eventually take the lead back for good, using a 10-play, 62-yard drive that used 4:50 of clock and ending when Pat Dawson connected on a 42-yard field goal with 2:21 left. Seattle could have won the contest in the final seconds at home in the Pacific Northwest but Blair Walsh’s 48-yard field goal try sailed wide to the right. Arizona then got the ball back and ran out the clock to win the contest. Arizona outrushed Seattle 116-101 and Wilson threw for 221 yards and the two TD passes (both to Graham), while Stanton threw for 145 yards and a TD (Wilson was sacked three times, Stanton was sacked once). While Seattle was a dismal 1 of 12 on third down, they were perfect on fourth down, going 1 of 1 and kept the ball for 27:44. The Desert Angry Birds? They ruled the clock and kept the pigskin for 32:16, while going 4 of 14 on third down.
In the week 10 contest in the desert, the Seahawks covered the 6-point spread, winning by 6 and the two clubs barely missed the 41 1/2 over/under, tallying 38 points. As for the week 17 contest in the land of Grunge, Salmon and Starbucks, Seattle was favored by 8 but Arizona won by 2 but both clubs easily covered the 38 1/2 over/under by scoring 50 points. Seattle’s favored by 3 and the over/under’s 39. Both clubs are trying to keep pace with the Los Angeles Rams, who picked up their third win of the season last Thursday night. The Seahawks look to make it two in a row, while the Desert Angry Birds look to right their ship. Seahawks prevail in the desert and cover the 3.
Cleveland (1-1-1) at Oakland (0-3), 4:05 p.m. on FOX and DirecTV 714. One’s coming off their first win since Christmas Eve 2016, while the other looks for their first win. The Browns and Raiders meet on the Eastern Side of San Francisco Bay for a early afternoon Pacific time contest.
Cleveland fans finally had something to celebrate after their 21-17 come-from-behind win over the New York Jets along the shores of Lake Erie on a Thursday night. The Browns trailed 14-3 at the intermission, then rallied in the second half, outscoring GangGreen 18-3 in the final 30 minutes of action, with RB Carlos Hyde scoring with 2:04 left to play from a yard away to take the lead for good. Tyrod Taylor struggled under center for the Browns and left the contest of rookie QB Baker Mayfield, who threw for 201 yards without an interception in the win (Mayfield also caught a two-point conversion in the contest as well, Taylor threw for 19 yards and was sacked three times). Hyde rushed for 98 yards and a pair of TDs as Cleveland outrushed the J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! 133-107 in the win at home, while Jets QB Sam Darnold threw for 169 yards with a pair of sacks and a pair of interceptions (Isiah Crowell had a pair of TDs for the Jets, while teammate Bial Powell led his team with 73 yards on 14 carries). The Browns were 7 of 18 on third down and kept the ball for 30:52, while the J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! were 6 of 15 on third down, 1 of 1 on fourth down and kept the ball for 29:08.
Oakland watched Miami rally in the final seconds in the Sunshine State against, as they would score twice in the final quarter against the Raiders to take a 28-20 win at Hard Rock Stadium. The Raiders led 17-14 with 55 seconds left in the third quarter when Miami went on their scoring rampage in the third when WR Jakeem Grant caught TD passes from QB Ryan Tannehill and WR Albert Wilson to take an eight-point lead. Oakland would eventually make it an 8-point contest with 20 seconds left when K Matt Nugent connected on a 52-yard field goal to pull themselves closer than Dolphin fans would have wanted. Although the Raiders outrushed Miami 109-41 and Derek Carr threw for 345 yards with a TD, Tannehill threw for 289 yards and three TDs to take the win. Miami, taking advantage of three Oakland turnovers (two Carr interceptions and a fumble), went 2 of 8 on third down tries and held on to the ball for 21:29, while the Raiders kept the ball for 38:31, going 7 of 13 on third down, 0 of 1 on fourth down.
The Silver and Black leads the series 12-10 (which includes games that were played in Los Angeles) and the Raiders have outscored Cleveland 467-400. Oakland won the last meeting, coming away 27-20 winners in Cleveland in 2015, while Cleveland’s last win took place in 2014 along the shores of Lake Erie by a final of 23-13. Oakland’s favored by 2 and the over/under’s 44 1/2. Feel free to take a pass on this one (unless you’re a fan of either team) and get that Halloween shopping done. Oakland wins this one but it could be closer than the 2.
San Francisco (1-2) at Los Angeles Chargers (1-2), 4:25 p.m. on CBS and DirecTV 715. A pair of California teams meet in Los Angeles as San Francisco and the Los Angeles Chargers look to even their records.
San Francisco, who is making the 393-mile trip down I-5, suffered two losses last Sunday. First, they lost 38-27 at Arrowhead to the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs, then they lost the services of QB Jimmy Garoppolo to a season-ending knee injury. The Chiefs led 28-10 at the half before watching the 49ers outscore them in the final 30 minutes of play by a 17-3 margin. San Francisco did manage to outrush the Chiefs 178-77 but Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes threw for 314 yards and three TDs, while Garoppolo threw for 251 yards with a pair of TDs and four sacks before he left the contest with a knee injury. The Chiefs were 7 of 11 on third down tries (they went 1 of 1 on fourth down conversions) at Arrowhead and kept the ball for 30:01, while the 49ers were 2 of 9 and 2 of 2 on third and fourth down tries and they would keep the ball for 29:59.
The Chargers lost the Battle of Los Angeles to the crosstown Rams 35-23 at the Coliseum. The defending NFC West champs led 21-13 at the intermission, then floored the gas in the second half, outscoring the Bolts 14-10 to take the win. The Rams outrushed the Chargers 171-141, with RB Todd Gurley leading the way with 105 yards and a TD, while Jarred Goff threw for 354 yards and three TDs, connecting with WR Robert Woods on two of the tosses (Philip Rivers threw for 226 and a pair of TDs for the Chargers). The Rams were 8 of 11 on third down and held the ball for 34:16, while the Chargers were 7 of 13 and 1 of 2 on third and fourth down, keeping the ball for 25:44.
The Chargers lead the series 7-6, which includes contests that were played in San Diego and Candlestick Park, while the 49ers have ourscored the Bolts 347-294. The Chargers have come away winners in the last four contests, including a 38-35 overtime win in San Francisco in 2014, while the 49ers’ last win over the Chargers came in 2000, when they were 45-17 winners in San Diego. The Chargers are favored by 10 1/2 and the over/under’s 47 1/2. The 47 1/2 is reasonable, it’s the 10 1/2 that has us worried. The 49ers are not that bad and while the Chargers may not cover the 10 1/2, they will take the win at home.
New Orleans (2-1) at New York Giants (1-2), 4:25 p.m. on CBS and DirecTV 716. The Big Easy meets the Big Apple as the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants meet in upstate New Jersey in a late afternoon NFC contest.
Brees and the Saints prevailed a back and forth battle with NFC South foe Atlanta last Sunday in the Big Peach and took a 43-37 overtime win to the Saints. The Saints led 16-14 at the intermission and saw the Falcons rally to take a 37-30 lead with 6:58 left in regulation thanks to Matt Ryan tossing a 5-yard TD strike to WR Mohammaed Sanu. That lead would not last long as Brees tied things up at 37-37 with 75 seconds left on a 5-yard scamper into the endzone. The Saints then won the toss to start the overtime and made sure that Ryan and the Falcons would not get the ball back, going on a 15- play, 80 yard drive that used 7:05 of clock and ended with Brees scoring from a yard out. New Orleans outrushed Atlanta 143-48 and Brees threw for 396 yards and three TDs, while Ryan (sacked three times) threw for 374 yards and five TDs, connecting with rookie WR Calvin Ridley on three of those tosses (Ridley finished with seven catches for 146). Atlanta was 4 of 11 on third down, keeping the ball for 29:20, while the Saints went 7 of 14 and 1 of 1 on third and fourth downs, holding on to the ball for 37:45, including the overtime.
The Giants led throughout their contest against Houston at NRG Stadium last Sunday, taking the Texans to a 27-22 in the Lone Star State. While the Giants led 20-6 at halftime, the Texans eventually did manage to pull to within five on a 4-yard TD toss from DeShaun Watson (385 yards) to RB Lamar Miller with :01 second left. Houston was outrushed by the Giants 114-59 (Saquon Barkley led all rushers with 82 yards and a TD), while Manning threw for 297 yards in the contest (both men threw a pair of TDs, Watson was sacked three times and picked off once, Manning was sacked four times). The Giants were 7 of 13 on third down tries and kept the ball for 35:30, while the Texans, who kept the ball for 24:30, went 5 of 12 on third down, 2 of 2 on fourth down.
Including contests played in New Haven, Connecticut, Yankee Stadium, Tulane Stadium and the Meadowlands, the Giants lead the series 16-13 and they have outscored the Saints 663-636. The Giants were 16-13 winners in the last meeting in 2016 in the Meadowlands, while the Saints’ last win in the series came in 2015 in the Big Easy by a final of 52-49. The Saints are favored by 3 1/2 and the over/under’s 50. Both numbers are reasonable and make a lot of sense. Both QBs can put up points if need be. The Saints may march into the Meadowlands on Sunday but the Giants pulled the upset and march out with the win, covering the 3 1/2.
Baltimore (2-1) at Pittsburgh (1-1-1), 8:20 p.m. on NBC. A pair of AFC North rivals that don’t like each other meet in prime time in the Steel City as Pittsburgh hosts Baltimore at Heinz Field.
Baltimore erased a 14-10 first quarter deficit against Denver last Sunday in Charm City and came away 27-14 winners at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens then took a 20-14 lead with them to the break, then scored their final seven points of the contest unchallenged. The good news for Denver? They did outrush Baltimore 120-77. The bad news? Joe Flacco burned the Broncos for 277 yards with a TD toss to RB Javorius Allen, while Case Keenum threw for 192 yards (Keenum was sacked three times and picked off once, while Flacco was sacked twice). Baltimore was 8 of 16 on third down tries and held the ball for 30:14, while the Broncos were 6 of 14 and 0 of 1 on third and fourth downs, keeping the ball for 29:46.
Pittsburgh led Tampa Bay 30-10 at the intermission last Monday night at Raymond James Stadium, then watched the Buccaneers score their last 17 points in the second half unchallegened before hanging on to knock Tampa Bay out of the ranks of the unbeatens 30-27. Tampa Bay was paced by Ryan Fitzpatrick (who took over for the suspended Jameis Winston), who threw for 411 yards, while Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger threw for 353 yards (each man threw three TDs and was sacked three times, Roethlisberger threw an interception, while Fitzpatrick threw three picks). Tampa Bay, outrushed by Pittsburgh 78-63, went 3 of 9 on third down tries (they were 1 of 1 on fourth down) and held on to the ball for 29:39, while the Steelers held the pigskin for 30:21, going 3 for 11 on third down.
Pittsburgh leads the series 24-20, the Steelers have outscored the Ravens 894-861 and they won the last three game, sweeping the season series last year, taking wins in Charm City and the Steel City (Baltimore’s last win over the Steelers came in 2016, when they were 21-14 winners in Charm City).
They squared off in week four in Baltimore and the Steelers held Baltimore to 9 third quarter points to take a 26-9 win on the road in Charm City. Pittsburgh, outrushing Baltimore 173-82, led 19-0 at the half and never let their foot off the gas as LeVeon Bell rushed for 144 yards and a pair of TDs, while Roethlisberger threw for 216 yards. For Baltimore, Flacco threw for 235 yards with a pair of interceptions and four sacks (both Roethlisbeger and Flacco threw a TD pass, Roethlisberger was sacked once and picked off once). Pittsburgh was 7 of 15 on third down and ruled the clock as held the ball for 35:29, while Baltimore was 5 of 13, 0 of 2 on third and fourth downs, keeping the ball for 24:31.
Pittsburgh needed to rally late in the final seconds of their week 14 rematch in the Steel City and prevailed 39-38 at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh led the Ravens 20-14 at the break before they saw the Ravens take the lead back, trailing 38-36 with 3:29 left in regulation before taking the lead back for good, using a 10-play, 55-yard drive that took 1:43 and ended with Chris Boswell connecting on a 46-yard field goal with 42 seconds left. This time, it was Baltimore’s turn to outrush the Steelers, tallying 152 yards, while the Steelers had 59 (the Ravens’ Alex Collins led the way with 120. Roethlisberger outpaced Flacco in the rematch, throwing for 506 yards, while Flacco chipped in with 269 yards (each man threw a pair of TDs, Roethilsberger was sacked three times, Flacco was sacked once and threw an interception). The Steelers were much better on third down tries, going 12 of 18 and held on to the ball for 33:50, while the Ravens were 4 of 10 on third down, holding the ball for 26:10.
In the week four contest, Pittsburgh covered the 3-point spread, winning by 17 but the 44 over/under was intact as both teams merged for 35 points. Pittsburgh won the rematch in week 14 but did not cover the 7-point spread, winning by one but both teams easily covered the 41 over/under by tallying 77 combined points. In the prime time Sunday night contest in the Steel City, Pittsburgh’s favored by 3 and the over/under is 48 1/2, which makes this one “DRILL WORRTHY!” (For those of you that know what The Drill is, you are excused. Everyone else, pay attention. We don’t want any rookie mistakes here, k?) After you go to the 9:30 mass on Sunday (the 4:30 vigil mass on Saturday counts as a mass attended, people! Don’t make us send the nuns after you! If we do, it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OVER!), head to your favorite store (a trip to Wal Mart, Target, K-Mart or Costco counts) and get the vittles and the beverages (soda, beer, wine, coffee, et al… if you live in a state that allows the purchase of the items in question) and invite the co-workers, the neighbors (including that really cute kindergarden teacher that knows what to do with a cover-2 defense) and your cousin Connie (remember her? She’s the one that’s been married twice that’s just turned 58 last June and dates a 43-year old ex-Marine, who’s now a football coach at the high school in your town. She’s also the one that ate an entire Oreo cheesecake, two bags of Cool Ranch Doritos, two bacon cheeseburgers with blue cheese and chugged two 2-liter Cokes at your Super Bowl party last year and didn’t gain a pound. You look at her and say to yourself, “what the hell?”
)The Steelers would like nothing more than to have a leg up on the Ravens in the AFC North, while the Ravens look to go to 3-1. Steelers cover the 3 in the Steel City on Sunday night and takes the win at home.
Kansas City (3-0) at Denver (2-1), 8:15 p.m. Monday on ESPN. Forget the records. It’s a pair of AFC West teams that aren’t exactly crazy about each other as Denver hosts the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos Stadium at Mile High to close out week four action.
The Chiefs stayed unbeatend after their 38-27 win at Arrowhead over the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs led 28-10 at the half before watching the 49ers outscore them in the final 30 minutes of play by a 17-3 margin. San Francisco did manage to outrush the Chiefs 178-77 but Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes threw for 314 yards and three TDs, while the 49ers Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 251 yards with a pair of TDs and four sacks before he left the contest with a knee injury. The Chiefs were 7 of 11 on third down tries (they went 1 of 1 on fourth down conversions) at Arrowhead and kept the ball for 30:01, while the 49ers were 2 of 9 and 2 of 2 on third and fourth down tries and they would keep the ball for 29:59.
Denver watched a a 14-10 first quarter deficit against Baltimore last Sunday in Charm City and lost to the Ravens 27-14 at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore then proceeded to take a 20-14 lead with them to the break, then scored their final seven points of the contest unchallenged. While Denver did outrush Baltimore 120-77, Ravens QB Joe Flacco burned the Broncos for 277 yards with a TD toss to RB Javorius Allen, while Case Keenum threw for 192 yards (Keenum was sacked three times and picked off once, while Flacco was sacked twice). Baltimore was 8 of 16 on third down tries and held the ball for 30:14, while the Broncos were 6 of 14 and 0 of 1 on third and fourth downs, keeping the ball for 29:46.
The Chiefs lead the series 61-54 (including games played in Dallas when the team was known as the Texans), Kansas City has outscored Denver 2,663-2,373 and have won the last five meetings, including sweeping last year’s series (Denver’s last win over the Chiefs came in 2015, when the Broncos were 31-24 winners at Arrowhead).
Meeting one… week eight… Arrowhead. Kansas City led 17-3 at the intermission and came away 29-19 winners in the first meeting. Although Denver won the second half 16-12, the Chiefs used five Harrison Butker field goals to take the home win. Although they were outrushed by Denver 177-79, Alex Smtih burned Denver for 202 yards and a TD, while picking off Trevor Siemian (198 yards) three times and sacked him three times. Kansas City went 2 of 12 on third down tries at Arrowhead, keeping the ball for 28:37, while the Broncos ruled the clock and held on to the ball for 31:23, going 5 of 13 on third down, 0 of 1 on fourth down.
In chilly 17 degree weather (wind chill of 14 with snow flurries), the Chiefs completed the sweep of the series at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on New Years Eve afternoon in week 17, taking the Broncos 27-24 in the final seconds of the contest. Kansas City led 14-10 at the half and took a 24-10 lead with them to the start of the final 15 minutes of action before Denver got a pair of TDs; first, LB Zaire Anderson returning a fumble 38 yards for a TD, then WR Demaryius Thomas scpromg on a 6-yard TD toss from Paxton Lynch that would tie things up with 2:53 left in the contest. The Chiefs would then use all of the 2:53 that was left in the contest, taking 11 plays and 67 yards with Butker connecting on a 30-yard field goal as time expired. Each club rushed for 110 yards in the finale and Mahomes threw for 284 yards, while Lynch threw for 254 yards with a pair of TDs and five sacks (Lynch was picked off twice, Mahomes was picked off once amd sacked twice). The Chiefs were 4 of 11 on third down (they were 1 of 1 on fourth down) and held the ball for 29:03, while the Broncos ruled the clock and kept the ball for 30:57, going 5 of 12 and 1 of 2 on third and fourth down conversions.
In the week eight contest in the Show Me State on a Monday night, the Chiefs covered the 7 1/2-point spread, winning by 10 and both clubs covered the 43 over/under. As for the New Year’s Eve afternoon finale in the Mile High State in week 17, Kansas City BARELY missed the 3 1/2-point spread with the 3-point win but as was the case in the first meeting, both clubs covered the over/under (which was 38) by scoring 51 points. Denver on Monday night is 32-38-1 (the Broncos lost their only contest in prime time last year), while the Chiefs are 25-18 and swept their two MNF contests in the 2017 campaign. Kansas City’s favored by 5 and the over/under’s 56. This might be the best MNF game of the 2018 season, so you may want to tape “Big Bang” this week. Chiefs remain unbeaten and cover the 5.
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