Around the AFC
Super Joe. It’s been a slow start for Joe Burrow as he works his way through a calf injury, but he finally hit his stride Sunday in throwing for 317 yards and three touchdowns against Arizona. If he gets toward fully healthy, it’ll be just in time. The Bengals’ next three are against Seattle, San Francisco and Buffalo.
London Lamar. The fans across the pond get an up-close-and-personal look at Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson on Sunday morning as the Ravens take on Tennessee. Jackson’s off to another stellar start, though drops crippled Baltimore’s chances last week against Pittsburgh. All the same, the NFL’s putting one of its foremost talents on display once again in London.
Belichick bowl. Bill Belichick against Josh McDaniels is by far the spiciest part of an AFC matchup between a pair of not-great teams in New England and Las Vegas. McDaniels and company have tried to make the Patriots Way take root in the desert and it’s been tough sledding. But maybe not as tough as Belichick’s year so far. How many more times can he bench quarterback Mac Jones and then start him again the next week?
Around the NFC
Top two, not two. Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers made maybe the most powerful statement of the NFL season so far by throttling Dallas in Week 5. San Francisco has been unstoppable offensively and dynamic defensively. They’ve got skill talent all around ultra-efficient quarterback Brock Purdy. Now they go on the road back-to-back weeks to Cleveland and Minnesota to try to keep the party rolling.
Carolina blue. On the opposite end of the NFC spectrum, Carolina is the last winless team in the NFL. No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young has struggled and also missed a game due to injury. Frank Reich is seeing the type of challenge he inherited as a first-year head coach. And they have the pleasure of trying to get their first win Sunday at high-flying Miami. Good luck.
Swift/Kelce craze. The NFL can’t stop talking about the dominant pairing of Philadelphia center Jason Kelce and running back D’Andre Swift. Wait, that’s not quite right. Never mind. What is right, though, is the Eagles’ run game. Kelce’s a dominant force on a dominant unit and Swift leads NFL rushers with more than 60 carries by averaging 5.7 per attempt. That’ll work. One of many reasons Philly is 5-0 and a touchdown favorite on the road against the Jets.
Game of the Week
Detroit at Tampa Bay
Probably wouldn’t have guessed this back in Week 1, but the 4-1 Lions visit the 3-1 Buccaneers. Dan Campbell’s Detroit team is a three-point road favorite, but the Bucs are coming off a bye and have been surprisingly good with Baker Mayfield running the show. Not surprisingly, Todd Bowles’ defense continues to be good. The Lions, though, are a big, physical, complete team. They’ve got what it takes to get the job done on the road.
Lions 23, Buccaneers 20
Lock of the Week
New York Giants at Buffalo
This might be an in-state rivalry, but it’s a big ol’ mismatch, too, this year. The Giants are bad. Like, really bad. Buffalo had been on a tear until putting up a dud in London and losing star linebacker Matt Milano in the process. That injury and another to corner Tre’Davious White might cost the Bills down the road, but not this week. Josh Allen and company should roll easily as 14-point favorites.
Bills 40, Giants 17
Upset of the Week
Dallas at Los Angeles Chargers
The Cowboys got obliterated by San Francisco on Sunday night and now have to try to bounce back against a talented Chargers team. It’s a reunion of sorts, with former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore set to call plays for L.A. against Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Should make for a good chess match. Dallas is a three-point favorite, but the pressure’s on to show last week was something of an anomaly. Instead, maybe more drama’s on the way to Dallas.
Chargers 27, Cowboys 24
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