Everything you need to know as kickoff approaches...
Key game-time decisions
All players questionable unless noted
Ben Roethlisberger (foot) QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Big Ben was limited in practice Thursday and Friday. We don't question Roethlisberger's toughness, but expect Landry Jones to start. UPDATE: Roethlisberger is active for Sunday's game and will backup Landry Jones, per NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala.
Matt Forte (knee) RB; Alshon Jeffery (groin) WR; Pernell McPhee (knee) LB, Chicago Bears
Forte will work out pregame, but sounds like he's a week away from playing (rookie Jeremy Langford would get the bulk of the carries if Forte sits again). Jeffery returned to practice and coach John Fox spoke optimistically -- the Bears' offense can't function sans Jeffery. UPDATE: Forte and Jeffery are both inactive vs. St. Louis Rams.
Josh McCown (ribs) QB; Tashaun Gipson (illness) S, Cleveland Browns
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Johnny Manziel is expected to start. Gipson didn't practice Friday. UPDATE: McCown is officially inactive.
Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) QB; Anthony Barr (hand) LB; Marcus Sherels (shoulder) CB, Minnesota Vikings
Teddy was a full participant on Friday and coach Mike Zimmer said he has "no doubt" the quarterback will start. Barr was limited on Friday. UPDATE: Bridgewater will start against the Raiders, Rapoport reported. The team officially activated him Sunday.
Calvin Johnson (ankle) WR, Detroit Lions
John Brown (hamstring) WR; Lyle Sendlein (shoulder) C, Arizona Cardinals
Brown was limited all week, as was Sendlein. Brown will test out his hammy pregame. In Week 8 he suited up, but stayed on the sidelines the entire contest.
Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) RB, Seattle Seahawks
Coach Pete Carroll expects Beast Mode to play Sunday. UPDATE: Lynch will be a game-time decision on Sunday night, Rapoport reported.
Robert Quinn (knee) DE, St. Louis Rams
Quinn was limited Thursday and Friday. With Chris Long already out, the Rams' pass rush needs Quinn back after missing the potent duo last week.
Rolando McClain (hand, foot) LB; Nick Hayden (ankle, ankle) DT; Anthony Hitchens (ankle) LB, Dallas Cowboys
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder) TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ASJ was limited all week, but Lovie Smith didn't sound optimistic about getting the tight end back. UPDATE: Seferian-Jenkins isn't expected to play Sunday, Rapoport reported.
Eddie Lacy (groin) RB; Ty Montgomery (ankle) -- DOUBTFUL -- WR; Mike Neal (hip) LB and Sam Shields (shoulder) CB -- PROBABLE, Green Bay Packers
The Packers didn't conduct practice Friday. Lacy has been adamant his health hasn't been the cause of his struggles this season. Montgomery was downgraded to doubtful Saturday while teammates Mike Neal and Sam Shields were upgraded to probable. UPDATE: Lacy is inactive for Sunday's tilt with Detroit.
Allen Hurns (foot, thigh) WR; Marqise Lee (hamstring), Jacksonville Jaguars
Hurns was limited Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday, but is confident he'll play. UPDATE: Hurns and Lee are both active for Sunday's game at Baltimore.
Emmanuel Sanders (ankle) WR, Denver Broncos
Sanders missed practice all week. He'll test it out pregame. Coach Gary Kubiak has been optimistic this week the receiver will play. UPDATE: Sander is active for Sunday's game against Kansas City.
DeVante Parker (foot) WR, Miami Dolphins
Parker was limited all week.
Jason Peters (back) T, Philadelphia Eagles
Peters was full-go Friday and should return to the lineup.
Weather Tracking*
We will update as prognostications drift closer to game time.
Vikings at Raiders -- 58 degrees / Chance of Rain (60 percent)
*Forecasts courtesy of Weather Underground
Three matchups that intrigue
Carson Palmer vs. LOB
Palmer missed the Arizona Cardinals' two losses to the Seattle Seahawks in 2014. The quarterback returned from a torn ACL and is playing at an All-Pro level. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he's never seen Palmer play better than the quarterback has in 2015 -- remember Carroll coached Palmer when the QB lit up the college ranks. Palmer has utilized Bruce Arians' stretch-passing offense with aplomb, taking advantage of mismatches with Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown. The Legion of Boom hasn't been as thunderous this season, but still own the NFL's No. 2 rated pass defense. Richard Sherman shadowing opposing top receivers is an intriguing twist. It will be interesting to see if Sherm trails Fitzy at all Sunday. If the LOB forces Palmer into turnovers Sunday night at CenturyLink Field, the Cards' lead in the NFC West will feel awful small come Monday.
In Week 2 against the Broncos, Houston tallied two sacks of Peyton Manning and three quarterback hits. That marks half of the pass rusher's sacks on the season. The Broncos' offensive line has dealt with injuries and hasn't been consistent this season. Facing Houston looks to be a daunting task. With cornerback Sean Smith back from suspension this time around, Manning won't have a bailout corner to attack when the pressure starts to get to him. If Manning is forced to hold onto the ball Sunday, Houston could have another monster afternoon.
Could Tom Brady throw for 1,000 yards Sunday? No, but his matchup against a limp Giants secondary says he should put up enormous numbers. The Giants gave up seven touchdown passes to Drew Brees two weeks ago. They own the NFL's 31st ranked pass defense (308.9 yards per game allowed) and don't pressure the quarterback -- we'll see if Jason Pierre-Paul can get his first sack of the season. Brady, meanwhile, does his job better than any person on the planet. Brady ranks first in the NFL in touchdowns, TD-INT ratio and passer rating. With Giants corner Prince Amukamara out again, Brady should have a field day. Oh, and Big Blue can't cover tight ends, so expect a lot of Brady to Gronk action.
Did You Know?
In 2014, just one team with a record below .500 through Week 10 made the playoffs (CAR, 3-6-1).
Since 1990, teams that start 5-4 have made the playoffs 50.0 percent of the time. Teams that start 4-5 have made the playoffs 12.2 percent of the time. Teams that start 6-4 have made the playoffs 60.8 percent of the time. Teams that start 5-5 have made the playoffs 27.7 percent of the time.
Entering Week 10, there are three undefeated teams -- CAR (8-0), CIN (8-0) and NE (8-0) -- most in NFL history. The most undefeated 9-0 teams in a season in NFL history is two, which occurred most recently in 2009 (NO & IND). In the Super Bowl era, 21 teams have started 8-0 and all 21 made the playoffs; 12 of those 21 teams advanced to the Super Bowl; eight of those 12 teams won the Super Bowl.
This season, backup QBs forced to play because of an injury are 5-15 and have averaged 197.9 passing yards per game with a 80.9 passer rating:
IND Matt Hasselbeck2-0
PIT Mike Vick2-1
CLE Johnny Manziel1-1
PIT Landry Jones0-1
CHI Jimmy Clausen0-1
NO Luke McCown0-1
TEN Zach Mettenberger0-2
BUF EJ Manuel0-2
DAL Brandon Weeden0-3
DAL Matt Cassel0-3
Not included (coach's decision, not injury-related): Ryan Mallett 1-3; Blaine Gabbert 1-0
Divisions by winning percentage:
AFC East 20-12 .625
NFC South 21-13 .618
NFC West 17-16 .515
AFC North 17-17 .500
NFC North 16-16 .500
AFC West 16-17 .485
NFC East 14-19 .424
AFC South 11-22 .333
The NFC is 20-16 versus the AFC head-to-head this season.
The Jags have scored 20 points in four straight games for the first time since a five-game streak from Weeks 7-12, 2010. Jacksonville earned 290-plus yards in seven straight games, its longest streak since 11 straight from Week 7, 2010-Week 1, 2011.
Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson have been one of NFL's top receiving duos, combining for 12 receiving TDs and 1,342 yards, the best combined numbers of any pass-catching duo. Robinson and Hurns are both on pace for 1,200-plus yard seasons. Jimmy Smith in 2005 was the last Jaguars WR with 1,000-plus receiving yards. Robinson and Hurns are the first WR duo with 600-plus receiving yards and six-plus TDs each in a team's first eight games since Randy Moss and Wes Welker with the 2007 Patriots.
The Jags have just one rushing touchdown (fewest in the NFL).
Blake Bortles: 56.3 pass-completion percentage, 274.1 YPG, 17 TDs, 10 INTs, 83.2 passer rating. Bortles has thrown at least one TD pass in all eight games this season. He's the first QB in Jacksonville franchise history with at least one TD pass in each of the team's first eight games.
Jags' notable defensive ranks: 30th in points per game allowed (29.4) and takeaways (seven); 29th in third-down percentage (45.1); T-25 in 10-plus play drives allowed (16); seventh in rushing defense (94.2).
All eight Ravens games have been decided by eight points or less -- fifth team ever to have first eight games decided by eight points or less. No team has ever had its first nine games decided by eight points or less. John Harbaugh's team went 28-19 in games decided by eight points or less in the previous five seasons.
Joe Flacco: 63.3 completion percentage, 272.0 YPG, 10 TD, eight INT, 82.8 passer rating -- 6-1 career following bye week. On pace to throw career-high 16 INTs. Flacco has struggled in the fourth quarter: 51.0 completion percentage, 6.01 yards per attempt, 3-3 TD-to INT ratio and a 67.2 passer rating.
Justin Forsett: 133 carries, 562 yards, 70.3 rush YPG, two TDs; 27 receptions, 142 yards.
The Baltimore defense has allowed 20-plus points in seven straight games for the first time in same season since Weeks 9-17, 2007 (last season with a losing record). 2007: Ravens lost eight of their last nine games, finished 5-11.
Matchup to watch: The Allens vs. Ravens secondary
The Packers have defeated the Lions in 24 straight home games (including playoffs), the longest streak in NFL history. The last time the Lions won at Green Bay came in Week 16, 1991 (21-17) -- Erik Kramer defeated Mike Tomczak. Lions interim general manager Sheldon White was a cornerback on that Lions team. That offseason, the Packers traded for Brett Favre.
Lions coaches during losing streak: Wayne Fontes, Bobby Ross, Gary Moeller, Marty Mornhinweg, Steve Mariucci, Dick Jauron, Rod Marinelli, Jim Schwartz and Jim Caldwell.
Lions starting quarterbacks during streak: Rodney Peete, Scott Mitchell, Don Majkowski, Gus Frerotte, Charlie Batch, Joey Harrington, Jeff Garcia, Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper, Shaun Hill and Matthew Stafford.
Packers coaches during win streak: Mike Holmgren, Ray Rhodes, Mike Sherman and Mike McCarthy.
Packers starting quarterbacks during streak: Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Flynn.
Lions' notable offensive ranks: 32nd in rushing yards per game (69.6) and giveaways (20); 31st in points per game (18.6); and 26th in total yards per game (337.8).
Matthew Stafford: 64.5 completion percentage, 260.4 YPG, 13 TDs, 11 INTs, 84.1 passer rating -- lowest passer rating since 2012 (79.8) when Lions went 4-12. Stafford is 3-32 against teams that finish the season with a winning record, including playoffs -- 0-18 on the road versus teams to finish with winning records.
Detroit's defense is allowing 30.6 points per game (32nd in NFL), 385.8 total yards per game, (26th) 133.8 rushing YPG (30th), 252.0 pass YPG (18th) and a 43.9 third-down percentage (27th). Allowed 14 rushing TDs in eight games (allowed eight rushing TDs in all of 2014).
In his last 22 home games that he did not leave due to injury, Aaron Rodgers is 22-0. His last home loss came in Week 1, 2012. Rodgers left Green Bay's Week 9, 2013 loss against the Bears on the first drive of the game with a broken collarbone.
The Packers are ranked No. 25 total offense (340.9 YPG). Green Bay has not ranked 25th or worse in total YPG since 1979 -- Packers went 5-11 with coach Bart Starr and QB David Whitehurst. Green Bay have never ranked lower than 13th in total offense in Aaron Rodgers era (since 2008) -- Currently 10th in scoring offense, 25th in total offense.
James Starks (starter): 78 rushes, 334 yards, TD.
Eddie Lacy: 83 rushes, 308 yards, 2 TDs.
Clay Matthews: 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 15 QB hits, 7 tackles for loss, INT -- 7.0 sacks, 1 INT in nine career games versus Lions.
Matchup to watch:Randall Cobb vs. Lions slot corners
The honeymoon is over for Dan Campbell:
Weeks 6-7: 41.0 points per game average; 468.5 total YPG; 214.0 rushing YPG
Weeks 8-9: 12.0 PPG; 333.5 total YPG; 60.5 rush YPG.
Ryan Tannehill: 64.2 completion percentage, 279.6 YPG, 13 TDs, nine INTs, 88.7 passer rating. Two straight games without a passing TD -- first career back-to-back games without a passing TD.
Lamar Miller: 91 carries, 478 yards, five TD (scored a rushing TD in each of last four games, longest streak of career); 27 receptions, 279 yards, TD. 5.25 yards per carry this season (seventh in NFL).
Notable Dolphins defensive ranks: T-20th in sack (16); 23rd in PPG (25.8); 25th in total YPG (384.5); and T-28th in takeaways (8). 15 sacks in four games under Campbell (one sack in four games under Joe Philbin).
The Eagles have 150-plus rushing yards in each of the last four games -- longest streak under Chip Kelly -- and 400-plus total yards in three of the last four games. Philly has 400-plus yards 25 times since Kelly took over in 2013 (most in NFL).
Sam Bradford: 62.9 completion percentage, 257.6 YPG, 10 TDs, 10 INT, 79.5 passer rating. Ranks 21st in completion percent, 28th in yards per attempt (6.65), 18th in pass yards per game, T-19 in TDs and 28th in passer rating.
Eagles receivers have dropped 20 Bradford passes (most among QBs).
DeMarco Murray: 106 carries, 390 yards, four TDs; 29 receptions, 210 yards, TD -- 100-plus scrimmage yards in three of the last four games.
Ryan Mathews: 67 carries, 409 yards, four TDs (leads team in rush yards); 12 receptions, 97 yards, TD -- 6.1 yards per carry (2nd in NFL).
The Philadelphia defense has gone 14 straight games with a takeaway -- 20 takeaways (second in NFL) -- and has one-plus sack in each game.
Matchup to watch:Lamar Miller vs. Eagles' front 7
The last time the Browns won in Pittsburgh was Week 5, 2003 (33-13) -- QBs were Tim Couch (CLE) and Tommy Maddox (PIT).
Browns notable offensive ranks: 31st in rushing YPG (82.3); 29th in points per game (19.7) and red-zone percentage (42.3); T-29th in giveaways (17); and 27th in total YPG (335.1).
The Browns have selected a RB in the first three rounds in three of the last four drafts -- Duke Johnson Jr (Third, 2015), Terrance West (third, 2014; Ravens practice squad), Trent Richardson (first, 2012; not on a roster). Since 2012, the Browns average 95.5 rushing YPG (29th in NFL). This season, the Browns are averaging 82.3 rushing YPG (31st in NFL) and have two rushing TDs (T-2nd-fewest in NFL).
With Johnny Manzielexpected to get the start again for Cleveland, it's good news for Travis Benjamin. Manziel has completed 10 of 15 passes thrown his way for 231 yards and 3 TDs. Unfortunately, Manziel is just 17-of-39 targeting all other Browns, accumulating 152 passing yards and zero TDs.
Josh McCown: 65.0 completion percentage, 271.0 YPG, 11 TDs, four INTs, 95.2 passer rating (seven starts). McCown's passer rating would rank fourth in team history.
Johnny Manziel: 51.8 completion percentage, 561 yards, 4 TDs, INT, 84.5 passer rating (2 starts) -- 14 carries, 73 yards. Manziel has never topped 200 yards passing yards in four career starts.
Gary Barnidge: 42 receptions, 602 yards, six TDs -- fourth in receptions, second in receiving yards, third in TDs among tight ends in 2015.
The Browns' defense has allowed 24-plus points in seven straight games -- longest streak in franchise history and longest active streak in the NFL. Cleveland is allowing 27.4 points per game, 401.6 total YPG, 254.0 passing YPG and 147.6 rushing YPG (last in NFL).
The Steelers have never played a game without both Ben Roethlisberger and Le'Veon Bell since Bell entered the NFL in 2013.
The Steelers rank seventh in total offense, but 17th in scoring offense.
If Roethlisberger misses the start, as expected, no one will miss him more than Antonio Brown. In the five games Roethlisberger has started this season, Brown is averaging 10.4 receptions and 153.4 receiving yards per game. In the other four games, those averages have plummeted to 4.3 receptions and 58.8 receiving yards per game.
Landry Jones: 59.6 completion percentage, 152.0 YPG, three TDs, two INTs, 95.7 passer rating.
DeAngelo Williams: 90 carries, 480 yards, 5.3 yards/carry, five TDs -- T-3rd most rush TDs, sixth best rushing average in the NFL. Williams has two 100-yard rushing games -- his most since four 100-yard games in 2009. Williams has three games when he's carried 20-plus times. In those contests he's averaging 124.7 rushing yards per game, 5.5 yards per carry and has five TD runs. His 170 rush yards in Week 9 made Williams, 32, the second-oldest player in NFL history with 170-plus rush yards (John Henry Johnson for Pittsburgh in 1964, 34 years old, 200 yards).
Matchup to watch:DeAngelo Williams vs. Mike Pettine's sad run defense
If Matt Forte misses Sunday's contest, rookie running back Jeremy Langford will match up against a first-round pick for the second straight week (Melvin Gordon, Todd Gurley). In his first start in Week 9, Langford compiled 18 carries, 72 rush yards and 1 rush TD, to go with 3 receptions and 70 receiving yards. For the season, the rookie has: 45 carries, 152 rush yards, 3 TD; 5 receptions, 101 receiving yards.
Jay Cutler: 62.8 completion percentage, 255.3 YPG, 10 TD, 5 INT, 89.6 passer rating.
How bad has Chicago's quarterbacking been for the past half a century? Jay Cutler now holds nearly every significant franchise passing record: Wins (since 1950): 47; Passer rating (minimum 500 attempts): 84.7; Completions: 1,783, Attempts: 2,898; Yards: 20,512; Pass YPG: 230.5; Completion percentage (min. 500 attempts): 61.5; Pass TDs: 139; 300-yard games: 15.
Cutler leads the NFL in game-winning 4th quarter TD passes since 2009 (12).
Alshon Jeffery (groin): 33 receptions, 492 receiving yards, 2 rec TD (4 games) -- 100-plus receiving yards in three consecutive games, ties franchise record (Jeff Graham, 1995). Ranks first in the NFL in receiving yards per game (123.0), second in targets per game (13.3) and T-3rd in receptions per game (8.3).
The Bears defense ranks No. 9 in total D (341.9 YPG), 27th in scoring defense (27.6 PPG), 30th in third down defense this season (46.2 percent), 24th in run defense and fifth in pass defense.
The Rams rank 31st in total offense (312.6 YPG) and 30th in scoring offense (19.1 PPG) to go along with the NFL's worst third down offense (23.8 percent) this season. St. Louis owns the No. 4 rushing offense this season (135.5 YPG).
Nick Foles: 58.2 completion percentage, 184.8 pass YPG, 7 TDs, 5 INTs, 79.7 passer rating. Foles has not thrown for more than 200 passing yards since Week 1 -- seven straight games with fewer than 200 yards passing is the longest streak of his career and the longest active streak in the NFL. Foles has thrown 7 TDs on 220 passes this season (3.2 percent), 6th-worst percentage in the league.
Todd Gurley: 118 carries, 664 rush yards (5.6 yards per carry), 4 rush TDs -- 4 rushing TDs in last three games.
Tavon Austin: 28 receptions, 300 receiving yards, 4 rec TDs; 25 carries, 207 rush yards, 2 rush TDs -- Leads Rams in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs this season.
Matchup to watch:Alshon Jeffery vs. Rams DBs
The Cowboys have lost six straight games for the first time since 1989. That was Jerry Jones' first year as owner and Troy Aikman's rookie season.
Matt Cassel: 61.1 completion percentage, 207.7 YPG, 4 TD, 4 INT, 78.1 pass rating. Week 9: 65.8 completion percent, 299 yards passing, 3-1 TD-INT, 105.0 passer rating.
Darren McFadden has been enjoying a career resurgence in Dallas (113 carries, 462 yards, 4.1 yards/carry, 2 TD). His last three games resemble DeMarco Murray's production from his 1,845 yard season in 2014. Murray averaged 24.5 carries, 115.3 rush YPG, and 4.7 yards per carry in 2014. McFadden is averaging 25.3 carries, 111 rush YPG, and 4.4 yards per carry over his last three games.
Dez Bryant: 12 receptions, 164 yards, TD. Recorded first 100-yard receiving game of the season in Week 9. Surprisingly, Bryant has only had consecutive 100-yard games once in career (Week 11-12, 2012). Game following 100-yard game: 5.1 rec/game, 66.4 YPG, 16 TD.
Cowboys notable defensive ranks: T-9th in red zone percent (50.0); 13th in 3rd down percent (37.8); 15th in total YPG (352.3); 21st in PPG; and 32nd in takeaways (4).
Jameis Winston has gone four straight games without throwing an interception. Since 1950, no rookie QB who was the No. 1 overall pick has gone five consecutive games without an INT. (Dallas has four takeaways this season, T-fewest in NFL).
Winston's rookie numbers: 57.7 completion percentage, 237.1 YPG, 10 TDs, 7 INTs, 84.0 passer rating. Winston has a 115.9 passer rating on passes of 20-plus air yards -- third-best among QBs with at least 15 such attempts.
The Buccaneers' offense ranks 18th in points per game (22.6), T-14th in total YPG (357.3), 25th in pass YPG (225.4), 7th in rush YPG (131.9) and 14th in 3rd down percent (39.0).
Mike Evans: 32 receptions, 538 yards, TD -- Leads team in receptions and yards. Three 100-yard games this season. Evans has 7 drops this season (2nd-most in NFL).
Notable Bucs defensive ranks: 32nd in red zone percent (66.7); 29th in PPG (28.9); 28th in 3rd down percent (44.4); 11th in total YPG (349.0); and T-7th in takeaways (15).
Jacquies Smith: 14 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 7 QB hits, 4 tackles for loss -- leads the team in sacks, 1.5 sacks shy of matching career high set last season.
Matchup to watch:Greg Hardy vs. rookie LT Donovan Smith
If the Titans defeat the Panthers Sunday, it would be a historic upset. No team with a win percentage as low as the Titans' .250 has ever beaten a team 8-0 or better. In the 16 previous games between an undefeated team 8-0 or better and a team 2-6 or worse, the undefeated team has outscored the opponent by an average of 34.4 to 9.1. The last such upset attempt came in 2011, when the 8-0 Packers throttled the 2-6 Vikings 45-7.
The Panthers offense has scored 228 points this season (28.5 PPG), the most through eight games in Carolina franchise history, with 20-plus points in every game this season. Previous record: 220 points scored in first eight games of 2005.
Cam Newton: 53.7 completion percentage, 227.5 pass YPG, 14 TDs, 9 INTs, 81.4 passer rating; 73 carries, 343 yards, 4.7 yards/carry, 5 TD.
Newton is on pace to be the first player in NFL history to throw 25-plus TD passes and score 10-plus rush TDs in a single season. As it stands now, only Newton (2011) and Kordell Stewart (1997) have finished a season with 20-plus pass TD and 10-plus rush TD.
Newton has 48.9 completion percentage versus the blitz (28th in NFL). The Titans have fourth highest blitz frequency in NFL (39.0 percent).
Jonathan Stewart: 147 carries, 541 yards, 3.9 yards/carry, 3 TD -- Stewart had three rush TD all of last season.
The Panthers' defense ranks in the top five in passer rating allowed (1st; 68.3), yards per play (2nd; 4.8), sacks (4th; 25) and takeaways (4th; 18).
Josh Norman: 31 tackles, 4 INTs, 2 TDs. Norman has the second lowest passer rating allowed this season (29.9) -- Darrelle Revis: 26.2 passer rating allowed.
Marcus Mariota: 65.5 completion percentage, 268.3 pass YPG, 13 TDs, 5 INTs, 101.5 passer rating.
Antonio Andrews: 73 carries, 290 rush yards, 4.0 yards/carry, 2 TD.
Delanie Walker: 42 receptions, 456 receiving yards 3 TD.
The Titans defense has given up 148 completions (Fewest in NFL) -- less than 275 pass yards allowed in seven of eight games this season.
Matchup to watch:Kawann Short vs. Titans interior pass blocking
Matchup notes:
Washington Offense Ranks: 28th in PPG; 29th in total YPG; 30th in yards per play; 32nd in 20-plus yards per play
New Orleans Defensive Ranks: 31st in PPG allowed; 31st in total YPG; 32nd in yards per play; 31st in 20-plus yards per play allowed
The Saints have scored 27-plus points in four straight games. The Redskins have allowed 25-points in four straight.
Saints notable offensive ranks: First in total YPG (421.7) and 10-plus yard plays (145); Second in pass YPG (326.7) and first downs per game (24.9); and sixth in points per game (26.8).
Drew Brees: 69.6 completion percentage, 345.4 YPG, 18 TD, 7 INT, 102.8 passer rating. Brees is one of three QBs averaging 300-plus pass YPG per game this season (345.4) -- Tom Brady (338.6) and Philip Rivers (337.0). Brees is one 300-yard game away from tying Peyton Manning for most all-time.
Mark Ingram: 140 carries, 584 yards, 5 TD, 4.2 yards/carry; 37 receptions, 316 yards. Ingram averages 100.0 scrimmage YPG this season (eight in the NFL) -- fifth in the NFL among running backs.
Brandin Cooks: 72 targets, 45 receptions, 603 yards, 4 TDs -- 3 receiving TD in last two games. Cooks earned 70-plus receiving yards in four of the last five games - 1-plus reception of 25-plus yards in five straight games -- 8 receptions of 25-plus yards this season (T-5th in NFL).
The Saints defense has allowed 400-plus total yards in four of the last five games (the Redskins have earned 400-plus yards of offense once in their last eight games). Rob Ryan's defense has 10 takeaways in last four games, three takeaways in first four and allowed two-plus pass TDs in five straight games -- 17 total pass TD.s
Washington's offensive line has given up nine sacks this season, T-fewest in the NFL. The Redskins' 139.5 rush YPG from Weeks 1-4 were Most in the NFL, but the 43.0 rush YPG since Week 5 are the fewest in the NFL.
Kirk Cousins: 66.9 completion percentage, 244.3 YPG, 10 TDs, 9 INTs, 82.9 passer rating -- won 4 of last 5 home starts.
DeSean Jackson: 3 receptions, 15 yards (2 games) -- Returned to lineup last week after missing six games (hamstring). Jackson has 100-plus yards, 1 TD in each of his two career games versus the Saints.
The Redskins' defense has allowed 150-plus rushing yards in four straight games, has 13 sacks this season (T-27th in NFL) -- 1 total sack in last 3 games -- and 11 takeaways in the last five games. Washington has given up 400-plus yards and 25-plus points in four straight games.
Matchup to watch:Cameron Jordan vs. Redskins offensive line
Teddy Bridgewater (concussion, questionable): 64.2 completion percentage, 208.8 YPG, 6 TD, 6 INT, 83.4 passer rating; 24 carries, 93 yards, 2 rush TD.
Adrian Peterson: 169 carries, 758 yards (4.5 average), 4 TD; 17 receptions, 125 yards. Peterson has only faced the Raiders once in his career, and it was a day to forget. He had just six rushes for 26 yards and a TD in a 27-21 loss in Week 11, 2011.
Noted deep threat Mike Wallace does not have a single reception of at least 25 yards this season. Over the past six seasons prior to 2015, Wallace ranked T-3rd in the NFL, behind only DeSean Jackson (80) and Calvin Johnson (70), with 62 receptions of 25-plus yards. Jordy Nelson also had 62 such receptions in that span.
Stefon Diggs: 28 receptions, 461 yards (16.5 average), 2 TDs -- inactive first three games of the season. Amari Cooper leads all rookies in receptions (45), yards (653), and TDs (4). Diggs is second among rookies in yards (461) despite being 20th WR taken.
The Vikings defense has allowed 23-or-fewer points in every game this season. Allowing 17.5 PPG in second season under Mike Zimmer (T-2nd in NFL).
Anthony Barr( hand, questionable): 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 6 QB hits, 1 TFL.
Amari Cooper: 45 receptions, 653 receiving yards (14.5 average), 4 TD.
The Raiders have not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Randy Moss accomplished the feat in his first season in OAK (2005). Both Amari Cooper (1,306) and Michael Crabtree (1,182) are on pace to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark this season.
Derek Carr: 63.7 completion percentage, 261.8 pass YPG, 19 TD, 4 INT, 104.3 passer rating. Sacked 8 times (only QB with fewer to start each game is Ryan Fitzpatrick with 6 entering Week 10).
Latavius Murray: 132 carries, 630 yards (4.8 average), 3 TD; 21 receptions, 104 yards (2 total fumbles, 1 lost).
Charles Woodson: 41 tackles, 5 INTs, 8 passes defensed.
Matchup to watch:Michael Crabtree vs. whatever DB isn't guarding Amari Cooper
Alex Smith: 63.4 completion percentage, 246.1 YPG, 9 TDs, 3 INTs, 92.1 passer rating -- 75.4 percent of Smith's pass attempts have been under 10 air yards this season (most in NFL).
Charcandrick West this season: 63 carries, 288 yards, 2 TD; 9 receptions, 59 yards,
Week 6 (first start): 9 carries, 33 rushing yards, 3.7 yards per carry, 0 rush TDs
Weeks 7-8: 21.0 carries per game, 103.5 rush yards per game, 4.9 yards per carry, 2 rush TDs.
Justin Houston: 23 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 7 QB hits, 6 TFL, 1 forced fumble -- Week 2 versus DEN: 2.0 sacks, 3 QB hits, 2 TFL, 1 pass defensed.
The Broncos are 9-0 in their last nine games after a loss, outscoring opponents by an average of 19.8 points in those victories. Denver has not lost back-to-back games since Weeks 2 and 3, 2012. In his last nine games after a loss, Peyton Manning has averaged 350.3 pass YPG, with 32 TD, 10 INT, and a 114.0 passer rating.
Manning has now thrown an INT in eight straight games, the longest single-season streak by a Broncos QB since Jacky Lee went 11 straight games with an INT in 1964. The last NFL QB to go nine games with at least 1 INT was Blake Bortles in 2014.
The Broncos offense has scored 192 points in the first eight games, fewest by a Peyton Manning-led team since 2008 -- Scored 167 points in first eight games of 2008, Colts finished 12-4 and lost in Wild Card Round to the Chargers. Denver is converting only 42.9 percent of red zone trips into touchdowns, T-27th-best red zone offense in NFL. The Broncos are also converting only 34.5 percent of third down attempts, 26th-ranked third down offense in the NFL.
C.J. Anderson: 88 carries, 315 yards, 1 TD, 3.6 yards per carry. Last two games: 10.5 carries per contest, 67.5 rush yards per game, 6.4 rush yards per game, TD.
Demaryius Thomas: 61 receptions, 745 yards, 1 TD (on 93 targets).
Vernon Davis Week 9 at IND: 1 target, 0 receptions (played 9 offensive snaps).
The Broncos' defense franks first in points per game (17.4), total YPG allowed (274.1), pass yards per game (181.0) and sacks (30). Ranks T-5th in takeaways and hasn't forced a turnover in two consecutive contests.
Bradley Roby, expected to start in place of Aqib Talib (suspension): 18 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 4 passes defensed.
Matchup to watch:Broncos offensive line vs. Justin Houston, Chiefs pass rush
The Giants have defeated the Patriots in three straight games, including two Super Bowls. Since Bill Belichick arrived in New England in 2000, no team has defeated the Patriots four straight times.
Tom Coughlin is 5-1 in his career versus Bill Belichick (3-1 with NYG vs. NE and 2-0 with JAX vs. CLE). His .833 win percent is the highest of any coach to face Belichick at least five times. Next on the list is Jack Pardee (5-2, .714).
Tom Brady: 68.6 completion percentage, 338.6 YPG, 22 TDs, 2 INTs, 113.5 passer rating. Ranks first in the NFL in passer rating, TD-INT ratio and touchdowns; second in passing yards per game. Only QB with multiple TD passes in every game this season. The most games in a single season with multi-pass TD games is 15 (Peyton Manning in 2013, Dan Marino in 1984).
Dion Lewis is out for the season with a torn ACL. Lewis was leading the Patriots with 88.9 scrimmage YPG this season, and was 2nd on the team in overall touches with 85.
LeGarrette Blount: 98 carries, 447 yards, 4.6 yards/carry, 5 TD -- five games of 70-plus rush yards this season.
Rob Gronkowski is tied for the most receptions among TEs (44) and has more receiving yards than any other TE in the league (693). The Giants have allowed the most receptions (59) and second-most yards (701) to tight ends this season.
Pats notable defensive ranks: T-2nd in sacks (27); 3rd in rush YPG allowed (89.3); 5th in PPG (17.9); 8th in total YPG (334.0); 16th in pass YPG (244.8).
Chandler Jones: 9.5 sacks (leads the NFL) -- T-most sacks by any Patriots player in first eight games of a season (Andre Tippett, 9.5 sacks in first eight games of 1986). Jones has four straight games with at least 1.0 sack.
The Giants have earned 100-plus rush yards in two of the last three games -- fewer than 100 rush yards in each of first six games of the season.
Eli Manning: 65.9 completion percentage, 259.9 YPG, 19 TDs, 6 INTs, 96.9 passer rating. Manning has a 121.1 passer rating with 6 TDs and 0 INTs on 45 attempts of 15-plus air yard passes this season.
Odell Beckham Jr.: 92 targets, 59 receptions, 759 yards, 7 TDs (leads NYG in all categories). Beckham Jr. has 100-plus receiving yards in 11 of 21 career games. New England's defense has allowed one receiver to reach 100-plus yards this season -- Week 1 vs PIT: Antonio Brown, 133 receiving yards.
Rueben Randle: 36 receptions, 424 receiving yards, 3 TDs -- at least five receptions in four of the last five games.
Shane Vereen (facing former team): 41 carries, 174 yards, 4.2 yards/carry, 0 rush TD; 34 receptions, 309 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs.
Jason Pierre-Paul: 2 tackles, 2 QB hits in first game of 2015.
Giants notable defensive ranks: 32nd in total YPG allowed (422.8) and sacks (9); 31st in passing yards allowed (308.0) and third down percent (47.6); 22nd in run defense (114.8); and T-1st in takeaways.
Matchup to watch: Gronk vs. whoever futilely attempts to cover him
The 2015 Cardinals are on their way to becoming the first team in NFL history with a QB-RB-WR trio all over the age of 30 amassing 4,000 pass yards, 1,000 rush yards and 1,000 receiving yards. Quarterback Carson Palmer is on pace for 4,772 passing yards, running back Chris Johnson is on pace for 1,352 rushing yards and receiver Larry Fitzgerald is on pace for 1,412 receiving yards.
Among all players to start at least five games this season, only Todd Gurley (131.0) is averaging more rushing YPG in starts than Chris Johnson (99.8).
Larry Fitzgerald has faced the Seahawks seven times since Richard Sherman joined the team in 2011. Those seven games: 49.4 receiving YPG, 1 TD.
When covered by Sherman: 18 targets; 5 receptions; 87 yards; 0 TDs
Covered by others: 52 targets; 23 receptions; 259 yards; 1 TD.
Patrick Peterson 2015 in coverage: 43.2 completion percentage allowed, 1 TD allowed, 2 INTs, 34.5 passer rating
Richard Sherman 2015 in coverage: 57.6 completion percentage allowed, 2 TD allowed, 0 INTs, 110.5 passer rating
The Cardinals are one of five teams averaging 400-plus yards of offense per game this year and have scored the second-most points in the NFL this season. Arizona also ranks first in yards per play (6.7) and yards per pass attempt (8.5), while sitting tied for second in 20-plus yard plays (44).
Carson Palmer ranks first in yards per attempt (9.2), second in touchdowns (20), third in the NFL passer rating (110.2) and fifth in total yards (2,386).
The Cardinals have not allowed more than 25 points in any game this season -- one of three teams to do so (ARI, CIN, MIN). Arizona has allowed fewer than 300 total yards in each of the last two games (BAL, CLE) and owns the NFL's second-highest blitz frequency on pass plays this season (43.1 percent).
The Seahawks have led in the 4th quarter of their last 21 games (including playoffs), the NFL's longest active streak and is tied for the eighth-longest streak since 1925. The last game they did not lead in the 4th quarter came back in Week 7, 2014 at STL (L, 28-26). The modern Seahawks already hold the longest such streak since 1925, leading in the 4th quarter of 31 straight games from 2012-14. (Five games between streaks).
Russell Wilson: 68.8 completion percentage, 234.8 YPG, 9 TD, 6 INT, 95.0 passer rating 174. Wilson is on pace for the worst statistical season of his four-year career.
Wilson is completing an NFL-best 74.1 percent of passes versus four rushers or fewer. However, opponent's blitzes versus the Seahawks have produced sacks 17.8 percent of the time, the highest rate in the NFL. That number was 10.7 percent last year (sixth) and 10.1 percent in 2013 (12th), per ESPN. The Cards blitz the second-most in the NFL.
Marshawn Lynch: 103 carries, 375 yards, 2 TD. On pace for 875 rushing yards this season, Would be his first sub-1,000 yard season since 2010 (737 yards).
Jimmy Graham: 38 receptions, 450 yards, 2 TDs, leads the Seahawks in receptions and receiving yards, tied for most receiving TDs.
After leading the NFL in both total defense and scoring defense in 2013 and 2014, the Seahawks are T-2nd in scoring defense and second in total defense this season (behind DEN in both). They are looking to become the first team in NFL history to lead the league in both scoring and total defense in three consecutive seasons.
The Seahawks dominate at home in primetime. They have won their last 10 such games by an average score of 26.9 to 9.4. They are 12-2 in primetime overall under Russell Wilson (6-0 at home, 6-2 on road).
Matchup to watch:Larry Fitzgerald vs. Richard Sherman
What if I told you: J.J. Watt has 1.5 more sacks, five more tackles for loss, and two more QB hits through eight games this season than he did last year at this point. Watt is just 0.5 sacks behind Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas for the second-most sacks in a player's first five seasons.
Houston's offense is averaging 3.29 yards per carry (last in the NFL) and has fewer than 100 rush yards in seven of eight games.
Brian Hoyer: 60.0 completion percentage, 263.5 pass YPG, 13 TDs, three INTs, 97.1 passer rating. His 13 TD passes are career-high -- five straight games with 2-plus TD passes (franchise record).
DeAndre Hopkins: 66 receptions, 870 yards, 6 TDs. Ranks first in targets per game (14.0), third in receptions per game (8.3) and receiving yards per game (108.8).
Jonathan Joseph must be looking forward to facing A.J. Green and the Bengals, as he's been a thorn in the side of his former team since leaving as a free agent in 2011. In four career games (including playoffs), Joseph has shut Green down. On the 29 occasions that Dalton has targeted Green with Joseph in coverage, he's thrown 0 TDs and 5 INTs.
Andy Dalton: 67.4 completion percentage, 278.3 pass YPG, 18 TD, 4 INT, 111.0 passer rating. All career highs. Dalton is on pace to set Bengals single-season records in passing yards, TD passes and passer rating.
In 24 career games with Tyler Eifert, Dalton has a 19-5 record, a 50-20 TD-INT ratio and a 97.4 passer rating. In games (since 2013) without Eifert, Dalton is 10-5-1 with a 20-21 TD-INT ratio and a passer rating of 80.2.
A.J. Green: 50 receptions, 702 yards, 4 TD. On pace for first 100-reception season of career -- 298 receiving yards away from his fifth straight 1,000 yard season.
The Bengals have not allowed more than 24 points in any game this season -- one of two teams (MIN). Cincinnati is the only team to not allow a receiving TD to an opposing TE this season.
Matchup to watch:Tyler Eifert vs. Texans DBs and LBs in coverage
