A lot of terrific match-ups in the NFL this Sunday, including Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers traveling to Texas to face the Dallas Cowboys, and Carolina flying to Motown to face the Detroit Lions.
Many teams don’t have kneeling players, so this begs the question: If a match-up features two teams that stand and honor the flag, will you watch it? Remember, many players don’t agree with the protesters, but remain silent so they don’t become the story.
For those who care to watch, here is a preview of this Sunday’s NFL action:
Green Bay Packers (3-1) at Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
This Dallas defense got lit up by developing quarterbacks Trevor Siemian (Denver) and Jared Goff (Los Angeles Rams), so what is future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Rodgers going to do to them?
Also, the Cowboys will likely be without two of their best players – left tackle Tyron Smith and linebacker Sean Lee.
This game favors the visiting Packers.
Carolina Panthers (3-1) at Detroit Lions (3-1)
The Panthers’ defense wasn’t very good last year, but it looks like they have their mojo back in 2017, currently ranked fourth in the league. Their front seven is excellent.
But Carolina could have issues on the back end with two safeties out against a very good passing attack.
This game could go either way.
Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) at Houston Texans (2-2)
Houston’s rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson was superb last week, tossing four touchdowns in a win over Tennessee. He will face a bigger challenge this week against Kansas City defensive mastermind Bob Sutton, who often baffles rookie quarterbacks.
Another challenge for Houston will be blocking one of the league’s best pass-rushers, Justin Houston, who will be facing a backup left tackle.
Kansas City has two starting offensive linemen out, which could be a problem against the Texans’ talented front seven, led by J.J. Watt.
This game is a toss-up.
Tennessee Titans (2-2) at Miami Dolphins (1-2)
The Dolphins are finally home after a three-week road trip that took them to Los Angeles, New Jersey and London.
The Titans will likely be without three key starters due to hamstring injuries – quarterback Marcus Mariota, wide receiver Corey Davis and safety Jonathan Cyprien.
The Dolphins are pretty healthy, and should figure out a way to win this game.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
The Steelers’ talented tailback Le’Veon Bell has to be licking his chops about facing the Jaguars 32nd-ranked run defense.
And the Pittsburgh defense must also be licking their chops about facing wildly inconsistent Jacksonville QB Blake Bortles, and the Jaguars 30th-ranked passing attack.
It would be shocking if the Steelers don’t win this game.
Buffalo Bills (3-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)
The Bills are one of the surprise teams in the league at 3-1, but how long can they hide their passing offense, currently ranked 31st in the league?
And not helping their aerial attack will be the absence of starting receiver Jordan Matthews, following thumb surgery.
Also the Bills are very banged up in the secondary with three key defensive backs iffy for this game, including starting cornerback E.J. Gaines.
The Bengals should figure out a way to win this game.
Los Angeles Chargers (0-4) at New York Giants (0-4)
One of the biggest surprises at the NFL’s quarter poll is the fact that the Giants remain winless, they were considered Super Bowl contenders entering the season.
There has been a lot of focus on their underachieving offense, but not helping matters is a porous defense.
“We have to find a way to tackle better or the defense won’t change,” said Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Expect them to tackle better this week and win this game.
Seattle Seahawks (2-2) at Los Angeles Rams (3-1)
The talented Seahawks have been underwhelming this season, but perhaps they got their swagger back last week with a blowout win over Indianapolis.
The Seahawks will be without two key defensive starters – end Cliff Avril and cornerback Jeremy Lane.
The Rams’ run defense is terrible, so expect a heavy dose of Seahawks running back Eddie Lacy.
This game could go either way.
San Francisco 49ers (0-4) at Indianapolis Colts (1-3)
The Colts get back talented center Ryan Kelly back this week from the injured list.
Last week, they got back star cornerback Vontae Davis.
But they still don’t have their franchise QB Andrew Luck back from a shoulder injury. Though, he’s getting close.
The Colts need to win this game badly to avoid digging a big hole Luck can’t get them out of. They should be able to do that.
Baltimore Ravens (2-2) at Oakland Raiders (2-2)
It’s unclear whether Raiders QB Derek Carr will play, after suffering a back injury last week.
If he plays, the Raiders should win.
If he doesn’t, the Raiders should lose.
Arizona Cardinals (2-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)
The Cardinals are the NFL’s worst running team, ranked 32nd in the league.
And that is putting too much pressure on their 37-year-old QB Carson Palmer, who needs a running game to succeed.
Arizona travels to Philly with a long injury list, and should leave “The City of Brotherly Love” with a loss
New York Jets (2-2) at Cleveland Browns (0-4)
The Jets are one of the surprise teams in the league thus far, and the Browns are what people expected.
The Browns’ best chance to win this game is a heavy dose of running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson against the Jets’ struggling run defense. This would take a lot of pressure off their rookie QB, DeShone Kizer, who they are forcing to throw too much.
The Jets behind steady veteran QB Josh McCown (70 percent completion percentage) should figure out a way to win this game.
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