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NFL Previews: Sunday Night

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Detroit Lions (2-1) at Carolina Panthers (1-2)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Lions -3.5. Total 50.5.
Series rewind: The home team has won four in a row in this series and the Panthers are 8-4 all-time against Detroit.

Headliners are set for a reunion of sorts when the Lions head to Charlotte. Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs — who totaled three touchdowns and 164 yards from scrimmage in last Sunday’s 31-24 home victory against the New York Jets – and Panthers quarterback Bryce Young were college teammates at Alabama. They’ve been integral parts of powerful offenses early this season. Lions QB Jared Goff has completed 70.6% of his passes for 802 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions this season. The Lions have scored exactly 31 points in each of their three games and present a challenge for the Panthers, who are coming off a 21-18 loss at Cleveland. Carolina has adjustments to make with starting CBs Jaycee Horn (quad) and Mike Jackson (groin) going on injured reserve. Those spots could be replenished with Corey Thornton and Robert Rochell from the practice squad. Rookie cornerback Will Lee III is expected to be called upon for extensive duty as his role continues to grow.

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Atlanta Falcons (1-2) at New Orleans Saints (1-2)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Saints -2.5. Total 47.5.
Series rewind: The Falcons beat the Saints 19-17 in the 2025 regular-season finale to reclaim the edge in the all-time series (regular season only), 57-56.

On the verge of being left for dead after flopping in the first two games, the Falcons found life by plugging in QB Michael Penix Jr. at Green Bay last week. In primetime for the second consecutive week, Atlanta’s offense revolves around All-Pro RB Bijan Robinson, who helped get Penix comfortable in his first game since ACL surgery last November. Robinson’s third career 200-yard game (194 rushing, 19 receiving) included two touchdowns at Green Bay. He averages 127.3 total yards per game against the Saints, who are allowing 128.7 yards per game on the ground. New Orleans lost to the Raiders last week and has a breakout quarterback in Tyler Shough, the NFL leader in completions (91) who is also second in the league in passing yards (917). Shough and WR Chris Olave are thriving. Olave is tied for the NFL lead with 27 receptions. The extra attention has opened the middle of the field with TEs Noah Fant and Juwan Johnson each catching two TD passes last week.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Late 4pm Game Previews

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MINNEAPOLIS – (Wire Service Previews) – Here are the four game previews for Sunday’s (October 4) late afternoon NFL games:

Miami Dolphins (0-3) at Minnesota Vikings (3-0)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Vikings -10.5. Total 38.5.
Series rewind: Kirk Cousins outdueled Teddy Bridgewater to lead the Vikings past the Dolphins, 24-16, in the most recent meeting (October 2022), despite being outgained 458-234 in total yards. Miami has won the past two meetings and leads the all-time series 7-6.

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The Dolphins are playing with losing margins, averaging 12 points per game while giving up 28.7. Revving up the offense became more complicated last week when RB De’Von Achane (ACL) was lost for the season. Minus Miami’s top playmaker, QB Malik Willis is fighting uphill while trying to solve the NFL’s most aggressive defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Flores and the Vikings hunt with a blitz-heavy scheme to force the ball out of the quarterback’s hand early. They have 14 sacks and four interceptions this season. The Dolphins are turning to Ollie Gordon II as the primary ballcarrier while starting a pair of rookies at wide receiver: Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell. The Vikings might have to shake things up on the offensive depth chart with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) hurting.

Denver Broncos (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (3-0)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: 49ers -2.5. Total 47.5
Series rewind: This is the first meeting since 2022. The series is tied 8-8 including the playoffs, highlighted by the 49ers’ 55-10 romp against the Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV.

One of two unbeaten NFC teams remaining (with Minnesota), the 49ers lead the league in point differential (plus-48) and rank second in scoring (32.7 points per game) behind the fast start of quarterback Brock Purdy (league-leading 133.1 passer rating). San Francisco is just the fourth team since 1990 to allow zero sacks in each of its first three games. Four-time first-team All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner recorded a career-high 17 tackles in last week’s win against Arizona. Denver rallied from a 16-0 deficit to stun the Rams, 30-26, last Sunday night. Bo Nix fueled the rally with two third-quarter touchdown passes and the game-winning TD run with 47 seconds left. Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga — who played for the 49ers from 2021-24 — made NFL history with a sack and two interceptions in a single quarter. His fourth-quarter heroics against Los Angeles included a 66-yard pick-six. Five 49ers starters missed practice to start the week, including WR Mike Evans (ribs), DE Nick Bosa (knee, calf) and LB Dre Greenlaw (quad).

Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) at Las Vegas Raiders (3-0)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Fan Duel: Chiefs -4.5. Total: 47.5
Series rewind: The teams split two meetings last season. The Las Vegas victory in the second matchup when Patrick Mahomes was sidelined with his knee injury was just the Raiders’ third win in the past 17 matchups with the Chiefs.

Both teams are undefeated and fighting for first place in the AFC West? Sounds like a flashback to the Raiders’ long-ago better days in Oakland. The Raiders haven’t started 4-0 since 2002 — a season in which they reached the Super Bowl before losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Las Vegas hasn’t allowed a single point in the fourth quarter during the surprise start that has seen Kirk Cousins throw nine touchdown passes in 92 attempts. New Raiders coach Klint Kubiak quickly has changed the atmosphere around the team. On the other side of the ball, linebacker Nakobe Dean has been a stellar free-agent pickup and leads the squad with 27 tackles, 3.5 stops for losses and three sacks. Cornerback Hezekiah Masses has three interceptions entering a matchup in which Las Vegas wishes to slow Mahomes. Saying the two-time NFL MVP regularly carves up the Raiders is putting it nicely – he has thrown 36 touchdowns against five interceptions while winning 13 of his 15 starts. Mahomes is doing well this season on his surgically repaired knee as he has passed for 812 yards and seven touchdowns against two interceptions. Kansas City is tied for seventh in scoring at 29.3 points (the Raiders are also part of that tie) and ranks second in total offense at 416.3 yards per game as running back Kenneth Walker III has pumped life into the running game with a league-leading 360 yards. Walker has two rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores. Linebacker Nick Bolton leads the defense with 28 tackles but one problem is that Kansas City has just four sacks and seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Chris Jones doesn’t yet have one.Buy Game Tickets

Los Angeles Chargers (0-3) at Seattle Seahawks (2-1)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Fan Duel: Seahawks -7. Total: 43.5
Series rewind: This is the first meeting since 2022 when the Seahawks recorded a 37-23 road victory. The Chargers have won three of the past five matchups after Seattle prevailed in the previous five.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba picked up where he left off after being the NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season. Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 405 receiving yards and six touchdown catches and is tied for the league lead with 27 receptions. He has posted outings of 122, 155 and 128 receiving yards and fared well with backup Drew Lock as well as starter Sam Darnold. The latter was back from a Week 1 glute injury and threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 33-31 loss against the host Washington Commanders. Darnold also threw two interceptions as the Super Bowl champions saw their winning streak end at 12 games dating back to last November. Defensive tackle Leonard Williams is pacing the defensive with three sacks. The winless Chargers are nearing desperation mode and will fully be there with another loss. Of course, the 1994 team in San Diego reached the Super Bowl after opening with four straight losses when it was led by no-nonsense coach Bobby ‘Boss’ Ross and all-everything linebacker Junior Seau. But 32 years later, coach Jim Harbaugh brought in former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel to run the offense and the unit isn’t clicking and has a high of just 16 points. The Chargers rank 29th in scoring offense at 14.7 points per game and 20th in total offense at 308.7 yards per game. Quarterback Justin Herbert’s completion percentage is 59.1% — his career rate is 66.3 – and he has thrown more interceptions (four) than touchdown passes (three). Ladd McConkey’s 12 catches lead the team.

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NFL Preview: London Game

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Indianapolis Colts (1-2) vs. Washington Commanders (1-2) in London
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Colts -3.5. Total 47.5
Series rewind: Indianapolis has a 21-11 record against Washington all-time. This is the first game between the teams since the Commanders beat the Colts 17-16 in 2022.

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With four combined wins since Nov. 10, 2025 – Washington has three of them — a trip across the pond comes with a chance for one of these teams to post back-to-back wins. The Commanders’ strength on defense is stopping the run. Washington gives up only 82 rushing yards per game. Jonathan Taylor embraced the European vacation last season with a career-high 286 total yards (244 rushing, 42 receiving) and three touchdowns against the Falcons. A focus on slowing down Taylor has been good for business for Tyler Warren. He’s third in the league among tight ends with 18 catches and set a career high with nine last week. The Commanders brought quarterback Jayden Daniels along for the trip after he missed last week’s game, a Marcus Mariota-engineered victory over the Seahawks. Daniels (elbow) was injured Week 2 at Dallas and won’t play for at least another week.

NFL Previews: 1pm Games

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ORCHARD PARK – (Wire Service Previews) – Week Four in the NFL begins the very important stretch of the schedule where the contenders separate themselves from the draftniks. There’s no better example than the New England at Buffalo game where – if the Patriots lose – will plummet them into a (1-3) hole a month into the 2026 season.

New England Patriots (1-2) at Buffalo Bills (3-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bills -6.5, Total 48.5
Series rewind: The AFC East rivals have split the season series during each of the past three campaigns, with all six of those meetings decided by seven or fewer points.

The Bills have a chance to start 4-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time 1991-92. Josh Allen is just the fourth player in NFL history — and first quarterback — with six or more rushing touchdowns in at least nine consecutive seasons, joining Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson and Jim Brown. Bills running back James Cook has two career 100-yard games against the Patriots, going for 107 yards and two TDs at New England in Week 15 last season. Buffalo linebacker Greg Rousseau is just the third player since 1982 with multiple sacks in each of the season’s first three games, along with Mark Gastineau (1984) and Kevin Greene (1998). Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has thrown six interceptions and only one touchdown pass for an offense that ranks next to last in scoring at 12.0 points per game. New England has scored only one TD on six trips to the red zone. Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez is looking for his third straight game against Buffalo with at least five tackles and a pass breakup.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bengals -2.5, Total 51.5
Series rewind: The Bengals have won the last four games against the Jaguars to level the all-time series at 13 apiece. That includes their costly 31-27 win in Week 2 last season, when Joe Burrow sustained a turf toe injury that sidelined him for nine games.

Cincinnati and Jacksonville enter this week’s game off decidedly different results. The Bengals took their first loss after a costly Burrow fumble doomed them in a 30-27 setback to division rival Pittsburgh, while the Jaguars dominated the New England Patriots 35-6 to send a statement to the rest of the AFC. The Bengals enter this game with a depleted secondary as Ja’Sir Taylor and Jalen Davis are on injured reserve while Jordan Battle, Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger have all not practiced fully this week. That could be a problem against a Jacksonville offense helmed by Trevor Lawrence, who has thrown for seven touchdowns and two interceptions through three games. The Jaguars’ ground game also has been a strength, though, 10th in the league in rushing yards per game while rushing for 95-plus yards in every game so far this season. Cincinnati’s passing game also has been on point, with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combining for 429 yards and four touchdown catches early this season.

Green Bay Packers (1-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Packers -3.5, Total 38.5
Series rewind: Green Bay leads the all-time series 34-24-1 but Tampa Bay has won three of the last four, including 31-26 in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 24, 2021.

Both the Packers and Buccaneers could badly lose in this game. The Packers, quickly buried in what again appears to be a very strong NFC North, were handily beaten 35-14 at home by the Atlanta Falcons. Green Bay’s ground game has not remotely helped quarterback Jordan Love, with the team’s 146 total rushing yards standing as its fewest through three games since 1933. The defense also isn’t helping, giving up 30.3 points per game — tied for third most in the NFL. To make matters worse, Love is completing just 52.4% of his passes. But Green Bay at least can enjoy having its starting quarterback available Sunday, with Tampa Bay unable to say the same after Baker Mayfield sustained a dislocated thumb late in last week’s loss to Minnesota. He’ll miss at least three weeks, leaving undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to lead the offense after he beat out Jake Browning for the backup job. Daniels accounted for 90 total touchdowns (67 passing, 23 rushing) across 49 career games at Kansas, and now becomes the first un-drafted rookie to start a game in the first four weeks of the season since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger.

Tennessee Titans (0-3) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Ravens -11.5, Total 42.5
Series rewind: The Ravens have won the last two games in the series to take a 14-13 lead. These teams have faced off twice in the playoffs this decade, with Baltimore winning a 2021 wild-card matchup while Tennessee came out on top in a 2020 AFC Divisional Round game.

Derrick Henry faces the team that drafted him for the first time on Sunday. The former second-round pick ran for 9,502 yards and 90 touchdowns over his first eight seasons in the league with Tennessee. He’s already up to 301 rushing yards (fifth in the NFL) and six rushing touchdowns (tied for the league lead this season) through three games this season for the Ravens. He could be in for another big day against a Tennessee defense which is allowing 126.3 yards per game. Luckily for Baltimore, quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to full practice on Thursday after he was limited with a back injury. Even though the Titans have surrounded last year’s No. 1 overall pick with a new coaching staff and wide receivers Calvin Ridley, Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, Cam Ward’s 80.9 passer rating ranks 29th among 39 quarterbacks who have started at least one game this season, and his 168.0 passing yards per game rank 31st. Tennessee, still seeking its first win of the Robert Saleh era, has been close the last two weeks, losing 24-20 to the Eagles and 12-7 last week at the Giants.

Los Angeles Rams (1-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Eagles -3, Total 43.5
Series rewind: Including the postseason, the Eagles have swept the last four meetings with the Rams. That includes a 33-26 victory in Philadelphia in Week 3 last season.

The Eagles are the only NFL team that hasn’t scored a point in the first quarter or recorded a takeaway. When these teams met last September, Jalen Hurts outdueled eventual MVP Matthew Stafford. Hurts threw for three touchdowns and ran for a fourth while Stafford was held under 200 yards with two TDs and an interception. The Rams have outgained the Eagles by more than 300 yards through three games but only have six more points to show for it thanks to a mediocre performance in the red zone. Los Angeles should get a boost from the return of wideout Puka Nacua, a full participant in Thursday’s practice after missing two games with a hip injury. Davante Adams is just 9 yards away from 13,000 for his career and has six TDs in five career games vs. Philly. They will be facing an Eagles defense that began this week without top linebacker Zack Baun (concussion protocol). No. 1 wideout DeVonta Smith also missed Wednesday’s practice with a hamstring injury.

New York Jets (1-2) at Chicago Bears (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bears -3.5. Total 42.5.
Series rewind: The Bears beat the Jets 31-10 in their last meeting in November 2022. Chicago has won five of the past six in the series.

Maybe it’s time to believe Bears coach Ben Johnson when he asserts it doesn’t matter which of his quarterbacks start a game, trusting the collective offense to perform regardless of No. 1 QB Caleb Williams’ status. Williams (hamstring) won’t play for a second consecutive game but the Bears did just fine in demolishing the Eagles behind Case Keenum, the 38-year-old No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart. Tyson Bagent (concussion) was sidelined last week and could be in the picture Sunday. But Keenum passed for 247 yards and accounted for three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in a 27-7 victory over the Eagles after Bagent spent much of the previous week in concussion protocol. Taking care of the ball has kept the Jets in every game this season. Finishing has been another story. Geno Smith will be wary in this matchup after the Bears had three takeaways in a return to the aggressive, opportunistic style that helped the unit lead the NFL in that category last season. The Jets are coming in following back-to-back losses by a combined 10 points against the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. Revving up the running game remains an area of emphasis for the Jets. Breece Hall is week-to-week with a quad injury he suffered in last Sunday’s 31-24 loss at Detroit. He has rushed for just 61 yards on 29 carries after gaining 102 yards on 22 attempts in the season opener. Enter Braelon Allen, who figures to see an accelerated workload in the backfield. Smith  sports a 75.5% completion rate. He was 31-of-37 passing for 321 yards with touchdown passes to Garrett Wilson, rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq and tight end Jeremy Ruckert against the Lions. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin) likely will face the Bears, providing a boost to a secondary bracing for a challenge.

Arizona Cardinals (1-2) at New York Giants (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Cardinals -2.5. Total 43.5.
Series rewind: The Cardinals have a four-game winning streak at MetLife Stadium. The Giants won the last meeting, 31-28, in Glendale, Ariz., in the 2023 season.

Jameis Winston remains the quarterback for a second consecutive week, despite the Giants trading with for J.J. McCarthy on Monday. McCarthy, acquired to provide insurance with starter Jaxson Dart out for the season with a knee injury that required surgery, will be the primary backup. The Giants came away with a 12-7 win over Tennessee despite failing to put the ball in the end zone last week. Winston is 25-of-49 for 229 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in two games this season. The Cardinals showed some resilience in keeping it close in a 36-30 loss at San Francisco last Sunday, a week after being dominated at home by the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Arizona’s offense has lacked the big plays, a few having been negated by penalties, but has been fairly efficient in moving the ball.

 

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NFL Throws the Book at York

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NEW YORK – (Wire Service Report) – San Francisco 49ers principal owner Jed York has been suspended for six games and fined $500,000 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, the league announced Friday.

York, 46, originally was charged in August with two misdemeanors: engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools. The prostitution charge later was amended to disorderly conduct as part of his no-contest plea agreement.

Per the NFL, York is credited with serving three of those games by virtue of steering clear of the 49ers during the league’s investigation. He will serve the next three and is eligible to return on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

“Today, the NFL concluded its review, and I accept its decision in full,” York said in a statement. “To my family, to the players, coaches, and employees of the San Francisco 49ers, to our fans and partners, I am deeply sorry.

“This was an inexcusable mistake and I take full responsibility. What I did does not reflect my values or the man I strive to be for my family.

What’s With Drake Maye?

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FOXBORO – (Wire Service Report) – Have we already seen the worst of quarterback Drake Maye this season?

Have we already seen the worst of quarterback Drake Maye this season?

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That’s the question undoubtedly on the minds of New England fans as the Patriots prepare for an AFC East matchup with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Through three games, Maye has looked nothing like he did a year ago, when he led the Patriots (1-2) to the Super Bowl and finished as the runner-up to Matthew Stafford in voting for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award. Maye has thrown one touchdown pass and has been intercepted six times.

Although he practiced on Wednesday, Maye was on New England’s injury report due to a right shoulder issue. He said the injury has not affected his play on the field.

“No, it hasn’t,” he said. “It hasn’t. And it doesn’t impact my decision-making. That’s what makes and breaks play for quarterbacks. I don’t feel like we’re struggling to move the ball. I think we’re turning the football over, doing things that are preventing us from scoring touchdowns. And I think that’s one of the biggest things for me.”

Maye has also been sacked nine times this season.

“You turn on the tape from last year, and it was dynamic,” Buffalo defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said. “You just have to put some pressure on him and hope that the trend continues. Great players are eventually going to come out the other side. You just hope it’s after you play them.”

The Patriots are tied for the NFL lead with eight turnovers.

“If we want to get where we need to get to, we’re going to have to go through bumps along the way,” New England coach Mike Vrabel said. “This is all a part of the journey. When we talked about preparing for the journey, the journey wasn’t always going to be 10 wins in a row, road warriors and everything else. It comes, sometimes, with turnovers, you give up touchdowns, you miss a field goal, and sometimes that’s what the journey looks like.”

Buffalo (3-0) is one of three unbeaten teams in the AFC, joining the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders, but the Bills turned the ball over five times last week in a 24-16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Quarterback Josh Allen was intercepted twice and lost a fumble in the win, though he ran for two touchdowns.

“I’m not concerned with Josh,” Buffalo coach Joe Brady said. “It’s so hard to play the quarterback position. You can look at Josh, for example. The questions I’m getting about Josh this week are different than the first two weeks. … It’s a week-to-week league.”

Buffalo running back James Cook III ranks third in the NFL with 346 rushing yards. The Bills are averaging 5.2 yards per carry, which is tied for second in the league.

“(The Patriots) were a great defense last year, and through three games they haven’t taken any dropoffs,” Brady said. “They’re a hard team to game-plan for. …

“We’re not the same as we were last year, they’re not the same as they were last year. It’s two teams that are just still trying to figure out who they are at this point in the season, and it’s going to be great football game.”

Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (shoulder), offensive tackle Morgan Moses (foot) and defensive tackle Christian Barmore (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday.

New England outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder) and tight end Eli Raridon (thigh) returned to the field on Wednesday as limited participants after sitting out the Patriots’ 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.

Bills linebacker Joe Andreessen (knee), cornerback Christian Benford (toe), wide receiver Keon Coleman (ankle) and defensive tackle T.J. Sanders (illness) sat out the team’s Wednesday practice.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Monday Night Football Preview

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Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) at Chicago Bears (1-1)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Eagles -4.5, Total 41.5
Series Rewind: The Eagles have won their last three games at Soldier Field, including a 16-15 wild-card victory on Jan. 6, 2019. The Bears racked up 425 yards in last season’s 24-15 Black Friday win in Philadelphia.

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Philadelphia extended its September winning streak to six games with a last-minute touchdown drive at Tennessee in Week 2. It was the eighth fourth-quarter comeback by Jalen Hurts since 2023, second in the NFL over that span to Green Bay’s Jordan Love (nine). Hurts does have a losing record (5-6) on “Monday Night Football,” however, with 15 interceptions and just nine touchdown passes. Saquon Barkley, on the other hand, has at least 100 scrimmage yards in five straight Monday nighters. The Eagles brought back Zach Ertz this week after losing fellow tight end Dallas Goedert to a knee injury. Injury was the word of the week in Chicago’s locker room, where QB1 Caleb Williams (hamstring) and QB2 Tyson Bagent (concussion) may have to watch QB3 Case Keenum shake the rust off his 38-year-old arm in prime time. With wideout Rome Odunze off to a slow start (five catches, 95 yards), the Bears may need to lean on D’Andre Swift, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a Pro Bowl season for Philly in 2023.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Sunday Night Football Preview

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Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at Denver Broncos (1-1)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Rams -2.5, Total 44.5
Series Rewind: The Rams have won the past five meetings, including two in St. Louis. Denver’s last victory was a 23-16 triumph in 2002.

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Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) is doubtful and expected to miss his second straight game, meaning veteran Davante Adams will again be the lead attraction for the Los Angeles passing attack. That worked well during Monday night’s 28-6 victory over the Giants as Adams stood tall with eight receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns. The yardage was the fourth-highest of his 13-year career and just 11 shy of his career high set in 2021 as a member of the Green Bay Packers. The six-time Pro Bowler led the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions in 2025 in his first season with Los Angeles. Rams QB Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes — marking the 22nd time he has thrown at least four in a single game — and moved into sixth place in league history with 427 career touchdown passes. Broncos four-time Pro Bowl CB Patrick Surtain II will look to help silence the pair in the Mile High atmosphere. Denver got into the victory column last Sunday with a 20-13 home win over the Jaguars. QB Bo Nix passed for 288 yards on 31 attempts one week after having just 131 on 28 passes in a 31-10 loss to the host Chiefs on Sept. 14. Denver has won nine straight games against NFC teams since losing to the Seahawks in Week 1 of the 2024 season. Interestingly, the Rams have rattled off eight straight victories against AFC opponents since losing to the Dolphins in Week 10 of the 2024 season.

NFL Week 3 Previews: 4pm Games

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Minnesota Vikings (2-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Vikings -1.5, Total 42.5
Series Rewind: Tampa Bay has won the last two games and eight of the last 10 against Minnesota. However, the Vikings hold a 33-24 edge in the all-time series.

Kyler Murray returns to Minnesota this week with the team in a great spot. Since he exited in the first quarter of the Vikings’ season opener vs. Green Bay, the team has won both of its first two games and is atop the NFC North. All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson has 15 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns in two games despite playing most of that time without Murray. Minnesota will also have starting running back Aaron Jones Sr. available after he missed Wednesday’s practice and his status was initially in doubt. Tampa Bay followed up a 33-27 road loss at Cincinnati in Week 1 with a surprising 23-19 home loss to Cleveland last week. Baker Mayfield, fresh off signing his three-year contract extension, has a pedestrian 86.6 passer rating and has thrown for 398 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Buccaneers will be without a pair of rookies taken in the first two rounds of April’s draft in linebackers Rueben Bain Jr. (groin) and Josiah Trotter (shoulder).

Arizona Cardinals (1-1) at San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: 49ers -8.5, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: The 49ers swept the Cardinals last season to improve head coach Kyle Shanahan’s career record against Arizona to 9-9.

Only Lions QB Jared Goff (25) has a longer active streak of consecutive games with a TD pass than Jacoby Brissett, who is going for 15 straight games with a scoring toss. Fans are clamoring for one of those passes to land in the hands of Marvin Harrison Jr. The 2025 first-round pick has only one catch this season, but Michael Wilson is a familiar villain for the San Francisco defense. Wilson set career highs with 15 receptions for 185 yards in the last meeting. 49ers QB Brock Purdy has 13 touchdowns (one rushing) in five career starts against the Cardinals and Arizona never enjoys seeing Christian McCaffrey coming. He has three touchdowns or more in three of the past four meetings. This is San Francisco’s first close-up with Cardinals first-round rookie RB Jeremiyah Love. The 49ers have allowed only 20 total points this season.

Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-1)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Saints -3, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: The Raiders won the most recent meeting, 25-10 in New Orleans, in 2024. Las Vegas has won three of the past four games between the teams.

The Raiders finished in a four-way tie for the worst record in the league last season (3-14), and their reward for such a poor season — No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza — hasn’t even been a factor. He has been an understudy to 15-year veteran Kirk Cousins, who is thriving in first-year head coach Klint Kubiak’s offense, throwing three touchdown passes in each of the first two games. New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore, a former quarterback, noted that he and Cousins entered the NFL the same season (2012) after being teammates in the Senior Bowl. Cousins’ experience is paying off for Las Vegas. The Saints are one of five teams that began the season with consecutive road games. Only they, the Browns and Packers managed to win a game while the Dolphins and the Commanders both started 0-2. But like the Raiders, the Saints are emphasizing that an encouraging start doesn’t mean much this early in the season. QB Tyler Shough leads the NFL in passing yards (662). New Orleans, however, is 28th in rushing (78 yards per game). The Saints are one failed two-point conversion in their opener away from being 2-0 despite facing early double-digit deficits in both games. They fell behind Detroit 21-0 before Shough led a comeback to reach overtime, where his two-point conversion pass went incomplete on the final play of a 31-30 loss. Last week, they fell behind the Ravens 14-3 before Shough led another comeback and sneaked one yard on fourth down for a late touchdown that produced a 24-17 victory.

Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Ravens -3.5, Total 52.5
Series Rewind: The Ravens have won six of seven meetings with the Cowboys.

With a win and a loss under their belts, the Cowboys and Ravens roll into Brazil with questions to answer. Dallas has been torched after a miserable performance got defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus fired in 2025. Christian Parker is still finding the right mix of personnel, and enters a rough week for experimenting. The Cowboys are allowing 173.5 rushing yards per game and their win over the Commanders might have turned out differently had Washington not lost quarterback Jayden Daniels to injury on the final play of the first half. Daniels was carving up the Cowboys with his feet; he had 69 rushing yards in the half. Derrick Henry is second in the league in rushing (212 yards) and QB Lamar Jackson is seventh in the NFL in total passing yards and is averaging a league-leading 10 yards per attempt. Jackson also has 74 yards rushing this season. Baltimore hasn’t been perfect, with injuries limiting what Jackson can do in the passing game. WR Zay Flowers had 150 yards in the first half of Week 1 but hasn’t played since because of a hamstring. Uncertain field conditions might give first-year head coach Jesse Minter pause about playing Flowers this week. The Cowboys can also go right at a Baltimore secondary that didn’t hold up well against the Saints in a home loss last week. Dak Prescott threw four TD passes Week 2.

Filed Under: NFL

NFL Previews: 1pm Games

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DETROIT – (Wire Service Previews) – The Detroit Lions are at home for a match-up against the New York JETS.

New York Jets (1-1) at Detroit Lions (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Lions -6.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The road team has won four consecutive games in this matchup. The Lions defeated the Jets 20-17 in the last meeting in 2022.

Aaron Glenn returns to Detroit with one of the league’s statistical leaders in defense. Glenn coached with Lions head coach Dan Campbell for eight years — four in New Orleans when they both served on Sean Payton’s coaching staff and four as his defensive coordinator with the Lions — and they know each other well. But Glenn insists he’s in the Motor City not for nostalgia but to add to Detroit’s defensive misfortune. They’re allowing more than 35 points per game so far. Lions QB Jared Goff was always quick to tip a cap to Glenn during his time as Detroit’s defensive coordinator. Now that he’s preparing to play Glenn’s defense again, he’s seeing a full team in green taking on the identity of their no-nonsense coach who believes the aggressor usually wins. The Jets haven’t turned the ball over in the first two games of the regular season for the first time in more than 50 years. Last week they had a chance to put the Packers away in regulation and failed to gain traction in overtime. The secondary, in part due to injuries, has been a nightmare for the Lions. That’s not great news with WR Garrett Wilson forming a strong rapport with QB Geno Smith. Goff and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown are clicking, too. St. Brown has two TD catches in each of the first two games and is on pace for more than 130 receptions.

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Seattle Seahawks (2-0) at Washington Commanders (0-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Seahawks -7.5, Total 40.5
Series Rewind: Seattle has won three of the last four meetings, including a 38-14 road romp in Week 9 last season. That snapped a streak of four straight games in the series that were decided by five or fewer points.

The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks are allowing only 8.5 points and 214.0 yards of offense per game, a significant challenge for a Washington offense playing without electric quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow). Seattle coach Mike Macdonald (29-10, including playoffs) can become just the sixth head coach since 1970 to win 30 of his first 40 games, joining George Seifert, Matt LaFleur, Chuck Knox, Ted Marchibroda and Steve Mariucci. After leading the league with 1,793 receiving yards in 2025, Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba currently is on pace for more than 2,300 yards. Quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. The Commanders will once again turn to Marcus Mariota, who has a winning record (2-1) in his career vs. Seattle. Washington is 2-0 in home openers under coach Dan Quinn, who will need to see improvement from a secondary that has already allowed seven touchdown passes. Veteran Stefon Diggs has three TD catches but has never found the end zone in four previous games against Seattle.

Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) at Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bills -7.5, Total 50.5
Series Rewind: The Bills have won the past two meetings after losing the previous four. Josh Allen is 2-1 against the Chargers.

The Bills lead the NFL with 77 points after beating the Texans and the Lions while the Chargers tallied just 28 in losses to the Cardinals and Raiders. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen was in fine form last week by throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for two during a 41-31 home win over the Lions. Allen has passed for 582 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 92 yards and four scores. James Cook III rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown against Detroit and is fifth in the league with 192 rushing yards. Tight end Dalton Kincaid is off to a big start with 12 receptions for 225 yards and one score. Buffalo hopes star defensive tackle Ed Oliver (hip) can make it this week after sitting out against Detroit. The Chargers are looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2017, which came in their first season in Los Angeles after the controversial move from San Diego. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was supposed to take off under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel but the results haven’t matched that forecast. Herbert has passed for just 401 yards — 23rd in the NFL — with two touchdowns and three interceptions. His 59.3 completion rate is well off his career mark of 66.4. Ladd McConkey (eight for 117) is the lone receiver with more than 75 yards but has just nine yards after the catch. The defense has just three sacks and one takeaway, an interception by cornerback Cam Hart.

Tennessee Titans (0-2) at New York Giants (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Giants -2.5, Total 38.5
Series Rewind: After losing five straight meetings with Tennessee, New York has taken two of the last three. The Titans are 3-0 in the 21st century against the Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., including a 17-0 win in 2018.

First-year Tennessee head coach Robert Saleh is back at MetLife Stadium, where he coached the Jets from 2021-24. Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll also returns to East Rutherford, where he guided the Giants from 2022-25 and earned 2022 NFL Coach of the Year honors. Daboll’s replacement, John Harbaugh, opened his Big Apple tenure with a Week 1 victory against the rival Cowboys but then lost starting QB Jaxson Dart for the rest of the regular season to a knee injury in Monday’s loss to the Rams. Jameis Winston is a capable backup with a 5,000-yard season on his resume, but he has not won a start since November 2024 with the Browns. The former No. 1 overall pick could use some help from Cam Skattebo, who has gained 402 scrimmage yards and scored five rushing touchdowns in four career home games. Tennessee is looking to avoid a third straight 0-3 start after letting a win against the Eagles slip away last weekend in Nashville. Titans receiver Wan’Dale Robinson played for the Giants from 2022-25.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chiefs -10.5, Total 45.5
Series Rewind: Kansas City has won five straight games against Miami to take a 17-16 lead in the all-time series. The Dolphins last beat the Chiefs in 2011.

The Chiefs have already scored 31-plus points as many times in two games this season as they did all of last season. But after a pair of home victories over Denver and Indianapolis, Kansas City hits the road for the first time this weekend at Miami. Patrick Mahomes hasn’t missed a step in his return from injury, passing for 566 yards and five touchdowns (to five different receivers) against one interception. The Chiefs’ defense, however, is looking for improvement after giving up 24 first downs in the overtime win over the Colts. A Miami offense which is second-worst in the NFL in scoring offense (13 points per game) could be what ails that for Kansas City. Offseason acquisition Malik Willis has thrown for 417 yards, one touchdown and one interception through his first two games. He’s also been sacked nine times, while Miami’s defense is the only one in the league still looking for its first sack of the season.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bengals -3.5, Total 42.5
Series Rewind: The AFC North foes have split their season series each of the last two seasons, with the home teams both winning in 2025 and road teams each winning in 2024. Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 72-41.

Cincinnati is seeking its first 3-0 start since 2015. In order to get there, it’ll need to beat Pittsburgh on the road, which it has done three times in the previous five seasons. While the Bengals’ offense has been clicking with Joe Burrow getting both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins heavily involved in the passing game, the defense led the way in last week’s 20-6 win over Houston, keeping the Texans out of the end zone and limiting them to 60 rushing yards and a 29.4% success rate on third down (5-for-17). Pittsburgh is hoping to move past a 20-3 loss at New England. The Steelers’ offense completed just 2 of 12 third downs, with Aaron Rodgers limited to 187 passing yards. Pittsburgh surrendered a fourth-quarter strip-sack which was returned for a touchdown and effectively put the game to bed. Rodgers is still seeking his first completion this season on a pass that travels 20-plus yards in the air.

New England Patriots (1-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Jaguars -2.5, Total 45.5
Series Rewind: New England won eight straight games over the Jaguars from 2003-18, including the AFC championship game to end that streak. But Jacksonville has won two of the three matchups since, home games in 2018 and 2024.

New England, which was a perfect 8-0 in regular-season road games a season ago, looks to start a new road winning streak at Jacksonville after losing its first game of this season at Seattle in Week 1. The Jaguars have won five straight regular-season home games dating back to last season. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is still looking to get into gear off his second-place NFL MVP finish last season, with one touchdown to four interceptions through the first two games. New England’s defense, which is allowing a league-best 8.0 points per game, has carried the day through these early struggles. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence had a stellar debut (four touchdowns to four different players) but was then held under 200 yards and without a touchdown in last week’s 20-6 win at Denver. Parker Washington (181 yards) has carried over the success he found in his breakthrough 2025 campaign.