NY Giants (1-2) at Buffalo (2-1), noon on Fox (Ch. 4): These gangs of New York boast the top two run defenses and the bottom two pass defenses. Giants’ air attack still missing yesterday’s darling WR Victor Cruz who re-aggravated a calf injury. Bills rookie RB Karlos Williams averages eight carries a game and an NFL-best 7.8 yards a carry.
Philadelphia (1-2) at Washington (1-2), noon: With three first-half points over two games, the Eagles’ 24-0 halftime bulge vs. the Jets seemed gluttonous. Five 3-and-outs in the second half let it get close. No. 1 in possession time (34:43), No. 2 in total defense (277.3), No. 3 in rush defense (74.0) should equal more than 1-2 for Washington.
St. Louis (1-2) at Arizona (3-0), 3:25 p.m.: Someone light a fire under the Rams. Dead last in offense (274.3) with 16 total points and 4 of 22 on third down the last two weeks. Arizona’s hot in September (12-2 past four seasons), plus the fewest penalties (17), most points (126) and seven interceptions, three returned for TDs.
Minnesota (2-1) at Denver (3-0), 3:25 p.m. on Fox (Ch. 4): NFL rush leader Adrian Peterson (291 yards) leads improved Vikings against Denver’s Orange Crush 2.0 defense which leads league in fewest yards (259), passing yards (176.3), TDs (1) and is second in sacks (11) and interceptions (6). Run defense (27th) is only weak link.
Green Bay (3-0) at San Francisco (1-2), 3:25 p.m.: This could be over early. Packers look unstoppable on offense, but make a long trip on a short week. Niners trailed 31-7 and 29-3 at halftime of past two games. Their 90 points allowed in losses at Pittsburgh and at Arizona are their most in a two-game stretch since 1980.
Houston (1-2) at Atlanta (3-0), noon: Second-hand Texans look for second win behind patchwork offensive line, backup QB and second-string RB. Late-arriving Falcons have trailed in fourth quarter of all three games, but outscored foes 34-7 in final period to go 3-0 for only the fifth time in their 50-year history.
N.Y. Jets (2-1) at Miami (1-2), 8:30 a.m. on CBS (Ch. 5, 13): Jets landed hard vs. Philly, yielding 24 first-half points after just 17 total in first two games. Booed at home, now Fins can be jeered in London. QB Ryan Tannehill had three early picks and DB Brent Grimes’ wife was jailed for scuffle with cops after game. Can it get any worse?
Jacksonville (1-2) at Indianapolis (1-2), noon: Jaguars had team-record 51 points hung on them by Brady’s Bunch. It was the ninth loss of at least 20 points in coach Gus Bradley’s 35-game tenure. Colts QB Andrew Luck isn’t a fantasy dandy this season, but he still resides in the AFC South, where he’s 17-2 with 14 consecutive wins.
Oakland (2-1) at Chicago (0-3), noon: The Raiders have a winning streak for the first time in three years, and three coaches. Last time they won three straight was their 2002 Super Bowl season. Bears were nothing if not consistent. I choose nothing. Ten offensive series, 10 punts, 0 offensive plays in Seattle territory.
Cleveland (1-2) at San Diego (1-2), 3:05 p.m.: Reported cries within the locker room for Johnny Manziel’s return at QB tells everything about the Factory of Sadness that is the Browns. Chargers QB Philip Rivers saw three offensive linemen limp off against the Vikings. His 10 sacks and the team’s eight turnovers really hurt.
Carolina (3-0) at Tampa Bay (1-2), noon: Panthers QB Cam Newton is old enough to know what wins. In 65 career games, his team is 20-9-1 (including an 0-5 start) when he runs for a TD and 2-7 when he passes for 300 yards. The Bucs are kicking themselves after rookie Kyle Brindza missed a point after and three FGs at Houston.
Dallas (2-1) at New Orleans (0-3), 7:20 p.m. on NBC (Ch. 41): Guarded optimism over the injury-plagued Cowboys turned to disgust in a feeble second-half effort against the Falcons. The Saints hope QB Drew Brees returns, hope their 29th-ranked defense stirs to life and hope a six-game home losing streak finds a happy ending.
Detroit (0-3) at Seattle (1-2), 7: 30 p.m. Monday (EPSN): In 1995, the Lions started 0-3 yet made the playoffs. That’s also the last time a Detroit offensive lineman made the Pro Bowl. There were no 2015 Pro Bowl candidates lined up against the Broncos, who hammered QB Matthew Stafford repeatedly before settling on four sacks. Seahawks rookie Tyler Lockett has gone untouched on punt (57 yards) and kickoff (105 yards) returns for scores. RB Marshawn Lynch has one rushing TD in his past 15 regular-season games. He’s iffy this week with a troubling back, neck, calf, hamstring, personality. Just pick one.
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