We're watching the backfields in this one. The Ravens ran the ball just nine times against the Billslast Sunday. For Miami, we're still waiting on Lamar Miller to blow up. Miller was slow out of the gate this season, but he flashed some moves against the Saints on Monday night. The breakout game is coming.
We've been impressed with Chicago's revamped offensive line, but Sunday could spell trouble.
Everyone talks about Saints pass rusher Cameron Jordan, but Junior Galette has been a beast, and even reserves like Tyrunn Walker and John Jenkins rattle opponents. It could be a long day for Mr. Cutler if his blockers aren't up to the task.
Andy Dalton fizzled hard against the Browns and now faces an underrated Patriots' defense. As we mentioned on Wednesday's podcast, Dalton's play is on blast. He fails to lift the performance of his teammates and seems lost if A.J. Green isn't wide open. Before we talk about Cincy as a Super Bowl threat, how about knocking off one of the AFC's big boys?
New York's offensive line is holding the Giants hostage. One week after giving up seven sacks to the Panthers, not one of Big Blue's starting blockers earned a positive grade from Pro Football Focus against the Chiefs.
You can't talk about Eli Manning's nine picks without pointing a finger at his horrendous protection.
We'll be watching the battle between Ziggy Ansah and Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari. Detroit's rookie defensive end is more than just a speed rusher: His game tape from Week 4 revealed a defender with the ability to overpower blockers and disrupt the pocket. Green Bay hasn't seen a better defensive front all year.
The Rams' inability to get the ball to Tavon Austin in space has been an indictment of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Defenses know when the ball is coming to Austin and usually tackle him before he's done completing a catch.
Jamaal Charles has turned into the best closer in the NFL. Kansas City doesn't have much going for it on offense, but Charles has found a way to eat clock and churn up yardage with the game on the line for three straight weeks. That's why we see him as an MVP candidate.
We wouldn't have said this a year ago, but these two teams resemble each other. The Colts field a physical defense and an offense centered around a power run game. It's a great fit for Trent Richardson, set up for a massive workload with Ahmad Bradshaw on the shelf.
The trades of linebacker Jon Beason from the Panthers and tackle Levi Brown from the Cardinals shouldn't make much of an impact on either team. Beason had been benched and wasn't the same player after surgeries. Brown was one of the worst left tackles in football.
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Last week, Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter and cornerback Morris Claiborne were picked on in coverage by San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. Carter has since been benched.
Look for Peyton Manning to target Claiborne early and often. The second-year player is too passive in coverage.
It sounds like Brian Cushing will play despite suffering a concussion last week. That's a game-changer for the Texans' defense. For all the grief Matt Schaub has taken this year, Colin Kaepernick has been even less effective. Cushing's presence will make it tougher for Kaepernick to run like Russell Wilson did on the Texans last week, after Cushing's injury.
San Diego will struggle to rush the passer after Dwight Freeney's season-ending injury. Corey Liuget and Kendall Reyes have struggled to build on their strong seasons from a year ago. Philip Rivers is going to be in a lot of shootouts this season.
Battista: Fitting end to Sanchize era
Damon "Big Snacks" Harrison and rookie Sheldon Richardson have been revelations at defensive tackle for the Jets. It's going to be a long night for Atlanta's shaky offensive line.
The "Around The League Podcast" handed out our quarter season awards this week.
