Mike Glennon was not the problem for the Bucs during their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He converted some nice third-and-long plays and moved the ball. Don't be shocked if the Falcons are upset; their offense is wildly banged up.
Even in Cam Newton's great games, he tends to miss four or five routine throws by a huge distance. He's struggled to string together composed efforts this year, so it will be important to see if he can keep up his hot play from a week ago.
Matthew Stafford is doing a better job moving in the pocket and avoiding pressure. His offensive line also is doing a better job protecting him. This game will be a huge test for both of those trends because Geno Atkins and Cincinnati's pass rush is on a roll.
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Manti Te'o has been a bit of a problem for San Diego's defense. The Chargers expected him to be a "plug and play" starter, but he has struggled on the field. This is a defense that has all sorts of problems. If ever there was a game for Maurice Jones-Drew to break out, this is it.
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Last time Washington played the Bears, in 2010, Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall picked off Jay Cutler four times. Cutler isn't the same quarterback under coach Marc Trestman, and Mike Shanahan's defense has been a disaster in pass coverage. That brings us to our player to watch: Chicago receiver Alshon Jeffery, one of this season's pleasant surprises.
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The Patriots have won six straight in the rivalry. To make it seven, they are going to have to get contributions from rookie second-round pick Jamie Collins. The rarely used linebacker is likely to get most of the snaps in place of Jerod Mayo, who is out for the season.
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There are differing schools of thought about Nick Foles' status moving forward. NFL Media columnist Mike Silver believes the quarterback job is Foles' to lose, while NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport hears Michael Vick should get his job back. If Foles continues to play lights out, we can't see Chip Kelly taking him out of the lineup.
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Yes, the Packers are banged up, but this one's a tall order for a Browns team led by Brandon Weeden. Especially if he continues to leave Jordan Cameron out in the cold. Brian Hoyer did a better job targeting the talented young tight end, and Cleveland doesn't have a shot unless Weeden finds Cameron early and often.
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When we spoke with Titans tight end Delanie Walker before the season, he talked about a Tennessee team that was being molded in San Francisco's image. They're run-heavy and boast an intriguing defense, but the Titans would need a flawless game from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to pull off the upset. Everything we know about the Amish Rifle tells us that's too much to ask. More sad days for this guy.
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We still believe the Steelers have a fighting shot in the dog-eat-dog AFC North, but that requires a win over Baltimore. It's not so crazy if the Steelers defense can snuff out a struggling Ravens offense that's produced the second most three-and-out drives in the league this season.
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We've pumped up the Chiefs as the best defense in the NFL, largely because of a smothering run-stopping line and the nasty pressure they put on quarterbacks. We can't wait to see Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe against Houston's interior front. That duel will decide how Arian Foster fares in this must-win tilt for the Texans.
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Look past all the Jim Irsay white noise and this is a classic in the making. Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has to open things up after Andrew Luck was hamstrung against the Chargers. As much as Pep longs for Trent Richardson and a cloud of dust, keeping pace with Peyton Manning will require pushing the ball downfield to T.Y. Hilton.
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The loss of safety Harrison Smith is crushing for a Vikings defense that hasn't lived up to its billing this season. New York is dying for a win and we like the matchup of Eli Manning and his cast of receivers against a Minnesota secondary that ranks as the sixth-worst in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.
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