It's official, we're entering the second part of the season and the list of title contenders is being refined game after game. Between the surprising Commanders and the solid Steelers, the meeting will allow us to find out more. On the San Francisco side, the return of Christian McCaffrey is expected to strengthen a little-known team.
We will also scrutinize the performance of Jonathan Gannon's Cardinals, who dominate the NFC West, without losing sight of the Lions where Za'Darius Smith must revitalize the defense against the pass. The Browns, Packers, Raiders and Seahawks are rested.
The match of the week: from the clash of generations to trench warfare
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Washington Commanders (7-2) – Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
The clash between the Steelers and the Commanders, respective leaders in the AFC North and NFC East, is salivating for several reasons. In addition to the important consequences in the ranking, it is the opposition between two generations of quarterbacks with a similar style. Ten years ago, Russell Wilson (QB, Steelers) was the face of young dual-threat quarterbacks, capable of stretching games with his mobility. If Jayden Daniels (QB, Commanders) is bigger and even more impressive than Wilson was, he is part of a lineage that the former Seahawks helped perpetuate. Between a rookie who never ceases to surprise and a veteran found in his first two games in Pittsburgh, it makes you want.
However, as sparkling as these headliners are, the victory will probably not be decided (only) there. Thanks in particular to Daniels but also to a formidable offensive line, the Commanders are the 3rd team in the league in rushing, and their number 1 runner Brian Robinson Jr. should be back. Faced with the iron wall of the Steelers (4th rushing defense in the league), the confrontation will rage in the trenches. Going the other way, the Steelers have the 8th rushing offense, the Commanders the 28th defense. The ability of the Washington attack to deprive its opponent of balls could dictate the outcome of the meeting.
The player: Christian McCaffrey, are we getting back into good habits?
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) – San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
This time it should be good. Christian McCaffrey (RB, 49ers) trained this week and should return this Sunday in Tampa. His return is obviously big news for San Francisco. Because if Jordan Mason did the work on the ground (685 yards) in the absence of McCaffrey, and the 49ers remain in the top 5 in attacks on the ground and in the air, no one can replace the impact of the offensive player of the 'year.
Capable of finding invisible spaces on the ground and being a real weapon in the aerial game, McCaffrey is the perfect safety valve for his pitcher Brock Purdy (8 lost balls in San Francisco's defeats). Bad news for the Buccaneers, who have the 30th defense in the league in yards conceded. Baker Mayfield (QB, Buccaneers) will still have work to keep pace on the other side.
The duel: the best of the worst?
Kick-off Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (In Munich) Watch for free on M6+
Carolina Panthers (2-7) – New York Giants (2-7)
The origin of matter, the divine question, the existence of truth… There are a multitude of important questions in the universe. Among them, every NFL fan has wondered what was most (in)effective in a confrontation between the worst offense and the worst defense in the league.
This Sunday's match between the Giants and the Panthers will provide a valuable new element of explanation. Indeed, with 15.4 points scored per game, the G-Men have the worst attack in the league according to this metric, while the Panthers sit on the rankings of the worst defenses with 32.6 points conceded per game. So, who will be the best of the worst? Make your bets, but for now, the better defense of the two (New York's) leads 8-4 in this type of clash since 2000.
The coach: Jonathan Gannon, the new kid in the west
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (5-4) – New York Jets (3-6)
The NFC West is led at this time by… the Arizona Cardinals! Certainly, the attack with Kyler Murray (QB), Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR) or James Conner (RB) was expected, but few would have bet on such an outcome at this stage. We must recognize the merit of coach Jonathan Gannon in the operation. The former Eagles defensive coordinator put together a solid squad in the desert.
Symbol of good osmosis in Arizona, the Cardinals lead the ranking of penalties received in the league, tied with the Bengals, with only 41 tissues collected. This is much better than the Jets and their 72 penalties (31st in the league) including 31 on defense (worst record in the league). In a match where each team has its weapons, this could make the difference.
The stats: 5 to 1, Za'Darius Smith, the solution for the Lions?
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Houston Texans (6-3) – Detroit Lions (7-1)
The Lions are 7-1, so talking about a problem might seem like an exaggeration, but the fact remains that Detroit's pass rush has taken a hit since the injury to Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE). With only 1 sack from all the edge rushers remaining in the roster this season, Dan Campbell's players are less oppressive for the opposing quarterback and Jordan Love (QB, Packers) could have taken advantage of this with a little more realism last week.
The recruitment of Za'Darius Smith (EDGE), 5 sacks with the Browns this season, therefore comes at the right time. And the match against the Texans will be a good test. Because the Houston franchise has a big problem with pass protection. If it is mainly located inside, the Texans will have to use serious means to protect CJ Stroud (QB, Texans) from Alim McNeill (DT Lions) and company. Which could therefore leave room for Smith to confirm the hopes placed in him, and make this Lions team ever more frightening.
Division of the week: The Eagles boss of the NFC East?
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys (3-5) – Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
With the Commanders' difficult match (see match of the day) and while the Giants no longer seem to be an obstacle, the Eagles may have a shot to play this Sunday in the NFC East. Nick Sirianni's players have been untenable in recent weeks, like Jalen Hurts, the author of 12 touchdown passes and no interceptions since their return from bye week in week 6. Saquon Barkley, for his part, reminds us that, sometimes, runners count.
Opposite, the Cowboys are in turmoil. Micah Parsons (OLB) could play again, but he will be limited. Dak Prescott (QB) will not be there. Despite all the Texan hype around him, and one of the coolest names in the league, it's hard to see his replacement Cooper Rush shaking things up. Even if in a divisional meeting, anything is possible. Dallas is 0-3 at home… a terrible statistic when you consider that the Cowboys hadn't lost at home in two years before the game against Green Bay in January. So they haven't won since.
Other division shocks
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
New Orleans Saints (2-7) – Atlanta Falcons (6-3)
Kansas City Chiefs (8-0) – Denver Broncos (5-4)
It's hard not to see a very clear favorite between the Falcons and the Saints. The first meeting in week 4 was very close, but the Falcons have since gone 3 wins for 1 loss, while the Saints haven't won since week 2. Chris Olave (WR, Saints) still hasn't practiced since his concussion suffered this weekend. In short, Atlanta has the opportunity to gain even more air in the NFC South.
The Chiefs, for their part, got the attack back on track. The arrival of DeAndre Hokins (WR) is good for Patrick Mahomes (QB, Chiefs). Kansas City will undergo a life-size test against the solid Broncos defense, even if Mahomes is 12-1 in his career against Denver. Opposite, Bo Nix (QB, Broncos) will also have work against the 5th defense in the league in yards conceded per game (293.6).
Other matches of the week
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Chicago Bears (4-4) – New England Patriots (2-7)
Indianapolis Colts (4-5) – Buffalo Bills (7-2)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7) – Minnesota Vikings (6-2)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) – Tennessee Titans (2-6)
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Los Angeles Rams (4-4) – Miami Dolphins (2-6)
The duel between the Bears and the Patriots will pit Caleb Williams (QB, Bears), first choice in the draft, against his runner-up Drake Maye (QB, Patriots). Chicago and Williams are favorites against New England but watch out for Maye who is doing good things.
Alert in Indiana: the Colts have only scored one offensive touchdown in the last seven quarters. Joe Flacco (QB) should still play against the Bills, but the task looks complicated against a defense with no real weakness. Opposite, Josh Allen's Bills are of another caliber.
Trevor Lawrence (QB, Jaguars) is not certain to play against the Vikings. If he were to be absent, Mac Jones (QB) could make his return. In either case, Brian Flores' defense has what it takes to stifle the game, and Minnesota remains the favorite.
The Titans have the best defense in the league in yards conceded… and 26th in points (26.6 per game). This statistical anomaly is easily explained. Tennessee has the league's second-worst difference between turnovers and turnovers (-11). Enough to be unoptimistic before facing the Chargers where Justin Herbert (QB) finally shines and who recovered 9 more balls than they lost.
Finally, Sean McVay (Rams) and Mike McDaniel (Dolphins) are two coaches who have had to deal with injuries. Star receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua for the Rams, Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins, not to mention injuries to the left and right lines. The names mentioned came back, for different consequences. The Rams are in full swing, while the Dolphins seem lost. To see if this match can reverse the trend.
Week 10 matches
Kick-off Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (In Munich) Watch for free on M6+
Carolina Panthers (2-7) – New York Giants (2-7)
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Chicago Bears (4-4) – New England Patriots (2-7)
Indianapolis Colts (4-5) – Buffalo Bills (7-2)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7) – Minnesota Vikings (6-2)
Kansas City Chiefs (8-0) – Denver Broncos (5-4)
New Orleans Saints (2-7) – Atlanta Falcons (6-3)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) – San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
Washington Commanders (7-2) – Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) – Tennessee Titans (2-6)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (5-4) – New York Jets (3-6)
Dallas Cowboys (3-5) – Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Houston Texans (6-3) – Detroit Lions (7-1)
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Los Angeles Rams (4-4) – Miami Dolphins (2-6)
