The NFL is in full swing this week! The program is therefore busy, and it will be easy to access: time change requires, all matches will start an hour earlier in Europe than usual. From the Cowboys – 49ers clash to the many important division matches, including clashes between rookies, or between Dexter Lawrence and TJ Watt, there will be something for everyone.
The match of the week: a giant on the ground?
Kick-off Sunday at 9:25 p.m.
San Francisco 49ers (3-4) – Dallas Cowboys (3-3)
Let's be honest, it's mainly the weight of history that makes this Cowboys – 49ers our match of the week. The two NFC giants are in bad shape. It's simple, one defeat for the 49ers on Sunday would be enough to equal their total number of defeats in 2023 (5). With 3 defeats currently compared to 5 last year, and one less contested match than their opponents, the Cowboys are barely better.
Suffice to say that things are starting to press for the two franchises, and that the match is of capital importance. San Francisco is hampered by numerous injuries. Brandon Aiyuk (WR) will of course not be there, and Deebo Samuel (WR), George Kittle (TE) or Jauan Jennings (WR) are reduced. Opposite, Micah Parsons (OLB) is uncertain. On the ground, the key will undoubtedly be on the ground: the San Francisco have the 7th ground attack in the league in yards per carry (5), the Cowboys the last (3.5).
The duel: TJ Watt against Dexter Lawrence, the title of best defender in the sights
Kick-off Tuesday at 1:15 a.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) – New York Giants (2-5)
We no longer present TJ Watt (DE, Steelers). JJ's (big) little brother, voted best defender in the league in 2021, is a force of nature who has already accumulated 101 career sacks. But, this year, someone is slowly but surely stealing the spotlight. In New York, Dexter Lawrence (DT, Giants) is simply monstrous. Author of 24 tackles, he confirms his status as an outstanding defender against the run. But this year he has already added 9 sacks, double that of Watt, and the best total in the league! All this while playing indoors! Lawrence thus places himself seriously in the race for the title of best defender of the year.
This Sunday, the two thieves each risk celebrating, given the weakness of the Steelers line, weighed down by injuries, and especially that of the Giants, who conceded 8 sacks last week. Enough to scare Russell Wilson (QB, Steelers). Anyone who spent a good part of his career having to escape Aaron Donald should have flashbacks to Dexter Lawrence. For Daniel Jones, the match could be long. Save whoever can.
The player: Caleb Williams, the real number 1?
Kick-off Sunday at 9:25 p.m.
Washington Commanders (5-2) – Chicago Bears (4-2)
Caleb Williams (QB, Bears) can set the record straight. The number 1 in the draft has a meeting this weekend with the team of his runner-up in the draft, Jayden Daniels (QB, Commanders), who is largely stealing the show for the moment. Problem, Daniels, injured in the ribs, is uncertain, which could deprive everyone of the long-awaited duel. But the opposition would keep its salt. The Bears are 4-2, but they have not yet beaten any big names (Titans, Rams, Panthers, Jaguars). And Caleb Williams, not helped by his offensive line, struggles to convince (130/100, 1,317 yards, 9 touchdowns, 5 interceptions). With or without Daniels, especially since his replacement Marcus Mariota did the job last week, the Commanders are a much higher hurdle for Chicago and its pitching.
The Coach: Andy Reid, the Hare and the Tortoise
Kick-off Sunday at 9:25 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) – Kansas City Chiefs (6-0)
For the fourth time in his career, and the third time with the Chiefs, Andy Reid is the coach of the last undefeated team in the league. At 6-0, Kansas City can see this coming. If everything was not perfect offensively, notably with a lackluster Patrick Mahomes (QB), the recruitment of DeAndre Hopkins (WR) could revive the Missouri franchise. Enough to be optimistic against the Raiders, a franchise to which Reid has inflicted an 18-4 since taking office in 2013, even if Las Vegas won their last duel. At 7-0, the Chiefs would be a foot and a half into the playoffs. But be careful, in his 3 previous experiences as an undefeated coach, Reid has never won the Super Bowl. It goes to show that there is no point in winning quickly, sometimes you have to know how to lose on time.
The stat: 1135
Kick-off Sunday at 9:25 p.m.
Denver Broncos (4-3) – Carolina Panthers (1-6)
This is the number of rushing yards suffered by the Panthers since the start of the season, a record in the league. If the figure is partly explained by the fact that the team is often behind, which pushes the opponent to run, the average of 4.7 yards suffered per carry is still the 9th worst in the league… and this is so that opposing races are also easier to predict. Facing the Broncos, 13th ground attack in the league, it looks complicated. On offense, the Panthers are retrying the Bryce Young (QB) bet after Andy Dalton's injury. Faced with Denver's very solid defense, which leads the league in yards conceded per pass attempt (5.9), this is far from being a gift.
The division of the week: in the AFC South, the supremacy of the Texans in question
Kick-off Sunday at 6 p.m.
Houston Texans (5-2) – Indianapolis Colts (4-3)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) – Green Bay Packers (5-2)
Detroit Lions (5-1) – Tennessee Titans (1-5)
Shock at the top of the AFC South between the Texans and the Colts. The first named have been more convincing at the start of the season, but a victory for Indianapolis would allow them to take first place. It is also a meeting between CJ Stroud (QB, 2nd choice in 2023 draft) and Anthony Richardson (QB, 4th choice in 2023). For the latter, we will have to do better than in recent weeks.
The Jaguars and Titans have a meeting with the big names in the NFC North. It's hard to believe in a miracle for two teams whose season is already almost over.
Other division shocks
Kick-off Sunday at 6 p.m.
Cleveland Browns (1-6) – Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
New England Patriots (1-6) – New York Jets (2-5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) – Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
After their series of difficult games, the Ravens finally have a more affordable duel against the Browns where Deshaun Watson (QB), injured, is replaced by Jameis Winston. On paper, it's impossible to bet on Cleveland, facing the Ravens who have five wins in a row, led by Lamar Jackson (QB) in MVP form. But since this is the NFL, the NFC North, and Jameis Winston, logic has its limits.
For the Jets, it is really time to win, especially against the Patriots who are completely losing momentum, in an AFC East where the Bills are ultimately alone. Finally, between the Buccaneers and the Falcons, it is already the return match. After the Falcons' 36-30 victory in Tampa in Week 5, the Floridians must recover. Both teams are unpredictable and the meeting promises to be as important as it is decisive in the race for the playoffs.
Other matches of the week
Kick-off Sunday at 6 p.m.
Miami Dolphins (2-4) – Arizona Cardinals (3-4)
Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) – Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)
Kick-off Sunday at 9:05 p.m.
Los Angeles Chargers (3-3) – New Orleans Saints (2-5)
Seattle Seahawks (4-3) – Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Should we rejoice at the expected return of Tua Tagovailoa (QB) to the field? From a strictly sporting point of view, especially for Dolphins fans, it's obvious. His replacements Skylar Thompson or Tyler Huntley were not at all satisfactory. For the rest, the violence of the concussions suffered by the player and his wish to return, without putting protection on his helmet, raise questions. Against the Cardinals, he will in any case have an important match from the start to stay in the race for the playoffs.
For their part, the Bengals are seemingly coming back from the considerable hole (0-3) in which they had put themselves. In this they share some points in common with their adversaries. If the Eagles started unconvincingly in 2-2, the two teams have picked up the icing over the last two weeks against the Browns and the Giants. For each of them, the meeting could be a turning point.
Derek Carr (QB, Saints) should not be back against the Chargers. Bad news before facing the best defense in the league in points conceded (13.8 per game). Disappointing offensively once again against the Cardinals, the Californians and Justin Herbert (QB) have a good opportunity to get back on their feet against a team that has conceded 30 points or more since week 3.
Finally, Mike Macdonald's Seahawks will be able to measure their progress on defense against the Bills. Reinforced by Ernest Jones IV at linebacker, Seattle smells the right move in the NFC West. But against the Bills of Josh Allen (QB), the step will be very high.
Week 8 matches
Kick-off Sunday at 6 p.m.
Cleveland Browns (1-6) – Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
Detroit Lions (5-1) – Tennessee Titans (1-5)
Houston Texans (5-2) – Indianapolis Colts (4-3)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) – Green Bay Packers (5-2)
Miami Dolphins (2-4) – Arizona Cardinals (3-4)
New England Patriots (1-6) – New York Jets (2-5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) – Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) – Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)
Kick-off Sunday at 9:05 p.m.
Los Angeles Chargers (3-3) – New Orleans Saints (2-5)
Seattle Seahawks (4-3) – Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Kick-off Sunday at 9:25 p.m.
Washington Commanders (5-2) – Chicago Bears (4-2)
Denver Broncos (4-3) – Carolina Panthers (1-6)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) – Kansas City Chiefs (6-0)
Kick-off Monday at 1:20 a.m.
San Francisco 49ers (3-4) – Dallas Cowboys (3-3)
Kick-off Tuesday at 1:15 a.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) – New York Giants (2-5)
