Preview Roundups
September 21, 2014
San Diego at Buffalo 1:00 PM ET
The Buffalo Bills are in the unfamiliar position of leading the AFC East after a pair of impressive performances. The San Diego Chargers, who visit the Bills on Sunday, are coming off a win over the defending Super Bowl champions and enter the weekend with expectations soaring. The Chargers figured out how to throw against the Seattle Seahawks' secondary and will attempt to do the same against a Buffalo defense holding opponents to 15 points.
Dallas at St. Louis 1:00 PM ET
It has been quite some time since the Dallas Cowboys relied more on the run than the pass during the Tony Romo era. For a third consecutive week the Cowboys could feature the legs of DeMarco Murray more than the arm of Romo when they visit the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. Murray has run for 285 yards in the first two weeks - the most in the NFL - and with Romo slow to return to form from offseason back surgery, Murray could be in store for another busy afternoon against the Rams.
Washington at Philadelphia 1:00 PM ET
The Washington Redskins proved last week that they can win without Robert Griffin III and DeSean Jackson, and they may have to take the field without two of their biggest offensive stars Sunday. When the Redskins visit the Philadelphia Eagles, they certainly will be without Griffin, who dislocated his ankle last weekend, and may have to play without Jackson, who left their Week 2 contest with a shoulder injury but hopes to return to face his former team.
Houston at N.Y. Giants 1:00 PM ET
An impressive rushing attack and opportunistic defense have the Houston Texans off to a sizzling start this season. The Texans look to surpass their 2013 win total on Sunday when they visit the reeling New York Giants. After overwhelming Washington in the season opener, Houston saw Arian Foster rush for 138 yards and a touchdown while its defense forced four turnovers en route to a 30-14 triumph over Oakland last week.
Minnesota at New Orleans 1:00 PM ET
Life without Adrian Peterson continues for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday when they travel to New Orleans to face the winless Saints. The Vikings' promising start to the season has given way to turmoil with their star running back suspended from team activities until his child abuse case is resolved. Peterson's absence is a break for the Saints, who at 0-2 are already are two games behind defending champion Carolina in the NFC South.
Tennessee at Cincinnati 1:00 PM ET
With a dominant defense and a mistake-free offense led by a resurgent quarterback, the Cincinnati Bengals have established themselves as one of the top teams in the NFL. The Bengals seek to extend their home winning streak to a record 11 straight games and start a season 3-0 for the first time since 2006 when they host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Baltimore at Cleveland 1:00 PM ET
The Baltimore Ravens attempt to defeat Cleveland for the 12th time in the last 13 meetings when they visit the Browns on Sunday. Despite its success in the series, Baltimore is always aware of the tension associated with the fact that the Ravens once called Cleveland home. “Considering the history, I think they find a little bit more hatred toward us than any other team that comes up in there, which is understandable,” Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs told reporters.
Green Bay at Detroit 1:00 PM ET
The Detroit Lions know they have to narrow the gap on Green Bay if they ever want to supplant the Packers as the kings of the NFC Central. Detroit hosts Green Bay on Sunday and it will be looking to end the dominance in which the Packers have won 15 of the past 17 meetings. The Lions did rout the Packers 40-10 last November when Green Bay was without injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers but beating them again with Rodgers would carry more weight.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville 1:00 PM ET
The Indianapolis Colts are still searching for their first win of the season, but if recent history is any indication, that elusive victory is likely to come Sunday when they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars. Indianapolis has won the last three meetings between the teams by a combined margin of 94-23, including victories last season of 37-3 and 30-10. The Colts have dropped their first two games this season to 2013 division winners Denver and Philadelphia by a combined 10 points.
Oakland at New England 1:00 PM ET
The New England Patriots cruised to an easy win last week to avoid a 0-2 start but still don’t appear very happy about the offense. Tom Brady and company will try to find a better rhythm when they host the Oakland Raiders in their home opener on Sunday. The Raiders are still looking for their first win and were limited to 14 points in each of the first two games while breaking in rookie quarterback Derek Carr.
San Francisco at Arizona 4:05 PM ET
Colin Kaepernick attempts to rebound from a rough performance and continue his dominance against Arizona when he leads the San Francisco 49ers into battle versus the host Cardinals on Sunday. Kaepernick threw three interceptions and also lost a fumble in last week's 28-20 loss to visiting Chicago in the inaugural game at Levi's Stadium. The quarterback also used what was deemed "inappropriate language" during an altercation with Chicago's Lamarr Houston, resulting in a fine of $11,025.
Denver at Seattle 4:25 PM ET
Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos certainly won't lack for motivation when they visit the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday with a chance to avenge a humiliating beating in last season's Super Bowl. It's only the sixth time in league history that a Super Bowl rematch will occur in the following regular season and gives Denver an opportunity ease the pain of a 43-8 thrashing at the hands of Seattle. To do so, the Broncos must upend an opponent that is 16-1 in its last 17 at home.
Kansas City at Miami 4:25 PM ET
The Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins face significant questions with their respective rushing attacks heading into Sunday's game in South Florida. Kansas City's Jamaal Charles suffered a high-ankle sprain during last week's 24-17 loss to AFC West rival Denver while former Bronco Knowshon Moreno is expected to miss four weeks with a dislocated elbow for Miami. Knile Davis amassed 111 total yards as he spelled Charles, who shockingly practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
Pittsburgh at Carolina 8:30 PM ET
The Carolina Panthers will be without Greg Hardy but they expect a ferocious defense to remain their calling card as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. The Panthers have allowed an NFC-low 21 points in winning their first two games, even though the Pro Bowl defensive end was deactivated last week stemming from his involvement in a domestic assault case. Hardy had 15 sacks last season but was placed on the exempt/commissioner's permission list.