Sunday Previews And More.

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Washington at Cincinnati

When: 9:30 AM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2016
Where: Wembley Stadium, London

The Cincinnati Bengals are clawing themselves back in the mix in the AFC North as injuries have taken their toll on each of the other division representatives. The Bengals will vie for their second straight victory in a bid to even their record on Sunday morning when they test their mettle against the Washington Redskins in London.
Cincinnati has looked like a contender when matched up against lightweights (sub-.500 teams), as the team has allowed just 15.3 points in wins over the New York Jets, Miami and winless Cleveland. The Bengals, however, have been knocked out versus heavyweights Dallas and New England while dropping decisions to Pittsburgh and Denver heading into Sunday's tilt versus Washington, which is bent on revenge after seeing its four-game winning streak halted by Detroit last week. Kirk Cousins passed for 301 yards and a touchdown in the 20-17 loss to the Lions, with Jamison Crowder stepping up in place of concussed tight end Jordan Reed as the second-year wideout recorded season highs in receptions (seven), targets (nine) and receiving yards (108).

TV: 9:30 a.m. ET, FOX.

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (4-3): Injuries and fumbles have plagued Matt Jones in both college and the NFL and the two continue to rear their ugly head with the second-year running back losing the ball for the eighth time in 20 career games last week. Should Jones (knee) sit out on Sunday, Rob Kelley is expected to see an uptick in snaps and Chris Thompson would look to play off his team-high 12 carries and seven receptions last week against Detroit. Speaking of injuries, All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman (concussion) and Reed were allowed to accompany the team to London on Thursday, although coach Jay Gruden admitted that "we'll keep a close eye on them."

ABOUT THE BENGALS (3-4): Andy Dalton passed for 308 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-17 victory over the bumbling Browns last week, highlighted by a "Hail Mary" heave that A.J. Green (league-best 50 receptions) hauled in prior to halftime. Dalton tossed three scoring strikes in Cincinnati's 38-31 win over Washington on Sept. 23, 2012, with Green collecting nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown. The ground attack of Jeremy Hill (career-high 168 yards, TD) and Giovani Bernard (80 yards, TD) punished Cleveland last week and could erupt again versus the Redskins' 26th-ranked rushing defense (119.7 yards per game).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Washington didn't fare so well the last time it ventured outside the United States, as the club dropped a 23-0 decision to Buffalo in Toronto five years ago.

2. Bengals WR Brandon LaFell has four touchdowns in his last three contests.

3. The Redskins have yielded just four touchdown passes in their last six games,

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: New England at Buffalo.

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2016
Where: New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York

The New England Patriots get a chance to avenge their lone defeat of the season when they visit Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in a matchup of AFC East rivals. The Bills shocked the Patriots in Week 4, handing New England its first shutout loss at Gillette Stadium with Tom Brady serving the finale of his four-game suspension.
"It was a great time to play them," Ryan said of the first matchup. "You know, I'll admit it. It was probably an easier game to play them without (Brady)." That earlier victory against the Patriots was part of a four-game winning streak for Buffalo that was snapped in last week's 28-25 loss at Miami. New England was forced to start third-stringer Jacoby Brissett in the earlier meeting against the Bills, but it has ripped off three straight double-digit victories since Brady returned to the lineup. Brady owns a staggering 25-3 record against Buffalo, including a sweep last season that featured victory margins of eight and seven points.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.

ABOUT THE BILLS (4-3): Buffalo posted a victory margin of nearly 18 points during the four-game winning streak, but struggled in Miami with its top offensive weapon hobbled. LeSean McCoy, who rushed for 470 yards and five touchdowns during the four-game run, managed only 11 yards against the Dolphins while battling a balky hamstring that kept him out of practice Thursday. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who threw for 246 yards and a touchdown in the earlier meeting, could be without Marquise Goodwin (concussion) and Robert Woods (foot), as well as Sammy Watkins, who is on injured reserve. The Bills were gouged for 256 rushing yards by the Dolphins, but defensive tackle Marcell Dareus is expected back after missing three games.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (6-1): New England leaned heavily on the run in a 27-16 win at Pittsburgh last week, with bruising back LeGarrette Blount rushing for 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Blount was held in check in the first meeting, managing 54 yards on 13 carries, but Brady will likely come out throwing after amassing 1,004 yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first three starts. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, who missed the first two games due to injury, has 16 receptions for 364 yards and two scores since Brady's return while running back James White has 14 catches and three TDs during the same span. The Patriots' defense is vulnerable, giving up 258.7 yards per game, but it also is permitting an AFC-low 15.3 points.

OVERTIME

1. Brady can tie Brett Favre for the most wins (26) against one opponent since the NFL merger.

2. Bills LB Lorenzo Alexander leads the NFL with nine sacks.

3. Gronkowski has 68 career touchdowns and can set the franchise record with one more.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: N.Y. Jets at Cleveland.

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2016
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Ryan Fitzpatrick won't be the only quarterback to return to the starting role when the New York Jets visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Josh McCown is expected to return for the Browns as they look for their first win of the season and attempt to snap a 10-game losing streak overall.
Benched for his poor play and the league leader in turnovers, Fitzpatrick was back under center in the first half of last week's 24-16 win over Baltimore when Geno Smith suffered a torn ACL. Fitzpatrick threw for 120 yards and a score and, more importantly, didn't turn the ball over as the Jets snapped their four-game skid. With Cody Kessler in concussion protocol after getting injured in last week's loss at Cincinnati, McCown figures to get the start after being medically cleared from a broken left collarbone suffered in the second week of the season. The Browns have already used five different quarterbacks on the season, not counting wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, who has run the wildcat and thrown nine passes. The two teams met last season during opening week and McCown suffered a concussion diving into the end zone for an early touchdown in a 31-10 victory by New York.

TV: 1 p.m., CBS.

ABOUT THE JETS (2-5): Fitzpatrick was clearly irritated with his demotion and let the entire organization know about it with a terse interview after last week's game. "I feel like every year (Fitzpatrick's) played like that. ... He always plays with a chip on his shoulder," offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said. Fitzpatrick, however, was a big part of the problem for the Jets, who rank 30th in the league in scoring at 17 points a game and had 12 starters miss practice time do to injuries during the week. Center Nick Mangold looks like he'll miss the game with an ankle injury and key contributors Darrelle Revis, Brandon Marshall, Bilal Powell and Muhammad Wilkerson are all questionable.

ABOUT THE BROWNS (0-7): Playing for his sixth NFL team, McCown is in his 14th season and is the best pure passer among the stable of Browns quarterbacks, but is just 18-40 in 58 career starts. Offensively, Cleveland has fared pretty well on the season, ranking 13th in the league behind the steady play of running back Isaiah Crowell, who has 495 yards rushing with four touchdowns. Pryor, who has also become one of the most dynamic receivers in the league with 435 yards receiving and a team-high three touchdown receptions, was limited with a leg injury last week but is healthy again. Cleveland's best defensive player, defensive back Joe Haden, has been slowed by a nagging groin injury.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The last time Fitzpatrick returned to the lineup after being benched, he came back to throw six touchdown passes in a 2014 game against Houston.

2. Cleveland may give Kevin Hogan some time under center after the rookie from Stanford ran for 104 yards and a touchdown in Cincinnati last week.

3. The Jets rank fourth in the NFL defending the run and held Baltimore to just 11 yards last week.

 

[Greenbacks]

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Detroit at Houston.

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2016
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Matthew Stafford is starting to get some MVP buzz as he lifts the Detroit Lions into contention, while Brock Osweiler is earning jeers for his high price tag and low performance for the Houston Texans. Osweiler will attempt to turn things around at Stafford's expense when the Texans host the Lions on Sunday.
Osweiler was 22-of-41 for 131 yards in a 27-9 loss at Denver on Monday to post an NFL season-low 3.2 yards per attempt and mark the third time this season he failed to record 200 passing yards on 40 or more attempts. "I think he can play better," Texans coach Bill O'Brien told reporters. "I know that the receivers can run routes better. We continue to work and we continue to go down the same inconsistent road, but eventually we have to find consistency or we're not going to be where we want to be." Stafford, in contrast, ranks seventh in the NFL in yards per attempt at 7.94 and boosted that number to 9.17 in a 20-17 win over Washington last week that extended the Lions' winning streak to three games. "I think he’s playing well," Detroit coach Jim Caldwell told reporters. "He’s confident. Guys are catching the ball well for him, but the thing that he’s interested (in) most, more than anything else, is winning. I’m sure he’d take far fewer stats and more wins."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX.

ABOUT THE LIONS (4-3): All three wins during Detroit's streak have come at home, and Stafford and company will get stiff tests from a pair of strong defenses in back-to-back road games at Houston and Minnesota. The offense could use the added dimension of running back Theo Riddick, who recorded 171 yards rushing and 191 receiving in the team's first five games but missed the last two with an ankle injury and remains questionable. Detroit has yet to play a game decided by more than seven points, and its four wins have come by a total of 11.

ABOUT THE TEXANS (4-3): Houston is 4-0 at home, and Osweiler is averaging 7.10 yards per attempt in front of Houston fans but 4.12 on the road. Osweiler is having a hard time getting on the same page with star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who has 36 receptions on 69 targets and only has recorded one 100-yard receiving performance this season - 113 on Sept. 18 - after posting six with Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett under center last season. Osweiler could be without another weapon this week in leading rusher Lamar Miller, who was limited to 11 carries against the Broncos due to a shoulder injury and is questionable.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Lions traded starting LB Kyle Van Noy and a seventh-round draft pick to New England for a sixth-rounder.

2. Houston placed Derek Newton (knees) on injured reserve and signed fellow T Jeff Adams.

3. Detroit CB Darius Slay (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday and is questionable for Sunday.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Kansas City at Indianapolis.

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2016
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

As road trips go, Indianapolis hasn’t been one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ favorite destinations. The Chiefs hope to change their fortunes in the Circle City when they take on the host Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
The Colts have won four of the last five regular-season meetings and are 4-1 against Chiefs coach Andy Reid - and neither of those marks includes a stunning 45-44 victory in the 2013 Wild Card game. Kansas City led that one 38-10 early in the third quarter in its most recent trip to Indianapolis before giving up 35 second-half points. "I obviously remember the outcome and being pretty disappointed," Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith told reporters. "It was a long time ago, though. When you start thinking about it, one year is a long time in the NFL, let alone a couple of years. A lot has changed since then, so it's hard to even look at that tape." Indeed, the Chiefs look like a different team from the one they were even in Week 4 - when they were routed 43-14 at Pittsburgh - and have won two straight coming out of their bye week, while the Colts have captured two of their last three despite a shaky defense.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (4-2): Kansas City’s offense has been unspectacular, but Smith takes care of the ball and running back Spencer Ware has emerged as a major weapon, ranking third in the NFL in scrimmage yards. Rookie receiver Tyreek Hill hauled in his third touchdown pass in last week’s 27-21 win over New Orleans and has given Smith a speedy deep threat to add to a solid receiving corps. The Chiefs’ defense has been the definition of a bend-not-break unit, ranking 23rd in total defense but 11th in scoring thanks to 14 takeaways – including a league-best 10 interceptions.

ABOUT THE COLTS (3-4): Indianapolis ranks near the bottom of the league in nearly every defensive category but turned in one of its better defensive performances of the year in last week’s 34-26 win at Tennessee. Andrew Luck has returned to form after last year’s injury-shortened campaign and ranks third in the league in passing yards with 14 touchdowns against four interceptions. The offense has been fairly pass-heavy but can hurt opponents on the ground with veteran Frank Gore.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kansas City CB Marcus Peters has made five interceptions this season – more than 13 NFL teams.

2. Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck has topped 300 yards passing in five of his last six home games, registering 15 touchdowns and a 100.5 rating over that span.

3. Colts K Adam Vinatieri has made an NFL-record 43 consecutive field goals.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Seattle at New Orleans.

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2016
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

The Seattle Seahawks will put their top-ranked scoring defense to the test when they travel to New Orleans to face Drew Brees and the high-octane Saints on Sunday. Brees leads the league in passing for 350 yards a game but said during the week that the Seahawks are the best defense he's ever faced.
Seattle is unbeaten in four games - including a rare 6-6 tie at Arizona a week ago, where both teams missed short field goals in overtime. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 225 yards in the game and carried the ball just once as he continues to be slowed by ankle, knee and pectoral injuries. Brees also leads the league with 17 touchdown passes and is always more effective at home where he has thrown 11 scoring passes against just two interceptions. New Orleans, which has lost three straight in the series including two playoff matchups, had its modest two-game winning streak snapped last week at Kansas City 27-21.

TV: 1 p.m., FOX.

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (4-1-1): The balanced Seattle defense ranks fourth against the run and ninth versus the pass but was taxed greatly at Arizona last week, spending 46 minutes (95 plays) on the field. Wilson's injuries have limited the team's offense as the former dual threat has only 33 rushing yards and a 1.5-yard average on the season. The game marks the return of Jimmy Graham to New Orleans where the tight end caught 54 touchdown passes from Brees from 2010-2014. He has 23 catches for 355 yards in his last four games with the Seahawks.

ABOUT THE SAINTS (2-4): While New Orleans ranks last in the league in scoring defense (allowing 32.5 points a game) and has surrendered at least two touchdowns in 29 of its last 30 contests, it truly hang its hat on a prolific offense. New Orleans ranks second in the league averaging 29.3 points a game and got its second 100-yard rushing game of the season last week as Mark Ingram gained 62 yards on 16 carries. The Saints secondary is a battered unit with five players on the injured list but cornerback Delvin Breaux put in a limited practice Wednesday, marking the first time the second-year pro has joined teammates on the field since suffering a broken fibula in Week 1.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Brees has 2,101 passing yards and is on pace for 5,602 yards, which would break Peyton Manning's mark of 5,477 yards from 2013 with the Denver Broncos.

2. Seahawks S Kam Chancellor has sat out the previous two games with a groin injury, but will return against the Saints on Sunday.

3. Since Wilson's rookie year in 2012, the Seahawks are just 9-8 in 1 p.m. (ET) kickoffs - and 42-11-1 in all other games.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Oakland at Tampa Bay.

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2016
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

The Oakland Raiders hope to make the Tampa Bay Buccaneers their next victim as they attempt to remain unbeaten on the road when the clubs collide on Sunday. Oakland has earned a share of first place in the AFC West on the strength of its play away from home, where it improved to a league-best 4-0 with last week's 33-16 triumph at Jacksonville.
Latavius Murray returned to the lineup after missing two games with a toe injury and gained only 59 yards but rushed for a pair of touchdowns as the Raiders raised their conference record to 4-1 for the first time since 2001. Tampa Bay looks to hand Oakland its first road loss and extend its winning streak to three games after posting victories in Carolina and San Francisco. The Buccaneers have yet to emerge victorious at Raymond James Stadium, dropping a five-point decision to Los Angeles while losing by 20 to Denver. Sunday's contest likely will have its fair share of passing touchdowns as Tampa Bay's Mike Evans and Oakland's Michael Crabtree enter Week 8 tied for the league lead in receiving scores with six apiece.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (5-2): Oakland still ranks last in the NFL in both total and passing defense, allowing averages of 430.4 and 302.1 yards per game, respectively. There is a possibility the club could receive help down the stretch in the form of linebacker Aldon Smith, who has applied for reinstatement with the league once his one-year suspension for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse expires on Nov. 17. Oakland possesses one of the league's best receiving duos in Crabtree and Amari Cooper, who are first in receptions (79), third-down yards (375) and third-down conversions (22).

ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (3-3): Tampa Bay will be counting on Jacquizz Rodgers to shred Oakland's rushing defense, which ranks 28th (128.3 yards), as the 26-year-old has gained 101 and a career-high 154 yards in the last two games while filling in for the injured Doug Martin. The Buccaneers hope to have Gerald McCoy in the lineup against the Raiders as the defensive tackle was limited in practice Thursday due to a calf injury that caused him to miss a game earlier this season. Evans is on pace for 1,459 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, both of which would be franchise single-season records.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Despite their problems defensively, the Raiders are plus-8 in turnover margin as they have recorded 13 takeaways through seven contests.

2. Tampa Bay has lost 15 of its last 18 home games.

3. Oakland P Marquette King was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week thanks to a performance against Jacksonville in which he ranked first in the NFL in gross (54.6) and net (50.6) average, placed four punts inside the 20-yard line and ran for 27 yards on fourth-and-24 to extend a drive that resulted in a touchdown.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Arizona at Carolina.

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2016
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

The last time the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers squared off was in last year’s NFC Championship game – a destination neither will return to if they don’t quickly turn around their disappointing seasons. Both teams will try to take a step in that direction when the Panthers host the Cardinals on Sunday.
The Panthers routed the Cardinals 49-15 in January to advance to the Super Bowl, but they’ve won just one of their six games since and are playing for the first time since suffering a 41-38 loss at New Orleans in Week 6. Even so, Arizona, which slogged through an ugly 6-6 tie against Seattle last week, vividly remembers its last trip to Charlotte. “I’ve been Johannesburg straight, 18-hour flight,” wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald told the team’s website. “I’ve been to Thailand, that’s like a 17-hour flight. But the flight from Carolina back to Phoenix last year was the longest flight I’ve ever been on before, and that was only about four hours. Those types of things, you don’t forget.” The Cardinals committed seven turnovers in the last meeting, but they have not had a giveaway in their last three games.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (3-3-1): Arizona somehow rolled up a season-high 443 total yards without a turnover last week but still came away with just six points and an unfulfilling result. David Johnson continues to carry the offense, as he ranks second in the NFL in rushing (681 yards) and leads the league in scrimmage yards and rushing touchdowns (eight). The defense has been stout, ranking second in total defense after holding five straight opponents under 300 total yards.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (1-5): Carolina again boasts one of the league’s most prolific offenses, ranking fifth in scoring and fourth in total yards, but a league-worst 16 turnovers have kept the defense on its heels. Four of those giveaways came in a loss to Tampa Bay in Week 5 that quarterback Cam Newton missed with a concussion, but he has thrown six interceptions and lost a fumble. The Panthers are tough against the run, but the secondary has been awful, allowing at least 460 passing yards in two of the last three games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona QB Carson Palmer has won 11 of his last 13 road starts and has posted a quarterback rating of 100 or better in two of his last three away from home.

2. Panthers TE Greg Olsen leads NFL tight ends in receptions (39) and receiving yards (610) and has made at least six catches in four straight games.

3. Fitzgerald has caught at least five passes in every game this season and recorded a season-high nine grabs last week.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: San Diego at Denver.

When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2016
Where: Sports Authority Field, Denver, Colorado

The San Diego Chargers have enjoyed nothing but good news shortly after Philip Rivers referred to his club as the Bad News Bears. The upstart Chargers have reversed field following a three-game skid and will vie for their third straight victory and their first season sweep of the Denver Broncos since 2010 when the AFC West rivals reconvene at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday.
"We flipped the script," Rivers said after throwing for a season-best 371 yards to help San Diego erase a 17-point deficit for the third straight season with a 33-30 overtime win over Atlanta last week. "It wasn’t quite the 17-point deficit that Kansas City had with 10 minutes to play, but it was a 17-point deficit nonetheless." Denver snapped a two-game skid with a 27-9 rout of Houston on Monday, but C.J. Anderson was left to receive a second opinion on a right knee injury that reportedly could sideline the starting running back for multiple weeks. Impressive rookie Devontae Booker is expected to see an uptick in snaps as a result on the heels of rushing for a season-best 83 yards and his first NFL touchdown versus the Texans.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS.

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (3-4): Melvin Gordon (NFL-best 10 total touchdowns) found the end zone three times last week and recorded a season-best 27 carries for 94 yards in a 21-13 victory over Denver on Oct. 13. Hunter Henry enjoyed his best performance of his young NFL career in that contest with six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown, but the rookie tight end's availability is in question as he remains in the league's concussion protocol. Antonio Gates is more than capable of taking his place, as the veteran has four touchdowns in his last five contests versus Denver and ranks second among tight ends with 106 receiving scores.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (5-2): Trevor Siemian posted a career-high 30 completions in the last encounter and has seven touchdowns and no interceptions in his last four games. Demaryius Thomas has eight touchdowns in his last nine meetings with San Diego, although the veteran wideout was limited to just 35 yards receiving on Oct. 13. On the defensive side of the ball, veteran linebacker Von Miller has an NFL second-best 7.5 of Denver's league-leading 22 sacks. The Broncos' stingy defense has yielded 16.7 points per game and ranks first in the AFC in total net yards allowed per contest (291.6).

EXTRA POINTS

1. San Diego rookie DE Joey Bosa has collected a team high-tying four sacks in three games and his 20 quarterback pressures are the second-most in the league over that time frame, according to Pro Football Focus.

2. Denver S T.J. Ward forced his team-leading third fumble last week against Atlanta.

3. The Chargers are looking to record their first road win versus a division rival since a 31-28 victory over Oakland on Oct. 12, 2014.

 

[Greenbacks]

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Green Bay at Atlanta.

When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2016
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

The Green Bay Packers ignited their sputtering offense against an age-old rival last week and will look to match firepower on Sunday with the host Atlanta Falcons, who own the top-ranked scoring offense in the league. Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers completed double-digit passes to Davante Adams (career-high 13 for 132 yards and two touchdowns), Randall Cobb (11 for 95 yards and a score) and Ty Montgomery (10 for 66 yards receiving, 60 yards rushing) in a 26-10 win versus the Chicago Bears on Oct. 20.
"I don't know how much it can be carried over. ... Momentum can only be started once a game has begun and continues," said Rodgers, who completed a franchise-record 39 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns last week and has nine TD passes and a 116.0 rating in his last four games versus Atlanta. A lack of a traditional running game should keep the ball in the two-time NFL MVP's hands, although Cobb (hamstring) and Montgomery (illness) were spectators at Thursday's practice. While Green Bay's total offense ranks 21st in the league, Atlanta leads the NFL in both total offense (433.6 yards per game) and scoring (32.7 points) with Matt Ryan (league-best 2,348 passing yards) and Julio Jones (NFL-high 830 receiving yards) paving the way. The latter reeled in 174 receiving yards last week in the Falcons' 33-30 overtime setback to San Diego and had 11 receptions for 259 yards and a score in a 43-37 loss to the Packers on Dec. 8, 2014.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX.

ABOUT THE PACKERS (4-2): Jordy Nelson had 10 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns in his last encounter with Atlanta, but the veteran wideout appears a step off since missing the 2015 season with a torn ACL. Knile Davis looks to add a punch to a backfield that has been knocked out by injury, with offensive coordinator (and former running back) Edgar Bennett telling reporters that the team is "excited about the progress that he's making, and he continues to adapt to the offense and is practicing well." Rookie rusher Don Johnson hopes to contribute despite wearing a protective covering after injuring his left hand last week.

ABOUT THE FALCONS (4-3): Devonta Freeman (team-leading 508 yards rushing) has recorded at least 100 yards from scrimmage in three of his last five games and likely will have the backfield to himself with second-year back Tevin Coleman nursing an ailing hamstring. "'Free' is totally capable of handing the workload," coach Dan Quinn said of Freeman, who is dealing with a hip injury himself. "He showed that in the (Chargers) game. And he showed that before." Atlanta, which signed veteran Stevan Ridley and promoted fellow running back Terron Ward from the practice squad, will test its mettle against a Packers' rushing defense is yielding an NFL-best 71.8 yards per contest.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Green Bay LB Clay Matthews (hamstring) could see a familiar face should he play on Sunday in the person of Atlanta G Jake Matthews, his cousin.

2. Falcons LB Vic Beasley recorded two sacks and a forced fumble last week and has collected 5.5 of his team-leading 6.5 sacks over the past three games.

3. Atlanta TE Jacob Tamme reeled in his third touchdown of the season last week to reside one behind Jones for the team lead.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Philadelphia at Dallas.

When: 8:30 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2016
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Two of the NFL's most bitter rivals will square off with first place in the NFC East at stake when the Philadelphia Eagles visit the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz was all the rage after leading Philadelphia to a 3-0 start, but fellow rookie Dak Prescott has guided the Cowboys to five consecutive wins.
Prescott sought to deflect the hype of the rookie quarterback matchup, telling reporters: “I really don’t measure myself to anybody. ... I’m not into the whole comparing myself to somebody else. That’s where you get lost.” Tony Romo was back at practice in limited fashion Thursday for Dallas, which went into last week's bye off a pair of impressive 14-point victories over Cincinnati and Green Bay, both playoff teams last season. Philadelphia suffered back-to-back losses -- both on the road -- following its bye week before bouncing back with a 21-10 win over previously unbeaten Minnesota last week. To show how tightly the Cowboys-Eagles rivalry has been contested, they have split the season series over the past three years, with the away team winning each meeting.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (4-2): Wentz has cooled off considerably since his torrid start -- he has five touchdown passes and zero interceptions in his first three games, but has three scoring passes and three picks while throwing for a total of 555 yards in the last three outings. With the passing game struggling, Philadelphia has been linked to trades involving wide receivers Torrey Smith (San Francisco) and Alshon Jeffery (Chicago), but coach Doug Pederson shot down such talk, telling reporters there's "no legitimacy" to the rumors. Philadelphia has limited four of its six opponents to 14 points or fewer.

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (5-1): The surprising success of Prescott notwithstanding, Dallas invested the No. 4 overall pick in running back Ezekiel Elliott and is receiving plenty of bang for its bucks. Elliott leads the NFL with 703 rushing yards and is the first rookie in history to grind out at least 130 yards in four consecutive games. Prescott is expected to get back his top wide receiver with Dez Bryant poised to suit up Sunday for the first time since suffering a hairline fracture in his knee in Week 2. The Cowboys rank No. 17 in total defense but have held four straight opponents to 17 points or fewer.

OVERTIME

1. Elliott is bidding to become the seventh player in league history to rush for 130 yards in five straight games.

2. Philadelphia has had a kickoff return for a touchdown in back-to-back games -- no other NFL team has one.

3. Cowboys TE Jason Witten has at least six catches in his last three versus the Eagles.

 

[Greenbacks]

LeSean McCoy will NOT play today. Mike Gillislee is ACTIVE, as are Robert Woods and Charles Clay. In non-Bills news, Eric Ebron, Lamar Miller, Michael Floyd and John Brown are all ACTIVE.

 

[Greenbacks]

Saints LB Dannell Ellerbe also active for the first time this season after dealing with a lingering quad injury. The Saints' three healthy inactives today are OL Khalif Barnes, G Landon Turner and RB Marcus Murphy. Previously ruled out with injuries wrre CBs Delvin Breaux and Sterling Moore, LB Stephone Anthony and WR Jake Lampman. ... Cornerback is definitely the Saints' biggest area of weakness today. But for once, the opponent is more banged up than them. Seattle dealing with several key injuries on both sides of the ball.

 

[Greenbacks]

Raiders inactives...Menelik Watson and Matt McCants still out, meaning Austin Howard and rookie Vadal Alexander will handle right tackle. DT Stacy McGee was already ruled out on Friday.

 

[Greenbacks]

No surprises on the Colts inactive list: OL Le'Raven Clark, OL Jack Mewhort, WR Chester Rogers, TE Dwayne Allen, DL Kendall Langford, LB Curt Maggitt, DL Henry Anderson

 

[Greenbacks]

Jets inactives: QB Christian Hackenberg, CB Buster Skrine, LB Darron Lee, LB Bruce Carter, C Nick Mangold, T Brent Qvale and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins. This solves the backup QB mystery: It's Bryce Petty. DE Mo Wilkerson and LT Ryan Clady, both listed as questionable, are active. RT Breno Giacomini will start. Julian Stanford, Marcus Williams and Wes Johnson start for Lee, Skrine and Mangold, respectively.