The Blitz

Detroit (7-1) at Houston (6-3)

The Lions are off to their best start since 1956 and look to extend their winning streak to seven games. QB Jared Goff is the first quarterback in league history to complete at least 72% of his passes with a passer rating of 105 or higher in six straight games. Lions WR Jameson Williams returns after serving a two-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy. The team struggled to get the ball down the field in his absence. Houston WR Nico Collins also could return this week after missing the past four games with a hamstring injury.

Pittsburgh (6-2) at Washington (7-2)

T.J. Watt and the Steelers play their first game after their bye week. Pittsburgh is off to its best start since winning its first 11 in 2020. Watt, the three-time NFL sack champion, has gotten to the quarterback 6 1/2 times through his first eight games. Washington QB Jayden Daniels has completed 71.5% of his passes to rank third in the league.

Denver (5-4) at Kansas City (8-0)

Kansas City has won 14 straight overall going back to last season, the longest run since Carolina started 14-0 in 2015. A key matchup will be Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt against the Denver run defense, which is ninth in the league and is a big reason why the Broncos are No. 3 in scoring defense. Broncos QB Bo Nix already has the most completions (184) and yards passing (1,753) by a rookie in team history.

Philadelphia (6-2) at Dallas (3-5)

The Cowboys are on a three-game losing streak and without QB Dak Prescott. Cooper Rush will start the first of what figures to be at least four games with Prescott sidelined. The Eagles have won four consecutive games. Philly RB Saquon Barkley has rushed for at least 100 yards in three straight games.

San Francisco (4-4) at Tampa Bay (4-5)

The Bucs aim to stop a three-game losing streak. The 49ers are coming off a bye. San Francisco RB Christian McCaffrey returned to practice this week and could make his season debut. Bucs TE Cade Otton has emerged as Baker Mayfield's go-to option. He has 25 receptions for 258 yards and three TDs over the past three weeks.

Atlanta (6-3) at New Orleans (2-7)

Interim Saints coach Darren Rizzi oversees an NFL staff for the first time this week. He was promoted after the firing of third-year Saints coach Dennis Allen on the heels of the club's seventh straight loss. The Falcons won the previous meeting over the Saints by two points on a last-second field goal in Week 4. Versatile Saints RB Alvin Kamara has 1,027 yards from scrimmage this season, including 660 yards and six TDs rushing. Atlanta RB Bijan Robinson has four consecutive games with more than 100 yards as a runner and receiver.

Minnesota (6-2) at Jacksonville (2-7)

Minnesota is 2-0 in Jacksonville and is the only NFL team the Jaguars have never beaten at home. The Vikings have won five in a row in the series. This meeting has a unique twist. Vikings left tackle Cam Robinson, acquired in a trade with the Jaguars last week, returns to the place he called home the past eight seasons. He will have his hands full against standout pass rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. Vikings WR Justin Jefferson, who has 48 receptions for 783 yards and five touchdowns, faces the league's worst pass defense.

New York Jets (3-6) at Arizona (5-4)

The Cardinals will be trying for their first four-game winning streak since 2021. The Jets are coming off a win over the Houston Texans. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers has five touchdown passes and no interceptions in his past two games. His three TD tosses last week were his most with the Jets. Arizona has won the past two games in the series. Arizona QB Kyler Murray sits fifth in QB rating, and RB James Conner, coming off his first 1,000-yard season, has 664 yards rushing through nine games.

NY Giants (2-7) vs. Carolina (2-7), Germany

Giants edge rusher Brian Burns should have no problem getting motivated for Sunday's game in Munich, Germany, despite it being an early game. He will be facing the team that drafted him but didn't give him a long-term contract. Burns has five sacks this season. He has a potentially favorable matchup, facing Panthers backup left tackle Brady Christensen. Christensen will make his second straight start filling in for the injured Ickey Ekwonu. Panthers rookie WR Xavier Legette has four TD receptions in his past six games.

Buffalo (7-2) at Indianapolis (4-5)

Joe Flacco will make his second straight start for Indianapolis, which hopes the 39-year-old QB can end a two-game losing streak. Buffalo has won four straight since losing back-to-back games, but the Bills are just 3-2 on the road this season. With two key receivers — Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman — potentially out because of wrist injuries, Buffalo RB James Cook could carry a heavier workload. The third-year player leads Buffalo with 496 yards rushing and seven TDs.

New England (2-7) at Chicago (4-4)

The Bears look to regroup from back-to-back losses when they host the Patriots. The game matches two of the top QBs in this year's draft class, with top pick Caleb Williams going against Drake Maye. Williams has cooled off following a hot stretch, with a 65.4 passer rating and 49.2% completion rate (32 of 65) the past two games. Maye threw for 206 yards last week and ran for 95, but he also had two interceptions, including one in OT, in a 20-17 loss to Tennessee. New England is tied with six teams for the NFL's worst record at 2-7.

Tennessee (2-6) at LA Chargers (5-3)

It's a matchup of two of the NFL's best defenses. The Chargers, who have won two straight and three of four, are allowing a league-low 12.6 points per game. The Titans, having snapped a three-game losing streak with an overtime win over New England, have the best unit in yards allowed (269.1) and passing yards allowed (155.8). The Titans will be playing their first game without a pair of starters just placed on injured reserve in C Lloyd Cushenberry and S Quandre Diggs. Over the past four games, the Los Angeles offense is moving the chains on third down at a solid 43.1% rate (25 of 58).

Miami (2-6) at LA Rams (4-4), Monday

It's a matchup of teams headed in opposite directions. The Rams have won three straight and are right back in the contested NFC West race after beating Seattle in overtime, 26-20. The Dolphins have lost three in a row by a combined 10 points after falling 30-27 to Buffalo. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has been excellent since his return from injured reserve completing 80.3% of his passes with three TDs and no interceptions in the past two games. The Rams have held each of their past three opponents to 20 points or fewer.