Brevin Fleischer: I know the NFL is always in search of new markets, but as a diehard fan, I can say firmly that I am not a huge proponent of the 9:00 a.m. game times. It doesn't feel or look as intense as your classic 4:15 matchup. These games become kind of an afterthought, especially since the quality of play is usually diminished because of the time adjustments and travel ordeals that the players have to go through. This game should be no different in terms of quality of play or excitement, as I expect the Bills to win handily. Even without injured quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo is clearly the superior team.
Brevin Fleischer: Is this the game that Jameis Winston and his talented duo of receiver finally get on the same page? We all know that Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson are game-changing weapons, but Winston can't seem to get them the ball on a consistent basis. Luckily for the Bucs, Doug Martin has shown glimpses of his 2012 superstar form, and if he can maintain that level of production, Tampa Bay will be okay.
Sidebar: Why in the world is Robert Griffin III not playing for Washington?! Kirk Cousins is the starter. Kirk "Journeyman Career Backup" Cousins. Kirk "Makes Eli Look Secure with the Ball" Cousins. (Couldn't think of a better comparison). Basically, Kirk Cousins stinks and is predictable for defenses to prepare for. Maybe RGIII stinks too, but at least he's unpredictable, and plus, you drafted him number 2, so why not use him?
Ethan Katz: Before the start of the season, ESPN had the Detroit Lions at number 12 in the power rankings. Six weeks later, they dropped all the way to 31, ahead of only the Jacksonville Jaguars. Well, the Lions got their much needed first win of the young season last week, and they climbed the rankings to 24. Expect them to move up even more after this matchup. I still hold the belief that there is a hint of life somewhere in this Lions squad. The Stafford-Megatron duo is still one of the better QB/WR combos in the league, and don't give up on a defense which gave up only thirteen points to the Seahawks and twenty-four to the Broncos. The Vikings had their chance to play Detroit at home in week 2, and they made the best of it. Away from Minnesota, however, this will be a totally different matchup. The Vikings are going to have to rely heavily on their rush game, and if Detroit can get a few key stops against AP, they will end up winning this game. I expect Detroit to step up and do what it takes to win what will be a fantastic matchup.
Ethan Katz: No Jamaal Charles= a major problem for Kansas City. The Chiefs cannot seem to find any firepower on offense. Their defense has tried to keep them in the game in the last few weeks, and it has worked. The only problem is that this team keeps losing close games. They need to climb over the hump and give enough effort to win. A Kansas City team with a good rush defense and poor pass defense going up against a Pittsburgh team with a poor pass offense and good rush offense provides the Chiefs with the perfect opportunity to win their first game since week one. Pittsburgh is a team with problems of their own, missing Big Ben. Their quarterback uncertainty will cause some issues in a boisterous Arrowhead stadium, and for all of these reasons, the Kansas City Chiefs will pull off the upset over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Brevin Fleischer: This, right here, is the game of the week ladies and gentlemen. The ferocious Jets defense led by the former Patriot Darrelle Revis and the returning Sheldon Richardson takes on Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady, and the potent Patriots offense. I truly cannot wait for this game. If the Jets were at home, I'd say that they'd ride their momentum from last week's blowout win against Washington and grab a key w against their bitter rival. However, they are not at home. They are at Foxborough. Bill Belichick is coaching. Bill Belichick doesn't lose at home.
Ethan Katz: People questioned the validity of this Panthers great start until last week's win in Seattle. They were given a challenge, and they responded in grand fashion. This team has proved every critic wrong, and it sure doesn't seem like they want to stop anytime soon. Then the Philadelphia Eagles came to town. The Eagles have dominated the last two weeks as they're finally showing the league what they're capable of. The Panthers are near the bottom of the league in total offense, and it's been their defense that has truly been the staple of their team. A high octane offense versus a defensive powerhouse should be exciting to watch, and on Sunday night, it's going to be the Eagles offense outperforming the Panthers defense. This Eagles team finally looks as if they fit all of the pieces together, and if they win this one, it will be the icing on the cake to what has been a tremendous last few weeks of football.