Top 5 (Non-Chiefs) Games of the Week
This week’s games are incredibly important for the way that the AFC will shake out. It also will have direct ramifications for the Kansas City Chiefs. While the Chiefs have struggled all season, the rest of the NFL has been very entertaining. This week presents some of the best matchups that we have seen all season.
1. Los Angeles Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens
The Chargers have emerged as the favorite to win the AFC West. After beating Mahomes and the Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns, the discussion has shifted to whether the Chargers can win the conference. With Justin Herbert throwing the ball to Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler, there is a case to be made for the Chargers being one of the top offenses in football.
Now the Chargers will face off with the Ravens in Baltimore. In a game that could determine the pecking order in the AFC, Baltimore will look to move up the ranks by defeating the Chargers. With a great start, both teams have the opportunity to hold crucial tiebreakers over one another after this week. This game is the most interesting game outside of the Chiefs game that you could watch this week.
2. Arizona Cardinals @ Cleveland Browns
The Cardinals are undefeated and the Browns are looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss to the Chargers. Although the Browns scored 42 points and put up over 500 yards of offense, they managed to come up short. If the Browns want to get back in the conversation, they will need to avoid having a third loss. That, however, is a lot to ask in a game against the Cardinals.
Kyler Murray is at his best and so is the Arizona defense. Although Murray didn’t “wow” anyone on Sunday with a modest 239 yards and one touchdown performance, the Cardinals defense did. The defense gave up only ten points, recorded two sacks, and intercepted Trey Lance once. All in all, these two teams are pretty even in terms of talent. There is also a lot at stake in this one.
3. Buffalo Bills @ Tennessee Titans (Monday Night Football)
Buffalo is riding high after knocking off the Chiefs at home. The Titans are looking for consistency. After defeating the hapless Jaguars, they are hoping to go on a run. The Buffalo Bills present a difficult test for them to start a winning streak, especially when they have Kansas City coming to town next week.
This game will have a direct impact on the AFC standings. Tennessee could keep fighting and work their way back up to the top, or they could be at the beginning of a slide. This game could honestly make-or-break Tennessee’s season.
4. Seattle Seahawks @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday Night Football)
Seattle is hoping to keep it together after learning that Russell Wilson is going to be held out for six weeks. With Geno Smith leading the way, the Seahawks are hoping to steal one from the Steelers in prime time. The Steelers are hoping to find some consistency after defeating the Denver Broncos.
While this game is not a typical prime-time matchup that features Juggernauts, it is a crucial game for both teams. Conceivably, this is one of the few games that Geno Smith should be expected to win. Within six weeks, the Seahawks will play potential contenders such as the Saints, Packers, and Cardinals. Every winnable game must be won when given the opportunity. The Steelers may be one of those opportunities. This one should be a great game.
5. Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
This is one of those classic NFL rivalries. While the Packers have dominated this series for years, the Bears have an opportunity to flip the script. With Justin Fields at the helm, there is a real chance that this becomes a fierce rivalry as it was in the 1970s.
The Packers are still the favorites here, but the Bears have played better in recent weeks. This one will be good mostly to discover whether the Bears are better than they have been. I would expect it to be a close game.