Pittsburgh Steelers

After opening the 2020 NFL campaign 11-0 – the 13th team to achieve the feat in the Super Bowl era – Pittsburgh were upstaged 23-17 by Washington on Monday.

The Steelers (11-1) squandered a 14-0 lead as Washington (5-7) used a 13-3 final quarter to become the first team with a losing record to win a road game against a side with an 11-0 or better record, per Stats Perform.

Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger finished 33-of-53 passing for 305 yards, two touchdowns and one interception as Pittsburgh's bid for an undefeated season came crashing down in a boil over.

"I need to deliver us into plays that are best suited for situations and things like that. Starts with me. I need to be better," Roethlisberger said post-game.

"I didn't play good football. Regardless how much I practice, don't practice, I need to be better for this team."

After his touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson in the second quarter, Roethlisberger ensured he had a passing TD in all 12 games this season, joining Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes as the only players to have one-plus passing touchdown in every one of their team's games this term.

Johnson had his fifth straight game of six-plus receptions, becoming the fifth Steelers player in the Super Bowl era to record such a streak.

Inside linebacker Robert Spillane's sack of Washington quarterback Alex Smith in the first quarter extended Pittsburgh's streak of registering at least one sack to an NFL record-tying 69 consecutive games – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers established the mark from 1999-2003.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was scathing of his team following last week's hard-fought victory against the Baltimore Ravens.

But Tomlin appeared in a much better mood, despite Pittsburgh's defeat at home to Washington.

"Different points along the journey you get a chance to learn about yourself, who you are, what you're made of, individually and collectively," Tomlin told reporters.

"And it takes the journey to reveal that. We're faced with a loss now. We get the opportunity to smile in the face of it."

"We just got to make routine plays routinely," Tomlin said. "I say that often, but there's a lot of truth to it. Got to make routine plays routinely. We're not making them routinely enough right now, so it's affecting our fluidity as a collective group."

A $41.25million cap hit on Roethlisberger's previous contract meant his future with the team was in doubt as the offseason began.

After a meeting with the QB last month, Steelers president Art Rooney II issued a statement indicating the team's desire to have Roethlisberger back for an 18th season with the franchise.

Roethlisberger had also said he was willing to have his cap hit lowered and the two teams confirmed on Thursday – under two weeks before the start of free agency – that a deal had been done.

"It is my greatest honor to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and give my all for this organization," Roethlisberger said after the new contract was confirmed. 

"I am grateful to be at this stage of my career and more than happy to adjust my contract in a way that best helps the team to address other players who are so vital to our success. 

"I love this game and love to compete, and I believe in this team and my ability to deliver when called upon. 

"It all starts with great preparation and I am ready to go."

Roethlisberger helped Pittsburgh – who have one of the best defenses in the NFL - to an incredible 11-0 start last season.

But they ran out of steam badly down the stretch, losing four of their last five to finish 12-4 before a stunning 48-37 Wild Card playoff defeat to divisional rivals the Cleveland Browns.

Roethlisberger, 39, was coming back from a serious elbow injury which saw him miss all but two games of the 2019 campaign.

His play was steady but unspectacular, leading a Steelers offense that averaged 250.5 net passing yards per game, 15th best in the NFL.

Roethlisberger threw for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 15 games, with a 94.1 passer rating (19th among qualifying QBs).

At 9.65 yards per completion – the lowest rate in the league – the veteran was more of a game manager than the downfield threat of old.

But despite fellow 2004 draftee Philip Rivers joining Eli Manning in retirement, Roethlisberger will play on in pursuit of a third Super Bowl.

"We are excited we were able to come to an agreement with Ben Roethlisberger on a new contract for him to return to the Steelers in 2021," said general manager Kevin Colbert. 

"We know that Ben can still play at a high level and do special things for this team. 

"Our goal remains the same – to put together a roster that will compete for another championship. 

"We are happy that Ben will be one of our leaders to help us accomplish that goal."

The Steelers were unable to clinch a first NFL playoff place since 2017 at Bills Stadium on Sunday as they slumped to a second defeat in the space of six days.

Injury-hit Pittsburgh were unbeaten before facing the Washington Football Team last Monday and are now 11-2 and facing doubts over whether they can win the AFC North.

Quarterback Roethlisberger, who was 21 of 37 for 187 yards with two scores and two interceptions in the loss to the Bills, says the Steelers need to raise their game and knows he has to step it up.

He said: "We've lost two. We're facing some adversity. We're not hitting the panic button. Offensively, we're not very good. Right now, we're not playing good football and that starts with me.

"So we all need to look in the mirror. It starts with me and understand that we all need to be better. I think that we will be.

"I think this is a team that's got a lot of resilience and that is resilient and understands what it takes to win football games and understands what time of year it is and that the way that we're playing right now is unacceptable."

Roethlisberger expects the Steelers to regroup before locking horns with the Cincinnati Bengals next Monday.

"Defenses can play pass if you can't run the ball," he added: "We need to do better at being a more balanced offense and we need to do better at executing the plays that are called.

"We have to find a way to collect ourselves and make sufficient plays, but we didn't. We accept responsibility for that and get ready for our next opportunity."

Baltimore went for the two-point conversion and the win after the Ravens scored a touchdown with 12 seconds remaining on Sunday, but Jackson's pass went agonisingly off Mark Andrews' fingertips with the endzone in sight.

The Steelers prevailed in another thrilling AFC North battle to snap a two-game skid after Roethlisberger (21-of-31 passing for 236 yards and two TDs) threw two fourth-down touchdowns to fuel Pittsburgh.

After a scoreless opening period, Devonta Freeman rushed for a TD as the Ravens (8-4) took a 10-3 lead into the final quarter away to the Steelers (6-5-1).

The fourth period came to life, veteran quarterback Roethlisberger started the comeback with an early 29-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson before the pair combined against less than two minutes from the end.

Trailing 20-13, former MVP Jackson (23-of-37 passing for 253 yards and a touchdown) led an eight-play, 60-yard drive for his only touchdown of the game but Baltimore were unable to complete the two-point conversion at the death.

Since the 2016 season, six of Pittsburgh's seven wins against Baltimore have come by seven points or less, per Stats Perform.

Seahawks snap skid by sinking Niners

The Seattle Seahawks needed a victory and they got it after powering past the San Francisco 49ers 30-23.

In a mistake-filled contest, the Seahawks ended their run of three consecutive losses behind Russell Wilson's two-touchdown display in Seattle.

Future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson made his debut for the Seahawks and scored his 126th career touchdown on a one-yard rush. It broke a tie with Hall of Famer Walter Payton and moved the 36-year-old into a tie with Jim Brown for 10th in NFL history.

Jimmy Garoppolo threw two interceptions for the beaten 49ers.

The Los Angeles Rams also snapped a three-game skid, rolling over the Jacksonville Jaguars 37-7 after Odell Beckham Jr., Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson all caught TD passes from Matthew Stafford.

The Steelers are 1-2 to open the 2021 campaign following last week's surprise 24-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Doubts over two-time Super Bowl champion Roethlisberger have emerged after the 39-year-old quarterback threw two interceptions, finishing 38-of-58 passing for 318 yards and a touchdown.

Through three games, Roethlisberger – a seven-time Pro Bowler – has completed 83 of 130 attempts for three TDs, three interceptions and eight sacks.

Despite the poor start, Steelers head coach Tomlin is refusing to panic heading into Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers (2-1).

"We're not going to push the panic button," Tomlin said during Tuesday's news conference. "What do I mean by the panic button? We're not going to dramatically change who and what we are at this juncture.

"We're not resistant to change for the purposes of getting better, but we're not going to be so unsteady that we move away from our compass, our identity that we've worked hard to develop.

"We will continue to work hard to develop and the emphasis on the style of play, whatever that may be in all three phases."

Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a franchise-best 11-0 start to the season in 2020 and an AFC North crown before losing to the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round.

This season, only Miami Dolphins signal-caller Jacoby Brissett (67.8), Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Trevor Lawrence (60.3) and first-year New York Jets QB Zach Wilson (51.6) have a worse passer rating than Roethlisberger (79.0).

Roethlisberger's completion percentage (63.8) is only good enough for 25th, well adrift of Dallas Cowboys star and NFL leader Dak Prescott (77.5).

"This guy has a body of work over the course of not only what we've done in preparation this season, but over the course of 18 years that has us taking that approach," Tomlin said of Roethlisberger and his ongoing rest days on Wednesday.

"That is a global approach. It rests him and rightfully so. He's an older guy, and the wear and tear of plays affects him differently than younger guys. But also, he's an older guy and he has a volume of plays that most guys can't pull from that probably requires more physical work in an effort to be ready to play.

"Also, you've got to look at the totality of the journey. We're going into Game 4. We've got many games that lay ahead, and I don't want to be fielding questions late in the year about the quality of his throwing arm, for example."

The other unbeaten record on the line on Sunday tumbled, though, with the Las Vegas Raiders stunning the Kansas City Chiefs with a 40-32 victory.

Elsewhere, interim head coach Romeo Crennel got off to a winning start with the Houston Texans, while there was an emotional return for Alex Smith as Washington continued to struggle.

CHASE RUNS AWAY WITH IT

Pittsburgh's unblemished start – the first time they have gone 4-0 since 1979 – owes much to the burgeoning relationship between veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and breakout star Claypool.

A stunning outing began when he ran into the end zone for a two-yard score after a seven-minute drive in the first quarter before Roethlisberger found Claypool for a third-down completion and a 14-7 advantage.

Claypool also scored on the Steelers' first drive of the third quarter and Roethlisberger targeted the Canadian youngster 11 times. He did so tellingly with Pittsburgh holding a slender two-point lead in the closing minutes, allowing Claypool to conclude a stellar performance that featured seven receptions, 110 receiving yards and six rushing yards.

Kansas City found themselves on the wrong end of a typically high-scoring affair against the Raiders, who had five plays of at least 40 yards and made 490 yards overall in offense.

The game was in the balance at 24-24 at half-time but Patrick Mahomes threw his first interception of 2020 in the final quarter – Josh Jacobs ultimately the beneficiary with his second touchdown.

Derek Carr threw three TDs as Las Vegas improved to 3-2.

CRENNEL GETS HOUSTON ON THE BOARD

A 0-4 start saw Houston fire Bill O'Brien and install Crennel as the oldest head coach in NFL history.

He was 73 years and 115 days old on Sunday, but perhaps felt half his age as the Texans compiled a 30-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are now similarly 1-4.

Deshaun Watson threw two interceptions but had a solid outing overall, finding eight different catchers and completing 25 of 35 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns.

ALLEN RETURNS BUT WASHINGTON WOES CONTINUE

Already without Dwayne Haskins, Washington's problems at quarterback were compounded when Kyle Allen took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Los Angeles Rams' Jalen Ramsey.

It meant a return for Alex Smith, making a first NFL appearance for 693 days after recovering from a career-threatening compound leg facture in 2018.

The 36-year-old was understandably rusty, getting sacked by six times as the Rams ran out 30-10 winners.

Washington have now lost four consecutive games by 14 or more points – the first such slump by a franchise since 2001.

Joe Flacco coming in for injured signal caller Sam Darnold did nothing to lift the New York Jets from their malaise as a 30-10 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium saw them drop to 0-5.

The Cardinals' Kyler Murray passed for a career-high 380 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for a TD of his own.

Murray completed 27 of his 37 passes, including one of 37 yards for a DeAndre Hopkins touchdown. Hopkins racked up a game-high 131 yards and five other Cardinals players broke 30 receiving yards.

Flacco was 18 of 33 for 195 yards and a touchdown, while he was sacked twice.

Week 5 scores:

Los Angeles Rams 30-10 Washington
Pittsburgh Steelers 38-29 Philadelphia Eagles
Arizona Cardinals 30-10 New York Jets
Las Vegas Raiders 40-32 Kansas City Chiefs
Carolina Panthers 23-16 Atlanta Falcons
Houston Texans 30-14 Jacksonville Jaguars
Baltimore Ravens​ 27-3 Cincinnati Bengals

The last time Rudolph faced Cleveland the game was marred by a post-play fracas involving Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.

Garrett was suspended for ripping off Rudolph's helmet and striking him over the head with it with seconds remaining.

Pittsburgh (12-3) have already clinched the AFC North crown but cannot claim the top seed in the AFC, prompting coach Mike Timlin to give Roethlisberger the weekend off.

Timlin does not expect a drop in intensity, however. He said: "It does not change our intentions, football is a game.

"Our job is winning. We intend to do our job, we're not seeking comfort. We're not grading ourselves on a curve, the standard that is the Pittsburgh Steelers will be the standard."

Cleveland (10-5) can also clinch a play-off berth with a win at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Wilson has not played since suffering a meniscus tear and bone bruise in his right knee in the Jets' preseason opener, with veteran QB Joe Flacco stepping in during his absence.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh confirmed Wilson would start ahead of Flacco on Sunday, barring any unforeseen setbacks prior to the game.

"If all goes well this week, absolutely," Saleh said when asked about starting Wilson. "He's very comfortable. He's in a great mental state. Everyone is comfortable with where he's at physically."

Wilson, who was second pick overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, reiterated that he was physically ready.

"I'm 100 per cent, I'm ready to go," Wilson said. "The biggest thing is you haven't played ball in a little bit, you've been trying to replicate as much as possible, so I'm just going to have fun with this process and getting back in and just giving it my best."

Wilson's latest injury was on the same knee that he sprained last season, causing him to miss four games. The Jets quarterback insisted he would not alter his playing style to protect the knee.

"I'm full go. I'm going to play ball how I can," Wilson said. "If somebody comes up, [I'll] make somebody miss, get out on the edge, extend plays when I need to, hang in the pocket. I'm playing exactly how I should be."

In his rookie season, Wilson started 13 games, completing 213 of 383 attempts for 2,334 yards and nine touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He was sacked 44 times.

Saturday, who never coached at the pro or college level prior to his shock appointment by owner Jim Irsay earlier this month, led the Colts for the third time in the narrow defeat, slipping to a 1-2 record.

But Saturday only used the Colts' first timeout on fourth down with 30 seconds remaining before quarterback Matt Ryan threw an incomplete pass to the left sideline for Parris Campbell on fourth-and-3.

Ryan had scrambled for a run on the second-and-17 of the final drive but dived short of the first-down line, yet the Colts played quickly on third-and-3 with running back Jonathan Taylor bottled up before the timeout was called.

"I thought we had plenty of time," Saturday told reporters. "We had plenty of timeouts, so I wasn't too concerned.

"This wasn't a press for time, we just didn't make enough plays."

Ryan, who admitted he thought he was closer to the first-down line on his run, backed Saturday's decision not to call an earlier timeout.

"I don’t mind the call going with some tempo, trying to get that first and probably bang a timeout after that first," he said.

"We didn’t get it, then have to take that timeout on the fourth down call. Credit to them, they did a good job on jumping inside, we had some in-breaking routes.

"It's disappointing. It really is, I think the effort is good, but our execution just hasn’t been good enough."

Ryan was pressured on 44 per cent of dropbacks, which was the highest in a game this season.

The win means the Colts are 4-7-1 overall and second in the AFC South behind the 7-4 Tennessee Titans.

The Steelers improved to 4-7 but remain last in the AFC North. Rookie Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett enjoyed his third straight game without a turnover, completing 20 of 28 passes for 174 yards.

"He's getting better every week, he's a competitor, he's smart but there's still a lot of meat on the bone," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said about Pickett.

"I've always said he's good enough and we're good enough to win while that happens. We acknowledge he's very much in development."

Seattle sealed a four-year first in the NFL thanks to Sunday's 20-9 victory at Lumen Field, where the Seahawks kept alive their hopes of finishing with one of the NFC's top two seeds.

Aaron Rodgers flexed his muscles and team-mate Davante Adams starred in the Green Bay Packers' rout of the Tennessee Titans.

There were also wins for the Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers.

SEAHAWKS IN NFC WEST-CLINCHING WIN

For the fifth time under head coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks got their hands on the NFC West crown.

The Seahawks (11-4) used a resurgent defense to see off the Rams (9-6), holding Los Angeles to just six points in the second half, while sacking quarterback Jared Goff – who reportedly suffered a broken thumb – three times.

"There were times during the season where everybody had enough statistics to go ahead and blow us out, and like we weren't worth anything on defense," Carroll said.

"But this defense is good, and they've shown it and they've declared it. This is the kind of defense that we've played in years past when we really had good teams down... the stretch."

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson was 20-of-32 passing for 225 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions, while he also rushed for a TD on three carries.

RODGERS' PACKERS DOMINATE

Huge performances from MVP hopeful Rodgers and wide receiver Adams fuelled Green Bay's 40-14 demolition of the Titans at Lambeau Field.

Rodgers showcased his MVP credentials by going 21 of 25 for 231 yards, four touchdowns and one interception for a 128.1 passer rating.

The Packers quarterback had his 13th game with a 100-plus passer rating this season, tying himself in 2011 and Patrick Mahomes in 2018 for the most such games in a single season in league history, per NFL Research. Both Rodgers (2011) and Mahomes (2018) finished as that season's NFL MVP.

Adams caught 11 passes for 142 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the third player in NFL history to have 100-plus receptions and 16-plus receiving TDs in a season.

He also recorded his ninth successive Sunday Night Football appearance with a touchdown – breaking a tie with Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski for the longest such streak in NFL history.

The Packers improved to 12-3 but still need to beat the Chicago Bears in their final regular-season game to clinch the NFC's number one seed.

Titans QB Ryan Tannehill completed just 11 of 24 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while Tennessee star Derrick Henry was restricted to 23 carries, 98 yards and no TDs.

COWBOYS STAY ALIVE

The Cowboys remain in the hunt in a wide-open NFC East after defeating rivals the Philadelphia Eagles 37-17.

Coupled with the Washington Football Team's (6-9) 20-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Cowboys (6-9) still have a chance to win the division.

The Cowboys need to beat the New York Giants in Week 17, while the Eagles must take down Washington in order for Dallas to top the NFC East.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert set a new single-season rookie record for touchdown passes in the 19-16 victory against the Denver Broncos.

Herbert broke the record when he threw his 28th TD of the season in the second quarter, while he joined Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes as the only players to record 4,000 passing yards through their first 14 starts.

Week 16 scores:

New York Jets 23-16 Cleveland Browns
Baltimore Ravens 27-13 New York Giants
Cincinnati Bengals 37-31 Houston Texans
Chicago Bears 41-17 Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs 17-14 Atlanta Falcons
Pittsburgh Steelers 28-24 Indianapolis Colts
Seattle Seahawks 20-9 Los Angeles Rams
Dallas Cowboys 37-17 Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers 40-14 Tennessee Titans
Carolina Panthers 20-13 Washington Football Team
Los Angeles Chargers 19-16 Denver Broncos

The 25-year-old was expected to leave the Steelers and used his official Twitter account to post a goodbye message to the fans, before adding in a later post: "#ChiefsKingdom Let's Go!"

Smith-Schuster will receive a one-year, $10.75M deal in Kansas, according to reports.

He spent five years in Pittsburgh after being drafted from the University of Southern California, playing 63 games and making just one touchdown, which came against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 of last season.

Smith-Schuster posted a screenshot on Twitter that read: "To all of Steelers Nation. Thank you for taking me in and making me a part of the family from the moment that I was drafted. You all took me in so quickly, and I really needed it.

"I was a wide-eyed 20-year-old who was sent to the east coast away from my family for the first time in my life, and you made me feel right at home, despite all of the loneliness I should have felt.

"These have been the best five years in my life. I owe so much to the fans who embraced me and who made playing on Sundays in Pittsburgh so special.

"It was an honor to wear the black and gold for you all! I love you! JuJu."

The one-time Pro Bowler had spent his entire NFL career to date with the Pittsburgh Steelers but announced his departure on Friday.

On social media, Mahomes soon welcomed the arrival in Kansas City of a wide receiver with 323 catches for 3,855 receiving yards and 26 receiving touchdowns across 63 games in five seasons.

After Smith-Schuster secured a one-year, $10.75million deal, Mahomes sent him a Twitter message, which read: "Turn me up brotha!!!"

His new Chiefs team-mate replied: "Can't wait to get after it my boy!"

But that was not their first conversation around the move, as Smith-Schuster revealed when facing the media as a Chief for the first time.

"I had talked to a couple of guys, obviously, to make this happen. I talked to Pat a couple of times. I'd talked to Pat multiple times before even all this. I've known Pat for a while now, so, yeah, of course.

"You go into free agency, and you find out who's going to be throwing you the ball next year. It came down to Pat, and I'm excited. I'm happy with my decision."

Taken in the second round in the 2017 NFL Draft, Smith-Schuster was an instant hit with seven receiving TDs in each of his first two seasons, including a pair of 97-yard scores – becoming the first player in NFL history to have multiple offensive TDs of that distance or more.

There were 1,426 receiving yards in 2018, before a step back in 2019 was followed by a career-high nine receiving TDs in 2020.

Limited to five games by a shoulder injury while the Steelers toiled on offense with the retiring Ben Roethlisberger still at quarterback, Smith-Schuster's only score last season was his first career rushing TD.

The 25-year-old is confident the Chiefs are a good fit for him, though.

 "I just thought that this opportunity fit more for me in the sense of coming here, playing for Andy [Reid] and obviously the OC [Eric Bieniemy], Joe [Bleymaier] and everyone else," he said.

"I've seen an opportunity that I can take on and where I can improve my skills and see what I can do.

"I'm a physical guy coming in here to showcase those talents. That's what I bring with myself, in the package.

"I'm here to work. We have a great team, there are some great guys, and this is why I came to be a part of this. I came here to win."

Smith-Schuster was viewed as one of the leading receivers available in free agency, having recorded 308 receptions for 3,726 yards and 26 touchdowns in his four years in the NFL.  

The 24-year-old was rumoured to have held talks with the New York Jets, while ESPN insider Adam Schefter tweeted how the Baltimore Ravens made a "hard push" to sign him.  

However, the wideout has instead committed to another season with the Steelers, the team who drafted him with the 62nd pick in 2017.  

"This is my home, they're gonna need a wrecking ball to take me outta here! PITTSBURGH I LOVE YOU, LET'S GO!!!!!" Smith-Schuster tweeted, along with a video of a popular clip from the film Wolf of Wall Street involving Leonardo DiCaprio.

He then followed up with another post, adding: "Can't say it enough, I love you Pittsburgh. Came in here a young 20 year old and you guys embraced me from the moment I got here. So much love. 

"Had my back thru [sic] everything, all the struggles and success. So hard to leave. See you this Fall in Heinz. WE'RE GOIN CRAZY!!!"

Smith-Schuster had 97 receptions for 831 yards in the 2020 season, having been targeted 128 times. While leading the team in catches, he finished behind Diontae Johnson and rookie Chase Claypool in terms of yardage, averaging 8.6 per catch.  

The Steelers ended up with a 12-4 record in the regular season, fading in the closing stages after winning their first 11 games. Their playoff hopes came to an early end, losing to the Cleveland Browns 48-37 in the Wild Card round.

After a stunning loss to the previously winless New York Jets, the Los Angeles Rams (9-5) are a game behind the Seattle Seahawks (10-4), who they visit this week, atop the NFC West.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) are in freefall after losing three straight games and are yet to wrap up the AFC North title ahead of what will not be an easy home meeting with the Indianapolis Colts (10-4).

AFC South glory is still up for grabs for the Colts, with the Tennessee Titans (10-4) – who themselves are in an exciting game against the Green Bay Packers (11-3) – battling them for first place.

We have used Stats Perform data to preview the key contests, including a Christmas Day meeting between the New Orleans Saints (10-4) and Minnesota Vikings (6-8).

FEATURED GAME

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday 4.25pm (all times Eastern)

- If Seattle win they will clinch the NFC West, but the Rams have won five of the last six meetings. The Seahawks' solitary loss in that span, a 30-29 defeat in Week 5 last season, only came when Greg Zuerlein missed a 44-yard field goal with 11 seconds left. The Rams have not lost consecutive games in Seattle since 2013 and 2014.

- The Seahawks' defense is trending in the right direction. They beat Washington 20-15 in Landover last week, their fourth straight game holding an opponent under 20 points - something they had not done once in any of their first 10 games. It is their longest such streak since a five-game run that spanned the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

- The Rams fell to the Jets 23-20 at home on Sunday, becoming the first team with at least nine wins to lose at home to a winless team. They were just 2-for-11 on third downs, their fewest conversions this season.

- Three Seahawks (Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde and Russell Wilson) ran for at least 50 yards against Washington, just the sixth time that has happened in franchise history and the first occasion since a dramatic 36-31 loss to the Rams in 2018. 

OTHER KEY GAMES

Tennessee Titans at Green Bay Packers, Sunday 9.20pm

- MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers is looking to lead his team to the number one seed in the NFC. He threw for just 143 yards - his lowest ever in a winning start - and one touchdown against the Carolina Panthers but added one score on the ground, his second straight game with a rushing score (first time since 2016). The veteran has the chance to run for a TD in three consecutive games, something he has never done before.

Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday 1.00pm

- With their season in danger of falling apart, the Steelers will take comfort in their record against the Colts. With a 24-6 record including postseason games, this is one of the most one-sided rivalries in the NFL. Among current franchises, only the Denver Broncos, with an identical 24-6 record versus the Cleveland Browns, have been as dominant against a single opponent (minimum 25 meetings).

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots, Monday 8.15pm

- A win for Buffalo - who narrowly beat New England in Week 8 - would mark the team's first time sweeping the Patriots since 1999. New England's 22-12 loss to the Miami Dolphins last week officially snapped their 19-season streak of finishing above .500, falling one shy of the NFL-record 20-season streak set by the Dallas Cowboys from 1966 to 1985.

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys, Sunday 4.25pm

- Despite the struggles of both teams, this NFC East matchup still has high stakes with the division outcome not yet decided. Eagles rookie Jalen Hurts has 169 rush yards in his first two career starts - the third most by a quarterback over the past 60 years, topped only by Jack Concannon's 228 yards (1964-1966) and Lamar Jackson's 190 yards (2018).

ELSEWHERE...

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints, Friday 4.30pm

- The Saints will be favourites to triumph on Christmas Day and have won four of the last five regular-season meetings between these teams, only to falter against the Vikings when it matters most. Minnesota have won two postseason games against the Saints in that span - the 2018 Divisional round, and their most recent meeting, a 26-20 overtime win in last season's Wild Card round.

Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday 1.00pm

- With eight catches against the Saints last time out, tight end Travis Kelce has now reached that mark in seven consecutive games, putting him in elite company. He has become just the fourth player to do so in the last 60 years. He has joined Michael Thomas (eight games, 2019), Antonio Brown (eight games, 2014), and Anquan Boldin (seven games, 2005).

The drama is set to step up a gear as the postseason arrives this weekend, with only the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers securing a first-round bye. 

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski will be absent when the Browns make their first playoff appearance since 2002 having tested positive for COVID-19. The Pittsburgh Steelers are their opponents. 

The Los Angeles Rams have concerns over the fitness of Jared Goff – one of the many injury worries affecting those teams still left standing – ahead of their encounter with the Seattle Seahawks, while the Buffalo Bills will be aiming for a first postseason win since 1995 when they go up against the Indianapolis Colts.

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – Saturday, 1.05pm (all times Eastern)

- The Colts claimed the third AFC Wild Card spot with an 11-5 record, the most wins for the franchise since 2014. Indianapolis have held opponents under 100 rush yards in each of their past five games – including playoffs, they have not done so in six straight since a seven-game run from October 27 to December 7, 1968. 

- The Bills claimed their first division title since 1995 and won 13 games this season, their best record since 1991. However, Buffalo are still seeking their first playoff win since the 1995 Wild Card round – their 24-season drought is the third-longest active streak in the NFL, behind the Cincinnati Bengals (30 seasons, including 2020) and Detroit Lions (29 seasons, including 2020).

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks – Saturday, 4.40pm

- Making his NFL debut against the Arizona Cardinals last week, backup quarterback John Wolford finished with 231 passing yards and 56 rushing yards, both game-highs. The 56 rushing yards were the most by a Rams QB since Roman Gabriel had 57 in Week 6, 1967.

- In the first eight games of the season, Russell Wilson averaged 317.6 passing yards and threw 28 touchdown passes, but in the last eight games, those numbers were just 208.9 and 12. However, Seattle went 6-2 in both sections of the season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Football Team – Saturday, 8.15pm

- After starting the year 2-7, Washington finished on a 5-2 run to clinch their first division title since 2015. Washington's last playoff win came in the 2005 Wild Card Round against Tampa Bay - they are 0-4 since then. This season, they reached 30 points just once. 

- The Bucs have attempted 22 pass plays of at least 40 air yards this season, three more than any other team in the league, and its eight completions also lead the league. Washington have attempted just two such passes, tied with the New Orleans Saints for the fewest, and is one of two teams (also Cincinnati) without a completion.

SUNDAY'S GAMES

Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans – Sunday, 1.05pm

- The Titans have won three of the past four meetings with the Ravens, including a 30-24 overtime victory in Week 11 this season and a 28-12 win in last season's Divisional playoff. This will mark the fifth postseason meeting between the teams – they have split the previous four 2-2 with the visiting team winning each game.

- Tennessee won the AFC South for the first time since 2008, when they fell to the Ravens 13-10 in the Divisional playoff. The Titans scored at least 40 points five times this season, including in Week 17 against the Houston Texans, the most in the NFL this season and one shy of the all-time record (last set by the 2018 Saints).

Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – Sunday, 4.40pm

- In his past six games, David Montgomery has averaged 99.7 rushing yards per game, and has seven rushing touchdowns. In his first nine games, he averaged just 52.4 yards per game and had one touchdown. His highest yardage total in that span came against New Orleans in Week 8 (89 yards).

- The Saints have lost each of their past two playoff games in overtime (against the Minnesota Vikings last season, and the Rams in 2018). No team has ever played three straight overtime playoff games – the Saints beat the Bears in overtime in Chicago in Week 8 this season.

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – Sunday, 8.15pm

- The Browns and Steelers will meet in consecutive weeks after Cleveland pulled out a 24-22 victory at home in Week 17. This will be the teams' third meeting in the postseason and the third straight postseason game the Browns will face the Steelers – Pittsburgh won both of the previous two, most recently a 36-33 win in the 2002 Wild Card game.

- Ben Roethlisberger is expected to make his 22nd career postseason start, which would break a tie with John Elway for fifth most all-time. His 30 postseason passing touchdowns are tied for ninth most in NFL history, while his 24 career playoff interceptions are tied with Dan Marino for sixth most all-time.

The previous record was set when the Saints secured a 34-23 victory over the Bucs in their season opener in September, and the veteran duo will have a combined aged of 85 years and 30 days when they face off again at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.

Tampa Bay could have a powerful new weapon in their arsenal this weekend, though, with free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown having reunited with former New England Patriots team-mate Brady and being available after serving an eight-game suspension for "multiple violations of the league's personal conduct policy".

We preview that matchup and the other stand-out games in Week 9.

FEATURED GAME

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sunday, 8.20pm (all times Eastern)

- In games facing off against Brady, Brees has a 4-2 record and averaged 245.8 passing yards with a 14-1 touchdown-interception ratio. In the same games, Brady is averaged 294.8 passing yards but has only a 9-8 TD-INT ratio.

- Alvin Kamara (556) is the only running back leading his team in receiving yards this season. The Saints have never had a running back lead them in receiving yards, while the Buccaneers have just one such instance – Mike Alstott (557) in 1996.

- Brown, who has played just one game over the past 22 months, caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown in his last appearance on the field (Week 2, 2019).

OTHER KEY GAMES

Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills - Sunday, 1pm

- After a four-touchdown performance against the San Francinsco 49ers, Russell Wilson has thrown multiple TDs in eight straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL and tied for the longest streak by a Seahawk all-time (Wilson has done this twice previously, Dave Kreig did it 1986-87).

Baltimore Raves at Indianapolis Colts - Sunday, 1pm

- The Ravens are leading the NFL in yards per carry (5.49) for the second straight season, while the Colts rank last (3.48). However, the Colts have not allowed an opposing player to rush for 75+ yards in their past 11 games, their longest such streak since 1988 (also 11).

Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans - Sunday, 1pm

- Tennessee have just seven sacks this season, tied with the Las Vegas Raiders for the second fewest in the league. Chicago quarterbacks have been sacked 20 times this season, 10th most in the league, including a season-high five times against New Orleans on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys - Sunday, 4.25pm

- The Cowboys have dropped three straight games, during which they’ve been outscored 86-22; Dallas have scored one touchdown and allowed 11 in that stretch. The minus-64 scoring margin is the third worst for the team in any three-game span dating back to 1963.

Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals - Sunday, 4.25pm

- Kyler Murray threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns against Seattle before their bye week and rushed for another score, his seventh rushing TD of the season. The only other quarterback in the Super Bowl era to rush for seven TDs in their first seven games of season was Cam Newton in 2011 (7). No QB in that span has had eight rushing TDs in their first eight games of a season – Newton has six rushing TDs in six games in 2020.

ELSEWHERE...

Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs - Sunday, 1pm

- Travis Kelce recorded a season-high 109 receiving yards and added one receiving touchdown in the win over the New York Jets. Carolina are allowing 8.1 yards per catch to tight ends this season, lowest in the NFL.

New England Patriots at New York Jets - Monday, 8.15pm

- The Jets lost to the Chiefs 35-9 in Kansas City on Sunday and are now 0-8 for just the second time in franchise history – the 1996 team started 0-8 before winning in Week 9. New York have 29 points in their past four games, their fewest in a four-game span since scoring 25 in Weeks 10-13, 2005.

Losing had become a horrible habit for the Browns in recent years, but now - behind the two-heading running attack of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt - Cleveland sits at 8-3, putting them firmly on course for a wildcard berth.

Next up for them is a trip to the Tennessee Titans, who leaned on leading rusher Derrick Henry to beat the Colts last time out and seize control of the AFC South. 

The latest round of games also includes a pivotal NFC West battle, while the Steelers have to deal with a short week and the Washington Football Team as they aim to remain unbeaten.

FEATURED GAME

Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans - Sunday, 1pm (all times Eastern)

- The Titans are 10-5 against Cleveland since the Browns franchise came back in 1999, including winning the previous three meetings. Last season's 43-13 Tennessee win in Week 1 was the largest by either team in the series since the Oilers set a franchise record in a 58-14 victory on December 9, 1990. 

- Cleveland's 8-3 start is the team's best since 1994, when the Browns began 9-3 under Bill Belichick and went on to win a playoff game, the franchise's last postseason triumph. Victory in Week 12 put an end to a 12-year streak of losing seasons. 

- Baker Mayfield is the first Browns quarterback to win three straight starts without throwing an interception since Vinny Testaverde in September 1995. The previous Browns QB with four straight victories and no picks? Frank Ryan, back in 1967. 

- Tennessee are coming off a 45-26 win at Indianapolis, the Titans' most points in a game since 2016 when they put 47 on the Green Bay Packers. Ryan Tannehill attempted just 22 passes in that Week 12 triumph, though he set a season high at 10.05 yards per attempt.

OTHER KEY GAMES

Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals - Sunday, 4.05pm

- The Cardinals were held under 21 points for the first time this season in their 20-17 loss to the New England Patriots last time out. Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this year and posted a 67.0 passer rating in the defeat, the second-worst rating of his NFL career.

New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks - Sunday, 4.05pm

- These teams have split 18 all-time meetings. However, the Seahawks have won the past four, all by double digits. The most recent meeting was in 2017, a 24-7 Seattle triumph. The Giants last visited Seattle in 2014, a game  the home team won by a 38-17 scoreline. 

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs - Sunday, 8.20pm

- The Chiefs have won their past 10 games against the Broncos, the franchise's second-longest winning streak against any single opponent (11 games against Denver, from 1964 to 1969). Patrick Mahomes threw for 462 yards in the victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12, meaning he is now responsible for five of the 10 400-yard passing games by a Chiefs quarterback.

Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers - Monday, 8.15pm

- The Bills have not had a 100-yard rusher in 16 games, the fourth-longest active streak in the NFL. Still, throwing the ball has worked just fine for them this season - Josh Allen has become the fourth Bill to pass for over 3,000 yards in consecutive seasons, joining Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jim Kelly and Tyrod Taylor.

ELSEWHERE...

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons - Sunday, 1pm

- Taysom Hill is the second player in the Super Bowl era to score four rushing touchdowns through two career starts at quarterback, along with Eric Hipple, who did so for the Detroit Lions in 1981. However, the Falcons have improved under Raheem Morris, a 43-6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week meaning they are 4-2 since he took charge on an interim basis.

Washington Football Team at Pittsburgh Steelers - Monday, 7pm

- The Steelers are 11-0 for the first time in franchise history after beating the depleted Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday in a game delayed from Thanksgiving. Since 1970, nine of the 11 teams to start 11-0 have gone on to make the Super Bowl, including five that won it.

Although neither team were in playoff contention last year, things got ugly between the AFC North rivals in their first meeting of 2019 when a fight broke out and Myles Garrett hit Mason Rudolph with his own helmet. 

The mood in both camps will be upbeat heading into Sunday's game at Heinz Field, though, as they have been victorious in each of their past four outings. 

A meeting of Cleveland's top-ranked rushing attack and the Pittsburgh's second-ranked run defense promises to serve up quite the contest. 

The Steelers have limited two of their first four opponents to fewer than 30 yards on the ground and allow 64.0 yards per game, while the Browns' average in rushing yards per game is almost three times that figure. 

The New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans are back in action after seeing games postponed by positive COVID-19 tests, while veteran quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady will go toe to toe in Tampa. 

We use Stats Perform data to look ahead to another mouthwatering schedule.

FEATURE GAME

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers - Sunday, 1pm (all times Eastern)

- The Browns have scored 30 points in each of their past four games and their total of 150 in Weeks 2-5 were the most in the NFL. They lead the NFL in rushing (188.4 yards per game) and are fourth in stopping the run (87.0 yards per game).

- Pittsburgh are 4-0 for the first time since 1979 – the last Super Bowl-winning season of the Chuck Noll/Terry Bradshaw/Steel Curtain era. The season before that Pittsburgh started 7-0, also en route to the Lombardi Trophy.

- Ben Roethlisberger is 22-2-1 in 25 career starts versus the Browns, including 11-0 at Heinz Field. In addition, he came off the bench to pass for 379 yards in a home victory over Cleveland in 2015. He last faced the Browns in 2018, throwing four interceptions in two games.

OTHER KEY GAMES

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers – Sunday, 1pm

- Teddy Bridgewater's 73.0 completion percentage ranks second in the NFL behind Derek Carr (73.1 percent). The all-time single-season high for a Carolina quarterback is 68.0 percent by Cam Newton in 2018 (minimum 10 attempts).

Baltimore Ravens at Philadelphia Eagles – Sunday, 1pm

- Baltimore improved to 4-1 with a 27-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week. The Ravens' +73-point differential leads the NFL and ranks second in franchise history through five games, behind only 2011 (+77).

Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sunday, 4.25pm

- Rodgers and Brady have split their head-to-head matchups 1-1, with the latter taking the most recent one in Foxborough back in 2018 (31-17). However, Rodgers is in strong form this year – he is just the fourth quarterback in the past 70 years to throw for at least 13 touchdowns without an interception through the first four games of a season (2018 Patrick Mahomes, 2013 Peyton Manning, 1966 Don Meredith).

Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Sunday, 8.20pm

- The Rams have nine rushing touchdowns this season, more than any other team in the NFL. Five different Rams players have run for a touchdown this season, with Darrell Henderson (3), Malcolm Brown (2) and Jared Goff (2) all doing so multiple times.

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills – Monday, 5pm

- Mahomes suffered just his eighth defeat in 36 regular-season games as a starting quarter back in Week 5. He’s bounced back well after the first seven defeats, going 5-2 and throwing 18 touchdowns to just four interceptions following losses.

ELSEWHERE…

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots – Sunday, 1pm

- The Pats are 2-2 and in danger of falling below .500 in October or later for the first time since 2002. Their streak of 225 consecutive games in October or later without being below .500 (either before or after the game) is the longest streak in NFL history.

Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Monday, 8.15pm

- DeAndre Hopkins had six receptions for 131 yards in a 30-10 rout of the New York Jets in Week 5 and leads the NFL with 45 catches and 528 yards. Hopkins surpassed 9,000 career receiving yards in the win, becoming the fourth-youngest player in NFL history to do so at 28 years and 127 days old. Only Randy Moss (27 years, 310 days), Calvin Johnson (28-56) and Hopkins' team-mate Larry Fitzgerald (28 years, 81 days) got there at a younger age.

For just the second time, the Steelers are 6-0 and victory at M&T Bank Stadium would see them match the franchise-best seven-game undefeated start set in 1978.

Games between these NFC North rivals are typically tight affairs, though. Since 2008, 14 of their 24 regular-season meetings have been decided by three points or fewer – the most of any matchup in that time frame – and the Ravens have won eight of those 14 nail-biters.

The Minnesota Vikings have the unenviable task of trying to stop an in-form Aaron Rodgers when they return from their bye week, while a significant milestone is in the offing for Travis Kelce.

We use Stats Perform data to preview the standout matchups on the Week 8 slate.
 

FEATURED GAME

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens – Sunday 1pm (all times Eastern)

- Lamar Jackson has been held under 200 passing yards in four consecutive starts, though the Ravens won three of those games. Jackson has completed less than 60 per cent of his attempts in three of his last four contests, dropping his season completion percentage to 63 – 26th among 32 qualifiers.

- Since 2000, the Steelers (226) and Ravens (210) rank second and fifth respectively in total victories (regular season and playoffs). The teams have combined to win 14 of 18 AFC North titles all-time, and, in 19 of the past 20 seasons, at least one of the two teams reached the postseason.

- After throwing one interception in the first five games of 2020, Ben Roethlisberger was picked off three times in last Sunday's victory at the Tennessee Titans. Including the postseason, Roethlisberger is 15-10 in his career against the Ravens – but only 4-6 on the road. However, he was triumphant on his past two visits to Baltimore (2017, 2018).

OTHER KEY GAMES

Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns – Sunday, 1pm

- The Browns' last-minute 37-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last week moved them to 5-2, giving them their best seven-game start to a season since re-joining the NFL in 1999. It is the fourth time since the merger that Cleveland has five or more wins through seven games (1977, 1993, 1994).

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Sunday, 1pm

- Rodgers had four touchdown passes and no interceptions in a 35-20 win against the Houston Texans last time out. His 17 TD passes this year matches a career high through six games of a season, along with his 2011 MVP campaign

New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs – Sunday, 1pm

- Kelce has 6,966 receiving yards in 103 career games. If he gets to 7,000 on Sunday, he would be the second-fastest tight end in NFL history to reach that mark, behind only Rob Gronkowski (100).

New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears – Sunday, 4.25pm

- The Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 27-24 at home last week. Each of their past three games has resulted in a win by six points or fewer, just the third time they have ever had such a streak (three games across the 1990 and 1991 seasons; four games in 1988).

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – Sunday, 4.25pm

- The Niners are averaging 7.0 yards per carry when rushing to the right (483 yards on 69 attempts), more than any team in any direction this season. They have a combined 479 yards on 122 carries to the left and up the middle

ELSEWHERE…

Los Angeles Rams at Miami Dolphins – Sunday, 1pm

- Tua Tagovailoa will be making his first career start on Sunday. The fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, he is the second highest-picked Alabama quarterback of all time (Harry Gilmer went first overall in 1948), and the second-highest QB ever selected by the Dolphins (Bob Griese went fourth overall in 1967).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants – Monday, 8.15pm

- With a 45-20 win over the Raiders last week, Tampa Bay have now had back-to-back wins of at least 25 points for the first time in franchise history (defeated Green Bay by 28 in Week 6). The Bucs had just two such wins over the previous seven seasons combined.

The Chiefs have an 8-1 record this season, with their sole defeat coming at home to divisional rivals the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5.

Kansas City this week have the opportunity to avenge the 40-32 reverse, however, with superstar quarterback Mahomes long since having recovered from that blip.

The game in Las Vegas is among the key Week 11 matchups we preview with Stats Perform data.

FEATURED GAME

Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders - Sunday, 8.20pm (all times Eastern)

- The Chiefs have started the season with wins in their first four road games for the second year in succession. The only time in franchise history the team started a season 5-0 on the road was in 1966, when they went 7-0 away from home en route to a loss to the Green Bay Packers in the first Super Bowl.

- Mahomes has played two road games against the Raiders in his career, throwing four touchdown passes without an interception in each contest. Mahomes' only interception of 2020 came in the Week 5 loss to Las Vegas by Jeff Heath; since then, he has 13 TD passes and no interceptions in 144 pass attempts.

- There are two quarterbacks in the NFL who have double-figure touchdown passes and fewer than three interceptions: Mahomes (25 TDs, one interception) and Derek Carr (16 TDs and two interceptions). Among QBs in league history with at least 1,000 pass attempts, Mahomes is first in touchdown/interception ratio (5.32) and Carr is eighth (2.48).

OTHER KEY GAMES

Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens - Sunday, 1pm

- After going 7-1 at home a season ago, Baltimore have lost twice at M&T Bank Stadium in 2020, including their most recent home game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers three weeks ago. The Ravens have not dropped consecutive home games since Week 7 and 9 of the 2018 season – just before Lamar Jackson took over as starting QB.

Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns - Sunday, 1pm

- Carson Wentz has completed under 60.0 per cent of his passes in each of his past five games, the longest streak by any player this year. He has a career-low 58.2 completion percentage in 2020, the second-lowest mark among 33 qualified players (min. 14 pass attempts per team game; Drew Lock – 55.0).

Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts - Sunday, 4.25pm

- The Packers' 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week gave Matt LaFleur a 20-5 regular-season record as a head coach. He is the sixth head coach since the merger to have 20 or more wins through 25 games.

Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Monday, 8.15pm

- The Bucs snapped a five-game losing streak against the Rams by scoring a franchise-record 55 points in last year's meeting. That was also one point shy of the most allowed by the Rams all-time.

ELSEWHERE...

Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars - Sunday, 1pm

- Pittsburgh are the fifth team in history to start 9-0 while scoring at least 24 points in every game. The Steelers are also the first team in the Super Bowl era to have fewer than 50 rushing yards in three straight games and win all three.

New York Jets at Los Angeles Chargers - Sunday, 4.05pm

- The Jets are coming off their bye after losing their ninth straight game to the New England Patriots 30-27 in Week 9. They led the Patriots for 43 minutes and one second of game time but gave up 10 points in the final two minutes to remain winless. New York have lost each of their past four games coming off a bye week.