What you would have is a terrific matchup of division leaders. It happens Sunday at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
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New Orleans (8-2) is showing more balance than at any time since Brees arrived in 2006 and began setting passing records.
Los Angeles Rams has made a swift and impressive turnaround under first-year coach Sean McVay, who has quarterback Jared Goff playing like a first overall draft selection should.
The Saints started with two losses and haven’t been on the short end of the score since.
”Specifically, we opened at Minnesota, which is obviously a good football team and a tough place to play, and didn’t play well enough,” coach Sean Payton says.
”And then the following week versus New England. I think we did as a team feel like those next two weeks on the road at Carolina and then on the road to London – we went right from Carolina to London – we felt that two-game stretch was going to be critical for this team if we were going to aspire to do something.
”I think Carolina was a good win for us … and then carried it over to London for the second win before our bye. That two-game stretch would certainly be, not just because it was our first two wins, but it was building some confidence and that you can think it or wish it or hope to have it, but it generally just comes from demonstrated ability.”
The similar demonstrated ability has been present with the Rams. Except they didn’t struggle early, instead winning three of their first four. Wade Phillips’ defense has scored 84 points off 19 turnovers. Phillips was the Saints defensive coordinator from 1981-85 Cheap Terrell Edmunds Jersey , and interim head coach for four weeks after father Bum was fired.
In the three Thanksgiving games, the Los Angeles Chargers beat Dallas 28-6, Minnesota topped Detroit 30-23, and Washington beat the New York Giants 20-10,
In Arlington, Texas, Philip Rivers threw for 434 yards and three touchdowns, and Desmond King returned an interception 90 yards for the punctuating touchdown for San Diego. The Chargers (5-6) moved within 1 1/2 games of AFC West-leading Kansas City. The defending NFC East champion Cowboys (5-6) lost their third straight by at least 20 points, all without star running back Ezekiel Elliott.
In Detroit, Case Keenum threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score – all in the first half – for Minnesota. The Vikings (9-2) won their seventh straight and took a three-game lead over second-place Detroit (6-5) in the NFC North.
In Landover Cheap Brian O'Neill Jersey , Maryland, Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes to compensate for a pick-6, and Washington beat New York,
Cousins led Washington (5-6) on two TD drives in the second half, connecting with Jamison Crowder on a 15-yarder in the third quarter that broke a 3-all tie, and with Josh Doctson on a 14-yarder with 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the game.
The Giants dropped to 2-9.
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Carolina (7-3) at New York Jets (4-6)
Tampa Bay (4-6) at Atlanta (6-4)
This is the epitome of the trap game for the Panthers, who next face division leaders New Orleans and Minnesota. But they also come off a bye, when coach Ron Rivera surely was reminding his players not to get careless.
Carolina is showing lots of balance now as Cam Newton has overcome an inconsistent early portion of the season. The defense has been lights-out.
New York also was off last week.
Here’s a cool fact: Panthers DE Julius Peppers and Jets QB Josh McCown are two of three players still active who were drafted in 2002. Peppers went No. 2 overall to Carolina, while McCown was a third-round selection (No. 81 overall) by Arizona.
Dwight Freeney, now with Detroit Cheap Malcolm Mitchell Jersey , is the other.
The Falcons escaped in Seattle on Monday night, and now face one of Matt Ryan’s patsies. In the past seven home games against Tampa Bay, Ryan has 14 TDs and one interception.
The Bucs come off their best performance this season, routing Miami and forcing five turnovers while not having any. Mike Evans has prospered against Atlanta, with five TDs in his past five meetings. He won’t have Jameis Winston throwing to him, though, as Ryan Fitzpatrick, a winner in the past two games, goes again for the injured starter.
Fitz needs to look out for Adrian Clayborn. The DE has six sacks, two forced fumbles Jets Thomas Rawls Jersey , two fumble recoveries and one touchdown in the past two games.
Jacksonville (7-3) at Arizona (4-6)
Tennessee (6-4) at Indianapolis (3-7)
The AFC South’s leader and runner-up hit the road against teams they should handle.
Jacksonville handles everyone roughly with that sack-happy defense ranked No. 1 overall. Teams can run a bit on the Jaguars, so Adrian Peterson might be busy for Arizona.
But the Cardinals are down to their No. 3 quarterback, Blaine Gabbert, who had better know where former Cardinals DE Calais Campbell is at all times.
This is Jacksonville’s first appearance at University of Phoenix Stadium, which opened in 2006.
Winning at Indy has been problematic for the Titans. They have lost nine straight road games to the Colts and are still seeking first win at Lucas Oil Stadium. They will need better work from Marcus Mariota, who threw four picks in last week’s loss to Pittsburgh. With the Colts ranking 30th in pass defense, Mariota should do well.
A big game by Indy RB Frank Gore will move him up the career rushing list. Gore needs 89 yards to pass Jerome Bettis (13,662) for .
