NFL Game Previews: Breaking Down Week 3

L.A. Rams at San Francisco (+2.5), 39.5 o/u – Thursday, 8:25 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Rams come into this game first in the NFC in net points with a plus-30 mark, which is a testament to how cushy their schedule has been. The thing is, it may not be a complete mirage. Aaron Donald's back in uniform, Todd Gurley seems to be putting 2016 behind him, and Jared Goff isn't playing like he's really Ryan Gosling after they swapped places as part of a scheme to get their parents back together. Meanwhile, the Niners are the only 0-2 team in the NFC West as Kyle Shanahan's arrival hasn't really done much for anyone except Carlos Hyde. The RB has already seen 12 targets through two games, after not even averaging two a game through his first three years in the league.

The Skinny:
•2017 LAR offense: 33.0 PPG (T-3rd), 77.5 rushing yds/gm (23rd), 285.0 passing yds/gm (8th), three sacks allowed (T-8th), three turnovers (T-18th)
•2017 SF offense: 6.0 PPG (31st), 105.0 rushing yds/gm (16th), 146.0 passing yds/gm (31st), six sacks allowed (T-20th), three turnovers (T-18th)
•2017 LAR defense: 18.0 PPG (T-11th), 152.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (30th), 179.0 passing yds/gm allowed (4th), six sacks (T-9th), three turnovers (T-7th)
•2017 SF defense: 17.5 PPG (10th), 123.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (23rd), 184.5 passing yds/gm allowed (5th), three sacks (T-24th), two turnovers (T-12th)
•Head-to-head matchup, last five years: 6-3-1 SF, average score SF 21-LAR 16, average margin of victory 11 points
•Weather forecast: clear, 15 mph wind, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Gurley piles up 110 combined yards and scores for the third straight game. Goff throws for 240 yards and a TD to Sammy Watkins. Hyde gains 80 combined yards. Brian Hoyer throws for less than 200 yards for the third straight game and gets sacked four times before being replaced by C.J. Beathard in the second half, with Donald forcing a Hoyer fumble that Alec Ogletree returns for a touchdown. Rams, 24-6

Baltimore at Jacksonville (+3.5) in London, 39.5 o/u – Sunday, 9:30 a.m. EDT

The Story: In case you miss it in the stat dump below, the Ravens defense has already generated 10 turnovers through two games. I'd say there's no way they can keep that up, but they are facing Blake Bortles in what could be a very sloppy London game, so for all I know they'll pick up the pace when it comes to picks. Jacksonville's run defense completely collapsed against the Titans, but on paper their front seven has too much talent for that to become a pattern. With Javorius Allen on fire and Terrance West looking like he'll be healthy enough to play, that theory will be put to a stern test.

The Skinny:
•2017 BAL offense: 22.0 PPG (T-13th), 146.5 rushing yds/gm (T-3rd), 169.0 passing yds/gm (31st), three sacks allowed (T-8th), three turnovers (T-18th)
•2017 JAC offense: 22.5 PPG (12th), 127.0 rushing yds/gm (9th), 174.0 passing yds/gm (30th), two sacks allowed (T-1st), three turnovers (T-18th)
•2017 BAL defense: 5.0 PPG allowed (2nd), 85.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (12th), 235.0 passing yds/gm allowed (177th), eight sacks (T-5th), 10 turnovers (1st)
•2017 JAC defense: 22.0 PPG allowed (T-18th), 136.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (29th), 189.5 passing yds/gm allowed (4th), 11 sacks (1st), five turnovers (T-2nd)
•JAC record in Wembley Stadium: 2-2 with two straight wins, average score OPP 33-JAC 23, average margin of victory 13. BAL is playing their first game in the UK.
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, winds less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Allen leads the Ravens backfield with 80 combined yards and a TD. Joe Flacco throws for 230 yards and a touchdown to Mike Wallace. Leonard Fournette pounds out 120 yards and two scores, while Bortles doesn't make too many mistakes and throws for 220 yards and a TD to Marcedes Lewis. Jaguars 21-20

Cleveland at Indianapolis (+1), 40.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Seeing the 0-2 Browns as road favorites, even marginal ones, feels like exactly the kind of baffling nonsense 2017 would inflict upon the world. DeShone Kizer was awful last week, but if his migraines are to blame and not just his inexperience, he should rebound to a marginally useful level against a Colts defense that hasn't stopped anybody yet. Jacoby Brissett, on the other hand, has no such excuse, and it's no fluke the team has the worst scoring differential in the league at minus-40.

The Skinny:
•2017 CLE offense: 14.0 PPG (25th), 75.0 rushing yds/gm (25th), 261.0 passing yds/gm (10th), 10 sacks allowed (T-30th), six turnovers (T-31st)
•2017 IND offense: 11.0 PPG (28th), 75.5 rushing yds/gm (24th), 197.5 passing yds/gm (25th), eight sacks allowed (T-26th), four turnovers (T-21st)
•2017 CLE defense: 22.5 PPG allowed (T-20th), 85.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (13th), 240.0 passing yds/gm allowed (18th), three sacks (T-24th), three turnovers (T-9th)
•2017 IND defense: 31.0 PPG allowed (T-29th), 73.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (7th), 325.0 passing yds/gm allowed (29th), five sacks (T-14th), two turnovers (T-13th)
•Key injuries, CLE: WR Corey Coleman (IR, hand); DE Myles Garrett (doubtful, ankle)
•Key injuries: IND: QB Andrew Luck (out, shoulder); CB Vontae Davis (doubtful, groin)
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Isiaiah Crowell bangs out 80 yards and a score, while Duke Johnson adds 60 combined yards. Kizer throws for under 200 yards but does hit Seth DeValve for a TD. Frank Gore manages 50 yards. Brissett is also held under 200 yards, but does run for 40 yards and a touchdown. Browns, 17-10

N.Y. Giants (+6) at Philadelphia, 43.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Odell Beckham is getting healthier, but it won't matter much if Eli Manning doesn't have enough time in the pocket to let him get open. The Giants offense is a mess right now – not even a hot mess, just a lukewarm, dreary lump of blah – and Ben McAdoo making vague noises about "drastic changes" won't reverse their fortunes, nor might him giving up play-calling duties. The logical replacement would be offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, who last called plays for the Bucs in 2013, a team that finished a juicy 30th in scoring that year at 18.0 PPG. Top corner Ronald Darby still being out for the Eagles at least gives Eli and OBJ a ray of hope that they can get things going.

The Skinny:
•2017 NYG offense: 6.5 PPG (31st), 48.5 rushing yds/gm (32nd), 229.5 passing yds/gm (18th), eight sacks allowed (T-26th), two turnovers (T-14th)
•2017 PHI offense: 25.0 PPG (10th), 82.5 rushing yds/gm (21st), 320.0 passing yds/gm (4th), eight sacks allowed (T-26th), four turnovers (T-21st)
•2017 NYG defense: 21.5 PPG allowed (T-15th), 133.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (28th), 195.0 passing yds/gm allowed (6th), four sacks (T-18th), one turnover (T-23rd)
•2017 PHI defense: 22.0 PPG allowed (T-18th), 88.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (14th), 245.5 passing yds/gm allowed (20th), eight sacks (T-5th), four turnovers (T-5th)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 7-3 PHI, average score PHI 24-NYG 21, average margin of victory 13 points
•Eli Manning career stats against PHI, 26 games: 10-16, 246.7 passing yds/gm, 45:29 TD:INT, 83.0 QB rating
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Paul Perkins surprises with 70 combined yards and a receiving score. Manning throws for 210 yards and a second score to Beckham, but gets sacked another five times, losing a fumble that Mychal Kendricks scoops up and returns for a TD. Darren Sproles leads the Eagles backfield with 50 combined yards. Carson Wentz throws for 240 yards and a touchdown to Zach Ertz. Eagles, 20-17

Miami at N.Y. Jets (+6), 41.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Dolphins wriggled off the hook in their delayed opener when Younghoe Koo missed a game-winning field goal, but if they have much trouble beating the Jets the entire coaching staff should be canned before they get off the plane. Jay Cutler was quietly efficient in his Miami debut, and should produce more of the same against a secondary allowing a 69.6 completion rate so far. As for Gangrene... err, Gang Green, well, they should get Austin Seferian-Jenkins back, at least.

The Skinny:
•2017 MIA offense: 19.0 PPG (T-18th), 111.0 rushing yds/gm (12th), 230.0 passing yds/gm (17th), two sacks allowed (T-1st), zero turnovers (T-1st)
•2017 NYJ offense: 16.0 PPG (T-23rd), 82.0 rushing yds/gm (22nd), 176.5 passing yds/gm (28th), five sacks allowed (T-11th), four turnovers (T-21st)
•2017 MIA defense: 17.0 PPG allowed (9th), 44.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (2nd), 331.0 passing yds/gm allowed (30th), one sack (T-31st), zero turnovers (T-30th)
•2017 NYJ defense: 33.0 PPG allowed (32nd), 185.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (32nd), 227.0 passing yds/gm allowed (15th), two sacks (30th), one turnover (T-23rd)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 5-5, average score MIA 22-NYJ 21, average margin of victory 13 points. The road team is 7-2, 8-2 if you count the Jets' 2015 win in London.
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Jay Ajayi erupts for 160 yards and two TDs. Cutler throws for 240 yards and touchdowns to DeVante Parker and Kenyan Drake. Matt Forte churns out 60 combined yards, while Bilal Powell manages 40. Josh McCown throws for 220 yards and a TD to Robby Anderson, but also throws a pick-six to Reshad Jones. Dolphins, 38-13

Denver at Buffalo (+3), 40.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Yes, the Broncos have looked great through two weeks, but I'm still not on the Trevor Siemian backwagon. So far, he's beaten a Chargers team that is the league's absolute best at finding ways to lose, and a Cowboys secondary without anyone of legal drinking age in Texas. I may be exaggerating for effect a bit there. At any rate, the Bills defense may not be among the NFL's top five due to their own rebuilt secondary, but their front seven is as dangerous as anyone's and could make life difficult for Siemian, even without Marcell Dareus (ankle) in the lineup.

The Skinny:
•2017 DEN offense: 33.0 PPG (4th), 159.0 rushing yds/gm (1st), 225.0 passing yds/gm (19th), six sacks allowed (T-20th), four turnovers (T-21st)
•2017 BUF offense: 12.0 PPG (T-26th), 129.5 rushing yds/gm (8th), 174.5 passing yds/gm (29th), five sacks allowed (T-11th), one turnover (T-6th)
•2017 DEN defense: 19.0 PPG allowed (T-11th), 52.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (3rd), 215.0 passing yds/gm allowed (11th), three sacks (T-24th), three turnovers (T-9th)
•2017 BUF defense: 10.5 PPG allowed (4th), 57.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (5th), 207.5 passing yds/gm allowed (9th), seven sacks (T-7th), two turnovers (T-13th)
•Siemian career stats in September, five games: 5-0, 66.2 percent completion rate, 241.2 passing yds/gm, 11:5 TD:INT, 100.2 QB rating
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: C.J. Anderson scampers for 70 yards. Siemian throws for 210 yards but continues his scoring spree, hitting Demaryius Thomas and Jeff Heuerman for TDs. LeSean McCoy gets held to 60 combined yards, but he gets into the end zone. Tyrod Taylor throws for under 200 yards, but runs in a score of his own. Bills, 20-17

New Orleans (+6) at Carolina, 47.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: It's hard to imagine this version of the Panthers offense getting involved in a shootout, but then again it's hard to imagine this Saints defense holding anyone under 30 points. Cam Newton just isn't the same, playing through an ankle issue and being held in check as much by a game plan that limits his exposure in the open field as the injury, but it's fair to wonder whether a Cam who's stuck in the pocket is really much of an upgrade over backup Derek Anderson. Meanwhile, New Orleans is still trying to figure out whether Adrian Peterson has anything left in the tank, but they need a game that's actually close in the second half to do it.

The Skinny:
•2017 NO offense: 19.5 PPG (T-16th), 70.5 rushing yds/gm (28th), 323.5 passing yds/gm (3rd), two sacks allowed (T-1st), zero turnovers (T-1st)
•2017 CAR offense: 16.0 PPG (T-23rd), 96.5 rushing yds/gm (18th), 199.5 (24th), six sacks allowed (T-20th), two turnovers (T-14th)
•2017 NO defense: 32.5 PPG allowed (31st), 124.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (24th), 396.5 passing yds/gm allowed (32nd), three sacks (T-24th), zero turnovers (T-30th)
•2017 CAR defense: 3.0 PPG allowed (1st), 60.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (6th), 159.0 passing yds/gm allowed (2nd), seven sacks (T-7th), two turnovers (T-13th)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 7-3 CAR, average score CAR 29-NO 27, average margin of victory 10 points
•Drew Brees career stats versus CAR, 21 games: 10-11, 66.9 percent completion rate, 295.5 passing yds/gm, 40:19 TD:INT, 94.7 QB rating
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Mark Ingram bangs out 80 combined yards and scores. Brees throws for 320 yards and TDs to Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. Jonathan Stewart bashes out 110 yards and a TD, while Christian McCaffrey gains 70 combined yards and scores his first NFL touchdown. Newton throws for 250 yards and hits Devin Funchess for a score. Panthers, 30-27

Pittsburgh at Chicago (+7.5), 44.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: If the NFL is looking for a poster boy for the value of training camp, Le'Veon Bell is their guy. Through two games he's got a 3.2 YPC, more than a yard and a half lower than his mark over the last three years, and he's been almost invisible in the passing game too. He also hasn't scored yet, but end zone droughts are nothing new for Bell. Despite 31 TDs in 47 games coming into 2017, he's had two different five-game stretches in his career without a touchdown. The Mitchell Trubisky Watch is officially on in Chicago after Mike Glennon's awful Week 2 performance, and Markus Wheaton's return Sunday will give Glennon one less excuse if he struggles again.

The Skinny:
•2017 PIT offense: 23.5 PPG (11th), 68.5 rushing yds/gm (29th), 253.0 passing yds/gm (T-13th), three sacks allowed (T-8th), one turnover (T-6th)
•2017 CHI offense: 12.0 PPG (T-26th), 72.5 rushing yds/gm (26th), 257.0 passing yds/gm (11th), five sacks allowed (T-11th), four turnovers (T-21st)
•2017 PIT defense: 13.5 PPG allowed (6th), 74.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (8th), 194.5 passing yds/gm allowed (5th), nine sacks (T-3rd), two turnovers (T-13th)
•2017 CHI defense: 26.0 PPG allowed (28th), 90.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (15th), 262.5 passing yds/gm allowed (23rd), four sacks (T-18th), one turnover (T-23rd)
•Ben Roethlisberger road stats since 2014, 23 games: 14-9, 65.1 percent completion rate, 269.2 passing yds/gm, 25:23 TD:INT, 7.4 YPA
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Bell churns out 120 combined yards and his first TD of the year. Roethlisberger throws for 270 yards and touchdowns to Antonio Brown, who tops 100 yards, and Jesse James. Jordan Howard rushes for 60 yards, while Tarik Cohen also manages 60 combined yards. Glennon throws for 240 yards and TDs to Wheaton and Josh Bellamy. Steelers, 21-17

Atlanta at Detroit (+3), 50.5 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: The expected early-game shootout will need a little more from Matty Ice to live up to the hype, as Matt Ryan only has two TD passes through two games. The Falcons are still 2-0, so nobody except those with fantasy shares in him are complaining... yet. The Lions have arguably gotten very lucky so far, watching David Johnson so down against them in their opener and then facing a Giants offense that can't get out of its own way, so this should be their first real test of the year.

The Skinny:
•2017 ATL offense: 28.5 PPG (8th), 102.5 rushing yds/gm (17th), 286.5 passing yds/gm (7th), five sacks allowed (T-11th), zero turnovers (T-1st)
•2017 DET offense: 29.5 PPG (6th), 110.0 rushing yds/gm (T-14th), 207.0 passing yds/gm (22nd), four sacks allowed (13th), two turnovers (T-14th)
•2017 ATL defense: 20.0 PPG allowed (13th), 92.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (16th), 278.0 passing yds/gm allowed (26th), seven sacks (T-7th), two turnovers (T-13th)
•2017 DET defense: 16.5 PPG allowed (T-7th), 53.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (4th), 253.5 passing yds/gm allowed (21st), six sacks (T-10th), five turnovers (T-2nd)
•Matt Ryan career stats versus DET, four games: 3-1, 69.8 percent completion rate, 221.5 passing yds/gm, 8:3 TD:INT, 108.5 QB rating
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Devonta Freeman piles up 90 combined yards and a score, while Tevin Coleman adds 50 yards. Ryan throws for 280 yards and TDs to Julio Jones and Taylor Gabriel, with Julio hauling in 120 yards. Ameer Abdullah gains 70 yards and a touchdown, while Theo Riddick rings up 50 yards and a receiving score as well. Matthews Stafford throws for 300 yards and two more TDs, hitting Kenny Golladay and Golden Tate. Lions, 31-27

Tampa Bay at Minnesota (+2.5), 39.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Jameis Winston and the Bucs offense didn't do a whole lot in their opener, but they didn't have to with the Bears handing them the ball back on a short field every five minutes. The Vikings' defense will be stouter but may be on the field just as much as Chicago's unit was, with Case Keenum back under center for Minnesota. Keenum didn't look up to the job last week, and no reason to believe another week of first-team reps will make much of a difference.

The Skinny:
•2017 TB offense: 29.0 PPG (7th), 117.0 rushing yds/gm (11th), 204.0 passing yds/gm (23rd), two sacks allowed (T-1st), one turnover (T-6th)
•2017 MIN offense: 19.0 PPG (T-18th), 110.0 rushing yds/gm (T-14th), 256.5 passing yds/gm (12th), three sacks allowed (T-8th), one turnover (T-6th)
•2017 TB defense: 7.0 PPG allowed (3rd), 20.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (1st), 301.0 passing yds/gm allowed (28th), one sack (T-31st), four turnovers (T-5th)
•2017 MIN defense: 22.5 PPG allowed (T-20th), 81.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (11th), 267.0 passing yds/gm allowed (24th), three sacks (T-24th), zero turnovers (T-30th)
•Case Keenum career stats versus TB, two games: 2-0, 65.1 percent completion rate, 212 passing yds/gm, 4:1 TD:INT, 118.8 QB rating
•Key injuries, TB: LB Kwon Alexander (out, hamstring); DT Chris Baker (doubtful, flu); DT Gerald McCoy (questionable, ankle)
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Jacquizz Rodgers is held to just 30 yards. Winston throws for 250 yards and TDs to Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. Dalvin Cook explodes for 140 yards and his first two NFL touchdowns. Keenum throws for 220 yards and a score to Adam Thielen. Vikings, 24-20

Houston (+13) at New England, 44.0 o/u – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Story: Rookie QB versus Bill Belichick. That should be enough said, but given how the Patriots defense has looked through two weeks, there has to at least be some doubt as to whether they can execute whatever scheme the Genius comes up with. Plus, Belichick's normal strategy of taking away the opposition's most effective weapon might not work when they don't actually have an effective weapon to neutralize. Still, this should be a laugher unless J.J. Watt, who's been ominously quiet to begin 2017, does something spectacular.

The Skinny:
•2017 HOU offense: 10.0 PPG (30th), 130.5 rushing yds/gm (7th), 144.5 passing yds/gm (32nd), 13 sacks allowed (32nd), four turnovers (T-21st)
•2017 NE offense: 31.5 PPG (5th), 121.5 rushing yds/gm (10th), 357.0 passing yds/gm (1st), five sacks allowed (T-11th), zero turnovers (T-1st)
•2017 HOU defense: 19.0 PPG allowed (T-11th), 118.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (22nd), 174.5 passing yds/gm allowed (3rd), three sacks (T-24th), one turnover (T-23rd)
•2017 NE defense: 31.0 PPG allowed (T-29th), 133.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (27th), 362.0 passing yds/gm allowed (31st), four sacks (T-18th), one turnover (T-23rd)
•Rookie quarterbacks against Bill Belichick's Patriots in Gillette Stadium: 0-8, 5:16 TD:INT, 50.7 QB rating
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Lamar Miller is held to 40 yards, but D'Onta Freeman fills in with 70 yards and a score. Deshaun Watson throws for under 200 yards again and gets picked off twice and sacked five times while being trapped in the pocket. James White leads the Pats backfield with 80 combined yards and a TD, with Mike Gillislee adding 50 yards and another touchdown. Tom Brady throws for 230 yards and TDs to Danny Amendola and Dwayne Allen. Patriots, 31-10

Seattle (+2.5) at Tennessee, 42.5 o/u – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT

The Story: Through two games, Russell Wilson is on pace to be sacked a career-high 48 times, and post his most rushing attempts and yards since 2014. These things are not unrelated. Chris Carson at least appears to be something of an answer in the backfield, but if the o-line can't buy Wilson any time, points will remain a scarce commodity. Last week, the Titans looked like the sleeper breakout team they were predicted to be in the preseason, but it was against the Jags so I'm not sure it counts. DeMarco Murray's hamstring strain is giving Derrick Henry a chance to shine, though, and the Seahawks defenders might start having flashbacks to practicing against Beast Mode by the second half.

The Skinny:
•2017 SEA offense: 10.5 PPG (29th), 110.5 rushing yds/gm (10th), 178.0 passing yds/gm (27th), six sacks allowed (T-20th), one turnover (T-6th)
•2017 TEN offense: 26.5 PPG (9th), 137.0 rushing yds/gm (6th), 235.5 passing yds/gm (16th), two sacks allowed (T-1st), one turnover (T-6th)
•2017 SEA defense: 13.0 PPG allowed (5th), 121.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (23rd), 205.0 passing yds/gm allowed (T-7th), six sacks (T-10th), two turnovers (T-13th)
•2017 TEN defense: 21.0 PPG allowed (14th), 104.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (17th), 242.5 passing yds/gm allowed (19th), four sacks (T-18th), three turnovers (T-9th)
•Russell Wilson in games he got sacked three or more times, since 2014: 14-9, 65.6 percent completion rate, 245.2 passing yds/gm, 30:17 TD:INT
•Weather forecast: partly cloudy, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Carson manages 60 yards. Wilson throws for 260 yards and a touchdown to Tyler Lockett while running in a second score. Henry gets the start and pounds out 110 yards and two touchdowns. Marcus Mariota throws for 240 yards and a TD to Rishard Matthews. Titans, 24-20

Cincinnati (+9) at Green Bay, 44.5 o/u – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT

The Story: Look, the Bengals offense isn't this bad. There's too much talent at the skill positions for them to go an entire season averaging less than a touchdown a game. That said, Bill Lazor – who got chased out of Miami on a rail midway through his second season as the Dolphins offensive coordinator a couple of years ago – is not the solution to whatever issues they're having. The Packers aren't firing on all cylinders either, but they were missing both starting tackles last week and get Bryan Bulaga back Sunday, so things should start to improve for them soon.

The Skinny:
•2017 CIN offense: 4.5 PPG (32nd), 79.5 rushing yds/gm (23rd), 197.0 passing yds/gm (26th), eight sacks allowed (T-26th), six turnovers (T-31st)
•2017 GB offense: 20.0 PPG (15th), 71.5 rushing yds/gm (27th), 327.0 passing yds/gm (2nd), seven sacks allowed (T-24th), three turnovers (T-18th)
•2017 CIN defense: 16,5 PPG allowed (T-7th), 162.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (31st), 123.0 passing yds/gm allowed (1st), four sacks (T-18th), one turnover (T-23rd)
•2017 GB defense: 21.5 PPG allowed (T-15th), 115.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (T-20th), 205.0 passing yds/gm allowed (T-7th), six sacks (T-10th), one turnover (T-23rd)
•The Bengals are one of only two teams, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, that Aaron Rodgers has never beaten in the regular season. He'll get his shot at PIT in Week 12.
•Key injuries, GB: LT David Bahktiari (doubtful, hamstring); WR Randall Cobb (doubtful, chest)
•Weather forecast: clear, 10 mph wind, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Joe Mixon gains 50 yards, while Giovani Bernard picks up 70 combined yards and a receiving TD. Andy Dalton throws for 240 yards and a second score to A.J. Green. Ty Montgomery scampers for 80 combined yards. Rodgers throws for 280 yards and three TDs, hitting Jordy Nelson, Martellus Bennett and Geronimo Allison. Packers, 27-17

Kansas City at L.A. Chargers (+3), 47.5 o/u – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT

The Story: Kareem Hunt has been so spookily good through two weeks, the Chiefs added former Texan special teams player Akeem Hunt to their backfield just on the off chance Lamar Hunt is somehow helping players who share his name from the afterlife. As for the Chargers ... man. I want to feel bad for them, but when you go into the season with a rookie kicker whose technique is so rough, other teams know where and how to block his kicks before he's even played a regular-season game, you're asking for trouble.

The Skinny:
•2017 KC offense: 34,5 PPG (3rd), 148.5 rushing yds/gm (2nd), 309.5 passing yds/gm (5th), seven sacks allowed (T-24th), one turnover (T-6th)
•2017 LAC offense: 19.0 PPG (T-18th), 54.0 rushing yds/gm (31st), 261.5 passing yds/gm (9th), two sacks allowed (T-1st), one turnover (T-6th)
•2017 KC defense: 23.5 PPG allowed (23rd), 115.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (T-20th), 300.0 passing yds/gm allowed (27th), nine sacks (T-3rd), two turnovers (T-13th)
•2017 LAC defense: 21.5 PPG allowed (T-15th), 125.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (26th), 224.5 passing yds/gm allowed (13th), six sacks (T-10th), two turnovers (T-13th)
•Head-to-head record, last five years: 6-4 KC with six straight wins, average score KC 25-LAC 22, average margin of victory 11 points
•Travis Kelce career stats versus LAC, six games: 26 catches on 33 targets for 263 yards and zero TDs
•Weather forecast: clear, wind less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Hunt keeps rolling, piling up 130 combined yards and a TD. Alex Smith throws for 230 yards and a touchdown to Kelce. Melvin Gordon, who's dealing with a knee issue, rushes for only 40 yards. Philip Rivers throws for 310 yards and touchdowns to Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams, but gets picked off twice. Austin Ekeler returns a kickoff for a TD to keep it close. Chiefs, 26-24

Oakland at Washington (+3), 54.0 o/u – Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Raiders lead the NFL in point differential through two weeks, but they played the Jets so it doesn't count. They've still looked very good, and Derek Carr is cruising along with a 126.5 QB rating. Considering that Washington's defense has allowed a 94.1 rating through two weeks, 20th in the league, that doesn't bode well for them closing the floodgates. Kirk Cousins, however, has been nowhere near as good, and doesn't look much like a guy playing for a new contract. He'll need to snap out of his funk ASAP if the Washington offense is going to hold up their end of this projected barnburner.

The Skinny:
•2017 OAK offense: 35.5 PPG (2nd), 144.5 rushing yds/gm (5th), 246.o passing yds/gm (15th), two sacks allowed (T-1st), zero turnovers (T-1st)
•2017 WAS offense: 22.0 PPG (T-13th), 146.5 rushing yds/gm (T-3rd), 209.5 passing yds/gm (20th), six sacks allowed (T-20th), four turnovers (T-21st)
•2017 OAK defense: 18.0 PPG allowed (10th), 110.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (19th), 211.0 passing yds/gm allowed (10th), five sacks (T-14th), two turnovers (T-13th)
•2017 WAS defense: 25.0 PPG allowed (T-25th), 77.5 rushing yds/gm allowed (9th), 277.0 passing yds/gm allowed (25th), four sacks (T-18th), four turnovers (T-5th)
•Key injuries, WAS: RB Rob Kelley (questionable, ribs); TE Jordan Reed (questionable, ribs/toe); CB Josh Norman (questionable, shoulder)
•Weather forecast: clear, winds less than 10 mph, chance of rain less than 10 percent

The Scoop: Marshawn Lynch punches out 70 yards and a score. Carr throws for 290 yards and TDs to Amari Cooper and Jared Cook. Samaje Perine starts but only manages only 40 yards, while Chris Thompson chips in 50 combined yards. Cousins throws for 280 yards and touchdowns to Terrelle Pryor and Jamison Crowder. Raiders 24-20

Dallas at Arizona (+3), 47.0 o/u – Monday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Story: The Cowboys looked dominant against the Giants and like doormats against the Broncos, but few teams have the airtight secondary to stack the box the way Denver did and stymie Ezekiel Elliott while not opening things up for Dak Prescott. The Cardinals have some big names on their back end, but barely cracked the top 10 in QB rating allowed last year and haven't taken a step forward so far in 2017. Without David Johnson to carry the load, Carson Palmer doesn't look up to the task of being the primary weapon in an offense any more, especially with only an aging Larry Fitzgerald and limping J.J. Nelson to throw to.

The Skinny:
•2017 DAL offense: 18.0 PPG (21st), 84.5 rushing yds/gm (20th), 253.0 passing yds/gm (T-13th), three sacks allowed (T-8th), two turnovers (T-14th)
•2017 ARI offense: 19.5 PPG (T-16th), 64.0 rushing yds/gm (30th), 300.0 passing yds/gm (6th), five sacks allowed (T-11th), five turnovers (T-28th)
•2017 DAL defense: 22.5 PPG allowed (T-20th), 106.5 rushing yds/gm allowed 18th), 225.5 passing yds/gm allowed (14th), five sacks (T-14th), three turnovers (T-9th)
•2017 ARI defense: 24.0 PPG allowed (24th), 79.0 rushing yds/gm allowed (10th), 254.0 passing yds allowed (22nd), five sacks (T-14th), two turnovers (T-13th)
•ARI has a four-game winning streak against DAL dating back to 2008, with two of those games decided by OT touchdowns
•Weather forecast: indoors

The Scoop: Elliott busts out for 120 yards and a touchdown. Prescott throws for 250 yards and TDs to Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. Chris Johnson gains 60 yards and a score. Palmer throws for 280 yards and touchdowns to Andre Ellington and Jaron Brown, but he also gets picked off twice. Cowboys, 27-21

Last week's record: 11-5, 6-10 ATS, 10-6 o/u
2017 regular-season record: 20-11, 14-16-1 ATS, 15-15-1 o/u
2016 regular-season record: 155-99-2, 110-136-10 ATS, 139-112-5 o/u
2015 regular-season record: 157-99, 137-111-8 ATS