Your Early Sunday Slate O’Games Open Thread

Has the sked maker (I imagine him as an harried old man in a small office, papers in folders everywhere-he’s not received a raise since Rozelle retired) been kind to us? Let’s take a looky-loo.

To The Games!

Team/Falcons:

That nasty Washington D was supposed to pick up where it left off last year but there are cracks in the armoire. The secondary is ahead of only Detroit, KC and the Giants in expected points per passing play and lb Jon Bostic is a travesty in coverage, having surrendered 197 yards so far.

Texans/Bills:

Allen turned things around in a ‘get well’ game last week and has been gifted another one. One of the problems he’s been dealing with is poor interior line play. That unit allowed 16 pressures last week and had better improve when Buffalo gets to the meat of their schedule.

Lions/Bears:

Be careful what you ask for. Unless you were asking for .4 yards per pass play. Is that what it was, Chicago fans? They’re the only team to average less than 3 yards so far this season.

Panthers/Cowboys:

Time for Carolina to see if they’re on the ‘real’ or ‘pretend’ side of the ledger. At least they have a full 10 days rest and Dallas is dealing with a short week.

Colts/Fins:

Indy was thought by many to be a playoff contender this year but poor qb play (exacerbated by injuries/lousy performance from the o-line) has put that notion up in the air. And so has reducing touches to their dynamic 2nd year rb Taylor.

Browns/Vikes:

As both teams love to run the ball and are not apologetic about it, what say we stash this game into the mid-1970’s where it belongs?

Giants/Saints:

It’s the last train to Clarksville, um, whoops, Winville for New York. Showing up in the coming weeks are Dallas, Carolina, the Rams, Chiefs, Raiders and the bucking Fucs.

Titans/Jets:

Poor Zach has been through the ringer and put up a mere 20 points vs the Panthers, Pats and Broncos. Finally, some sweet relief (maybe?) against a Tennessee team that blitzes at a 30% rate. Oh no. Well, the good news is that opposing qb’s have a 155.3 rating when completing a pass in this situation.

Chiefs/Eagles:

Philly’s D tends to keep big plays to a minimum so far this year and that might well be tested by KC today. The Chiefs D will again be without de Clark and cb Ward but never fear, Dicaprio Bootle has been elevated from that old Key and Peele sketch to the game time roster.

Do that thing.