New Orleans Saints (2-4) at Denver Broncos (3-3)
When the Broncos and Saints take the field on Sunday night at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the game may take on the complexion of an Arena League contest where defense is best consumed in (serious) moderation.
Both teams feature future hall-of-famers behind center who are having very impressive seasons thus far. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees ranks first in the NFL in yards passing yards per game (350), second in touchdown passes (18), sixth in yards per attempt (7.68), and seventh in passer rating (96.1). He’s also coming off a remarkable first half performance in a win last week in Tampa against the Bucs, throwing for over 300 yards and four touchdowns in the game’s first 30 minutes.
Opposite Brees is, of course, Peyton Manning, who has been nothing short of outstanding through the Broncos first six games. Manning is second in the league in both passer rating (105.0) and yards per game (301), and is fourth in yards per attempt (7.97) and completion percentage (67.8). Match those numbers with the 13-of-14, three-touchdown second half Manning produced in the Broncos 35-24 comeback win over San Diego and you have the makings for fireworks in Denver when these two red hot quarterbacks take the field.
As explosive as these respective offenses might be, both teams leave something to be desired on the defensive side of the ball. The Bronco D has been acceptable at times, as they come into the game fresh off a six takeaway performance in the aforementioned win in San Diego. Denver ranks 17th in the league in points allowed per game (23.0). The Saints give up a league high 465 yards per game and rank 29th in the league in points allowed per game (30.3).
Give the Broncos the edge in this one, as they feature a stronger defense and a more balanced offensive attack (Willis McGahee is 15th in the NFL in rushing with 432 yards, while the Saints top runner, Pierre Thomas, ranks 36th with 214 yards on just 50 carries). Also noteworthy is the fact that New Orleans will be led by interim head coach Joe Vitt for the first time this season (Vitt was suspended for the season’s first six games due to his alleged role in the Saints bounty scandal).
San Diego Chargers (3-3) at Cleveland Browns (1-6)
The Chargers enter this game against the Browns licking their proverbial wounds after losing a 24-0 halftime lead in their last game, a 35-24 loss at home to Denver. Coming off two consecutive defeats, San Diego may have found a cure for recent struggles in the form of Cleveland.
The Browns come into the game with an offense that has been sluggish under the direction of 29-year old rookie quarterback, Brandon Weeden. Weeden’s numbers aren’t particularly impressive, as he ranks 29th in the league in completion percentage, and is 32nd in interceptions and quarterback rating. However, the quarterback’s play has steadily improved after a horrific start that saw him post a passer rating of 5.1 in his first game as a pro. The Cleveland defense has been relatively soft, as well, ranking 23rd in the NFL in points allowed per game at 25.7.
An opportunistic Charger team saw the tables turn in the loss to Denver in the week preceding the bye, as the Broncos forced San Diego into six turnovers, returning two for touchdowns. Quarterback Philip Rivers, who had a hand in all six giveaways (four interceptions and two fumbles), seems to have regressed from a near-elite quarterback to a rather pedestrian one. Rivers has thrown 10 touchdowns against nine interceptions thus far in 2012. In light of Rivers’ recent troubles, I would expect the Chargers to run the ball a bit more frequently than they did against Denver, especially given that Cleveland ranks 24th in the league in defending the run and is 25th in yards allowed per carry.
Oakland Raiders (2-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)
Six games into the season, the AFC West appears to have evolved into a two-team race in which neither the Raiders, nor the Chiefs will participate. This Sunday, the two go head-to-head at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, where the Chiefs are winless thus far in 2012.
Oakland, the only AFC West team without a bye last week, came from behind to capture a 26-23 overtime win at home over Jacksonville. Both Raider victories have been by three points at home against teams that were not at full strength due to injury. That being said, many are waiting for Darren McFadden to make consistent on the flashes of brilliance he has demonstrated in the past. This Sunday has the potential to be a step in the right direction, as the Chiefs rank 22nd in the NFL in rushing yards surrendered per game at 125.
Kansas City will, for a second straight game, start Brady Quinn at quarterback. In his first start in over two seasons, on October 14th against Tampa Bay, Quinn’s performance was forgettable, as he threw for just 180 yards and two interceptions. The two interceptions are a microcosm of what has plagued Kansas City throughout the year, as they feature (by far) the worst turnover margin in the NFL with a minus-15, thanks in large part to a league worst 21 turnovers.
While the Chiefs have struggled to both throw and protect the football, they have been able to run with effectiveness, ranking third in the NFL in yards per game on the ground. Jamaal Charles ran for just 40 yards against the Buccaneers, he still ranks sixth in the league in rushing with 591 yards. Oakland features an average run defense, presenting Kansas City with their best hope for competing in this game and coming away with win number two on the season.