There is always plenty of new-age thinking across the league, about reinventing this or tweaking that.
About the explosion of passing yards, the Broncos included, by teams that are still having trouble scoring points. So, yards make for good TV, but just four of the league’s top-10 passing teams at the moment are also among the league’s top 10 in scoring. Four.
And there may be no more stone-age thought in the league than “stopping the run leads to wins.” Well, the league’s top-10 run defenses are a combined 32-15.
Oh, and one of those top-10 run defenses is either leading or tied for the lead in seven of the league’s eight divisions.
It appears wins can still be measured by dirt under the fingernails.
Must-see game of the week
Ravens at Patriots 11 a.m.
The skinny: These two last met in the 2009 postseason, when the Ravens blew out the Patriots with four rushing touchdowns. This time the Patriots are coming off a bye week in which they traded their most explosive receiver — Randy Moss — and replaced him with a guy they traded away years ago in Deion Branch. The Ravens are one of the league’s best road teams, having won three of their last four road games dating to last season, including an Oct. 3 win at Pittsburgh.
The difference will be: How the Ravens unsettle Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots don’t run the ball all that well, and with Moss gone there is no reason for a defense to double any of their receivers on the outside. That leaves defenses to concentrate solely on Brady — and that will be New England coach Bill Belichick’s challenge moving forward, as he has once again sent a player on his way who is better than the replacement. He has made it work thus far because of Brady, and Brady must save him again.
The call: Ravens 31-24
Catch them if you can
Chiefs at Texans 11 a.m.
The Chiefs may have earned more respect around the league for their close loss in Indianapolis than they had for their three wins. This is a quality matchup in which the league’s No. 5 run defense (the Texans) takes a swing at the Chiefs’ quality run game. The Chiefs haven’t started 4-1 since the 2003 season, when they opened 5-0 on the way to a 13-3 finish.
The call: Texans 24-16
Falcons at Eagles 11 a.m., KDVR-31
It’s curious that Falcons running back Michael Turner, above, has just one game this season — against New Orleans — in which he has carried the ball at least 22 times. And it’s curious, because in games when he does carry the ball at least 22 times, the Falcons are 14-1. The Eagles are 24th in run defense — and that could be a problem in this one.
The call: Falcons 20-17
Saints at Buccaneers 11 a.m.
For all that Sean Payton has done as Saints head coach, he’s still just 4-4 against the Buccaneers. The Bucs are still a question mark in the big picture, given that two of their wins have come against Carolina (0-5) and Cleveland (1-4). And Tampa Bay still hasn’t beaten a team that currently has a winning record this season.
The call: Saints 33-20
Colts at Redskins 6:20 p.m., KUSA-9
No head coach in the league, other than Indianapolis’ Jim Caldwell of course, may appreciate the Colts QB more than Mike Shanahan. Shanahan worked closely with Peyton Manning at the Pro Bowl after the 2005 season and said he gained an even greater appreciation of Manning’s efforts. Manning, without a run game, is third in the league in passing (1,609 yards) and tied for first in TD passes (11). The call: Colts 31-30
Quick hitters
Seahawks at Bears 11 a.m.
Jay Cutler, who missed last week’s game with a concussion, is expected to play. The Bears have been limited on offense at times but will find some room against the Seahawks’ secondary.
The call: Bears 27-13
Dolphins at Packers 11 a.m.
The Packers are a battered bunch — they had eight players, including six starters, sit out Wednesday’s practice, with four other players who were limited because of injuries. With the Dolphins coming off a bye week, that’s a tough spot to be in.
The call: Packers 23-20
Lions at Giants 11 a.m.
This will be the Lions’ first visit to the Meadowlands since the 2004 season and Joey Harrington was the team’s quarterback. The Giants have won seven of the last 10 meetings.
The call: Giants 24-19
Browns at Steelers 11 a.m.
There was a time when the Browns could go into Pittsburgh and steal one in this long and heated rivalry. But this isn’t one of those times, with the Steelers having won 12 of the last 13 between the two and QB Ben Roethlisberger set to make his debut.
The call: Steelers 33-16
Chargers at Rams 11 a.m.
If not for their special teams, the Chargers might be 5-0. But they’ve had three punts blocked already this season, had a punt returned for a touchdown and two kickoffs returned for touchdowns.
The call: Chargers 28-23
Raiders at 49ers 2 p.m.
It’s been quite some time since these two teams met, and it is the Raiders who appear to be the most composed franchise between these Bay Area neighbors. The 49ers are a season-crushing minus-10 in turnover margin already this season.
The call: Raiders 20-17
Cowboys at Vikings 2:15 p.m.
When the 2010 schedule rolled off the presses, this looked like a potential preview of the NFC championship game. Now, it looks like the matchup it is — two teams that talk a better game than they’ve played so far.
The call: Cowboys 27-24
