There is a similar formula to be found when evaluating some of the surprise contenders in the NFL this season. Look at Tennessee, Jacksonville, Minnesota, New Orleans, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Rams, and you find a group of teams that surged behind attacking defenses. By winning the turnover battle, as all these teams have done this season, they’ve put themselves in position to put together winning momentum. (Games on Sunday unless otherwise noted.)
Game of the Week: Rams (7-2) at Vikings (7-2), 11 a.m. Few picked this to be a battle of potential contenders at the beginning of the season. But the emergence of QB Jared Goff for the Rams and the rise of an elite defense in Minnesota has put these teams on a collision course for this pivotal matchup.
Titans (6-3) at Steelers (7-2), 6:25 p.m., Thursday. Tennessee has quietly moved toward the top the AFC standings on the heels of a four-game winning streak, powered by a staunch defense and timely play from QB Marcus Mariota. Are the Titans ready for their primetime close-up against the red-hot Steelers?
Lions (5-4) at Bears (3-6), 11 a.m. Back-to-back victories have kept Detroit in the mix for the NFC North title. The Lions must avoid the trap of looking ahead to their following game against the NFC-leading Eagles in order to keep pace.
Jaguars (6-3) at Browns (0-9), 11 a.m. Cleveland quarterbacks have been sacked 27 times this season, ninth-most in the NFL. Jacksonville leads the league with 35 sacks. It could be a long afternoon for rookie Browns QB DeShone Kizer.
Ravens (4-5) at Packers (5-4), 11 a.m. Green Bay QB Brett Hundley had one of the best games of his career — 18-of-25 for 212 yards and one TD — in a victory over the Bears last week, giving the Packers their first win since losing to a collarbone injury.
Cardinals (4-5) at Texans (3-6), 11 a.m. This is a battle of two teams who have gone south since losing their starting quarterbacks. The Cardinals are 1-1 since went down, their lone victory coming against the 49ers. Houston has lost two straight since losing standout rookie Deshaun Watson to an ACL injury.
Buccaneers (3-6) at Dolphins (4-5), 11 a.m. This game was supposed to be played in Week 1, but it was rescheduled to this week because of Hurricane Irma. As a result, the teams were forced to play 16 straight games. The lack of a bye week is beginning to show for both.
Chiefs (6-3) at Giants (1-8), 11 a.m. Kansas City has lost three of four games following its 5-0 start. The lone victory in that stretch came against the Broncos. Still, a win over the floundering Giants would keep the Chiefs firmly in control of the AFC West race.
Redskins (4-5) at Saints (7-2), 11 a.m. has completed 73.9 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions during the Saints’ seven-game winning streak. He’s posted a 104.7 quarterback rating in that span.
Bills (5-4) at Chargers (3-6), 2:05 p.m. Buffalo, looking for a spark to keep its playoff hopes alive following back-to-back losses, will turn to backup Nathan Peterman in place of . Chargers QB Philip Rivers, meanwhile, was in the concussion protocol this week, leaving his status in doubt.
Patriots (7-2) vs. Raiders (4-5), 2:25 p.m. New England practiced in Colorado Springs leading up to this game in played in Mexico City to get acclimated to a higher altitude. Oakland is coming off a bye and needs a victory to keep the pressure on the Chiefs in the AFC West.
Eagles (8-1) at Cowboys (5-4), 6:30 p.m. Dallas did not fare well in its first game without RB Ezekiel Elliott, though the running game was hardly the problem in a 27-7 loss to Atlanta. Dak Prescott (two fumbles lost last week) must take better care of the football against Philadelphia’s elite defensive line.
Falcons (5-4) at Seahawks (6-3), 6:30 p.m., Monday. QB Russell Wilson is playing at the top of his game, leading the Seahawks to victory in five of their last six games. The Falcons have won two of three following a three-game losing streak.
