Thursday 20 October 2016 15:01, UK
Two of last week's top rushers face off, and competition for the NFC continues in the west, in week seven of the NFL.
1. Running back battle
Last week, Jay Ajayi announced himself on the NFL stage with a 204 yard, two touchdown game, which inspired the Miami Dolphins to a 30-15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This week Dolphins head coach Adam Gase has to prepare his own defence for one of the best running backs in the league, as LeSean McCoy and the Buffalo Bills travel to Miami for an AFC East clash.
McCoy is currently second in rushing yards this year, and the Bills lead the league with 999 in 2016. That doesn't bode well for Miami, who rank 31st in running defence through the first six games. Will Gase be able to build on last week's surprise victory and get his first divisional win as a head coach?
You can watch the Bills @ Dolphins live on Sunday October 23 from 5:30pm on Sky Sports 2.
2. NFC West showdown
The Arizona Cardinals boosted confidence after an impressive 28-3 win over the new York Jets on Monday night. The Jets were a poor team by all accounts, but David Johnson's three touchdown night, combined with an intimidating defensive performance reduced New York to a spectator in this game.
It will be a different proposition in the last of Sky Sports' triple header on Sunday night, as the Cardinals prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks. Running back Christine Michael had two scores of his own in Seattle's 26-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons and, aside from a third quarter blitz where the Falcons scored 21 points, the Seahawks defence looked as formidable as ever.
It will be a huge test for both of these teams, who have suffered slow starts and now want to establish themselves in the conference. At 4-1, Seattle currently hold the advantage at the top of the NFC West, but Arizona (3-3) have won their last two games and will be hungry to make it a third.
3. Quarterback returns
The story of the early season was Sam Bradford's last-minute trade from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Minnesota Vikings, following a season-ending injury to Teddy Bridgewater. This weekend, Bradford returns to his former team, hoping to extend the Vikings' unbeaten run to six games.
The Eagles started off strongly themselves, rookie quarterback Carson Wentz leading the team on a four game winning streak before losing the last two. Both teams are over-performing given their pre-season predictions, but neither will want to give up this game.
Elsewhere, Brock Osweiler heads back to Denver for the first time since he made a $72m move to the Houston Texans. Osweiler spent the majority of last season as back up to Peyton Manning, and rejected the Broncos offer of the starting job this summer.
It's been a tough start to life in Houston for the quarterback, who has struggled to assert himself in games despite the team beginning 4-2. Osweiler will be looking to impress in this one, to show general manager John Elway what he missed out on.
4. NFL invades 'home of rugby'
Twickenham will play host to an NFL fixture for the first time as the New York Giants take on the Los Angeles Rams. Both sides have played in London before - the Giants beat the Dolphins 13-10 in the first regular season game outside of North America, while the Rams were dismantled 45-7 by the New England Patriots in 2012 - but this will be the first of three planned games at the 'home of rugby' over the next three years.
Odell Beckham Jr is a doubt for the game but the Rams' running back Todd Gurley, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, will be hoping to kick start his campaign after struggling so far.
5. No Ben, big problem?
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been ruled out of week seven after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee against Miami. Big Ben could be out for more than a month, which leaves the Steelers relying on back up QB Landry Jones.
Pittsburgh do have running back Le'veon Bell available, who will be a key to their offensive success on Sunday. The problem for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers is their opponents, the New England Patriots, who have conceded the second fewest points per game this season.
Keep up to date with all the action from around the NFL on Sunday night with Redzone, live from 6pm on Sky Sports Mix.
