Packers @ Vikings; Steelers @ Chiefs; Colts @ Titans
Monday 16 October 2017 05:24, UK
We're back with another terrific triple-bill of live NFL action on Sky Sports, this Sunday.
We are live on Sky Sports Action (407) from 5.30pm, starting an NFC North divisional clash - the Green Bay Packers' trip to Minnesota to take on the Vikings kicks us off, before the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs host the Pittsburgh Steelers from 9.25pm.
We then have the desperately troubled 0-5 New York Giants going into Denver to play the Broncos in our late game from 1.20am.
As well as all of that, NFL RedZone will be live on Sky Sports Mix (121) from 6pm. Here's a look ahead to another super Sunday of NFL...
In 140 characters…
Green Bay QB magician Aaron Rodgers looks to continue his fine start to the season against divisional rivals in Minnesota.
What's the latest?
Minnesota have as many as five starters with injury concerns going into Sunday's game against Green Bay. Quarterback Sam Bradford (knee), wide receiver Stefon Diggs (groin), safety Andrew Sendejo (groin), left guard Nick Easton (calf) and defensive tackle Tom Johnson (knee) were all held out of practice on Wednesday.
Coach Mike Zimmer declined to declare QB Bradford in or out to play the Packers, saying the Vikings will "keep seeing what he can do and how he can go" this week. Back-up Case Keenum has started three times in Bradford's place this season, and came in for him in the Week Five win over the Chicago Bears as Bradford's knee problem flared up again.
Stat attack
The Packers look for a third consecutive game with at least 35 points, against the Vikings, following their high-scoring successes against the Bears and the Dallas Cowboys.
Rodgers' two favourite targets in the passing game, Jordy Nelson (20 TDs) and Davante Adams (16 TDs) rank first and second, respectively, in receiving touchdowns in the NFL since the start of 2016.
Key battle
Despite such success for Green Bay through the air, this game could well be decided in the trenches, with the battle between two unheralded running backs, Aaron Jones and Jerick McKinnon.
Green Bay rookie RB Jones - drafted in the fifth round - impressed in his first career NFL start against the Cowboys, rushing for 125 yards and touchdown, while Minnesota's McKinnon tallied 146 total yards from scrimmage (95 rushing, 51 receiving) and ran in for a score in relief of the out-for-the-season injured Dalvin Cook.
Game-changer
Rodgers. How could it not be? The Packers future Hall of Fame QB lead another late game-winning drive against Dallas - a 12-yard TD strike to Adams with only 11 seconds remaining clinching a dramatic victory. The man is clutch! He also loves a game against NFC North divisional rivals - Rodgers is 6-1 against them since the start of last season, with 20 touchdowns to only one interception. Look out Minnesota!
In 140 characters…
Can the Steelers bounce back from a second surprise defeat of the season by inflicting a first on the undefeated Chiefs?
What's the latest?
"Maybe I don't have it anymore," was Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's damning assessment of his own five-interception nightmare in the 30-9 home drubbing by the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week Five. In the defeat, Roethlisberger joined Ryan Fitzpatrick as the only quarterbacks to finish a game with zero TDs and five-or-more picks since 2014.
Stat attack
While Big Ben may be struggling, or 'moderately-sized Ben' as the Around the NFL podcast team have since re-named him, Pittsburgh's leading wideout Antonio Brown certainly isn't. Even with some questionable play at quarterback, he currently leads the NFL with 40 receptions and 545 receiving yards.
Brown has 8,922 career yards, and with just 88 more against the Chiefs, Brown will tie Randy Moss (107) in reaching the 9,000-yard milestone in the fourth-fewest games in NFL history.
Key battle
Big Ben v Alex Smith. Kansas City QB Smith is having a career year, perhaps even a league MVP worthy year, with his 1,391 yards, 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions leading his team to a perfect 5-0 record. Smith's 125.8 passer rating leads the league in 2017, while the Chiefs offence as a whole has notched an NFL-high 164 points through the first five games.
As already mentioned, his opposite number, Roethlisberger, is not coming into this contest in quite such stellar form. But, as much as the Steelers have made a habit of losing games they shouldn't - like against the Jags - they also seem to raise their game against the league's best. Pittsburgh are 18-4 against teams with winning records since 2014, compared to 14-13 against those with even or losing records. Plus, the Steelers won both their meetings against the Chiefs last year, knocking them out of the play-offs and earning a 43-14 hammering in Week Four where Roethlisberger threw for 300 yards and five TDs.
Game-changer
Take your pick! There's the two QBs just mentioned, running backs Le'Veon Bell (Steelers) and Kareem Hunt (Chiefs) and deep threats in the passing game, Brown (Steelers) and Tyreek Hill (Chiefs), to name a few...
Hunt (155.0) and Bell (126.3) average more scrimmage yards per game than any other players in NFL history, though admittedly we're only five games in to rookie Hunt's fledgling career, compared to Bell's accumulated over 52. The Pittsburgh back has, however, struggled a little to start 2017, averaging a career-low of four yards per touch so far.
While we've already covered Brown's brilliance, the blistering speed of Hill is something to behold - he has a league-leading seven touchdowns of 50 yards plus since 2016, including one such 75-yard effort in the Week One win over the New England Patriots. The next best in the NFL only have three such scores...
In 140 Characters…
Not all too appetising a prospect for the winless and injury-ravaged Giants, who roll into Denver to take on a brutal Broncos defence.
What's the latest?
Three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr is out for the season after having surgery on his broken left ankle, injured in the team's Week Five loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, which also saw fellow receivers Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Dwayne Harris (foot) and Sterling Shepard (ankle) leave the game. Marshall and Harris' injuries are also expected to require surgery, while Shepard's progress is being monitored day to day.
To make matters worse, Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has been suspended indefinitely by the Giants following a heated argument between the player and coach Ben McAdoo at the team's training facility this week. The reason for anger from Rodgers-Cromartie came supposedly after learning he would not feature in Sunday's game against the Broncos, having tossed his helmet in disgust when taken off the field late in New York's latest loss.
Stat attack
Beckham Jr, Marshall and Shepard account for 89 per cent of catches by Giants wide receivers in 2017, so their absence is a big blow to QB Eli Manning and the team's passing attack as a whole. Things don't get much easier either, as the depleted Giants offence take on a Broncos defence that ranks in the NFL top 10 in total defence (first), scoring defence (seventh), pass defence (10th), rush defence (first), 3rd-down defence (second), and big plays allowed (second).
Key battle
Considering the numerous injuries to the Giants offence, and the stunning early-season efforts of the Denver 'D', New York's best bet might be through putting up points off their own defence. They haven't been great to start 2017, but were one of the better outfits of last season - they'll need to recapture that form, get after Broncos QB Trevor Siemian, force turnovers and give their depleted offence short field to travel to score.
Game-changer
CJ Anderson. Denver would be well served to give the ball to their running back early, and often. Anderson has had his best games this season at home, including his Week Three destruction of Dallas which included 154 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.
Week Six continues on Sunday with three live games on Sky Sports Action, starting with Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings, from 5.30pm.
Follow the 2017-18 NFL season with us on Sky Sports and through our website skysports.com/NFL also our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsNFL
