Patriots-Colts matchup has makings of a blowout
The Big Game
N. England (5-0) at Indianapolis (3-2)
7:20 p.m., KXAS/5
Line: Pats by 9
This is personal. Deflategate spoiled Tom Brady’s summer vacation. Expect a demolition job on the Colts, which wouldn’t be new. Since Andrew Luck became Colts QB, the Patriots are 4-0 with wins by an average of 29 points. That hiss you hear is air coming out of Indy fans.
Best of the rest
Arizona (4-1) at Pittsburgh (3-2)
Noon, DirecTV/712
Line: Cards by 3 1/2
Cards are highest-scoring team in NFL (38.0), outpointing foes 190-90. Old Chris Johnson looks like the old CJ2K, second in NFL rushing (405 yards). Steelers revived Wildcat offense, using RB Le’Veon Bell on winning play vs. Chargers. Anything to keep ball out of Mike Vick’s hands.
Carolina (4-0) at Seattle (2-3)
3:05, DirecTV/713
Line: Hawks by 7
Panthers QB Cam Newton is 4-0 this year, but 0-4 career vs. Seahawks with 3 passing TDs and none rushing. Seattle’s losses all after holding fourth-quarter leads. Game features two highest-rushing QBs in league but Russell Wilson has been sacked an NFL-high 22 times.
Cincinnati (5-0) at Buffalo (3-2)
Noon, DirecTV/705
Line: Bengals by 3
Bengals try to match franchise’s best start (6-0 in 1975, 1988). QB Andy Dalton leads NFL in fourth-quarter passer rating. Has two interceptions, both in end zone. Bills missing plenty of firepower, but have triple threat QB Tyrod Taylor, who had four plays of 20-plus yards last week.
Worth a look
Washington (2-3) at NY Jets (3-1)
Noon, KDFW/4
Line: Jets by 6 1/2
Skins’ No. 1 run offense had a miserable day in Atlanta with 51 yards. OT loss blew chance for first winning mark since 2012. Road record is woeful 2-16 since 2013. Jets have top scoring defense (13.8) and 13 takeaways. NY is two games over .500 for first time in 54 games.
San Diego (2-3) at Green Bay (5-0)
3:25 p.m., KTVT/11
Line: Pack by 10 1/2
Chargers QB Philip Rivers struggling behind makeshift line, getting little from run game. His three pick-sixes are most in NFL. Aaron Rodgers wasn’t perfect, throwing his first home interceptions in five years, but Packers still are. Defense had four interceptions — two in fourth quarter.
Denver (5-0) at Cleveland (2-3)
Noon, KTVT/11
Line: Broncos by 4
Broncos 5-0 for seventh time, reached Super Bowl in five of those years. Peyton Manning has more picks (7) than TDs (6). Three defensive TDs have each been game winners. Josh McCown’s team-record 457 passing yards made him first Browns QB with three 300-yard games in a row.
Viewer discretion advised
Chicago (2-3) at Detroit (0-5)
Noon, DirecTV/710
Line: Lions by 3
Both Bears wins came in final 20 seconds. Rallied from down 11 despite missing three offensive linemen and top two WRs. Still-bitter Lions fans booed game’s first penalty, even though it was against Arizona. Detroit is NFL’s only winless team for record eighth time.
Miami (1-3) at
Tennessee (1-3)
Noon, DirecTV/709
Line: Titans by 1 1/2
Dolphins average 16.2 points, 69.2 rush yards, have no rush TDs and longest run is 17 yards, shortest in the league. Titans lost two straight at home, by three total points, after having double-digit leads. Coach Ken Whisenhunt is 3-17 since being hired. Team hasn’t won at home in a year.
Kansas City (1-4) at Minnesota (2-2)
Noon, DirecTV/708
Line: Vikings by 3 1/2
KC lost a 17-6 fourth-quarter lead at home, fourth straight game and its best player — RB Jamaal Charles — for season. Chiefs have allowed most TD passes (13) while Vikes’ offense has fewest (2). RB Adrian Peterson still cranking with 378 yards. Vikings have lost five straight after bye weeks.
Baltimore (1-4) at San Francisco (1-4)
3:25, DirecTV/715
Line: Ravens by 2
Rematch of 2012 Super Bowl now a battle for No. 1 draft pick. Ravens’ worst season in franchise history adds giving up 505 yards in loss to Browns, at home, despite leading 21-9. Niners’ skid is at four despite three scoring drives of 80 or more yards in last-minute loss to Giants.
Houston (1-4) at Jacksonville (1-4)
Time, DirecTV/707
Line: Jaguars by 1 1/2
Texans have only led in two games this season. YoYoing QBs means Ryan Mallett out, Brian Hoyer back in the saddle. Jags happy to be home after losing 12th straight on road. Still no rushing TDs, but QB Blake Bortles had career-high four TD passes at Tampa, and six sacks and 11 QB hits.
Bye weeks for Dallas, Oakland, St. Louis and Tampa Bay
This story was originally published October 17, 2015 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Patriots-Colts matchup has makings of a blowout."