Packers @ Lions (-3.5)

Alim McNeill leaving the game early with a concussion should impact things pretty significantly here. Also worth noting - DJ Reader is out tonight with injury.

Both of these teams love running the ball. Few teams in the league run the ball more than these two organizations.

Goff just looks outstanding here in this offense.

Dan Campbell loves his fourth down attempts, doesn't he?

Christian Watson might be the primary receiving weapon on this Packers offense. Tyler Kroft might also deserve acknowledgement as a complementary weapon.

Twice the Lions have attempted fourth down in the deep red zone and twice they have succeeded by relying on Goff playing drop-back football.

Seahawks @ Cardinals (-2.5)

I'm baffled here. It's like Seattle came into this game with a chip on their shoulder despite winning the first game in the series. Not only have they completely outplayed Seattle on both sides of the ball, but the Hawks are impressing their will in the trenches against a Cardinals team I thought was tougher than this.

Every time Arizona tries to blitz, the Seahawks have a solution on offense. And without blitzing, Arizona's pass rush has no teeth.

Trey McBride has been successfully blanked here. Not only that, but it seems like the cornerbacks and linebackers have gained a beat on the tendencies of this Arizona offense given the way they're jumping routes and occupying passing lanes. Not to mention Arizona's dump passes seem to be getting blown up early.

I'm not sure what to make of this game. As the loser, the Cardinals should have came into this game with a decisive tactical advantage so long as almost all elements in this contest between the two organization have remained the same from the previous match. And with only two weeks in between these games, I think the vital elements should have held constant. And yet Seattle has come into the field this day with the updated game plan.

One thing in Seattle's favor is the strength of their defensive tackles as well as their overhauled linebacking corps. It's very hard to run against this Seattle team. In fact, I'm starting to think Seattle's recent change in defensive signal caller was one of the reasons why Arizona had a tough time adjusting on offense.

Falcons @ Vikings (-5.5)

The Vikings tendency to position their edge rushers wide out from the center is really messing with Atlanta's lateral running game.

Are the Falcons seriously leaving Dee Alford on an island against Justin Jefferson? Why?

Kirk Cousins might prefer throwing to the left versus the right. But so far, the collective stars of Atlanta's offense has been their ground game.

Two sensational throws by Darnold under pressure. No wonder the league is betting on him being guaranteed a payday before the next season starts.

Minnesota's money plays have been towards Jordan Addison, who's been used smartly not only as a complementary receiver, but as an option finding the open space left behind when coverage resources shift towards Justin Jefferson.

Atlanta may be among the worst-coached teams on both sides of the ball. It's only because of their outsized talent that they're able to post wins. Specifically, their defensive coverage schemes are horrific (to say the least). Aaron Jones hasn't had to do much because Darnold is having too easy a time slicing up the porous coverage. It doesn't matter whether they run zone or man coverage - Atlanta plays inept regardless. Even when passes are contested, Minnesota's receivers still come down with the ball.

Bills @ Rams (+2.5)

Incredible preparation and game-planning from the Rams. To focus on time of possession and see Matthew Stafford read this Bills defense so effortlessly is remarkable.

Chargers @ Chiefs (-3.5)

In watching the second half of the game, it's pretty clear the Chargers were finally able to play tougher. It's hard to outsmart this Kansas defense when they're not playing complacently, so success against them depends much more so on physical toughness rather than finesse.

Kudos to Steve Spagnoulo for adjusting his defense accordingly from the first game and playing much more zone. The man knows Greg Roman loves the art of the misdirection.

LESSONS

Tactical advantages might not matter much in the regular season as they do in the playoffs. The postseason is nothing but do-or-die situations.

Seattle has demonstrated an impressive ability to adjust game plans in the span of a week. They should be watched during division rematches.

Then again, maybe there is credence to this hypothesis about teams changing face after the bye. We've seen this happen with the Panthers and now we may be seeing something similar with the Cardinals. Kyler Murray has always struggled to play out the remainder of the season in the past and his performance in the game today reminds me of that past ineptitude.