Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys (-4 1/2, 50 1/2) 1:00 pm - Here's a key match-up of two teams thinking playoffs down the line. Dallas is 2-1, their lone loss to the Buccaneers in week one. Carolina has found the secret formula for Sam Darnold, who is among the leaders at the QB spot. He gets plenty of support from running backs Chuba Hubbard and Christian McCaffrey, but it's the defense that's been outstanding, holding the opposition to an average of 10 points per game.

Dallas is likely to score more than that. They average 30 points per outing and lit up the Eagles Monday night in a 41-21 win. Dallas has improved on defense from last year. We should find out just how much when they host the Panthers.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Prediction: Panthers 24 Cowboys 19

Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins (-2, 42 1/2) 1:00 pm - The Colts are having issues after last week's 25-16 loss at Tennessee. They managed three turnovers from the Titans, but still lost as they were unable to mount drives consistently.

Miami went to overtime in their 31-28 loss at Las Vegas, but are still one of the better AFC teams despite struggling on offense (15.0 ppg). Jacoby Brissett will be behind center again for the Dolphins, who should be able to run the ball succesfully against the Colts.

Colts' QB Carson Wentz is still learning the offense and isn't getting much help. Their running game ranks 21st and they're scoring at an 18.7 ppg clip. The Miami crowd may help the Dolphins to a win.

Coin Flip: Miami

Prediction: Dolphins 20 Colts 16

Cleveland Browns (-2, 51 1/2) at Minnesota Vikings 1:00 pm - The Vikings finally got into the win column with a 30-17 victory over the visiting Seahawks. They're only a game behind Green Bay (2-1) in the NFC North and may be finding their best stride.

The Browns have taken care of business in two straight after losing in week one at Kansas City, beating Houston and Chicago handily, but Minnesota is a better team than those two. Expect a load of scoring in what promises to be a wide open affair, unless the Browns defense clamps down on Kirk Cousins and company.

Bear in mind that the Vikings losses were by a field goal in OT at Cincy and by a point to Arizona, also on the road. This could come down to who has the ball last.

Coin Flip: Minnesota

Prediction: Vikings 33 Browns 30

NY Giants at New Orleans Saints (-7 1/2, 42) 1:00 pm - If the Giants can find a way to lose to the Falcons, how can they be expected to win on the road against a re-energized Saints team coming off a convincing, 28-13, win at New England?

Bottom line, they can't, and if the Saints get Alvin Kumara the ball regularly, it's going to be a long afternoon for NY safeties.

Coin Flip: NY Giants

Prediction: Saints 31 Ginats 17

Tennessee Titans (-7, 44) at NY Jets 1:00 pm - The Jets have a fear run defense, but that means little when facing 2020 rushing leader Derrick Henry and the multi-talented Tennessee offense. What may be more disarming for New York is that they're scoring only 6.7 points per game on average, the league's worst.

Tennessee's defense isn't the best in the league, but they showed improvement in last week's home win over the Colts. The Titans should be just fine in the Big Apple.

Coin Flip: NY Jets

Prediction: Titans 24 Jets 13

Kansas City Chiefs (-7, 54 1/2) at Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 pm - Kansas City hasn't lost three straight since 2017, before the Mahomes era began, so a loss here is unlikely for the reigning AFC champions.

The Eagles looked superb opening the season with a 32-6 win over the Falcons, but the last two weeks haven't been quite as enjoyable, losing to the 49ers, 17-11, and last Monday at Dallas, 41-21.

Kansas City is a much better team than they've shown thus far and should be able to find some holes in the Philly defense. The Eagles are still feeling their way around with Jalen Hurts at QB and there may be hiccups along the way. Both teams need the win to avoid going to 1-3.

Coin Flip: Kansas City

Prediction: Chiefs 38 Eagles 24