Week 7 of the NFL's 2023 season features a somewhat limited slate. There are just 13 games as six clubs have the week off. That doesn't mean that this week's contest won't have a surprise or two … or three.
Here are a few teams that should be on their guard this Sunday.
3. Cleveland Browns
For only the third time this season, Shane Steichen's club faces a team outside of the AFC South. The 3-3 Indianapolis Colts fell to the Ravens at Baltimore in Week 1 and there was an overtime home loss to the Rams in Week 4.
The Colts are one victory away from equaling last season's win total, albeit the club was a dismal 4-12-1 and lost its last seven games. Veteran Gardner Minshew is the starting quarterback and comes off a rough showing at Jacksonville in which he turned over the ball four times.
Nonetheless, while the Browns' defense is the top-ranked unit in the league, Kevin Stefanski's offense is sporadic at best. P.J. Walker figures to be the starting quarterback once again. Even without Nick Chubb, who was lost for the season in Week 2, the Browns rank fourth in the league in rushing yards per game.
Still, keep in mind that only the Vikings (13) have committed more turnovers than Cleveland (12). Those dozen giveaways have come in only five games.
Look for a low-scoring game and the favored Browns to find themselves on the ropes late in the fourth quarter. Colts' kicker Matt Gay has connected on 11-of-12 field goal attempts and is a perfect 5-of-5 from 50-plus yards.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The defending NFC South champions were humbled at home last Sunday by the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions. Todd Bowles' team was limited to a pair of field goals in a 20-6 loss. Still, the Buccaneers are expected to handle their business at home against the visiting Atlanta Falcons. It makes perfect sense when you consider that dating back to 2022, Arthur Smith's team is a dismal 1-9 away from home.
To make matters worse, the Falcons' last victory at Raymond James Stadium came in 2019. Atlanta has dropped three straight road games in this series and by a combined 113-67 score. Granted, all three of those losses occurred when a certain quarterback Tom Brady was at the helm of the Buccaneers. Regardless of the site, Tampa Bay is 6-2 in its last eight meetings with Atlanta dating back to '19.
The key to Smith's club pulling off the upset is taking care of the football. The Falcons and Buccaneers are polar opposites when it comes to turnover differential. The former has forced four turnovers and given up the football 10 times. Bowles' team has 10 takeaways and committed only four miscues, albeit in one fewer game.
The Buccaneers' pass defense has proven it can be had (26th in the NFL) and the Falcons' tight end combo of Jonnu Smith and Kyle Pitts could excel in this divisional showdown.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The defending Super Bowl champions own the longest current winning streak in the league. Since stumbling at home against the formidable Detroit Lions in the Thursday night season opener, the Kansas City Chiefs have reeled off five consecutive victories. Still, Andy Reid's team hasn't looked like its usual efficient and productive self on the offensive side of the ball, at least not yet.
Meanwhile, the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers haven't looked like a playoff team to date. The club comes off a tough 20-17 Monday night loss to the Cowboys, somewhat of a surprise considering the Bolts had an extra week to prepare for the game. Brandon Staley's team owns a 2-3 record and all five of their contests decided by seven points or less.
The majority of the numbers point Kansas City's way. Reid's team has won 12 consecutive games vs. AFC West rivals. However, their last loss within the division actually came in Week 3 of 2021 at Arrowhead Stadium as Justin Herbert and company came away with a 30-24 triumph.
The Chiefs have won the last three meetings, but each of the teams' clashes since 2021 have been decided by six points or less, including a Kansas City overtime win in 2021. Both games in 2022 saw the Chiefs come up with three-point victories.
Kansas City's defense has been solid and had more than made up for some of the Chiefs' inconsistency on offense. However, one number does point in the direction of the Bolts, who have turned over the ball just three times in five outings. On the other hand, Reid's team has just as many turnovers (9) as takeaways.