The two best teams in the NFL collide as the Rams visit the Saints, while the two best QBs do battle as it's Brady v Rodgers in New England.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens (1800 GMT)
The latest bone-crunching edition of the Steelers-Ravens rivalry takes place in Baltimore with the hosts badly needing a victory to keep their play-off hopes alive.
The Ravens overwhelmed the Steelers in Pittsburgh in September and they looked the dominant force of the AFC North, but since then Baltimore have dropped two of their last three games while Pittsburgh have rattled off the straight wins to lead the way.
A revenge victory for Mike Tomlin’s Steelers would give them a hefty lead over Baltimore but they’ll need to improve on their recent average of around 16 points a game at M&T Bank Stadium and play more like the offensive powerhouse that has piled up 30 points four times in seven games this season.
This Ravens defence is still a leading stingy outfit, conceding just 17 points a game on average, but there loss at Carolina was a worrying effort – and they’ll need to be hugely better to cut down Pittsburgh’s offence.
Points are usually at a premium in these contests and they’re usually tight affairs, but at a push the added firepower at the Steelers’ disposal is taken to grab the spoils – just!
Verdict: Steelers to win at 11/10
LA Rams @ New Orleans Saints (2125 GMT)
The biggest game of the season so far sees the two NFC powerhouses clash in New Orelans as the Saints try to become the first team to defeat the LA Rams this season – and stake a claim for the top seed in the conference.
The Saints have only lost once themselves this year in their season-opener, but since then they’ve improved every week and were impressive when winning in Minnesota and Baltimore in their last two.
The Superdome is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL, but the Rams are still favourites for this one having already won in Denver and Seattle and edging out Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay last week – albeit with those wins coming by a combined seven points.
These two are fantastically matched with head coaches Sean McVay and Sean Payton both offensive innovators but their teams have decent enough defences to also make the game arm wrestle at times.
Defence could be key as there is bags of attacking talent on display from quarterbacks Jared Goff and Drew Brees to the running back duo of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram for New Orleans and LA’s barnstorming back Todd Gurley.
Gurley leads the league in rushing and also has a whopping 15 total touchdowns to his name
Prediction: LA Rams to win at 8/11
Green Bay Packers @ New England Patriots (0120 GMT)
If the Rams and the Saints is the clash of the two best teams this season, Sunday’s late match-up in New England pits the two best quarterbacks in the game against each other as Aaron Rodgers takes on Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium.
The Packers could, and perhaps should, have beaten the Rams last week and now fly all the way across the country for another brutal away day at fortress Foxborough looking to cling on to their play-off hopes.
It’s sadly just the second meeting between these two quarterback greats – Brady is the most successful but many believe Rodgers has the edge in talent, and it’s a mouth-watering prospect to see them going head-to-head.
Rodgers reigned in their previous meeting, but of course the game will be decided by other factors than quarterback play – notably in the respective defence and running games.
Both have improved in those facets and the Packers are fifth best in the NFL against the pass, but they’re struggling to keep Rodgers upright as he’s been sacked 22 times – twice as many as Brady.
We’re all hoping for a shootout between Rodgers and Brady to break out and if the Packers of last week turn up they’ll give the Pats a real headache, but it’s so hard backing against New England at home and they’re likely to just pinch it.
Verdict: Patriots win at 4/9
Touchdown treble
