Five story lines in the NFL this week

October 18, 2014 at 5:52AM
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throws during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) ORG XMIT: OTK
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throws during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) ORG XMIT: OTK (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

FOCUS ON FIVE STORY LINES

1 Peyton passes the Ol' Gunslinger? San Francisco at Denver

Broncos QB Peyton Manning (right) needs two TD passes to tie Brett Favre's NFL record of 508. The Niners defense might be without LB Patrick Willis in this prime-time showdown.

2 Colts on a big roll Cincinnati at Indianapolis

The Colts have won four in a row after losing their first two, while Cincinnati is coming off a tie against Carolina when Mike Nugent missed a chip-shot FG to win the game. Bengals WR A.J. Green might return from an injury.

3 Big test for Chiefs Kansas City at San Diego

The Chiefs need a victory to keep pace in the AFC West. The Chargers have won five straight, but their past three victories came against teams with combined 1-17 record.

4 Marshall meets old mates Miami at Chicago

Chicago WR Brandon Marshall plays his former team, which lost in the final seconds to the Packers last week. Marshall had 167 receptions for 2,228 yards with Miami from 2010-11.

5 Are the Cowboys for real? N.Y. Giants at Dallas

An impressive win at Seattle has owner Jerry Jones upbeat — or maybe it was just that his sexual harassment lawsuit was thrown out of court. Will Dallas go to 6-1 or have a typical flameout?

about the writer

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

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