The Albany Gazette - Unbeaten Eagles and 49ers hit the road for NFL tests

The Philadelphia Eagles will visit the New York Jets (2-3) and the 49ers will travel to Cleveland (2-2) while Tampa Bay (3-1) will seek a victory over the visiting Lions (4-1) to stay atop the NFC South division.

San Francisco, coming off a 42-10 home rout of the Dallas Cowboys, has the second-best scoring punch in the NFL but will face a Browns defensive unit that has surrendered a league-low 60 points.

"The style they play on defense is similar to ours. They rush the passer every play and they react to everything else. It's obvious why they are the top defense right now," Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said.

"This game is the biggest challenge we've had so far. The defensive numbers just jump out. They are number one or two in everything.

"We're doing (well) offensively so it should be a hell of a battle."

The 49ers, who haven't produced less than 30 points a game, are led by quarterback Brock Purdy, who has completed 98 of 136 passes for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception so far this season.

"Nobody has been able to stop them," Browns safety Grant Delpit said. "They don't turn the ball over a lot. They have a unique scheme on offense and we run a similar defense to them.

"So, it's going to be a war. We're ready for it."

Philadelphia, which lost to Kansas City in last February's Super Bowl, has averaged more than a touchdown in first quarters this season, fast starts in games leading to a strong start to the campaign.

"You always want to start fast," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "You kind of get into a groove, so that's what we hope for when we script things and prepare for a game. It makes a difference."

- 'Sky is the limit' -

Jalen Hurts has thrown for 1,262 yards and six touchdowns and run for 206 yards and four touchdowns to spark the Eagles, with A.J. Brown as his favorite target, catching 35 passes for 541 yards and two touchdowns after a career-best season in 2022.

"We have total confidence in each other," Brown said of himself and Hurts. "I feel like I'm in a great groove and it's fun to be out there.

"This is a fun team. With our offense we know the sky is the limit. We're just trying to get better and keep winning, no matter what it takes."

The Lions have not reached the playoffs since 2016 and have not won a playoff game since 1991, dropping nine consecutive playoff contests.

Detroit stands two games ahead of Green Bay in the NFC North while Tampa Bay, a game ahead of Atlanta and New Orleans in the NFC South, is coming off a bye week.

"We've been playing tough and giving ourself a chance," Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. "We have a chance to be a decent team."

The Baltimore Ravens (3-2) and Tennessee Titans (2-3) meet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with the Ravens hoping an early arrival provides a boost. They departed for England on Monday after arriving on a Friday in 2017 before a 44-7 loss to Jacksonville.

Other NFL games Sunday find Seattle at Cincinnati, Minnesota at Chicago, Washington at Atlanta, New Orleans at Houston, winless Carolina at Miami, Indianapolis at Jacksonville, New England at Las Vegas, the New York Giants at Buffalo and Arizona at the Los Angeles Rams.

Dallas will visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. Green Bay and Pittsburgh are off.

(B.Smith--TAG)