NFL Week 3 Preview
Week 3 in the NFL is, in my opinion, the week when we start to figure out most of the teams in the league. Through two games, many teams are still working out some bugs, and things can change drastically once everyone gets rolling. But once you've played three, it feels like you now have an identity. If you are 0-2, a win feels necessary to keep the season alive. If you are 2-0, a win shows that you are a serious playoff contender and not just a team that got lucky a couple times. If you are 1-1, a win puts you above .500 and puts a much needed winning atmosphere around the team. If you are 1-0-1 or 0-1-1, that means you are the Lions or Cardinals and you probably haven't been too optimistic about football in quite some time. This is a pivotal week in the NFL, and everyone wants that win to set the tone for the next few weeks. Except for the Dolphins. They clearly gave up on winning before the season started.
Titans vs Jaguars
This has all the makings of a typically Thursday Night Toilet Bowl. With short rest and good defenses across from them, the offenses led by lower-level QB's, Minshew and Mariota, could struggle to move down the field all night long. Players will be tired. Plays will be sloppy. That may not sound that appealing, but I actually kinda like this set up. The AFC South is pretty wide open for the taking. Every win, particularly within the division, is huge. I like the thought of these too teams scrapping it out and fighting through the fatigue to grind out a win.
In these types of games, I think it's best to keep it simply and play old school football. Put away the fancy tricks and limit the passing game. This is especially true for Jacksonville and Tennessee who's strengths lie heavily in their defense and running game. Expect Derrick Henry and Leonard Fournette to be called on as much as possible and carry the teams on their backs. This could very quickly turn into a duel between these two backs. If it does, I'll take Henry in a heartbeat.
Titans win, 16-9
Ravens vs Chiefs
Although it's far too early to say for sure, it looks like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson could be front runners for NFL MVP a few months from now. What they have done in the early stages is simply incredible. Each has completed over 70% of their passes with 7 TD's and no picks. Mahomes takes the edge in passing yards, throwing for 821 yards in 2 games. Jackson has "only' amassed 596, but he has done that with 20 fewer attempts, and he also has 126 rushing yards as well. These two are the best the league has to offer for the time being, and their meeting this week is an absolute must watch.
This isn't the first time these young QB's squared off. They also met back in week 14 last season. That game was a 27-24 Chiefs' win in an OT thriller, and it is Jackson's only regular season loss to date. The Ravens ran the ball very well against Kansas City's terrible run defense, but what they lacked was a consistent passing attack. That doesn't appear to be an issue anymore. Lamar Jackson is throwing the ball about as good as anyone right now. I don't see how the Chiefs can slow down this offense. Kansas City's atrocious run defense, allowing 6.0 yards per carry, will be exploited just as much as last time, and now Baltimore can balance out their attack with an effective passing game. On top of that, the Ravens have a defense that surrendered fewer points to the Chiefs in regulation than any other team last year.
Ravens win, 38-34
Broncos vs Packers
Several months ago, many Packer fans wanted defensive guru Vic Fangio hired as the new head coach to finally turn around a struggling defense. Instead, they went for a far less experienced, young, offensive mind in Matt LaFleur. To the surprise of many, Green Bay is starting strong in 2019, not because of a high-powered offense, but a rock solid defense. That is a step in the right direction for this team, but until the points start rolling in, it is unclear whether or not LaFleur was the right choice.
The Broncos are in similar position to the Packers with a strong defense and underwhelming offense. The difference is that Denver has dropped their first two while the Packers won their's, and that trend likely won't stop this week. While neither team has produced a fruitful offense thus far, we know that the Packers have the potential. I think it's only a matter of time before we start to see that potential come through. Much like week 2, I think Denver will put up a strong fight until the end in a defensive showdown, but that defense won't save them from Aaron Rodgers when it matters most.
Packers win, 20-17
Texans vs Chargers
There are a lot of teams in this league that have figured out one side of the ball while the other just drags behind. The same cannot be said for these two. They are two of the best that the AFC has to offer, and they've gotten there through balance. While the teams with top tier offenses or defenses are a lot of fun to watch, more often then not, it's teams like these two that are playing in big games. In the NFL, weaknesses are found and exploited to death. The fewer you have, the farther you will go.
The Texans do have one glaring weakness that I'm pretty sure every NFL fan knows about at this point. That is their abysmal offensive line. Fortunately for Houston, the Chargers' pass rush has looked sub-par, collecting only 2 sacks through 2 game. However, the Texans have another massive hole on the other side of the ball that doesn't get talked about as much. That is their terrible run defense. Houston's opponents are often playing from behind, and thus, they are quick to resort to the air. However, when they do run the ball, the Texans allow 6.0 yards per carry. That is unacceptable. Even in Melvin Gordon's absence, the Chargers have had more success on the ground than most. You know that they will pound away at that Houston run defense early and often. That will open up the passing game and allow the Chargers to rack up some early points, while the Texans could have a very ordinary day against a balanced L.A. defense.
Chargers win, 30-23
