Week Three NFL BluePrint: The Free-Style Preview

This is a free-style preview of what Week Three in the league has to offer us as fans. No research was used to write this preview, it is just simply what goes on in my mind when I see the matchups on paper.

Last Week: (10-6) Season: (22-10)


Washington Redskins (1-1) @ Detroit Lions (0-2) - 1:00/FOX

Washington has been a surprising struggle in my mind so far this season. Detroit has improved by adding some skill players here and there, but the defense and offensive line still needs work.

Stafford showed improvement last week, but Detroit still cannot find a consistent rushing attack. Facing the Washington defense with a one-dimensional offense is probably not the best formula for a victory.

If Detroit can consistently attack the Washington defense with Kevin Smith, then I expect the Lions to keep the game within reach. The Detroit defense is nothing to praise though.

Washington squeaked by with three field goals to defeat arguably the league's worst team. In the league though, a win is a win no matter what. Washington's offense will probably emphasize the run with Portis, throw a few west coast routes, then take some shots deep (preferably with Santana).

The Lions' defense is more than capable of getting torched by a majority of NFL offenses, so Kevin Smith will have to run hard in this game to give the Lions a fighting chance. I just don't see the Detroit defense holding Washington's offense for an entire 60 minute game, regardless of last week's performance.

Pick: WAS



Green Bay Packers (1-1) @ St. Louis Rams (0-2) - 1:00/FOX

The Green Bay Packers will not be a playoff contender unless they find an offensive line. Aaron Rodgers is always under constant pressure and Ryan Grant can't cross the line of scrimmage before being wrapped up.

Good news for Green Bay fans though, the Rams don't have an offensive line either (although it is improving). Bulger played consistently well in last week's game, but Jackson still needs to be the main target in the offense.

For the most part, St. Louis is a one-dimensional offense which could mean easy PICKings for the Green Bay secondary. The Packers will have to stop the run though in order to make Bulger pass a majority of the plays. This worries me, mainly because of the amount of yards the Packers gave up to Benson.

If the Packer defense cannot stop Steven Jackson, then St. Louis should find success every now and then throughout the game. Running Jackson might not be enough to keep up with the amount of points Green Bay can score (I say between 24 and 28), but I don't doubt the defensive plan Spagnuolo has either.

If the Rams can get enough pressure on Rodgers to force turnovers and incomplete passes, then attack with Jackson more times than none, I expect a closer game than what most people anticipate. This game might come down to a field goal or the last score of the game, which would be best case scenario for the Rams.

Overall, if Jackson finds success then Bulger will throw fewer balls making it harder for the Green Bay defense to tally turnovers (which usually results in points for Green Bay). If St. Louis can take away the turnovers the Green Bay defense usually forces, I smell an upset.

Can you believe I had this much to say about a Rams game? Me neither.

Pick: GB

San Francisco 49ers (2-0) @ Minnesota Vikings (2-0) - 1:00/FOX

This is going to be a good game with a fairly simple breakdown. This should be a low-scoring game between two physical, tough, smash-mouth