NFL Players Facing Make-or-Break Games in Week 3

The NFL is a "what have you done for me lately league". It also stands for "Not For Long" if a player isn't performing.

While players earn jobs in training camp and the preseason, coaches constantly evaluate their roster. Two weeks into the season, staff around the league can start to get an idea of who is getting the job done and who might need a reduced role.

The idea isn't to make any rash decisions, but a three-week sample size is enough to see a trend. These players are off to rough starts and need to get things turned around quickly in Week 3 before their teams start looking to cut them out of the game plan or their public perception takes a big hit.

CB Anthony Brown, Dallas Cowboys

Opposing teams have been picking on Anthony Brown in coverage. (Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 18: Tee Higgins #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals makes a catch for a touch down against Anthony Brown #3 of the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys fought for a hard-earned victory against the Cincinnati Bengals to avoid an 0-2 start with Dak Prescott out of the lineup. If they are going to keep winning while their quarterback is away they will have to continue to play lights-out defense.

Dan Quinn's unit appears to be on pace to be a top 10 defense in the league once again. Micah Parsons should be the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year and they just held the Bengals to under 200 yards passing.

However, the secondary is only as good as its weakest link and it's apparent that the weak link is Anthony Brown right now.

Starting opposite Trevon Diggs, Brown gets overshadowed but he's been a liability so far this season. He's one of the most-targeted defensive backs through two weeks, allowing 13 completions on 19 targets for 160 yards and a touchdown through two games.

He's on pace to give up 110 catches, 1,360 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. That's essentially an All-Pro season for whoever he is covering on a week-to-week basis.

To be fair, the Bucs and Bengals both have deep receiving corps so Brown was forced to cover the likes of Mike Evans, Julio Jones, Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase.

This week, the Giants are on tap and Brown has no reason not to put up much better coverage stats. The Giants may be 2-0 but their top receivers have been Richie James and Sterling Shepard.

If Brown is still getting beat routinely, the Cowboys are going to have to look at other options.

QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 18: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

This isn't a hot take that Joe Burrow isn't the answer at quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals. This is a take that Burrow and the Bengals have to get things figured out pretty quickly if this is going to be anything other than a lost season.

Zac Taylor's squad wouldn't be the first team to have a serious hangover after losing the Super Bowl, but Burrow's demise has been dramatic.

Through two games he has thrown more interceptions (four) than touchdowns (three) while taking 13 sacks and leading an offense that has scored just 37 points in two losses.

The defense is doing its part. They've only given up 43 points across two games. With the talent the Bengals have on offense, that should be enough to be 2-0. Yet, the Bengals enter a Week 3 matchup with the New York Jets looking for their first win.

A lot of deserved blame has been placed on the offensive line in Burrow's first two years. However, the Bengals did a lot to upgrade that line this offseason and Burrow is still on pace to lead the league in sacks taken.

At some point, he has to adjust, get rid of the ball quicker and get this offense back on track.

Edge Chandler Jones, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/John Locher

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) celebrates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The Las Vegas Raiders addition of Davante Adams has turned out to be a pivotal development of their offense in 2022. Chandler Jones has not had the same effect on the defense.

Jones was supposed to pair with Maxx Crosby to form an elite edge-rushing duo. Crosby is holding up his end of the bargain with 12 pressures through two games. Jones has just four in the same time span.

You'd barely know he's been playing based on his statline. He has five tackles with one for a loss and no sacks.

Yet, he's constantly on the field. He's logged 89.6 percent of the defensive snaps thus far.

There are many reasons the Raiders are off to an 0-2 start, but the lack of a pass rush is a glaring one. Kyler Murray was able to extend too many plays in Week 2 and they failed to sack Justin Herbert in the season opener.

If the Raiders are going to dig themselves out of this early season hole the defense has to be able to put pressure on the quarterback.

Chandler Jones got handed a three-year $51 million contract to address the problem this offseason. He needs to start living up to it in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans.

Edge Yannick Ngakoue, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Chandler Jones has been quiet in Las Vegas, but the Raiders former defensive end Yannick Ngakoue hasn't found a way to impact his new team either.

Yannick Ngakoue has played 106 defensive snaps (75 percent) and has just one pressure (a quarterback hit) to show for it.

Unlike Jones, the Indianapolis Colts have not committed anything financially to Ngakoue's long-term future. His contract expires this season and the club has not agreed to an extension.

The Colts are 27th in pressure percentage and 22nd in pass-rush win rate. The elements are there for them to develop a nasty pass rush, but Ngakoue has to be a part of it.

Against the Washington Commanders, Trevor Lawrence was pressured on 24.4 percent of his dropbacks and threw nine bad throws, according to Pro Football Reference's data. Against the Colts in Week 2, he was only pressured on 13.3 percent of his dropbacks and had zero bad throws.

That's the difference in the Colts' star pass-rusher not being able to get home. If the Colts are going to turn things around it's going to be because Ngakoue starts playing more effectively or they find someone to take some of his snaps.

OT Matt Pryor, Indianapolis Colts

Matt Pryor is just one of several Colts struggling. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 18: Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Matt Pryor (69) blocks during the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 19, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

There are actually quite a few Indianapolis Colts who could be placed on this list.

The club looked like AFC South favorites on paper but has stumbled to an 0-1-1 start with a tie to the Houston Texans and a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

There's plenty of blame to go around for the team's struggles but the offensive line is chief among them. The group has given up pressure on 29.2 percent of Matt Ryan's dropbacks and the passing game has struggled as a result.

The most visible part of any offensive line is left tackle so it's a good place to start with the Colts' woes.

Matt Pryor is off to a bad start while rotating with rookie Bernhard Raimann. Pryor has registered a PFF grade of 58.6 with one sack allowed on 115 snaps. In contrast, Raimann has a 73.2 grade across 31 snaps.

In some cases, the Colts just don't have an answer. Braden Smith is struggling at right tackle, but there is no clear replacement for him.

There is for Pryor and he's going to find out if his protection is not much improved against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3.

QB Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 18: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to playing the Houston Texans at Empower Field At Mile High on September 18, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos gave up a bounty of draft picks, two quality veterans and Drew Lock to acquire Russell Wilson this offseason. They are going to need to start seeing returns quickly if they are going to feel good about that move.

The Broncos' offense has been anything but dangerous with Wilson at the helm.

They are 24th in scoring as Wilson has posted a -3.7 completion percentage over expected, per Next Gen Stats, and thrown just two touchdowns to one interception.

Fortunately, the run game and Broncos defense were contributing forces in a 16-9 win over the Texans. Wilson completed just 14 of 31 pass attempts for 219 yards.

The veteran quarterback still has the faith of his teammates. Randy Gregory stood up for him after the Week 2 win. He told Nick Kosmider of The Athletic:

“I have full confidence in him. I know everyone wants to harp on some of the woes we’ve had the past two weeks, but it’s early in the season. He’s probably one of the better professionals we have in this room as far as correcting and self-scouting, so I have full faith in him.”

Wilson has earned that confidence from what he's done in his career. But he will have to start showing results to continue creating that belief in Denver.