NFL Preseason: 3 Most Intriguing Matchups of Week 3

As the regular season inches closer by the day, NFL fans cannot wait for the preseason to come to a close.

Football enthusiasts dream of watching their favorite players battle it out for four quarters in games that can swing the season one way or another. However, fans can either keep dreaming for another week and a half, or enjoy the closest thing to "real football" that the preseason can offer.

Week 3 is an exciting time for teams, as starters will get a chance to play into the third quarter. This will be the last full dress rehearsal for squads until the real show begins.

Teams will want to put on their best performances, as they try to gain momentum heading into the season.

Here are three of the most intriguing matchups of Week 3.

Chicago Bears at New York Giants (8/24/12)

The Chicago Bears are thrilled about their potential for this season. With the addition of wide receiver Brandon Marshall, the Bears believe that they can be an NFC contender right away.

Marshall and quarterback Jay Cutler had an impressive debut together against the Washington Redskins last Saturday. Marshall caught two passes for 61 yards, including a 41-yard reception on the Bears' first offensive play.

A matchup against the defending Super Bowl champs should be a good measuring stick for the Bears' expectations.

Quarterback Eli Manning will test the Bears' defense, which will be without Brian Urlacher, by utilizing weapons Ahmad Bradshaw, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.

On the other side, the Bears' offensive line will try to keep Cutler out of the trainer's room, after giving up 10 sacks in their last matchup in 2010.

Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins (8/25/12)

Anyone who tells you they will be watching another position other than quarterback in this game is lying.

The top-two picks of the 2012 NFL Draft, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III have wasted no time impressing the football world with their play in the first two weeks of preseason.

Luck: 25-for-49, 363 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT

Griffin III: 9-for-14, 119 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT

Luck has been described as Montana-esque with his poise and pocket presence. Griffin, on the other hand, has shown he will be another dangerous dual-threat quarterback for defenses to game-plan for.

This will be their chance to show who is really the best quarterback of the draft class.

San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos (8/26/12)

In what could be a potential Super Bowl matchup, the 49ers and Broncos will compete in one of the most intriguing games of the preseason.

Both teams sport stellar defensive units, but the play of the quarterbacks will be important in this game, and throughout the season for these clubs.

A competition between Peyton Manning and Alex Smith would have been laughable a few seasons ago, but the gap appears to be closing.

Manning has been plagued by turnovers in the preseason, completing 20-of-30 passes for 221 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. Smith had a great season in 2011, and has seen limited action so far, going 8-for-12 with 65 yards and one touchdown.

Smith will also look to become more comfortable with his new target Randy Moss. Moss caught three passes for 24 yards last week against the Houston Texans.

With Moss and Manning participating, this game may include the best quarterback and wide receiver from the past decade.