NFL Predictions Week 3: Slow-Starting Superstars Who Will Have Monster Games

Through the first two weeks of the 2012 NFL season, a few of the league’s superstars have put together consecutive underwhelming performances, but that will change in Week 3.

Players and teams are often judged too harshly in the early part of the season. A tough matchup or a lingering injury can lead to a lackluster game and cause fans and pundits to overreact to how an early outing will effect an entire season.

Fans and fantasy football owners who have exercised patience with a few of the league’s biggest names will have their faith rewarded this weekend.

Here are the stars who will finally be in fine form for their Week 3 matchups.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers has started the season with consecutive games with a passer rating under 100. Last year, he didn’t play a game where he had that low of a passer rating until Week 14. 

The Green Bay Packers offense has not been the well-oiled, point-scoring machine it was in 2011, but that will change on Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks.

Rodgers’ opening game was against the San Francisco 49ers, who have the best defense in football. The offense still looked out of sync when taking on the Chicago Bears just four days later, but after 11 days of rest, the reigning MVP will put on a prolific performance.

Seattle’s pass defense ranked 11^th in yardage allowed last season and 13^th through the first two weeks. The Seahawks have an adequate secondary, but it will not be enough to slow down a rejuvenated Packers passing attack.

Mario Williams, DE, Buffalo Bills

Mario Williams singed a six-year, $100 million contract this summer, but Buffalo Bills fans are still waiting for him to earn his salary. 

Through two games, Williams has no sacks and just three tackles. He was able to perform better in the Bills’ Week 2 game against the Kansas City Chiefs as the defense sacked Matt Cassel five times. 

Williams was not able to get the Chiefs quarterback on the ground, but this week against the Cleveland Browns, he will finally make a contribution that shows up on the stat sheet.

Despite Browns left tackle Joe Thomas’ best efforts, Brandon Weeden has been sacked twice in each of the team’s first two games thus far. Weeden will end up on his back a few more times this weekend, and Williams will be the one to put him there.

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson has been monumentally disappointing in the first two games of the season thus far, averaging just 1.1 yards per carry.

Johnson has been in a steady decline since rushing for over 2,000 yards in 2009. The Titans were hopeful that last year’s lackluster season was due to missing most of the preseason because of a holdout, but the star running back has seemingly gotten worse after a full offseason. 

The Titans have their backs to the wall now, and they must show life against the Detroit Lions this weekend. A victory will be difficult against a strong Detroit team, but Tennessee must prove that it can compete after two consecutive blowouts.

The Lions ranked 23^rd in rushing yardage allowed last season, and the Titans will try to get Johnson in rhythm early. The days of CJ2K may be gone forever, but the Tennessee running back will finally deliver a performance reminiscent of his form from three years ago.