NFL Week 3: The Ultimate Guide to Sunday's Action

Take your eye off the ball. 

For NFL types, that phrase is a reminder that plenty of game happens away from the action we're trained to watch on TV. If all you're watching is what is going around the ball, you're missing most of what's important. 

The center snaps the ball to the quarterback, who drops back and throws a pass. Then, the receiver gets tackled by a defender. In all, that's four people out of 22 on the field. At most, you could be catching five or six by watching the ball, but a trained eye knows to look away from the ball. 

Taking your eye off the ball means understanding the beauty of the left tackle's kick slide or the cornerback's backpedal. It means finally figuring out exactly what all of the gibberish the quarterback is saying means. It means understanding not only the impact of a sack, but also how the defender got there. 

For the NFL, this weekend, "take your eye off the ball" can also be used in a different way—think less scouting and more Three Card Monte. Taking one's eye off the ball can also be a diversionary tactic, and the NFL wants nothing more than to distract us from all of their off-the-field woes with a slate of fantastic games. 

As we take a look at everything you need to know for Week 3, that's our subtext. Taking your eye off the ball on the field helps you see what truly matters on that field, but don't forget that the NFL has bigger issues that deserve your attention as well. Enjoy the games. Bash me in the comments below with gusto. Just don't lose sight of what really matters. 

Biggest Questions

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Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald

How Will NFL's Media Partners Handle Off-the-Field Problems?

This question is a little meta for this type of column, but it's worth covering, and I'll keep this short. 

The NFL has come under fire—and rightfully so—at both the team and league level for many of the off-the-field transgressions it's been dealing with. There are plenty of flames to be thrown at any number of participants in both the actions and the cover-up, but do those who air the games (Fox CBS, NBC) actually do their part?

Are the channels that cover the NFL still media responsible for holding up the purifying rays of sunshine, or are they simply vehicles for the league's popularity? 

To this point, we've seen some of both extremes, and it will be interesting to see how that trend continues.

Will San Francisco 49ers Feel Pressure to Sit Ray McDonald?

When the Minnesota Vikings were foolish enough to have the Radisson banner up for remarks on Adrian Peterson, it set the ball rolling for a number of sponsors and NFL partners to speak out on the league's missteps these past few weeks. 

That, in turn, led directly to the benching of Peterson and Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy. 

The NFL won't always do what's best, but it will do what's best for the bottom line. 

Take a step back, then, and realize that I didn't ask whether or not the 49ers should sit McDonald. The question of what is morally right is kind of silly, anyway, when we're talking about a paid vacation. No, I simply asked if that domino in the NFL's grand Rube Goldberg would be the next to fall. 

Logically speaking, there's no reason advertisers should be any less upset at being connected to McDonald than the others mentioned. If some of those sponsors start speaking up, this discussion becomes academic in a hurry. 

Can Baltimore Ravens Continue to Weather Storm?

The Ray Rice situation is not a football issue. It is far more important and shouldn't be cheapened to the same level of discourse reserved for fantasy football picks and betting lines (not that those aren't worthy topics as well!). 

However, whereas we can reserve loftier tones for Rice and the ensuing cover-up, we can also admit that the Ravens still have to play football, and there are consequences of his actions (and those of team executives) that are going to affect the rest of the team who didn't really ask for this sort of thing. 

This is analogous to the Richie Incognito issue down in Miami last season. 

There are still games to play, and head coach John Harbaugh and his staff still have a game plan and team to prepare for Week 3 and the weeks ahead. We take the Cleveland Browns lightly quite a bit, but they're 1-1 and playing at home this weekend, so the Ravens would be remiss to come out flat or distracted. 

Will Certain Superstars Get Back on Track?

Turning our attention from the sideshows, there's quite a few NFL players who are underachieving this year—both those at fault and those who are in terrible circumstances. 

We'll start with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (pictured above) who was nearly invisible in Week 1 before a slight uptick of production in Week 2. A veteran of Fitzgerald's caliber shouldn't need baby steps into the season, but he's also dealing with backup quarterback Drew Stanton at quarterback now, so that puts even more pressure on him to carry the offense on his shoulders. 

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning also has had a slow start to the season after a much-ballyhooed switch to Ben McAdoo's wide-open offense. He's been an up-and-down quarterback his entire career, but we're still waiting for the first "up" in 2014. 

New Orleans safeties Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro were supposed to be a superstar tandem, but they've been poor in coverage and possibly even worse in run support. The Rob Ryan-led New Orleans Saints defense has been a giant disappointment overall, but much of that starts on the back end. 

This list could be a column unto itself, but we'll leave it here: Week 3 is the line between a slow start to the year and simply having a bad year.

Odds and Ends

Associated Press

Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt

• To find out which games are available in your area, check out these NFL coverage maps, via 506 Sports. 

• Who's calling your game of choice Sunday? Here are announcer pairings for CBS and Fox (via BFlo 360).

• Football Zebras provides a look at which referees are working each game so you can tailor your insults accordingly.

• Can't make it to a TV? SiriusXM covers every single game. Here's the lineup.

• Don't have satellite radio? Check to see if Westwood One has a game playing in your area.

Regardless of whether you can watch your favorite team, make sure you have the Bleacher Report Team Stream app for the latest in news, fantasy football updates and highlights.

Game of the Day

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Seahawks CB Richard Sherman and Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas

Who: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks 

When: Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS

Where: CenturyLink Field in Seattle

What: Is this going to be Super Bowl beatdown v2.0, or have the Broncos done enough to level the playing field?

Bleacher Report's own Cecil Lammey wrote on this earlier in the week:

"

After practice on Wednesday, Peyton Manning talked about using the Super Bowl as motivation for this week.

“Yeah, I think naturally you’re motivated anytime you play a team that beat you last year. Being motivated, or being mad doesn't mean anything if you don’t go out there and execute and do your job. It’s a really good football team we’re playing. Like I said, they’re tough at home.”

"

Manning went on to talk about how the Broncos have upgraded some of their offensive personnel, and Lammey highlighted some of the defensive changes later in the column. At the very least, it's important to note that the Seahawks will need to have some different tricks in their back pocket to stop Manning and company. 

For the Seahawks, this game represents holding serve atop the NFL. In Week 2, they lost on the road against a quality San Diego Chargers team, but this game is in Seattle, and they've been nearly invincible there in recent years. 

On the other sideline, the Broncos have to be thinking redemption after seeming so untouchable for most of 2013 and then being metaphorically pantsed in the Super Bowl. There is little in Week 3 that can represent finality in the NFL, but this game could help set the tone for both of these teams' seasons.

Sunday Night Football (NBC)

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Panthers QB Cam Newton

Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (8:30 p.m. ET)

This is strength vs. weakness in the worst possible way for the Steelers. 

In the first two weeks of the season, they have lost in the defensive trenches. Last week, against the Baltimore Ravens, defensive tackle Cam Thomas was on his heels most of the game, thanks to Ravens center Jeremy Zuttah. This week, he gets Panthers center Ryan Kalil, who is a force to be reckoned with. 

In a wider shot, this is the Panthers' "run first and ask questions later" offense against the Steelers' 28th-ranked rushing defense. This is less about the Panthers imposing their will and more about the Steelers just rolling out the red carpet. 

It will take a tremendous effort from the Steelers or a tremendous amount of unforced errors by the Panthers to even make this game close in Carolina. 

Rest of the Slate (Fox)

Tom Lynn/Associated Press

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (1 p.m. ET)

A couple of weeks ago, this matchup looked a whole lot more appealing, but both teams have lost some luster. Much like a poor man's version of our game of the week, this game has a chance to help define and refine the aspirations of each of these teams. 

Detroit's always a better bet at home than on the road, but the Packers have been making the Lions' life difficult since...well, since pretty much ever. 

Dallas Cowboys at St. Louis Rams (1 p.m. ET)

We "knew" the Cowboys defense would be terrible this season, and it's been only moderately terrible through the first two weeks. In much the same way, we "knew" the Rams would have a rough offensive go of it (especially after the Sam Bradford injury), but at least they'd be able to lean on their defense. You know, the defense that is ranked 16th in yardage. 

Dallas has the much better overall team on paper, but they've not exactly instilled a lot of confidence. 

Washington at Philadelphia Eagles (1 p.m. ET)

Washington's defense is a statistical powerhouse right now, but much of that is due to the butt-kicking of Jacksonville last week. This week, the Eagles should put that to the test, as Chip Kelly's tempo-based attack isn't going to sit back and let Washington's defense tee off on them, and Eagles running backs LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles will not be as easy to corral as Jaguars back Toby Gerhart. 

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET)

Can the Saints finally get it right against the Adrian Peterson-less Vikings?

Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his offense hasn't been the issue in the first couple of weeks of 2014, but Rob Ryan's defense couldn't be much worse. Thankfully, the Vikings don't have a lot of ways to move the ball with Peterson on the shelf, and this could be just what the Saints need. 

San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET)

With Carson Palmer under center, the Cardinals might have had a puncher's chance in this one. He's not the most efficient quarterback in the league, but he can take some shots and connect down the field. With Drew Stanton, though, that means trying to beat the 49ers consistently underneath, and that's not a recipe for success.

Rest of the Slate (CBS)

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Patriots QB Tom Brady

San Diego Chargers at Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET)

The Chargers may be coming off of a win against the Seahawks, but the Bills are the bigger surprise team here. Offensively, both teams should be able to put up some points, but the question here is if Buffalo can keep up. EJ Manuel isn't quite on par with Philip Rivers, but the Bills have been proving doubters wrong all season. 

Houston Texans at New York Giants (1 p.m. ET)

Eli Manning shocks the world and has his first good game of the 2014 season, or J.J. Watt makes his day a miserable one. Either way, it's must-see T.V.

Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals (1 p.m. ET)

The Titans have the offensive line talent on paper to put up a little fight against the Bengals' tremendous defensive line, but they'll also need to find a way to get to Andy Dalton if they want to win, and that's been impossible this year. 

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET)

The Ravens aren't exactly an offensive superpower, but the Browns defense has been completely ineffective, and this might be the perfect tuneup game for Gary Kubiak, Joe Flacco and company. 

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars (1 p.m. ET)

The Jaguars aren't nearly as bad as they looked last week against Washington—it's almost impossible that they could be. Yet the Colts are a better team than the Washington squad that blew Jacksonville out of the water. Divisional games can always create intrigue, and this game is in Jacksonville, but this one has the makings of a Colts win.  

Oakland Raiders at New England Patriots (1 p.m. ET)

Game, set, match...Patriots in a likely landslide. 

Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins (4:25 p.m. ET)

The big question for both of these teams is the running game. Turnovers could change this, but whoever controls the clock and is able to move the chains on the ground should take this one home easily.

Key Matchups

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Broncos QB Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning (QB Broncos) vs. Seahawks Secondary

Last week wasn't a banner day for the Legion of Boom, and this is a whole new level of difficulty. Yet the Seahawks found a way to harass and confuse Manning in the Super Bowl, and they'll be bringing their A-game here. If Seattle has a similar game to last week, the Broncos won't just win, they'll roll. 

Le'Veon Bell (RB Steelers) vs. Luke Kuechly (LB Panthers)

Earlier, we discussed the Panthers running game, but the Steelers have been OK at moving the ball on the ground as well, as the slimmer and more explosive Bell has been great early this season. That said, there's not much getting away from Kuechly, who has been playing out of his mind. 

J.J. Watt (DE Texans) vs. Justin Pugh (OT New York Giants)

The Giants offensive line hasn't been great this season, and it's about to go one-on-one with one of the best defensive linemen of our generation. Watt didn't have the best Week 2, but something tells me he'll be motivated up in New York after smelling the blood in the water. 

Calvin Johnson (WR Lions) vs. Sam Shields (CB Packers)

Shields made a bunch of money this past offseason, but he has been part of the problem with the Packers defense. He's been talking a big game against Johnson, but Megatron is tough to stop when Stafford is on target. 

For an X's and O's look at more top matchups of Week 3, take a seat in Matt Bowen's film study.

Injury Report

Frank Victores/Associated Press

Bengals WR A.J. Green

A.J. Green (WR Cincinnati Bengals)—Probable, Toe

The Bengals offense should be able to operate effectively without Green, but it's sure good to have him around. This injury might only be relevant if the Green re-aggravates it—not uncommon with toe injuries—or if the Bengals are up by enough to sit him early. 

Shane Vereen (RB New England Patriots)—Questionable, Shoulder

Never trust the Patriots' injury report. 

If Vereen is really "questionable," the Patriots should just sit him, as they're unlikely to really need him against the Raiders. Still, though, there's almost even odds that he starts and lights the place up, and we all forget about how "questionable" he was. 

Jon Beason (LB New York Giants)—Out, Toe

The one thing the Giants really have going for them this season is a rushing defense that has kept opponents at three yards per carry. That sort of thing would be helpful against Houston Texans running back Arian Foster and the Texans' run-first offense, but Beason being out makes me wonder if they'll even have that in their favor. 

Melvin Ingram (LB San Diego Chargers)—Out, Hamstring

Ingram was a big part of the Chargers win over the Seahawks as the defense was able to find ways to generate pressure. Against Manuel and the Bills, less athletes on the field could be an issue. 

For up-to-the-minute injury notifications sent right to your phone or tablet, make sure to have Bleacher Report's Team Stream App.

Bleacher Report Expert Picks

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Lions WR Calvin Johnson

Check out the Bleacher Report writers' picks and predictions for the week ahead. 

Week 3 Expert Consensus Picks

NFL Predictions Week 3: Expert Consensus Predictions

To follow how the B/R writers stack up against writers from across the web, check out Pickwatch.com.

Michael Schottey is an NFL National Lead Writer for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Find more of his stuff on his archive page and follow him on Twitter.