NFL Week 3: Ranking The Top 10 Story Lines for This Week
A lot of intriguing goings-on will happen this week in the NFL. There are a couple of quarterback switches already, even though it's only week 3, along with some other big games.
Some surprising teams will try to continue building a reputation as a strong force, while some teams will try to finally earn a victory.
What are the top 10 story lines in the NFL this weekend? Find out here.
10. How Will New York Giants React to Chemistry Issues?
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At 1-1 on the season, it seems as if the Giants are already separated in the clubhouse. A couple of key players over the past week have become unhappy with either their role or how the team is performing.
During Sunday night's loss to the Colts, Giants running back Brandon Jacobs got frustrated on the sidelines about playing time and threw his helmet into the stands. That caused a stir and a couple of days later, Jacobs apologized to everyone possible from the media to the front office.
Also after the loss to the Colts, Giants newly acquired safety Antrel Rolle had some harsh comments for his team. He claimed the team was being too "controlled" and that the "dog" in the team isn't being unleashed at the moment. He stood by his words, telling the media that he'd only wished he told coach Tom Coughlin first.
So with all of these rare Giants chemistry issues, how will they perform on Sunday against the Titans? Tennessee has the best defense in the league so far statistically, and that means it may be a rough day for Jacobs running the ball, something he has struggled at recently.
9. Can Rookie QB Jimmy Clausen Lead The Way For Panthers?
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Without very high expectations this season, it's pretty shocking to see the Panthers already switch their starting quarterback.
Matt Moore was pulled during the team's loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, and Notre Dame draft pick Jimmy Clausen stepped in, and will start against the Bengals this week.
The question for Clausen coming out of college was, could he be a starting QB in the NFL? He wasn't spectacular at Notre Dame but was very solid, and now gets a chance to take the job and run with it.
He'll be facing the Bengals on Sunday, who only allowed 10 points to Joe Flacco and the Ravens last week. Flacco is a proven quarterback, who has gone to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons.
Therefore, will Clausen be able to beat the Bengals defense? Can he turn the 0-2 Panthers into a contender and save coach John Fox's job? It'll be a hard task for the rookie.
8. Were NFC West Preseason Favorite 49ers Overrated?
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Virtually everyone including me picked the San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC West in preseason. They arguably have the most talented offense in football.
They have started the season 0-2, although other than winning, they beat the Saints in every way on Monday night.
The good thing about the game, although they lost, 25-22, is that they saw their quarterback Alex Smith grow in front of their eyes. Smith anchored a fabulous game-tying drive towards the end of the fourth quarter against the Saints, pulling off some long rushing plays on his own.
It wasn't his fault that the 49ers defense quickly allowed Drew Brees and company to secure a spot in field goal range to win the game. Thing is, the 49ers defense has been terrible so far, allowing 56 points in the first two games.
Now, at 0-2 with their season most likely on the line, although the NFC West is a weak division, can the 49ers beat the surprising 2-0 Chiefs on the road at tough Arrowhead Stadium? They better hope so, or otherwise we overrated them.
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7. Who Will Come Out 3-0: Steelers Or Buccaneers?
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Believe it or not, the Ben Roethlisberger-less Steelers are 2-0 and so are the predictably dreadful Buccaneers. What gives in this game?
The Steelers lost backup quarterback Dennis Dixon to a torn ACL in last week's win over the Titans. They're left with Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich as options to replace him. The way their defense has played so far, they don't need a quarterback.
Led by Troy Polamalu and Lawrence Timmons, the Steelers have been amazing on defense, having only allowed 20 points so far.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have started the season 2-0, probably the most stunning team so far. They have played weak opponents though, in the Browns and Panthers, two teams that are a combined 0-4.
This is the game, at home, that would open people's eyes to take Tampa Bay seriously. If Josh Freeman, who has been solid so far, can get past a fierce Steelers run defense, and score enough to win, that'll make the Buccaneers look a little more challenging.
It's going to be tough for Tampa Bay to come through, and I think they'll lose, but it is going to be interesting. All I ask is for there not to be a tie.
6. Donovan McNabb Will Rip Up Rams, But What Will His "D" Do?
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Good thing for the Washington Redskins in their game against the Texans last week: Donovan McNabb passed for 426 yards. Bad thing: the Redskins defense allowed Matt Schaub to throw for 497 yards and win after trailing, 20-7.
The Redskins had a nice opening week victory over the Cowboys, only allowing seven points, but last week was a disaster. It made the Redskins 31st in the league in passing yards allowed, and embarrassed them in their own home.
The Texans can do that to a team though. One week it was Arian Foster running like crazy, and the next week it was Matt Schaub throwing like crazy, and both successfully.
So, what will the Redskins do in their first road game in St. Louis? One thing is guaranteed--McNabb will absolutely tear apart the Rams pass defense, which is ranked 24th in the league.
What could potentially hand Washington a loss is their awful pass defense against Sam Bradford. He's only a rookie, and not half of what Matt Schaub is, but so far the Redskins have shown they can't stop the pass.
They did get to Tony Romo in Week 1, but the Cowboys offensive line is banged up. I do think the Redskins will win this game, but man do they need to rebound after a devastating loss that was right in their palms.
5. Who Will Lead NFC North: Bears Or Packers?
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This will be a pretty good Monday night game, a battle of two bitter NFC North rivals. The Bears are another surprising 2-0 team, but have gotten fantastic play out of quarterback Jay Cutler. The Packers are also 2-0, and have gotten similarly good play from Aaron Rogers.
Both teams are tied for first place and you could expect a lot of points being scored at Soldier Field. If you think of it, the Packers actually have an advantage in this game. What's the reason? The Bears are ranked first in the NFL in opponents rushing yards, but only 27th in opponents passing yards.
That's a good thing for Green Bay. Without Ryan Grant, the Packers will be relying on Aaron Rogers and the passing game more anyway, something the Bears haven't been able to stop.
The Packers defense on the other hand, has been exactly opposite. They're third in stopping the pass and 28th in stopping the run. Therefore, look for Matt Forte to get some major carries in this game.
It's a very interesting matchup all around, so who do I think will win? I'm going with the Bears. I like Jay Cutler a lot right now, and with the game being played in Chicago, I'll take the home team.
4. Can Brett Favre Actually Start 0-3 For The Vikings?
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Brett Favre is in danger of un-retiring--again--and starting the season 0-3. Is that even possible? Well, if he continues to play how he has been playing, it's entirely possible.
Favre has looked old and tired in the Vikings first two games. The Dolphins defense stopped the Vikings offense on a goal-line stand on Sunday, and now they're in danger of having a high-expectation season go south quickly.
The team they'd have to beat to avoid that fate are the pesky Detroit Lions. Pesky because the Lions are 0-2, having lost both games by a combined eight points. They lost by five in Week 1, a game they should have won, and they lost last week by a field goal to Michael Vick and the Eagles.
It's been a matter of "no offense, good defense" and "good offense, no defense" for the Lions. Which aspect of the team will show up in Minnesota on Sunday? What they do doesn't really matter, but what Favre and the Vikings do certainly matters.
After a trip to the NFC Championship game last season, the last thing the soon-to-be 41-year-old Brett Favre had in mind was starting out 0-3. I think they'll win this game, and actually pretty easily.
3. Amid Braylon Edwards Controversy, Can Jets Still Beat Dolphins?
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It wouldn't be a complete week without some good old New York Jets controversy. After a fabulous, statement-making victory over the Patriots, a good thing was ruined by Braylon Edwards DWI arrest.
Added to the fact star cornerback Darrelle Revis can't play due to a strained hamstring, it makes this Sunday night game against the Dolphins all the more intriguing.
The Jets did get by rather easily without Revis in their win over New England on Sunday, but how will Miami do, having had time to prepare for the rest of the Jets secondary?
Not only do the Jets have to stop Chad Henne with other defensive backs, but they have to utilize their offense without Braylon Edwards for a little while. Although the Jets are going to allow Edwards to play in the game, they will bench him at the start.
Now you take all of that information and add that to the fact the game is being played in Miami, you'd give the Dolphins the edge wouldn't you?
The thing the Jets can do is move into first place alone with a win. Even if they, along with the Dolphins and Patriots are all 2-1, the Jets would have the tiebreaker by beating the other two teams head-to-head. It is a little too early to start that kind of talk, but not for the Jets. They want to be in first place every week.
Will their foolishness and criminal activity allow them that opportunity this Sunday night? We'll have to watch and enjoy.
2. Will The Eagles Regret Making Michael Vick Starting QB?
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How can things change so quickly? I guess when you only play 16 games, everything happens so quickly. The Philadelphia Eagles traded long-time quarterback Donovan McNabb in the offseason within the same division. That was with the intent of handing the starting job to young QB Kevin Kolb.
Now, the Eagles insult both Kolb and McNabb in my opinion, by turning it over to Michael Vick. Insulting to Kolb for obvious reasons, and insulting to McNabb by telling him that they don't think anything of him anymore. To trade a QB in your own division, saying you want to let a younger guy get the snaps, and then give the job to another veteran? That's plain wrong.
It's not wrong though if you want the best chance to win, which Vick clearly gives the Eagles. He's the veteran who since returning to the league, has looked very mobile and solid.
The question is, will the Eagles regret making Vick the starting quarterback? We wouldn't know that for a while.
It comes down to wins and losses in the end, and right now, the Eagles are 1-0 with Vick and were nearly 2-0. Vick almost led the Eagles to victory over the Packers in week 1, but fell just short on the final drive.
This should be a good move, as long as Vick proves he can stay sharp for the entire season, but we'll see how he performs in a weak division.
The one thing the Eagles shouldn't do is trade Kevin Kolb right now. If Vick fails, the Eagles have a guy they thought was good enough to be their starter when the season started.
1. In The Battle Of Texas, Will Cowboys Fall to 0-3?
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This is the top story in the league for this weekend's action. "America's Team," the Dallas Cowboys, are on the verge of starting 0-3. That hasn't happened to them since 2001 when they started out 0-4.
Tony Romo and coach Wade Phillips will be under a lot of pressure to avoid such a dubious feat, and it'll be very hard for them to win this game. It'll be against the Houston Texans in Houston, against a team that's 2-0 with a growing quarterback.
Matt Schaub threw for almost 500 yards against the Redskins on Sunday, and now gives the Cowboys defense a huge task of stopping Arian Foster and Andre Johnson.
The Texans have a huge statement to make themselves. If they can ever knock off Dallas in this game, they'd win the battle of Texas, and start out 3-0, making themselves legitimate contenders in the AFC.
There's been a lot of speculation that if the Cowboys do lose this game, Wade Phillips would be fired. Owner Jerry Jones has denied that that would happen, but if he sees it come to fruition, will he change his mind? It's the most interesting topic in the NFL for week 3.
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