NFL Week 3: Its Early, But There Is No Shortage of Big Games

After a tumultuous and rainy Week Two, here are the things I am looking forward to in Week Three:

How Will Norv Turner and the Chargers respond?

Everyone and their mother knows Ed Hochuli made the wrong call on the Jay Cutler fumble, and the Chargers were put in a difficult position because of that. But their defense had a chance to stop the Broncos on the TD pass AND on the 2-point conversion, but they didn't. What Norv and the Bolts seem to be ignoring is the fact that they blew leads late in the fourth quarter and gave up 26 and 39 points in weeks one and two, respectively. On top of that, LT has a jammed toe that will likely nag him for weeks to come (see Antonio Gates).

The Chargers (0-2) go home to face Brett Favre and the New York Jets, and their defense will be put to task. The Jets will no doubt have Jerricho Cotchery, Laveranues Coles, and Chansi Stuckey locked and loaded after watching tape on San Diego this week. Can LT get healthy and can the Chargers avoid becoming a Brett Favre highlight reel?

Carolina @ Minnesota

It's no secret that Adrian Peterson is an incredible athlete and a great running back, and the Purple People Eaters are emerging with Jared Allen's presence being felt already. On the other side of the coin, Tavaris Jackson has Vikings fans thinking they would probably take Ron Jaworski behind center at this point. Without a passing game, this team is snake-bitten. Can we put the Super Bowl hype to bed already? This game may do just that.

On the contrary, the Panthers have surprised a lot of people starting off 2-0 without their best player in Steve Smith (whom they get back this week). If they pull this one out, they are looking at upcoming games against Atlanta, Kansas City, Oakland, and Detroit - possibly an 9 or 10 win season. Who could have imagined that?

Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia

Tomlin vs. Jim Johnson? McNabb vs. Roethlisberger? Parker vs. Westbrook? Holmes vs. Jackson? Lots of interesting dynamics in this match-up, and I am just ready to soak this one in...

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis

Peyton Manning is a frustrated man. With Jeff Saturday out, he is forced to make the line calls on top of his normal progressions, and now OT Tony Ugoh is banged up, wreaking even more havoc on their running game.

The Jaguars are 0-2 and reeling. They are in desparate need of a win, as those pesky Titans have started 2-0 and the Colts are not planning on losing their first two games at the brand new Lucas Field. This is a big game for the AFC South...

Cleveland @ Baltimore

The Ravens didn't get to play last week due to Hurricane Ike, but this could turn out to be a positive OR a negative. After a preseason that drags, players are fired up and ready to dive into the season. The Ravens and Joe Flacco won their opener, and have had to play the waiting game since.

The Browns are off to an 0-2 start, having already lost to Super Bowl contenders Dallas and Pittsburgh, and they need to win this game for several reasons:

1. Starting 0-3 in the AFC might as well be a death sentence for playoff hopes.
2. Keeping playoff hopes alive will go a long way toward helping injured players fight their way back onto the field, and there is no shortage of injuries in Cleveland
3. I have to say it: if the Browns go 0-3, the Dawg Pound will start calling for Brady Quinn. He is their future, but a team's chemisty can be shot with a QB controversy. If the Browns make this move, they must commit to it.

The solution? Win.

*Game of the Week*

Dallas @ Green Bay

Could very well be an NFC Championship preview. These two teams are very similar in many ways, both offense and defense. Aaron Rodgers gets his first big test against another guy (Romo) who will be forever compared to Brett Favre. I'm thinking this will be another shootout, but I gotta go with the Packers at Lambeau Field. Should be very exciting.