NFL Predictions Week 3: Who Will Shine in Prime Time?

Football is the greatest team sport in the world. Individual players can have great impacts, but they can't carry entire teams on their own. Not to Super Bowl titles, at least. Just ask Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson.

However, excellent solo performances are a major part of the game. A great team with no stars can win more games than a mediocre club with one or two household names, but the NFL requires a solid mix if the Lombardi Trophy is an expected goal. So, while these five players won't win by running a one-man show, their individual outings will go a long way toward determining the outcomes of today's prime-time games.

1. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

Cutler's early exit from last season's NFC Championship Game loss is no secret. In the eyes of some, his toughness is no longer in question; it's non-existent. The word "quitter" was tossed around after that loss like one of his errant passes, and many seem to think today's rematch will mirror last year's.

Still, this is a game of ebbs and flows, and the Packers have been riding high for quite some time. On paper, they should win this one going away, considering their 2-0 record that includes a win over a New Orleans Saints team that dismantled Chicago in Week 2. The Packers have the pass rushers and defensive backs to seemingly close the door on Cutler again.

But this game isn't played on paper.

Cutler spent the entire offseason hearing about his lack of guts and with a chance to redeem both last year's and last week's losses, he'll be primed for a big day. If Matt Forte can establish some balance early by finding a few holes up front, Cutler won't need as strong a performance from his offensive line.

Chicago has to keep Green Bay guessing, something they're not exactly known for doing, but Cutler is notorious for following great performances with shoddy ones, and for following the lows with excellent highs. He'll surprise a lot of people today with a performance good enough to pull the upset. 

Projection: 290 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception

2. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders vs. New York Jets

The Raiders dropped a heartbreaker to the Buffalo Bills last week, and although losses like that are hard to overcome in only a week's time, they'll be desperate for an early signature win. The Jets, on the other hand, aren't known for excellent road play. Their apparent mission to help Mark Sanchez set the NFL's passing attempts record won't bode well against an Oakland team hell-bent on establishing Darren McFadden on the ground.

Expect another strong, dual-threat performance from the Arkansas star with cornerback Darrelle Revis locking down rookie receiver Denarius Moore. With the wideouts blanketed, McFadden should find plenty of daylight up front while making a handful of plays in out of the backfield in the passing game.

Projection: 110 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 60 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

3. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chargers are playing the Chiefs. I could stop right there and I still would have provided enough evidence to bet on Rivers. But, just for fun, let's go a little deeper. KC has been outscored 89-10 through two weeks, allowing an average of 251 yards and four TD passes over that time. Matthew Stafford and Ryan Fitzpatrick are talented starting quarterbacks, but neither is at Rivers' level, yet. Expect the Chargers to roll behind their passing attack.

Projection: 330 yards, 4 touchdowns

4. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are floundering already, and their lack of a stalwart secondary and pass rush has played no small role in their slow start. Mike Wallace went off for eight catches, 126 yards and a score in their Week 2 blowout loss, and although Wallace is a great talent, he's no Larry Fitzgerald. The chemistry between Fitzgerald and quarterback Kevin Kolb is growing with every week, and they should have a banner day in the Pacific Northwest.

Projection: 125 yards, 2 touchdowns

5. Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams vs. Baltimore Ravens

Winning this one seems to be out of reach for the banged-up Rams, but that doesn't mean they won't get an all-star performance from their sophomore quarterback. Bradford has looked mediocre more often than expected thus far, but he's still learning new coordinator Josh McDaniel's offense after a stunted offseason, and his grasp of the playbook will amplify each week. Throw in the fact that the Ravens should take and hold an early lead in this one, and Bradford should end up slinging the ball well into the fourth quarter. 

It may come in a losing effort, but expect Bradford to remind everyone why he was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2010.

Projection: 300 yards, 3 touchdowns