Will the offensive onslaught continue?: The Saints have scored over 90 points thus far this season. They are facing off against an Eagles team who desperately need a win after last week’s last-minute debacle. A 1-2 start could truly be enough to get HC Nick Sirianni fired. It’s hard to believe this team will continue to falter, but there is something seriously wrong in Philadelphia, and the slide began at the end of last year. They need QB Jalen Hurts to play at an elite level. It’s hard to see New Orleans beginning the season 3-0. But their offense can’t keep up this pace, and I believe the Eagles will rally and prevail in this spot.
Love is in the air: After only one week on the sidelines it appears QB Jordan Love may be ready to return this week against the Titans. Based on Tennessee’s first two weeks I don’t think they’ll need Love, but especially if he his ready to go, expect Tennessee to end the day 0-3.
Let the ERA of the Red Rifle Begin: It’s not easy to bench a No. 1 QB…especially only two games into the second year of his pro career, but that’s exactly what happened in Carolina. Bryce Young has been benched in favor of Andy Dalton. It’s amazing, but Dalton has been in the league for 14 seasons. He’s made 163 career starts and has an above-.500 record. He is 83-78. The Raiders defeated the Ravens 26-23 last week in Baltimore, but this could be a nice spot for Dalton and the Panthers. The Raiders are ripe for a letdown game.
Let the ERA of Skylar Thompson begin, and let his reign be short-lived: Unlike the Panthers benching Bryce Young, Thompson is in at QB due to Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion. Due to being put on the IR, he’ll be out for at least four weeks, which means the Dolphins have to ensure Thompson for a month. They have a tough road game this week, and they are going cross-country to Seattle. The Seahawks are one of the nine remaining undefeated teams. This will be a defining matchup for each team. If the Seahawks can prevail, it will keep them in possession of first place in the NFC West. And it will be a big blow to the Dolphins, leaving Seattle with a 1-2 record.
Most intriguing Week 3 games: Other than the 2-0 matchups, there are a couple of other intriguing games this week. The Lions are coming off an inexplicable loss last week against the Buccaneers, and the Cards are coming off their most convincing win in years. Both teams have high-flying offenses, and this game may get into the 70s in total points. The other intriguing game is between the Ravens and Cowboys in Dallas. The Cowboys got shellacked at home against the Saints, while Baltimore finds themselves 0-2, after losing at home against the Raiders. Being on the road may be the best thing for the Ravens. Being 0-3 is a bigger hole than 1-2. The Ravens need this game more, and usually, the team that needs the win more prevails. The Ravens will win this game and both teams will leave wk.3 with a 1-2 record.
