The NFL Roundup 2017 - Week 3

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(Getty Images)

Week 3 in the NFL is a unique time for fans of the game. After all, some fans are feeling quite comfortable and relaxed when it comes to their favorite team's performance since their boys are sitting pretty with a stellar record while other fans...well they're in outright panic mode as the season seems to be slipping away with every mounting loss. Either way, there's plenty to look at this time of year as we watch teams build upon success or desperately try to find ways to win and their plight, be it positive or negative, always makes for a great story and with that in mind, here are the top storylines from the field we will be keeping an eye upon this weekend. 

How will the Dallas Cowboys respond to their loss against the Broncos? 
Let's not split hairs here, the Cowboys were completely and utterly embarrassed by the Broncos this past Sunday on the national stage and well, that kind of a loss can have quite the effect upon a team. Suddenly, they second guess their abilities, resulting in more poor play on the field and really, we won't know what kind of effect this loss will have on Dallas until they take the field Monday night against the Cardinals. If we see some seriously cautious play from Prescott and Elliott on offense, we'll know there is doubt in their mind, but if they come out swinging and make some big plays...we'll know their heads are in the right place. Hopefully for Cowboys fans they see the latter of those two options and Dallas gets their season back on track.

Will the Cincinnati Bengals finally find an offensive spark under their new coordinator? 
As it stands right now, the Cincinnati Bengals are a bad football team, so bad in fact they haven't scored a single offensive touchdown through two games and that kind of poor production cost Ken Zampese his job as offensive coordinator last week. Which means that all of us are wondering, will the change at OC and the installation of Bill Lazor as the new offensive sheriff be the spark this team needs to get going, or will it be business as usual in Cincy? Well, we should know pretty darn quick come Sunday. If Lazor's play calling has an aggressive feel to it and if they pour on a few points, we'll know that Zampese was indeed the problem. But if by chance the play calling is still lackadaisical at best this weekend, and if the Bengals manage to not score on offense yet again, we'll know point blank there are bigger issues with the coaching staff plaguing this team, and that the fans are going to be in for one long and ugly season.

Will the Los Angeles Chargers finally secure their first win of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs?
The AFC West is by far the most competitive division in football, and for proof, look no further than the fact that the Broncos, Raiders and Chiefs are all tied for first place in this division with 2-0 records. Which means unfortunately for the Chargers, who boast a painful 0-2 record...they're on the outside looking in early on in the season and if they want any chance at making the playoffs or even bragging rights for that matter...they have to have a statement game and beat the Chiefs this week. But...can they? It's possible, but the Chargers will have to play their best football of the season to date in order to make that happen and well, if anything I wish them luck. Because sadly, the odds are not in their favor since Kansas City has proven to be one tough team this year and they fully understand that winning divisional games is a big key to returning to the playoffs...

Can the New York Giants overcome their offensive woes?
If there is one word that can be used to describe the New York Giants offense a year ago, it would be dynamic. But what a difference a year makes because the only proper word that can be used to describe that same offense now is...anemic. Gone are the days of thrilling touchdowns to OBJ it would seem and that is in part thanks to injuries to the prolific wide receiver, but their problems don't end there. QB Eli Manning has spent a lot of time eating turf thanks to an offensive line that is struggling to protect him and quite frankly, teams simply know he's going to throw the ball since the run game isn't going anywhere for that matter as well. Which means, that if the Giants want to right the ship in Week 3, some things are going to have to change, starting with the pass first mentality this team is suffering from. They have to get a run game going to set up the pass and that O line has to protect their QB. If they can get a game going on the ground, then they have a chance to prolong some drives and put some points on the Eagles this week, but if the team decides it's time to air it out all game long again...the Giants could go 0-3.

Will the Texans put up a fight or get blown out by the Patriots? 
While the Houston Texans enjoyed an important yet close win in Week 2 against the Bengals, let's be honest...this team is still a work in progress. Rookie QB Deshaun Watson is still trying to figure out how to play in the NFL and the result of his learning curve is a fairly anemic offensive showing. This week, the Texans face off against the perpetually angry New England Patriots and while I don't expect them to beat New England, the fact that the Patriots are beatable...could lead to a better game than expected. There's a fair chance an inspired Houston team could take the field and put up quite the fight against Tom Brady and the boys and if that happens, we are in for one hell of a game. But...if New England comes out swinging and drops some early points on the Texans...there's a fair chance they will fold quickly. Either way, this one is worth keeping an eye one since it could turn out to be quite the entertaining game. 

---