The NFL Roundup 2018: Week 3

Written by John Edward betancourt

​Week 3 in the NFL is quite the important time for football teams. Because this is the week when habits, both good and bad, start to take hold and every squad out there begins to solidify the tempo of their season. Of course, surprises can arrive for any franchise regardless of the time of year, but for the most part, the teams that stay healthy and continue to coach up the great things they’re doing…see a pattern of success emerge and the losing squads, well, they just keep screwing up and start their respective free fall. Either way, it means we are in for some exciting games as some squads work to pad their record, while others work to force an upset to show everyone what they are made of and that will make for some incredible storylines. So, without further ado, let’s look ahead to this weekend’s games and all the stories from the field that are about to unfold.
 
So, I ask again, is this the week when the Browns finally win?
You know, this is a question that is constantly on my mind at the moment simply due to the fact that the Browns are actually loaded with talent. There truly are some guys that can ball on this squad, and it’s frustrating to watch them let games slip away. Because once again, they blew it in New Orleans and at this point, it’s time for Head Coach Hue Jackson to start shaking things up to get results and in all honesty, if Tyrod Taylor can’t get the offense rolling in the first half of tonight’s game against the Jets, bench him. Put in the kid. Because what does Hue have to lose? Other than the support of the fan base and potentially his job. Either way, the answer to this question is ‘maybe’ once again because until the Browns pull their heads out of the turf and focus on execution, they’re going to continue to lose and frustrate fans everywhere.
 
Will the Pittsburgh Steelers finally come together as a team this weekend?
Let’s just be honest, and acknowledge the fact that Pittsburgh is a team in turmoil right now. You’ve got teammates going after Le’Veon Bell when it comes to his holdout. Antonio Brown felt the need to not show up to work on Monday and well, they stink on the field, which means this team needs to quit with the petty drama and get to work on winning games, but can they? I honestly don’t know at this point, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin needs to take control of his squad and get them to focus and really, the answer to this particular question will be answered on the field come Monday night. Because if the Steelers play inspired football during their game against Tampa Bay, we’ll know there’s unity and if not, well…it’s going to be a long and ugly and angry year in Pittsburgh.
 
Will Carson Wentz provide a much-needed offensive spark for the Eagles?
I hate to say it, but something has simply been off when it comes to the defending Super Bowl Champions. They simply have not been playing the same inspired football we saw from them all of last year and their offense is quite lethargic at the moment and well, it might be a good thing that QB Carson Wentz is returning to the lineup this Sunday. Because it’s my hope that he provides the O with the spark it so desperately needs right now, and I would fully expect that Philly will come out swinging with some deep shots early on in this game since Wentz can send the ball downfield with a flick of his wrist. So, if Wentz can put some points on the board and manage the offense well, expect the Eagles to have one hell of a good day and if not, well it may be back to the drawing board for this offense. 

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Denver Broncos (2-0) at Baltimore Ravens (1-1)
M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore, MD
1:00 p.m. EST – CBS

This game is on my radar this weekend simply because, this is another big test for the Denver Broncos when all is said and done. They stunk on the road last year and while they’ve been an exciting team to watch through the first two weeks, they’ve yet to truly dominate on offense and defense and this, would be a good time to make that happen. Because if Case Keenum can finally drive the offense down the field with mistake free football and if the defense can smother the Baltimore offense, then the Broncos are going to be in for a dominating day. But if their play is sloppy like the past two weeks, then there’s a fair chance they will suffer their first loss of the season, which will bring forth all kinds of questions and doubt in Broncos Country, where the loyal fans of this franchise are desperate to see their team dominate once again. 

Oakland Raiders (0-2) at Miami Dolphins (2-0)
Hard Rock Stadium – Miami, FL
1:00 p.m. EST – CBS

There’s nothing I love more than a contest that features two teams with something to prove and that’s precisely what I’m going to get in this game. On one hand, we have the Miami Dolphins who want to show the league that they’re for real and that their record is not a fluke in the slightest, which means they will come out swinging against an Oakland squad that has in fact, been quite the disappointment through two weeks since they cannot close out a game and are desperate for a win. Which means I’m expecting a knock down, drag it out football brawl between these two teams come Sunday and really, since these teams function so well on momentum, whichever team establishes a steady rhythm is the one that will likely walk away with the victory here. 

New England Patriots (1-1) at Detroit Lions (0-2)
Ford Field – Detroit, MI
Sunday Night Football – 8:30 pm. EST – ESPN

​This particular game has caught my eye for several reasons. First and foremost, you know New England is going to air it out early to wipe away the memory of last week’s loss, but also because Detroit is desperate for a win, which means they will likely do their best to stand up a New England squad that no one is scared of anymore. But of the many storylines this game presents, none are more fascinating than the fact that this is a ‘master and apprentice’ matchup since Matt Patricia is facing off against his old boss and games that feature that, tend to be a little more intense than the average contest and if Patricia can figure out how to out coach his former mentor, well that would go a long way into taking him seriously as a Head Coach in this league and perhaps turn around the fortunes of an already dismal season in Detroit.