The NFL Roundup 2019: Week 3

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

I’ve always loved Week 3 in the NFL, simply because this is the time of the year where we see some extra effort come to the field. For there are a lot of teams that are desperate to prove their worth, and they turn on the proverbial juice in order to show the football world that they can ball and that their season isn’t over yet. Plus, this is also when we see some undefeated teams go head to head in epic fashion as they work to keep their win streak going. Either way, we are going to be in for quite the treat this weekend and here are the top games and the top stories from the field that we here at NTG are going to be keeping our eyes upon when it comes to this week’s matchups.
 
How many points are the Dolphins going to lose by this week?
The Miami Dolphins are a team devoid of talent, and their lack of skills and leadership aren’t going to improve their chances against the Cowboys this week. But to complicate matters further, Dallas is playing some lights out football right now, and that means that Miami is likely going to get blown out again, the question is, by how many points? Oddly enough, the answer to that question lies with them. For if they actually bother to show some effort this week and make an attempt to play some defense, they might limit the damage that the Dallas offense can inflict. But, if it is business as usual in Miami, then expect another fifty points to get dropped on the Dolphins as the Cowboys cruise to 3-0 on the season.
 
Will the Denver Broncos win their first game in Green Bay?
Make no mistake about it, the 2019 Denver Broncos have been a disappointment thus far. They simply were supposed to be better than they are right now, and their lackluster new-look defense and anemic offense have put them in a must-win situation when they take the field in Green Bay on Sunday. But can they win a game against a resurgent Packer squad that should best them in every phase of the game? The answer is a resounding, maybe, provided two key things happen. First and foremost, the Broncos have to find the end zone and put some points on the board and second to that, the defense has to generate a pass rush. If they can accomplish those two things, they have a chance at the upset, but if they play like they have the last two weeks, expect this Denver squad to go 0-3.
 
How will the Saints and Steelers fare without their star quarterbacks?
Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger are quite frankly, legends on the field for their respective teams, since they’ve performed wonders in game and brought home the Lombardi Trophy at least once each for their home towns, and now for the first time in a very long time, both New Orleans and Pittsburgh will play a game without their quarterbacking heroes and well, can they win without their top tier stars? It’s possible, but it won’t be easy. Because both teams are facing off against some tough squads, the kind that will give backup quarterbacks, fits, and really, it’s these backups that are the keys to potential road wins. For if Teddy Bridgewater and Mason Rudolph can command the offense and play turnover free football, these two cities can breathe a sigh of relief. But if they’re quickly flustered and falter on the field, it might be a long season in the Big Easy and Steeltown. 

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Baltimore Ravens (2-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)
Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, MO
Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 – 1:00 p.m. EST - CBS

You have to love those early games that are in essence a clash of the titans and this is definitely one of those games. Because it features two offenses that are dropping points on their opponents left and right, all courtesy of a pair of young quarterbacks that are taking the league by storm and honestly, I am expecting this one to be a shootout. Because Patrick Mahomes reads a defense well and will exploit any holes that Baltimore gives him and on the flip side of that coin, Lamar Jackson has been showing off his arm strength and accuracy in the first two weeks of the season and he will challenge the soft KC secondary with his abilities. As to who wins this one, I haven’t a clue. Because a good old-fashioned shootout can go on and on, meaning that the winner of this game might be decided by a single play, or a single mistake.

New York Giants (0-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)
Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 – 2:05 p.m. EST – FOX

Let’s be honest, this is a game that has everyone’s attention for one reason and one reason alone; QB Daniel Jones. For this is it, his first career start in the NFL and the start of a new era for New York Giants Football and we’re all curious as to whether or not this young man is going to live up to the hype surrounding him as the savior of the franchise and well, it’s 50/50 that he’ll do something spectacular in this game. Because rookies are rookies, and only a handful come in à la Baker Mayfield and save the day. So really, what to watch from Jones in this game is how he handles pressure and adversity and if we see him stay cool and collect, and learn as the game goes on, then eventually he may do exactly what New York hoped for when they drafted him and bring the Giants back to glory. But I won’t lie, it would also be awesome to see him just come out and drop three touchdowns on the Tampa Bay defense on the way to his first victory. 

Carolina Panthers (0-2) at Arizona Cardinals (0-1-1)
State Farm Stadium – Glendale, AZ
Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 – 2:05 p.m. EST – FOX

​This game has my attention simply because the quarterbacks in this game have quite a lot to prove when they take the field on Sunday. Cam Newton for instance, needs to prove that he’s healthy, and the first step in showing us that, is being able to play in the first place since he’s been out of practice all week. And if he takes the field on Sunday, he has to show everyone he can make all the throws or more questions about his health and his playing time will arise. And if by chance he’s out, well his understudy for this game needs to show the football world that they can play, or Carolina is in trouble. As for Arizona, well Kyler Murray needs to have a complete game, one that shows us what he is truly capable of at the pro level, since he’s been slow to turn on the juice in his first two starts and well, it should be interesting to see which quarterback takes control of this particular matchup.