Sunday Preview: 10 Things To Look For

 

Week 3 shapes as a crucial week for all the 0-2 teams, those sides need to halt their downward trend now. There’re some intriguing match-ups ahead, including a couple of 2-0 battles and one 0-2 matchup in Florida. With the first fortnight of the season out of the way, early season jitters are no longer excusable. America is watching and judging.

1. A desperate Bills team: If the Bills are to make 2016 a productive one, they must get their first W at home against the Cardinals. Through two games, the Bills have looked extremely sub-par, and the firing two weeks into the season of Offensive Co-ordinator Greg Roman only ups the pressure on Head Coach Rex Ryan. This Bills’ defense is also a concern, Ryan Fitzpatrick shredded the Bills’ secondary in week 2, now Carson Palmer and co are coming to town. Cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Stephon Gilmore better be on their toes!
2. Weight of expectation in Jacksonville: The Jags entered 2016 with the expectation of a serious leap forward, towards the playoffs or at least 0.500 season. So far they haven’t looked good. Gus Bradley’s future in Jacksonville is on the line, and he’ll need a strong performance this week against an undefeated Ravens team. In particular the pressure is on quarterback Blake Bortles, who hasn’t been effective thus far. The dynamic offense will be the key to the Jags’ fortunes this week. Falling to 0-3 would have the alarm bells ringing in Florida.
3. The Vikings without Adrian Peterson: Minnesota have made a fine start to their 2016 campaign, but they’ve already lost arguably their two most important offensive pieces, in Teddy Bridgewater and now Adrian Peterson. Peterson certainly hadn’t lit it up over the first fortnight, averaging a measly 1.6 yards per carry, however it’s more the removal of his presence that will have a greater effect on this Vikings team. Without Peterson, opposing defenses can focus more on the passing game so the pressure will be upped on Sam Bradford, who to his credit played superbly last week against Green Bay.
4. Miami and Cleveland trying to escape the 0-2 club: The Dolphins and Browns are both at 0-2, both arrived there in similar fashion, but face vastly different outlooks going forward. The Dolphins blew a road game in Seattle, and an appalling first half in Foxboro really cost them last week. The Browns lost a 20-0 lead against the Ravens last week, and were outshone by Carson Wentz in their season opener. The Dolphins appear to have far more talent than the Browns, and minus that one horror half against the Patriots, they look decent. With such a tough early season schedule, the Dolphins must get this one in the bag.
5. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense: How the mighty have fallen. Following a heavy defeat to the Broncos in week 8 last year, the Packers offence has spluttered week-to-week puzzling fans and experts alike. The loss of Jordy Nelson was a major factor, but even with his return in 2016, they’ve still struggled. He may not be 100% yet, and that’s certainly worth considering. However, the running game has struggled too and most notably a complete absence of the deep passing game continues to plague the Packers. Rodgers seemingly lacks confidence, and even chemistry with some of his receivers appears to be lacking. They won’t get a better shot at turning things around than against a Lions defense that’s been ripped apart by injuries.
6. Odell Beckham vs Josh Norman: Norman’s decision to move to Washington means that we now get this personal matchup twice a year. Surprisingly both guys have had slow starts to their 2016 campaigns, but we can expect Sunday’s game to bring the best out of both young stars. It still remains to be seen whether Norman will matchup in man coverage on Beckham, perhaps the Redskins will look to double Beckham and force Eli Manning to look elsewhere for yards. With the rule change that see’s any player ejected for surrendering two personal fouls, Beckham and Norman will need to be on their best behavior.
7. Seattle’s Offensive Line: Against the Rams and Dolphins, Russell Wilson was running for his life from those respective defensive lines. Wilson’s ankle injury limits his movement inside and outside the pocket, a factor that seriously contributed to their loss last week. Put simply, the line has to be better. Much better. These Seahawks are a serious Super Bowl threat, but the line needs to allow the running game to flourish and Wilson time to throw. If not, the 49ers front, led by the Oregon products Armstead and Buckner will wreck havoc.
8. Points, points and more points in Indianapolis: The Colts have a defense problem. Firstly it’s a lack of talent, but now compounded by injuries especially at the cornerback position, it’s a recipe for disaster. The Chargers come in without Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead, but Philip Rivers will still have the time and the receivers to throw the ball downfield. Faced with the likelihood of the Chargers scoring a bucket load of points, Andrew Luck will be throwing early and often in an attempt to keep up. The Chargers defense is a little underrated, particularly the play from corner Jason Verrett and linebacker Denzel Perryman. Luck should challenge the Chargers single-handedly, thus ensuring this match gets plenty of run time on Redzone!
9. Someones perfect start to the season will end: Carson Wentz’s NFL career couldn’t have started any better. Sam Bradford is traded away, Wentz gets the start in week 1, plays two very sub-par defenses to open up and looks solid in both performances. Now is his first real challenge, against an impressive Steelers side with a potent offense and a very much improved defense. On paper, the matchup looks very much in favor of Pittsburgh, but at home the Eagles will be no easy proposition. Wentz’s biggest problem might be a lack of receivers, aside from Jordan Matthews. This game could go a dozen different ways.
10. Primetime Debacle: You might not be aware of this, but the NFL’s ratings are down right now from 2015. Sunday Night Football in week 1 and 2 were some of the lowest rated games this decade and this week doesn’t figure to rectify that trend. The Cowboys and the Bears will bring large fan bases, but not much in the way of impressive football. The Cowboys have won 5 of their last 18, the Bears only slightly better at 6 of 18. Neither side promises anything in the way of excitement, especially with both starting quarterbacks injured. The only hope for this game, are big plays from Dez Bryant and Alshon Jeffrey or a breakout performance from star running back, Ezekiel Elliott.