The last week in September means we’re at the quarter-point of the NFL season, Place to Be Nation. This is where patterns transform into trends, disappointments become failures, and upstarts become fixtures.
This week, our experts dive into the happenings of Week Three and consider the possibilities of Week Four.
So, as always, toss your jersey on and get inside The Huddle!
Kickoff Questions:
Question 1: What are your biggest takeaways from Week Three?
Question 2: What are the most anticipated Week Four matchups?
JT Rozzero:
1. The Vikings’ D is scary good. Fitzpatrick single-handedly has cost the Jets two games. The Pats.
2. KC vs Pitt and NYG vs Minny are good barometer games.
Brian Cullinane:
1. The biggest takeaway for me is that the Eagles are for real. Wentz has been superb and their defense is one of the best in the NFL. The Rams and Browns sure look foolish now in passing on Wentz.
2. The Chiefs vs. Steelers is the best matchup, but the Rams vs. Cardinals is also intriguing and a must-win for the disappointing Cardinals.
Roger Morrissette:
I agree with everything you guys pointed out. The Giants blowing a game against the Skins was big as well. Nice win for the Raiders as well. The Jags prove beyond a shadow of a doubt they are still a bottom-three team.
J Arsenio D’Amato:
1. Arizona looking nothing like a Super Bowl team. Carson Palmer has reverted to a mediocre QB and let’s hold off on putting Bruce Arians in the Hall of Fame.
2. N.E. vs. Buffalo. Can Rex keep the momentum going or was it just a one-week stand?
JT Rozzero:
Jets sign(ed) Austin Sefarian-Jenkins. Seems like a dumbass, but very low-risk, move and (he) could be the TE they have been starved for.
Chad Campbell:
Still the Pats and Vikings as surprises for me. Vikings’ run attack has been dreadful and keeps getting worse (with them) losing lineman. Their defense is ferocious with an aggressive line and great secondary play. The Pats are at the point where I think one of us could suit up and the team would still win.
Question: What teams look the best (or worst) heading into Week Four matchups?
JT Rozzero:
Saints look like dogshit. The Bears too.
Pats are certainly lined up well, especially if Jimmy or Jacoby are cleared to go. Philly as well.
The Ravens are propped up at 3-0 with another winnable game coming. They have taken full advantage of a very soft early schedule.
J Arsenio D’Amato:
Obviously New England is off and rolling. The Cowboys are a couple of plays away from 3-0 and the Vikings defense looks real special along with Stefon Diggs. Atlanta is coming off two impressive road wins in a row behind a dominant offensive line.
On the other end, Gus Bradley may be left in London if Jacksonville is 0-4 heading into its bye week. Drew Brees and his fat contract extension leaves the Saints no choice but to field a minimum wage defense for the near future.
Roger Morrissette:
Pittsburgh turned in a brutal performance against the Eagles and faces another top defense in the Chiefs this week. I feel the Steelers, along with Houston, were exposed last week. They may be playoff teams, but are certainly not Super Bowl contenders.
I like the Chiefs to go into Pittsburgh and win this week, spoiling Bell’s return. Oakland at Baltimore is also a very interesting game. The Raiders saved their season with a road win last week and, as Justin said, Baltimore has been the least impressive of the 3-0 teams. I’ve been waiting for someone to expose their secondary and Cooper and Crabtree could get the job done. This game should be a shootout.
J Arsenio D’Amato:
How about that Carolina/Atlanta matchup? Atlanta can take an early stranglehold on the division.
Roger Morrissette:
Huge game for the Falcons. They started hot last year too and faded big time. A win over the Panthers goes a long way toward validating them. I think Cam and Olsen will be too much for them.
J Arsenio D’Amato:
The Falcons used to be unbeatable in their dome, but that hasn’t been the case over the last few years. I look for them to ride their offensive line and get that home mojo back as Carolina’s Super Bowl hangover continues.
Brian Cullinane:
Here are a few other questions.
1. What player do you expect to have a huge game this week?
2. What player do you expect to drop off this week?
3. Upset pick for the week?
Roger Morrissette:
1. Melvin Gordon will shred the Saints and I like Zeke (Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott) to go off against the Niners.
2. I think (LeSean) McCoy comes way back down to earth against the Pats.
3. Chiefs over Steelers and Jets over Seahawks.
Told you guys about Buffalo last week… No one got on board!
J Arsenio D’Amato:
1. Stefon Diggs will continue to emerge against a depleted Giants secondary.
2. Tevor Siemian can’t keep this up… or can he?
3. Tampa Bay, in a matchup pitting one of the best defenses versus one of the worst, will turn those trends around for one week at home.
Brian Cullinane:
1. I think CJ Anderson will run all over Tampa Bay and its sorry defense.
2. I think Derek Carr will struggle on the road against Baltimore, which is a tough place to play.
3. I’ll go big for an upset and pick the Bears to get their first win against a Lions team that always seems to lose against poor opponents.
JT Rozzero:
1. Quincy Enunwa continues to produce and has a nice game (for the Jets) as Marshall and Decker are blanketed by the Seattle secondary and Fitz tries to be a bit more conservative this week and feeds him with slants. I also think AJ Green breaks back out and eats up the Miami D.
2. Dak Prescott struggles in the Bay and tosses his first pick.
3. Not sure if it is even an upset at this point, but this is a very Rams game to win. I picked ‘Zona to miss the playoffs this year and I say the Rams’ defensive line treats Palmer to a very long day in the desert.
And with that, we all kick back and get ready for another week of the gridiron! See everyone next week, in The Huddle!