NFL 2022 Week 3 Preview

 

Week 2 was a chaotic set of games as there were huge comebacks from teams deep in the mire, teams close to their first win could not seal the deal, unlikely sides maintained perfect starts to the seasons and some teams showed their true colours.

After the hype of Week 1 there was much mayhem with crazy endings. Six teams remain unbeaten with two meeting in the match of the week

                                                                    GAME OF THE WEEK 

 vs

BUFFALO BILLS (2-0) at MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-0)

The Dolphins comeback on the road in Baltimore backed up the offensive potential shown in season opener when dismantling the Patriots at home, yet to come back from such a deficit versus the better Baltimore Ravens will certainly help people take notice. Tua had 6 touchdowns in a career day, but this was helped by the speed of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle whose running of routes essentially gassed the Ravens secondary who had no steam left come end of the game.

Now they face the rampant Bills at home in a tasty AFC East contest for superiority at this early stage of the season. The Bills though provide a true test in terms of elite offence and defence, how does the Miami offensive line cope with Von Miller's explosive play-making which forces mistakes and with Josh Allen playing at an early MVP standard the Bills balance on run and pass with Allen as a run option himself this will be a true test of the Dolphins playoff credentials. For me though the Bills should have no problem handing the Fins their first L of the season.

Week 3 Schedule 

Houston Texans (0-1-1) at Chicago Bears (1-1) - Tricky affair to predict as teams aim to get the season moving, yet home field advantage will count here albeit in a low scoring affair

Las Vegas Raiders (0-2) at Tennessee Titans (0-2) - Someone's season is starting Sunday, yet neither team has wanted to win as yet. The Raiders have the explosive players and the Titans could turn it round but this is two teams with bad luck facing off against each other. Raiders by a field goal.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1) - The Chiefs looked to have clicked into gear and not missing Hill at all. The defence should eat up the Colts who have flattered to deceive to date, expect Ryan to turn the ball over plenty and KC to motor to another win

Detroit Lions (1-1) at Minnesota Vikings (1-1) - The Vikings (well Cousins) came crashing back to earth on Monday night in Philly with a classic 3INT prime time outing. The Lions lost a game scoring 35 points and scored 36 in a victory last week. They seem to have a bit more invention on offense this year and enough game changers on D to make some noise and not fear going into US Bank Stadium. Fancy Detroit for a road upset here.

Baltimore (1-1) at New England (1-1) - Both teams sit at .500 yet have huge question marks. The Ravens were run ragged by Miami last week, whereas this will be a more attritonal affair in the trenches. Lamar has the x-factor but Damien Harris holds the key for the Patriots in their first home game of season.

Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) at New York Jets (1-1) - Its Burrow v Flacco. One for the ages here. Old vs new. AFC best vs AFC worst from last year yet the Jets have the better record and their D-line has enough potency to give Burrow some sack fever again. Jets might just have enough if the Bengals again fail to click. Jets by 4

Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) at Washington Commanders (1-1) - Will Carson Wentz haunt his former side, well it is reliant upon his defence stopping the run machine of Philly and Jalen Hurts who shows flashes of brilliance in each game thus far. However, the weapons at the Eagles disposal is too much for Washington to overcome here. Eagles stay perfect

New Orleans Saints (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2) - The disappointing Panthers return home versus the Saints for a tough divisional battle. The Saints showed some battle but with Jameis Winston less than 100 percent with back injuries the opportunity for Carolina to get on the board here.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) - This should be an intriguing contest. Jags are pretenders to the throne and their division is wide open and perhaps they are facing the similarly upstart Chargers who despite losing to the Chiefs had their moments. Hopefully Herbert is 100 % if not the potential road win is on the cards due to the Jaguars offensive capabilities.

Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1) - this is a game about consistency, can Kyler Murray put four quarters of electrifying play together or will the Rams defence upset his rhythm, while they had kittens nearly versus the Falcons last week you feel experience will be key here. Rams in a close one.

Atlanta Falcons (0-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1) - but for a few plays going the other way, the Falcons could be 2-0 instead they are winless and are on the road versus the Seahawks, a team with a bit of fight left but no playmakers. Geno Smith versus Marcus Mariota is one for the die hards but again home field should count for much here. Similar to Chicago's contest.

Green Bay Packers (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) - speaking of history, Rodgers v Brady one more time. Tampa have a plethora of injuries and need to get some sort of fluidity in their offense if possible, while their D was more impressive in New Orleans last week. It seems Green Bay are giving the ball more to Aaron Jones and not Rodgers, so if the Bucs can stop the run they win the game.

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Denver Broncos (1-1) - Sunday Night Football was made for Jimmy G, the true Mr. Unlimited, there is nothing he cannot do. While the question marks remain on Denver and Nathaniel Hackett's playcalling and unwillingness to let Russ cook coupled with a limp red-zone efficiency, you think the 49ers have a little bit more to offer and with George Kittle possibly returning and their sterner defence the 49ers are primed to take first place in the competitive NFC West

Monday Night Football

Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at New York Giants (2-0) - the game that is on prime time every season features an undefeated Giants side who will be hopeful that Daniel Jones can lead them to victory, although Micah Parsons and his fellow Cowboys defence look ready to wreck havoc on the G-Men. Cooper Rush led the Boys to an unlikely victory last week but a two game winning streak is here for the taking.

Follow me @JamieGarwood for more NFL takes/opinions

NFL 2015 Week 5 preview

 

Very pleased with my predictions in Week 4, going a strong 12-3 for the week getting the Arizona, Chicago and Giants victories incorrect, which is odd considering I have been high on the G-Men since the beginning of the season although that was more a match-up versus Buffalo on the road that put me off. But a great win for the Giants as they get back to 2-2 and essentially should be 4-0 and running away with the NFC East. With injuries taking over in Dallas - add Lance Dunbar to the injury table - and general dysfunction in Philadelphia, there is a chance for the Giants to win that division with a 9-7 record.

Elsewhere, the Miami Dolphins pulled the trigger on coach Joe Philbin following their awful 27-14 defeat in Wembley Stadium to the New York Jets. The performance was devoid of personality and a microcosm of their season thus far, no pressure on the opposing quarterback, they could not stop Chris Ivory running over them and when the only chance you have of scoring points is via Jarvis Landry's kick off returns then the offence is to blame.  

 

Miami had gone all in during the offseason signing Suh as their big free agent, coupled with the big contract given to Ryan Tannehill last year but failing to give him any viable receiving options and still no positive rushing from Lamar Miller, and you get a franchise in somewhat disarray.  My belief was that the constant turnover of personnel would stifle the team and putting your eggs into the Tannehill basket was a mistake, he is not a great quarterback; whilst he may have a big arm he cannot show composure required during games nor manage the line effectively.  Tough times in South Beach ahead.

Predictions

Byes: Carolina, Minnesota, NY Jets, Miami

INDIANAPOLIS @ Houston

Chicago @ KANSAS CITY

SEATTLE @ Cincinnati

Washington @ ATLANTA

JACKSONVILLE @ Tampa Bay

New Orleans @ PHILADELPHIA

Cleveland @ BALTIMORE

St. Louis @ GREEN BAY

BUFFALO @ Tennessee

ARIZONA @ Detroit

NEW ENGLAND @ Dallas

DENVER @ Oakland

San Francisco @ NY GIANTS

Pittsburgh @ SAN DIEGO

Match of the Week 

v  

Denver Broncos (4-0) at Oakland Raiders (2-2)

This could be a great divisional match-up. Last week I was talking about how the Denver Broncos defence could be the reason to take Peyton Manning to his swansong Super Bowl, and last week the defence again stood up to a test by nullifying Adrian Peterson in their 23-20 victory at home. Peterson had 81 yards off of 16 carries, not bad looking but that is massaged by his 48 yard touchdown run making it 33 off 15 carries for the best running back in football.  Denver were never behind in the game and controlled the tempo. 

 

The Oakland Raiders will provide a far sterner test for the Broncos, this time in the air as the Raiders possess two wide receivers in rookie Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree who could give the secondary fits. A lot will depend on how well sophomore quarterback Derek Carr deals with the pressure from DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller who are eating up QBs this season; and if Latavius Murray can provide ball security and enough rushing yards to not put pressure on the Raiders passing game.

The Raiders were unlucky in Chicago last week as they made enough plays to win the game, and they will feel unfortunate to leave without the W from the Windy City, it is that desire that will make them get up for this home game versus the division rival and if their O-line can get pressure to Manning then their secondary led by the eternal Charles Woodson will be their to take advantage.

Fantasy Advice

- Larry Donnell (Giants), with Odell Beckham Jr suffering with injury expect Manning to find his safety blanket for the home game versus 49ers.

- Antonio Gates (San Diego), is back from suspension a Hall of Fame signing back in partnership with Philip Rivers versus an ageing Steelers defence.

 

- Doug Martin (Buccaneers), with Jameis Winston suffering in the passing game (4 INTs last week) expect Lovie Smith to revert to a better balance and the muscle hamster back to the fore.

- Duke Johnson (Browns) a viable running back versus a Ravens defence who are leaking points

Follow me @JamieGarwood

NFL 2015 Week 4 Preview

Week 3 was a much better instance of picking with yours truly going for a 12-4 in the week, raising me to 26-22 for the season. The few games I got wrong were close games including my upset special of Tennessee at home to the Colts who were trailing with 8 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before Andrew Clutch came to the fore again to get the 35-33 victory on the road and avoid going 0-3 to start the season.  As for Tennessee, following the resounding opening day victory they seem to be stifled on offense not helped by the fact that Mariota is having to throw more than necessary and the lack of running back quality is clearly affecting their production.

Other oversights included the Oakland Raiders winning their first back to back games since 2012 on the road at Cleveland; Derek Carr again threw for over 300 yards with rookie Amari Cooper again receiving for over 100 yards for the second consecutive game. Cooper is seemingly tying up the Rookie of the Year contest before the end of week 6.  Cooper has two consecutive 100+ yardage games in his rookie season, do you know none of Calvin Johnson, Antonio Brown or AJ Green can lay claim to that stat in their rookie season.  Something is happening in the Bay Area, and it is good to see.

Elsewhere, some teams remain winless and frankly pitiful.  The Saints, Bears, Lions are all winless and in the case of Chicago planning for next season already with the release of Jared Allen to the Carolina Panthers; a great additon for the Panthers in that QB heavy division.  Yet the most surprising loss of the weekend, although I picked correctly, was the way the Buffalo Bills dismantled the Miami Dolphins 41-14 on the road with such ease.  Miami were meant to be a main challenger versus the New England Patriots, this result means the Bills will lay claim to that right for this season while the Dolphins defence which includes such Pro Bowlers as Suh, Cameron Wake and Brent Grimes looked unidentifiable from the defence we expected.

Week 4 is the first week to have bye weeks, with the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans having a week off. So while Brady goes dancing at his sister's wedding and Mariota goes back to Hawaii. Here are my predictions:

Predictions

BALTIMORE @ Pittsburgh

NY JETS @ Miami 

(at Wembley Stadium)

NY Giants @ BUFFALO

CAROLINA @ Tampa Bay 

OAKLAND @ Chicago

Kansas City @ CINCINNATI

Houston @ ATLANTA

Jacksonville @ INDIANAPOLIS

PHILADELPHIA @ Washington

Cleveland @ SAN DIEGO

Minnesota @ DENVER

GREEN BAY @ San Francisco

St. Louis @ ARIZONA

Dallas @ NEW ORLEANS

Detroit @ SEATTLE

Match of the Week

  v

New York Jets (2-1) versus Miami Dolphins (1-2)



So on paper not one to really write home about, but the fact that this game is happening in my near hometown is reason enought to shout about it. The first of three International Series games taking place at Wembley Stadium this year sees for the first time an actual divisional game taking place on overseas soil. This is a huge filip for the International reach of the game that an AFC East rivalry game is taking place in London, as so often they are mis-matches and unfair contests such as the recent games involving Jacksonville and when the Patriots decimated the St. Louis Rams.  However, for once we could have a close contest as both teams have to contend with travelling over the Atlantic and both will be wanting to regain momentum following tough home defeats last Sunday.

The Dolphins as mentioned above were pulverised by the rampant Buffalo Bills and gave up 41 points at home.  There offence has struggled to click and but for a Jarvis Landry punt return in week 1 versus Washington they could be 0-3 coming into Wembley.  The offence much like the defence is lacking an identity and leadership, a lot was expected of Tannehill but will he be able to cope with another mean defence in the Jets.

Revis will be hunting Tannehill on Sunday

The Jets lost at home to the Philadelphia Eagles 24-17, having gone 24-0 down in the first half the comeback was too much for Ryan Fitzpatrick to create, yet they have better offensive options with a nice balance of run - Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell - and receiving options in Eric Decker and if fit, Brandon Marshall.  The Jets seem to be a better balanced side on paper and that will probably be the case on the Wembley turf with the Jets flying back to their bye week victorious by 10 points.

Upset of the Week

v

Dallas Cowboys (2-1) at New Orleans Saints (0-3)

While this may not be much of a reach, both teams are dealing with a series of crucial injuries to star players. The Cowboys are without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant until Week 9 or 10 at the earliest. Whilst the Saints missed Drew Brees last week with a rotator cuff injury. 

Luke McCown did a fairly decent job completing 31 of his 38 passes last week in the defeat to Carolina, but it is the lack of running attack that is mystifying for the Saints whose wide receiver depth is weak. If the Saints can stop the run attack of Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar out of the backfield. A lot rests on Brees being fit to start if he does you can see the team wanting to galvanise the franchise to a first home win in 7 attempts.

Dallas meanwhile showed a great deal of versatility in their play last week in their defeat to Atlanta. Brandon Weedon did a nice job in the first quarter but after gaining the upper hand they went to the run game and pretty much restricted Weedon's options downfield. Admittedly they faced an improving Falcons defence and they will not face a wide receiver in the calibre of Julio Jones this Sunday; but perhaps this is a perfect storm for the Saints to get that first win of the season. Expect a lot of points in the Big Easy.

Fantasy Advice

- Stick with Charles Clay (Buffalo) as a fill for the resting Gronk.

- Sam Bradford (Philadelphia) might finally be turning the corner for the Eagles.

- Lance Dunbar (Dallas) can rush but also gets plenty of catches

- Ty Henderson (Green Bay) seems to be the 3rd WR now for Packers; good match up versus the 49ers

- If you have Marshawn Lynch (Seattle) bench him for this week; don't risk that hamstring as the Seahawks won't versus Detroit at home.

Check out my other previews:

Week 1 - Week 2 - Week 3

and my feature piece on the Denver Broncos