Yesterday offered another full slate of 14 NFL games for football fans to enjoy. There were upsets and several games came down to the final seconds of regulation. Check out what I thought were the biggest takeaways from Week Three.
The Monday night game features a divisional rivalry between the Cowboys and the Giants. Take a look at the preview for tonight’s game and get my prediction for the final score:
NFL Week 3 Highlights
Jaguars dismantle Chargers 38-10
Trevor Lawrence had his best day as a pro, throwing three TDs and 262 yards passing as the Jaguars won easily for the second straight week. The number one pick from last year’s draft is now answering his critics with his accuracy in the short to medium range although he is not yet tested himself with deeper routes.
But it is amazing how a tough defense and improved running game can make a major difference in the play of a young QB. After shutting out the Colts last week, the Jaguar’s defense looked dominant once again holding the Chargers to just 10 points at home. Don’t look now, but Jacksonville is 2-1 and are now favorites to win the AFC South after winning just 4 games in the previous 2 seasons combined.
Justin Herbert played well again despite the obvious discomfort of his injured ribs suffered ten days previously against the Chiefs. But it is now apparent the Chargers are in need of more depth at the WR position if they hope to take full advantage tremendously talented arm of their young QB.
Bills & Chiefs Both Lose
The two favorites to win the AFC Championship this season, the Bills and Chiefs, both found themselves in tough road games, ultimately coming up short.
The Bills wasted a 400-yard passing day from Josh Allen by missing opportunities on special teams and some questionable clock management miscues. The Bills let the final clock expire to end the first and second halves despite being in field goal range each time. They missed another field goal as well ultimately coming up two points short.
The Chiefs had three fourth-quarter drives stall in Colts’ territory resulting in zero points. The first ended on a failed fake field goal attempt, another with a missed field goal, and the final on an interception as the clock expired. Those miscues resulted in a 20-17 final and their first loss of the season.
Rodgers Edges Brady
Tom Brady had another patented game-ending drive in the final two minutes to get within two points of the Packers. But the Bucs could not find the end zone on the two-point conversion from the seven-yard line after inexplicably taking a delay of game after the touchdown. The Packers held on to win the matchup 14-12.
Both QBs played well with conservative game planning, but both teams should be concerned with their inability to run the ball with the teams combining for just 101 yards rushing between them. Both teams move to 2-1 on the season.
MNF Week 3 Preview: New York Giants (2-0) Vs Dallas Cowboys (1-1), 8:15 EST
MNF Line Giants -1, 39.5
The Dallas Cowboys have won nine of the past ten games in this bitter rivalry but come into this game as underdogs to the Giants after their surprising 2-0 start to this NFL season.
The Giants are 2-0 after winning two close games to start the season. Saquon Barkley was key in the wins for New York with 236 yards and an impressive 6.1-yard average. Daniel Jones also looked impressive with a 70.9% completion rate and only one INT.
But Jones was also sacked eight times already this season which does not look good for the Giant’s offensive line. Reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Micah Parsons leads the NFL with four sacks, two in each of the first two games, and should make Jones’ night difficult.
The Cowboys got their first win of the season last week as seven-point home dogs against the AFC defending champs from Cincinnati. They surprised many, including me, after looking less than impressive, particularly on offense, in their Week One loss to Tampa Bay.
Both teams need to find a sense of urgency early in the season considering the way the Eagles have started. Neither team can afford to fall too far behind the 3-0 Eagles and risk letting the divisional lead get too far slip out of reach. The NFC East has been one of the weakest in the NFL in recent seasons and getting a wild card berth from the second place will be difficult.
Key Injuries
Cowboys – Dak Prescott is expected to be out for at least two more weeks with his broken thumb. Cooper Rush filled in respectably in the Cowboy’s Week Two win over the Bengals. Expect another conservative game plan for backup QB tonight but he could be aided by the return of Michael Gallup who will offer another target at WR.
Giants – DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick in last year’s draft is expected to make his NFL debut tonight after injuring his knee in the preseason. LB Azeez Ojulari is also expected to return tonight after his eight sacks in his rookie season. Expect the pair to put added pressure on the Cowboys’ backup QB tonight.
My Pick: Under (39.5)
I did well with both of my under picks already this weekend. Scoring is down drastically through three weeks of the 2022 NFL season. Both of these teams went under the total in their first two games, and I see no reason to believe this matchup will be a shootout tonight. If either team manages 21 points tonight, it should be enough for the win. But there is still a good chance that neither team hits that mark in what should be a slow, field position game.
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