WEEK 3 PREVIEW
Saints (1-1) at Falcons (1-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Falcons by 3 Saints’ keys: QB Drew Brees is 16-9 against Atlanta but needs more help from RB Alvin Kamara, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Falcons’ keys: Atlanta will win easily if its offensive line dominates. Against Carolina, QB Matt Ryan wasn’t sacked, and the line helped set up RB Tevin Coleman, who had 107 yards.
Who wins? In a tough NFC South matchup, home-field advantage will win out. Falcons, 26-21
Packers (1-0-1) at Redskins (1-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Packers by 3
Packers’ keys: The knee brace didn’t hinder QB Aaron Rodgers, but the less he must move the better. The running game will be a larger factor with RB Aaron Jones returning from suspension. Redskins’ keys: QB Alex Smith has been as good as Washington thought he’d be, but the offense must be sharper, which is difficult when the run game can’t set up the play-action pass. Who wins? The Packers are just too good with Rodgers on the field, even when limping. Packers, 27-21
Colts (1-1) at Eagles (1-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday. Fox Line: Eagles by 61⁄ 2 Colts’ keys: Indianapolis will need to limit the Eagles’ running game. On offense, the Colts will need to allow QB Andrew Luck to dictate tempo, and that means establishing an early running game to open throwing lanes. Eagles’ keys: With QB Carson Wentz starting for the first time since mid-December, Philadelphia will have to get back to establishing a healthy run-pass balance with the emphasis on establishing physicality.
Who wins? With Wentz’s return and the Philly D usually playing much better at home, we can expect the team’s intensity to improve. Eagles, 35-21
Bills (0-2) at Vikings (1-0-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Vikings by 161⁄ 2
Bills’ keys: Buffalo needs to force lots of turnovers and not commit any. In his first NFL start, QB Josh Allen threw for
245 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions in the loss to the Chargers.
Vikings’ keys: While the offensive line has been suspect, it would be huge if C Pat Elflein (shoulder, ankle) can return. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen are the best one-two wide receiver punch in the league and should create nightmares for a defense that has allowed 78 points.
Who wins? The Bills are navigating their way with a rookie quarterback, and their challenges will be more difficult on the road against a much more talented team. Vikings, 30-10
Raiders (0-2) at Dolphins (2-0)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Dolphins by 3
Raiders’ keys: QB Derek Carr needs to play well and be efficient. If he can limit his mistakes and Oakland can take care of the ball, it certainly has a chance to score against a defense that gave up
362 yards to the Jets.
Dolphins’ keys: QB Ryan Tannehill will need to continue to take care of the ball; he’s thrown four TD passes against two interceptions. Miami has been able to run the ball in its two wins. Who wins? Miami appears to be the better team right now. Dolphins, 31-21
Bengals (2-0) at Panthers (1-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Panthers by 3 Bengals’ keys: Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor did a good job mixing up plays in Week 2. Cincinnati appears to have found another strong complement to WR A.J. Green (3 TDs vs. the Ravens) in WR Tyler Boyd, who posted 91 yards and a TD. Panthers’ keys: Despite a supposedly upgraded wide receiver corps and a clever new offensive coordinator ( Norv Turner), QB Cam Newton apparently still carries this team.
Who wins? Newton and the excellent Carolina defense will bring home a win. Panthers, 28-24
Broncos (2-0) at Ravens (1-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday. CBS Line: Ravens by 5
Broncos’ keys: Denver has to harass Baltimore QB Joe Flacco, forcing him to throw high or wide. Rushing the ball well will force the Ravens defense to put their cornerbacks in one-on-one coverage more often or blitz less frequently.
Ravens’ keys: Making a big play on defense is vital. When the Ravens had a positive turnover differential dating to last year, they’re 10-1. When they tie or lose the turnover battle, they’re 1-7. Who wins? The Ravens’ potent pass rush and turnover-happy secondary are too much. Ravens 23-20
Giants (0-2) at Texans (0-2)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Texans by 6
Giants’ keys: Getting production out of rookie RB Saquon Barkley. New York has the passing weapons with QB Eli Manning throwing to WR Odell Beckham Jr. and TE Evan Engram, but the rushing attack opens it all up.
Texans’ keys: QB Deshaun Watson has the ability to make big plays but must excise the giveaways. DE J.J. Watt and the pass rush need to get home. Who wins? Houston gets it together in front of the NRG Stadium faithful. Texans, 26-14
Titans (1-1) at Jaguars (2-0)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Off
Titans’ keys: Despite the winning efforts of backup QB Blaine Gabbert against Houston, Tennessee will need
Marcus Mariota back to give the team its best chance to defeat the Jaguars in this AFC South showdown.
Jaguars’ keys: QB Blake Bortles is 3-5 vs. the Titans, but he’ll need to move past that to prove the Jags are the undisputed kings of their division. Having RB
Leonard Fournette (hamstring) back could make the offense a headache.
Who wins? The momentum from the Jaguars’ big win over the Patriots and the division matchup should have the home crowd amped. Jaguars, 24-20
49ers (1-1) at Chiefs (2-0)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Chiefs by 61⁄ 2
Chiefs’ keys: Create more plays on defense; it has surrendered 1,016 net yards and 65 points.
49ers’ keys: Stop Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who has 10 TD passes. San Francisco has had a tough time slowing down quarterbacks.
Who wins? Betting against this Kansas City offense isn’t smart until a team proves it can be stopped. Chiefs, 38-24
Chargers (1-1) at Rams (2-0)
Time, TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Rams by 7
Chargers’ keys: They have to figure out a way to get pressure on QB Jared Goff to throw off the rhythm of the Rams’ potent offense. On offense, the Chargers have to control the clock by running the ball consistently with RB Melvin Gordon.
Rams’ keys: Goff and WR Brandin Cooks have had a strong connection through the first two weeks, and the Rams have the offensive line to negate the Chargers’ pass rush.
Who wins? The Rams might be the best team in the NFL. Rams, 31-24
Bears (1-1) at Cardinals (0-2)
Time, TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Bears by 51⁄ 2
Bears’ keys: If Chicago keeps the Cardinals’ offensive plays in front of it, Arizona won’t challenge down the field. ... Chicago must give the ball to RB Jordan Howard in both the running game and the passing game.
Cardinals’ keys: They basically must do everything differently than they have so far. They must get first-half points, which they haven’t done this season. Who wins? The Cardinals look like one of the two worst teams in the NFL. They haven’t been able to score a TD, and their defense hasn’t been able to keep them in the game. Bears, 20-10
Cowboys (1-1) at Seahawks (0-2)
Time, TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Seahawks by 11⁄ 2 Cowboys’ keys: Dallas will need to start strong and score quickly. RB Ezekiel Elliott will have to find his footing and mount a relentless attack to tire Seattle’s defenders.
Seahawks’ keys: First-round rookie RB Rashaad Penny and second-year back Chris Carson will likely split carries, but the Seahawks will need to find a way to convert on third downs. With WR Doug Baldwin still dealing with a knee ligament injury, veteran WRs
Brandon Marshall and Tyler Lockett will factor heavily.
Who wins? If Seattle QB Russell Wilson and the offense build a lead, it will be tough to come back against “the 12th man.” Seahawks 24-21
Patriots (1-1) at Lions (0-2)
Time, TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC Line: Patriots by 61⁄ 2
Patriots’ keys: QB Tom Brady needs to find someone other than TE Rob Gronkowski to step up and make plays, and newly acquired WR Josh Gordon, a former Pro Bowler, could be the answer. Lions’ keys: The defensive front seven must figure out who has what gap assignments and execute better. QB Matthew Stafford has missed too many downfield throws on plays he routinely hit in prior seasons.
Who wins? Detroit hasn’t found consistent success on either side of the ball. Even at home, it’s a leap of faith to think the Lions can pull off the upset. Patriots, 36-28
Steelers (0-1-1) at Bucs (2-0)
Time, TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN Line: Steelers by 1
Buccaneers’ keys: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown for over 400 yards and four TD passes in back-to-back games, but Tampa Bay has needed them all — it has won each game by one score. With injuries mounting in the secondary, the pass rush has to improve.
Steelers’ keys: QB Ben Roethlisberger might need another 400-yard game if they want to get a road win against Tampa Bay’s hot offense. WR Antonio Brown and RB James Conner will have to keep the offense balanced. Who wins? The Bucs feed off the home crowd and, for the third week in a row, make just one more big play than they allow. Bucs, 38-34 Game previews by USA TODAY Sports Media Group affiliates