Another week in the NFL showcased explosive plays, comeback wins, star players being born, and good old fashioned exciting football. Lets dive into the results from week 3:
Winning Team Denoted In Red Text
Tennessee Titans VS New York Giants
Results: Chris Johnson and the Titans defense kept the Giants from getting a shot at winning the game. It was a big bounce back especially for CJ2K.
Analysis:Eli Manning was picked off twice, and Chris Johnson ran for over 100 yards and 2 TDs as the Titans pummeled the Giants. The Giants, while having the most time of possession, could not get it done in the redzone as they turned it over twice.
Cincinnati Bengals VS Carolina Panthers
Results: The Bengals used their advantage over time of possession as well as the opportunity of Panther turnovers to win the game.
Analysis: Jimmy Clausen started the Carolina, but failed to get anything going for the Panthers offense. Carson Palmer was not much better in fact, but Cinci as a whole played better football, ran the ball better, and came out on top.
Pittsburgh Steelers VS Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Results: These two teams might have both been undefeated coming into this one, but it was clear following the game that they were not ont he same level.
Analysis:While replacement QB Charlie Batch did throw 2 interceptions in the contest, it seemed that Pittsburgh moved up and down the field at will, routing the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay did not have the defense to stop them, or the Offense to keep up.
Buffalo Bills VS New England Patriots
Results: In a surprisingly close game, New England holds on to beat division rival Buffalo in a shootout of a game.
Analysis: The Bills (for once), kept their offense going enough to keep up with their opponent, though they settled for too many field goals instead of touch downs, and it cost them in the end.
Cleveland Browns VS Baltimore Ravens
Results: Anquan Boldin caught in three touchdowns as the Ravens got a hard fought win against the Browns.
Analysis: While Peyton Hillis gouged Baltimore on the ground, Anquan Boldin gouged Cleveland through the air, and got two more touchdowns then Hillis, and ultimately gave Baltimore the win. They were perfect in the redzone, while the Browns were not.
San Fransisco 49ers VS Kansas City Chiefs
Results: In their game against the 49ers, Kansas City used their time to tell the NFL that they are a legitimate threat, rolling over San Fransisco.
Analysis: The Chiefs has wheels turning on all sides of the ball. They had two 90+ yard rushers in Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles. Matt Cassel also passed for 3 TDs. The 49ers just could not keep up as they were onyl 23% on 3rd downs, and they could not stop the surging Chiefs, as they improved to 3 - 0.
Dallas Cowboys VS Houston Texans
Results: Dallas may have lost their first two games, but anyone who saw their demolition of in state rival Houston, saw only a dominant playoff possible team.
Analysis: In the first 3 quarters, Houston only managed to gain 3 points, and this was only the beginning of their offensive woes. They looked confused and comatose as Dallas pushed them around on both sides of the ball. DeMarcus Ware made his presence known as he sacked Matt Schuab 3 times.
Detroit Lions VS Minnesota Vikings
Results: In yet another Vikings game where Brett Favre threw multiple Interceptions (bringing him to 6 through 3 games), they pulled through thanks to the magic of Adrian Peterson.
Analysis: Adrian Peterson, with his 160 yards and dual touchdowns, won this game for Minnesota by himself. Take away his presence and 14 points and you have the Vikes even with the Lions at ten points. Detroit was largely ineffective with Jahvid Best and Calvin Johnson (Best limited due to injury).
Atlanta Falcons VS New Orleans Saints
Results: Despite winning the time of possession, the turnover battle, and having more total yards, it took a missed FG in overtime for the Falcons to come away with the win. But it's the end result that counts, and Atlanta pulled it off.
Analysis: It was neck and neck going into the final minutes as the Saints kicked the field goal to tie the game and sent it into over time. Unfortunately for them Garrett Hartley couldn't sink an even shorter field goal to seal them the win.
Washington Redskins VS St. Louis Rams
Results: The Redskins were overpowered by the Rams, as rookie QB Sam Bradford got his first career win.
Analysis: The most important stat for the Redskins was the 0 out of 3, which was their red zone conversion. They took Field goals while St. Louis scored touchdowns, and if you play that game, your going to lose against most teams.
Philadelphia Eagles VS Jacksonville Jaguars
Results: Jacksonville could not manage to get any sort of offense going as they were routed for the second straight week.
Analysis: Michael Vick looked good in his second victory as the Eagles starter, throwing for 3 TDs and rushing for a fourth. The Philadelphia defense also kept the Jaguars to a mere one field goal for the whole game.
Denver Broncos VS Indianapolis Colts
Results: Indianapolis gained its second straight win as they held the Broncos out of the end zone and out of the win column.
Analysis: Another one of those important stats, the Broncos were 0 for 5 in the red zone. That simply can not happen if you want to win a football game, especially not against the Colts. Indianapolis was without wide receivers Anthony Gonzales and Pierre Garcon, so they turned to undrafted rookie Blair White, who caught 3 passes as well as a touchdown pass (on a route he told Peyton Manning himself, was sure to work).
Oakland Raiders VS Arizona Cardinals
Results: Arizona held on to the one point win as the Raiders missed a field goal in the final seconds.
Analysis: Three missed field goals (including the game winner) in conjunction with going 1 of 5 in the red zone, spelled woe for the Raiders. Their running game is improving, and their offense playing better, but they have to be more efficient, and their defense needs to improve to win football games.
San Diego Chargers VS Seattle Seahawks
Results: 450+ passing yards from Philip Rivers could not help him overcome the Seahawks on Sunday.
Analysis: Behind two kick return touchdowns, Seattle held on to the win as the Chargers came back to tie it, just to have that second kick return TD put a nail in the coffin.
Miami Dolphins VS New York Jets
Results: Matt Sanchez and Dustin Keller led the Jets passed division rival Miami for their second straight win.
Analysis: Sanchez is getting better with every game, and is one of the 3 QBs left who, over the first three games, have thrown no interceptions (Michael Vick and Peyton Manning are the other two).Chad Henne also stepped up in his role as the Fins QB, and almost led the Fins back to redemption, falling just short.
Green Bay Packers VS Chicago Bears
Results: The Packers suffered from penalties and late turnovers, and the Bears remained undefeated.
Analysis: The Packers had 18 penalties for 158 yards, and it undoubtedly hurt them. Chicago on the other hand used this to their advantage to score thirteen 4th quarter points and walk away with the W.
Week 3 Picks: 8 - 8
The Miami Dolphins have been up and down the past few seasons, but their level of talent remains very real. What will surprise people most is their ability to clash with and possibly win the division over a very good Jets team. The running back corp (when healthy) is one of the best in the league, made up of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams (they were 4th in the league rushing last year). They have the ability to be a run heavy offense and have great sucess this way. The biggest questions come from their passing game and defense. If Chad Henne can step up, continue to improve, and manage the game as well as Chad Pennington did recently, then this team can do great things. Luckily for Henne, Miami managed to snag one of the best wide receivers in the league in Brandon Marshall. This signing is HUGE for Miami's offense as it presents a go to guy and #1 big play WR for Henne right away. The defense is going to have to support them though (they were 22nd overall last year), and the rookie selection Jared Odrick and signing of Karlos Dansby should help their cause immensely.
