The Windup’s Pre-review: Week Three Vendetta

Ab Stanley

Just a thought:

Deshone Kizer has thrown for more yards than Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Russell Wilson, and Joe Flacco heading into week three.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have played one game and rushed for more yards than the L.A. Chargers  and N.Y. Giants.

Enough about that on to the games.

 

Week three in the NFL will bring a few of the classic “bad blood” games we are accustomed to. Teams are downright angry. Some will be staring at an winless streak wondering where it went wrong. Others will be striving to stay perfect and keep racking up the wins.

The fact that a few of these teams will actually meet this weekend will make for some interesting games. The fact that they play in the same division will make for some dramatic finishes.

 

Bad Blood:

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets

The Miami Dolphins (1-0) head north to take on the New York Jets (0-2) in a classic AFC East match-up. Since 2011, the Jets and Dolphins have split twelve games (6-6). The Jets have given up a league worst 370 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Look for the Dolphins to give their workhorse running back Jay Ajayi as many carries as he can take.

Keeping the pressure of quarterback Jay Cutler remains Miami’s biggest priority going into their second game. When given time last week, he made plays down the field. The Jets are looking for answers on both sides of the ball. Josh McCown should actually find some open recievers downfield. Miami gave up 323 passing yards in their lone game of the season. New York should try to take shots deep early and get the home crowd involved. They need to try and jump out on a team instead of playing from behind. The Dolphins should beat teams like the Jets if they want to make the playoffs in consecutive years. Always a wild one wherever these two teams play. I’ll take the Dolphins 27-13 over the Jets. Cutler shows more flashes of great play.

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints

The Carolina Panthers (2-0) will host the New Orleans Saints (0-2) and there’s no love lost here. Imagine being Cam Newton, one of two NFC South quarterbacks to win the league’s MVP award and lead his team to the Super Bowl and lose in as many seasons. Then you play in the same division as a guy like Drew Brees who’s never won the MVP but dawns a nice shiny Super Bowl ring.

It’s a game of the unstoppable force versus the immovable object. The Saints have pulled off the neat trick of gaining the third most yards in the league (773) and giving up the most yards in the league (1,025). They will need to lean on that offensive  firepower this week. The Saints should hit the ground running and dial up some off-tackle type run plays. The Saints needs to give Brees play action opportunities and keep the defense somewhat confused. They can force the run on the Panthers and not allow the Panthers to dictate when to run.Carolina is ranked No. 1 in both points allowed and yards allowed. On defense, they should continue whatever it is they are doing.

Now to the offense where the Panthers are more impaired, Carolina needs to attack the Saints through the air for big plays. Nothing like a weak secondary to cure all your scoring problems. I like New Orleans in an upset 24-17 over Carolina. Brees throws a couple touchdowns.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers

When the Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) take on the Los Angeles Chargers (0-2), its been no contest lately. The Chiefs are undefeated in their last five games versus the Chargers. The Chargers are looking to snap that streak while getting their first win of the season. Los Angeles has been good passing the football and stopping the pass. Their attempts at stopping the run and running the ball themselves have been futile. They will need to run if they want to win this week. Kicker Yunghoe Koo has made one out of four field goal attemps this season. The Chargers have lost by a combined five points this season, so maybe they should build a lead and not leave the game in the hands (or on the foot) of the kicker.

Kansas City has played some inspired football so far this season. Alex smith has thrown five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Rookie sensation Kareem hunt is averaging 114.5 rushing yards per game and 7.6 yards per carry. Tryreke Hill is averaging 16 yards per reception. The Chiefs offense is really good in other words. That offense combined with the Chargers inability to stop the run is a great formula for a Kansas City win. I’ll take the Chiefs 34-21 the offense is too good.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) versus the Baltimore Ravens (2-0):

The early A.M. game in London, the Jags are 2-2 in games across the pond. Baltimore is going for the first time.
I’ll take the Ravens to win 20-14

 

New York Giants (0-2) at Philadelphia Eagles(1-1):

The Eagles can protect Carson Wentz, the Giants cannot protect Eli Manning. Which one of these will ring true on Sunday? Probably the Giants version but I wil take them to win 23-20, the defense helps out with the scoring.

 

NFC South Round Up:

Buccaneers (1-0) at Vikings (1-1):
Jameis Winston and freinds come in with a lot of confidence. The Vikings come in without their starting quarterback. I’ll take the Bucs 27-10.

Atlanta Falcons (2-0) at Detroit Lions(2-0):

Atlanta looks sound on offense and defense. The Lions have proven to be a scrappy bunch. The Falcons will take the victory 34-24. (Take the over in the over/under)

Ab Stanley

Atlanta, GA

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