Around the NFL: Week 3 preview

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

Check out what’s in store in Week 3.

Two weeks down, 14 to go. We reach the third week of the 2020 NFL regular season after another wild weekend in Week 2. We saw some upsets, tons of offense, and possibly the game of the year between the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys.

It’s another packed slate for Week 3, featuring a matchup between two of the best teams in the entire NFL. Here’s our preview to get you ready for this week of action.

Intriguing Matchups

Los Angeles Rams at Buffalo Bills - Sun, 9/27 1:00 ET

Believe it or not, there are only two games this weekend between undefeated teams, and this is one of them. The Bills and Rams have both gotten off to great starts, but have clearly done it against different levels of competition.

Los Angeles started off their season with a bang, christening their new home with an impressive win over the Dallas Cowboys. They then went on to continue their NFC East tear, beating the Eagles in Philadelphia last Sunday. Quarterback, Jared Goff, and the Rams offense have looked great in the season’s first two weeks. Goff has a QB Rating of 110.75 and has only been sacked two times.

Jared Goff starts a career HIGH 10-10 vs Eagles D with 122 yards and 1 TD@6abc #Eagles pic.twitter.com/w4yLcusSFq

— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) September 20, 2020

Buffalo has also gotten off to an impressive start, but they have yet to be tested by a real opponent. The Bills had the Dolphins and Jets in the first two weeks, both teams who figure to have top 10 picks in next year’s draft. Despite playing against subpar competition, their quarterback, Josh Allen, has looked great. Allen has thrown six touchdowns to zero interceptions, and Pro Football Focus has him ranked as the third passer in the NFL with a 122.9 rating.

With both offenses getting off to such good starts, this game likely will come down to which of the quarterbacks preforms better. Goff and Allen both have been able to excel this season at getting the ball out quick. The key for these defenses will be forcing them to hold the football, and force them into mistakes.

This is a real test for Buffalo facing off against their first true contender this season. If they are able to pull out a win over the Rams and improve to 3-0, it will be hard to overlook them as one of the AFC’s elite.

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks - Sun, 9/27 4:25 ET

It’s hard to find words to describe the Cowboys did on Sunday. It was one of the most exciting comeback wins in franchise history, but the celebration can’t last for long. Dallas comes off the thrilling victory over Atlanta and walks right into a matchup with one of the best teams in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle has gotten off to a 2-0 start virtually at the will of their quarterback, Russell Wilson. The signal-caller has started off 2020 playing at an MVP-caliber level. Wilson has thrown nine touchdowns in his first two games, and has a quarterback rating of 140. Pro Football Focus ranks Wilson as the league’s best passer with a 140.3 passer rating, and he trails only Aaron Rodgers in overall offensive grades with a score of 92.3.

"Russell Wilson is such a difference maker, nobody can deny that at this point." -@Hasselbeck @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/2H7eYolzyG

— Pat McAfee Show Quotes (@Patmcafeequotes) September 22, 2020

On defense, the story has been completely different. Seattle has surrendered 55 total points in their first two games and has given up the most yards in all of football. Despite acquiring All-Pro Jamal Adams, their secondary has struggled and allowed Matt Ryan and Cam Newton to consistently beat them down the field.

For the Cowboys, it’s going to be about their defense trying to contain Russell Wilson just enough. After what we saw Sunday, we know the Cowboys offense is going to put up points. Dak Prescott is among the top quarterbacks in this league and he should have success against the Seahawks secondary, but could this be a game of who gets the ball last wins? Dallas and Seattle both could easily score in the mid-thirties, so this game likely will come down to which defense can step up and make one big play in the clutch.

Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens - Mon, 9/28 8:15 ET

Plain and simple, they are clearly the best two teams in the NFL. The Ravens have had the more impressive start, steamrolling two solid opponents in the first two weeks, but the Chiefs are still the reigning Super Bowl champs.

Star quarterback Lamar Jackson has gotten the Ravens offense off to a fantastic start. Jackson looks much more poised as a passer, and has been just as dynamic on the ground as he was last season. The Ravens’ offense is the fourth highest graded unit through two weeks, according to PFF. On the defensive side, Baltimore has been just as good. They’ve surrendered just two touchdowns and have registered seven sacks.

This 1st Q throw from Lamar Jackson vs HOU really caught my eye. His understanding of what the flat control will do to 41 Cunningham and subsequent anticipation on this throw + quick release + accurate placement on upfield shoulder to maximize YAC. pic.twitter.com/ukJLLuB5Aw

— Dan Hatman (@Dan_Hatman) September 22, 2020

Kansas City got off to a great start in Week 1 against Houston, but had a bit off a let down last weekend against the Chargers. The Chiefs ended up winning the game, thanks in large part to the greatness of Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill, but still gave some causes for concern on defense.

There is a pretty great bet that this game will be a preview of the AFC Championship game in January, so we should be in for a treat on Monday night. The two best teams in football and two of the best quarterbacks in football could set up for the game of the regular season here in Week 3.

Five Picks to Click

Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images

1. Kyler Murray, QB Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals quarterback is off to a great start, and faces a Lions defense that has given up 69 points in two games.

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

2. Carson Wentz, QB Philadelphia Eagles

It’s been a miserable start for Wentz, but an opportunity to go up against an awful Bengals defense should set him up for a big rebound in Week 3.

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

3. Derrick Henry, RB Tennessee Titans

Henry should feast on a Vikings defense that has given up 309 yards rushing in just two games.

Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

4. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa should have their way with a beat up Broncos team, missing their quarterback, Drew Lock.

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

5. The Green Bay Packers

Green Bay travels to play the Saints with no fans and likely no star wideout Michael Thomas.

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