Football - General
NFL Games of the Week-NFL Week 3
By Jeff Gagnon and Thomas Cool
Sep 21, 2007, 11:30

NFL Games of the Week- NFL Week3

Game 1 Dallas vs Chicago

Dallas Cowboys (TC)

Dallas Offense

The questions about QB Tony Romo in the offseason should just about disappear by now, he is having a good start to his season. The two headed monster at RB (J Jones and M Barber III) are piling up yardage and TD's. They keep defenses from focusing on WR T Owens and TE J Witten. With WR T Glenn out due to injury, WR's P Crayton and S Hurd have taken over and managed to have workman-like production that keeps teams from totally focusing on TO. The Dallas OL is having a reasonable beginning to the season, but sometimes allows too much pressure on Romo.

Dallas Defense

After two games the Defense has yet to reach its peak but it appears to play better in spurts each week. The defensive backfield is playing very well, especially the Safeties. The LB corps has yet to jell, they dont consistently pressure the QB but have provided enough to be a nuisance. The DL suffered a huge blow with the loss of DT J Ferguson, but DT Tank Johnson was signed to fill his spot, although Johnson is supsended for a few more weeks.

Special Teams

Always seem to have young guys and PK N Folk and PN McBriar are no exceptions. McBriar is very good, while Folk has not yet had to make any pressure kicks so the jury is out on him.

EFSlant: The Cowboys will be facing a daunting task going into Soldier Field to play da Bears. Romo is clearly better than Grossman at this stage of the season, so advantage Cowboys. Establishing a running game against da Bears will be difficult, but both Jones and Barber should see lots of carries. TO is the type of receiver that can cause Tampa-2 zones fits, but the guy who may be the difference could be TE Witten.

On defense, must starters are LB D Ware, DB Roy Williams, and maybe the CB's.

Projection:

Dallas 24
Chicago 20

Chicago Bears (JG)

Chicago Offense (JG)

The 2-0 Dallas Cowboys make their way into the Windy City in what would appear to be a glimpse into the 2007 playoff future.

The Boys defense may be just what Da Bears offense needs to get on track. The Bear offense has been absolutely terrible in it's first two appearances. They are ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in just about every offensive catagory you can think of. Total yards 220.5 (30th), yards per play 3.7 (31st) and scoring 11.5 per game (28th) are just a few of the more significant stats. The preseason fears about Rex Grossman look to be correct. He was a feast or famine type last season and should be the same this year. This game should prove to be a feast for Grossman and I would definitely look for the Bears to attack a very porous Dallas secondary right from the opening whistle. He also will have a new toy available to him with the first career appearance of Greg Olsen. Cedric Benson had a very nice game against the Chiefs, racking up over 100 yards and I like him to do the same in this game. Bears fans will feel much better about their offense when this ball game is over.

Chicago Defense (JG)

Chicago's defense has been oustanding in the first two games played to this point. They are tremendous against the run, allowing a very stingy 2.4 yards per rush. Marion Barber and Julius Jones will really have to earn it on Sunday night. Dallas has ran the ball very well but will not sniff their 154 yard average against Urlacher and his boys. Where the Cowboys can hope to exploit the Bears defense will be through the air with an array of play action's and roll outs. The Bear linebackers and safeties are going to have to improve their play against the opponents tight end's. They have given up eighteen receptions to end's. Jason Witten will probably add significantly to that number. Dallas's offense has been a big play machine. They have had 12 plays of over 20 yards already and have gone off for 3 plays of over 40 yards. This is an area where Chicago thrives. Will they be able to contain the Dallas offense? Not completely but they will be good enough to win.

Fantasy Spin (JG)

All the usual suspects from the Bears defense should be played. They will have many opportunities. Safeties Archuleta and Manning should prove to be very strong starts this week. Week three will probably be a good opportunity to use your Bear offensive linemen. Do not fear, there will be plenty of offense in this game. Cedric Benson will be strong and I like Bernard Berrian to get away with at least one big play for a touchdown.

Prediction (JG)

Dallas - 23

Chicago - 24


Game 2 Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts (TC)

Indy Offense

The Colts return to the site of their last loss, Reliant Stadium near end of 06 season. As usual the offense is a very explosive, well oiled machine, with multiple weapons. The conductor is QB P Manning, who is at the zenith of his game. Young RB J Addai is the primary runner this year. The WR corps is headed by the usual names we all know- M Harrison and R Wayne, but is supplemented by TE D Clark who plays in the slot more often than not. TE B Utecht is in as the primary blocking TE but he will catch some passes too! Of course the OL is one of the very best around.

Colts Defense

Much-maligned last year during the regular season they really jelled in the playoff run to the SuperBowl. They seem to have taken where they left off. DE's Freeney and Mathis are perhaps the most feared pair of DE's in the game today. The DT are space eaters, keeping the OLmen off the LB's. LB F Keiaho has replaced C June and is off to a very good start. The best players on this defense are in the backfield- both corners (Jackson and Hayden) and safeties (Bethea and Sanders).

Special Teams

PK Adam Vinatieri is without a doubt the best at his position. PN H Smith doesnt get a lot of chance to do his thing.

EFSlant:

This is easy...on Offense if you have any of these players, with possible exception of Utecht, start em! On defense, start the DE's, any of the DB's, for sure. The LB's are fill-ins if need be.

Prediction: this should be a very good game, at least for awhile, due to improved Texans team. But can they hang with the Colts? Not likely....

Indianapolis 31
Houston 21

Houston Texans (JG)

Houston Offense (JG)

The Texans have run the ball more than they have thrown it in both games they have played this year which coincidentally were both victories. They have dominated the clock as well. They will have to do this to an even greater extent against the high flying Colts. The Titans did that very thing last week and had an opportunity to win the game. Houston will have to be much better than their 3.4 yards per carry if they want the opportunity to convert third downs. I would look for Ahman Green to get the majority of the carries. He has split the carries with Ron Dayne so far but Green has produced 2 more yards per carry. Green will have a an extremely difficult day due to the absense of Andre Johnson. Bob Sanders will be able to play the run without any fear of being torched deep. Rookie receiver Jacoby Jones and tight end Owen Daniels must be major contributors. Matt Schaub has been terrific this season and must protect the ball and keep the Colts on a long field. I think the absense of Andre Johnson will be too much to overcome against the defending champs.

Houston Defense (JG)

The Texan defense is a little difficult to get a read on. The offense has got them pretty solid leads going into the second half of their games, making their opponents very one dimensional. The defense has been excellent in these situations, protecting the leads with good quarterback pressure and forcing turnovers. They are first in the NFL with a plus four in turnovers. They will have to create turnovers this week and probably have to score a defensive touchdown to win. The Texans defensive line has been great so far, lead by DE Mario Williams and rookie DT Omobe Okoye, who have combined for four sacks already. I believe the Colts are going to attack with the run a bit more than normal early in the game. The Texans run defense has not really been tested and Joseph Addai is the right man for the job. If Indy gets this done, their play action will be too much for the Texans.

Fantasy Spin (JG)

Owen Daniels will be the number one option in the passing game and will be a solid start. I would look at Ahman only as a second option this week. Schaub will put up good numbers because the Texans will be forced to pass the ball. The secondary of the Texans will have many tackle opps and Von Hutchins and Dunta Robinson have to be started. I like Danny Clark to have a good start.

Prediction (JG)

Indy - 27

Houston - 20



Game 3 San Diego Chargers vs Green Bay Packers


San Diego Chargers (TC)

The Chargers come limping into Lambeau Field at 1-1 while the Packers are 2-0, surprising for both teams but for opposite reasons. The Chargers offense looks to get untracked against a very good Packer Defense.

Chargers Offense

It begins with the quintessential RB, Ladainian Tomlinson, who is off to a slow start, which means he is due to break out. QB P Rivers has not yet found his groove, playing rather sloppily last week at times. So far, TE A Gates has been his primary target. WR's V Jackson and C Davis have yet to prove they can take the pressure off Gates. The OL is hurting this week, with OG Goff and OT Olivia both on the injury list. If either of them, or both, cannot play then the Chargers offense will be in for a long day.

Chargers Defense

So far this season they have not played as well as many expected. The DL is not getting pressure on the QB and S Merriman has not made any splashy plays. LB S Cooper is off to a good start replacing D Edwards, but M Wilhelm is nursing an injury, as is S Phillips. So far the Defensive backfield has played better than in past years but they have had their share of breakdowns too.

Chargers Speacial Teams

Both PK N Kaeding and PN M Scifres are in the top 5 in the NFL are their positions. KR M Turner substitutes as LT's replacement and he is very good at both.

EFSlant: IF the OLmen who are injured can play then the Chargers offense may finally start to click, if not then it could be a long day against an improved Packer Defense. Must starters on offense are LT, A Gates and the OLmen. QB P Rivers is at best a QB2 this week.

On Defense, start the LB's-whichever ones are healthy that is- and perhaps the safeties if needed.

Prediction: its early but this is almost a must game for SD. For GB if they could start 3-0 it would be much better than anyone predicted!

San Diego 20
Green Bay 19

Green Bay Offense (JG)

With the running game going in reverse for the Packers, it looks like the Brett Favre show again this week. He will have his full receiving arsenal available for the first time this season with the return of Greg Jennings to the lineup. This gives the Pack a nice threesome of Donald Driver, Jennings and rookie James Jones at receiver. Green Bay will probably take a page from the Pats game and try and spread the field with multiple receiver sets and keep the backs in early for extra protection. Brandon Jackson will be looking to have his best game of his young career against a Charger defense that is wounded right up the middle. NT Jamal Williams and ILB Scott Cooper are scheduled to suit up but are less than 100%. The other ILB, Matt Wilhelm will miss this game with a calf injury. Green Bay has not been great on offense yet this year. This week they will have to have their best game to beat a very complete and angry San Diego squad.

Green Bay Defense (JG)

The Pack has had a very stingy scoring defense and the Chargers offense has been almost completely stifled by the great defenses of the Bears and Patriots. While the Packers are not on the same level as those teams, they are still very stout with LB's AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett running all over the field. The experienced play of corners Al Harris and Charles Woodson should be more than enough to neutralize the wide receivers of the Chargers. Who will stop Antonio Gates is another question all together. I do not like the chances of Atari Bigby and Nick Collins. Gates will have a monster ball game on the not yet frozen tundra. LT should be better this week but still not at the great level we have all been accustomed to. The Packers defense will put up a good fight but probably do not head to locker room at 3-0.

Fantasy Spin (JG)

Brett Favre is going to have solid yardage numbers due to the large number of attempts. I am a bit concerned about picks but anyone who owns him has to live with that. I like the defense of the Pack a lot more than their offense from the fantasy perspective. Hawk and Barnett will have their A game but the player I really like this week is Cullen Jenkins. He will register his first sack of the season.

Prediction (JG)

San Diego - 20

Green Bay - 17

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