Two weeks into the preseason, there remain questions for every team that need to be answered. Some of those could be answered in Week 3 of the preseason, as teams will play their starters for the majority of the game for the only time this preseason, as players and coaches alike look to get up to full game speed and endurance.
Say what you will about the preseason–and there’s lots to say–its third week is the one to watch. Read on for an overview of the Week 3 action, and get into the best exhibition action of the NFL’s year.
[sc:Football ]NFL Preseason Week 3 Preview and Predictions
Key Storylines
Quarterback competition continues
[sc:NFL240banner ]Perhaps the biggest story to track this preseason has been in Cleveland, where the Browns are still waiting for Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel to come up with a solid and definitive performance in the preseason. The Browns’ Week 2 matchup with the Washington Redskins provided little help, but if anything is to be drawn from the game, it’s that Hoyer is still ahead of Johnny Football in the depth chart – by a thread.
Hoyer (2-of-6 for 16 yards vs. Washington) had a bad game and Manziel failed to capitalize on the situation by having an underwhelming outing himself, completing seven of 16 passes for 65 yards. In Week 3, the Browns will make their first home appearance of the year against the St. Louis Rams.Not much has changed since training camp. Check out our complete preview and prediction for that game here.
The competition, meanwhile, for the backup QB for the Green Bay Packers continues to be a puzzle for head coach Mike McCarthy. Matt Flynn was originally the favorite to win the job, but Scott Tolzien has gained some ground with steady play in two games thus far in the preseason, including going 10-for-15 for 107 yards against the Rams in Week 2.
Must-watch matchups
Looking for tasty preseason matchups? There’s a lot on schedule in Week 3. For beginners, there’s the Sunday night ballgame between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals. Ring a bell? This match pits Carson Palmer against his former team, which he left out in the cold in 2011. Palmer will be facing the Bengals again, but it’s going to be a completely different squad – one that’s pegged to win the AFC North with odds of +170.
Before that, on Friday, the Chicago Bears’ vaunted passing game takes on the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl winning secondary AKA the Legion of Boom.
Predictions for Week 3 games
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (August 21, 7:30 PM ET)
Line: Pittsburgh Steelers (+3.5) at Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5); total: 50.0 – see all NFL lines
The Steelers continues to practice to perfection their no-huddle attack as they go up against Philadelphia, which is currently dealing with an interesting backup QB battle featuring Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley.
Writer’s prediction: Pittsburgh wins.
Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots (August 22, 7:30 PM ET)
Line: Carolina Panthers (+5.5) at New England Patriots (-5.5); total: 45.0 – see all NFL lines
Tom Brady and backup QB hopefuls, Jimmy Garoppolo and Ryan Mallett will all be challenged by Carolina’s elite defense. Garoppolo and Mallett will both be playing to lock up the spot behind Brady as the team’s quarterback heir apparent.
Writer’s prediction: The Panthers lose, but cover the spread.
New York Giants vs. New York Jets (August 22, 7:30 PM ET)
Line: New York Giants at New York Jets – see all NFL lines
The Giants’ struggles in running the West Coast offense outweigh whatever good vibes they’re getting from their unblemished record. On the other side, Geno Smith could slam the door on Michael Vicks’ hopes to be the starter with another solid performance.
Writer’s prediction: Jets zoom past Giants.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions (August 22, 7:30 PM ET)
Line: Jacksonville Jaguars (+3) at Detroit Lions (-3); total: 44.5 – see all NFL lines
Blake Bortles’ play has shut down the talk that he shouldn’t have been the first quarterback selected in the draft. Will he continue to silence his detractors with another strong outing against the Lions?
Writer’s prediction: Detroit beats Jaguars.
Oakland Raiders vs. Green Bay Packers (August 22, 8:00 pm ET)
Line: Oakland Raiders (+7) at Green Bay Packers (-7); total: 43.0 – see all NFL lines
Green Bay’s improved defense meets the Raiders’ offensive linemen, who all appear to be incapable of protecting their QBs.
Writer’s prediction: Green Bay mauls Raiders.
Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks (August 22, 10:00 PM ET)
Line: Chicago Bears (+7) at Seattle Seahawks (-7); total: 45.0 – see all NFL lines
Don’t use the “it’s just a preseason game” card here. It’s the offensively talented Chicago Bears testing the defense of the Seattle Seahawks, who just a week ago bludgeoned the San Diego Chargers, 41-14.
Writer’s prediction: Chicago loses, but covers the spread as a road underdog.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills (August 23, 4:30 PM ET)
Line: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) at Buffalo Bills (-3); total: 41.5 – see all NFL lines
Under Lovie Smith, the Bucs defense has been performing well thus far in the preseason. Will it continue to hold down opposing teams’ offense?
Writer’s prediction: Tampa Bay wins and covers the spread.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Miami Dolphins (August 23, 7:00 PM ET)
Line: Dallas Cowboys (+3.5) at Miami Dolphins (-3.5); total: 45.0 – see all NFL lines
The Cowboys’ defense is terrifying – to themselves. Dallas’ defense has been blown up twice in the preseason. The Dolphins have problems on defense, too, but not as wide-ranging as what the Cowboys are dealing with.
Writer’s prediction: The Dolphins score a win against Dallas.
Tennessee Titans vs. Atlanta Falcons (August 23, 7:00 PM ET)
Line: Tennessee Titans (+3) at Atlanta Falcons (-3); total: 44.0 – see all NFL lines
Jake Locker and Justin Hunter keyed the Titans’ win in Week 2. Can they keep it up against the Falcons, who are still coming to grips with the loss of Sam Baker to injury?
Writer’s prediction: The Titans beat Atlanta, convincingly.
Washington Redskins vs. Baltimore Ravens (August 23, 7:30 PM ET)
Line: Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens – see all NFL lines
Words got out that there’s a growing rift between RG3 and his teammates. Is it the quarterback’s personality in the locker room or just that he’s really struggling to learn the new playbook?
Writer’s prediction: Joe Flacco gets more time with first team, as Baltimore beats up the Redskins.
New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts (August 23, 8:00 PM ET)
Line: New Orleans Saints (+2.5) at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5); total: 47.0 – see all NFL lines
It’s smooth sailing for the Saints so far this preseason. Can they handle the winless Indianapolis Colts with ease?
Writer’s prediction: New Orleans wins.
St. Louis Rams vs. Cleveland Browns (August 23, 8:00 PM ET)
Line: St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns – see all NFL lines
It’s another chance for Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel to make their cases to be the Browns’ starting QB.
Writer’s prediction: Cleveland gets the victory.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs (August 23, 8:00 PM ET)
Line: Minnesota Vikings (+3.5) at Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5); total: 45.0 – see all NFL lines
Teddy Bridgewater made the QB battle in the Vikings camp even more interesting with a solid performance last week. Can he churn out another impressive game against the Chiefs, who have issues in the secondary and wide receiver positions?
Writer’s prediction: Kansas City earns win over the Vikings.
Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos (August 23, 9:00 PM ET)
Line: Houston Texans (+7) at Denver Broncos (-7); total: 46.0 – see all NFL lines
Jadeveon Clowney has a chance to go up against Peyton Manning. Will the No.1 overall pick get to the legendary QB in this game?
Writer’s prediction: Denver pulverizes the Texans.
San Diego Chargers vs. San Francisco 49ers (August 24, 4:00 PM ET)
Line: San Diego Chargers (+6) at San Francisco 49ers (-6); total: 42.0 – see all NFL lines
A week after being waylaid by the Seahawks, San Diego heads to San Francisco, where the 49ers are aiming to recover from the beatdown Denver handed the team in Week 2.
Writer’s prediction: San Francisco wins.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Arizona Cardinals (August 24, 8:00 PM ET)
Line: Cincinnati Bengals (+2.5) at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5); total: 43.5 – see all NFL lines
Andy Dalton went 8-of-8 last week against the Jets, which is probably what happens usually after signing a multi-million contract extension. Will he impress again against the Cardinals?
Writer’s prediction: The Bengals wins the game and covers the spread.
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