Buffalo, the Chargers, Justin Tucker, and the Bengals all captured my attention.
A week full of surprises. Things didn’t go exactly as I had expected. The Falcons beat the Giants, and the Giants looked terrible. Barkley can’t get anything on the ground, and Daniel Jones can’t carry a team. The Saints were a positive surprise–not just by winning, but by winning so convincingly. Winston was solid, and the defense held the Patriots down all game.
Chill out! Justin Fields will be fine. People, here’s the deal. Stop projecting what Fields might or might not do based on one game or two. The Bears need to commit to him as their starter. Then you’ll see Fields come into his own.
The AFC North runs through Cincinnati (at least that’s what I’m telling myself). The Bengals dominating the Steelers was a pleasant surprise. “Ja’marr Chase can’t catch a football” didn’t last very long. He has been great all year. Burrow had a clean pocket all day and wasn’t sacked a single time. Big Ben was not great … and he threw the ball almost 60 times.
Bonehead playcalling: Some coaches get too fancy, and it rarely works. First, the Dolphins tried a screen pass in their end zone … and … it resulted in a safety. PFF reported that history was made: it is the first completed pass for a safety in NFL history unaccompanied by either a penalty or a fumble. The Jags tried a flea-flicker that ended with Lawrence throwing off his back foot for a runaway pick-six. Cardinals tried a nearly 70-yard field goal … returned for a nearly 110-yard TD. Ugh!
Week 3 Power Rankings
Chargers. It was the win of the week, in my opinion. The Chargers went into KC and beat the Chiefs. Wow! A huge win, it gives LAC a leg up in the division race and catapults them into the status of prime AFC contender.
Bengals. Cincinnati took advantage of a hobbled Big Ben and got a big win against Pittsburgh. The O-line protected Joe Burrow, and the defense stepped up to the challenge, Big Ben was forced into a number of terrible throws, and two of his interceptions resulted in touchdowns for the other side.
Saints. The Saints looked solid against Mac Jones and the Pats. James played well, Kamara might get the running game going, and the defense picked Jones apart. It was an excellent bounce-back performance. Let’s not underestimate this bunch.
Bills. Buffalo was tasked with facing an excellent WFT defense, and the offense responded. And let’s give extra credit to that O-Line. Josh Allen had all the time in the world to make clean throws. Putting up 43 points on that defense is no small feat. Buffalo looks dangerous!
Mount Rushmore Performances
Justin Tucker. JT should probably have all four spots this week. Ford Field was stunned into silence, and the shock on fans’ faces was almost as good as the kick itself. What a moment!
Josh Allen had 358 yards and four touchdowns. And he made just about every throw he wanted, including a wild TD that had him scrambling to his right and throwing a dart to the corner of the end zone. If Josh keeps playing like this, the Bills will be serious contenders come January.
Justin Herbert. Touche! He had 281 yards and four touchdowns. Herbert carried the Chargers; every touchdown came from his arm. Completing almost 70% of his passes, this Oregon product didn’t throw a single pick.
Mike Williams. Whoa! He made seven catches (of nine targets) for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Herbert’s favorite target v. KC lit up the Chiefs. LAC is for real!
