Week 3 in the NFL already produced a shockingly one-sided Thursday Night Football showdown. It would have been bold to predict the Patriots’ third-string quarterback and his team would completely shut out the Houston Texans.
But it happened.
This proves that nearly anything is possible during any particular game. As the Week 3 matchups take place, there are sure to be plenty of unexpected performances and surprises along the way.
With this in mind, we present 10 bold predictions that could happen in Week 3.
Jerick McKinnon rushes for 100-plus yards in Carolina
McKinnon is set to start in place of the injured Adrian Peterson. During Peterson’s first game and partial second, he managed only 50 rushing yards on 31 attempts. He struggled to produce, as his offensive line struggled to create holes.
We predict a big game for McKinnon, despite Peterson’s lackluster numbers, against Carolina’s defense.
While that sounds scary, the Panthers’ defense has allowed 213 rushing yards and three rushing scores. McKinnon has averaged a swift 4.9 yards per carry since 2014. He could find some creases to break lose.
It was only a couple of week ago that Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson rushed for 92 yards and one score on the ground against Carolina. Just watch. The Vikings’ ground game will finally make its mark in Week 3.
Aaron Rodgers will throw another Hail Mary in the Lions end zone
In both the Lions’ first two games, the final score came down to the wire. In Week 1 the Lions beat the Colts by four points with seconds on the clock. Then in Week 2, they lost by one point after Tennessee’s final play.
In Week 3, another close game against Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers is surely feasible.
The last time both teams met, Packers tight end Richard Rodgers caught a Hail Mary from Aaron Rodgers that had us all gawking for days. History could very well repeat. Plus, the Lions have been horrible at defending tight ends, allowing four scores in two games.
This is a bold call. But if any quarterback finds himself in a Hail Mary situation in Week 3, it could easily be Rodgers.
Coincidentally enough, the same referee that made the bad face mask call will last year will officiate Sunday’s game. It was because of the poor call Green Bay received its last opportunity and scored that Hail Mary, winning touchdown.
Cheffers is the official who called the facemask penalty before the Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary last year: https://t.co/K314sf3Z4P
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) September 21, 2016
Cleveland Browns break losing streak
The Browns have lost five games in a row. Worse still, the team is also starting its fifth consecutive quarterback in five straight games.
So how can the Browns finally win?
They are playing the 0-2 Miami Dolphins for one. Miami’s offense and defense both rank eighth-worst in the league.
The Browns will debut rookie Cody Kessler. He will likely be handing the ball off to Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson an awful lot. Surprisingly enough, Cleveland’s run game ranks eighth-best in the league.
It could be a match made in heaven considering Miami ranks 30th against the rush.
A handful of young quarterbacks nobody expected to flourish a few months ago have shined this season. Who is to say Kessler won’t help the Browns achieve their first win of the season?
Todd Gurley scores first and second touchdown of the season
Gurley has yet to have a breakout performance or score. He’s been shut down during a Week 1 shutout loss to San Francisco and a grueling matchup with Seattle.
The Rams have a much more friendly opponent on tap this week in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last week, the Buccaneers as a whole were absolutely wretched.
Los Angeles’ defense could make things difficult for Jameis Winston and Co.
With turnovers and three-and-outs forced by the Rams, Gurley will see more carries. Last week, the Bucs’ defense surrendered 101 rushing yards and one rushing score to Arizona’s running backs.
It is high time for Gurley to find the end zone not only once, but twice, while delivering a signature performance reminiscent of last year’s campaign.
Russell Wilson bounces back with three passing touchdowns
Wilson and the Seahawks’ offense has been a train wreck. Because of the quarterback’s pedigree, he can rebound with a three passing-score game in pretty much any situation.
We are going out on a limb and saying that Wilson accomplishes this task against the 49ers in Week 3.
Why is this a bold statement?
Wilson has passed for an average of only 1.5 per touchdowns per game in his history of playing against the 49ers.
He has also been intercepted by the 49ers more than any other team he has faced in his career. In fact, 20 percent of Wilson’s interceptions occurred against San Francisco.
The 49ers just allowed four passing scores to Cam Newton last week. This is the game in which Wilson defies the odds stacked against him and lets the 49ers have it.
Melvin Gordon scores his sixth touchdown of the year
Gordon already has three rushing touchdowns on the books. That is three more than he accomplished all last year.
Now, he will face the Indianapolis Colts, who feature a defense that has surrendered five scores to opposing running backs in two games.
With Danny Woodhead and Keenan Allen sidelined, Gordon will see even more touches. He could easily waltz into the end zone twice on foot and catch his first touchdown.
The Colts’ defense is atrocious, ceding 118 rushing yards per contest. Gordon is going to have a field day.
Carson Wentz outperforms Ben Roethlisberger in an Eagles win
So far in two games, Wentz has completed 43-of-71 passes for 468 yards. Big Ben has completed 46-of-74 for 559 yards.
Wentz has thrown three touchdowns and zero picks. Roethlisberger has six touchdowns and three interceptions. Because Pittsburgh’s passing defense is second-worst in the league, Wentz is primed for more success. The Steelers have allowed a generous 347.5 passing yards per contest.
While Wentz is sailing balls through the air, Roethlisberger will be challenged. Philly’s defense has not allowed a single passing touchdown. It has also registered two interceptions and six sacks.
Pittsburgh has not won at Philly since Lyndon B. Johnson was in office. Even with a rookie quarterback, we are calling an Eagles win.
Odell Beckham Jr. and Josh Norman will both score
Watching OBJ and Josh Norman battling on Sunday is going to be delicious fun.
The last time the two met, tempers prevailed and things got physically ugly (watch here). Beckham ultimately got suspended for one game as a result of his behavior.
55-70 percent of the time. OBJ has managed 12 catches for 159 yards in two games. But, he must be itching to score his first touchdown. Norman doesn’t want that to happen on his watch.
Both players will be challenged to fend off the other.
We predict that OBJ will make one of his crazy touchdown receptions while evading Norman’s coverage.
To keep things even, Norman will record his first pick-six of the season on a pass intended to Beckham.
Sorry, Eli. One of your interceptions is going to make for must-see TV.
Dak Prescott passes for his first touchdown, then follows with one more
Prescott has been impressive this season, filling in for the injured Tony Romo.
But fans are busting at the seams waiting for him to throw his first touchdown. He threw five during the preseason, but so far, crickets in Week 1 and 2.
Prescott and the Cowboys square off against the Chicago Bears. With Brian Hoyer — a turnover-prone backup — under center for Chicago, the Cowboys should see ample offensive plays.
The Bears’ defense gave up two passing scores to Brock Osweiler in Week 1. Then, Carson Wentz threw a touchdown against Chicago last Monday.
Given the circumstances, Prescott should score through the air, not once, but twice.
Dallas will also beat the Bears by a landslide.
Saints put up another 500-plus offensive yard performance and get first win
The Saints put up a monster 507-yard game at home in Week 1 against the Oakland Raiders.
Then, they stunk it up on the road in a Week 2 loss playing the New York Giants. It was a surprisingly poor day all around when Drew Brees and Co. tallied only 288 total yards and one touchdown.
Week 3 takes the team back home to a rival matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Out of the last five home games against Atlanta, New Orleans has lost just once.
The Saints will rebound from last Sunday’s clunker. Atlanta’s defense has yielded an average of 412.5 total yards and 29.5 points per game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders.
Imagine the storm Brees and Co. will unleash. Another 500-plus yard performance will earn the Saints their first win.