The Browns are looking to avoid a 0-3 start after being humiliated by the Ravens during Week 2. This task unfortunately falls to the Green Bay Packers who have been on fire since the start of the season.
The Packers have won two convincing games against teams that are returning to the playoffs. The Browns offense will face significant challenges from the Packers’ defense, especially in the trenches. Last Sunday, the Browns were under a lot more pressure from the Ravens. Now they will be faced with the difficult task of stopping Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary.
The Browns need a reliable run game to be successful offensively. Joe Flacco, who is 40 years old, has attempted 90 passes in two games. The results are not stellar.
Quinshon Judkins, a rookie running back, will likely get more work. Judkins’ 31-yard run was his first play of the season. After just one game, he’s the leading rusher on the team. The Browns’ ability to gain some ground will help limit the Packers’ passing rush and reduce turnovers.
The Bengals improved to 2-0 after a narrow win in Week 2. This is good news for a team that has a tendency to have slow starts. The Bengals are lucky to have won both games because Joe Burrow will be out of commission for the next three months. Burrow sustained a turf toe against the Jaguars, and will be out for at least three month.
In his absence Jake Browning, the backup quarterback, led several scoring drives and scored a late touchdown to win it. The Bengals’ offense is certainly more restricted with Browning at the helm instead of Burrow, as he threw 3 interceptions.
In Week 3, their Browning-led offense will be tested. Brian Flores is the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. They are known as one of the NFL’s most blitz-happy teams. Flores is likely to try to pressure Browning frequently to avoid the harm that Ja’Marr chase and Tee Higgins could do.
The Bengals, on the other hand, will face a backup quarterback. Carson Wentz, in place of J.J. McCarthy, will be the Vikings’ starting quarterback. Justin Jefferson, the Vikings’ wide receiver, will be able to lead a strong offensive attack despite being without Aaron Jones. Bengals defense will be put to the test, but they can take advantage of a Minnesota offensive line that is short-handed and missing several starters.
In Week 2, the Steelers offense was back on earth. The Steelers’ offense was unable to match their 34-point performance in the opener of the season. They only managed half that amount in a loss by 14 points at home against the Seahawks. The Steelers were competitive, but the combination on costly mistakes in special teams and poor defense consistency was too much for them to overcome.
The Steelers are now on their way to New England, where they will face the Patriots. The Patriots, who are also 1-1 following a big win in Miami last Sunday, have a similar record. After allowing 24+ offensive point in consecutive weeks, and 63 points combined overall, the Steelers desperately need a strong defense performance.
The Steelers are going to be up against a much younger offensive unit led by Drake Maye, a sophomore. New England scored 26 points last week after struggling to score in the opener. Pittsburgh’s defense will be tested in this game to see how quickly they can turn things around.
The Steelers need to improve their offensive running game. In their first two games they have rushed for 125 total yards. Jaylen Warren leads the team in rushing with 85 yards from 25 carries. The Steelers average only 3.0 yards per run. In Week 3, the Packers’ rushing attack will be able to relieve some of the pressure on Aaron Rodgers.
Last Sunday, the Ravens rebounded from a humiliating one-point loss in Week 1. It was no surprise that they won by 24 points at home, despite the Browns’ best efforts. Although the Ravens offense was not as consistent, they still managed to score 40+ points for a second consecutive game thanks to their explosive passing game.
The Ravens offensive line and their rushing offense have taken a major step back. The Ravens struggled to get rushing yards against the Cleveland defense and only managed 45 overall. Lamar Jackson’s 4 touchdowns, and his deep connection to Deandre Walker, Devontez Walk and others helped compensate.
The Ravens defense was a significant improvement over Week 1 despite a lower offensive attack. The Ravens were able to maintain a strong pass rush, while the secondary provided much better coverage. The Ravens’ improvements will be tested in Week 3, when they face the Detroit Lions in prime time on Monday.
Last Sunday, the Lions scored 52 points on the Chicago Bears. They looked like the elite offense they’ve been running for the last two seasons. Zach Orr will have a tough time scheming against Detroit’s efficient passing and running attack. The Ravens are favored by their record against NFC teams and winning at home in primetime.