NFL: 5 Questions for Week 3 Sunday
By: Dan Orlando
1. What will the debut of Daniel Jones do for The Giants?
How quickly things have changed for 6th overall pick, Daniel Jones. Once, the latest questionable decision from the Giants front office, Jones is now one of the franchise’s biggest draws as it attempts to stop the bleeding in Tampa Bay.
Jones lit up the preseason, going 29 for 34 with 416 yards and and two touchdowns. Can he keep up that impressive pace against a regular season Todd Bowles defense?
Maybe the stat sheet will be a bit less impressive, but Jones has a real chance to make a good first impression with his new team.
The rookie signal caller brings a mobility and arm strength to the Giants, that has been clearly lacking in Eli Manning’s later years. There’s a strong belief within the organization that Jones is better suited to run HC Pat Shurmur’s offensse than Eli, which would mean higher score totals for the New York Giants once the rookie settles in.
2. The Rams and Browns square off tonight in a potential Super Bowl preview. Is Cleveland for real?
Cleveland needs a signature win over a true contender, after getting fleeced in Week 1 by the struggling Titans. Luckily for them, they get home turf and the momentum that comes from smacking around a severely mismatched opponent in Week 2.
The 2-0 Rams are obviously know for being offensive pace-setters, but if Baker Mayfield and his surrounding cast of weapons can outpace the Rams fifth ranked defense, Cleveland is for real.
3. Are the Steelers Sunk?
Are the Steelers headed towards 0-3? Former 3rd round pick, Mason Rudolph has the tall task of trying to keep Pittsburgh in contention early in 2019 now that Ben Roethlisberger is out for the year.
Rudolph when 12-of-19 for 112 yards, 2 TDs and 1 interception last week in a loss. Today, he’ll take on the 2-0 49er’s on the road. It will be his first of what could be a 13-start audition for the role of Pittsburgh QB1 in 2020 and beyond.
4. Are the Bengals headed towards 0-3?
In a division dominated by Cleveland’s potential rise, the Steeler’s fall from perennial contention and the emergence of Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, the Bengals have become an afterthought.
Today they’ll take on the hot Buffalo Bills in Western New York. Former first-round pick, Andy Dalton in on pace for a nearly 6,000 yard, 32 TD season, but one has to wonder what his future holds if he fails yet again to deliver a deep playoff run to Cincinnati.
5. Is this Teddy Bridgewater’s comeback moment?
It may have to be for the Saints, who will have to go without their iconic QB, Drew Brees for a significant portion of the season.
The former Viking struggled last week when thrust into action against the Rams, failing to notch a TD. He’ll be taking on the 2-0 Seahawks Sunday in arguably the toughest venue for away teams in the NFL.
The Seattle defense has been middle of the pack thus far in 2019 and Bridgewater will need to exploit that if he wants to avoid facing the Super Bowl contender Dallas Cowboys from a 1-2 hole in Week 4.