Around the AFC
Russ’ slipping grip? When will Russell Wilson get on the field for Pittsburgh? The Steelers weren’t going to rush him back from a calf injury in the first place and now the team is 3-0 with Justin Fields at the helm. Head coach Mike Tomlin’s not one to mess with a good thing and the Steelers are 1.5-point road favorites at Indy. It’s the kind of game that could solidify Fields in the driver’s seat — or, if he performs poorly, give Wilson another shot at taking over. Could Russ’ chances be dwindling?
Jags just bad. Speaking of dimming, man has Jacksonville been bad. They’ve got problems across the board, too. QB Trevor Lawrence hasn’t played well. The defense has given up the fifth-most points in football. It wasn’t long ago that coach Doug Pedersen was getting credit as a turnaround artist. Now the seat probably feels like it’s warming quickly.
West test. The Chargers started fast under Jim Harbaugh but now they’ve got injury questions with Justin Herbert and his ankle. The Chiefs? Well, they’re doing Chiefs stuff even with tight end Travis Kelce off to a sluggish start. The annual question of whether anybody in the AFC West can test K.C. gets an early shake Sunday, but Harbaugh might be forced to play a backup QB without his starting offensive tackles. That’s a bad recipe.
Around the NFC
Hello, Jayden Daniels. Welcome to the NFL spotlight, Jayden Daniels. The No. 2 overall pick put together a terrific performance on Monday Night Football in a win over Cincinnati. The Heisman Trophy winner from LSU dazzled with deep throws, big-time runs and a moxie and poise that feels like a franchise-changer for the Commanders. It’s early, but Daniels has a chance to be one of those special guys at the position. Next up: A trip to the desert to take on Arizona. What does he have in store for an encore?
Macdonald’s big test. Another form of great start: How about winning your first three games as a head coach? That’s Mike Macdonald in Seattle. He got a nice on-ramp with Denver, New England and then Tua-less Miami, but now the Seahawks get a chance to make a big statement. They go to Detroit for Monday Night Football in the Motor City. If Macdonald’s defense does the job against the Lions and gets to 4-0, the buzz will only grow.
City of Barkley Love. Think Saquon Barkley is enjoying being on the other end of the NFC East? The Philadelphia running back has been unstoppable through three games, rolling up an NFL-best 351 rushing yards (5.6 per carry) and five total TDs. MVP has become almost fully a quarterback award, but offensive player of the year? That would be a pretty nice first season in the city of Brotherly Love for the terrific running back.
Game of the Week
Minnesota at Green Bay
This game will have even more juice if Jordan Love returns, but even without him the Packers (-2.5) have rolled to two victories with Malik Willis at the helm. It’s an early measuring stick in what’s shaping up to be a very competitive NFC North. Coaches Kevin O’Connell and Matt LaFleur each scheme beautiful offense and both defenses have been off to good starts overall. So, enjoy this one. Round 2 doesn’t arrive until Dec. 29.
Packers 24, Vikings 23
Lock of the Week
Cincinnati at Carolina
One loss for Cincinnati? No big deal. 0-2 start? They’ve come back from that before. But 0-3? That’s a real hole and tough to dig out of. The Bengals find themselves there now and facing an early-season must win if they want to try to turn their season around. It’s going to take more than one at this point, but there’s only one place to start. The Panthers, meanwhile, benched Bryce Young and got a terrific performance from Andy Dalton while steamrolling the Raiders last week. Can the Red Rocket do it again? Here’s betting no. At least not this week as 4.5-point underdogs.
Bengals 31, Panthers 20
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Upset of the Week
Buffalo at Baltimore
The Ravens have earned trust that they’re a good team. A very good one, even. But they started 0-2 and then nearly blew a big lead late against Dallas. And they’ve got to play perhaps the most impressive team of the early going now in the Bills. Buffalo’s scored at least 31 points each time out so far and Josh Allen is staking an early claim in the MVP race. And yet you just know the Ravens, that defense and Lamar Jackson are going to do damage of their own this fall, too. It’s a terrific matchup and Baltimore’s a 2.5-point home favorite. How would they respond to a 1-3 start? We’re about to find out.
Bills 28, Ravens 24
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