NFL Week 3 Pick ‘Em: Can Penix Jr. spark Falcons offence vs. Packers?

Two weeks into the NFL season, we’re beginning to get a clearer image of the place groups stand within the total pecking order.

It is simple to overreact after one week, however Week 3 affords a greater alternative to separate what may be actual from what may merely be early-season noise.

There are loads of intriguing storylines throughout this slate of video games, together with a number of divisional matchups and some groups seeking to keep away from an 0-3 begin.

Green Bay hasn’t precisely been lighting up the scoreboard by means of two weeks, however has achieved sufficient to get to 1-1.

Now, the Packers get set for his or her house opener at Lambeau Field, the place they tackle an Atlanta workforce with loads of query marks after an 0-2 begin.

The Falcons are hoping that the return of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will get them getting into the fitting course. Green Bay shall be seeking to its run defence to maintain Bijan Robinson in test, because it has allowed 174 yards on the bottom (eighth within the league) and ranks second in yards per carry, allowing simply 2.85 yards per carry. On high of that, the Packers have allowed simply two 10-plus yard runs by working backs.

It goes to be powerful to belief Penix Jr. to get again on top of things with the offence on a brief week regardless of the Packers’ incapacity to shut out video games.

Pittsburgh’s offence has produced simply 20 factors by means of its first two video games, and it is stunning to see Aaron Rodgers nonetheless standing after getting sacked 4 occasions towards the Patriots.

It will not get any simpler for the Steelers, who now face a Cincinnati defence that has been one of many higher items within the league early within the season.

The Bengals have not been practically as convincing offensively, nevertheless. Joe Burrow and Co. have not persistently generated the explosive passing performs we have come to count on, which may make it troublesome to create separation towards Pittsburgh.

Regardless, the Bengals defence is enjoying at too excessive of a degree to suppose the Steelers could make this a detailed recreation.

The Chargers are 0-2 and now should journey to Buffalo to face a Bills workforce that has already proven it will possibly rating in bunches.

Not solely does Buffalo have Josh Allen enjoying at an MVP degree, they’ve established a transparent home-field benefit on the new Highmark Stadium.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles has misplaced back-to-back video games to groups that picked within the high three on this yr’s draft, scoring a mixed 28 factors.

The Chargers have the expertise to be higher than they at present are, however it’ll be powerful to flip the change on this recreation.

If the Bills can keep away from the type of late-game defensive letdown that inflated Detroit’s numbers final week, they need to have the ability to create sufficient separation to cowl.

If there was any doubt about whether or not the Chiefs may return to prominence, Patrick Mahomes extinguished it fairly simply.

The three-time Super Bowl MVP has Kansas City’s offence again on observe with the assistance of Kenneth Walker within the backfield.

Miami’s offence seems to be prefer it’ll wrestle all season, with back-to-back video games with 13 factors establishing for a depressing season on South Beach.

Even with the Dolphins at house, it is powerful to belief them to attain sufficient to remain inside two scores of the Chiefs.

The Lions are nonetheless in search of their first against-the-spread win of the season and welcome a well-known face again to Ford Field.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn takes on his former workforce and can want his defence to take its recreation to a different degree towards the Lions.

New York’s defence is second-best towards the run, however can their offence sustain with Jared Goff, who had a productive recreation towards the Bills?

The Lions defence stays a priority, significantly with accidents, so if the Jets can depend on the bottom recreation, they will preserve this a detailed recreation.

Carolina rolled over Atlanta thanks to 5 turnovers, however Panthers will not have as straightforward of a time working away with the sport towards Cleveland.

The Browns defence presents a a lot totally different problem, significantly at house. The Browns additionally confirmed appreciable enchancment in a win over Tampa Bay after a tough opener.

The Panthers’ offensive line has been coping with accidents and misplaced Jonathon Brooks to a core muscle harm. That may make life troublesome towards a Cleveland entrance able to creating stress.

Carolina’s offence shall be a problem for the Browns, powerful. Cleveland might want to put stress on Bryce Young if the Browns wish to preserve it shut.

Jacksonville appeared terrific in Week 1, however had a harder time offensively towards a the Denver defence final week.

They’ll return house to play a Patriots workforce that has additionally has had its fair proportion of offensive points.

Drake Maye hasn’t put up huge numbers and may have some query marks with A.J. Brown sidelined with an ankle sprain. However, this looks like a spot the place New England can rebound.

Jacksonville’s defence allowed Denver to maneuver the ball by means of the air final week, and the Patriots acquired a bounce-back recreation from receiver Romeo Doubs, however will want extra from different weapons to maintain this shut.

Seeing how the Patriots defence has restricted opponents to 16 factors to this point this season, do not count on Trevor Lawrence to have a simple time making huge performs.

Seattle is displaying that even with out beginning quarterback Sam Darnold, there may be sufficient expertise to help backup Drew Lock.

Darnold, nevertheless, appears to be on observe to return for this one after getting damage within the opener.

The Commanders struggled to include Ceedee Lamb in Week 2 and face an excellent harder matchup towards Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

But seven factors remains to be a considerable quantity, significantly with Seattle coping with accidents in its secondary.

Even if Washington had Jayden Daniels, Seattle’s defence is pretty much as good as any within the league and there is not sufficient depth for the Commanders to beat the lack of their franchise quarterback.

The Texans’ Week 2 loss to Cincinnati was a serious step again and disappointing given the struggle that they had towards Buffalo in Week 1.

Houston moved the ball however could not capitalize within the crimson zone, whereas Indianapolis has quietly established one of many league’s higher speeding assaults by means of two video games.

The Colts have performed effectively at house, however the Texans will wish to restrict Jonathan Taylor’s affect on this recreation.

C.J. Stroud has proven that he can transfer the ball however except the Texans can end drives, the Colts may have one other shut recreation as they did towards the Chiefs.

After struggling badly in Week 1, Tennessee’s offence gave Philadelphia an actual scare.

Brian Daboll makes his return to MetLife Stadium because the Titans offensive co-ordinator so you must suppose his unit will wish to have a powerful efficiency for him.

Tennessee was in a position to run the ball successfully towards the Eagles and can look to lean on that strategy once more towards a Giants defence that will not have Brian Burns.

With Jaxson Dart’s harm placing a damper on the Giants’ season outlook, Jameis Winston might want to flip issues round after a tough efficiency in aid.

San Francisco has opened the season wanting each bit like a contender.

Arizona has already demonstrated a capability to maneuver the ball, however was crushed badly by a Seattle workforce with out its beginning quarterback final week.

The Cardinals offence had sufficient success towards the Chargers in Week 1 to counsel this group can put stress on San Francisco.

Minnesota’s defence has been excellent by means of two video games, however the Vikings have benefited from some well timed turnovers.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is coming off an unpleasant loss

The Buccaneers will seemingly attempt to preserve the ball on the bottom to forestall the Vikings from continually speeding Baker Mayfield.

Tampa Bay ought to have alternatives to make sufficient performs and its defence will look to maintain issues shut.

The Saints are favourites for the primary time this season after their spectacular win over Baltimore.

Time will inform whether or not they can carry that momentum ahead.

New Orleans has had issues stopping the run, and that is an space the place the Raiders can take a look at the hosts.

The Saints have been aggressive towards harder groups, which ought to give them the sting on this matchup.

Baltimore’s speeding assault has been one of many largest causes to love the Ravens early within the season.

Now, the Ravens get a Dallas defence that has not proven the development that was anticipated of them.

Lamar Jackson ought to have the ability to put stress on the Cowboys along with his capability to go and run. Baltimore’s capability to run the ball will permit the Ravens to maintain the stress off Jackson and Dallas’ offence off the sector.

The concern is Baltimore’s secondary, which struggled in Week 2. They’ll should preserve the dynamic duo of Lamb and George Pickens from making huge performs.

The Rams are coming off a Monday night time recreation and now should journey to Denver.

That’s a troublesome turnaround, significantly towards a Broncos defence that ought to be significantly tougher than the Giants.

Sean McVay’s offence might want to set up the run since Denver has been significantly better towards the go than the bottom recreation to this point.

The Broncos ought to have the ability to management sufficient of the clock to maintain this one shut and might want to preserve the Rams playmakers in test, particularly if Puka Nacua stays sidelined.

This one is all in regards to the quarterback state of affairs in Chicago.

The Bears have loads of expertise across the place, however uncertainty beneath centre makes it troublesome to know precisely what their offence will appear to be Monday night time.

Philadelphia, in the meantime, hasn’t been significantly convincing defensively by means of two weeks. The Eagles struggled to include Tennessee’s speeding assault and will face one other problem towards a Chicago offence that shall be counting on the bottom recreation.

Even with the Bears’ up-in-the-air standing, Philadelphia will wish to present it’s a higher workforce than the one that hardly beat the Titans.

BetMGM traces are topic to vary.