Mac's Marquee NFL Picks - Week 3

Thought I'd jot down a few thoughts on some very intriguing matchups coming our way in the NFL this weekend.

You know, It's rare that we see this many "critical" games early in an NFL season, but we have a boatload of them on tap for week 3. It is mainly due to all the injuries and surprise wins of the opening week which have left the league in sort of a free-for-all, waiting for the dust to settle. As we look down the list of potentially great matchups, here are some that stand out to me immediately:

Dallas (2-0) at Green Bay (2-0) - Clash of the Favre-like QB in Dallas vs the long-time Favre backup-turned-replacement in Green Bay. Two young powerhouse teams, both sides displaying a great defense and solid offense, depth and talented athelets that can match up against any team in the league. This one should be a great show (not as good as this past Monday night) unless Aaron Rodgers goes "bombs away" early in his first HUGE game of his career. And make no mistake, this game is HUGE.

Keys to the Game: Aaron Rodgers. Yes, he has a terrific supporting cast around him and he's risen to meet the challenge of a legacy, but this is really the first time he is EXPECTED to do well and against one of the premier teams in the league. It will be the first chance to see how he reacts under the pressure of a big game with meaning attached to a win or loss.

Pittsburgh (2-0) at Philadelphia (1-1) - Philadelphia is facing a MUST rebound game coming off the wrenching MNF loss to Dallas. What's more, they'll need to do it in front of the home crowd - for state bragging rights. Tough asignment, but it might be aided by the sore shoulder of Big Ben were it to limit his ability to hit his wideouts as a balance to Willie's running. The Steeler D matched up against the continually roving Westbrook will be interesting, and I'm curious as to any fallout from DeSean Jackson's ill-advise (and seriously premature) celebration. McNabb needs to have a clutch wideout he is absolutely confident about, and before Jackson's miscue I was starting to think it might be him. We'll see.

Keys to the Game: The Eagle secondary. If they allow Big Ben to torch them like Romo did, Philly's steak. I mean, like well-done.


New Orleans (1-1) at Denver (2-0) - The Saints defense might be a bit improved, but they let Jason Campbell torch them for scores last week enroute to a 321 yard passing performance, including 7 of 7 for 157 yards and the game clinching TD in the last 11 minutes. It was so Brees-like that I was starting to wonder if they'd traded jerseys. Jay Cutler must be salivating waiting to get on the field in Denver.

Not sure if New Orleans can keep pace in the scoring department, especially since Marques Colston is out. This could be Reggie's chance. Or more aerial assaults from Cutler to Marshall/Scheffler/Royal. Wow...I'm think New Orleans has no chance right about now.

Keys to the Game: The Saint offense will need to be at peak efficiency, because I'm doubtful their D can keep Denver's O down.

Carolina (2-0) at Minnesota (0-2) - While contemplating this game I was wondering why Brad Childress made the brash decision to go so hard after Tavaris Jackson, prop him up as "the guy" since late last year, and then discard him like a used paper cup at the first hint of a young QB trying to get a handle on the pro game. If Jackson can be benched for some inept play as a young QB. what should happen to a veteran coach who basically bet the farm on this young man, but now realizes it was probably folly. I'd say he should be terminated immediately.

But I digress.

All Minnesota has to worry about now is their quarterback, or at least that's the impression Childress has left us with... so there is no question that the problem in the first two games was Tavaris Jackson. Thus, that can be the biggest key to the game. If Minnesota loses this one, then another QB must be allowed to step in and try to right the ship. At least, that's what precedent Childress has established. Keys to the game: Gus Frerotte.

Jacksonville (0-2) at Indianapolis (1-1) - A more pivotal game to Jax at initial inspection, because they really can't afford to fall to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the AFC South. That said, Indy can't afford to lose another game at home nor fall behind Tennessee by two whole games early in the season within the division. So the pressure is on both teams while they struggle through an injury-plagued first few weeks of 2008.

The key will be which offensive line can best set up the run and pass protect. Indy has struggled with Maurice Jones-Drew the past few games and without Bob Sanders, that may not change. If the Colts can somehow jump out to an early lead and force Garrard to throw more often early, then the Colts will have an advantage. The Colts offensive front line will be just as challenged with the Jags defensive front as they were with Chicago and Minnesota, so if Jeff Saturday suits up and plays, it will only help.

Keys to the game: The offensive that can create more sustained drives and protect the quarterback the best. Now even though Minnesota did that for most of 3 or more quarters last Sunday, the Colts still won. However, Jax has a better quarterback.

Arizona (2-0) at Washington (1-1) - In this matchup, we'll enjoy finding out about a variety of things. 1) Is Kurt Warner for real? 2) Is their passing game for real? 3) Is that Cardinal defense really THAT good? 4) Can the Cards finally beat a solid team on the road in a game that they know is a "proving ground" for taking the next step.

New Orleans won late in the game in 2006 enroute to their first ever NFC Championship game. This could be a similiar test for the Cards. Meantime, the Skins helped their own cause with the come-from-behind thriller against New Orleans last Sunday, and they need this home victory to keep pace with their counterparts in the NFC East

Keys to the Game: Washington's frontline Pressure on Kurt Warner. Look for some unusual blitz packages that try to cause havoc for the elderly statesman in the 'Zona backfield.

N.Y. Jets (1-1) at San Diego (0-2) - So Mangenious is criticized at his goalline playcalling for not allowing Sir Brett to take a shot in the endzone. Well, I agree. He should have had the guy try at least ONE. But for this game, don't expect Favre to come out firing. I would expect ( and suggest ) that the Jets get some return on the investment in that front line of theirs and have Leon Washington and Thomas Jones bang away at the SD defense for 3 quarters, then unleash Favre late in the game.

That's assuming, of course, that it's still close by then and that the Jets can keep SD from ringing up a TD every drive. But the Chargers have a tendency to come on strong late, while self-destructing early. If that happens, then the aforementioned plan may work. If not, and the Chargers get up early by two TD's, game is over because the Jet offense isn't set up for quick air strikes. That's because the front line is geared for the run.

Honestly though? I don't think the Jets have the slightest chance of staying close. But on any given day......

Keys to the Game: Jets must get out front early and establish the run game behind that gold-plated front line. It will be annoying for Favre to do so, but if they can run it early and sustain a lead, the Jets could pull it off by keeping the Charger offense away from the ball.

Should be a blast! There are other games that will be of interest as well, but those are my marquee picks for this week. Call it "Mac's Marquee Picks" if you will. And this weekend is anything like the first two weeks of the season, there are probably some of us that will need to add oxygen tanks and a defibrulator right next to the beverages and snack table.

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