The Rams were impressive in handling the Bucs on Sunday. The Rams held the Bucs to 35 yards on the ground allowing the defense to focus on stopping Brady and the Bucs air attack. If health is not a factor, we should see a rematch at some point in the post season.
The Bucs were clearly the lesser team Sunday in Los Angeles. Bruce Arians and company need to find a way to be productive on the ground. The Bucs are amassing only 56 yards a game rushing ranking second to last in the league.
The Cards avoided catastrophe in Jacksonville. Jacksonville’s 109-yard run back of a failed field goal attempt gave the Jags some life before Arizona took control. The Cards are tied for first in scoring through three weeks but have a point differential of only +15. They will need more from the defense to deal with the competition in the NFC West.
The Packers played more closely to their expected form Sunday night in San Francisco. They will be solid favorites in their next four matchups. That makes it likely they will be 6-1 heading into road tests at Arizona and Kansas City.
The Raiders are officially the biggest surprise of the early 2021 season. The fact that they have the league’s leading passing offense isn’t the main reason for the Raiders early success. Their rebuilt offensive line not only has given Derek Carr enough time to lead the league in passing yards, but they’ve also done an adequate job of run blocking. The Raiders are getting nearly 100 yards per game on the ground despite playing two of the league’s better run defenses (Pittsburgh, Baltimore).
The anemic Chicago offense was hardly a challenge for the Cleveland defense. The Browns offense is certainly more dynamic with Odell Beckham on the field. They will need solid efforts like Sunday’s while their receiver core is on the mend.
Sunday’s performance makes the Bills week one flop even more of a head-scratcher. The Bills get another tune-up with the Texans coming into Buffalo Sunday before heading on the road for matchups with the Chiefs and Titans.
The Chiefs occupy the bottom spot in the AFC West after week three. Though we saw their blemishes in full view during the Super Bowl, I’m not sure anyone predicted this. The Eagles will probably feel the brunt of KC’s frustrations this week. A primetime trip to Buffalo the following week will go a long way to determining if the Chiefs can get their issues addressed and make another run at the crown.
It’s not the Panthers fault that they haven’t played anybody of relevance yet. They have won each of their games the way teams should against the level of competition they have faced. McCaffrey’s health is a concern now that the junior varsity portion of the schedule is over.
The impossible task opening night in Tampa is the Cowboy’s only schedule blemish thus far. After allowing the Bucs 31 points opening night, the defense has allowed just 28 in their last two games combined.