Well, week three of the 2019-20 NFL season is in the books.
The Giants got their first win of the season. It was a big win, and with a lot to talk about, so I already reviewed that earlier in a previously published post.
However, there were plenty of other games, as well, which I will review.
There are eight teams remaining with undefeated records. Seven have won all three of their games thus far. These include the New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Dallas Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Rams. The Detroit Lions have yet to lose a game, although they did have to settle for that tie against the Cardinals in the season opener, after having blown a 24-6 lead in the fourth quarter. They almost lost that in overtime, yet they managed to just avoid the loss, and have won each game since.
On the other side, there are teams still looking for their first win. The New York Jets, Miami, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Denver, and Washington all are 0-3 and still searching for their first win of the season.
Like the undefeated Lions, the winless Cardinals had that tie. So even though they have yet to win a game this season, they did not literally lose every single game that they played, either.
Let's take a closer look:
Dallas 31, Miami 6 – Frankly, I was actually a bit surprised that Miami managed to keep this game as close as it was through the first half. To be sure, the Cowboys were winning, but only by 10-6, against a team that has looked completely inept to this point in the season. But from that point onward, it was all Dallas, as they began to take control and pile on the points. With the win, coupled with the Philly loss, the ‘Boys now own a two-game lead over the rest of the NFC East, and remain unbeaten at 3-0. But they will have a much tougher test next week, when they travel to the Big Easy to take on the Saints in New Orleans. The Dolphins, meanwhile, fall to 0-3, and are tied with the also winless Jets for last place in the AFC East, three full games already behind both New England and Buffalo in the race for the division title. My pick: Accurate
The Giants got their first win of the season. It was a big win, and with a lot to talk about, so I already reviewed that earlier in a previously published post.
However, there were plenty of other games, as well, which I will review.
There are eight teams remaining with undefeated records. Seven have won all three of their games thus far. These include the New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Dallas Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Rams. The Detroit Lions have yet to lose a game, although they did have to settle for that tie against the Cardinals in the season opener, after having blown a 24-6 lead in the fourth quarter. They almost lost that in overtime, yet they managed to just avoid the loss, and have won each game since.
On the other side, there are teams still looking for their first win. The New York Jets, Miami, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Denver, and Washington all are 0-3 and still searching for their first win of the season.
Like the undefeated Lions, the winless Cardinals had that tie. So even though they have yet to win a game this season, they did not literally lose every single game that they played, either.
Let's take a closer look:
Dallas 31, Miami 6 – Frankly, I was actually a bit surprised that Miami managed to keep this game as close as it was through the first half. To be sure, the Cowboys were winning, but only by 10-6, against a team that has looked completely inept to this point in the season. But from that point onward, it was all Dallas, as they began to take control and pile on the points. With the win, coupled with the Philly loss, the ‘Boys now own a two-game lead over the rest of the NFC East, and remain unbeaten at 3-0. But they will have a much tougher test next week, when they travel to the Big Easy to take on the Saints in New Orleans. The Dolphins, meanwhile, fall to 0-3, and are tied with the also winless Jets for last place in the AFC East, three full games already behind both New England and Buffalo in the race for the division title. My pick: Accurate
New England 30, N.Y. Jets 14 - The Patriots were on fire yet again, grabbing a 30-0 lead before the Jets managed to score a couple of garbage time touchdowns to make the score look more respectable. In truth, the game had long before been decided. Tom Brady once again had a phenomenal day, completing 28 of 42 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns. New England’s defense played phenomenally well, just lights out on the Gang Green offense that has looked far from spectacular this season. While the Patriots have admittedly faced opponents who currently have a combined record of 0-3 (the Steelers, the Dolphins, and the Jets), they have opened this season in historically dominant fashion. Their offense had scored 106 points in those three games, which means that they are averaging just over 35 points per game, while their defense has allowed 10 points total this season, for an average of slightly more than three points. It should be noted that one of the touchdowns by the Jets in yesterday’s game came on a pick six very late in the game, when everything was already decided, and when the Pats starters were already watching on the sidelines. A solid win for New England, as they now prepare for a big divisional showdown at Buffalo against the also undefeated Bills next week. For the Jets, yet another loss, as the season just keeps growing worse and worse. My prediction: Accurate
Buffalo 21, Cincinnati 17 - This match-up reminds me of those classic battles between these two teams in the 1980's. But let's face it: only one of these teams looks like they will have a promising season. The Bills entered with two impressive wins already under their belt, while the Bengals had suffered two defeats. So, most people would assume that the road team, the Bengals, pretty much figured to have a difficult time on the road. Sure enough, the Bills got off to a hot start, and looked like they might blow the Bengals away. Cincy did make it interesting, but a win up at Orchard Park is a tall order for the Bengals right now. They fall to 0-3, while the Bills improve to 3-0, with a big showdown against the Patriots coming up this weekend, which all of Buffalo is excited for. My prediction: Accurate
Kansas City 33, Baltimore 28 - The Ravens, to their credit, were able to keep this one close. Close, yet no cigar. Ultimately, the favored team won this game, as the Chiefs offense did more than enough to win this game. True, the Ravens closed in and made a game of it, but when Patrick Mahomes completed 27 of 37 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns, they are going to be hard to beat. Mark Ingram II had a great game for Baltimore, providing 103 yards and three touchdowns on the ground attack for the Ravens. Ultimately, it was not enough, as Baltimore drops their first of the season, while KC remains perfect at 3-0. My pick: Accurate
Detroit 27, Philadelphia 24 – The Eagles won the Super Bowl two seasons ago, showing few signs beforehand that they were about to break through. Last season, they still showed some toughness, despite going 9-7 and barely qualifying for the postseason. I expected more from them this season, but they keep losing these close games so far. This was their second straight loss, and they are now 1-2, two full games behind the red hot Cowboys in the NFC East. Meanwhile, the Lions have surprised some people, winning two consecutive tough games, last week against the Chargers, and this week in Philly. What an impressive showing, as they stay unbeaten (but not precisely perfect) with a 2-0-1 record. My pick: Inaccurate
Green Bay 27, Denver 16 - Another battle between a winless road team visiting an undefeated home team. That said, the Broncos feel a bit different than the Bengals, Jets, or especially the Dolphins, in that they have a decent defense, and were a serious contender until just a few seasons ago. Their offense, however, has been nothing special for a few years now, and they did not look good on Sunday against the Packers increasingly impressive defense. It might not be the frozen tundra yet in September, but Lambeau Field is still a very tough place to play for road teams, and the Broncos simply had no answers in this one. The Pack moves to an impressive 3-0 start, while the Broncos fall to 0-3. My pick: Accurate
Detroit 27, Philadelphia 24 – The Eagles won the Super Bowl two seasons ago, showing few signs beforehand that they were about to break through. Last season, they still showed some toughness, despite going 9-7 and barely qualifying for the postseason. I expected more from them this season, but they keep losing these close games so far. This was their second straight loss, and they are now 1-2, two full games behind the red hot Cowboys in the NFC East. Meanwhile, the Lions have surprised some people, winning two consecutive tough games, last week against the Chargers, and this week in Philly. What an impressive showing, as they stay unbeaten (but not precisely perfect) with a 2-0-1 record. My pick: Inaccurate
Green Bay 27, Denver 16 - Another battle between a winless road team visiting an undefeated home team. That said, the Broncos feel a bit different than the Bengals, Jets, or especially the Dolphins, in that they have a decent defense, and were a serious contender until just a few seasons ago. Their offense, however, has been nothing special for a few years now, and they did not look good on Sunday against the Packers increasingly impressive defense. It might not be the frozen tundra yet in September, but Lambeau Field is still a very tough place to play for road teams, and the Broncos simply had no answers in this one. The Pack moves to an impressive 3-0 start, while the Broncos fall to 0-3. My pick: Accurate
Minnesota 34, Oakland 14 – The Vikings went to work, trying to erase the memory of their loss to the Packers the week earlier. Indeed, they really started to take over the game in the second quarter, taking a 21-7 lead by halftime, and never looking back. Kirk Cousins completed 15 of 21 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown, while Dalvin Cook added 110 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries. All too much for the Raiders, who drop their second straight and fall to 1-2. Minnesota, meanwhile, goes to 2-1, yet incredibly, are tied with the Bears for last place in the NFC North right now. That is how hot that division is. My pick: Accurate
Indianapolis 27, Atlanta 24 – The For whatever the reason, I had assumed that the Falcons had home field advantage, so I picked them. If I had known this game was in Indy, my pick would have been different. Seriously! But the Falcons still played well and tough, even in a losing effort. The Colts might not have Andrew Luck, but Jacoby Brissett is still playing extremely well, helping Colts fans forget about Luck. He completed 28 of 37 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns, helping lift Indy in a tight game. In a losing cause, Matt Ryan completed 29 of 34 passes for 304 yards, with three touchdowns and one INT. The Colts go up to 2-1, tied for first with the Texans, while the Falcons fall to 1-2, tied for last in the NFC South with Tampa and Carolina. My pick: Inaccurate
Carolina 38, Arizona 20 – Kyle Allen started in place of injured Cam Newton, and he had a phenomenal day, completing 19 of 26 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns, helping to lift Carolina to their first win of the season. Meanwhile, Arizona's Kyler Murray also enjoyed a good day, completing 30 of 43 passes for 173 yards, with two touchdowns, as well as two INT's. The Panthers produced 413 total yards, to just 248 for Arizona. The Panthers win their first game of the season to improve to 1-2, while the Cards are still seeking their first win at 0-2-1. My prediction: Accurate
Houston 27, L.A. Chargers 20 - Uh-oh. The Chargers are in trouble. Granted, they have not lost to any bad teams yet. But they were winning these kinds of games last season, and instead, so far this season, they keep losing them. Deshaun Watson enjoyed a great day at the expense of the Chargers defense, completing 25 of 34 passes for 351 yards and three touchdown. Meanwhile, veteran Los Angeles QB Philip Rivers completed 31 of 46 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns. The Texans improve to 2-1, tied with the Colts atop the AFC South, while the Chargers drop to 1-2, tied with the Raiders for second place in the AFC West, but already two behind the Chiefs. My pick: Inaccurate
New Orleans 33, Seattle 27 – The Seahawks had far more first downs, held onto the ball longer, and produced 515 total yards on offense, to just 265 for the Saints. Yet, the Saints jumped out to a big lead, and then did just enough to hang on and, ultimately, earn a tough road win. Russell Wilson had an incredible day statistically for Seattle, completing 32 of 50 for 406 yards and two touchdowns. While Teddy Bridgewater's number did not look nearly as good, he still had an effective game, completing 19 of 27 passes for 177 and two touchdowns. New Orleans improves to 2-1, and now sit alone atop the NFC South. Meanwhile, Seattle drops to 2-1, falling behind both the Rams and 49ers in the NFC West. My pick: Inaccurate
San Francisco 24, Pittsburgh 20 – The Steelers were able to keep this one close, and even held an early lead for quite a while. But San Fran answered, as most probably figured they would. Jimmy Garoppolo completed 23 of 32 passes for 277 yards, with one touchdown, although he also three two INT's. In his first start for Pittsburgh, Mason Rudolph looked decent, completing 14 of 27 passes for 174 yards, with two touchdowns and one INT. Somehow, the Steelers kept this game close, despite almost 200 yards less yards on offense, and holding onto the ball for less than 24 minutes of the game. But the 'Niners also committed five turnovers, to only two by the Steelers, which cost them. Still, San Francisco hung on to earn a tough home win. The 49ers improve their record to 3-0, while the Steelers fall to 0-3, which is their worst start in six years. My prediction: Accurate
Sunday Night Football - L.A. Rams 20, Cleveland 13 - Unlike, say, the Cowboys or the Patriots or the Chiefs, who keep filling up the highlight reels with fresh and often spectacular looking material week in and week out, the Rams have remained unbeaten through their first three games fairly quietly for a team that was just in the Super Bowl. Dallas has scored 97 points in their first three games, KC has scored 101 points so far, and the Pats have scored 106 points. But the Rams, who had one of the most explosive offenses last season, have not overwhelmed many with how incredible their offense looks. They did score 30 against Carolina in week one, but scored 27 against New Orleans, and only 20 last night. Yet, they keep on winning, which seems to be a testament to their defense, which came up big in producing an interception late in yesterday’s game when the Browns were threatening, and which effectively iced the game in favor of the Rams. That moves Los Angeles to 3-0, as they apparently are on another unbeaten run to start a season, just like last season. They are now tied with the 49ers, who are also unbeaten at 3-0. The Rams will next face the Buccaneers next weekend, with a golden opportunity to reach 4-0. The Browns, meanwhile, fall to 1-2, and are one game behind the first place Ravens. My pick: Accurate
Monday Night Football - Chicago 31, Washington 15 - This was a tale of two halves. Chicago looked unstoppable and completed dominated in the first half, taking a 28-0 lead in the second quarter, before Washington managed a field goal before halftime. But to their credit, Washington fought back and started to flirt with what was looking like a huge comeback effort in the second, although a mistake by Case Keenum in reaching for a first down, only to have the ball slapped away and turned over to the Bears defense, effectively killed the comeback attempt. 30 of 43 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had three picks, and two fumbles, including that very costly one at the end. Mitch Trubisky, by contrast, finally had the kind of game that Chicago fans had long been hoping for, as he completed 25 of 31 for 231 yards and three touchdowns, with one INT. The Bears move their record up to 2-1, while Washington remains winless at 0-3. My pick: Inaccurate
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