NFL Week 3
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Only 12% of teams that lose their first two games make the playoffs – focus this week is on the teams that are outside this percentile
Carolina Panthers vs New York Giants – Played Friday afternoon NZ time
The Panthers sent the New Orleans Saints packing to their second loss of the season and after a close loss in week one their Quarterback Cam Newton seems well worthy of the top draft status placed on him last season. The New York Giants stunned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week scoring 25 points in the final quarter to take the win. The current Superbowl champions look like they are still one of the teams to beat however may find it tough against Newton and his upstart Panthers.
Arizona Cardinals vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Cardinals stunned the Patriots in their home opener last week and are one of a few teams that are two wins from two. Their pre season was dogged with a Quarterback controversy over who would start however they have put that aside for two good wins. The Eagles are also two from two however both wins have been by a single point and have been last minute victories. This will be closer then what would have been predicted two weeks ago. The Eagles are on a mission to prove that they have built a team that can go all the way however the Cardinals will want to clip their wings in this match up in the desert.
San Diego Chargers vs Atlanta Falcons
Another matchup between two unbeaten teams. The Chargers have quietly gone about their business racking up good wins against Tennessee and Oakland. They lead the AFC West which is looking like a two horse race with Denver. The Falcons coming off a good win over the Denver Broncos will be wanting to take a stranglehold on the NFC South division. Falcons quarterback “Matty Ice” Ryan is looking better each season and will be wanting to go better than their first round appearance in the Playoffs last season. Still early days however form is everything in the NFL.
Denver Broncos vs Houston Texans
Peyton Manning and the Broncos were brought down to earth last week against the Falcons with him throwing three interception passes in the first quarter of the game that basically put them in a hole at the get go. He rallied them back to a 6 point loss and will be wanting to get the Broncos back on track. The Texans are described by some as one of the best teams in the NFL at the moment – solid on both offense and defence they grind out wins without a lot of dazzle. Going to Denver can be tough with the mountain air and a passionate home crowd. This will be another test for Manning and the Broncos.
Baltimore Ravens vs New England Patriots – Live on ESPN Monday at 12.15pm
The Ravens after a stunning performance in week one blew it against the Eagles last week when they should have won. In a matchup of the AFC Championship game from last season they will want to have some revenge against the Patriots. New England do not look as clinical as they have been and have a key injury in Tight End Hernandez who is out for a few weeks with an ankle injury. Surprisingly beaten by Arizona last week this is not the best of games to go to next and the Ravens rugged defence will make it tough for the Patriots to get their revered offence going.
Seattle Seahawks vs Green Bay Packers – Live on ESPN Tuesday at 12.30pm
The Seattle Seahawks are looking like one of the surprise teams this season. Narrowly beaten in week one they easily beat the Dallas Cowboys last week. Rookie Quarterback Russell Wilson looks at ease at this level. The Packers got their season back on track by soundly beating the Chicago Bears last week and their defence certainly looked better than it has been. Seattle is a tough place to play with their fans providing the loudest crowd noise in the NFL. Quarterback Aaron Rogers and his Packers will want to build on the momentum from last week’s performance however Seattle will make this a potential tough ask.
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