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Week 3 of the NFL season continued Sunday with the New York Football Giants(0-2) losing to an equally desperate team in the Carolina Panthers(0-2). One would think the team from New York would come out firing, but it was the Panthers and a Cam Newton onslaught that defeated the Giants 38-0 to get their first win of the season. Giants fall to 0-3 for the first time since 1996 and look to rebound next week. The Panthers get to 1-2 showed life and must feel positive heading into their bye week.
The New England Patriots (2-0) traveled to Tampa Bay to face the 0-2 Buccaneers. A lot of whispers have been going on in Tampa about the players jumping ship and not buying into coach Greg Schiano’s strict ways. The Patriot offense started slow, but picked it up eventually with two touchdowns from rookie Kenbrel Thompkins. Tom Brady and the Patriots advance to 3-0 while Tampa Bay falls to 0-3 in a tale of two teams going in totally opposite directions.
San Francisco 49ers played host to Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. San Francisco falls to 1-2 after a lot of talk of the Super Bowl this year, it falls to question if they are even the best team in their division. Colts looked in tune and primed for success with newly acquired running back Trent Richardson.
Dallas Cowboys defense led by Monte Kiffin is building a reputation trouncing the St Louis Rams 31-7. DeMarco Murray continues to love to play the Rams, he rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown.
The defending Super Bowl champion Ravens played host to Houston. Even without injured running back Ray Rice and Ed Reed who joined the Texans in the off season, the Ravens cruised to a 30-9 win. Defense and special teams continue to be a staple of the Baltimore Ravens.
Last minute win by Jake Locker and the Titans over the San Diego Chargers. Good win for Tennessee over a Charger team that is still struggling to find its identity with new coach Mike McMcoy. In probably the week’s biggest upset goes to the Cleveland Browns who defeated the Minneosota Vikings. Back from suspension, Josh Gordon went for over 100 yards in his 2013 season debut for Cleveland. If I were to tell you a month ago that one New York team was 2-1 and the other is 0-3, about 100% of you would’ve said the Jets are the 0-3. Nope, the Jets beat the Bills 27-20 in a classic AFC east matchup of two rookie quarterbacks. If not for a rainy loss to the New England, the New York Jets could’ve been sitting even prettier at 3-0.
In an NFC match up of teams with high expectations at the beginning of the year, the Detroit Lions face RGIII and the Washington Redskins. A controversial fumble on a run that RGIII after the game called “a stupid rule” ended up being the difference in the game as well as a dropped pass helped sink the Redskins and move the Lions onto a 27-20 victory.
The Seattle Seahawks, fresh off a statement victory off division rival San Francisco played host to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars. If not for the beating the Giants took, this 45-17 win by the Seahawks would be the week’s biggest blow out. Led by Russel Wilson’s four touchdowns Seattle cruised. An interesting cross conference match up of the NFC’s Green Bay Packers traveling to face the AFC’s Cincinnati Bengals. Both teams have high goals for the season, but the day belonged to the Bengals who delivered a statement win. Cincinnati jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, but like all great teams Green Bay mustered up a comeback that fell just short. Bengals win 34-30.
Atlanta Falcons went down to Miami to face the Dolphins in a match up most teams would expect Atlanta to win. Julio Jones delivered for Atlanta while an injured Roddy White still hasn’t got to 100% health. In the end Atlanta wasn’t enough and Miami along with 2nd year quarterback Ryan Tannehilk showed promise in a 27-23 win. Interested in that game is New Orleans and the Saints who hosted the Arizona Cardinals. Drew Brees in his usual way cruises to a 31-7 victory. Rookie Tyron Matheiu caught his first career interception in a loss.
Sunday ended with the Chicago Bears facing off against the Pittsburgh Steelers on prime time. Pittsburgh isn’t where it wants to be starting at 0-2 while Jay Cutler’s Bears are looking as the NFC North’s best team. Pittsburgh failed to find a rythm offensively, while the re signing off Johnathan Dwyer did look positive. Chicagos offense looked sharp while Julius Peppers added a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Injuries and the loss of wide receiver Mike Wallace to free agency this off season have hampered the Steelers. But staying positive after a 40-23 loss at home better be a top of their agenda.
-Randolph-Ricardo Cárdenas (@RC_ROLLIN)
