Pitfalls Await in Week 3

Added on Sep 20, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

With only six undefeated teams after Week 2 of the 2012 season, it’s pretty clear there isn’t a whole lot separating the elite from the also-rans. San Francisco and Houston look awesome, but the Jaguars and Chiefs not so much. The other 28 franchises are bunched together in a tangled knot of parity. Week 3 offers some enticing matchups involving supposed contenders hoping to escape dangerous pitfalls. Here’s a look.

Tampa Bay at Dallas – The Bucs proved last week they can pile up points when needed, while the Cowboys proved their retooled defense is still vulnerable. Dallas should win this one at home, but they must protect the ball and stop falling asleep on defense. Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz destroyed Tampa’s secondary, so Miles Austin and Dez Bryant have no excuses.

San Francisco at Minnesota – The Niners have been incredibly sharp early in the season. The defense has been its dominant self and quarterback Alex Smith appears to have raised his game a notch or two. That said, a trip to the noisy Metrodome is no gimme. Jim Harbaugh’s charges can ill afford to look past the pesky purple.

Detroit at Tennessee – The Lions offense is off to a rocky start. Matt Stafford has tossed four picks and Calvin Johnson is being bracketed on almost every play. The Titans are dreadful and beat up, but they are a tougher out at home. Maybe this is the week Chris Johnson wakes up.

Philadelphia at Arizona – If there was ever a “trap game” this is it. Eagles coming off an emotional home-opener against Baltimore traveling west to face a team that’s had their number with a Sunday night showdown with the Giants looming in Week 4. Uh, oh. Winner moves to 3-0.

Pittsburgh at Oakland – The Steelers were bad in Week 1 and great in Week 2. Which is the real black and gold in 2012? That answer should come when they pay a visit to the Black Hole to face an ugly Raiders squad. Time to remove the bubble wrap from Darren McFadden.