This Sunday features another jammed slate of NFL matchups. Colts-49ers and Trent Richardson’s debut with Indianapolis highlights the day, but as always every game has its own special intrigue. Here’s what to watch for:
NFL season 2013, Week 3: What to watch in Sunday’s games
Be sure to watch Trent Richardson’s debut with the Colts on Sunday, but make sure you don’t miss all of the other fascinating storylines happening around the league.
Dustin Bradford
Which Packers team shows up, the one that was lit up by the 49ers or the one that stomped on the Redskins? That may all depend on how well the offensive line holds up. The difference between Aaron Rodgers with and without protection is a canyon. Unfortunately for him, the Bengals' front seven is excellent.
Robert Quinn is necessary viewing every week. He is currently second in the NFL with four sacks on the season, behind only Mario Williams. He'll have plenty of opportunities to add to his tally with Tony Romo attempting 49 and 42 passes in his first and second games, respectively.
The Titans have been very opportunistic through two games, forcing four turnovers. Philip Rivers has been cautious with the football this year, and is coming off an excellent game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He has shown a propensity for untimely turnovers in the past, however, and it may only be a matter of time before Rivers blows up again. Why not on the road in Nashville?
Fans have unfortunately been deprived of a duel between Trent Richardson and Adrian Peterson thanks to Wednesday's blockbuster trade. The Browns will also be without Brandon Weeden due to a thumb injury. How will the Browns muddle through? Who knows, but they may not be any worse off than they have been, and that would an intriguing development in itself.
Buccaneers at Patriots (1 p.m., Fox)
The Patriots' passing game has been a must-watch adventure this season. Tom Brady lost his cool in a sloppy, drop-filled Thursday night win over the New York Jets. Rookies Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins may have to improve if they hope to live through the weekend. Darrelle Revis will be trying to make sure that doesn't happen.
Here's to seeing Larry Fitzgerald unleashed again. The Cardinals' offense looks miles better with Carson Palmer under center, and the Saints defense just learned that Patrick Robinson is out for the season, setting up Fitzgerald for a potentially big outing. A bad offensive line will need to give Palmer time against an improved Saints defense, however. Easier said than done.
Lions at Redskins (1 p.m., Fox)
Numbers wise, Robert Griffin III hasn't been bad this season. A 63 percent completion rate for 629 yards through two games is nothing to sneeze at. The second-year quarterback seems to be missing his rookie year swagger, however, and he has been making poor decisions, throwing three interceptions. He should only improve as he gets further removed from surgery, but whether he improves fast enough to save the Redskins' season remains to be seen.
Just five teams remain winless this season. There will be at least one fewer after the Giants and Panthers square off. The Giants could get back on track against a secondary that was decimated by injuries this week. Eli Manning has thrown seven interceptions to five touchdowns this season, so Sunday's game could be exactly what he needs.
The Texans are 2-0, but barely. They had to make a big comeback to defeat the Chargers by three points in Week 1, and needed overtime to top the Titans in Week 2. The Ravens are arguably a stiffer challenge than either team, though they have had their own struggles at 1-1 to start the season. Unfortunately, it appears they may be without Ray Rice this week.
The Dolphins are in the running with the Kansas City Chiefs as the most surprising undefeated team thus far this season. They may be the talk of the NFL next if they can beat the Falcons. Atlanta is plenty beatable, with a shaky offensive line and secondary threatening to undo the team's well-laid Super Bowl plans.
Bills at Jets (4:25 p.m., CBS)
The Bills and the Jets have given more snaps to rookies this season than any other teams in the league. Notably, both teams are starting first-year quarterbacks in E.J. Manuel and Geno Smith. Manuel has been very good to start the season, Smith less so. Expect plenty of mistakes from both offenses, however.
Colts at 49ers (4:25 p.m., CBS)
This game is SB Nation's best of Week 3 for good reason. The matchup held plenty of intrigue before the season because it will pit Andrew Luck and Coby Fleener against their former head coach at Stanford, Jim Harbaugh. Then the Colts acquired Trent Richardson in a trade with the Browns this week and made this game a must watch.
This could be ugly for the Jaguars. Not only are they making a massive road trip to play in arguably the NFL’s most hostile environment, but they may be without Maurice Jones-Drew and Blaine Gabbert. Please read this preview at Big Cat Country.
The Steelers are expected to feature more Felix Jones at running back, which may be a bad sign for a running game that has been anemic for a season-plus under offensive coordinator Todd Haley. This game will be worth watch to see which Steelers offensive player takes Haley's head off first.
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