#WhatWeKnowAfterWeek3 = How I spent breaking down Week 3. My apologies to fans of excessive levels of depth and analysis, but had to switch it up for a week. I went 10-6, so not a bad week for the Week 3 Gameplan. That said, let’s rehash that hashtag for the NetworksUnited:
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 Patriots will take advantage of your shaky QB. Geno is the only Jets QB that matters.
— Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 Block Mario Williams, Bills can’t stop you. MIA’s Tannehill making year 2 leap: can take a hit and still close a game. — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 BAL defense is still a wrecking ball at home. CIN needs to get Gio Bernard on the field more. — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 CLE TE Jordan Cameron might be a Pro Bowler this year. Bigger problem than PIT O-Line: Their inability to force TOs. — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 Texans have the worst special teams in the NFL … again. Colts are way better when Luck can hand ball off 30+ times. — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 Titans QB Jake Locker can be a difference-maker. Jaguars could move into the SEC and still struggle to be competitive. — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 Nothing yet about DEN/OAK. Chiefs benefitting from coaching staff with a clue. Thin line for SD between 3-0 and 0-3. — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 The Broncos are set up to have Peyton Manning throw 50+ TDs. The Raiders secondary isn’t there yet. — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 27, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 Cowboys RB D. Murray prob wishes he could always play vs. Rams. Eagles can turn the ball over 5 times in 20 minutes. — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 New York Giants defense can save your coach’s job. Washington defense can’t take any pressure off of RGIII or Shanahan — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 Lovie Smith probably wishes he hired Trestman instead of Tice to be Bears OC last year. Lions can win in DC (1-21!) — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 Packers defense continues to play worse as the game goes on. Vikings defense will give up a game-winning TD to a TE. — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 DC Rob Ryan is the new Gregg Williams in New Orleans. Tony Gonzalez is off to a very slow start for ATL. — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 Apparently, there are other receivers in Carolina besides Steve Smith/Greg Olsen. Tampa Bay offense is failing Freeman — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 Seahawks have the deepest team in the league, if not the best. 49ers offensive/defensive lines are getting dominated. — Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
#WhatWeKnowAfterWEEK3 The Rams’ DBs are getting embarrassed on a weekly basis. The Cardinals need Daryl Washington back in the worst way.
— Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 23, 2013
Now, onto Week 4. Here’s the box:
2013 NFL Week 4 picks (10-6 in Week 3, +20 in 2013): SF, BAL, CIN, DET, HOU, IND, NYG, MIN, TB, TEN, DEN, WAS, DAL, NE, MIA
— Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 26, 2013
And as of this post, the 49ers defeated the Rams. The 49ers took their broken souls and underachieving trench play and ran for 219 yards (153 by Frank Gore). Through four games, the Rams have 189 total rushing yards. Also, I had this reaction from another night of Thursday Night Football:
Thursday Night Football in the NFL is a good way to damage a QB. Tonight’s case = Bradford. Rams might want to keep an eye towards 2014 QBs
— Law Murray (@1maddskillz) September 27, 2013
I’m not here to place blame on Bradford, head coach Jeff Fisher (he of the zero playoff wins since 2004), or the worst collection of RBs STL has seen since Lawrence Phillips. I am saying that this team might want to keep an open mind between now and next summer. That includes the draft, and the deep quarterback class. You know, just in case Bradford is what he is. Just … saying.
Onto some quick kick picks for THE GAMEPLAN (i.e., the five Neon Tommy will highlighting this week):
Titans over Jets: The old Titans will play at the new Titans, and one of these perennially sadsack franchises will be 3-1. I have a hard time believing that the J-E-T-S will fly in and play a disciplined game on the road. The Titans were impressive in holding Chargers QB Philip Rivers to under 200 yards passing. This should be a low scoring affair, and I expect the Titans to take advantage of Jets’ mistakes. How Jets QB Geno Smith handles the Tennessee pressure on the road will go a long way in defining this game.
Lions over Bears: An overlooked fact in the Bears’ 3-0 start is that they have given up 21+ points in each game. While that spells offensive progress, it also raises a defensive yellow flag (not red because they’re winning AND they’re still doing that thing where they score defensive TDs). Lovie Smith’s Bears NEVER started the first three games allowing more than 21 points in each game. The true Optimus Prime to Calvin Johnson’s Megatron is Charles Tillman, but he isn’t 100%. Bears DT Henry Melton is out for the season. And the Lions have been finding the end zone this year. I’m expecting a shootout in Detroit.
Texans over Seahawks: To say that Texans RB Arian Foster is off to a slow start is an understatement – but also the expectation. He didn’t do anything this summer. He’ll need to be ready to match zone-blocking wits with his Madden brethren Marshawn Lynch to give the Texans a shot in this one. The Seahawks are mighty, but not so much on the road, and not so much after winning big games and/or blowouts. This is a statement game for both teams, and the Texans should come ready after starting slow for three straight weeks.
Patriots over Falcons: The Patriots offense is in 2006 mode if your a pessimist. The defense is in 2004 mode (possibly). New England has yet to face a quality quarterback this season, and Matt Ryan at home will be the toughest passer the Patriots face on the road. That said, the entire Falcons team comes down to whether or not Ryan can get the ball to Julio Jones. If Patriots head coach Bill Belichick does anything, it’s punish teams for one-dimensional/one-weapon offenses. With Falcons WR Roddy White still hobbled, RB Steven Jackson still out, and TE Tony Gonzalez slow to start, I wouldn’t be surprised if the game is a sloppier than Atlanta would like.
Dolphins over Saints: The Saints are off to a strong start, especially defensively. But the Dolphins have made good passers sweat the last two weeks, and the Saints won’t even try and run the football. Meanwhile, Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill has survived a lot of pressure (which he’ll see plenty of from New Orleans) and an inconsistent running game to lead the Dolphins to three wins. The Saints have not defended the run well at all, and Miami will need to control the clock. Look for the Dolphins to steal a close one.
-1SKILLZ