Week 3, 2019...a little more drama

Talk about how injuries can derail a season.  The Steelers Ben Roethlisberger is out the remainder of the season after injuring his throwing shoulder.  New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is out 6-7 weeks after tearing ligaments in his thumb.  The New York Jets have lost Sam Darnold for several weeks with mononucleosis, they are also without linebacker Jordan Jenkins.  But to lose a quarterback, the leader of your team, has got to be disheartening.  I never predicted the Steelers to have a lot of success this year, but losing their signal-caller is not what I had in mind.  The Saints I thought would do well...not sure about that now.  However, they are in a better position with Teddy Bridgewater under center than the 2nd year man Mason Rudolph will be calling plays.  We know about Nick Foles and Garden Minchew.  The Jaguars got a win this week with their new quarterback.

Okay, Antonio Brown spent 11-days with the New England Patriots and the team decided it was time to move on.  They are no nonsense and want to focus solely on football.  I'm convinced part of this decision came when the team had a recent press conference and head coach Bill Belichick kept getting asked about the sexual assault assertions by Brown.  The coach left after getting asked about Brown instead of football and what they are doing to prepare for the Jets this week.

Here are some of the games to look forward to this week:

Oakland @ Minnesota - These two teams are looking to rebound after having missed the playoffs last year.  The Raiders missed the year before, too, but Jon Gruden is looking to really put his stamp on the team and lead them to play late into January and, it is to be hoped, February.  The Vikings I think are realizing that Kirk Cousins isn't quite what they'd hoped he would be.  His record since playing is only 35-38-1, ranked 27th (based on winning percentage) among active quarterbacks.  I honestly doubt seeing Cousins in the backfield is going to do much to help the Vikes.

Baltimore @ Kansas City - The Ravens and Lamar Jackson have been on fire so far this season, against Miami and Arizona, teams that are not really that tough right now.  This I think will be his first real test of the season.  Patrick Mahomes, however, has already been lighting it up against some pretty good opponents, Jacksonville and the aforementioned Oakland Raiders.  Mahomes already looks like he's in midseason form and I honestly thing the Ravens will be more confused than anything trying to corral the Chiefs.

New Orleans @ Seattle - The long and short of this is...Seattle has their starting quarterback (Russell Wilson) and New Orleans is working with their backup quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater).  Seattle has surprised me, as they typically do, so having a backup quarterback, who used to be a starter for the Vikings, should not pose too much of a problem for them.  But, this is the NFL and Bridgewater is not a pushover.  Should be a really exciting game.

Los Angeles Rams @ Cleveland - I know, I know, this shouldn't be an exciting game.  But I am really looking forward to it.  The Browns opened up some last Monday, Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham really hit it off and we should start getting used to seeing that with these two.  The only worry I have is that Cleveland had trouble getting into the end zone against the Jets, so that may help the Rams out some.  Speaking of the Rams, they're a very good football team, I don't think as good as last year, but they're good.  Their defense, led by Aaron Donald, could get all up in Mayfield's face and cause lots and lots of problems with the passing game, while also disrupting the running.

A few things to look for this week...

With 1 1/2 sacks Terrell Suggs can tie Jared Allen for 11th all-time in sacks in the NFL.
If Frank Gore can earn 80 scrimmage yards against the Cincinnati Bengals he will pass LaDanian Tomlinson and become #5 in all-time scrimmage yardage leaders.
Adrian Peterson can surpass Edgerrin James with just 37 scrimmage yards, that would place him 15th all-time.
And, Mr. Larry Fitzgerald can pass Tony Gonzalez with 9 catches, making him SECOND all-time for receptions.

Have a great rest of your weekend and happy football watching tomorrow.