Week 3 Recap

Mike the Ace and D.K. review two exciting match ups for NFL Week 3.

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

Los Angeles Rams @ Buffalo Bills (35-32 Bills)
Mike The Ace @TheAceWriter

On Episode 6 of the TFINS podcast, we reviewed the offseason moves of the NFC West. Toward the end of the podcast, we also predicted where each team in the division would finish. 

I was very critical of the Rams, and I had them finishing last in the NFC West. Through the first three weeks of the season, they have certainly proved me wrong.

This matchup was one of the best games this weekend. The Bills and Rams both had something to prove, as their first two wins were against teams that are far from powerhouse. In my opinion, both the Bills and Rams will make some noise this season if they can stay healthy.

The Bills jumped out to a fantastic start, dominating the first half and snatching a 21-3 lead. The lead ballooned to 28-3 after a Stefon Diggs touchdown catch with 8:05 left in the 3rd quarter. From that moment on, the Los Angeles Rams snapped back to life.

The Rams offense immediately got in rhythm, carving up the Bills respected defense. Los Angeles put together four straight touchdown scoring drives, and suddenly took the lead 32-28. With 4:30 left in the 4th quarter, Buffalo had their chance to answer. 

Bills Quarterback Josh Allen put together an impressive scoring drive. Moving his team down the field before throwing a 3-yard TD to tight end Tyler Kroft with 15 seconds left in the game. After nearly blowing a huge lead, it was impressive to see Allen keep his composure and put the ball in the end zone to seal the game.

Both the Rams and Bills showed the type of fight and resolve you like to see in a football team. Both teams played at an elite level, and put pressure on the other. It was truly a great game, and I will have an eye on both of these squads going forward.

Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

Las Vegas Raiders @ New England Patriots (36-20 Patriots)
DK @ayeyoo_biggs

This game was about what the Patriots do best, take away your best chance of scoring points, and forcing you to find another way to win. The Raiders came into this game with one of the top young TEs in the league in Darren Waller. The game before, Waller had a stellar game with 12 catches for 102 yards. New England held him to 2 catches and 9 yards. 

Derek Carr went 24/32 for 261 yards with two TDs. The main issue with the Raiders this week were their turnovers. Derek Carr fumbled twice, the first led to a field goal and the second was in his own end zone, resulting in a recovered touchdown for New England. Josh Jacobs also fumbled as well in this game. These types of plays just gave the ball back to New England, in which they were able to capitalize. 

Cam Newton had a good game, going 17/28 with 162 yards and a TD. The story of the game for the New England offense though, was Rex Burkhead. He had a day, having 6 carries for 49 yards and 2 TDs and 7 receptions for 49 yards and a TD. Sony Michel also had 9 carries for 117 yards. The Patriot Defense did Patriots things as well , like the fumble recovered for a TD by Deatrich Wise and only allowing 2 catches for Carr’s favorite target Waller. 

I still actually like the Raiders and think they will have a great season. For the first time in a long time they are playing competent football on offense and have great young defenders like Maxx Crosby and John Abram. I was also extremely impressed with the rookie out of Ohio State, cornerback Damon Arnette. The Patriots play the Chiefs next and will be a great showdown between QBs Cam Newton and Patrick Mahomes, and the Coaches Bill Belichick and Andy Reid

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Week 2 Recap

Mike the Ace and D.K. review two wild games from NFL Week 2.

Steve Marcus

New Orleans Saints @ Las Vegas Raiders (34-24 Raiders)
Mike The Ace @TheAceWriter

The Raiders hosted their very first home game in Allegiant Stadium on Monday night. Nobody wants to be *the* team that starts a stadium’s history off with an L, and the Raiders played like it.

The Silver-and-Black brought it to the Saints in this football game. Vegas is a run heavy, smash mouth team. Everything on their offense starts with running back Josh Jacobs, but the star of the day was tight end Darren Waller. Waller had 12 catches for 105 yards and 1 touchdown.

The Saints defense did well against the run, holding Jacobs to just 3.0 yards per carry.  The issue was in the passing game, as Waller and backup Foster Moreau were both able to make big plays in this game. The Saints brought in safety Malcolm Jenkins this offseason to help defend against tight ends. He’ll need to improve his pass coverage, as he was picked on multiple times by Vegas.

The Saints leaned heavily on running back Alvin Kamara. This will likely be a necessary strategy for them, as star receiver Michael Thomas recovers from an ankle injury. New Orleans will need much more production from their other veteran receiver, Emmanuel Sanders. Brees will also need to be sharper as well. Both of these teams will be very interesting to watch, moving forward.

Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons @ Dallas Cowboys (40-39 Cowboys) 
DK @ayeyoo_biggs

The Cowboys had 4 first half fumbles and were still were able to somehow come out with the victory on Sunday. 

Matt Ryan had a great game on Sunday going 27/36 with 276 yards and 4 TDs. I really liked the way the offense operated, with 7 receivers getting targeted. Calvin Ridley continues to impress 7 catches for 109 yards and 2 TDs. 

The Dallas offense really had a tale of two half with first half fumbles and struggles. They came back in the second half and slowly chipped away at the Atlanta 29-10 halftime lead. Dak Prescott went 34/47 with 450 yard and 4 total touchdowns in the furious comeback. Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb both went over 100 yards receiving with Zeke Elliot adding 122 all purpose yards. 

Even after allowing 13 points in the 4th, Atlanta was still in a position to win the game. All they had to do was recover an onside kick. Dallas kicker Greg Zuerlein kicked the ball and as it rolled towards the needed 10 yards for them to recover, no Falcons players decided to fall on the ball. Dallas then recovers the kicks and drives down the field for a game winning field goal. 

This was the Falcons game to lose and unfortunately they did. Dan Quinn is on a seriously hot seat. These next few weeks will tell if he is in Atlanta beyond this season, if not the bye week.