The NFL Sunday nighter is a no-brainer, but picking between games in the packed day schedule can be daunting. Never fear: Here are three marquee matchups to keep an eye on this week.
Oakland Raiders @ Chicago Bears
1:00 p.m., Sunday
Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Latavius Murray are a young, emerging trio of playmakers for Oakland.
The newfound triplets totalled 587 yards a week ago and Carr, Cooper and Murray could best that mark against a woeful Bears defence at Soldier Field. Chicago has allowed a league-worst 35 points per game and the team traded pass rusher Jared Allen away this week because he didn’t fit their new 3-4 scheme.
Cooper has given Carr a true No. 1 receiving option. Oakland selected him fourth overall in the 2015 draft and he’s produced immediately. The rookie leads all NFL receivers with 177 yards after the catch through three games and earned high praise from one elite cover man.
The Raiders have seen Murray develop into a three-down back who can flourish in many situations. He can run in between the tackles, bust a long gain with his 4.3-second 40-yard speed, catch the football out of the backfield and hold up in pass protection.
Meanwhile, Carr has been getting a much cleaner pocket to work from — sacked just one time in 91 drop-backs — and that’s really boosted his production. No. 4 has been key in helping Raiders drives stay alive by completing 20 of 28 passes on third down to begin the season.
If you like watching rising stars, Carr, Copper and Murray should put on a show in Chicago.
Houston Texans @ Atlanta Falcons
1:00 p.m., Sunday
When you flip on Texans-Falcons you will see two of the best players at their respective positions in the NFL: J.J. Watt and Julio Jones.
Houston’s freak defensive end has rather quietly gone about his business so far in 2015. Watt has registered three sacks through three games and he’ll matchup against an Atlanta offensive line that’s been graded No. 1 in pass blocking efficiency by Pro Football Focus. Second-year Falcons blocker Jake Matthews has the top tackle rating as a pass blocker in 2015, so Watt-Matthews should be a heavyweight bout in the trenches.
Improved offensive line play has contributed to a red-hot start for Jones. Let’s have some fun with numbers. If Jones kept up his current pace he would register NFL records for catches (181) and receiving yards (2,347) in a season. It’s not even unrealistic to think Jones could reach those totals despite seeing two or three defenders paying close attention to him in coverage on almost every snap.
Minnesota Vikings @ Denver Broncos
4:25 p.m., Sunday
Two strong-starting teams matchup in the Mile High City.
Some people were concerned that the end might be near for Adrian Peterson with him turning 30 back in March – the dreaded age for a running back – and a year off from football due to suspension, but he’s proving once again no one should ever doubt his abilities.
AP leads all NFL running backs with 291 yards on the ground — he’s rolled off 134 and 126 rushing totals in consecutive games. Peterson’s 43-yard touchdown run last Sunday was vintage All Day.
Peterson’s next test comes against a stout Denver defence — the Broncos have allowed a league-low 777 total yards and just 82.7 on the ground.
Minnesota was picked by many people to be a surprise team in 2015, including three sportsnet.ca NFL followers, and a victory in Denver would really boost the Vikings hype machine.
Peyton Manning has looked old and struggled at times to start the season, but the Broncos’ run game has been nearly non-existent. C.J. Anderson has not even come close to living up to pre-season expectations.
Anderson has upset fantasy owners by posting 32 carries for just 74 yards and Ronnie Hillman has not been any better as Denver looks to find balance on offence.
That hasn’t affected the Broncos record – yet – as Denver has become the first team in NFL history to start a season 3-0 and not rush for at least 70 yards in any game.
Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer, a note defensive specialist, has put together a collection of young defensive players who will get a real test facing Manning. In seven all-time meetings between Zimmer-coached units and No. 18, Manning is 6-1. Plus, Denver has been near unbeatable at home during the regular season since Manning arrived in 2012, going 23-2.
A legitimate Super Bowl contender welcomes a team that wants in on that conversation.
Note: No upset special pick this week because there isn’t a team to feel strongly about in that regard. We’ll keep our 2-0 record in tact and look for a dog to bark next week.