Every Sunday morning Sportsnet’s NFL experts will serve up a playbook containing the ten things you need to know as of a few hours before kickoff. Whether you play fantasy football, like to wager or just want to sound smart at your local watering hole, we’ve got you covered.
1. Steve Smith’s revenge: After the schedule was released, fiery wideout Steve Smith had to circle this game on his calendar. Smith spent 13 seasons with the Carolina Panthers before he was surprisingly released in March. Immediately after, he said there would be “blood and guts everywhere” if he ever faced his former team. So expect him to be a difference maker on Sunday. Smith already has a team-high 18 catches and is averaging over 16 yards per catch.
2. Bills fans see a familiar face: Smith may be getting all the attention, but there’s more revenge looming in Week 4. The Bills will be reuniting with Ryan Fitzpatrick, the club’s starting quarterback from 2009 to 2012, when Buffalo faces the Houston Texans on Sunday. Fitzpatrick was harshly criticized after the Bills inexplicably handed him a contract extension worth $24 million in guaranteed money during a hot streak in 2011. He never quite lived up to that and was released by the team less than two years later. Funny enough, Buffalo pegged EJ Manuel as his replacement. Wonder who they would rather have now?
3. Get ready for Clipboard Jesus: Titans quarterback Jake Locker is questionable with a wrist injury, which means Charlie Whitehurst will make his first start since 2011. The average fan may not be familiar with Whitehurst, who is nicknamed Clipboard Jesus for obvious reasons, but he’s grown into a cult hero in Seattle. And it has nothing to do with his football ability. Because when Whitehurst last started, it was baaaad. In an ugly two-game stretch, Whitehurst went 16-of-37 for 149 yards with no touchdown passes and one interception before he was replaced by an injured Tarvaris Jackson. But for reasons unknown, Whitehurst keeps landing backup jobs and he’ll get his chance to show why on Sunday.
4. Bounce back for Lacy? After spending a high pick on Eddie Lacy, it’s fair for fantasy owners to be upset with his slow start. He is averaging only 3.1 yards per carry — although he’s played against three very good defensive lines (SEA, NYJ, DET) — and has been called out by his head coach. Although a Green Bay running back has yet to top 80 yards, Lacy gets it turned around this week. The bruising runner had 216 rushing yards in two games against Chicago last year.
5. Can San Francisco stop the bleeding? Under Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers have never lost three games in a row. The club is looking to avoid their worst start to a season since 2010 (0-5) after dropping two of their first three games. And it’s been in uncharacteristic fashion. They have blown halftime leads the last two weeks and have yet to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter this season. They are taking too many penalties and lack any sort of pass rush without Aldon Smith. The 49ers hammered off five straight wins after starting 1-2 last year, but winning won’t be easy this week with the high-powered Philadelphia Eagles in town.
6. Rob Ryan vs. Tony Romo: If anyone should be familiar with Rob Ryan’s exotic blitzes, it’s Tony Romo after spending two seasons together with the Dallas Cowboys. Romo was said to be a big fan of how Ryan called his defensive scheme and was not happy when owner/general manager Jerry Jones fired him following the 2012 season. Ryan has a career 3-1 record when facing off against his old teams and you can be sure he’ll be fired up for this game.
7.It’s Teddy Time: Matt Cassel is out for the season, so the Vikings will be moving forward with Teddy Bridgewater as their starter. While the team hasn’t had much to be excited about since the Adrian Peterson mess, Bridgewater is worth the enthusiasm. In relief last week, the rookie went 12-of-20 and did not throw an interception. He impressed his teammates with incredible poise and an ability to create plays with his legs. Going against Atlanta, Bridgewater could put on a show. The Falcons have allowed 387.0 yards per game, tied for 27th in the league.
8. Glennon Takes the Helm Speaking of quarterbacks, With Josh McCown sidelined, Mike Glennon will the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coming off a 56-14 drubbing, the Bucs can’t go anywhere but up and Glennon should help immediately. In 13 games last year, Glennon threw 19 touchdowns with only nine interceptions. He showed a strong rapport with Vincent Jackson and the team will be getting some reinforcements with running back Doug Martin (attention fantasy owners) and tight end Austin Sefarian-Jenkins expected back in the lineup.
9. Why watch the London game? Yes, they’re doing another one of these. And this time, the lovely people of England get to see a thrilling (sarcasm alert) battle between the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins. But there actually is a reason to watch this game. The Raiders have a star in the making in rookie linebacker Khalil Mack, who was graded by Pro Football Focus at the top player at his position in Week 3. After tearing up Tom Brady and the New England Patriots last week, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill should be very weary of Mack coming off the edge.
10. Our survivor pick is… If you’re like me and base your pick on finding the lousiest opponent possible, there are some good options here. Indianapolis makes some sense and so does Pittsburgh, but my money is on on San Diego. The Chargers have played outstanding football the last two weeks and take on an 0-3 Jacksonville Jaguars team that has to travel across the country. Yes, they should be improved with Blake Bortles taking over for Chad Henne at quarterback, but that won’t be nearly enough for Jacksonville to pull of the upset.