The third week of the NFL season is here and with plenty of exciting games going on around the league, there are a number of matchups that could end in upsets, including the Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Green Bay Packers and the Steelers hosting the 2-0 Bears on Sunday night football in Pittsburgh.
The Bengals are coming off of a Monday night victory over the Steelers at home and the team is now feeling good at 1-1 after losing their opening game to the Bears. The Packers are coming into the game after an offensive outburst that gave them a 24-0 lead over the Washington Redskins on Sunday and Aaron Rodgers was excellent in the game, passing for 480 yards and four touchdowns on his way to winning offensive player of the week.
This season Rodgers is playing some fantastic ball with over 800 yards passing and seven touchdowns and the reason the Bengals have a chance is because their defense finally started to look good against the Steelers on Monday night. The team can get pressure consistently on the quarterback and with the Packers offensive line issues that could be a problem. The Packers just re-discovered their running game with James Starks and they will need to get that going to be successful.
Starks was the team's first 100 yards rusher since back in 2011 and he gained 132 yards and also scored a touchdown in the win against the Redskins. The Bengals have their own star running back in Giovani Bernard and after scoring two touchdowns last week against the Steelers, he could be a prime option going forward and if he has a good game, the Bengals can pull out the win. Andy Dalton has been solid working with wideout AJ Green, as the two have connected 15 times for over 200 yards and two touchdowns and if Green Bay can't slow him down, it could be a long afternoon. Dalton looked good against the Steelers and he could have a nice day at home if the Packers aren't at their best.
The Steelers and the Bears don't come until Sunday night, but it could end up being one of the best games of the week, as Pitt needs to win desperately at 0-2, while the Bears are riding high at 2-0 and could afford a slip up. The Bears are going on the road and with the Steelers getting Heath Miller back, there is a chance the offense could be better after scoring just 19 points over two games.
Ben Roethlisberger was harassed on Monday night and if he can get just a little protection, the Steelers should be able to pull things out. He has been a lone man on offense this season, as Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders have not done enough and losing Mike Wallace has started to take its toll. The running game has not been there and the team is hoping to get Le'Veon Bell back soon, as Felix Jones is the leading rusher and with Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman on the depth chart, there isn't much there.
All that said, the Steelers are a desperate team and playing at home should give them a boost and the Bears are in for a letdown after needing to make comebacks in both their wins this season. Jay Cutler has looked very good in the new offense from Marc Trestman and he could continue to put up big numbers after already passing for over 500 yards and five touchdowns. Brandon Marshall has been fantastic early this season, making 15 catches for over 200 yards and two scores.
Lastly, the Jacksonville Jaguars are NOT beating the Seattle Seahawks at their home stadium. IT just isn't happening. 0-3 for Jax now and 3-0 for Seattle after Week 3.
