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Week Three Review

New England were taking no prisoners as the Browns got steamrollered in a huge second quarter. Cleveland never really got their offense going and the Patriots had a lot of short fields to work with. Shock of the day came in Miami where the Bengals were surprised by a fourth quarter comeback. As the Cincy offense appeared to have given up and gone home the Dolphins suddenly burst into life with two long drives for touchdowns. The Chiefs got plenty of pressure on the New York QB and so were able to keep their offense out of the endzone. A late defensive score was little consolation for the Jets. The Seattle offense can be a little erratic, but in Buffalo it was progressing smoothly while their kicker seemed to have the jitters. The Bills couldn't find a way to move the ball on the Seahawks' defense. Tennessee were all hyped up for the visit of the champions, but they were ruing missed opportunities after they failed to force the ball into the endzone at the end of two long drives. A last second field goal from Oakland forced the game into overtime where both teams had long field goal attempts.

The Eagles and Bucs got themselves into a shootout, despite neither being particularly impressive on offense. Tampa won the touchdown battle but the Philadelphia kicker made up the difference with six field goals. The Green Bay offense was moving up and down the field in Dallas but couldn't seem to find a way into the endzone. The Cowboys took advantage of their opportunity when it came scoring the game's only touchdown. New Orleans were also moving the ball well in Arizona but were held in check by the Cards' good special teams. The Panthers fought off a fourth quarter comeback from Washington to snatch victory with a field goal. It was another kick in the teeth for the Redskins who have played better than their 0-3 record might suggest. San Francisco put their shock defeat last week behind them with 16 first quarter points. Detroit were always going to struggle to match that against the 49ers defense, by the time they'd managed the San Francisco offense had done just enough to put the game beyond reach. The Bears were expected to give the NFC champions a test, but the challenge never materialised. St Louis took the early lead and just kept on going, Chicago never looked in it.

Offensive performance of the week goes to the Patriots for racking up over fifty points, even if they didn't have to exert themselves unduly. Defensive performance of the week goes to Kansas City for eight sacks and what would have been a shutout if their offense hadn't given up a late score. Special teams performance of the week goes to Philadelphia whose six field goals made all the difference to the result.

Week Three Top Performers

Martyn Williams

RUSHING OFFENSE

PASSING OFFENSE

RUSHING DEFENSE

PASSING DEFENSE

Predictions Standings

Darren Birtchnell

Stats Corner

Martyn Williams

RUSHING OFFENSE

PASSING OFFENSE

RUSHING DEFENSE

PASSING DEFENSE

TURNOVERS

Week Four Preview

Predictions and commentary from Martyn Williams, other predictions from Darren Birtchnell and myself.

Seahawks at Patriots – The Seahawks finally got off the mark last week with a great win in Buffalo that included two defensive scores, while the Patriots annihilated the visiting Browns. So far this season the Patriots offence has been unstoppable both on the ground and through the air, and the Seahawks only hope is for their D, to again, not only cause turnovers but score from them. Even that may not be enough. Patriots by 21

Chiefs at Dolphins – Two teams that have certainly rediscovered their form of two seasons back, although it is the Dolphins that look by far the better team – their victory against the Bengals last week really announced their return to BP’s upper echelon. Both teams win thanks in the main to their tough D’s, although last week both also had breakout games from their QB’s. The Dolphins are the better team and will look to prove it here. Dolphins by 10

Ravens at Jets – The Jets are proving that last season’s rise to mediocrity was a one off, while the Ravens still look to be finding their feet under Coach Sim. Most probably a low scorer, but at least the Ravens do have an offense… Ravens by 3

Titans at Bills – The Titans have played up twice already but only have one win to show for it, although they did run the Superbowl Champions mighty close last week. The Bills are still struggling on O and look unlikely to win here if the Titans are up – otherwise could be very close. Titans by 10

Raiders at Bengals – The Big One! Not only are Cincinnati smarting after the defeat in Miami, they owe Oakland big time for last season’s AFC Championship defeat. I have a feeling a few players may well wear extra padding for this one! A real bruiser, Cincinnati need to suss out how to hold onto the ball as the Raiders are unbeaten thanks in part to their knack of forcing turnovers and then capitalising on them. If Cincinnati win the turnover battle they win the game – surely the Raiders luck must run out soon? Raiders by 3

Broncos at Browns – Neither team has won yet, and neither team has looked good in defeat. The Browns have been on a downward spiral since the middle of last season, while the Broncos only missed out on an AFC Championship appearance by an OT field goal. The Broncos will get their season started here. Broncos by 6

Panthers at Eagles – The Eagles are coming off a great come from behind victory against the Buccaneers and will expect to remain unbeaten after playing host to the Panthers. On their day the Superbowl Champions of two season’s back can still beat anyone with their passing game, as displayed last week in Washington, but they simply don’t have the running game or defence to even force the Eagles into a sweat. Philadelphia to win on cruise control. Eagles by 10

Saints at Cowboys – Two very evenly matched teams, neither are great but can match up well against anyone. The Cowboys may not put up the bigger numbers but they win more games, a trend I think will continue. Cowboys by 7

Lions at Cardinals – Neither team has started well, the Lions have the better O and the Cardinals the better D. D + homefield equals Arizona win. Cardinals by 3

Bears at Redskins – Both teams promised much for this season but are yet to deliver – the Redskins may not have a win but have put in the better performances and should get their reward this week. Redskins by 6

Rams at Packers – Coach Williams has never lost to the Packers, even during their glory years, but a change of coach may just be what the Cheeseheads need to end that run. The Rams have been efficient on O and stifling on D this season, and the Packers will struggle if last weeks performance is anything to go by. But I still have this uneasy feeling…

49ers at Buccaneers – Tampa are looking good again, while the 49ers are good but haven’t performed to their usual high standards yet this season. This is a big test for the 49ers, they need a win to prove they are still up with the NFC’s elite, while the Buccs need that win to prove they have returned there. My high regard for the 49ers and Coach Devine makes me favour my rivals. 49ers by 7

MW – Lock and Blowout – Patriots, Shock – Packers, Shootout – Saints at Cowboys, Slugfest – Ravens at Jets.

DB – Patriots by 14 (Blowout), Dolphins by 7, Ravens by 3 (Slugfest), Titans by 3, Broncos by 3 (Shock), Eagles by 10 (Shootout), Cowboys by 6, Lions by 3, Redskins by 6, Rams by 14 (Lock), 49ers by 7

RC – Patriots by 14 (Blowout), Dolphins by 7, Jets by 3 (Shock), Titans by 3, Broncos by 7 (Slugfest), Eagles by 7 (Lock), Saints by 3 (Shootout), Cardinals by 1, Redskins by 3, Rams by 7, 49ers by 7.