5 coaches and gamers underneath essentially the most stress in Week 3
Within the NFL, endurance is a luxurious few are afforded.
Coming into Week 3, some coaches and gamers are already feeling the warmth after gradual begins. Beneath, we take a better have a look at 5 that should flip issues round this weekend.
As soon as considered as a cannot miss draft prospect, Harrison can hardly get quarterback Jacoby Brissett to look in his path.
By two video games, the 2024 fourth-overall decide has one catch for 33 yards. Per Sumer Sports activities, Harrison ranks 58th out of 59 receivers with at the least 50 routes run in goal share (6.3 p.c). The underwhelming begin has already changing into a significant speaking level, and Harrison mentioned it with reporters on Wednesday, when he doubled-down on his strategy coming into Week 3.
“My course of is not going to vary whether or not I get zero catches or 10,” Harrison mentioned, per ESPN Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss. “I’ll nonetheless do the identical factor week in and week out.”
That course of wants to begin turning into tangible outcomes, or Harrison’s days in Arizona could possibly be numbered. ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano just lately wrote executives across the league are monitoring his scenario, with Graziano citing his decreased manufacturing, a head teaching change and fellow wideout Michael Wilson’s just lately extension as causes Harrison may develop into out there in trades.
His matchup in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers complicates breakout plans. In accordance with SumerSports, Harrison has lined up out large on 87.8 p.c of his snaps; Niners beginning exterior corners Renardo Inexperienced and Deommodore Lenoir have mixed to permit 73 yards on eight receptions this season. (h/t NFL Professional)
With out a large recreation in opposition to stiff competitors, issues over Harrison’s efficiency will solely develop.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard
The Lions protection has been shredded via two video games however can get on observe in Week 3 when it hosts the New York Jets.
It is a main alternative for Sheppard, whose unit ranks thirty first in complete and scoring protection after permitting at the least 30 factors in every of its first two video games for solely the sixth time in franchise historical past and first since 2021, head coach Dan Campbell’s first season, in response to Stathead analysis.
NFL Professional insights notes that Jets quarterback Geno Smith has didn’t generate many explosives early this season, his 11.8 p.c explosive play charge the seventh-lowest within the league. That would make it troublesome to use a Lions secondary that has allowed the seventh-highest explosive move play charge (18.6 p.c).
Then once more, if Sheppard does not have his protection able to play, the matchup may find yourself working in New York’s favor.
Houston’s offensive line is thirtieth in ESPN’s run-block win charge rankings, which is hardly the fluke results of a small two-game pattern. Final season, the Texans completed final in the identical metric.
Per FTN Fantasy, Texans working backs David Montgomery (0.31 yards) and Woody Marks (0.76 yards) rank within the backside 10 in yards earlier than contact, indicative of the dearth of success within the trenches.
The maligned unit will must be significantly better in opposition to an Indianapolis Colts protection that’s off to a traditionally poor begin. Indianapolis has allowed over 500 yards in each video games, changing into the third group of the Tremendous Bowl period to take action. If the Texans cannot exploit the favorable matchup, there could also be no hope for the unit.
Winston seemingly spent extra time this offseason partying it up as a Fox Sports activities FIFA World Cup correspondent than gearing up for his first season in John Harbaugh’s Giants offense, and it confirmed when he was thrust into motion following Jaxson Dart’s (common) season-ending harm final Monday.
The 2014 No. 1 total decide was 11-of-27 for 111 yards and an interception throughout the 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and he’ll want a a lot stronger effort Sunday in opposition to the Tennessee Titans (0-2) to assist his possibilities of remaining within the beginning function for the remainder of the 12 months.
“The temper is just not nice,” Bucs legend Ronde Barber just lately mentioned about Tampa’s regarding 0-2 begin.
It would get even worse if the Buccaneers fall to 0-3 after internet hosting the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday. Solely six out of 241 groups (2.5 p.c) within the Tremendous Bowl period, per Stathead, have made the playoffs after shedding their first three video games, making Week 3 practically a must-win.
In 5 seasons as Bucs head coach, Bowles is 36-38 (together with playoffs). After ending 10-7 in 2024, Tampa declined to 8-9 a 12 months in the past. Bowles wants a win to halt the downward pattern.
