The 3M Report: Week Three

Leo Paciga

3ms Welcome to this week’s edition of the “3M Report” – a weekly look back at the mayhem, magic and mishaps from around the NFL, focusing on situations and players that caught my eye or made me scratch my head in either awe or disbelief. So let’s take a look at week number three of the NFL season.

I’m not sure what was more uncomfortable Thursday night…..witnessing Atlanta’s complete thrashing of the Buccaneers OR watching the utter disgust on head coach Lovie Smith‘s face as he digested the reality of his team’s abysmal performance.

As dynamic as Dallas running back DeMarco Murray has been to start the season, he needs to do a better job with ball security. Three fumbles in three games is a stat line that simply can’t continue, especially when you factor in Tony Romo‘s propensity for generating his own endless supply of turnovers.

Did anybody really think the Raiders were going to score on their last possession against the Patriots and force a possible overtime? Yeah, me neither.

Rookie quarterback Derek Carr has performed admirably through the first three weeks of the season, but unfortunately the Raiders are extremely lacking when it comes to offensive play-makers.  Darren McFadden may have been a game changer (when healthy) earlier in his career, but he now runs so stiff and rigid he isn’t a breakaway threat at all.

The New York Giants may have come away with their first victory of the season, but it seems like they’re auditioning for a new segment of “NFL Follies” every time they get inside the red zone.

That Johnny Manziel catch along the sideline was a play right out of someone’s neighborhood flag football playbook.  I wonder if he’s trademarked the name “Johnny Ninja Wide Receiver” yet.

Two rookie quarterbacks made their debuts mid game on Sunday. Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles and Minnesota’s Teddy Bridgewater both played well in defeat and fans for both teams should feel better heading into week four with their young field generals lining up under center instead of Chad Henne and Matt Cassel.

The Minnesota Vikings may appreciate the steadiness Matt Asiata brings to the offense, but the “purple sloth” isn’t going to win many football games for the Vikings.  Of course, maybe I’m wrong since Asiata has been more productive than Green Bay’s Eddie Lacy so far this season – go figure.

Miami wide receivers aren’t doing quarterback Ryan Tannehill any favors with their collective butterfingers and hands of stone. And while we’re discussing the Miami offense, running back Daniel Thomas steals part of my fantasy football soul every time he lines up in the backfield.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars where exactly what the doctor ordered for the 0-2 Indianapolis Colts.

After working his way back from a severe hip injury last season, it was heartbreaking to watch Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta suffer another serious hip injury on a routine pass play against the Browns. Get well soon Dennis.

I keep believing the physical ability of Baltimore wide receiver Torrey Smith will rise to the surface, but you can’t deny the ferociousness in the game of fellow wide out Steve Smith. Torrey may have all the physical tools, but the toughness, focus and intensity of the elder Smith sets him apart and also establishes the tone for the entire offense.

Folks around DLF have been trumpeting Baltimore running back Lorenzo Taliaferro as a solid sleeper since the NFL draft and the rookie didn’t disappoint in the first extended action of his short career by pounding 18 carries for 91 yards and a score. What I like about Taliaferro is he’s a strong downhill runner with an attacking style and solid vision, especially when it comes to reading blocks and anticipating creases. He often creates additional space/yardage after contact and has enough lateral agility to appear almost “shifty” as he pushes through the line of scrimmage. Taliaferro’s role should only expand as the season progresses…..hopefully you’ve invested in a few shares.

With a nose for the end zone running the ball and a knack for throwing scoring passes inside the 5 yard line, Andrew Luck will be a touchdown vulturing nightmare for anyone counting on Indianapolis’ running backs to score on the ground.

Ladies and gentlemen, we present the first place, NFC West leading and undefeated……Arizona Cardinals. Wait….what?

In what appeared to be the ultimate trap game, the San Diego Chargers were up to the task once again. Traveling across the country after a huge win against the Seahawks, no one would have blinked if the Chargers came out and struggled Sunday in Buffalo. Instead the Chargers took control of the game early on and never looked back. My only complaint is quarterback Phillip Rivers turned Eddie Royal into a nasty red zone weapon for this contest and basically ignored Antonio Gates and Keenan Allen for the entire game. Don’t do that again Phillip.

The Redskins/Eagles contest was so entertaining to watch and it had a little bit of everything including skirmishes, hot tempers, tons of points, flying defenders and back and forth action. On the Redskins side of the ball, Kirk Cousins continued to look comfortable under center – to the tune of 427 yards and 3 TDs – and wide out DeSean Jackson got free for a long score (81 yards) in his first game back in Philadelphia. The Eagles once again found themselves down early only to come roaring back for their third straight come from behind victory and it was the aerial attack doing the damage this time. Jeremy Maclin finished the game with 154 yards on eight receptions and rookie wide receiver Jordan Matthews found the end zone twice.  Of course if you had told me the Eagles would rack up 37 points and LeSean McCoy would finish the day with 20 carries for just 22 yards, I would have ordered you a straitjacket.

I went into the Cardinal/49er game thinking Carson Palmer‘s nerve issues (shoulder) would lead to the fantasy football death for all Arizona wide receivers. Instead quarterback Drew Stanton stood tall in the pocket, shook off numerous hits and delivered accurate strikes to receivers Michael Floyd and John Brown in the Arizona victory.

Memo to Kansas City head coach Andy Reid – please get Travis Kelce more involved in the offense. With quarterback Alex Smith’s short comings stretching the field, it would make a ton of sense to get Kelce as many targets as possible each week. Kelce is extremely athletic with good speed and elite open field skills, especially for a 6’5″, 260 lb. tight end. In other words, he’s a potential nightmare for opposing defenses, so start emphasizing his involvement.

Hard to believe but the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers are both 1-2.

In last week’s 3M Report, I wrote the following: “Knile Davis not only has size and speed, he also has good vision, patience and follows blockers extremely well. If Jamaal Charles misses any significant time, Davis is in line for some serious production.” The good vision identifying running lanes and the patience following blockers were both clearly evident against the Dolphins.  Davis finished with the game with 32 carries for 132 yards and a TD.

A gutsy performance in week three certainly doesn’t make up for a devastating Super Bowl loss, but the Broncos exhibited much more physical and mental toughness on Sunday in Seattle than they did last February in New York City. It’s a shame one team had to lose that game yesterday.

One last thought on Seattle. I love Russell Wilson. He’s mobile, accurate, savvy beyond his years and his mistakes are so few and far between. Even though I have an insatiable obsession with big athletic wide receivers when it comes to fantasy football, Russell Wilson is easily my favorite NFL player. Just thought I’d share.

That wraps up this edition of the 3M Report and a look back at week number three of the NFL season. Until next Monday, here’s hoping all your fantasy starters perform well and avoid those nasty injuries. Follow Leo Paciga on Twitter – @FFhoudini

leo paciga