Thursday, August 31
Week 3 previews



Game of the week | Sunday night | Monday night | Rest of the week

Stock the fridge
Titans (2-0) at Jaguars (2-0)
4:05 p.m. ET, CBS, Jaguars by 9½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
War Room preview

Why to watch Who to watch Numbers game
To find out if the Titans can challenge the defending champion Jaguars for supremacy in the AFC Central. Tennessee is one of only two teams to win a game in Jacksonville over the last two-plus seasons (the Patriots are the other), but the Titans won't have QB Steve McNair available. The Jaguars are looking to get back on track after a less than impressive victory at Carolina. Titans QB Neil O'Donnell gets the start. He has clicked well with WR Yancey Thigpen since their days in Pittsburgh. Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith has made an NFL-leading 16 receptions for 254 yards. He and Keenan McCardell will challenge Titans CBs Samari Rolle and Denard Walker. If Jags RB Fred Taylor (hamstring, foot) can't go, James Stewart will face a Titans defense that's allowed 284 rushing yards. 2: Number of opponents the Jags have held to less than 300 total yards in the first two games of 1999. Jacksonville held only one opponent to less than 300 in 1998.

3: Number of consecutive seasons in which the Tennessee franchise has finished with an 8-8 record.

3: Sacks for Titans rookie Jevon Kearse last week.

Broncos (0-2) at Bucs (1-1)
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Bucs by 2½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
War Room preview

Why to watch Who to watch Numbers game
To see if the defending Super Bowl champions can avoid an 0-3 start by winning a very tough road game. Denver has struggled to score, and the Tampa Bay defense hasn't allowed a touchdown this season. To find out if the Bucs' struggling offense can get on track against a Broncos defense that has been quite porous. Broncos RB Terrell Davis has been held to less than 80 yards in both his '99 starts. Broncos QB Brian Griese was pulled in the loss at K.C., but he remains the starter. Bucs DT Warren Sapp leads the NFL with 4½ sacks. Bucs RBs Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott face a Broncos run defense that ranks 29th in the NFL. 6: Point allowed (two field goals) by the Bucs defense in 1999. The Tampa Bay offense has allowed 16 points -- two interceptions that were returned for TDs and a safety on a bad snap.

0: Number of Super Bowl teams that have started 0-3 in non-strike seasons.

Browns (0-2) at Ravens (0-2)
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Ravens by 12½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
War Room preview

Why to watch Who to watch Numbers game
OK, before you start asking why this game is listed way up here, consider this: Folks in Cleveland have been waiting three years to get some type of shot at Art Modell for moving the team to Baltimore. That chance comes Sunday, when the new Browns will face the old Browns. Unlike the game in Cleveland in November, Modell probably will attend this one. Ravens QB Stoney Case is now the starter, and Scott Mitchell has dropped all the way to third-string. Geez, like we didn't see that coming. Browns QB Tim Couch gets his second career start, but he needs some help from a ground game that's mustered only 92 yards in two weeks. Ravens RB Errict Rhett comes off a 101-yard performance. Ravens LB Ray Lewis will be all over the field. 30:51: Time of possession for the Browns in their first two games.

16-33-1: The Ravens' record since Modell moved his franchise to Baltimore in 1996.

31: NFL ranking for the Browns in run offense, pass offense and total offense.

Keep the clicker handy
Redskins (1-1) at Jets (0-2)
1 p.m. ET, Fox, Redskins by 1
Preview | Baxter's Bits
War Room preview

Why to watch Who to watch Numbers game
Because this game should answer two big questions: Are the Redskins really a force to be reckoned with? And are the Jets going to make any noise this season without injured QB Vinny Testaverde? Washington has scored a whopping 85 points in its first two games. The Jets, meanwhile, are trying to get off the ground under new QB Rick Mirer and with several other players filling holes created by injuries. Redskins RB Stephen Davis leads the NFL with five TDs through two weeks, and he faces a Jets defense that allowed 224 rushing yards last week at Buffalo. Redskins QB Brad Johnson has been flawless. Redskins WR Michael Westbrook will try to use his height advantage against Jets CB Aaron Glenn. Jets LB Mo Lewis will try to stop 'Skins TE Stephen Alexander, who had two TD catches last week. 9: Carries last week for Jets RB Curtis Martin, who was expected to carry a big load after Testaverde went down.

23:36: Time of possession last week for the Jets, who couldn't get the Bills offense off the field.

449.5: Average yards per game for Washington, the most in the NFL.

Lions (2-0) at Chiefs (1-1)
1 p.m. ET, Fox, Chiefs by 3½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
War Room preview

Why to watch Who to watch Numbers game
To find out if the Lions can continue to be the biggest surprise of the '99 season by winning in Kansas City -- which is no easy task. To see if the Chiefs can build off the momentum of their dominating victory over the Broncos and climb above the .500 mark. Chiefs RB Bam Morris replaces the injured Kimble Anders as the featured back. Lions QB Charlie Batch has thrown five TD passes. He will try to get the ball to WRs Johnnie Morton and Germane Crowell. Chiefs WR Derrick Alexander leads the NFL in receiving yards (271). 19: Seasons since Detroit started the season with a 3-0 record.

437-287: How badly the Lions were outgained by the Packers in Week 2. Still, Detroit had more points (23-15), and that's what counts.

Seahawks (1-1) at Steelers (2-0)
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Steelers by 4
Preview | Baxter's Bits
War Room preview

Why to watch Who to watch Numbers game
To see if the Seahawks can break out of a lethargic start and prove they're going to be a contender under Mike Holmgren. To find out if the Steelers are for real. Although Pittsburgh is 2-0, those wins came against the Browns and Ravens, so a victory here would be a little more impressive. Seahawks QB Jon Kitna should return after missing last week's win at Chicago because of a toe injury. Seahawks RB Ricky Watters was the catalyst last week, and he'll face a Steelers run defense led by LB Levon Kirkland. Steelers QB Kordell Stewart has regained his confidence. Seahawks RT Grant Williams has struggled. 35-7: How badly the Seahawks have been outscored in the first half this season.

7: Number of seasons since Pittsburgh got off to a 3-0 start.

1-5: Seattle's all-time record at Three Rivers Stadium.

Bears (1-1) at Raiders (1-1)
4:15 p.m. ET, Fox, Raiders by 6½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
War Room preview

Why to watch Who to watch Numbers game
To make sure these teams haven't switched divisions -- Chicago is playing its third game against the AFC West, while Oakland faces its third NFC Central foe. To find out if the Raiders, who beat the Vikings and nearly downed the Packers, can continue to impress. To determine if the Bears, who beat the Chiefs and should have beaten the Seahawks, might be a surprise team. Bears QB Shane Matthews is extremely active in the team's new "razzle-dazzle" offense. Bears WRs Curtis Conway and Bobby Engram might have a tough time getting open against Oakland's strong secondary. Raiders RBs Tyrone Wheatley and Napoleon Kaufman form a nice power-speed combo. Raiders DT Russell Maryland had an interception and fumble recovery last week. 30: Number of points scored in the first half this season by the Bears, who have scored only three points after halftime. Evidently, teams can adjust quickly to Chicago's new scheme.

34: Rushing yards allowed last by week by the Raiders in their win at Minnesota.

Colts (1-1) at Chargers (1-0)
4:05 p.m. ET, CBS, Colts by 1
Preview | Baxter's Bits
War Room preview

Why to watch Who to watch Numbers game
To see if the Colts can bounce back after blowing a 28-7 halftime loss in a demoralizing loss last week at New England. To find out if the Chargers can maintain sole possession of first place in the AFC West. To determine if either of these teams will contend for a playoff spot this season. Colts QB Peyton Manning looks outstanding, while Ryan Leaf has been a bust in San Diego. Colts WR Marvin Harrison has five TD catches in two weeks. Chargers LB Junior Seau leads an excellent run defense against Colts RB Edgerrin James, the AFC's top rusher. Chargers RB Natrone Means ran for 130 yards against Indy last year. 172: Yards allowed by the Chargers in their 34-7 rout at Cincinnati last week. San Diego held the ball for 38:30.

79: Yards gained by Indy in the second half last week after gaining 265 in the first.

Mow the lawn
Falcons (0-2) at Rams (1-0)
1 p.m. ET, Fox, Falcons by 2
Preview | Baxter's Bits
War Room preview

Why to watch Who to watch Numbers game
To find out if Atlanta can recover from its 0-2 start and the season-ending injury to Pro Bowl RB Jamal Anderson, who tore the ACL in his right knee. To see if the Rams can keep sole possession of first place in the NFC West. With the Falcons ravaged by injuries and the 49ers looking old, St. Louis might be a factor in the NFC West race. Falcons QB Chris Chandler is questionable with a hamstring injury. Backups Tony Graziani and Danny Kanell didn't do much in Dallas. Falcons RB Byron Hanspard replaces Anderson. Rams QB Kurt Warner threw for 316 yards in his NFL debut. He has some weapons in RB Marshall Faulk and WRs Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. 39.5: Percentage of the Falcons' offensive yards that Anderson accounted for last season.

5: Sacks by St. Louis in its Week 1 win over the Ravens. Rams DEs Grant Wistrom and Kevin Carter will come after the Atlanta QB.

Eagles (0-2) at Bills (1-1)
1 p.m. ET, Fox, Bills by 11½
Preview | Baxter's Bits
War Room preview

Why to watch Who to watch Numbers game
To see if the Eagles can somehow pull an upset and earn their first road victory since Dec. 14, 1996. To determine if Eagles rookie Donovan McNabb should replace Doug Pederson at QB, and if the Philly line can protect either passer. To find out if the Bills can make quick work of a team they should beat. Bills RB Antowain Smith comes off a 113-yard effort against the Jets. Bills DE Bruce Smith is probably licking his chops to get at this Philly line. Bills QB Doug Flutie returned to his active ways last week. Eagles RB Duce Staley is Philly's most dangerous offensive threat. No Eagles WR has more than 62 receiving yards this season. 13: Sacks allowed by the Eagles in the first two games, including nine last week by the Bucs.

13: Catches this season for Bills WR Eric Moulds, who's averaging 92.5 receiving yards per game.

3: Consecutive victories by Buffalo in this series.

Bengals (0-2) at Panthers (0-2)
1 p.m. ET, CBS, Panthers by 7
Preview | Baxter's Bits
War Room preview

Why to watch Who to watch Numbers game
Because one of these teams is probably going to win a game -- and that will be a rare occurence this season. The Panthers are seeking their first victory under new coach George Seifert. The Bengals appear trapped in another dismal season under Bruce Coslet. Bengals rookie QB Akili Smith might make his first start in place of the injured Jeff Blake. Bengals RB Corey Dillon had only 12 carries for 37 yards last week. Panthers QB Steve Beuerlein will try to get the ball to WR Muhsin Muhammad and TE Wesley Walls. 180.5: Rushing yards per game allowed by Carolina, the most in the NFL.

161.0: Yards per game for the Bengals passing offense, which ranks 28th in the NFL despite having WRs Carl Pickens and Darnay Scott.







ALSO SEE
Week 3 injury report

Week 3 picks