Every week, Yardbarker highlights an important individuals main into the week’s NFL video games.
From gamers to coaches and past, listed here are the ten most essential individuals to keep watch over in Week 3.
RB Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles
In a 22-21 Week 2 loss to the Falcons, Barkley dropped a go on third-and-3 at Atlanta’s 10-yard line with 1:46 left. Atlanta QB Kirk Cousins then led a profitable, six-play landing drive.
Per Dave Spadaro of the staff web site, Barkley indicated he’ll make amends for his gaffe in Sunday’s street sport towards the New Orleans Saints (2-0).
Barkley is fourth within the NFL in speeding yards (204 on 46 carries) however could battle to seek out his groove towards New Orleans’ stingy run protection. The Saints are third within the league in speeding yards allowed (63 YPG). As of Wednesday, FanDuel lists the Eagles (1-1) as a 2.5-point underdog.
QB Brock Purdy | San Francisco 49ers
Purdy should show he can thrive with out WR Deebo Samuel Sr. and RB Christian McCaffrey in Sunday’s street sport towards the Los Angeles Rams (1-1).
On Monday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan stated Samuel (calf) will miss a “couple of video games.” In the meantime, McCaffrey (Achilles) was positioned on injured reserve Saturday.
Per The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II, Purdy is 0-3 in video games through which Samuel does not take no less than half of San Francisco’s offensive snaps. It additionally averaged 17 factors per sport in these matchups.
Purdy and the Niners (1-1) might nonetheless exploit the Rams’ shaky secondary. By two video games, L.A. ranks twenty fourth within the league in passing yards allowed (229 YPG).
HC John Harbaugh | Baltimore Ravens
In response to NFL Analysis, the Ravens — who’re 0-2 for the primary time since 2015 — have by no means made the playoffs after dropping their first two video games.
“So, we have to maintain pounding the rock, and the rock goes to crack,” Harbaugh stated of the gradual begin in a Monday information convention. “That is our job to maintain pounding, not get discouraged, not suppose all is for nothing. Proceed to work, and our reward might be sooner or later.”
Harbaugh and Co. are heading into a possible must-win street sport towards the Dallas Cowboys (1-1) on Sunday. Since 2000, just one staff, the 2018 Houston Texans, has made the postseason after beginning 0-3, per The Baltimore Solar’s Bennett Conlin.
QB Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence referred to as out Jacksonville’s offense after an 18-13 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. It is simple to see why.
By two video games, Jacksonville ranks twenty seventh within the league in factors (15 PPG). Lawrence has solely accomplished 51 % of his passes for 382 yards and one TD, posting an above-average 56.6 QBR.
Maybe the Jaguars (0-2) will flip issues round in Monday’s street sport towards the Buffalo Payments (2-0). Per Stathead, Lawrence is 2-0 in two regular-season video games vs. the Payments.
QB Sam Darnold | Minnesota Vikings
Has the previous Jets dud lastly discovered a house? By two video games, Darnold is tied for third within the league in passing TDs (4) and tied for fourth in QBR (71.5).
In a 23-17 Week 2 victory over the 49ers, 2018 No. 3 general decide Darnold threw a 97-yard TD go to star WR Justin Jefferson. In response to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, it was the second-longest play in Vikings historical past.
Some aren’t shopping for into Darnold and the Vikings (2-0). ESPN’s Benjamin Solak labeled them as a pretender in his Tuesday column. In the event that they beat the Houston Texans (2-0) in a house sport Sunday, that may quell skeptics, maybe even Solak.
HC Zac Taylor | Cincinnati Bengals
Taylor believes the Bengals (0-2) will rebound in Monday’s dwelling sport towards the Washington Commanders (1-1). “I am assured our guys will reply the appropriate approach this week,” Taylor just lately informed the media.
Nonetheless, Taylor’s seat could possibly be getting a bit hotter. In his Monday column, CBS Sports activities’ Jeff Kerr recommended he might get canned earlier than the tip of the season if the Bengals maintain floundering, so Taylor higher not flop vs. Washington.
QB Skylar Thompson | Miami Dolphins
On Sunday towards the Seattle Seahawks (2-0), Thompson will exchange Miami beginning QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), who was positioned on injured reserve Tuesday.
On Monday, the Dolphins signed former Ravens backup QB Tyler Huntley, however HC Mike McDaniel insists he nonetheless trusts Thompson, who’s 1-1 in two regular-season begins in three seasons with Miami.
Regardless, the seventh-round decide and the Dolphins (1-1) could battle in a street sport. Seattle is tied for second within the league in passing yards allowed (128.5).
HC Brian Daboll | New York Giants
Daboll’s future with the Giants (0-2) appears unsure, particularly after his lineup blunder value them in a 21-18 Week 2 loss to the Commanders.
Earlier than the sport, Daboll refused to raise backup kicker Jude McAtamney to the game-day roster although starter Graham Gano (groin) was on the damage report. Gano injured his hamstring on the opening kickoff, lacking the remainder of the sport. Giants punter Jamie Gillan missed an extra-point try on New York’s first TD, and it had two failed two-point conversions on its subsequent two TDs.
Darryl Slater of NJ.com recommended New York might fireplace Daboll earlier than the tip of the season. He should not make any extra boneheaded choices in Sunday’s street sport towards the Browns (1-1).
WR Marvin Harrison Jr. | Arizona Cardinals
In a 41-10 Week 2 win over the Rams, the rookie recorded 4 receptions for 130 yards and two TD catches. Nevertheless, Harrison appeared unhappy together with his efficiency.
On Monday, the No. 4 general decide informed the Arizona Republic’s Theo Mackie all 4 of QB Kyler Murray’s incompletions have been targets to him, and he is “gotta get that mounted.”
Harrison will get an opportunity to right this subject in Sunday’s dwelling sport towards the Lions (1-1). As of Wednesday, FanDuel lists Arizona as a three-point underdog.
RB Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons
On Tuesday, senior Falcons reporter Tori McElhaney famous the Falcons are lastly giving the second-year again extra touches, and “he has the makings of a powder keg” when the ball is in his arms.
By two video games, the eighth general decide of the 2023 NFL Draft is eleventh within the league in speeding yards (165 on 32 carries). The Falcons (1-1) ought to maintain leaning on Robinson in Sunday’s dwelling sport towards the Chiefs (2-0).
