There hasn’t been this much talk about a toe since Sgt. “Big Toe” Hulka took control of the troops in the 1981 movie “Stripes.”
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s toe injury is the latest injury for the star quarterback (previous were knee, calf, wrist) and pretty much puts Cincinnati’s season in the dumper as he’s out for three months. Quarterback injuries are piling up, what with the 49ers’ Brock Purdy (another toe injury plus shoulder), Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy (ankle), the Jets’ Justin Fields (concussion) and the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels (knee) all hurting. Hope those teams stocked their QB rooms.
On to Week 3 …
Today
Miami at Buffalo
Time: 8:15 p.m. (Prime)
Records: Dolphins 0-2; Bills 2-0
The skinny: Buffalo looks like the Super Bowl favorite it was touted as before the season. The Dolphins’ disconnect and disfunction is on full display.
Pick: Bills
Sunday
Atlanta at Carolina
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Falcons 1-1; Panthers 0-2
The skinny: Atlanta made a statement with a dominating defensive effort (six sacks) against Minnesota on the road. Carolina should get pushed around by the Falcons.
Pick: Falcons
Cincinnati at Minnesota
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Bengals 2-0; Vikings 1-1
The skinny: The Battle of Backup QBs. Jake Browning of the Bengals vs. Carson Wentz of the Vikings. Plus Minnesota is hurting on defense, the offensive line and now running back Aaron Jones is out a month with a hamstring injury.
Pick: Bengals
Green Bay at Cleveland
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Packers 2-0; Browns 0-2
The skinny: Micah Parsons has energized Green Bay’s defense and QB Jordan Love is clicking with a plethora of receivers and tight end Tucker Kraft. Cleveland’s defense will be up to the task but the Joe Flacco-led offense won’t be.
Pick: Packers
Houston at Jacksonville
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Texans 0-2; Jaguars 1-1
The skinny: Sloppy Houston has to clean up its penalties and improve its pass protection and running game. Jacksonville had a real chance to be 2-0 and may be maturing into a force in the AFC South.
Pick: Jaguars
Indianapolis at Tennessee
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Colts 2-0; Titans 0-2
The skinny: The Colts may be the surprise of the season so far. QB Daniel Jones has been efficient, the offense hasn’t punted once and kicker Spencer Shrader has been perfect, including the penalty-helped 45-yarder (leverage!) to beat Denver at the buzzer. Tennessee rookie Cam Ward had a spectacular TD throw but the Titans aren’t ready to compete.
Pick: Colts
L.A. Rams at Philadelphia
Time: 1 p.m. (CBS)
Records: Rams 2-0; Eagles 2-0
The skinny: Philadelphia showed its championship mettle by beating the Chiefs in Kansas City. The Rams fought off the Titans on the road but the loss of cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon will hurt.
Pick: Eagles
Las Vegas at Washington
Time: 1 p.m.
Redcords: Raiders 1-1; Commanders 1-1
The skinny: If Daniels is out, or even compromised, the Commanders are in trouble as Marcus Mariota doesn’t inspire confidence. Las Vegas will be going back to the East Coast for the second time in three weeks, but coach Pete Carroll knows how to navigate the time zones.
Pick: Raiders
N.Y. Jets at Tampa Bay
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Jets 0-2; Buccaneers 2-0
The skinny: With Fields out, Tyrod Taylor starts. Tampa Bay’s defense will have no mercy, although the loss of lineman Calijah Kancey will hurt the unit long term. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is tough as nails and cool in the clutch.
Pick: Buccaneers
Pittsburgh at New England
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Steelers 1-1; Patriots 1-1
The skinny: New England’s secondary is soft serve so QB Aaron Rodgers could feast, but the Patriots do have a league-leading nine sacks. New England’s offense finally looked like a pro unit as QB Drake Maye turned in his best performance. The Pats would be wise to run the ball against the Steelers’ sieve-like defense.
Pick: Patriots
Denver at L.A. Chargers
Time: 4:05 p.m.
Records: Broncos 1-1; Chargers 2-0
The skinny: This game features top defenses. Los Angeles’ unit is playing better but now has to deal with an injury to pass rusher Khalil Mack.
Pick: Chargers
New Orleans at Seattle
Time: 4:05 p.m.
Records: Saints 0-2; Seahawks 1-1
The skinny: New Orleans has been respectable behind QB Spencer Rattler and coach Kellen Moore. Seattle probably should be 2-0 and back home, the 12th man will rattle the QB and the Saints.
Pick: Seahawks
Arizona at San Francisco
Time: 4:25 p.m.
Records: Cardinals 2-0; 49ers 2-0
The skinny: Can QB Mac Jones put together consecutive solid showings for San Francisco? Will Purdy actually be back? Are the Cardinals ready to grab a big road win?
Pick: 49ers
Dallas at Chicago
Time: 4:25 p.m. (Fox)
Records: Cowboys 1-1; Bears 0-2
The skinny: Dallas won a wonderfully chaotic game against the Giants. Chicago is feeling the heat from fans and media after a meltdown in Week 1 and a blowout in Week 2.
Pick: Cowboys
Kansas City at N.Y. Giants
Time: 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Records: Chiefs 0-2; Giants 0-2
The skinny: A winless primetime special. The Giants, sure. But the Chiefs? Kansas City’s offense has been disintegrating for a couple of years. New York lost that wild game to Dallas when QB Russell Wilson, who otherwise rose from the dead, threw one moon ball too many.
Pick: Chiefs
Monday
Detroit at Baltimore
Time: 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Records: Lions 1-1; Ravens 1-1
The skinny: Game of the week. Two exciting offenses that will test weary defenses. The Lions broke out the whooping stick against the Bears. The Ravens just have a hard time closing games.
Pick: Ravens
Last week: 11-5
Season: 20-12
Mark Jaworski is the Sports Editor of The Journal Gazette. He has been making NFL picks since 2015. He can be reached at mjaworski@jg.net