There hasn\u2019t been this much talk about a toe since Sgt. \u201cBig Toe\u201d Hulka took control of the troops in the 1981 movie \u201cStripes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow\u2019s toe injury is the latest injury for the star quarterback (previous were knee, calf, wrist) and pretty much puts Cincinnati\u2019s season in the dumper as he\u2019s out for three months. Quarterback injuries are piling up, what with the 49ers\u2019 Brock Purdy (another toe injury plus shoulder), Minnesota\u2019s J.J. McCarthy (ankle), the Jets\u2019 Justin Fields (concussion) and the Commanders\u2019 Jayden Daniels (knee) all hurting. Hope those teams stocked their QB rooms.<\/p>\n
On to Week 3 …<\/p>\n
Today<\/p>\n
Miami at Buffalo<\/p>\n
Time: 8:15 p.m. (Prime)<\/p>\n
Records: Dolphins 0-2; Bills 2-0<\/p>\n
The skinny: Buffalo looks like the Super Bowl favorite it was touted as before the season. The Dolphins\u2019 disconnect and disfunction is on full display.<\/p>\n
Pick: Bills<\/p>\n
Sunday<\/p>\n
Atlanta at Carolina<\/p>\n
Time: 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
Records: Falcons 1-1; Panthers 0-2<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Pick: Falcons<\/p>\n
Cincinnati at Minnesota<\/p>\n
Time: 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
Records: Bengals 2-0; Vikings 1-1<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Pick: Bengals<\/p>\n
Green Bay at Cleveland<\/p>\n
Time: 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
Records: Packers 2-0; Browns 0-2<\/p>\n
The skinny: Micah Parsons has energized Green Bay\u2019s defense and QB Jordan Love is clicking with a plethora of receivers and tight end Tucker Kraft. Cleveland\u2019s defense will be up to the task but the Joe Flacco-led offense won\u2019t be.<\/p>\n
Pick: Packers<\/p>\n
Houston at Jacksonville<\/p>\n
Time: 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
Records: Texans 0-2; Jaguars 1-1<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Pick: Jaguars<\/p>\n
Indianapolis at Tennessee<\/p>\n
Time: 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
Records: Colts 2-0; Titans 0-2<\/p>\n
The skinny: The Colts may be the surprise of the season so far. QB Daniel Jones has been efficient, the offense hasn\u2019t 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\u2019t ready to compete.<\/p>\n
Pick: Colts<\/p>\n
L.A. Rams at Philadelphia<\/p>\n
Time: 1 p.m. (CBS)<\/p>\n
Records: Rams 2-0; Eagles 2-0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Pick: Eagles<\/p>\n
Las Vegas at Washington<\/p>\n
Time: 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
Redcords: Raiders 1-1; Commanders 1-1<\/p>\n
The skinny: If Daniels is out, or even compromised, the Commanders are in trouble as Marcus Mariota doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
Pick: Raiders<\/p>\n
N.Y. Jets at Tampa Bay<\/p>\n
Time: 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
Records: Jets 0-2; Buccaneers 2-0<\/p>\n
The skinny: With Fields out, Tyrod Taylor starts. Tampa Bay\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Pick: Buccaneers<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh at New England<\/p>\n
Time: 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
Records: Steelers 1-1; Patriots 1-1<\/p>\n
The skinny: New England\u2019s secondary is soft serve so QB Aaron Rodgers could feast, but the Patriots do have a league-leading nine sacks. New England\u2019s 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\u2019 sieve-like defense.<\/p>\n
Pick: Patriots<\/p>\n
Denver at L.A. Chargers<\/p>\n
Time: 4:05 p.m.<\/p>\n
Records: Broncos 1-1; Chargers 2-0<\/p>\n
The skinny: This game features top defenses. Los Angeles\u2019 unit is playing better but now has to deal with an injury to pass rusher Khalil Mack.<\/p>\n
Pick: Chargers<\/p>\n
New Orleans at Seattle<\/p>\n
Time: 4:05 p.m.<\/p>\n
Records: Saints 0-2; Seahawks 1-1<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Pick: Seahawks<\/p>\n
Arizona at San Francisco<\/p>\n
Time: 4:25 p.m.<\/p>\n
Records: Cardinals 2-0; 49ers 2-0<\/p>\n
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?<\/p>\n
Pick: 49ers<\/p>\n
Dallas at Chicago<\/p>\n
Time: 4:25 p.m. (Fox)<\/p>\n
Records: Cowboys 1-1; Bears 0-2<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Pick: Cowboys<\/p>\n
Kansas City at N.Y. Giants<\/p>\n
Time: 8:20 p.m. (NBC)<\/p>\n
Records: Chiefs 0-2; Giants 0-2<\/p>\n
The skinny: A winless primetime special. The Giants, sure. But the Chiefs? Kansas City\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Pick: Chiefs<\/p>\n
Monday<\/p>\n
Detroit at Baltimore<\/p>\n
Time: 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)<\/p>\n
Records: Lions 1-1; Ravens 1-1<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Pick: Ravens<\/p>\n
Last week: 11-5<\/p>\n
Season: 20-12<\/p>\n