Tennessee Titans (1-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (1-2)

How the Titans Win …

• Continue to outscore it’s opponents – currently a points differential of +15 (67-52). Only seven teams have allowed fewer points
• O-line needs to protect Mariota – the most sacked QB at 5.7 per game incl. nine times last week. Good news is he hasn’t thrown a pick yet
• Keep pressuring Matt Ryan who is the most intercepted QB in the NFL this season with six
• Falcon’s safety Keanu Neal tore his Achilles last week and is out for the season – an opportunity for Mariota to exploit the secondary
• Throw to Adam Humphries who broke out for 93-yards last week after only 4-yards in his first two games. Against the Falcons he has 29 catches, 329-yards and 2 TDs in his career

How the Falcons Win …

• Don’t throw picks – Matt Ryan has been picked off six times in three starts, compared to seven times total last season
• Target the Titan’s run game – as the most sacked team in the NFL they should be looking for RB Derrick Henry on the ground
• Ranked 22nd in total points (60) they’ll need more production to score enough to win this one considering the defense concedes 24ppg
• More production from RB Devonta Freeman on the ground. The Falcons average 74.3-yards per game and can exploit the 21st ranked Titans against the rush (119-yards per game)

Carolina Panthers (1-2) @ Houston Texans (2-1)

How the Panthers Win …

• Houston’s defense is exploitable, ranked 15th against the rush and 23rd against the run for opponent yards per game 
• Panthers will need to shut down the Texans 3rd-down conversion, ranked 5th in the league @ 50% conversion rate
• Exploit the Texans weak o-line who are ranked 28th in the NFL, conceding 12 sacks so far this season
• Kyle Allen can surpass Patrick Mahomes for most TDs in first three starts of a QB career with four touchdowns

How the Texans Win …

• Texans o-line will need to protect against the Panthers third best pass rushing unit with 12 sacks total 
• The o-line however is ranked 28th in the league with 12 sacks allowed and will need to keep Watson upright 
• Cam Newton will not start. Christian McCaffrey is second in the NFL for rushing yards (350) and second on scrimmage yards (450). Stop the run and put pressure on Kyle Allen
• Avoid Luke Kuechly, who leads the NFL in tackles with 36. It’s the most by any Panther in franchise history in the first three games of a season
• Panthers defense ranked 2nd against the pass (166.3 yards/game). Texans have the 10th best rushing offense and Carlos Hyde may need to step it up 

Oakland Raiders (1-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (2-1)

How the Raiders Win …

• Give the ball to first-round draft pick RB Josh Jacobs has rushed for 228-yards averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
• The Colts are ranked 20th against the rush conceding 114-yards per game
• QB Derek Carr and the raiders are ranked second in completion percentage (73.5%). They’ll need explosive plays to win as it translates only into 4 TD, 3 INT and 7 sacks
• Carr will need to be wary of the Colts deep secondary of Pierre Desir, Rock Ya-Sin, Quincy Wilson, Kenny Moore II, Clayton Geathers and Khari Willis

How the Colts Win …

• The Raiders have yet to force a turnover and have given up 17 plays of at least 20-yards, ranked 32nd in the NFL
• The Colts are one OT loss to the Chargers, away from being undefeated. Jacoby Brissett has seven TDs and only one interception for the season
• Colts RB Marlon Mack is ranked third in the NFL in total rushing yards while the team is ranked sixth
• Exploit the 24th ranked total-yards passing game of the Raiders who may. Oakland will likely rely on RB Josh Jacobs as a result. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) @ Denver Broncos (0-3)

How the Jaguars Win …

• The D-line brings ‘Sacksonville’ to Mile High City. The Broncos allowed Joe Flacco to be sacked six times last week and have allowed 11 sacks in total.
• Minshew remains decisive and accurate throwing almost 74% completion rate. He’s thrown 5 TDs and only the single pick so far
• Fournette had negative four yards on 14 carries last week if you take away a 66-yard run. Will look to have more success on Sunday against the Broncos’ defense that is ranked 16th against the rush. 

How the Broncos Win …

• Despite fielding Bradley Chubb and Von Miller the Broncos have not recorded a single sack nor has the defense registered a single turnover
• Joe Flacco has thrown only two TDs with two interceptions this season. More production is needed to allow the Broncos D-line to create pressure on the Jags offense
• Remain patient. Despite the lack of turnovers the Broncos defense is ranked 16th against the rush, 6th against the pass and 17th in points
• Discipline. Weeks 2 and 3 were winnable games for Denver where it not for untimely penalties that ultimately cost them

Shout out to all of those at #sportstalk. Originally posted on my Wolf Gang Sports blog, I hustle jerseys and produce content about players and their journeys with a bit of smack talk along the way. 

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