St. Louis Rams (2-0) vs. Miami Dolphins (2-0)
This is the classic offense vs. defense struggle, as the Rams boast the second best NFC offense behind the Green Bay Packers while the Dolphins have the AFC's fourth best defense. As happens in games like this, it could come down to the Dolphins' offense, led by quarterback Jay Fiedler, and the Rams' defense.However, all the fun is going to be had when the Rams have the ball. St. Louis, which is even more explosive at home, will use the arm of Kurt Warner to spread the ball to his receivers - Isaac Bruce, Tory Holt, and Az-Zahir Akim - as well as the legs of running back Marshall Faulk.
What makes this game one to watch is that the Dolphins have the talent to chase all those Rams' weapons. Cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison are amongst the best in the league, while linebacker Zach Thomas and lineman Jason Taylor will lead their units in stopping the run.
Both teams are heavy contenders for the Super Bowl, so this game may have a playoff-type feel despite being played in Week Three.
Denver Broncos (2-0) vs. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)
Yes, the Ravens lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, but they're still the defending champs and a very good defensive team. Baltimore will have to rely on a stifling defense led by middle linebacker Ray Lewis if it plans to shut down a Denver offense that has averaged 34.5 points per game this season.Baltimore is hurting on the offensive side of the ball, where new quarterback Elvis Grbac has been unable to make up for the loss of running back Jamaal Lewis. Defensively, though, this team is the best in the NFL. Remember, this unit held the Broncos to three points - its lowest total in seven years - in a 21-3 win in last year's playoffs.
Of course, the Broncos played that game without quarterback Brian Griese, who right now possesses a 134.9 quarterback rating. Denver has lost wide receiver Ed McCaffrey, tailback Terrell Davis, and fullback Howard Griffith already this season, but is showing no signs of slowing down.
Like the Rams and Dolphins, these two teams have a chance at reaching this year's Super Bowl, wherever and whenever it is.
San Diego Chargers (2-0) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)
This is a game you have to watch? You're damn right it is. In year's past, this matchup was about as exciting as C-SPAN, but now, one of these teams will be undefeated after three weeks.Each are led by a quarterback previously discarded from another team. Cincinnati's Jon Kitna was shooed out of Seattle, while San Diego's Doug Flutie was run out of Buffalo.
The teams are similar in a few other regards, as well. Both have strong, opportunistic defenses, and each features a young running back destined to become among the league's best.
The Bengals' Corey Dillon has 161 yards and a touchdown in the team's first two games, while San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson has 203 yards and a pair of rushing scores.
It's possible that neither team the playoffs, but that doesn't mean you can't get excited about these two underdogs.
