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5 things to watch in NFL Week 3: Can Rams stop RB Saquon Barkley?
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- 5 things to watch in NFL Week 3: Can Rams stop RB Saquon Barkley?
The 2-0 Los Angeles Rams vs. 2-0 Philadelphia Eagles put their undefeated records on the line Sunday. Philadelphia beat the Rams during the regular season and sent them home in the postseason last year.
On the west coast, the undefeated Arizona Cardinals travel to the Bay Area to take on the undefeated San Francisco 49ers .
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There are 10 2-0 teams entering Week 3 (the Buffalo Bills are 3-0 after Thursday night). Every division has a 2-0 team, including the NFC West with three 2-0 clubs.
Who will remain undefeated after Week 3? We should continue to see a lot of close games. A total of 17 games have been decided by six points or less entering Week 3. USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon provides five things to watch this week.
Is Saquon Barkley going to run roughshod over Rams again?
The reigning offensive player of the year ran all over the Rams twice last season.
Barkley produced 302 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, including 255 rushing yards, in a Week 12 victory in Los Angeles . He became the fourth running back in the Super Bowl era with at least 300 scrimmage yards in a regular-season game and his rushing output was good for the ninth most ever in an NFL game. He then proceeded to torch the Rams for 205 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the playoffs.
"He's so damn dynamic. He's so explosive. If he gets a vertical seam and he gets clean to the second and third levels, he's as special of a slash runner as there is. He's so explosive because of the speed and the ability to finish. I think he's really good in close quarters," Rams coach Sean McVay said of Barkley. "You see why he had more production, when you look at his season combined, than there ever was in the history of this league. He was excellent. He obviously did a lot of great things against us in both games that he played."
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What will the star running back do in Round 3 versus the Rams? Barkley's rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns through two games this season. He's yet to rush for 100 yards in a game thus far, but he apparently likes the matchup against the Rams.
A showcase for Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase
Yes, the Bengals vs. Vikings game will be a battle of two backup quarterbacks . But don't let that overshadow the fact that this matchup features arguably the two best wide receivers in the NFL. Hopefully, quarterbacks Jake Browning and Carson Wentz can efficiently get them the football.
"We have to find ways to put the ball in the hands of our playmakers. First and foremost, no matter how that's done," Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. "It's only gonna help our team and our offense be productive."
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates a first down catch during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium.
Jefferson (95.7 receiving yards per game) and Chase (87.8 receiving yards per game) have the two highest receiving yards per game averages in NFL history, per NFL Research.
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Chase is coming a stellar performance in which he tallied 14 receptions, 165 yards and one TD in a Week 2 victory.
Still no punts for Colts
The 2-0 Colts are currently the most surprising team in the NFL. What's even more shocking is Daniel Jones ranks second in the league in passing yards and the Colts offense has yet to punt the football entering Week 3.
The Colts are the first team in NFL history to score on each of their first 10 offensive possessions of the regular season, and they are first team not to punt through their first two games in the Super Bowl era. However, the Colts QB believes there's still room for improvement.
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"We've been stopped and we haven't converted on some fourth downs, which have kept us from scoring," Jones said this week. "So I mean yeah, it's great we haven't punted, but we've got to convert those and got to score touchdowns in the red zone. So, there's plenty to look at that we need to improve in terms of sustaining drives and finishing the touchdowns."
Indianapolis played its first two games at home. They'll travel to Nashville this week to take on the Titans.
Chargers have chance to take early command of AFC West
The Chargers have a chance to begin the regular season 3-0 for the first time since 2002. Most importantly, Los Angeles has an opportunity to earn its third divisional win. The Chargers can become the third team since realignment in 2002 to beat division opponents in each of their first three games of a regular season, according to NFL Research.
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Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 3 game
The Chargers rank top 10 in the NFL in both total offense and total defense. Safety Derwin James and the defense had 15 pass breakups in their Week 2 victory .
"That positions yourself well for this season," James said about being undefeated. "We know it's not the end of the year, but, man, starting 2-0 in the division. You only play six of them. That's a great start."
Super Bowl 60 preview in Baltimore ?
Both teams are 1-1 but that shouldn't temper any expectations. The Lions and Ravens are still Super Bowl contenders.
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Baltimore and Detroit had the league's top two offenses last year, so it shouldn't be a surprise that the teams combined to score 93 points in Week 2. Lamar Jackson and Jared Goff are tied for a league-high with six touchdown passes through two weeks. Jackson's 136.6 passer rating ranks No. 1 in the NFL.
The Ravens have won five straight contests versus the Lions. Baltimore is 6-1 all-time against Detroit.
Monday night could be a defensive struggle, but Week 3 is saving the best game for last.
"(The Detroit Lions ) are very versatile. They've got a great group of guys (and are) very well coached. They're elite," Ravens safety Malaki Starks said. "We have to be on our p's and q's. We have to be on (the) same page, have to communicate, but also just go out there and play ball, trusting our abilities and in our training and just go do what we can."
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to watch during NFL Week 3: Can Rams stop Saquon Barkley?
