NFL Week 3 Preview: Who Needs a Win Most? Predictions, Injuries & Matchups to Watch (Ep. 2219)

Aaron Jones is dealing with a knee injury that puts his availability for the upcoming game in doubt, leading to potential increased roles for Damon Claiborne and DJ Dallas.

Aaron Rodgers is struggling with the Steelers' offense, frequently throwing the ball away at players' ankles to avoid hits rather than stretching the field, leading to a dysfunctional passing game.

The Colts' handling of Alec Pierce's ankle surgery and subsequent re-injury is cited as a major point of contention and mismanagement for the team's front office.

Baker Mayfield needs to 'get right' for the Buccaneers to become more competitive, as the team's defense is currently struggling.

Blake Corum is seeing significant usage alongside Kyren Williams, with the source highlighting his ability to rip off big runs and his efficiency of over seven yards per carry in the previous week's game against the Giants.

Blake Corum is coming off a strong performance where he ripped off big runs and averaged over seven yards per carry; he is expected to be heavily involved in the Rams' run-heavy approach against Denver.

The source indicates that the Bears are still trying to manage Caleb Williams' involvement, noting that Case Keenum has been taking first-team reps.

The source notes uncertainty regarding Williams' availability, suggesting the Bears may be forced to rely heavily on their running game if he is unable to play.

Case Keenum has been working with the first-team offense for the Bears due to Tyson Bagent's concussion.

The source advises betting the under on Chris Rodriguez's receptions (0.5), noting he has significant trouble catching the ball.

The source describes the Bears' passing game as a "nothing burger" and specifically notes that Colston Loveland cannot get involved in the offense.

The source highlights Loveland as part of a Bears passing offense that is not expected to perform well in the upcoming matchup, citing poor offensive conditions.

The source suggests Swift could have success on the ground against the Eagles, noting the Eagles' poor defensive metrics against the run and Swift's previous 100-yard performance against them.

There is significant doubt regarding whether Daniel Jones is the same player following the injury he sustained last season.

The source notes that the Rams' offensive situation is tougher this week because they aren't facing the Giants' secondary with Davante Adams as the primary threat.

The source notes that Deshaun Watson is currently 8th in the league in passer rating following his performance against the Buccaneers, contradicting previous predictions that he would be benched.

The source expects DeVonta Smith to have a productive outing against the Bears, stating simply that he is "going to eat" in this matchup.

DK Metcalf is expected to struggle against Bengals cornerback DJ Turner, with the source projecting another high-target game with minimal actual production.

Drake Maye has struggled early in the season against complex defensive coverages, but the source maintains faith in his ability to eventually overcome these challenges.

Gardner Minshew is identified as a logical trade candidate for the Giants due to his familiarity with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy's system, which would allow for a quicker transition than other options.

J.J. McCarthy is floated as a potential trade target for the Giants, though the source notes he would be a long-term project rather than a solution for the current season.

J.K. Dobbins is trending toward health, but the source warns that the Broncos backfield will likely feature a rotation of different players each week, making it difficult for any single back to dominate touches.

The source suggests Jalen Hurts will have an opportunity to experiment with the Eagles' offensive playbook against the Bears' defense.

Jameis Winston struggled in his first start for the Giants, leading to speculation that the team may seek a trade for a quarterback like Gardner Minshew or Mac Jones. Winston is a risky fantasy asset, historically performing poorly as a market favorite (27% against the spread) and prone to high-turnover games.

The hosts question whether Jameis Winston will return to his 'old' form, implying a potential for high-variance play.

Javonte Williams has been ineffective, averaging only 3 yards per carry through two games against weak defenses, contributing to the Cowboys' one-dimensional offense.

Joe Burrow is viewed as a different animal with his top-tier wide receivers, and the Bengals' improved defense may allow him to win games without needing to throw 30+ times, reducing his exposure to punishment.

Jonah Coleman did not practice due to injury, and the source suggests fantasy managers should temper expectations for his workload, as the Broncos backfield is currently a committee with multiple banged-up players.

While the Colts want to build their offense around Jonathan Taylor, the team lacks the creativity and ability to stretch the field to support him effectively.

The Colts need to find ways to get the ball to Tyler Warren and Josh Downs to help spread out the defense.

Josh Jacobs remains on the exempt list, and the legal situation regarding a sealed video has escalated, increasing the likelihood of its release and potential long-term suspension implications.

Josh Jacobs remains on the exempt list with no clear return timeline; the source notes that if a video of his alleged domestic violence incident is released, he faces a potential career-ending suspension.

The Chargers' offense is struggling to run the ball effectively and the offensive line is banged up, forcing the team to put more pressure on Justin Herbert's shoulders.

Justin Jefferson remains the primary target for Kyler Murray, with the source suggesting the simplest game plan is to focus on getting him the ball.

The source expresses skepticism about the Bears' passing game pieces, including Allen, noting that the current offensive situation and potential quarterback issues make it unlikely to see fireworks this week.

The source credits Kenneth Walker with providing a legitimate running game that has opened up the passing attack for Patrick Mahomes.

The Broncos' run defense struggled in Week 1 against Kenneth Walker, which suggests the Rams' running backs could have success this week.

The source suggests betting the over on Khalil Herbert's rushing yards, noting that the Bears' rushing attack should remain effective against an Eagles defense that may be overrated despite their reputation.

Kyler Murray is returning to the lineup, but the source expresses concern about his potential tentativeness following a concussion and the challenge of facing a blitz-heavy Tampa Bay defense.

The source notes that Kyren Williams is playing very well, coming off a performance where he averaged over seven yards per carry against the Giants, and is expected to be a major factor in the Rams' run-heavy game plan while Puka Nacua is sidelined.

Kyren Williams is expected to be a focal point of the Rams' offense, especially with the team likely leaning into the run game against a vulnerable Broncos run defense.

Luther Burden is labeled a disappointment by the source, who notes that the Bears' offensive passing pieces are not currently producing.

Mac Jones is mentioned as a potential trade candidate for the Giants, with the source noting he might be a long-term developmental piece or safety net for the team, though he is viewed as less of an immediate 'win-now' solution than Minshew.

The Texans are expected to receive a boost to their offense once Nico Collins returns from injury.

Parker Washington is identified as the Jaguars' primary receiver, with a target share trailing only JSN and Amon-Ra St. Brown; he is considered a stud who will be a focal point against the Patriots.

The source predicts Patrick Mahomes will throw for 400+ yards against the Dolphins, citing the Chiefs' fabulous offense and the Dolphins' secondary being potentially the worst in the league over the last decade.

Puka Nakua is not making great progress with his injury, and the source advises expecting him to miss at least another game.

The source identifies Puka Nacua as arguably the Rams' best offensive player and notes his absence will force the team to lean more heavily into their ground game.

The Rams are leaning toward being without Puka Nacua for their upcoming game against the Broncos.

The source views the Bears' passing attack, including Odunze, as unreliable for fantasy production this week due to the matchup and uncertainty at the quarterback position.

The source expresses concern regarding the Bears' passing game, specifically noting that Rome Odunze is not currently producing as an offensive piece.

The source notes that Saquon Barkley's availability for the upcoming game against the Bears is a factor to monitor for the Eagles' offense.

Terrence Ferguson is expected to remain a significant part of the Rams' passing game while Puka Nakua is sidelined, as he is the primary pass-catching tight end in their heavy personnel sets.

With Puka Nacua likely out, Terrence Ferguson will see increased opportunity, though he must improve on the drops he had last week while facing tough coverage from Patrick Surtain.

The source highlights Pollard's recent success against the Eagles' defense, noting that he was able to rip off big runs, which supports the narrative that the Eagles are vulnerable to the run.

The Colts need to find ways to get the ball to Tyler Warren and Josh Downs to help spread out the defense.

Tyson Bagent is currently dealing with a concussion, which has impacted the Bears' quarterback situation.

Zay Flowers is unlikely to play against the Cowboys after missing media-open practice sessions and working out on his own; his absence significantly hurts the Ravens' passing game.