Five matchups that will define NFL Week 3: Can Stefon Diggs lift Vikings?
As the Minnesota Vikings prepare to forge on without their franchise cornerstone, their reliance on an emerging star becomes all the more important.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs' rise is well-timed for Minnesota, which is recalibrating its offense after the loss of running back Adrian Peterson to a torn meniscus. How Diggs fares Sunday in continuing his connection with quarterback Sam Bradford could be the primary factor in whether the Vikings can end the Carolina Panthers' 14-game home win streak.
Diggs has broken through to a new level in his second NFL season and leads the NFL in receiving yards with 285. Though he's comfortable operating mostly in the short-to-intermediate area, his breakaway speed makes him both a threat after the catch and deep downfield.
The Panthers will have to be able to adapt against Diggs, who has spent time at flanker, split end and in the slot this season. Cornerbacks James Bradberry, Bene' Benwikere and Robert McClain have all been solid this season. For Diggs, the next step in his ascension will be to produce even when he becomes the defense's main focus.
Carolina's best asset in containing Diggs might be its pass rush. Defensive end Kony Ealy will be facing Vikings offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings, who has had trouble with speed rushers but was forced to the left side when Matt Kalil was placed on injured reserve.
Here are four more matchups that will define Week 3 in the NFL:
Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Redskins CB Josh Norman
What's left to say about a rivalry in which the participants have done all the talking?
Even if the second meeting between the two players doesn't run as hot as the first, it should still set the tone for future matchups between the two foes. And after the Redskins increasingly permitted Norman to shadow Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant last week, the two should find themselves across from one another plenty — except when Beckham is in the slot.
The Redskins might need more than a shutdown performance from Norman, however. Washington had trouble containing Cole Beasley last week, and the problem could resurface with receivers Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard acting as slippery safety valves.
Bengals QB Andy Dalton vs. Broncos' pass rush
Sidelined against the eventual Super Bowl champions in a critical matchup late last season, Dalton finally gets his shot against Denver's formidable defense.
With its rushing attack averaging just 2.8 yards per carry, Cincinnati likely will lean on Dalton to keep the offense moving. Through two games, he leads the NFL in passing yards with 732.
Dalton made marked improvements in handling pressure last season and did not throw any of his interceptions when facing blitzes. Right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi will be tasked with stopping Broncos linebacker Von Miller, though the Super Bowl MVP should draw plenty of double teams. With DeMarcus Ware out, linebackers Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett will play an important role in keeping Denver's pass rush deep and varied.
If Dalton has any lapses against pressure, the Broncos could make him pay. Denver had two fourth-quarter defensive touchdowns — an Aqib Talib pick-six and a fumble return off a Von Miller strip sack — last week against the Indianapolis Colts.
Packers WR Jordy Nelson vs. Lions CB Darius Slay
As concerns about Aaron Rodgers and the offense hound Green Bay, Sunday could mark an opportunity for the unit to get back on track.
Detroit, which ranks 23rd against the pass, has five defensive starters listed on the injury report this week. Three of those players are along the defensive line, including Pro Bowl defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, who is out with an ankle injury.
Rodgers has dismissed the Packers' continuing shortcomings as a matter of execution, but it's clear the issues must be resolved in some manner. Reworking his connection with Nelson would be a good start, as the two have connected on just 11 of 20 targets so far this season.
Slay, who remains somewhat under the radar as one the NFL's best cover corners, should find himself opposite Nelson often. He'll have to be in top form given the uncertainty of the pass rush.
Eagles DT Fletcher Cox vs. Steelers offensive line
What looked to be a lopsided interstate battle at the start of the season now is one of Week 3's most intriguing matchups, thanks in large part to Philadelphia's upstart defense.
Though the unit has hardly been pushed by the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears, Jim Schwartz's crew has showed plenty of promising signs through two weeks. The fourth-ranked defense has yet to allow a touchdown pass and has tallied six sacks so far.
Cox will be counted on not only to rattle Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but also to slow DeAngelo Williams, who had an NFL-high 237 rushing yards through two games. Philadelphia relies on its front four to generate pressure, and Cox will need to lead the charge to keep Antonio Brown's opportunities against the secondary at a minimum.
Pittsburgh has been able to keep Roethlisberger mostly under wraps, allowing just two sacks so far this season. The Steelers' focus on Cox is unlikely to waver, as the Eagles don't have a comparable force elsewhere on defense.
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.
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