Twistity Eye on Football: NFL PREVIEW

  The NFL’s Thursday night matchup lacks a little oomph. Consider this one casual viewing rather than appointment TV. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) venture to Atlanta to meet...


 
The NFL’s Thursday night matchup lacks a little oomph. Consider this one casual viewing rather than appointment TV.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) venture to Atlanta to meet the Falcons (1-1) in an NFC South division matchup. The Bucs were an off-the-wall preseason pick to win the division but have yet to look like any kind of contender. Both losses have come at home.

The Falcons followed a big overtime win in the opener against the New Orleans Saints with a pitiful 24-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The offensive line remains a work in progress.

WHAT WE’LL BE WATCHING ON SUNDAY


 
Denver Broncos (2-0) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1): A rematch of the Super Bowl, won 43-8 by Seattle. Since the first Super Bowl in 1967, the contestants have only met in the following regular season five times, and not since 1997. The Seahawks come off a loss to the San Diego Chargers. The crowd noise will be a challenge for the Broncos’ offense but who can handle changing plays at the line with hand signals better than Peyton Manning?

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (2-0): A big one in the NFC West. The 49ers squandered a 17-point lead in losing Sunday night to the Chicago Bears. The Cardinals blend offense, defense and special teams to win. A punt return for a touchdown iced their victory against the hapless New York Giants.

Washington Redskins (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-0): The Redskins won’t have quarterback Robert Griffin III (dislocated) ankle but former Eagles star receiver DeSean Jackson (shoulder) may be able to go. Kirk Cousins has been capable in running the Washington offense when Griffin is out. The Eagles play at a fast tempo but the Redskins showed a furious pass rush (10 sacks) in beating the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Eagles can take command in the NFC East.

Today’s question

Which game will you be watching, and why?

Answers in the comment box, please.

Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .