ProCanes NFL 100 Preview: Week Three

The ProCane Preview is back another week, highlighting the Hurricanes in the NFL that are poised to make an impact this Sunday. A slew of injuries took most of the headlines after week two, but — despite some major stars being put on the shelf — the game must go on. We have everything from the dumpster fire that is the Miami Dolphins to a prime time matchup that will be fueled by ProCanes on both sides of the ball. Let’s get into Sunday’s slate of games.

Game Previews

Cincinnati Bengals (0–2) vs Buffalo Bills (2–0) 1pm EDT

Frank Gore is just 433 yards away from third place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.

For the first time since his 2017 season with the Indianapolis Colts, Gore crossed the goal line to score his 78th career rushing score. Just as important, Buffalo remains undefeated through the first three weeks of the season. Buffalo should continue to find success on the ground against a Cincinnati defense that surrendered 259 yards to the 49ers a week ago. The Bills offensive line, featuring UM alum, G Jonathan Felciano, has played well through two weeks. Felciano is the 30th ranked guard in the league after two games, according to Pro Football Focus.

Miami Dolphins (0–2) vs Dallas Cowboys (2–0) 1pm EDT

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The only outcome in doubt for this contest is when the game will end. The Dolphins have mailed it in over the past couple of weeks, so we’re expecting a lopsided match. After trading away promising DB Minkah Fitzpatrick (we’ll talk more about that trade in the news and notes), the Phins are already looking towards the 2020 offseason. Until there’s at least a pulse from this team, the Miami Hurricanes clearly are the best brand of football going in South Florida. Unfortunate news for RB Mark Walton, LB Trent Harris, G Danny Isidora and WR Allen Hurns, though Isisdora has been dealing with a hamstring injury and is questionable.

The Cowboys have been been beating up on opponents since the regular season began. With a balanced offensive attack that highlights RB Ezekiel Elliott, QB Dak Prescott and receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup, Dallas has way too much firepower for the Phins to handle. The Cowboys are also talented from the defensive front to the secondary. So much so that they could afford to waive former first-round DE Taco Charlton this week. That’s good news for Joe Jackson, who has impressed Dallas’ defensive coordinator Rod Maranelli since training camp. Last week, Jackson had a single tackle and Pro Football Focus credited the rookie with just three pressures. Those numbers will certainly grow as the season continues.

And against the Dolphins, he should be in line for his best game of the season.

Atlanta Falcons (1–1) vs Indianapolis Colts (1–1) 1pm EDT

This matchup should be called the ‘ProCane defensive game of the week.’ After a productive week two that saw him tally four tackles and one tackle-for-loss, DE Al-Quadin Muhammad will try to continue his disruptive trend. AQM will line up across from Atlanta’s rookie T Mitch McGary. It’s a favorable matchup for the ProCane who has continued to show his power as a pass rusher. After a memorable win against the Eagles on Sunday Night Football, the Falcons’ offense found their groove in the passing game. However, they’ve struggled to establish a running game, failing to crack 100 yards rushing in any game through two weeks.

New York Jets (0–2) vs New England Patriots (2–0) 1pm EDT

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The Jets could really use TE Chris Herndon, who will be serving his third of a four-game suspension. Head coach Adam Gase has to be frustrated over the rash of injuries his team has endured these past two weeks. QB Sam Darnold, MLB CJ Mosley and WR Quincy Enunwa are a few big names set to miss this crucial divisional contest. ProCane WR Braxton Berrios remains the Jets’ primary punt returner, though the second year wideout has not seen any significant time on offense at this point.

WR Phillip Dorsett caught all three of his targets for 39 receiving yards for the Patriots against the pathetic mess that is the Dolphins a week ago. Dorsett saw a decent amount of snaps last week at Hard Rock Stadium. With the recent release of WR Antonio Brown, Dorsett will continue to be a reliable option for QB Tom Brady.

Carolina Panthers (0–2) vs Arizona Cardinals (0–1–1) 1pm EDT

If you watched Thursday Night Football last weekend, you’ll notice that Carolina Panthers’ TE Greg Olsen was noticeably bothered releasing from the line of scrimmage and getting out of his breaks. Olsen has been dealing with a lingering back issue that has prevented him from practicing during the week. In week two, the TE fought through the pain to produce six receptions and 100 receiving yards.

Olsen will square off against a Cardinals’ defense that has given up 262 total yards, 16 receptions and two TDs to tight ends in weeks one and two. Should Greg be healthy enough to play once again, it should be a big week for the face of TEU.

New York Giants (0–2) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1–1) 4:05pm EDT

The struggling New York Giants named Daniel Jones their starting QB. The Giants and their new pivot head down to North Florida to add a mark to the win column. Former Miami defensive linemen Olsen Pierre and RJ Mcintosh will be battling hard in the trenches. They’re going to have to step up their game if the Giants have any chance of contending in the NFC this year. Pierre will draw the rough matchup of going against Tampa’s left guard Ali Marpet and C Ryan Jensen. A disruptive afternoon from Pierre gives the G-Men a greater chance of victory. The Bucs have allowed six sacks among their 29 pressures allowed (sacks, QB hurries, QB hits), according to PFF.

Houston Texans (1–1) vs Los Angeles Chargers (1–1) 4:25pm EDT

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Duke Johnson got plenty of run in his first regular season game as a Houston Texan. However, his 41 snaps in the opening week dropped to 25 in week two. It’ll be interesting to see how often the Texans employ Johnson against a formidable Chargers’ defense. Johnson’s absence in the passing game is particularly puzzling as well. On the other side of scrimmage, the Chargers’ defense are down a couple safeties. ProCane S Rayshawn Jenkins is the last man standing after Adrian Phillips broke his arm against Detroit in week two. Jenkins needs to be a pillar of consistency for a shorthanded Chargers secondary.

For those who were wondering, the Texans removed Seantrel Henderson from the starting lineup last week, replacing him with T Roderick Johnson.

Los Angeles Rams (2–0) vs Cleveland Browns (1–1) 8:20pm EDT

The ‘Cleveland Canes’ return to prime time after defeating an undermanned New York Jets squad on Monday Night Football. TE David Njoku suffered a concussion and a broken wrist He’s expected to miss close to a month of action. So our Canes’ connections will reside on Cleveland’s defense. Olivier Vernon has played well so far, but we’re still waiting for that breakout performance. To get to Rams’ QB Jared Goff, Vernon will have to go through OT Rob Havenstein.

News and Notes

The Dolphins have made it clear to the rest of the NFL that they’re in full tank mode. Their trade of 2018 first-round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a bounty of picks was symbolic of that. The addition of Fitzpatrick could spell the end of CB Artie Burns’ time in Pittsburgh.

That decision is still a ways away from happening with the Steelers placing S Sean Davis on injured reserve. However, Davis is expected to return this season, which could see Burns, who has struggled in recent years, become expendable.

The Browns were able to secure their first win of the season against the Jets on Monday Night Football. However, Cleveland lost TE David Njoku for at least a month with a broken wrist. He was placed on injured reserve last week. However, he could return to field after six weeks. Njoku caught four receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown.

The University of Miami’s all-time leading scorer, Michael Badgley, is listed as doubtful ahead of the Chargers’ game against the Texans. After his week two replacement missed two field goals, the Bolts continue to wait for the return of the ‘Money Badger.’

ProCanes Fantasy Player of the Week

TE Greg Olsen

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

You could use essentially any ProCane TE in week three… that’s active, anyway.

IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT THE U!