Game of the Week: Giants @ Eagles

     Whenever these two teams clash for a regular season battle, there is always a surprise in store. Remember 2010, when DeSean Jackson and the Philadelphia Eagles won on a game winning punt return? Since that match-up, the tension of this division rivalry has transformed into something more, where both teams are out to prove something. Dallas began their 2012 campaign in a disappointing manner, losing to Dallas at home. However, since the Week 1 loss, New York has been able to prove themselves worthy of a divisional championship. They only thing in their way is Philadelphia, a team who is looking to avenge their disappointing 2011 season. Quarterback Michael Vick has been struggling when it comes to turnovers, and his two fumbles against Arizona cost the Eagles the game. By the time Sunday evening rolls around, you will be all knowledgeable on this division rivalry game thanks to The NFL Report's Game of the Week Preview.

LeSean McCoy

New York Giants: Last weekend's dominant win over Carolina proved Manning and the Giants are capable of defending their title. Eli Manning threw for over 800 yards in hist first two games, and though his passing game was not stellar in Week 3, the running game picked up the slack. Tight end Martellus Bennett (3 games, 185 receiving yards, 3 TDs) has been more than impressive in the red zone, adding a whole other dimension to this receiving corp. Once starter running back Ahmad Bradshaw left Week 2's game to a neck injury, Andre Brown was able to fill the void perfectly. His 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns helped New York win easily over a reasonably talented Carolina team. Bradshaw has been cleared to play in Week 4, and the offense looks extremely well balanced. New York's defense has recorded 6 interceptions so far, with a mediocre 21.7 points allowed per game. Offensively, New York will have to play consistently on the road if they wish to overtake Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Eagles: In the past three games, Michael Vick has combined for NINE total turnovers. His unreliable play prevented Philadelphia from gaining any sort of momentum. Vick spent too much time in the pocket, and he needs to get the ball off faster, or else his hurried play will create more and more turnovers. Both fumbles against Arizona could be blamed on Vick and the amount of time he needed to get a pass off. LeSean McCoy has anchored this offense throughout Vick's struggles, and it is likely he will have a decent game against New York this Sunday. The defense has proved to be extremely well rounded these past three games, and New York will be the ultimate test. However, a think if they come out firing, they are capable of overwhelming the Giants.

Offensive Edge: New York Giants

Defensive Edge: Philadelphia Eagles

Prediction: Giants over Eagles 20-17

Game of the Week: Patriots @ Ravens

     Last Sunday's game was one of the most sloppiest performances witnessed by Patriot fans in recent memory. Tom Brady struggled to put points on the board against Arizona, and his messy play forced Gostowski to make all of his kicks. Sadly, the one kick he missed was with no time left on the clock. Their Week 3 match-up is against a very talented Ravens team, who is also coming off of a Week 2 loss. Similar to Brady, Joe Flacco was not the same quarterback who showed up to play in Week 1. Both teams are highly regarded when it comes to this year's playoff race, but only one can exit Week 3 with a winning record.

New England Patriots: Three and a half quarters went by before the Patriots were even able to score a touchdown. The Patriots, a team with one of the most lethal passing games in the NFL, was unable to score more than one touchdown in Sunday's game, which put a lot of pressure on their kicker. Last week's performance made Arizona's defense look like one found in San Francisco or Baltimore. Compared to Brady's 2011 start (2 games, 940 passing yards, 7 TDs), the Patriots' quarterback has not yet found his groove, but it is expected he succeeds later on in the season. Baltimore will truly test this offense, and if prove to us if Brady can overcome such a talented squad. A division title is almost expected from New England, but I doubt they wish to start the year 1-2.

Baltimore Ravens: After an impressive victory over Cincinnati in Week 1, Baltimore fell short of the 2-0 mark by losing to Philly on the road. Baltimore had multiple chances to win the game, whether it be a 10 point lead, a controversial incomplete pass, or an overturned 4th quarter touchdown, the Ravens seemed like the better team throughout the duration of the game. Joe Flacco is projected to dominate this Patriots defense, as is Pro-Bowl running back Ray Rice. Baltimore's motivation will overpower the Patriots team as a whole.

Offensive Edge: Baltimore Ravens

Defensive Edge: Baltimore Ravens

Prediction: Ravens over Patriots 17-10

Game of the Week: Broncos @ Falcons

    HEEEE'S BAAACK! The Pittsburgh Steelers were the first team to be defeated by Peyton Manning since his neck injury. Manning looked close to his old self, passing for 253 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 129.2. However, the road ahead is not any easier, for he will go up against the Atlanta Falcons away from Denver. Atlanta is coming off of a monstrous win over the Kansas City Chiefs, a team projected to do very well in 2012. After adjusting their game plan, Matt Ryan has been given more freedom when it comes to throwing it deep to his lethal weapons at wide receiver. Monday's game will not be a defensive battle, so it will be interesting to see who wins in this shootout.

Denver Broncos: Last Sunday's game may not have been Manning's best performance, but he is on track to throw for 30-plus touchdowns and 4,000 passing yards. The Broncos somehow managed to make the playoffs in 2011, and though it is only Week 1, they might just win the AFC West for the second year in a row. A loss to Atlanta however would hurt their confidence, and the momentum would no not be as strong. Unfortunately, with Tim Tebow gone, the running game suffered quite a bit, no longer the same unit as in 2011. This entire team will rely on Manning's leadership, who is 3-1 against Atlanta in his 14 year career. If he can stay accurate and consistent, the entire team will feed off of his success.

Atlanta Falcons: What if the Matt Ryan who showed up in last Sunday's game was the Matt Ryan we saw week in and week out. His extraordinary receiving corp, consisting of Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, and Julio Jones, will always create problems for opposing defenses. Michael Turner's 11 attempts in Week 1 racked up just 32 yards, a mere 2.9 yards per attempt. It appears as if Turner's statistics will not improve much from here, for head coach Mike Smith wants to incorporate more passing into his offensive game plan. Smith won't be relying on this defense to stop Manning on each drive, so that will put even more pressure on Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense. Based on how they played against Kansas City, Atlanta has the edge entering Week 2's biggest stage.


Offensive Edge: Falcons

Defensive Edge: Broncos

Prediction: Falcons over Broncos 34-20