NFL 2013: What to Look for in Week 3

IT’S STILL EARLY: History shows that 0-2 teams advance to the playoffs more often than people might think. Since the current playoff format was instituted in 1990, 22 teams started 0-2 and still qualified for the postseason.

The 1993 Dallas Cowboys started 0-2 before winning Super Bowl XXVIII. The 0-2 New England Patriots of 1996 played in Super Bowl XXXI, and in 2001, the 0-2 Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI. The 2007 New York Giants started 0-2 before winning Super Bowl XLII.

The 0-2 teams since 1990 to qualify for the playoffs:

FRESH START: Eight teams are undefeated through the first two weeks of the season – CHICAGO, DENVER, HOUSTON, KANSAS CITY, MIAMI, NEW ENGLAND, NEW ORLEANS and SEATTLE – and hope to move to 3-0 this weekend.

While no guarantee of future success, a strong start to the season is a good omen – 75.4 percent of teams (86 of 114) that started 3-0 since 1990 made the playoffs.

And don’t count out any of the 1-1 or 0-2 teams. Since realignment in 2002, 79 of the 132 playoff teams (58.8 percent) began the year at either 1-1 or 0-2, including nine teams last year. Among those nine were the Super Bowl XLVII champion Baltimore Ravens.

PASS TIME: There have been 23 individual 300-yard passing performances in 2013, tied for the most ever through the first two weeks of a season (23, 2011).

In addition to tying for the most through Week 2, the 23 individual 300-yard passing games are already the third-most through the first three weeks of any NFL season with a full slate of games still to play.

The most individual 300-yard passing games through Week 2 and Week 3 in NFL history:

Through Week 2                                                          Through Week 3

*Through Week 2

MANNING TDS: Denver quarterback PEYTON MANNING has thrown for 769 yards with nine touchdowns versus zero interceptions for a league-leading 131.0 passer rating in 2013. Manning is the only player in NFL history to have nine passing touchdowns and no interceptions through the first two weeks of a season.

With three touchdown passes on Monday Night Football against Oakland, Manning can surpass TOM BRADY (2011) for the most touchdown passes through Week 3 of any NFL season. 

The players with the most touchdown passes through Week 3 of an NFL season:

*Through Week 2 

MR. RODGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD: Dating back to last season, Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS has thrown for at least three touchdown passes in five consecutive games for the second time in his career. Rodgers, TOM BRADY and PEYTON MANNING are the only players with two such streaks in NFL history.

With three or more touchdowns at Cincinnati, Rodgers will have the fourth-longest streak of games with at least three touchdown passes in NFL history.

The players with the most consecutive games with at least three touchdown passes:

HOME SWEET HOME: Last week, Seattle quarterback RUSSELL WILSON led the Seahawks to a 29-3 victory over San Francisco on Sunday Night Football. Wilson is a perfect 9-0 at home during his career, completing 114 of 183 passes for 1,646 yards with 18 touchdowns versus three interceptions for a 117.4 rating.

With a win this Sunday against Jacksonville, Wilson can tie DOUG FLUTIE (10) for the fourth-most consecutive wins at home to start a career among quarterbacks since 1970.

The players with the most consecutive home wins to start a career since 1970:

AFC WEST SHOWDOWN: On Monday night, AFC West division rivals – the OAKLAND RAIDERS (1-1) and DENVER BRONCOS (2-0) – will face off at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The meeting will mark an NFL record 17th time the two teams have faced each other on Monday Night Football. 

Denver (65) and Oakland (64) rank fourth and tied for fifth, respectively, for the most appearances on MNF among NFL teams.

The Broncos’ MNF appearance this week marks the NFL’s longest current streak of 22 consecutive seasons playing on MNF (1992-present). Oakland holds the record with 28 consecutive seasons appearing on Monday Night Football (1970-1997).

The teams with the most all-time matchups and appearances on Monday Night Football:

NFL TEAMS HONOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH THIS WEEK

INCLUDING EAGLES ON THURSDAY NIGHT, STEELERS ON SUNDAY NIGHT & BRONCOS ON MONDAY NIGHT

The National Football League and its teams will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) with a series of special events.

All NFL teams will enhance the celebration with local efforts throughout the month including designated home games in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and local community outreach.

The celebration begins with Week 3 home teams – Baltimore, Carolina, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Miami, Minnesota, New England, New York Jets, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle, Tennessee and Washington – hosting Hispanic Heritage Month games at their stadiums.  In-stadium elements include on-field Fútbol Americano stencils as well as wall banners and goal post wraps.