List of 5

Here's my list of 5 things I'm watching for in Week 3 of this young NFL season. The one thing it won't include is my Redskins offense. I don't think we'll ever find that, but here's the rest...

1. Shady Watch Begins - Here we go again as Brian Westbrook is a question mark going into this game. It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when McCoy gets his chance to show what he can do. But I think this week would be the best to get McCoy in as the primary back to give Westbrook a rest. Seeing as how they play the Chiefs porous defense at home, Shady should have a productive day if he is the No. 1.

2. How will the Champs rebound? - The Steelers lost a heart breaker against the Bears last week, and look to rebound this week. Even though Steelers fans will look at the schedule and say "Ha, the Bengals," this is a potential trap game in Cincinnati. The Bengals looked good against the Packers last week with the Palmer to Johnson (I refuse to call him Ochocinco) and even Cedric Benson looked like a good back. It's a potential dangerous game for the Steelers.

3. Can the 0-2's rebound? - Three teams from last year's playoffs have started off 0-2, Tennessee, Carolina, and Miami. The Titans will have their hands full with the Jets and their Rex Ryan defense. Carolina has a Monday night date with the Cowboys, who are looking to get their 1st win in their new stadium. Miami heads out west to take on San Diego. None of these teams have favorable matchups, and all are in danger of going 0-3.

4. Ribs anyone? - So far, two weeks in the season, two quarterbacks fractured their ribs. Donovan McNabb did it the first week, and still isn't looking good for this week. In Week 2, Matt Hasselbeck fell victim to the injury bug, forcing Seneca Wallace to step in. This isn't good for both teams. Kevin Kolb needs to take care of the football, and Seneca Wallace needs to get the ball to his wideouts. But the big question, who's the next quarterback to go down?

5. Are the 49ers legit? - San Francisco has started the season 2-0, looking like the team to beat in the NFC West (I know it's not saying much, but the division still gets a playoff spot). This is the first test for Mike Singletary's team, and it's a huge challenge. Minnesota has looked solid. They haven't blown anyone completely out of the water, but have been a solid team that just looks very good. The offense behind Adrian Peterson and Brett Farve is getting the job done, while the defense has looked great. It's actually a test for both teams because Minnesota's only played Detroit and Cleveland, but San Fran has more to prove.

Game of the Week - Atlanta at New England
This is a matchup of teams seemingly going in opposite directions. Atlanta is a hot rising team, beginning last year with a playoff birth, great offseason moves, and at 2-0 have basically made the NFC South a two team race (New Orleans). On the other hand, New England, who's had a stranglehold on the AFC East up until last year - which they might have won if Tom Brady doesn't go down. However, with the loss to the New York Jets, they seem to be the team with the target on their back in the AFC East, while New England is slipping down toward mediocrity. More is on the line for New England because no team wants to slip to 1-2. But Atlanta looks at this game as a way to make a statement. However, I don't think New England is done yet, and Brady will bounce back. New England 24-20