NFC East X-factors: Big names need big games in Week 3
The NFC East went 1-3 last week, and all teams are considered underdogs heading into Week 3. Each game is winnable, especially if these players come through for their teams.
Jordan Davis (DT) Philadelphia Eagles
At 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds, Davis was expected to shore up Philadelphia’s run defense, but the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has only 65 tackles (three for a loss) since joining the team. He had a pair of tackles and a pass defended against the Falcons but missed the stat sheet altogether against the Packers in Week 1.
After the game, former teammate Fletcher Cox called out Davis:
Fletcher Cox on whose voice will carry weight in the room re: run defense in season opener: “I hope it’s Jordan (Davis) doing it — fixing the running game and taking control of that. Because 7.8 yards per carry is unacceptable, let’s be honest. We’re in Philly, we’re known for…
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) September 16, 2024
Eagles legend Seth Joyner took it a step further by calling Davis a “wasted draft pick” after the team’s one-point loss to Atlanta. Meanwhile, New Orleans leads the NFL with 45.5 points per game with the third-most rush yards (185.0) per contest.
The Saints host the Eagles this week which could be trouble for Philadelphia’s 25th-ranked run defense. Running back Alvin Kamara had three scores and 115 yards for the Saints on Sunday, and Davis will be the team’s first line of defense. He’ll need to play better if Philadelphia hopes to win.
CeeDee Lamb (WR) Dallas Cowboys
Lamb seemed far less rusty with 90 yards and a touchdown against the Saints than he did with 61 yards in Week 1 against the Browns. He should do even better this week against a Baltimore team allowing a league-high 257 yards per game through the air this season.
Lamb is listed as questionable after missing Wednesday’s practice with ankle soreness, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones believes Lamb will play Sunday, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. He may not average 22.5 yards per catch like he did in last week’s 44-19 loss to New Orleans but he’ll need a little more than his career 13.1 yards per catch average if Dallas hopes to beat New Orleans.
Terry McLaurin (WR) Washington Commanders
Washington used seven field goals to beat the Giants 21-18 in Week 2, but someone will have to score a touchdown if the team hopes to beat a winless but talented Bengals team this week. Ordinarily, McLaurin would be the guy, but not this year.
McLaurin leads the Commanders in targets but with only eight catches for 39 yards, he’s Washington’s fifth-leading receiver. Running back Austin Ekeler leads the team with 99 yards after two games.Â
They’ll both have their hands full against Cincinnati’s second-ranked secondary on “Monday Night Football.” McLaurin had five catches for 84 yards against the Bengals in 2020. That’s a good start, but he’ll need a score to beat the Bengals in primetime.
Devin Singletary (RB) New York Giants
Singletary ran for only 37 yards in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Vikings but played much better against the Commanders with 5.9 yards per carry for 95 yards and a touchdown. According to SI.com’s Stephen Lebitsch, Singletary is averaging 3.5 yards after contact in his first two games as a Giant.
This week he’ll face a Browns defense allowing five yards per carry and 149 rushing yards per game. If Singletary can meet or exceed last week’s numbers, the Giants could leave Cleveland with an upset win.
