The third preseason game for each team around the NFL is the most important. It enables the starters to play for an extended period of time and is pretty much a dress rehearsal for the regular year.
In the NFC West, all four teams have an opportunity to earn a playoff spot. It's pretty much the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks looking to stave off the San Francisco 49ers for the division title with the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals attempting to nab a wildcard spot. With that said, these are four uber-talented teams who will beat one another up throughout the regular year.
Let's check in on their games for Week 3 of the 2014 NFL preseason.
Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks
I really want to see how the Bears first-team offense performs against Seattle's defense in front of the 12th Man. This is going to be telling for both teams. Can Jay Cutler and Co. move the ball against the best defense in the NFL? Will Seattle have issues going up against two star receivers in the form of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery? It really is some good practice reps for a Seattle team that will have to take on Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree, Steve Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd in the NFC West during the regular year.
Cutler is 16/22 passing for 160 yards and two touchdowns thus far this season. If he has that type of success in extended action on Friday evening, the Bears will have a ton of confidence heading into the regular year.
After struggling in their initial preseason outing against the Denver Broncos, Russell Wilson and Co. were absolutely dominating last week against the San Diego Chargers. The first-team offense put up 24 points before being pulled from the game close to the half. As to where Chicago's defense has been shoddy, it does appear that Seattle's offense is already in mid-season form. Another solid outing will go a long way in showing us that this unit is vastly improved from 2013.
In terms of positional battles, I am really intrigued to see how the likes of Jordan Norwood and Jermaine Kearse perform for Seattle. Both have been impressive in camp thus far and are battling for Seattle's No. 3 wide receiver job. One other area that Seattle has to focus on is right tackle. None of its options at that all-important position has proven much of anything. Someone needs to step up.
On Chicago's side, we really need to start getting a better feel about inside linebacker and safety. Will D.J. Williams hold off Jon Bostic at linebacker and who is going to be starting at safety?
St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns
Now that the quarterback situation is settled in Cleveland, Johnny Manziel can focus on honing his craft and improving his mechanics in the final two games of the preseason. For the rest of the Browns team, it's all going to be about finding fits for skill-position players on offense. Will Terrance West be Ben Tate's primary backup at running back? Who is going to start at wide receiver? Does Mitchell Schwartz in fact have the right tackle position locked up? Going up against a stellar Rams defense will go a long way in determining this, especially for Schwartz, who will be tasked with lining up opposite Chris Long.
It's all going to be about gaining continuity on the offensive side of the ball in St. Louis. Sam Bradford will see his first extended action since tearing his ACL last season and he has the necessary talent around him to succeed. Will any of the Rams talented receivers step up against a good Browns secondary? Can Brian Quick continue what has been a stellar training camp thus far? Quick is the real key for St. Louis. It has the speedster in Tavon Austin and the former could help balance out the passing attack.
San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco simply hasn't performed well thus far this season. While it's too early to be concerned, another less-than-stellar effort may push one finger towards the panic button. It needs to come out in this one with the first-team offense slated to play the first half and show the electric ability that it talent suggests it has. If not, there is going to be some tremendous concern heading into Week 1. At this point it's really not about backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert, we are past the point of no return there.
San Diego was equally horrible last week against Seattle. It needs to go into Levi's Stadium and perform well against a stout defense that may be missing a few starters here and there. If Philip Rivers and Co. continue to struggle, that will also be cause for alarm.
In tems of positional battles and under-the-radar players to look for, I want to see how Carlos Hyde performs for San Francisco. The rookie running back has pretty much locked up the No. 2 position behind Frank Gore, but another stellar outing could indicate that he will play a larger part in the 49ers offense in 2014. Defensively, the 49ers are still attempting to figure out who will start for NaVorro Bowman, who will miss the first half of the season. Chris Borland has seen extended playing time, but Michael Wilhoite seems to be the favorite at this point. I am also intrigued to see how impressive youngsters such as Cornellius Carradine and Quinton Dial look a long the 49ers defensive line.
For the Chargers, it's going to be about finding some nice mix from a pass-rush standpoint. Melvin Ingram, Dwight Freeney, Jarret Johnson and Jeremiah Attaochu are all battling for a regular spot in the outside linebacker rotation. In addition to this, I want to see who the Chargers employ as a primary backup to Ryan Mathews. While Danny Woodhead has been impressive over the past couple seasons, San Diego did spend some money on veteran free agent Donald Brown.
Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals
Unforunately for the Cardinals, they are now going to be without three of their best defensive players from a season ago for the entire 2014 campaign. With the news that Darnell Dockett tore his ACL earlier this week, there is a ton of concern that Arizona's defense is going to take a step back. Couple that with the loss of Daryl Washington to suspension as well as Karlos Dansby to Cleveland in free agency, and the Cardinals have their work cut out for them. Can Kevin Minter take over a leadershup role at inside linebacker? As it relates to Dockett, the Cardinals are going to have to employ a rotation if they're going to be able to limit the impact of that loss.
With Cincinnati's studly front seven, I am also intrigued to see how Arizona's front seven will hold up in this one. Jared Veldheer is a little banged up, while Jonathan Cooper has struggled all preseason long.
For the Bengals, it's all going to be about continuing the success their first-team offense has had over the first two games of the preseason. Andy Dalton has been downright dominating up to this point. Couple that with the emergence of Giovani Bernard at running back and Cincinnati's offense may very well take that next step towards elite status in 2014.