McCaffrey Poised for Breakout

Players to Watch

Blake Martinez • ILB • Green Bay Packers • Second season • @Big__Blake50

Atop Green Bay's depth chart at inside linebacker, Martinez looks to improve off a rookie season in which he led first-year linebackers with a 9.9 percent run stop rate. Through two games, Martinez has appeared on 75 percent of defensive snaps, up nearly 20 percent from his rookie season. This week, Martinez and the Packers face a Cincinnati Bengals team that ranks 31st in offensive efficiency by Pro Football Focus and 27th in yards gained.

Andrus Peat • T/G • New Orleans Saints • Third season • @AndrusPeat

Throughout the summer, New Orleans made it clear that they would try to keep Peat at one position (left guard) for an entire season. After one week, that plan was abandoned with injuries to starting tackles Terron Armstead and Zach Strief. Peat started Week 2 at left tackle, and will likely see more games there with Armstead (shoulder) and Strief (knee) continuing to sit out practice. Peat and the Saints' offensive line will face a tough challenge in the form of Carolina, which ranks first in the NFL in total defense at 196.5 total yards allowed per game.

Michael Thomas • S • Miami Dolphins • Fifth season • @Michael31Thomas

Miami looks to improve to 2-0 this week when it travels to face the New York Jets. Thomas did not play any defensive snaps in Week 2, but expect him to see more of the field against the Jets, who rank 28th in the league in yards gained and 32nd in total offense by Pro Football Focus. Look for Miami to take an early lead and for Thomas to see some snaps in the Dolphins' defensive sub packages.

Matchups to Watch

Christian McCaffrey vs. New Orleans' Defense

McCaffrey is poised for a breakout performance against a New Orleans team that has allowed 512.5 yards per game in two weeks, ranking last in the league. According to Pro Football Focus, the Saints are 26th in the league in total defensive rating (-6.2) and dead last in pass coverage (-12.7). McCaffrey has already seen his fair share of touches, totaling 21 carries, eight punt returns and nine receptions on 12 targets. Last week, McCaffrey was limited to 10 yards on eight carries due to poor run blocking, as evidenced by his -0.4 yards before contact. Look for the Panthers' first rounder to make more out of those touches against a struggling defense.
 

Injury Report

• Ryan Hewitt could be in for more snaps at tight end with Tyler Eifert (back, knee) not participating in Cincinnati's practice all week.
• Andrew Luck still has yet to rejoin practice entering Week 3 after undergoing offseason surgery on his throwing shoulder. The Colts will be in no hurry to bring Luck back to play behind an offensive line that ranks 28th in pass-blocking efficiency, per Pro Football Focus.
• Kyle Murphy will most likely see more playing time with David Bakhtiari (hamstring) still sitting out of practice while Bryan Bulaga (ankle) continues to be limited.
• Richard Sherman fully participated in practice on Wednesday after being listed with a hamstring injury earlier in the week.  

Week 3 Schedule