4 teams facing potentially franchise-altering games in Week 3
It may only be the middle of September, but a lot is riding on the results of a number of Week 3 games. For some, franchise-altering changes may be on the horizon.
Safety Landon Collins of the 0-2 New York Giants has already classified Sunday's matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles as a "must-win," and he's not wrong.
The Giants badly need the victory for a number of reasons, and they're not alone.
Here are four teams that could face severe repercussions if they suffer losses in Week 3:
Colts
The Colts have already suffered crushing defeats to the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals, and now find themselves listed as home underdogs to the Cleveland Browns this weekend.
A loss to the Browns wouldn't just torpedo the Colts' season, but also likely mean changes throughout the organization. First, if Cleveland drops Indy to 0-3, what reason is there to rush Andrew Luck back? The franchise quarterback hasn't even begun practicing, and if the Colts aren't competitive enough to defeat a one-win outfit from a year ago, it's time to pack it up and prepare for 2018.
A loss on Sunday would ensure that Luck's timetable wouldn't be expedited for him to potentially meet the vaunted Seattle Seahawks defense in Week 4. And if he's out for a quarter of the season, what's stopping the franchise from holding him out for half the year, or the entire campaign?
Aside from Luck, a loss this week should spell doom for head coach Chuck Pagano. He was a source of inspiration in 2012 when he missed 12 games while undergoing cancer treatments, but the Colts have regressed under his direction in recent seasons. Two consecutive 8-8 campaigns are unacceptable with a talent like Luck at the helm.
Pagano outlasted former general manager Ryan Grigson, but with worse results in the first season under Chris Ballard's watch, change will be inevitable.
Three years since a trip to the AFC Championship Game, the Colts could be entering next season with a new coach and a top draft pick.
Bengals
The Bengals are already in panic mode.
After scoring nine points and zero touchdowns over two home losses to start the season, Cincinnati fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese, who'd been employed by the team for the past 15 years.
Such moves so early in the season have been made before, and they're almost always followed by even more drastic changes. The same will likely be the case for the Bengals if they lose to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
A loss would drop Cincinnati to 0-3 and provide the perfect opportunity for a change at quarterback. The Bengals face the Browns in Week 4, which would be an ideal scenario for backup AJ McCarron to make his first start since 2015.
Starter Andy Dalton has struggled mightily in his seventh season and may have already revealed his overall quality: Good enough to reach the postseaon, but not good enough to win a playoff game.
Various rumors have surfaced that the Bengals declined trade offers for McCarron. There's a reason they're keeping him around.
On the subject of keeping someone around, head coach Marvin Lewis is without a contract past this season. The Bengals have no reason to keep him in town for a 16th year, especially if 2017 continues going south.
Saints
The Saints are also staring an 0-3 start in the face. A loss on Sunday to the Carolina Panthers would put New Orleans three games behind in the NFC South - one of the most competitive divisions in football.
With their hopes of a division title effectively shot in that scenario, the Saints could expedite a necessary rebuild rather than chase a wild-card spot.
It may also lead the franchise to eventually make an unpopular decision involving its biggest star.
Quarterback Drew Brees is 38 and his contract with the Saints expires after the season. He takes up a large chunk of the team's salary dollars and retaining him would mean more of the same. Parting ways with Brees would allow New Orleans to focus on fixing its weak defense and patching other holes.
Brees has said he only intends to play two-to-four more years, and that he wants to win another Super Bowl. He's probably not doing that in New Orleans, barring a shocking turnaround.
Giants
The Giants were mentioned as Super Bowl contenders ahead of the season. Two losses into the year, however, and head coach Ben McAdoo is already considering drastic changes.
They're necessary. The former offensive coordinator still calls the plays on that side of the ball, and under his guidance the team has managed just 13 points and 97 rushing yards through two games. Something has to change.
If the Giants lose again on Sunday to the rival Eagles, they'll already be more than halfway to their entire loss total from 2016.
New York's defense remains elite, but its offense is leaking oil. The problem could be patched up with one big move: firing McAdoo.
The 40-year-old was handed the role with no previous head coaching experience. And faced with adversity after Week 2's loss to Detroit, he chose to heap blame on franchise quarterback Eli Manning.
The reality is the Giants' offense relies far too heavily on Odell Beckham Jr., and the true quality of the unit is being revealed without him at full strength.
Must-wins dot the schedule in Week 3. Don't be surprised if losses result in sweeping changes for these four franchises.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)