And the fun continues. Entering week three, just as we’re starting to figure out who might be good and who might have taken a step back on the field this season, more teams are starting to lose guys to domestic violence issues off the field.

Arizona Cardinals RB Jonathan Dwyer is the latest Neanderthal (allegedly, I guess) to see his season affected. Allegations surfaced that Dwyer abused his girlfriend and an 18-month-old child. Classy. At least the Cardinals learned from the Vikings’ mistakes and immediately saw to it that Dwyer would not set foot on the field again in 2014 by putting him on the Reserve-Non Football Injury list. So part of what I’m watching will be how the Cardinals, already down a QB and playing a less-than-totally-healthy Andre Ellington at RB, react heading into a big game against San Francisco.

  • With Adrian Peterson shelved, it was Jerome Simpson’s turn to get back in the news. He apparently was cited a couple months back for several transgressions, including open container, driving with a limited license and possession of marijuana. He’s been suspended twice since coming to MN, including the three-gamer he is serving now. The good folks at 1500-ESPN in the Twin Cities read the terms of his parole on previous incidents – if these allegations are all true, he violated them all. I was ready to skewer the Vikings if he was on the roster at midnight, but to their credit, they finally around dinner time cut ties with the WR, who clearly cared more about drinking and getting high than about playing good football.
  • Finally getting on the field, starting tonight, it’ll be interesting to see if Tampa Bay can finally get any rhythm going on offense. Atlanta has some offensive firepower but is limited on defense. If the Bucs don’t score some points tonight, you can pretty well write them off for awhile, I think.
  • San Diego vs Buffalo: This, simply, is an interesting game between a surprise 2-0 Bills team and a Chargers team with a chance to show the world it is a real contender by winning a game on the road coming off of a big upset win over Seattle. I like the Chargers to come through – though I do think Buffalo is on the right track – particularly if EJ Manuel is for real.
  • Can the Vikings do anything to slow down a New Orleans team in the Superdome? The Saints have to be frustrated after an 0-2 start. Both losses came after the team had leads late. Here’s guessing the distracted Vikings get made a whipping boy in this one.
  • Will Cleveland follow up a big win over those Saints with a division win over Baltimore?
  • Can Detroit get a leg up on Green Bay with a win over the division rival at home?
  • Will the Colts unleash Andrew Luck in a now must-win game against Jacksonville? Or does the coaching staff continue putting the game in the hands of a mediocre RB corps?
  • Denver vs Seattle: Yep, the Super Bowl rematch. Not much to say here – just will this game between two heavyweights in their respective conferences be more competitive than the big one in February was?