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Robert Griffin III

NFL whip around: What we're watching in Week 3

Lindsay H. Jones
USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.

Sure, the Seattle Seahawks might be the reigning kings of the NFC West (not to mention, the entire NFL), but the Arizona Cardinals know their playoff hopes depend just as much on beating the San Francisco 49ers — perhaps even more so.

After losing nine of their last 10 games against San Francisco, the Cardinals won't get real respect in the division, or elsewhere, without beating the Niners, and they know it.

"We have the ability to go up two games on a team that we know is going to be around at the end of the year when it comes time for the playoffs, it puts us in good position to make the playoffs, and that's a huge deal in itself. I know it is so early in the season that no game is so pivotal that you can't recover, but this is a great opportunity for us to get a lead and continue to take advantage in the division," Calais Campbell told USA TODAY Sports on Friday. "If we can shut them down, everyone will know we're for real."

And if the Cardinals are going to improve to 3-0 on Sunday, expect it to happen because of Arizona's defense. With starting quarterback Carson Palmer out again while dealing with a nerve issue in his arm, backup quarterback Drew Stanton will start just his second game since 2010.

It's a challenge the Cardinals' defense is willing to accept, Campbell said.

"Personally, my opinion and the opinion of the guys on this defense, is we're going to go as far as the defense takes us," Campbell said. "Our offense is going to score points, but we know if we play our game and shut people down on our side of the ball, we'll win. That's our mentality, just play perfect football."

Campbell has long played in Darnell Dockett's shadow on the Arizona defensive line – both because of Dockett's play and his mega-personality. But with Dockett out all year with a knee injury, and with massive changes to the linebacker corps after losing Karlos Dansby in free agency, Campbell, who had 10 tackles and a sack last week against the Giants, has emerged as a breakout player for the Cardinals' defense.

"I take pride in my all-around game, being able to stop the run, being able to get some tackles and not always just going after the sack. That is a goal of mine, to get as many sacks as I can, but to me it's about winning first, and then just doing my job. I see some guys when I watch film, and they're pass rushing on 1st and 10, and I never do that," Campbell said. "I play the run, because that's what wins game, stopping them short on first and second down so we can get them into third and long and get better pass rush opportunities."

Now on to the NFL Whip Around:

What's wrong with the Saints?

Need to know: The New Orleans Saints are the NFL's most disappointing team through two weeks, with losses to Atlanta and Cleveland – teams that won just eight games combined last year. The biggest issue in New Orleans is the defense, a group that was supposed to be improved this year thanks to the big-time free agent signing of safety Jairus Byrd. It was bad enough giving up nearly 450 passing yards to Matt Ryan and the Falcons, but then Cleveland's average passing game and lackluster group of receivers (playing without Josh Gordon and tight end Jordan Cameron last week) made the Saints' secondary look silly.

What to expect : Perhaps exactly what the Saints defense needs to get on track is returning home to the Superdome, where Drew Brees and the Saints offense can usually establish an early lead, to play the Minnesota Vikings. Without Adrian Peterson, there is hardly a player left on the Vikings' offensive roster who should give the Saints defense fits.

Kirk Cousin's audition begins

Need to know : Washington seems optimistic that Robert Griffin III will be able to return at some point this year after he suffered a dislocated ankle last week against Jacksonville. But in the meantime, the offense belongs to Kirk Cousins, and what he does with it in the coming months will determine just how much of a rush there is to get Griffin back – and could be big for Cousins' own future.

What to expect: What a big challenge for Cousins in his first start of the year, with a road game at Philadelphia. The Eagles' defense should be confident after a road win at Indianapolis on Monday, but the bigger issue for Cousins and the Washington offense might be Philadelphia's offense. It was one thing to outscore the Jaguars at home last week. But it seems hard to believe that Cousin and the Redskins can win in a shootout in Philadelphia.

Game-time decision

Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles left last week's game against Denver after just three touches – two runs and one catch – and was diagnosed on Monday with a high-ankle sprain, usually a dreaded injury for skill-position players. But somehow Charles managed to return to practice late this week and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Miami. Look for Charles and Kansas City trainers to test his pain level and how well he moves early Sunday morning to determine if he'll be able to play. And if Charles does play, it will be interesting to watch if his touches are limited, and shared with backup Knile Davis.

Fantasy fallout

Cincinnati wide receiver A.J. Green is planning to play Sunday against Tennessee after injuring his toe last week, but even if Green is active, fellow Bengals receiver Mohamed Sanu could be an intriguing fantasy football option. Sanu would be Andy Dalton's top receiver if Green has to come out of the game again, and even when Green plays, Sanu is a versatile piece in Hue Jackson's offense. Don't be surprised if you see Sanu get stats as a receiver, running back or as a passer on any given week.

Entertainment purposes only

The Denver Broncos find themselves in unfamiliar territory heading into Sunday's game in Seattle. For the first time since October 2012, in a road game at New England in Peyton Manning's first year in Denver, the Broncos are the underdog. The Broncos were favored in every game last year, including road games at New England and Indianapolis, and in the Super Bowl against the Seahawks. How silly does that seem now? Most Las Vegas sports books have Seattle as a 4.5-point favorite to win the Super Bowl rematch.

Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones

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