The Chicago Bears, off to their best start since 2006, will try to make a statement on Monday night when they take on NFC North division rivals Green Bay in a battle of unbeaten NFL teams.
Week three will see one other match-up of unbeaten teams when Pittsburgh takes on Tampa Bay on Sunday.
It is no surprise to see the Packers in a tussle for the division lead, but the Bears, who finished last season a disappointing 7-9, are seeking to end a four-year playoff drought.
“Nobody’s picking us to win,” Chicago safety Chris Harris said. “We like that. In the locker room, we’re all we have anyway, so we don’t let outside forces, outside voices dictate how we play.”
With a win over Green Bay the Bears could show their 2-0 start to the season was no fluke. A season-opening victory over Detroit was aided by a controversial call overturning an apparent Lions touchdown and the Bears’ second victory came against a so-far unimpressive Cowboys squad.
There is no doubt, however, this Bears offense has more pop than recent previous versions.
With an average of 385.5 yards the Bears rank fifth in the league, after finishing no better than 23rd offensively in the last three seasons.
Quarterback Jay Cutler, who threw a league-high 26 interceptions last year, has thrown just one so far and ranks third in the NFL with 649 passing yards.
Cutler’s composure will likely be tested by a Packers defense featuring NFL sack leader Clay Matthews.
At the other end of the NFC North, Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings will be seeking to avoid an 0-3 start when they take on a Detroit team also without a victory.
In Tampa, the Steelers will again be counting on their defense to help make up for the absence of still-suspended quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Although the Steelers’ only touchdown this season was an overtime score in their opening victory over Atlanta, they have flourished thanks to physical defense.
Reserve signal-caller Charlie Batch’s task was made much easier last week as the defense forced seven turnovers against the Titans.
The trip to Tampa sees Steelers coach Mike Tomlin returning to the team where he served as an assistant coach from 2001 to 2005.
And Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris worked as an assistant with Tomlin before he was hired last season.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Super Bowl champions New Orleans will likely be tested by NFC South rivals Atlanta in the Super Dome.
The New York Jets visit Miami in a battle of AFC East foes, with Miami seeking to remain unbeaten atop the division.
In another AFC East clash, New England will try to bounce back from their loss to the Jets when they host the 0-2 Bills.
In Denver, a Broncos team shocked by the apparent suicide this week of wide receiver Kenny McKinley will host Indianapolis.
Philadelphia, with Michael Vick tabbed as starting quarterback, visit Jacksonville. Houston, off to a 2-0 start, could claim Texas bragging rights if they can hand winless Dallas another defeat.
Tennessee and the Giants both coming off defeats, meet in New York.
Baltimore host division stragglers Cleveland in an AFC North match-up, Carolina host Cincinnati, Kansas City host San Francisco, St Louis host Washington, Seattle host San Diego and Arizona host Oakland.
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