This third week of preseason games is showtime in the National Football League for teams that want one last look at their first team, and players who want to be on that starting unit.
Indeed, this third preseason game has been a turning point for many NFL players who not only went on to start, but became stars.
In 2012, running back Alfred Morris was the Washington Redskins' sixth-round pick, No. 173 overall, out of little Florida Atlantic. His arrival in camp was barely noted because the headlines were stolen by some quarterback with a weird moniker -- RG3.
So it was with little fanfare that Morris was tabbed as the starting running back in the Redskins' Week 3 preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, whose rookie quarterback also had an interesting name -- Luck.
But we digress, this is not about a battle between rookie quarterbacks known as RG3 and Luck.
So amidst the din created by a matchup between those celebrated 1-2 selections, Morris humbly hoofed his way onto the field with hopes of gaining a few yards, and perhaps some attention.
His performance not only made NFLDraftScout.com appear a bit off key, but surpassed even what the Redskins should have expected from a sixth-round pick from one of the few Florida colleges that is seldom mentioned in football discussions.
Morris gained attention with 14 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown. He also gained a spot on the bench the next week in preseason game four. That's what the Redskins do with players named regular-season starters.
And, although the Redskins' season was anything but regular that year, Morris rushed for 1,613 yards, second only to a guy with Minnesota who goes by yet another unusual tag -- A.P. The "P" stands for Peterson and A. Peterson managed to gather 2,097 yards rushing, relegating Morris to No. 2. Still, not bad for a kid from Florida Atlantic who was overlooked even by the esteemed NFLDraftScout.com.
Ironically, Morris goes into this week's third preseason game once again seeking a starting job, this time with the Dallas Cowboys after a fall from grace in Washington, where he gained a meager 751 yards last season.
He is out to once again prove that poor season, as well as NFLDraftScout.com's old 2012 rating, are just wrong. He is one of dozens of NFL players who are trying to make a mark in this week's preseason games.
The Sports Xchange, which bravely owns up to being the parent company of NFLDraftScout.com (hey, there's no such thing as bad publicity), has a reporter entrenched with every NFL team. These valiant evaluators bravely nominated a candidate for the Showtime Player of the Week, which means he damn well needs to impress coaches the way Morris did back on 2012.
Here is a closer look at TSX's Showtime nominees on each NFC team and a schedule for the games in which they will play, which includes five that will be nationally televised as the networks put their respective lineups on display for the first time this year.
After all, it's Showtime!
Following the TSX Showtime nominees for each NFC team, listed alphabetically, is a schedule for when each team will play in week 3.
ARIZONA CARDINALS: Jaron Brown, WR
But he keeps making so many plays day in and day out that there is a real chance he could push for loads of extra playing time. That is especially true if John Brown is still having concussion-like symptoms despite having been cleared for practice. Either way, Jaron Brown likely will be the team's No. 3 receiver when the Cardinals meet the Texans on Sunday.
ATLANTA FALCONS: Brandon Wilds, RB
He ran hard and with authority last Thursday and for the second consecutive week. He had an electric 32-yard touchdown run during which he bounced outside and ran through contact along the sideline.
Wilds finished with 49 yards on eight carries and averaged 6.1 yards per attempt. Terron Ward was the third running back last season, but is slowed by an ankle injury. Wilds needs another strong showing to supplant Ward behind Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
CAROLINA PANTHERS: Kyle Love, DT
The fifth-year veteran missed last Saturday's game with a concussion, but he is now out of protocol, which is NFL jargon that means he should be able to play.
When Love signed a one-year deal to return to Carolina this spring, it appeared he had a roster spot waiting for him. But the Panthers then used their first-round draft pick on Vernon Butler and have since been impressed by Robert Thomas and Eric Crume, who continue to push Love this preseason.
CHICAGO BEARS: Khari Lee, TE
The Bears received little for the sixth-round draft pick they gave up to Houston last year for Lee, although he saw spot time last year and essentially was in the second or third tight-end spot all of this camp.
It was assumed Lee would step forth into the second tight-end spot when Martellus Bennett was traded, but more needs to be seen. And Rob Housler announced himself as a viable contender for a roster spot last week with a 52-yard catch-and-run. Tony Moeaki was making strides as a receiver before an injury.
Lee needs to display better run-blocking ability in addition to getting involved in the passing game.
DALLAS COWBOYS: Chaz Green, LT
He will get another start in place of the injured Tyron Smith (stinger). This time Green will go up against the vaunted Seattle Seahawks defensive line Thursday night.
Green is trying to stick as the swing tackle. He had some up-and-down performances the first two weeks of the preseason and throughout training camp. Quarterback Tony Romo will likely play the entire first half and Green will be asked to protect his blind side. There is no better and more important opportunity for Green's readiness than against the Seahawks.
And, of course, running back Alfred Morris would like to reprise his 2012 rookie performance in that third preseason game with Washington.
DETROIT LIONS: Dwayne Washington, RB
Washington looked like he was destined for the practice squad after the Lions took him with their last of 10 draft picks and threw him into a crowded running back room after he missed most of spring workouts due to school commitments.
But the University of Washington product helped his cause more than anyone this preseason. He returned a kick for a touchdown in the preseason opener, led the team in rushing in Week 2 of exhibition play and played all over the field on special teams. Washington had a handful of plays with the second-team offense last week and the Lions hope to take another extended look at him against the Ravens.
The seventh-year Packer might have his work cut out for him the last two weeks of the preseason to save his job in Green Bay.
Going into the penultimate preseason game on the road against the San Francisco 49ers on Friday night, the veteran is far down on the NFL statistical rankings that has undrafted rookie competitor Peter Mortell near the top.
"I think that's heating up," head coach Mike McCarthy said about the punting battle. "We'll continue to split the reps and let Tim and Peter battle it out."
Although it wasn't his fault after LaDarius Gunter missed a block, a blocked punt late in the game that resulted in an end-zone recovery by the Oakland Raiders for a touchdown further sullied Masthay's shaky stat line. He averaged 45.7 yards in three punts (long of 51), but his net was an abysmal 28.0 yards.
Mortell was impressive in two opportunities with a gross average of 57.0 yards (long of 58) and an even better net average of 58.0 yards because of a two-yard loss on one return after a muffed catch.
Mortell, a Green Bay native who kicked at Minnesota, ranks in the league's top 10 with a gross average of 49.2 yards and is second with a net average of 48.8. Conversely, Masthay is 33rd in gross (42.7) and 40th in net (26.7).
LOS ANGELES RAMS: Brian Quick, WR
Quick was not mentioned by head coach Jeff Fisher's recent talk about the wide receiver competition, and Quick clearly didn't help himself when he dropped a perfectly-thrown pass against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.
"Brian needs to catch the football; your receivers have to catch it, not drop it," Fisher said. "He's had too many drops, so he's going to have to focus on that."
Still, you get the feeling the fourth-year wide receiver is running out of chances, which means he faces a big test this week against the Denver Broncos.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Andre Smith, RT
After a terrible preseason opener in which he looked unsure and a step slow, Smith took a step back in his competition with second-year player T.J. Clemmings.
Clemmings, who was all but buried in his competition with Smith, was moved back into the starting five for the first practice after the preseason opener at Cincinnati. But Smith was given a second chance when he started the second preseason game in Seattle. He and the entire line were impressive in how well they stepped it up in pass protection.
But Clemmings could make a late surge if Smith stumbles too badly in the third preseason game at home against the Chargers on Sunday. Clemmings started every game last season after Phil Loadholt suffered a torn Achilles' tendon. But Clemmings was overmatched and never progressed, so Smith was signed away from Cincinnati via free agency.
Smith was supposed to battle Loadholt for the starting job in training camp, but Loadholt suffered another injury and decided to retire before camp started. Another strong showing in pass protection on Sunday would go a long way toward helping calm some uneasiness about the line heading into the season.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Daniel Lasco, RB
The Saints' seventh-round draft pick this spring showed flashes in OTAs, training camp and the first two preseason games. He is waging a battle with second-year pro Marcus Murphy to be the fourth halfback when the final cuts come down.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Lasco made some head-turning plays in training camp, especially one highlight-reel run in which he flattened free safety Vonn Bell, a second-round draft pick, after breaking loose in the secondary. Lasco is averaging just 2.5 yards on 17 carries, but he could have a leg up on Murphy, who was the fourth running back last season.
Murphy's roster spot might be in jeopardy considering he fumbled a punt for the second week in a row in a 16-9 loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday night and was chastised for it by head coach Sean Payton in his postgame comments.
N.Y. GIANTS: Victor Cruz, WR
Cruz was practicing Monday and head coach Ben McAdoo confirmed that the plan is to start Cruz out slowly and let him build up.
McAdoo has said that they need to see Cruz get through an entire week of practice and get into a game before they can make a decision whether to carry him. If Cruz can't accomplish either of those tasks this week, it would be virtually impossible to justify giving him a roster spot.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Josh Huff, WR
A 2014 third-round pick, Huff has only 35 receptions in two seasons. With the recent addition of Dorial Green-Beckham and the impressive play of undrafted rookie Paul Turner, Huff needs a solid performance Saturday against Indianapolis or he could soon find himself out of a job.
Huff has only three catches for 13 yards on 38 snaps in the first two preseason games. Huff is the team's No. 1 kickoff returner, but that might not be enough to keep his job if he can't carry his weight as a receiver.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Marcus Rush, OL
After spending a season on the 49ers' practice squad last year, the former Michigan State standout appears ready to suit up on game day in 2016. In fact, he looked so good in Saturday's preseason win at Denver, he might force his way onto the field quite a bit.
Rush recorded three sacks in the win, including one where his hit on Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez forced a fumble.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Garry Gilliam, T
Whether at left tackle or right tackle, Gilliam is expected to be a key piece of Seattle's offensive line. He did have offseason surgery to remove a cyst in his knee. That could help explain the shakiness, but Gilliam needs to take a step forward over the remaining two weeks of the preseason.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Vernon Hargreaves, CB
WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Logan Paulsen, TE
He has been a key special-teams player and is probably Washington's best blocking tight end -- though Davis and Paul are good in that area, too. The Redskins also have Derek Carrier returning soon from torn right knee ligaments suffered in December. They traded a fifth-round pick for him last summer when Paulsen and Paul (dislocated/fractured left ankle) were lost for the season during training camp.
Paulsen could use a strong third game to prove the Redskins should look elsewhere (inside linebacker, quarterback, wide receiver, running back, offensive line) to ease their roster crunch.
Thursday, August 25
Game, Network (if nationally televised), Time (EDT)
Atlanta at Miami (Orlando, FL), NBC, 8:00p
Dallas at Seattle, 10:00p
Friday, August 26
Game, Network (if nationally televised), Time (EDT)
New England at Carolina, 7:30p
Buffalo at Washington, 7:30p
Pittsburgh at New Orleans, 8:00p
Cleveland at Tampa Bay, CBS, 8:00p
Green Bay at San Francisco, 10:00p
Saturday, August 27
Game, Network (if nationally televised), Time (EDT)
Kansas City at Chicago, 1:00p
Detroit at Baltimore, 7:00p
Philadelphia at Indianapolis, 7:00p
New York Giants at New York Jets, 7:30p
Tennessee at Oakland, CBS, 8:00p
Los Angeles at Denver, 9:00p
Sunday, August 28
Game, Network (if nationally televised), Time (EDT)
San Diego at Minnesota, FOX, 1:00p
Arizona at Houston, FOX, 4:00p
Cincinnati at Jacksonville, NBC, 8:00p
--Frank Cooney, founder and publisher of The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com, is in his sixth decade covering football and 26th year on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
