2016 Week 3 Preview: Sharks vs Predators

(photo credit: jaxsharks.com)

As we sit in a time of both beginnings and playoffs, there's a common montra: earn a split on the road. At 1-1, the Jacksonville Sharks did just that to start their season. Now, as all of Duval gathers their flannel and straw hats for their annual Redneck Night, the Sharks will be at the friendly confines of Veterans Memorial Arena for the first time against the other team in red and black, the Orlando Predators.

This historical series has seen the tide turn back to Jacksonville, as they won two of the last three meetings, including going to the Jungle and coming away with a win in last year's conference semifinals. To earn their second straight home win against the Preds, Jacksonville has to keep that elusive 60-minute focus.

As was the case in 2015, when the Sharks are playing at their best, they're world-beaters, as evident in last week's 59-41 win in Philadelphia. However, when one thing goes wrong, it's immediate quicksand, as evident in the last 17 minutes of the season-opening loss in LA.

On offense, they have to keep it together. Tommy Grady can't get into a habit of keeping the ball and forcing plays, and the team has to keep their eyes and hands on the ball once it goes to them. On defense, pressure has to be a constant. Nathan Stanley looked like he did in San Jose, and Dan Raudabaugh was...Dan Raudabaugh. If the Portland Steel can give Randy Hippeard an uncomfortable night, the Sharks should be feasting all night long with ease.

What to Watch For:

Offense: Joe Hills. Week 2's Under Armour Offensive Player of the Week has already earned the #1 spot at receiver, leading the league with 305 yards from only 18 receptions, and six scores to boot, he'll be drawing a lot of attention from a hungry Predators secondary that has already tallied four interceptions this season. This means that Grady will have to find at least a clear #2 to spread the ball to and keep that defense honest. So far that's been Tiger Jones, but you can easily expect Roger Jackson and London Crawford to see a few balls their way.

It's also up to the Sharks' offensive line to protect Grady and keep him clean all night. While Orlando only has a total of two sacks this season, they do hurry opposing QBs into bad throws and bad decisions.

Defense: Khreem Smith and Greg Reid. It wouldn't surprise me to see Reid matched up against Greg Carr for most of the night, and Brandon Tompkins for the rest of it. He's continued his form that saw him earn Rookie of the Year honors last year, leading the team with 17 total tackles and two interceptions. Smith will continue to anchor the D-line that has to get in Randy Hippeard's face. If anyone will be the first to officially hurry the QB this season, expect it to be him in search of his second sack. As a line, they have to re-gel and become another dominant presence if they want to get the upper hand back in the American Conference.

Where to Watch:

When toe meets leather at 7 p.m., there'll be Monday night football both north and south of the border, as the game will be streamed online through ESPN3, WatchESPN and the ESPN app, and televised live en español through Univision Deportes.