3-Wide: What's the cause of Todd Gurley's sophomore slump?

3-Wide is a weekly feature in which theScore's NFL editors debate the hot topics around the league. Grab a cold towel and brace for hot takes.

Which player returning from injury will have the biggest impact?

Jack Browne: For a player that had 22 sacks just two seasons ago, the potential return of Justin Houston isn't getting the attention it deserves. Yes, it'll likely take three of four games for him to get back into true game shape, but the Chiefs don't need an immediate impact. Their pass rush has been serviceable this season, driven by breakout star Dee Ford. What they need is Houston firing on all cylinders come playoff time, as he could be the driving force of a deep postseason run.

Arun Srinivasan: Kam Chancellor missed four games with a groin injury and the Legion of Boom finally appeared to be solvable with their enforcer out of the lineup. Chancellor is a monumental upgrade on his replacement, Kelcie McCray, and the league's best secondary will be in full force during the second half of the season. The four-time Pro Bowler's presence alone forces opposing quarterbacks to think twice about throwing through the middle of the field, and Chancellor arrives just in time for the Seahawks to pull away from the rest of the NFC West.

Mitch Sanderson: Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers could really use another playmaker and Doug Martin is on his way. The team's best game of the season came back in Week 1 when Martin was still in the lineup, piling up 96 total yards as they took down the Falcons. Despite not having much at the position, the Bucs have been focused on running ball in Martin's absence, so his return should assist that aspect of their offense. Winston will definitely appreciate the addition after being asked to win games essentially by himself the past six games.

Is the NFL doing enough to protect Cam Newton?

Srinivasan: Most quarterbacks are protected well beyond a reasonable doubt, but Newton is an exception to this rule. The last time a roughing the passer penalty was enforced after a hit on Newton occurred in 2014, a statistic that can't be shrugged off as a mere anomaly. In many respects, Newton is similar to LeBron James in that referees don't call routine fouls against them because their combination of size, speed, and power make ordinary blows seem normal. The NFL needs to officiate Newton fairly, standing out as a unique case from a position that's often overly protected.

Sanderson: Just based on the stats, I'd have to say no. While the Panthers offense allows for more QB hits than any other team - expect maybe the Browns - Newton has evolved his style to much more of a pocket passer than in his early days. Over the past season and a half, no quarterback has been hit more than Newton, yet he has received zero roughing the passer penalties. Perhaps all his whining is working against him, but its tough to argue the league's defending MVP receiving no "lucky bounces" from officials when Tom Brady basically got a rule put in to protect him.

Browne: Newton is almost unique in the NFL. No other team willing puts their quarterback in harm's way like the Panthers, with Newton consistently running the football by design. The quarterback said he understands he's on his own when he leaves the pocket and just wants the same level of protection in it, but it's hard to separate his running threat. A byproduct of his ability to extend plays is refs will always view him differently than a true pocket passer. There's little the NFL can do unless Newton fundamentally alters his game.

What's the cause of Todd Gurley's sophomore slump?

Sanderson: Well, if I'm an opposing defensive coordinator, my game plan against the Rams would be pretty simple. Load the box, get in the backfield, and force undrafted free agent Case Keenum to be the hero. Tavon Austin has yet to win a game by himself through his first pro season and there's no one else on that offense who is of any threat. Gurley may be as talented a running back as there is out there, but he needs blockers, and running lanes, and help from the passing game to get any daylight.

Browne: Gurley's situation is far from ideal. He has Jeff Fisher as his coach, Case Keenum as his quarterback, and probably the league's worst run-blocking offensive line in front of him. But elite running backs are meant to be able to still produce regardless of the circumstance. It's understandable for production to dip when part of an awful offensive group, but Gurley's slump has been dramatic. Maybe, just maybe, Gurley isn't the franchise player we anointed him to be in 2015.

Srinivasan: It would be easy to chalk up Gurley's sophomore slump to a case of excelling in a small sample size last year, but that simply isn't it. Gurley runs behind a decrepit offensive line, without a single player ranking into the top 25 at their position via Pro Football Focus. It's likely Gurley's raw numbers would be better if the Rams played with a lead more often, but mired in a four-game losing streak, the second-year back faces immense pressure to produce early, or be forced out of the team's game script.