NFL Week 3 games to watch: Five matchups that could reshape early playoff picture image
Two games are not enough to determine which NFL teams are legitimate contenders, but Week 3 should provide several important clues. The Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers have looked like championship threats. The Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders also enter the week unbeaten.
Several other teams are already facing pressure.
The Los Angeles Rams recovered from a poor opener Monday, while the New York Giants lost quarterback Jaxson Dart to a knee injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans are trying to prevent disappointing starts from becoming dangerous ones.
Here are five Week 3 games that deserve the most attention.
Chargers at Bills
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Buffalo has emerged as one of the NFL’s most impressive teams through two weeks, and Josh Allen is playing like an early MVP candidate.
The Chargers will provide a different challenge than Buffalo faced during its first two games. Los Angeles has enough offensive talent to force the Bills into a high-scoring game, but it must start to show it, following the slow start. The Chargers must also avoid giving Allen additional possessions through turnovers.
A Buffalo victory would strengthen the argument that the Bills are the team to beat in the AFC. A Chargers win would get the monkey off their back following an 0-2 start, both on the road.
Ravens at Cowboys
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET in Rio de Janeiro
The NFL’s international game in Brazil brings together two teams with massive expectations.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott became the franchise’s career leader in touchdown passes during Sunday’s win over Washington. The Cowboys now face a Baltimore team that can pressure their defense in completely different ways.
Containing the Ravens’ rushing attack will be Dallas’ biggest test. Baltimore, meanwhile, must find a way to prevent Prescott and CeeDee Lamb from creating explosive plays.
Both teams come into the game with a 1-1 record.
Rams at Broncos
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
This is another game that features teams with a 1-1 mark to start the season.
Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams looked unstoppable against the Giants, combining for 195 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Denver’s defense should offer considerably more resistance.
The biggest question for Los Angeles will be Puka Nacua’s availability after he missed Monday’s game with a hip and groin injury. If he returns, the Rams will have their full group of offensive weapons for one of the week’s best individual matchups.
Bengals at Steelers
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
The Steelers have scored one touchdown through eight quarters, and their offense was held to three points by New England.
Things will not get easier against Cincinnati. The defense for the Bengals has been strong to start the season.
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase helped the Bengals improve to 2-0, while Pittsburgh left its loss to the Patriots with major questions about Aaron Rodgers and its offensive identity.
A Steelers loss would leave them 1-2 with two discouraging offensive performances. A Bengals win would give Cincinnati an important divisional road win and elevate them even more at the top of the divisional standings.
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Eagles at Bears
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Philadelphia has found ways to win its first two games, even when everything has not operated smoothly.
Chicago provides another national-stage test.
The Bears will likely be with their back-up Tyson Bagent under center following the Caleb Williams injury. After scoring 59 in the opener against Carolina, Chicago scored just 3 in the loss to Minnesota.
The Eagles can improve to 3-0 and continue building separation in an NFC East already dealing with major quarterback and injury questions.
Another great week of football
Week 3 will not decide the playoff field, but it could expose which early results were real and which teams still have substantial work to do. The action gets underway Thursday night with the Falcons on the road at the Packers.
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