Top NFL Week 3 Storylines: Will the Vikings or Texans Go 3-0? Can Andy Dalton Help the Panthers?
Another week, another exciting slate of games in the NFL.
This week’s fixtures feature a bit of everything: a collection of undefeated teams trying to build on impressive starts, a group of desperate teams still searching for their first win, players looking for redemption, and much more.
Week 3 action kicked off Thursday with a Jets win over the Patriots. Sunday features 13 games before the weekend concludes with a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader: Jacksonville (0-2) visits Buffalo (2-0) at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Washington (1-1) at Cincinnati (0-2) at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Here are five compelling storylines to follow in Week 3. (Find the schedule here.)
1. Who improves to 3-0?
Nine of the 32 teams remain undefeated in Week 3. The most valued group: the Bills, Buccaneers, Chargers, Chiefs, Saints, Seahawks, Steelers, Texans and Vikings.
The perfect records of at least two of these teams will be tarnished this weekend, as two games between undefeated teams are scheduled: the Texans vs. the Vikings and the Chargers vs. the Steelers.
The Texans, led by second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans, showed grit and resilience in their first two games of the season. They held off the Colts for a 29-27 road win in Week 1, then withstood challenges from a stout Bears defense at home on Sunday night. Now they face a Vikings team that has been one of the early-season surprises.
Many expected Kevin O’Connell’s team to take a few steps back after Kirk Cousins left for the Falcons. Instead, new starting quarterback Sam Darnold appears to be a man reborn. Considered a bust after terrible experiences with the Jets and Panthers, Darnold (the third overall pick in the 2018 draft) spent last season as a backup in San Francisco before being signed by Minnesota as an insurance policy for the rookie quarterback it was planning to draft. But after JJ McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury in August, the Vikings turned to Darnold. He’s delivered two strong performances to help Minnesota take an early lead in the NFC North. Can Darnold continue his renaissance against a Texans defense that ranks third in yards allowed and second in sacks through two games? (Speaking of sacks, Minnesota has 11, so the Stroud and Houston lines better buckle up.)
Meanwhile, Chargers-Steelers should have a throwback feel. New coach Jim Harbaugh has led L.A. to back-to-back victories while leaning heavily on a strong run game (running back J.K. Dobbins leads the NFL with 266 rushing yards) and a dominant defense (227.5 yards and just 6.5 points allowed). The Chargers may need that rushing attack and stout defense more than ever on Sunday, as quarterback Justin Herbert (three touchdown passes, one interception in two games) is questionable with a high ankle sprain. Interestingly, Pittsburgh is using a similar approach. Through two weeks, Mike Tomlin’s Steelers defense has also dominated, allowing 260.5 yards and just 8.0 points per game. That defense and a rushing attack that’s averaging 139 yards per game have helped take the pressure off Justin Fields, who is expected to start his third game in place of a disabled Russell Wilson.
It may not be sexy, but this approach has served both teams well. Which team will remain undefeated? (Texans at Vikings and Chargers at Steelers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET.)
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are 0-2, one season after reaching the AFC Championship Game. (Reggie Hildred/Imagn Images)
2. Desperation increases for teams with 0-2
From 2-0 teams … to 0-2 teams. Nine such teams — the Bengals, Broncos, Colts, Giants, Jaguars, Panthers, Rams, Ravens and Titans — remain in search of their first wins. The Bengals and Ravens have no business being in the cellar. Both entered the season with realistic expectations of challenging Kansas City for AFC supremacy but have struggled to find their elite form.
It’s early days, but the pressure is on. In the last 25 years, only four NFL teams have recovered from 0-3 starts and reached the play-offs.
The Ravens, coming off a stunning loss to the Raiders last week, head to Dallas — where the Cowboys are reeling after being blown out by the Saints. Baltimore’s defense has struggled thus far after an offseason filled with changes (top defensive coaches Mike Macdonald, Anthony Weaver and Dennard Wilson, as well as playmakers Patrick Queen and Jadeveon Clowney all left). The normally potent unit has allowed 26.5 points per game (fifth-most in the NFL). Frustrations have also plagued the offense, with Lamar Jackson and Co. leading the league with 417.5 yards per game. But things haven’t clicked when it matters most, as the Ravens have gone from allowing 28.4 points per game in 2023 to 21.5 after two weeks in 2024.
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Meanwhile, Cincinnati traditionally starts slowly but continues to search for offensive cohesion after a preseason dominated by contract disputes between the team and top wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. A surprise upset by the Patriots in Week 1 and a one-point loss to the Chiefs has the Bengals in an 0-2 hole. Joe Burrow looked more like himself last week when he threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns, but Chase managed just 35 yards on four receptions. Is this the week, at home against the Commanders, that the Bengals’ offense finally gets back on full steam?
Which of these would-be AFC powers will rise again before it’s too late? (Ravens at Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday; Commanders at Bengals, 8:15 p.m. ET Monday.)
3. The Legitimacy of Saints
It seemed premature to get excited about the Saints’ 47-10 win over the Panthers in Week 1, given Carolina’s struggles. But then the Saints went to Dallas and defeated the Cowboys 44-19. Dallas is considered one of the better teams in the NFC. So, could this previously mediocre New Orleans team really be real? Could new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak really make that much of a difference for quarterback Derek Carr and his teammates? And is a Saints defense that has held opponents to just 14.5 points per game just as legitimate? When will we know for sure?
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The Saints get another chance to prove themselves this week when they host the Eagles. Philadelphia is coming off a 22-21 loss to Atlanta after blowing a fourth-quarter lead. However, the Eagles are still considered a formidable opponent with a loaded offense and quality pieces on defense. It remains to be seen whether Jalen Hurts will have his best wide receiver, AJ Brown (hamstring), but Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert still provide plenty of firepower. If the Saints can contain this unit while continuing to light up the scoreboard, it might be time to change our opinion of them. (Eagles at Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET.)
4. The Panthers’ Truth Game
After two terrible outings from Bryce Young and the offense, rookie head coach Dave Canales benched the second-year franchise quarterback in favor of 14-year veteran Andy Dalton. The move is somewhat baffling considering the Panthers drafted Young first overall last season, fired coach Frank Reich after just 11 games, and now expect Young to lead a new offense at a high level despite limited preseason action.
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Young may have made poor decisions in his first two games, throwing three interceptions and no touchdowns. He’s also been sacked six times. But he’s certainly not to blame for all the other issues that come with talent deficiencies. Canales, however, doesn’t want to lose the locker room and has stated that Dalton gives the Panthers their best chance to beat the Raiders this week. Can Dalton help stop the bleeding, or is this team just as bad as it seems, regardless of who starts at quarterback? (Panthers at Raiders, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET.)
5. Will Levis have the last word?
Speaking of young quarterbacks on a short leash, Titans coach Brian Callahan’s frustrations with turnover-prone second-year quarterback Will Levis reached a boiling point last week. After opening the season with a fumble and an interception returned for a touchdown in a 24-17 loss to the Bears, Levis added a fumble and two interceptions in another 24-17 loss, this time to the Jets. Callahan gave Levis a French kiss on the sideline, then pulled no punches during his postgame press conference when asked about the quarterback’s blunders.
Levis throws the ball back and the Jets save the ball from a fumble!
📺: #NYJvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: photo.twitter.com/nZ38jEOfOo— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Levis acknowledged he needs to do better, but how many more chances will he get? Callahan and GM Ran Carthon believe they have a quality roster with a mix of proven veterans and emerging young players. They believe the Titans can compete in the AFC South. But it’s hard to win games when your quarterback is sloppy and makes bad decisions under pressure.
Tennessee is 0-2 and could have easily clawed its way to two wins if Levis had played with more confidence. He’ll get a chance to show improvement this week against visiting Green Bay. If Levis’ turnover woes continue, could we see fifth-year veteran Mason Rudolph soon? (Packers at Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET.)
(Top photo: Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
