High NFL Week 3 storylines: Will Vikings or Texans go 3-0? Can Andy Dalton assist Panthers?

Comply with stay protection of Chiefs vs. Falcons on Sunday Night time Soccer at present

One other week, one other spherical of action-packed matchups throughout the NFL.

This week’s slate affords a little bit of all the things: A group of unbeaten groups making an attempt to construct on spectacular begins, a forged of determined squads nonetheless looking for their first wins, gamers looking for redemption and extra.

The Week 3 motion kicked off Thursday with a Jets win over the Patriots. Sunday options 13 video games earlier than the weekend concludes with a “Monday Night time Soccer” doubleheader: Jacksonville (0-2) visits Buffalo (2-0) at 7:30 p.m. ET, adopted by Washington (1-1) at Cincinnati (0-2) at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Listed here are 5 compelling storylines to comply with in Week 3. (Discover the schedule right here.)

1. Who improves to 3-0?

9 of 32 groups stay unbeaten getting into Week 3. The esteemed group: The Payments, Buccaneers, Chargers, Chiefs, Saints, Seahawks, Steelers, Texans and Vikings.

At the least two of those groups could have their good information dirty this weekend, as a result of the schedule options two video games between undefeated groups: Texans at Vikings and Chargers at Steelers.

The Texans, led by second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans, displayed grit and resilience of their first two video games of the season. They held off the Colts for a 29-27 highway win in Week 1, then weathered challenges from a stout Bears protection at dwelling final Sunday evening. Now they tackle a Vikings squad that has been one of many early season surprises.

Many anticipated Kevin O’Connell’s staff to take some steps backward following Kirk Cousins’ departure for the Falcons. As a substitute, new beginning quarterback Sam Darnold appears like a person reborn. Deemed a bust after terrible experiences with the Jets and Panthers, Darnold (the third choose of the 2018 draft) spent final season as a backup in San Francisco, then was signed by Minnesota as an insurance coverage coverage for the rookie quarterback it deliberate to draft. However after J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee harm in August, the Vikings turned to Darnold, and he has delivered two robust performances to assist Minnesota take an early lead within the NFC North. Can Darnold proceed his resurgence towards a Texans protection that ranks third-stingiest in yards allowed and second in sacks by way of two video games? (Talking of sacks, Minnesota has 11, so Stroud and Houston’s line higher buckle up.)

In the meantime, Chargers-Steelers ought to have a throwback really feel. New coach Jim Harbaugh has guided L.A. to back-to-back victories whereas leaning closely on a robust run recreation (​​working again J.Okay. Dobbins leads the NFL with 266 speeding yards) and dominant protection (227.5 yards and solely 6.5 factors allowed). The Chargers may wish that speeding assault and stout protection greater than ever Sunday, as a result of quarterback Justin Herbert (three landing passes, one interception by way of two video games) is questionable with a excessive ankle sprain. Curiously, Pittsburgh makes use of an analogous strategy. By way of two weeks, Mike Tomlin’s Steelers protection additionally has dominated, permitting 260.5 yards and simply 8.0 factors per recreation. That protection and a speeding assault that averages 139 yards per recreation has helped ease strain on Justin Fields, who is anticipated to start out his third recreation rather than a hobbled Russell Wilson.

It is probably not horny, however this strategy has served each groups effectively. Which bruising squad will keep unbeaten? (Texans at Vikings and Chargers at Steelers, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)

2. Desperation rising for 0-2 groups

From 2-0 squads … to people who are 0-2. 9 such groups — the Bengals, Broncos, Colts, Giants, Jaguars, Panthers, Rams, Ravens and Titans — stay looking for their first victories. The Bengals and Ravens haven’t any enterprise being within the basement. Each started the season with practical expectations of difficult Kansas Metropolis for AFC supremacy but have struggled to recapture their elite kinds.

It’s nonetheless early, however the strain is on. Within the final 25 years, solely 4 NFL groups have rebounded from 0-3 begins to achieve the playoffs.

The Ravens, who suffered a shocking loss to the Raiders final week, head to Dallas — the place the Cowboys are reeling after getting blown out by the Saints. To date, Baltimore’s protection has struggled following an offseason of change (high defensive coaches Mike Macdonald, Anthony Weaver and Dennard Wilson in addition to playmakers Patrick Queen and Jadeveon Clowney all departed). The normally stout unit has surrendered 26.5 factors per recreation (fifth most within the NFL). Frustrations additionally plague the offense. Lamar Jackson and firm do lead the league with 417.5 yards per recreation. However issues aren’t clicking when it issues most, because the Ravens have gone from scoring 28.4 factors per recreation in 2023 to 21.5 by way of two weeks in 2024.

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In the meantime, Cincinnati historically will get off to sluggish begins, however stays looking for offensive cohesion after a preseason dominated by contract disputes between the staff and high huge receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. An upset by the hands of the Patriots in Week 1, and a one-point loss to the Chiefs, has the Bengals of their 0-2 gap. Joe Burrow seemed extra like himself final week whereas throwing for 258 yards and two touchdowns, however Chase managed simply 35 yards on 4 receptions. Is that this the week, at dwelling towards the Commanders, the Bengals’ offense lastly kicks again into excessive gear?

Which of those projected AFC powers will regain their footing earlier than it’s too late? (Ravens at Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday; Commanders at Bengals, 8:15 p.m. ET Monday.)

3. Saints’ legitimacy

It appeared untimely to get excited concerning the Saints’ 47-10 trouncing of the Panthers in Week 1, given Carolina’s problem. However then the Saints went to Dallas and thumped the Cowboys 44-19. Dallas is considered one of many higher groups within the NFC. So, may this beforehand middling New Orleans staff truly be for actual? May new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak actually have made that a lot of a distinction for quarterback Derek Carr and his teammates? And is a Saints protection that has held opponents to only 14.5 factors per recreation equally as legit? When will we all know for certain?

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The Saints will obtain one other alternative to show themselves this week as they host the Eagles. Philadelphia is coming off a 22-21 loss to Atlanta after blowing a fourth-quarter lead. The Eagles are, nonetheless, nonetheless seen as a formidable opponent with a loaded offense and high quality items on protection. It stays to be seen if Jalen Hurts could have his high huge receiver, A.J. Brown (hamstring), however Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert nonetheless provide loads of firepower. If the Saints can comprise this unit whereas additionally persevering with to gentle up the scoreboard, it might be time to alter our opinions about them. (Eagles at Saints, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)

4. Panthers’ truth-teller recreation

After two atrocious outings from Bryce Younger and the offense, rookie head coach Dave Canales benched the second-year franchise quarterback in favor of 14-year veteran Andy Dalton. The transfer is reasonably perplexing on condition that the Panthers drafted Younger first total final season, fired coach Frank Reich after simply 11 video games and now count on Younger to direct a brand new offense at a excessive stage regardless of restricted preseason motion.

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Younger might have made poor choices in his first two video games whereas throwing three interceptions and no touchdowns. He additionally obtained sacked six occasions. However he’s definitely to not blame for the entire different struggles associated to expertise deficiencies. Canales, nonetheless, doesn’t wish to lose the locker room and has declared that Dalton provides the Panthers their greatest likelihood to win this week towards the Raiders. Can Dalton assist cease the bleeding, or is that this staff as dangerous because it appears no matter who begins at quarterback? (Panthers at Raiders, 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday.)

5. Will Levis’ final stand?

Talking of younger quarterbacks on a brief leash …. Titans coach Brian Callahan’s frustrations with turnover-prone second-year quarterback Will Levis reached a boiling level final week. After opening the season with a fumble and interception returned for a landing in a 24-17 loss to the Bears, Levis added a fumble and two interceptions in one other 24-17 loss, this time to the Jets. Callahan gave Levis a tongue lashing on the sideline after which didn’t mince phrases in his postgame information convention when requested concerning the quarterback’s blunders.

Levis flips it backwards and its a Jets fumble restoration!

📺: #NYJvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/nZ38jEOfOo

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

Levis acknowledged he must do higher, however what number of extra probabilities will he get? Callahan and GM Ran Carthon consider they’ve a top quality roster with a mixture of confirmed veterans and rising younger contributors. They consider the Titans can compete inside the AFC South. It’s onerous to win video games, nonetheless, when your quarterback is sloppy and shows poor decision-making underneath strain.

Tennessee is 0-2 and really effectively may have scratched and clawed its option to two wins had Levis performed with extra poise. He’ll get an opportunity to show enchancment this week towards visiting Inexperienced Bay. If Levis’ turnover woes proceed, may we quickly see fifth-year veteran Mason Rudolph? (Packers at Titans, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)

(High picture: Alex Slitz / Getty Photos)