The NFL Week 3 schedule is set to feature several intriguing matchups, with quarterback injuries, early-season surprises and shifting expectations shaping the slate.
Green Bay opens the week against Atlanta on Thursday Night Football, while Sunday features major games involving the Bills, Chiefs, Bengals, Ravens, 49ers and Seahawks. The week closes with the Philadelphia Eagles visiting the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
For fans following NFL power rankings, Week 3 could provide important evidence about which teams are genuine contenders and which early-season results may not be sustainable.
NFL Week 3 Schedule and Predictions
Here is a matchup-by-matchup look at the Week 3 slate based on the information and expert projections available Tuesday, Sept. 22.
| Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Expert/Projected Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons vs Packers | Sept. 24 | 8:15 p.m. | Packers 27, Falcons 7 |
| Chargers vs Bills | Sept. 27 | 1 p.m. | Bills 33, Chargers 17 |
| Chiefs vs Dolphins | Sept. 27 | 1 p.m. | Chiefs 30, Dolphins 16 |
| Patriots vs Jaguars | Sept. 27 | 1 p.m. | Patriots 31, Jaguars 27 |
| Jets vs Lions | Sept. 27 | 1 p.m. | — |
| Bengals vs Steelers | Sept. 27 | 1 p.m. | — |
| Panthers vs Browns | Sept. 27 | 1 p.m. | Panthers 28, Browns 17 |
| Texans vs Colts | Sept. 27 | 1 p.m. | Texans 23, Colts 20 |
| Titans vs Giants | Sept. 27 | 1 p.m. | Giants 27, Titans 20 |
| Seahawks vs Commanders | Sept. 27 | 1 p.m. | Seahawks 28, Commanders 17 |
| Vikings vs Buccaneers | Sept. 27 | 4:05 p.m. | — |
| Cardinals vs 49ers | Sept. 27 | 4:05 p.m. | 49ers 31, Cardinals 17 |
| Ravens vs Cowboys | Sept. 27 | 4:25 p.m. | — |
| Raiders vs Saints | Sept. 27 | 4:25 p.m. | Saints 24, Raiders 23 |
| Rams vs Broncos | Sept. 27 | 8:20 p.m. | — |
| Eagles vs Bears | Sept. 28 | 8:15 p.m. | Eagles 24, Bears 17 |
Falcons vs Packers
NFL Week 3 begins Thursday night when the Atlanta Falcons visit the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay is listed as a 7.5-point favorite in the supplied odds. Michael Penix Jr. is expected to return as Atlanta’s quarterback, while Jordan Love leads the Packers.
One projection has Green Bay winning 27-7. The Packers enter the matchup after escaping the New York Jets in overtime, while Atlanta is still searching for its first victory.
Chargers vs Bills
The Los Angeles Chargers face a difficult road matchup against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo is listed as a 2.5-point favorite. Josh Allen and the Bills are coming off a strong performance, while the Chargers enter the game at 0-2.
Two supplied projections have Buffalo winning comfortably, with scores of 33-17 and 31-21.
Chiefs vs Dolphins
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs travel to Miami for a matchup against the Dolphins.
Kansas City is a seven-point favorite in the supplied odds. Miami is 0-2 after being outscored 62-26 during its first two road games.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, have received strong early-season attention, including a 382-yard passing performance from Mahomes in Week 2. One projection has Kansas City winning 30-16.
Patriots vs Jaguars
The New England Patriots visit Jacksonville in another matchup with an interesting spread.
The Jaguars are listed as 2.5- to 3-point favorites, but one projection has the Patriots winning 31-27.
Jacksonville is coming off a loss to Denver, while New England is dealing with injuries, including the loss of offensive lineman Mike Onwenu.
Jets vs Lions
The New York Jets travel to Ford Field to face the Detroit Lions.
Detroit is listed as a substantial favorite, while the Jets enter at 1-1 after their overtime loss to Green Bay.
The Jets’ defense has allowed only 197 yards per game through two weeks, according to the supplied information. Detroit, meanwhile, is coming off a 41-31 loss to Buffalo.
Bengals vs Steelers
The Cincinnati Bengals visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC North matchup.
Cincinnati is listed as a 1.5-point favorite. The Bengals have impressed defensively through two weeks, while Pittsburgh has allowed only 16 points but managed just three points in its loss to New England.
The matchup could come down to Cincinnati’s passing attack against a Pittsburgh secondary dealing with injury concerns.
Panthers vs Browns
The Carolina Panthers travel to Cleveland after both teams picked up their first wins of the season in Week 2.
Carolina is a three-point favorite in the supplied odds. One projection has the Panthers defeating the Browns 28-17.
The Panthers’ offense has produced points early in the season, while Cleveland will look to build on its Week 2 victory over Tampa Bay.
Texans vs Colts
The Houston Texans meet the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Houston is listed as a 2.5-point favorite. The Texans are looking to avoid another slow start after beginning the 2025 season 0-3 before eventually reaching the playoffs.
One projection has Houston winning 23-20, while another has the Texans taking the game 21-14.
Titans vs Giants
The Tennessee Titans visit the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
The Giants are three-point favorites, with one projection calling for a 27-20 New York victory.
The matchup also features rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart for the Giants, while Tennessee continues its search for its first win.
Seahawks vs Commanders
The Seattle Seahawks visit Washington with the Commanders facing a major quarterback issue.
Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow in Washington’s Week 2 loss to Dallas, leaving Marcus Mariota expected to take over at quarterback.
Seattle is a 3.5-point favorite, and one projection has the Seahawks winning 28-17.
The Seahawks’ defense has been one of the notable strengths entering NFL Week 3.
Vikings vs Buccaneers
Minnesota travels to Tampa Bay for a late-afternoon matchup.
The Vikings are 2-0 and have had to rely on Carson Wentz while Kyler Murray works through concussion protocol. The supplied information indicates there is optimism Murray could return for Week 3.
Minnesota’s defense has allowed an average of just 12.5 points per game through two weeks.
Cardinals vs 49ers
The Arizona Cardinals face the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
San Francisco is a significant 11.5-point favorite in the supplied odds. The 49ers have scored 35 points against Miami and have looked productive offensively.
Arizona, meanwhile, is coming off a loss to Seattle after opening the season with a victory over the Chargers.
One projection has San Francisco winning 31-17.
Ravens vs Cowboys
The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys meet in Brazil at Maracana Stadium.
Baltimore is listed as a three-point favorite, but Dallas has reasons for optimism after scoring 20 points against Washington in Week 2.
The Ravens’ injury report could be important, particularly with Zay Flowers and Ronnie Stanley among the players whose availability could affect the matchup.
Raiders vs Saints
The Las Vegas Raiders travel to New Orleans for the Saints’ home opener.
New Orleans is a three-point favorite, while the Raiders enter Week 3 at 2-0.
Tyler Shough has been one of the notable early-season storylines for the Saints after leading a fourth-quarter comeback against Baltimore. One projection has New Orleans winning a close 24-23 game.
Rams vs Broncos
The Los Angeles Rams travel to Denver for Sunday Night Football.
The Rams are listed as 2.5-point road favorites, although the supplied analysis questions that line after Denver’s Week 2 victory over Jacksonville.
Denver’s home-field advantage and recent improvement could make this an important game for both teams as they attempt to establish momentum.
Eagles vs Bears
NFL Week 3 concludes Monday night when the Philadelphia Eagles visit the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Philadelphia enters the matchup undefeated, while Chicago is 1-1.
The biggest question surrounds the quarterbacks. Caleb Williams is considered week-to-week with a hamstring injury, while the Eagles are also monitoring the availability of Saquon Barkley.
One projection has Philadelphia winning 24-17.
NFL Power Rankings: What Week 3 Could Change
The early NFL power rankings picture remains fluid because teams have played only two games.
Several teams have already created momentum, including the unbeaten Eagles and Vikings, while the Chiefs have generated attention after a strong offensive start. The Seahawks’ defense has also emerged as a major storyline.
At the other end of the standings, injuries could significantly affect several teams. Washington is dealing with Daniels’ elbow injury, Chicago is monitoring Williams’ hamstring, and other clubs have important players listed on their injury reports.
Week 3 therefore represents another opportunity for teams to separate themselves from the pack before the season develops further.
Key NFL Week 3 Storylines
Quarterback injuries: Daniels and Williams are among the most important injury situations heading into the week.
Chiefs’ offense: Kansas City enters Week 3 after a productive start led by Mahomes.
Bills’ momentum: Buffalo has a chance to move to 3-0 against a Chargers team still searching for its first win.
49ers vs Cardinals: San Francisco enters as one of the biggest favorites of the week.
Eagles’ undefeated start: Philadelphia can remain perfect with a victory over Chicago.
Falcons’ quarterback change: Penix’s return could change Atlanta’s offensive outlook against Green Bay.
Final Look at NFL Week 3
The NFL Week 3 schedule offers a mixture of divisional battles, potential statement games and important quarterback storylines. With several teams sitting at 2-0 and others still searching for their first victory, the results could bring significant movement in the NFL power rankings.
The supplied expert projections favor several teams, but early-season NFL games can quickly change the league’s outlook. Injuries, quarterback availability and home-field advantage will all be important factors throughout the week.
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