Through two weeks of NFL action, there have been no shortage of tight finishes and surprising starts, both good and bad. The Miami Dolphins might be much better than most fans imagined and are off to a 2-0 start after a thrilling comeback win on the road in Baltimore last Sunday. The Indianapolis Colts, meanwhile, are gasping for air after two consecutive disappointing performances against the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars. Some teams enter Week 3 in desperation mode (Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Las Vegas), while others enter Week 3 with their heads held high, hoping to display that what we’ve seen so far is no fluke (Miami, New York Giants). Let’s dive into the matchups that define Sunday afternoon outside Texas.
Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1)
Game Time: 12:00pm CT
TV: CBS
Indianapolis finally plays their home opener on Sunday afternoon but did not expect to be winless as the Kansas City Chiefs come to town. The Colts’ offense was a concerning no-show last weekend in Jacksonville, being shutout 24-0 by a team with low expectations entering 2022. They should get Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce back at wide receiver for this game, which ought to help – but per usual, Indianapolis’ focus will be on running the football with Jonathan Taylor. On the other side of the football, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have been a machine on offense thus far in 2022 despite the departure of speedster Tyreek Hill. Kansas City is averaging more than 35 points per game heading into Sunday, a number the Colts will struggle to contend with if they can’t at least slow down the Chiefs’ attack.
Buffalo Bills (2-0) at Miami Dolphins (2-0)
Game Time: 12:00pm CT
TV: CBS
There hasn’t been a more impressive team in the NFL through two weeks than the Buffalo Bills. They’ve blown out last year’s Super Bowl Champion and last year’s #1 seed in the AFC in consecutive weeks, outscoring the Rams and Titans by a combined score of 72-17. They’ll head down to south Florida for a date with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon, a team that has exceeded expectations. It’s Buffalo’s second tough road test of the season, but this time they have a rest disadvantage and will have their benches placed directly in the hot Miami sun after departing chilly western New York. Tua Tagovailoa and his electric receiving duo are determined to show that what happened last week wasn’t a flash in the pan. They will undoubtedly have everyone’s attention if they find a way to top the mighty Bills.
Las Vegas Raiders (0-2) at Tennessee Titans (0-2)
Game Time: 12:00pm CT
TV: CBS
In stark contrast to Sunday’s Buffalo-Miami game, the Las Vegas Raiders will travel to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans in a matchup between teams desperate to change their narratives. Derek Carr has had the Raiders offense humming at times in the early going, but they’ve fallen short twice in close contests. Tennessee, meanwhile, let a lead evaporate against the Giants in Week 1 before never looking competitive Monday night in Buffalo. The Titans will look to get Derrick Henry going after two relatively dormant weeks, while Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones will look to force Ryan Tannehill into more turnovers.
Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at New England Patriots (1-1)
Game Time: 12:00pm CT
TV: CBS
The Baltimore Ravens are still licking their wounds after surrendering a 21-point fourth-quarter lead last week as they head on the road to face the New England Patriots. Lamar Jackson had a vintage performance in the loss, accounting for 437 yards of total offense and 4 touchdowns. New England’s defense was the star in their win last weekend in Pittsburgh and will need to be even better to defeat an angry Ravens team on Sunday afternoon. The Patriots’ offense certainly has a lot to prove as well, headlined by quarterback Mac Jones’ uneven play thus far in 2022. Baltimore’s banged-up secondary cost them last week against Miami; something Jones will be looking to exploit as each team looks for a 2-1 start.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) at New York Jets (1-1)
Game Time: 12:00pm CT
TV: CBS
The Cincinnati Bengals’ 0-2 start is as surprising and disappointing as any team in the league, and they’ll be looking to avoid an 0-3 start on Sunday afternoon. No Super Bowl participant has started the following season 0-3 since 2002, and the Bengals will certainly enter Metlife Stadium expecting to win against the New York Jets Sunday afternoon. The Jets are riding high after an improbable comeback last Sunday in Cleveland and have made at least some of their fans believe in Joe Flacco’s ability to consistently lead their offense to points. One hot quarter of offense might be something to build on, but New York’s offense has far from proven anything to this point. They can change that with a strong performance on Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) at Washington Commanders (1-1)
Game Time: 12:00pm CT
TV: FOX
The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders both play their first divisional game of the season on Sunday as the Eagles head south to FedEx Field. Both teams have been involved in shootouts on the road in Detroit over the season’s first two weeks, but only Philadelphia came out of the Motor City with a win. Washington’s offense has been encouraging with new quarterback Carson Wentz, but the Commanders’ defense – especially the secondary – has been porous in the early going. Philadelphia has moved the ball at will in each of its first two games by featuring all aspects of Jalen Hurts’ talent behind strong play in the trenches. Washington will need to prove its toughness in a major way to have a chance for the home win.
Detroit Lions (1-1) at Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
Game Time: 12:00pm CT
TV: FOX
Fans of the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings have seen their emotions run the gamut over the season’s first two weeks and are likely headed toward a shootout Sunday afternoon at US Bank Stadium. Detroit has scored an impressive 71 points through two games, second only to the mighty Buffalo Bills. Minnesota showcased their explosiveness in the opener against a very good Green Bay team in Week 1 but sputtered in a Monday night loss at Philadelphia. In their two matchups last season, each team won a game by exactly two points – but the Vikings have won seven of the last eight in the series overall. The biggest challenge for the Lions will be contending with all-world Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson, who torched them for a whopping 306 yards combined in 2021’s matchups.
New Orleans Saints (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2)
Game Time: 12:00pm CT
TV: FOX
The Carolina Panthers come home looking for answers in Week 3, having held second-half leads twice but sitting at 0-2 nonetheless. They’ll welcome the New Orleans Saints to town for a divisional matchup, a team they are 1-5 against over the past three seasons. The Saints are looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss at the hands of the Buccaneers, a team they’d previously played exceptionally well against. New Orleans had chances to win the game but were ultimately undone by three Jameis Winston interceptions – and five total turnovers by their offense. Alvin Kamara’s return will undoubtedly help the Saints, but more than anything taking care of the football will be a key to success for the Saints on Sunday.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)
Game Time: 3:05pm CT
TV: CBS
The biggest question surrounding the Los Angeles Chargers Week 3 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars is the status of Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert, who injured his ribs two Thursday nights ago in Kansas City. Los Angeles entered the season with big expectations and has thus far lived up to them for the most part despite their 1-1 record. Chase Daniel would take over the reins at quarterback should Justin Herbert miss Sunday’s game, news that would certainly please Jacksonville fans. The Jaguars looked dominant last Sunday in their shutout win over the Colts and seem to clearly be taking a step forward with new head coach Doug Pederson. Regardless of who starts at quarterback for the Chargers, a win on the road at SoFi Stadium would be an early sign that the Jaguars have arrived – and would give them first place in the AFC South.
Green Bay Packers (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Game Time: 3:25pm CT
TV: FOX
All eyes will be on Tampa Bay during the late window Sunday afternoon as two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history do battle at Raymond James Stadium. Aaron Rodgers looked a lot more like himself in Week 2 than in Week 1, leading Green Bay to a comfortable 27-10 win over the Bears that was reminiscent of many that came before it. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, exorcized some demons in a hard-fought victory in New Orleans. Tampa’s defense has led the way through two games, allowing only 13 total points, while the Bucs’ offense works toward getting healthier and doing a better job of protecting their Hall of Fame quarterback. The two quarterbacks have faced off four times previously, with Tom Brady winning three. If Brady wants to make it four of five, he’ll need to do so without top three wide receivers, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and Julio Jones.
Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
Game Time: 3:25pm CT
TV: FOX
The entire NFC West sits at 1-1 through the first two weeks of the season, making the Los Angeles Rams’ trip to Arizona for Week 3 an especially important early season game. Los Angeles hasn’t lost on the road in the desert since 2014, meaning the only player on the Rams’ roster who took part in their last loss in Arizona was Aaron Donald. The Cardinals narrowly escaped defeat a week ago, scoring a touchdown and two-point conversion as time expired to tie the game in Las Vegas before winning on a fumble return touchdown in overtime. The tide really turned for Arizona in a positive way late in the game as Kyler Murray started to run the ball. He’ll certainly need to use his legs effectively once again if Arizona is to upset the defending Super Bowl Champions. Sean McVay is 10-1 against the Cardinals as the Rams head coach, including a blowout win in the Wild Card round of last season’s playoffs.
Atlanta Falcons (0-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
Game Time: 3:25pm CT
TV: FOX
The positive emotions from the Seattle Seahawks’ win over former quarterback Russell Wilson, and the Broncos quickly disappeared in their blowout loss to the 49ers. Seattle hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown for six quarters now, which it is pretty safe to say will need to change if they intend to beat the visiting Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon. Atlanta sits at 0-2 but has been competitive against teams expected to make the NFC playoffs in both games. They’ve lost those two games by a combined five points and now face their best opportunity yet at an early season win.
San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Denver Broncos (1-1)
Game Time: 7:20pm CT
TV: NBC
Russell Wilson’s tenure in Denver is off to a rocky start, as the Broncos scored only 16 points in each of their first two games despite playing as heavy favorites over both Seattle and Houston. Rookie Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett has bungled his handling of clock management in most fans’ and analysts’ eyes, which, combined with Wilson’s mediocre play, has created huge concerns over the Broncos’ immediate future. The San Francisco 49ers lost starting quarterback Trey Lance a week ago against Seattle but feel they’re in excellent hands with longtime starter Jimmy Garoppolo back in the saddle. Garoppolo and the 49ers dominated the Seahawks on both sides of the ball a week ago and will look to kick the Broncos while they’re down amid their early season frustrations.