The week begins and ends with an NFC North team playing host in prime time. The Green Bay Packers kick this off by welcoming the winless Falcons to Lambeau Field on Thursday night. Week 3 ends in the Windy City with a clash of reigning division champions.
It’s also a slate of games in which numerous teams will be starting their second different quarterback of the season due to injury or ineffectiveness.
Finally, while there is no matchup of undefeated clubs in Week 3, there is one contest featuring a pair of winless clubs, and four games where a 2-0 team battles a 0-2 squad. Yikes.
Football food for thought in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL Season
Thursday, Sept. 24
Atlanta (0-2) at Green Bay (1-1): The Falcons make their first appearance at Lambeau Field since 2020, and are still looking to get their offense untracked. Matt LaFleur’s club rallied from a 17-7 fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Jets in overtime last Sunday. Michael Penix Jr. makes his first of 2026 for Atlanta.
Sunday, Sept. 27
Kansas City (2-0) at Miami (0-2): Andy Reid’s team escaped with an overtime win at home against the Colts, and now hits the road for the first time this season. The Dolphins play their first home game of 2026. It’s been a rough start to the Jeff Hafley Era in South Florida, outscored 62-26 in two setbacks.
Houston (0-2) at Indianapolis (0-2): Once again, DeMeco Ryans’s squad—who opened 0-3 in 2025 and still made the playoffs—has dug itself an early hole thanks to a pair of home losses. The Colts’ defense has had no answers so far this season, allowing 500-plus yards in two games and a total of eight offensive TDs.
Tennessee (0-2) at N.Y. Giants (1-1): The Titans were on the verge of a major upset last week but couldn’t stop the Eagles late in the fourth quarter. John Harbaugh’s club lost Jaxson Dart in the first quarter on Monday night and his 2026 season is over. Tight end Isaiah Likely is off to a great start with Big Blue.
New England (1-1) at Jacksonville (1-1): In 2024, the Patriots and Jaguars both finished with 4-13 records. Last season, new head coaches Liam Coen and Mike Vrabel led their clubs to division titles with 13-4 and 14-3 marks, respectively. Including three playoff clashes, the Pats own a 12-3 lifetime lead in this series.
Cincinnati (2-0) at Pittsburgh (1-1): For the second consecutive season, Zac Taylor’s club has won its first two games. Pittsburgh’s offense has scored one touchdown, while the Steelers’ defense has allowed two offensive TDs in two outings. The Bengals have outscored its first two opponents, 31-13, in the first half.
Carolina (1-1) at Cleveland (1-1): The Panthers have put a combined 71 points on the board in their first two games, and forced five turnovers in last Sunday’s 34-3 victory at Atlanta. Browns’ quarterback Deshaun Watson rebounded from a forgettable game at Jacksonville and helped stun the Buccaneers.
N.Y. Jets (1-1) at Detroit (1-1): Aaron Glenn’s team blew a chance to open the season 2-0, but wound up falling in overtime to the Packers. The Lions have scored 31 points in each of their first two games, but have allowed 30-plus in each contest. The Jets have given up the fewest yards in the NFL after two weeks.
Seattle (2-0) at Washington (0-2): Mike Macdonald’s club heads to Landover for the second consecutive season. The Commanders begin a three-game homestand after kicking off 2026 with a pair of road losses to NFC East rivals. Seattle’s current winning streak now stands at 12 games, by a combined 344-162 score.
L.A. Chargers (0-2) at Buffalo (2-0): The Bolts are off to a 0-2 start for the second time in four years, and haven’t lost their first three games since a 0-4 start in 2017. Buffalo’s Josh Allen has been sensational, but here’s a shoutout to defender Greg Rousseau via four sacks and three forced fumbles in two games.
Minnesota (2-0) at Tampa Bay (0-2): Kevin O’Connell’s club is 2-0 for the second time in three years, while the Bucs are 0-2 start for the first time since 2014. Quarterback Kyler Murray returns to the Vikings’ starting lineup. Baker Mayfield has thrown one TD passes and committed four turnovers in two games.
Arizona (1-1) at San Francisco (2-0): The Cardinals face an NFC West rival for the second straight week, and have lost seven consecutive divisional games dating back to last season. Off a win over the Dolphins at Levi’s Stadium, the Niners are playing their second of three straight home games on Sunday.
Las Vegas (2-0) at New Orleans (1-1): A year ago, the Raiders and Saints finished last in their respective divisions. Both have opened some eyes, especially this past week as they upset the Chargers and Ravens on the road, respectively. Las Vegas is 2-0 for the first time since 2021, the team’s last playoff campaign.
Baltimore (1-1) vs. Dallas (1-1) (Rio de Janeiro): After rolling the Colts, the Ravens returned home and fell to the Saints. Dallas rebound from a Sunday night loss to the Giants and rolled the Commanders. Read carefully: Baltimore has scored 58 points and allowed 47, Dallas has totaled 57 points and allowed 48.
Sunday night
L.A. Rams (1-1) at Denver (1-1): Sean McVay’s offense was clicking on all cylinders as Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams humbled the Giants’ secondary. Sean Payton’s team dug itself an early hole, then rallied to knock off the Jaguars. Both the Rams and Broncos were 5-0 in interconference games in 2025.
Monday, Sept. 28
Philadelphia (2-0) at Chicago (1-1): Nick Sirianni’s club has won two games by a combined six points, and now heads to the Windy City for the first time since 2022 and look to avenge a 24-15 home loss to Ben Johnson’s club on “Black Friday” last season. The Eagles’ shaky run defense could be in for a tricky night.
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