The Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys headline the week three slate of the NFL season. Both teams are coming off bad losses and will be in each other’s way to a win. Will the Saints and Vikings continue their hot streaks for a third straight week? Are injured riddle teams going to find a way to get a win? Here are five things to watch in week 3.
NFL Week 3: What To Watch Out For
1. Ravens looking For First Win of the Season Against Cowboys
The Ravens, one of nine winless teams throughout two weeks of the season, weren’t on many people’s bingo cards. After a nail-bitter against the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in week one, the Ravens essentially gifted the Las Vegas Raiders a win last Sunday after having a ten-point lead with 12 minutes left in the game.
Sunday, the Ravens will go back on the road to take on a Cowboys team that was obliterated by the New Orleans Saints 44-19. This matchup is a big one for both teams; however, it is essentially a must-win for the Ravens. Dallas is 1-1, and a loss to the Ravens isn’t backbreaking this early in the season.
However, if the Ravens fall to 0-3 on Sunday, the rest of the season is an uphill climb to stay afloat in a loaded AFC conference. Baltimore is already in unfamiliar territory as the team has never opened the season 0-2, with Lamar Jackson starting as quarterback.
The Ravens have a demanding schedule ahead. They already play in a tough AFC North conference, but they also have matchups against the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans down the road.
2. Will the Vikings Prove Themselves as Contenders Against the Texans?
The Minnesota Vikings have been one of the many early-season surprises of the league. Last Sunday, they grabbed an impressive home win against the San Francisco 49ers, a team many think is the best in the NFC. It all came behind a defense that sacked 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy six times and forced two interceptions as well.
Sam Darnold has taken advantage of his opportunity to be the team’s starting quarterback. He has a Pro Football Focus(PFF) passing grade of 83.7, ranking third among quarterbacks in two weeks.
The Vikings will match up with the red-hot Houston Texans, and if the Vikings can pull off a win against the 49ers and Texans in back-to-back weeks, the Vikings will officially be a threat to any team in the NFC for conference supremacy from now on.
3. Will the Saints’ High-Scoring Offense Continue Against the Eagles?
The Saints currently lead the league in scoring with a whopping 45.5 points per game through two weeks. They have 11 total touchdowns, which also leads the league, and they are third in yards per game with 405.5.
The Saints get another favorable matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, who rank 30th in total defense, ranking 28th against the pass and 25th against the run. New Orleans made a statement against the Cowboys last week with a 44-19 win against a +6.5 underdog.
At home this Sunday, NO is a -2.5 favorite, showing how quickly the Saints have earned the respect of the oddsmakers. Philly will be heading to New Orleans on a short week having played on Monday night. It would not be surprising to see the Saints have another explosive outing on offense.
4. Rams, Niner’s Battle of the Wounded?
The Los Angeles Rams and 49ers will match up in an NFC showdown, and both teams are limping into the game only three weeks into the season. The Rams currently have stars Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua and many offensive linemen out for multiple weeks, while the Niners will be without stars Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and possibly George Kittle.
LA needs a win here if they want their season to stay on the rails before their stars are able to come back from injury. At 0-3, the Rams will have to think long and hard about bringing players back less than 100 percent if they believe they won’t be able to compete the rest of the way.
The Niners are favored by -6.5 despite their injuries, which shows how beaten up the Rams are this early in the season.
5. Caleb Williams Breakout Game Coming?
This season, the Number one overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft has gotten off to a rough start. Even though the Chicago Bears are 1-1 on the season, Williams has yet to throw for a touchdown pass so far this season and has been sacked nine times with two interceptions.
The Bears get a matchup against a vulnerable Indianapolis Colts defense right now, and it will provide a good opportunity for Williams to put together a solid performance.
Main Image: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
