Week 3 arrives with several expected contenders already under pressure, while quarterback injuries, coaching adjustments and an international matchup in Rio de Janeiro add urgency across the NFL schedule. Atlanta has already grabbed its first victory, with Michael Penix Jr. returning from his ACL recovery to lead the Falcons past Green Bay on the road.
Key takeaways
- Only 12.8 percent of teams starting 0-2 have reached the playoffs, while just five of 171 clubs that began 0-3 made the postseason.
- Houston visits Indianapolis with both AFC South teams seeking their first win of 2026.
- Chicago could be forced to start 38-year-old Case Keenum against Philadelphia if Tyson Bagent cannot play.
- Baltimore and Dallas meet at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro amid concerns about rain and the playing surface.
- Sean McVay owns a 3-1 coaching record against Sean Payton entering the Rams-Broncos Sunday night matchup.
Winless teams face an early turning point
The Chargers, Texans, Colts and Buccaneers entered the season with ambitions beyond an 0-2 start. Their margin for error is already shrinking: NFL research shows that fewer than 13 percent of 0-2 teams have recovered to make the playoffs.
Houston and Indianapolis will settle part of that issue when they meet Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Daniel Jones and the Colts have generated offense, but Indianapolis has allowed an NFL-worst 74 points through two games. The Texans have endured their own issues, with injuries at wide receiver and inconsistent offensive line play slowing the offense. Houston’s usually disruptive defense has also failed to create the defining plays expected from DeMeco Ryans’ unit.
The Chargers face an even more daunting assignment at Buffalo. Los Angeles has not yet found the expected boost from new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, and the defense has struggled during its transition to coordinator Chris O’Leary. Jim Harbaugh’s club then faces Seattle, Denver, Kansas City, the Rams, Houston and Baltimore in a punishing upcoming stretch.
Tampa Bay hosts Minnesota after ball-security mistakes hurt Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers failed to make key stops on third down. The Vikings expect Kyler Murray back after he cleared concussion protocol, creating a matchup between two former Oklahoma quarterbacks selected first overall in consecutive drafts. Murray, the 2019 No. 1 pick, is 3-0 against Mayfield, who went first in 2018.
- Chargers at Bills, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
- Texans at Colts, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Vikings at Buccaneers, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
Quarterback availability is shaping other games around the league. Seattle has reached 2-0 with Drew Lock taking over after Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury five plays into the opener. Darnold could return when the Seahawks travel to Washington.
The Commanders, however, will be without Jayden Daniels after he dislocated his left elbow again last week. Dan Quinn is handing the offense to Marcus Mariota, who went 2-6 in his starts last season. In New York, Jameis Winston takes over after Jaxson Dart sustained a season-ending knee injury. Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with an interception in Monday’s 28-6 defeat to the Rams.
Winston said his priority is to deliver sound fundamentals and sharp execution as he prepares for Tennessee. The Titans have been vulnerable against the run and on third down, and Winston will have his first full week working with New York’s starters before Sunday.
Chicago’s situation is also unsettled. Caleb Williams is sidelined by a hamstring strain, while Bagent is questionable for Monday night after clearing concussion protocol. If Bagent cannot play, Keenum would make his first NFL appearance since 2023. The veteran has played for eight franchises, but Bears coach Ben Johnson would need to adjust for the major difference between Williams’ mobility and Keenum’s skill set against Philadelphia.
- Titans at Giants, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Seahawks at Commanders, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
- Eagles at Bears, 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN
Coaching matchups and an overseas spotlight
Sunday night brings another meeting between McVay and Payton when the Rams visit Denver. McVay has won three of their four previous head-to-head meetings, including the 2018 NFC Championship Game overtime victory over Payton’s Saints.
Payton has given play-calling responsibilities to Davis Webb this season but remains closely involved in the Broncos’ offensive planning. Denver is still searching for consistency from quarterback Bo Nix despite reaching last season’s conference championship. The Rams bring a deeper offensive group led by Matthew Stafford, though wide receiver Puka Nacua remains out with a hip injury. Chris Shula coordinates Los Angeles’ defense, while Vance Joseph leads Denver’s unit.
Rams at Broncos kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
In the AFC North, Cincinnati can move to 3-0 with a victory at Pittsburgh. The Bengals have emerged as the division’s early standard under returning coach Zac Taylor, while three AFC North rivals changed head coaches during the offseason. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase reconnected last week against Houston, with Chase making nine receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Cincinnati opened the year by scoring 33 points against Tampa Bay, and its remade defense has limited opponents to 16.5 points per game.
Pittsburgh’s defense has kept the Steelers competitive, but the offense remains uneven behind a struggling line. Aaron Rodgers absorbed four sacks and seven hits in last week’s three-point performance. The Bengals could compound those problems if Pittsburgh cannot stabilize its protection.
Bengals at Steelers begins at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
The league’s second international game of the season sends Baltimore and Dallas to Rio de Janeiro, marking Brazil’s third straight year hosting an NFL contest. Unlike the previous two games in São Paulo, this one will be played at Maracanã Stadium.
Dallas enters at .500 after beating Washington, while Baltimore is attempting to respond after its fourth-quarter collapse against New Orleans. Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott headline a game that also features Ravens running back Derrick Henry and Cowboys receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
Field conditions remain the central concern after substantial rain in Rio. Players have frequently raised concerns that overseas fields designed primarily for soccer may not withstand the demands of an NFL game. League officials believe the Maracanã surface will satisfy league requirements, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, along with both head coaches, expressed confidence that the field will be ready. Its condition will become clear only when players begin pregame warmups.
Ravens vs. Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro starts at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS.
