National Football League

NFL Week 3: 5 best games on Sunday

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) celebrates with wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Jaguars 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

It’s Week 3 of the NFL regular season, and the matchups are getting better by the Sunday.

5. Baltimore Ravens at Jacksonville Jaguars

This is a win-or-go-home contest for the Jaguars. At 0-2, Jacksonville is on the edge of completely falling out of the postseason race … in Week 3. In come the Ravens to EverBank Field at 2-0, having beaten the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns.

Both teams have plenty to look at and believe the best is yet to come. For Baltimore, the only touchdowns it has scored this season are courtesy of Mike Wallace. At some point, Steve Smith Sr. and Justin Forsett are going to become more involved. On defense, Elvis Dumervil is coming back and should provide a nice pass rush opposite of Terrell Suggs.

Meanwhile, things can’t be any worse for the Jaguars. Jacksonville is yet to record an interception and only has four sacks. The Jaguars have also seen zero production out of Myles Jack (two tackles), Allen Robinson (126 receiving yards) and Blake Bortles (3 touchdowns, 3 interceptions). In short, it can only get better for a team that was expected to compete in the AFC South alongside the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Nelson Agholor (not pictured) in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia defeated Cleveland 29-10. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

4. Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles

The battle of 2-0 teams from Pennsylvania. The Steelers might be the most impressive team in the NFL to this early point in the season, and that’s saying something considering all the pieces they are without. Pittsburgh has not gotten a down from Markus Wheaton, Ladarius Green, Le’Veon Bell or Martavis Bryant, and it is still averaging 32 points per game.

Philadelphia is simply trying to prove it is not an overrated team. The Eagles have beaten the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears to this point, two of the doormats in the league. The big story has been the play of Carson Wentz, who has exceeded all reasonable expectations. Wentz, the second-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, has looked the part of a cool and confident franchise quarterback.

If the Eagles can find a way to beat the Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field this weekend, they will be taken very seriously. Philadelphia would also be tied for the lead in the NFC East (at worst, depending on what the New York Giants do against the Washington Redskins) and starting to take on the persona of a true contender.

This could be a game decided by who has the ball last, and which defense makes the one big play.

OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 06: Marcus Peters

3. New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs

This might be the most evenly-matched game of the week. New York and Kansas City are both 1-1, and bring nasty defenses and talented offenses into Arrowhead Stadium. The Jets have had some extra time to prepare for this week, having played on Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills, perhaps giving them a slight advantage.

The key for Kansas City is finally getting the offense on track. Through two games, Alex Smith and Co. have only looked good for two quarters (and an overtime drive) against the San Diego Chargers. Last week, the offense could only manager four field goals in a penalty and turnover-filled affair with the Houston Texans.

The main source of yardage has been Spencer Ware. Ware is averaging 6.0 yards per carry and has 177 receiving yards, which is more than Antonio Brown to this point. New York has been stingy against the run, tied for 11th in the NFL (ironically, with Kansas City) at 3.8 yards per carry allowed.

On the other side, the Jets will want to throw early and often. Ryan Fitzpatrick has a trio of receivers in Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall and Quincy Enunwa, albeit with Marshall being a game-time decision with a sprained MCL. New York could find success against the Chiefs through the air, with Justin Houston out.

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) catches a touchdown pass past Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

2. Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers

If Minnesota can win this game, it would be one of the great coaching jobs in recent memory. The Vikings are without both running back Adrian Peterson and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, leaving Sam Bradford, Jerick McKinnon and Ronnie Hillman instead. At 2-0, Minnesota is trying to keep rolling, but it will be tough against a stout Panthers squad.

Carolina has not lost at home since 2014 and pounced on the San Francisco 49ers last week, winning with 46 points. The Panthers will be challenged this Sunday to score half that, against one of the best defenses in the league. Minnesota plays a 4-3 defense and can bring some serious heat from the front with Everson Griffen, Anthony Barr and others coming from all angles.

Cam Newton needs to make some plays with both his arm and legs. If he can break contain and get out of the pocket, the Vikings will be hard-pressed to win this game. Minnesota needs to keep this game under 20 points on both sides, while causing a few turnovers and capitalizing on btoh special teams and defense.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) against the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals

Denver might be the first Super Bowl champion to get no respect in the season it won, and then get none the following year. The Broncos do have some obvious holes, specifically at quarterback, but the defense is still an all-time unit. The defense also scores points, as evidenced by the two touchdowns it put on the Colts last weekend.

Cincinnati will pose a much stiffer test than Indianapolis, however. The Bengals are a very talented, diverse offense with A.J. Green on the outside, and Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill in the backfield. Andy Dalton has also been playing some tremendous football, throwing for a league-high 732 yards throughout the first two weeks.

For the Bengals, this is their home opener. At 1-1, Cincinnati desperately need to get a win to keep pace in the AFC North with two undefeated teams ahead of it. Should the Bengals lose on Sunday, they will have a tough road ahead with Pittsburgh streaking and only one game left against the Steelers.

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