If Week 3 in the NFL feels long, just remember: We haven’t even gotten to the Sunday slate yet.
Aside from the injuries to notable players that seem to be stacking up, the Patriots’ Antonio Brown experiment came to its conclusion and the Dolphins might be done trying to go 0-16.
When things do finally kick off, we’ll be treated to a day featuring a marquee matchup of young quarterbacks, a passing of the torch for a local squad and an up-and-coming team looking to get back on track.
Here’s what we’ll be looking for when things kick off on Sunday:
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Two of the NFL’s most entertaining quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson will face off, making this a fun watch between a pair of unbeaten teams. Mahomes captured the league’s attention last year and has shown no signs of slowing down, while Jackson has dazzled in his first two games this season. Plus, for two teams that look like early playoff contenders, this game could have ramifications down the line.
Against the Dolphins and Cardinals, Jackson completed 41-of-57 passes for 596 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions while running 19 times for 126 yards. Now he faces a much tougher test against the Chiefs defense, a matchup in which he could prove he’s here to stay even more.
New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX)
It’s the start of a new era. All eyes will be on Daniel Jones, the rookie taking over for Eli Manning, who has started 232 of the Giants’ last 233 games. The Giants have plenty of problems to address elsewhere, including their porous defense, but Jones will try to give the team a spark after he showed in the preseason he was capable of running the offense and moving the ball.
On the other side, ex-Jets coach Todd Bowles will try to make Jones’ debut as uncomfortable as possible. The Buccaneers defensive coordinator has his unit flying to the ball and getting after quarterbacks, as it did last Thursday by suffocating Cam Newton.
Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Browns (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
The Browns took a step in the right direction under the bright lights of primetime Monday and will be back in the spotlight for “Sunday Night Football” against the defending NFC champs. Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr. are finding their chemistry and after looking just fine against the Jets, will try to duplicate that success against the Rams.
The game also puts two of the most dynamic defensive players in the league on the same stage. A year after leading the NFL with 20.5 sacks, Rams defensive end Aaron Donald has gone two games without one, but is always a threat to disrupt opposing offenses. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, meanwhile, already lead the league with five sacks and will be hunting for more. — Greg Joyce
FULL NFL WEEK 3 SCHEDULE (All times Eastern)
Thursday, Sept. 19
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (Jags win 20-7)
Sunday, Sept. 22
Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles — 1:00 p.m. FOX
New York Jets at New England Patriots — 1:00 p.m. CBS
Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings — 1:00 p.m. FOX
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs — 1:00 p.m. CBS
Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts — 1:00 p.m. CBS
Denver Broncos at Green Bay Packers — 1:00 p.m. FOX
Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys — 1:00 p.m. FOX
Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills — 1:00 p.m. CBS
New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 4:05 p.m. FOX
Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals — 4:05 p.m. FOX
Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers — 4:25 p.m. CBS
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks — 4:25 p.m. CBS
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers — 4:25 p.m. CBS
Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Browns — 8:20 p.m. NBC
Monday, Sept. 23
Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins — 8:15 p.m. ESPN