Week 3 could tell us a lot about which NFL teams are actually contenders — and which early-season starts we shouldn't believe just yet.
Aaron Schatz and Mike Tanier break down five of the biggest games of NFL Week 3, using FTN DVOA, playoff probabilities and early-season performance data to identify the matchups that could have the biggest impact on the playoff picture.
🏈 Texans at Colts
Two 0-2 AFC South teams enter a game with major playoff implications. Houston and Indianapolis are both searching for their first win, making this one of the biggest early-season swing games on the schedule.
🏈 Patriots at Jaguars
Drake Maye and New England are coming off their first win of the season, while Jacksonville tries to respond after letting a double-digit lead get away in Denver. Which 1-1 team takes the next step?
🏈 Ravens at Cowboys
Two of the NFL's highest-rated offenses by DVOA meet in Dallas. Can Baltimore rebound from a fourth-quarter collapse, or will Dak Prescott and the Cowboys build off a four-touchdown Week 2 performance?
🏈 Raiders at Saints — The “For Real” Bowl
Las Vegas enters 2-0 behind Kirk Cousins and a defense making plays in every phase. New Orleans just pulled off a dramatic comeback in Baltimore. It's time to find out how much of these early-season starts we should believe.
🏈 Rams at Broncos — Sunday Night Football
Matthew Stafford and the Rams bounced back in a big way in Week 2, while Denver erased a double-digit deficit to earn its first victory. FTN's numbers see these teams very similarly entering a major prime-time matchup.
Aaron and Mike break down DVOA, playoff swings, matchup advantages, Week 2 trends and the numbers that matter most heading into Week 3.
Games covered:
Texans at Colts
Patriots at Jaguars
Ravens at Cowboys
Raiders at Saints
Rams at Broncos
Which Week 3 matchup tells us the most about who is actually for real?
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