NFL Week 3 kickoff times, TV info, betting lines
GAME TO WATCH
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS (Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson)
Line: Steelers by 3½
Story lines: The Battle for Pennsylvania. The Steelers established themselves as AFC North favorites with a resounding victory against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, and they did it with defense, a relentless running game and the long ball. The defense has been the star of the Steelers’ young season, allowing two touchdowns and 16 points per game. CB Ross Cockrell shadowed and held Bengals star WR A.J. Green to two catches for 38 yards. The defense allowed Pittsburgh to survive an off day from QB Ben Roethlisberger, who threw two interceptions and had trouble connecting with star WR Antonio Brown. ... Most eyes will be on Eagles rookie QB Carson Wentz, but there’s a lot more to see. WR Jordan Matthews has 185 receiving yards over two games. The defense potentially is one of the strongest in the NFC. The Eagles will be without TE Zach Ertz (ribs) and CB Leodis McKelvin (hamstring), who also missed Monday’s game. With Ertz out, versatile special-teams star Trey Burton will get another shot to make an offensive splash.
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Arizona Cardinals (1-1) at Buffalo Bills (0-2)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin)
Line: Cardinals by 4
Story lines: Fueled by QB Carson Palmer’s three TD passes and five takeaways by its defense, Arizona bounced back nicely from its season-opening upset loss to the New England Patriots and thrashed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40-7. Arizona picked off QB Jameis Winston four times and recovered a fumble. The Cards won't have G Evan Mathis (foot, toe). ... The Bills fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman last week and replaced him with assistant head coach/running backs coach Anthony Lynn. The timing of the move seemed strange because the offense had performed well enough to win in Week 2, with 21 points coming on three TD passes by QB Tyrod Taylor. Buffalo LT Cordy Glenn will sit with an ankle injury.
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Oakland Raiders (1-1) at Tennessee Titans (1-1)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein)
Line: Titans by 2
Story lines: One week after edging the New Orleans Saints in a wild ending, the Raiders lost a 35-28 thriller to the Atlanta Falcons. QB Derek Carr went 34-for-45 for 299 yards and three TDs. The offense was necessary because of Oakland’s inability to make stops on defense. ... Tennessee, which lost six games by six or fewer points in 2015, found a way to win a nail-biter in Week 2 at the Detroit Lions. The Titans are hoping their 16-15 win will help push them over the hump. Considering that their next six opponents entered Week 3 with a combined record of 3-9, anything can happen for the Titans if their defense continues to play well.
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Washington Redskins (0-2) at New York Giants (2-0)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews)
Line: Giants by 5
Story lines: A season that began with high hopes of defending the NFC East title is quickly descending into frustration and desperation for the Redskins after a heartbreaking loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Key mistakes, mainly QB Kirk Cousins’ interceptions, and a weak running game have combined to sabotage the offense. ... A huge offseason investment in their defense is producing a nice return for the Giants, who limited the high-flying New Orleans Saints offense to 288 yards and one TD. New York has allowed two touchdowns, and its offense has scored three.
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Cleveland Browns (0-2) at Miami Dolphins (0-2)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots)
Line: Dolphins by 10
Story lines: The Browns led 20-0 in the first quarter last week but didn’t score again while losing QB Josh McCown, C Cameron Erving and DE Carl Nassib to injuries. Rookie WR Corey Coleman broke his hand in practice and is gone for at least a month, too. The Browns will start rookie QB Cody Kessler, who looked overmatched in the preseason. The Browns’ young defense has struggled to get off the field and will need to create turnovers and get pressure on opposing quarterbacks to turn things around. ... Miami’s offense couldn’t deliver in Week 1, and last weekend the Dolphins were down 24-0 and 31-3 to the New England Patriots before a rally fell short. QB Ryan Tannehill has shown signs in both games that he has made improvements. The Dolphins are struggling to run (and won't have injured RB Arian Foster) and need more consistent play from WRs Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills.
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Baltimore Ravens (2-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Tom McCarthy, Adam Archuleta, Chris Fischer)
Line: Ravens by 1
Story lines: QB Joe Flacco kept his cool, and the Ravens overcame a 20-0 deficit to beat the Browns last weekend. Flacco trusts in TE Dennis Pitta, WR Mike Wallace and WR Steve Smith Sr., and the offense should get better as the offensive line jells and the running game improves. The defense gave up too many big plays last weekend, and the secondary remains a concern. ... The Jaguars aren’t sustaining drives and are giving up too many big plays. Just like last season, QB Blake Bortles is racking up big numbers because the Jaguars aren’t able to run and are almost always playing from behind. RB Chris Ivory should make his debut this weekend after being hospitalized before the season opener.
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Detroit Lions (1-1) at Green Bay Packers (1-1)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Peter Schrager)
Line: Packers by 7
Story lines: Penalties and injuries hampered the Lions in their 16-15 loss to the Tennessee Titans. After losing Pro Bowl DE Ezekiel Ansah to an ankle injury on the second snap, their depleted linebacker corps lost rookie Antoine Williams (thigh) and Kyle Van Noy (calf). Coach Jim Caldwell said the injuries weren’t an excuse for one of the least-disciplined games in franchise history, when the Lions tied a franchise record with 17 penalties. Ansah won't play Sunday, either. ... Green Bay’s 17-14 road loss to the Minnesota Vikings was among the worst offensive showings of the Mike McCarthy-Aaron Rodgers era. The Packers committed three turnovers, with Rodgers lamenting a continued lack of offensive rhythm. An offensive line that includes two new starters contributed to Rodgers’ battering (five sacks) and sloppy ball security (one interception, three fumbles). The absence of top CB Sam Shields (concussion) was felt in the secondary, and he'll miss Sunday's game, too.
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Denver Broncos (2-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn)
Line: Bengals by 3
Story lines: The formula for success continued for the Broncos in their 34-20 win vs. the Indianapolis Colts: run the ball and play outstanding defense. A bonus: QB Trevor Siemian helped the cause with 22-for-33 passing for 266 yards with one interception. RB C.J. Anderson and rookie Devontae Booker combined for 120 rushing yards; CB Aqib Talib and OLB Shane Ray scored defensive TDs. ... Running the ball is becoming a problem for the Bengals. In Sunday’s 24-16 loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati had 16 attempts by running backs while QB Andy Dalton passed 54 times. Despite outgaining the Steelers 412-374, the Bengals only converted four of 16 third-down chances and failed to score a touchdown in three of their red-zone trips.
USA TODAY Sports' Week 3 NFL picks
Minnesota Vikings (2-0) at Carolina Panthers (1-1)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale)
Line: Panthers by 7
Story lines: The defending NFC North champion Vikings appear to be in capable hands with newly acquired QB Sam Bradford. He played without the benefit of a running game in beating the Packers, hooking up with WR Stefon Diggs for nine receptions on 11 targets, 182 yards and one TD. Even before RB Adrian Peterson exited with an injured right knee late in the third quarter, the Vikings were unable to move the ball on the ground. Jerick McKinnon now takes over. ... The Panthers lost focus and nearly squandered a 21-point lead in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers, but they regrouped and won by 19 points. It shows that Carolina and reigning MVP QB Cam Newton can still kick it into another gear when pressed. Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne will share carries while RB Jonathan Stewart is sidelined. ... The game is expected to be played in Charlotte as scheduled despite this week's violent protests.
Carolina Panthers will play Sunday's game at home amid Charlotte protests
Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)
TV: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox (Dick Stockton, Chris Spielman, Kristina Pink)
Line: Buccaneers by 6
Story lines: The Rams have confidence in that they’ve beaten Tampa Bay for four years in a row. Whether they can make it five, after one of the longest road trips in the NFL, might come down to an offense that has yet to score a TD this season. QB Case Keenum managed the game much better in Week 2, but RB Todd Gurley has been a non-factor. ... The Rams have a formidable defense that could create problems for Bucs QB Jameis Winston, but the good news is that L.A.’s new team doesn’t have much offense, so Winston & Co. won’t have to be great to win this one. Tampa Bay RB Doug Martin has a hamstring injury and won't play.
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San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
TV: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox (Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver)
Line: Seahawks by 9
Story lines: Despite losing in Week 2 to the Panthers, San Francisco got its offense on track in the second half when coach Chip Kelly picked up the tempo. Whether he decides to play that style against the Seahawks could be a big factor in the 49ers’ offensive success. QB Blaine Gabbert has much to do to prove he’s the solution, and RB Carlos Hyde hasn’t made nearly the impact Kelly was expecting. ... Injuries are starting to become a factor with Seattle’s offense. QB Russell Wilson is battling a sore ankle, and RB Thomas Rawls, who is doubtful Sunday, and WR Tyler Lockett came out of the loss to the Rams because of injuries. As usual, the defense is carrying the load.
New York Jets (1-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-1)
TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS (Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl)
Line: Chiefs by 3
Story lines: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick continued targeting his two favorite wideouts in Week 2 — Brandon Marshall (101 yards) and Eric Decker (126), but he also has begun connecting with No. 3 WR Quincy Enunwa (92), who leads the Jets with 13 receptions for 146 yards and one TD. The Jets also have been boosted by workhorse RB Matt Forte, who rushed for 100 yards and three TDs in 30 carries vs. the Bills. ... Kansas City lost three fumbles and committed nine penalties in its loss to the Houston Texans, including a holding call that negated a kickoff-return TD. They also dropped several passes, and QB Alex Smith was sacked four times and limited to 186 passing yards.
San Diego Chargers (1-1) at Indianapolis Colts (0-2)
TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS (Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon)
Line: Colts by 2½
Story lines: The Chargers rolled over the Jaguars in their home opener, but the win came with a price: versatile RB Danny Woodhead injured a knee and was put on IR, and S Jahleel Addae broke his collarbone. But positives abounded: RB Melvin Gordon rushed for 102 yards and a TD, and the defense limited the Jaguars to two third-down conversions in 11 tries. DE Joey Bosa still isn't ready to play, and TE Antonio Gates is doubtful; both have hamstring injuries. ... Colts QB Andrew Luck dinked and dunked to 4.9 yards per attempt, was sacked five times and got hit another 11 times with a passer rating of 64.3 in last week’s loss at the Broncos. Most discouraging was the loss of more players in the secondary, as CBs Antonio Cromartie (shoulder) and Darius Butler (hamstring) joined the injured list. WR Donte Moncrief is also out for a while with a shoulder injury.
Chicago Bears (0-2) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
TV: Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya)
Line: Cowboys by 7
Story lines: QB Jay Cutler is doubtful after he injured his right thumb on a strip sack and left Monday’s 29-14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Expect Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains to attempt more earnestly to establish RB Jeremy Langford and the ground game. ... Dallas survived against NFC East rival Washington behind another strong showing from rookie QB Dak Prescott, whose poise continues to impress. The defense continues to play better than the sum of its parts, especially inside its 20-yard line.
Atlanta Falcons (1-1) at New Orleans Saints (0-2)
TV: Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters)
Line: Saints by 3
Story lines: Atlanta scored perhaps the most important win of coach Dan Quinn’s 18-game tenure with an inspired 35-28 win at Oakland. It wasn’t pretty, but after losing eight of their last 10 games dating to last season, the Falcons will take it. QB Matt Ryan posted a stellar 131.5 passer rating (26-for-34, 396 yards, three TDs and one interception in the red zone) and ran for a two-point conversion. The Falcons converted their last three trips inside the red zone for TDs after scoring one in their first seven. WR Julio Jones missed practice time this week with a calf injury. ... If Saints coach Sean Payton can get his team to play complementary football, he might have something. But that hasn’t been the case after two last-minute losses. QB Drew Brees and the offense amassed 507 yards in a 35-34 home loss against Oakland in Week 1. In a 16-13 road loss to the New York Giants, an injury-riddled defense kept the Saints close with three takeaways and two goal-line stands. Rookie K Will Lutz missed two field goal attempts against the Raiders and saw a blocked field goal attempt returned for a TD against the Giants. The Saints are 0-2 for the third year in a row.
PHOTOS: Week 3 games ranked by watchability
