Top NFL Week 3 storylines: Will Vikings or Texans go 3-0? Can Andy Dalton help Panthers?

Another week, another round of action-packed matchups across the NFL.

This week’s slate offers a bit of everything: A collection of unbeaten teams trying to build on impressive starts, a cast of desperate squads still in search of their first wins, players in search of redemption and more.

The Week 3 action kicked off Thursday with a Jets win over the Patriots. Sunday features 13 games before the weekend concludes with a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader: Jacksonville (0-2) visits Buffalo (2-0) at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Washington (1-1) at Cincinnati (2-2) at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Here are five compelling storylines to follow in Week 3. (Find the schedule here.)

1. Who improves to 3-0?

Nine of 32 teams remain unbeaten entering Week 3. The esteemed group: The Bills, Buccaneers, Chargers, Chiefs, Saints, Seahawks, Steelers, Texans and Vikings.

At least two of these teams will have their perfect records soiled this weekend, because the schedule features two games between undefeated teams: Texans at Vikings and Chargers at Steelers.

The Texans, led by second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans, displayed grit and resilience in their first two games of the season. They held off the Colts for a 29-27 road win in Week 1, then weathered challenges from a stout Bears defense at home last Sunday night. Now they take on a Vikings squad that has been one of the early season surprises.

Many expected Kevin O’Connell’s team to take some steps backward following Kirk Cousins’ departure for the Falcons. Instead, new starting quarterback Sam Darnold looks like a man reborn. Deemed a bust after awful experiences with the Jets and Panthers, Darnold (the third pick of the 2018 draft) spent last season as a backup in San Francisco, then was signed by Minnesota as an insurance policy for the rookie quarterback it planned to draft. But after J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury in August, the Vikings turned to Darnold, and he has delivered two strong performances to help Minnesota take an early lead in the NFC North. Can Darnold continue his resurgence against a Texans defense that ranks third-stingiest in yards allowed and second in sacks through two games? (Speaking of sacks, Minnesota has 11, so Stroud and Houston’s line better buckle up.)

Meanwhile, Chargers-Steelers should have a throwback feel. New coach Jim Harbaugh has guided L.A. to back-to-back victories while leaning heavily on a strong run game (​​running back J.K. Dobbins leads the NFL with 266 rushing yards) and dominant defense (227.5 yards and only 6.5 points allowed). The Chargers could need that rushing attack and stout defense more than ever Sunday, because quarterback Justin Herbert (three touchdown passes, one interception through two games) is questionable with a high ankle sprain. Interestingly, Pittsburgh utilizes a similar approach. Through two weeks, Mike Tomlin’s Steelers defense also has dominated, allowing 260.5 yards and just 8.0 points per game. That defense and a rushing attack that averages 139 yards per game has helped ease pressure on Justin Fields, who is expected to start his third game in place of a hobbled Russell Wilson.

It may not be sexy, but this approach has served both teams well. Which bruising squad will stay unbeaten? (Texans at Vikings and Chargers at Steelers, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)

2. Desperation rising for 0-2 teams

From 2-0 squads … to those that are 0-2. Nine such teams — the Bengals, Broncos, Colts, Giants, Jaguars, Panthers, Rams, Ravens and Titans — remain in search of their first victories. The Bengals and Ravens have no business being in the basement. Both began the season with realistic expectations of challenging Kansas City for AFC supremacy yet have struggled to recapture their elite forms.

It’s still early, but the pressure is on. In the last 25 years, only four NFL teams have rebounded from 0-3 starts to reach the playoffs.

The Ravens, who suffered a stunning loss to the Raiders last week, head to Dallas — where the Cowboys are reeling after getting blown out by the Saints. Thus far, Baltimore’s defense has struggled following an offseason of change (top defensive coaches Mike Macdonald, Anthony Weaver and Dennard Wilson as well as playmakers Patrick Queen and Jadeveon Clowney all departed). The usually stout unit has surrendered 26.5 points per game (fifth most in the NFL). Frustrations also plague the offense. Lamar Jackson and company do lead the league with 417.5 yards per game. But things aren’t clicking when it matters most, as the Ravens have gone from scoring 28.4 points per game in 2023 to 21.5 through two weeks in 2024.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati traditionally gets off to slow starts, but remains in search of offensive cohesion after a preseason dominated by contract disputes between the team and top wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. An upset at the hands of the Patriots in Week 1, and a one-point loss to the Chiefs, has the Bengals in their 0-2 hole. Joe Burrow looked more like himself last week while throwing for 258 yards and two touchdowns, but Chase managed just 35 yards on four receptions. Is this the week, at home against the Commanders, the Bengals’ offense finally kicks back into high gear?

Which of these projected AFC powers will regain their footing before it’s too late? (Ravens at Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday; Commanders at Bengals, 8:15 p.m. ET Monday.)

3. Saints’ legitimacy

It seemed premature to get excited about the Saints’ 47-10 trouncing of the Panthers in Week 1, given Carolina’s issue. But then the Saints went to Dallas and thumped the Cowboys 44-19. Dallas is regarded as one of the better teams in the NFC. So, could this previously middling New Orleans team actually be for real? Could new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak really have made that much of a difference for quarterback Derek Carr and his teammates? And is a Saints defense that has held opponents to just 14.5 points per game equally as legit? When will we know for sure?

The Saints will receive another opportunity to prove themselves this week as they host the Eagles. Philadelphia is coming off a 22-21 loss to Atlanta after blowing a fourth-quarter lead. The Eagles are, however, still viewed as a formidable opponent with a loaded offense and quality pieces on defense. It remains to be seen if Jalen Hurts will have his top wide receiver, A.J. Brown (hamstring), but Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert still offer plenty of firepower. If the Saints can contain this unit while also continuing to light up the scoreboard, it may be time to change our opinions about them. (Eagles at Saints, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)

4. Panthers’ truth-teller game

After two atrocious outings from Bryce Young and the offense, rookie head coach Dave Canales benched the second-year franchise quarterback in favor of 14-year veteran Andy Dalton. The move is rather perplexing given that the Panthers drafted Young first overall last season, fired coach Frank Reich after just 11 games and now expect Young to direct a new offense at a high level despite limited preseason action.

Young may have made poor decisions in his first two games while throwing three interceptions and no touchdowns. He also got sacked six times. But he’s certainly not to blame for all of the other struggles related to talent deficiencies. Canales, however, doesn’t want to lose the locker room and has declared that Dalton gives the Panthers their best chance to win this week against the Raiders. Can Dalton help stop the bleeding, or is this team as bad as it seems regardless of who starts at quarterback? (Panthers at Raiders, 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday.)

5. Will Levis’ last stand?

Speaking of young quarterbacks on a short leash …. Titans coach Brian Callahan’s frustrations with turnover-prone second-year quarterback Will Levis reached a boiling point last week. After opening the season with a fumble and interception returned for a touchdown in a 24-17 loss to the Bears, Levis added a fumble and two interceptions in another 24-17 loss, this time to the Jets. Callahan gave Levis a tongue lashing on the sideline and then didn’t mince words in his postgame news conference when asked about the quarterback’s blunders.

Levis flips it backwards and its a Jets fumble recovery!

📺: #NYJvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: pic.twitter.com/nZ38jEOfOo

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

Levis acknowledged he needs to do better, but how many more chances will he get? Callahan and GM Ran Carthon believe they have a quality roster with a mix of proven veterans and rising young contributors. They believe the Titans can compete within the AFC South. It’s hard to win games, however, when your quarterback is sloppy and displays poor decision-making under pressure.

Tennessee is 0-2 and very well could have scratched and clawed its way to two wins had Levis played with more poise. He’ll get a chance to display improvement this week against visiting Green Bay. If Levis’ turnover woes continue, could we soon see fifth-year veteran Mason Rudolph? (Packers at Titans, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)

(Top photo: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)