NFL Week 3 Preview: Who’s For Real? Biggest Games, DVOA & Playoff Stakes

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.