Best NFL game to watch for each time slot: Week 3, 2020
William Ricks
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Week 3 of the NFL is shaping up to be a big week with interesting matchups. After the second week of the season gave us a plethora of injuries to big-name players, there will be a lot of adjustments for teams this week. Injuries were to be expected this year since there were no offseason team workouts, an accelerated training camp, and no preseason. That doesn’t mean that the number of soft tissue injuries, torn ACLs and Achilles, and other muscle ailments are any less impactful to the players and their teams.
The “next man up” mentality is the motto going forward for the teams that were bitten by the injury bug. The player who is slotted next on the depth chart will have to step up and play up to expectations. Week 3 has six interconference games, which is more than the first two weeks combined. These kind of contests always spark interesting matchups as the teams don’t see each other often enough to know each other’s tendencies.
Out of the three games that I selected as the best in their time slot for Week 2, two of them were decided by double digits. The third game was decided on the last play in regulation, which is always exciting football. With the picture of who are contenders and pretenders becoming clearer by the week, here are the best games for each time slot in Week 3.
Best Early Afternoon NFL Matchup: Los Angeles Rams vs. Buffalo Bills (Sunday, September 27, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX)
It was difficult to settle on one game in the 1 p.m. window that was the best out of the bunch. However, a battle between a couple of impressive 2-0 squads sounds too appetizing to pass up. The Los Angeles Rams travel to Buffalo to face the Bills in what will be a defensive deathmatch. Both defenses have played some outstanding football to start the season, and their offenses have been making sure to hold up their end of the bargain also.
Josh Allen, quarterback of the Buffalo Bills has been playing exceptional football coming into this Week 3 contest. He leads the NFL in passing yards with 729 after two weeks, throwing six touchdowns and zero interceptions. He and his new receiver, Stefon Diggs, have already found chemistry in 2020. Diggs is tied for the NFL lead in receiving yards with 239. He also leads the league with five plays of 20+ yards receiving. Allen is still a threat running the ball also, which poses a challenge to a Rams defense that is coming off a solid performance.
The Rams defense stifled the Philadelphia Eagles, forcing three turnovers in the 37-19 win. A pair of interceptions by Carson Wentz and a fumble by Miles Sanders was enough for Los Angeles. With Josh Allen and Diggs next, Jalen Ramsey and the Rams secondary will need to force more mistakes if they want to maximize their chances to win. Ramsey is going to be the one who covers Diggs most likely, so that one on one matchup will be entertaining. With Diggs’ flare and Ramsey’s smack talk, it won’t be surprising if these two share some choice words. Just like the Bills offense is a talking point for this Week 3 contest, so is the Rams offense.
The Rams, specifically Jared Goff was marvelous against Philly, throwing for 267 yards, three touchdowns, and no turnovers. Tight end Tyler Higbee caught all three of Goff’s touchdown passes along with 54 yards. Things won’t be that easy against this Buffalo defensive bunch. Entering Week 3, they have given up the fifth least amount of yards per game (332.0) and rank fifth in sacks (6.0). Their run defense is stout, only giving up 75.5 yards a game so far. The Rams rank fifth with 435.5 total offensive yards per game. One of the NFL’s best offensive units playing one of the league’s best defensive units will provide awesome football highlights.
The Rams and Bills both want to continue their undefeated start. The Bills can put more ground between themselves and the New England Patriots (1-1) for the division lead. The Rams are looking to keep pace with the Arizona Cardinals (2-0) who play the Detroit Lions. This is only one of two matchups between undefeated teams in Week 3. Who will escape the duel with a 3-0 record (unless they tie)?
Best Late Afternoon NFL Matchup: Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, September 27, 2020, at 4:25 p.m. on FOX)
This NFC battle between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks creates an interesting matchup. The quarterback duel between Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson makes this game even more appealing. Both are coming off of exceptional performances as each scored at least 4 touchdowns last week. The play of the two quarterbacks, plus the lackluster performances their teams’ defenses had in the previous week, make this one of the better Week 3 matchups.
The Seattle secondary got shredded by Cam Newton, who threw for 397 yards and a touchdown against them in Week 2. Through the first two weeks, the Seahawks are the worst in pass defense, giving up 415.5 yards per game. Prescott is third in the NFL, throwing for 358 yards a game in 2020. With Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and rookie Ceedee Lamb, Jamal Adams needs to get his crew together so they can contain Dallas’ passing game.
A positive note for Seattle’s defense is that they’ve only allowed 69 yards a game on the ground so far. That will be useful against Ezekiel Elliot, who is third in the NFL with 185 yards. Bobby Wagner is a monster at linebacker, and his ability to read plays and fill running gaps will be essential for stopping Elliot. If Elliot can get going on the ground, it will be that much harder to stop Prescott. Dallas is also riding high off of that miraculous comeback they put together against the Atlanta Falcons. That team high might come crashing down if their defense can’t stop Wilson.
It’s hard to name a player in the NFL who is playing better than Russell Wilson. He has been on a tear since last season and picked up right where he left off in 2020. Wilson threw for five touchdowns against a loaded Patriots secondary. He managed to score five times against Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, and the McCourty Twins. Wilson has nine touchdowns to start the season, leading the league. He also leads the league in completion percentage (82.5 percent) and passer rating (140). The Dallas defense just gave up four touchdowns and 273 yards to Matt Ryan. The Seahawks live and die with Wilson’s performance, so affecting him is the first step to slowing Seattle down.
This game has the potential to be a high scoring affair. Both quarterbacks are balling and both defenses are struggling. The offensive firepower packed between these two teams is ridiculous. In the new era of the NFL where offense and points reign supreme, this Week 3 matchup could provide fans with both of those things.
Best Primetime NFL Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens (Monday, September 28, 2020, at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN)
Clear out all your Monday night plans, as this tussle between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens will be the game to watch in Week 3. The two faces of the NFL, Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Mahomes take center stage to face off. For fans of fast-paced and high scoring football action, this is the perfect game.
The Ravens continue to look like a moving behemoth of a team, cruising to a 33-16 win against the Houston Texans in Week 2. The Baltimore defense continues to cause nightmares for opponents, giving up only 11 points per game this year. That is the lowest in the NFL, and they have given up the second-fewest yards per game this season (305). When the defense is shutting down opponents like that, it allows Lamar Jackson to play without worry, which is scary for opposing teams.
The offense of the Ravens continues to click, led by Jackson. He has yet to throw an interception this year, leading Baltimore to score the third-most points per game (35.5) and having the fourth-best rushing attack in terms of yards (170.5). The multiple threats in the running and passing game for the Ravens provide them various ways to beat their opponent. The Chiefs defense played well against the Chargers last week, even though they allowed rookie Justin Herbert to throw for over 300 yards. They allow over 150 yards on the ground per game this season, however, which could be trouble. If the Chiefs can’t stop the Ravens running attack, limiting the rest of their offense is more difficult.
Kansas City is 2-0 despite looking more human after their game against the Chargers. Talking about the offense specifically, Patrick Mahomes and company had a tough time getting their squad on track. They eventually were able to get their offense going, but them struggling is something to look out for. The Chargers have a strong defensive unit just like Baltimore, which should be a point of emphasis for Andy Reid. Failing to start fast against the Ravens could lead to more detrimental results. Mahomes and the offense will make sure they come out the gates faster in this potential AFC Championship preview.
Both teams are 2-0, both teams have Super Bowl expectations, and both teams have high-octane offenses. Mix those things with the stage of Monday Night Football, and this has the potential to be one of the best games of the year. The best game of the year in Week 3 of the season sounds premature, but when you have the two former MVPs with a sensational supporting cast behind each of them, and their electrifying play styles, the eyes of NFL fans can’t help but watch this game. The Chiefs won last years matchup 33-28.
Week 3 of the NFL has some high powered offenses taking center stage. Injuries were the story of Week 2, and the hope is that it’s not the same for this week. Many teams enter the third week facing a “must-win” scenario. Very few teams make the playoffs after falling to 0-3, so the teams who are 0-2 must win or potentially wave their season goodbye. Make sure to watch these three games and all of the action in the league this week!