Indianapolis Colts
The NFL has opened with fireworks. Seventeen games have been decided by six points or fewer, the most through two weeks in 12 years, and last week’s 797 combined points was the league’s highest-scoring week since 2021. Add in the dynamic kickoff — producing a 76.9% return rate — and it’s clear: 2025 has already separated itself as a season of chaos and excitement.
Week 3 offers no break. Undefeated teams face off, contenders try to stay on track, and winless clubs look to avoid an early-season hole. Here’s a game-by-game look at the matchups.
Thursday Night Football
Miami Dolphins (0-2) at Buffalo Bills (2-0), 8:15 PM ET (Prime Video)
Buffalo has dominated this rivalry, winning 12 of the last 13 regular-season meetings, and Sean McDermott’s club is rolling again. The Bills lead the NFL in yards per game (450) and rank second in scoring (35.5 ppg), powered by Josh Allen’s steady hand and James Cook’s breakout — Cook has touchdowns in six straight and already leads the league in rushing scores.
Miami leans on Tua Tagovailoa, who’s completing 72.7 percent of his throws, and De’Von Achane, who has 467 career yards and six touchdowns in four games against Buffalo. Tyreek Hill always saves something extra for primetime, averaging 90.5 yards per game on Thursdays.
Key Stat: Josh Allen is 7-0 on Thursdays.
Edge: Buffalo at home looks tough, but Miami’s speed keeps it closer than most expect.
Sunday Early Slate (1:00 PM ET)
Atlanta Falcons (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2), FOX
Bijan Robinson has been unstoppable, topping 100 yards in both games, while rookie Tetairoa McMillian has flashed for Carolina with 168 receiving yards. Bryce Young has a touchdown in 12 straight games, the longest streak among NFC quarterbacks.
Key Stat: Drake London had 187 yards and two scores against Carolina last year.
Edge: Falcons, if Robinson continues his dominance.
Green Bay Packers (2-0) at Cleveland Browns (0-2), FOX
Jordan Love has been sharp (4 TD, 0 INT), and Josh Jacobs is chasing history with 11 straight games with a rushing touchdown. One more ties LaDainian Tomlinson’s 2004 streak of 12. Cleveland leans on Myles Garrett, who leads the NFL in TFLs and sacks so far and has two-plus sacks in four of his last five home games.
Key Stat: Browns rookie TE Harold Fannin has 12 catches in two games — tied for second-most by a tight end to start a career.
Edge: Packers, unless Garrett takes over.
Houston Texans (0-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1), CBS
C.J. Stroud has historically handled the Jaguars well, with eight TDs and no picks in four career meetings. Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence rebounded with three touchdowns last week, and Travis Etienne is second in the NFL in rushing yards.
Key Stat: Derek Stingley has nine passes defensed and three interceptions in just four career games against Jacksonville.
Edge: Jaguars at home, but Houston always makes this rivalry interesting.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-1), CBS
Ja’Marr Chase erupted for 14 catches and 165 yards last week, joining rare company with three career 14+ catch games. Justin Jefferson just became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 500 receptions, tying Larry Fitzgerald’s age mark.
Key Stat: Chase and Jefferson rank 1st and 2nd in NFL history in career yards per game.
Edge: Bengals, if their defense contains Jefferson.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) at New England Patriots (1-1), CBS
Aaron Rodgers faces Drake Maye in a fascinating quarterback matchup. Rodgers needs one touchdown to pass Brett Favre for fourth all-time. Maye is coming off his best game yet — two passing touchdowns and one rushing score with a 137.3 rating.
Key Stat: T.J. Watt needs three sacks in his next two games to trail only Reggie White for most through 125 career games.
Edge: Patriots at home, though Rodgers’ experience makes this one a coin flip.
Los Angeles Rams (2-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-0), FOX
Saquon Barkley shredded the Rams twice last year, totaling 534 yards and four touchdowns between the regular season and playoffs. Jalen Hurts has scored rushing touchdowns in five straight and is unbeaten in his last nine home starts. For LA, Matthew Stafford continues to produce, and Davante Adams already has another 100-yard, one-touchdown game to his name.
Key Stat: Puka Nacua has the second-most catches and third-most yards through 30 career games in NFL history.
Edge: Philadelphia’s balance gives them the slightest of edges.
New York Jets (0-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0), FOX
The Bucs have won both games on final-minute touchdowns, the first team to ever do so. Baker Mayfield has five touchdowns and no interceptions, while rookie Emeka Egbuka is the only rookie wideout with a touchdown in each of the first two weeks.
The Jets will rely on Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, but Justin Fields has yet to find consistency.
Key Stat: Mike Evans is ninth all-time with 105 receiving touchdowns.
Edge: Buccaneers continue their clutch magic.
Indianapolis Colts (2-0) at Tennessee Titans (0-2), CBS
The Colts haven’t punted all season — the first team in the Super Bowl era to open with that streak. Daniel Jones has been efficient and mobile, while Jonathan Taylor is fresh off a 215-yard game. Rookie TE Tyler Warren has been a revelation, with 155 yards already.
The Titans’ rookie QB Cam Ward is still finding his footing. Tennessee needs Tony Pollard to carry the load to stay competitive.
Key Stat: Taylor had 218 yards and three touchdowns the last time he faced Tennessee.
Edge: Colts, unless Tennessee’s front seven flips the script.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) at Washington Commanders (1-1), FOX
Jayden Daniels continues to show why Washington picked him — already over 400 passing yards and three touchdowns. Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz have given him plenty of options. For the Raiders, Geno Smith is still turnover-prone, and rookie TE Brock Bowers is their best weapon.
Key Stat: Bowers is closing in on Mike Ditka’s record for most receiving yards through 20 games by a tight end.
Edge: Washington at home.
Sunday Late Slate
Denver Broncos (1-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-0), 4:05 PM ET (CBS)
Bo Nix has shown flashes, but Justin Herbert has been surgical with five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston are the only wideout duo to each post touchdowns in both weeks. Denver will look to J.K. Dobbins and Troy Franklin to keep pace.
Key Stat: Chargers haven’t started 3-0 since 2002.
Edge: Chargers with Herbert in command.
New Orleans Saints (0-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1), 4:05 PM ET (CBS)
Spencer Rattler is improving for New Orleans, but Seattle is dangerous at home. Sam Darnold has 445 yards through two games, Kenneth Walker is still a workhorse, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is red hot with back-to-back 100-yard games.
Key Stat: Smith-Njigba can join Antonio Brown and Julio Jones as the only players since 2015 with 8+ catches and 100+ yards in each of his team’s first three games.
Edge: Seahawks in a tough one.
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at Chicago Bears (0-2), 4:25 PM ET (FOX)
Dak Prescott threw for 361 yards and two scores last week, while rookie Rome Odunze exploded for 128 yards and two touchdowns for Chicago. Caleb Williams has shown flashes, but the Bears’ defense has been porous, giving up nearly 40 points per game.
Key Stat: CeeDee Lamb has 100+ yards in four straight games.
Edge: Cowboys, though Soldier Field could test them.
Arizona Cardinals (2-0) at San Francisco 49ers (2-0), 4:25 PM ET (FOX)
The NFC West clash is one of the week’s best. Kyler Murray has been efficient, Trey McBride is one of the NFL’s most reliable tight ends, and Marvin Harrison Jr. continues to shine. San Francisco leans on Christian McCaffrey, who joined Marshall Faulk and Lenny Moore in rare touchdown company last week.
Key Stat: McCaffrey has topped 175 yards and three touchdowns in each of his last two games against Arizona.
Edge: 49ers at home.
Sunday Night Football
Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at New York Giants (0-2), 8:20 PM ET (NBC)
Both teams are desperate. Patrick Mahomes is three touchdowns away from becoming the fastest QB to 250 career scores. Russell Wilson, though, is coming off a 450-yard outing with Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson torching defenses.
Key Stat: Mahomes is 8-1 in his last nine starts on Sunday Night Football.
Edge: Chiefs find a way, but this has shootout written all over it.
Monday Night Football
Detroit Lions (1-1) at Baltimore Ravens (1-1), 8:15 PM ET (ESPN/ABC)
Game of the Week. Jared Goff threw five touchdowns in Detroit’s 52-point eruption last Sunday, while Lamar Jackson tossed four of his own in Baltimore’s rout of Cleveland. Both teams rank among the league’s best in points per game since acquiring their quarterbacks. Derrick Henry has been dominant on the ground, while Amon-Ra St. Brown is fresh off a three-touchdown game.
Key Stat: Baltimore can become the first team in history to score 40+ in each of its first three games.
Edge: Ravens at home, but expect fireworks.
The Wrap-Up
Week 3 delivers balance: undefeated teams fighting for legitimacy, winless teams fighting for survival, and plenty of primetime firepower. The league’s close-game trend isn’t slowing down, and this slate is built for drama.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
