Ten teams sit 0-2 with playoff hopes alive; history shows 13.3% reach the post-season after such starts since 2002, while 0-3 is a 3.1% long shot. Week 3 sharpens the salvage mission for Kansas City, Houston, Chicago, Miami, New York Giants, New York Jets, Carolina, Tennessee, New Orleans and Cleveland.

Chiefs fix the stagnant offense on third downs; Texans, Bears and Dolphins wrestle with lines and run games; Giants and Jets cope with red-zone and defensive gaps; Panthers and Titans rebuild; Saints push tempo with uneven results; Browns lean on elite defense but corner depth lags. Week 3 will separate contenders from pretenders in a crowded early-season map.

Rams host Eagles in a high-stakes playoff rematch, powered by Stafford’s accuracy and Puka Nacua’s breakout as the offense gains a timely edge. LA’s improved protection keeps the ceiling high and gives fantasy managers a reason to chase a big day from Stafford and his rising target.

From the power-rankings lens, Los Angeles sits as a rising NFC contender, while Philadelphia remains a top-tier test. A Rams win could tilt the NFC narrative and push LA further into the elite, making complementary football on both sides of the ball essential for success.

The Steelers head to Foxborough for Week 3 against the Patriots after a 17-31 setback to Seattle, aiming to rebound. The CBS Early map shows the blue Steelers–Patriots broadcast dominating the Northeast and Pittsburgh markets, with nonlocal viewers steered to YouTube TV’s Sunday Ticket. Stay tuned for the Steelers’ injury updates as the week unfolds to gauge Week 3 fantasy angles and lineup implications.

Week 3 on Thursday Night Football surfaces with a Miami Dolphins plan without Darren Waller, who is chasing a late NFL comeback but sidelined by a hip injury after a trade from the Giants. Waller missed practice and is listed as out, forcing Miami to lean on other targets as Bills-weak defense pressure grows. Fantasy managers should watch for his return timeline and opponent-adjusted plays, while the offense adapts around Hill, Waddle, and in-two-TE looks as the weeks unfold.

Beyond Waller, the NFL news cycle spins through Patrick Mahomes’ rushing milestone, Derrick Henry’s high school stats, and Tom Brady’s controversy, painting a broader canvas of players and pivots shaping weekly fantasy and betting decisions. The blend of injury news, comeback stories, and historical moments primes rosters for strategic week-to-week moves.