NFL Week 3 Preview: Rams Roll on Monday Night, Injuries Shake the League and a Loaded Weekend Awaits
September 22, 2026
Two weeks into the 2026 NFL season, the league is already delivering the kind of unpredictability that makes September football impossible to ignore.
The Los Angeles Rams closed Week 2 with a convincing Monday Night Football victory, several starting quarterbacks are dealing with significant injuries, and Week 3 brings another loaded schedule that includes divisional battles, a game in Brazil and several early-season measuring-stick matchups.
Monday Night Football Final: Rams 28, Giants 6
The Los Angeles Rams made a statement Monday night, defeating the New York Giants 28-6 at SoFi Stadium and improving to 1-1.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford bounced back in a major way, completing 22 of 31 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns. Stafford also moved into sixth place on the NFL's all-time passing touchdown list.
The biggest offensive weapon of the night was Davante Adams, who caught eight passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Los Angeles generated 481 total yards while holding New York to only 182.
That production was even more important because Rams receiver Puka Nacua did not play because of a hip injury. Head coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that Nacua's availability for Sunday's matchup against Denver remains uncertain.
For the Giants, the result may not be the biggest concern coming out of Monday night.
Jaxson Dart Injured in Giants Loss
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a knee injury on New York's opening drive and did not return.
Initial examinations indicated Dart is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain, although further testing, including an MRI, was expected to determine the severity of the injury. Giants coach John Harbaugh described the injury as being in the neighborhood of an MCL sprain.
Jameis Winston replaced Dart and finished 11 of 27 passing for 111 yards with one interception.
With New York scheduled to face Tennessee on Sunday, Dart's status becomes one of the biggest injury stories to monitor heading into Week 3.
Jayden Daniels' Injury Changes Washington's Week 3 Plans
Washington is dealing with an even more serious quarterback situation.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow during Sunday's 37-20 loss to Dallas. Initial X-rays showed no fracture, but the injury occurred to the same elbow Daniels dislocated during the 2025 season.
Washington has announced that Marcus Mariota will start Sunday against Seattle while Daniels continues undergoing evaluation.
The injury adds another major storyline to a Commanders team attempting to recover from an 0-2 start.
Michael Penix Jr. Gets the Start Thursday Night
Week 3 begins Thursday at Lambeau Field with the Atlanta Falcons visiting the Green Bay Packers.
Atlanta has announced that Michael Penix Jr. will start at quarterback, marking his first start since suffering a season-ending knee injury last November.
That gives Thursday Night Football an immediate storyline: Penix returning to live NFL action against a Packers team coming off a close 20-17 victory over the New York Jets.
Cowboys and Ravens Head to Brazil
One of Week 3's showcase games will take place far outside the United States.
The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys will meet Sunday at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, continuing the NFL's expanded international schedule. The game is scheduled for 3:25 p.m. Central Time.
Dallas enters the matchup after Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes against Washington. That performance moved Prescott past Tony Romo for the Cowboys' franchise record in career touchdown passes.
Baltimore, meanwhile, will be looking for a response following its Week 2 loss to New Orleans.
Week 3 NFL Schedule
The Week 3 slate runs from Thursday, September 24 through Monday, September 28.DateMatchupTime (CT)Thursday, Sept. 24Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers7:15 PMSunday, Sept. 27Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins12:00 PMSunday, Sept. 27Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns12:00 PMSunday, Sept. 27Tennessee Titans at New York Giants12:00 PMSunday, Sept. 27New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars12:00 PMSunday, Sept. 27Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills12:00 PMSunday, Sept. 27New York Jets at Detroit Lions12:00 PMSunday, Sept. 27Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts12:00 PMSunday, Sept. 27Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders12:00 PMSunday, Sept. 27Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers12:00 PMSunday, Sept. 27Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers3:05 PMSunday, Sept. 27Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers3:05 PMSunday, Sept. 27Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints3:25 PMSunday, Sept. 27Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys — Rio de Janeiro3:25 PMSunday, Sept. 27Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos7:20 PMMonday, Sept. 28Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears7:15 PM
Games to Watch
Falcons at Packers: Penix's return immediately gives Thursday night's opener extra weight.
Chargers at Bills: Buffalo gets another home opportunity after putting 41 points on Detroit in Week 2, while Los Angeles will attempt to rebound from its loss to Las Vegas.
Bengals at Steelers: AFC North games rarely need extra seasoning. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh meet in one of the weekend's most important divisional matchups.
Ravens vs. Cowboys: The international stage, Dallas' explosive offense and Baltimore's attempt to rebound should make Rio one of Sunday's headline games.
Rams at Broncos: Stafford and Adams now take their suddenly explosive offense to Denver. Nacua's injury status will be important throughout the week.
Eagles at Bears: Week 3 finishes Monday night in Chicago with Philadelphia visiting the Bears.
Early Season Pressure Is Building
Two weeks may not tell us who the NFL's best teams ultimately are, but Week 2 delivered several reminders about how quickly the league can change.
The Rams went from an opening-week disappointment to a 22-point prime-time victory. Quarterback injuries suddenly changed the outlook in New York and Washington. Atlanta is turning back to Penix. Dallas' offense is gaining momentum.
Now comes Week 3, when early surprises either begin looking sustainable or start disappearing into the September fog.
With divisional games, quarterback uncertainty, an international showdown and several marquee matchups ahead, the next five days should tell us considerably more about where the 2026 NFL season is headed.
Sources & Further Reading
NFL.com — Giants-Rams on Monday Night Football: What We Learned from Los Angeles’ 28-6 Win
https://www.nfl.com/news/giants-rams-on-monday-night-football-what-we-learned-from-los-angeles-28-6-win
ESPN — New York Giants vs. Los Angeles Rams Game Recap
https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401872947
NFL.com — Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams Dominate Giants in Rams’ Blowout Win
https://www.nfl.com/news/matthew-stafford-davante-adams-dominate-giants-in-rams-blowout-win
Associated Press — Jaxson Dart Injures Knee as Several Giants Stars Get Banged Up in Loss to Rams
https://apnews.com/article/jaxson-dart-giants-injury-c991e24228f37d6f6ec8331e20f7b0b7
NFL.com — Giants’ Jaxson Dart Knee Injury Update
https://www.nfl.com/news/giants-john-harbaugh-jaxson-dart-knee-injury-in-the-neighborhood-of-sprained-mcl
NFL.com — Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Suffers Left Elbow Injury vs. Cowboys
https://www.nfl.com/news/commanders-qb-jayden-daniels-suffers-left-elbow-injury-vs-cowboys
Associated Press — Commanders Announce Marcus Mariota Will Start This Weekend
https://apnews.com/article/washington-commanders-jayden-daniels-8c93f2cf3a66b98ef9efa2910217d8f9
NFL.com — Falcons Name Michael Penix Jr. Starting Quarterback for Week 3 vs. Packers
https://www.nfl.com/news/falcons-michael-penix-jr-starting-quarterback-week-3-game-vs-packers
NFL.com — Official 2026 NFL Week 3 Schedule
https://www.nfl.com/schedules/2026/by-week/week-3
ESPN — 2026 NFL Week 3 Schedule
https://www.espn.com/nfl/schedule/_/week/3/year/2026/seasontype/2
NFL.com — 2026-27 NFL Important Dates and International Games
https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-27-national-football-league-important-dates