Week 3 of the NFL season has arrived. There are 14 big NFL games set for this Sunday, and here is what you need to know.

NFL Week 3 Preview

NEW YORK GIANTS AT HOUSTON TEXANS

Time: 1 P.M. ET,  Channel: FOX

These teams are similarly matched and both are desperately trying to avoid a 0-3 start. The Texans (0-2) lost two road games, and now they’re coming home to face a Giant’s (0-2) team that’s also struggling. The Texans come into this game with the number one rushing attack in the league at 157.5 yards per game. The Giants’ defense will need to find a way to contain running back Lamar Miller and Deshaun Watson who is one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the NFL.

TENNESSEE TITANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 

Time: 1 P.M. ET,  Channel: CBS

After stomping out the New England Patriots the Jags (2-0) are on a Payback Tour. Jacksonville has lost four of their past five meetings to the Titans (1-1). There’s a strong case to be made for Jacksonville having the best defense in the NFL. The Jaguars boasts six 2017 Pro-Bowlers and held the Patriots to 10 points by the start of the fourth quarter last week. The Titans’ run defense has allowed 4.9 yards per carry and RB Leonard Fournette might be able to exploit that gap. The Titans’ biggest problem remains their health. Against the Jaguars, they can’t afford to be as hamstrung as they were in Week 2 when they were missing their starting quarterback and top three offensive tackles. This game will depend on Marcus Mariota’s weary elbow against the Jags’ brutish defense.

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons

Time: 1 P.M. ET,  Channel: FOX

With QB’s Matt Ryan and Drew Brees going head-to-head, this divisional match up is likely to become a high scoring game. The Falcons (1-1) are looking banged up with the losses of LB Deion Jones, S Keanu Neal, RB Devonta Freeman, and G Andy Levitre. After their loss against Tampa Bay, New Orleans (1-1)  was able to contain the Browns last week and made a lot of improvements offensively. The Saints look like the better team going into this matchup.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 

Time: 1 P.M. ET,  Channel: FOX

The Colts (1-1) bounced back from a season-opening loss to Cincinnati to beat the Redskins in Washington last week in their first victory under new coach Frank Reich. The Eagles (1-1) are also looking to bounce back this week after falling at Tampa Bay last week 27-21. Wentz’s return raises questions for the Eagles as this will be his first game back since tearing his ACL in December. Smart money is on the Colts.

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS

Time: 1 P.M. ET,  Channel: CBS

The Bengals (2-0) are off to a surprising start but are going to be without their starting center and running back, which will put more pressure on QB Andy Dalton. The Panthers (1-1) will try to take advantage of this defensively and force everything on Dalton. Carolina is starting to find it’s offensive rhythm despite a tough 31-24 loss at Atlanta last week.

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Time: 1 P.M. ET,  Channel: FOX

Packers (1-0-1) running back Aaron Jones is back from suspension and could make a big impact on the field. Concerns about the health of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (knee) still linger. Redskins (1-1) are coming off an ugly performance against the Colts and simply couldn’t stop them underneath crossers, and QB Andrew Luck exploited them all day. Washington has yet to see an offensive juggernaut on par with a Rodgers-led Packers team. QB Alex Smith is completing over 70 percent of his passes, but he doesn’t have the weapons in Washington as he had in Kansas City.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 

Time: 1 P.M. ET,  Channel: FOX

The 49ers (1-1) don’t have the arsenal to keep up with the Chiefs (2-0) in Kansas City’s home opener. San Francisco is coming into this match pretty banged up in the secondary and the Chiefs boast the type of weapons that could create matchup nightmares all over the field. The Chiefs are receiving recognition as perhaps the best team in the NFL at the moment. The Chiefs were very efficient on offense last week; their longest scoring drive clocked in at just 3:57. Kansas City is the popular betting pick at the moment, with its hot new QB Patrick Mahomes currently listed as the second-best passer rating in the NFL (143.3) while QB Jimmy Garoppolo is 26th (77.4).

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DENVER BRONCOS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

Time: 1 P.M. ET,  Channel: CBS

After blowing the doors off of Buffalo many expect to see Flacco build upon his near-perfect performance in Week 1. The Broncos (2-0) boast a stout defensive front and talented pass-rush. This could present a challenge to Baltimore (1-1) whose offensive line struggled in both runs and pass blocking last week. The Ravens secondary was shredded last week by A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd. Wideouts Emmanuel Sanders and  Demaryius Thomas will try to test the secondary again this week. Undrafted rookie Phillip Lindsay has emerged as a playmaker out of the backfield and could also pose a problem.

BUFFALO BILLS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Time: 1 P.M. ET,  Channel: CBS

Experts are predicting that the Vikings (1-0-1) will win in a blowout. Minnesota is a heavy favorite going into Sunday back home to take on the Buffalo Bills (0-2) and rookie quarterback Josh Allen. To make things worse, the Vikings might get some help on the offensive line this week as center Pat Elflein could make a return from ankle and shoulder surgeries. Still, Allen could impress at quarterback and the Bills could find their groove but it would take an absolute collapse by Minnesota for Buffalo to win it’s first game of the season.

OAKLAND RAIDERS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

Time: 1 P.M. ET,  Channel: CBS

While Miami  (2-0) is looking to stay undefeated, Oakland (0-2) is hoping to score their first win of the season. Miami has more talent than Oakland and that’s why most experts are predicting the Dolphins to go 3-0. Ryan Tannehill has developed a nice rapport with new wideout Danny Amendola and the running back tandem of Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore has worked out nicely so far. Despite their lost to the Broncos QB Derek Carr (29-of-32) is coming in off the most under-the-radar 90 percent throwing day ever.

DALLAS COWBOYS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Time: 4:25 P.M. ET,  Channel: FOX

Dallas, (1-1) who are 12-5 on the road with Dak Prescott, will travel to Seatle this week to play the winless Seahawks. Seattle (0-2) will have middle linebacker Bobby Wagner back Sunday for this must-win home opener. The Cowboys’ offense isn’t much better, but they have a better offensive line and a proven running back in Ezekiel Elliott. Maybe the home crowd energizes the team and that momentum carries a still banged up Seattle team to a win.

CHICAGO BEARS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

Time: 4:25 P.M. ET,  Channel: FOX

Most NFL pundits are picking the Bears (1-1) over the Cardinals (0-2). The Bears are progressing steadily with new head coach Matt Nagy calling the shots on offense and Khalil Mack on defense. Arizona has scored six points all season while giving up 58. The key would be for Arizona to get David Johnson involved in the passing game.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT DETROIT LIONS

Time: 8:20 P.M. ET,  Channel: NBC

Can Matt Patricia hold his own against Bill Belichick?  The Lions (0-2) have obvious holes in their defense, particularly defending outside runs, and  Belichick & Co. are going to exploit that often. The Patriots’ (1-1) running game was a disappointment in Week 2 and were unable to deliver consistent results. This could be could be the coming-out-party for New England rookie RB Sony Michel. Both teams can’t seem to stop the run, so it may come down to whoever gets it going first. Also, the Pats just got added WR  Josh Gordon to the list of weapons which could allow Brady to rebound in Week 3 in a big way.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Time: 8:15 P.M. ET,  Channel:  ESPN / WATCHESPN

Tampa Bay’s offense (2-0) has been on fire. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has managed to get back-to-back NFC offensive player of the week awards, 819 yards, eight touchdown passes, and a completion percentage of 78.9 percent. Receiver DeSean Jackson has been Fitzpatrick’s’ favorite target, hauling in nine catches for 275 yards. That’s tops in the NFL. Surprisingly the Steelers (0–0-1) are having all sorts of problems lately, especially on the defensive side of the ball allowing a whopping 63 points (31.5 ppg). This past Sunday, the Chiefs were able to torch the Steelers Defense, throwing six touchdowns in a 42-37 loss. Pittsburgh is feeling the absence of Ryan Shazier, while the secondary is missing veteran cornerback Joe Haden.

The Philadelphia Eagles have decided to bring back receiver Jordan Matthews, whom they drafted as a second-round pick from Vanderbilt in 2014.

Ex-Eagle Matthews rejoins team

The former number-one receiver in Philly was traded to the Buffalo Bills in August 2017, in return for cornerback Ronald Darby. Quickly becoming immersed in the culture of the Eagles and its locker room during his early years, Matthews’ departure from Philadelphia was a difficult one.

After all, he was the team’s leading receiver in 2015, and 2016, proving that his reintroduction to the offense might happen fairly quickly. Head coach Doug Pederson said his familiarity with the team and Quarterback Carson Wentz helped lead to his signing. “I think there’s a comfort level for the quarterback knowing you got another … receiver that we brought in from the outside, who has worked with (Wentz) in the past,” Pederson said about Matthews’ reintroduction.” I just think it can be a benefit to Carson.”

After endearing himself to the players, especially Wentz, Matthews said he was eager to return to Philadelphia once traded to Buffalo. “Even if we’re not talking about it, we’re always joking about it,” Matthews said. “I always keep up with them, what the team was doing last year and the whole playoff run.” Matthews will rejoin the Eagles’ lethal offensive attack with fellow receivers Nelson Agholor and Alshon Jeffery.

Matthews, 26, also recently said he had his first child — a son named Josiah — in August because there’s nothing to do in Buffalo except have sex. He and his wife were married in June 2017.

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Matthews is positive his contribution to the offense will produce swiftly, as his new team needs his efforts more than ever. The Eagles had only three healthy wideouts on Sunday, meaning Matthews’ signing was intended for a productive workload.

Matthews suits up again for the Eagles this Sunday against the Colts at Lincoln Financial Field.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva surprised his teammates on Sunday when he became the squad’s only player to stand for the national anthem before their 23-17 overtime loss to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

NFL national anthem protests news

The 6-foot-8, 320-pound Villanueva — a former Army Ranger who served terms in Afghanistan — was the only Steeler to emerge from the tunnel despite an agreement made during Saturday’s players-only meeting that the entire squad would stay in the locker room, sources stated.

According to ESPN, players said they wished to accommodate Villanueva, who said during Saturday’s meeting that he did not want to be singled out. The Steelers decided to move their protest off the field as a way to maintain solidarity without isolating any players.

Asked what played into Villanueva’s leaving the tunnel, defensive end Cam Heyward said: “I don’t want to go into that, but we support our guy Al. He feels he had to do it. This guy served our country, and we thank him for it.”

James Harrison told PennLive.com that he did not think anyone was exempt from the pregame plan.

“We thought we were all in attention with the same agreement, obviously,” Harrison told PennLive.com. “But I guess we weren’t.”

Villanueva, 29, has previously said he supports other players’ disdain of racial injustice, although he has added that as a military veteran, he refuses to sit during the playing of the anthem. The lineman, who joined the Steelers in 2014, signed a four-year, $24 million extension with the team in July.

“I don’t know if the most effective way is to sit down during the national anthem with a country that’s providing you freedom, providing you $16 million a year … when there are black minorities that are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan for less than $20,000 a year,” Villanueva once said.

Jersey sales for Villanueva increased significantly after his decision to stand for the anthem. However, Villanueva later said he regretted his decision, and that he felt like he let his teammates down.

Several NFL teams engaged in anthem protests — sitting, kneeling, linking arms with teammates and law enforcement — over the weekend as a way to express opposition to comments made by President Donald Trump, who called on football fans to boycott games until the league or team owners fire or suspend players who “disrespect” the flag or anthem. 

“If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our country, you will see change take place fast,” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter early Sunday morning, on the second weekend morning in a row in which he vented over the issue on social media. “Fire or suspend!”

The tweets followed comments Trump made at a rally in Huntsville, Alabama on Friday.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he’s fired!” Trump said, alluding to players like unsigned quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who first started the protests when he sat during the national anthem before a preseason game in August 2016.

The President also criticized the NFL for instituting new rules at the annual league meeting earlier this year intended to reduce the occurrence of concussions and other series injuries.

League commissioner Roger Goodell condemned Trump for his remarks, calling his rhetoric “divisive,” and several players also lambasted the President on social media.

“The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture,” Goodell said in a statement. “There is no better example than the amazing response from our clubs and players to the terrible natural disasters we’ve experienced over the last month. Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.”

“The way we reacted today, and this weekend, made me proud,” Goodell — who is reportedly finalizing a contract extension — added Sunday evening. “I’m proud of our league.”

Tom Brady, a renown close friend of Trump, said in an interview Monday morning that he disagreed with the President’s comments, and even locked arms with wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and placed his other hand over his heart before the New England Patriots’ 36-33 home victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday.

“Yeah, I certainly disagree with what he said. I thought it was just divisive,” Brady said on the Kirk & Callahan show on WEEI. “Like I said, I just want to support my teammates. I am never one to say: ‘Oh, that is wrong. That is right.’ I do believe in what I believe in. I believe in bringing people together and respect and love and trust. Those are the values that my parents instilled in me. That is how I try and live every day.”

The protests have not been limited to the NFL, however. On Saturday night, Oakland Athletics rookie catcher Bruce Maxwell became the first MLB player to kneel during the national anthem when he did so before the team’s 1-0 home victory over the Texas Rangers.

“My decision has been coming for a long time,” Maxwell, the son of a U.S. Army veteran, said after the game. “I know I was on the fence for a long time because I know no one in baseball has ever done it. I finally got to the point where I thought the inequality of man is being discussed, and it’s being practiced from our president.

“The point of my kneeling is not to disrespect our military, it’s not to disrespect our Constitution, it’s not to disrespect this country. … My hand over my heart symbolizes the fact that I am and I’ll forever be an American citizen, and I’m more than grateful to be here. But my kneeling is what is getting the attention because I’m kneeling for the people that don’t have a voice.

“And this goes beyond the black community, and this goes beyond the Hispanic community, because right now we’re having an indifference and a racial divide in all types of people. It’s being practiced from the highest power that we have in this country, and it’s basically saying that it’s OK to treat people differently. My kneeling, the way I did it, was to symbolize that I’m kneeling for a cause, but I’m in no way or form disrespecting my country or my flag.”

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 24: Alejandro Villanueva #78 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stands by himself in the tunnel for the national anthem prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)