NFL Schedule Week 3: Pivotal Matchups on This Weekend's Slate

A new handful of NFL games open the door for more storylines to unravel this weekend.

Many games went down to the wire during Week 2 and only four contests were decided by double digits. With exception of the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, the entire league is operating on an even playing field.

That leaves fans awfully vulnerable to changing tides of perception during the first month.

The Philadelphia Eagles were touted to change the sport forever after Week 1. Following Week 2's loss to the San Diego Chargers, they're just a team bestowed with an exciting offense but horrible defense.

Our opinions could again alter drastically after some of this weekend's matchups. A 2-1 record feels much different than 1-2, but 1-2 is at least salvageable compared to 0-3.

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

Before the season began, fans circled this matchup as a key clash between two stout AFC contenders.

Now both have to prove their legitimacy this Sunday.

A win's a win, but the Texans narrowly produced two victories against teams with limited expectations. They scratched back to erase a 21-point deficit against the San Diego Chargers and then edged out the Tennessee Titans in overtime.

Houston would usually devour those fleeting offenses, not offer up 52 combined points. Arian Foster is on the field, but only averaging 3.7 yards per carry.

While the Texans won both contests, they looked beatable in the process.

Baltimore outlasted the Cleveland Browns in a 14-6 snooze-fest, gaining just 296 total yards in the process. A week earlier, the reigning Super Bowl champions relinquished 49 points to Peyton Manning and the Broncos.

Luckily for them, the entire AFC looks bleak after Denver, so the winner will look like a contender. 

Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins

Are the Dolphins for real? Let's find out.

Their Week 1 victory over the Browns was easy enough to write off. Congratulations on beating Brandon Weeden, now leave us alone.

Fine, but what about topping the Indianapolis Colts on the road?

We all know the Colts are overly due for a regression after sneaking out 11 wins last season despite a minus-30 scoring differential, so perhaps that game said more about them than the victor. 

But Ryan Tannehill logged his second straight solid performance while Lamar Miller and Mike Wallace returned from the dead after an uneventful season opener. Then again, Indianapolis collected more first downs and total yards, so we need to see more from Miami.

The Falcons, another team which overachieved last season but still figures to factor into the playoff hunt, provide an interesting litmus test for the Dolphins in their quest to start 3-0.

Can they contain Matt Ryan? Assuming points are scored, can Tannehill deliver timely completions with the game on the line?

New York Giants at Carolina Panthers

This game will yield disaster for the unfortunate loser.

The Carolina Panthers squandered two close games, first losing to the Seattle Seahawks before suffering a last-second loss to the Buffalo Bills. 

It's nothing new for the Panthers, who went 1-7 in games decided by six or fewer points last season. Plays such as Luke Kuechly's pass interference call with 14 seconds remaining have cost them several nailbiters under Ron Rivera's tenure.

On the other side, the Giants gave away six turnovers on opening weekend against the Dallas Cowboys before Eli Manning handed out three more picks in a 41-23 loss to Denver.

Always one to mix greatness with futility, Manning is on pace to finish the season with 6,496 passing yards and 56 interceptions. The blame can't fall solely on his shoulders, as David Wilson has been a major flop and the highly talented wideouts let too many passes fall off their fingertips.

Whoever loses this match will have a lot of explaining to do.