NFL Week 3: What's at Stake for Teams, Players This Weekend?

The NFL landscape is ever-evolving on a weekly basis. How your team is viewed is directly tied to the previous week. That puts a big emphasis on what’s at stake for teams and players every game.

Some games are decided directly by particular matchups. The better, more talented team doesn’t always win because of the importance of style and the ability to adjust. But that is often overlooked because winning is really what matters in the big picture.

After the first two weeks, teams should start to hit their stride. They should have worked out the kinks to an extent by this point, and it’s time to create an identity of who they will be on a weekly basis. Teams that lost the first two weeks must also work hard to avoid a dreaded 0-3 start.

We’ve highlighted eight key storylines on the following slides that will determine whether or not these teams are successful in Week 3. Several critical divisional matchups could put certain franchises at great risk of being eliminated from the playoffs earlier than imagined. That doesn’t mean Week 3’s results will end a season, but it could set up particular teams for a big hill to climb.

Atlanta Falcons: Can They Take Advantage of a Lesser Team?

Brad Penner/Associated Press

The Atlanta Falcons have jumped out to a solid 2-0 start on the season. A new coaching staff and an influx of defensive talent have been major reasons why the Falcons look much more competent. They are in a great position to earn another win in Week 3.

Since Dallas lost quarterback Tony Romo to injury, the Falcons should be able to shut down the Cowboys offense fairly easily. Brandon Weeden has been a disaster in the NFL, and Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has a major advantage in that matchup. But the Falcons must be focused and not take this win as if it is already in the bag.

The mark of a good team is beating lesser opponents whenever possible. Sure, sometimes a more talented team will lose, but the Falcons have a unique opportunity to take a solid lead on the rest of the division. The NFC South is possibly the worst in the NFL, so the Falcons would do well by starting 3-0.

Derek Carr: Was Week 2 a Fluke or a Sign of Things to Come?

Ben Margot/Associated Press

After a lackluster performance that was cut short due to injury in Week 1, Derek Carr looked like a new man against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2. The Oakland Raiders second-year quarterback lit up the Ravens defense for 351 yards and three touchdowns. The upset was a good reminder that winning in the NFL is a difficult task.

The Ravens defense had multiple communication breakdowns in their secondary, opening huge passing windows for Carr. He took full advantage, which is a credit to him. He also showed great accuracy on several other throws that were not easy completions.

One thing to watch this week as the Raiders play the Cleveland Browns is how Carr plays. Week 2 may be the start of a budding career for the young quarterback. He’ll want to follow that performance up with another solid, if not spectacular, showing in Cleveland.

Baltimore Ravens: A Win Keeps Them Relevant

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Rarely do we see an early-season matchup with very much at stake. Panic seems to ensue for every team after a loss, but it’s rare that a loss is overly crippling. It doesn’t matter where the wins or losses come from, so long as a team has enough wins at the end of the season to make the playoffs.

But the Baltimore Ravens must be feeling the pressure this week. An 0-3 start would be devastating for their playoff hopes. This is especially true since they play division rival Cincinnati at home this week.

The Ravens have been a mess on both sides of the ball. Quite simply, this does not look like a good team right now. The secondary allowed several huge touchdowns with poor communication last week, and the offense has been inconsistent. There’s no quick-fix for this team coming, so the Ravens simply must get on the same page and execute better.

Miami Dolphins: A Loss Will Be a Crushing Blow

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

One of the more hyped teams entering the season was the Miami Dolphins. Their offseason signing of Ndamukong Suh deserved press clippings, but it overshadowed the fact Miami never adequately addressed other weaknesses. Suh has played better than some media have portrayed, but Miami’s glaring weaknesses cost it a game against Jacksonville in Week 2.

Between poor coaching on both sides of the ball and a ridiculous 13 penalties last week, Miami must turn things around quickly. The Dolphins face a tough Buffalo Bills team at home in Week 3. This is an opportunity to show they can defeat a better overall team. If Miami loses, it is putting itself in a much tougher hole to climb out of than imagined at the start of the season.

Look for playmakers such as Cameron Wake, Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker to step up this week. Wake hasn’t looked like his old self dating back to the middle of last season, and that’s partially why the defensive line has disappointed so far. Stills and Parker must provide an explosive spark that Miami has been missing.

Andrew Luck: It’s Time to Get Back on Track

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Following an ugly display on Monday Night Football, the Indianapolis Colts should earn a victory against the Tennessee Titans. It won’t be easy, as the Titans’ passing attack won’t be threatened by the Colts defense. But the Colts have the best two players involved in the game, Andrew Luck and Vontae Davis.

Luck is especially notable. He doesn’t have an overly good offensive line and the running game has struggled, but he has quite a bit of talent around him. He simply hasn’t played well.

The Colts may want to be less vertical with their play designs to help Luck be more efficient and get Andre Johnson involved. Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has not shown that he can adapt to his personnel yet, but there are many examples of Luck just missing throws. This could be the week he gets back on track as a superstar quarterback.

Le’Veon Bell: Can He Pick Up Where He Left Off?

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The superstar running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers returns after serving a two-game suspension. The Steelers didn’t miss Le’Veon Bell too much, as DeAngelo Williams was very good as a replacement with 204 yards in two games, but no one will complain that the All-Pro is back. The question is, how good will he be right away?

Facing a solid St. Louis Rams defensive line, the Steelers should ride the hot hand at running back. Bell is obviously more talented, but he also hasn’t played significant snaps in 2015. Williams’ emergence as a viable starter can help the Steelers ease Bell into action if he’s rusty.

My guess is that it won't take long for Bell to look great. His dynamic receiving skills at the very least will give a different dimension to the Steelers offense—which is scary, seeing as it's already one of the best offenses in the NFL, if not the very best.

San Francisco 49ers: What Is the Identity of This Team?

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

The San Francisco 49ers reminded us last week why it’s important not to overreact to what happens in Week 1. After blowing out the Minnesota Vikings at home, the 49ers were destroyed 43-18 by the Steelers. Maybe Week 3 will help show who this team really is.

Arizona will host the 49ers, and the Cardinals have been among the best teams in the NFL so far. If the 49ers fall flat again, it’s a sign their 2015 season could end up like 2014. Remember, the 49ers manhandled the Dallas Cowboys in the 2014 season opener, only to fall flat and struggle the rest of the season.

Part of the reason San Francisco is so volatile is how many young guys it is playing. The lack of consistency from new starters should be expected, but it may cause the 49ers to be a team to watch in 2016 instead of this year. We’ll see, as Week 3 will serve as a barometer.

Tyrod Taylor: Can He Be a Consistent Passer?

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

There’s no doubt that the Buffalo Bills made the best choice on their starting quarterback for this season. Tyrod Taylor is simply more dynamic than any other option they had. But he is not experienced, and there’s no telling what he will do on most plays.

In both of the Bills’ games so far, Taylor has been reckless with the ball and missed several easy reads and throws. This is to be expected, since he has only started two games now in five years. But his highlights don’t tell the entire story.

He must show he can win within the pocket and deliver timely passes. The Dolphins defense has several dangerous playmakers, and Taylor can face a long day if he’s not careful. We’re looking to see whether he can make some progress as a consistent passer this week. The Bills’ Super Bowl hopes really come down to Taylor’s talents.

All stats used are from Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

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