NFL 2026-27 Week 3: The Numbers Define the Glory On Field

NFL: Week 3 Overview

NFL Week 3 presents another schedule packed with significant games. It is made up of 16 games scheduled from Thursday to Monday. The teams continue to try to gain an edge at the beginning of the 2026 season. Some of the significant games of the week include Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots. Similarly, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles. This report will include match timings, locations, expected lineups, and selected KPIs for the teams. Statistics to compare include points, touchdowns, first downs, passing, third downs, rushing touchdowns, offensive plays, and time of possession.

NFL: Week 3 Schedule

Date & Day	Fixtures	ET	PT	IST	Venue
Thursday, Sep 24, 2026	Green Bay Packers vs Atlanta Falcons	8:15 PM	5:15 PM	5:45 AM (Next day)	Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	Jacksonville Jaguars vs New England Patriots	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	Detroit Lions vs New York Jets	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	New York Giants vs Tennessee Titans	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	Washington Commanders vs Seattle Seahawks	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals	4:05 PM	1:05 PM	1:35 AM (Next day)	Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings	4:05 PM	1:05 PM	1:35 AM (Next day)	Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	Dallas Cowboys vs Baltimore Ravens	4:25 PM	1:25 PM	1:55 AM (Next day)	Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	New Orleans Saints vs Las Vegas Raiders	4:25 PM	1:25 PM	1:55 AM (Next day)	Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026	Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Rams	8:20 PM	5:20 PM	5:50 AM (Next day)	Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Monday, Sep 28, 2026	Chicago Bears vs Philadelphia Eagles	8:15 PM	5:15 PM	5:45 AM (Next day)	Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

NFL: Week 3 Key Match Data’s

Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Chargers

Date: 27 September 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 01:00 PM ET | 10:00 AM PT | 10:30 PM IST

Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY

NFL Projected Lineups

Buffalo Bills

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Josh Allen
Running Back	James Cook III
Wide Receiver	Joshua Palmer
Wide Receiver	Khalil Shakir
Wide Receiver	Keon Coleman
Tight End	Dalton Kincaid
Left Tackle	Dion Dawkins
Left Guard	Alec Anderson
Center	Connor McGovern
Right Guard	O’Cyrus Torrence
Right Tackle	Spencer Brown

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Landon Jackson
Nose Tackle	Deone Walker
Right Defensive End	DeWayne Carter
Outside Linebacker	Greg Rousseau
Left Inside Linebacker	Dorian Williams
Right Inside Linebacker	Terrel Bernard
Outside Linebacker	Bradley Chubb
Left Cornerback	Christian Benford
Strong Safety	Cole Bishop
Free Safety	C.J. Gardner -Johnson
Right Cornerback	Maxwell Hairston
Nickel Cornerback	Dee Alford

Los Angeles Chargers

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Justin Herbert
Running Back	Omarion Hampton
Wide Receiver	Ladd McConkey
Wide Receiver	Quentin Johnston
Wide Receiver	Tre’ Harris
Tight End	Oronde Gadsden
Left Tackle	Rashawn Slater
Left Guard	Alex Harkey
Center	Jake Slaughter
Right Guard	Cole Strange
Right Tackle	Joe Alt
Fullback	Alec Ingold

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Teair Tart
Nose Tackle	Dalvin Tomlinson
Right Defensive End	Jamaree Caldwell
Outside Linebacker	Tuli Tuipulotu
Left Inside Linebacker	Daiyan Henley
Right Inside Linebacker	Del’Shawn Phillips
Outside Linebacker	Khalil Mack
Left Cornerback	Cam Hart
Strong Safety	Tony Jefferson
Free Safety	Genesis Smith
Right Cornerback	Donte Jackson
Nickel Cornerback	Tarheeb Still

NFL Team KPI Battle

KPI	Buffalo Bills	Los Angeles Chargers
Points Per Game (PPG)	38.5	14.0
Total Touchdowns	10	4
Total 1st downs	54	34
Net Passing Yards/ game	283	185
3rd-Down Conversion %	57.14	31.82
Rushing Touchdowns	5	2
Total Offensive Plays	121	113
Possession Time Seconds	28:44	27:23

Analysis

Buffalo has an evident statistical edge over the provided KPIs. The Bills score an average of 38.5 PPG, whereas the Chargers score 14.0. The Bills have more totals (touchdowns), 10 to 4; first downs, 54 to 34; and yards passing per game, 283 to 185. Buffalo converts 57.14% of third downs, while Los Angeles converts 31.82%. The Bills have more rushing touchdowns (5 to 2) and more possession time (28:44 to 27).

The Pick: Buffalo Bills

Jacksonville Jaguars vs New England Patriots

Date: 27 September 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 01:00 PM ET | 10:00 AM PT | 10:30 PM IST

Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY

NFL Projected Lineups

Jacksonville Jaguars

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Trevor Lawrence
Running Back	Bhayshul Tuten
Wide Receiver	Parker Washington
Wide Receiver	Brian Thomas Jr.
Wide Receiver	Jakobi Meyers
Tight End	Brenton Strange
Left Tackle	Anton Harrison
Left Guard	Emmanuel Pregnon
Center	Robert Hainsey
Right Guard	Ezra Cleveland
Right Tackle	Cole Van Lanen

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Travon Walker
Nose Tackle	Arik Armstead
Right Defensive End	Albert Regis
Outside Linebacker	Josh Hines-Allen
Left Inside Linebacker	Foyesade Oluokun
Right Inside Linebacker	Ventrell Miller
Outside Linebacker	Dennis Gardeck
Left Cornerback	Travis Hunter
Strong Safety	Eric Murray
Free Safety	Antonio Johnson
Right Cornerback	Montaric Brown
Nickel Cornerback	Jourdan Lewis

New England Patriots

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Drake Maye
Running Back	Rhamondre Stevenson
Wide Receiver	Romeo Doubs
Wide Receiver	DeMario Douglas
Wide Receiver	Mack Hollins
Tight End	Hunter Henry
Left Tackle	Will Campbell
Left Guard	Alijah Vera-Tucker
Center	Jared Wilson
Right Guard	Greg Van Roten
Right Tackle	Morgan Moses
Fullback	Reggie Gilliam

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Christian Barmore
Nose Tackle	Cory Durden
Right Defensive End	Milton Williams
Outside Linebacker	Elijah Ponder
Left Inside Linebacker	Christian Elliss
Right Inside Linebacker	Robert Spillane
Outside Linebacker	Gabe Jacas
Left Cornerback	Charles Woods
Strong Safety	Craig Woodson
Free Safety	Kevin Byard
Right Cornerback	Christian Gonzalez
Nickel Cornerback	Marcus Jones

NFL Team KPI Battle

KPI	Jacksonville Jaguars	New England Patriots
Points Per Game (PPG)	23.5	15.0
Total Touchdowns	5	3
Total 1st downs	44	34
Net Passing Yards/ game	203.5	179.5
3rd-Down Conversion %	45.46	32.14
Rushing Touchdowns	1	1
Total Offensive Plays	111	120
Possession Time Seconds	31:17	30:45

Analysis

The Jacksonville team possesses better offensive statistics than the New England team on the majority of the KPI metrics provided. The Jaguars have an average of 23.5 PPG while the Patriots have only 15.0. Also, they have an advantage in touchdowns (5-3), first downs (44-34), passing yards per game (203.5-179.5), and third-down conversions (45.46%-32.14%). They are almost equal in possession time: Jacksonville has 31:17-30:45. New England runs more offensive plays (120–111), but Jacksonville’s efficiency gives them the statistical edge.

The Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals

Date: 27 September 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 01:00 PM ET | 10:00 AM PT | 10:30 PM IST

Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY

NFL Projected Lineups

Pittsburgh Steelers

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Aaron Rodgers
Running Back	Jaylen Warren
Wide Receiver	DK Metcalf
Wide Receiver	Ben Skowronek
Wide Receiver	Roman Wilson
Tight End	Pat Freiermuth
Left Tackle	Troy Fautanu
Left Guard	Mason McCormick
Center	Zach Frazier
Right Guard	Spencer Anderson
Right Tackle	Dylan Cook
Fullback	Riley Nowakowski

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Derrick Harmon
Nose Tackle	Keeanu Benton
Right Defensive End	Cameron Heyward
Outside Linebacker	T.J. Watt
Left Inside Linebacker	Payton Wilson
Right Inside Linebacker	Patrick Queen
Outside Linebacker	Alex Highsmith
Left Cornerback	Asante Samuel Jr.
Strong Safety	Rayshawn Jenkins
Free Safety	Jaquan Brisker
Right Cornerback	Jamel Dean
Nickel Cornerback	Jalen Ramsey

Cincinnati Bengals

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Joe Burrow
Running Back	Chase Brown
Wide Receiver	Ja’Marr Chase
Wide Receiver	Tee Higgins
Wide Receiver	Andrei Iosivas
Tight End	Mike Gesicki
Left Tackle	Orlando Brown Jr.
Left Guard	Dylan Fairchild
Center	Ted Karras
Right Guard	Dalton Risner
Right Tackle	Amarius Mims

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Boye Mafe
Nose Tackle	Dexter Lawrence II
Right Defensive End	Jonathan Allen
Outside Linebacker	Myles Murphy
Left Inside Linebacker	Demetrius Knight Jr.
Right Inside Linebacker	Barrett Carter
Outside Linebacker	Oren Burks
Left Cornerback	Dax Hill
Strong Safety	Jordan Battle
Free Safety	Bryan Cook
Right Cornerback	DJ Turner II
Nickel Cornerback	Jalen Davis

NFL Team KPI Battle

KPI	Pittsburgh Steelers	Cincinnati Bengals
Points Per Game (PPG)	11.5	26.5
Total Touchdowns	1	5
Total 1st downs	31	38
Net Passing Yards/ game	175.0	213.5
3rd-Down Conversion %	20.0	44.83
Rushing Touchdowns	0	1
Total Offensive Plays	131	122
Possession Time Seconds	30:50	31:07

Analysis

Here, the Cincinnati team comes in with an obvious advantage in offense based on all the provided KPIs. On average, Cincinnati has 26.5 PPG, whereas Pittsburgh has 11.5. Further, Cincinnati has scored five touchdowns while Pittsburgh has only one. Also, Cincinnati has better net passing yards per game than Pittsburgh (213.5 versus 175.0). Cincinnati is also better in third-down conversion (44.83%) than Pittsburgh (20%). Possession time is nearly even, but Pittsburgh has yet to record a rushing touchdown.

The Pick: Cincinnati Bengals

Chicago Bears vs Philadelphia Eagles

Date: 28 September 2026 (Monday)

Time: 08:15 PM ET | 05:15 PM PT | 05:45 AM IST (Next day)

Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

NFL Expected Lineups

Chicago Bears

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Tyson Bagent
Running Back	D’Andre Swift
Wide Receiver	Rome Odunze
Wide Receiver	Luther Burdern III
Wide Receiver	Kalif Raymond
Tight End	Colston Loveland
Left Tackle	Braxton Jones
Left Guard	Joe Thuney
Center	Garrett Bradbury
Right Guard	Jonah Jackson
Right Tackle	Darnell Wright

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Montez Sweat
Nose Tackle	Grady Jarrett
Right Defensive End	Kentavius Street
Outside Linebacker	James Lynch
Left Inside Linebacker	Devin Bush
Right Inside Linebacker	T.J. Edwards
Outside Linebacker	D’Marco Jackson
Left Cornerback	Jaylon Jackson
Strong Safety	Dillion Thieneman
Free Safety	Xavier Woods
Right Cornerback	Clark Phillips III
Nickel Cornerback	Cam Lewis

Philadelphia Eagles

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Jalen Hurts
Running Back	Tank Bigsby
Wide Receiver	DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver	Dontayvion Wicks
Wide Receiver	Makai Lemon
Tight End	Johnny Mundt
Left Tackle	Jordan Mailata
Left Guard	Cam Jurgens
Center	Drew Kendall
Right Guard	Tyler Steen
Right Tackle	Lane Johnson

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Jalen Carter
Nose Tackle	Jordan Davis
Right Defensive End	Moro Ojomo
Outside Linebacker	Nolan Smith Jr.
Left Inside Linebacker	Zack Baun
Right Inside Linebacker	Jihaad Campbell
Outside Linebacker	Jalyx Hunt
Left Cornerback	Riq Woolen
Strong Safety	Marcus Epps
Free Safety	Andrew Mukuba
Right Cornerback	Quinyon Mitchell
Nickel Cornerback	Cooper DeJean

NFL Team KPI Battle

KPI	Chicago Bears	Philadelphia Eagles
Points Per Game (PPG)	31.0	24.0
Total Touchdowns	8	6
Total 1st downs	43	33
Net Passing Yards/ game	212.0	217.0
3rd-Down Conversion %	51.726	53.13
Rushing Touchdowns	6	1
Total Offensive Plays	140	125
Possession Time Seconds	33:22	31:32

Analysis

Chicago is better in points per game, recording 31.0 PPG to Philadelphia’s 24.0 PPG. Chicago is also better in first downs (43-33), rushing touchdowns (6-1), offensive plays (140-125), and possession time (33:22 – 31:32). Philadelphia is slightly better in passing efficiency and third-down conversion percentage (53.13% – 51.73%). The absence of Caleb Williams because of a hamstring injury poses a significant problem for Chicago. But their offensive consistency becomes a key variable in this matchup.

The Pick: Philadelphia Eagles

Conclusion

There are some interesting statistical matchups during NFL Week 3. First of all, the Buffalo team is superior to the Chargers in scoring, passing, touchdowns, and third-down conversions. Second, Jacksonville outperforms the New England team in almost all provided KPIs. Third, the Cincinnati team has superiority over that of Pittsburgh in scoring and offensive efficiency. Fourth, the Chicago team has good statistics for comparison with Philadelphia. Despite the fact that, the latter team has better statistics in passing and third-down conversion. From this comparison, we can conclude about the performance of different teams in the initial weeks of the game season.