Week 2 of the NFL season provided some wild upsets and thrilling back-and-forth matchups. With all the action completed, it’s time to look at the Week 3 NFL coverage map. Both CBS and FOX have multiple games in the late-afternoon window. Let’s see what games are available where.
NFL Coverage Map for Week 3
The people at 506 Sports provide fans with weekly NFL coverage maps. They color code the maps based on where each game will air across the major networks, and these maps are subject to change during the week.
CBS Single NFL TV Coverage Map
- Red: Los Angeles Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
The first matchup in Week 3 is on Sunday when the Chargers face off against the Steelers. The Chargers will hold their breath as they await the long-term news on quarterback Justin Herbert’s leg. In the third quarter, while throwing the ball away, Herbert got hit high and low, causing his legs to get caught underneath the defender.
Losing Herbert would be brutal, but Los Angeles has reinvented their offense under their new head coach. Now, they run the ball. The Chargers rank fourth in rushing with 5.6 yards per rush. They’re running the ball on 60% of their plays under Jim Harbaugh, the 3rd-highest rate in the league. From 2020-23 (Justin Herbert’s first four seasons), they ran the ball at the 2nd-lowest rate (38%).
Los Angeles hopes to have their QB1 available to take on a Pittsburgh offense that is slowly but surely coming to life.
After six field goals in Week 1, QB Justin Fields and the offense were able to find the end zone. Fields is looking more and more comfortable under center while the rushing attack is getting solid contributions from Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Going back to last year, the Steelers have won five straight regular season games, the second longest active streak in the NFL (Bills: 7) and the longest by this franchise since Ben Roethlisberger opened the 2020 season 11-0.
- Blue: Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis
After taking down the Bears at home on Sunday Night Football, the Texans will travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to face the undefeated Vikings. Houston’s offense looked more fluid in Week 1, but the defense was dominant against rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, getting multiple bone-crushing sacks. Getting in the end zone on some of those field-goal drives will be paramount in the postseason.
Don’t look now, but Minnesota is undefeated, with Sam Darnold running the offense. Week 2’s win over the 49ers was astonishing, but the former No. 3 overall pick had another solid game, completing 17 of 26 passes for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
San Francisco is one of the tougher defensive tests in the league, but it won’t get much easier for Minnesota with Houston’s ferocious pass rush coming to town.
- Yellow: Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Jason McCourty
Speaking of Williams, the rookie stays on the road in the AFC South as the Bears take on the Colts at Lucas Oil Field. Both squads struggled in Week 2 despite almost completing late-game comebacks.
Despite an improved performance from Week 1, Chicago ran into a relentless Texans defensive front. While the pressure may not be as intense, the Colts can still get in the backfield. Chicago has to find a way to keep Williams clean.
Indianapolis, on the other hand, needs to forget last week’s events. Only one person had a good game, with RB Jonathan Taylor gaining 135 scrimmage yards. However, Anthony Richardson threw three interceptions, and the defense let a backup QB traded for a seventh-round pick get his first NFL win. After two tough weeks, the Colts must avoid an 0-3 start to the season.
- Green: Miami Dolphins at Seattle Seahawks
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
Miami got some good news this week as QB Tua Tagovailoa announced he intends to continue playing once the medical staff clears him. When that will be isn’t known yet, but Miami is planning on sticking with backup Skylar Thompson. In limited playing time, Thompson has been willing to air it out. He is averaging 8.6 air yards per attempt (including playoffs). For context, that would rank as the 4th-deepest aDOT in the league since 2022 if he qualified.
Seattle may be 2-0, but getting there hasn’t been easy. After taking down the Broncos in Week 1, 26-20, they needed overtime to dispatch the Patriots 23-20. The Seahawks have pressured the opposing QB at least 43.8% of dropbacks in both games – they are the only team that can claim that and are already halfway to reaching their 2023 total of such games.
- Orange: Carolina Panthers at Las Vegas Raiders
Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta
Another week, another dud from the Carolina Panthers. After getting hammered by the Saints 47-10 in Week 1, the Panthers failed to find the end zone against the Chargers in Week 2. Carolina still has a long way to go before being considered competitive.
The same cannot be said for Las Vegas, who, despite fielding an offense that is rough around the edges, have a chance to start 2-1. The defense looked ferocious against the Ravens, sacking Lamar Jackson twice and continuously disrupting the backfield. How much havoc will they cause for Carolina?
FOX Early-Game NFL TV Coverage Map
- Blue: New York Giants at Cleveland Browns
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
FOX’s coverage starts with a matchup between the Giants and Browns. Cleveland bounced back from its Week 1 loss to Dallas, but the offense still struggled. Deshaun Watson ran in Cleveland’s only touchdown but completed 22 of 34 passes for just 186 yards. The Browns need to be able to get the ball into the end zone in a crowded AFC.
The Giants pray that kicker Graham Gano will be fine. His injury on the opening kickoff of Week 2 radically changed New York’s game plan, with punter Jamie Gillan missing an early extra point.
Kicking issues aside, QB Daniel Jones looked much better than in the Week 1 loss, but the Giants still couldn’t pull it all together. Let’s see what happens with a visit to Huntington Bank Field.
- Red: Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints
Joe Davis, Greg Olsen
Is it 2009? Because the Saints are back firing on all cylinders.
New Orleans has scored 44+ points in three straight matchups dating back to Week 18 of last season. Having doubts after destroying the Panthers was justified, but manhandling the Cowboys in Dallas is an entirely different story.
Philadelphia will be motivated, though, after a tough loss on Monday Night Football. Not having WR A.J. Brown hurt, but RB Saquon Barkley and WR DeVonta Smith did their part. QB Jalen Hurts desperately needs someone to step it up, but the defense is becoming a problem.
After years of harassing the quarterback, pocket pressure has been very light under Vic Fangio. If Kirk Cousins had time to throw, a hot-armed Derek Carr could have an eternity.
- Green: Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans
Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston
Oh, how the tables turn in the NFL. After a disappointing preseason from Sean Clifford, the Packers felt a new face was needed at QB2. Therefore, Green Bay sent a seventh-round pick to the Titans in exchange for Malik Willis. Three weeks later, Tennessee’s 2022 third-round selection has a chance to get a win over his former franchise.
Head coach Matt LaFleur did an incredible job adjusting his offense to Willis’ limitations, but how will the second game look?
Tennessee fell short for the second consecutive week, losing 24-17 both times. Their struggles lie in limiting mistakes. QB Will Levis has to cut down on some of these head-scratching turnovers that are killing the Titans’ momentum. They’ve looked good at times, but the second-year quarterback’s inexperience has reared its ugly head.
- Yellow: Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tim Brando, Matt Millen
The final matchup on FOX’s early-game coverage sees the Buccaneers hosting the Broncos at Raymond James Stadium.
Denver is still searching for its first win of the season as rookie quarterback Bo Nix continues to adjust. On nine pass attempts 20+ yards down field, Bo Nix has as many completions to his teammates as to the opposition (two).
It won’t get much easier this week, with Tampa Bay primed and ready to continue its impressive start to the season with a rejuvenated Baker Mayfield under center. Besides Baker, this Buccaneers defense has been absolutely elite. They’re the only team yet to allow a Pass TD this season.
The 2003 Bucs are the only team in franchise history to allow 0 Pass TD through the first 3 games, while the 2019 Patriots are the last team to do this league-wide.
FOX Late-Game NFL TV Coverage Map
- Red: Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys
Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady
Talk about a disappointment from both franchises in Week 2. After a close Week 1 matchup lost by a matter of inches, the Ravens looked outmatched and outcoached in Week 2 as the Raiders’ defense took advantage of a shaky offensive line.
For a franchise that leans heavily on the rushing attack, having protection issues is not a good sign for the season’s future. Will Baltimore be able to hold Cowboys LB Micah Parsons at bay?
On the other hand, Dallas could’ve handled a close loss in Week 2. However, after a solid outing from the roster in Week 1 in Cleveland, New Orleans waltzed into AT&T Stadium and gave the Cowboys a 60-minute thrashing. It’s best to forget and move on after games like that, but how will Dallas respond?
Dak Prescott failed to throw multiple TD passes in five of six games to open last season before closing with 2+ touchdown tosses in 10 of 11 – he’s opened this season with a pair of one-touchdown efforts.
- Blue: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams
Adam Amin, Mark Sanchez
An NFC West matchup in Week 3 sees two rivals reeling from tough Week 2 losses. The 49ers were humbled after an impressive Week 1 win as Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ defensive scheme puzzled QB Brock Purdy and San Francisco’s offense.
Jordan Mason has stepped in to man the rushing attack, but the loss of Christian McCaffrey’s contributions to the passing game is noticeable.
Meanwhile, the Rams were destroyed by the red-hot Cardinals 41-10. The offense struggled to do much after going into a 21-0 hole with over 13 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Los Angeles then got the worst news imaginable as WR Cooper Kupp is expected to miss an extended period of time and could end up on injured reserve. With Puka Nacua already out, the Rams are scraping the bottom of the barrel for wide receivers.
- Green: Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth
With the way the Cardinals have shown up to start the season, the final matchup in FOX’s coverage features what could be a future NFC playoff game. After taking the Bills to the brink in Week 1, Arizona snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Rams at State Farm Stadium, hoping to keep the high-powered offensive momentum going.
The Lions, however, suffered a rough loss after defeating the Rams in Week 1. Detroit does get to breathe a sigh of relief, though, as it sounds like WR Amon-Ra St. Brown missed part of the game due to a leg contusion and cramping.
NFL Week 3 National TV Broadcasts
Thursday Night
New England Patriots at New York Jets (Prime Video)
A divisional matchup kicks off the action this week as the Patriots head to MetLife Stadium to take on the Jets. Despite the loss, New England took a more talented Seahawks roster to overtime in Week 2.
Jacoby Brissett is getting the job done, but the offense is starting to lack some juice. Could Drake Maye see the field sooner rather than later if the lack of production continues?
After being with the franchise for over a year, Aaron Rodgers finally got a win with the Jets. It feels good, but New York can’t let its guard down against an impressive Patriots team through two weeks.
Sunday Night
Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons (NBC, Peacock)
The Chiefs won a nailbiter at Arrowhead last week, and while the defensive pass interference call was correct, Kansas City made plenty of mistakes to attempt to give the game away.
But in true Patrick Mahomes fashion, when it mattered most, the three-time Super Bowl MVP led the offense down the field to win the game. The turnovers are unacceptable, and Mahomes will need someone to fill the void left by RB Isiah Pacheco’s injury.
What a thrilling come from behind victory for the Falcons after a disastrous Week 1. Cousins looked more like his normal self as Atlanta started to implement play-action into the game plan.
Monday Night
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills
Week 3’s Monday night doubleheader starts in Highmark Stadium with the Bills hosting the Jaguars. Jacksonville was effectively shut down last week as the offense had no answers for the Browns’ defense. Trevor Lawrence was sacked four times, and Cleveland lived in the Jaguars’ backfield all game. Jacksonville must clean up blocking schemes, taking on an equally dangerous Bills squad.
Buffalo, on the other hand, wholly dismantled the Dolphins. Despite the score looking close at halftime, it was only a matter of time before the Bills took over.
After a slow start in Week 1, Josh Allen looks like nothing has changed on offense in the offseason, having no issues finding WR Khalil Shakir and TE Dalton Kincaid as his new primary targets. With the defense heating up, the Bills are already in midseason form.
Washington Commanders at Cincinnati Bengals
The final matchup of the week sees the Commanders taking on the Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Both squads looked much improved in Week 2, but only Washington would notch its first win of the season, as Cincinnati dropped to 0-2. Commanders’ rookie QB Jayden Daniels led seven-scoring drives but could not will Washington into the end zone.
Meanwhile, despite looking vastly improved after dropping their season opener to the Patriots, the Bengals’ efforts weren’t enough to take down the reigning Super Bowl champions. Still, Cincinnati’s defense is vastly better than the Giants. Daniels and the Commanders should have more difficulty dealing with Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme.