Week 3 could go a long way toward determining how teams will finish this season.
At home, the Dallas Cowboys — thrashed by the New Orleans Saints in Week 2 — will face the desperate Baltimore Ravens, who can't afford to start 0-3. Meanwhile, the 0-2 New York Giants and 0-2 Los Angeles Rams appear to be at a season's crossroads already, too.
Ahead of Week 3, Yardbarker NFL writers offer a prediction for every NFC team.
DALLAS COWBOYS (1-1) | Dak Prescott will throw multiple TD passes | Prescott has two touchdowns in two games but should do much better at home against a Ravens team allowing a league-worst 257 passing yards per game. Offensively, Baltimore is averaging a league-best 417.5 yards per game, and in a game projected for the second-highest point total (49.5) of the week, Dallas’ $240M quarterback will need more than one touchdown pass to beat a desperate 0-2 team such as Lamar Jackson’s Ravens.
NEW YORK GIANTS (0-2) | Daniel Jones hits the century mark | Devin Singletary ran for 95 yards and a touchdown in Week 2, but it wasn’t enough to beat a Commanders team that couldn’t score a touchdown. Jones hasn’t rushed for 100 yards in a game since 2022, but he could be scrambling all over on broken plays on the road against a Cleveland defense that sacked Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence four times and limited him to 14 completions in Week 2.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-1) | Devin White plays his first game of 2024 | Philadelphia didn’t give the 26-year-old linebacker, a healthy scratch in Week 2, a $4M deal to sit on the bench. The Eagles defense has allowed the third-most yards per game (399.5), and in a 22-21 Week 2 loss against Atlanta, QB Kirk Cousins had all day to throw. White won’t start over Nakobe Dean, who had seven tackles (five solo) against the Falcons, but without better options, the Eagles need to see if the former Pro Bowler has anything left on the road against New Orleans' league-leading offense.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-1) | Defense allows a perfect game | One week after Arizona’s Kyler Murray posted a perfect quarterback rating (158.3), Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow will do the same at home against a Washington defense allowing the fourth-most points per game (27.5). Highly motivated by a rare loss at Arrowhead Stadium and Cincinnati's 0-2 record, Burrow could even top the 400-yard mark for the first time since Week 7 of 2022. — Bruce Ewing
ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-1) | Budda Baker finally gets an interception | Baker is Arizona's best defensive player, but he will enter Sunday’s home game against the Detroit Lions riding a 23-game interception drought dating to the 2022 season. He will end that drought and help the Cardinals pull off a stunning upset against the Lions.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (0-2) | Kyren Williams sets career-high in touches | The offense is in trouble with top wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp sidelined because of injuries. That should set the stage for dual-threat running back Williams to get plenty of work at home against the 49ers. Expect him to break his previous career high of 32 touches in a game.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-1) | Jordan Mason makes it 3-for-3 in 100-yard games | With Deebo Samuel sidelined for multiple weeks because of a calf injury, the running game will take center stage again, especially on the road against a Rams defense that is allowing 197 yards per game rushing. Given Mason's production (247 yards rushing) with Christian McCaffrey out in Weeks 1 and 2, he will rush for 100-plus yards for the third straight game.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-0) | They do not allow a touchdown | Keeping a fully healthy Miami Dolphins team out of the end zone would normally be a nearly impossible task. But with QB Skylar Thompson getting the start for the Dolphins over sidelined Tua Tagovailoa, and with Miami making the longest road trip in the NFL, the improved Seahawks defense will have one of its best days of the season on Sunday. — Adam Gretz
CHICAGO BEARS (1-1) | RB D’Andre Swift hits 150 yards rushing | The Bears travel to Indianapolis on Sunday, and fortunately for them, the Colts have the worst rushing defense in the NFL (237 yards allowed per game). Part of why rookie QB Caleb Williams has struggled through his first two games is because he hasn’t had much help from his run game. That changes this week.
DETROIT LIONS (1-1) | QB Jared Goff has a three-TD passing game | The passing offense hasn’t looked right the first two weeks, but it’s tough to imagine the Lions struggling for three weeks in a row. The Cardinals secondary isn’t particularly bad; it just has the unfortunate luck of playing at home against a reeling Lions team coming off a bad loss to the Bucs. Detroit's trio of offensive stars (Goff, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, TE Sam LaPorta) are highly motivated to put up big numbers.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-1) | QB Malik Willis has a career-worst day in return to Tennessee | Once the Titans drafted Will Levis in the second round of the 2023 draft, Willis — who has a middling 58 completion percentage in the NFL — was all but on his way out the door. The third-round pick never developed into the starting QB the Titans hoped he’d be, and his performance Sunday at Tennessee will show why the Titans made the right call.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-0) | Danielle Hunter has a three-sack game against his former team | The Texans and Vikings essentially swapped pass-rushers this offseason, as Hunter joined the Texans and Jonathan Greenard signed with the Vikings. While Greenard is no slouch, Hunter is more accomplished, and unfortunately for Vikings QB Sam Darnold, he’s going to be highly motivated on the road to make his former team regret letting him walk in free agency. — Michael Gallagher
ATLANTA FALCONS (1-1) | Running back Bijan Robinson held under 100 yards | Count on Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to have a game plan on the road to contain Atlanta’s best offensive weapon. Per Pro Football Reference, Kansas City (2-0) has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs through two games, with backs rushing 30 times for 114 yards (57 yards per game).
CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2) | Panthers "explode" for two offensive touchdowns | After mustering one touchdown in its first two games, Carolina will explode for two TDs with Andy Dalton at quarterback on the road against the Raiders (1-1). Unfortunately for Carolina, just as the Panthers offense gets hot, owner David Tepper will spill his drink on it, causing it to short-circuit.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-0) | WR Rashid Shaheed scores another long touchdown | Since bursting on the season with two touchdowns on his first two offensive touches in 2022, Shaheed has become the NFL’s best deep threat not named Tyreek Hill. Seven of his 11 career touchdowns have gone for more than 40 yards (he also had a 39-yard touchdown), including 59- and 70-yarders in 2024. Shaheed will add an eighth at home against the Eagles (1-1).
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0) | Bucs score more points than the cost of some game tickets | Fans at Sunday’s home game against the Broncos (0-2) will get their money’s worth. Per Vivid Seats as of Wednesday, tickets for the Week 3 intraconference game are going for as low as $29, a figure Tampa Bay will eclipse on the scoreboard. — Eric Smithling
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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins’ secondary faces a deepening crisis as starting cornerback Kader Kohou will miss the entire 2025 season due to a partially torn ACL sustained during a training camp practice. The injury, which occurred during one-on-one drills, marks another blow to a unit already reeling from significant losses. The Miami Dolphins secondary is in major trouble. Kohou, a standout undrafted free agent from 2022, clutched his right knee after attempting to cover wide receiver Tyreek Hill. He limped off the field with assistance from the team’s medical staff, unable to bear full weight. Initial evaluations revealed significant swelling, delaying a definitive diagnosis. The team later confirmed the partial ACL tear, which requires surgery and sidelines Kohou for the year. His absence leaves a gaping hole in Miami’s defensive backfield, where he was expected to anchor the nickel position and take on a leadership role. The Dolphins’ secondary, already undergoing a major overhaul, now teeters on the brink of disarray. The team traded star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers and released Kendall Fuller earlier this offseason. Safety Jevon Holland departed in free agency, and Jordan Poyer remains unsigned. Adding to the woes, veteran cornerback Artie Burns suffered a season-ending ACL tear on the first day of training camp. Safety Ashtyn Davis also sustained a non-contact leg injury, though he avoids a season-long absence. Rookie safety Dante Trader Jr. and Ifeatu Melifonwu, both nursing injuries, further strain the unit’s depth. The Miami Dolphins might be cooked. Kohou’s injury compounds these challenges. As the lone returning starter from the 2024 secondary, his versatility in the slot and on the boundary made him a cornerstone of the defense. His 45 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble last season underscored his reliability. Without him, the Dolphins turn to unproven talent and recent free-agent signings to fill the void. Veterans Jack Jones and Mike Hilton, both added recently, bring experience but face pressure to gel quickly. Jones, who started 16 games for the Raiders in 2024, allowed eight touchdowns, raising concerns about his consistency. Hilton, a slot specialist, steps into Kohou’s role but lacks the same rapport with the team’s defensive scheme. Younger players like Storm Duck, Cam Smith, and rookie Jason Marshall Jr. now face heightened expectations. Duck showed promise as a rookie, but neither he nor Smith, a 2023 second-round pick, has proven ready for a starting role. The Dolphins’ coaching staff, led by Mike McDaniel, emphasizes fundamentals and consistency, but the lack of seasoned depth tests their defensive strategy, which relies on coordinated pass rushes and collective play. The team eyes the veteran free-agent market for reinforcements, with names like Rasul Douglas and Stephon Gilmore circulating as potential targets. For now, Miami’s secondary remains a patchwork unit, grappling with inexperience and injury as the 2025 season looms. The loss of Kohou, a quiet but relentless worker, leaves the Dolphins scrambling to rebuild a defense already stretched thin.
The New York Yankees haven't gotten superstars as Thursday's Trade Deadline approaches, but they did add depth that could change the course of their season. They acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario over the past week, the former of whom has already made his presence felt. McMahon recorded hits in his first three games with the team before going 0-for-4 against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. However, the 30-year-old went 2-for-4 with an RBI against them on Wednesday, including a walkoff single to center in the 11th inning. McMahon opened up about his experience with the team so far postgame, via SNY. "It just feels good to come through for the team," he said. "Everyone matters in this chase, so just happy to come through." "It's a lot of fun being here and being in this clubhouse," he continued. "It's a very dangerous team. I've seen it from afar, playing against them..." New York was down 1-0 from the third inning until the eighth, when Trent Grisham hit a solo homer to right. Giancarlo Stanton followed up with an RBI single, giving the team a 2-1 lead. Closer Devin Williams then blew the save in the ninth inning after allowing two runs, but Anthony Volpe tied the contest in the bottom frame with a solo homer to left. After that, Tampa Bay's Jonathan Aranda hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th before Cody Bellinger hit an RBI triple to center in the bottom frame. New York reliever Tim Hill then threw a scoreless inning in the 11th, and McMahon followed up with his walkoff single. The Yankees have now won three of their last four games.
The Chicago Cubs have made their second move of this trade deadline. First reported by Jon Heyman, the Cubs have traded for RHP Andrew Kittredge from the Baltimore Orioles. As of right now, it is unclear who the Cubs will be shipping off. Bob Nightengale reported that the deal “will be announced in the morning.” It is hard to believe they had to give up too much, even with the expensive pitching market. Report: Orioles Trade Reliever Andrew Kittredge to Cubs As they were expected to, the Cubs are going after pitching, Kittredge being a relief pitcher. Once again, he is a guy who was not on many people’s radars going into today. The 35-year-old could be a great addition to the bullpen in the playoffs as a one-year rental. What Can Kittredge Provide? This year, Kittredge has limited innings as he has only pitched 31 1/3 due to an early knee injury. But in those innings, he holds a 3.45 ERA. He also has 32 strikeouts and a good-looking 1.121 WHIP. And although he doesn’t qualify for many statistics, he has delivered amazing chase numbers, strikeout numbers in general, walk rate, and xERA. Kittredge this year also has a 3.56 FIP, which is solidly above average. Throughout his career, he has been an extremely underrated pitcher, finishing with a sub-3.15 ERA in six of his eight seasons before this year. He is a guy who isn’t going to overpower any hitters but is still able to get strikeouts and avoid barrels. Both of the first two pitchers traded for by the Cubs have very good strikeout numbers, which may be a sign of what the Cubs are going after. Similar to the Michael Soroka trade, Kittredge isn’t the top-end guy that most fans probably want. But he is a proven veteran who can give the Cubs’ bullpen a solid boost down the stretch.
NBA insider Marc Stein recently shook things up: he said the Golden State Warriors “will remain in the mix” for LeBron James if he ever looks to take his final bow somewhere other than L.A. Stein noted that Golden State showed interest in James during the February 2024 trade deadline and could keep doors open if he decides on a last hurrah with a fresh franchise. With James' contract up after the 2025-26 season and his Lakers role shifting toward Luka Doncic’s era, the possibility is more than just fan talk. But before Warriors fans dream of Curry and James reuniting, there are plenty of obstacles to consider. First, James still has a full no-trade clause. He has never expressed a desire to join Golden State, and there’s no indication he’s asked for a trade before. The Lakers have been positioning wisely — they’d rather keep him than risk losing him for nothing via buyout. That means any move would require James' blessing and likely the Lakers’ approval, too. Second, building a roster to support that dream would be tricky. Pruning contracts to make salary space or offering key role players like Jonathan Kuminga or draft capital would be painful. Golden State doesn’t have enough movable assets to package for James without betting on extended extensions or internal sacrifice — something Stein noted makes the reality of a deal slim. But beyond logistics, there’s the human side. James has deep ties to L.A. — his family is settled, his business ventures are there and unless he wants to reshape his legacy for farewell theater, it’s hard to imagine he’d willingly leave that. Still, Stein also mentioned that the Mavs, Knicks and Warriors all remain possibilities if a buyout or trade ever happens. Let’s say it becomes a thing. Would it make sense? Sure. A James/Curry reunion would instantly vault the Warriors back to championship favorite status — even if both stars are past their prime. The organization still carries enough culture and experience to provide a worthy platform. And James, always the competitor, may want to finish on a different note than simply fading in L.A. Still, realism wins: financial and roster hurdles alone make this a long shot. The Lakers aren’t giving James away, and Golden State would need a significant sacrifice to swing the deal. Plus, the longer it takes, the less athletic its existing roster becomes, making it harder to fit James into a modern, flexible system. In the end, Stein’s report puts a spotlight on something otherwise ignored: the possibility exists. But between logistics, loyalties and salary constraints, the odds feel way too slim to take seriously right now. Fans may hope for one final “Splash Brothers” encore, but the real hard work would be on the ownership and front office to make something that breaks the confines of a farewell fantasy plausible. Sure, the Warriors haven’t closed the door. But unless something major shifts, this feels more like background noise than a legit storyline.