*Some coaches often say three constitutes a streak. As we make our way to the third Sunday of the season a handful of teams are streaking toward 3-0 starts, while some big-time teams try to avoid a three-loss streak. These are the things you need to know for all of Sunday's games as kickoff approaches. *
Key game-time decisions
Ray Rice, RB (hip -- doubtful) Baltimore Ravens
We begin with the least likely to play this week. Rice hasn't practiced all week and it is "very, very unlikely he plays," NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday. The hope is that Rice will be back next week, according to Rapoport.
Reggie Bush, RB (knee) and Nick Fairley DT (shoulder) Detroit Lions
Bush returned to practice Friday, but NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported on "GameDay First" that the Lionsmight hold Bush out of the lineup Sunday as a precaution, despite his desire to play, according to sources informed of the injury. Fairley was limited in practice all week after missing Week 2's loss. The Lions listed Fairley as questionable for Sunday's contest.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR (hamstring) Arizona Cardinals
As he did last week, we expect Fitzgerald to give it a go this week against the New Orleans Saints. But he didn't finish the Cardinals' Week 2 game after tweaking the injury. At some point Arizona could decide it's best for everyone to shut Fitz down for a bit.
Mike Wallace, WR (groin) Miami Dolphins
Wallace was placed on the injury report as a limited participant Friday after tweaking the groin injury that kept him out of the Dolphins' first preseason game.
Vernon Davis, TE (hamstring) San Francisco 49ers
Davis sat out of practice all week, but said he plans to play Sunday. Jim Harbaugh called him a game-time decision versus the Indianapolis Colts. It would be a huge loss if Davis couldn't go.
Julio Jones, WR (knee) and Roddy White, WR (ankle) Atlanta Falcons
Ed Reed, S (hip) Houston Texans
All signs point to Reed finally making his debut for the Texans. Reed said this week he didn't want his first game to be in Baltimore. But unless something changes right before kickoff it looks like Reed will once again be patrolling the secondary in M&T Bank Stadium.
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB (ankle) Jacksonville Jaguars
MJD returned to practice Friday. Even if he were 100 percent, going up against a healthy Seattle Seahawks defense Sunday would be a tough task.
Eddie Lacy, RB (concussion) Green Bay Packers
Even if Lacy is cleared to play, James Starks will get the start against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Packers have the luxury of being patient with Lacy.
Le'Veon Bell, RB (foot) Pittsburgh Steelers
Heath Miller should be back for the Steelers' offense. The run game desperately needs Bell back as well, but it would be a surprise if it happened this week.
Anthony Spencer, DE (knee) Dallas Cowboys
Spencer said his knee held up in his season debut last week. He missed practices on Wednesday and Friday. If he plays against the St. Louis Rams it could be on a limited basis.
Fred Davis, TE (ankle) Washington Redskins
Davis was a late addition to the injury report after practicing fully the entire week. Davis hasn't performed well the first two weeks as rookie tight end Jordan Reed has taken over.
Rob Gronkowski, TE (back/forearm) New England Patriots
NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Friday that it's highly unlikely that Gronk will play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rapoport reiterated that on "NFL GameDay First," adding that Gronk's injured forearm is what's holding him back, not his surgically repaired back.
Key players to watch on teams trying to avoid 0-3
History tells us 0-3 is the death-record for Super Bowl aspirations and puts playoff hopes on life support. So we will look at one player who will be vital to these teams staving off 0-3.
Nicks should have a field day on the outside against a bad Panthers secondary.
Against a stout Browns defense, Ponder can't continue to make game-killing decisions.
Revis could make some game-changing plays against young receivers -- assuming Tom Brady doesn't just give up on throwing toward his side of the field.
Let's be honest, it's always about Cam.
Maybe Hoyer can conjure up some Kirk Cousins-magic -- who used to be his backup at Michigan State. Hoyer will get top wide receiver Josh Gordon back from suspension.
Weather tracking
It looks like we could have some weather trouble down in Florida again this week.
Buccaneers at Patriots -- 68 degrees F/chance of rain
Did you know?
»Weeks 1 and 2 of the 2013 season have featured the No. 1 and No. 2 passing yard totals in a single week in NFL history: Week 1: 8,710 yards; Week 2: 8,691 yards
»The Redskins have run exactly one offensive play when winning or tied this season. It was an Alfred Morris fumble in Week 1.
Sunday's storylines
How the Ravens' defense, particularly Terrell Suggs, exploits Duane Brown's replacement at left tackle will be an important determinant in the matchup.
The Giants' dismal run game faces a suffocating front seven. I'm expecting Eli Manning to air it out a ton against a shaky, banged-up Panthers secondary.
Cam Newton's early season struggles with a limited offense will continue if he has to match points with Manning.
Giovani Bernard is expected to see the field more Sunday. If the Bengals can get him in space, the rookie running back could be a game-changer against the Packers' defense.
If the Packers' offensive line slows down Geno Atkins and the Bengals' front four, Aaron Rodgers will have another huge day against a secondary that hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer in 16 consecutive games.
How much will the Cowboys run the ball? We've heard the talk about focusing on the ground game before, but it hasn't stuck in the past.
Starting a backup quarterback and breaking in a new running back aren't good recipes for success on the road. How the Browns respond after their big mid-week trade will speak a lot about the team's leadership.
Adrian Peterson will try to get back on track against a very stout Browns defensive front, so we could see more Christian Ponder than Vikings fans can stomach.
Tom Brady talked up his young receivers this week after his frustration boiled over in Week 2. We'll see how Brady reacts if his receivers struggle against a very good defense.
The Bucs can't afford to beat themselves as they have the first two weeks. Pre-snap penalties and mental mistakes could short-circuit any chance for a road upset.
Patrick Peterson will be a fun player to keep an eye on in this game. He will be key in attempting to slow down the Saints' offense. With Fitzgerald not 100 percent, I'm wondering if we'll see Peterson on offense a bit more this week as a decoy or otherwise.
The Saints' defense is visibly improved and could have another good week against Carson Palmer.
Philip Rivers looks rejuvenated spreading the ball around, but will he find Eddie Royal for another multi-touchdown game?
I'm expecting the Titans' defense to control this game and put its offense in a position to win, it's on Jake Locker to close the deal.
Will Robert Griffin III run more this week? He'll need to make sure he gets by a nasty Lions front four before he takes off.
The Redskins' defense has been run on the first two weeks. It's not a Lions strength, so it will be interesting to see if offensive coordinator Scott Linehan sticks with the run, especially with a banged up Reggie Bush.
Without Steven Jackson, I'm expecting Matt Ryan to attack Miami's secondary similar to Andrew Luck's plan last week.
A big game from Ryan Tannehill finally could vault him into the national conversation about great young quarterbacks, where we believe he belongs.
Two rookie quarterbacks (EJ Manuel and Geno Smith) against two tough defenses. This could be a mistake-filled game.
After watching rookie offensive tackles Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson struggle Thursday night, I'm interested to see how Luke Joeckel handles himself against a devastating -- and finally healthy -- Seahawks D.
Trent Richardson's arrival has somewhat overshadowed Andrew Luck matching wits with his old college coach, Jim Harbaugh. While Richardson will play, the Colts' chances remain dependent on Luck's ability to pick apart defensive secondaries.
Niners pass rusher Aldon Smith is making headlines for the wrong reasons, but he and his defensive teammates could make them for the right ones Sunday. The Colts' offensive line has struggled and the 49ers defenders should hit Luck a lot in this game.
Jay Cutler has been sacked just once this season. The Steelers' defense has recorded just one sack. The amount of pressure on the Bears quarterback will be key.
Heath Miller's return could be a boon for Roethlisberger. Big Ben's clearly missed his security blanket when he extends the play.
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