Week 3 sees another set of five live games, and mercifully we don't have to suffer through another ugly Dallas game. Last week's defeat by Chicago dropped the Cowboys' record to 0-2 and questions are being asked about the future of head coach Wade Phillips. 

We'll get another look at last season's two Super Bowl teams, the New Orleans Saints (vs Atlanta) and the Indianapolis Colts (vs Denver), while the marquee matchup is probably the New York Jets travelling to Miami to take on the Dolphins, who are 2-0. That's the Monday late game, carried by ESPN and One HD. 

Week 3 games on Australian television: 

Monday, 3:10 am, Fox Sports

Atlanta Falcons (1-1) @ New Orleans Saints (2-0) 

TAB Sportsbet line: New Orleans -3.5

Reason to watch: This could prove to be a battle for supremacy in the NFC South. The Falcons crushed Arizona last week and will be looking to move the ball on the Saints' defense. The defending Super Bowl champs showed real grit in a tough win over San Francisco, and quarterback Drew Brees is as efficient as ever. No Reggie Bush for New Orleans; he'll be out at least six weeks with a broken leg. 

Monday, 5 am, One HD

Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) @ Carolina Panthers (0-2) 

TAB Sportsbet line:  Carolina +3.5

Reason to watch: This could be a breakout game for Cincinnati's 1-2 punch of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. The struggling Panthers could be just the tonic for Bengals' quarterback Carson Palmer and his supposedly high-powered offense. Carolina QB Matt Moore was benched last week and there are already calls for rookie Jimmy Clausen to get the starting job. 

Monday, 7:40 am, One HD

Indianapolis Colts (1-1) @ Denver Broncos (1-1)

TAB Sportsbet line: Denver +5.5

Reason to watch: To see if Peyton Manning takes apart Denver's secondary with pinpoint precision. The four-time MVP looked great in last week's emphatic victory over the New York Giants. The Broncos crushed Seattle last week, behind quarterback Kyle Orton, but they're still very much a rebuilding team and will need plenty of breaks to have any shot at beating the Colts. 

Monday, 10:20 am, ESPN, One HD

New York Jets (1-1) @ Miami Dolphins (2-0)

TAB Sportsbet line: Miami -2

Reason to watch: To see if the Dolphins can continue their fast start. A win here and Tony Sparano's (Sparano not Soprano) men would essentially have control over the AFC East. The Jets could have trouble  moving the ball against Miami's tough defense, but Mark Sanchez and Co. looked good in last week's win over New England. A very important Week 3 game. 

Tuesday, 10:30 am, ESPN

Green Bay Packers (2-0) @ Chicago Bears (2-0)

TAB Sportsbet line: Chicago +3

Reason to watch: This is a big NFC North clash between traditional rivals, and both teams sport 2-0 records. The Packers moved the ball easily against Buffalo, even without running back Ryan Grant, who is out for the season. Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers is one of the NFL's elite young quarterbacks, while Chicago's Jay Cutler is strong-armed but erratic. Still, the Bears will be tough at home in front of their passionate fans. 

You can also catch Ed Wyatt's musings on NFL at edwyatt.com.au.