​IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectAs usual, NFL Week 3 kicks off on Thursday night, and it goes through Monday, giving fans plenty of football to enjoy. Fantasy lineups are being set, and spectating plans are getting finalized. Football is in full swing.Whether it’s in fantasy football league standings or in real life, everyone wants to get off to a hot start. Sometimes, that’s just not the way it works. For every positive outlier, there’s an equally negative outlier, and that’s what this list is all about. Which five NFL players are set to disappoint in Week 3 of the 2026 season?Related: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings: Bengals, Vikings, Saints Rise After Chaotic Week 2Jonathan TaylorSep 13, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesJonathan Taylor is on a heater right now, rushing for 98 and 92 yards in his first two games while adding two touchdowns in each performance, but his Week 3 opponent, the Houston Texans, have allowed just 86 and 85 rushing yards in their first two games. The Texans are also 0-2, and they’ll be treating this AFC South divisional matchup almost as if it were a playoff game. Taylor is one of the NFL’s best running backs, but he had just 26 yards on 14 carries when these two last matched up in Week 18, and it could be another long day for him on Sunday. Marcus MariotaSep 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) walks on the field after a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesWashington Commanders fans have seen the Seattle Seahawks rally around backup quarterback Drew Lock and may think they can do the same with Marcus Mariota. They can’t. While the Commanders have a pair of great receivers in Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs, this Commanders offense is in trouble with Mariota taking over. The 32-year-old was solid in relief, completing 11-of-16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. But this is a player who made eight starts last season, committed 10 turnovers, and only went over 213 passing yards once, while leading his team to a 2-6 record. Don’t expect a magical win from Mariota against the Seahawks on Sunday. Baker MayfieldSep 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks off the field as they lost to the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn ImagesPicking the QB set to face off against a Brian Flores defense is practically cheating, but it was too good to pass up. The truth is, Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are struggling right now, and the Minnesota Vikings‘ defense is red-hot. They’re the worst team that Mayfield, who has the NFL’s third-highest sack rate among QBs expected to start in Week 3, could possibly face right now. With