One of the biggest surprises of the early NFL season is the start of the New Orleans Saints. It is never a good way to begin the season to be in a must-win game in week three.

Thursday, Sept 18

College football (6:30-10 p.m., ESPN): The Auburn Tigers hit the road to face a tough Kansas State team out of the Big-12 in a big non-conference match up. ... NFL (7-11 p.m., NFLN/CBS): The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Atlanta Falcons in a battle between NFC South rivals.

Friday, Sept 19

College football (7-10 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2): Connecticut faces South Florida as both teams open conference play in the American Athletic Conference.

Saturday, Sept 20

College football (6-9 p.m., ESPN): Undefeated Mississippi State faces its toughest test of the season against undefeated LSU in a potential statement game for the Bulldogs.

Sunday, Sept 21

NFL (12-3 p.m., Fox): The New Orleans Saints face the Minnesota Vikings in a must win game for the Saints if they want to salvage their playoff hopes.

Monday, Sept 22

NFL (7:30-11 p.m., ESPN): The New York Jets host the Chicago Bears in a clash between two teams trying to find their footing early in the season.

Tuesday, Sept 23

MLB (6-10 p.m., ESPN): ESPN features a game that will affect the MLB postseason standing as it selects MLB Postseason Impact Games.

Wednesday, Sept 24

MLB (6 p.m.-12 a.m., ESPN): An MLB doubleheader (teams to be announced) on ESPN as the baseball season begins to reach its exciting conclusion.

This is going to be a long week in New Orleans as the Saints must hear about going 0-3 and making the playoffs. It isn't the easiest road to playoffs, if New Orleans loses Sunday.