NFL Week 3: Standouts and Surprises
The third week of the NFL season has provided no shortage of excitement, with standout performances and surprising results shaping the early trajectory of the league.
Seahawks and Steelers Take Command
The Seattle Seahawks have surged to an early lead in the NFC West with a two-game advantage, demonstrating their intent to dominate the division. Over in the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a similar position, holding a commanding two-game lead. Both teams have showcased their prowess and are setting a challenging pace for their competitors.
Vikings' Remarkable Start
The Minnesota Vikings are turning heads as one of the few teams to remain undefeated at 3-0. Quarterback Sam Darnold has been instrumental in this early success. Darnold leads the league with eight passing touchdowns, boasting a noteworthy passer rating of 117.3 and ranking fourth in yards per attempt at 8.4. He joins an elite group as the fifth quarterback in the past 25 years to start a season 3-0 with at least eight passing touchdowns in his first three games with a new team.
Darnold's impact has also earned him a unique place in Vikings history as the first quarterback to win his opening three games of the season while throwing multiple touchdowns in each contest. His connection with rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has been particularly fruitful, with Nabers catching eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3 alone. Nabers now has a cumulative 23 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns for the season, his 37.8% target share standing as the fourth-highest for any player through the first three games over the last decade.
Rising Stars Hammond and Barkley
Elsewhere in the rookie ranks, the Cincinnati Bengals' Malik Willis continues to impress with his remarkable efficiency. Willis has completed 73.5% of his passes, averaging 9.5 yards per attempt, and achieving a passer rating of 122.6 over three games. His impressive dual-threat capabilities have also been highlighted by 114 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Not to be outdone, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley leads the NFL in rushing with a staggering 351 yards and four touchdowns. Barkley has amassed over 100 yards from scrimmage in each game, including a standout Week 3 performance where he rushed for 147 yards on 17 carries, scoring both of the Eagles' touchdowns in their win over the New Orleans Saints.
Saints Struggle and Gardner-Johnson's Comment
The Saints, who had entered Week 3 boasting averages of 45.5 points and 6.9 yards per play, managed just 12 points in their clash with the Eagles. Their offensive averages have now dipped to 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play over three games, drawing criticism from various quarters. Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson didn’t mince words, declaring, "The Saints were ‘pretenders’ after scoring 12 points and gaining 4.0 yards per play." A sharp drop off like this has fueled conversations about the true potential of the Saints' offense.
Pivotal Performances and Comebacks
In another notable development, the Packers’ Malik Willis emerged as the fourth different player in franchise history to surpass 200 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown in a single game. His versatility has provided a spark to the Packers’ offense, making him a player to watch moving forward.
The Carolina Panthers also enjoyed a season-first victory, powered by veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, leading the team to score a season-high 36 points in Week 3 after managing just 13 points across their first two games.
Dallas Cowboys' Home Woes
On the flip side, the Dallas Cowboys have faced difficulties playing at home, being outscored 56-22 in their last two games. Despite rallying with 22 straight points in the second half against the Ravens, they couldn't secure a win, emphasizing the inconsistencies that have plagued their early season.
As Week 3 concludes, these performances and outcomes have set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling remainder of the NFL season. With teams and players exceeding expectations or grappling with challenges, the narrative of this season continues to evolve in unpredictable and exciting ways.