Week 3 of the NFL season delivered a mix of expected triumphs and surprising twists, setting the stage for a compelling narrative as teams either solidified their dominance or struggled to find their footing. Headlining the week were the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers, each taking commanding two-game leads in their respective divisions, the NFC West and AFC North. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings emerged as one of the few undefeated teams, thanks in large part to the stellar play of quarterback Sam Darnold.
Quarterback Performance Highlights
Sam Darnold's seamless adaptation to his new team has been nothing short of remarkable. Leading the NFL with eight passing touchdowns, Darnold's statistics also include a second-place passer rating of 117.3 and the fourth-highest yards per attempt at 8.4. He joins an elite group of quarterbacks, being the fifth in the past 25 years to start 3-0 with eight or more touchdowns in his first three games on a new team. Furthermore, he has etched his name in the Vikings' history books, becoming the first quarterback to win his first three games of the season while throwing multiple touchdowns in each contest.
Rising Stars and Record-Setters
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is quickly making a name for himself. His Week 3 performance saw him catch eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his season total to 23 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Nabers' 37.8% target share is the fourth-highest for any player through the first three games over the last decade, and his 271 yards represent the second-most for a rookie in franchise history over the first three games. Complementing Nabers' impressive stats is Marvin Harrison Jr., who has collected 10 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns across three games.
Ground Game Dominance
Saquon Barkley continues to be a force on the ground, leading the NFL with 351 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His Week 3 showcase, featuring 17 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns, was integral to the Philadelphia Eagles' victory over the New Orleans Saints. Barkley has managed to exceed 100 yards from scrimmage in every game this season, making him an indispensable asset for the Eagles.
Quarterback Malik Willis Shines Despite Team Struggles
Despite not securing wins, Malik Willis continues to impress individually. Willis boasts a 73.5% completion rate, 9.5 yards per attempt, two passing touchdowns, and a passer rating of 122.6. Adding 114 rushing yards and a touchdown to his repertoire, Willis has completed 75.8% of his passes with a passer rating of 126.3 in his two starts. His performance makes him the fourth different Packers player to achieve over 200 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown in a single game.
Andy Dalton's Breakout Game
After a slow start to the season, the Carolina Panthers scored their first win, thanks to quarterback Andy Dalton's impressive 319-yard, three-touchdown performance in Week 3. This offensive surge saw the Panthers amass 36 points following a combined 13 points in their first two games.
Saints Struggle Against Eagles' Defense
The New Orleans Saints, who began the week averaging 45.5 points per game, faltered against the Eagles, scoring only 12 points and managing just 4.0 yards per play. Their average now drops to 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play over the three games, inviting criticism and skepticism about their early-season performance. As C.J. Gardner-Johnson candidly put it, "The Saints were 'pretenders' after scoring 12 points and gaining 4.0 yards per play."
Cowboys' Difficulties at Home
Finally, the Dallas Cowboys' recent home game performances have been troubling, having been outscored 56-22 over their last two contests. However, there was a glimmer of hope as they managed to score 22 straight points in the second half against the Ravens, hinting at potential improvements moving forward.
As the NFL season progresses, Week 3 has undoubtedly provided a wealth of narratives and standout performances to watch. With emerging stars and veteran playmakers alike stepping up, the weeks to come promise an exciting continuation of this already thrilling season.