NFL Week 3 Recap: Key Performances and Surprising Outcomes
As Week 3 of the NFL season comes to a close, several teams and players have begun to establish themselves as early standouts. The Seattle Seahawks have taken a commanding two-game lead over the NFC West, demonstrating their dominance early in the season. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers are carving their path in the AFC North, also securing a two-game lead. But it is perhaps the Minnesota Vikings who have turned heads the most with an unblemished 3-0 start.
Sam Darnold’s Stellar Start
The Vikings’ success can be largely attributed to the impressive play of quarterback Sam Darnold. Leading the NFL with eight passing touchdowns, Darnold has become a revelation in Minnesota. His passer rating of 117.3 is second in the league, and he is fourth in yards per attempt with 8.4. Remarkably, Darnold is now the fifth quarterback in the past 25 years to start 3-0 with eight-plus passing touchdowns in his first three games with a new team. He is also the first quarterback in Vikings history to win his first three games of the season while throwing multiple touchdowns in each matchup.
Rookie Phenom: Malik Nabers
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has also been a crucial part of the Vikings' offensive surge. Nabers caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3, bringing his season totals to 23 catches, 271 yards, and three touchdowns. His 37.8% target share is the fourth-highest for any player through the first three games over the last decade, and his 271 yards are the second-most for a rookie in franchise history over the first three games.
Saquon Barkley Dominates
Elsewhere in the league, running back Saquon Barkley continues to lead the NFL in rushing with 351 yards and four touchdowns. In Week 3, Barkley had a standout performance, carrying the ball 17 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns, contributing both of the Eagles' touchdowns in their victory over the Saints. Barkley has consistently totaled over 100 yards from scrimmage in every game this season, solidifying his status as one of the league’s elite running backs.
Challenges for the Saints
The New Orleans Saints, who entered Week 3 averaging an impressive 45.5 points per game, managed just 12 points against the Philadelphia Eagles. This performance significantly dropped their average to 34.3 points per game over the first three weeks. C.J. Gardner-Johnson summed up the sentiment around the team, declaring, "The Saints were 'pretenders' after scoring 12 points and gaining 4.0 yards per play."
Malik Willis Shines for the Packers
Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Malik Willis has shown promising signs of development, completing 73.5% of his passes for an impressive 9.5 yards per attempt, adding two touchdowns and earning a passer rating of 122.6. In addition to his aerial efficiency, Willis has also added 114 rushing yards and a touchdown to his season stats. Over his two starts, he boasts an even more impressive completion rate of 75.8% and a 126.3 passer rating, further establishing himself as a dual-threat quarterback.
Willis made history in Week 3 by becoming the fourth Packers player to accumulate over 200 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown in a single game.
Dalton’s Breakthrough Performance
The Carolina Panthers finally secured their first win of the year, thanks to a remarkable performance by quarterback Andy Dalton. Throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3, Dalton snapped the Panthers’ losing streak and steered his team to a 36-point game. This offensive explosion was a stark contrast to the combined 13 points the Panthers scored in the first two weeks of the season.
Cowboys' Struggles at Home
Despite a valiant effort in the second half against the Ravens, where the Dallas Cowboys scored 22 consecutive points, the team has faced significant struggles at home. Over their last two home games, the Cowboys have been outscored 56-22, raising concerns about their defensive solidity and overall consistency.
As the NFL season progresses, these early performances have set the stage for what promises to be an intriguing and competitive race. With standout players like Sam Darnold, Malik Nabers, and Saquon Barkley making headlines, the journey to the playoffs will undoubtedly be filled with excitement and unpredictable outcomes.