Seahawks and Steelers Rise to the Top
In Week 3 of the NFL season, the Seattle Seahawks solidified their dominance in the NFC West by taking a two-game lead. Similarly, the Pittsburgh Steelers showcased their prowess, leading the AFC North with an identical two-game advantage.
Vikings' Strong Start with Darnold
The Minnesota Vikings are one of the few teams to maintain an undefeated record at 3-0. A significant contributor to this impressive run is quarterback Sam Darnold, who is off to a blazing start. Darnold leads the NFL with eight passing touchdowns and boasts a stellar passer rating of 117.3, second only in the league. His efficiency is further highlighted by his fourth-place ranking in yards per attempt with 8.4.
Darnold’s historic start has placed him among elite company. He is the fifth quarterback in the past 25 years to begin a season 3-0 with eight or more passing touchdowns in his first three games with a new team. Furthermore, he is the first quarterback in Vikings history to win his first three games and throw multiple touchdowns in each.
Rookie Sensation: Malik Nabers
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has been nothing short of sensational. In Week 3, Nabers caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, pushing his season totals to 23 catches, 271 yards, and three touchdowns. Nabers’ 37.8% target share is the fourth-highest for any player through the first three games over the past decade. His 271 yards rank second-most for a rookie in franchise history over the first three games.
Marvin Harrison Jr. and Saquon Barkley Shine
Another notable performer is Marvin Harrison Jr., who has accumulated 10 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns through three games.
Meanwhile, running back Saquon Barkley is leading the NFL in rushing with 351 yards and four touchdowns. In Week 3 alone, Barkley carried the ball 17 times for 147 yards, scoring both of the Eagles' touchdowns in their victory over the Saints. Impressively, Barkley has surpassed 100 yards from scrimmage in every game so far this season.
Struggles for the Saints
Conversely, the New Orleans Saints offense faced significant challenges. Managing just 12 points against the Eagles, the Saints entered Week 3 averaging 45.5 points and 6.9 yards per play. These figures have now dropped to 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play over three games. C.J. Gardner-Johnson notably branded the Saints as 'pretenders' following their underwhelming performance when they scored only 12 points and gained 4.0 yards per play.
Packing a Punch: Malik Willis
Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Malik Willis has impressed with a completion rate of 73.5%, throwing for 9.5 yards per attempt, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 122.6. Additionally, Willis has added 114 rushing yards and a touchdown to his stat line. Over his two starts, he has completed 75.8% of his passes, achieving a passer rating of 126.3. Willis joins an exclusive group, becoming the fourth different Packers player to accumulate over 200 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown in a single game.
Panthers' Turnaround
The Carolina Panthers saw a remarkable turnaround in Week 3, thanks to quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Panthers to their first win of the season. The offense exploded with 36 points after combining for just 13 points in the first two weeks.
Cowboys' Woes Continue
The Dallas Cowboys have struggled in recent home games, being outscored 56-22. However, the team showed resilience in Week 3, scoring 22 straight points in the second half against the Ravens, showcasing their potential for future games.
As Week 3 concludes, the NFL landscape continues to evolve, with standout performances and surprising outcomes shaping early narratives. The coming weeks promise to bring even more excitement and shifting dynamics in the race to the playoffs.