In an action-packed Week 3 of the NFL season, several teams and standout players made significant strides, while others faced challenges. Leading the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks have established a formidable two-game lead. Over in the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers mirrored this performance, securing their own two-game lead. The Minnesota Vikings have emerged as one of the few teams with a perfect 3-0 record, thanks to impressive performances by their players.
Sam Darnold's Impressive Start
Quarterback Sam Darnold has been a revelation for the Vikings, leading the NFL with eight passing touchdowns. His passer rating of 117.3 ranks second in the league, while he's fourth in yards per attempt at 8.4. Darnold has joined an elite group of quarterbacks, becoming the fifth in the past 25 years to start a season 3-0 with eight-plus passing touchdowns in his first three games with a new team. Notably, he is the first quarterback in Vikings history to achieve this feat while throwing multiple touchdowns in each game. Darnold's dynamic leadership has the Vikings looking like a team to beat.
Rookie Sensation Malik Nabers
Another bright spot for the Vikings has been rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers. In Week 3, Nabers caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his season total to 23 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns. His 37.8% target share ranks as the fourth-highest for any player through the first three games over the last decade. Furthermore, his 271 receiving yards are the second-most for a rookie in franchise history over the same period, showcasing his significant impact on the field.
Marvin Harrison Jr. and Saquon Barkley's Contributions
Across the league, other players have also made their mark. Marvin Harrison Jr. has recorded 10 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns in three games, showing his consistency and reliability as a target. Meanwhile, running back Saquon Barkley leads the NFL in rushing with 351 yards and four touchdowns. In Week 3, Barkley carried the ball 17 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns, single-handedly scoring both of the Eagles' touchdowns in their victory over the Saints. Barkley has consistently surpassed 100 yards from scrimmage in every game this season, underscoring his vital role in the Eagles' offense.
Saints Offense Struggles
The New Orleans Saints experienced a significant setback, managing just 12 points against the Philadelphia Eagles. Entering Week 3, the Saints had been averaging 45.5 points and 6.9 yards per play, but their performance against the Eagles saw their averages fall to 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play over three games. C.J. Gardner-Johnson was candid in his assessment, stating, "The Saints were 'pretenders' after scoring 12 points and gaining 4.0 yards per play."
Malik Willis Shines for the Packers
For the Green Bay Packers, Malik Willis has shown exceptional promise. With a completion rate of 73.5%, 9.5 yards per attempt, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 122.6, Willis has added 114 rushing yards and a touchdown to his impressive stat line. In his two starts, Willis completed 75.8% of his passes with a 126.3 passer rating and became the fourth Packers player to record over 200 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown in a game, highlighting his dual-threat capabilities.
Andy Dalton Revitalizes the Panthers
Andy Dalton delivered a standout performance for the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Dalton's stellar play enabled the Panthers to secure their first win of the season, scoring 36 points in contrast to the combined 13 points they managed over the first two weeks.
Dallas Cowboys' Inconsistent Home Form
On the flip side, the Dallas Cowboys have struggled in their last two home games, being outscored 56-22. While the Cowboys did manage to score 22 straight points in the second half against the Ravens, these efforts fell short in securing a victory.
As the NFL season progresses, fans can expect to witness more thrilling performances, unexpected upsets, and emerging talents. Week 3 has certainly set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable journey ahead for all the teams and players involved.