Week 3 of the NFL season stirred up the league standings, bringing clarity to several team's early-season trajectories. One of the standout developments was the Seattle Seahawks asserting dominance in the NFC West with a commanding two-game lead. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers mirrored this accomplishment over in the AFC North. Such early leads can be pivotal, setting a solid foundation for a successful season.
Among the select few teams that have begun the season with a perfect record, the Minnesota Vikings stand tall at 3-0. This feat has been orchestrated predominantly by their new quarterback, Sam Darnold, who has found an immediate rhythm with his new team. Darnold leads the NFL with eight passing touchdowns and boasts impressive metrics, including a second-best passer rating of 117.3 and a fourth-highest yards per attempt with 8.4. This marks him as the fifth quarterback in the past 25 years to start 3-0 with eight or more passing touchdowns in his first three games with a new team.
Darnold's association with the Vikings has been historic, as he becomes the first quarterback in franchise history to win his first three games of the season while throwing multiple touchdowns in each contest. His synergy with rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has been a significant factor in this success. Nabers, who caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3, now accumulates 23 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns for the season. His 37.8% target share places him fourth in the highest target shares among any player over the first three games over the past decade. Nabers' commendable 271 yards represent the second-highest for a rookie in franchise history over the initial three games.
Meanwhile, in Ohio, Marvin Harrison Jr. has been making waves, amassing ten catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns over three games. While these performances are noteworthy, few have matched the consistency and impact of Saquon Barkley on the gridiron. Leading the NFL in rushing with 351 yards and four touchdowns, Barkley's Week 3 performance was particularly remarkable. He carried the ball 17 times for 147 yards, delivering two touchdowns and scoring both of the Eagles' touchdowns in their vital victory over the Saints. Barkley has achieved the impressive feat of totaling 100-plus yards from scrimmage in every game this season, underlining his pivotal role in the Eagles' offense.
Conversely, the New Orleans Saints faced an unexpected downfall. Despite entering Week 3 with an average of 45.5 points and 6.9 yards per play, they managed just 12 points against the Philadelphia Eagles, who managed to stifle their previously potent offense. This resulted in a significant drop in the Saints' average, now standing at 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play over three games. C.J. Gardner-Johnson didn't mince words post-game, stating, "The Saints were 'pretenders' after scoring 12 points and gaining 4.0 yards per play."
Another bright spot emerged in the form of Malik Willis, showing promise with a completion rate of 73.5%, averaging 9.5 yards per attempt alongside two touchdowns and a high passer rating of 122.6. Additionally, Willis has contributed 114 rushing yards and a touchdown to his stats, further solidifying his dual-threat capability. In his two starts, Willis has maintained a stellar completion rate of 75.8% with a passer rating of 126.3. He is now 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.
On the other hand, the Carolina Panthers found their stride, winning their first game of the year, largely thanks to Andy Dalton. The veteran quarterback threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3, propelling the Panthers to a significant 36-point win, a striking contrast to their combined 13 points in the first two weeks. This offensive explosion signifies a potential turning point for the team.
In contrast, the Dallas Cowboys continue to struggle, having been outscored 56-22 in their last two home games. However, there was a silver lining with the Cowboys scoring 22 straight points in the second half against the Ravens, hinting at possible improvements on the horizon.
The NFL season's third week has supplied ample drama and storylines, setting the stage for an unpredictable and exhilarating journey ahead. With players like Darnold, Barkley, and Willis demonstrating outstanding performances, the weeks ahead promise to be as thrilling as they've ever been.