Week 3 of the NFL season brought a mix of triumphs and travails for teams across the league. The Seattle Seahawks solidified their position by taking a two-game lead over the NFC West, while the Pittsburgh Steelers also established a two-game cushion in the AFC North.
Among the few undefeated teams, the Minnesota Vikings stand out with a perfect 3-0 record. This success can be largely attributed to quarterback Sam Darnold, who leads the NFL with eight passing touchdowns. Darnold's remarkable start to the season has him second in passer rating (117.3) and fourth in yards per attempt (8.4). Notably, he is 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. Additionally, Darnold has made history as the first quarterback in Vikings history to win his first three games of the season while throwing multiple touchdowns in each matchup.
The Vikings' offensive prowess isn’t limited to Darnold. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has also shown star potential, catching eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3. Nabers has accumulated a total of 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, and his 271 yards are the second-most for a rookie in franchise history over the same period.
Across the league, standout performances were also noted. Marvin Harrison Jr. has shown promise with 10 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns over three games. Meanwhile, running back Saquon Barkley is leading the NFL in rushing, amassing 351 yards and four touchdowns. Barkley’s Week 3 performance was particularly impressive as he carried the ball 17 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns. His contributions were crucial in the Eagles' narrow victory over the Saints, where he scored both of their touchdowns. Barkley's consistency is undeniable, having totaled over 100 yards from scrimmage in every game this season.
However, not every team faced such success. The New Orleans Saints, who started the season strong by averaging 45.5 points and 6.9 yards per play, found themselves struggling offensively. In Week 3, they managed only 12 points against the Philadelphia Eagles, bringing their average down to 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play over three games. The Saints’ poor performance led to harsh criticisms, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson stating, "The Saints were 'pretenders' after scoring 12 points and gaining 4.0 yards per play."
For the Green Bay Packers, quarterback Malik Willis has been a revelation. Willis boasts a completion rate of 73.5%, averages 9.5 yards per attempt, and has a passer rating of 122.6. He's also contributed 114 rushing yards and a touchdown. In his two starts, Willis has completed 75.8% of his passes and achieved a 126.3 passer rating. Notably, he became the fourth different Packers player to record over 200 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown in a single game.
In Carolina, the Panthers earned their first win of the year in Week 3 thanks to veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, who threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns. The Panthers' offensive explosion led to 36 points, a stark contrast to the mere 13 points they scored in the first two weeks combined.
On the flip side, the Dallas Cowboys faced another week of disappointment. Despite scoring 22 straight points in the second half against the Ravens, the Cowboys have been outscored 56-22 in their last two home games, highlighting ongoing issues that the team needs to address moving forward.
As Week 3 concludes, the NFL landscape continues to evolve, with standout performances and unexpected results shaping a thrilling season. With teams like the Vikings and individuals like Sam Darnold and Saquon Barkley shining brightly, fans can look forward to more excitement and drama in the weeks to come.