Week 3 of the NFL season brought a flurry of highlights and some early surprises. The Seattle Seahawks have surged ahead to a commanding two-game lead over the NFC West, while the Pittsburgh Steelers mirror that dominance in the AFC North.
One of the standout storylines emerging is the performance of the Minnesota Vikings, who boast an unbeaten 3-0 record. A significant contributor to their success has been quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold has not only thrown for eight touchdowns, leading the NFL in that category, but also ranks second in passer rating (117.3) and fourth in yards per attempt (8.4). He has achieved a feat that's noteworthy: becoming the first quarterback in Vikings history to win his first three games of the season and throw multiple touchdowns in each contest. This has placed him among just five quarterbacks in the past 25 years to start 3-0 with eight-plus passing touchdowns with a new team.
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has also been making waves. In the Week 3 game, Nabers caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns. His early-season performance has been remarkable, totaling 23 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Nabers' impressive 37.8% target share is the fourth-highest for any player through the first three games in the past decade. Furthermore, his 271 receiving yards are the second-most for a rookie in franchise history over the first three games.
Another rookie, Marvin Harrison Jr., has illustrated his potential with 10 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns across three games.
Barkley Leading the Rushing Race
Running back Saquon Barkley has been nothing short of sensational so far. Leading the NFL with 351 rushing yards and four touchdowns, Barkley carried the ball 17 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3 alone. His consistency shows as he has totaled over 100 yards from scrimmage in every game this season. Barkley's efforts were crucial in the Philadelphia Eagles' victory over the New Orleans Saints, scoring both of the Eagles’ touchdowns.
The Saints, on the other hand, have stumbled. They managed just 12 points against the Eagles despite entering the week as the highest-scoring offense, averaging 45.5 points and 6.9 yards per play. This performance drastically dropped their averages to 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play over three games. CJ Gardner-Johnson of the Saints candidly remarked on the team's disappointing performance, stating, "The Saints were 'pretenders' after scoring 12 points and gaining 4.0 yards per play."
Emerging Packers Talent
Malik Willis of the Green Bay Packers has made a strong impression with a completion rate of 73.5%, 9.5 yards per attempt, two passing touchdowns, and a passer rating of 122.6. Adding versatility to his game, Willis has also rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown. In his two starts, he's improved even further, completing 75.8% of his passes with a 126.3 passer rating. Willis became 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
Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Andy Dalton delivered a standout performance in Week 3, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. His efforts led to the Panthers securing their first victory of the year, marking a remarkable offensive turnaround as the team scored 36 points after managing just 13 points combined in the first two weeks.
Cowboys' Home Woes
On a more somber note, the Dallas Cowboys have faced significant challenges at home. They've been outscored 56-22 in their last two home games, though they demonstrated resilience by scoring 22 straight points in the second half against the Ravens. Despite this late surge, the Cowboys' recent performance has been concerning for their fans.
As the season unfolds, these early developments set the stage for an exciting, unpredictable journey in both the AFC and NFC. Teams and players alike will look to build on or rebound from these performances, underscoring the ever-thrilling nature of the NFL.