Seahawks and Steelers Dominate Week 3
The NFL season is heating up as Week 3 concludes with the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers leading their respective divisions. The Seahawks have surged ahead with a two-game lead over the NFC West, while the Steelers maintain a solid foothold atop the AFC North.
Darnold Shines for the Vikings
One of the standout performances of the week came from Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. Leading the NFL with eight passing touchdowns, Darnold's impeccable form has catapulted the Vikings to a perfect 3-0 start. His stellar statistics include a 117.3 passer rating, second only in the league, and a fourth-ranked yards per attempt at 8.4. Darnold's integration into the team has been nothing short of historic—he’s the fifth quarterback in the last 25 years to begin a season with eight or more passing touchdowns in his first three games with a new team.
Darnold's remarkable start has etched his name into Vikings lore, becoming the first quarterback in franchise history to win his first three games of the season while throwing multiple touchdowns in each game.
Rookie Sensation Malik Nabers
The Vikings' offensive prowess doesn’t end with Darnold. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has proved to be a reliable target, catching eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3 alone. Nabers now boasts 23 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns this season. His 37.8% target share ranks as the fourth-highest for any player during the first three games over the last decade, and his 271 receiving yards is the second-highest for a rookie in franchise history through the same period.
Harrison Jr. Steps Up
Marvin Harrison Jr. has also been noteworthy, amassing 10 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns in three games. These emerging talents provide the Vikings with a solid foundation for sustained success.
Barkley Leads the Rush
On the ground, Saquon Barkley continues to make an impact, leading the NFL with 351 rushing yards and four touchdowns. In Week 3, Barkley rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, contributing both of the Eagles' touchdowns in their victory over the Saints. His consistency is unmatched, having achieved over 100 yards from scrimmage in every game this season.
Saints' Offense Struggles
The New Orleans Saints experienced a significant setback against the Philadelphia Eagles, only managing to score 12 points. This is a stark contrast to their previous performances, where they averaged 45.5 points per game and 6.9 yards per play. The Saints’ average has now plummeted to 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play over the three games, leading to criticism from within the league. "The Saints were 'pretenders' after scoring 12 points and gaining 4.0 yards per play," commented C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Willis Impresses for the Packers
In other quarterback news, Malik Willis of the Green Bay Packers has delivered commendable performances with a 73.5% completion rate, 9.5 yards per attempt, two touchdowns, and a 122.6 passer rating. In addition to his passing prowess, Willis has racked up 114 rushing yards and a touchdown. Across his two starts, he has completed 75.8% of his passes, registering a passer rating of 126.3. Remarkably, he is the fourth different Packers player to accumulate over 200 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown in a game.
Dalton Leads Panthers to Victory
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers secured their first win of the year, thanks largely to quarterback Andy Dalton's impressive 319-yard, three-touchdown performance. After scoring a mere 13 points combined in the first two weeks, the Panthers exploded for 36 points in Week 3, demonstrating a newfound potency on offense.
Cowboys' Home Struggles
The Dallas Cowboys, however, continue to face challenges at home. They have been outscored 56-22 in their last two home games, yet they showed resilience by scoring 22 straight points in the second half against the Ravens.
As the NFL season progresses, these performances and individual feats set the stage for an intriguing series of matchups in the coming weeks. The Seahawks and Steelers have established themselves as teams to watch, while players like Sam Darnold and Saquon Barkley continue to captivate fans with their extraordinary displays on the field.