Seahawks and Steelers Lead Their Divisions
As Week 3 of the NFL season concludes, the Seattle Seahawks have taken a commanding two-game lead over the NFC West, while the Pittsburgh Steelers are similarly dominating the AFC North.
Vikings' Impressive Start
The Minnesota Vikings are emerging as one of the standout teams this season, being one of the few teams to have remained undefeated at 3-0. A significant contributor to their success is quarterback Sam Darnold, who has quickly adapted to his new team. Darnold leads the NFL with eight passing touchdowns and boasts a passer rating of 117.3, the second-highest in the league. Additionally, he ranks fourth in yards per attempt with 8.4. Darnold has become the fifth quarterback in the past 25 years to start the season 3-0 with eight-plus passing touchdowns in his first three games with a new team. Furthermore, he has made Vikings history by winning his first three games and throwing for multiple touchdowns in each matchup.
Rising Star: Malik Nabers
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has been making significant strides, catching eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3. His season totals now stand at 23 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Nabers’ 37.8% target share is the fourth-highest for any player through the first three games over the last decade. Moreover, his 271 receiving yards are the second-most by a rookie in franchise history through the first three games.
Barkley's Dominant Presence
Running back Saquon Barkley is currently leading the NFL in rushing. With 351 yards and four touchdowns, he's been an unstoppable force on the field. In Week 3 alone, Barkley carried the ball 17 times for 147 yards and scored both of the Eagles' touchdowns in their victory over the Saints. Barkley has consistently showcased his ability, achieving over 100 yards from scrimmage in each game this season.
Saints’ Struggles
The New Orleans Saints faced a tough outing in Week 3, managing only 12 points against the Philadelphia Eagles. Having entered the week averaging 45.5 points and 6.9 yards per play, their performance significantly fell short. Their averages have now dropped to 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play. Defensive player C.J. Gardner-Johnson did not mince words, branding the Saints as "pretenders" after their poor showing.
Willis’ Effective Gameplay
Malik Willis has proven to be a dual-threat quarterback, combining a 73.5% completion rate with 9.5 yards per attempt, two passing touchdowns, a passer rating of 122.6, and adding 114 rushing yards and a touchdown to his impressive stat line. In his two starts, Willis has been incredibly efficient, completing 75.8% of his passes and earning a 126.3 passer rating. He has become 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.
Dalton Shines for Panthers
The Carolina Panthers secured their first win of the year, thanks in large part to quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3, leading the Panthers to a 36-point outing after scoring just 13 points combined in the first two weeks.
Cowboys' Home Game Woes
The Dallas Cowboys are experiencing difficulties at home, having been outscored 56-22 in their last two games. However, they showed resilience in their matchup against the Ravens, where they scored 22 straight points in the second half.
As the season progresses, the dynamics within the NFL are continually shifting, with standout performances and unexpected results shaping the league's narrative. Through stellar individual contributions and surprising team developments, Week 3 has provided a thrilling chapter in the story of the 2023 NFL season.