Seahawks and Steelers Take Early Leads
As Week 3 of the NFL season draws to a close, the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers have both established dominant leads in their respective divisions. The Seahawks are now two games ahead in the NFC West, while the Steelers boast the same margin in the AFC North.
Vikings' Darnold Off to a Historic Start
A significant highlight has been the impeccable performance of Minnesota Vikings' quarterback Sam Darnold. Leading the NFL with eight passing touchdowns, Darnold's stat line is nothing short of exceptional. He ranks second in passer rating at 117.3 and has an impressive 8.4 yards per attempt, placing him fourth in the league. His ability to adapt quickly with his new team is underscored by his performance, marking him as one of the top quarterbacks over the past quarter-century to start a season with such explosive numbers.
Remarkably, Darnold is the first quarterback in Vikings' history to secure three consecutive wins while throwing multiple touchdowns in each game. The Vikings are one of the select few 3-0 teams, largely due to Darnold's stellar performances.
Rookie Sensation: Malik Nabers
The Vikings also owe part of their success to rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers. In Week 3, Nabers caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his season totals to 23 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns. His 37.8% target share is the fourth-highest for any player through the first three games in the last decade, solidifying his impact on the field. Nabers' 271 yards is the second-most for a rookie in franchise history over the same period.
Other Standout Performances
Marvin Harrison Jr. has also made his mark with 10 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns over three games. On the ground, running back Saquon Barkley leads the NFL with 351 rushing yards and four touchdowns. In Week 3 alone, Barkley carried the ball 17 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns, providing both scores in the Eagles' victory over the Saints. Barkley has consistently totaled over 100 yards from scrimmage in every game this season, adding to his credentials as one of the top running backs in the league.
Saints Struggle Against Eagles
The New Orleans Saints struggled mightily against the Philadelphia Eagles, managing just 12 points — a stark contrast to their previous average of 45.5 points and 6.9 yards per play. This attributed to their offensive average dropping to 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play after three games. C.J. Gardner-Johnson didn't mince words, saying, "The Saints were 'pretenders' after scoring 12 points and gaining 4.0 yards per play."
Malik Willis's Versatility Shines
Green Bay Packers' quarterback Malik Willis has been equally impressive, boasting a completion rate of 73.5%, 9.5 yards per attempt, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 122.6. His dual-threat capability has added 114 rushing yards and a touchdown to his stats. Willis, who has completed an astonishing 75.8% of his passes in his two starts, is now the fourth Packers player to accumulate over 200 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown in a single game.
Carolina Panthers Find Their Groove
The Carolina Panthers finally secured their first win of the year, thanks to quarterback Andy Dalton’s standout performance. Dalton threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Panthers to a 36-point showing after scoring only 13 points combined in their first two games.
Cowboys Struggle at Home
The Dallas Cowboys have faced significant challenges on home turf, being outscored 56-22 in their last two home games. However, they showed resilience by scoring 22 straight points in the second half against the Ravens, suggesting that they might be starting to find some momentum.
As the early part of the NFL season wraps up, fans are left to ponder which of these storylines will continue to unfold and which teams will overcome their early struggles. Only time will tell how these dynamics will play out in the weeks to come.