Week 3 NFL Highlights: Key Performances and Standout Players
As Week 3 of the NFL season unfolds, several teams and players have started to distinguish themselves with remarkable performances and statistics. The Seattle Seahawks have taken a commanding two-game lead over the NFC West, while the Pittsburgh Steelers are also leading the AFC North with a similar margin. The focus, however, is equally on some standout individual performances that have set the tone for the young season.
In a top headline, the Minnesota Vikings remain one of the few undefeated teams at 3-0. This success can be largely attributed to quarterback Sam Darnold, who has emerged as a leading force behind their impressive start. Darnold leads the NFL with eight passing touchdowns, and his stats don’t stop there. He stands second in passer rating with a stellar 117.3 and fourth in yards per attempt at 8.4. Darnold's seamless fit into the Vikings system is highlighted by him being the fifth quarterback in the past 25 years to start 3-0 with eight-plus passing touchdowns in his first three games with a new team. Notably, he is also the first quarterback in Vikings history to win his first three games of the season while throwing multiple touchdowns in each of those matchups.
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has also been turning heads. In Week 3, Nabers caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, adding to his season totals of 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 over the last decade, demonstrating his importance in the offensive lineup. His 271 yards are the second-most for a rookie in franchise history over the first three games. Such stats suggest that Nabers could be on a historic trajectory in his rookie season.
Another key performer has been running back Saquon Barkley, who is leading the NFL in rushing with 351 yards and four touchdowns. In Week 3 alone, he carried the ball 17 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns, singlehandedly scoring both of the Eagles’ touchdowns in their victory over the Saints. Barkley's contributions have been consistent, as he has totaled 100-plus yards from scrimmage in every game this season.
However, the New Orleans Saints haven’t replicated their earlier offensive prowess in Week 3. Previously averaging 45.5 points and 6.9 yards per play, the Saints managed only 12 points against the Philadelphia Eagles. Their average has now dropped to 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play, a notable decline that raises concerns about their offensive efficiency. C.J. Gardner-Johnson's biting remark that the Saints were "pretenders" following their lackluster showing highlights the growing skepticism surrounding the team.
In another corner of the league, Malik Willis, in his two starts, has completed 75.8% of his passes with a 126.3 passer rating. His overall completion rate of 73.5%, 9.5 yards per attempt, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 122.6 speaks volumes about his accuracy and playmaking abilities. Adding to his versatility, Willis has contributed 114 rushing yards and a touchdown. Impressively, he becomes the fourth different Packers player to accumulate over 200 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown in a game.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers celebrated 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, guiding the Panthers to score 36 points after managing just 13 points combined in the first two weeks of the season.
Turning to the Dallas Cowboys, the team has struggled defensively, being outscored 56-22 in their last two home games. Despite this, they showed resilience in Week 3 by scoring 22 straight points in the second half against the Ravens, which suggests they have the potential to bounce back in upcoming games.
As the NFL season progresses, these early performances and statistics set the stage for what promises to be an exciting season. With players like Sam Darnold, Malik Nabers, Saquon Barkley, and Malik Willis delivering standout performances, fans have plenty to look forward to as the battle for supremacy continues.