NFL Week 3 Recap: What We Learned About Every Team, Game by Game

Cardinals shock the Cowboys behind Josh Dobbs’s near-flawless performance; Steelers hold off the Raiders; Packers rally from 17–0 deficit to beat the Saints; Bills’ defense dominates Commanders in blowout win; and the Patriots’ defense helps Bill Belichick avoid 0–3 start.

On Thursday, the NFL Week 3 schedule kicked off with the 49ers handling Daniel Jones and the Giants.

The slate continued with 13 games Sunday, highlighted by two legacy franchises getting together on Sunday Night Football, with the Steelers beating the Raiders in Sin City.

In the early slate, we saw the Dolphins score 70 points on the overwhelmed Broncos, while the Desperation Bowl between the previously 0–2 Chargers and Vikings ended in utter chaos. Finally, Jordan Love made the most of his first start at Lambeau Field, rallying the Packers from a 17-point deficit to beat the Saints.

In the late games, we had two games expected to be blowouts. One followed the script with the Chiefs pummeling the Bears. However, the Cardinals handled the Cowboys with relative ease, giving Dallas its first loss of the season.

Here’s the instant analysis for each of the games this week, and what the result for every team means moving forward.

SUNDAY

Cardinals 28, Cowboys 16

Rondale Moore sprints through the Cowboys' defense for a 45-yard touchdown :: Rob Schumacher/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK

• What it means for Cowboys: Dallas needs to figure out its offense. The Cowboys scored 40 points against the Giants in Week 1 but only totaled 265 yards. Last week, Dallas notched 30 points on the Jets, but Dak Prescott threw for 6.7 yards per attempt while the rushing game went for 3.0 yards per carry. Now, they only produced 16 points against Arizona. If the Cowboys are a Super Bowl team, the offense must be better.
• What it means for Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon has Arizona buying in. Gannon’s hire was much maligned in many corners, but he’s led a Cardinals’ team light on talent to fight to the end against the Commanders and Giants, before pulling a stunning upset of the Cowboys. Also, Joshua Dobbs has been very solid under center. Against Dallas, Dobbs completed 17-of-21 for 189 yards and a touchdown.

Steelers 23, Raiders 18

• What it means for Steelers: When Kenny Pickett doesn’t turn the ball over, Pittsburgh can ride its defense and a solid ground game to victory. Against the Raiders, Pickett completed 16 passes for 235 yards and two scores, didn’t throw an interception (although Marcus Peters will have nightmares of his dropped pick-six) and walked out of Las Vegas with a victory.
• What it means for Raiders: Josh McDaniels is the weakest link or a weak chain. Trailing 23–15 with 2:22 remaining and facing fourth-and-4 at Pittsburgh’s 8-yard line, McDaniels opted for a field goal. Since starting 6–0 with the Broncos as a head coach, McDaniels is now 12–30. The Raiders don’t have a ton of talent, and the issues are exacerbated by who stands on the sideline.

Chiefs 41, Bears 10

• What it means for Bears: It’s time to go back to basics. Chicago had about the worst week possible with defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigning, along with Justin Fields’s presser. With the 0–3 Broncos coming to Soldier Field, coach Matt Eberflus needs to sell a reset and start anew.
• What it means for Chiefs: Everyone will talk about the offense, but the defense is becoming a beast. Fields was held to 42 passing yards (2.6 yards per attempt) and an interception while notching three sacks until Kansas City pulled many of its starters. And the Chiefs were without star linebacker Nick Bolton, who missed the game with a sprained ankle. The offense was always going to be top notch, but the defense has been dominant. 

Seahawks 37, Panthers 27

• What it means for Panthers: The offensive line remains an enormous problem. Carolina gave up three sacks and 11 quarterback hits, all while totaling 44 rushing yards (3.1 YPC). While Andy Dalton had a 300-yard day, there were far too many negative plays. If coach Frank Reich can’t figure out the front, the Panthers will be giving the Bears a terrific pick come April.
• What it means for Seahawks: The offense is officially back. After scoring only 13 points in the season opener against the Rams, Seattle has now scored 37 each of the past two weeks, both wins. As for Geno Smith, one of 2023’s best stories has averaged 312 passing yards in those victories after posting 112 yards against Los Angeles. All good news with the Giants on deck.

Packers 18, Saints 17

Making his regular-season debut at Lambeau Field, Love rallied the Packers from a 17-0 deficit, completing 22-of-44 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown :: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Saints: New Orleans is going to be a tough out every week because of the defense, but this is a horrible loss. The Saints only totaled 252 yards, the third consecutive week where the offense hasn’t manufactured much. While the defense is terrific, it’s being asked almost single-handedly to win games. Now, where are we at with Derek Carr’s injured shoulder?
• What it means for Packers: Green Bay could be really scary when it’s finally healthy. The Packers have been without a litany of stars—either all or part of the season—including corner Jaire Alexander, receiver Christian Watson, running back Aaron Jones and left tackle David Bakhtiari, yet are 2–1. With a young quarterback in Jordan Love, Green Bay is surviving without ideal conditions. That’s an excellent sign.

Colts 22, Ravens 19

• What it means for Colts: Despite being without rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor all year, the Colts are 2–1 and have been in all three games. Looks like Shane Steichen is a terrific coach, and the team is buying into his message. Indianapolis should be very excited about its future.
• What it means for Ravens: With a slew of starters out, Lamar Jackson took over the game. The 2019 MVP totaled 303 yards and two touchdowns, consistently picking up key third downs. Still, it wasn’t enough to avoid the upset. Until Baltimore gets left tackle Ronnie Stanley, center Tyler Linderbaum and receiver Odell Beckham Jr. back, we might see more of the same, with uneven results.

Bills 37, Commanders 3

Gabe Davis scores on a 35-yard pass from Josh Allen in the Bills' blowout win against the Commanders :: Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Bills: Buffalo has quietly been fantastic defensively, showing what it can do even without Von Miller. Against Washington, the Bills forced Sam Howell into four interceptions and nine sacks in an easy win. In three games, Buffalo has only given up 29 points while racking up seven takeaways and 12 sacks.
• What it means for Commanders: Burn the tape and move on. Washington’s defense tied for the league lead in sacks with 10 before Sunday’s disaster. The Commanders aren’t ready to compete with top teams such as the Bills, but they have enough talent to compete most weeks largely because their front four is excellent. Sometimes, you’re outclassed, and Washington was outclassed by Buffalo.

Dolphins 70, Broncos 20

• What it means for Broncos: The defense is officially a huge problem. The Broncos aren’t getting pressure, generating four sacks in three games while entering Sunday with the 31st-ranked pressure rate in the league. This despite coordinator Vance Joseph being noted for his blitz-heavy schemes with a single-high look. It’s not only failing, it’s historically awful through three weeks.
• What it means for Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa is in the MVP lead. In the first half alone, he was 16-of-16 for 206 yards and two touchdowns, helping Miami take a 35–10 lead at the break and finished with 309 yards passing and four touchdowns. Nobody has a more prolific offense than the Dolphins, who amassed 726 yards against the Broncos and look to make a statement next weekend against the Bills in Orchard Park.

Patriots 15, Jets 10

• What it means for Patriots: New England might be 1–2, but expect it to stay in the playoff chase because of a terrific defense. The Patriots only allowed 251 yards and 18 offensive points to the Eagles, and then limited Miami to 24 points in Week 2. New England’s offense is slow and methodical, but the defense is going to win some games by itself.
• What it means for Jets: It’s time to end the Zach Wilson experiment after watching him go 18-of-36 with 157 yards. The problem is: Who replaces him? New York could sign Carson Wentz or elevate backup Tim Boyle, but what does that do for the Jets’ ceiling? At this juncture, coach Robert Saleh can’t allow this to continue. He risks the rest of his team starting to fracture if he does so.

Texans 37, Jaguars 17

• What it means for Texans: C.J. Stroud looks fantastic, with Houston getting its first win of the Stroud era Sunday. Stroud now has 906 passing yards and four touchdowns through three games, including 280 yards and two scores against Jacksonville. The Texans need to find more weapons beyond running back Dameon Pierce and rookie receiver Tank Dell, but there’s reason to believe in Stroud and, by extension, the future.
• What it means for Jaguars: Jacksonville hasn’t had a good performance this season. The Jaguars needed a rally to beat the Colts, and then lost to the Chiefs despite Kansas City committing 12 penalties and three turnovers. At 1–2, it’s far from season ending, but Jacksonville has to get right with international games coming up against the Falcons and Bills. The talent is there.

Browns 27, Titans 3

Cooper had seven catches for 116 yards and this touchdown :: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK

• What it means for Titans: Malik Willis and Will Levis should at least be warming up. Ryan Tannehill was 20-of-24 in Week 2’s win over the Chargers but has been hideous in the two defeats. Tennessee’s offensive line is doing him no favors, as the Titans ran for 26 yards Sunday while allowing 13 sacks through three games.
• What it means for Browns: Cleveland’s offense is always going to be run-heavy with a dose of Deshaun Watson, limiting its ability to score in bunches. However, the defense is elite. The Browns held Cincinnati to three points before surrendering 12 to Pittsburgh (not including two offensive touchdowns). Tennessee then was held without a touchdown. Jim Schwartz has proven to be a terrific hire at defensive coordinator.

Lions 20, Falcons 6

• What it means for Falcons: Atlanta is going to see a ton of eight-man fronts in the near future. Desmond Ridder doesn’t threaten defenses despite having quality weapons in tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London. In their first two games, the Falcons ran for 341 yards and three scores in victories. On Sunday, only 44 yards on 2.2 yards per carry. Stop the run, stop Atlanta.
• What it means for Lions: Detroit should be beaming over its rookie class. With running back David Montgomery inactive, Jahmyr Gibbs stepped up and ran for 80 yards on 17 carries, while second-round tight end Sam LaPorta caught eight passes for 84 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown. Once receiver Jameson Williams returns, Detroit has a host of young weapons.

Chargers 28, Vikings 24

• What it means for Chargers: Los Angeles saved its season with a win, largely because coach Brandon Staley relied heavily on Justin Herbert. Herbert threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns on 8.6 yards per attempt. He targeted Keenan Allen 20 times, connecting on 18 occasions for 215 yards. Allen also threw a 49-yard touchdown. With Mike Williams injured, Allen and Herbert will need to be special for the Chargers to keep winning.
• What it means for Vikings: At 0–3, Minnesota has ample issues. The defense allowed 475 yards, giving up one easy completion after another to Herbert. The Vikings also had an ideal opportunity to win the game on their final drive, but quarterback Kirk Cousins didn’t execute. He allowed more than 10 seconds to elapse before snapping the ball and throwing an interception. For Minnesota to rebound, the offense can’t make major mistakes. So far, it has nine turnovers in three games.

THURSDAY

49ers 30, Giants 12

• What it means for Giants: New York simply doesn’t have enough difference-makers on offense. Jones is an average quarterback who is surrounded by poor skill players and a bad offensive line, especially when left tackle Andrew Thomas isn’t healthy. The Giants threw for 4.3 yards per attempt and ran for 29 yards. General manager Joe Schoen should be aggressive before the trade deadline.
• What it means for 49ers: Nobody has a more complete roster than San Francisco. The Niners held New York to 150 total yards on 3.7 yards per play, while the offense saw Deebo Samuel rack up 129 receiving yards, with George Kittle contributing 90. People can criticize quarterback Brock Purdy, but all he has to do is avoid mistakes.