NFL Week 3 Recap: Who’s Up, Who’s Down, What’s Next for Every Team

Sam Darnold tossed four TD passes to keep the Vikings unbeaten, Justin Fields and the Pittsburgh defense dominated in a win over the Chargers, and Malik Willis won his second straight game filling in for Jordan Love.

Darnold has tossed eight touchdown passes in three games starting for the unbeaten Vikings. / Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Jump to a matchup

1. Vikings 34, Texans 7
2. Steelers 20, Chargers 10
3. Eagles 15, Saints 12
4. Packers 30, Titans 14
5. Broncos 26, Buccaneers 7
6. Giants 21, Browns 15
7. Colts 21, Bears 16
8. Jets 24, Patriots 3

It’s desperation time for some teams in the NFL, and we have yet to reach October.

Historically speaking, falling into an 0–3 hole is a death knell for postseason hopes. Since the league expanded to 12 playoff teams in 1990, the only teams to lose each of their first three games and then make the postseason are the 1992 San Diego Chargers, ’95 Detroit Lions, ’98 Buffalo Bills and 2018 Houston Texans.

In the early window, we saw a few teams avoid that hole. The Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and Denver Broncos all won, giving themselves a chance to get right. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers got to 3–0, handling a suddenly injury-ravaged Los Angeles Chargers team.

In the late window, the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams are also looking for their first wins, while the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals square off in a tilt which should provide plenty of points.

Let’s get to the action.

SUNDAY

Vikings 34, Texans 7

My take: Does Houston (2–1) have a problem? After barely surviving against a pair of middling teams in the Bears and Colts, the Texans were blown out by a surging Minnesota (3–0) squad which sits alone atop the NFC North. We’ll get to Sam Darnold in a minute, but let’s give defensive coordinator Brian Flores his kudos. Flores was typically aggressive all day, pressuring C.J. Stroud into a pair of interceptions and four sacks.

Stock up: At this point, the combination of Kevin O’Connell and Darnold is fearsome. Darnold threw four touchdowns against DeMeco Ryans’s defense, finding Justin Jefferson six times for 81 yards and a score. We’ve been teased by Darnold before, but he looks legitimately good in this scheme. 

Stock down: Where is Tank Dell? He’s been oddly absent the first three weeks of the season, catching only nine passes for 99 yards thus far, and even that was buoyed by some garbage-time stats on Sunday. Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs will certainly command ample targets, but Dell had 709 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie in 11 games. He should be more involved.

Up Next: Jaguars at Texans, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 29; Vikings at Packers, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 29

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Fields has the Steelers unbeaten through three weeks and could become Pittsburgh's permanent starter when Russell Wilson is ready. / Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Steelers 20, Chargers 10

My take: Unfortunately, this is about injuries to the Chargers (2–1). Joey Bosa (hip) and Justin Herbert (ankle) were both hurt coming into the game, and both left early with re-aggravations. Additionally, tackles Joe Alt (knee) Rashawn Slater was also forced out with a pec ailment. As for the Steelers (3–0), they got another economical performance from Justin Fields, who went 25-of-32 for 245 yards and a touchdown. If Pittsburgh continues to get showings like that, it’ll win plenty of games with its defense.

Stock up: Calvin Austin III deserves credit. After going for two catches and 13 yards across the first two weeks, Austin stepped up with four receptions and 95 yards, highlighted by a 55-yard touchdown to effectively clinch the game.

Stock down: J.K. Dobbins led the league with 266 rushing yards going into Sunday, but amassed only 44 yards on 15 carries, a 2.9 average. If the Chargers are going to win against solid teams, they need Dobbins to be a force. He wasn’t in Pittsburgh, struggling to find room against a suffocating front seven.

Up Next: Chiefs at Chargers, 4:25 p.m. ET Sept. 29; Steelers at Colts, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 29

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Eagles 15, Saints 12

My take: As it turns out, the New Orleans (2–1) attack can be stopped. Much-maligned and rightfully so after the first two weeks, Philadelphia (2–1) got a great defensive effort at the Superdome, holding Derek Carr and the Saints to 219 yards on 4.0 yards per play. While Jalen Hurts committed two turnovers, he also threw for 311 yards, including a game-turning 61-yarder to tight end Dallas Goedert on third-and-16 with 1:16 remaining. 

Stock up: Saquon Barkley has been a terrific pickup, save for one big drop against Atlanta. And with that memory fresh in his mind, Barkley came out and rushed for 147 yards and two scores, helping Philadelphia earn a key road win. Barkley now has 351 rushing yards through three games.

Stock down: Even though the Eagles won, it’s Nick Sirianni, who had a series of bizarre decisions, highlighted by eschewing multiple field goals for failed fourth-down attempts. The worst was with 14 seconds remaining in the second quarter, when on fourth-and-1 from the New Orleans 15-yard line, Sirianni called for a run and lost the gamble.

Up Next: Eagles at Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 29; Saints at Falcons, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 29

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Packers 30, Titans 14

My take: Everyone thought Green Bay (2–1) was in serious trouble with Jordan Love writhing on the turf in Brazil. Incredibly, Love is in line to return next week against the Vikings, and with their starting quarterback out, the Packers beat both Indianapolis and Tennessee (1–2). Green Bay ran for 261 yards last week and backed that up with 188 yards on the ground in Nashville. 

Stock up: This has been a master class by Matt LaFleur. Malik Willis was atrocious in Tennessee over his first two seasons, completing 53% of his passes with zero touchdown passes and three interceptions. With Green Bay? Willis is 25-of-34 with two scoring tosses and no turnovers. That’s coaching.

Stock down: Tennessee’s offensive line was offensive Sunday. The Titans allowed eight sacks to the Packers, including two to Devonte Wyatt. While Will Levis has to navigate the pocket a bit better, the Titans have invested multiple first-round picks into the group with JC Latham and Peter Skoronski. This can’t happen.

Up Next: Vikings at Packers, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 29; Titans at Dolphins, 7:30 p.m. ET Sept. 30

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Nix got his first NFL win as an NFL starting quarterback, leading the Broncos over the unbeaten Buccaneers. / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Broncos 26, Buccaneers 7

My take: Shocker! Denver (1–2) was supposed to be an easy win for Tampa Bay (2–1), but the result proved lopsided the other way. The Broncos moved the ball consistently, scoring on three of their first four possessions. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix got his first NFL win and looked markedly better, throwing for 216 yards, including 68 yards to Courtland Sutton. Going into New Jersey for a date with the Jets next week, the Broncos should have new-found confidence. 

Stock up: The easy choice is Nix, and fair enough. But let’s go with Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Joseph has done an underrated job this season, holding the Steelers to 13 points before keeping Tampa Bay to seven points. Not bad for a defense with only one true star in Patrick Surtain II.

Stock down: Baker Mayfield was excellent over the first two weeks, but he struggled mightily Sunday. Mayfield threw a costly interception early, giving Denver a first-and-goal situation with a 7–0 lead. He never got on track, finishing with 163 yards on 4.9 yards per attempt.

Up Next: Broncos at Jets, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 29; Eagles at Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 29

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Giants 21, Browns 15

My take: New York (1–2) looked like a team in turmoil the first two weeks of the season, with many wondering if quarterback Daniel Jones was going to get benched. Then, after turning the ball over on the opening kickoff and falling behind 7–0 to Cleveland (1–2), the Giants woke up. Jones finished 24-of-34 for 236 yards and two touchdowns, while rookie receiver Malik Nabers caught a game-high eight passes for 78 yards. He’s a legit weapon on a team in desperate need of one.

Stock up: Any defense playing Deshaun Watson. The Browns have yet to score 20 points this season, and Watson is a huge reason why. The $230 million man went 21-of-37 for 196 yards on 5.3 yards per attempt. It’s a disaster. Right now, Cleveland doesn’t have a functional passing attack.

Stock down: We can opine about Watson, but the Browns can’t block anybody. Cleveland gave up six sacks against the Cowboys and then allowed another eight to the Giants. Watson struggles enough when protected and upright, but when he’s under duress, the Browns might as well pack it up.

Up Next: Cowboys at Giants, 8:15 p.m. ET Sept. 26; Browns at Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET Sept. 29

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Colts 21, Bears 16

My take: Indianapolis (1–2) saved its season Sunday, and Chicago (1–2) looks like an offense adrift. The Bears continued their issues up front (more on that below), sinking their chances despite another quality defensive showing. Chicago held Anthony Richardson to 167 yards and two interceptions on 10-of-20 passing, but it wasn’t enough. Jonathan Taylor was the lone offensive player worth mentioning for Indianapolis with 93 rushing yards. But if the Colts are going to claw into playoff contention, Richardson has to step up.  

Stock up: Rome Odunze showed why the Bears took him with the No. 9 pick in the draft. After having only three catches and 44 yards over the first two weeks, Odunze caught six passes for 112 yards and a score. With Keenan Allen sidelined (heel), the Bears needed Odunze to produce. 

Stock down: Last week, the Bears allowed seven sacks. This week, facing a Colts team that allowed 237 rushing yards per game over the first two weeks, Chicago gained just 63 yards on 2.3 yards per carry. If this unit doesn’t drastically improve, the Bears aren’t going anywhere.

Up Next: Rams at Bears, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 29; Steelers at Colts, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 29

THURSDAY

Rodgers toss two touchdowns in the Jets' win over the Patriots. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Jets 24, Patriots 3

My take: For the first time since acquiring him last offseason, Jets fans got to more than a glimpse of Aaron Rodgers in a regular season game. The four-time MVP was brilliant against an overwhelmed and undermanned New England Patriots team (1–2), throwing for 281 yards on 27-of-35 with two touchdowns. He threw from every platform, moving well on his repaired Achilles. If this is the version of Rodgers we see in New York (2–1) most of the season, the Jets should be considered a contender provided they can stay healthy.

Stock up: The easy call is Rodgers, but let’s look at Will McDonald IV. After being a nonfactor as a rookie last season, McDonald is off to a blazing start with five sacks through three games. With Jermaine Johnson out for the season and Haason Reddick holding out, McDonald’s ascension has been key.

Stock down: One wonders how long Jacoby Brissett is going to hold the starting job in New England. And to be clear, this isn’t a slam on Brissett. He’s an excellent backup and has nothing to work with. But eventually, if the Patriots keep losing, rookie Drake Maye is going to get the call.

Up Next: Patriots at 49ers, 4:05 p.m. ET Sept. 29; Broncos at Jets, 1 p.m. ET Sept. 29