Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers Soar, Despite Struggles Elsewhere
Week 3 of the NFL season saw decisive shifts and standout performances across the league. The Seattle Seahawks extended their lead atop the NFC West with a two-game cushion, maintaining a strong early-season form. Over in the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers have also secured a two-game lead, dominating their division.
Among the undefeated teams, the Minnesota Vikings have emerged as frontrunners with a 3-0 record. Central to their success has been the remarkable performance of quarterback Sam Darnold, who leads the NFL with eight passing touchdowns. Darnold's efficiency is notable, standing second in passer rating (117.3) and fourth in yards per attempt (8.4), making him one of the most formidable quarterbacks in the league this season.
Darnold’s contributions to the Vikings have been nothing short of historic. He is the first quarterback in franchise history to win his first three games of the season while throwing multiple touchdowns in each matchup. This feat also places him among an elite group, being the fifth quarterback in the past 25 years to start 3-0 with eight or more passing touchdowns in his initial three games with a new team.
The Vikings' offensive prowess is further boosted by 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. With a target share of 37.8%, the fourth-highest any player has achieved through the first three games in the past decade, Nabers is proving to be a significant asset. His 271 receiving yards is the second-most for a rookie in franchise history over the first three games, trailing only one other.
Another wide receiver making waves is Marvin Harrison Jr., who has amassed 10 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns across three games. These dynamic performances highlight the influx of young talent energizing the league this season.
Not to be outdone, running back Saquon Barkley has been a force to reckon with, leading 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, proving instrumental in the Eagles' victory over the Saints by scoring both of their touchdowns. Barkley has consistently delivered, surpassing 100 total yards from scrimmage in every game this season.
The New Orleans Saints, who entered Week 3 averaging 45.5 points and 6.9 yards per play, stumbled dramatically against the Philadelphia Eagles, managing just 12 points. Their average has now dropped to 34.3 points and 6.0 yards per play over three games. As C.J. Gardner-Johnson succinctly put it, "The Saints were 'pretenders' after scoring 12 points and gaining 4.0 yards per play."
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers clinched their first win of the season, thanks to quarterback Andy Dalton's stellar performance. Dalton threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3, lifting the Panthers to a 36-point game after they had scored just a combined 13 points in the first two weeks. This marked a significant turnaround for the team and demonstrated Dalton's ability to lead under pressure.
In Green Bay, Malik Willis has shown potential as a versatile force, with a 73.5% completion rate, 9.5 yards per attempt, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 122.6. He has also added 114 rushing yards and a touchdown to his season stats, showcasing his dual-threat capability. Notably, Willis is 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. His performance in back-to-back starts, completing 75.8% of his passes with a 126.3 passer rating, underscores his growing command of the offense.
The Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand, have struggled defensively, being outscored 56-22 in their last two home games. Despite this, they showed resilience by scoring 22 straight points in the second half against the Ravens, hinting at the unpredictable nature of the team.
With key players like Darnold, Nabers, Barkley, and Willis making headlines, the NFL season is shaping up to be one filled with noteworthy performances and unexpected twists. As teams continue to battle for supremacy, fans can look forward to more standout moments and historic achievements in the weeks to come.