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It’s Week 3 of the NFL season, and the unpredictability of the game is in full swing. Many teams are dealing with injuries, and some have surprised us early on with their hot starts to the season, such as the Minnesota Vikings. We’ve also seen teams struggle out of the gate that many thought were contenders, such as the Baltimore Ravens, who came into Week 3 with a (0-2) record to start the season.
Let’s dive in.
Minnesota Vikings Improve to 3-0
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Who would have thought the Vikings would kick off the season with three consecutive wins? Yet, here we are. Justin Jefferson's outstanding performance, arguably making him the best receiver in the league, and the unexpected resurgence of Sam Darnold, the former No.3 overall pick, have been instrumental in the Vikings' success.
Despite a disappointing career in which many label him a “bust,’ Darnold has been an instrumental part of the Vikings' success through the early part of the season. Through the first three games, Darnold has thrown for eight touchdowns, 657 yards, and two interceptions with a passer rating of 71.3 (4th in the league) and a 72% completion rate. Darnold and the Vikings dismantled the Houston Texans Sunday, where he threw four touchdowns in their 34-7 rout over a team many consider a contender for the Super Bowl out of the AFC.
As you’ll see here of his highlights from the Vikings' win over the Texans, Darnold looks comfortable in the Vikings' offense. He is confident and decisive on his throws and has excellent precision in the pocket. Darnold’s and Vikings’ star receiver Jefferson’s chemistry seems to be growing by the week, whether it was that entire length of the field 97-yard bomb against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 or the opening drive score to Jefferson against the Texans.
If the current Vikings can maintain their Kirk Cousins replacement pace, this could be an exciting year for them. Could Darnold be the Kirk Cousins replacement they've been looking for? Only time will tell.
Baltimore Vs. Dallas Was Theater
The Ravens and the Cowboys came into Week 3 hungry for a win. On the Ravens' side, they were looking to avoid failing into a steep 0-3 deficit to start the season, which would be a massive regression for a team in the AFC title game last season, and added All-Pro running back Derrick Henry to their offense. On the other hand, the Cowboys were seeking redemption after an embarrassing blowout loss to the Saints last week.
To start the game, it was all Ravens early on, dominating on the ground with Henry leading the way, rushing for 151 yards for two touchdowns on 25 carries. The Cowboys (like most defense) had a difficult time limiting Henry and pulling him down. Henry was able to utilize his power and robust and stiff arm to break defenders off him to get through the crowd. He single-handedly outrushed all the Cowboys' backs, which had five different guys in the running game they used.
The Ravens showed signs of the old Ravens with a dominant defense and things clicking offensively. The Cowboys have a limited, one-dimensional offense with a dormant running attack and pass attack that relies heavily on CeeDee Lamb to make seemingly big play after big play for most of their offense for them to have a chance. The Ravens had a 28-6 heading into the fourth in a game that seemed like it was time to pull the curtains on in a game with many penalties, with 19 between the two teams.
However, the Cowboys injected a dose of suspense into the game, scoring 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Sparked by a recovered onside kick, they managed to get their first touchdown on the board since the first quarter, courtesy of Prescott's one-yard rush. The Cowboys' relentless fighting spirit was evident as they scored again from Prescott's 15-yard pass to Jalen Tolbert, narrowing the Ravens' lead to 28-18. Could the Cowboys pull off an epic comeback?
They would continue putting in their best effort to do just that, with Prescott connecting with Kavontae Turpin for a 16-yard touchdown and connecting on the field goal this time after two failed conversion attempts to make it 28-25. Will the Ravens choke a 28-6 lead and go 0-3 to put John Harbaugh on the hot seat? Or will they answer the call and execute it to avoid what would call for some changes to be made from the front office?
They would do the latter, answering the call and getting some critical first downs against the Dallas defense to prevent the Cowboys from completing the Cinderella comeback story brewing. The Ravens physically outmatched a Cowboys team that outrushed them 274-51. The Cowboys' defense against the run continues to be the root of their problems defensively and is something they must fix if they want to be successful this season.
The Ravens can use this game as a building block to get out of their early-season funk and back into contender status. Meanwhile, the Cowboys need to make many adjustments on both ends of the ball, as they seem to lack the offensive line and dominant defenses of yesteryear.
Are The Steelers Legit?
The Steelers have defied expectations, starting the season with a perfect 3-0 record. They lead the AFC North division ahead of their divisional rivals, such as the Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns. Despite the return of Joe Burrow from wrist surgery and the Ravens' addition of Derrick Henry alongside Lamar Jackson, the Steelers have proven their defensive mettle.
Their defense was never the concern. They have the top defense in the NFL in opponent points allowed per game of 8.7 through the first three weeks, led by former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt, who is a gauntlet to worry about as an opposing quarterback. They are also tied second for opponent rushing yards per game (71.3) and sixth in opponent passing yards per game (158.3) per Team Rankings.
The question was their offense, specifically at the quarterback position. There was much discourse in the offseason on who would start as quarterback for the Steelers: Russell Wilson or Justin Fields? They traded for both via trade from the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears, respectively, as their old situations didn’t work out. For Wilson, it seems like he’s at a different career stage. He is no longer the running threat he used to be and isn’t accurate on his throws anymore.
Wilson has been on the inactive list through the first three weeks (calf), which has kept him sidelined. Wilson’s calf injury makes it easy to start Fields at quarterback, who has done a solid job after Wilson’s injury. Fields had his best game yet in a Steelers uniform in their 20-17 win against the Chargers Sunday, throwing for 245 yards, a touchdown, and one interception with a 78.5% completion rate and 96 passer rating. Playing with a more competent offensive line has made life easier for Fields compared to what he had with the Chicago Bears.
Once Wilson is healthy enough to return, the Steelers must choose who will start for the rest of the season. The Steelers' current 3-0 start with Fields at the helm seems to be the ideal move going forward, as they seem not to have to readjust to a new quarterback in the lineup and keep growing the chemistry in the offensive unit. They have yet to score over 20 points in a game in their subpar offense, but their stout defense limits opponents to 10 or fewer points per game.
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