2026 NFL Week 3 Top Takeaways and Biggest Questions for Every Team

Desperation begins early in an NFL season. An 0-3 start makes it nearly impossible to reach the postseason, though the Houston Texans did so last season.

Prior to the Texans, only six other teams in the modern era had accomplished the same goal. Entering Week 3, eight teams faced the possibility of an 0-3 start, starting with the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football. The Falcons ensured they didn't find themselves in a hole they couldn't climb out of and may have found their starting QB along the way.

Not every team has been as fortunate in Week 3, as Sunday brought fans another day of upsets, surprising finishes, and critical injuries. A handful of teams have fallen to 0-3, including Houston for the second straight season.

The week ended with a Monday night contest between the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles that was lopsided, but probably not in the way that many expected.

Bleacher Report NFL analysts Brent Sobleski, Kris Knox and Moe Moton will follow all of the action to break down each contest, provide takeaways and ask the most pressing questions.

LAR vs. DEN | LV vs. NO | BAL vs. DAL | LAC vs. BUF | SEA vs. WAS | NYJ vs. DET | TEN vs. NYG | CAR vs. CLE | HOU vs. IND | NE vs. JAX | KC vs. MIA | CIN vs. PIT | ARI vs. SF | MIN vs. TB | ATL vs. GB | PHI vs. CHI

Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Bears 27, Eagles 7

The Bears Can Afford to Be Patient With Caleb Williams

The Bears lost star quarterback Caleb Williams to a hamstring injury in Week 2. While backup Tyson Bagent cleared the concussion protocol in time for Monday's game, Chicago went with third-stringer Case Keenum against the Eagles on Monday night.

Keenum, for the record, hadn't appeared in a regular-season game since 2023. If he was rusty, it didn't show. He finished 24-of-34 for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and the win.

Keenum wasn't perfect. He made some risky throws that easily could have cost the Bears. However, Ben Johnson wasn't forced to limit his offense with Keenum behind center either. There's no guarantee that Keenum can consistently replicate Monday's performance across multiple games, but Chicago should feel no need to rush Williams back before he's ready.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Williams' recovery is expected to take 3-4 weeks. The Bears will host the New York Jets next week before road games against the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons.

Can Chicago's Defense Keep Playing This Well?

The Bears' defense looked like a major liability in Week 1, when it surrendered 37 points in an offensive track meet with the Carolina Panthers. Over the past two weeks, however, Dennis Allen's unit has been fantastic.

Chicago faced a backup quarterback in Carson Wentz last week. It faced a former Super Bowl MVP in Jalen Hurts on Monday, and it had the Eagles searching for answers all night. If the Bears' defense can keep this up, they'll have to be taken seriously as NFC contenders.

The Eagles Cannot Expect to Win With Defense

Two years ago, the Eagles won the Super Bowl thanks to one of the most disruptive defenses in the league. Philly had an early exit in last year's playoffs but still fielded the league's fifth-ranked scoring defense.

A top-tier defense would certainly help the Eagles now, as they try to find an offensive rhythm under first-time coordinator Sean Mannion. However, it's becoming clear that Philadelphia will have to start clicking offensively if it's going to bounce back and start stringing together more wins.

The Eagles only escaped Week 1 by stopping a last-second two-point play, and they surrendered way too many plays to the winless Tennessee Titans in Week 2. On Monday, they gave up 375 total yards to a team forced to play its QB3. Things won't get any easier in the immediate future, as the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars are next on the schedule.

Can Anyone Emerge as Jalen Hurts' No. 2 Target?

The Eagles struggled to move the ball with any consistency on Monday, and Jalen Hurts' inability to establish a rhythm with his receivers was a big part of the problem. Some of the blame must fall on Mannion, but it doesn't help that Philly is short on reliable receivers.

The Eagles traded A.J. Brown in the offseason, and they recently lost tight end Dallas Goedert to a knee injury. DeVonta Smith has done an admirable job of replacing Brown as the new No. 1 receiver, and he had six catches for 65 yards against Chicago. However, no other Eagle topped three catches or 32 receiving yards.

Philadelphia tried to reload its receiver room in the offseason by trading for Dontayvion Wicks, signing Marquise Brown—who was ruled out for Monday with an ankle injury—and using a first-round pick on Makai Lemon. So far, none of them has emerged as a strong second option.

Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga

Broncos 30, Rams 26

How Do Denver Broncos Increase Offensive Horsepower?

Once again, the Broncos failed to generate much offense during the first half of a game. Denver produced 67 yards during Sunday's initial two quarters. In total, Sean Payton's squad has scored 10 first-half points through three games.

Davis Webb's play-calling is continually under fire thanks to Sean Payton's history as a head coach and offensive schemer. However, the Broncos must do a better job executing, starting with Bo Nix.

The third-year quarterback has consistently started slowly for the past season-plus. Furthermore, Denver's offensive facilitator fails to get everyone involved. For example, Jaylen Waddle was basically non-existent during his Broncos debut. He was targeted 10 times in Week 2. The wide receiver caught two passes for 10 yards against the Los Angeles Rams.

Somehow, the Broncos' urgency needs to start at the beginning of the game. A better approach manufacturing touches for certain playmakers, while giving Nix quicky, easy reads, can help Denver start quickly instead of waiting until the second half to really get going.

Talanoa Hufanga Deserves Recognition as Elite Safety

Talanoa Hufanga has been named a first- or second-team All-Pro on two different occasions, yet his name is rarely discussed among the NFL's best defenders. It should be.

Sunday's matchup against the Rams turned because of Hufanga's play.

While trailing 19-16 is the fourth quarter, Hufanga undercut a Matthew Stafford pass and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown. The Rams responded on the next series, but the Broncos offense battled back. As Los Angeles attempted to win the game on the final play, who picked off Stafford? Hufanga, of course.

Davante Adams Shines as Rams' WR1

Without Puka Nacua in the lineup, Davante Adams turned back the clock and returned to top-tier status. The 33-year-old wide receiver posted back-to-back 100-yard outings.

Adams produced one 100-yard game throughout the entirety of the 2025 campaign. He hasn't had two straight contests with over 130 yards receiving since the 2019 postseason.

The three-time first-team All-Pro may be on the backside of his career, but he still has plenty left in the tank when called upon to serve as a top target.

Jaylen Watson Injury Shakes Up Rams' Secondary

Myles Garrett's acquisition and Aaron Donald's return from retirement was only part of the Rams' defensive shakeup. This offseason, the organization also invested heavily in the cornerback position. The group took a significant hit against the Broncos.

Rams general manager Les Snead traded for Trent McDuffie and signed Jaylen Watson to a three-year, $51 million free-agent contract.

Unfortunately, Watson was ruled out of Sunday's contest due to a shoulder injury. Los Angeles lacks quality depth behind its starting cornerbacks. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Josh Wallace will struggle to hold up if they're forced into extended playing time as their second-half performance against the Broncos indicates.

Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Ella Hall

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak

Raiders 35, Saints 27

Raiders HC Klint Kubiak Is Already Exceeding Expectations

Anyone would've been laughed out of the room if they predicted the Las Vegas Raiders would start the season 3-0 after the club won just three games last season, but it's reality.

On top of that, Las Vegas is one of the league's highest-scoring teams, averaging 29.3 points. For context, the club averaged fewer than 20 points per game in each of the previous three campaigns.

Play-calling head coach Klint Kubiak has pulled the Raiders out of the AFC West basement. Matching its 2025 win total in just one month, the Silver and Black's future finally looks bright.

Can Rob Leonard's Defense Sustain Its Momentum?

For about three quarters, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough faced minimal pocket pressure and had a lot of time to throw downfield, but that changed late in the game. Coming back from an 11-point third-quarter deficit, the Raiders turned up the pressure and forced turnovers on four consecutive drives to seal the victory.

Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard's unit showed it can close a game. Next week, the defense will face an even bigger challenge with Patrick Mahomes coming to Las Vegas.

Saints' Sloppy Offense Raises Concerns

In three games, the Saints have turned the ball over seven times, giving up possession at least three times in both their losses. New Orleans' offense lacks balance with a below-average ground attack, so it has little margin for error on that side of the ball.

Offensive-minded head coach Kellen Moore must address his team's poor ball-security, or it could be a lingering issue that continues to cost the Saints games.

How Can the Saints Balance Their Offense?

Running back Travis Etienne Jr. exited early in Sunday's game because of a hamstring injury. Keep in mind he logged limited practices due to that injury and could miss some time. While he's had an underwhelming start to the season, it'll be even more difficult for the Saints to get their run game going without him.

The Saints entered Week 3 with the 28th-ranked rushing offense, and the second-ranked passing attack. They need to pick up some steam on the ground to stabilize their offense.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Andre Penner

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4)

Ravens 34, Cowboys 31

Ravens Offense Needs Zay Flowers Even if He's Less Than 100 Percent

Wide receiver Zay Flowers' status came down to a game-time decision because of a hamstring injury, but he suited up and played a significant role in the Baltimore Ravens' win over the Dallas Cowboys in Rio De Janeiro. 

Flowers led Baltimore with five catches for 84 yards and had a key reception on the game-winning drive to set up Tyler Loop for the walk-off field goal. Without Flowers, the Ravens probably would have lost this game. If he can suit up, they absolutely need him, especially with the lack of consistency in their pass-catching group.

Do the Ravens Need to Be More Creative in Goal-Line Situations?

The Cowboys defense stopped running back Derrick Henry multiple times in the red zone in Sunday's game. He averaged 3.4 yards per carry. Perhaps the 6'3", 252-pound human locomotive is no longer an automatic scorer inside the 5-yard line.

In fairness, Henry scored two early touchdowns near the goal line in the first half, but the Cowboys were ready for him late in the game, including a play in which the running back took a direct snap. 

Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle shouldn't shy away from giving Henry the ball to close drives, but he needs to add in a few creative wrinkles to keep defenses guessing in short-yardage situations.

Cowboys Defense Is Still Letting Them Down in Crucial Moments

While most expected this game to go into overtime, the Ravens offense had other plans, getting into field-goal range on one 27-yard pass play. Loop had to make the field goal, but the Cowboys' defenders should feel sick for giving up an explosive pass play that set up the walk-off score.

It's early, but the Cowboys defense doesn't look much better than the unit that allowed the most points last season, despite rookie defensive back Caleb Downs' strong start.

Can DC Christian Parker Make Necessary Adjustments?

The Cowboys have allowed at least 28 points in both their losses and nearly 400 yards in all three of their games. First-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker isn't on borrowed time yet, but he must make some adjustments.

If the Cowboys defense allows the Houston Texans' struggling offense to have its best outing next week, fans should start to reach for the panic button concerning Parker's play-calling.

Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen

Bills 24, Chargers 16

Sloppy Play Slows But Doesn't Stop Buffalo Bills

At 3-0 with Josh Allen leading the way, the Bills operate at a Super Bowl standard despite regularly falling short of that goal.

Even so, Buffalo has the league's best quarterback behind center. Right now, Allen may even be the game's best player regardless of position. Plus, the Bills feature a top-notch roster.

This squad is able to overcome plenty, though the group must improve to become championship material. 

During Sunday's victory, Joe Brady's team committed 10 penalties and five turnovers. The Bills wouldn't have been as fortunate if they had played a better opponent. Buffalo deserves credit for its resiliency, but no one in its facilities will feel good about how the team played. 

Gregory Rousseau Is Legitimate NFL Defensive Player of the Year Material

One week of outstanding play is promising. A second week of top-notch play signals the emergence of something special. Three straight dominant performances is a trend. Case in point, the Bills' Gregory Rousseau continues to ascend. 

In fact, his performance Sunday invoked an all-time great. Rousseau's two-sack performance gave him six so far. He passed Bruce Smith for the most sacks by a Bill through the first three weeks of play. 

"He's confident right now," Brady told reporters. "I think that's where he's at right now. I'm gonna remind him tomorrow: No one gives a damn. Let's do it again tomorrow."

Mike McDaniel-Justin Herbert Pairing Isn't Working

McDaniel's offseason hire as the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive coordinator was viewed as a significant positive due to the coach's history as a play-caller. Yet he and his quarterback haven't clicked. As a result, Jim Harbaugh's squad has opened with an 0-3 record and the Chargers don't look particularly competitive. 

The biggest disconnect can be found within Los Angeles' deep passing game, or lack thereof. As ESPN's Kris Rhim noted, Herbert has connected on only one of 12 deep passes that traveled 20 or more yards. Three of his interceptions occurred during those attempts as well. 

A season ago, Herbert carried an incomplete offense. This season, he doesn't look like the same quarterback. 

Omarion Hampton Loses Ground as Chargers' RB1

Much like Herbert's situation, McDaniel's presence was supposed to make life better for last year's first-round draft pick. Instead, Hampton played fewer than 45 percent of the Chargers' offensive snaps Sunday. The coaching staff also seems far more comfortable featuring Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal in high-leverage situations. 

Hampton has the potential to be a hammer in Los Angeles' offense. However, he's averaging under 4.0 yards per carry and likely won't be a featured back for most of this season. 

Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota

Commanders 33, Seahawks 31

Commanders Don't Need to Rush Jayden Daniels Back from Injury

The Washington Commanders have one of the league's best backup quarterbacks. Aside from the Cincinnati Bengals' No. 2 signal-caller, Joe Flacco, Marcus Mariota is the most trustworthy fill-in starter at the most important position in the NFL.

Over the last two seasons, Mariota has been a solid backup for Jayden Daniels, starting in nine games. After a decent showing against the Dallas Cowboys last week (11-of-16 passing for 111 yards and a touchdown), he led the Commanders to victory, completing 19 of 31 pass attempts for 183 yards and three touchdowns. The 12-year veteran used his mobility to scramble for a game-sealing first down to take down the reigning champions.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Commanders expect Daniels to come back from a dislocated elbow within three weeks. They don't need to rush that timeline, though.

Can Washington's Defense Keep Forcing Turnovers?

Over the offseason, Washington revamped its defense with several free-agent additions and rookie first-round linebacker Sonny Styles, but the unit is still giving up a ton of yards while allowing an average of 30.7 points in three games.

The Commanders' defense compensated for its leaks with takeaways, logging three against the Seattle Seahawks. As the new group jells, it may need to rely on forcing turnovers to get off the field in critical situations.

Seahawks Must Establish Their Ground Game

Regardless of opponent, the Seahawks can't expect to win many games with Sam Darnold throwing the ball 45 times, even if he racks up nearly 400 passing yards.

The Commanders' ability to score at will forced Seattle into a passing game script, but the Seahawks could've slowed the pace with an effective rushing attack. Seattle recorded 18 carries for 44 yards. The team's top two running backs, Jadarian Price and Emanuel Wilson, struggled and finished with 15 and 14 rushing yards, respectively. 

Is Zach Charbonnet Close to a Return?

The Seahawks' backfield may be at its best in a full-blown committee with Zach Charbonnet splitting touches with Price and Wilson. 

Within the first two weeks, Price and Wilson have put together solid stretches, but Charbonnet would strengthen the platoon. The Seahawks placed Charbonnet on the physical unable to perform list as he recovers from a torn ACL. 

Recently, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters that Charbonnet's return to practice is "coming soon." Seattle certainly needs him.

New York Jets at Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs

Lions 31, Jets 24

Jahmyr Gibbs Is Neck-and-Neck with Bijan Robinson for League's Best RB

Last Thursday, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson put on a show, rushing for 194 yards and two touchdowns and catching two passes for 19 yards. Jahmyr Gibbs made his case for NFL RB1 with 164 scrimmage yards and three scores.

Yes, Robinson outperformed Gibbs on the ground, but Gibbs made more of an impact as a pass-catcher, leading the Lions with seven receptions for 65 yards. 

This past offseason, Detroit traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, allowing Gibbs to shine as a true workhorse tailback.

How Long Can Lions Offense Take Pressure Off Defense?

The Lions have scored 31 points and allowed 24-plus points in all three of their games.

Although Detroit's defense sealed Sunday's win with a strip-sack, the unit must take bigger strides to limit opponents' scoring opportunities. If the Lions offense isn't scorching hot, their defense will have to hold up a bigger end of the bargain to close games.

Kenyon Sadiq Has Star Potential

Entering Week 3, Kenyon Sadiq had only five catches for 38 yards and a rush attempt for three yards and a touchdown. Against the Lions, he hauled in seven passes for 105 yards and a score.

Without wideout Adonai Mitchell (finger) and tight end Mason Taylor (thumb), Sadiq looked the part of a star in an expanded role as a pass-catcher. Although he posted strong numbers against a bottom-tier defense, you can see his potential as a playmaking tight end.

Can Braelon Allen Handle the Lion's Share of Touches if Breece Hall Is Out?

Breece Hall exited Sunday's game with a thigh injury and didn't return. In his absence, Braelon Allen led the Jets backfield and finished with four carries for 14 yards and three catches for three yards.

Allen has fared well in a complementary role, but the 6'1", 235-pound second-year ball-carrier may have to lead the Jets' backfield or take on a bigger share of touches in the coming weeks.

Tennessee Titans at New York Giants

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo

Giants 12, Titans 7

Giants Should Be NFL's Most Run-Heavy Team Going Forward

The New York Giants lost quarterback Jaxson Dart for the season. So, it's no surprise to see them rely on their ground attack. Cam Skattebo and Najee Harris combined for 29 carries and 112 rushing yards in the win over Tennessee.

To limit Jameis Winston's turnovers, Big Blue needs to run a physical, downhill offense.

Can the Giants' Offense Be Efficient with Jameis Winston?

Known for giving the ball away, Jameis Winston didn't commit a turnover on Sunday. He went 14-of-22, passing for 118 yards as the Giants ran the ball 33 times. 

The old adage, "less is more," may apply to the Giants' passing offense with Winston under center. He didn't play a major role in the offense because of the weather conditions in this outing, but that may be Big Blue's default winning formula going forward.

Carnell Tate Is the Key to Unlocking Titans' Struggling Passing Offense

Although the Titans played in the rain, it was clear they needed to get the ball to Carnell Tate. On one of the Titans' few productive drives, late in the third quarter, Cam Ward connected with Tate on a couple of completions for first downs.

On Sunday, Tate had his best showing of the season, with five catches for 58 yards. Tennessee needs to feature its rookie wideout to field a respectable aerial attack.

Who's Struggling More: OC Brian Daboll or QB Cam Ward?

Ward will take most of the blame for the Titans' abysmal offense, but it's fair to question whether offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has done enough to address his quarterback's struggles from the pocket. 

The Titans don't seem to have any easy completions built into their offense. Daboll should funnel more targets to Wan'Dale Robinson, who scored his first touchdown of the season against the Giants.

Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham

Browns 21, Panthers 18

Meet Mason Graham, the NFL's Newest Defensive Superstar

The Cleveland Browns confidently traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, because A) the organization received an excellent return, B) got former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse in the deal and C) had Mason Graham already on the roster. 

Graham has been dominant through the first three games and terrorized the Carolina Panthers during Sunday's contest. Last year's fifth overall draft pick has evolved into an a complete defensive tackle. 

As a rookie, Graham mustered only 2.5 sacks. He managed two Sunday to go along with the pair he had through the first two weeks. He also contributed three tackles for loss and seven total tackles. He's a legitimate disruptive force setting the tone for Cleveland's defense. 

Deshaun Watson Wasn't As Good, Browns Still Won

The weekly conversation of whether Watson will continue as Cleveland's QB1 should be put on hold for a little while now that the Browns won back-to-back contests. 

Watson played well in Week 2. He wasn't nearly as good against the Panthers.

At the same time, the veteran quarterback used his legs to escape pressure and extend plays in numerous instances. He was also able to find tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in the end zone twice, including the game-winning score with under two minutes to play. 

Panthers WR Corps Takes Another Hit

Xavier Legette didn't play Sunday due to a knee injury. Jalen Coker was active but left the game with a quad injury. 

Coker tends to be Bryce Young's favorite target when the Panthers need a play. Meanwhile, the Browns did everything to shut Tetairoa McMillan down. Last year's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year caught only two passes for 17 yards.

With Legette and Coker out of the lineup, Brycen Tremayne filled the void and led the Panthers with four catches for 83 yards. 

Lack of Weapons Stagnate Panthers Offense

Carolina entered Sunday's matchup with a top-five offense. Young and Co. posted numbers the franchise has not previously seen through the first two weeks of play. However, things turned quickly against a Browns defense that was ready to slow this group. 

The Panthers still produces 360 yards. Although, Carolina finished a combined four of 18 during the team's third- and fourth-down attempts. 

With McMillan stifled, Young really had nowhere else to turn, either in the run game or among his receivers, as a serious threat to the Browns' defense. 

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Colts 19, Texans 17

Daniel Jones Fails to Regain Form

The Indianapolis Colts signed Jones to a two-year, $88 million contract extension this offseason. The organization did so, because Jones led one of the NFL's best offenses last season before an Achilles injury ended his campaign. Jones doesn't look the part now. 

An argument can be made the quarterback still isn't all the way back from a significant injury and didn't have a complete offseason due to his recovery. But he was cleared by medical staff early in the process to the point where rust shouldn't be a significant excuse. 

Right now, Jones' issues aren't physical. He continues to show poor decision-making and ball-handling. During Sunday's contest, the Colts quarterback threw an interception and fumbled three times, with two lost. The last turnover nearly cost Indianapolis a victory. 

Jones has at least one turnover in each of the first three games. The same couldn't be said a season ago. 

Better Play From Colts Defense, Still Not Good Enough

On a positive note, the Colts' defense wasn't sieve-like in Week 3. The NFL's worst D—which surrendered over 500 yards per game through the first two contests—actually showed signs of life against the Houston Texans. 

Indianapolis allowed only 223 yards during Sunday's matchup. However, the unit allowed Houston to march seven plays for 54 yards and take a late fourth-quarter lead. Kicker Spencer Shrader let everyone off the hook. 

The performance should be considered a positive, yet this unit is far from complete. 

Texans Are 0-3...Again

Last season, Houston became only the seventh team in the NFL's modern era to start 0- 3 and still make the postseason. Now, the team finds itself in the same position, with a long way to go before it can repeat the feat. 

The biggest issues are found on offense.

Indianapolis deserves credit for playing better defensively. At the same time, the Texans' issues play a significant role in Sunday's outcome. Quarterback CJ Stroud completed less than 60 percent of his passes for the second straight game. Meanwhile, the team's run game has failed to average 4.0 yards per carry in each of its games. 

Houston's O-Line Still Isn't Fixed

Specifically, the Texans' offensive interior is struggling.

The Colts' defensive tackle combination of DeForest Buckner and Adetomiwa Adeboware combined for three sacks, as well as five quarterback hits. As mentioned earlier, Houston's run game isn't going anywhere, either.

The Texans may have invested heavily in their offensive interior this offseason, but the group still isn't fixed. 

New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Jaguars 35, Patriots 6

Travis Hunter Makes an Appearance for Jaguars

Travis Hunter hasn't been the same two-way superstar he was at Colorado or the sort of difference-maker the Jacksonville Jaguars hoped they were getting when they traded up to draft him second overall in 2025. His lack of impact has routed questions toward his college coach, Deion Sanders.

"I have no idea what's going on," Sanders said on his CBS Colorado show (h/t Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk). "I know who he was and who he is right now. I know what he's capable of."

Hunter showed exactly what he is capable of with a fantastic red-zone interception that helped maintain a double-digit Jaguars lead in the second quarter.

Should the Jaguars Consider Trading Brian Thomas Jr.?

It's fair to wonder if wideout Brian Thomas Jr. can ever return to the Pro Bowl form he showed in 2024, at least while he's in Jacksonville. Parker Washington has emerged as Jacksonville's new top target, Jakobi Meyers is still one of Trevor Lawrence's go-to receivers, and rookie Josh Cameron has become a viable weapon.

Cameron caught his second touchdown pass of the season on Sunday.

If Jacksonville is comfortable letting Cameron take over the WR3 role, it could look to bolster another area of the roster by moving Thomas before the November 10 trade deadline.

Drake Maye Has Become a Liability

There's really no other way to put it. Drake Maye has been one of the New England Patriots' biggest problems during their 1-2 start. Last year's runner-up for league MVP might actually be New England's biggest problem through the early season.

Maye came into Week 3 with one touchdown pass, four interceptions, and a quarterback rating of only 63.1. Against the Jaguars, he tossed a pair of picks, lost a fumble, and pretty much prevented the Patriots from ever playing catch-up with the Jaguars.

Can the Patriots Regroup in Time to Face the Bills?

A 1-3 start would be very difficult for the Patriots to overcome, and that's exactly what they'll face against the rival Buffalo Bills in Week 3.

The Bills struggled against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, but they looked like they might be the top team in the AFC over the first two weeks. If New England hopes to get back to .500 in Buffalo next Sunday, it'll have to tighten things up defensively, find ways to get some receivers open down the field, and, most importantly, convince Maye to exercise much better ball security.

Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Chiefs 24, Dolphins 10

Kansas City Avoids a Potential Trap in Miami

The Kansas City Chiefs entered Week 3 as double-digit favorites over the rebuilding Miami Dolphins. They ended up pulling away from Miami, and the final score would indicate that this game wasn't close, but the Chiefs seemed to stumble their way through the early going.

Patrick Mahomes failed to get into an early rhythm with his pass-catchers and spent a long stretch between finding tight end Travis Kelce for a big gain and a fourth-quarter touchdown. Kansas City's defense allowed Malik Willis to complete several big passes down the field while keeping Miami's ground game alive—running back De'Von Achane was ruled out after suffering a knee injury early.

For a while, it seemed like the Chiefs might blow this one, and they limped into the third quarter with a 14-10 lead, though they managed to pull away late. However, a win is a win, and Kansas City will enter its Week 4 divisional showdown against the Las Vegas Raiders with a 3-0 record.

Can the Chiefs Find a Pass Rush

Willis is a nimble dual-threat quarterback, and his ability to evade pressure helped keep the Dolphins in the game early. However, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo isn't going to simply shrug his shoulders after seeing his defense fail to record a sack for the second straight week.

Kansas City logged four sacks during its Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos, but they haven't recorded a quarterback takedown since. It's an issue for which Spagnuolo must find an answer quickly, especially with a rebuilt cornerback room trying to hold down the back end.

Chris Bell Steps Up at Receiver for the Dolphins

For the Dolphins, this season has always been about evaluating and developing young talent while building for the future. Entering Week 3, rookie receiver Calebl Douglas looked like a long-term contributor and led the team with 113 receiving yards. Unfortunately, Douglas missed Sunday's game with an ankle injury.

With Douglas out, fellow third-round rookie Chris Bell stepped into the spotlight for Miami. He caught four of seven targets for a team-high 67 yards and showed that Willis may have a couple of young playmakers on whom he can lean moving forward.

How Serious is Achane's Injury?

The Dolphins were likely forced to rely on the pass more than they'd have liked because they lost Achane after only three carries. Achane was the only prolific offensive star Miami retained in the offseason and was the centerpiece of the Dolphins' offense through the first two weeks. Unfortunately, the early chatter surrounding his injury is not encouraging.

"To be honest with you, it does not sound optimistic,' head coach Jeff Hafley said, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Ollie Gordon II averaged a modest 2.4 yards per carry on Sunday, and if Achane is forced to miss an extended period, Miami's offense could become extremely one-dimensional.

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Steelers 30, Bengals 27

Jaylen Warren Jump-Starts Pittsburgh's Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense didn't look good through the first two weeks, which prompted quarterback Aaron Rodgers to blame both the execution and the playcalling.

"In a game like today where there wasn't a lot of flow to it, we need to be better, and that starts with me at making sure [head coach] Mike [McCarthy] knows what's working, what's not working, our coaches know, so we can call stuff that we feel like has a better chance," Rodgers told reporters after last week's 20-3 loss.

What worked against the rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday was a heavy dose of running back Jaylen Warren. He racked up 127 rushing yards, 49 receiving yards, and probably should have had many more. He had an 87-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter called back by a very questionable holding call on receiver DK Metcalf.

The Bengals struggled to contain Warren, and as a result, Rodgers and the rest of the offense exploded for a 30-point outburst.

Should the Steelers Be in the Market for Receiver Help?

The November 10 trade deadline is still over a month away, and the Steelers will continue to evaluate their roster between now and then. However, they might want to start eyeing options for bolstering their wide receiver corps.

Metcalf did catch a touchdown pass on Sunday, and third-year receiver Roman Wilson (3 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD) before he dropped a pass that led to an interception. However, Michael Pittman Jr. is battling a foot injury, and Rodgers leaned heavily on Warren and his tight ends in the passing game.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, a "handful" of teams have begun inquiring about Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. If Pittsburgh decides to move Porter, it might be wise to get some receiver help as part of the exchange.

Maybe the Bengals' Defense Isn't Ready for a Super Bowl Run

The Bengals aggressively added to their defense in the offseason, looking to build the sort of balanced playoff-caliber roster the team has lacked over the past couple of seasons. Over the first two weeks, their plan appeared to be working.

Cincinnati entered Week 3 with a 2-0 record and the league's eighth-ranked scoring defense.

However, the Bengals may have benefited by playing a couple of mistake-prone offenses to open the season more than anyone realized. Against a Steelers offense that looked lost in Week 2, Cincinnati allowed 30 points, 411 yards, and a 7-of-12 third-down conversion rate.

Who Can Emerge as a Second Game-Wrecker Along Cincinnati's Defensive Front?

Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence was the prized acquisition of the Bengals' offseason. He cost Cincinnati the 10th pick in the draft, and he was expected to make the defensive front a legitimate force.

Lawrence did his part on Sunday, notching four tackles and two sacks while regularly commanding double teams. However, when Pittsburgh's plan to double Lawrence took him out of plays, no one else really took advantage.

Pittsburgh's line blew big holes in the running game, and outside of a few plays, Rodgers had time to identify mismatches and pick apart Cincinnati's secondary.

The Bengals had seven different players record at least a half-sack through the first two weeks, but they need someone to emerge as a consistent second threat behind Lawrence, who is likely to see multiple blockers more often than not.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn

49ers 36, Cardinals 30

Brock Purdy Playing Like an Early MVP Candidate

The San Francisco 49ers survived against the NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, thanks largely to their offense. While San Francisco's defense looked fantastic through the first two weeks, it allowed Arizona to compile 365 yards and 30 points.

The fact that the 49ers offense was so efficient after losing both left tackle Trent Williams (stinger) and wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs) to injury is a reflection of just how well quarterback Brock Purdy is playing.

Yes, Purdy still had elite playmakers in Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle, but that doesn't change the fact that he's playing like one of the top quarterbacks in football. He came into Week 3 with an 80.4 percent completion rate and a QB rating of 125.6. Against Arizona, he threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns while adding 34 yards on the ground.

Are Injuries Destined to Be a Major Problem Again This Season?

Injuries were a massive issue for the 49ers last season, but they came into 2026 with few health concerns. However, their fortunes on the injury front have rapidly changed.

In Week 1, the 49ers lost promising rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling to an ankle injury. They've since placed receiver Demarcus Robinson on injured reserve with a sprained ankle and announced that pass-rusher Nick Bosa will miss "multiple weeks" with a calf injury.

On Sunday, Evans was carted to the locker room and subsequently ruled out with a rib strain, while Exited with a stinger.

The 49ers are 3-0, but they cannot continue to sustain injuries and expect to be one of the last teams left standing in the postseason.

Marvin Harrison Jr. Has Become an Afterthought in the Cardinals Offense

The Cardinals climbed out of a 23-6 hole and nearly hung with the 49ers the rest of the way offensively. They got a solid performance from quarterback Jacoby Brissett, strong outings from Trey McBride and Michael Wilson, and a 119-scrimmage-yard outing from rookie running back Jeremiyah Love. They got three catches for 40 yards on five targets from 2024 fourth overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr.

Harrison had a respectable 883-yard, eight-touchdown campaign as a rookie but regressed in Year 2 and is off to a very disappointing start to 2026. He did have one clutch third-down catch on Sunday, but he now has just four catches for 73 yards through three weeks.

Arizona has the pieces to have a highly productive offense, but with a suspect defense, they need Harrison to provide more than the occasional splash play. If Mike LaFleur can't find a way to get the third-year receiver going soon, it'll be time to wonder what, if any, future Harrison has with the Cardinals.

Can the Cardinals Defense Play Well Enough to Keep Them in NFC West Contention?

The Cardinals pulled off arguably the biggest surprise of Week 1 by beating the Chargers in L.A. They've since dropped back-to-back games against divisional opponents, and their defense has been a liability in both losses.

Nothing really went right for Arizona in its 31-7 Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. However, the Cardinals' offense played well for most of Sunday. Their defense, on the other hand, surrendered 437 yards, 36 points, and 23 first downs while allowing San Francisco to go 5-for-8 on third down.

Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis must get his unit to play better if the Cardinals are going to overcome their 0-2 start to NFC West play.

Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Vikings 23, Buccaneers 16

Kyler Murray Passes First Full Test With Vikings

Kyler Murray won the Minnesota Vikings' starting job early in training camp, but he suffered a concussion early in Week 1. Backup Carson Wentz got Minnesota to 2-0, but Murray cleared the concussion protocol in time for Week 3 and played his first full game for the Vikings.

It wasn't a perfect outing for Murray, who went 15-of-29 for 168 yards with a touchdown and an interception. However, he did enough to get the Vikings a tough road win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while navigating the injury absence of Justin Jefferson.

The Vikings would undoubtedly love to see more than 230 yards and 20 points from their offense, but Murray did nothing to suggest that a quarterback controversy should be brewing in Minnesota.

How Much Time Could Justin Jefferson Miss?

Jefferson suffered an ankle injury and was ruled out after just two catches and 32 yards. Jordan Addison (5 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD) did an admirable job of filling the No. 1 receiver role in his absence—and he made an incredible grab on Murray's first touchdown pass of 2026—but there's no doubt that Minnesota's offense is more potent with Jefferson in the lineup.

Ankle injuries can be tricky for wide receivers, as evidenced by the fact that A.J. Brown landed on injured reserve after suffering one in Week 1. The Vikings have to hope that Jefferson's isn't severe.

If Jefferson can avoid injured reserve, Minnesota may be able to navigate the next two games (versus Miami Dolphins, at New Orleans Saints) without him before reaching the Week 6 bye.

Baker Mayfield's Injury Threatens to Derail Tampa Bay's Entire Season

Opening the season 0-3 isn't quite a death knell for a team's playoff hopes, but it's close. Unfortunately, things may only get worse for the Buccaneers in the short term.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield hasn't played particularly well early this season, but he's been the team's vocal offensive leader and has fought hard to keep Tampa in games. He may have fought too hard late in Sunday's contest, though, as he took a hard hit after extending a fourth-down play that ended with a desperation heave and an interception in Buccaneers territory.

Mayfield stayed down on the field after the hit and was in visible pain. Head coach Todd Bowles announced after the game (h/t NFL Network's Ian Rapoport) that Mayfield is likely to miss time with a dislocated right thumb.

The Buccaneers will now have to try climbing out of a 0-3 hole with undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels behind center. Tampa also has Easton Stick on its practice squad, but like several other teams, it may be eyeing veteran quarterbacks in the coming days.

Are the Buccaneers Approaching Another Rebuild?

With Mayfield injured three games into a winless season, it's hard to envision the Buccaneers getting to the playoffs, let alone making any sort of deep run. The question now is whether team ownership will tolerate another losing season from quarterback Todd Bowles and his staff.

Bowles, it's worth noting, took over as head coach when Bruce Arians stepped aside in 2022. While he was Tampa's defensive coordinator during the 2020 Super Bowl run, that won't earn him the same sort of job security it might if he had been the head coach.

Tampa has only missed the playoffs once since Bowles took over, but it has also won a single playoff game in four seasons. It's not unreasonable to believe that Bowles is firmly on the hot seat as the Bucs' season threatens to spiral.

And if the Buccaneers make a coaching change after the season while landing a top pick in the 2027 draft, it's not unreasonable to wonder how the new regime will handle Mayfield's future, not that he's signed through 2029.

Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

Falcons 35, Packers 14

Michael Penix Jr.'s Growing Confidence Provides Hope for Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons already featured immense offensive talent at numerous spots. The quarterback position continued to hold back the team, though. Michael Penix Jr.'s performance Thursday against the Green Bay Packers was quite promising after significant disappointment earlier in his career.

Penix got off to a slow start in his first game back from a torn ACL, including a poor interception on the opening drive where safety Xavier McKinney read the quarterback's eyes and easily drove on the pass for the turnover. From there, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft benefited greatly from Bijan Robinson running wild and from offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who gave the quarterback simple reads, plenty of quick-hitters and manufactured touches to build the 26-year-old's confidence.

Penix finished with 256 passing yards and a touchdown while completing 72 percent of his passes.

The quarterback's performance is exactly what Atlanta needed to try to build something positive. It's a significant turn of events considering the Falcons wanted to enter this season with Tua Tagovailoa as their QB1.

Spoiler Alert: Bijan Robinson Continues to Run Wild

Robinson is arguably the game's best running back. The Packers won't argue after Thursday's performance.

Green Bay knew it had to slow the Falcons' lead back and failed spectacularly. Robinson's 29 carries set a career high, and his 194 rushing yards fell two shy of another.

The 24-year-old sliced through Green Bay's defense, scored twice and served as a big-play threat even though Penix wasn't comfortable early and the Packers could key on the run—a testament to how dynamic he is.

Can Green Bay Do Anything to Improve Its Run Game?

The Packers entered Thursday's contest with the league's worst rushing offense. Green Bay's latest performance only made matters worse.

Matt LaFleur's unit had been averaging 64.5 rushing yards per game. The Packers managed a measly 17 yards against the Falcons, and MarShawn Lloyd led the team with 11 yards on four carries.

With Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list with a potential league suspension forthcoming, general manager Brian Gutekunst must look at alternatives. The remaining free agents aren't promising, so a trade could be the answer. The New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara may be the biggest name on the trade block.

Of course, better offensive line play would help matters, but that doesn't seem likely.

Packers' O-Line Is Making Life Miserable for QB Jordan Love

Four-fifths of Green Bay's front five is unproven, and it shows.

Jacob Monk moved from center to right guard, and he's a full-time starter for the first time in his NFL career. Anthony Belton took over at right tackle after Zach Bako-Bewele suffered a season-ending knee injury. Rookie Jager Burton moved into left guard for the injured Aaron Banks. Plus, Jordan Morgan may be a former first-round pick, but this season is his first as the squad's left tackle.

As a result, Green Bay can't run the ball, and Love isn't comfortable in the pocket. While the Falcons sacked Love only once, Atlanta hit him 12 times and applied consistent pressure.

An offense can't do much if its offensive line isn't solid, and Green Bay is a prime example.