Week 3 of the NFL season was all about teams getting their first wins while others cemented their dominance. Six teams entered Sunday winless, and only one – the Tennessee Titans – remains without a victory. Meanwhile, contenders such as the Minnesota Vikings proved they are serious Super Bowl challengers. Let’s break down the key highlights from an exciting Sunday.
Vikings Establish Super Bowl Credentials
The Minnesota Vikings continued their hot start with a commanding 34-7 victory over the Houston Texans, putting to rest any concerns that their early season success was a fluke. Backup quarterback Sam Darnold, starting in place of rookie JJ McCarthy, threw for four touchdowns, including strikes to Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones. Head coach Kevin O’Connell praised Darnold’s play, stating, “Smart, really decisive, took care of the football, accurate.”
Darnold’s performance placed him among elite Vikings quarterbacks, as he became only the fourth QB in franchise history to start 3-0. Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard, who recorded three sacks against his former team, stood out on defense. “It’s in your best interest to not mess around with me,” Greenard said.
The Texans struggled to move the ball, with quarterback CJ Stroud throwing two interceptions. The Vikings’ defense, led by Brian Flores, completely shut down the Houston offense, which had been explosive in previous games.
Ravens Sink Cowboys into Crisis Mode
The Baltimore Ravens secured their first win in a crucial matchup, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 28-25. Running back Derrick Henry led the charge with two rushing touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson added a passing and rushing score. “Every game is a big game for us because we’re trying to get somewhere,” Jackson emphasized after the win, underlining Baltimore’s Super Bowl aspirations.
The Cowboys, however, are spiraling, with a third straight home loss and mounting pressure on head coach Mike McCarthy. Despite a late-game comeback attempt, Dallas couldn’t overcome a 28-6 deficit. Reflecting on the game, McCarthy remarked, “It’s the connection that we don’t have right now to the level that we’re capable of.”
With a short week ahead, Dallas must quickly regroup for Thursday’s game against the New York Giants.
Panthers Secure First Win After Benching Bryce Young
The Carolina Panthers made a bold move ahead of Week 3, benching rookie quarterback Bryce Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. The switch paid off as Dalton threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Dalton connected frequently with receiver Diontae Johnson, who racked up 122 yards and a touchdown.
“It felt great,” Dalton said after the game. “We didn’t just put one drive together. We were able to do it the whole game.”
It was a disappointing loss for the Raiders, especially after an impressive win in Week 2. Head coach Antonio Pierce didn’t hold back in his post-game comments, stating, “We got a** whooped. Offensively, defensively, we didn’t do a good enough job up front.”
A Turning Point in Week 3
Week 3 offered hope to teams searching for their first wins and reaffirmed the strength of Super Bowl contenders like the Vikings. As teams like the Cowboys and Texans face tricky questions, others like the Ravens and Panthers seem to have turned a corner. With more twists and turns expected, the season is just heating up.
