Are there any bad teams in the NFL? It is the question that I have been pondering after watching week 3 of this season. Think about this, the only team without a win in the league is the Las Vegas Raiders, who fell to 0-3. The Raiders are not a bad team. They have lost three games by 13 points including a game they were leading 23-7 and lost in overtime. The Raiders are a talented roster, competitive, and cannot be compared to the paltry 2017 Cleveland Browns and 2008 Detroit Lions. So, if the Raiders are the worst team in the league, then it tells you that the 2022 NFL season is on pace to be one of the best seasons ever. In this article, we discuss the three major headlines from an unreal week 3.
1. Upsets- the biggest game for the weekend took place in Miami where the Dolphins defeated the Super Bowl favorites, the Buffalo Bills. It was an unusual game because the Bills dominated the Dolphins statistically, with the time of possession being 40 to 20 minutes, 495 to 212 yards, and 90 to 39 in total plays. Those stats would likely mean a decisive victory for a team, but the Bills were very inefficient in the red zone going two for four and settling for too many field goals than touchdowns. In the end, Tua made the big plays, and Josh Allen didn’t get the job at the end of both halves. Imagine this, the Dolphins are now the only undefeated team in the AFC. Another upset this week was the Jacksonville Jaguars defeating the Los Angeles Chargers. Justin Herbert is nursing a rib injury, but the Jaguars pummeled the Chargers 38-10 on the road. Trevor Lawrence appears to be on the ascension by completing 28 of 39 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns. Lawrence is playing well through excellent coaching from a great offensive mind in Doug Pederson. Don’t look now, but the Jaguars lead the AFC South at 2-1. The final upset of note was the Colts beating the Chiefs. The game was a bit fluky because the Chiefs’ special teams cost them the game. It will not matter to the Colts because a win is a win, right?
2. Slugfest- the matchup of Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady is considered an offensive showdown between two of the greatest quarterbacks to play in the league. However, the game did not play out that way, and both defenses dominated the game. Rodgers grabbed the early lead in the first half taking advantage of Todd Bowles’ trying to bring pressure on the quarterback. However, after halftime, Bowles adjusted his plan, and the Bucs pitched a shutout in the second half. Tom Brady struggled without his wide receivers in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Julio Jones who missed the game due to suspension or injury. The game was interesting in the fourth quarter because Brady threw a late fourth-quarter touchdown to pull within two points. After an inexplicable delay of game penalty, the comeback came up short with a throw into the end zone. Another nightmarish defensive slugfest was on Sunday night football between the Broncos and 49ers. The offenses for both teams were horrible and combined for 17 punts, eight sacks allowed, and 7 for 29 on third down. The game was decided when Russell Wilson finally woke up and made a few plays to get his team into the end zone. This game was a horrible watch even if you like defensive football.
3. Birds are Flying- two of the best teams in week three and in this season so far are the Eagles and the Ravens. The Eagles are now 3-0 after trouncing the Washington Commanders 24-8. Jalen Hurts is a quarterback on the rise completing 22 of 35 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns. DeVonta Smith is showing the world why he was a Heisman Trophy winner in 2020 by grabbing eight catches for 169 yards in this game. Lamar Jackson bet on himself in the off-season by not signing a proposed deal with the Ravens and playing out the final year of his contract. The decision will make him a rich man because action Jackson appears to be back to his MVP level. Lamar completed 18 of 29 passes for 218 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in a 37-26 win over the Patriots. On the season, Jackson has 749 passing yards, 243 rushing yards, ten touchdowns, and two interceptions. Could we be heading to the battle of birds in the desert for Superbowl 57? Maybe. Only time will tell.
Funny Moment: After the Dolphins’ narrow victory over the Bills, Television cameras showed Buffalo’s Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey slamming his headset, tablet and trashing his notes after his team failed to lineup as time expired! The video went viral immediately on the internet and is now a meme locked in NFL folklore.