Lessons from Week 3 in the NFL

After a lousy game, Baltimore’s defense responded with three losses. Lamar Jackson is having an MVP-worthy start to the season. The problem is that Patrick Mekari is injured, and the curse of offensive tackles continues. Fingers crossed that Ronnie Stanley can already be ready.

1. The Patriots offense showed some evolution, although they have no margin to overcome mistakes, and Mac Jones made a couple that proved costly. Even more important is the fact that Jones left the game without his foot, and they will monitor his ankle.
2. Carolina snapped a streak of nine consecutive losses. Baker Mayfield is still not at his best, but the Panthers’ defense is for real. They were once again effective against the ground attack and generated three losses. Some air for Matt Rhule.
3. The Saints offense has been showing problems since last year, and honestly they haven’t improved. At least Chris Olave’s performance has to generate hope in New Orleans. You have to wonder if it’s worth putting Jameis Winston out with an injury.
4. I genuinely think Nick Chubb is the best running back in the NFL. There may be others more spectacular. Jacoby Brissett played his best game of the season and Amari Cooper proves again to be a WR1. The defense has a lot of injuries.
5. I’ve been asking since Week 1, but I don’t think there’s a better time to give Kenny Pickett the starting job than on a long week to prepare. The Steelers defense, without T.J. Watt, can’t get pressure. Another offense that is stuck in another era.
6. Joe Burrow got his memory back, or rather they protected him better. He was caught only twice, and threw for three touchdowns with no interceptions. For that Bengals success to be sustainable, they must find more balance. Joe Mixon has had a bad start to the season.
7. Joe Flacco’s good level was not destined to last. Zach Wilson could return next week, and with better weapons around him, he should be able to make a leap in quality. The problem is that the defense is still one of the worst in the league and it is difficult for the Jets to win.
8. Despite not having Shaquille Leonard, the Colts defense against the powerful Chiefs offense. The offensive line continues to struggle and Matt Ryan’s lack of mobility doesn’t help. But at the right time, Ryan showed what he was brought in for.

Kansas City made a myriad of mistakes, particularly on special teams. As if that wasn’t enough, Patrick Mahomes and Eric BIenemy had a cross word that illustrated the Chiefs’ frustrations. They miss Harrison Butker.

9. After a couple of bad weeks, Derrick Henry showed us his best. And when that happens, it opens up the range of possibilities for the Titans. Ryan Tannehill also played his best game of the season and finally got Robert Woods involved.
10. Only one team since 2000 has started 0-3 and qualified for the playoffs. The Raiders are simply not a solid team. Derek Carr has been inconsistent, the defense through the air allows too many freedoms and they have no identity. Fair question Josh McDaniels.
11. The Dolphins had 61 fewer offensive snaps than the Bills, and still won the game. Proof that Miami’s defense was the hero of the day. Tua Tagovailoa’s pass to Jaylen Waddle on 3rd and 22 was vital. The Dolphins prove they are for real.
12. While I understand you have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Josh Allen, throwing the ball 63 times is not a great formula; they need more balance. The Bills felt the heat and also the injuries, but the reality is they didn’t execute well when it mattered most.
13. Matt Eberflus’ conservative system doesn’t help him, but Justin Fields hasn’t had a good start to the season. At least you can say the Bears rushed for 281 yards despite David Montgomery’s injury. Roquan Smith showed why he deserves to get paid.
14. The Texans’ ground defense is dreadful. After three weeks, they are allowing 202 yards per game on the ground. At least deep Jalen Pitre had a great game, including two interceptions. Davis Mills has to be much more consistent.
15. The Eagles defense recorded nine catches and limited the Commanders to just 87 yards on the ground. The offense is extremely dangerous, and DeVonta Smith exploded on the scene. In case anyone had any doubt, Philadelphia looks like a serious contender.
16. The Commanders’ offensive line was conspicuous by its absence. But Carson Wentz doesn’t help the equation. He holds too much of the ball and the longer the play stretches, the more trouble he gets into. The start of the season has been disappointing in Washington.

17. Kirk Cousins didn’t have a good day at the office for the Vikings, but when it mattered most, he connected with K.J. Osborn for the win. Meanwhile, Justin Jefferson again was quiet. Big win for Minnesota, Dalvin Cook again dislocated his shoulder.
18. Dan Campbell was aggressive all afternoon, but late in the game he opted for a 54-yard field goal. And that miss cost them the game, which slipped through their fingers. Although Jamaal Williams had a good game, the Lions need D’Andre Swift healthy.
19. The Packers offense has problems that are going to linger. The ground attack is their main calling card, and when it doesn’t work, the unit is out of sync. They scored no points in the second half. At least Romeo Doubs made a good impression.
20. Tom Brady missed his main offensive weapons. However, the reality is that they have not scored more than 20 points in any of the first three games of the season. That said, Tampa Bay’s defense is one of the best units in the league.
21. Cordarrelle Patterson is the most underrated player in the NFL. Atlanta has a young group that is starting to flourish in front of our eyes. As if that wasn’t enough, the Falcons smartly got Kyle Pitts involved again to get their first win of the season.
22. Remember when defense was Seattle’s strength? Those days are long gone. The defense was inviting, and while Geno Smith showed some flashes, he was inconsistent and made costly mistakes in crunch time.
23. The Rams defense had a myriad of absences, yet they still managed to limit the Cardinals. After two and a half games with nothing from him, Cam Akers showed up on the scene and reminded us of the potential this offense can have. They don’t get style points, but it’s worth it all the same.
24. Bad starts have become a common denominator for the Cardinals this season. The reality is that when Kyler Murray isn’t improvising, the offense is predictable with so many injuries. They were ineffective in the red zone.
25. The Jaguars snapped a streak of 18 consecutive away losses. Trevor Lawrence has shortened his mechanics and the results are there for all to see. The defense continues to generate turnovers. Watch out for the Jaguars in the AFC South.

Some people think that the Chargers should not risk Justin Herbert, but if the quarterback decided to play, it is because he could. The offensive line had some losses, but there is no excuse for being beaten as they were by Jacksonville. At least not for a supposed candidate.

27. The offensive anemia of the Broncos is desperate, and only when Russell Wilson, who did not have a good game, improvised, they were able to find some spaces. The defense is dominant, but if they don’t find something on offense, I don’t think they have a winning formula on their hands.
28. The honeymoon with Jimmy Garoppolo was short lived. Jimmy G made three blunders for the 49ers, which ultimately cost them the loss. The defense did its part, but when San Francisco can’t run, the offense becomes pedestrian.