NFL Takeaways: Week 3
Photo by AAron Ontiveroz from The Denver Post
Who is good in the NFL?
I have some ideas, but it looks like there are some clear cut flaws with a bunch of teams.
But it’s still early, so there’s still a lot to learn.
But here is what we learned from week 3.
Falcons defeat Packers 35-14
The Packers are just bad.
They have absolutely no push on the offensive or defensive line, and I don’t see any way in which that gets fixed.
They might just be done.
Commanders defeat Seahawks 33-31
The Seahawks outgained the Commanders by almost double, and had above an 80% success rate both offensively and defensively.
So how did they lose?
The Commanders had 20 points off of 3 Seahawks turnovers.
You can’t turn the ball over that much and expect to win.
Well, usually…
Bills defeat Chargers 24-16
But sometimes, you play the Chargers.
The Bills were -4 in turnovers in this game and still won.
That sounds impossible, right?
Well, since 2013, teams with 5 turnovers and at least a -4 turnover margin are 3-81-1.
Those three wins?
All against the Chargers.
You can’t make it up.
Browns defeat Panthers 21-18
Folks…
The Cleveland Browns have won 4 of their last 5 games.
Of course, those four wins were the games I picked their opponent in the pick ‘em league I’m in.
Lions defeat Jets 31-24
The Jets offense was absolutely excellent.
The Lions defense is a massive problem.
That’s all there is to it.
Colts defeat Texans 19-17
The Texans high powered offense against the Bills in week 1 looks to be nothing more than a mirage.
This 0-3 start is devastating considering what people expected from them pre-season.
I’m not sure they’ll pull it out like they have before.
Chiefs defeat Dolphins 24-10
The Dolphins defense looked pretty good!
They still lost because they’re not very good, but it’s progress!
Giants defeat Titans 12-7
The interception Cam Ward threw to lose this game for the Titans is one of the worst interceptions I’ve seen in a very long time.
Terrible throw. Terrible decision. Terrible time for it.
And it was only first down too.
I think my mind’s made up on him.
Steelers defeat Bengals 30-27
The Bengals defense looked good so far.
The Steelers offense was one of the worst in football.
So it makes perfect sense for Aaron Rodgers to come to life and play a fantastic game while the Bengals defense fell back to what they have been.
What a weird spot, man.
Jaguars defeat Patriots 35-6
I think it’s more than fair to say that last seasons playoff run actively broke Drake Maye.
He looks absolutely terrible right now, and I don’t know how they fix it.
49ers defeat Cardinals 36-30
The Niners offense still looks great, but the defense giving up 30 to the Cardinals and losing both Mike Evans and Trent Williams to injuries (on top of all of the other injuries they’ve had so far) is a concern.
Something to keep an eye on, for sure.
Vikings defeat Buccaneers 23-16
Keeping Todd Bowles after last years disastrous end of the season just looks worse and worse.
I didn’t fathom it at the time, and it looks even worse now.
Ravens defeat Cowboys 34-31
The Cowboys had a very real chance to win this game (after one of the worst pass interference calls I can remember seeing).
Instead, they wasted that chance by not giving themselves a chance at a touchdown, kicking the tying field goal, screwing up the kickoff and giving the Ravens a short field, giving up one huge play, and losing.
Even internationally, the Cowboys will be the Cowboys.
Raiders defeat Saints 35-27
Good for the Raiders for being 3-0, but I can’t get a grasp on the Saints.
They were awful in the first three quarters against Detroit.
Then they were really good in the 4th quarter, the whole game against the Ravens, and the first three quarters against the Raiders.
And then they were absolutely terrible in the 4th quarter again to fall to 1-2.
Weird one!
Good for the Raiders for being 3-0, though.
Broncos defeat Rams 30-26
The Bo Nix Broncos are at it again.
Some of the absolute worst football you’ve ever seen to dig a hole, and then becoming prime Joe Montana to dig them out of said hole and somehow win.
Cue the Breaking Bad Aaron Paul “He can’t keep getting away with this!” clip.
Bears defeat Eagles 27-7
The Eagles offense has been a concern so far this year, but there’s nothing a get right game against a bad Bears defense can’t fix, right?
Yeesh.
I know Hurts got hurt in the first half, but this is not going to ease the nerves of Eagles fans who watched a lifeless offense last year.
As for the Bears, and frankly, the NFL in general, trust your veteran QB.
QBs these days are superheroes. They have insane physical traits to be able to run and throw bombs and make spectacular highlight reel plays. And that’s great.
But never underestimate the value in a QB that just trusts what he sees.
Marcus Mariota did it in Washington, and Case Keenum did it in Chicago.
Read the defense. Make pre-snap adjustments. Get the ball out fast to the open guy, keep the chains moving, and keep the ball safe.
It won’t win you a championship, but it will win you games while your superhero is on the bench.
