Week 3 of the NFL season delivered a series of thrilling finishes and surprising outcomes, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the sport. Among the standout moments were numerous blocked field goals, which played pivotal roles in several games.
In a dramatic turnaround, the Philadelphia Eagles overcame a 19-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Rams 33-26. The rally was highlighted by defensive tackle Jordan Davis, who blocked a field goal attempt and returned it 61 yards for the winning touchdown. The win extends quarterback Jalen Hurts’s streak to 17 victories in his last 17 starts.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns pulled off a stunning upset over the Green Bay Packers, rallying from a 10-point deficit in the final minutes to win 13-10. Rookie kicker Andre Szmyt’s 55-yard field goal sealed the victory, breaking the Browns’ eight-game losing streak.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured a narrow 27-26 victory against the New York Jets, thanks to Baker Mayfield’s late-game drive that set up a game-winning field goal. This marked the Bucs as the first team in the Super Bowl era to start a season with three consecutive game-winning drives in the final minute, positioning them with a 3-0 record for the first time since 2005.
Elsewhere, the San Francisco 49ers narrowly escaped with a 16-15 win over the Arizona Cardinals, aided by backup quarterback Mac Jones, maintaining their undefeated status in the NFC West. Similarly, the Los Angeles Chargers remained unbeaten, achieving a win against the Denver Broncos with a last-second field goal by Cameron Dicker.
The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to secure a win against the New England Patriots, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers contributing significantly by surpassing Brett Favre on the all-time passing touchdown list. The Steelers capitalized on turnovers to secure the 21-14 win.
In other notable games, the Minnesota Vikings dominated the Cincinnati Bengals 48-10, while the Carolina Panthers crushed the Atlanta Falcons 30-0. The Washington Commanders defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 41-24, and the Seattle Seahawks claimed a commanding 44-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
In the midst of these games, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams demonstrated his potential for the Chicago Bears, delivering an impressive performance with four touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys. The victory marked the first glimpse of a promising future under head coach Ben Johnson.
Week 3 also saw the Indianapolis Colts remain unbeaten, surprising many with their offensive prowess led by revived quarterback Daniel Jones and a strong performance by running back Jonathan Taylor.
Despite some teams struggling, the season’s early dynamics suggest that the weeks ahead could continue to surprise fans as teams jockey for position. Notably, the Houston Texans face challenges with an 0-3 start but have opportunities to reassess and improve. As the season progresses, fans can expect more exhilarating action and unexpected turns.