After the third Sunday of the NFL season, five unbeaten teams remain — the 2-0 Bills play on Monday Night Football — and the 3-0 teams all looked the part in different ways Sunday. The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs won another nail-biter, this time over the Falcons. The Seahawks battered the Dolphins, who were without Tua Tagovailoa — and lost backup quarterback Skylar Thompson to a chest injury. The Vikings blew out the Texans with another brilliant Sam Darnold performance, and the Steelers continued to roll behind a buzz saw of a defense and an emerging Justin Fields.
As for the teams that didn’t have a great Sunday? Let’s dive into the news and stories coming out of Week 3.
Do the Cowboys need to start panicking?
Sure, they’re perhaps the most scrutinized team in the NFL, but when you allow 274 yards on the ground at home, the problems aren’t just because the team owner is a media magnet. Dallas’ 28-25 loss — that was not as close as the final score indicated — showcased problems on defense that were first brought to light in a 44-19 Week 2 loss to the Saints. When asked about the roster after the game, Jerry Jones said, “I like our personnel,” but something will need to change for a team allowing a league-worst 185.7 rushing yards per game.
Justin Herbert aggravates high ankle sprain
He was first injured in Week 2, but the ankle was dinged again in the Chargers’ 20-10 loss to the Steelers. He left the stadium in Pittsburgh wearing a walking boot. On Monday, NFL Network reported that X-rays were negative after the game, and Herbert will continue to be monitored. Taylor Heinicke finished Sunday’s game for L.A., who will host the Chiefs in Week 4.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has missed some recent practice time after aggravating a foot injury, and he’s day-to-day after being briefly knocked out of the Browns’ 21-15 loss to the Giants. Garrett has two sacks in Cleveland’s three games this season.
Steelers still rolling with Justin Fields?
Pittsburgh is 3-0 and allowing an NFL-best 229.7 yards per game and 8.6 points per game. The defense has been a brick wall, as most recently evidenced by five sacks in a win over the Chargers. The Steelers’ quarterbacks are getting headlines though, after both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields came to Pittsburgh for fresh starts. Fields has been steady through the three wins, with just one interception and completing more than 73% of his passes, but is that enough to keep the job with Wilson recovering from a calf injury that knocked him out of the starting spot before Week 1?
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Justin Herbert’s ankle X-Rays reportedly negative
Justin Herbert’s postgame ankle X-Rays were negative, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Chargers QB left Sunday’s loss to the Steelers after aggravating his high ankle sprain.
#Chargers QB Justin Herbert, who aggravated his high-ankle sprain against the #Steelers and exited the game, had X-Rays that were negative after the game, source said. He’ll continue to be monitored this week.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2024
