Sports FOX Sports’ NFL specialists present the largest takeaways from each and each Sunday sport and what they imply for each and each group going forward.
GIANTS 21, BROWNS 15
Giants: After getting on the whole no force and largely awful protection in their first two games below fresh defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, the Giants protection confirmed up vast time in Week 3. They were all the way by way of Browns QB Deshaun Watson, sacking him eight conditions, forcing two turnovers and keeping the Browns to correct 217 yards. Even better, for a gaggle that insisted it became going to generate most of its force from its front four, 9 assorted avid gamers had at the least half of a sack. It became more than correct Dexter Lawrence (two) and Brian Burns (one), even though they bought a whole lot of force on their have. The Giants bought a 2nd straight solid sport from Daniel Jones and Malik Nabers on offense, which is wide, however the Giants want a protection taking part in care for this to in actuality turn their season spherical.
Browns: The Browns nearly undoubtedly indulge in a Deshaun Watson effort, and he is running out of time to demonstrate that he became ever worth his ridiculous contract. But in equity to him, his offensive line gave him no shot in this sport. The Giants protection became in his face from the originate, sacking him eight conditions and pressuring him repeatedly. Making it worse for the Browns is they misplaced three linemen in this sport to accidents — left kind out Jedrick Wills (knee), appropriate kind guard Wyatt Teller (knee) and appropriate kind kind out James Hudson (shoulder), who became forced to play attributable to Jack Conklin became out. If they invent now not repair the line mercurial, they’ll ask a lot more struggles running the football (69 total yards). It is tough to know if the Browns can receive with Watson the least bit, however they positively can’t with him repeatedly running for his existence. — Ralph Vacchiano
BRONCOS 26, BUCCANEERS 7
Broncos: Even with Denver and a rookie quarterback, Sean Payton has the Bucs’ number in Tampa. Sunday’s drubbing became an surprising blowout, however you correct have to put in thoughts his previous three journeys to Tampa with the Saints — a 9-0 shutout in 2021, a 38-3 rout within the Bucs’ Good Bowl season in 2020 and a 34-17 receive in 2019. Denver’s protection bought Baker Mayfield for seven sacks. Give Payton credit for letting rookie Bo Nix receive accurate into a rhythm with like a flash, quick throws to transfer the chains. The Broncos are better than their first two games, the Bucs now not as correct as their first two. Tampa Bay followers will indulge in to aloof correct be delighted they doubtless invent now not have to face Payton for any other four years.
Bo Nix reflects on his first occupation receive Buccaneers: The Bucs looked care for a gaggle with a depleted protection on Sunday, struggling to hang Denver in a humbling loss. They played without three key starters — security Antoine Winfield and defensive linemen Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey — and could doubtless not receive any force on Broncos rookie Bo Nix, who looked care for a foremost-spherical pick for the first time. Tampa Bay had by hook or by crook polished over their defensive accidents in a gargantuan receive at Detroit last week, however on Sunday, they could doubtless not defend up with a tainted Denver group. The interrogate now: Can they receive better and receive a minute bit healthier by next Sunday, when the Eagles come to town shopping for revenge for last year’s playoff loss? — Greg Auman
EAGLES 15, SAINTS 12
Eagles: This sport became correct any other reminder of why it became so worth it to the Eagles to spend vast on running attend Saquon Barkley. It is miles now not correct that he ran 17 conditions for 147 yards and two touchdowns. It is what he did in vast moments and how he affected the comfort of the offense. They were down 3-0 and struggling and had correct misplaced WR DeVonta Smith to a concussion (a vast effort with WR A.J. Brown idle) when Barkley ripped off a 65-yard touchdown toddle. And the Saints protection became so pondering about him that they ended up leaving tight fracture Dallas Goedert (10 catches, 170 yards) on a gargantuan, 61-yard fetch within the fourth quarter that space up Barkley’s sport-successful touchdown. The Eagles’ protection became good. Jalen Hurts recovered from two early turnovers. But it undoubtedly’s tough to ignore how Barkley changes all the pieces about this Eagles offense, even when things are now not working precisely appropriate kind.
Saquon Barkley takes off for a 65-yard TD, giving Eagles the lead over Saints Saints: For everybody wondering if the Saints were a minute bit overrated, severely on offense, after the first two games, the reply particular appears to be like to be “yes.” The Eagles turned the ball over twice and the Saints blocked a punt and Unique Orleans aloof managed handiest 12 capabilities and a lousy 219 total yards. Derek Carr (14 of 25, 142 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) came crashing attend to Earth against an Eagles secondary that had been fully awful the first two weeks of the season. Why? On legend of he doesn’t indulge in a host of weapons. Chris Olave and running attend Alvin Kamara combined for 9 catches (on 9 targets) for 126 yards. Everyone else on the Saints combined for five catches (on 14 targets) for 16 yards. If teams can throttle Olave and Kamara even correct a minute bit, the Saints will turn out being very easy to defend. — Ralph Vacchiano
PACKERS 30, TITANS 14
Packers: Malik Willis wouldn’t feed into the whole revenge sport account at some stage within the week, however he needed to be feeling wonderful after leading the Packers to a victory over his outmoded group with two touchdowns (one passing, one speeding). To invent so on a day that Will Levis, whom the Titans drafted in 2023 a year after taking Willis within the third spherical, persisted to give away capabilities needed to had been a cherry on the conclude. Oh, and Green Bay got extra reinforcement that it doesn’t have to trot Jordan Indulge in attend, even even though it appears to be like very doubtless he can return next week against the rival Vikings. Now 2-0 since Indulge in went down, Matt LaFleur has managed to way up an offense that accentuates Willis’ strengths and minimizes the exploitation of his weaknesses. Who’s to inform that can’t continue?
Malik Willis throws for 202 yards to lend a hand Packers defeat Titans Titans: It is aloof very early within the season, however if I’m the Titans, my thoughts is made up about taking a tough gaze at the 2025 quarterback class. Former signal-caller alternatives needs to be looked at as successfully. Will Levis has had three awful turnovers in three weeks. The awful one Sunday became a pick-six courtesy of Jaire Alexander within the first quarter. The 2nd-year quarterback is up to eight giveaways in correct three games (three against Green Bay), including two interceptions returned for touchdowns. The offensive line did him no favors — he became sacked eight conditions Sunday — however Levis’ brain farts are the whole more amazing eager on what has been invested to lend a hand him. Any correct Levis has performed — and there became a chunk, to make certain — has been overshadowed by the contaminated. Perchance the blessing in conceal for the Titans is that they indulge in got already bought clarity on their quarterback direction for 2025. — Ben Arthur
COLTS 21, BEARS 16
Bears: Issues have to be more straightforward for Caleb Williams. It have to not be this tough. Williams is aloof guilty for a ton of pre-snap choices, and it’s taking the play clock all the system down to nearly zero reasonably slightly. That speaks to how worthy Williams is attempting to diagnose and resolve out in his younger occupation. The playcalling hasn’t helped Williams, either. Williams’ first touchdown pass became a throw to Rome Odunze within the fracture zone after a successfully-balanced, 13-play force at some stage in which the rookie QB made like a flash choices and took the shorter throws.
Otherwise, there persisted to be longer-constructing play calls, the place Williams needed to receive by way of a pair of reads. The toddle sport became silly no matter featuring a vogue of backs. Roschon Johnson wasn’t even active except this week against Indy. Williams himself has to fetch better choices, too. He automatically took possibilities throwing into double protection or keeping the ball and taking sacks. The Bears paid the fee for it and can continue to invent so except the sport figuring out is simplified or Williams comes by way of the different facet of his baptism by fire.
Colts: Anthony Richardson tried a pair of conditions to reward the sport to the Bears, including the pass he tried to receive over linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and into triple protection within the fracture zone. The Colts did discover about their toddle sport, even though, and they were in a enviornment to lend a hand their quarterback out that methodology. Operating attend Jonathan Taylor had a pair of explosive runs and Indy controlled the clock which potential. The Colts protection learned receive force, too. Rookie edge Laiatu Latu seems care for he is settling in and, more importantly, Indy’s secondary became in a enviornment to receive takeaways and garner some self belief. It is aloof a unstable effort in Indianapolis judging by some of Richardson’s choices, however the comfort of the group appears to be like to be discovering its footing. That also can lend a hand the Colts insulate themselves against the QB’s recklessness. — Carmen Vitali
VIKINGS 34, TEXANS 7
Texans: C.J. Stroud correct skilled the worst sport of his occupation. It wasn’t that tainted statistically. He carried out 20 of 21 for 215 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions with four sacks. The stats did not demonstrate, on the other hand, that Stroud and the Texans could doubtless also invent nothing appropriate kind against the Vikings’ impressive protection. Within the NFL, Stroud has handiest ever had one other multi-interception sport — and it became a receive over the Arizona Cardinals last year. Stroud hasn’t thrown a pair of interceptions in a loss since Michigan beat Ohio Impart in 2022. So, this expertise could be a precious lesson for the younger QB: How does he answer to adversity? My bet: He’ll be correct ravishing. Bet the over on his passing yards next week, when he’ll indulge in the prospect to rob out his frustration on the Jacksonville Jaguars, a bottom-three pass protection.
Vikings: Are they the correct group within the NFL? They beat the 49ers last week. They whooped the Texans this week. The Chiefs and Payments are potentially the handiest others in consideration for the league’s high group. I wrote loads last week about how Sam Darnold has been correct without his stars and downright wide with Justin Jefferson. Upright wait except Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson are attend. But this protection is correct as correct as its offense. With Brian Flores calling and coaching this protection to perfection, it’s tough to remember any quarterback excelling — or even final competent — against the Vikings. He has the Minnesota front teeing off on opposing quarterbacks. I invent now not think even Patrick Mahomes could doubtless also receive going against Flores’ D appropriate kind now. And that potentially signifies the Vikings are the NFL’s very most inspiring. — Henry McKenna
STEELERS 20, CHARGERS 10
Chargers: Justin Herbert reinjured a appropriate kind excessive ankle sprain midway by way of the third quarter on a sack, striking his group’s promising originate in jeopardy. Herbert has gutted by way of broken ribs, a fractured finger and a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder in his five-year NFL occupation, so there is minute interrogate that he’ll play by way of some wretchedness and discomfort. On the different hand, can he conclude wholesome at some stage within the season? The drop-off in talent and manufacturing is major to L.A.’s No. 2 quarterback in Taylor Heinicke. If the Chargers are to truly fetch a playoff push, they want Herbert as shut as he can receive to being fully wholesome. For the Chargers, that can per chance doubtless also imply sitting out Herbert at dwelling against the Chiefs next week with the group’s bye in Week 5, gaining a pair of weeks for the group’s star quarterback to receive wholesome.
Steelers: Justin Fields cemented his location as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback with a solid efficiency in a receive over the Chargers. Fields accomplished his first 10 passes and ran for a 5-yard touchdown within the opening quarter on his methodology to a 245-yard passing efficiency. Head coach Mike Tomlin needs to play from a defensive mindset, and led by edge rusher T.J. Watt, the Steelers are keeping opponents to a league-low 8.7 capabilities a contest. Fields is a correct fit for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith alongside with his skill to assemble performs alongside with his feet, fetch explosive throws downfield and rob care of the football. There is more upside for Tomlin to defend the 25-year-worn Fields as the starter and rising with the offense as an different of adjusting to a much less cell and older possibility within the 35-year-worn Russell Wilson, even once the latter has healed from his calf effort. — Eric D. Williams
SEAHAWKS 24, DOLPHINS 3
Dolphins: If Skylar Thompson’s chest injury, which forced him out of Sunday’s sport, is a multi-week effort, the Dolphins could doubtless be all the system down to Tim Boyle (who carried out Week 3) and Tyler Huntley at quarterback. They want to aloof fully be giving the Panthers a name about outmoded No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young (within the occasion that they have not already). Panthers coach Dave Canales has acknowledged the Panthers are now not eager on trading Young, however there had been reports that the Panthers indulge in already been receiving calls, which will indulge in to aloof develop within the wake of Andy Dalton guiding Carolina’s 36-point outburst Sunday (it’s most capabilities in a sport since Week 16 of the 2022 season). A new originate in Miami with Mike McDaniel calling performs could doubtless also very successfully be correct what Young needs — and what the Dolphins have to conclude afloat as an AFC contender whereas Tua Tagovailoa will get wholesome.
Seahawks: Is Geno Smith … aloof bettering at 34 years worn? Indubitably, it did not repeatedly gaze wide for the Seahawks within the 2nd half of of Sunday’s receive. But overall, the 2022 Comeback Participant of the Year seems care for he is on cruise regulate in Ryan Grubb’s offense. His completion payment is on lag to be the better of his occupation, even though it’s aloof early within the season. The outmoded’s reference to Seattle’s very solid broad receiver trio of DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett is obvious (look: Metcalf’s 71-yard touchdown within the 2nd quarter Sunday). Within the fracture, I believe Seattle will aloof be defensive-led thanks to coach Mike MacDonald’s brilliance on that facet of the ball, however the Seahawks’ skill to injury teams by way of the air offensively gives them as worthy upside as any group within the NFC. — Ben Arthur
PANTHERS 36, RAIDERS 22
Panthers: Carolina appears to be like to indulge in stumbled on its quarterback — for now. The trade from outmoded No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young to outmoded Andy Dalton brought fresh existence to Carolina’s offense on Sunday. The Panthers carried out with 9 performs of 15-plus yards with Dalton at the helm, as the Panthers pushed the ball down the sphere more successfully with Young now not within the lineup. The Panthers scored 13 capabilities combined within the first two games, however below the direction of Dalton save up 21 capabilities in correct the first half of against the Raiders. Carolina regarded some distance more assured with an skilled hand care for Dalton leading them, permitting the Panthers to better compete at Las Vegas. “We bought to correct defend taking part in complementary football, so we can play our vogue,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales acknowledged.
Raiders: Gardner Minshew followed his very most inspiring sport of the season last week in a receive over the Ravens alongside with his worst of the year in an embarrassing loss to the lowly Panthers. Minshew had effort consistently pushing the ball down the sphere against Carolina’s protection. Top purpose Davante Adams carried out with correct four receptions for 40 yards. The Raiders looked to be hitting a soft place of their agenda, with games at dwelling against the Cleveland Browns and on the avenue against the Denver Broncos sooner than cyber web hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers after facing the Panthers this week. Head coach Antonio Pierce made the swap from Minshew to Aidan O’Connell gradual within the sport, and doubtless he’ll receive a longer gaze next week. — Eric D. Williams
LIONS 20, CARDINALS 13
Lions: The Lions are better within the secondary. No longer correct. But better. (Sure, that’s a deep reduce to “Miracle.”) Detroit went into this week permitting the 12th most passing yards per sport (225) and it allowed correct 205 to Kyler Murray, who came into the sport as hot as any QB within the NFL. Be aware, right here is the group that has been step by step hiking out of the basement of the league in the case of secondary play. In 2022: third most yards per sport allowed (245.8). In 2023: sixth most yards per sport allowed (247.4). Apparently this year they are in actuality bettering with Carlton Davis and Terrion Arnold at cornerback. That felt care for the lacking share for this group. They proved Sunday correct how dangerous they could be after they defend the pass.
Cardinals: Kyler Murray has grown too fond of Marvin Harrison Jr. I receive it, dude. You aquire a fresh jacket and you correct have to wear it each and each minute of each and each day. But don’t wear it out. That’s what came about with Murray. If Harrison proved in Week 2 that he became a WR1, he proved in Week 3 that he’s moreover aloof a rookie. He couldn’t dominate the Lions’ secondary within the same methodology that he beat up the Los Angeles Rams. And that fetch of ingredient occurs for a 22-year-worn. But when, within the 2nd half of, Murray stopped connecting on his targets with Harrison, the QB needed to receive his other avid gamers involved. As a change, we saw Murray continue to are attempting and power-feed his high wideout, even when he became successfully-lined. The result? 20-13. That contributed as worthy as anything else to the Cardinals going 22 minutes and not using a foremost down within the 2nd half of. — Henry McKenna
Diagnosis to come attend…
49ers-Rams
Ravens-Cowboys
Chiefs-Falcons
The next writers contributed to this account: Ben Arthur ( @benyarthur ); Greg Auman ( @gregauman ); Henry McKenna ( @McKennAnalysis ); Eric D. Williams ( @eric_d_williams ); Ralph Vacchiano ( @RalphVacchiano ); Carmen Vitali ( @CarmieV )
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