Sep 26, 2021

  • NFL NationESPN

Week 3 of the 2022 NFL season brought us some wild endings. Through a frenetic last two minutes, the Chargers edged past Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs afterward Kansas City struggled with ball security. The Ravens avoided an upset loss to the Lions with a tape-setting 66-yard field goal from Justin Tucker that rang off the crossbar and went through to finish the game. The Falcons won a boxing of winless teams, striking a field goal to crush the Giants.

Elsewhere, the Cardinals overcame an early on arrears against the Jaguars to coil to 3-0, and the Steelers' offensive issues continued in a loss to the Bengals. The Browns' pass blitz was all over quarterback Justin Fields in the rookie'south debut as the Bears starter. The Titans got a big AFC South win, and the Saints and Bills posted statement wins -- including 43 points from Buffalo'south crime.

In the tardily games, the Broncos shut out Zach Wilson and the Jets, the Bucs lost for the first time in 10 games, and the Vikings shell the Seahawks. The Raiders vanquish the Dolphins in overtime to improve to 3-0.

In the Lord's day dark game, the Packers came from backside to win in the final minute.

Our NFL Nation reporters react to it all, with the major takeaways and lingering questions from this week's action. Plus, they each look at the bigger picture with their current squad confidence rating -- a 0-x grade of how they feel almost the team's outlook coming out of the calendar week. Let's get to information technology.

Leap to:
LAC-KC | WSH-BUF | NO-NE
CHI-CLE | BAL-DET | IND-Ten
CIN-PIT | ARI-JAX | ATL-NYG
Auto-HOU | MIA-LV | SEA-MIN
TB-LAR | NYJ-DEN | GB-SF
PHI-DAL

Dallas 41, Philadelphia 21

Cowboys

What to know: The Cowboys made a argument with their Monday dark win confronting the visiting Eagles. Dallas dominated from the opening drive through Dak Prescott'south third touchdown pass with vi:56 to play. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore had the Philadelphia defense on a string, running information technology with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard and throwing information technology with Prescott. And the Dan Quinn-led defence force had two more takeaways, giving it eight in iii games. The Cowboys didn't have their eighth takeaway last twelvemonth until their 10th game. Now two-i, the Cowboys showed they should be considered the team to beat in the NFC East. -- Todd Archer

Can the Cowboys keep up the running game? In Week ii against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pollard had more than 100 yards rushing, and the Cowboys finished with 198 yards on the ground. On Monday, Elliott ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns, and Dallas had more than 150 rushing yards. When the Cowboys have been their best in contempo years, they have dominated in the run game, with DeMarco Murray in 2022 and Elliott in 2016. Over the past ii games, the run game has looked like those two years. -- Archer

Archer's conviction rating (0-10): 8.4, up from half dozen.1. The Cowboys can beat you on the ground, and they can beat yous through the air. Call back, Prescott even so had three touchdown passes versus the Eagles. With two more home games coming in as many weeks confronting the Carolina Panthers, without Christian McCaffrey, and the winless New York Giants, Dallas has a chance to create some early separation in its division.

Next game: vs. Panthers (Lord's day, 1 p.g. ET)

Eagles

What to know: The Eagles are emitting some serious warning signals. They have set a new franchise tape for most penalties through 3 games (35) after being flagged 13 times in Monday's loss to the Cowboys. Their offensive line is getting nailed by injuries -- over again -- with Isaac Seumalo joining Brandon Brooks and Jordan Mailata on the sideline. And coach Nick Sirianni put forth a questionable game plan for the 2nd straight week, as Philadelphia running backs carried the ball just three times against Dallas. With the Kansas City Chiefs coming to town this week, Philadelphia has to piece of work its way out of this tailspin -- and fast. -- Tim McManus

Will Jalen Hurts go back on track? He was lights out in Week 1, completing 77% of his passes and scoring iii touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons; only he has fallen off in the by two games. He threw his first ii interceptions of the season against the Cowboys, including a pick-six after broad receiver DeVonta Smith slipped on his route. Hurts took ownership for the loss, but the coaches demand to do a better job of setting him up for success. -- McManus

McManus' confidence rating (0-10): 4.8, down from 5.ix. Injuries are impacting the operation and putting further stress on a young quarterback and head autobus. The Eagles' next three games could exist trouble, every bit they play the Chiefs, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Next game: vs. Chiefs (Sunday, one p.m. ET)

Light-green Bay thirty, San Francisco 28

Packers

What to know: This is why you want Aaron Rodgers as your quarterback, Davante Adams every bit your No. 1 receiver and Mason Crosby as your kicker for every bit long as humanly possible. What other quarterback could go his team into position for the game-winning field goal after taking over at his own 25-yard line with 37 seconds left and no timeouts? And what other kicker -- except perchance Justin Tucker -- would you lot want booting a 51-yarder to win it with no time left? Rodgers hit Adams for gains of 25 yards and 17 yards and spiked the ball after each one to put the Packers in position for the winner. Adams came back afterward taking a brutal striking earlier in the fourth quarter and finished with 12 catches for 132 yards. And Crosby continued on his 22nd straight field goal effort. -- Rob Demovsky

How can you win a game with a 3rd-cord left tackle who had played exactly 14 NFL snaps coming in? Past getting the ball out rapidly. That helped 2nd-year pro Yosh Nijman in his start NFL start. While Nick Bosa beat out him a few times early, the Packers' upward-tempo, quick-hitting law-breaking gave Nijman a take chances to succeed. They could accept gone with the more than experienced Dennis Kelly at correct tackle and moved Billy Turner to left tackle once they found out Elgton Jenkins (the fill-in for David Bakhtiari) was out this week. But they went with a guy who had previously played simply in mop-up duty. Rodgers threw for 140 yards and a touchdown on his outset 16 passes with 2.5 seconds or less to throw. His first incompletion on such throws didn't come until tardily in the fourth quarter. -- Demovsky

Demovsky's confidence rating (0-x): seven.5, up from vi.5. You don't love the Packers' defense force giving upwardly a go-ahead drive late in the game, merely with Rodgers, Adams and Crosby, you know you've always got a risk.

Next game: vs. Steelers (iv:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)

49ers

What to know: If the 49ers want to contend in the NFC, rookie quarterback Trey Lance has to be more involved. That doesn't mean it's fourth dimension to panic and have him replace starter Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo deserves credit for putting together the tardily bulldoze to give the Niners a temporary atomic number 82 (and and then do George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Kyle Juszczyk). It only means they need to discover creative ways to get Lance in the game programme and take advantage of his unique skill set. Lance'south running ability and arm force elevate the ceiling of an offense that merely has lacked dynamic plays the past couple of weeks, salvage for the terminal moments of Sunday's contest. Lance gives the 49ers more than ways to rip off yards in chunks, peculiarly in their ailing running game. -- Nick Wagoner

Tin can the 49ers rediscover their running game with a patchwork grouping of backs? Speaking of that running game, early-season attrition has left the Niners painfully thin at running back. Without Raheem Mostert (knee joint), JaMycal Jerky (ankle) and Elijah Mitchell (shoulder), the 49ers went with a group led by rookie Trey Sermon and a trio of backs signed in the past couple of weeks against the Packers. The outcome? Juszczyk, the fullback, was second on the team in carries, while Sermon registered just 10 attempts. The Niners finished with 67 yards on 21 carries, and offense was hard to come by for nigh of the night because of the lack of a running game. Mitchell should exist back presently, but the Niners are going to have to effigy information technology out with what they have until Jeff Wilson Jr. returns midseason. -- Wagoner

Wagoner's conviction rating (0-10): 6.5, down from 6.8. The Niners showed a lot of grit contesting back against the Packers, but their injuries and lack of depth at running back and cornerback are obvious bug that appear increasingly tough to overcome against practiced teams.

Next game: vs. Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Las Vegas 31, Miami 28

Raiders

What to know: These Raiders, the fourth version of coach Jon Gruden 2.0, do not blink. Not later being down 14-0 for the second time in three weeks. Non after blowing an 11-indicate atomic number 82 in the quaternary quarter. And not later on winning a boxing of attrition and storming dorsum to win on the last play of overtime, a 22-yard Daniel Carlson field goal. Credit a stout defense force (three sacks, a safety and a lot of bending but not breaking) and an opportunistic criminal offence (the Raiders scored 25 unanswered points at ane signal) to pull out the win and improve to 3-0 for the first fourth dimension since the 2002 Super Basin season. The Raiders are the second team since OT was instituted in 1974 to offset iii-0 with 2 wins coming in overtime. The 1995 Kansas City Chiefs did it en route to a xiii-3 tape. -- Paul Gutierrez

Can the Raiders run the brawl with regularity early on? No. At least, non however. Certain, Peyton Barber got it going late and in overtime after an extremely rough kickoff, finishing with a career-high 111 yards and a 1-yard TD plunge over the pile on 23 carries. Simply the young and inexperienced interior of the Raiders' offensive line -- left guard John Simpson, center Andre James and right guard Jermaine Eluemunor -- was getting pushed around early and often. And rookie right tackle Alex Leatherwood had some issues early, too. Truthful, the Raiders were missing Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs with an talocrural joint injury for the 2nd week in a row, but as Gruden intimated earlier in the week, it doesn't affair if Earl Campbell is in the backfield if the O-line can't become it together. -- Gutierrez

Gutierrez's confidence rating (0-ten): viii.2, no change from 8.two. Let's go along information technology the same, even with a win. A rough start and a rough ending to let Miami to force overtime -- and the lack of a running game early on -- are things to work on. At least the Raiders go an actress day this calendar week with a Monday nighttime game at the Los Angeles Chargers up side by side.

Adjacent game: at Chargers (eight:15 p.1000. ET, Monday)

Dolphins

What to know: With or without Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins offense is not providing enough support for their defence. They scored three touchdowns as a squad -- one on an 85-yard interception render, some other later their defence force forced a turnover on downs at the Raiders' 34-yard line, and a third with two seconds remaining to necktie the game. Beyond that, it was a steady stream of stalled drives and stagnant criminal offence. This defence force is skillful but Miami is not a playoff team until it gets more consistent play on criminal offence. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

What is the outlook of this team without Tua Tagovailoa? Miami placed Tagovailoa on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least 3 games -- against the Raiders, Colts and Buccaneers. If they sustain this level of play, the Dolphins are in serious jeopardy of losing all iii. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett looked hesitant to push the ball downfield until the game depended on it and the performance on third down (v-of-15) is holding this offense back. Brissett was impressive down the stretch, including the game-tying touchdown and an incredible conversion on fourth-and-twenty in overtime. If that version of Brissett appears for all 4 quarters, Miami might have something. -- Louis-Jacques

Louis-Jacques' confidence rating (0-10): 4.five, downwardly from 5. We didn't actually learn anything new about the Dolphins, simply the only things keeping this rating from dropping lower were the flashes of offense we saw from Brissett and the Dolphins tardily in the fourth quarter and in overtime.

Next game: vs. Colts (1 p.1000. ET, Sun)

Minnesota 30, Seattle 17

Vikings

What to know: Week 3 was 1 of Kirk Cousins' best games as a Viking. The quarterback was 30-of-38 for 323 yards, iii touchdown passes and a 128.four passer rating -- and he all the same hasn't thrown an interception this season. Cousins' huge outing had the law-breaking rolling by halftime -- this is the second straight game where he'south thrown three touchdowns in the first one-half. Seattle's defense failed to pressure level to Cousins, and it played to the quarterback'due south advantage (all of his TDs came when not pressured). On the few occasions where the 32-year-old quarterback had a defender in his face up, Cousins delivered, like the time he fabricated a highlight-reel throw off his dorsum foot to One thousand.J. Osborn for a third-downward conversion in the 4th quarter. -- Courtney Cronin

Tin the Vikings offense carry Mike Zimmer's defence? Even without running back Dalvin Melt, Minnesota's criminal offence was able to keep pace, with Alexander Mattison setting the tone by tying a career-high with 112 rushing yards and Justin Jefferson adding nine catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. The offense carried the load in the first half earlier the defence force turned information technology on in the third quarter. Minnesota pressured Russell Wilson on 55% of his dropbacks and got it together in the second half, allowing just 42 yards on 15 plays prior to a last-ditch Seahawks bulldoze at the stop of the game. -- Cronin

Cronin's confidence rating (0-x): half dozen.3, up from 4.v. The force per unit area is on Zimmer to beat out old offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski and Cleveland side by side week. Will the turnaround continue, or will Minnesota be humbled past the coach information technology let walk in 2020?

Next game: vs. Browns (i p.thousand. ET, Sunday)

Seahawks

What to know: Coach Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. have to fix the Seahawks' struggling defense in a hurry. As in, right at present -- earlier they play the 49ers and Rams in consecutive weeks, and before they lose more ground in the NFC Due west. They take to figure out why they're getting gashed on the basis (this time by a backup running dorsum) and through the air (this fourth dimension past another receiver corps that overmatched their corners) every bit desperately as they take the concluding two weeks. They take to figure out how to help whoever is at corner with more of a consistent pass rush and how to brand safety Jamal Adams more of a factor. They turned their struggling defense around at midseason final year en road to a 12-4 record. They tin can't wait that long this time, especially if quarterback Russell Wilson and their offense continue failing to bond them out. -- Brady Henderson

Who will be playing cornerback next week? There's no justification for the Seahawks to go along to ringlet with Tre Flowers and D.J. Reed. They got worked over again Sunday, albeit by an splendid duo of receivers and without much of a pass rush to take the force per unit area off of them. Nickelback Ugo Amadi also had a rough day after Marquise Blair (human knee) was a late scratch. Sidney Jones is on the bench and will have had a month to learn Seattle's defense by the time they head to the Bay Area to face the 49ers next week. He should be playing instead of either Flowers or Reed. Why not? He can't be any worse. -- Henderson

Henderson's conviction rating (0-10): 6.seven, down from seven.v. A i-2 showtime is hardly a death knell -- the Seahawks made the playoffs in 2022 subsequently starting 1-two -- but the NFC West wasn't as proficient then equally it is now.

Adjacent game: at 49ers (4:05 p.one thousand. ET, Sunday)

L.A. Rams 34, Tampa Bay 24

Rams

What to know: The Rams improved to 3-0 with a decisive victory over the previously undefeated and defending Super Basin champion Buccaneers, proving themselves as favorites to make a run to Super Bowl LVI. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has provided an electrifying jolt to the criminal offense with his ability to consummate explosive plays, while iii-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald is again anchoring a dominant defense. -- Lindsey Thiry

Do the Rams need a running game? Through 3 games, the Rams have been unable to consistently deliver on the ground. On Sunday, they went without starting running back Darrell Henderson Jr., who was inactive because of a rib cartilage injury. Sony Michel, caused in a preseason trade with the Patriots, rushed for 67 yards on 20 carries, while rookie Jake Funk rushed for vi yards on one behave. -- Thiry

Thiry's conviction rating (0-10): ix, up from viii. A victory over vii-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champion Bucs earns the Rams a big move in the conviction rating. There's withal room to better, only this team is on pace to make a deep playoff run.

Next game: vs. Cardinals (4:05 p.thousand. ET, Sunday)

Buccaneers

What to know: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans said he wanted to play the Rams terminal year to avenge a three-point loss en road to their Super Bowl title. Instead, the Rams looked more than like the ones to crush this year, handing the Bucs their first loss since Nov. 29, 2020, and ending their 10-game winning streak. The Bucs were without wide receiver Antonio Brown, who tested positive for COVID-19, starting kick returner Jaydon Mickens (manus) and outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) because of injuries. They then lost third cornerback Jamel Dean to a genu injury later Sean Potato-Bunting went to injured reserve. -- Jenna Laine

Do the Bucs demand to bring in cornerback assist? Is the sky blue? Is water wet? The answer was yes last week, before Dean's injury. But now, the Bucs are in drastic demand. Ross Cockrell had somewhat of a better game -- he did go annihilated by Sony Michel on a blitz and got a holding phone call subsequently Cooper Kupp put a double move on him, but he also had a pass breakup on a ball intended for Kupp. Nonetheless, he is non a long-term respond at nickel. Dee Delaney was besides completely overwhelmed by Kupp, surrendering a 22-yard pass and 2-yard touchdown. Just it wasn't simply reserves. Carlton Davis struggled against DeSean Jackson, who had 120 receiving yards. Motorcoach Bruce Arians said the team had reached out to Richard Sherman. Those talks need to intensify, though Arians believes they may take answers on their roster in Pierre Desir and Rashard Robinson, who were signed to the do squad last week only didn't see defensive action Lord's day.-- Laine

Laine's conviction rating (0-10): 6.v, downward from 7. It's early and they were curt-handed, then it's not time to panic, but this secondary needs help.

Next game: at Pats (8:20 p.grand. ET, Sun)

Denver 26, N.Y. Jets 0

Broncos

What to know: The iii-0 Broncos are off to their best start since going iv-0 in 2016. They've done that cheers to an improved offense with Teddy Bridgewater behind middle, to get with an frequently suffocating defense force. But their iii opponents --- the Giants, Jaguars and Jets -- each exited Calendar week three at 0-3. Now the Broncos get down to concern, given the next four games will be confronting the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns. And the Broncos will have to be a lot cleaner, on crime specially, than they were in the second half against the Jets to continue the momentum going. The Jets found some holes in the Broncos' pass protection and the highly aggressive Ravens figure to test that side by side week. -- Jeff Legwold

Practice the Broncos have the depth in the offensive line to overcome their injuries? The Broncos lost two starters in the win over the Jets -- guard Graham Glasgow (knee) and guard Dalton Risner (human foot) -- and had difficulty managing the line of scrimmage at times in the second half. Netane Muti, a 2022 draft pick, replaced Glasgow and rookie Quinn Meinerz replaced Risner. The Broncos were struggling a piffling to protect Bridgewater from pressure level on the interior before Glasgow and Risner left. The offensive line will be tested plenty against a Ravens defense that will blitz early and often. -- Legwold

Legwold'south confidence rating (0-10): 7.eight, down from viii. Information technology was an expensive win for the Broncos in terms of injuries with Glasgow, Risner and broad receiver KJ Hamler (knee) leaving the game, pregnant Denver has lost at least i starter in each of the three wins.

Next game: vs. Ravens (iv:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)

Jets

What to know: Y'all knew it would be a painful rebuilding year, but this is ridiculous: The Jets (0-iii) were noncompetitive yet again. They failed to score a touchdown for the second straight game, as rookie QB Zach Wilson got no help whatsoever. The virtually alarming role? They were cooked past halftime -- once more. Through three games, they've been outscored in the showtime one-half 46-3, meaning they were unprepared -- an indictment of coach Robert Saleh and his staff. They became the 4th team in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to never hold a pb in their first 3 games in dorsum-to-back seasons, per Elias Sports Bureau. Sadly, this looks a lot like the ill-fated Adam Gase era. Where are the glimmers of progress? -- Rich Cimini

Is there ane matter the Jets can do to be more competitive? One thing? Ha! The Jets are leaking oil in several areas -- dropped passes, lack of discipline (eight penalties), questionable clock management, lack of situational awareness -- and the list goes on. A better running game would accept pressure off Wilson, but it will be hard to flip the script. The offensive line looks overmatched, the running backs lack explosiveness and the playcalling has been predictable. There's no identity on criminal offence. That'south troubling. -- Cimini

Cimini's confidence rating (0-10): 2, down from 3. The simply reason it'due south not 1.0 is we accept to save that for the rock-bottom game, which has yet to happen (believe it or non).

Side by side game: vs. Titans (one p.g. ET, Dominicus)

Baltimore nineteen, Detroit 17

Ravens

What to know: The Ravens can win as long as they have Lamar Jackson and Justin Tucker. After the depleted Baltimore defense allowed scores on Detroit'southward final three drives, Tucker won the game with an NFL-record 66-1000 field goal every bit time expired. The kick bounced off the crossbar and in. The winning kicking was prepare upwardly by Jackson, who converted a fourth-and-nineteen with a 36-yard pass to Sammy Watkins. The defence force got blindsided two days before the game, when information technology lost four players, including Pro Bowl pass-rusher Justin Houston and acme run-stuffer Brandon Williams, to the COVID-19 protocol. In total, Baltimore played without thirteen players who counted at to the lowest degree $1 meg confronting the salary cap, either because of injury or COVID-nineteen. -- Jamison Hensley

Can Marquise Chocolate-brown overcome his three critical drops? Chocolate-brown went from being Lamar Jackson'south No. 1 receiver to his No. 1 liability in Detroit. Brownish's three drops in the showtime one-half -- the most whatsoever player has had in the outset one-half of a game since 2022 -- took away from Jackson'southward most accurate passing day of the flavor. Brown's drops totaled 97 air yards and all came on throws of 25-plus yards, including a perfectly thrown i in the end zone. This was uncharacteristic for Brown, who had no drops on 32 such targets in his career. But past the 3rd drop, it was axiomatic it was in his caput. -- Hensley

Hensley's conviction rating (0-10): 7.8, no alter from last calendar week. This was the paradigm of a trap game. The Ravens were coming off an emotional win over the Chiefs and faced one of the worst teams in the NFL. Merely Baltimore continues to figure out how to win in the nigh dramatic means.

Next game: at Broncos (4:25 p.thousand. ET, Sunday)

Lions

What to know: The latest loss was all the same some other heartbreaker for Lions fans. The defense did everything to brand the game competitive until the waning seconds, when Lamar Jackson completed a fourth-and-nineteen pass to Sammy Watkins for 36 yards. It prepare up Justin Tucker's NFL-record 66-yard field goal at the buzzer. After going forward with the decision to seek a trade for veteran linebacker Jamie Collins and play younger guys like Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, the defensive line was relentless, sacking Jackson iv times. But Jackson and Tucker establish a way to pull it out. -- Eric Woodyard

Is the Lions' backfield for real? Swaggy & Swifty. That's the nickname for the Detroit Lions backfield featuring D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. The running game has been an Achilles' heel for much of the mail service-Barry Sanders era, just this duo continues to exist a strong betoken with another solid functioning not only on the footing, but in the air. Swift (47 yards rushing, ane TD; 7 receptions, sixty yards) and Williams (42 rushing yards, 1 TD rushing; two catches, 25 yards) helped keep Detroit in position for the upset. -- Woodyard

Woodyard'due south confidence rating (0-ten): 5, up from 4.five. Dissimilar the first two weeks, the Lions showed potential past beingness competitive for an unabridged game and limiting mistakes.

Next game: at Bears (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)

Atlanta 17, N.Y. Giants fourteen

Falcons

What to know: After three weeks, information technology'south clear Cordarrelle Patterson is going to be a multifaceted choice on offense for Atlanta all season. Patterson had xx yards rushing (on seven carries) and a team-high 82 yards receiving. He's a player quarterback Matt Ryan clearly counts on and tin can be dangerous from multiple spots on the field. In other words, if you're looking for a steady threat on a sometimes-shaky Falcons law-breaking (that showed potential in the 4th quarter), Patterson might exist it. -- Michael Rothstein

Where was Kyle Pitts in Atlanta's criminal offence Sunday? The rookie tight end and No. 4 overall pick in the draft had started to seem as if he would be a consequent choice in the Atlanta offense -- one of the few constants the Falcons would have. Then came Sun, when Pitts didn't even see his first target (a 10-grand take hold of) until the 11:20 mark in the fourth quarter. He was targeted again in the stop zone on Atlanta's game-tying bulldoze resulting in a pass interference call, and he had a large 25-thousand reception on the Falcons' game-winning drive. But too ofttimes, Pitts was ignored. If Atlanta wants offensive success, that can't happen. -- Rothstein

Rothstein's confidence rating (0-10): v, up from 4.eight. Atlanta showed it can win a shut game confronting a comparable team. Information technology doesn't mean the Falcons are a practiced team, but information technology offers a glimpse that they are buying into what Arthur Smith is trying to build.

Next game: vs. Washington (one p.one thousand. ET, Sunday)

Giants

What to know: If they're non going to vanquish the Falcons at abode on Eli Manning Day, where are the wins coming from on the schedule? The Giants (0-three) play next at the Saints, at Cowboys, vs. Rams, vs. Panthers, at Chiefs, vs. Raiders and at Bucs. Yikes! They want to go on saying they're only worried about this week and what they can control at the moment. The balance of the states are concerned about where this season is headed and who will exist accountable for this mess. -- Jordan Raanan

How bad are these injuries? The Giants lost wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton to hamstring injuries. Blake Martinez had a noncontact articulatio genus injury. Prized offseason acquisition Kenny Golladay was in and out of the game dealing with a hip injury, and running back Saquon Barkley fifty-fifty looked a bit banged up. Can the squad survive this type of injury onslaught? Its margin for mistake appeared minimal prior to Sunday. -- Raanan

Raanan'due south confidence rating (0-10): 1.2, down from 3.2. They lost at home to Atlanta on Eli Manning 24-hour interval despite having the pb in the fourth quarter. And the schedule is actually tough for the side by side seven games.

Next game: at Saints (1 p.m. ET, Lord's day)

Buffalo 43, Washington 21

Bills

What to know: Quarterback Josh Allen had his all-time game of the season, and information technology wasn't particularly close. He went 32-for-43 for 358 yards with 4 touchdowns, including two to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, and 1 rushing touchdown. Allen put together a consummate game and had a performance that echoed his MVP runner-upwards finish from the 2022 flavour. In the first half solitary, Allen threw three touchdowns and six incompletions. He successfully stepped up in the pocket, avoided pressure level and helped put the game out of achieve past leading the offense on a 98-thou, 17-play drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock in the 3rd quarter. Throws downfield were an issue to showtime the flavour, merely Allen took a step forward in that area Sunday. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 200 yards and 2 TDs on throws of more than 10 yards downfield, tied for his second-nearly completions on those throws in a game in his career. -- Alaina Getzenberg

Is the lack of consistent pass blitz a business concern? This is the question that will follow the Bills throughout the flavor. Getting the pass rush correct was the biggest need for the squad this offseason, which is why Buffalo's starting time two picks of the 2022 NFL draft were invested in that area. Against an inexperienced Taylor Heinicke, nevertheless, the Bills' defence force had one sack, courtesy of defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, and six quarterback hits. The defense force had a skilful 24-hour interval with 3 takeaways, just it struggled to consistently make Heinicke uncomfortable. Against the meliorate offensive lines and quarterbacks ahead on the Bills' schedule, this volition be an event to go along an eye on. -- Getzenberg

Getzenberg'southward confidence rating (0-x): vii.7, up from 7.iii. The Bills accept some big tests alee of them, simply Allen and the offense looked unstoppable at times, something that had not been the case nevertheless this flavor. Overall Buffalo put together its about complete game -- a positive sign for things to come up.

Next game: vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)

Washington

What to know: Washington QB Taylor Heinicke is a not bad story, but he's not the long-term solution, and that shouldn't be surprising. He can still help this team, but that's hard to exercise when playing with a defense that can't stop anyone, which puts pressure on him to pass all game. He needs to exist part of a balanced attack or the flaws prove more. He showed his determination -- witness the diving 4-one thousand touchdown run -- just he besides forces throws in an attempt to practise too much. That led to both of his interceptions and nearly more than. -- John Keim

Where is defensive terminate Chase Young? The question before the season: Will the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Twelvemonth become 1 of the NFL'due south top-five laissez passer-rushers? Right now, the defensive end is nowhere close. Through iii games he has no sacks, forced no turnovers and hasn't applied enough pressure. Much more was expected from a player who was a No. 2 overall typhoon choice. Young has shown flashes, merely this defense needs playmakers, and in the 2d half of last season, that's what Young became. Teams pay a lot of attention to him as they did last season, simply he needs to develop more of a strategy to become a consistent force. He'due south not the only issue, he's just the ane with the nigh talent who can provide a large boost. -- Keim

Keim'south confidence rating (0-ten): 4, down from 5.two. Until the defense plays a good game, the confidence rating will hover in this area. Washington plays besides many good quarterbacks, then if its play doesn't improve, information technology will be a really long season.

Adjacent game: at Falcons (1 p.thousand. ET, Dominicus)

Arizona 31, Jacksonville 19

Cardinals

What to know: The Cardinals' offense is every bit deep and diverse every bit it'due south been in years. The unit had two 100-yard receivers in A.J. Green and Christian Kirk. Green had his first 100-g game equally a Cardinal with 112. Kirk added 104. Having weapons like that at Kyler Murray's disposal allowed Arizona to come back from a nine-point arrears to win. This is what Arizona didn't take concluding season just has been the difference between winning and losing in 2021. -- Josh Weinfuss

What does it say about the Cardinals that they're yet winning games in which they struggle? It shows that they're not the same squad that went iii-half dozen to close out terminal flavor. This twelvemonth's Cardinals tin take a hit and bounce back, which volition serve them well in the hunt for the playoffs while facing the likes of the Rams, 49ers and Seahawks in a brutal NFC West. But what happens if they struggle against a squad ameliorate than the Jaguars? Can they recover? To be determined. For now, Arizona is 3-0. The terminal time that happened was 2015, which is the concluding fourth dimension Arizona went to the playoffs. -- Weinfuss

Weinfuss' conviction rating (0-x): 8.5, downward from 8.half-dozen. That Arizona was able to come up back from nine to win by 12 shows that they have the resiliency and firepower to brand a run, but there'south some concern it was downwardly nine to 1 of the worst teams in the NFL.

Next game: at Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)

Jaguars

What to know: The Jaguars have no margin for error. They finally get the running game going, return a missed field goal attempt 109 yards for a touchdown and hold Arizona to i-of-9 on tertiary down, yet still lose by double digits -- their 18th consecutive loss since winning the 2022 season opener. They have to pretty much play perfect, and they don't have the personnel to do that. -- Mike DiRocco

Is it time to be concerned near Trevor Lawrence? Yes, and no. He's the fourth QB since the 1970 merger to throw multiple interceptions in his commencement three starts (he has seven), and just Peyton Manning and Alex Smith are No. i overall draft picks who have thrown more in their beginning 3 career starts (both threw 8). Lawrence's second INT was a bad throw on a trick play, though he did get pressured by J.J. Watt. Only he's non actually getting a lot of help, either. Jacob Hollister couldn't agree onto a pass that hit him in the easily and was intercepted on the bounce. Lawrence's receivers aren't getting much separation. And information technology doesn't aid to be chasing points and stuck in an obvious passing situation (which happened in the quaternary quarter). It was going to be a tough task for him as a rookie because of the lack of playmakers on the roster. He has to go through these struggles to grow, but the Jaguars need him to cut down on the mistakes to have a chance to win games. -- DiRocco

DiRocco's confidence rating (0-10): 2.5, down from 2.6. The Jaguars finally got James Robinson involved (88 yards rushing), forced their start turnover, and made another big play on special teams, but they're still turning the ball over also much and not making enough plays in key situations.

Side by side game: at Bengals (8:20 p.m. ET, Thursday)

Tennessee 25, Indianapolis 16

Titans

What to know: The Titans' pass rush is emerging despite not having Bud Dupree involved. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen mixed in a few timely blitzes to get pressure. Merely most of it was coming from the forepart 4. Exterior linebacker Ola Adeniyi has been in the zone as of late. Adeniyi had 1.v sacks today with another ane being negated by an illegal contact telephone call on Chris Jackson. Jeffery Simmons is condign a force upwards the middle as well. Although they aren't getting sacks in bunches, the pass rush is causing opposing QBs to make mistakes. It should get another opportunity to take an affect against the Jets' spotty offensive line and rookie QB Zach Wilson. -- Turron Davenport

Can the Titans consistently win without contributions from Julio Jones and A.J. Dark-brown in the passing game? Julio Jones and A.J. Brownish were expected to provide a lot of fireworks for the Titans' offense. That wasn't the example in the Titans' win over the Colts. Brown did non return from a beginning-quarter hamstring injury. Jones didn't play for most of the fourth quarter. However, the Titans continued to push forwards with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine leading the fashion. Derrick Henry also contributed with another 100-plus-yard rushing functioning. That worked this week against a sputtering Colts offense, but it can't be the formula the Titans rely upon every calendar week. They'll demand bigger performances from Jones and Brown to compete with the top teams in the AFC. -- Davenport

Davenport's confidence rating (0-10): 6.v, no modify from final calendar week. It wasn't pretty, just the Titans did what they were supposed to practise by beating the Colts. An emotional win similar the i they experienced in Week 2 could have prepare a letdown game.

Next game: at Jets (one p.m. ET, Sunday)

Colts

What to know: The defense forced iii turnovers. The offense didn't turn the brawl over. What did those things get the Colts? Some other loss and their kickoff 0-3 starting time since 2011 -- and their 3rd since 1998. Quarterback Carson Wentz tried to shake off two bad ankles to play, simply the offense was pretty watered downwardly because of his health. The Colts focused more on trying to get the ball out of Wentz's hands more quickly and so he didn't have to scramble around in the pocket, since it was obvious that he was nowhere almost 100%. Wentz finished 19-of-37 for 194 yards, but the Colts struggled to get in the end zone going 1-of-3 in the cerise zone. The Colts had a terminal chance to steal a victory on the route, but the Titans chewed upward more than seven minutes of the clock to ship the Colts to their third directly loss. -- Mike Wells

Will the Colts always get healthy? The Colts continue to lose players. All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson left the game in the 2d quarter with a right ankle injury (to get along with the back injury). Starting condom Khari Willis left the game in the fourth quarter with cramps and DE Kwity Paye left earlier with a hamstring disquiet. Injuries have been a mutual theme for the Colts as they went into the game without receiver T.Y. Hilton and correct tackle Braden Smith. Information technology's anyone's guess when Wentz will be salubrious once again, and it'south clear linebacker Darius Leonard is defective his strongest attribute -- speed -- because of his ankle injury. -- Wells

Wells' confidence rating (0-ten): four.half-dozen, down from five. Injuries to way as well many key players. Lack of a consistent defense. No deep threats down the field. Everything that has gone wrong for the Colts has, and there'south no end in sight, especially with the side by side two games likewise on the road, at Miami and Baltimore.

Next game: at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)

50.A. Chargers xxx, Kansas Metropolis 24

Chargers

What to know: Chargers coach Brandon Staley has been preaching all offseason nearly wanting to build a team that excels in the 4th quarter. Well, he got one, with assist from a stellar day from QB Justin Herbert, a four-yard, game-winning TD pass to Mike Williams with 32 seconds left and a key pass interference call on Chiefs Due south DeAndre Baker that set up the go-alee touchdown. Herbert completed 26 of 38 passes for 281 yards and iv touchdowns. Herbert was upset after the Dallas loss and came out firing. But the defense was upset too, intercepting Patrick Mahomes twice and recovering two Chiefs fumbles. -- Shelley Smith

What can the Chargers exercise earlier in the game to put themselves in better position to win? Staley has said the squad doesn't need to found the run game to gear up up the play-activity, but it would be nice, as the Chargers actually didn't run the ball effectively until the fourth quarter. That said, Herbert was 8-of-8 in the offset half on play-activeness, and so maybe Staley has a indicate about the running game. Cutting downwards on illegal-move penalties would help, too, equally the Chargers had a touchdown pass to Gabe Nabers erased by a move penalty. -- Smith

Smith'due south confidence rating (0-10): 6, upward from 4. Don't make Herbert -- or the defence force -- mad. This team needs to work on plush penalties, though.

Next game: vs. Raiders (8:15 p.thou. ET, Monday)

Chiefs

What to know: The Chiefs' defensive problems expect far from solved. They were improved against the run against the Chargers, though that was a low bar to clear. They're nevertheless having trouble rushing the quarterback and stopping a passing set on. The Chiefs can't be much worse in the blood-red zone, where opponents have scored 11 touchdowns in 12 trips. -- Adam Teicher

Can the Chiefs turn their season around? It's going to crave some defensive comeback, which looks unlikely. The Chiefs are formidable on crime and capable of large things, but opponents are adamant to brand them go without the big play and move their way down the field in smaller increments. It's going to be hard for them to consistently postal service big numbers without getting more big plays. They too accept to quit with the turnovers. -- Teicher

Teicher'southward confidence rating (0-ten): 6, down from 7. It's impossible to believe in the Chiefs as a legitimate Super Bowl contender unless they improve significantly on defence and quit turning the ball over on offense.

Next game: at Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Lord's day)

New Orleans 28, New England 13

Saints

What to know: The Saints aren't sunk. This was an impressive and important bounciness-dorsum functioning afterwards their collapse in Carolina final week. Peculiarly by the defense, which has been living up to its vow to become the identity of the team without Drew Brees. The Saints (2-1) volition somewhen get reinforcements back from injuries and suspension, and this performance greatly helps them stay afloat every bit they head toward their first existent home game against the Giants side by side calendar week. -- Mike Triplett

Can QB Jameis Winston settle in after his early highs and lows? He generally did that Sun, playing it relatively safe in a game that did non require him to force much (and the Saints' pass protection was greatly improved from last week, fifty-fifty though standout left tackle Terron Armstead got injure in the get-go quarter). Winston completed 13 of 21 passes for 128 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers. But Winston withal threw up a couple of risky passes that were reminiscent of by woes. And we don't know how he'll perform in a nail-biter since the Saints haven't had one yet. -- Triplett

Triplett's conviction rating (0-10): 7.v, up from 6.8. The Saints are far from perfect -- final calendar week being a scary reminder. But this showed how much their defense, run game, coaching and veteran leadership tin can brand an impact.

Next game: vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)

Patriots

What to know: If the Patriots can't protect quarterback Mac Jones better, it's going to be a long flavor. The Saints' defense pressured Jones on 12 of his 21 first-half dropbacks (57%), and Jones was 4-of-11 for 28 yards and an interception when pressured, according to ESPN'southward Stats & Information. When Jones had time, the results were better, but information technology didn't happen enough. The projected return of starting right tackle Trent Brown (correct calf strain) should help, but the protection problems seem to go deeper than 1 player. -- Mike Reiss

How are the Patriots going to continue footstep with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers adjacent week? Everyone knew at that place would be growing pains with Jones, merely as long as he protected the football game and the offensive line could keep him upright, they'd have a chance. Neither of those things happened consistently enough Sunday. Now with Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady returning to Foxborough in ane of the NFL's about anticipated games, it feels like i side is like a stick of dynamite capable of a big spark at any moment (Tampa Bay) while the other is puttering forth with the need to play perfect to have a chance (New England). The Patriots were far from perfect Sunday in a drubbing that was hard to spotter at times. -- Reiss

Reiss' confidence rating (0-10): 4, downward from half dozen.2. Blocked punts. Kickoffs out of premises. Coverage breakdowns leading to touchdowns. Careless ball security. The Patriots would have had trouble chirapsia most teams with this type of endeavour.

Adjacent game: vs. Bucs (viii:20 p.m. ET, Sunday)

Cleveland 26, Chicago 6

Browns

What to know: The Browns' pass rush completely overwhelmed Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields, who took more sacks (nine) than he completed passes (six). Myles Garrett led the way with iv.5 sacks, breaking the Browns' single-game record. Though Chicago's offense with Fields was hopeless, Cleveland showed the potential it has to get after the passer, with Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney combining for 11 quarterback pressures. A dynamic pass blitz is a big reason the Browns have the potential to feature i of the league's top defenses past season's stop. -- Jake Trotter

Can Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr. build off this 2022 debut? Mayfield and Beckham Jr. were clicking from the beginning, starting with a third-downwardly conversion over the middle of the field on the opening bulldoze. In his starting time appearance since season-ending knee surgery last twelvemonth, Beckham finished hauling in v of his 9 targets for 77 yards. Coming into the season, Mayfield and Beckham owned the second-worst completion charge per unit (54.half-dozen%) of any QB-WR duo in the league dating to 2019. But Sunday, they showed they might have unlocked their chemistry. -- Trotter

Trotter'southward confidence rating (0-10): 7.iv, down from 7.5. Despite some troubles finishing off drives and protecting Mayfield, the Browns won going away behind a dominant fourth quarter.

Next game: at Vikings (1 p.grand. ET, Sunday)

Bears

What to know: Any chance for a redo? Justin Fields' highly anticipated NFL starting debut turned out to be a complete dud. Fields and the rest of the offense were completely overmatched by the Browns, who made life miserable for the rookie quarterback. The Bears failed to cake just about anyone, and Fields' throws were mostly off the mark. He also held onto the ball too long. Sunday was burn-the-tape terrible. Chicago's defence kept the team in the game equally long as possible, but the contest never felt every bit close equally the score indicated. -- Jeff Dickerson

Does quarterback Andy Dalton actually commencement again when healthy? Most of us laughed off coach Matt Nagy's announcement that Dalton remained Chicago's starting quarterback when healthy. Who's laughing now? The Bears' offense was and so putrid -- not all of it Fields' mistake, clearly -- that you lot take to wonder whether Dalton somewhen gets another scissure. The Bears' offense is so bad that it might not thing who plays quarterback. But in fairness to Dalton, the offense looked OK in Week 2 before the veteran quarterback injured his left knee. The fact that this is open up for debate shows y'all how terrible the crime played in Cleveland. -- Dickerson

Dickerson's confidence rating (0-10): 3.v, downwards from 5. The Bears' offense is but offensive.

Next game: vs. Lions (ane p.grand. ET, Lord's day)

Cincinnati 24, Pittsburgh 10

Bengals

What to know: The Bengals' win showed they can contend in the AFC North. Cincinnati went on the road, a calendar week after a pretty apartment loss to a middling Chicago team, and thumped Pittsburgh. The big play was a 34-grand touchdown from Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to rookie Ja'Marr Hunt, which set the tone. Cincinnati has won two direct confronting the Steelers. But this ane, early on in the flavor and with plenty on the line for both teams, is the most significant of the Zac Taylor era. -- Ben Babe

Is this Bengals team proficient plenty to compete for a playoff bid? Yes. Through iii weeks, nosotros've learned that the defense is indeed legit. And the law-breaking, after a rocky week with public questions about playcalling, shined backside the Couch-to-Chase connexion that yielded big touchdowns. Cincinnati has the squad to push for a wild-carte du jour spot in December. -- Infant

Baby'due south confidence rating (0-10): six.8, up from 5.5. The Bengals' all-around performance confronting the rival Steelers shows a team sustaining progress in a season with long-term implications.

Next game: vs. Jaguars (8:20 p.m. ET, Thursday)

Steelers

What to know: Missing so many key pieces, the Steelers' defence tin't be the magic Band-aid for the offense. Playing without outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, the Steelers' defense force saw its 75-game sack streak halted in Dominicus's loss to the Bengals. The offense continued to sputter, putting the defense force in hard positions. After property Cincinnati to a field goal, the Steelers' defense got a 3-play breather earlier a bad interception past Ben Roethlisberger put information technology back on the field at its own 19. The Bengals scored three plays later. And for the second week in a row, the Steelers' defense couldn't keep a lid on the deep plays and gave upwardly a long touchdown to Ja'Marr Hunt in the final seconds of the second quarter. The defense force is yet the force of the team, merely the offensive ineptitude is weakening both sides of the brawl. -- Brooke Pryor

Is this the new normal for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, or can he plow it around? It's a small sample size, but through three weeks, signs point to this being the new normal -- hardly what he or the Steelers hoped for subsequently bringing the 39-year-old back for some other season. Roethlisberger threw one of the worst interceptions of his career in the 3rd quarter when he tried to throw to a heavily covered JuJu Smith-Schuster and instead put it right in the gut of Logan Wilson. For however some other Sunday, Roethlisberger looked out of sync with his receivers. It's not all Roethlisberger'south fault -- playing behind a line with lingering growing pains isn't like shooting fish in a barrel -- but some of the avoidable mistakes weren't, well, avoided. Non just did Roethlisberger throw the third-quarter choice, he also took a sack in the first half after property onto the ball far too long. Roethlisberger is ane touchdown away from entering the 400 club, merely if he and the criminal offence keep playing similar they have the first three weeks, he's going to hover on the cusp for quite a while. -- Pryor

Pryor's conviction rating (0-ten): four.iv, down from 5.7. With each passing calendar week, the win confronting the Buffalo Bills feels more and more like a fluke. If the law-breaking can't become information technology together and the defense can't play like the '85 Bears, that will continue to be the example.

Next game: at Packers (four:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)

Carolina 24, Houston 9

Panthers

What to know: Running back Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) and cornerback Jaycee Horn (broken foot) will miss some games with injuries, simply the Panthers showed they have what information technology takes to win without two of their biggest stars. This doesn't mean Carolina tin stay with Tampa Bay without them, but with a 3-0 start and a somewhat soft schedule over the next month, the Panthers can exist competitive and win games to keep them in playoff contention. As left tackle Cameron Erving said, "We're a football game squad. We're not the Carolina Christian McCaffreys.'' -- David Newton

Tin quarterback Sam Darnold carry the offense without McCaffrey? Granted, this was the Texans, only, in the second half, Darnold played maybe likewise as he has at any signal in his NFL career. He stayed within the offense and fabricated plays with his arm and legs. His quarterback sneak for a touchdown gave him 2 for the game, something he'd never done since entering the league. He even had a 32-yard run called dorsum because of a penalisation. The Panthers made the right risk in trading for him. He'southward tough. Or every bit Matt Rhule said, he has "moxie.'' -- Newton

Newton's confidence rating (0-ten): 6.9, upward from 6.four. This might take been higher were it not for the injuries to McCaffrey and Horn, but the defense is for real and Darnold is amend than expected.

Next game: at Cowboys (1 p.one thousand. ET, Sunday)

Texans

What to know: Texans jitney David Culley said QB Davis Mills did exactly what the Texans asked him to in terms of non doing too much and trying to "make a throw to effort and get something going." Mills did non turn the ball over and showed growth in that area from his preseason performances. But if the Texans are going to win games with quarterback Tyrod Taylor on injured reserve, Mills will have to do more than that going forrad. Tin can he use the 10-day window before next week's contest in Buffalo to go on to improve in this criminal offense? -- Sarah Barshop

Can Houston return to its Week 1 success in the run game? The Texans struggled to run the ball on Thursday dark, combining for 42 yards on 17 carries. Culley said when Houston came out for the second one-half, it was focused on trying to "found the run again." The Texans couldn't exercise that, and Culley said he thought the biggest reason the law-breaking struggled was because the squad couldn't establish whatsoever consistency on the basis. "We accept to be able to (run the ball)," Culley said. "That'southward who we are." It won't get any easier next week as the Bills entered Week iii assuasive an average of only 73 rushing yards per game, which was the seventh-all-time in the NFL. -- Barshop

Barshop's confidence rating (0-10): 2.0, no change from 2.0. The Texans showed promise in their outset two games, especially with Taylor under center, merely information technology was clear they're not ready to consistently compete with the all-time teams in the NFL.

Side by side game: at Bills (1 p.g. ET, Sun)