2024 NFL Week 3: Top Takeaways for Every Game

With Week 3 of the NFL season in the books, we still have more questions than answers regarding many teams around the league. However, the week did provide a little clarity.

The schedule opened on Thursday Night Football with a decisive New York Jets win that showed that Aaron Rodgers is all the way back. It ended with a Monday Night Football doubleheader that showed that the Buffalo Bills are truly dangerous and that Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has arrived.

The New York Giants may have an answer for their offensive woes. The Minnesota Vikings offense kept rolling at home against another playoff contender. The Carolina Panthers may have found something in quarterback...*checks notes*...Andy Dalton. King Henry is on a roll with the Baltimore Ravens.

And the Kansas City Chiefs are still unbeaten.

Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kristopher Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together to offer their biggest takeaways from every game.

Bills OC Joe Brady Is an Early Front-Runner for Assistant Coach of the Year

If the Jacksonville Jaguars were going to have a shot at pulling off the upset on Monday night, they had to slow Josh Allen and an incredibly potent Buffalo Bills offense. It was clear from the start of the game that it wouldn't happen.

The Bills scored touchdowns on their first five possessions and made Jacksonville, which placed an incredible amount of pressure on Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense.

Despite their 0-2 start, the Jaguars don't exactly have an awful defense—it ranked ninth in points allowed coming into the game. However, Buffalo made it look easy early, and that's a credit to offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

Brady took over for Ken Dorsey in-season last year and quickly delivered positive results. However, there was some uncertainty surrounding Buffalo's offense heading into the season, after the Bills parted with standout receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.

If anything, a group approach to the receiver position has made the offense better, and it's been one of the best units in the NFL—if not the best—since Brady took over.

Not only has Brady helped produce the best version of Allen, but he's also getting the most out of skill players like James Cook, Khalil Shakir, Ty Johnson and rookie receiver Keon Coleman.

Buffalo finished last season ranked ninth in total offense and fourth in scoring. However, the transformation the Bills have seen since their midseason struggles has been dramatic and should make Brady an early front-runner for Assistant Coach of the Year—an award that has only been around since 2014 but does carry weight.

Brian Daboll won the award in 2020 for his work with Allen and the Bills offense. Two years later, he was hired as the New York Giants head coach. If Buffalo's offense continues to surge, Brady will be a popular head-coaching candidate by the offseason.

The Jaguars May Need Significant Coaching Changes

When Jacksonville went for it on 4th-and-2 from their own 39-yard line two-thirds of the way into the second quarter, one thing became clear. The Jaguars are a desperate football team, and they should be.

An 0-3 record is akin to a death knell in the NFL. This century, only the 2018 Houston Texans have made the postseason after such a start. For Jacksonville, though, the sense of desperation goes beyond the playoffs or even this season.

Jacksonville inked Lawrence to a five-year, $275 million contract that includes $200 million guaranteed this offseason. The franchise is tied to the 2021 first overall pick for the foreseeable future.

Lawrence hasn't played particularly well this season, but he shouldn't bear all of the blame. Miscues and sloppy execution have hurt the team, and head coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor could be doing a better job of putting Lawrence and Co. in better positions to succeed.

Pederson admitted earlier this week that Jacksonville's preparation, perhaps, hasn't been where it needed to be.

"It just has to be an awareness, just a sense of urgency by everybody, the entire football team," Pederson told reporters. "I think we can maybe mix some things up and [a] little more attention to detail in practice."

The Jags certainly appeared ill-prepared to face Buffalo on Monday, and their issues weren't limited to the offensive side of the ball. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who was hired in January, stuck with man coverage for far too long. The defense didn't find ways to slow Buffalo until it was far too late.

Something has to change if the Jaguars are to build a winning program around Lawrence. It may start with Taylor and Nielsen, especially if Pederson is desperate to save his job. A head-coaching change may eventually be necessary, though.

Pederson helped Jacksonville reach the postseason in his first year on the job. Since last December, though, the product he's put on the field hasn't been nearly good enough.

The Commanders Development Plan for Jayden Daniels Has Been Nearly Flawless

The Cincinnati Bengals have a talented team but couldn't match the intensity or the playmaking ability of the new-look Washington Cmmanders on Monday night.

Cincinnati certainly couldn't keep pace with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels (21-of-23, 254 yards, 2 TDs, 39 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD). .

The Commanders have done plenty of things wrong in recent years, but through three weeks, it seems they did everything right when it comes to Daniels' early career.

Washington hired an experienced head coach in Dan Quinn, and it added experienced veterans like Zach Ertz and Bobby Wagner to give the team some veteran leadership.

The Commanders also knew that they'd be drafting a new franchise quarterback and went out to get an offensive coordinator well-versed in college concepts by hiring Kliff Kingsbury.

Kingsbury has crafted a perfect development plan for the No. 2 overall pick—one that teams eyeing 2025 QB prospects should be tracking. His offense isn't overly complicated, relies on a run-first philosophy and, yes, is reminiscent of schemes fans may see on Saturdays—a fact Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt referenced ahead of the game.

"They don't make him do a lot. They keep it really simple for him," Talyor-Britt told reporters. "Nice college offense."

By leaning on the run, giving Daniels easy completions and allowing him to make the occasional play with his legs, Kingsbury has allowed his rookie quarterback to gain confidence.

And the Commanders have confidence in their signal-caller. That was clear when they put the ball in Daniels' hands on 4th-and-4 late in the fourth quarter while nursing a five-point lead.

A few plays later, Daniels found Terry McLaurin for a 27-yard touchdown—a clear indicator that Kingsbury is ready to open things up for his young rookie quarterback.

Now, the Commanders are far from a perfect team. However, Washington has the most important piece in place. It has a young quarterback who oozes talent, believes in himself and in whom the team believes.

Flaws and a 0-3 Start Will Seriously Hinder Bengals' Playoff Chances

After a stunning upset loss to the New England Patriots in Week 1, the Bengals achieved a moral victory of sorts by losing to the Kansas City Chiefs on a last-second field goal in Week 2.

A week ago, it was easy to believe that the Bengals were back. They went toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes and nearly prevailed. Burrow was healthy and Cincinnati was set to get standout receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) back in the lineup.

A win over Washington, a visiting team with a rookie quarterback and one of the most suspect secondaries in the NFL, would have gotten Cincinnati to 1-2. That's the same record it had in 2022 before making its latest run to the AFC title game.

This loss, however, exposed a fact that probably should have been more apparent during the week. The Bengals match up extremely well with the Chiefs and always play them tightly.

Another close game with Kansas City doesn't erase the fact that the Bengals have serious flaws. Their offensive line still isn't great—and it saw veteran right tackle Trent Brown carted off with a knee injury on Monday. Cincinnati's defense isn't markedly better than it was a year ago, when it ranked 31st overall and 21st in points allowed.

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo typically has a smart game plan for Mahomes and the Chiefs. He had no answers for Daniels and the Commanders. Defensive letdowns and some stumbles in the red zone cost Cincinnati the game.

Neither team punted or committed a turnover on Sunday.

There's still time for the Bengals to rebound, of course, but they have a tough road ahead. Cincinnati had the league's 16th hardest (tied) strength of schedule based on 2023 winning percentage, but New England and Washington were supposed to be two of their easier games.

The Bengals can't play Kansas City every week, but if Cincinnati is going to make a playoff run, it needs to start treating every opponent like the Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs' Replacements Aren't Replacement-Level Performers

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the best football player on the planet. Tight end Travis Kelce is a future first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee. Wide receiver Rashee Rice is an emerging star. The interior offensive line of Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith is the league's best.

The Kansas City Chiefs offense is a machine. But different cogs have come in and out of the process to play their part and keep it humming without major difficulties.

Two specific pieces will play a big part this season, as the team looks to become back-to-back-to-back Super Bowl champions. Both left tackle Wanya Morris and running back Carson Steele were featured Sunday night during the Chiefs' 22-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Morris took the place of rookie Kingsley Suamataia on Mahomes' blind side. Suamataia presents significant upside. But he struggled during the first two contests, specifically in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I mean, I think every rookie will go through those ups and downs," offensive line coach Andy Heck told reporters last week. "Let's not forget who he's playing against—an elite pass-rusher there [in Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson]. It's a good lesson, good opportunity to learn and grow, so by no means am I down on Kingsley. I've got a lot of faith in him."

Morris held up relatively well in the rookie's stead, which implies he'll continue to start at left tackle.

In the run game, the Chiefs must replace Isiah Pacheco, who suffered a fractured fibula last week. Pacheco provides Kansas City's offense with a certain sense of toughness courtesy of his angry runs. Undrafted rookie Carson Steele is another downhill hammer.

"He's probably as ready as he could possibly be for being a young rookie player in this position," offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. "... We have a lot of trust in him."

Steele ran the ball 17 times for 72 yards. He's going to go to work each week between the tackles and do some damage. Along with Samaje Perine, who added 25 yards, the duo should be able to give the Chiefs what they need as part of a ground-and-pound attack.

Once again, Kansas City simply reloads when it seems like the offense might take a step back.

Talent Found Among Atlanta Falcons' Skill Positions Fails At Critical Moments

One game is an aberration. Two games become a problem. Three games is a trend.

Despite last week's comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the Kirk Cousins-led Atlanta Falcons offense isn't performing on key downs.

During this year's first three contests, Atlanta is 6-of-27 on third down. The Falcons are 2-of-5 on fourth down in the last two, including a poorly designed run on 4th-and-inches with the game on the line Sunday night.

The Falcons are 1-2 overall. They have plenty of time to get on track. But the call was a poor design knowing that the Chiefs had the box loaded, the numbers weren't in Atlanta's favor, the Falcons had two replacement offensive linemen on the field and Kirk Cousins doesn't provide any threat as a runner for a potential naked boot.

Cousins was supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle. Atlanta already had major investments at running back, wide receiver and tight end in Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts, respectively. It hasn't been enough. At least, not yet.

To get on track, the Falcons must change their approach on money downs while asking Cousins to be more efficient in those situations.

Panthers Should Start Andy Dalton Until Further Notice, Retain Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers logged their highest point total since Week 16 of the 2022 campaign with Andy Dalton under center. The Panthers needed an offensive spark, so they benched Bryce Young for the journeyman quarterback, and it worked out in their favor.

Dalton gives the Panthers a chance to be competitive and pull out wins. Perhaps they can be a surprise team in the NFC with new energy from Dalton.

Undoubtedly, Dalton should be the Panthers' starter going forward, though Young can learn from the 14-year veteran. For Carolina, that would be the best-case scenario.

If the Panthers remain competitive with Dalton, Young can learn how to lead a football team from his preparation to execution on the field. If so, Carolina could give him another shot to start in the near future.

Raiders Need Major Changes After Players Made 'Business Decisions'

In his postgame presser, head coach Antonio Pierce called out unnamed players for making "business decisions."

"I think as the game went on -- I don't think it was the team -- I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions," Pierce said. "And we'll make business decisions going forward, as well."

Pierce's comments suggest that the Raiders could change their personnel to motivate underperformers.

In their home opener against a team that came into the contest winless with a journeyman backup quarterback, the Raiders put together a lackluster showing from beginning to end. Las Vegas never held the lead and trailed 33-7 early in the fourth quarter.

The Raiders' weekly film review could jeopardize players' jobs as Pierce and the coaching staff make business decisions for the short-term future.

Following a Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Pierce said the Raiders had a wake-up call. Now, his players don't seem all in only three weeks into the season.

Pierce must view the Raiders' poor effort as a reflection of his coaching staff and leadership tactics. As the head coach, he has to correct this now or the Raiders' 2024 season could quickly go off the rails.

49ers Can Find Positives, But Defense Is Becoming a Concern

The San Francisco 49ers aren't likely to face many opponents with more injured stars than they currently have. The Los Angeles Rams are an exception.

On a positive note the 49ers, who were without Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, they did see another unheralded player emerge as a playmaking threat.

Back in Week 1, it was running back Jordan Mason. On Sunday, it was No. 3 receiver Jauan Jennings, who took a turn in the spotlight. Jennings finished with 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns. It was another impressive performance for a franchise that has uncovered unexpected stars like Mason and 2022 seventh-round pick Brock Purdy.

"Nobody would have known Brock if we didn't lose [two] quarterbacks in one year," offensive tackle Trent Williams told reporters earlier this week. "So, it's a blessing in disguise."

What isn't a blessing—or in any way disguised—is the fact that San Francisco's defense is experiencing far too many lapses.

Coached by first-time defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, San Francisco's defense played well in Week 1 but has now stumbled in back-to-back games. A week after coughing up 403 yards and 23 points to the Vikings, the 49ers flat-out collapsed against the Rams.

Despite missing two of the best receivers in the NFL, Los Angeles scored on its final four possessions to take the lead with just two seconds remaining. The Rams didn't turn the ball over and were 7-of-14 on third and fourth downs.

Yes, a missed field goal and poor punt coverage set up L.A.'s final two scores, but San Francisco's defense let the Rams back into the game.

The harsh reality for the 49ers is that while they've found enough offensive standouts to survive a few games without their biggest stars, their defense isn't holding up its end. It should be a concern moving forward and only puts San Francisco's offseason decision to part with former defensive coordinator Steve Wilks under more scrutiny.

The Rams Can Survive Injuries If Matthew Stafford Remains Healthy

The Rams were without pivotal players like receiver Puka Nacua, wideout Cooper Kupp, center Steve Avila and guard Jonah Jackson on Sunday. That didn't prevent Matthew Stafford from mounting an improbable comeback against the rival 49ers.

Stafford (16-of-26 for 221 yards, 1 TD) was about as clutch as could be late in the second half. He connected on several big plays—including a 50-yard strike to Tutu Atwell that set up a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Stafford then set up the go-ahead field goal by drawing a 25-yard pass-interference penalty on a throw intended for tight end Colby Parkinson.

Atwell and Parkinson were among the six different receivers Stafford connected with on Sunday. With the exception of Demarcus Robinson, who garnered a ton of defensive attention, each caught multiple passes.

At 36, Stafford is still a top-tier quarterback, and he's capable of doing special things in Sean McVay's offense. Right now, he's still healthy, which is the biggest difference between this season and the injury-plagued campaign of 2022.

That season, Los Angeles lost Kupp, Aaron Donald and Stafford to significant injuries and stumbled to a five-win season. The Rams are only 1-2 now, but they should be able to get some players back during or shortly after their Week 6 bye.

If the Rams can take care of the 1-2 Bears next week and perhaps find a little magic at home against the Packers in Week 5, they can get over .500 by the break.

It won't be easy, of course, but as long as Stafford is healthy and upright, Los Angeles has hope.

The Dolphins Must Turn to Tyler Huntley or Explore Other QB Options

The Miami Dolphins won't have starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for at least three more games, as he was placed on injured reserve with a concussion.

Tagovailoa has no plans to retire, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. However, it remains unclear when or if he'll return this season. Despite the uncertainty, Miami hasn't done much to address the quarterback position, aside from signing Tyler Huntley off the Ravens practice squad.

Huntley was inactive on Sunday.

Backup Skylar Thompson got the start against the Seattle Seahawks, while Tim Boyle was signed to the active roster from the practice squad to fill the No. 2 role. Both ended up playing against Seattle, and neither played particularly well.

Thompson (13-of-19 for 107 yards) wasn't a total disaster, but he failed to maximize playmakers Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De'Von Achane. He ended up giving way to Boyle after leaving the game with a chest injury.

Boyle had a few nice throws after taking over and got Miami into the red zone midway through the fourth quarter. However, he misfired twice from the Seahawks' 2-yard line and turned a prime scoring opportunity into zero points.

Seattle's defense is leagues better than it was a year ago, but three points is unacceptable for an offense with the sort of talent Miami boasts. It's time for the Dolphins to consider other quarterback options. That includes Huntley.

If Huntley can't stabilize the quarterback position, the Dolphins will have to examine other options in free agency and via the trade market.

That's easier in theory than in practice, of course. Head coach Mike McDaniel has tailored his offense to Tagovailoa's skill set, and not many quarterbacks have his combination of field vision, accuracy and speedy release.

As is the case with those two, Huntley's skill set doesn't exactly mirror Tagovailoa's. However, it's hard to envision him being less effective than what the Dolphins had on Sunday.

Improved Seahawks Defense Still Awaiting First True Test

Over the past two years, the Seahawks have leaned heavily on the strength of their offense. The hope heading into the regular season was that new head coach Mike Macdonald would help Seattle's defense keep pace.

As the Ravens' defensive coordinator in 2023, Macdonald's defense ranked sixth overall and first in points allowed.

It's still too early to say that Macdonald is going to deliver a championship-caliber defense in Year 1. What we've seen to this point, however, has been encouraging. The Seahawks came into Week 3 ranked sixth in yards allowed and 13th in points allowed—after ranking 30th and 25th in those categories, respectively, a year ago.

On Sunday, Seattle recorded six sacks, allowed just three points and surrendered just 205 yards of total offense. While those numbers must be taken with a grain of salt because of Miami's quarterback situation, Macdonald's handiwork was on display.

The defense was aggressive and disruptive, especially at the point of attack. Macdonald continues to get the best out of young playmakers like 2022 second-round pick Boye Mafe and 2023 second-round pick Derick Hall—who combined for three sacks on Sunday.

That said, Seattle has yet to face an above-average quarterback this season. The defense has, to this point, gone against rookie Bo Nix, placeholder Jacoby Brissett and a pair of Dolphins understudies.

The defense was more than enough to get Seattle to 3-0 on Sunday, but Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions will provide a very telling test in Week 4.

Detroit Lions Defense Finally Complements Explosive Offense

The Detroit Lions made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game last season with an inferior defense. They now have the makings of a Super Bowl-caliber squad since the defense is finally playing at a similar standard as the offense.

Last season, the Lions fielded the league's worst pass defense and a bottom-10 scoring defense. General manager Brad Holmes started with a secondary overhaul. Detroit acquired veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a trade. Holmes drafted Terrion Arnold with this year's 24th overall pick.

Up front, the Lions picked up DJ Reader to handle the middle of the line of scrimmage and Marcus Davenport to provide a bookend for Aidan Hutchinson. The group is playing exceptionally well through three weeks. '

With Sunday's 20-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit held its opponent under 20 points for the third straight game. According to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, the Lions have accomplished the feat only once since the 2016 season, and it's the first time since the '21 campaign.

The Lions offense is proven. The unit managed 373 yards against the Cardinals. Conversely, the defense held Arizona to 277 yards, a week after Kyler Murray and Co. racked up 489 yards against the Los Angeles Rams. Expectations are much higher in Detroit this season. The defense needs to come and play. It has so far.

Right Tackle in Wrong Position for Burgeoning Arizona Cardinals Offense

So often, some variation of the following comment is made about offensive line play, "A unit is only as strong as its weakest link." The Arizona Cardinals will test that theory based on how damaged they are at right tackle.

Arizona may be down to its fourth right tackle going into next weekend's contest against the Washington Commanders. Jonah Williams is the expected starter, but he's currently dealing with a knee injury. Kelvin Beachum has a balky hamstring. Jackson Barton left Sunday's contest with a toe injury. Charlie Heck is currently the only man standing.

The Cardinals offense has the potential to heat up, especially with Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. now on the same page. But the Lions showed they can slow the group and attack its weak spots. If the right tackle spot isn't secured, Murray can expect a lot of pressure coming off his strong side. The entire offense must adjust.

Fully Engaged Derrick Henry Opens Up Baltimore Ravens Offense

The start of the Baltimore Ravens season went something along the lines of the following: Derrick Henry loading. Loading. Henry downloaded. Run program.

The Ravens started 0-2. During that stretch, the supposed home run offseason signing of Henry didn't amount to much. The future Hall of Fame ball-carrier managed 130 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The NFL is a pass-first league and many will say that a squad passes to open up the run. While that's true in many instances, the Baltimore Ravens have gone against the grain since Lamar Jackson became their starting quarterback.

Baltimore fielded historic running games as Jackson developed. But the franchise didn't field a running back of Henry's caliber during that stretch. The thought of Jackson and Henry in the same backfield became immediate nightmare fuel for defensive coordinators. However, the pairing wasn't an immediate success.

In Sunday's 28-25 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Henry either eclipsed or replicated both of those previous numbers with 151 yards and two touchdowns.

The Ravens should be concerned about an overall lack of a vertical presence. Even Sunday's explosives tended to be short throws that turned into chunk plays. Yet the offensive line coming together and Henry getting more comfortable will provide Baltimore's offense with a revamped identity.

On Sunday, Henry was the beneficiary of 25 carries.

"We didn't bring Derrick [Henry] to be the guy that gets the ball 30 times a game," head coach John Harbaugh told reporters two weeks ago. "He's done that before. That's really not the plan."

The Ravens should trend more toward Henry being the primary threat, thus using his presence to set up what can become a better downfield passing attack through play-action and/or added defensive presence in the box.

All-In Dallas Cowboys Continue to Fall Behind In NFC

The Dallas Cowboys fell behind both on the field and in the standings with Sunday's loss to the Ravens. Dallas trailed 28-6 going into the fourth quarter. The slow start came after being walloped 44-19 by the New Orleans Saints.

Dak Prescott and the offense made it much closer than the actual game was. The final score doesn't matter. The Cowboys lost again. Their only win came against the struggling Cleveland Browns, which looks like a much weaker victory two week later than it did at the time.

Basically, the Cowboys have been controlled at the line of scrimmage, particularly with a defensive line that's not holding the point of attack. Henry and the Saints' Alvin Kamara combined for 266 rushing yards and five touchdowns over the last two games. Dallas hasn't had an answer.

To make matters worse, they're currently on pair with the New York Giants in the NFC East's basement. Yes, Dallas still has 14 games yet to play. But it's difficult to project the Cowboys as a serious threat with all of the mistakes, poor play and weak spots currently found among the roster.

Owner Jerry Jones may have thought his squad would be able to compete basically as is. This version isn't anywhere close to doing so.

Malik Nabers Gives Giants Hope to Compete in High-Scoring Games

This year, many wondered how the New York Giants would score points with quarterback Daniel Jones' limitations.

Well, Malik Nabers looks like the immediate answer.

On Sunday, Nabers became the youngest player to record two receiving touchdowns in a game. He hauled in eight of his 12 targets for 78 yards to go along with the two scores.

In three weeks as a pro, Nabers has a 127-yard receiving performance and a two-touchdown game in consecutive outings.

The Giants have yet to score more than 21 points in any of their games this season, but they're seeing early signs that Nabers could become a star in the league. The rookie wideout gives Big Blue some hope to keep pace on the scoreboard when its defense has a subpar outing.

Browns Should Consider Changes at Offensive Tackle

The Browns came up short against the Giants at home. They had a costly fumble midway through the fourth quarter, as running back Jerome Ford bobbled a handoff from quarterback Deshaun Watson.

That said, the Browns went into the fourth quarter down 14 points, largely because the offense couldn't establish its rhythm behind a subpar offensive line.

Cleveland has a major problem in the trenches, particularly at offensive tackle. Both Jedrick Wills Jr. and Dawand Jones struggled against the Giants' defensive front.

Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan noted Wills' pass-blocking issues early in the game.

"To say Jedrick Wills is struggling with blocking assignments would be an understatement," Ruiter posted on X.

Wills' shortcomings are more of an issue because he's a starter who hasn't performed at the level of a first-round pick. The Browns may find an upgrade via trade or in the free-agent pool.

Jones is a backup who's filling in for Jack Conklin. The latter has missed 15 games over the last three seasons.

Because of Conklin's extensive injury history, Jones has to show that he can handle fill-in starting duties, or else the Browns will need to find help at the position.

Malik Willis Is a Reliable Backup, so Packers Don't Need to Rush Jordan Love Back

Quarterback Jordan Love (MCL sprain) practiced with limitations from Wednesday through Friday, but the Green Bay Packers chose to hold him out.

In Love's place, Malik Willis racked up 275 yards as a passer and ball-carrier, throwing for 202 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 73 yards and a score.

Willis completed 68 percent of his passes, and the Packers seemed more comfortable with him throwing downfield against the Tennessee Titans.

Willis made three completions of 30-plus yards, each to a different pass-catcher, and finished with a 120.9 passer rating.

Willis has played far better in two starts with the Packers than he did in two seasons in Tennessee. Lead skipper and play-caller Matt LaFleur has conducted a coaching masterclass with him.

Based on his limited practices last week, Love has a good shot to play in Week 4 against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings, but Willis has held down the fort. Green Bay doesn't have to rush its starting signal-caller back to action.

Will Levis Should Be in Danger of Losing Job If His Turnover Tendencies Continue

While the Titans' offensive struggles aren't all Will Levis' fault, his seat in the starter position should be warm at this point.

Levis has turned the ball over eight times in three weeks, which includes two pick-sixes.

On Sunday, Levis (26-of-34, 260 yards, two TDS, two INTs) threw a pick-six and lost a fumble on a sack. In some cases, the Titans offensive linemen should take the blame, but Levis has developed a tendency to hold onto the ball too long on extended plays.

At times, Levis has to understand that it's better to throw the ball away rather than take a bad sack. If not, he has to sit on the bench—too many negative plays will kill offensive momentum.

Texans Must Develop Run Game to Balance C.J. Stroud-Led Offense

The Houston Texans had their best offensive outing when running back Joe Mixon ran for 159 yards and a touchdown in a Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

In Week 2, Mixon suffered an ankle injury and only ran for 25 yards on nine carries. He didn't suit up against the Minnesota Vikings. Cam Akers made the start on Sunday.

Over the last two weeks, the Texans have scored just two touchdowns, rushing for 113 yards in that span.

The Texans cannot simply rely on C.J. Stroud to lead them to victory every week. Whether it's Mixon or Akers, Houston must get the ground attack on track to take some of the burden off its rising star quarterback.

Stroud has the potential to be an MVP-caliber player, but against stingier defenses, even he needs help from a balanced offense.

Vikings Offense Could Be Elite When Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson Return

The Vikings offense is humming, with Sam Darnold under center delivering darts to wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jalen Nailor.

As Darnold builds his 2024 Comeback Player of the Year resume, the Vikings offense has only scratched the surface of its potential through three weeks.

Wideout Jordan Addison, who tied tight end Sam LaPorta for most touchdown receptions (10) among rookies last year, has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Two-time Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson (torn ACL and MCL) is on the physically unable to perform list.

Assuming Addison, who's not on injured reserve, and Hockenson return soon, the Vikings offense could kick into an even higher gear with them on the field.

Darnold's sparkling passing performances have garnered headlines, though he has a loaded pass-catching group when it's fully healthy. If you're impressed with the Vikings offense, wait until you see this unit when its second- and third-best pass-catchers return to action.

Justin Herbert Injury Looms Large for Chargers

Through the first two weeks of the season, Jim Harbaugh's vision for the Los Angeles Chargers worked almost perfectly. His plan hit a massive road bump when Justin Herbert exited Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Los Angeles Chargers' new head coach is looking to build a team that plays tough, physical defense and grinds out games on the ground—not at all dissimilar to the Michigan Wolverines team he just coached to a national championship.

That plan, however, was predicated on Herbert's ability to make the occasional big play when needed.

For a little over a half, it looked like L.A. might get just enough offense to escape with a hard-fought win in Pittsburgh. The rushing attack wasn't as effective as it was over the first two weeks, but Herbert (12-of-18 for 125 yards, 1 TD) played well enough that the game was tied at 10 late in the third quarter.

Then, Herbert appeared to exacerbate the ankle injury that made him a question mark coming into the game.

"It's just getting it to a point where you feel comfortable going out there and being able to move," Herbert said on Friday, per ESPN's Kris Rhim.

It certainly didn't help that Los Angeles also saw Joey Bosa (hip) and Rashawn Slater (pectoral) exit the game with injuries. However, the momentum really shifted when Taylor Heinicke replaced Herbert. From that point on, Pittsburgh's defense was able to solely focus on stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback.

With a pivotal game against the Kansas City Chiefs up next before the Week 5 bye, Herbert's health becomes the Chargers' biggest storyline.

Justin Fields Is Making it Hard for Steelers to Consider a Pivot to Russell Wilson

The Steelers' quarterback situation was one of the most fascinating storylines of the offseason. Russell Wilson missed most of training camp and the preseason but was still named the Week 1 starter over Justin Fields.

However, Wilson tweaked his calf again before the season opener, which opened the door for Fields. Though Fields played well enough to get Pittsburgh to 2-0, there was still chatter, as recently as this week, that Wilson would take over once healthy.

"Based on the talks I've had with people inside and outside the organization, my sense is that Wilson's stronger command of the offense will give him another shot once ready," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote on September 18.

While another win doesn't totally eliminate the possibility of Wilson regaining the starting job, Fields' performance will make any decision extremely difficult.

Fields wasn't flawless on Sunday, but he fared very well against a stingy Chargers defense (fewest points allowed through Week 2). The former Chicago Bears starter finished 25-of-32 for 245 yards, a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and an interception.

Perhaps more importantly, Fields showed flashes of the poise, processing and accuracy that often eluded him in Chicago.

Turning back to Wilson doesn't seem to make a lot of sense for the Steelers at this point. Teams don't usually like to change what's working, and in Pittsburgh, it's working with Fields.

Broncos Finding Formula to Win with Bo Nix

The Denver Broncos handed the starting job to rookie quarterback Bo Nix ahead of Week 1, and the early results weren't great. Things changed in Sunday's 26-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Nix came into Week 3 with no touchdown passes, four interceptions and a lowly 51.0 passer rating. The Broncos offense had little life with him under center, and head coach Sean Payton didn't seem to trust his rookie QB with an expanded playbook.

According to James Palmer of Underdog Fantasy, Steelers defenders were laughing about Denver's offensive game plan following their Week 2 win.

"'We know they weren't going to take any shots, and we know what he likes to do,'" Palmer told Steve Smith Sr. (h/t Jon Heath of Broncos Wire). "They're going to make it easy on him to go here and here, and that's all we had to worry about.'"

Payton's plan against Tampa wasn't overly complicated, but it was successful. Denver leaned on its defense, ran just enough to keep the Buccaneers defense honest early and gave Nix enough short, easy completions to maintain offensive momentum and avoid game-changing mistakes.

While Nix (25-of-36 for 216 yards) didn't make many jaw-dropping plays with his arm, his poise, timing and scrambling ability (47 rushing yards, 1 TD) helped deliver Denver's best offensive performance of the season. Just as importantly, he protected the football.

It's clear that the Broncos are still easing Nix into the offense, but their plan to use him as a game manager, paired with efficient defensive play (ranked ninth in yards allowed through Week 2), can be a winning formula.

Buccaneers Must Get Healthy, Find Offensive Balance to Be Contenders

After outlasting the vaunted Detroit Lions and moving to 2-0 last week, the Buccaneers seemed close to establishing themselves as contenders. They got terrific play out of quarterback Baker Mayfield and enough from their bend-but-don't-break defense to beat a quality opponent like Detroit and roll a rebuilding team like the Commanders

However, Tampa was far from a flawless squad.

A year after fielding the league's worst rushing attack, the Buccaneers still found it difficult to run the ball consistently. Rookie running back Bucky Irving has provided a bit of a boost on the ground, but Tampa still came into Week 3 ranked 30th in yards per carry.

That defense, meanwhile, has been bitten heavily by the injury bug. Defensive linemen Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey were both inactive against the Broncos, while star safety Antoine Winfield Jr. has missed the last two games with a foot injury.

With three key defenders out, Tampa's defense struggled to contain Nix and a Denver rushing attack that gained steam as the game went on.

While the Bucs ground game had productive stretches (5.7 yards per carry as a team), they struggled to run enough—or didn't trust the ground game enough (16 attempts)—to sustain drives or take pressure off Mayfield.

As Denver built a 20-7 halftime lead, two plays stood out as pivotal for the Buccaneers. An ugly Mayfield interception was sandwiched between two Broncos first-quarter touchdowns.

Then, facing a 3rd-and-2 in Broncos territory in the second quarter, the Bucs passed twice instead of trying to pick up the first down on the ground. Both of Mayfield's attempts fell incomplete, and Tampa turned it over on downs.

With tough games against the Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Saints and Baltimore Ravens upcoming, it's critical that Tampa gets some of its defensive playmakers back and puts some effort into establishing the run.

The Buccaneers face a difficult stretch, and they're unlikely to emerge with a winning record with a leaky defense and a one-dimensional offense.

Saquon Barkley, Dallas Goedert Become Focal Points of Eagles Offense After Injuries

The Philadelphia Eagles impressed with a strong victory Sunday over the New Orleans Saints, who entered the contest with a 2-0 record and plus-62 point differential. Despite the win, the Eagles could be far worse off because of injuries suffered by two key offensive pieces.

Neither All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson nor wide receiver DeVonta Smith retuned to the contest after being evaluated for concussions. Prior to taking a wicked hit, Smith had caught seven passes for 79 yards. Fred Johnson replaced Lane Johnson along the offensive line.

Meanwhile, the Eagles offense was already without A.J. Brown, who is currently nursing a hamstring injury. Each of those injuries basically shifted how the Eagles offense operates. Running back Saquon Barkley and tight end Dallas Goedert took over when needed.

Barkley looked exceptional in his best game with the Eagles. He ran the ball 17 times for 147 yards and two scores, including a 65-yard, fourth-quarter scamper after Philadelphia failed to post any points through the first three frames.

Goedert became Hurts' preferred target with the quarterback's top two wide receivers not available. The tight end caught 10 passes for a staggering 170 yards, including two huge fourth-quarter snags of 30 and 61 yards.

Smith and Lane Johnson will enter the concussion protocol. Their availability will be determined throughout the week(s). The Eagles should pivot with Barkley and Goedert leading the way.

New Orleans Saints Lack Grit to Be Considered Among NFC's Best

Through two weeks of play, the New Orleans Saints looked like the NFL's best team. They dominated the rival Carolina Panthers, though the Panthers just benched their 2023 No. 1 overall pick because they played so poorly. A win in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys was viewed differently. Maybe, just maybe, the Saints are different this season.

The Philadelphia Eagles arrived in New Orleans, punched the Saints right in the face and the home team didn't have a response. The Eagles were more physical, aggressive and tough. They looked like a team with extensive playoff experience, because they have it.

New Orleans was particularly soft at the point of attack, especially in the fourth quarter when the Eagles' talented offensive front leaned on the Saints defense. Conversely, the Eagles defensive front seven was feisty throughout the contest and held New Orleans to 3.1 yards per carry.

It's one game. The Saints will be highly competitive all season. But they need to increase their level of intensity if they want to be considered serious contenders.

Anthony Richardson's Ups and Downs Can Be Offset by Improving Indianapolis Colts Defense

The inconsistency in Anthony Richardson's play will be present throughout the season. The Indianapolis Colts can help their 22-year-old quarterback with minimal starting experience by playing better on defense.

The Colts defense was a sieve through the first two weeks of play. Indianapolis allowed 474 rushing yards during that stretch, which was the league's worst by a lot. A different version of Gus Bradley's unit showed up against the Chicago Bears.

During Sunday's 21-16 victory, Indianapolis allowed 2.3 yards per carry. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams did manage 363 passing yards, but the Colts frustrated the rookie signal-caller all afternoon. Indianapolis sacked Williams four times and pressures him on numerous occasions.

Keep in mind: The Colts are without their top defender, DeForest Buckner, who is currently on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain. Two of the team's young players, Adetomiwa Adebawore and Laiatu Latu, registered a sack. The latter did so during a crucial fourth-quarter Bears possession, where this year's highest-drafted defender created a turnover on the strip-sack that Indianapolis recovered.

Furthermore, Jaylon Jones shone brightly after the Colts lost their top cornerback, JuJu Brents, to a season-ending injury earlier this offseason. Jones, who is in his second season, snagged a pair of interceptions.

As long as the Colts defense remains competitive, the team can withstand those moments when Richardson makes mistakes. Also, it'll allow the squad to play complementary football since head coach/offensive play-caller Shane Steichen can also lean on the run game.

Offensive Line Issues Are Only Part of the Chicago Bears' Current Problems

Every time that Williams drops back to pass, it's an adventure.

The Bears offensive line isn't good. This year's No. 1 overall pick already entered Sunday's action as the league's most sacked/pressured quarterback. The Colts got to him four times and pressured him regularly.

In the short term, the Bears don't have a lot of options to improve the personnel. Eventually, Chicago's coaching staff can insert third-round rookie Kiran Amegadjie, who was active for the first time on Sunday. Amegadjie was the top small-school prospect in this year's NFL draft. His status had been affected by a thigh injury, though. He should get a look at guard or even left tackle at some point.

But the offensive line doesn't stand alone as the problem. Williams is struggling, too. He's not recognizing post-snap pressure packages. The rookie takes too much time to process because his game is predicated on creating. Williams even stared down targets too much against Indianapolis, which saw multiple defensive backs jumping routes.

Yes, the Bears must do a better job at protecting their franchise quarterback. At the same time, the latter can do a better job helping out his front five.

Aaron Rodgers-Led Jets Are Legitimate Threat to the Bills in AFC East

We all wondered when it was going to happen. When we were going to see Aaron Rodgers in a Jets uniform. Not the rusty Rodgers who lost to the San Francisco 49ers. Or the inconsistent Rodgers who beat the Tennessee Titans last week.

The Aaron Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP who Jets fans have been waiting for since last season. The franchise savior for Gang Green.

That last part is a tall ask, even for Rodgers. But Thursday night at MetLife Stadium, we saw a glimpse of one of the best to ever play the game at quarterback—and that should scare the three-time defending AFC East champions upstate more than a little.

The Rodgers who dissected a solid New England defense Thursday was confident, accurate and in complete control of the New York offense. He spread the ball around—eight different receivers caught at least one pass. Its leading receiver was tight end Tyler Conklin, because that's who was open.

With Mike Williams rounding into shape, the Jets have a solid cadre of pass-catchers. Braelon Allen looks the part as an excellent complement to Breece Hall at running back. New York's offensive line is light years better than in previous years. Edge-rusher Will McDonald IV has caught fire of late, adding more punch to an already-stout defense.

The Jets still have work to do. There were multiple bad penalties against the Patriots. Offensive lineman Morgan Moses was banged up in the game and would be a big loss were he to miss time.

But this is a good football team finally being led by a quarterback who isn't awful.

New York's prime-time tilt with the Bills at home in Week 6 is looking more intriguing by the week.

Get Ready for Calls to Start Drake Maye...and Hope the Patriots Ignore Them

After the New England Patriots' Week 2 loss to Seattle, mutterings began about starting rookie first-round pick Drake Maye instead of journeyman Jacoby Brissett—talk that head coach Jerod Mayo did his best to dispel while appearing on WEEI Radio earlier this week:

"As a coaching staff, as an organization, we're 100 percent behind Jacoby. … We have a developmental plan for Drake. I mean, it's not for you guys to know what the developmental plan is, but we're developing him as well as getting Jacoby ready to go out there and be our starting quarterback and win games. I'm not sure what else I can say about that."

Here's hoping Mayo means that, because there will be more than mutterings after the Patriots lost to the Jets at MetLife Stadium for the first time since 2015.

Frankly, Pandora's Box may already be open. The New England coach can try to paint the No. 3 overall pick playing late in Thursday's blowout as just an opportunity for the youngster to get some game reps, but for many fans it was the turning of a page.

The problem is that you can turn the page, but the story will be just as sad.

It's not Brissett's fault that the Patriots have, arguably, the worst assemblage of pass-catching talent in the NFL. It's not Brissett's fault that New England's offensive line left him with no time and running back Rhamondre Stevenson with nowhere to run.

The Week 1 win over Cincinnati notwithstanding (football is weird), the Pats are who we thought they are. They are an abysmal offensive team, and the defense is starting to crack under the pressure.

Forget whether Maye is ready for the Patriots. The Patriots aren't ready for Maye.

Start him, and you're setting up the 22-year-old to fail.