Week 3 of the NFL season began with the Cleveland Browns defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. The action ramped up on Sunday as the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers headlined the afternoon slate.
NFL superstars Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers met for the fifth time in their respective careers. The last meeting was in the 2020 NFC Championship Game, where the Buccaneers won 31-26 en route to a Super Bowl title.
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And the New York Giants close out the weekend by hosting the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
Here’s a recap of all the Week 3 action around the NFL.
In short: Quarterback Matt Ryan got his first win at the helm of the Indianapolis Colts, throwing the winning 12-yard touchdown to Jelani Woods, who had two scores in the game. Rodney McLeod sealed the deal by catching Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who went 20-of-35 for 262 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
One highlight to know: Woods caught Ryan’s game-winning touchdown, a 12-yard throw to put the Colts up for good.
Then: The Chiefs travel to Tampa Bay to face Tom Brady in a rematch of Super Bowl 55. The Colts host the Titans, who also got their first win of the season in Week 3.
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Chicago Bears 23, Houston Texans 20
In short: Bears kicker Cairo Santos hit the game-winning 30-yard field goal to bring Chicago’s record to 2-1 this season. Quarterback Justin Fields completed eight passes and threw two interceptions, but the Bears’ defense and running game held off a Texans charge.
One highlight to know: Bears quarterback Roquan Smith intercepted Texans quarterback Davis Mills at the Houston 30-yard line with 1:05 left in the game, which was tied 20-20 at the time.
Then: The Bears hit the road to face the New York Giants, while the Texans host the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Carolina Panthers 22, New Orleans Saints 14
In short: The Panthers kicked three field goals in a defensive game that ultimately saw Carolina earn its first win of the season.
One highlight to know: Marquis Haynes Sr. returned a fumble 44 yards for a Panthers touchdown with 5:32 left in the first.
Then: The Panthers are set to host the Cardinals, while the Saints head to London for a matchup against the Vikings.
Tennessee Titans 24, Las Vegas Raiders 22
In short: Raiders quarterback Derek Carr saw what would have been a game-tying, two-point conversion fail in the final seconds. Las Vegas is now 0-3 on the season.
One highlight to know: Carr completed a nine-yard touchdown pass to Raiders wide receiver Mack Collins with 1:14 left to give Las Vegas a chance at the end of the game, but ultimately fell short.
Then: The Titans hit the road to visit the Colts, while the Raiders play host to the Broncos.
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In short: Joe Burrow threw three touchdowns for the Cincinnati Bengals compared to Joe Flacco’s scoreless game where he threw two interceptions as the defending AFC Champions got their first win of the season.
One highlight to know: Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd broke through contact for a 56-yard touchdown in the first quarter to put Cincinnati up 14–6.
What follows: Cincinnati hosts the undefeated Miami Dolphins. New York travels to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.
GET INTO THE GROOVE:Joe Burrow takes over as the Bengals offense finds its groove in a win over the Jets
ANALYSIS:What we learned from Bengals win over the Jets
In short: The game widely considered the matchup of Week 3 lived up to expectation. The undefeated Miami Dolphins handed the Buffalo Bills their first loss of the season after being tied at the half and surrendering an odd safety on a dull punt. Despite throwing for 400 yards and two touchdowns, quarterback Josh Allen ran out of time to put his team in position for a field goal to win the game.
One highlight to know: Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey exemplified the team’s frustration by throwing his headset, hat and papers on his desk after time expired.
What follows: The Bills are licking their wounds and traveling to play the Baltimore Ravens. The Dolphins will head north to face the Cincinnati Bengals.
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In short: Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz had a less-than-stellar performance in a loss to the team that drafted him. Wide receiver Devonta Smith had a career day with eight receptions for 169 yards and one of Jalen Hurts’ three touchdowns as the Philadelphia Eagles remain undefeated.
One highlight to know: Devonta Smith made a leaping catch in double coverage to put the Eagles on the Washington 1-yard line and increase their lead to 24.
What follows: The Eagles return home to host the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Commanders travel to play another division rival in the Dallas Cowboys.
MORE:Eagles dominate Commanders, show they are the class of NFC thanks to potent offense
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Minnesota Vikings 28, Detroit Lions 24
In short: Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for a pair of touchdowns as Minnesota outlasted Detroit in an NFC North matchup.
One highlight to know: Cousins hit KJ Osborn with a 28-yard touchdown pass to put the Vikings ahead with just 45 seconds left in the game.
Then: The Vikings go across the pond to face the Saints in London, while the Lions host the Seahawks.
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Baltimore Ravens 37, New England Patriots 26
In short: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson accounted for five touchdowns to send the Patriots to 1-2 on the 2022 season.
One highlight to know: After Patriots quarterback Mac Jones completed a deep pass down the middle, quarterback Nelson Agholor fumbled in Ravens territory and defensive back Marcus Peters recovered to ice the game for Baltimore.
Then: The Ravens return home to host the Bills, while the Patriots hit the road to face the Packers.
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In short: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence looked like the No. 1 overall draft pick, which he is as he threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns against the injured Los Angeles Chargers.
One highlight to know: One of Lawrence’s touchdowns had him rolling right and throwing across his body for a 14-yard touchdown to Zay Jones.
What follows: The Jaguars travel north to try to topple the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. The Chargers will face the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
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In short: A delay of game penalty stalled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers chances of a two-point conversion to tie the game. Despite not scoring in the second half, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers waited for the victory over Tom Brady.
One highlight to know: Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell batted down Tom Brady’s pass, keeping the game out of overtime and securing the win.
What follows: The Packers travel to face Brady’s old team, the New England Patriots. The Buccaneers host the Kansas City Chiefs, who are hungry after a humiliating loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
MORE:Aaron Rodgers, Packers hold on to beat Buccaneers after Tom Brady’s 2-point pass attempt
ANALYSIS:Quay Walker’s forced fumble was a turning point in the Packers’ win over the Buccaneers
In short: The defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams went above .500 with a win over the Arizona Cardinals. The field goal-heavy game only had two touchdowns, one each by Cooper Kupp and Cam Akers for the Rams.
One highlight to know: Aaron Donald recorded his 100th career sack in the defensive tackle. He tripped Kyler Murray for a 15-yard loss. Donald is the fastest defensive tackle in NFL history to reach the mark.
What follows: The Rams travel north to face the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals fly across the country to face the Carolina Panthers.
ARIZONA ANALYSIS:No touchdowns, no comeback for Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 loss to Rams
OPINION:No miracle this Sunday: Another slow start dooms Cardinals against the Rams
In short: After a delay due to a rogue drone and a scoreless fourth quarter for both teams, the Atlanta Falcons got their first win of the season led by 141 yards on the ground and a touchdown from running back Cordarrelle Patterson. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith continues to find his stride with 325 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
One highlight to know: Rookie WR Drake London caught the winning touchdown, a 14-yard throw from Marcus Mariota.
What follows: The Falcons travel to the high-flying Cleveland Browns, and the Seahawks look to end their losing streak against the Detroit Lions in the Motor City.
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Start: 20:20
Television: NBC
Betting information:Odds, money line and more
What to know: Jimmy Garoppolo is making his first start after a turbulent offseason. Meanwhile, the Broncos are patiently waiting for Russell Wilson to settle in. Will the ruckus continue in Week 3?
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Start: Monday at 8:20pm ET
Television: ESPN
Betting information: Odds, money line and more
What to know: Cooper Rush led the Cowboys to a big win and the Giants are surprisingly 2-0. Former Penn State standouts Micah Parsons and Saquon Barkley will trade pleasantries early and often in this one.
