Week 3 NFL Recap: Coaches, Quarterbacks, and Rising Tensions
The Week 3 slate of the NFL brought a mix of reality checks and sparks of hope for several winless teams. Significant moments unfolded for various coaches and quarterbacks, highlighting the dynamics of the league. The Baltimore Ravens finally secured their first win of the season, alongside the Andy Dalton-led Carolina Panthers, who also celebrated a much-needed victory. The Minnesota Vikings continued to solidify their presence, Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles managed to dodge disaster, and the Pittsburgh Steelers may have discovered their new quarterback. The Athletic NFL writers Tim Graham, Ted Nguyen, and Dan Pompei weigh in on these unfolding stories and more.
Is there a fundamental issue with the Cowboys, or was this just another one of those games?
Graham: The Cowboys’ dramatic comeback salvaged what was otherwise a dismal performance, which might be enough to stave off the critics at Jerry Jones’ door for now. However, let’s not overlook the fact that this team is perpetually teetering on the edge of disaster. Perhaps the Cowboys thrive on the drama — the high stakes and nail-biting finishes. Dallas has faced humiliating defeats in three of its last four games, tracing back to the Green Bay playoff upset at Jerry World. Their only victory in this stretch came against Cleveland on opening day, which hardly inspires confidence. Jones seems to delight in the over-the-top narrative of his Cowboys as a larger-than-life spectacle, but right now, it feels more like trash TV.
Some might speculate that Mike McCarthy is on borrowed time, but if the Cowboys were to make a coaching change this season, it would mark the shortest tenure since Wade Phillips 14 years ago. That was also the last time Jones dismissed a head coach mid-season, and those Jason Garrett teams were notorious for their embarrassing performances. If anything, Jones has shown a penchant for enduring such turmoil. After trailing 28-6 in the fourth quarter, Dak Prescott finally began to look like the NFL’s highest-paid player, completing 13 of 25 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns in the final period. Unfortunately, the defense had been so overwhelmed that they couldn’t mount a complete comeback.
Nguyen: This isn’t merely a one-off game; the Cowboys have been vulnerable against the run since last season. In the 2023 NFC divisional round, they conceded 143 rushing yards to the Packers. Last week, they allowed the Saints to run for 190 yards, and this week, they were gashed for an astonishing 274 yards by the Ravens. They had a chance to regain possession and stage a comeback, but their inability to stop the Ravens from running out the clock was telling. The defensive line appears too light, presenting a fundamental issue that seems unfixable. Mike Zimmer’s preference for two-deep coverages may necessitate incorporating an extra safety into the box. The strategy of soft coverage with light boxes typically allows for some efficient runs, but the Cowboys are consistently yielding explosive plays.
Pompei: Losing to the Ravens by three points in September isn’t inherently shameful. However, the Cowboys’ loss was magnified by their prior defeat against the Saints. Had they managed to secure a victory against New Orleans, the loss to Baltimore would have been a minor blip on their radar. Instead, they now find themselves at 1-2, a record that doesn’t reflect their talent level. The Cowboys should aim to change their narrative in the upcoming weeks with matchups against the Giants and Steelers. Given the expectations surrounding this team, they must win both games.
In light of the Carolina Panthers’ recent victory in Las Vegas with Andy Dalton at the helm, has Bryce Young already made his last start for the Panthers?
Pompei: We’ve seen the Dalton show before, and while he isn’t surrounded by an elite supporting cast, turmoil is brewing in Carolina. This could lead to another quarterback switch even if the Panthers maintain that they are moving forward with Young. If David Tepper’s track record tells us anything, it’s that he can be unpredictable — he hasn’t shown steadfastness in his decisions regarding the team. If Tepper and the Panthers are genuinely ready to part ways with Young, they will seek to trade him for what they can get. Otherwise, he could still be in the mix to start again.
Graham: Here’s a true story: I found myself on the field before Carolina’s preseason game against Buffalo, trailing behind a fan wearing a “Dalton” jersey. It struck me that Andy Dalton is not only still in the league but also dressing for the preseason finale. He didn’t take a snap that day, but on Sunday against the Raiders, he looked as though he had never missed a beat. Dalton, who will turn 37 next month, made his second start in 21 months. Young, who just turned 23 this summer, might have kept his starting role if Dalton hadn’t stepped in due to injury. It’s a stark contrast! The Panthers made a significant investment, trading four draft picks (one of which turned into the No. 1 overall) and receiver D.J. Moore to the Bears to move up eight spots to select Young, despite serious concerns about his 5-foot-10, 204-pound frame. Young has often appeared even smaller in stature. While Dalton shouldn’t be viewed as a transformative presence, he was the one in victory formation at the end of a game where the Panthers’ offense showcased a freshness not seen in years.
Nguyen: It seems that way. Benching the No. 1 pick this early in the season often signals that there’s no turning back. With the stark contrast in performance following the switch, the Panthers can easily justify their decision to bench Young. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Young’s time in Carolina is likely over, and Adam Schefter added that the team would probably wait until the offseason to trade him. But why wait if you’re truly done with him? The decision may have been made before this week, but the game in Las Vegas might have pushed the organization further towards giving up on Young. Regardless, the chances of the Panthers returning to him as their starter seem slimmer than his own frame.
Is it time to reconsider the Vikings as potential Super Bowl contenders?
Graham: The Vikings have become an intriguing story, especially with the much-criticized Sam Darnold finding success and the dynamic duo of Aaron Jones and Justin Jefferson captivating audiences. However, we must also commend Brian Flores’ defense. Minnesota entered Sunday ranked third in points allowed and was top-10 in both yards per carry and yards per pass attempt. Benefiting from the atmosphere at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings dismantled the AFC South favorites on Sunday. They terrorized C.J. Stroud, forcing two interceptions and recording four sacks, leaving the Texans’ offensive line shaken. Notably, outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard was instrumental, racking up three sacks against his former team and contributing to a series of pre-snap penalties for the Texans’ offensive line right before halftime, turning a third-and-4 at Minnesota’s 25-yard line into a punt. Minnesota’s defense managed to stop four runs behind the line and limited Cam Akers to just 2.3 yards per carry.
Nguyen: Flores’ defense has a boom-or-bust nature, relying heavily on aggression and creating confusion, but it’s hard to deny how effective they have been. Just last week, they stifled the 49ers, and this week, they flustered Stroud, who typically performs well under pressure. This was Stroud’s first game with multiple interceptions, coupled with four sacks. The Vikings’ offense is explosive both on the ground and in the air, ranking sixth in explosive play rate, but Darnold’s occasional lapses can be concerning. Kevin O’Connell has excelled in calling plays, and they appear to have a solid formula for winning a significant number of games and possibly making playoff noise. However, until we see Darnold string together elite performances consistently, it’s premature to label them as Super Bowl contenders. This isn’t a slight against the Vikings; it simply takes more than a solid start to reach that tier.
Pompei: The Vikings have exceeded almost everyone’s expectations. However, that’s as far as we should go after just three games. With two of their next three games against the Packers and Lions, we will gain a clearer picture of their capabilities. Maintaining excellence over 17 games is a different challenge compared to excelling for three. January feels far away, but it’s wise not to underestimate O’Connell’s ability to continue maximizing Darnold’s potential. If Darnold maintains his current form, the Vikings could very well be playoff contenders. History shows that every playoff team has the potential to be a Super Bowl contender.
Does Sunday’s victory over the previously unbeaten Saints relieve some pressure off Nick Sirianni, or do the inconsistencies in offense and fourth-down gambles keep the scrutiny high?
Graham: In Philadelphia, the stakes are high, and winning sometimes isn’t sufficient. Sirianni’s decision-making has raised eyebrows, particularly the questionable plays that border on unforgivable. One long Saquon Barkley run was their saving grace, while Vic Fangio’s defense provided much-needed support for the head coach.
We should consider the challenges Sirianni faces with an already battered roster, which took further hits during the game, losing All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson and leading receiver DeVonta Smith to head injuries, along with All-Pro cornerback Darius Slay leaving late in the game. However, the faux Brotherly Shove play right before halftime and being shut out for three quarters is not acceptable in Philadelphia, especially within the competitive NFC East. Sirianni needs to hope that his luck continues because if he keeps opting for risky strategies, his tenure may be short-lived.
Nguyen: His seat certainly cools off with this win. The Eagles have shown strong potential throughout the season, despite the one disappointing loss against the Falcons. They could realistically be sitting at 3-0 right now. The defense is expected to improve as it adapts to Fangio’s system, having shown remarkable run defense against the Saints, who have been tearing through teams. The offense has been hindered by Jalen Hurts’ struggles with the option game and the absence of A.J. Brown, but Kellen Moore has managed to call explosive plays at opportune moments. Despite Sirianni’s several questionable fourth-down decisions — including opting to go for it on fourth-and-1 instead of taking a field goal at the end of the first half — the Eagles possess the talent to avoid faltering. Nevertheless, the expectations for Sirianni may center on contending for the Super Bowl with this loaded roster.
Pompei: The Eagles’ coach always finds himself under scrutiny, doesn’t he? This is the franchise that let go of Andy Reid despite his status as one of the league’s top coaches and fired Doug Pederson just three years after he led them to one of the most improbable Super Bowl victories in history. With high expectations and a roster many consider deep, Sirianni’s job security is always in question. However, it’s somewhat absurd to be discussing his potential dismissal, given that the Eagles are 2-1 and he holds a 36-18 record. Should the Eagles choose to fire Sirianni, his wait to secure another head coaching position elsewhere would likely be brief.
Do the Steelers have their quarterback in Justin Fields?
Nguyen: The Steelers are sitting at 3-0, and Fields has shown improvements with each game. He’s had multiple significant throws negated by questionable penalties in his first two outings. His performance against a formidable Chargers defense was undoubtedly his most impressive of the season, completing nearly 80 percent of his passes. While many of his completions were short, this was part of the strategy against one of the league’s top pass rushes. Fields made crucial downfield throws when it mattered. What stands out most is his ability to evade sacks, a struggle he faced throughout his career. Despite subpar pass protection, he has only been sacked six times across three games. Had he faltered against the Chargers, it would have made the decision to replace him with Russell Wilson in Week 4 easier, but now it’s hard to envision that happening.
Graham: The Steelers have a history of quirky success with backup quarterbacks, but Fields is no Mason Rudolph, Duck Hodges, or Tommy Maddox. Despite the earlier frustrations in Chicago, he has thrived in Pittsburgh, where the organization won’t rush a player into the starting role solely based on salary. The Rooneys and Mike Tomlin will support whoever has earned the chance to play. Fields has shown effectiveness in avoiding sacks and turnovers, recording his first interception yesterday. His 78 percent completion rate speaks volumes (along with his ability to pass and rush for touchdowns against the Chargers). If the Steelers still believe that Wilson, who is approaching 36, gives them the best chance to win, then more power to them. However, I trust the Steelers’ leadership is wiser than that. As Crash Davis famously said, you never mess with a streak. Wilson will have to bide his time.
Pompei: The Steelers will stick with Fields as their starter for the upcoming game against the Colts because it’s unwise to bench a quarterback who is 3-0 unless his replacement has been performing at a significantly higher level prior to injury — which isn’t the case with Wilson. However, it’s a safe bet that Wilson will see playing time this season, possibly sooner rather than later. Fields may reclaim the starting job down the line. He has shown a pattern of inconsistent performances, and while he might be becoming more reliable in his fourth season in a new environment, that remains to be seen. Unless either Fields or Wilson consistently excel while the team continues to win, changes may still be on the horizon.
Is it good or bad for Caleb Williams to be facing so many challenges early in his career?
Pompei: Facing early challenges is never ideal for a young quarterback. Just look at Bryce Young’s situation. While gaining playing experience is beneficial, it needs to be accompanied by validation at some point. Williams hasn’t received much assistance from play calling, blocking, or the running game, and he hasn’t always performed well either. Williams and the Bears’ offense need to find a rhythm before attempting to soar; currently, they often resemble a team trying to take flight prematurely. A more conservative approach could benefit everyone involved.
Nguyen: It’s not ideal to have a quarterback who prefers to take his time operating behind this offensive line. Nevertheless, with Williams named the starter, it’s difficult to backtrack. He isn’t performing as poorly as his statistics may indicate, and he’s impressively managing much of the Bears’ pre-snap operations while showing signs of improvement. Although he hasn’t been able to push the ball downfield in recent weeks, he threw for 363 yards today, building a rapport with Rome Odunze, who recorded 112 yards — that’s progress! In an ideal world, the Bears would improve their blocking, but as long as Williams continues to develop, he must be on the field. Even with the bumps, he needs the experience.
Graham: There are challenges, and then there are challenges. While the Bears’ offensive line isn’t doing him any favors, Williams hasn’t yet faced the kind of relentless pressure that would shatter a quarterback’s confidence. This is a valuable learning experience for Williams, and it’s crucial to avoid placing him in the same category as Bryce Young, a player who has already suffered setbacks and now needs support to rebuild his confidence. Despite the struggles, Williams has already secured a victory and has begun to showcase glimpses of brilliance. His 363-yard performance today, coupled with a touchdown pass to Odunze, indicates potential. Bears fans should hope that this marks the beginning of an exciting partnership. Williams deserves every opportunity to succeed, and he’s making progress.
(Top photo: Cooper Neill / Getty Images)
