Week 3 of the 2021 NFL season is in the books, the last slate of games before the calendar turns to October. However, five teams are still without their first win. While five remained undefeated. Four of those teams play out west, two from each conference: the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos in the AFC, and the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals in the NFC. The Carolina Panthers are the fifth undefeated team. Here are the 10 takeaways from Week 3.
68=109
In the waning seconds of the first half, Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury opted to send Matt Prater, who held the record for the longest field goal in NFL history of 64 yards, which he kicked in 2013, out to attempt a record 68-yard field goal. The attempt was short. Jamal Agnew fielded the kick and returned it 109 yards for a touchdown, which tied an NFL record for the longest play in NFL history, and gave the Jaguars the lead at the half. The Cardinals did get the win, to remain unbeaten. Maybe the only thing better than the play is FOX’s Gus Johnson’s call.
109 YARDS TO THE CRIIIB!@jamalagnew is a bad man.#ARIvsJAX | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/qWOF02gB2R
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 26, 2021
Lightning has Struck
The Chargers gave the Chiefs all they had in both matchups a season ago, including quarterback Justin Herbert‘s first career start. On Sunday the Chargers, behind three turnovers, a 16-point fourth quarter, including a touchdown with just 30 seconds remaining, defeated the reigning AFC champions. With the loss, the Chiefs are under .500 for the first time since 2015.
call him DUB@darealmike_dub | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/CrZLs0QzGG
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 26, 2021
Unfamiliar Territory
Sam Darnold after three weeks is the signal-caller for a 3-0 team, after the Panthers’ Thursday night win against the Texans. While the quarterback doesn’t deserve all of the credit, as the Panthers defense is playing all but lights out, this far. His replacement with his previous team, Zach Wilson, well refer to the next takeaway.
Lights Get Dimmer at MetLife
After Week 3, the pair of teams that call MetLife Stadium home are a combined 0-6. The Giants came up short after the Falcons kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired on the day the team retired Eli Manning‘s No. 10 jersey at halftime. Meanwhile, the Jets didn’t score a single point in Denver.
Someone Left his Hands at Home
Marquise Brown, a week after tallying over 100 yards receiving on six receptions and scoring one touchdown in the Ravens win against the Chiefs, had three big drops that would’ve all been either a touchdown or inside the five-yard line.
Chase is on the Case
Bengals rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase scored a pair of touchdowns in the upset of the Steelers, in Pittsburgh Chase has four touchdowns through his first three games, after many were doubting his hands during the preseason as he seemed to drop easy, routine, wide open passes.
Field(s) Day
Justin Fields’ first NFL start didn’t go as he planned. The Browns defense tormented him all day. Fields was sacked nine times, including 4.5 by Myles Garrett. His line at the end of the lopsided loss was six completions on 20 attempts for just 68 yards.
That's a franchise record for sacks in a game for @Flash_Garrett.
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 26, 2021
📺: #CHIvsCLE on FOX
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/nEl2Qn8kLJ
Doink! Record! Win!
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker’s 66-yard game-winning field goal didn’t lack drama. The perfect doink allowed it to bounce just the right way. That in turn helped to avoid an upset by the Lions, who are still looking for their first win of the season.
JUSTIN TUCKERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR pic.twitter.com/vCsHRtfULo
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 26, 2021
Old Head’s Still Got Wheels
When you think of the Rams and their passing game, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are the first two names that come to mind. On Sunday it was 34-year-old free-agent addition DeSean Jackson who stole the show. He had just three receptions, for 120 yards and a touchdown, a 75-yard touchdown, where the corner apparently thought Jackson had lost a step or two. This trio of receivers is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses if Jackson can still be a playmaker.
UNO!@DeSeanJackson10's FIRST TD AS A RAM 😤 pic.twitter.com/v5REM4rBoD
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 26, 2021
Taking Their Lumps
Some rookies have immediate success in the NFL. Others take their lumps while getting acclimated to the speed of the league. After Week 3 rookie starting quarterbacks are 1-10 so far this season. Trevor Lawrence and Wilson are both 0-3. Fields and Davis Mills are 0-1 and Mac Jones is 1-2, with his win coming against Wilson.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
