Week 3 of the 2016 NFL season taught us that anything is possible, among other things.
For example, the Los Angeles Rams finally scored a touchdown, something they hadn’t done heading into their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Furthermore, the Denver Broncos are undefeated, with an inexperienced rookie quarterback starting under center.
Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins, the Indianapolis Colts and the Buffalo Bills saved their seasons with improbable victories.
All these and more are mentioned below. So, without further adieu, here are 10 things we learned from Sunday’s Week 3 action.
Aaron Rodgers responds to criticism with four-touchdown performance
Rodgers was under scrutiny after putting on one of the worst performances of his career last week against the Minnesota Vikings. After Sunday’s four-touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions, no one will question if there’s something wrong with the two-time MVP.
Rodgers completed 62.5 percent of his passes and had a passer rating of 129.3 in Sunday’s 34-27 win over the Lions. Through the first two games of the season, he had completed just 57.1 percent of his passes and had a passer rating of 82.6.
Vikings defense might be the best in the league
The Vikings defense made a strong case to be considered among the NFL’s best after dominating Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The reigning MVP was picked off three times and sacked eight times, one of those resulting in a safety. Minnesota’s eight sacks were the second-most ever against Newton.
The Panthers came in averaging 33 points and 431 yards through the first two games, but they were held to 10 points and 306 yards. This coming after the Vikings defense made Rodgers look bad last week.
New York Giants blow it at home
The Giants could’ve easily beaten the Washington Redskins to go to 3-0, but they couldn’t overcome all their mistakes in a 29-27 loss on Sunday. New York had 11 penalties for 128 yards and turned the ball over three times, including an interception by Eli Manning during the final two minutes of the game that sealed the first win of the season for Washington.
Now 2-1, the Giants go on the road to face two of the best teams the NFC has to offer in the Vikings and Packers, and they can’t afford to make mistakes against those teams.
Trevor Siemian impressive in road debut
The Denver Broncos quarterback played every bit like his predecessor against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, throwing for 312 yards and four touchdowns. Siemian became the first Bronco to throw for four touchdowns since Peyton Manning in 2014 against the Miami Dolphins. No NFL quarterback had ever thrown for 300 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in their road debut, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
Siemian and the undefeated Broncos head to Tampa Bay next week to take on a Buccaneers defense that has struggled against the pass.
Gus Bradley on the hot seat after 0-3 start
The Jacksonville Jaguars fell to 0-3 for the third time in the last four years after losing to the Baltimore Ravens 19-17 on Sunday. Bradley is now 12-39 in four seasons, the second-worst winning percentage of any NFL coach with at least 50 games, according to the Associated Press. No doubt Bradley is on the hot seat, as is GM David Caldwell, who spent north of $70 million in free agency during the offseason to no avail.
The Bradley-Caldwell era may be coming to an end if the Jaguars can’t turn things around quickly.
Cleveland Browns call on Terrelle Pryor to take some snaps at quarterback
The Browns pulled out all the stops against the Dolphins on Sunday, which included Pryor getting some snaps at quarterback, his former position. The quarterback-turned-wide-receiver caught eight passes for 144 yards while also passing for 35 for yards and rushing for 21 yards. Pryor scored on a run in the fourth quarter, but the Browns lost in overtime 30-24.
With Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown dealing with injuries, it will be interesting to see if the Browns try to get Pryor more involved at quarterback, or if they will place their trust in rookie Cody Kessler, who fumbled twice in his first career start.
T.Y. Hilton makes good on guarantee
True to his word, Hilton made plays against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. The Pro Bowl receiver caught a 63-yard touchdown strike from Andrew Luck with 1:12 left in the game to lift the Indianapolis Colts to a 26-22 victory. Hilton caught eight of his 11 targets for 174 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers after a slow start through the first two games.
The Colts will look to build off their first win of the season against a struggling Jaguars team next week.
Bills bounce back after firing offensive coordinator
One week after firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman and replacing him with running backs coach Anthony Lynn, the Bills’ offense resembled the one that led the NFL in rushing last season. LeSean McCoy rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns, Tyrod Taylor rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown and the Bills routed the Arizona Cardinals 33-18 at home Sunday.
Under Roman, the Bills had just 151 yards rushing through the first two games, and in Lynn’s first game as OC they totaled 208. This might be just what the doctor ordered in Buffalo.
Rams offense explodes in Week 3
The return of football in Los Angeles was marred by the Rams having zero touchdowns through the first two games of the season. But on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they scored four touchdowns on offense and another on defense. Tavon Austin and Brian Quick hauled in one touchdown apiece from Case Keenum, Todd Gurley ran for two scores and Ethan Westbrooks returned a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown as the Rams edged the Buccaneers 37-32.
Where was this offensive display two weeks ago when the Rams got shut out by the San Francisco 49ers in the season opener? What’s even more surprising is that the Rams are now 2-1, and tied with the Seattle Seahawks for first place in the NFC West. No one could’ve predicted that when the season started.
Sebastian Janikowski now the NFL’s all-time leader in 50+ yard field goals
Janikowski made his 53rd career field goal of 50-or-more yards during Sunday’s game, passing Detroit’s Jason Hanson (52). The record-setting kick came in the second quarter of Sunday’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans as the 17-year veteran drilled a 52-yard field goal with ease, which you can watch here.
In addition to Janikowski getting the record, the Raiders also went home with the win as they held on to beat the Titans 17-10.
