JuicyTalk
Arizona Cardinals
That was a huge blown opportunity.
The Cards had a chance to take sole possession of first place in the NFC West. Yet, they somehow couldn’t stop Mac Jones from putting together a ten-play, 63-yard drive in 1:46 that led to the 49ers kicking a game-winning field goal. That is a major red flag for a head coach who is supposed to be a defensive specialist. This loss might end up being the difference between Arizona making and missing the 2026 NFL Playoffs.
Atlanta Falcons
Somebody is going to be fired mid-season.
How are you going to get absolutely blown out by the Carolina Panthers, the team that has the NFL’s worst record since the start of the 2023 season? There are major problems with the offense. For that reason, the Falcons let go of their wide receivers coach and gave his responsibilities to passing game coordinator T.J. Yates. Also, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is moving from the coaching box down to the field, like that’s supposed to stop his terrible playcalls. Those aren’t real changes. This offense will continue to struggle, which will result in either Robinson or Raheem Morris losing their jobs in a few weeks. At this moment, it’s unclear who will be getting the axe.
Baltimore Ravens
This group does not respond well to adversity.
When things are going well, and you’re beating the Cleveland Browns by 31 points, it’s all laughs and giggles. But when this team gets punched in the mouth, they don’t know how to respond. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry were both throwing temper tantrums on the sidelines during the Monday Night Football game, even though they were responsible for most of the mistakes. The Ravens blew it in the fourth quarter and were outscored 17-6. There should be concerns in Baltimore. This does not look like the team we saw last year.
Buffalo Bills
The AFC East is on lock.
The Bills should have no problem tearing through this division and once again claiming the AFC East crown for a sixth consecutive year. Buffalo annihilated the Jets on the road. Meanwhile, the Dolphins are gutless and will not be any sort of threat to the Bills. The only team that might make Buffalo sweat a little is the New England Patriots, and right now, they’re playing leaps and bounds better than the Pats. Buffalo should be focused on earning the number-one seed in the AFC and home-field advantage because they are going to run away with the division.
Carolina Panthers
That was the best win of the post-Cam Newton era.
Wins have been hard to come by since Cam Newton left the Panthers four years ago. Carolina has only won 15 games since the start of the 2022-23 season. Before Sunday, the Panthers had an average margin of victory of 7.6 points per game in their last 14 wins. On Sunday, they won by 30 points while shutting out an explosive offense that has one of the best running backs in the league. The Cats certainly have some big problems, but fans should revel in the decisive win they had this past weekend.
Chicago Bears
That’s what it looks like when Ben Johnson’s offense is humming.
This team had 385 total yards of offense while averaging 6.75 yards per play. The Bears converted eight of their 14 third-down attempts. The trick plays worked to perfection. Most importantly, quarterback Caleb Williams looked completely comfortable and had no issue completing passes to eight different receivers. There are still some issues in the running game, but when you can pass the ball like that, who gives a crap about establishing the run?
Cincinnati Bengals
At least things can’t get any worse!
There was a moment when the Cincinnati Bengals trailed by 45 points on Sunday, the largest deficit in franchise history. This game was over in the first quarter after the Jake Browning pick-six. Cincy would need to have a historically bad performance next weekend to look worse than they did in Week Three. Considering the Denver Broncos don’t have the offensive playmakers the Vikings do, the Bengals should look a little better in Week Four. After all, there’s no way they can be any worse… right?
Cleveland Browns
This defense is scary good.
The Browns completely overwhelmed the Packers’ offensive line on Sunday, which is very hard to do when you realize how consistently good Green Bay is at making offensive linemen. Myles Garrett proved he is still one of the best defenders in football, while rookie defensive tackle Mason Graham has already proven himself to be a difference-maker in the trenches. Cleveland is first in yards allowed, first in rushing yards allowed, fourth in passing yards allowed, and tied for second in sacks. This unit will have the Browns competing in plenty of games this season.
Dallas Cowboys
All the bad feelings about this season can be undone next weekend.
There is a lot to feel bad about if you’re a Cowboys fan, but all the negative thoughts and feelings can be alleviated if the ‘Boys can beat the Packers next weekend. It’s your chance to make a statement! Ever since the Micah Parsons trade, everybody has ragged on Dallas and its inability to rush the passer, and (more importantly) win games. But the season can be turned around if the Cowboys can prevent Micah Parsons from coming into their building and stealing a win with his new team. You just know owner Jerry Jones sees Week Four as Dallas’ most important game of the season.
Denver Broncos
The sky is not falling, but the vibes are off.
The Broncos should be able to correct things over the next few weeks. Four of their next five games are against the Bengals, Jets, Giants, and Cowboys. They should win all of those matchups and lose on the road to the Eagles, bringing them to 5-3 by Week Nine. Unfortunately, they have not beaten good teams. They’re 1-8 against teams with winning records since the start of last season. Denver is good enough to beat the bad teams but can’t get over the hump against the NFL’s better squads, which is not something you want to see from a team led by a second-year quarterback. They should be playing better, not regressing.
Detroit Lions
There should no longer be worries about the offensive line.
There were some understandable concerns following the losses of Kevin Zeitler and Frank Ragnow. After three weeks, though, their offensive line looks to be better than ever. They ran through the Baltimore Ravens. It was the third-most rushing yards allowed in Baltimore Ravens history. To top it all off, the Lions didn’t allow a single sack last night. This group is still the backbone of Detroit and looks like one of the NFL’s best.
Green Bay Packers
The offensive line has not been good enough.
The Packers’ offensive line, which was expected to be a weak spot coming into this season, has been even worse than anticipated. On Sunday, quarterback Jordan Love was pressured on 42% of his dropbacks, the highest pressure rate of his career. Also, the offensive line finished the game with a PFF grade of 15.5. Before that, the Packers’ lowest PFF offensive line grade for a single game was 39. Against better pass rushes, this unit will have issues.
Houston Texans
It’s time to hit the panic button.
The Texans’ offense just isn’t doing well, which would explain why they’re 0-3. Houston is dead last in scoring, averaging a measly 12.7 points per game. They have one of the worst turnover differentials in the league (tied for 26th in takeaways while tied for second in giveaways). They’re 26th in passing yards and 23rd in rushing yards. Their defense is strong, but it’s not good enough to make up for the offensive deficiencies. The Texans have a chance to change their course against the Titans, but if they lose that game, heads will roll.
Indianapolis Colts
Indy is legit.
Everybody is expecting the Colts to be the 2025 version of the 2024 New Orleans Saints, but this team has answered the call every step of the way. They have two convincing wins over bottom-feeders and a come-from-behind victory over one of the better teams in the NFL. Their biggest test of the season comes in Week Four against the Rams. If they can win that game, then they should be looked at as an actual threat to win the Lombardi Trophy. They’re already ahead of the curve with a 3-0 start.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags have taken a big step forward on the defensive side of the ball.
Even after the disappointing loss to the Bengals, Jacksonville is still tied for fifth in defensive scoring (17 points per game allowed). I bet you didn’t know that the Jags also lead the league in takeaways with nine on the season. They’re fifth in rushing yards allowed and look much better defending the pass (16th this year vs. 32nd last season). This unit could struggle later in the season against elite passing attacks, but for now, their defense is a big reason why they have a winning record.
Kansas City Chiefs
KC still looks very disappointing.
Did the Chiefs win that game, or did the Giants lose? If Russell Wilson were a somewhat competent quarterback, there’s a chance the Giants would have won that game. Wilson finished the night with a 29.9 QBR, but if the Giants had a player with a 50 QBR in that game (which is the league average), I’m convinced KC would be 0-3 right now. With their next three games coming against the Ravens, Jaguars, and Lions, there’s a chance the Chiefs could be 2-5 or even possibly 1-6 by Week Eight.
Las Vegas Raiders
This is not a playoff-caliber team.
The Raiders have glaring holes and major problems throughout their roster. The offensive line is a disaster, with Quarterback Geno Smith being pressured on 18.2% of his dropbacks (the league average is 17.7%) while running back Ashton Jeanty is averaging just 48 rushing yards per game (25th in the league). The defense is 24th in passing yards allowed and 19th in rushing yards allowed. There isn’t one thing this squad does particularly well, which is worrisome for a team expected to win now with a veteran head coach and QB.
Los Angeles Chargers
They are either a top-two team in the AFC.
Right now, it’s between them and the Buffalo Bills. I’m favoring the Bills because they have the reigning MVP, and the Chargers don’t have their best pass rusher at the moment, but LA is neck-and-neck with Buffalo. Justin Herbert is my current front-runner for MVP. They’ve responded well to adversity every chance they’ve had. On top of that, they’re up 3-0 in their division. Through three weeks, this is clearly one of the best teams in the AFC.
Los Angeles Rams
This was the worst loss of the Sean McVay era.
Sean McVay had a disappointing performance in Super Bowl LIII as well as 30+-point losses in 2019 and 2024, but this to me feels like the biggest failure of Sean McVay’s coaching tenure. In those games, the Rams never really had a chance. In this one, Los Angeles choked away a massive lead against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year. You had the defending Super Bowl champs trailing at home by 19 points at halftime, and you somehow managed to lose that game? That’s inexcusable. The worst part is that this will likely affect seeding for the 2026 NFL Playoffs and force the Rams to go on the road at some point in January and February.
Miami Dolphins
It’s time to move on from Tua Tagovailoa.
Tua Tagovailoa is not a good quarterback. He is tied for second in the league in interceptions with four in three games. He’s 29th in QBR, ahead of only J.J. McCarthy, Cam Ward, and Russell Wilson. In his last five starts, Tua has seven touchdowns, seven interceptions, four fumbles, and 11 sacks. The guy makes bone-headed plays at the most crucial moments in the game. If they weren’t paying him so much money, the ‘Phins would have already found another quarterback to start over Tua.
Minnesota Vikings
Sunday’s beatdown won’t change how this franchise feels about J.J. McCarthy.
Even though the Minnesota Vikings scored the most points they have in a game over the last two seasons, it doesn’t impact their long-term plans. They’re still going to start J.J. McCarthy as soon as he is healthy enough to play. It’s not like Carson Wentz was lighting the world on fire. He was fine. He had two TDs, 173 passing yards, and managed not to turn the ball over. It wouldn’t have mattered if Minnesota won 100-0. They still view McCarthy as their quarterback of the future. Regardless, if you’re a Vikings fan, this was fun to watch.
New England Patriots
This team is very undisciplined.
Fumbles are a killer, and this group leads the league in them with four on the season. They’re on pace to match their fumble total from last year, a bad sign considering the complete offensive and defensive overhaul this franchise went through. They’re ranked in the top five in giveaways and penalties. They can’t even trust their number-one running back to carry the ball without losing it and costing them football games. This was not what was promised by the Mike Vrabel regime. The Pats are a Tua Tagovailoa botched drive away from currently being 0-3.
New Orleans Saints
The jury’s not out on Spencer Rattler.
It was fun to knock Spencer Rattler and the Saints’ quarterback room in the preseason, but the second-year QB has been solid. He’s 18th in both quarterback rating and QBR. Plus, he has only turned the ball over once while taking just six sacks. Unfortunately, he has not made the Saints better, as proven by the 0-3 record. He is yet to elevate the guys around him, which is what’s required of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Then again, he is only three games into the season and has shown some clear development from last year to this year. If he actually starts to win some games, the Saints may not need to draft a quarterback next off-season.
New York Giants
Russell Wilson is done in New York.
Wilson looked God-awful on Sunday, which would explain why the Giants are going with rookie Jaxson Dart as the starter for next week. In his last seven starts, Russ has eight passing touchdowns, five interceptions, and 23 sacks taken. However, those numbers are inflated by his Week Two performance against Dallas. Now that he is on the bench, there’s a good chance he has played his last snap with the Giants, barring some type of injury. Some team will sign him next off-season, and he’ll be named their starter.
New York Jets
Don’t lose faith in Aaron Glenn.
The Jets did something that I haven’t seen them do in a long time: they put up a fight and didn’t roll over when the chips were down. Normally, Gang Green would’ve folded like a house of cards after Tyrod Taylor’s pick-six. But that’s not what happened on Sunday. Instead, they outscored the Buccaneers 21-9. That is an excellent sign from a group that has typically not played hard when facing a large deficit. It gives you reason to believe that maybe Aaron Glenn is actually changing the Jets’ culture. Dan Campbell only won three games in his first year with Detroit, but he created a new culture in the locker room. We should believe that his coaching disciple is doing the same thing in the Big Apple.
Philadelphia Eagles
That was an emphatic way to silence the doubters.
Philly was faced with their toughest test in almost two years, and they passed with flying colors. There aren’t any concerns about Jalen Hurts as a passer after a three-touchdown performance. People were worried Philly could only play well with a lead? They staged a 19-point comeback. The offensive playcalling can’t get the ball to the wide receivers? A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith combined for 14 catches, 169 yards, and two touchdowns. The defense can’t cover anybody, right? Wrong! They held the best receiving corps in the league to 196 yards.
Pittsburgh Steelers
This feels like a very different team from last year.
Something tells me that if the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers were playing the 2025 team’s schedule, they would currently be 0-3. There’s no way Russell Wilson or Justin Fields stages a game-winning drive against the Patriots in New England. And nobody on the 2024 roster is throwing four passing touchdowns against the Jets. There are definitely some things that need to be cleaned up, but the Steelers are going to eventually get healthier on the defensive side of the ball. Then, this team can do some damage.
San Francisco 49ers
This squad can go all the way.
The injury to Nick Bosa is a devastating loss for the defense, but that shouldn’t distract you from the fact that the Niners are 3-0, lead the NFC West, and already have two divisional wins under their belt. And, they did all of that with their star quarterback missing two games. If Brock Purdy and George Kittle can stay healthy once they return to the field, then this team can make it to the Super Bowl. The defense is great (fourth in yards and third in points), and so is the coaching staff. Plus, numerous players on this roster were involved in both of the Niners’ recent Super Bowl appearances, so they know what it takes to make it there.
Seattle Seahawks
They had an almost flawless game on Sunday.
It would have been so fun to be a Seahawks fan this weekend. They scored 44 points and went four for five in the red zone. Sam Darnold didn’t turn the ball over. They had their first punt return touchdown in ten years, a 95-yarder. The Seahawks gave up one touchdown in the fourth quarter, but by that point, the score was 44-6. They could’ve been a little more efficient on third down, but that doesn’t really matter when you average 11.1 yards per pass attempt. Seahawks fans should bask in this huge win a little while longer before getting ready for Thursday Night Football.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs haven’t played a good team yet.
We all know that the Buccaneers are 3-0, and that they got those three victories by orchestrating last-minute, game-winning drives, which is remarkable. But the teams Tampa Bay has faced are a combined 1-8 through the first three weeks of the season (Jets 0-3, Falcons 1-2, and Texans 0-3). The win over the Houston looked impressive at first, but the Texans have been incredibly disappointing this year. The Bucs almost gave away the game against the Jets. And, the Atlanta Falcons have one of the worst offensive game plans in the NFL. The Buccaneers are indeed a good team, but it’s also true that they have only faced garbage opponents so far.
Tennessee Titans
Brian Callahan will not be the coach of this team next season.
The Tennessee Titans are just a bad team from top to bottom with a good quarterback and an elite defensive tackle. Outside of those two guys, this group stinks, and that speaks more to the coaching staff than anything. They spent a good chunk of change in free agency and had premium draft capital, yet they look worse than they did last year. Brian Callahan is supposed to be an offensive line specialist, but the Titans lead the league in sacks. The only reason Brian Callahan has a head coaching job is because of how respected his father, Bill, is in league circles. If he had a different last name, he would be an offensive assistant somewhere and not a head coach.
Washington Commanders
Marcus Mariota is an incredible asset.
There’s a case to be made that Marcus Mariota is one of the five best backup quarterbacks in the NFL right now. That is very useful for the health and future of Jayden Daniels. The Commanders should not feel pressured to rush back Daniels from injury so he can end up like Robert Griffin III. Sunday proved that Washington can rely on Marcus Mariota to weather the storm until Jayden Daniels is once again fully healthy. The healthier he is, the better he’ll look when he returns to the field.
