Memorandum
- From
- Delaney Sawyer via FOX News
- Date
- Filed
- Sports·4 min to read
- Re
NFL Week 3 Takeaways: Patriots' Maye Problem, Chargers Hit Rock Bottom, Cowboys Crumble
ReNFL Week 3 Takeaways: Patriots' Maye Problem, Chargers Hit Rock Bottom, Cowboys Crumble
Week 3 of the NFL season delivered major storylines, including the Patriots' struggles with Drake Maye, the Chargers' winless start, and the Cowboys' collapse. The Bills survived five turnovers to beat Los Angeles, while the Browns improved to 2-1 behind a steady Deshaun Watson.
The New England Patriots have a serious problem at quarterback, and it is threatening to derail their season just three weeks in. Drake Maye, the reigning AFC champion's signal-caller, has looked like a one-hit wonder, making some of the worst throws of any quarterback in the league so far. The Patriots offense has generated just two touchdowns in three games, and Maye has thrown six interceptions while also losing a fumble. With a trip to Buffalo next week, the situation could go from bad to worse quickly for New England.
The Los Angeles Chargers, meanwhile, have hit rock bottom. They remain winless after falling to the Buffalo Bills, who turned the ball over five times and still managed to win. Buffalo's offense, which had been explosive in wins over Houston and Detroit, struggled mightily on Sunday, turning the ball over three times on its first four possessions and twice more in the second half. Yet the Chargers could not capitalize, failing to beat a team that seemed determined to give the game away. It was a good week for Buffalo to come out flat, but the Bills cannot afford such sloppy play against better opponents.
The Dallas Cowboys also crumbled in Week 3, adding to the list of disappointing performances. While the source material does not detail the Cowboys' specific issues, their collapse was notable enough to be included among the week's biggest takeaways. The Cowboys join the Chargers and Patriots as teams facing early-season crises.
Elsewhere, the Cleveland Browns improved to a surprising 2-1 record with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Deshaun Watson, who was heavily criticized after a horrendous Week 1 performance, played well enough to lead his team to victory. His numbers were not spectacular—16 of 30 for 144 yards and two touchdowns—but he made key throws when needed and added important runs to keep drives alive. Watson is not great, but he is at least playing like a serviceable NFL quarterback, which is more than many expected after his rough start.
The New York Jets, despite a 1-2 record, have shown signs of promise. They should have beaten the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 and were tied with the Detroit Lions with under three minutes left in Week 3. Great teams win those games, and the Jets are not great, but given the low expectations, fans have reason for hope for the first time in years.
The AFC South is bad again. The Colts and Texans both look unimpressive, with C.J. Stroud failing to recapture his rookie form and Daniel Jones turning the ball over three times. The Jaguars and Titans are not much better. It appears the division winner will once again be relegated to the least interesting wild-card slot.
The Miami Dolphins showed some fight against the Kansas City Chiefs, hanging around until the fourth quarter, but ultimately lost by two touchdowns as expected. Dolphins fans are already looking ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft.
In other games, the Giants beat the Commanders in a sloppy, low-scoring affair played in bad weather. The Bengals suffered a letdown against the Steelers, though Cincinnati remains the better team overall. Turnovers proved decisive in the Seahawks' loss to the Commanders, as Washington won the turnover battle 3-0 despite being outgained 437 to 258. The 49ers held off a resilient Cardinals team, but San Francisco lost three key players to injury, which could be a concern moving forward.
Week 3 reminded us that turnovers matter, injuries can change seasons, and early-season narratives can shift quickly. The Patriots, Chargers, and Cowboys all have serious questions to answer, while teams like the Browns and Jets have offered glimmers of hope. As the season progresses, these storylines will continue to evolve.
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