In week three of the NFL games, very few teams have separated themselves from the pack. Only one team is undefeated in the AFC (Cincinnati) and the only two in the NFC (Philadelphia, Arizona) have yet to make a statement performance.
The two teams that battled in last season’s Super Bowl met Sunday afternoon in Seattle. The Seahawks once again defeated the Denver Broncos 26-20 in a game many would’ve preferred over the Super Bowl blowout. Bronco’s quarterback Peyton Manning staged a textbook drive in the last two minutes of the game to tie the game at 20 with 18 seconds remaining. The Seahawks won the coin toss and the Broncos didn’t see the ball again. Marshawn Lynch punched in a six yard run to win the game for Seattle, their second victory over Denver in the last calendar year.
Two teams many believed to be playoff contenders going into the season found themselves winless entering week three. The Indianapolis Colts trounced their AFC South division rival Jacksonville 44-17 for their first win of the season. Colts quarterback Andrew Luck passed for 370 yards and four touchdown passes, and made sure their losing streak didn’t reach three games. Likewise for Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, who won their first game of the season 20-9 over the Minnesota Vikings.
Worth mentioning for both losing teams, are their plans to feature rookie quarterbacks starting in week four. The Vikings and Jaguars promoted first round picks Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles respectively.
Something might be wrong in San Francisco. After a Sunday night collapse against the Chicago Bears, the 49ers once again looked vulnerable in their 23-14 division loss to Arizona. The Cardinals now sit atop the NFC West standings. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick looks far from the elite player who led the Niners to the Super Bowl two seasons ago. His quarterback rating is a mediocre 63.1 after three games including two close contests. Kaepernick must turn things around in order for San Francisco to have any chance of getting back to the big dance.
Sunday Scores:
San Diego def. BUFFALO: 22-10
Dallas def. ST. LOUIS: 34-31
PHILADELPHIA def. Washington: 37-34
NEW YORK GIANTS def. Houston: 30-17
NEW ORLEANS def. Minnesota: 20-9
CINCINNATI def. Tennessee: 33-7
Baltimore def. CLEVELAND: 23-21
DETROIT def. Green Bay: 19-7
Indianapolis def. JACKSONVILLE: 44-17
NEW ENGLAND def. Oakland: 16-9
ARIZONA def. San Francisco: 23-14
SEATTLE def. Denver: 26-20
Kansas City def. MIAMI: 34-15
Pittsburgh def. CAROLINA: 37-19
(Home teams are in caps)
Tonight at 8:30 the Chicago Bears play the New York Jets on ESPN for Monday Night Football.
By Kyle Edwards
