With the third week of the NFL season officially over, five teams remain undefeated. The Buffalo Bills, coming off a dominant win over the Jaguars on Monday night, and the 3-0 teams they faced before that, each performed in different ways this week.
The Chiefs, coming off back-to-back Super Bowl wins, came back with a close win over the Falcons, the Seahawks dominated the Dolphins, who were without Tua Tagovailoa and backup quarterback Skylar Thompson with a chest injury, the Vikings stunned the Texans behind a stellar performance from Sam Darnold, and the Steelers continued their run with a strong defense and the emergence of Justin Fields.
What about the teams that didn’t have such a good week? Let’s take a closer look at the news and storylines from Week 3.
Should the Cowboys panic?
Yes, they’re probably the team that gets the most scrutiny in the NFL, but when you allow 274 rushing yards at home, it’s not just because the team owner is a media scrutinizer. Dallas’ 28-25 loss (which wasn’t as close as the final score indicated) highlighted problems with the defense that first became apparent in a 44-19 loss to the Saints in Week 2. Asked about the roster after the game, Jerry Jones said “I like our personnel,” but something will need to change for a team that’s allowing a league-worst 185.7 rushing yards per game.
Justin Herbert aggravates sprained ankle
Herbert was first injured in Week 2 and then hurt his ankle again in the Chargers’ 20-10 loss to the Steelers. He left Pittsburgh in a walking boot. On Monday, NFL Network reported that post-game X-rays were negative and that Herbert would continue to be monitored. Los Angeles’ Taylor Heinicke will play Sunday before hosting the Chiefs in Week 4.
Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, missed recent practices because of an aggravated foot injury and was day-to-day after missing the Browns’ 21-15 loss to the Giants. Garrett has two sacks in three games for Cleveland this season.
Are the Steelers still under contract with Justin Fields?
Pittsburgh is 3-0 and averaging 229.7 yards and 8.6 points per game, both best in the NFL. The defense has been solid, recording five sacks in a recent win over the Chargers. However, the Steelers’ quarterback position has been in the spotlight with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields getting fresh starts in Pittsburgh. Fields has been solid through the three wins, throwing just one interception and completing over 73% of his passes, but will that be enough to keep Wilson in the starting lineup after he missed his spot before Week 1 with a calf injury?
Live19 Update
The Bills and Commanders will meet on Monday at 11 p.m.
Week 3 of the NFL season concluded with a Monday night doubleheader, and we’ve got the latest on the Buffalo vs Cincinnati game.
MNF Must Read
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 6:59 AM PDT
Lions center Frank Ragnow tears his pectoral muscle
#Lions Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed to 97.1 that C Frank Ragnow has a torn pectoral muscle. Costa & JansenHe said Frank wants to leave but isn’t quite sure how yet. “We’re going to do what’s best for him and what’s best for us at this time,” he said.
โ Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) September 24, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024 at 3:50 PM PDT
Germany’s Christian McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey is halfway around the world right now, as the 49ers running back is seeing a specialist in Germany to treat Achilles tendinitis and a calf injury.
Additionally, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is seeing a specialist in Germany for treatment of Achilles tendinitis.
โ Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 23, 2024
McCaffrey remains on injured reserve and has not played yet this season.
Monday, September 23, 2024 3:41 PM PDT
Brock Purdy suffers from back pain
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy underwent an MRI today while dealing with back soreness but was fine. The 49ers are hopeful he’ll be able to practice Wednesday, but his status is day-to-day.
Purdy threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to the Rams on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Brock Purdy has been dealing with a sore back, but Shanahan said an MRI came back clean and he’s expected to practice on Wednesday.
โ Matt Burrows (@mattbarrows) September 23, 2024
Purdy is one of several 49ers players currently struggling with injuries outside of stars Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, including defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who will miss the remainder of the season with a torn triceps.
#49ers According to Kyle Shanahan, the injuries sustained during the game were as follows:
DT Javon Hargrave will miss the remainder of the season with a partially torn triceps.
LB Dee Winters injured his ankle.
QB Brock Purdy has a sore back and his condition is day-to-day.
โ Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 23, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024 2:48 PM PDT
Myles Garrett’s MRI shows positive
Browns star Myles Garrett underwent an MRI today on his foot and ankle, which came back clean — a good sign, although it’s unclear if he’ll be available for next Sunday’s game against the Raiders.
#Browns Star DE Myles Garrett (foot/ankle) underwent an MRI today which came back clean, per source.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said today that Garrett’s status is evolving day to day: “Miles is battling every day, and we feel that will continue to be the case.” pic.twitter.com/VZ1sHVUIic
โ Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 23, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024 2:28 PM PDT
Cooper Kupp is still out
The Rams will face the Chicago Bears this weekend, but star wide receiver Cooper Kupp will once again be sidelined.
Sean McVay said wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) will not return for Sunday’s game against Chicago.
โ Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) September 23, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024 2:12 PM PDT
Lions’ Marcus Davenport out for the season
Detroit pass rusher Marcus Davenport will miss the remainder of the season with an elbow injury, coach Dan Campbell confirmed.
Monday, September 23, 2024 2:06 PM PDT
Marcus Epps out for the season
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps tore his ACL in Sunday’s game against the Panthers, ending his season.
#Raiders Safety Marcus Epps suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s loss to Carolina, per source.
That’s bad news for Las Vegas and for Epps, a team leader who has started every game since signing last year, is otherwise injury-free and should be ready for 2025. He’s set to become a free agent in March. pic.twitter.com/Hf3MnBMmWr
โ Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 23, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024, 2:05 PM PDT
Chargers OT Joe Alto out with MCL sprain
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Joe Alt suffered an MCL sprain in the Chargers’ loss to the Steelers on Sunday, becoming the second offensive tackle to be injured following Rashawn Slater’s pectoral strain.
That will make things difficult for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert or whoever is in the starting lineup this week.
Monday, September 23, 2024 1:29 PM PDT
Falcons coach Raheem Morris explains why he didn’t call for QB sneaks on third or fourth downs after the loss to the Chiefs
The Atlanta Falcons suffered a tough 22-17 loss at home to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night, a loss made all the more painful because Atlanta had a chance to score the winning points on their final offensive drive.
After advancing 49 yards to the Chiefs’ 13-yard line, the Falcons faced a fourth-down, one-yard situation with 0:58 left to continue their drive. But instead of calling a quarterback sneak, which likely would have given them a first down without gaining a yard, Atlanta called for Bijan Robinson to go for an outside run to the left, which was held up by the Chiefs defense.
Robinson lost three yards on the play, and the Falcons turned the ball and the game over on downs.
Atlanta coach Raheem Morris was asked Monday about the fourth-down play call (as well as the third-down call when Tyler Allgaier was tackled for a no-gain) — why didn’t he call a QB sneak for a short push instead of the outside run that should have played out?
“There were definitely some discussions last night about sneaks and that type of thing,” Morris said, via reporter Terin Wach. “I’m really happy with our two backs.”
Read the full story here.
Monday, September 23, 2024 11:03 AM PDT
Sam Darnold reports negative MRI, will not miss game
Vikings fans can take heart: Their savior quarterback Sam Darnold is not expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Texans despite the knee injury he sustained. According to Tom Pelissero, an MRI on Darnold’s knee showed no structural damage.
Monday, September 23, 2024, 10:16 a.m. PDT
Browns G Wyatt Teller likely on injured list with sprained MCL
#Browns All-Pro G Wyatt Teller suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in Sunday’s game. #Giants Teller is expected to miss about four weeks, per a source, and manager Kevin Stefanski said today that there’s a chance Teller could be placed on injured reserve, which would keep him out for the duration of his loosely projected return timeline. pic.twitter.com/HfXRRkHol5
โ Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 23, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024, 10:08 a.m. PDT
Injury status for DE Myles Garrett, RG Wyatt Teller and CB Chidobe Awuzie
Injury update:
— #Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski said Myles Garrett is day-to-day with a foot injury, while Wyatt Teller could land on injured reserve with a knee injury.
— #Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie suffered a groin injury and could be placed on injured reserve.
โ Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024 9:24 AM PDT Monday, September 23, 2024 8:41 AM PDT
Justin Herbert’s ankle x-rays reportedly negative
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, postgame X-rays on Justin Herbert’s ankle were normal, and the Chargers quarterback left Sunday’s loss to the Steelers after aggravating a high ankle sprain.
#Chargers Quarterback Justin Herbert #Steelers He left the game and post-game X-rays were negative, according to a source. He will continue to be monitored this week.
โ Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024, 8:15 a.m. PDT
There are two MNF games tonight!
Fans can enjoy two Monday Night Football appearances in Week 3. The Jaguars will take on the Bills at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN, while the Commanders will take on the Bengals at 8:15 PM ET on ABC.
Monday, September 23, 2024, 7:08 a.m. PDT
Raheem Morris stays quiet about refereeing to avoid fines
On Sunday night, the officials missed a crucial defensive pass interference call in the Falcons’ loss to the Chiefs. After the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was asked about the missed call. Morris wisely refrained from commenting because he had nothing nice to say and would 100% be fined for any comment he made.
Monday, September 23, 2024, 6:55 a.m. PDT
Dak Prescott speaks to sunny-weather Cowboys fans
The Cowboys lost again on Sunday, this time to the Ravens, 28-25, and quarterback Dak Prescott had a message for Cowboys fans who were thinking about giving up on their team after a 1-2 record.
Monday, September 23, 2024, 5:45 AM PDT
Watch as the Panthers celebrate their first win of the season
The Panthers have been so bad for so long that it almost seems unfair to even joke about them these days, so watch as they revel in their extreme joy after their first win of the season, which also marked the first win for Panthers head coach Dave Canales with the game ball.
On Sunday, this locker room might have been the happiest place on earth.