Broncos edge Rams in Denver as Seahawks' streak ends — five takeaways from NFL week three
On Sunday in week three of the NFL season, the Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Rams 30-26 in Denver and the Washington Commanders defeated the Seattle Seahawks 33-31 at home, while five teams remained unbeaten and 12 of 14 games were decided by eight points or fewer.
The NFL registered another high-stakes Sunday with a shock for the defending champions and a day that tied the league record for most one-score games in a single day. Five teams entered the weekend unbeaten, and the league staged its second international game of the season in Brazil, part of a record nine scheduled international fixtures.
In Denver the Rams led 16-0 at half after dominating the first half, but the Broncos fought back to tie the game in the third quarter and the final five minutes produced three lead changes. Denver safety Talanoa Hufanga opened the sequence with a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown, Matt Stafford answered with a drive ending in a 48-yard touchdown to Konata Mumpfield, and Broncos quarterback Bo Nix later reached the end zone on a long drive. With two seconds remaining and a 19-yard attempt at the end zone, Stafford was intercepted by Hufanga for a second time, sealing a 30-26 Broncos win; it was Hufanga's first game with more than one interception in his six-year NFL career.
The Commanders' home win over Seattle followed a serious injury to Jayden Daniels last week, when he dislocated his left elbow, with the team noting Daniels could be back inside three weeks. Washington led 24-10 after Marcus Mariota threw his third touchdown pass, Seattle drew level in the fourth quarter, but Sam Darnold — who had returned from a game out for Seattle — threw his second interception which linebacker Kain Medrano returned 50 yards for a score, and Washington held on for a 33-31 victory that halted Seattle's 12-game win streak, a run that included last season's Super Bowl run.
Drake Maye's recent struggles were underlined as he was benched after committing three turnovers against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 35-6 home defeat; the report notes he had only 11 turnovers last year but already has seven this season. The article links Maye's form to the Patriots' broader issues since their Super Bowl appearance.
The NFL's return to Brazil took place at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, where concerns about the playing surface proved unfounded and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Dallas Cowboys 34-31 in a dramatic finish. Derrick Henry scored twice to put the Ravens 24-13 up in the third quarter, the lead changed hands twice in the fourth, a Cowboys field goal levelled the game with seven seconds left, and Lamar Jackson's 27-yard pass set up Tyler Loop's 56-yard kick as time expired. The victory left all four AFC North teams with a 2-1 record; Neymar attended the game and Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio performed at half-time.
Deshaun Watson led the Cleveland Browns to a 21-18 home win over the Carolina Panthers, completing a comeback with a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr that capped a 65-yard drive. The article recalls mixed reactions from Browns fans to Watson's past injury and preseason return and quotes him: "The past is the past," said Watson. "I know we've been through some ups and downs. But if we look forward, build off this win, come back Thursday night and get another big one, we can make something special for this city." Cleveland hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday; Pittsburgh beat the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27 after Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes and Derrick Harmon forced a strip-sack on Joe Burrow to seal the win.
Several established contenders remain unbeaten: the Buffalo Bills rallied from 10-0 down to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16 with Josh Allen scoring two rushing touchdowns, the Kansas City Chiefs won 24-10 at the Miami Dolphins with Travis Kelce scoring, and Brock Purdy threw four touchdown passes as the San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 36-30. The Minnesota Vikings improved to 3-0 with a 23-16 win at Tampa Bay despite losing Justin Jefferson to an early ankle injury, and the Las Vegas Raiders secured a 35-27 comeback win at the New Orleans Saints — Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes for the third straight game — leaving the Raiders with as many victories as they recorded last season.
Week three concludes on Monday when the Philadelphia Eagles visit the Chicago Bears, a result that could leave six teams with 3-0 records if the Eagles win.