NFL play brings thrills and surprises in week three action

Levon Campbell III
Staff Writer

The NFL’s third week saw a mix of high-scoring contests and thrilling finishes. Here’s a quick recap of the major highlights and storylines from the action-packed weekend.

The New York Jets opened week three of the 2024 NFL season with a victory over the New England Patriots on Sept. 19. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, increasing the Jets’ record to 2-1 this season. 

On Sept. 22, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Los Angeles Chargers, the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense contained the New Orleans Saints’ high-powered offense, and Bo Nix’s Denver Broncos defeated Baker Mayfield and the previously undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Andy Dalton and the Carolina Panthers put on a strong performance, and the Los Angeles Rams staged an impressive comeback to beat the San Francisco 49ers.

The Kansas City Chiefs narrowly overcame a challenge from Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons. Monday night witnessed the Buffalo Bills’ dominant victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and an impressive display by Jayden Daniels in the Washington Commanders’ statement win over the winless Cincinnati Bengals.

The Washington Commanders emerged victorious with a score of 38-33 over the Cincinnati Bengals. Daniels and the Commanders have found stability and comfort at the quarterback position, while Robinson and Ekeler have showcased their talent as running backs. 

With wide receivers such as Terry McLaurin, the Commanders have displayed a well-rounded offense. Kliff Kingsbury’s coordination has helped the team score in 14 consecutive full drives. The Buffalo Bills dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars with a score of 47 to 10. 

Early on, the Bills’ offensive unit, led by quarterback Josh Allen, displayed mastery and scored touchdowns on five straight drives. The first-half performance was impressive, with the team earning 19 first downs, more than any other team has achieved this season. 

Defensively, the Bills contained Trevor Lawrence effectively, holding the Jaguars to only two successful third-down conversions and sacking him four times. In a dramatic twist, the LA Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 27-24. 

Despite the Rams being 0-2 coming into this game and the 49ers having a 14-0 lead, the Rams displayed resilience and a desperate determination. The game showcased the importance of special teams, as the 49ers were caught off guard by a fake punt executed by the Rams, which ultimately converted into a touchdown and turned the game’s tide. 

This unexpected victory for the Rams proved nothing can be taken for granted in the NFL.

Jackson State University Assistant Director for Video Services Rob Jay shared his insights. 

“I think the teams that showed significant improvement this week are the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, and Washington Commanders. On the other hand, the Cincinnati Bengals are still struggling despite their efforts, currently being winless at 0-3. The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off strong but it’s still too early in the season, with many teams improving and many possibilities left,” Jay stated.

Students at JSU also weighed in on the NFL season so far and shared their favorite teams.

Zachary Odom, a senior journalism and media major from Los Angeles, Calif., offered his opinion. 

“I believe that this season has a lot more potential, and many teams are unfortunately being given less attention. My team, the San Francisco 49ers, aren’t showing much improvement, but I believe that most of the challenges stem from injuries,” Odom stated.

Javin Cole, a senior accounting major from Austin, Texas, expressed his optimism for the upcoming season. 

“I believe it’s going to be a terrific season, with plenty of impressive quarterbacks and teams. However, the key factor in determining its success will be whether players can stay injury-free. Jaden Daniels, coming from LSU, is a promising player, having had a standout performance with zero turnovers and emerging as a breakthrough player for the Washington Commanders,” said Cole.

The third week of the NFL season has been a rollercoaster, with both underdogs and established teams showcasing their potential. 

As the competition heats up, fans can look forward to more exciting matches and surprising upsets in the weeks to come. With so many talented players and determined teams on display, the 2024 NFL season is shaping up to be one that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.