2021 NFL Week Three: Biggest Storylines and Takeaways
2021 NFL Week three is in the books. Dallas looks to be the NFC East favorite, the Rams look like the best team in the NFL and Big Ben’s time may be coming to an end. Check out the biggest storylines and takeaways from week three below!
2021 NFL Week Three- Matt Stafford and Rams Are The Team To Beat
The Matt Stafford trade has been a success, to say the least. On Sunday, the Rams blitzed the defending Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers on their way to a 34-24 victory. Cooper Kupp has emerged as an elite receiver and their offense is humming. Stafford looks like the MVP front-runner and Sean McVay is a special coach in this league, there is a lot to like about this team.
The Rams currently sit at 3-0 tied with the Cardinals for sole possession of the NFC West. The only concern I have for the Rams is their divisional games. The Cardinals are improved, the 49ers have historically played the Rams tough and while the Seahawks are 1-2, they still have Russell Wilson. If the Rams can go 4-2 or better in the division, they should be on their way to a division title and a possible one seed.
2021 NFL Week Three- The NFC East Belongs To The Dallas Cowboys
Dallas secured first place in the NFC East with their Monday night pumping of the Philadelphia Eagles. In Dak’s first home since his season-ending injury last season, he was arguably the best player on the field. Prescott went 21/26 for 238 yards and three touchdowns. The Eagles came into this game a little overvalued after losing a close week two matchup against the 49ers. Jalen Hurts came back to earth after setting the world on fire after week one, he was consistently missing throws, late on his progressions, and looked a little lost out there.
As for the rest of the division, the Giants are 0-3 and have shown little to no fight and the WFT defense has allowed 30 points in back-to-back weeks. Daniel Jones, Jalen Hurts, Taylor Heinicke, and Dak Prescott, one of these guys is not like the others. I think Dallas starts to run away with this division in the coming weeks with the WFT coming in second.
2021 NFL Week Three- Justin Tucker, The GOAT of Kickers?
Down by one, three seconds left, 66-yard FG attempt, no problem for Justin Tucker. Tucker nailed the longest field goal in NFL history as the Ravens took down the Lions in dramatic fashion. In my life, I don’t remember a kicker being so automatic to the point of every time he walks out to kick, you know he is going to make it. While Adam Vinatieri might be more clutch all-time, Tucker might be the most talented kicker we have ever seen.
On the other hand, Lions fans I don’t know what to say at this point. No other franchise has had more heart breaking losses in recent memory than the Lions.
2021 NFL Week Three- Raiders Off To Scorching Start
The Las Vegas Raiders are 3-0 to start 2021. Unlike the Broncos who have beaten up on a bunch of 0-3 teams, the Raiders have earned their three victories against teams who all won 10 or more games last season. The Ravens and Steelers made the playoffs last season and the Dolphins missed them by one game. Derek Carr looks like one of the top five QBs in the league, Henry Ruggs is emerging as a deep threat and the offense is buzzing.
The biggest question mark for the Raiders was their defense and more specifically their pass rush. Gus Bradley is a clear upgrade over Paul Guenther and Maxx Crosby and that Raiders front have created consistent pressure in all three of their games. The Raiders have not been shy to starting hot under Gruden, it has become a question of if they can sustain this success for the whole season but as of right now, Las Vegas is one of the better teams in the NFL.
2021 NFL Week Three- The New York Jets Are The Worst Team In The NFL
Eight quarters, six points. That is how many points the Jets have scored in their past two games. Zach Wilson continues to prove me right in saying the Jets made a mistake in drafting the BYU QB. In three games, Wilson has thrown seven interceptions while completing 55% of his passes. They have no elite offensive skill players, their defensive line is formidable but their secondary cannot cover to save their lives.
I wrote an article last week saying the Jaguars were going to have back-to-back number one overall picks. However, after watching the Jets these past two weeks, I might have to rethink that take. They do have the Falcons, Jaguars, and Texans on their upcoming schedule. I could see the Jets going 3-0 or 0-3 in that stretch but if they were to win a game in 2021, those three opponents are their best bet.
2021 NFL Week Three- Big Ben’s Time Has Come To An End
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not in a great situation when it comes to the quarterback position. Ben Roethlisberger looked like a shell of his former self on Sunday. He was skipping balls, made some poor reads, and played how a 39-year-old would play quarterback. Another issue for the Steelers is that they have spent the past five years coddling a washed-up Big Ben and have not aggressively attacked their plans at QB. Dwayne Haskins has some talent but do we trust him to take over the franchise when Ben retires.
Steelers fans I would be worried, this offensive line is awful and you cannot, let me repeat, YOU CANNOT give Najee Harris 14 receptions and expect the rookie to carry the offense. It is never a good sign when the Bengals are ahead of you in the division standings.
Check out week two here, come back for week four!
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