NFL Week 3 winners: Unlikely QBs shine, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry make statements

With most of the Week 3 schedule complete, let’s look at some of the biggest winners from Sunday’s action.

Malik Willis, quarterback, Green Bay Packers

Willis proved the naysayers wrong for a second straight week, passing for 202 yards (13-of-19) with two total touchdowns in a 30-14 win over the Tennessee Titans. The former third-rounder isn’t going to steal Jordan Love’s job, but he’s played admirably (324 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 turnovers), which could create a future opportunity to start elsewhere.

Andy Dalton, quarterback, Carolina Panthers

After looking like the worst team in the NFL heading into Week 3, the Panthers looked like a completely different squad with Dalton leading the way. In Sunday’s 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the 14-year veteran was unstoppable (26-of-37, 319 yards, 3 TDs), becoming the first quarterback in 2024 to throw for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in a game, per CBS Sports.

Saquon Barkley, running back, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles’ defense bounced back, allowing only 219 total yards in Sunday’s 15-12 win over the New Orleans Saints after getting gashed by the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. However, Philadelphia would’ve walked away losers without Barkley’s explosive fourth quarter. The prized free-agent acquisition had an amazing day in midnight green, rushing for 147 yards (8.6 YPA) while scoring 15 points in the final quarter.

Derrick Henry, running back, Baltimore Ravens

The four-time Pro Bowler bullied the Dallas Cowboys, rushing for 151 yards (6.0 YPA) and two touchdowns in a 28-25 victory. For Henry, it was his 12th career game with at least 150 yards and two scores and his first since Week 8 of 2022, helping the Ravens avoid an 0-3 start.

Malik Nabers, wide receiver, New York Giants

Nabers looks to be rounding into form after a lackluster Week 1 debut (5 receptions, 66 yards). In the Giants’ 21-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns, the 2024 No. 6 pick posted 78 yards, eight receptions and two touchdowns. He’s the only player in NFL history to have at least 271 yards, 23 catches and three scores over the first three weeks of their rookie campaign.

Denver Broncos defense

In Sunday’s dominant 26-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they allowed only 223 yards, posting seven sacks and two turnovers, which led to 14 points. After finishing 29th in total defense a year ago, the Broncos look much better on that side of the football in Vance Joesph’s second year, keeping two opponents to 13 points or less through three weeks, which they did only four times in 2023.  

Justin Fields, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers defense has led the way to a 3-0 start, becoming only the fifth unit since 2000 to hold opponents to 10 points or fewer through the first three weeks of the season. Fields has been just as vital, posting a two-touchdown performance (25-of-32, 245 yards) in Sunday’s 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He’s making a solid case to keep the starting job, registering 518 passing yards with a 95.3 passer rating and a 73.3 completion percentage this season, the best and most efficient three-game stretch of his four-year career. 

Sam Darnold, quarterback, Minnesota Vikings

Darnold continued to be one of the biggest surprises of 2024, notching four touchdown passes in a 34-7 blowout over the Houston Texans to help the Vikings improve to 3-0. The former No. 3 pick threw for only 181 yards but spread the ball nicely, connecting four separate targets in the endzone, ending the day with the most scores through the air (8) in the NFL through three weeks.