NFL Week 3 Sunday Huddle: Daniel Jones wins first start; Steelers, Broncos sink to 0-3

Kirstie Chiappelli

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NFL Week 3 Sunday Huddle: Daniel Jones wins first start; Steelers, Broncos sink to 0-3 image

In an eventful Sunday filled with headlines, Daniel Jones still managed to steal the show.

The Giants rookie shined under center as he made his first career start, completing 23 of 36 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns to snap the team's two-game skid to start the season and give New York fans hope for the future.

Jones helped the Giants come back from an 18-point deficit at halftime and sealed the victory with his go-ahead run into the end zone.

It didn't hurt that Buccaneers kicker Matt Gay missed the 44-yard attempt for the win as time expired, but Eli Manning had faith in his replacement from Jones' first score of the game.

One of the other special treats of the day was the Patrick Mahomes-Lamar Jackson showdown that unfolded in Kansas City as the Chiefs managed to slow the Ravens. The reigning NFL MVP threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns in yet another record-setting outing, while Jackson threw for 267 yards and added 46 yards rushing.

The Bills got off to their first 3-0 start since 2011, extending their winning streak along with the Patriots, Chiefs, Cowboys, Packers and 49ers. Things were far less fulfilling for the Dolphins, Jets, Bengals, Steelers and Broncos, who drop to 0-3.

Injuries

Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe was carted off the field in the second quarter against the Packers with an apparent leg injury. 

Lions defensive tackle Mike Daniels was downgraded to out after leaving with a foot injury against the Eagles, though it was reported that initial tests revealed no broken bones.

Patriots receiver Julian Edelman was ruled out against the Jets after suffering a chest injury in the first half. It was later reported that Edelman suffered a rib injury but X-rays were negative.

After being flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for tossing his helmet away as he realized the extent of his injury, Falcons safety Keanu Neal exited in the second quarter against the Colts on a cart and was later ruled out with an Achilles injury. He's rumored to need surgery this week.

Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton was ruled out after sustaining a quad injury in the first half against the Falcons.

Giants running back Saquon Barkley was downgraded to out after being helped off the field against the Buccaneers. He was later seen on the sidelines wearing a walking boot and using crutches, but that didn't stop him from celebrating his team's win.

Highlights

Colts cornerback Jamal Agnew took the kickoff 100 yards to the house.

Chiefs receiver Demarcus Robinson made an unreal one-handed catch.

Broncos rookie Noah Fant almost got away before Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander robbed him.

Vikings running back Alex Mattison took flight as he leaped into the end zone.

It had to feel good for Dolphins defensive end Taco Charlton to take down Dak Prescott with a sack.

Malcolm Jenkins with the block!

Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White got his second pick of the game to close it out.

Deonte Harris was gone after one quick move.

The Daniel Jones era is off to a good start in New York.

Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster could not be caught.

Panthers star Christian McCaffrey put his arm up before realizing he could go all the way.

Stats

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes became the only player in the last 40 years with 200 or more passing yards and two passing touchdowns in the first half in each of his team's first three games of a season.

The Patriots won their 116th game of the decade, beating the 2000s Colts and breaking the record for most wins by a team in a single decade in NFL history. New England's point differential of +89 (106-17) through the first three weeks of the season is tied for second-highest in league history.

The Dolphins, however, find themselves on the opposite end of that spectrum.

Meanwhile, the Jets broke new ground at Gillette Stadium by scoring their first touchdown in Foxborough in nearly four years.

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins extended his streak of 19 games with one or more passing touchdown, making it the longest active streak in the NFL. He finished his outing against the Raiders 15 for 21 for 174 yards.

Quotables

Jets running back Le'Veon Bell isn't feeling frustrated despite New York's 0-3 start: "I’m not frustrated at all. I just know this team has a lot of talent, we just have to put it together. It’s a new system, guy’s first time playing together, a new coaching staff. We’ve just got to mesh everything together and we’ve got to get on board."

Broncos linebacker Von Miller on not catching the quarterback: "I need to find a way to play better. I have to find a way to get sacks and do my job. No one holds me to a higher standard than myself. I could sit here and make excuses, but I got clean rushes today. I just need to find a way to get the quarterback on the ground."

Ravens running back Mark Ingram left it all on the field in Kansas City: "We wanted to be aggressive. Coming here to a hostile environment, one of the better teams in the league, everyone says, and we went toe-to-toe with them. We got aggressive and we've got make sure we execute so we have our coaches' back for believing in us. I love the aggressive mindset, coming in here aggressive offensively and defensively. Just got to make those plays."

Scoreboard

Thursday's game

Jaguars 20, Titans 7

Sunday's games

Cowboys 31, Dolphins 6
Bills 21, Bengals 17
Lions 27, Eagles 24
Patriots 30, Jets 14
Colts 27, Falcons 24
Vikings 34, Raiders 14
Chiefs 33, Ravens 28
Packers 27, Broncos 16
Panthers 38, Cardinals 20
Giants 32, Buccaneers 31
Saints 33, Seahawks 27
Texans 27, Chargers 20
49ers 24, Steelers 20
Rams at Browns, 8:20 p.m. ET

Still to come

Monday's game

Bears at Redskins, 8:15 p.m. ET

 

Kirstie Chiappelli