NFL Takeaways: Week 3

Story posted September 27, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Nolan Collery

Week 3 of this NFL season is officially behind us, and there is a ton that needs to be discussed.

Here are some key takeaways from this past weekend:

The Dolphins Are Legit

The Dolphins deserve all the hype they’ve been receiving, and it doesn’t look like they are going to cool off any time soon.

It turns out, building the most electric wide receiver duo in the league takes your offense to the next level. Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill have been nothing short of phenomenal.

It’s time to sign your apology letter to Tua Tagovailoa. He is currently second in the league in passing yards, second in passer rating, fourth in completion percentage and fourth in passing touchdowns - including his monstrous six touchdown, comeback victory performance against the Ravens in Week 2.

Mike McDaniel is clearly the man for this Dolphins team. He is expertly orchestrating this potent offense, as well as commanding a very solid defensive unit, full of both experienced veterans and talented youngsters.

This team is going to be really good for a really long time.

Lamar Jackson is The Best QB In The League So Far

The Lamar Jackson disrespect had gone too far going into this season, and clearly the Raven’s gunslinger took notes.

Jackson has been an elite passer through three weeks of the season, leading the league in passer rating and passing touchdowns. It’s clear that to anyone paying attention that Jackson has broken the stigma around him that he is ‘just a running back.’ Although, he is really good at resembling that too.

Jackson has the fifth-most rushing yards in the league. He has more yards on the ground than Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook, Aaron Jones and D’Andre Swift.

Jackson is already one of (if not) the greatest rushing quarterback of all time. Baltimore, it’s time to pay the man.

Broncos Country, Good Try

The Denver Broncos entered the season with high hopes. Many believed that the Broncos were ‘a quarterback away’ from serious contention in a talented AFC West. So, they went out and made a big splash, acquiring Russell Wilson from the Seahawks in order to make that jump.

They are not living up to expectations thus far.

The biggest issue this season has been the baffling decision making, play calling and clock management from rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett. He has been so terrible, that he hired long-time Ravens assistant head coach Jerry Rosburg to be his ‘senior assistant’ to help with game day decisions.

Essentially, Hackett has hired someone else to do his job.

Broncos fans, look away. The red flags are everywhere.

The Jaguars Are The Favorite to Win the AFC South

Heading into the season, the AFC South was supposed to be one of the easiest to project: Colts will win it, Titans will win a few games, and the Texans and Jaguars will once again be bad. That’s not how the season is looking so far.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have come out this season and looked nothing like the team did last year under coach Urban Meyer. Former Eagles coach Doug Peterson is at the helm, and has the team looking unrecognizable from last year’s debacle.

The rest of this season is going to rest on the shoulders of quarterback Trevor Lawrance, who is coming off of an abysmal first season. Lawrence was seen as the most sure-fire quarterback draft prospect since Andrew Luck when he was taken first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, and many people were ready to call him a bust after his first season.

Lawrence will continue to command this young, exciting offense and enjoy the support from a surprisingly sound defensive unit, headlined by 2022 first overall draft pick Travon Walker, the human wrecking ball from Georgia.

This team is going to be a ton of fun to watch, and will win quite a few games this year.

 

Nolan Collery is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email njc5848@psu.edu.