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NFL Week 3 Delivers Drama, Major Injuries and Early Separation Across the League

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September 28, 2026 | I Am Refocused Radio News

The NFL’s third week delivered the kind of Sunday that can change the shape of a season before October even arrives.

Several teams strengthened undefeated starts, Baltimore and Dallas produced a dramatic finish on an international stage, Denver erased a 16-point deficit under the lights, and a series of significant injuries created immediate questions for teams already navigating a demanding early-season schedule.

With Monday Night Football still ahead, Week 3 has already provided the clearest picture yet of which teams are finding an early rhythm and which clubs may have to adjust quickly.

Ravens Win a Thriller in Rio

One of Sunday’s biggest moments came thousands of miles from the United States.

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-31 at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, in the NFL’s first regular-season game played in Rio.

Dallas tied the game at 31 with 10 seconds remaining, but Baltimore refused to simply play for overtime. Lamar Jackson connected with Zay Flowers for 27 yards, the Ravens used their final timeout with one second remaining, and kicker Tyler Loop converted a 56-yard field goal for the victory.

Jackson finished 15-of-20 passing for 186 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 50 yards. Derrick Henry added two rushing touchdowns, and Flowers returned from a hamstring injury to lead Baltimore with 84 receiving yards.

The victory moved Baltimore to 2-1 and provided one of the first signature finishes of the 2026 season.

Chiefs Move to 3-0, but Miami Suffers a Bigger Loss

Kansas City continued its unbeaten start with a 24-10 victory over Miami, improving to 3-0.

Patrick Mahomes completed 20 of 24 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Travis Kelce caught a fourth-quarter touchdown as Kansas City pulled away late.

But the larger story coming out of Miami involves Dolphins running back De’Von Achane.

NFL Network and ESPN reported Monday that Achane suffered a torn ACL during the loss and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season. Achane made his first Pro Bowl last season and signed a four-year extension during the offseason.

Miami is now 0-3, and losing one of its most explosive offensive players adds another significant challenge to an already difficult start.

Several Unbeaten Teams Are Beginning to Emerge

Kansas City is not alone at 3-0.

Buffalo defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16, Minnesota beat Tampa Bay 23-16, San Francisco outscored Arizona 36-30 and Las Vegas defeated New Orleans 35-27. Those victories moved the Bills, Vikings, 49ers and Raiders to 3-0 alongside Kansas City.

The Raiders have been one of the more notable early stories. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes against New Orleans as Las Vegas matched its entire 2025 win total within the first three games of the new season.

San Francisco's offense also continued producing. Brock Purdy threw four touchdown passes in the 49ers' victory over Arizona, while Christian McCaffrey contributed 116 total yards.

Three games do not define a season, but undefeated starts become increasingly meaningful as teams establish identities and build early advantages within their divisions.

Denver Turns Sunday Night Around

The Denver Broncos provided another reminder of how quickly an NFL game can change.

Los Angeles carried a 16-0 halftime advantage into the locker room Sunday night, but Denver scored 16 unanswered points in the third quarter and eventually completed a 30-26 comeback victory.

The Broncos took the lead late when Bo Nix scored on a one-yard quarterback run. Safety Talanoa Hufanga then intercepted Matthew Stafford in the end zone with two seconds remaining to preserve the victory.

Stafford threw for 390 yards, but his two fourth-quarter interceptions became decisive. Denver improved to 2-1 while Los Angeles fell to 1-2.

Injuries Become One of Week 3's Biggest Stories

Achane was not the only major name hurt Sunday.

The New York Giants fear that star pass rusher Brian Burns suffered a torn ACL during their 12-7 victory over Tennessee. Burns had generated five quarterback pressures through three games, according to Next Gen Stats. If confirmed, the injury would end his season and leave the Giants without another major contributor after quarterback Jaxson Dart was previously lost for the regular season.

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb during the Buccaneers’ 23-16 loss to Minnesota. Head coach Todd Bowles said X-rays showed no fracture, with an MRI scheduled to determine the extent of the injury.

Minnesota tight end Josh Oliver is also undergoing evaluation for a possible torn biceps, according to Monday’s league injury roundup.

The injury picture could become just as important as the standings as September gives way to October.

Eagles-Bears Close Week 3 Monday Night

One game remains.

The Philadelphia Eagles visit the Chicago Bears tonight at Soldier Field, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Eastern / 7:15 p.m. Central on ESPN and ABC.

Philadelphia enters at 2-0 while Chicago is 1-1, but quarterback availability has become the central storyline for the Bears.

Caleb Williams has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Although Tyson Bagent cleared concussion protocol, NFL Network reported Monday morning that veteran Case Keenum is expected to start against Philadelphia.

Philadelphia has injury concerns of its own. Wide receiver Marquise Brown, tight end Dallas Goedert and offensive tackle Fred Johnson have been ruled out, while linebacker Jonathan Greenard is questionable.

The Eagles therefore have an opportunity to remain unbeaten, while Chicago enters the national spotlight with an unexpected quarterback situation.

The Bigger Picture

Week 3 has begun separating the NFL into several distinct early-season stories.

Kansas City, Buffalo, Minnesota, San Francisco and Las Vegas remain unbeaten. Baltimore found a dramatic international victory. Denver demonstrated the ability to recover from a disastrous first half. At the opposite end, Miami, Tampa Bay and the Chargers are among teams facing immediate pressure after 0-3 starts.

Yet September remains only the opening chapter.

NFL seasons rarely follow a straight line. Injuries alter depth charts. Young players develop. Teams adjust schemes after seeing several weeks of film. A roster that appears dominant today can look vulnerable a month from now.

What Week 3 has provided is something more valuable than definitive answers: the first meaningful evidence of what each team may become.

And with Eagles-Bears still ahead Monday night, the week's final statement has yet to be written.

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