Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports
0
0
The NFL preseason is officially over, and roster decisions now take center stage. Week three gave fringe players one final opportunity to make an impression. Some players took advantage, while others created more questions. The Baltimore Ravens delivered the strongest statement of the week. Baltimore crushed Washington 41-3 and finished the preseason unbeaten. The Ravens also produced 456 total yards during the dominant performance.
Winners
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens deserve the biggest winner label after Week 3. Baltimore controlled Washington from the opening whistle. The defense also held the Commanders to only 177 total yards. Joe Fagnano completed 19 of 27 passes for 162 yards. He also added a touchdown through the air. Tyler Huntley completed all four of his attempts for 61 yards. He also threw a touchdown. Baltimore finished the preseason unbeaten. That result does not guarantee regular-season success. However, the Ravens showed impressive depth across their roster.
Dillon Gabriel
Cleveland quarterback Dillon Gabriel enjoyed another impressive preseason outing. Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards. He also threw three touchdown passes without an interception. The Browns defeated New England 37-13. Gabriel helped Cleveland build a commanding early advantage. His performance strengthened his case during Cleveland’s quarterback competition.
Zavion Thomas
Chicago rookie receiver Zavion Thomas turned heads against Tennessee. Thomas recorded five catches for 140 yards and a touchdown. He also returned a punt 39 yards. His biggest play came immediately. Thomas caught a 97-yard touchdown pass from Tyson Bagent. That play helped Chicago establish control early. Bagent also delivered an excellent performance. He completed 16 of 17 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals finished their preseason with a perfect 3-0 record. Cincinnati defeated Philadelphia 30-13 in the finale. The Bengals showed impressive roster depth throughout the summer. Their final victory also exposed concerns within Philadelphia’s backup units. Cincinnati now enters roster cuts with plenty of positive momentum. The preseason cannot predict regular-season results. Still, the Bengals gave coaches plenty to like.
Kyle Williams
New England receiver Kyle Williams continued his strong preseason. He caught a 45-yard touchdown against Cleveland. Williams also added another 10-yard reception. His speed has remained noticeable throughout the preseason. Consequently, his roster chances continue to improve.
Skyler Bell
Buffalo receiver Skyler Bell also strengthened his case. Bell caught seven passes for 49 yards against Pittsburgh. He also delivered a huge 28-yard rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, Kaden Wetjen provided Buffalo’s biggest special teams play. Wetjen returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown. The Bills ultimately defeated Pittsburgh 28-27.
Losers
Washington Commanders
Washington endured perhaps the roughest night of Week 3. The Commanders managed only three points against Baltimore. The offense struggled to create consistent production. Washington also committed nine penalties for 93 yards. Tyler Owens provided a bright spot for the defense. However, several players hurt their roster chances. Luke McCaffrey and Kaytron Allen struggled during the loss.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles finished the preseason without a victory. Philadelphia fell to Cincinnati 30-13. The biggest concern remains the backup quarterback competition. Tanner McKee completed only 12 of 22 passes for 55 yards. He also threw an interception. Andy Dalton performed slightly better. Still, he failed to separate himself from McKee. Therefore, Philadelphia enters roster cuts with questions behind Jalen Hurts.
Tampa Bay had a preseason finale to forget. The Buccaneers lost 19-0 to Jacksonville. Tampa Bay finished with fewer than 100 total offensive yards. The offensive line struggled, especially at right tackle. Elijah Klein surrendered two sacks. Meanwhile, several receivers failed to make much impact. There were still some positives. Jack Pyburn recorded two sacks and continued his strong preseason. Ayden Garnes also helped his roster chances with four tackles and a pass breakup.
Fernando Mendoza
Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza had a difficult finale. He completed seven of 14 passes for 57 yards. Mendoza also threw an interception. The mistake marked his second straight preseason interception. That performance could hurt his chances in the quarterback competition. Kirk Cousins currently looks more comfortable within the offense.
Pittsburgh’s Quarterback Competition
Pittsburgh’s quarterback battle remains difficult to evaluate. Will Howard threw two touchdowns against Buffalo. However, he also threw an interception. Howard completed nine of 15 passes for 69 yards. Drew Allar completed nine of 18 attempts for 88 yards. Neither rookie clearly seized the backup job. Mason Rudolph could therefore remain the safest option behind the starter.
The Bigger Picture
Week 3 offered one final audition before roster cuts. Teams now must decide which players earned their spots. Some performances strengthened roster cases. Others created serious questions before the deadline. Most importantly, preseason records do not guarantee regular-season success. However, individual performances can influence difficult roster decisions. The Ravens, Bengals and Browns ended the preseason with plenty of optimism. Meanwhile, teams like Washington, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay have more concerns. Now, the preseason is finished. The real NFL season finally approaches. This version keeps the sentences short, uses active voice, and stays above 500 words. It also focuses on the biggest individual and team winners and losers from Week 3.
Author Profile
-
Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
Latest entries
FootballAugust 31, 2026NFL Preseason Week 3 Winners and Losers
FootballAugust 30, 2026Top 100 College Football Players for 2026
FootballAugust 30, 2026Top NFL Free Agents Still Available
BaseballAugust 30, 2026Rays Stadium Clears Final Local Hurdle
About the Author
