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Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season delivered plenty of standout individual performances. Several players made major statements in important games. Others struggled when their teams needed them most. The weekend also produced several memorable comeback performances. Meanwhile, injuries created another difficult storyline around the league. Here are the biggest player winners and losers from Week 3.
Winners
Brock Purdy, 49ers
Brock Purdy continues to look like one of the NFL’s hottest quarterbacks. Purdy threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns against Arizona. He also rushed for 34 yards in San Francisco’s 36-30 victory. Most importantly, Purdy avoided turnovers while playing behind an offense dealing with injuries. He now has nine touchdown passes through three games. Those total ties him for the league lead. Purdy also produced a 133.1 passer rating against Arizona. That performance keeps the 49ers undefeated and strengthens Purdy’s early-season MVP case.
Brock Bowers, Raiders
Brock Bowers returned from his knee injury with an immediate impact. The Raiders tight end caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. He also caught the game-clinching touchdown against New Orleans. Bowers became Kirk Cousins’ favorite target immediately. He received 13 targets while running 33 routes in his season debut. That production reminded everyone why Bowers ranks among the NFL’s most dangerous young offensive players.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs delivered another explosive performance for Detroit. He rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns against the New York Jets. Gibbs also caught seven passes for 65 yards and another touchdown. That gave him three total touchdowns during Detroit’s 31-24 victory. Gibbs now has six touchdowns through three games. He also helped Detroit survive a late Jets comeback.
James Cook, Bills
James Cook turned in one of the week’s best rushing performances. Cook ran for 154 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry across 24 rushing attempts. His fourth-quarter touchdown helped Buffalo pull away. The Bills committed five turnovers during the game. However, Cook helped the offense overcome those mistakes. Buffalo improved to 3-0 after the 24-16 victory.
Aaron Rodgers, Steelers
Aaron Rodgers looked much better after Pittsburgh’s rough Week 2 offensive performance. Rodgers completed 19 of 34 passes for 292 yards against Cincinnati. He also threw three touchdown passes during Pittsburgh’s 30-27 victory. Rodgers made several big throws throughout the game. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s defense created the final turning point. However, Rodgers deserves plenty of credit for producing the offensive turnaround.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence bounced back in a major way against New England. Lawrence completed 19 of 29 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns. He also helped Jacksonville dominate the Patriots 35-6. Lawrence looked comfortable throughout the afternoon. He consistently took advantage of New England’s mistakes. Jacksonville improved to 2-1 with the victory. For Lawrence, it also provided a strong response after Jacksonville’s ugly Week 2 loss.
Marcus Mariota, Commanders
Marcus Mariota delivered one of the weekend’s biggest surprises. Mariota threw three touchdown passes against the defending champion Seahawks. He also made a critical third-down run late in the fourth quarter. Washington eventually defeated Seattle 33-31. Mariota completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards. He also avoided an interception. The veteran quarterback stepped up with Jayden Daniels unavailable.
Tyler Loop, Ravens
Tyler Loop finally had his signature moment. The Ravens kicker drilled a 56-yard field goal as time expired in Brazil. Baltimore defeated Dallas 34-31 on the dramatic kick. Loop entered the game carrying plenty of pressure from previous struggles. This time, he delivered when Baltimore needed him most. The kick gave the Ravens a huge road victory. It also provided Loop with an important confidence boost.
Losers
Drake Maye, Patriots
Drake Maye endured one of the toughest games of his young career. Maye completed 14 of 25 passes for 199 yards against Jacksonville. He threw two interceptions and lost a fumble before leaving the game. Those turnovers repeatedly killed promising Patriots drives. New England eventually benched Maye during the fourth quarter. The Patriots scored only six points during the 35-6 loss. Maye now faces plenty of attention heading into Week 4.
Justin Herbert, Chargers
Justin Herbert produced decent numbers, but his biggest mistake proved costly. Herbert completed 20 of 34 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown. He also threw an interception in the end zone against Buffalo. That mistake helped Buffalo seize momentum. Los Angeles eventually lost 24-16. The Chargers remain winless after three games. Herbert needs to help the offense find consistency quickly.
Matthew Stafford, Rams
Matthew Stafford endured a brutal finish against Denver. The Rams held a 26-17 lead during the fourth quarter. Denver stormed back and eventually won 30-26. Stafford then threw an interception on Los Angeles’ final possession. That mistake ended the Rams’ comeback opportunity. Los Angeles entered 2026 with massive expectations. Instead, the Rams now sit at 1-2 after three games.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield’s Week 3 ended with an injury. Mayfield completed 17 of 34 passes for 217 yards against Minnesota. He threw one touchdown and one interception before leaving the game. Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb late in the fourth quarter. The Buccaneers announced Monday that he will miss at least three weeks. That means rookie Jalon Daniels will start against Green Bay. The injury comes as Tampa Bay searches for its first win.
Justin Jefferson, Vikings
Justin Jefferson’s Week 3 ended early because of an ankle injury. Jefferson caught two passes for 32 yards before leaving the game. The injury limited one of Minnesota’s biggest offensive weapons. Jordan Addison stepped up with five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Still, Jefferson’s health remains an important storyline.
Josh Allen, Bills
Josh Allen helped Buffalo win, but his performance was far from clean. Allen completed 16 of 26 passes for 204 yards. He threw two interceptions and also committed a fumble. Still, Allen rushed for two touchdowns. His fourth-quarter rushing score gave Buffalo the lead. Therefore, Allen belongs in both conversations. His mistakes created problems, but his late plays helped save the Bills.
Week 3 Created Plenty of Individual Storylines
Week 3 produced outstanding quarterback performances and several costly mistakes. Purdy, Bowers, Gibbs and Cook stood out among the biggest winners. Meanwhile, Maye, Herbert and Stafford struggled during important moments. The injury list also grew with Mayfield and Jefferson. With three weeks complete, individual performances are starting to shape the 2026 NFL season. However, plenty can change before the playoff picture takes shape. For now, Week 3 gave us plenty of players worth watching.
These players could be on the other end of the list in week four.
Author Profile
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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.
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