Editor's Note: Backfield Breakdowns and The Targets Report have been split into their own articles and will be available later this week.
Is the gap between the haves and the have-nots growing?
The NFL is a funny game. Regardless of the talent difference, the game has a way of staying close. The Witching Hour is the best hour of the week for a reason. The margin is razor-thin.
In Week 2, the Broncos beat the Colts. Spencer Sharder's kick sailed wide. The Broncos celebrated. Flags flew. The Colts got a second life. We know what happened. A week later, the Colts are now 3-0 while the Broncos are 1-2.
There is an argument that parity is as real as ever. It's called the Cleveland Browns. The Browns controlled the line of scrimmage, ended the Packers' undefeated season, and cleared out a bunch of survivor pools.
The Browns avoided a dubious list—the 0-3s. The list is larger than usual. Six teams make up the club, up from three at the same point in 2024, four in 2023, two in 2022, five in 2021, and seven in 2020. We all remember 2020. No year exposed the gap between function and dysfunction more.
The point differential is growing, too. The six 0-3 teams have posted an average differential of 32.5 points, compared to 29.6 in 2024. 2023's numbers are skewed due to a Week 3 50-point loss by the Broncos in that fabled 70-point Dolphins win, removing that game and its 25.5.
Seasons are funny, especially in three-game samples. 2024 featured two 15-2 teams (Kansas City and Detroit). The 14-3 Vikings opened the playoffs on the road. Meanwhile, 12-5 claimed the top seed in the NFC in 2023 and in the AFC in 2021. Still, the 15-2 Lions and Chiefs, 14-3 Eagles and Vikings, and 13-4 Bills of 2024 showed the grouping at the top.
Six teams are 3-0, up from five in 2024 and just three in 2023.
It's early. Week 3 showed that anything can happen. Teams have revealed their identity. Never count out Baker Mayfield or the Philadelphia Eagles. But half the games were decided by double-digit margins.
Those games never felt close. Neither does the top and bottom.
Thank you, Nathan Jahnke. I rewatch every game in compiling this article, but without Nathan's ability to deliver consistent breakdowns following the games, this article would be much more difficult.
And now, The Roundup.
Blind Resume
| Player | Rushing Yards | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 94 | 1 | 1 |
| B | 9 | 52 | 0 |
| C | 0 | 38 | 1 |
| D | 0 | 85 | 0 |
| E | 70 | 59 | 1 |
| F | 0 | 32 | 2 |
| G | 0 | 101 | 1 |
| H | 60 | 61 | 1 |
A whole bunch of random production? What can these players possibly have in common?
Can you name them all?
Stats Of The Week
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh - 409 Passing Touchdowns
Rodgers passed Brett Favre for fourth on the career passing touchdown list in the win over New England. Rodgers needs 29 passing touchdowns to catch Peyton Manning for third on the career list. He's currently averaging 2.33 touchdowns per game (boosted heavily by a four-touchdown game in Week 1), which puts him on pace for an additional 32 passing touchdowns in 2025.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams - 382 Passing Touchdowns
Stafford jumped Matt Ryan, moving into ninth place on the career list with two touchdowns. Ben Roethlisberger is next, 36 touchdowns away. The Rams lost a 19-point lead against the Eagles. Since 1982, the only other loss that large they've surrendered was a 21-point lead against Dallas in 2014.
The comeback was the second-largest home comeback in Eagles history.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis - 102 Rushing Yards, 3 Rushing Touchdowns
Taylor recorded his third 100-yard, 3 rushing touchdown game. It's the second most in Colts history, trailing Edgerrin James's five. Taylor has 338 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 93 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown through the first three games. He is the seventh player in NFL history with 300+ / 3+ / 90+ / 1+ in the first three games. Aaron Jones Sr. was the last to do it in 2020.
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco - 52 Rushing Yards, 10 Receptions, 88 Receiving Yards
Last week, we reviewed the numbers for 50-50 games. McCaffrey added another, his 33rd career, and is now eight behind Marshall Faulk for the most. His three-game streak is the fifth time he's had a 3+ game streak, breaking a tie with Faulk for the most streaks.
McCaffrey's 25 receptions trail only Puka Nacua's 29 and Jake Ferguson's 27. His 25 receptions tie Thurman Thomas from 1991 for the fifth most running back receptions through the first three games of a season. Clark Gains had 31 receptions in 1980, while Alvin Kamara (x2 30 and 27 catches), and Reggie Bush (26) are the names ahead. Gains only played five games in the 1980 season, recording 36 receptions.
Jake Ferguson, Dallas - 13 Receptions, 82 Receiving Yards
Ferguson joined Jason Witten as the only Dallas tight ends to have a 13-reception game. Witten holds the tight end record with an 18-reception game against the Giants in 2012. Travis Kelce and Brock Bowers are the only tight ends with this level of volume since 2022.
Ferguson has 27 receptions. That ties Antonio Gates's 2007 season for the most receptions by a tight end through the season's first three games.
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams - 11 Receptions, 112 Receiving Yards
Nacua hit double-digit receptions and 110+ yards for the second time in 2025. There have been 13 instances of a player recording 29+ receptions and 330+ yards in the first three games of a season. Nacua has done it twice. Keenan Allen is the only other receiver to record two of those seasons.
Tre Tucker, Las Vegas - 8 Receptions, 145 Receiving Yards, 3 Touchdowns
Tucker dropped a Jauan Jennings Special. Jennings and Ja'Marr Chase were the only receivers who hit these numbers in a 2024 game. For Jennings, it led to a breakthrough season, with a 77-975-6 line. Tucker is tied with Rome Odunze for the lead in receiving touchdowns at four. Tucker certainly will not approach these numbers again, but he should not be dismissed as a one-game wonder. He has played above a 90% snap share in every game, has the speed to create splash plays, and his game complements Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers, while Geno Smith has shown the ability to stretch the field. In addition to his deep ball ability, he was a decorated returner at Cincinnati and was able to create with the ball in his hands on schemed opportunities.
Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland - 18 Rushes, 94 Rushing Yards, 1 Touchdown
Judkins took 95% of the Browns' rush attempts in their upset of Green Bay. The Browns' defense has been legitimate, shutting down the Bengals and Packers' offenses. The Ravens got to them, but continuing to stand up in a brutally demanding schedule is notable. Judkins provided what the offense was missing. His continued explosion and tough running allowed the offense to hang in, eventually providing the needed touchdown off an instant red zone interception. Judkins is a huge riser from the week.
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay - No Rushing Touchdowns
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas - Less than 100 Receiving Yards
Jacobs and Lamb were working on streaks that ended. Jacobs had a rushing touchdown in 11 consecutive games and was approaching the NFL record. Lamb was halfway to the 100-yard receiving yard game streak—both ends.
Colts Offense - A Punt
The Colts set a record with 19 drives to open the season before their first punt. Their strong start continued as they rolled to a big win over the Titans.
