Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season was kicked off last Thursday night with a match between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers. The action continued with thirteen Sunday head-to-heads and concluded with a double-header Monday Night Football showdown.
If you’ve missed everything in Week 3, worry not! Below are some significant performances and highlights in the third week of the 2023 NFL season.
Miami Dolphins Record-Breaking 70 Winning Points
Head coach Mike McDaniel’s offensive machine raked 35 points before the game’s third quarter. But they didn’t stop there. The Dolphins kept scoring numbers. The Denver Broncos didn’t stand a single chance.
Star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was a testament to efficiency. He was excellent, sleek, calm, and everything the Dolphins were hoping for, with four touchdowns, 23 CMP / 26 ATT, and 155.8 RTG.
Another unguardable player was Dolphins’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill, with a touchdown and nine catches for 157 yards. There was also running back Raheem Mostert, who had four touchdowns and 142 offensive yards.
And who can forget rookie running back De’Von Achane, who, on just 18 carries, galloped for 203 yards. Backup quarterback Mike White was also perfect, with one touchdown and 2-of-2 for 67 yards. Wide receiver Robbie Chosen also tallied a 68-yard touchdown reception.
With 70 points, the Miami Dolphins were on the verge of breaking the NFL record for most points in the game. Seventy-two points was the most a team has scored, and it was in 1966. Additionally, the Dolphins are the second team in NFL history to rack up at least 700 yards of offense in one game. The Los Angeles Rams was the last team to do it in 1951.
Moreover, the Miami Dolphins must win the AFC East for this historic win to mean anything. Still, they have the best FanDuel NFL odds in the league today. So, if you’re looking for a team to back up, this could be the Miami Dolphins.
Indianapolis Colts Defeated the Baltimore Ravens in Their Home Ground
The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Indiana Colts on Sunday, 19-22. It was heartbreaking for the players and fans as the game was held in Baltimore. So, what happened?
The Colts’ defensive front happened. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley called blitz after blitz, with a 58% rate. These blitzes aimed to sack the opponent’s quarterback and keep him contained to force a quick decision from the pocket.
This defense strategy limited the Ravens’ offense and made the other team’s quarterback uncomfortable in many ways. As a result, the Ravens’ defense forced quick three-and-outs in advantageous times.
Additionally, placekicker Matt Gay hit two 53-yarders, sending the Ravens home. He made a stunning record of four kicks from past 50 yards.
Arizona Cardinals Bowled Over The Dallas Cowboys
The Arizona Cardinals successfully cruised past the Dallas Cowboys, 28-16. The Cardinals restricted the Cowboys to three field goals and one touchdown. Kyzir White spearheaded the defense with an interception and 14 tackles.
Quarterback Josh Dobbs scored a touchdown and finished 17 passing for 189 yards. Michael Wilson finished two touchdown catches for 86 yards, and James Conner had a touchdown and 14 carries for 98 yards. Additionally, Hollywood Brown added a touchdown and five catches for 61 yards.
One notable reason for the Cowboys’ defeat was the absence of All-Pro cornerback Trevor Diggs. He unfortunately tore his left ACL during practice, leaving a massive hole in the Cowboys defense.
Their offensive line was also significantly thin when guard Zack Martin, tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz were absent due to injuries.
San Francisco 49ers Wins Again
Last Thursday, the San Francisco 49ers took down the New York Giants at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers won their thirteenth straight regular season game, tallying 30 points. Early on, the 49ers weren’t razor-sharp in their offense but got a big help from running back Christian McCaffrey and on runs after the catch by George Kittle and Deebo Samuel.
Starter quarterback Brock Purdy was also perfect. He just keeps winning. There’s no stopping him. Purdy was attacked 37 times, and 31 of these attempts resulted in two touchdowns. He also had several passes that were perfectly placed. Additionally, Purdy drifted in the pocket, allowing the wide receiver to enter his route in the second half.
From a quarterback who just began a half-a-season worth of games, Brock Purdy’s performance was very mature. The Giants thought that if they bombarded Purdy, they could limit the 49ers’ opportunities and minimize the big play, but they were wrong.
Purdy was determined not to get sacked, and the defensive line held up. Will the San Francisco 49ers continue their streak? Only time will tell. Their next game is against the Arizona Cardinals.
Conclusion
Week 3 of the 2023 NFL Season is now in the books. But it won’t be forgotten easily because of the fantastic performances made. The Dolphins scored 70 points, the Colts knocked off the Ravens in their homecourt, the upset win of the Arizona Cardinals, and the continued winning streak of the 49ers.
