As we dip our toes into the third week of the NFL season, pressure rises for every team to start getting wins. Among the most notable stories this week is the Miami Dolphins’ ongoing struggle, highlighted by Joe Flacco‘s comments on their recent performance. Facing a historical tide working strongly against them, Miami’s hopes at playoff contention appear all but gone after starting the season 0-3. At the same time, other individual players’ breakout seasons made waves all around the league, both positively and negatively.
New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco had the most poignant comment of all. He noted that “History is not on Miami’s side,” citing a scary factoid: just one of 117 NFL teams to lose their first three games since 2000, the 2018 Texans, made it in to the playoffs. The Dolphins now may be in the most dangerous place as they hope to save their season.
Flacco went further to explain the frustrations experienced when his team played the Dallas Cowboys just last week. He described one “soul-crushing, 19-play drive” that eventually left the Cowboys in a particularly vulnerable spot late in the third quarter. Overall, he was glad to see how clean the game was played. Two catastrophic fourth-quarter drives ruined what could have been a far better outcome.
Miami’s Struggles Continue
The Miami Dolphins are reeling from a sequence of disappointing performances that has left fans concerned about their playoff aspirations. Flacco’s statements hold a lot of weight in the locker room right now, as the Ravens are intent on snapping a three-game losing streak.
Beyond the wisdom of Flacco, Tyrique Stevenson’s early trials on defense haven’t escaped attention. Before Week 3, Stevenson allowed a staggering 158.3 passer rating into his coverage, a statistic that highlights his struggles amid the Bears’ 0-2 start. Now, myriad circumstances have conspired to create tremendous pressure on him to get better as the season wears on.
Miami’s De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II of Oklahoma State had their breaks onto the scene with huge performances. With every single player rushing for an incredible 130 yards in that backfield! At a time when this lost team needed answers most, their work offered a ray of sunshine.
“We talked all week about playing complementary football, and I don’t think until you experience it, you truly understand what that could possibly mean.” – Joe Flacco
Standout Performances in Week 3
From position battles to proving their worth, it has been next man up all season, highlighting some eye-opening and game-changing performers capable of making an impact. The most remarkable feat was accomplished by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who threw for a whopping 450 yards and three touchdowns. His performance has set the stage for him to be a player to watch as the season progresses.
Every quarterback had a prosperous compilation of weeks this week. Jordan Love struggled significantly, throwing a critical interception in the fourth quarter—the first of his season after 11 quarters of play without one. Doing so could be expensive for his squad as they work toward some level of continuity.
Meanwhile, Jeremy McNichols made headlines with an electrifying 60-yard touchdown run that illustrated his ability to change the momentum of a game. Quinshon Judkins returned to action on Friday night after a two-month absence stemming from an undisclosed legal issue. He put on a masterclass in poise during his second career NFL game.
“But today, I feel like we spoke it into existence and we came out of it with a win because of it.” – Joe Flacco
Special Teams Impact
You know, special teams play always tends to make the difference in tight games, and sure enough, we had that again this week. Rookie Joshua Karty had a tough one barely halfway through the second quarter, when his 44-yard field goal attempt was swatted down by the Eagles. The Eagles took full advantage of this blunder, bringing the blocked kick all the way back for a dazzling 61-yard touchdown.
Now Karty’s cautionary tale should remind all of us that every single play matters in the NFL. Both coaches and players know it’s crucial not to lose focus for even a second as the game progresses or risk making a tragic mistake.
Micah Parsons offered insight into his team’s mindset after another challenging outing: “Sometimes, just like today, you s
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