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Week 3 winners: Unlikely QBs shine, Barkley, Henry make statements
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) runs the ball past Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry III (58) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NFL Week 3 winners: Unlikely QBs shine, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry make statements

With most of the Week 3 schedule complete, let's look at some of the biggest winners from Sunday's action.

Malik Willis, quarterback, Green Bay Packers

Willis proved the naysayers wrong for a second straight week, passing for 202 yards (13-of-19) with two total touchdowns in a 30-14 win over the Tennessee Titans. The former third-rounder isn't going to steal Jordan Love's job, but he's played admirably (324 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 turnovers), which could create a future opportunity to start elsewhere.

Andy Dalton, quarterback, Carolina Panthers

After looking like the worst team in the NFL heading into Week 3, the Panthers looked like a completely different squad with Dalton leading the way. In Sunday's 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the 14-year veteran was unstoppable (26-of-37, 319 yards, 3 TDs), becoming the first quarterback in 2024 to throw for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in a game, per CBS Sports.

Saquon Barkley, running back, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles' defense bounced back, allowing only 219 total yards in Sunday's 15-12 win over the New Orleans Saints after getting gashed by the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. However, Philadelphia would've walked away losers without Barkley's explosive fourth quarter. The prized free-agent acquisition had an amazing day in midnight green, rushing for 147 yards (8.6 YPA) while scoring 15 points in the final quarter.

Derrick Henry, running back, Baltimore Ravens

The four-time Pro Bowler bullied the Dallas Cowboys, rushing for 151 yards (6.0 YPA) and two touchdowns in a 28-25 victory. For Henry, it was his 12th career game with at least 150 yards and two scores and his first since Week 8 of 2022, helping the Ravens avoid an 0-3 start.

Malik Nabers, wide receiver, New York Giants

Nabers looks to be rounding into form after a lackluster Week 1 debut (5 receptions, 66 yards). In the Giants' 21-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns, the 2024 No. 6 pick posted 78 yards, eight receptions and two touchdowns. He's the only player in NFL history to have at least 271 yards, 23 catches and three scores over the first three weeks of their rookie campaign.

Denver Broncos defense

In Sunday's dominant 26-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they allowed only 223 yards, posting seven sacks and two turnovers, which led to 14 points. After finishing 29th in total defense a year ago, the Broncos look much better on that side of the football in Vance Joesph's second year, keeping two opponents to 13 points or less through three weeks, which they did only four times in 2023.  

Justin Fields, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers defense has led the way to a 3-0 start, becoming only the fifth unit since 2000 to hold opponents to 10 points or fewer through the first three weeks of the season. Fields has been just as vital, posting a two-touchdown performance (25-of-32, 245 yards) in Sunday's 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He's making a solid case to keep the starting job, registering 518 passing yards with a 95.3 passer rating and a 73.3 completion percentage this season, the best and most efficient three-game stretch of his four-year career

Sam Darnold, quarterback, Minnesota Vikings

Darnold continued to be one of the biggest surprises of 2024, notching four touchdown passes in a 34-7 blowout over the Houston Texans to help the Vikings improve to 3-0. The former No. 3 pick threw for only 181 yards but spread the ball nicely, connecting four separate targets in the endzone, ending the day with the most scores through the air (8) in the NFL through three weeks. 

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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Commanders reportedly hesitant about one issue with Terry McLaurin deal
NFL

Commanders reportedly hesitant about one issue with Terry McLaurin deal

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Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
NHL

Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal

The Boston Bruins have been under pressure to retool after a disappointing season, and now a potential blockbuster move could shake the entire NHL. A major trade proposal has surfaced that could send a star goaltender to the Edmonton Oilers, a move that would give them the elite presence they've lacked in net while forcing Boston closer to a rebuild. The deal being floated by multiple outlets would send Edmonton's current starter, Stuart Skinner, along with Matthew Savoie, Beau Akey, and a 2028 first-round pick to Boston, while the Oilers land a goaltender capable of changing their Cup window overnight. Edmonton's push for a franchise goalie could reshape the Western Conference and challenge the Dallas Stars' path to the Cup If this trade goes through, the Oilers would instantly address one of their biggest weaknesses, setting up a showdown with teams like the Dallas Stars, who already see Edmonton as one of their toughest rivals. Boston, on the other hand, would fully commit to a rebuild, pairing Joonas Korpisalo with Skinner in what could be one of the NHL's weakest tandems, likely boosting their draft lottery odds in one of the most hyped draft classes in recent memory (NHL.com). An insider noted, "They weren't the only ones who had inquired about Swayman, but yes, I was told they poked around." That comment shows just how wide the interest is for this level of goalie talent (Heavy.com). I think this kind of trade would completely shift the balance of power in the West, making Edmonton even more dangerous for teams like Dallas, who could end up facing a vastly upgraded Oilers team in the playoffs. If Boston truly embraces a rebuild, moving their top goaltender could be the first domino in a massive roster overhaul, something that could shake the market for weeks.

Unlikely Tigers OF has historic game as team's offensive outburst continues
MLB

Unlikely Tigers OF has historic game as team's offensive outburst continues

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Ben Roethlisberger Sends Serious Warning About Steelers' Broderick Jones
NFL

Ben Roethlisberger Sends Serious Warning About Steelers' Broderick Jones

The 2025 season will be a crucial one for the Pittsburgh Steelers and all of the decision-makers that completely revamped the roster during the offseason. The depth chart looks much different than it did back in 2024, so there will be several adjustments that need to be made. One positional group that looks relatively similar, but has been affected by some reshuffling, is the offensive line. Troy Fautanu is back after an injury-plagued rookie campaign, and Broderick Jones will finally get to play left tackle on a consistent basis for the first time in his professional career. Jones is, without a doubt, one of the most important players in the entire projected starting lineup. Keeping Aaron Rodgers upright will be crucial, and the third-year lineman has not necessarily proven that he can be trusted. He suffered an injury to begin training camp, but is reportedly going to be just fine and return to the field sooner rather than later. No one knows how important it is to have a strong offensive line more than future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers' legendary signal-caller never got to play with Jones, but he keeps tabs on the team and shares his thoughts often on his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger. On the most recent episode, he highlighted how critical it is so have a good group up front blocking, and he mentioned Jones by name. "I would probably start, as I do a lot of times, about the importance of the offensive line," Roethlisberger began. "I'd say that's the biggest question, and it should be because to me, the line is always the MVP. The way the line plays, run game, pass game, everything revolves around that. More specifically, Broderick Jones, moving now back to left tackle." Training camp hasn't gotten off to a great start for Jones with the injury, but some may be happy that he lost some weight during the 2025 offseason. Roethlisberger said he understands why, but is still concerned. "I've heard he's thinned down, which is good to a certain extent, right," Roethlisberger said. "They want to work on getting tackles out and running the outside zones and stretch plays. So, you got to be a little, you know, more agile, but you know, you also don't want to be too small when you're supposed to be a tackle. So, that's always going to be a concern of mine, is him and the line in general staying healthy." There are some massive edge rushers in the NFL, and Roethlisberger is right in saying that being too small as a tackle can be problematic. Jones will have to go up against Myles Garrett twice in 2025, and the offseason weight loss won't look like a good thing if he is manhandled throughout those matchups. The Steelers' offensive line might be the unit that makes or breaks the team's season. Staying healthy will be the number one priority, but it is almost imperative that the group actually is successful. If edge rushers are constantly bulldozing through Jones, it could be serious cause for concern. It seems as if that it what Roethlisberger has some reservations about. If Jones doesn't perform at a high level in 2025, the 2023 NFL Draft day trade-up in the first round will be looked at as a failure. The organization has to make a decision on Jones' fifth-year option during the 2026 offseason, so the left tackle better hope that some of the weight he had shed ends up helping him significantly, instead of the other way around. Steelers Will Need Entire Offensive Line To Be Elite In 2025 While Jones is going to be the number one scapegoat if things go south, the big men up front will be a huge part of Pittsburgh's offensive failures or successes as the season progresses. Roethlisberger's comments regarding the starting left tackle's offseason will certainly cause a little bit of worry, but the unit as a whole has to prove consistency when the games matter.