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NFL Week 3 lowlights: Brian Schottenheimer's decisions and more
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

NFL Week 3 lowlights: Baker Mayfield injury, curious Brian Schottenheimer decisions and more

It's back to the drawing board for some after a rough Week 3.

Between painful losses, poor quarterback play and questionable coaching decisions, there was a lot of bad in this weekend's NFL action. Below, we break down the absolute worst moments from Sunday.

Worst loss: Houston Texans

For the second year in a row, the Texans have begun the season 0-3. But unlike in 2025 when they rebounded to make the playoffs as an AFC wild card, this year feels different.

For starters, Houston's offense has somehow regressed after it held the team back last season. In Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts (1-2), the Texans gained 223 yards, their fewest in the regular season since an ugly 31-2 Christmas Day 2024 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

The rush attack is non-existent, putting the entire weight of the unit on quarterback C.J. Stroud's shoulders. With arguably the league's worst offensive line, that's a recipe for disaster.

But making matters worse, the Texans had a chance to seal the victory only for the defense to fold, allowing the Colts to pick up 29 yards on their final drive to set up a 53-yard field goal in the waning seconds of regulation.

Houston has a lot to overcome on offense, and with the defense a step behind its excellent 2025 pace, it shouldn't expect to easily replicate last year's rebound.

Worst quarterback performance: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye

The Super Bowl hangover is real in New England.

Maye, coming off an MVP runner-up finish, continued a miserable start to the 2026 season in a 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1). The 2024 No. 2 overall pick finished 14-of-25 for 199 yards and two interceptions while also fumbling twice (one lost) and taking three sacks.

During the first quarter, with the Patriots (1-2) driving in Jaguars territory, the ball slipped out of Maye's hand as he dropped back to pass, killing the drive.

Later, he made a poor decision when he forced a throw in the back of the end zone on 3rd-and-goal near the end of the first half, giving Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter his first career interception.

He forced another throw into coverage in a 21-3 game late in the third quarter for his second pick.

Through three weeks, Maye has one passing touchdown and seven total turnovers (six interceptions, one fumble). How he responds to the adversity — beginning with a road trip to the Buffalo Bills (3-0) in Week 4 —  will define New England's season. 

Worst play: Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston's drop

The Chargers "Chargered" hard in a 24-16 loss to Buffalo to fall to 0-3 on the season. Los Angeles lost despite winning the turnover battle, 5-1, and out-gaining the Bills before running back James Cook's nine-yard carry on the game's second-to-last play.

Things may have turned out differently had Johnston done his job. On a 3rd-and-10 in the fourth quarter while trailing 17-13, quarterback Justin Herbert threw a perfect pass that hit Johnston right between the numbers, but the 2023 first-rounder couldn't haul it in. Head coach Jim Harbaugh elected to leave the offense on the field on fourth down, and it failed to convert. Buffalo took a 24-13 lead six plays later.

spoiler alert

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) 2026-09-27T19:52:00.185Z

In April, the Chargers picked up Johnston's 2027 fifth-year option worth an estimated $18M, but through three games this season, he has 64 receiving yards. Any chance the ink hasn't dried?

Worst decision: Dallas Cowboys kicking deep

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer completely botched the ending of a thrilling 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens (2-1).

After Dallas tied the game on a field goal with seven seconds remaining, the second-year coach decided to kick deep, preventing any time from running off the clock. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's ensuing 27-yard completion to receiver Zay Flowers took six seconds off the clock, giving Tyler Loop the chance for the winning 56-yard field goal at the buzzer.

Afterward, first-year Ravens coach Jesse Minter discussed the obvious (to everyone but Schottenheimer) benefits of having the full seven seconds to work with on Baltimore's final possession.

"The touchback rule is huge," Minter said. "We felt like — again — one play that could take six seconds, kind of know the time that route takes and the yards that we needed. Great execution by our guys."

Schottenheimer also deserves criticism for Dak Prescott's third-down incompletion before the Cowboys (1-2) settled for the late field goal. Wide receiver George Pickens was open in the end zone for a chance to take the lead, but as Dallas News Cowboys reporter Calvin Watkins reported, Prescott was "taught to throw it away" in that circumstance. Huh? In what world does passing up a go-ahead touchdown for a tying field goal make sense?

The small details matter. And in Week 3, they got the Cowboys beat.

Worst injury: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay's season is already on the brink of disaster.

Not only did the Bucs fall to 0-3 with a 23-16 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings (3-0), but they may have lost Mayfield for an extended period.

While trying to keep Tampa alive on a 4th-and-13 late in the fourth quarter, Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb, which NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported afterward will likely result in him missing time.

Rookie backup Jalon Daniels finished the final 33 seconds and was 0-for-3 with an interception. While he could fare better with preparation running the first-team offense, the chances he'll spark a turnaround are slim.

By the time Mayfield returns, Tampa's season could long be over.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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