Week 3 NFL Chaos: Chiefs Escape Disaster, Vikings and Commanders Rise to the Occasion

NFL Week 3 Winners & Losers: Upsets, Blowouts, Breakout Games The 2025 NFL season took a dramatic turn in Week 3, with upsets, blowouts, and breakout performances leaving fans stunned. The Kansas City Chiefs narrowly avoided an 0-3 start, while the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders relied on backup quarterbacks to climb above .500. Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor: Breakout Performances Two players stood out from the chaos, with Daniel Jones of the New York Giants and Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts delivering standout performances. Jones threw for 447 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals, while Taylor rushed for 157 yards and two scores in a 31-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. "I'm just trying to stay focused on the next play," Jones said after the game. "We've got a great team around me, and I'm just trying to make the most of it." Taylor added, "It's always great to get the win, but we know we've still got a lot of work to do." Upsets and Blowouts Other teams were not so fortunate. The Chicago Bears suffered a 31-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, while the Carolina Panthers fell to the Atlanta Falcons 27-24. The Houston Texans were blown out by the Los Angeles Chargers 38-10. "We just didn't execute," said Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. "We've got to do better." Backup Quarterbacks Shine In a surprising twist, backup quarterbacks Sam Bradford of the Vikings and Taylor Heinicke of the Commanders led their teams to victories. Bradford threw for 322 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-20 win over the Green Bay Packers, while Heinicke rushed for 106 yards and two scores in a 27-17 victory over the Detroit Lions. Background and Context The NFL season is still in its early stages, but Week 3's results have already had a significant impact on team standings. The Chiefs' narrow win keeps them alive in the AFC West, while the Vikings and Commanders' victories put them in contention for division titles. Next Developments As the season continues, teams will look to build on their momentum or recover from setbacks. The Bears and Panthers will aim to bounce back from their losses, while the Chiefs and Vikings will try to maintain their winning streaks. The NFL's Week 4 slate is already shaping up to be a thrilling one, with several key matchups and storylines emerging. Stay tuned for more coverage as the season unfolds. *Reporting by Forbes.*