NFL Week 3 Recap
- Mateo Siman
- Sep 25, 2025
- 4 min read
By Mateo Siman
Contenders separated themselves from pretenders, MVP races are forming, and questions are being asked about teams once thought untouchable.
Are the Colts legit?
Considering that we are three weeks into the season, there needs to be a real discussion about the Indianapolis Colts. Starting off the season 3-0, following a dominant win against rookie quarterback Cam Ward and the Titans, the Colts have heads turning. Could they come out on top in the AFC?
Led by resurging quarterback Daniel Jones, the Colts looked scary against the Miami Dolphins and secured a tight win against the defensively equipped Denver Broncos. The team’s star running back Jonathon Taylor has yet to be stopped all season long. Alongside him is a great group of weapons and a hardheaded defense that takes pressure off the offense. This being said, Indianapolis should be a team to look out for. It looks like they’re on their way to a playoff run.
Justin Herbert for MVP?
Star quarterback Justin Herbert has emerged as a serious MVP candidate. His value to the Los Angeles Chargers has never been more present. He has led them to a 3-0 record, which seats them at 1st in the AFC West. His impressive 860 passing yards through the first three weeks place him at the top of the league.
Even more impressive is that his offense lacks any true weapons. Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston aren’t elite names by any means, but Herbert is able to adapt to his situation. His ability to always find the open man, extend plays, and deliver with precision while under pressure is like no other. Unlike other MVP candidates surrounded by Pro Bowl talent, Herbert has been doing more with less. His toughness and refusal to be discouraged during tough situations make him special. If the Chargers continue to win, who knows what the future might be for Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers?
Injuries.
Players are getting injured at a higher rate than we have ever seen before. Star players like James Conner and Joe Burrow are having their season—and potentially career—ended due to injuries sustained during the season. Fans are constantly searching for answers as to why their star players are always injured.
People speculate that it stems from today’s game being played at a faster pace than ever seen before. Another possibility is due to the 18-game season filled with extreme intensity and physical demands. While injuries are inevitable, the NFL will need to enforce existing safety measures as well as put new regulations into place in order to keep our favorite players healthy and on the field for years to come.
Defensive Masterclass
This week featured standout defensive performances, a rare sight in today’s game. This week we saw several blocked kicks, special team touchdowns, pick sixes, and fumbles.
Isaiah Rodgers single-handedly made a statement. He logged two defensive touchdowns from an 87-yard pick six and a 67-yard fumble return touchdown. On top of all this, he also had 2 forced fumbles and broke up 2 passes. He became the first NFL player in history to record 2 defensive touchdowns and 2 forced fumbles in the same game— even more impressive to have occurred all in the first half.
Both the Jets and the Eagles returned blocked field goals for touchdowns on Sunday. This effort was pivotal for the Eagles, helping them secure a win against Stafford and the LA Rams. On the special teams side of the ball, the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Commanders had punt return touchdowns of their own to shut the door on blowout wins against their opponents. In a league dominated by offense, this week proved that defense and special teams still play crucial roles in football and can completely flip outcomes.
The Era’s Over?
The Kansas City Chiefs’ dynasty started when they drafted quarterback Patrick Mahomes 10th overall in the 2017 NFL draft out of Texas Tech. At the time, Pro Bowler Alex Smith was starting, so drafting Mahomes in the first round was a gamble; some even deemed it a blunder or a wasted pick.
Except, the year Mahomes stepped in, everything changed for this team. Ever since Mahomes took over the starting role, they haven’t missed an AFC Championship. Not to mention, he also brought them five Super Bowl appearances and three Super Bowl wins. They were on top of the NFL world and were there to stay, right? Wrong.
As soon as the 2025 NFL season started, the team has seen serious issues. Instant regression and visible chemistry issues have killed the early part of the season for the Chiefs. They suffered ugly losses to the Chargers and the Eagles. Fortunately for them, they ended up bouncing back by beating the Giants. Regardless, it leaves the looming question: is the era really over? All eyes are on Mahomes as Chiefs fans hope to see the season turn around.
Do you think the Chiefs have a chance at the playoffs this year?
Yes
Too soon to tell
No
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