NFL Week Three Star Performers

In a relatively low-scoring week, there weren’t quite so many candidates for standouts. There were enough for me to pick a top three though, so let’s dive in and check it out.

Lamar Jackson

QB, Baltimore Ravens, W 37-26 @ Patriots

Lamar Jackson doing Lamar Jackson things. People used to compare him to Michael Vick but there is no comparison, he is doing things never seen in the league. This week it was the first 100+ rushing yards combined with 4+ TDs in back-to-back weeks. Against a Patriots side that have been a better-than-average, frisky Defence.

He’s definitely making use of his elite TE, Mark Andrews but he’s also making his mediocre Receiver Corp look better than it is – Duvernay is looking sharp, and Bateman looks like the real deal. If the side can stay healthy, they’re going to be more competitive than I was truly expecting this year especially with this man under center.

Nick Chubb

RB, Cleveland Browns, W29-17 vs Steelers

Brissett has actually played pretty solidly for the past two weeks but it helps when you can lean on the best producing RB in the league. 23 carries for 113yds and a touchdown to add to the three that he picked up last week. Chubb is playing at an elite level and has a great change of pace back to work with in Kareem Hunt.

The Browns are spicier than I gave them credit being with Deshawn Watson still suspended. The Browns head out to Arizona in week four who have been rated the No 7 defence against the run through three weeks so could be a tougher ask.

Trevor Lawrence

QB, Jacksonville Jaguars, W38-10 @ Chargers

It’s easy to pick out Quarterbacks for praise and two out of three players picking up my accolades this week might say more about my lazy writing than the lack of elite non-QB operators this week but I was really impressed by Lawrence.

He went 28 of 39 for 262 yards in the air, a fairly steady 6.7yds per attempt but he protected the ball really well. They were facing a preseason favourite in the Chargers with some very talented Defenders (losing Bosa early on was a blow) but Lawrence managed to carve up the Bolts for three touchdowns. Could it be, could they finally stop scooping up the wooden spoon every year?

And a week to forget for… Sean McDermott

Head coach, Buffalo Bills, L21-19 @ Dolphins

How can your quarterback throw for 400 yards, your Defence hold the opposition down to a touch over 200 yards of Offence (which is amazing when you consider the elite passing talent they were facing) in biblical heat and LOSE?! Execution in the red zone needs a polish, Sean.

This game was yours for the taking today. That said, rarely will you smash the opposition to bits like that and walk away on the losing side. Bills Mafia needn’t worry yet.