Best players from Week 3 in the NFL: Lamar Jackson, Khalil Herbert...
Is Lamar Jackson trying to break records every week? Check out his stats for Week 3 plus the rest of the NFL’s best players of the week.
Brady was bested by Rodgers, the Cowboys won a second game with their backup QB, and the Dolphins beat the Bills. It was a wild Week 3 in the NFL. Before we look ahead to Week 4, here are the best players at each position from Week 3′s games.
Quarterback - Lamar Jackson, Ravens
After breaking records in Week 2, Lamar Jackson became the 2nd player in NFL history to record at least four touchdown passes, 100 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown in a single game in Week 3. Now that Jackson is healthy again, the Ravens are looking at a real chance to be contenders in the AFC again. He is at the top of the league in passing touchdowns (10) and tied for fifth in rushing yards with Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey.
Running Back - Khalil Herbert, Bears
The Chicago running back rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears win over the Houston Texans in Week 3. He’s just the third Bears player in the Super Bowl era to run for 150 yards and multiple touchdowns in a single game. He was taking over for David Montgomery, who left the field with an injury, and did not disappoint. He had six explosive runs, eight first-down rushes.
“Really just making the most of my opportunities,” said Herbert. “I come in with that mindset every week. Whether it’s one carry, 20 carries, just try to make the most of that and make a play with what I get.”
Wide Receiver - Devonta Smith, Eagles
No player had more receiving yards in Week 2 than Devonta Smith, who had a career-best 169 yards from eight receptions and a touchdown. In one of his more impressive plays, Smith made an incredible leaping 44-yard catch between two Washington defenders.
The Eagles are now first in the NFC East after a 3-0 start to the season and leads the league in yards per game with 447.
“Trust my training, preparation, and the way I prepare,” said Smith. “That’s what it comes down to, not just me but the team. The way we prepare, the way we go out there and attack every practice, I feel that’s what got us to where we are now.”
Tight End - David Njoku, Browns
David Njoku’s nine receptions off 10 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown gave him the highest receiving grade (94.2) for a Thursday game. The Browns beat the Steelers to put themselves at the top of the AFC North.
“I love everything that requires being a tight end,” Njoku said. “Whatever the team asks from me, I will do it 100 percent. I am just glad we got the win.”
“He always tells me he is always open,” said Browns quarterback Jacoby Brisset of Njoku. “Every time, in the huddle, he’s like, ‘I got you’. Just another player who maybe in the first game didn’t see the touches or whatever the case may be, but made some big catches tonight.”
Defensive End - Brandon Graham, Eagles
Eagles DE Brandon Graham had five quarterback hits, six tackles, and 2.5 sacks on Washington QB Carson Wentz, playing just 35% of the defensive snaps in Week 3. Though he’s got less opportunities as a rotational player behind Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick, Graham is making the most of every one he does get on the field.
Kicker - Graham Gano, Giants
Though the Giants lost to the Cowboys on Monday night, New York can thank their kicker Graham Gano for most of the points they did get. Gano made both of his two 50+ yard field goal attempts against Dallas. There’s only been one other game in his career in which he made more than that in a single game. Gano’s 56-yard field goal is tied for the second-longest in Giants history. He now has 16 50+ yard field goals in his career.