Chiefs, Vikings and Raiders Lead the Way in Week Three
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With THAT exciting finish in Rio De Janiero, is there any further proof required that the NFL is THE best form of sporting entertainment? The Cowboys were getting set for OT, but Lamar Jackson and the Ravens had other ideas! The storied Maracana once again hosted another magical sporting moment! (Seriously, watch the highlights on YouTube!) This week’s review follows three teams sitting pretty at 3-0 that I haven’t covered yet this season. The Chiefs, much to everyone’s dismay, are back to doing Chiefs things. The Vikings have shown great execution and composure to lead the NFC North. And surprise package, the Vegas Raiders get their fine form and moment in the sun immortalised upon the hallowed Gridiron Review.
Mahomes/Walker III Tandem Gives Chiefs Rivals Deja Vu
The Chiefs are 3-0, for the fifth time in Mahomes’ nine year career, and NFL fans are facing the realisation that not even an ACL injury can dampen the Chiefs QB’s drive and determination. The Chiefs are perfectly balanced, ranking in the top five of the league in most yards gained and the top five in least yards conceded … Andy Reid’s juggernaut has returned! Kenneth Walker III has been THE perfect addition to the ever ready Mahomes.
Mahomes threw one interception, but was near perfect with twenty passes completed from twenty-four, with two TDs and 246 yards. His Dolphins counterpart, Malik Willis, had an evening to forget with twenty successful completions from thirty-six with 210 yards total. It was through Mahomes’ and Walker III’s precision that the Chiefs left the Hard Rock Stadium with another unblemished record.
Chiefs 24 Dolphins 10
Vikings Secure Tight Win Over Bundling Bucs
Vikings’ QB Kyler Murray returned from concussion protocol, and the vaunted Viking clearly struggled to lead his team to decidedly vanquish their NFC Central foes as predicted in the lead up to this game. He was sacked three times and completed a dismal fifteen passes from thirty-nine attempts. After this display, Vikings fans will be wondering if the decision to allow JJ McCarthy, their 2024 first round pick, to join the New York Giants may have been premature.
The Bucs had yet another week to forget, slumping to 0-3. The offense was hapless. They converted two Third Down attempts from seventeen! They registered eight penalties for 81 yards. Before being removed due to injury, Baker Mayfield recorded seventeen completions from thirty-four attempts, as the Bucs looked bereft of ideas. Their prospects for the week four fixture against the Packers look stark with Mayfield possibly missing alongside Jalen McMillan who did not return to the field after an injury.
Vikings 23 Buccaneers 16
Cousins Leads Raiders to Fourth Quarter Win
The New Orleans Superdome played host to yet another phenomenal Raiders performance. Kirk Cousins, holding off 2026 first round draft pick Fernando Mendoza, was the epitome of calm during this frantic game. He completed twenty two passes from thirty three and three TDs, in this shootout with the Saints’ Tyler Shough, who threw four TDs through the air.
With the score at 27-22 to the Saints as the game entered the Fourth Quarter, it really was ANYONE’S to win. And it was veteran Cousins who cut threw the Saints’ D to Cody White and Brock Bowers respectively for the Raiders to win the decisive quarter 13-0 and wrestle the game back in their favour.
Raiders 35 Saints 27
The lads will review these games and more on this week’s podcast!
With the thrilling action assured on weekly basis, there is no surprise the NFL has travelled to packed stadiums and enthusiastic audiences in Australia and Brazil so far. Fans on “this side of the pond” will be delighted that some European friendly kick off times return with the London Fixtures: the Colts take on the Commanders on Sunday at 14.30!!! Alas there is no doubt NFL fans the world over will be highlighting the mouth-watering clash between the Raiders and the Chiefs as the “must-watch” fixture of Week Four.