What to know from Sunday's Week 3 games: Big day for Jahmyr Gibbs, plus concern for Drake Maye

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  NFL NationSep 27, 2026, 04:30 PM ET

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Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season featured shocking individual performances in the early window Sunday, starting with another turnover-filled performance by Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in a loss to the Jaguars. Meanwhile, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs put together a vintage three-touchdown performance against the Jets, including the go-ahead score with two minutes left in the game.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for teams that played Sunday. Fantasy football analysts Matt Bowen and Tristan Cockcroft also have fantasy takeaways from each matchup. Let's get to it.

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NYJ-DET | NE-JAX | KC-MIA

Catch up on Thursday's game:
ATL-GB

Detroit 31, N.Y. Jets 24

Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap

Lions

Have the Lions fixed their defensive issues after rough start to season? After giving up 71 points through the first two weeks, Detroit shook up its secondary with Rock Ya-Sin serving a reserve role, while CB Roger McCreary started at outside cornerback alongside veteran D.J. Reed. Entering the game, the Lions were outgained by 191 total yards, fifth worst in the NFL, but second-year defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard refused to do any finger pointing. Instead, he held a Monday meeting to dissect the struggles. The unit responded with a key takeaway in crunch time, but they still have major work to do.

Key stat to know: Jahmyr Gibbs finished with three total TDs, but his two rushing touchdowns helped him surpass Billy Sims (42) for the second-most rushing TDs (43) in franchise history -- trailing only Barry Sanders (99). Sanders was in attendance as part of the Lions' alumni homecoming. Gibbs put on a show in front of the Hall of Famer, finishing with 20 carries for 99 rushing yards and seven catches for 65 receiving yards. -- Eric Woodyard

Next game: at Panthers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Jets

How come the Jets can't win close games? Another week, another crushing loss. The Jets had a chance to steal one in Motown, but their defense -- ranked No. 1 in yards allowed heading into the game -- imploded in crunch time. They let the Lions march 65 yards on four plays for the winning touchdown with 2:20 left in the fourth quarter, thanks to blown coverages on two pass plays. Then QB Geno Smith fumbled on the ensuing possession. Good teams rise up in the clutch; the Jets haven't mastered that yet. They blew a 10-point lead last week and lost in overtime. This week, a 14-point comeback wasn't enough.

Trend to watch: Rookie TE Kenyon Sadiq has arrived. It took only three games for the first-round pick to establish himself as a versatile target. He caught seven passes for 105 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown on a diving play in the end zone. Sadiq now has a receiving TD and a rushing TD (Week 1) in his first three games. -- Rich Cimini

Next game: at Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Fantasy football takeaway: Sadiq displayed his seam-stretching ability in a positive matchup versus the Lions' secondary, scoring a career-best 23.5 points. Available in over 65% of ESPN leagues, he should added this week. But Sadiq should still be viewed only as a deeper league starter. -- Bowen

Jacksonville 35, New England 6

Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap

Jaguars

Do the Jaguars even need Travis Hunter to play offense? After three weeks, Hunter has one catch and one carry. He hasn't touched the ball on offense since the opener. Hunter played five snaps Sunday, giving him 16 for the season. But the Jaguars have scored 82 points this season, rookie WR Josh Cameron has emerged, and QB Trevor Lawrence is having success spreading the ball around. The run game cranked up against New England, too (135 yards). Why force Hunter on the field if the offense is rolling without him?

Most surprising performance: The Jaguars gave Cameron a bigger role in Week 3, and he delivered with a touchdown catch (second on three catches this season) and a 42-yard kickoff return. Through three quarters versus the Patriots, he had nearly as many snaps on offense (16) as Brian Thomas Jr. (21). An indication that more work could be ahead as the season progresses. -- Mike DiRocco

Next game: at Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

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Jarrian Jones picks off Drake Maye to set up a Chris Rodriguez Jr. TD

Patriots

What can the Patriots do to get Drake Maye back on track? Maye's 2026 woes continued with his 10th game of multiple turnovers (tied for most in NFL since 2024). The end-zone interception just before halftime, on third-and-goal from the 2-yard line, was a shocking decision as WR Efton Chism III was tightly covered by Travis Hunter. It was a play similar to Maye's miscue in the season-opening loss at Seattle. In the first half, Maye was pressured 11 times -- his most before halftime in his career -- and went 2-of-7 with an interception and two sacks, per ESPN Research.

Trend to watch: Offensive line injuries. Veteran Greg Van Roten, who started at right guard in place of Mike Onwenu (broken ankle), didn't return after leaving the game in the second quarter (thigh). Walter Rouse, who was acquired in a trade with the Vikings in August, took over for Van Roten. -- Mike Reiss

Next game: at Bills (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Fantasy football takeaway: Through Chris Rodriguez Jr. scored, Bhayshul Tuten continued to flash his elite speed, scoring 17.0 fantasy points on 17 touches. Tuten's 48% snap share and usage offer encouragement that he can be a weekly fantasy RB2. (And, for what it's worth, sit Maye next week at Buffalo. Please.) -- Cockcroft

Kansas City 24, Miami 10

Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap

Chiefs

Despite winning, should the Chiefs be concerned about their pass rush? Entering Week 3, no NFL QB had been sacked more than Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (nine). The fact the Chiefs couldn't pressure him while not blitzing was similar to the pass rush struggles of last season, when defensive tackle Chris Jones was the lone major presence. On Sunday, defensive end George Karlaftis was the lone defender to record a hit on Willis. The Chiefs won't beat better opponents with a similar performance. The Chiefs also didn't sack Colts quarterback Daniel Jones last week -- and that game ended in overtime.

Stat to know: Running back Kenneth Walker III is the first player to have two games with a rushing and receiving touchdown within his team's first three games of a season since 2017, when former running back Todd Gurley was a member of the Rams. Walker is also the first player in Chiefs history to accomplish the feat. -- Nate Taylor

Next game: at Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

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Patrick Mahomes shovels it to Kenneth Walker III for his 2nd TD of the game

Dolphins

Have the Dolphins begun to turn the page on both sides of the ball? On defense, absolutely. The Dolphins kept the game in front of them, forced turnovers, and rallied after an ugly first two drives. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez recorded his first career takeaway and looked like a future star. The Chiefs' offense made plenty of mistakes, but Miami flew to the ball and limited explosives for the most part. Meanwhile, the Dolphins' passing game looked sharper than it has all season, but they struggled to run the ball after De'Von Achane was injured on the opening drive. We will see if Miami can build on this next week.

What to make of the QB performance: Willis completed 20-of-36 passes for 210 yards in possibly his best performance of the season. Unlike his previous two games, Willis made quicker decisions with the football and was far more willing to take off if receivers weren't open. That being said, his accuracy waned at times and he missed a few deep shots. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Next game: at Vikings (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Fantasy football takeaway: Dolphins RB Ollie Gordon II played 83% of the offensive snaps after Achane's injury, recording 20 touches and 14.5 fantasy points. The Dolphins would probably activate Jaylen Wright for depth next week, but Gordon should be a priority pickup if Achane's prognosis for Week 4 is iffy. -- Cockcroft