Samwise NFL Newsletter
Monday, September 28, 2026
Ravens Walk Off Cowboys 34-31 in NFL's First-Ever Game in Rio de Janeiro
Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop drilled a 56-yard field goal as time expired Sunday, stunning the Dallas Cowboys 34-31 in the NFL's first-ever game played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The shot was set up when Lamar Jackson connected with Zay Flowers for 27 yards with seven seconds remaining, moving the ball into range. Jackson engineered the final drive after the score was knotted at 31. The Ravens, now 2-1, secured the victory in front of a sellout crowd of over 40,000 at Estadio Nilton Santos. It marked the latest chapter in the NFL's international expansion push.
Week 3 QB Crisis: Dart Out for Season, Williams and Daniels Also Hurt
Three starting quarterbacks suffered significant injuries in NFL Week 3, raising alarm across the league. New York Giants rookie Jaxson Dart will miss the rest of the 2026 season after sustaining damage to his MCL, PCL, and meniscus, with Jameis Winston taking over. Chicago Bears starter Caleb Williams is week-to-week with a hamstring injury and was ruled out for Monday's game against the Eagles, with backup Tyson Bagent cleared through concussion protocol to start. Washington Commanders starter Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow but avoided surgery, with Marcus Mariota filling in. Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield also exited with a dislocated throwing-hand thumb.
Sources: CBS Sports
Steelers Edge Bengals 30-27 as Aaron Rodgers Delivers Three-Touchdown Performance
Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdowns and 292 yards Sunday as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27. A 47-yard catch-and-run by tight end Darnell Washington set up a Chris Boswell go-ahead 33-yard field goal with 2:18 remaining. Then, defensive end Derrick Harmon strip-sacked Joe Burrow with 44 seconds left to seal the victory. Running back Jaylen Warren added 176 total yards for Pittsburgh. Burrow had thrown for 282 yards and three touchdowns for Cincinnati, but two costly special teams errors—a roughing-the-punter penalty and a muffed punt—translated into 10 Pittsburgh points.
Backup Marcus Mariota Stuns Seahawks 33-31 in Season's Biggest Upset
Washington Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota threw three touchdowns and added a key 9-yard rushing score in the final two minutes to stun the Seattle Seahawks 33-31 on Sunday. Mariota stepped in for the injured Jayden Daniels and delivered what many considered the season's biggest upset, with Washington overcoming a double-digit deficit in the second half. The win improved the Commanders to 2-1 on the season, while Seattle fell to 2-1 after entering the game as one of the NFC's top contenders. The victory reinforced that backup quarterbacks have been surprisingly effective early in the 2026 season.
Sources: CBS Sports
Brock Purdy Throws Four Touchdowns as 49ers Improve to 3-0
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns Sunday, guiding San Francisco to a 25-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The highlight was an 82-yard touchdown play on the 49ers' fourth offensive snap: Purdy completed a short pass to Mike Evans, who lateralled to Deebo Samuel for the long score. Christian McCaffrey provided crucial support as Arizona threatened in the second half. San Francisco improved to 3-0, one of four undefeated teams in the NFL after Week 3, and has yet to commit a turnover through three games this season.
Sources: CBS Sports
Drake Maye's Struggles Mount as Patriots Fall to 0-3 in 35-6 Blowout
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw two interceptions, including one at the goal line to Jacksonville wide receiver Travis Hunter, and lost a fumble in a 35-6 blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The three-turnover performance pushed his season total to seven turnovers in three games. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw touchdown passes to three different receivers. Concern is mounting in New England over Maye's development, with analysts pointing to the team's offensive line struggles and lack of supporting weapons as contributing factors to his slow start.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Kirk Cousins' Three-TD Day Keeps Raiders Unbeaten at 3-0 After Win Over Saints
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns Sunday, guiding Las Vegas to a 35-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints. The Raiders improved to 3-0, one of the hottest starts in recent franchise history. New Orleans fell to 1-2 despite a competitive effort. The Raiders have emerged as an unexpected AFC West contender alongside the Kansas City Chiefs. Cousins, in his first season with Las Vegas, has been consistent throughout the opening three weeks, and the Raiders have yet to trail by more than seven points in any game this season.
Sources: Fox Sports
Vikings Improve to 3-0 as Baker Mayfield Exits with Dislocated Thumb
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-16 Sunday to improve to 3-0 on the season, but the game was overshadowed by a significant injury to Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield dislocated the thumb on his throwing hand in the fourth quarter and exited the game after being intercepted by linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. Head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield would undergo an MRI to assess the full extent of the injury. Backup Jalon Daniels replaced Mayfield but could not rally Tampa Bay. The Vikings sit atop the NFC North after their unbeaten start.
Sources: NBC Sports
Bills Survive Five Josh Allen Turnovers to Beat Chargers 26-14, Improve to 3-0
The Buffalo Bills won in spite of themselves Sunday, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 26-14 despite five turnovers by quarterback Josh Allen. Allen rallied the offense following each turnover while Buffalo's defense dominated Los Angeles, holding the Chargers scoreless in the second half. It was reportedly the Bills' first win when committing at least five turnovers since 1997. Los Angeles dropped to 0-3 on the season. Buffalo improved to 3-0, joining the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, and San Francisco 49ers as one of four undefeated teams in the NFL after Week 3.
Sources: NBC Sports Philadelphia
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC EAST | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| AFC NORTH | |||
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC SOUTH | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| AFC WEST | |||
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 3 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC EAST | |||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC NORTH | |||
| Minnesota Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC SOUTH | |||
| Atlanta Falcons | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Carolina Panthers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC WEST | |||
| San Francisco 49ers | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency