Tyler Loop decides the game in Rio; Drake Maye under pressure and Brock Purdy in MVP form

Week 3 of the NFL brought many tight games and late drama: 12 of Sunday’s 14 matchups were decided by a single score, and many results were settled in the final moments. A few main storylines emerged: a kicker’s heroic turnaround, concerns over Drake Maye’s form, the Raiders’ consistency with a 3-0 start, and Brock Purdy’s strong form powering the 49ers.

As NFL reports, in Rio de Janeiro the Ravens won with a decisive 56-yard field goal from Tyler Loop, the longest of his career, sealing a 34-31 victory. The kick came after a decisive play in which Lamar Jackson connected with Zay Flowers for a 27-yard gain, before Loop calmly struck to close the game and silence questions about his future after earlier misses.

In New England, the main concern remains Drake Maye. In the first three games he has committed a high number of mistakes — seven turnovers — and last week threw a risky pass that was intercepted in the end zone. Coach Mike Vrabel has asked him not to force the game but to calm down and make safer decisions, or the mistakes will keep costing them.

Las Vegas continue to surprise with their 3-0 start under Klint Kubiak, while the defence is making decisive plays. The return of tight end Brock Bowers was decisive in the win over New Orleans, where he recorded 10 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown, restoring an important weapon in the offence for Kirk Cousins.

San Francisco rely on Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey for their good results, with Purdy throwing for 297 yards and four touchdowns without mistakes against the Cardinals, continuing his high-level performances that put him in the conversation for individual honours. However, the team is dealing with a wave of injuries, with several starters sidelined who could put them under pressure in the coming weeks.

For teams that started 0-3, history says the chances of recovering are slim: only seven teams in history have reached the playoffs after such a start, including two Texan teams from 2018 and 2025. Currently five teams stand at 0-3: the Texans, Chargers, Dolphins, Buccaneers and Titans, each needing to fix fundamental problems to keep their hopes alive.

According to NFL, Week 3 left more questions than answers for some teams, but also clear demonstrations of strength from others, and after three weeks the season looks open for surprises and decisive clashes ahead.