Baltimore Beatdown
Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season is officially in the books. Two AFC North teams lost this week, while another pulled off a huge upset on Sunday. The Ravens, of course, were soundly beaten by the Lions on Monday night.
The first week without quarterback Joe Burrow was predictably painful for the Bengals, as the Minnesota Vikings defense thoroughly dominated backup quarterback Jake Browning on their way to a 48-10 win.
On Sunday, Browning continued where he left off in Week 2 by throwing two more interceptions, bringing his season total to five on just 40 attempts across two games. Cincinnati also fumbled five times, three of which were recovered by Minnesota.
Burrow underwent successful surgery for the turf toe injury suffered in Week 2, but the Bengals could be without their star quarterback for much of the season. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that “Burrow could potentially return in December if the Bengals’ record warrants it, and if his rehab goes perfectly.”
Keeping their playoff hopes alive in a crowded AFC without Burrow under center will be a daunting task for Cincinnati, especially if Browning continues to turn the ball over at this rate. Brett Rypien is next up behind Browning at quarterback, but the Bengals may need to bring in another answer to the position if Browning’s play does not pick up soon. Browning will specifically need to connect more with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins going forward, as the pair of star wide receivers combined for just 65 yards and zero touchdowns on six targets this week.
The Steelers outlasted the New England Patriots, 21-14, to improve to 2-1 on the season. This was Pittsburgh’s first win in New England since 2008 and the first road win against the Patriots in quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ career.
The story of the day for the Steelers was their defense, which forced five turnovers – one interception and four fumbles. The defense also notched five sacks on the day, with two coming from outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who had did not record a sack through the first two games of the season.
Rodgers threw the 509th touchdown pass of his career on Sunday, passing his former teammate Brett Favre for fourth place in all-time career touchdown passes. He finished the day with 139 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception while completing 16 of 23 pass attempts. Wide receiver Calvin Austin III and running back Jaylen Warren tied for the team receiving lead with 34 yards.
With Burrow out for the foreseeable future and the Ravens reeling from another primetime loss with a game against the defending AFC champs up next, Pittsburgh has a real chance to take sole possession of first place in the division in Week 4.
The Browns pulled off the upset of the weekend as they defeated the Green Bay Packers in a 13-10 defensive slugfest for their first win of the season.
Kicker Andre...
