NFL Week 3 losers: Texans drop to 0-3, Patriots fumble a game away and more

NFL Week 3 losers: Texans drop to 0-3, Patriots fumble a game away and more
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The NFL season is starting to take shape after three weeks, as some teams establish themselves as contenders and others quickly fall out of the playoff race. However, the water is still murky for a number of teams in the middle, some of which suffered very frustrating losses on a wild Sunday in Week 3.

The Week 3 slate was highlighted by defensive touchdowns, blocked kicks, and crazy comebacks all over the league. While that leads to some happy fanbases and teams that feel on top of the world, the other side is in shambles until Week 4 rolls around.

There was not shortage of that this week, so let’s dive into the biggest losers of the Week 4 slate.

Special teams coaches everywhere

Week 3 was defined by special teams plays, for better or worse. The morning slate was filled with four pivotal blocked field goals and a critical return for a touchdown.

The Jets almost completed an epic comeback against the Buccaneers, one where they started the fourth quarter down by 17 points, when Will McDonald blocked a kick and took it back to the house to give the Jets a 27-26 lead and spark one of the all-time NFL GIFs from Aaron Glenn. Baker Mayfield didn’t let that ruin his day, leading Tampa Bay down the field for a game-winning field goal, but the gaffe by the field goal team nearly cost the Bucs a critical game.

Meanwhile, the Packers failed to escape an upset bid from the Browns thanks to a blocked field goal in the final minute of that game that would have given Green Bay a 13-10 lead. Instead, it was the Browns marching across midfield and kicking a game-winner to hand Matt LaFleur and company their first loss of the season.

And then there was the Rams. Sean McVay’s ball club had numerous chances to kick a field goal and salt away a convincing win over the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles, and they failed even more epically every time. First, Joshua Karty had a field goal blocked by Jalen Carter with the Rams holding onto a five-point lead, and the Eagles took advantage with a touchdown drive to take the lead.

Karty got another chance to win it for Los Angeles, but Jordan Davis broke through the line and blocked it before taking it all the way to the house in a move that was very significant to some.

Elsewhere around the league, the Saints and Raiders both allowed punt returns for touchdowns and the Saints also had a punt blocked, so it was a bad day for sound special teams all around.

Is it already over for the Texans?

Coming into 2024, the Texans were one of the top young teams in the NFL coming off of a very promising rookie season for both CJ Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. and an excellent first year as head coach for DeMeco Ryans. Offensive line issues spoiled the 2024 campaign, but Houston...