NFL Sunday Recap - Week 3

They say three's a trend, so now, a look at Week 3 trends:

Trending Good:
Mark Sanchez
Though he hasn't been spectacular, the Jets are getting exactly what they need from Sanchez, every week. He has a touchdown pass in all three games so far this year, and the Jets are off to a 3-0 start. Hes made mistakes, but kept them to a minimum while maximizing on the mistakes of his opponents. He is also the first rookie QB in NFL history to win his first three games.

Kyle Orton
The Denver QB, like Sanchez, hasn't looked spectacular, but hes gotten his team to a 3-0 start, as well. He's played well with his new team, throwing 3 TDs without an interception. He also hasn't been sacked since going down three times in Week 1.

Trending Bad:
Brandon Jacobs
Through three games, Jacobs only has 1 TD, and that was against a Tampa Bay team that looked like Cal did on Saturday. Known for being a bruising back that hits holes and opponents like a freight train, Jacobs has looked a bit timid this year. He has yet to cross 100 yards in a game, and is only averaging 3.4 yards per carry. He also only has 1 TD so far, also against Tampa Bay yesterday.

Brady Quinn
Finally named the starter in Cleveland, big things were expected of Quinn. But Quinn hasn't delivered. He put up a TD in Week 1, but also threw an INT and was sacked five times. Since then, hes hasn't put up any points while throwing two more picks and getting sacked five more times. He was finally pulled at halftime against Baltimore, but Derek Anderson, who didn't do much better.

Ending Trends:
Detroit Lions
Lions win! The streak is over! And now, we wait to see how long Jim Zorn will keep his job.


Terrell Owens
Owens did his best Greg Jennings impression this week, ending his streak of 185 games with a catch. After the game, Owens didn't directly say he was unhappy with the play calling or how he and Lee Evans were used in the offense, but he didn't say he was happy, either:



Rookie Roundup: Using a complex scoring system to rank two major rookies for the season

Mark Sanchez: 17/30, 171 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 3 sacks, 10 rush yards, 1 rush TD, 2 fumbles, 1 lost
Points: 12.55, 42.7 overall

Matthew Stafford: 21/36, 241 yards, 1 TD, 2 sacks, 23 rush yards
Points: 19.35, 20.9 overall

Week 3 Winner: Stafford

What Have We Learned?: Three things we can take away from this weekend
1. Michael Vick will play, but hes being brought along slowly
With Donovan McNabb still out and his two game suspension over, we knew we'd see some of Vick this week. But how much? Answer: Not a whole lot. Though he was in for the Eagles second offensive play, he only totaled a handful of plays. He rushed for 7 yards, and was 0/2 passing. With the game well in hand, Jeff Garcia was brought in for mop-up duty.

2. Tom Brady is improving. He doesn't think his receivers are, though.
Though he was still a bit shaky, Brady is slowly looking better. He was 25/42 for 277 yards and a TD, an obvious improvement from last week against the Jets. But Brady's demeanor still needs some work. He was often angry with his receivers in this game, even blowing up on his way to the sideline after Joey Galloway dropped a pass. Is this a knew Tom Brady, who blames his teammates for his shortcomings? Has Brady learned a thing or two from the pre-Pats Randy Moss?

3. Some people's days may be numbered
Kurt Warner has been inconsistent. Jim Zorn has led his team to a 1-2 start, including a loss to the Lions(!) and some questionable play calling. Byron Leftwich has already been demoted to third string, behind a no-name and a rookie. Keep an eye out for Matt Leinart in Arizona, sooner rather than later, and Jim Zorn on the unemployment lines if they can't get things straightened out quickly.