NFL Week 3, 2025: High-Level Recap
# NFL Week 3, 2025: High-Level Recap
Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season felt like a three-act play, brimming with dramatic twists. It opened under the prime-time lights in Orchard Park, where a raucous Bills Mafia crowd watched Buffalo fend off Miami 31-21 thanks to Josh Allen’s three touchdown passes and 108 rushing yards from James Cook. Sunday’s matinée featured a scene straight out of a movie: Chicago’s Soldier Field buzzing as rookie sensation Caleb Williams dissected the vaunted Dallas defense for four touchdown passes in a shocking 31-14 upset. The curtain came down in Detroit on Monday night; the Lions, backed by a deafening Ford Field crowd, rallied past Baltimore 38-30 as David Montgomery bulldozed his way to 151 yards and two scores while Lamar Jackson’s three touchdown throws kept the Ravens in the thick of it. From start to finish, the week showcased big plays, momentum swings and the kind of theater that keeps fans glued to their seats.
Offensively the league’s elite continued to separate. Through Week 3, Baltimore still leads the NFL with 35.3 points per game, followed closely by Buffalo (35.0), Detroit (34.3) and Indianapolis (32.0). Despite losing, the Ravens remain atop scoring efficiency, while the Bills and Lions showcased balance on both sides of the ball. Conversely, Atlanta and Houston rank at the bottom of offensive scoring with just 14.0 and 13.0 points per game respectively.
Injuries were a major storyline. Arizona’s James Conner suffered a significant ankle injury and is expected to undergo surgery. Chicago tight end Colston Loveland left with a hip issue, and Cincinnati lost running back Samaje Perine to a thumb injury. Cleveland tackle Dawand Jones injured his knee, while Dallas star receiver CeeDee Lamb exited with an ankle sprain; however owner Jerry Jones downplayed its severity. Defensive injuries included San Francisco pass-rusher Nick Bosa (knee). These developments will have ripple effects in real football and fantasy.
From a betting perspective favorites generally prevailed. The Bills (-12.5) beat Miami but failed to cover as the Dolphins kept it within ten, though the over 49.5 cashed. Indianapolis (-5.5) covered easily in a 41-20 rout of Tennessee, and Minnesota (-3) blew out Cincinnati 48-10. The biggest upset was Chicago as a 1.5-point underdog beating Dallas by 17. Several games went over their totals – Lions-Ravens (68 points) and Rams-Eagles (59 points) – while Browns-Packers (23 points) and Broncos-Chargers (43 points) went comfortably under.
Fantasy managers saw some new heroes emerge. Jonathan Taylor exploded for three rushing touchdowns against Tennessee, while Jordan Mason rumbled for 116 yards and two scores for Minnesota. Chicago’s Caleb Williams delivered nearly 300 passing yards and four touchdowns, and David Montgomery’s 151 rushing yards on Monday night topped all running backs. At receiver, Puka Nacua (11 catches, 112 yards) continued his strong start for the Rams, and Tre Tucker surprised with 145 yards and three touchdowns for Las Vegas. Injuries to CeeDee Lamb and James Conner create waiver-wire opportunities, and fantasy managers should monitor status reports closely.
Below are individual team recaps outlining analytics, injuries, betting results and fantasy takeaways from Week 3.
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