Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season delivered several surprise performances from players who rarely make headlines. In Washington, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota stepped in for the injured Jayden Daniels and guided the Commanders to a 33-31 upset over the Seattle Seahawks.
Mariota completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, posting a passer rating of 110.0 against a Seahawks defense that had allowed fewer than 20 points and less than 4.0 yards per play in its first two games. He also connected on a 30‑yard touchdown to Terry McLaurin late in the third quarter and an 11‑yard strike to Treylon Burks before halftime.
“He made an unbelievable play,” Mariota said of McLaurin’s catch. “If it’s one‑on‑one, I’m gonna take my shot with Terry every time.” McLaurin praised Mariota as a “salt of the earth” teammate who supports the starter and communicates well on the sidelines.
Falcons defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus steps up
Atlanta’s defense was the other story of the week. After a rough start to the season, the Falcons used a relentless pass rush to pressure Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love on 44.4% of plays, despite blitzing on only 16.7% of snaps. Third‑year defensive end Brandon Dorlus was a key factor, delivering five quarterback hits and a hurry that helped the Falcons secure a 35-14 victory.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich praised Dorlus’s versatility, noting his ability to play both the edge and inside. “He gives us great flexibility and is effective as an inside pass rusher,” Ulbrich said. Dorlus, a fourth‑round pick in 2024, has shown promise with nine sacks and 26 pressures in limited snaps last season.
Giants safety Jevón Holland underperforms
In contrast, New York Giants safety Jevón Holland has struggled to meet expectations. Signed to a three‑year, $45.3 million contract before the 2025 season, Holland allowed 18 catches on 31 targets for 263 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and an opponent passer rating of 93.9 in his first year. The Giants’ defense ranked 26th in DVOA, limiting Holland’s impact on the field.
While the Giants hope Holland can improve, his early performance highlights the challenges of integrating new talent into a struggling secondary.
These Week 3 stories underscore how backup players and under‑the‑radar contributors can shift the momentum of games, offering fans hopeful signs as the season progresses.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
