NEW YORK –– Sept. 21, 2025 –– A look at seven statistical highlights from games played during the 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET windows on Sunday, September 21, the third week of the 2025 season.
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Seven From Sunday – Week 3
Tigers Take Back the Mayor’s Cup: Missouri Tops South Carolina in SEC Opener
“M-I-Z!” shouts the stadium announcer. “Z-O-U!” roars an ecstatic crowd. The Tigers just punched in a touchdown to take the lead, 26–20, with 9:16 left in the fourth quarter. Plenty of football remained, but inside a sold-out Memorial Stadium, everyone could feel it—the win was within reach. Now, the defense needed to seal the deal.
When Missouri left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012, a new era of rivalries was born. One of the most unique came against South Carolina, a matchup marked by both teams being located in cities named Columbia. To give the annual clash more weight, the Mayor’s Cup Trophy was introduced in 2013. Since then, the series has leaned heavily in Missouri’s favor, though the trophy spent the past year in South Carolina. On this night, the Tigers wanted it back.
Photo Cred: On 3
After a quick defensive stand, the Tigers regained possession with just over eight minutes left. But an untimely holding penalty pushed the offense into a hole, leading to a frustrating three-and-out. As the punt team jogged onto the field, 60,000-plus fans collectively held their breath at the thought of giving the ball back to LaNorris Sellers and his dangerous passing attack.
This matchup carried weight beyond just one win or loss. Opening conference play at home against a talented South Carolina squad set the tone for what could be a defining season. A victory meant momentum, belief, and fuel for the Tigers’ loftiest goals. A loss, though, could send them stumbling down a path no team wants to face. Simple stakes, but never easy. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz knew exactly what was at risk.
For three quarters, the pattern had been clear. South Carolina’s ground game was no match for Missouri’s defensive front, but Sellers kept the Gamecocks alive with his arm. Each time he dropped back, fans nervously prayed he wouldn’t connect deep. Each time South Carolina handed the ball off, the crowd roared with confidence as the Tiger defense held them to a yard or two at most. With the game hanging in the balance, no one in black and gold wanted the ball in Sellers’ hands.
Then came the break Missouri needed. Another defensive stop. Another punt. With just over five minutes to play, relief swept through the stands. That’s when the Tigers turned to their bread and butter—the running game. Ten plays and three and a half minutes later, Missouri capped off a bruising drive with a 39-yard field goal, pushing the lead to nine. Ninety seconds remained. South Carolina had no timeouts. On this night in Columbia, no miracles would come.
When the clock hit zero, the scoreboard told the story: Missouri 29, South Carolina 20. The Tigers had opened SEC play with authority. Students screamed until their voices cracked, parents covered their children’s ears, and South Carolina fans trudged toward the exits in silence. It was the kind of statement win that doesn’t just lift a team in the rankings—it electrifies a fan base.
Photo Cred: St. Louis Post Dispatch
The biggest takeaway? The run game is real. Freshman sensation Ahmad Hardy looked every bit the star fans hoped for, while Jamaal Roberts provided the perfect complement. Against one of the SEC’s stingiest run defenses, Missouri racked up 285 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The tandem’s ability to shed tackles and fight for extra yards made the difference, and it gave quarterback Beau Pribula the luxury of not having to carry the offense on his own shoulders.
The defense showed its teeth as well. Missouri held the Gamecocks to negative rushing yards (-9) and piled up five sacks on Sellers, consistently generating pressure with only four pass rushers. The lone blemish? The secondary. Allowing 302 passing yards will be a point of emphasis in the film room this week. Still, the pieces are there. If the secondary sharpens up, the Tigers could become one of the most dangerous teams in the SEC.
With a favorable schedule ahead and confidence building, Missouri made a statement in Columbia: they’re not just here to compete—they’re here to contend.
Louisville Flying High as ACC Conference Play Looms
It was a hot afternoon, and the Louisville Cardinals were just as hot as the final weekend of summer wrapped up. The game started off shaky for UofL, as the offense stumbled out of the gate with a three-and-out and then a drive hampered by penalties. Despite the slow start, the Cards caught their rhythm. They finished the first quarter with 30 rushing yards and 49 passing. Keyjuan Brown punched in the game’s first touchdown to give Louisville a 7-3 led.
Photo Cred: Courier Journal
The second quarter opened with Antonio Watts recording his first career interception. Bowling Green was having success, but Watts changed the tone. The offense scored off the turnover. Brown powered in another one-yard touchdown to stretch the lead. UofL defense held and then Caillin Lacy ran back a spectacular 54-yard punt return touchdown, putting the Cards ahead 21–3. The UofL defense rose again with D’Angelo Hutchinson stepping in front of Drew Payne’s pass. The play cut short a Bowling Green drive in the red zone to snuff out their momentum.
The third quarter showed off Louisville’s kicking game. UofL’s offense stalled, kicker Cooper Ranvier took over, delivering three field goals in the period. He dropped a 57 yard bomb, the second-longest kick in Louisville program history and the longest ever at L&N Stadium. The fourth quarter delivered its share of fireworks as well.
Photo Cred: Toledo Blade
In the fourth with the game out of hand the Bowling GreenBowling Green’s Lucian Anderson III broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run. Louisville responded with a 10-play, 75-yard TD drive. Bowling Green struck back once more with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Drew Pyne to Jacob Harris. Louisville went home with a 40–17 victory. The Cardinals flashed big-play ability, great kicking game, and great defense. Fans should have plenty of optimism as they enter the conference season.
Big Game Saturday: Mizzou vs South Carolina
The Missouri Tigers will host the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, September 20, at 6 p.m. CT inside Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. The matchup not only brings two SEC teams head-to-head but also comes with plenty of storylines and stakes that could shape the trajectory of both seasons. Mizzou enters this game riding a three-game win streak and carrying a wave of confidence.
Photo Cred: Mizzou
The Tigers are ranked fourth in the nation in total offense, a testament to their balance, creativity, and consistency. Key transfer additions have made an immediate impact, filling roster gaps and elevating the overall talent level. Running back Ahmad Hardy has been every bit as good as advertised, pounding defenses with his physical style, while wideout Kevin Coleman Jr. has lived up to every ounce of offseason hype as a playmaker in space. Quarterback Beau Pribula has perhaps been the biggest story—silencing critics who questioned his arm talent and proving he can deliver accurate throws in key situations.
His blazing speed adds another dimension, making him a true dual-threat who can extend plays and break down defenses. On the defensive side, Missouri has been building momentum as well. The Tigers are ranked fifth nationally in total defense, fueled by a front seven that has consistently controlled the line of scrimmage. Stopping the run has been their calling card, and they’ve made it difficult for opponents to find any rhythm on the ground.
This dominance up front has also helped a young secondary grow into its own, and while there’s still room for improvement, the unit has made noticeable strides each week. Saturday, however, will present its toughest test so far. Adding to the intrigue is the recent history between these two programs. Just last year, in Columbia, South Carolina, the Gamecocks stunned the Tigers by stealing a victory in the final seconds—a loss that still stings for Mizzou players and fans alike.
Now, back at home in front of what promises to be a loud Memorial Stadium crowd, Missouri will be motivated by revenge and determined to flip the script. The biggest question leading up to the game is the health of South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers. The dual-threat sophomore left last week’s loss to Vanderbilt in the first half with a concussion.
His status remains questionable, but coaches are cautiously optimistic that he could return. If Sellers is cleared, Missouri’s defense will have to prepare for his ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground. Fortunately for the Tigers, South Carolina’s offensive line has struggled, particularly on the interior after losing three starters from last season. That mismatch gives Missouri’s defensive front a clear edge, one they’ll look to exploit.
The real chess match, though, may come when Missouri’s explosive offense squares off against South Carolina’s opportunistic defense. The Gamecocks thrive on forcing turnovers and shutting down the run, which could put pressure on Mizzou’s ground attack led by Hardy and Jamaal Roberts. The Tigers will likely need Pribula to test South Carolina’s shaky secondary through the air. Targets like Coleman Jr. and Marquis Johnson are expected to play major roles in stretching the field and creating mismatches. If Missouri can establish even a modest running game, play-action opportunities could open up, giving Pribula the chance to land knockout blows against a vulnerable defensive backfield.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
This SEC clash feels like more than just another early-season contest. For Missouri, it’s about proving their legitimacy as a contender and avenging a painful loss. For South Carolina, it’s about rebounding from a tough setback and proving they can compete in hostile territory, especially if Sellers returns. With two teams hungry to prove themselves, fans should expect a physical, emotional, and potentially season-defining battle in Columbia.
Ohio State Goes into their Bye Looking like Champions
In Week 1 of the NFL, Ohio sports fans were treated to the professional “Battle of Ohio” between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. Fast forward to Week 3 of the college football season, and fans across the state got the collegiate version of that clash, as the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes hosted the Ohio University Bobcats in Columbus.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
The Bobcats, representing the Mid-American Conference, came into the Horseshoe with nothing to lose and showed no fear against one of the nation’s premier programs. From the start, they made it clear that this wasn’t going to be a routine blowout. Ohio State received the opening kickoff and quickly marched down the field, but the Bobcats defense held firm on a dramatic fourth-and-goal stop, setting the tone for a surprisingly tense first half. For much of the opening two quarters, the Buckeyes struggled to break through.
Ohio’s defensive front applied steady pressure and forced mistakes, keeping the score to just 6-0 deep into the second quarter. Finally, quarterback Julian Sayin found tight end Max Klare on a 16-yard touchdown strike right before halftime, giving Ohio State a bit of breathing room and a 13-0 advantage going into the locker room. Sayin’s performance was a mix of brilliance and growing pains.
The young quarterback finished the night completing 25 of 32 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions that briefly gave the Bobcats momentum. Still, his ability to spread the ball across the field kept Ohio off balance. Eight different Buckeyes caught passes, with touchdowns going to star freshmen Jerimiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Max Klare. Smith and Tate each surpassed the 100-yard mark, proving once again that Ohio State’s receiving corps is among the most dangerous in college football.
Ohio came out swinging to start the second half. On their opening drive, quarterback Parker Navarro connected with Chase Hendricks on a stunning 67-yard touchdown strike that electrified the Bobcats sideline and cut the lead to 13-9. For a brief moment, it felt like the upset-minded Bobcats could turn the tide. But Ohio State immediately responded. Sparked by a 64-yard run from true freshman running back Bo Jackson, the Buckeyes rattled off 24 unanswered points, silencing any chance of an upset and cruising to a 37-9 victory.
Photo Cred: Ohio State
Jackson once again showed flashes of stardom, leading the Buckeyes in rushing for the third straight week. He carried the ball nine times for 109 yards, continuing to prove his explosiveness in limited touches. He and CJ Donaldson shared the team lead in carries, but Jackson’s ability to break off long runs has quickly made him a fan favorite.
While the win wasn’t as polished as many expected, Ohio proved to be a scrappy opponent and reminded everyone why they are one of the MAC’s most respected programs. For the Buckeyes, the game served as both a wake-up call and a valuable test before conference play begins. Now, Ohio State heads into its Week 4 bye at 3-0, with time to recover and prepare for the gauntlet ahead.
Is the Alabama Crimson Tide Ready the SEC Push?
The Alabama Crimson Tide put on another dominant display in front of their home crowd, restoring confidence to fans who may have started to waver after the season’s rocky start. In a highly anticipated BIG TEN-SEC showdown, the Tide defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 38-14 in commanding fashion, proving once again why they remain a national powerhouse. Early on, the game appeared as though it might turn into a defensive slugfest.
Photo Cred: Alabama
Alabama forced Wisconsin to punt on their opening drive, only to be stopped on downs during their own first possession. The crowd braced for a tight battle, but momentum quickly shifted. On Wisconsin’s second drive, star safety Bray Hubbard stepped in front of a pass for a crucial interception, setting the tone for the night. The turnover lit a fire under Alabama’s offense, which went on to score on every possession for the rest of the first half. Meanwhile, the defense locked down Wisconsin’s attack, smothering their run game and forcing poor throws from the quarterback. By halftime, the Tide had built a 21-0 lead and never looked back.
The second half delivered fireworks on both sides. Alabama struck first with a bold bit of trickery, dialing up a gadget play that allowed Ty Simpson to find his star wideout Ryan Williams streaking down the field for a 75-yard touchdown. The very next play, Wisconsin’s Vinny Anthony II answered in spectacular fashion with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown, finally giving Badger fans something to cheer about. But despite the brief spark, Alabama maintained firm control of the game. The Tide added another touchdown and a field goal in the fourth quarter, while Wisconsin managed only a late score to close the gap but never truly threaten.
For Hubbard, the performance was especially meaningful. After receiving harsh criticism from fans following the Florida State game—some questioning his effort—he responded by saying critics were “just adding fuel to the fire.” He backed up those words in this contest, delivering two interceptions, both of which directly led to Alabama scores. His presence in the secondary was a difference-maker and silenced any doubters.
Quarterback Ty Simpson also continued his torrid start to the season. Following up his record-setting game against Louisiana Monroe, Simpson was once again in rhythm, carving up Wisconsin’s defense with precision. He completed 24 of 29 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing both poise in the pocket and the ability to stretch the field with his arm talent.
Photo Cred: News Week
Simpson’s favorite target was none other than Ryan Williams, who returned from a concussion suffered in the opener against Florida State. Williams looked like he hadn’t missed a beat, hauling in five receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns, including the electrifying 75-yarder. He gave Alabama’s offense the big-play threat it had been missing. Germie Bernard chipped in with two scores—one rushing and one receiving—while Miami transfer Isaiah Horton found the end zone as well, rounding out a balanced and explosive attack.
With the victory, Alabama heads into a bye week brimming with confidence. The extra rest will prove valuable as the Tide prepare for their first true test of conference play. Next up: a trip to Athens, Georgia, where they will face the defending champion Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium in a clash that could have major implications for the SEC and the College Football Playoff picture.
Jonathan Taylor, Roquan Smith & Antonio Gibson Named Week 2 AFC Players of the Week
| NEW YORK — Sept. 17, 2025 — Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith and New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 2 (September 11, 14-15).
OFFENSE: RB JONATHAN TAYLOR, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
DEFENSE: LB ROQUAN SMITH, BALTIMORE RAVENS
SPECIAL TEAMS: RB ANTONIO GIBSON, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
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What To Look For – Week 3
NEW YORK — September 17, 2025 — Below are players that can set historic marks or reach career milestones in Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season, including:
- QB Lamar Jackson
- QB Josh Allen
- QB Jared Goff
- QB Patrick Mahomes
- QB Aaron Rodgers
- QB Justin Herbert
- RB Josh Jacobs
- DE Myles Garrett
STAR QUARTERBACKS IN PRIMETIME
Of the five quarterbacks since 2000 with a winning percentage of .700-or-higher in primetime starts (minimum 10 primetime starts), all four active players – Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson (Monday night), Buffalo’s Josh Allen (Thursday night), Detroit’s Jared Goff (Monday night) and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (Sunday night) – will be appearing in primetime in Week 3.
The quarterbacks with the highest winning percentage in primetime starts in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | W | L | T | WIN PCT. |
| Lamar Jackson | Baltimore | 20 | 6 | 0 | .769 |
| Josh Allen | Buffalo | 20 | 7 | 0 | .741 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis, Denver | 47 | 17 | 0 | .734 |
| Jared Goff | L.A. Rams, Detroit | 22 | 9 | 0 | .710 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 26 | 11 | 0 | .703 |
LAMAR JACKSON
Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson had four touchdown passes and no interceptions for a 128.6 rating in Week 2, after recording three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) with a 144.4 rating on Kickoff Weekend.
On Monday Night Football against Detroit (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Jackson can become the fourth quarterback ever with a passer rating of 125-or-higher in each of his team’s first three games of a season, joining John Hadl (1973 with the Los Angeles Rams), Patrick Mahomes (2019 with Kansas City) and Russell Wilson (2020 with Seattle).
In Week 3, Jackson can become the sixth quarterback in NFL history to record at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 90-or-higher in 11 consecutive games, including the postseason, joining Tom Brady (12 games from 2014-15), Patrick Mahomes (11 games in 2018), Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (13 games in 2004), Philip Rivers (13 games from 2017-18) and Aaron Rodgers (14 games from 2010-11).
JOSH ALLEN
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen is 7-0 as a starting quarterback in Thursday games and with a win against Miami on Thursday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video) in Week 3, he can join Tom Brady (nine consecutive Thursday wins from 2002-15), Russell Wilson (nine from 2013-20) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (eight from 2004-13) as the only quarterbacks ever to win eight consecutive Thursday starts.
Allen enters Week 3 with 298 touchdowns in 126 career games, including the postseason – 222 touchdown passes, 74 rushing touchdowns and two touchdown receptions. With two offensive touchdowns (passing, rushing and receiving combined) on Thursday, he can become the fastest player ever to reach 300 career offensive touchdowns (including the postseason), surpassing Patrick Mahomes (128 games).
Allen has 197 touchdown passes in 113 career regular-season games and with three touchdown passes against Miami, can tie Kirk Cousins (114 games), Dak Prescott (114) and Russell Wilson (114) as the sixth-fastest quarterback ever to reach 200 career regular season touchdown passes.
Since entering the NFL in 2018, Allen has an 85-40 record in 125 career starts, including the postseason. With a win in Week 3, Allen can surpass Joe Flacco (85 wins) for the fifth-most wins by a quarterback in his first eight seasons, including the playoffs, in NFL history.
The quarterbacks with the most wins in their first eight seasons, including the postseason in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | WINS |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 106 |
| Tom Brady | New England | 100 |
| Russell Wilson | Seattle | 95 |
| Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh | 90 |
| Josh Allen | Buffalo | 85* |
| Joe Flacco | Baltimore | 85 |
| *in eighth season | ||
JARED GOFF
In the Lions’ Week 2 win, quarterback Jared Goff recorded 334 passing yards and tied a career-high with five touchdown passes, his 43rd career game with at least 300 passing yards since entering the NFL in 2016.
With 300 passing yards at Baltimore on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Goff can tie Drew Brees (44 games) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (44) for the third-most such games by a player in his first 10 seasons in NFL history, trailing only Patrick Mahomes (48 games, in his ninth season) and Matt Ryan (45).
The players with the most games with at least 300 passing yards in their first 10 seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 48^ |
| Matt Ryan | Atlanta | 45 |
| Drew Brees | San Diego Chargers, New Orleans | 44 |
| Dan Marino HOF | Miami | 44 |
| Jared Goff | L.A. Rams, Detroit | 43* |
| *in 10th season; ^in ninth season | ||
PATRICK MAHOMES
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who turns 30 years old today (September 17, 2025), recorded more regular-season wins (89), postseason wins (17) and touchdown passes (247) than any quarterback before his 30th birthday in NFL history.
Mahomes enters Week 3 with 106 career wins, including the postseason, and can tie Russell Wilson (107 wins) for the most wins by a starting quarterback in his first nine career seasons, including the playoffs.
Mahomes has 293 career touchdown passes, including the playoffs, and can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (293 touchdown passes) for the most touchdown passes by a player in his first nine seasons, including the postseason, in NFL history.
Mahomes has 247 career regular-season touchdown passes and can surpass Aaron Rodgers (121 games) for the fastest player in NFL history to reach 250 career touchdown passes.
Mahomes can also become the fourth player in NFL history with at least 250 regular-season touchdown passes in his first nine seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning (275 touchdown passes) and Dan Marino (266) as well as Russell Wilson (267).
AARON RODGERS
Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers enters Week 2 with 508 career touchdown passes and with a touchdown pass at New England on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS), will surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre (508 touchdown passes) for the fourth-most in NFL history.
The players with the most touchdown passes in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAMS | TD PASSES |
| Tom Brady | New England, Tampa Bay | 649 |
| Drew Brees | San Diego, New Orleans | 571 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis, Denver | 539 |
| Brett Favre HOF | Green Bay, N.Y. Jets, Minnesota | 508 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay, N.Y. Jets, Pittsburgh | 508 |
JUSTIN HERBERT
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, since Week 16 of the 2024 season, has five consecutive regular-season games with a passer rating of 110-or-higher.
With a passer rating of 110-or-higher against Denver (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS), Herbert can become the fifth player in NFL history to reach the mark in six consecutive games (minimum 15 attempts in each game), joining Aaron Rodgers (11 consecutive games in 2011), Tom Brady (six in 2010), Patrick Mahomes (six in 2018) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young (six in 1994).
The quarterbacks with the most consecutive regular-season games with a passer rating of 110-or-higher (minimum 15 attempts in each game) in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON(S) | GAMES |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2011 | 11 |
| Tom Brady | New England | 2010 | 6 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 2018 | 6 |
| Steve Young HOF | San Francisco | 1994 | 6 |
| Justin Herbert | L.A. Chargers | 2024-25 | 5* |
| *active streak |
Herbert, who has 1,989 completions since entering the NFL in 2020, can become the fourth quarterback all-time with at least 2,000 completions in his first six career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (2,128 completions), Derek Carr (2,120) and Matt Ryan (2,093).
JOSH JACOBS
Since Week 11 of last season, Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs has recorded a rushing touchdown in 11 consecutive games, including the playoffs.
With a rushing touchdown at Cleveland (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Jacobs will become the fifth player ever (sixth occurrence) with a rushing touchdown in 12 consecutive games, including the playoffs, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers John Riggins (15 consecutive games in 1983), Emmitt Smith (14 in 1995 and 13 from 1994-95) and LaDainian Tomlinson (12 in 2004) as well as George Rogers (13 in 1985-86).
The players with a rushing touchdown in the most consecutive games, including postseason, in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON(S) | GAMES |
| John Riggins HOF | Washington | 1983 | 15 |
| Emmitt Smith HOF | Dallas | 1995 | 14 |
| George Rogers | Washington | 1985-86 | 13 |
| Emmitt Smith HOF | Dallas | 1994-95 | 13 |
| LaDainian Tomlinson HOF | San Diego Chargers | 2004 | 12 |
| Josh Jacobs | Green Bay | 2024-25 | 11* |
| *active streak |
MYLES GARRETT
Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett – with two sacks in Week 1 and 1.5 sacks in Week 2 – ranks tied for first with 3.5 this season entering Week 3.
Garrett, along with New Orleans’ Carl Granderson, can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Kevin Greene (first four games in 1998), Mark Gastineau (first three in 1984), DeMarcus Lawrence (first three in 2017) and Haason Reddick (first three in 2021) as the only players since 1982 with at least 1.5 sacks in each of their first team’s first three games of a season.
With two sacks against Green Bay (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Garrett – who has 106 career sacks and turns 30 years old on Dec. 29, 2025 – can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (108 sacks) for the most sacks by a player under the age of 30 since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.
Additionally with two sacks, Garrett – set to appear in his 120th career game in Week 3 – can tie T.J. Watt (108 sacks) for the third-most sacks by a player in his first 120 career games since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers Reggie White (123 sacks) and DeMarcus Ware (108.5).
The players with the most sacks in their first 120 career games since 1982:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SACKS |
| Reggie White HOF | Philadelphia | 123 |
| DeMarcus Ware HOF | Dallas | 108.5 |
| T.J. Watt | Pittsburgh | 108 |
| Myles Garrett | Cleveland | 106* |
| *in 119 games | ||
Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@NFL.com
Jared Goff, Fred Warner & Brandon Aubrey Named Week 2 NFC Players of the Week
| NEW YORK — Sept. 17, 2025 — Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner and Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 2 (September 11, 14-15).
OFFENSE: QB JARED GOFF, DETROIT LIONS
DEFENSE: LB FRED WARNER, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
SPECIAL TEAMS: K BRANDON AUBREY, DALLAS COWBOYS
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Top 5 QB Raking After Week 2 of the NFL Season
The NFL season is off to a thrilling start, and through two weeks, several quarterbacks have already delivered standout performances that have fans buzzing and defenses scrambling. With efficient passing, explosive plays, and clutch throws, these signal-callers are setting the tone for what could be an unforgettable season. After crunching the numbers, here’s a look at the Top 5 quarterbacks in the league after Week 2.
- Lamar Jackson
Photo Cred: CNN
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Completion %: 68.8%
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Passing Yards: 434
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Yards/Attempt: 9.0
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TDs: 6
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INTs: 0
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Passer Rating: 136.6
2. Josh Allen
Photo Cred: Spectrum News
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Completion %: 66.2%
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Passing Yards: 542
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Yards/Attempt: ~7.6
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TDs: 2
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INTs: 0
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Passer Rating: ~98.4
3. Justin Herbert
Photo Cred: NBC
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Completion %: 72.1%
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Passing Yards: 560
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Yards/Attempt: ~9.2
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TDs: 5
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INTs: 0
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Passer Rating: 127.8
4. Jordan Love
Photo Cred: NBC
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Completion %: 66.0%
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Passing Yards: 480
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Yards/Attempt: ~9.1
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TDs: 4
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INTs: 0
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Passer Rating: 120.0
5. Matthew Stafford
Photo Cred: Spectrum News
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Completion %: 71.0%
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Passing Yards: 543
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TDs: 3
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INTs: 1
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Longest Pass: 40 yards
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Passer Rating: ~105.4
