Problems in Philly, Surprise 3-0 Teams: Three Lessons Learned From NFL Week Three

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Doug Benz / Reuters

Bills Fitzpatrick back to pass against the Patriots in Orchard Park

TIME’s Sean Gregory breaks down the lessons from football’s third week.

1. Surprises, Surprise. If you had Detroit and Buffalo going to an all-Rust Belt Super Bowl this season . . . you’re a liar.  And while it’s too early for the Lions and Bills to be making plans for Indianapolis in February, their fans have something that’s been rare in recent years: hope. Only three NFL teams have perfect 3-0 records: the Green Bay Packers – defending Super Bowl champs – the Buffalo Bills, and the Detroit Lions (the Washington Redskins, 2-0, play the Dallas Cowboys tonight on Monday Night Football).

On Sunday, both teams faced tough deficits. Buffalo trailed New England 21-0 in the second quarter. But Tom Brady is, indeed, mortal. He threw three of his four interceptions in the final two quarters, and Bills kicker Rian Lindell hit a 28-yard field goal as time expired. Buffalo’s win also broke New England’s 15-game winning steak against the Bills.

(MORE: Is This the Year the New England Patriots Get Fun?)

Detroit, playing on the road in Minnesota, was losing 20-0 at halftime. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with Calvin Johnson for two touchdown passes in the second half, and the teams entered overtime tied at 23-23. Detroit won the coin toss, and on its first possession, Stafford hit Johnson again, this time on a 40-yard reception that set up the game-winning field goal, a 32-yard try for Jason Hanson. After Hanson’s kicked sailed through the uprights, Lions coach Jim Schwartz chucked his headset, pumped his fist and screamed a celebratory profanity. The Lions are 3-0 for the first time since 1980.

2.  Philly Nightmare. In the preseason, new backup quarterback Vince Young labeled the Philadelphia Eagles a “Dream Team.” After all, the Eagles had stockpiled new talent – guys like Young, defensive lineman Jason Babin, and cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha – in the offseason. Guess Young didn’t know about Mike Kafka. After suffering a mild concussion against the Atlanta Falcons last week, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was hit hard once again. Vick had to leave in the fourth quarter because of a broken right hand. His replacement, Kafka – Young is still out with a hamstring injury – was horrendous, as he overthrew his receivers on two long passes; they both resulted in interceptions.

The Giants won, 29-16, dropping Philadelphia’s record to 1-2. Vick, who after the game complained that the refs fail to protect him, may have to miss more time.

Look for Philly’s rabid fans to start calling for Brett Favre.

3. Lumbering Bears. In a rematch of last season’s NFC title game, the Chicago Bears managed only 13-yards rushing – featured back Matt Forte carried the ball nine times, and gained two yards – against the Green Bay Packers during Chicago’s 27-17 loss to their division rival. The Bears, always inconsistent on offense, are over-relying on the pass. In last week’s 30-13 loss to New Orleans, Chicago, now 1-2, threw 45 passes and ran the ball a dozen times; this week, the Bears passed 37 times, and ran 12 times once again. It was Chicago’s worst running performance in almost 60 years. If the Bears continue to struggle on the ground, they won’t be sniffing a return trip to the conference title game.

Sean Gregory is a staff writer at TIME. Find him on Twitter at @seanmgregory. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.