NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: September 26, 2026, 6:44 AM ET

NFL Football

The Atlanta Falcons delivered the biggest shock of the early season, upsetting the Packers 35-14 at Lambeau Field. Michael Penix Jr. returned from his ACL tear to spark the offense, while Bijan Robinson and Drake London proved unstoppable against a Green Bay defense that struggled to contain the run. The victory marked Atlanta's first win over the Packers since 2017 and gave the Falcons their first winning record under coach Raheem Morris. Penix showed resiliency in his return, completing 19 of 28 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown, while adding 42 rushing yards on four carries.

The Packers' offensive struggles continued as Matt LaFleur admitted his unit has no identity through three games. Green Bay scored just 14 points for the second consecutive week, managing only 248 total yards. The loss dropped the Packers to 1-2, their worst start under LaFleur's eight-season tenure. The defeat was particularly painful given that Atlanta entered the game 0-2 and had lost its last six road games against winning teams.

In other Week 3 action, the San Francisco 49ers will be without five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Nick Bosa for multiple weeks due to a calf injury suffered during practice. The 49ers' already-depleted defensive line took another hit as Bosa joins a growing list of injured players. Meanwhile, fullback Kyle Juszczyk was fined $14,926 by the NFL for imitating chugging a beer during a touchdown celebration, adding to the team's disciplinary concerns.

The Houston Texans will be without Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins for the second consecutive game as he remains ruled out with a hamstring injury. The Texans are trying to avoid an 0-3 start, a precarious position for a team that entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations. The Seattle Seahawks will start quarterback Sam Darnold on Sunday, but the team is down two safeties due to injuries. Darnold himself had a brief scare, fearing for his football future after a hospital visit, but was cleared to return.

The Philadelphia Eagles will have running back Saquon Barkley playing fearless despite a stinger when they face the Bears on Monday night. Barkley, who has been one of the league's most productive backs through two games, plans to play through the nerve injury. The Minnesota Vikings received positive news as running back Aaron Jones Sr. was cleared to start against the Buccaneers despite a knee concern. Jones, who signed with the Vikings in free agency, has been a key piece of their offensive turnaround.

The New York Jets will be without their top tight end Mason Taylor (thumb) and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick when they face the Lions, as Taylor is ruled out. The Dolphins will also be missing their leading receiver Caleb Douglas against the Chiefs, as Douglas is out with an undisclosed injury. The Panthers will be without starting linebacker Devin Lloyd (calf), while wide receivers Terrace Marshall and Xavier Legette are questionable for their matchup against the Browns.

The Los Angeles Rams are targeting a Week 4 return for wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is doubtful for Week 3 against the Broncos. Nacua, who emerged as a star as a rookie, has been limited in practice since suffering a knee injury in Week. The Washington Commanders confirmed that quarterback Jayden Daniels won't undergo surgery on his dislocated elbow, with the team viewing IR as "not on the table" at this time. Daniels, the 2024 No. 2 overall pick, has been one of the league's most impressive rookies through two games.

Nick Chubb returned to Cleveland to officially retire as a Brown, choosing to end his career with the team that drafted him rather than formally signing with another organization. Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler, expressed gratitude for the "better closure" this arrangement provided. In a separate legal matter, a judge denied a request to seal records in the criminal case involving Packers running back Josh Jacobs, whose trial is scheduled for later this month.

The NFL and NFLPA continue to monitor field conditions in Rio ahead of the league's international game in Brazil. Field experts from both organizations have been on-site evaluating the playing surface at Arena Corinthians, with concerns raised about the turf's condition following recent events at the venue. The league has taken extraordinary measures to ensure player safety for what will be the first regular-season game played in South America.

The coaching landscape saw Mike LaFleur face his brother Kyle Shanahan in a coaching legacy game, with the Cardinals coach's career coming full circle as he faces the 49ers for the first time since his time as an assistant under Shanahan. The game carries significant implications for both teams' playoff hopes as the NFC West continues to be one of the league's most competitive divisions.

The fantasy football world received crucial updates as Adam Rank provided Week 3 fantasy insights, while Matt Bowen offered last-minute pickup recommendations for managers dealing with injuries. Mike Clay revealed his top anytime TD scorer predictions for Week, highlighting Jahmyr Gibbs and other key players as prime candidates for end-zone visits.

The betting landscape for Week 3 was comprehensively covered with odds, lines, and totals for every matchup, while the fantasy playbook provided shadow reports and lineup locks for managers making final decisions. The most comprehensive preview, however, came from ESPN's Week 3 picks and predictions, which broke down all 15 games with detailed analysis of key matchups, injury impacts, and strategic advantages.

In a separate fantasy football development, Kyler Murray reported recovering pretty quickly from his Week 1 concussion, providing stability for Cardinals fantasy managers. Joey Porter Jr. confirmed he will definitely play for the Steelers in 2026, addressing concerns about his availability following his recent injury scare.

Ben Solak provided a five-year Super Bowl prediction, forecasting the Seahawks as repeat champions in 2026 and the Chiefs securing another title by 2030. The projections, while speculative, offered fans a framework for understanding the league's evolving competitive landscape and the teams best positioned for sustained success.