NFL Week 3 trends, 2026

What changed after Week 3

Season-to-date ranks among all 32 teams after Week 3 of the 2026 season, compared with where each team stood after Week 1. Offense numbers are what a team gained; defense numbers are what it allowed, so a defense that "rose" is allowing less.

Offense: EPA/play risers and fallers

• The Rams' offense rose from 29th to 15th in EPA/play over the last two weeks (-0.265 to +0.013).
• The Broncos' offense rose from 32nd to 20th in EPA/play over the last two weeks (-0.344 to -0.057).
• The Lions' offense rose from 16th to 7th in EPA/play over the last two weeks (+0.000 to +0.133).
• The Giants' offense fell from 2nd to 18th in EPA/play over the last two weeks (+0.369 to -0.035).
• The Texans' offense fell from 13th to 24th in EPA/play over the last two weeks (+0.069 to -0.092).
• The Bears' offense fell from 1st to 8th in EPA/play over the last two weeks (+0.409 to +0.127).

Defense: EPA/play allowed risers and fallers

• The Panthers' defense rose from 32nd to 14th in EPA/play allowed over the last two weeks (+0.409 to -0.022).
• The Rams' defense rose from 25th to 8th in EPA/play allowed over the last two weeks (+0.179 to -0.070).
• The Bears' defense rose from 26th to 10th in EPA/play allowed over the last two weeks (+0.182 to -0.044).
• The Cardinals' defense fell from 5th to 28th in EPA/play allowed over the last two weeks (-0.244 to +0.123).
• The Dolphins' defense fell from 13th to 30th in EPA/play allowed over the last two weeks (-0.039 to +0.162).
• The Lions' defense fell from 14th to 29th in EPA/play allowed over the last two weeks (-0.031 to +0.149).

Other movers

• The Bills' offense rose from 24th to 6th in success rate over the last two weeks (40.4% to 50.0%).
• The Buccaneers' offense fell from 9th to 30th in success rate over the last two weeks (47.1% to 36.7%).
• The Rams' offense rose from 29th to 17th in EPA/dropback over the last two weeks (-0.352 to +0.072).
• The Giants' offense fell from 2nd to 19th in EPA/dropback over the last two weeks (+0.667 to -0.003).
• The Bills' offense rose from 28th to 3rd in EPA/rush over the last two weeks (-0.263 to +0.065).
• The Texans' offense fell from 9th to 27th in EPA/rush over the last two weeks (+0.030 to -0.218).
• The 49ers' offense rose from 25th to 3rd in explosive pass rate over the last two weeks (8.3% to 22.5%).
• The Browns' offense fell from 14th to 29th in explosive pass rate over the last two weeks (16.0% to 10.6%).
• The Broncos' offense rose from 25th to 6th in sack + QB hit rate allowed over the last two weeks (21.2% to 13.1%).
• The Chargers' offense fell from 9th to 31st in sack + QB hit rate allowed over the last two weeks (11.4% to 20.2%).
• The Dolphins' offense rose from 27th to 14th in 3rd-down conversion rate over the last two weeks (20.0% to 41.5%).
• The Vikings' offense fell from 5th to 31st in 3rd-down conversion rate over the last two weeks (57.1% to 30.2%).
• The Rams' offense became more pass-heavy over the last two weeks: its PROE went from -17.3% (32nd) to -0.8% (13th).
• The Titans' offense became more run-heavy over the last two weeks: its PROE went from +4.9% (4th) to -10.2% (31st).
• The Rams' defense rose from 30th to 8th in success rate allowed over the last two weeks (56.2% to 41.4%).
• The Commanders' defense fell from 3rd to 27th in success rate allowed over the last two weeks (35.3% to 47.3%).
• The Rams' defense rose from 22nd to 4th in EPA/dropback allowed over the last two weeks (+0.208 to -0.105).
• The Cardinals' defense fell from 9th to 30th in EPA/dropback allowed over the last two weeks (-0.191 to +0.385).
• The Buccaneers' defense rose from 25th to 6th in EPA/rush allowed over the last two weeks (+0.050 to -0.206).
• The Patriots' defense fell from 8th to 30th in EPA/rush allowed over the last two weeks (-0.151 to +0.031).
• The Panthers' defense rose from 26th to 5th in explosive pass rate allowed over the last two weeks (19.4% to 10.2%).
• The Dolphins' defense fell from 4th to 30th in explosive pass rate allowed over the last two weeks (6.5% to 22.2%).
• The Texans' defense rose from 26th to 9th in sack + QB hit rate over the last two weeks (9.4% to 17.4%).
• The Chiefs' defense fell from 8th to 28th in sack + QB hit rate over the last two weeks (21.2% to 11.1%).
• The Buccaneers' defense rose from 27th to 8th in 3rd-down conversion rate allowed over the last two weeks (57.1% to 34.9%).
• The 49ers' defense fell from 7th to 20th in 3rd-down conversion rate allowed over the last two weeks (22.2% to 42.9%).

EPA/play ranks after Week 3, all 32 teams

Active streaks

• The Broncos' defense has held opponents below the league average in EPA/dropback in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• The Raiders' defense has held opponents below the league average in EPA/dropback in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• The Vikings' defense has held opponents below the league average in EPA/dropback in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• The Raiders' defense has held opponents below the league average in EPA/play in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• The Vikings' defense has held opponents below the league average in EPA/play in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• The Seahawks' defense has held opponents below the league average in EPA/play in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• The Falcons' defense has held opponents below the league average in EPA/rush in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• The Texans' defense has held opponents below the league average in EPA/rush in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• Bryce Young has had 250+ passing yards in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• Tyler Shough has had 250+ passing yards in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• Geno Smith has had positive EPA per play in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• Dak Prescott has had positive EPA per play in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• Patrick Mahomes has had positive EPA per play in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• Lamar Jackson has had positive EPA per play in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• Brock Purdy has had positive EPA per play in 3 straight games (since Week 1).
• CJ Donaldson has had positive EPA per carry in 3 straight games (since Week 1).

Player movers

• Matthew Stafford rose from 31st to 21st among qualified quarterbacks in EPA/play over the last two weeks (-0.578 to +0.038).
• Brock Purdy rose from 11th to 1st among qualified quarterbacks in EPA/play over the last two weeks (+0.206 to +0.649).
• Drake Maye fell from 16th to 30th among qualified quarterbacks in EPA/play over the last two weeks (+0.063 to -0.150).
• Jalen Hurts fell from 12th to 22nd among qualified quarterbacks in EPA/play over the last two weeks (+0.166 to +0.029).
• Brian Robinson rose from 33rd to 1st among qualified running backs in EPA/rush over the last two weeks (-0.117 to +0.103).
• Bijan Robinson rose from 31st to 5th among qualified running backs in EPA/rush over the last two weeks (-0.098 to +0.072).
• Jadarian Price fell from 14th to 44th among qualified running backs in EPA/rush over the last two weeks (+0.103 to -0.445).
• Woody Marks fell from 7th to 33rd among qualified running backs in EPA/rush over the last two weeks (+0.163 to -0.174).
• Adonai Mitchell rose from 67th to 16th among qualified wide receivers in target share over the last two weeks (13.0% to 25.4%).
• Ja'Marr Chase rose from 72nd to 22nd among qualified wide receivers in target share over the last two weeks (11.8% to 24.5%).
• Pat Bryant fell from 27th to 80th among qualified wide receivers in target share over the last two weeks (22.2% to 10.3%).
• Kendrick Bourne fell from 32nd to 70th among qualified wide receivers in target share over the last two weeks (21.6% to 12.4%).
• Harold Fannin Jr. rose from 23rd to 7th among qualified tight ends in target share over the last two weeks (13.6% to 22.0%).
• Tyler Warren rose from 17th to 5th among qualified tight ends in target share over the last two weeks (17.2% to 23.4%).
• Evan Engram fell from 12th to 33rd among qualified tight ends in target share over the last two weeks (18.5% to 9.2%).
• Noah Fant fell from 18th to 32nd among qualified tight ends in target share over the last two weeks (15.4% to 9.7%).