2021 NFL Preseason Week 3 Recap

By Hank Blaine • August 30, 2021

NFL Preseason Week 3 is in the books, which means the season is just about here. But although for many teams the final preseason was a dress rehearsal for the first week and beyond, for other teams it was a chance to get their players on the same page. Check out what happened in the NFL’s final preseason games of 2021.

We take a look at the top stories from the 2021 NFL Preseason Week 3. Check out an update on how the rookies performed in Week 1 as well as where the Saints are with their quarterback battle. Don’t forget to check out the latest 2021 NFL Season odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

2021 NFL Preseason Week 3 Recap

Feels like football in the air ✨?✨

Only 10 days to go. #Kickoff2021 pic.twitter.com/VJrHXEGrX9
— NFL (@NFL) August 30, 2021

When: Friday, Aug. 27 – Sunday, Aug. 29

New Orleans versus Arizona canceled due to Hurricane Ida

The NFL canceled Saints versus Cardinals because Hurricane Ida landed in the Big Easy as the largest storm in Louisiana’s history. As of Monday, Aug. 30, New Orleans was still without power. The good news is that the Big Easy’s levees held, which isn’t what happened when Hurricane Katrina rolled through in 2005. The bad news is that the United States, already feeling the pinch due to rising inflation, must now deal with gas and oil shortages. As far as football is concerned, the Saints headed to AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys to practice while the Cardinals stayed in Glendale.

Both teams are set on their starting quarterbacks after Sean Payton said Jameis Winston got the nod after his brilliant performance versus the Jacksonville Jaguars in New Orleans’ NFL Preseason Week 2 contest.

Tyler Huntley accounts for 5 touchdowns in Ravens victory over the WFT

Anybody who has paid attention to the Baltimore Ravens during the preaseason knows Tyler Huntley can ball.

Versus Washington, Huntley accounted for 5 touchdowns, including 4 TD passes in Baltimore’s 37-3 victory. What had to impress is how Huntley showed touch on a couple of long TD passes while also displaying ridiculous athletic ability in a 15-yard TD pass he threw while off the ground Huntly also scrambled into the end zone for a score. Lamar Jackson remains the starter but make no mistake.

John Harbaugh’s phone is ringing off the hook. So if the Ravens don’t trade Huntley, there’s a chance Harbaugh and Baltimore move on from Jackson if he doesn’t show more elite passing ability this season.

After the third preseason game, Belichick still hasn’t decided who will start at quarterback

Four starting offensive lineman had to take the game off due to injuries, which is why Jags’ coach Urban Meyer considered keeping Trevor Lawrence on the bench.

But Meyer said it was more important for Lawrence to become more comfortable in the offense. The number one pick showed he’s ready.

Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniel haven’t decided who will start at quarterback when the Patriots face the NFC East rival Miami Dolphins on Sep. 12. The decision is a toss-up between veteran Cam Newton and first-round pick Mac Jones.

Based on Jones going 10-of-14 for 156 yards and throwing a TD pass in the Patriots’ final preseason game, he’ll end up QB1.

Cam Newton went 2-of-5 for 10 yards and a pick. Why even give Newton the benefit of the doubt? There are other things to consider in addition to preseason performance.

McDaniel may have designed specific plays for Cam heading into Week 1. Also, Jones may not have as much of a grasp of the offense as Newton. McDaniel is notorious for creating difficult to learn schemes, and if New England must scrape certain plays because Mac isn’t ready, that could change the entire first game plan. Talent and form are almost always more important than pre-planning, though. So even if Jones doesn’t know McDaniel’s system one-hundred percent, the prediction is he gets the starter’s nod.

Most NFL analysts believe it’s Jameis, but if Hill shows up on Monday night and Winston doesn’t, Payton will lean towards Taysom. Hill started four games for the Saints last season, and New Orleans didn’t miss a beat. Payton may trust Hill more than he does Winston, which gives Hill a slight edge in the quarterback battle.

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 NFL Season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest Football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.