NFL Week 3 and MLB Playoffs 2026: 5 Biggest Sports Moments, Historic Finishes and Postseason Storylines
Sometimes a single kick, one pick-six or one out-of-town scoreboard flips a whole season. The NFL Week 3 and MLB playoffs 2026 stretch had plenty of those, from a walk-off in Brazil to a baseball division title won at .500. Here are the five moments people are still talking about.
1. Tyler Loop’s 56-yarder wins it in Rio
The Ravens and Cowboys were tied at 31 with seven seconds left. Dallas needed to keep Baltimore out of field-goal range, and it didn’t. Lamar Jackson hit Zay Flowers for 27 yards with one second left, and Tyler Loop drilled a 56-yard field goal to win 34-31. It was only the third walk-off score in NFL international history, and the longest of the three.
2. Broncos erase a 16-0 halftime hole
Denver trailed the Rams 16-0 at the break and won 30-26. Safety Talanoa Hufanga took a Matthew Stafford pass 66 yards for a touchdown, then sealed the game with a second interception. Stafford now owns the record for most pick-sixes in league history. Bo Nix, meanwhile, kept finding late-game magic, and the win was his 12th game-winning drive since 2024.
3. Colts end the misery, Texans slide to 0-3
Indianapolis had lost nine straight. Then Spencer Shrader booted a 53-yard field goal with 16 seconds left to beat Houston 19-17. For Houston, it’s a second straight 0-3 start. There’s a sliver of hope, since only seven teams in NFL history have reached the playoffs from 0-3, and the Texans did it last season. Doing it twice would be something else.
4. Bills win the ugliest game imaginable
Buffalo committed five turnovers and still beat the Chargers 24-16. It was the Bills’ first win with five or more giveaways since 1997, after 18 straight losses in such games. James Cook ran for 154 yards and did most of the rescuing. Los Angeles is 0-3 and searching for answers.
5. Baseball’s final day: Phillies hang on, Astros win at .500
The MLB playoffs 2026 field wasn’t settled until Game 162. The Phillies beat the Rays 7-3 to grab the last NL wild card, and the Astros won the AL West when the Rangers lost 6-4 to the Twins. Houston did it with an 81-81 record. That’s not a typo. The Wild Card Series starts today. It’s a best-of-three format, with Phillies at Braves, White Sox at Astros, Red Sox at Yankees and Cubs at Padres. The Rays and Guardians (AL) and Brewers and Dodgers (NL) sit out the first round.
Why it matters
Football’s early standings are starting to matter. Since 1990, 75 percent of teams that started 3-0 have made the playoffs. That’s good news for surprise unbeaten teams like the Raiders and for the 49ers, and a warning sign for winless Houston, Miami and Tennessee.
There’s also a bigger-picture takeaway. Backup quarterbacks won games, a rookie-heavy defense stole one, and a team that turned it over five times survived. That’s parity, and it’s why even “bad” matchups keep people watching.
In baseball, the 81-81 division winner will fuel plenty of debate about playoff formats. But the one-round, best-of-three setup is exactly why every game in the final week felt like a playoff game.
FAQs
What was the biggest NFL Week 3 finish?
The Ravens’ 56-yard walk-off field goal over the Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro is the top candidate.
Who are the top seeds in the 2026 MLB playoffs?
The Rays are No. 1 in the AL and the Brewers are No. 1 in the NL. Both get a first-round bye.
How does the MLB Wild Card Series work?
It’s a best-of-three, with every game at the higher seed’s ballpark. There’s no reseeding afterward.
Can an 0-3 NFL team still make the playoffs?
Yes, but it’s rare. Only seven teams in history have done it.
Stay updated with the latest US political developments and major stories shaping the headlines.
What Led To Caldwell’s Resignation?
Check out the investigation findings and developments surrounding Caldwell’s resignation.
What Happened At Trump-Xi Dinner?
Uncover the key moments, gifts, and unexpected events from the state dinner.
Why Are US Automakers Warning Trump?
Find out why automakers are urging restrictions on Chinese car companies.
Why Is Missouri Map Battle Back?
Dive into the latest Supreme Court dispute over Missouri’s congressional map.
Why Did US Renew Visa Sanctions?
Track down the reasons behind the renewed sanctions ahead of the UN Assembly.
