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NFL Week 3 coaching grades: Kevin Stefanski earns 'A,' Dan Campbell wants a redo

Week 3 of the NFL season is in the books. The Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles are the only two undefeated teams remaining. Thirty teams have at least one win through the first three weeks for the second time since 2002. The Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders are the only two clubs without a win.

Eleven games in Week 3 were decided by one score.

How much of an influence did head coaches have on the outcomes in Week 3?

USA TODAY Sports examined their performances and attached grades for each letter (plus a couple for extra credit). Here is our report card:.

Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns: A

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski speaks with quarterback Jacoby Brissett during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 22, 2022.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski speaks with quarterback Jacoby Brissett during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 22, 2022.

Stefanski has put Jacoby Brissett in a position to be successful by utilizing Cleveland’s primary playmakers. In Thursday's 29-17 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he completed 21 of 31 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns (against no interceptions). Wide receiver Amari Cooper has recorded back-to-back 100-yard receiving games, the first Browns wideout to achieve that since Josh Gordon in 2013. Running back Nick Chubb has tallied a league-high 341 rushing yards, 113 of them Thursday.

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Here's a play where the Browns used both Chubb and Cooper to create an explosive play Thursday. Brissett faked a handoff to Chubb as Cooper ran a post route. The Steelers' defense bit on the fake and Cooper won his one-on-one matchup for a big reception down the field.

Brissett is managing Cleveland’s offense at a level that has exceeded expectations. Stefanski and the coaching staff deserve credit because they are making sure their best two offensive players are heavily involved in the game plan. Through three games, Brissett is averaging career bests in completion percentage (66.3), yards per game (198.7) and passer rating (94.3).

John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens: B

Quarterback Lamar Jackson and the offense have been prolific, with Baltimore's defense the main reason the team isn’t undefeated. The Jackson-led offense has scored 75 combined points in the past two games. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 218 yards, four touchdowns and an interception against the Patriots on Sunday in a 37-26 win. He also ran for 107 yards and TD on 11 attempts.

The Ravens put opponents in a predicament because of the constant threat of their explosive rushing attack. Baltimore ran a play-action pass near the goal line that froze New England defenders and created space for Jackson to throw a touchdown pass to tight end Josh Oliver in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Jackson ran a power read-option to the right for a game-sealing touchdown. The play is effective because Jackson has a choice to give the football to Justice Hill or run it himself depending on the defense's reaction.

Jackson is the first player in the Super Bowl era with at least three passing TDs and 100 rushing yards in consecutive games. The dual-threat quarterback is the frontrunner for league MVP, leading the NFL in touchdown passes (10) and passer rating (119.0). Among QBs, he's also tops in rushing yards (243) and rushing TDs (two).

Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals: C

After not scoring a first-half touchdown in the previous two games, the Bengals' offense had two on the way to a comfortable 27-12 victory against the New York Jets. Joe Burrow had his best game of the season, tossing three touchdowns with no interceptions. Most importantly, Burrow was only sacked twice after being sacked a combined 13 times in the previous two games.

Taylor did a nice job of mixing in the play-action pass and quick hot-route plays to keep the Jets' pass rush off balance.

Tyler Boyd's 56-yard touchdown was a good example of a quick hot route that went the distance.

Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions: D

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell was burned for his decision Sunday to try a field goal.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell was burned for his decision Sunday to try a field goal.

Campbell’s conservative decision backfired in a 28-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Instead of going for it on fourth down, the Lions' head coach elected to try a long field goal with 1:10 left in the fourth quarter at the Vikings 36. Kicker Austin Seibert missed the 54-yard field goal wide right and Minnesota gained possession with excellent field position. The Vikings scored three plays later to take the 28-24 lead.

“As far as me, I frickin' regret my decision there at the end,” Campbell said. “Should have gone for it on fourth down. I told the team that. I should have gone for it.”

Brandon Staley, Los Angeles Chargers: F

Justin Herbert should’ve been rested to nurse his fractured rib cartilage. The Chargers quarterback wasn’t himself in all four quarters, going 25 of 45 passing with 297 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Ironically, the entire Chargers team performed like they took the game off in a 38-10 beat down by the Jacksonville Jaguars inside SoFi Stadium.

The Chargers inexplicably had an ailing Herbert in the game in garbage time, risking even further injury. The Jags' decisive win was Jacksonville’s largest margin of victory on the road since 2001, and it snapped the franchise’s 18-game road losing streak that was the eighth-longest in NFL history.

Extra credit:

Pro Bowl Games: TBD

The much-maligned and outdated Pro Bowl is going to be revamped (it’s about time!). The NFL announced Monday that starting this year the “Pro Bowl Games” will be a week-long celebration of players' skills that will culminate in a flag football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Hopefully, the NFL incorporates a race to determine the NFL’s fastest man, bench press and squat contests, a throwing distance competition and field goal and punt battles.

Super Bowl halftime show: A

The NFL announced Rihanna will headline the Super Bowl 57 halftime show on Feb. 12, 2023, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Last season’s Super Bowl halftime show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and Eminem is going to be a tough act to follow, but Rihanna is a good choice with international appeal.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 3 coaching grades: Dan Campbell wants a redo