To borrow a title from the classic 1963 film, it has been a Mad, Mad, Mad Football World.

Certainly, this year’s NFL season has had it share of head-scratchers and second looks. Who would have thought the Vikings would be 3-0 under Sam Darnold, as well as the Steelers under Justin Fields, and the Seahawks under Geno Smith.

The Commanders also have shared the spotlight with Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is looking like the steal of the 2024 draft. He has refueled football optimism for a possible magical run in our nation’s capital.

In this week’s edition of my Inside the Huddle column - reviewing the present and past state of the Eagles, Giants and Jets and the league as well as Notre Dame football - I’ll look at the start of the wacky season around the league.

What’s Going On, Here?: Last week, both Carolina and Denver raised their levels with upset victories, and Andy Dalton may have finally found his niche with the Panthers. Bo Nix took his first major step as the Broncos’ quarterback messiah. If you noticed, the Rams gutted out their first victory, and Baltimore got its with a dominant showing over the Cowboys.

Speaking of Dallas, will they be a fraud team again? I’m convinced Dak Prescott can’t win the big game.

Daniel Jones looked like the envisioned quarterback savior in the Giants win, but can he be consistent? And Aaron Rodgers has been proving that he is the Jets’ savior.

As of now, the Chiefs are the only clear-cut Super Bowl contender.

Don’t Need A Seat Warmer: We’ll be four weeks into season, and could there already be some coaches on the proverbial hot seat?

You bet.

Covering the Jaguars, as well as the Jets and Giants again this season, I’ve heard some chatter that Jaguars’ head coach, and ex-Eagle mentor Doug Pederson, could be in trouble after his team’s 0-3 start. Jacksonville looked totally out of sync Monday night in Buffalo, as the Bills had their way with them in the first half.

Jaguars’ owner Shad Khan has made it clear that he expects his team to get to the postseason, referring to them as the “best collection of talent and coaches” since he has owned the team. Khan also is in the process of constructing a new $1.7 billion stadium, and that doesn’t help matters.

After his team’s 0-3 start, Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor’s honeymoon appears to be over. There’s plenty of talent in Cincinnati, and Taylor needs to win. His career record heading into Sunday is 37-47-1.

Is Eagles’ coach Nick Sirianni in trouble, too? There have been some rumblings because of some of his decisions, but he should be safe barring a major collapse.

Green Seeing Red: Notre Dame has one of their more difficult opponents Saturday when the 16th-ranked Irish host 15th-ranked Louisville at South Bend for a 3:30 kickoff.

Louisville knocked off Notre Dame 33-20 last year and ended the Irish’s playoff aspirations.

This season, the Cardinals enter the game with the nation’s 22nd ranked defense - 14th in sacks, 18th in run defense, and 10th in turnover ratio. The Irish’s ever-rotating offensive line will certainly have a challenge.

In their initial meeting in 2014, Louisville battled through a hard-fought game and eventually pulled out a 31-28 victory. It was the third-straight loss for the Irish then, and the sixth-straight game in which they allowed 30 points or more.

Irish head coach Marcus Freeman can’t afford another home loss. If the Irish lose, there will be plenty of more skepticism about their head coach.

He was Gold, Not Green: Each week, I’ll recall a former Notre Dame star who had ties with the Eagles and other NFL teams.

Do you remember former Irish defensive end Walt Patulski? He started every game in his collegiate career and recorded 176 tackles at South Bend. In 1971, Patulski was also the first recipient of the prestigious Lombardi Trophy, which recognizes the country’s top lineman.

Patulski was the Bills’ top draft choice in 1972, and had four productive seasons in Buffalo, However, he was traded to the Cardinals for a second-round pick in 1976, and suffered a season-ending knee injury during the season.

Unfortunately, Patulski suffered another knee injury in 1977 that ended his career.

Turn Back the Pages: Periodically, I’ll briefly research a pro- or semi-pro connection to the greater area.

Anyone remember or have a connection with Coaldale’s pro team the “Big Green?” According to reports, the roster was composed of mainly local talent, and two of the better recognized players through the years were James “Blue” Bonner and Jack “Honeyboy” Evans.

The Big Green won three consecutive coal region championships in 1921, 1922 and 1923 in the Anthracite League.

Black and Blue Again: This season, the early returns indicate that the NFC Central could return as a highly competitive division and regain its “Black and Blue” status.

The anticipated Vikings-Packers showdown this Sunday hasn’t carried this much steam in quite a long time.

Along with Darnold’s rise, running back Aaron Jones is off to a great start. But, Jones has a propensity for injury, and it remains to be seen whether he can sustain a 17-game schedule. It gets interesting with Jones back in Green Bay Sunday.

The Packers are also an early surprise, and they haven’t missed a beat with backup quarterback Malik Willis. Jordan Love’s status will be a game-time decision.

The Lions will be in the hunt all season, and the Bears will be fun to watch with top overall pick Caleb Williams.

Keep an eye on this division.

Topping Off: After Week 3, here are my top five teams:

1. Chiefs (3-0) - Pulled it out against Atlanta, but they clearly weren’t flagged for a late pass interference call.

2. Bills (3-0) - It’s all Josh Allen and a cohesive defense.

3. Vikings (3-0) - Hitting on all cylinders with 85 points scored and just 30 points allowed.

4. Steelers (3-0) - Mike Tomlin has proved again why he is one of the game’s best coaches.

5. Eagles - (2-1) - They gutted it out against the Saints, and Saquon Barkley is running hard.

Here’s how I see the league’s bottom five teams: (worst is first)

1. Titans (0-3) - Will Levis is horrible and so is the team.

2. Jaguars (0-3) - They are now the league’s biggest disappointment.

3. Patriots (1-2) - The Drake Maye era is ready to begin.

4. Panthers (1-2) - Dalton still has to prove that he is the guy.

5. Broncos (1-2) - Nix also has plenty to prove.

Matriculating Down The Field: The Eagles could be shorthanded against the Bucs Sunday in Tampa due to a possible long injury list. If Baker Mayfield regains his touch, it could be a tight game.

Forty-five years ago - hard to believe - the host Bucs edged the Eagles, 24-17, in a 1979 NFC Divisional playoff game.

Falling into a 24-10 hole, the Eagles closed the gap to 24-17 on Ron Jaworski’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Harold Carmichael.

But the real issue for the Birds was trying to stop Ricky Bell, who ran 38 times for 142 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Wilbert Montgomery was held in check with 35 yards. Jaworski finished the day 15 of 39 for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

Play ‘Em: Here are three fantasy picks for the weekend:

Jets’ Breece Hall and/or Braelon Allen: Either or both of them should have a big game against Denver in the Meadowlands.

Vikings’ Aaron Jones: Will run hard against his ex-Packer mates.

Giants’ Devin Singletary: Singletary will be prime time against a Cowboys’ defense that has allowed 185 rushing yards per game.

Prediction Time: Last week I went 3-0 and have a 4-3 slate for the season.

This week, I like the Jets (-7.5) over the Broncos, the Eagles (-2) over the Bucs, and take the Giants (+5) over the Cowboys (close game here).

Your thoughts are always welcomed. Please email them – tnsports@tnonline.com