NFL Week 3 Power Rankings

Week 3 of the NFL season is over and that means one thing: Power Rankings! There was plenty to talk about this week as we saw QB changes, blowouts, comebacks and of course we saw a Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker miss an important field goal.

With that action came plenty of change to my Power Rankings. The Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills are the biggest risers, improving five and four spots respectively, and the San Francisco 49ers cracked the top ten. Meanwhile four teams dropped three spots and there was a shakeup in the top six. So, without further ado, here are my Week 3 Power Rankings:

1. New England Patriots (3-0)

The Patriots are yet to give up a touchdown to an offense… The last offensive touchdown scored against them was the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. That’s outrageous. Add to the fact the offense looks like it can score whenever it wants, however it wants, and this Patriots team is possibly the scariest it has been in a few years.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) +1

Sunday’s win over the Ravens was huge. Though it ended 33-28, it never felt like the Ravens had a chance to win. The Chiefs' offense is so good it just doesn’t seem to matter who they play. They will design and execute plays to win games, and any mistakes against them will be punished.

3. Dallas Cowboys (3-0) +2

Sunday was probably the Cowboys' worst performance yet, and it was against the Dolphins, but the fact is Dak Prescott has played like an MVP candidate since Amari Cooper arrived. This offense is versatile and talented and the defense is tough. This team is the one to beat in the NFC right now.

4. Los Angeles Rams (3-0) -2

The Rams may have won on the road against Cleveland, but their offensive performance is worrying. The Browns had so many injuries on the backend the Rams should’ve flown riot through the air (see what I did there?). They're unquestionably talented, but they need to iron out some creases to get back to the top of the NFC.

5. Green Bay Packers (3-0) +1

The Packers should have everyone scared. They're showing they can win with a running game and strong defense, without having to lean on Aaron Rodgers to carry this team. Yet Rodgers is still going to be able to carry this team to wins when need be. This is the best Packers team we’ve seen in a while and they are now a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

6. Baltimore Ravens (2-1) -2

I mentioned in my observations piece that the Ravens' loss was both humbling and promising. To lose by only five points having gifted three touchdowns and missing three 2-point PATs is a testament to how talented this team actually is. Jackson missed a lot of throws but he carried the offense in the fourth quarter. This Ravens team is very talented and this game should prove to be a reality check as to what it’ll take to get back to a Super Bowl.

7. New Orleans Saints (2-1)

Going to Seattle and winning with your backup QB was quite the flex by Sean Peyton, and one I didn’t see coming. Teddy Bridgewater wasn’t why they won, it was more the defense and Alvin Kamara, who looked like an MVP candidate. Importantly, though, Bridgewater was not a reason the team would lose, and as long as he can keep that going this team will be fine.

8. Houston Texans (2-1)

The Texans, when the offense is firing right, are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Deshaun Watson is playing very well and he has very good weapons. What’s more promising is that his line has been upgraded and played well against a talented Chargers front seven. This weekend’s win was a big one for this team.

9. Seattle Seahawks (2-1)

Sunday produced the Seahawks’ first home September loss in 16 games, and it was quite worrying. They shot themselves in the foot and couldn’t overcome a Saints team without Drew Brees. I think they’ll be okay but that loss wasn’t great.

10. San Francisco 49ers (3-0) +3

A close win against the Steelers may not seem like reason to jump three spots, but the 49ers just looked a better team for most of the game and they are now 3-0. They had five poor turnovers, but that is avoidable. Their defense swarms and their d-line has the potential to be immense, and the offense, when they play clean, is potent. They are a legitimate playoff contender.

11. Indianapolis Colts (2-1) +1

The Colts looked very impressive against the Falcons. Jacoby Brissett and the offense were confident and looked fluid and in rhythm, and the defense did what it had to against a talented offense. Malik Hooker’s injury isn’t ideal, but this team is good enough to overcome it.

12. Chicago Bears (2-1) -2

It may seem harsh to drop a team down two spots after a 16-point win on the road, but context is everything. The defense is nasty, we know that, and they showed it for three of the games quarters. The offense also seemed to click and get the creative juices flowing, but it was against the Redskins. Ultimately I trust the teams above them to perform as they should more regularly.

13. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) -2

Sunday’s loss was honestly more of the same from the Chargers. This is a very talented team that should really be challenging the Chiefs in the AFC West. Instead they’re getting in their own way, again. This team must fix its issues or they’ll be looking at another wasted season of Philip Rivers.

14. Buffalo Bills (3-0) +4

Well hey, maybe the Bills are a good team and the Patriots should be scared? Nah, the Patriots are still a far better team than the Bills and they shouldn’t be scared about their division stranglehold, but the Bills' upcoming game against those Pats will be a very good measuring stick to how close, or far, this team really is from the NFL’s best.

15. Detroit Lions (2-0-1) +5

Are the Lions for real? They may well be knocking on the door. The Eagles did a little too much to beat themselves but there does seem to be a shift in the Lions. They seem less bland than they have for years. Matt Patricia is changing that team and if it awakens Matthew Stafford they really will be dangerous.

16. Minnesota Vikings (2-1)

The Vikings' win was convincing and showed their best selves. With a strong ground game, thanks to Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, and their always tough defense they have a great recipe. However, I do still worry about the day the ground game is shut down and the Vikings have to rely on Kirk Cousins.

17. Atlanta Falcons (1-2) -3

I have a pretty good feeling the Falcons are going to be up and down all season, leaving them right in the middle of the pack. The Falcons should have been able to beat the Colts, they have so much talent on their roster, but they didn’t and are squandering a shot to control the division.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) -3

The Eagles had a chance to win against the Lions, and they may come to regret their missed opportunities. The Eagles totaled seven dropped passes, including the game losing play, lost two fumbles and gave up a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown. This team needs to get healthy and start executing fast, or the season could slip away.

19. Cleveland Browns (1-2)

I didn’t think the Browns would be as good as many people wanted them to be, but I didn’t expect their offense to look so disjointed. When asked to do anything but get the ball out quickly and in rhythm the offense is falling apart. They need to get it straightened up to keep their many characters in check. At least their defense, even with the secondary ravaged by injury, came to play.

20. Tennessee Titans (1-2) -3

My claim that the Titans would be better this year has not aged well. They looked very poor, mainly offensively, on Thursday night and they just won’t compete for the division, especially with the Texans and Colts ahead of them.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-3)

The Steelers are just not a good team. Sure, they have a talented defense on paper with a number of first round picks, but they seem to choose which quarters they actually play. As for the offense? Aside from JuJu Smith-Schuster they are lacking talent. James Conner doesn’t look like the same player and Mason Rudolph looked overwhelmed and flustered.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)

Hello, Gardner Minshew II! I honestly think he is showing enough improvement week-to-week, and enough command of this offense that I don’t think Nick Foles should be automatically given his job back. The Jags should, if they can, keep Jalen Ramsey because they can win with this team.

23. Oakland Raiders (1-2)

After a promising Week 1, the Raiders have been humbled by two big defeats. This team has some nice pieces and they are improved, but they aren’t going anywhere this year. Luckily (or maybe not), they have 8 years and 13 more games for this regime to work out.

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2)

I have to say I’m glad I’m not a Buccaneers fan right now. Imagine having a 28-10 lead on a rookie QB, at home, and losing. Not only that, they were in position to win the game only to see their kicker miss the go-ahead kick. GET THIS TEAM A KICKER!

25. Carolina Panthers (1-2) +3

Kyle Allen may actually be a good thing for the Panthers. On Sunday he played really well. Sure, it was against the Cardinals but he made throws and ran the offense in a way that Cam Newton just can’t at the moment. Cam won’t play next week and there is absolutely no reason the Panthers should bring him back before he is absolutely ready to.

26. Denver Broncos (0-3)

The Broncos offense is not great, that much I expected, but the fact their defense has no sacks or turnovers through three games is shocking. Given the talent they have on that side of the ball it is unforgivable for a defensive coach like Vic Fangio. They weren’t going to be great this year, but they must get something out of that defense soon or this season could spiral.

27. Washington Redskins (0-3)

Yikes, was that first half bad or what? It seems a matter of time until Dwayne Haskins is thrust into the lineup and Jay Gruden is fired. His stint in Washington has not worked and the team needs to go in a new direction.

28. Arizona Cardinals (0-2-1) -3

The Cardinals performance on Sunday is much more in line with what I thought we’d see. Kyler Murray wasn’t able to get anything going downfield and the defense was poor. It’s going to be a rough season in Arizona.

29. Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)

The Bengals look bad. Against a Bills team I thought they’d bring back down to earth, the Bengals looked out of ideas and absolutely like the worse team. Maybe the Bills are better than I thought, or the Bengals are just horrid. I’m inclined to believe a bit of both, but either way it’s not good for Bengals nation.

30. New York Giants (1-2) +1

Benching Eli Manning was the right move. If anything it was a few years overdue. Daniel Jones looked good on Sunday. He wasn’t perfect, far from it, and he benefited from playing the Buccaneers. He has plenty to work on and is stuck behind a horrible offensive line and with a really poor defense, and now is without Saquon Barkley. It’s far from ideal for the rookie but there is now something to watch every week for Giants fans.

31. New York Jets (0-3) -1

The Jets may well be trying to sabotage the Dolphins’ blatant attempt to have the number one overall pick, and if they are it’s working. Without Darnold and Mosely this team is not good, and I don’t think it will be much better once they’re back.

32. Miami Dolphins (0-3)

They remain absolutely horrid, but they at least showed signs of being an NFL team. Switching to Josh Rosen was the right decision, but I can’t help but feel for him. Has a first round QB had to deal with two such talent poor teams in two years ever before?

What do you think? Who is overrated and who is underrated? Lemme know in the comments below!