NFL Power Rankings entering Week 3
Plugging on
Week 2 action is finally in the books as the Steelers managed to hold off the Browns in the Monday night finale. It was a long week with plenty of storylines, and as we head toward Week 3, here is how all 32 teams stack up…
32. Arizona Cardinals (0-2, lost to New York Giants)
This team seems set on doing whatever it can to get the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. How else can you explain the collapse after the break against the Giants?
31. Chicago Bears (0-2, lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
The Chicago Bears head into Week 3 with two losses. Some things never change. What will the Bears do if they wind up with the first pick in the 2024 NFL draft? Trade it again?
30. Houston Texans (0-2, lost to Indianapolis Colts)
The Texans are bad. They are young and DeMeco Ryans has to hope management gives him time to work through the growing pains. There is no guarantee that will happen with this organization, though.
29. Denver Broncos (0-2, lost to Washington Commanders)
Sean Payton’s team has huge problems. They are the only squad that can pull off a Hail Mary and make you forget it because a failed 2-point conversion to send a game to overtime. The Broncos were outscored 32-3 during a stretch against Washington… and the game was in Denver.
28. Carolina Panthers (0-2, lost to New Orleans Saints)
Bryce Young is having as much success as a rookie in the NFL as those following him at Alabama are doing in 2023. The Panthers have a strong defense. If Young can get up to speed, the Panthers could be interesting.
27. Indianapolis Colts (1-1, defeated Houston Texans)
The Colts won their first game, but lost their prized quarterback Anthony Richardson to a concussion. The fourth overall pick out of Florida had a pair of rushing TDs in the first quarter. Gardner Minshew came in and the offense stayed in step. The three quarterbacks taken in the first four picks of the 2023 NFL draft are 1-5, and the only win is because the Colts topped the Texans.
26. Minnesota Vikings (0-2, lost to Philadelphia Eagles)
The Vikings were 11-0 in one-score games in 2022. The Vikings are 0-2 in one-score games in 2023.
25. New York Giants (1-1, defeated Arizona Cardinals)
The Giants looked like a team headed for trouble at halftime against the Arizona Cardinals. Scoreless through six quarters with the 49ers up next on Thursday. Brian Daboll shook them up and Big Blue scored 31 in 30 minutes and won. The Saquon Barkley injury is enormous as he is out 3 weeks … at least.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2, lost to Baltimore Ravens)
Joe Burrow is 1-7— if you combine the first two games of every season of his NFL career. In those games, he has 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions while averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. The Bengals are 0-2 in divisional games and that is not what anyone expected.
23. Los Angeles Chargers (0-2, lost to Tennessee Titans)
Brandon Staley… on the hot seat? Calling that timeout in OT with Derrick Henry standing on the sidelines was beyond baffling.
22. Atlanta Falcons (2-0, defeated Green Bay Packers)
The Bijan Robinson draft selection looks brilliant. Somehow, Arthur Smith has Atlanta at 2-0 with Demond Ridder as his QB. Amazing start.
21. Las Vegas Raiders (1-1, lost to Buffalo Bills)
The Raiders scored first against the Bills. They should have taken the ball and gone home after that drive. Talk about being dismantled.
20. New England Patriots (0-2, lost to Miami Dolphins)
Belichick is 0-2 for the first time since 2001.
19. Tennessee Titans (1-1, defeated Los Angeles Chargers)
The Titans snapped an overall eight-game losing streak as Nick Folk delivered in overtime. Give an assist to Chargers coach Brandon Staley, who called a timeout in the extra session when Tennessee faced a third down with Derrick Henry on the sidelines. After the timeout, Henry was back in and ran for the first down.
18. New York Jets (1-1, lost to Dallas Cowboys)
It is easy to hammer Zach Wilson. So, that will happen. However, the Jets were throttled by a Dallas defense that is likely to shut down most offenses. Do not expect miracles with No. 2 at QB. And it would be surprising if Aaron Rodgers recovers my January to find out that his team is in the playoffs. That’s not happening.
17. Green Bay Packers (1-1, lost to Atlanta Falcons)
The Packers were depleted — by injuries — and then they were defeated by Atlanta on a late field goal. Jordan Love was efficient and threw a trio of TD passes. There might be hope at Lambeau in 2023 after all.
16. Washington Commanders (2-0, defeated Denver Broncos)
Ron Rivera is 2-0 with a team that has been cleansed of Daniel Snyder. That said, the Commanders have beaten the Cardinals and Broncos who are a combined 0-4.
15. New Orleans Saints (2-0, defeated Carolina Panthers)
Not ready to get too excited about the Saints. They did what they had to against the Titans and Panthers. Let’s see what happens when the competition gets stiffer.
14. Cleveland Browns (1-1, lost to Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Browns lost way more than a game against the Steelers. Nick Chubb’s injury was awful. Deshaun Watson turned the ball over and cost his team big time. That’s not what someone with a huge contract is expected to do.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1, defeated Cleveland Browns)
The defense won the game for Pittsburgh—Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt crushed the Browns—and it will have to do that many times during this season.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0, defeated Chicago Bears)
Who needs Tom Brady when you open the season against teams from the NFC North?
11. Seattle Seahawks (1-1, defeated Detroit Lions)
Who knew the Seahawks were looking past their opener with the Rams because they were so focused on the Detroit Lions? Seattle came away with a high-scoring victory and managed to even its record with the OT win.
10. Los Angeles Rams (1-1, lost to San Francisco 49ers)
The Rams stayed with the powerhouse 49ers for a half. That’s about what you can expect from this team—which isn’t what it was when it won the Super Bowl.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1, lost to Kansas City Chiefs)
The Jaguars played the Super Bowl champs tough but came up short. They need to learn from this home loss and keep growing and going.
8. Detroit Lions (1-1, lost to Seattle Seahawks)
The Lions were looking for their first 2-0 start since 2017. It didn’t happen because they lost in OT to Seattle. Jared Goff threw a pick-six. Why can’t Dan Campbell & Co. have nice things?
7. Buffalo Bills (1-1, defeated Las Vegas Raiders)
That’s more like it. The Bills looked focused and destroyed the Raiders. Now, they must keep that attention and continue to recognize you have to be prepared and ready for every game.
6. Miami Dolphins (2-0, defeated New England Patriots)
The Sunday Night stage was the setting for an AFC East showdown that highlighted an impressive Dolphins team (and a not-so-impressive Patriots squad). Tua looks solid and the offense is clicking. If the defense can build off this past week, then look out!
5. Baltimore Ravens (2-0, defeated Cincinnati Bengals)
Lamar Jackson looked like he shook off his passing rust. The Ravens are 2-0 and they picked up a divisional win on the road. If this team can stay healthy—or reasonably so—it will be dangerous.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (1-1, defeated Jacksonville Jaguars)
It wasn’t pretty, but it was a road win in a difficult game. Patrick Mahomes had Travis Kelce back and things were far better for the Super Bowl champs.
3. Dallas Cowboys (2-0, defeated New York Jets)
If the Cowboys’ offense avoids mistakes, Dallas could have a huge season. The defense has doomsday qualities and will stifle many foes.
2. San Francisco 49ers (2-0, defeated Los Angeles Rams)
The 49ers are powerful on defense and balanced on offense. They have a lot going for them all over the roster. This team is built for a deep playoff run.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0, defeated Minnesota Vikings)
The Eagles’ biggest problem could be finding a way to keep Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown on the same page. They don’t need sideline confrontations with this much talent on the team.
