NFL Power Rankings entering Week 3
Whose got the power?
(David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports)
Another wild weekend in the books for the NFL. Crazy comebacks, incredible plays, and more unpredictable results. What a year and it’s only Week 2. Here’s how the 32 NFL teams stack up heading into Week 3…
32. Indianapolis Colts (0-2, lost to Jacksonville Jaguars)
[Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
A disaster. Enough said. Next: vs Kansas City Chiefs
31. Carolina Panthers (0-2, lost to New York Giants)
(Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
The Panthers have lost nine games in a row if you count the last seven of 2021. The fuse on Matt Rhule’s tenure has to be precariously short. Next: vs. New Orleans Saints
30. Atlanta Falcons (0-2, lost to Los Angeles Rams)
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
The Falcons fell far behind the Super Bowl champs at SoFi. They launched an unlikely comeback and had chances to win the game. But, they didn’t. Next: at Seattle Seahawks
29. Houston Texans (0-1-1, lost to Denver Broncos)
(Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports)
The Texans are one of the teams in the AFC South looking for a win. That means they are in bad company. Lovie Smith is doing his best with a limited hand, though. Next: at Chicago Bears
28. Tennessee Titans (0-2, lost to Buffalo Bills)
USAT
There is trouble with a capital T in Tennessee. Those who expected the Titans to take steps back could not have any idea it would be so many so soon. Next: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
27. Chicago Bears (1-1, lost to Green Bay Packers)
USAT
Unimpressive offense and the defense was handled by Aaron Rodgers, once again. Same ol’ song and dance. Next: vs. Houston Texans
26. New York Jets (1-1, defeated Cleveland Browns)
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The team that specializes in grasping defeat from the jaws of victory pulls off an astonishing comeback in the last two minutes against the Browns. Could this be the game that changes everything for Robert Saleh? Next: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
25. Seattle Seahawks (1-1, lost to San Francisco 49ers)
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The Seahawks came to turf against the Niners after the emotional win in Week 1. The schedule gets softer in Week 3. Next: vs. Atlanta Falcons
24. Washington Commanders (1-1, lost to Detroit Lions)
USAT
Washington plays exciting, tight games. This one didn’t work out for Ron Rivera, though. Intriguing team in a season filled with them. Next: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
23. Denver Broncos (1-1, defeated Houston Texans
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This is not what Denver fans signed up for when the Broncos got Russell Wilson. Next: Vs. San Francisco 49ers
22. Dallas Cowboys (1-1, defeated Cincinnati Bengals)
USAT
The Cowboys had everything under control despite missing Dak Prescott. Cooper Rush was solid in winning his second career start. And Brett Maher deserves a medal for the way the team has treated him through the years: here, cut, here, cut … Next: at New York Giants
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1, defeated Indianapolis Colts)
[Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
The Jaguars not only own the Indianapolis Colts but now, they are in first place in the AFC South after two weeks. Doug Pederson must be a miracle worker. Next: at Los Angeles Chargers
20. Minnesota Vikings (1-1, lost to Philadelphia Eagles)
(Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)
After two weeks, the Vikings look like they have a split personality. They were stellar against the Packers in the opener and they made Jalen Hurts and the Eagles look like Super Bowl contenders in Week 2. Next: vs. Detroit Lions
19. New York Giants (2-0, defeated Carolina Panthers)
(USAT)
Big Blue is 2-0 in the Brian Daboll era and has the Dallas Cowboys (minus Dak Prescott) coming in for a Monday Night Football game in Week 3. Could the Giants actually be 3-0? We shall see. Next: vs. Dallas Cowboys
18. Las Vegas Raiders (0-2, lost to Arizona Cardinals)
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
How long will it take before people start asking if Josh McDaniels is a better OC than head coach? Next: at Tennesse Titans
17. Detroit Lions (1-1, defeated Washington Commanders)
(USAT)
The Lions may turn out to be one of the most exciting teams in the league. They score a lot, allow a lot of points, and are high-energy. Next: at Minnesota Vikings
16. Cleveland Browns (1-1, lost to New York Jets)
USAT
And that would be another awful loss by the Cleveland Browns, a franchise that specializes in them. Next: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
15. Arizona Cardinals (1-1, deafeated Las Vegas Raiders)
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The Cardinals were headed for another miserable loss until the light bulb went on at halftime. The Kyler Murray-led comeback was stunning. Next: vs. Los Angeles Rams
14. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2, lost to Dallas Cowboys)
USAT
Two difficult losses to digest. Everyone comes up with their best when they play a team that made it to the Super Bowl. The Bengals are learning … fast. Next: at New York Jets
13. San Francisco 49ers (1-1, defeated Seattle Seahawks)
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
When is a win a loss? When you lose your franchise quarterback for the season, Trey Lance. However, there is some good news as Jimmy Garoppolo was his usual reliable self and should be a solid starter. Next: at Denver Broncos
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1, lost to New England Patriots)
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You can put the Steelers in the same category as the team that beat them in Week 2, the New England Patriots… Next: at Cleveland Browns
11. New England Patriots (1-1, defeated Pittsburgh Steelers)
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Feels like the Patriots are going to be similar to many of the middle-of-the-pack teams. They will play a lot of close games: some will go for them, and others won’t be in their favor. Next: vs. Baltimore Ravens
10. Miami Dolphins (2-0, defeated Baltimore Ravens)
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Mike McDaniel and the Fish — sounds like a great name for a band — are 2-0 after a stirring comeback in Baltimore. Tua Tagovailoa threw 6 touchdown passes. Do you think that will quiet critics for 15 minutes? Next: vs. Buffalo Bills
9. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1, lost to Kansas City Chiefs)
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A thrilling game turned into a loss and a hold-your-breath moment when Justin Herbert was injured. The Chargers are another team that has to be careful with a talented quarterback. Next: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
8. New Orleans Saints (1-1, lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
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The Saints put up a fight and that might not have been a good idea against Tom Brady & Co. New Orleans has to be careful with Jameis Winston and the fractures in his back. Next: at Carolina Panthers
7. Green Bay Packers (1-1, beat Chicago Bears)
(Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
Aaron Rodgers warmed up for his duel with Tom Brady by muzzling the Chicago Bears, again. Next: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0, defeated Minnesota Vikings)
(Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)
The Eagles came out and made a statement against the Minnesota Vikings. Jalen Hurts is playing superb football and the Eagles showed a balance between a strong offense and solid defense. Next: at Washington Commanders
5. Los Angeles Rams (1-1, defeated Atlanta Falcons)
(Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
There has to be a concern despite the win over the Falcons. The Rams built a huge lead and then flirted with an awful loss. Next: at Arizona Cardinals
4. Baltimore Ravens (1-1, lost to Miami Dolphins)
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The Ravens were on their way to 2-0 and suddenly couldn’t stop Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle. The defense needs to come together. Next: at New England Patriots
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0, defeated New Orleans Saints)
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Pick on Tom Brady and his teammates at your own risk. Why would anyone want to wake up the Bucs when they were slumbering? Next: vs. Green Bay Packers
2. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0, defeated Los Angeles Chargers)
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Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have found a way to be 2-0 and that’s a great start in what was expected to be a rough-and-tumble division. Next: at Indianapolis Colts
1. Buffalo Bills (2-0, defeated Tennessee Titans)
(USAT)
It isn’t that the Chiefs did anything wrong to slip from the top spot to No. 2. It’s just the Bills did everything right in destroying the Titans. Next: at Miami Dolphins
