NFL power rankings Week 3: New No. 1, Miami into top 3, Eagles slide despite win
Power rankings after two weeks aren’t supposed to list every undefeated team, followed by every team with a .500 record and then all of the teams who are winless. Those are called standings. Power rankings are meant to gauge how good a team looks in their performances, taking into account the opponents they’ve faced.
In the Week 3 rankings — pending the results of the two Monday night games —there’s a flip at the top between San Francisco and Dallas. Both top teams won handily, and they will likely jockey for position throughout the regular season.
Elsewhere, Dallas’ division rivals and the NFC champion Eagles are also 2-0, but there are a ton of flaws apparent on their offense they’ll need to work out before returning to the perch.
The Chiefs righted their ship after an opening-week loss, but that offense doesn’t look in sync without Eric Bienemy. Meanwhile his offense in Washington is top-six in scoring and that club has climbed inside the top 20.
The bottom of the rankings also saw a flip of two teams, as Arizona cemented their tanking narrative with an epic collapse against the Giants.
Arizona Cardinals (0-2) | Last Week: 31
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 17: Joshua Dobbs #9 of the Arizona Cardinals throws the ball during the third quarter in the game against the New York Giants at State Farm Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Houston Texans (0-2) | Last Week: 32
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates with Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after a touchdown Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium in Houston
Carolina Panthers (0-1) Will Be Updated after MNF | Last Week: 30
Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) after a loss against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears (0-2) | Last Week: 29
Sep 11, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts (1-1) | Last Week: 28
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) rushes in for a touchdown Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston
Minnesota Vikings (0-2) | Last Week: 22
Dec 30, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) on the sidelines in the fourth quarter against Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) Will Be Updated after MNF | Last Week: 26
Sep 10, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) passes the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Titans (1-1) | Last Week: 27
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) | Last Week: 20
Sep 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the sidelines during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos (0-2) | Last Week: 21
Apr 25, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs during a Denver Broncos mini camp at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants (1-1) | Last Week: 23
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8), is shown on the ground after being sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (not shown) in the first quarter. Sunday, September 10, 2023
Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) | Last Week: 14
Sep 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) scrambles with the ball against the Washington Football Teamat FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots (0-2) | Last Week: 17
Oct 17, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons (2-0) | Last Week: 24
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 17: Drake London #5 of the Atlanta Falcons and Bijan Robinson #7 celebrate a touchdown during the second quarter in the game against the Green Bay Packers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Washington Commanders (2-0) | Last Week: 25
Sep 10, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Rams (1-1) | Last Week: 15
Sep 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints (1-0) Will Be Updated after MNF | Last Week: 18
Sep 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrate a touchdown pass to New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets (1-1) | Last Week: 10
Sep 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks (1-1) | Last Week: 16
Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) makes a throw in the second quarter of a wild card game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) | Last Week: 13
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) takes the field for warm ups prior to a Week 2 NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Green Bay Packers (1-1) | Last Week: 12
Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) | Last Week: 19
Sep 17, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is congratulated by quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions (1-1) | Last Week: 8
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) takes the field against Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Buffalo Bills (1-1) | Last Week: 11
Nov 28, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns (1-0) Will Be Updated after MNF | Last Week: 9
Dec 17, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) | Last Week: 7
Dec 11, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws the ball during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) | Last Week: 5
Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens (2-0) | Last Week: 6
Nov 22, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs (1-1) | Last Week: 3
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) walks off the field high-fiving fans after a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Miami Dolphins (2-0) | Last Week: 4
Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) against New England Patriots in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers (2-0) | Last Week: 1
Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) celebrates after a stop during the first quarter of a NFC divisional round game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys (2-0) | Last Week: 2
Sep 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) reacts after making a first down against the New York Jets in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
