WEEK 3 POWER RANKINGS

Week 2 is wrapped up, and I am still pretty confused about what is going on in the NFL. The Buccaneers are 2-0? The Chargers are 0-2? I don't think really amy teams have had this season go as they had expected to. On top of that, I am only confident that a handful of teams are good, and that really one team is bad. I do want to add one big disclaimer again: NO TEAM'S SEASON IS OVER. It has been two weeks into an 18 week season, there is no way you can tell me any team's season is over, or that a team is a lock to be good, so these power rankings reflect how the teams are performing right now, and my overall outlook on the teams moving forward. The Bengals started 0-2 and made it to the AFC Championship game last year, and teams often get off to slow starts, and then start playing good when it really starts to matter. That being said, let's get into this week's power rankings.

32. ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-2)

LAST WEEK 32

lost to the Giants, 31-28

I mean, what is there to say? They are obviously tanking for a high draft pick, and honestly when you think about it, it is a little exciting to say that they could have two top 5 picks, and potentially another 1st round pick if they trade Kyler Murray. I know that's looking really far into the future, but there's not much to talk about when you play games like this past Sunday, but hey, at least they had a huge lead in the game, that's saying something.

31. HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2)

LAST WEEK 31 

lost to the Colts, 31-20

Well it may not have been the greatest defensive effort from Houston, it is important to note how good Stroud was today. Airing it out for 384 yards and 2 TDs is really exciting for the future of this team. They are fresh, fresh into a rebuild, so it may be a slow burn, but I am going to note when this team does some things well, I think there is things to be excited about.

30. CHICAGO BEARS (0-2)

LAST WEEK 29 

lost to the Bucs, 27-17

Man, is Justin Fields good or not? I don't know if It is Fields fault or the playcalling's fault, or both, but simply they are not scoring very many points, nor are they stopping teams from scoring. I am not going to sound the alarms for them just yet, but it is ugly to watch.

29. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-2)

LAST WEEK 27 

lost to the Eagles, 34-28

This could be an overreaction about the Vikings to put them at 29, but they are the most 1 dimensional team in the NFL. They can't really run the ball, can't really stop the run or pass, but they have the best WR in the league so their passing offense is good. They may win some games, but I am not that confident in the Vikings.

28. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0)

LAST WEEK 26 

beat the Bears, 27-17

The Buccaneers being 2-0 means nothing to me. I am sorry, but this team really isn't that good, they are pretty mediocre at best. I am putting them low, like really low, and I think this is kind of where they belong. They snuck a win against the Vikings and beat a dysfunctional team in the Bears this past week. Now, in week 3, if they win again, okay then that will sell me, but they play the Eagles, so they probably won't. I will give them props for leaning into their team strengths.

27. TENNESSEE TITANS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 30 

beat the Chargers, 27-24

I was impressed with the Titans this past week, they played a good game against a really talented team. Do I think that they are that great of a team now? No, not really, the Chargers defense will make a lot of team's offense's look extremely potent. However, I will say, I do think this is not the last upset the Titans will pull off this season.

26. NEW YORK GIANTS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 18 

beat the Cardinals, 31-28

60-0 through their first 6 quarters is pretty bad. Luckily for them, they did pull off the comeback win, and find themselves with a 1-1 record, after a pretty dissapointing start overall to the season. I worry about this team's defense, and offensive chemistry. I know there are good players on the Giants offense, but I have yet to really see good chemistry and trust between players. However, if they can start to get Hyatt more involved, that could be really, really scary.

25. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 22 

lost to the Bills, 38-10

I thought their offense looked really good in week 1, but in week 2, I was reminded that there is another part to the Jimmy G experience. I don't really know what the future holds for this team this season, I can't really get a good read on how good or bad they are, so they are going to sit nicely at 25.

24. NEW YORK JETS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 17 

lost to the Cowboys, 30-10

Poor Zach Wilson had to face the Cowboys defense in his first start of the year. That is a tough task, but I still feel like Wilson still has some gaps in his game, and it is really hindering this offense. The defense, didn't really keep them in the game however, which is what the Jets really had to cling onto if they wanted to win, but they let Dak & company put a 30 spot on them. 

23. CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2)

LAST WEEK 24 

lost to the Saints, 20-17

To be completely honest, the Panthers only moved up because other teams moved down. They are 0-2, but they are at the start of a rebuild so I'm not too concerned for them.

22. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-0)

LAST WEEK 28 

beat the Broncos, 35-33

This team came back 21-3 to beat the Broncos this past week. I think the Broncos have a suspect defense, but nonetheless impressive. I want to put this team higher, I do, but I think I have to see just a little more from Sam Howell, if he is the guy. The defense did get a little torched for 33 points, but I think their core unit is pretty solid.

21. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 25 

beat the Texans, 31-20

There is something really exciting to me about the Colts. It is mostly Anthony Richardson, but I think this defense can throw some punches. If Richardson can get some good chemistry with his recievers, and maybe hopefully Taylor returns, this team could be sneaky good. For the record, I think Richardson is one of the most exciting players in the league right now.

20. CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 12 

lost to the Steelers, 26-22

Get well soon, Nick Chubb. This team losing Chubb is a bigger deal than a lot of people are letting on, the offense runs the way it does, because of him. Watson made some mistakes in the Monday Night loss, and they proved costly. I like their defense a lot still, I think that it can win them games, but on the offensive side of the ball, there is a little concern.

19. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-2)

LAST WEEK 21 

lost to the Dolphins, 24-17

The Patriots have played a couple of pretty good games so far this year, but they find themselves 0-2. I don't think this team is great at anything, but pretty good at everything. Their season isn't over, as I think they played pretty good in both games, but I am still skeptical because they don't really have an IT factor.

18. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-0)

LAST WEEK 20

beat the Panthers, 20-17

On the contrary from the Patriots, I am not super impressed with the Saints so far this season. They find themselves 2-0, but they have played pretty sloppy. I don't love the way Carr has been playing, considering that offense has some pretty nice pieces, and the defense has been solid, but they played Ryan Tannehill and Bryce Young in his 2nd start. I think they find ways to win, but that is going to prove to be way harder from here on out.

17. DENVER BRONCOS (0-2)

LAST WEEK 15 

lost to the Commanders, 35-33

The Denver Broncos are a combined 3 points away from being 2-0. When I realized that, I thought, 'What would the narrative be around the Broncos if they were 2-0?'. The narrative would be that the offense has made some huge leaps, and that the defense is a little concerning. Their season is not over, this offense is one of the best in the league through 2 weeks, and the defense was just top 10 last year, this team is close. I seriously don't care that they are 0-2, so what? if the next week goes a certain way, then they would tied for 1st place in the AFC West. If that souds silly, then that's what I think when someone says a team's season is over at 0-2.

16. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 14

beat the Browns, 26-22

This is a simple team to cover, so I will in one sentence: The defense is pretty good, the offense is not very good.

15. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-2)

LAST WEEK 10 

lost to the Titans, 27-24

Fire Brandon Staley for potentially wasting one of the most talented rosters in recent NFL memory. This team is way too good to be losing to the Titans in OT.

14. GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 13

lost to the Falcons, 25-24

Jordan Love looks really, really good. I think he is most likely going to be a good QB for the Packers for awhile. They played without some key guys against the Falcons, and I think there are some holes in their run defense, but otherwise, a pretty solid team.

13. ATLANTA FALCONS (2-0)

LAST WEEK 23

beat the Packers, 25-24

Okay I'll admit, they played solid in Week 2. Maybe they heard some of the criticism for not using their key players, and that's why Bijan almost had 200 yards, but this is probably one of the most dangerous offensive units in the NFL. Ridder isn't really turning the ball over, and as long as he protects the ball like that, they are going to put up points. However, the performance of their defense will be the difference in if they win the NFC South in my opinion.

12. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 16

beat the Lions, 37-31

That looks better. After an embarassing loss to the Rams in week 1, Seattle clawed their way in a hard fought W in the Motor City. They seem to always have the Lions number, and that was no different here. Still some serious concerns about their defense, not really stopping the run or pass very effectively.

11. LOS ANGELES RAMS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 19

lost to the 49ers, 30-23

The Rams look way better than I could have possibly imagined. The offense looks effective, and the defense looks good enough to win games. I really like the way they are playing, they just unfortunately played the 49ers this week, which is not a good fate for any team. I could look silly later in the season in retrospect for having the Rams being a borderline top 10 team, but I am feeling them right now.

10. CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-2)

LAST WEEK 5

lost to the Ravens, 27-24

Hey! They scored some touchdowns this week! In all seriousness, I think there is reason for both concern and also reason to not worry at all. On one hand, they are playing bad, on the other hand, we know just how good this team can really be. It is just simply if they are going to play to the level that they should. I still have them as a top 10 team this week, but if they fall to 0-3, that will not be the case.

9. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 9

lost to the Chiefs, 17-9

The Jaguars are finding a home at 9 on the power rankings so far. I think that the offense did not show up to the field in week 2 at all, but they were toes away from two Zay Jones touchdowns. Their defense took care of business against a good QB, so that is something to be excited about for them coming away from this week.

8. BUFFALO BILLS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 11

beat the Raiders, 38-10

Welcome back to the top 10, Buffalo Bills. They maybe had the best bounce back week this week for any of the 0-1 teams. Yeah, you could say it was against the Raiders, but they still did everything right that they possibly could. Hopefully that was a get right game for the Bills and they are back on track.

7. MIAMI DOPLHINS (2-0)

LAST WEEK 7

beat the Patriots, 24-17

The Dolphins are electric on offense, however, they played dangerously close to the Patriots this week. I think this team is really good, they feel complete. I do need to see a few more weeks of it to be completely sold.

6. DETROIT LIONS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 6

lost to the Seahawks, 37-31

Yes, they lost to the Seahawks, but I don't really care that much about that. The offense is still amazing, and the defense has playmakers, however, they may have lost CJ Gardner-Johnson for the year, if that is true, then that is a devastating blow.

5. BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-0)

LAST WEEK 8

beat the Bengals, 27-24

The Ravens are playing like they own the AFC. To me, at least at the moment, I feel like they kind of do. They can beat you so many different ways on offense, and that defense is scary. The Ravens play like this early in the year often, but it feels a little different this time around.

4. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-1)

LAST WEEK 4

beat the Jaguars 17-9

I think this is kind of a pity placement. I don't think the Chiefs played well at all offensively against the Jags. They put up a measly 17 points when their defense is playing great situationally. Mahomes has been just okay, and I was expecting Kelce to fix a lot of their offensive problems, but he didn't make necessarily a huge difference in the game. I do like how their defense played, but They are kind of only here at 4 because I have respect for Reid and Mahomes.

3. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0)

LAST WEEK 2

beat the Vikings, 34-28

The Eagles feel like they are playing at 80%, and they are 2-0. This is probably the best roster in the league, so they are always going to be near the top, but they have played not the best of their ability in the first two weeks, and still find themselves at 2-0. However, I think they were jumped by a division rival.

2. DALLAS COWBOYS (2-0)

LAST WEEK 3

beat the Jets, 30-10

They were playing Zach Wilson, but oh, my. That defense I think causes some nightmares for Offensive Coordinators. The offense is also working like a well-oiled machine. I don't really want to hear the argument that they aren't playing real teams, as that defense just last week picked off Josh Allen 3 times and led their team to a W against a top 10 team.

1. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-0)

LAST WEEK 1

beat the Rams, 30-23

Of course you knew the Niners were number 1. They do nothing wrong, the only thing scary about this team is maybe Brock Purdy making some rookie mistakes, but I think this team is so good that they could overcome those mistakes and some. I think a healthy Niners team is borderline untouchable here at the number 1 spot of power rankings.