week 3 power rankings

Beat KC 20-17

Another relatively lackluster win if you look at it statistically. There is a lot of chatter about how stats don't matter, it's just wins that matter. I would have to disagree, because the statistics can inform us on how well a team is performing in a certain area. You can win by playing not statistically great football, but it isn't reliable.

Beat NYJ 30-10

To put in perspective, the Steelers are a solid team that just barely won a dogfight against the Jets. The Bills had this game won by halftime. If that doesn't show that the Bills are truly another tier of great, I don't know what is.

Beat CLE 41-17

I think there was a small part of a lot of us that thought the Ravens would somehow underperform against the Browns, because we've seen them do things like this early on in years past. Maybe this year is different.

Beat WSH 27-18

The Packers defense is genuinely a frightening unit to go up against. Essentially held the Commanders from scoring any meaningful points.

Beat LV 20-9

It may not look pretty on paper, but the Chargers were in clear control of this game from start to finish. The Raiders simply had a larger time of possession, yet the Chargers defense held strong.

Beat CHI 52-21

Now THAT is what you come to expect from the Lions. We've seen one bad performance, and one great one from them, but which is their true nature? I suppose we will find out Monday night against the Ravens.

Beat HOU 20-19

Not a super pretty game past the first few drives, but the job was done no less. A terrific defensive game was needed against a really good Houston defense, which is what they provided.

Beat DEN 29-28

I will be cautiously optimistic about this Colts team, because I don't want to get burned by being too high on them, like I was for the Saints last yeear. However, based off everything they have showed us in two games, one against a playoff team, they look sharp on both sides, especially offense. Not using your punter once in two games is insane, especially against a top 3 defense. Respect is due here.

Beat TEN 33-19

May not be the most entertaining brand of football, but the Rams are going to play good defense and run the ball down your throat. They are a pain in the butt to play against.

Lost 27-18 to GB

Certainly not pressing the panic button for Washington through two weeks, but they looked just okay against the Giants and then looked bad against the Packers. This team needs a game that instills confidence that they can be explosive like they were last year.

Lost 29-28 to IND

Keeping an eye on Denver here, as the defense seemed to have faltered a bit against the Colts, but the offense showed up. This team shows us that they can have the offense and the defense, but never at the same time.

Lost 20-17 to PHI

The Chiefs are at 12 soley based off of reputation at this point. Sure, 3 straight superbowls is a good reputation to have, but as it looks at the moment, this is as high and as much respect as I can give them at the moment. Don't be shocked if they play a nail biter against the Giants this week.

Beat MIN 22-6

Have to give credit where credit is due. The offense is incredibly versatile, as they can beat you in different ways, and the defense just essentially shut out the Vikings, in Minnesota. Sure, against a rookie QB who has looked so-so, but they certainly did what they needed to do.

Beat PIT 31-17

This may be higher than others are on this team, but the defense is not a unit I would want to go up against. The constant turnovers are a classic sign of an elite Seattle defense, and they finally got the run game going this week. The floor is high for this team.

Lost 20-19 to TB

The Texans feel like a worse version of the Seahawks. They don't have a great run game, and a lot of their offense is produced by Stroud making a play to one of his big receivers. The defense is amazing though, as they are terrific at stopping the run, and creating pressure.

Beat CAR 27-22

The Cardinals are 2-0, but they are 2 shaky wins against relatively worse teams than them. I need to see this team against a playoff team to know if they could be one or not.

Beat NYG 40-37

We've seen a tale of two different Dallas teams, as they went toe-to-toe with the defending champs, and almost won to start the season, then they go to OT with the New York Giants. It's that sort of inconsistency that has left their organization where it is for the past few years.

Lost 22-6 to ATL

JJ McCarthy is hurt, so this ranking is representative of how they will look with a backup QB, but even still, he had one good quarter out of eight played. Certainly not saying I don't believe in him, but I can't rank them highly until I see him start to figure it out.

Lost 31-17 to SEA

The score makes it seem closer than it actually was. Rodgers and this offense could not move the ball well this entire game. This is a team that has leaned on it's defense a lot, but stemming from the end of last season, they have looked bad on that end too. Now with back-to-back weeks of giving up 30 points, you might have to start scratching your head about this team.

Beat NO 26-21

This ranking is representative of the injuries that are plaguing the team, but besides that I see confidence from this defense. I can't be harsh on them for playing a close game with the Saints.

Beat JAX 31-27

...And Burrow is going to miss time... again. It is becoming a trend for this team that they build around Burrow in the worst way to sustain his health. Great receivers are awesome to have, but to have a long successful career they need to invest in the offensive line even more, and creating a run game for him. Take as much of the pressurre as they can off of him.

Lost 52-21 to DET

I think someone had to be the punching bag for Detroit after being held down offensively in week 1, and the Bears just happened to be the victims. I do think Caleb looks better than last year, so I think the pieces are there, it's if they can put them together in time.

Beat MIA 33-27

Drake Maye has looked very solid through two weeks of the season, although their competition hasn't been too much to write home about. Much like the Cardinals, I would like to see this team against a playoff team.

Lost 40-37 to DAL

Gotta give props where it's due, and the offense completely woke up, complemented by the current leader in passing yards, Russell Wilson. There are also pieces on defense, especially a diabolical defensive line for opposing quarterbacks. I think this team has the stuff to be somewhat decent this year, it's just I don't see them winning very many games.

Lost 20-9 to LAC

I don't think this is the Geno they signed up for, but it's the Geno they've gotten through 2 weeks. I think they were expecting the turnovers, but they were also expecting the volume of passing and scoring, but that hasn't really showed up. The tools are there on offense, and if they want to win games, it's going to have to be because of the offense, as that defense isn't strong enough to hang your hat on.

Lost 31-27 to CIN

This team is very, very confusing. I want to like them, as they played well in both week 1 and 2, but they are 1-1. They beat the Panthers, but thanks in help to a weather delay, and they couldn't beat the Jake Browning led Bengals. I can see the potential, but it's just not manifesting into a entire team that strikes fear in their opponent.

Lost 30-10 to BUF

The Justin Fields injury hurt them, but I think we all knew that them beating the Bills was a longshot. However after week 1, I think a lot of people hoped they would keep it competitive.

Lost 33-19 to LAR

Even though I am dropping them 3 spots, I really like Cam Ward. I think he understands the QB position so me well, and despite a lackluster offensive line, the playcalling really has been beneficial to his growth in this league.

Lost 27-22 to ARI

The panic button is about to be pushed in Carolina, and it can't even be Young's fault. I think he has the talent and the intangibles, it's kind of just everything else. Tet McMillan is good, and he has helped, but that feels like the only thing that has been added to help Young win games.

Lost 26-21 to SF

Shocking;y enough, I am moving the saints up a few spots. They were competitive for 2 straight weeks, and while it may have been against Mac Jones this past week, I think it's worth something.

Lost 33-27 to NE

I really hate to be the 'I told you so' guy, but after 2 weeks, and my stance on the Dolphins, it's hard not to. Not great on defense, and okay at best on offense.

Lost 41-17 to BAL

I respect Flacco, and it's nothing against him, but this team doesn't have a QB. I think it's a matter of time before they try out the young guys.