NFL Power Rankings after Week 3: Chiefs survive again, Vikings, Bills and Steelers stay perfect

We are at the point of the season where being an undefeated team doesn’t necessarily mean you are a league power house, and being winless doesn’t necessarily mean your season is done and dusted. However, the Vikings and the Bills look like serious contenders, while the Jaguars and the Bengals look like the dumpster fires of the NFL. There’s a long way to go until the end of the season, until then enjoy our latest Power Rankings.

1) Kansas City Chiefs 3-0, last week 1

The first three weeks of the season have show us just how difficult it is to win games in the NFL. So surviving Week 3 with a perfect record is something to celebrate, even if each of those three games could have had very different results. Patrick Mahomes is far from playing his best, but in the meantime the defense is making all the necessary plays to stay undefeated. I’m not here to speak on refereeing or conspiracies, or NFL agendas. Until someone knocks off the champs, they will be at the top of the Rankings.

2) Detroit Lions 2-1, last week 3

They were warned, and now they are witnessing it on a weekly basis. The Lions are getting everyone’s best shot week in and week out. They got it against the Bucs last week, and they got it against an emerging Cardinals team on Sunday. The defense has suddenly taken over as the rock of this team, but we know how good the offense can be when things start to click. The only thing that scares me about this team is how they will hold up mentally and physically with everyone gunning for them.

3) Buffalo Bills 3-0, last week 6

There is something brewing in Buffalo and it’s unlike anything we have seen from this team in years, maybe decades, maybe ever. How do you want it? Because they can serve it up to you any way you like. Fancy getting run all over? Boom! Here’s James Cook for a hat trick of TDs in Miami. Want to get torn up through the air? Bang! Josh Allen hits you with a quad stack of TDs in the first half against the Jags. And if that fails the defense will lock you up like they have in the last two games in which they’ve allowed a total of 20 points.

4) Minnesota Vikings 3-0, last week 16

I’m going to do Vikings fans a favor and tread as lightly as I can here. I would hate to do to them what I did to the Bucs and the Saints and crown them as contenders already. Beating the Niners was them dipping their toes into the contenders pool, but blowing out the Texans was cannon ball that will leave the rest of the contenders in the NFC dripping with fear. This defense is no joke, and the NFL’s TD pass leader Sam Darnold has gone from the punchline of the jokes to the one having the last laugh. I say I don’t want to get too carried away, but here they are in the Top 4 on the list, leaping up 12 spots on the rankings

5) Baltimore Ravens 1-2, last week 4

If NFL games were three quarters long, the Ravens would be a top team on these ranking. Unfortunately for them this isn’t hockey. The Ravens have lost 10 games in which they had a seven point 4th quarter lead since 2021. That wasn’t the case against the Cowboys thanks to Derrick Henry’s breakout day as a Raven. I have a feeling as Henry starts to get going, those fourth quarter collapses will take care of themselves.

6) Philadelphia Eagles 2-1, last week 9

It’s not often a team gets to show they have learned from your mistakes so quickly, but that was exactly the case for the Eagles on Sunday in New Orleans. First of all, they handed the ball to Saquon Barkley just five times in the first half of the Saints game. He got 12 handoffs in the second half and all he did was score the only two Eagles TDs in a 147 yard day from NO. Secondly, they actually played defense against the the Saints on the final drive of the play instead of just allowing them to march down the field like they did against Atlanta. It may not be perfect so far, but this team is learning how to adjust on the fly and getting better every week.

7) Houston Texans 2-1, last week 2

For the first time maybe ever, we saw C.J. Stroud completely disoriented running the Texans offense. Watch out, because a performance like that can stick with a young quarterback. Stroud’s body of work over the first year and some change of his NFL career would suggest otherwise, but defenses will pick up on some of the schemes Brian Flores implemented with the Vikings defense, and it for sure won’t be the last time he sees looks like that this season.

8) Pittsburgh Steelers 3-0, last week 14

Feast your eyes on the Steelers defense because it might end up being one of the best we have ever seen. I know, that’s a bit of a stretch just three games into the season, but they have allowed 10 points, 6 points and 10 points in the first three games of the season. They are making life easy for Justin Fields and the offense who are starting to get the wheels off the ground. They have a pretty easy schedule until division play starts in the middle of November, and by then Fields and the offense could turn this team into a force to be reckoned with in the AFC.

9) Green Bay Packers 2-1, last week 12

The legend of Malik Willis might be short, but boy has it been sweet for the Packers. He got the chance he was never afforded in Tennessee and he put them to the sword this weekend in the stadium he called home for a few brief years. Jordan Love looks to be on his way back to full fitness, but in the meantime Willis and the defense held down the fort, and returned the Pack to the top 10 in our Power Rankings.

10) New Orleans Saints 2-1, last week 7

For the first time in a long time there was an actual feeling of hype and excitement in New Orleans following their two blowout wins in the opening couple games of the season. Drew Brees was in the house, so was Mark Ingram, but they were in attendance to watch a team that scored 92 points in the first two weeks score just one TD in their loss to the Eagles. It wasn’t all bad for the Saints. They showed that they can play in defensive showdowns like they had on Sunday afternoon, but two big play from Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert were enough to sink the Saints for the first time this year.

11) New York Jets 2-1, last week 15

It took a year and three weeks, but finally the Jets looked like the team everyone expected to see when Aaron Rodgers came to town. Rodgers finished the night just shy of 300 yards and looked every bit as mobile as he did a few years ago in Green Bay. He got out of the pocket, took a couple hits, and put Jets fans minds at ease looking comfortable on the move. Not to mention the defense, which shut down a rancid Patriots offense.

12) San Francisco 49ers 1-2, last week 5

I get it, the Niners have a handful of injuries on the offensive side of the ball. So did the Rams, so I don’t want to hear that as an excuse for San Fran blowing a 14 point second half lead. Jake Moody had a chance to close the game out with a 55 yard field goal, but missed out on his chance to shut the door on the Rams. Then Ronnie Bell dropped a pass that would have set up a game winning field goal at the end of regulation. The Niners don’t seem to be making those winning plays late in games that we are used to seeing. Is it because of their injuries, or is there something deeper plaguing this team?

13) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-1, last week 8

I’m sorry Bucs fans. As soon as I got a little excited about your team, they stink it up against a winless team led by a rookie that looked a little lost in the first two games of his career. I figured Todd Bowles defense would eat Bo Nix up and the offense would run this Denver D ragged. Serves me right for buying into the Bucs this early in the season. I will no longer be riding the bandwagon, as a favor for all of you reading in Tampa Bay.

14) Dallas Cowboys 1-2, last week 10

The Cowboys blowout win over the Browns a few games ago seems about as insignificant as their spot in the Top 5 of our Power Rankings after Week 1. They have been dominated by much better teams for two consecutive weeks, and now those problems that usually present themselves during the playoffs are becoming a reality in the first month of the season.

15) Seattle Seahawks 3-0, last week 17

There are 3-0 teams and then there are 3-0 teams. The Seahawks are the first type of of 3-0 team. Let’s first give credit where credit is due. They are only one of five teams to get to this point of the season undefeated, so that’s something, but the Seahawks couldn’t have had an easier start to the year if Mike MacDonald would have hand picked his opponents himself. Bad news for the Hawks, the Cupcake Express has reached it’s final destination. The Lions are up next and if the Seahawks find a way to beat Detroit, then we will talk.

16) Los Angeles Chargers 2-1, last week 11

Jim Harbaugh said he was going to try to protect his quarterback, and if he saw him in any pain or discomfort against the Steelers. That was a nice idea, but if he really wanted to protect him, he would have kept him on the sideline for the game against the Steelers. You have to know that TJ Watt and the Steelers D smelled blood with a wounded QB under center. They didn’t go out to injur Herbert, but they went out to knock him around and that’s exactly what happened from Heinz Stadium. Now the Chargers have a lot more to worry about than their first loss of the season.

17) Atlanta Falcons 1-2, last week 20

We have officially underestimated the Falcons. Bring in a $180 million quarterback, but still keep your bread and butter of stingy defense and an explosive run game. Sounds like a pretty good formula to be a damn good team, and despite their narrow loss to the Chiefs there is a lot to be excited about in ATL.

18) Arizona Cardinals 1-2, last week 21

They may have a losing record but don’t let that fool you. The Cardinals are only going to get better. They may not be at the Lions level just yet, but they hung with one of the best teams in the NFC. With the rest of the NFC West looking shaky at best, keep an eye on Kyler Murray and the Cardinals.

19) Washington Commanders 2-1, last week 27

Ladies and gentleman, the best rookie quarterback in the draft is playing in the nation’s capital. I’ve been saying it for quite sometime, and now we finally see the dots connect under the bright Monday Night Football spotlight. Special players have special games in special moments, and if going 21/23 for 254 yards and 2 TDs isn’t special enough just look at this game sealing throw to Terry McLauglin late in the 4th quarter. This kid is ready to be the QB of the next generation. Forget about Caleb Williams.

20) Los Angeles Rams 1-2, last week 23

The Rams had no business making a comeback on the Niners in the second half of their game in LA on Sunday. No Puka, no Cupp, a banged up offensive line after a start to the season that had fans already throwing in the towel. One thing you never do is doubt Matt Stafford’s toughness. He’s not backing down from a fight, especially against a division rival. The attitude spread through the Rams in the second half and carried them to victory. I’m not sure how many more weeks of miracle ball Matt and the gang can come up with, but that had to feel good for Stafford, McVay and the rest of Rams nation.

21) Indianapolis Colts 1-2, last week 22

There was a question coming into the weekend: who would you rather have as your QB right now? Caleb Willams or Anthony Richardson? Neither did anything to settle than debate. Luckily for the Colts their defense held strong against a terrible offensive line and Johnathan Taylor rushed for a couple TDs as Indy inched by the Bears for their first win of the season.

22) Chicago Bears 1-2, last week 24

When do we start to say enough is enough? I’m rooting for Caleb Williams, but it’s hard to watch him take a beating week after week. The only reason he’s not the most sacked QB in the league is because of that athleticism the Bears thought he would be using to extend plays. Instead he’s using that athleticism for the sole purpose of surviving another week.

23) Miami Dolphins 1-2, last week 18

The Dolphins are in a world of hurt with no Tua under center for at least the next three weeks. Skylar Thompson couldn’t move the offense before getting sidelined with a rib injury, and while Tim Boyle did ok in relief of Thompson but I don’t think a guy who started this season on the practice squad is capable of steering this Lamborghini of an offense in South Florida. They need to bring someone in, no matter what their future plans are with Tua.

24) Cincinnati Bengals 0-3, last week 13

When are the Bengals going to learn how to shut up? If I’m Zac Taylor, I either keep the press out of the locker room or put a gag order on my defensive backs who run their mouths more than an undisputed title winning boxer. That’s ok when you have the belt around your waist, the only problem is this team hasn’t won anything, EVER!!! Now the yappiest dogs in the park are 0-3 and hopefully taking a couple of humility pills on this Tuesday morning because there is nothing more to say for Cincy. Try winning a game before talking that JUNK.

25) Jacksonville Jaguars 0-3, last week 25

There was one team in Buffalo that needed to come out and play like their season was on the line. That was the same team that went to halftime down 34-3 to the Bills on Monday night. Pathetic doesn’t begin to describe the Jags performance in Week 3, and heads will roll after their blow out loss from Orchard Park. The team that had hopes for a deep playoff run this season, are now tip toeing the point of no return less than a month into the season.

26) Cleveland Browns 1-2, last week 19

Two losses in three games, a quarterback that has been sacked more than anyone else in the league and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year has been listed as day-to-day with a foot injury that the Browns will pray isn’t going to turn into something more serious. Losing to the Giants is a debacle, but losing Myles Garrett would be disastrous.

27) Denver Broncos 1-2, last week 29

Not sure where the Broncos were hiding for the first two weeks of the season but everything seemed to click against a seemingly good Bucs team. Sean Payton kept trying to convince Denver fans Bo Nix is the guy, and for the first time this season we saw a glimpse of what the rookie is capable of. Of course if the defense shuts teams down like they did against the Bucs, winning games is going to be a lot easier for Nix and the Broncos.

28) Las Vegas Raiders 1-2, last week 26

Talk about your all time let down game. I’ll be honest, I didn’t see it coming, but the ingredients were all right there for the taking. Big win the week before, the other team going through a quarterback change. The writing was on the wall, but coach Antonio Pierce was more pissed off with some of his players “making business decisions” on the field instead of trying to win the game, and you can bet that those players will be paying the price in practice this week.

29) New England Patriots 1-2, last week 28

That was the Patriots team that we expected to see since the start of the season. A team that can barley move the ball, can’t build drives and can’t keep their defense off the field. They did run into a team that was long overdue for a game like they had on Thursday in the Jets, but this Pats team should brace themselves for more nights like this. Hopefully they can get their offensive line back to full strength, or it’s going to be a long and painful season for Jacoby Brissett.

30) Carolina Panthers 1-2, last week 32

For as much shade as I throw the Panthers, I have to give them a little love this week. It’s not an easy decision moving on from a No. 1 pick that the owner put his faith in to be the future of the franchise. Maybe the team rallied around a new quarterback, and maybe the Raiders had a collapse after their shock win over the Ravens last week. Either way the Red Rifle made Dave Canales look like a genius and gave Panther fans something to cheer about for the first time in a long time.

31) New York Giants 1-2, last week 31

It couldn’t have been a worse start for the Giants who had to battle back after gifting the Browns a TD on the first snap from scrimmage just 10 seconds into the game. That might have been the wake up call Daniel Jones and the Giants needed because they responded and dominated the game on both sides of the ball. Malik Nabers looks special, and that is going to do nothing but help Daniel Jones get out of the dog house in the Big Apple.

32) Tennessee Titans 0-3, last week 30

Congratulations to the Tennessee Titans! They are officially worse than the Giants and the Panthers. The good news for the Titans is they didn’t give up a blocked punt this week. The bad news is they are the most turned over team in the NFL and round up our Power Rankings after another Sunday afternoon stinkfest. To make matters worse, the guy they let go to keep Will Levis in Nashville just lit them up in their own stadium, and he did it with a smile, class and compliments for a team that dropped him like a bad habit.