New challenge unlocked for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs: drive down the field for a game-winning field goal in seven seconds or less, as the Baltimore Ravens accomplished on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Brazil tilt was the first game in NFL history in which both teams scored in the final 10 seconds of a regular-season game. It headlined another wild week of NFL action, which whittled the remaining unbeaten down to only five.
And they were
all who we expected, right?
Among the 3-0 unbeatens are the Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers —solid franchises of the past decade. Joining the unbeaten club are two of the more surprising teams (represented in our power rankings as such, as they have shot up the rankings)— the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings.
I think I speak for all of Chiefs Kingdom when I say it’s fun to look forward to a Chiefs-Raiders matchup again, as they’ll clash in Week 4. The rivalry is more fun when there are stakes and both teams are competitive.
But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Let’s see how the AP power rankings shook out this week.
Biggest risers: Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns +7
Biggest fallers: New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers -8
This week, along with myself, staff voters were: Caleb James, Ron Kopp Jr., Rocky Magana, and Jared Sapp.
1. San Francisco 49ers (3rd)
I’m going to take the low-hanging fruit here. Brock Purdy has looked purdy nice to start this season. He currently holds the second-highest MVP odds.
2. Buffalo Bills (2nd)
Five turnovers and still coming away with the win is tough to do.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (4th)
I give myself headaches trying to do the mental gymnastics of the haters who believe the conspiracy theories of the refs favoring the Chiefs.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (11th)
In true Jaguars fashion, they aren’t getting the respect they probably deserve. The top two storylines I saw coming out of this one? Josh Hines-Allen fighting a ball boy for Travis Hunter’s first career interception ball. And Trevor Lawrence oddly kneeling down at the 1-yard line instead of scoring a touchdown with eight minutes left.
5. Seattle Seahawks (1st)
The return of quarterback Sam Darnold did not spell victory for the ‘Hawks. They suffered their first loss since November 2025.
6. Baltimore Ravens (7th)
The flight from Rio back to Baltimore was about 10 hours. The Ravens took possession with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter to win. This means Ravens’ players could have watched their game-winning drive 5,142 times on the flight home.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (5th)
The quarterback who supposedly has ice running through his veins falls up short in the 4th quarter—once again. Burrow sure gains a lot of national respect from that Super Bowl loss, checks notes, five years ago.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (6th)
This team reminds me of the 2025 Kansas City Chiefs. A team that looks tired, bored, and like the league has figured them out. They need some sort of shakeup.
9. Minnesota Vikings (9th)
A 3-0 start, and they shipped quarterback JJ McCarthy to New York for draft capital. The McCarthy selection will go down as one of the biggest blunders in their franchise history.
10. Los Angeles Rams (8th)
I’d be livid as a Rams fan over that pass interference call that negated a game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter. But also, maybe don’t give a 16-point halftime lead or throw a pick-six to put you in that do-or-die spot?
11. Chicago Bears (10th)
Although Caleb Williams was on the sideline in a hoodie, the Bears still looked like one of the top teams in the NFC with journeyman Case Keenum.
12. Las Vegas Raiders (18th)
Alright, respect where it’s due. The Raiders have looked solid to start the year and have already matched their 2025 win total.
But enough of that….IT’S RAIIIIIDERS WEEK.
13. Detroit Lions (14th)
Jahmyr Gibbs is an absolute cheat code on the football field.
14. Denver Broncos (13th)
How long can this team survive by winning bizarre games with absurd fourth-quarter comebacks?
15. Dallas Cowboys (16th)
Such an insane and hilarious way for the Cowboys to lose a football game.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (23rd)
Credit where credit is due. Pittsburgh delivered a solid divisional win. Now they must repeat on a short week against Cleveland.
17. Indianapolis Colts (22nd)
The Colts achieved their first win on American soil in almost a full calendar year!
18. New Orleans Saints (17th)
Tyler Shough impresses even in the loss. The Saints could really go on a run and surprise some folks. Their next six opponents are the Falcons, Vikings, Giants, Steelers, Browns, and Panthers. A fairly favorable schedule.
19. New York Giants (21st)
If your starting quarterback goes down, it’s favorable to have the Tennessee Titans on your schedule the following week.
20. New England Patriots (12th)
What is wrong with Drake Maye? Talk about regression.
21. Arizona Cardinals (24th)
What would you give up for the Chiefs to acquire Marvin Harrison Jr.?
22. Cleveland Browns (29th)
Browns fans really are an unlucky bunch. They’re upset if they lose, yet upset if they win because they hate their current quarterback.
23. Green Bay Packers (15th)
Dreadful performance in front of the home crowd at Lambeau. Does head coach Matt LaFleur make it through the season?
24. Houston Texans (19th)
This has to be one of the least-talked-about teams in the NFL. On paper, one of the league’s top defenses. But for the second season in a row, they’re 0-3.
25. Atlanta Falcons (31st)
An offensive explosion at Lambeau has reignited faint hope in Atlanta. When Bijan Robinson and Drake London are both hot, and they get competent quarterback play, this offense will be tough to slow down.
26. Carolina Panthers (20th)
Honestly, I was shocked to find out the Panthers will be gracing our television screens in primetime next week.
27. Washington Commanders (28th)
The team is the lowest in our power rankings and is coming off the most solid win in Week 3. But there isn’t much to be excited about with this team.
28. Los Angeles Chargers (25th)
Chiefs fans honestly couldn’t lose with the matchup on Sunday. Either the Bills were embarrassed at home by the 0-2 Chargers or the AFC West offseason champs fell to 0-3. I’ll take this result.
29. New York Jets (27th)
The Jets honestly look to be improved this season. But from the outset, it is obvious they are already looking forward to 2027.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (26th)
Baker joins the list of starting quarterbacks to miss time this season. What a brutal season for the Bucs, and one has to wonder how long head coach Todd Bowles has a job.
31. Miami Dolphins (32nd)
With Devon Achane going down for the season, 0-17 may legitimately be in the cards.
32. Tennessee Titans (30th)
This season will produce the most depressing country songs ever written in Nashville.
