No. 1 — Buffalo Bills (1st) SAME
Somehow, the Buffalo Bills turned the football over five times and still WON THE GAME! Of course, it was against the Chargers, who are currently — and historically — allergic to winning, but James Cook’s 154 yards on the ground helped give Buffalo the 24-16 win, and they remain at the top of the standings here.
No. 2 — San Francisco 49ers (5th) 📈 3 spots
Brock Purdy and the 49ers are one of the hottest teams in football. Purdy went for 297 yards and four touchdowns against an inferior Cardinals team, who pushed the 49ers in the 36-30 game.
Still, through all the injuries, the 49ers remain a top team in the NFL.
No. 3 — Kansas City Chiefs (7th) 📈 3 spots
The Chiefs went into Miami and easily handled the Dolphins. Patrick Mahomes was efficient (20 of 24 for 246 yards with two touchdowns), and Rashee Rice finally got going with seven catches for 88 yards. Miami offered little resistance in the 24-10 win, and the Chiefs are one of the four undefeated teams that remain in the NFL.
No. 4 — Seattle Seahawks (2nd) 📉 2 spots
Seattle goy Sam Darnold back from his hip injury, but Washington did an excellent job harrassing the Seahawks all game. Darnold finished with 379 passing yards and four touchdowns, but Marcus Mariota did enough to give the Commanders a 33-31 home victory.
No. 5 — Los Angeles Rams (3rd) 📉 2 spots
The Rams drop to 1-2 but remain in the top five. Massive credit to the Broncos, who appeared dead for much of the game but battled back with 30 second-half points. Matt Stafford finished with 390 yards passing and two touchdowns, but the Rams’ game plan shifted after a Terrance Ferguson injury, and they were without Puka Nukua, who they hope will return soon.
No. 6 — Baltimore Ravens (7th) 📈 2 spots
Tyler Loop! The Ravens and Dallas were headed to overtime after Dak Prescott led the Cowboys down the field on a last-minute drive to tie the game with a field goal. Unfortunately for Dallas, Lamar Jackson found Zay Flowers for 27 yards, which set up a 56-yarder from Loop for a big road victory over Jerry Jones’ Cowboys.
No. 7 — Minnesota Vikings (11th) 📈 4 spots
The Vikings have moved eight spots up in the rankings over the last two weeks. They’re undefeated, but sit seventh in the rankings; this is because of my discomfort with Kyler Murray, who missed Week 2 with a concussion. The Vikings’ defense, led by Brian Flores, is playing amazing football, and they beat up on the Buccaneers, 23-16. Still, the offense isn’t going to be bailed out by the strong defense every week; the team must become more complementary.
No. 8 — Denver Broncos (14th) 📈 2 spots
The Broncos defeated a very good Rams team at home with second-half resilience. The win was similar to their win over the Giants last year, where they scored 30 points in the fourth quarter; they did that in the second half, and the Broncos’ defense slowed down Matt Stafford when it mattered most.
No. 9 — Chicago Bears (12th) 📈 3 spots
Chicago dismantled the Philadelphia Eagles with 38-year -old journeyman quarterback Case Keenum. Ben Johnson continues to prove why he’s an offensive wizard, and he unlocked the potential of Luther Burden III in the game. Kalif Raymond finished with six grabs for 90 yards and a touchdown, as Philadelphia was held to seven points and 248 total yards. Impressive win against a struggling, now 2-1 Eagles team.
No. 10 — Cincinnati Bengals (4th) 📉 6 spots
The Bengals gave up 292 yards and three touchdowns to Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. After two strong weeks of defensive football, the Bengals’ defense struggled to stop Ja’Marr Chase (9 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown) and Jaylen Warren, who rushed for 127 yards. Cincinnati will be okay, but this was a tough loss.
No. 11 — Jacksonville Jaguars (13th) 📈 2 spots
The New England Patriots are spiraling right now, and Jacksonville took advantage of that fact in Week 3. Jacksonville beat up on the Patriots, 35-6, with Drake Maye looking very bad, finishing 14 of 25 for 199 yards with a pair of interceptions. Jacksonville got back on track against the AFC champs from last season.
No. 12 — Detroit Lions (15th) 📈 4 spots
Detroit was pushed by the New York Jets, but they found a way to win late in the 31-24 game against a feisty Jets team. Jaymeir Gibbs finished with 99 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 20 carries, and the Lions sit at 2-1.
No. 13 — Philadelphia Eagles (9th) 📉 4 spots
The Eagles are a 2-1 team that does not inspire much hope. Jalen Hurts still has his flaws as a passer, and they were just embarrassed in primetime by the Chicago Bears. Things do not get much easier for the Eagles, as they host the Rams next Sunday and then travel to London to play the Jaguars.
No. 14 — Las Vegas Raiders (24th) 📈 10 spots
The Raiders are undefeated! And they just went into a hostile New Orleans environment and defeated the Saints 35-21. Brock Bowers’ return was exciting, as the young tight end caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. Kirk Cousins is doing enough to put the Raiders into advantageous situations, as they sit undefeated.
No. 15 — Dallas Cowboys (14th) 📉 1 spot
I hate having the 1-2 Dallas Cowboys this high, especially with their suspect defense through three weeks. But I know how explosive their offense can be with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Plus, their rushing attack is getting going, and they’ll be getting Tyler Smith back soon. The defense remains an issue, of course, but Dallas stays put at 14.
No. 16 — Pittsburgh Steelers (22nd) 📈 5 spots
I didn’t expect to see Aaron Rodgers dial back the clock against a Bengals defense that tormented the Buccaneers and Texans in their first two matchups. The Steelers’ defense remains their strength, but competent quarterback play makes them a threat, so they are in the top-fifteen.
No. 17 — Indianapolis Colts (20th) 📈 3 spots
The Colts finally got their first victory against the Houston Texans on a last-second field goal. Indianapolis struggled to do much against a very good Texans defense, but they found a way to get a valuable win and send the Texans to 0-3.
No. 18 — Houston Texans (17th) 📉 1 spot
I don’t like having the 0-3 Texans this high, but I feel better about their position — specifically with their defense — than I do with the remaining teams, including the injured Giants, so here we are. Houston pushed Buffalo and the Colts to near victories; they must get more out of their offense and learn to secure wins, but they’re better than their 0-3 record would indicate.
No. 19 — New York Giants (21st) 📈 2 spots
The Giants are 2-1 and handled their business in a sloppy noreaster against the Tennessee Titans. New York has issues with Jameis Winston; the trade for J.J. McCarthy may eventually solve that problem, but the Giants are beat up on both sides of the ball. However, Jordan Stout is a stud. The Giants can still compete for this NFC East with their current injury situation, and I expect better play out of Jameis Winston, although I’m relieved they’ll have another viable option.
No. 20 — Washington Commanders (26th) 📈 6 spots
Washington pulled off one of the season’s more impressive wins, defeating the Super Bowl champions 33-31 at home. Perhaps it was Sam Darnold jitters, or the dreaded one-o-clock start for a West Coast team — I’m not sure — but it does seem like Washington’s defense has improved, and Marcus Mariota did enough against Mike Macdonald’s talented defense
No. 21 — New Orleans Saints (18th)📉 3 spots
Las Vegas just might be a much better football team than many anticipated, and the Saints found that out firsthand. Tyler Shough played well, throwing four touchdowns with 255 yards passing. Still, the Raiders forced four turnovers and the Saints lost running back Travis Etienne to injury. New Orleans is a quality 1-2 team, but they’re still young and learning themselves.
No. 22 — Carolina Panthers (20th) 📉 2 spots
The Panthers suffered a tough loss to the now 2-1 Browns. Bryce Young threw for 291 yards and one touchdown in the 21-18 loss, but the Dawg Pound did enough to earn DeShaun Watson his first home win in years.
No. 23 — New York Jets SAME
The New York Jets are the SECOND-rated team in the NFC East. They’ve lost their last two, but were in both games and have looked competent on offense with Geno Smith. They’re exceeding expectations and have been solid defensively. The Jets are no longer a doormat in the NFL.
No. 24 — Cleveland Browns (31st)📈 7 spots
Look, the Browns are 2-1. Watson finished with 144 passing yards and a pair of passing touchdowns in a slow-paced win against the Panthers. I don’t think the Browns are a legitimate contender in the AFC North, but they beat two NFC South teams and have looked better than I expected, which is something.
No. 25 — Atlanta Falcons (30th) 📈 6 spots
The Falcons just beat up on the Green Bay Packers in Wisconsin, 35-14. Green Bay rushed for 17 yards at home as favorites on Thursday Night Football — great job by Atlanta’s defense. The return of Michael Penix proved to be just what Atlanta needed. We’ll see if they can continue to stack wins with help from talented play-makers like Bijan Robinson and Drake London.
No. 26 — Arizona Cardinals (27th) 📈 1 spot
Arizona pushed San Francisco in the 30-36 loss. They leaned on Jeremiyah Love, who had 21 carries for 90 yards, while Jacoby Brissett tossed 52 passes for 280 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Cardinals are better than expected, but are still a team that could use an upgrade in personnel.
No. 27 — New England Patriots (7th) 📉 20 spots
Yes — what a fall for the Patriots! There is no more excusing it — THEYYYYY STINK! New England is all sorts of messed up on offense, and Drake Maye has looked lost through three games. Their offensive line is injured and hasn’t played well and no receivers can create separation. It’s a tough watch for the defending Super Bowl champions.
No. 28 — Green Bay Packers (18) 📉 10 spots
The Packers were embarrassed at home against the Falcons. Green Bay, much like the Patriots and the next team we’ll discuss, looked lost offensively, and Jordan Love is the only reason they have not imploded. They can’t run the ball at all, and their offense is completely one-dimensional.
No. 29— Los Angeles Chargers (26th) 📉 3 spots
Only the Chargers can lose a game when their opponent turns the ball over five times. Justin Herbert’s late interception was terrible and this offense is playing horribly. Omarion Hampton doesn’t appear to be a fit for Mike McDaniel’s scheme, which has looked bad with this personnel. It’s full-on panic in Los Angeles for the Chargers.
No. 30 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29th) 📉 1 spot
The Buccaneers are winless, and Baker Mayfield just suffered a hand injury. They, at least, weren’t embarrassed against the Vikings, but still picked up the L.
No. 31 — Tennessee Titans (28th) 📉 3 spots
Tennessee lost to the Giants in a monsoon. Cam Ward struggled, but the Titans’ defense was solid against Jameis Winston and the Giants’ heavy rushing attack. The Titans are young, but have been competitive in their last two games. Still, they’re a bottom team in the NFL.
No. 32 — Miami Dolphins (32nd) 📉 1 spot
Miami lost to the Kansas City Chiefs and De’Von Achane suffered a torn ACL. Again, it’s going to be a very long year for the Dolphins.
