Every NFL team has played two games, but the season is still young and thus my week-3 power rankings continue to contain a lot of volatility.
Every Tuesday at 5:20 p.m. eastern I’ll update the power rankings live during Press Row, then share the latest rankings with you here.
Top 5
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Previous Rank: #1
No movement here in the top spot. How could there be? The Bucs are the defending Super Bowl champions, they have the ageless wonder under center, and they continue to stack W’s. Tampa Bay’s 48-25 win over Atlanta is the team’s tenth consecutive win, a streak that dates back to week-14 of last season. It was also the Bucs’ ninth consecutive win while scoring 30-points or more, which is an NFL record. Tom Brady was the starting quarterback for the only other streaks that reached eight games in 2007 and 2010-2011 while leading the Patriots.
It looks like the Falcons are going to have a hard time exceeding their projected regular season win total of 7.5-wins, and they only trailed the Bucs by three-points a little less than halfway through the fourth quarter. But this is the Bucs and they always seem to find a way to win. Moments later, Brady connected with Chris Godwin for a 12-yard touchdown strike to build the lead to 35-25, and then Bucs safety Mike Edwards had not one, but two pick-sixes to nail the coffin shut.
The Bucs will remain in the top spot until someone knocks them off. Boy, the next two weeks should be fun. The Bucs travel to Los Angeles to take on the 2-0 Rams this Sunday before visiting the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in week-4.
2. Los Angeles Rams (2-0)
Previous Rank: 3
The first reshuffle of the week-3 power rankings comes in the number two spot. It was a thrilling game that could have gone either way, but I have no choice but to move the Chiefs back after their loss to the Ravens.
The Rams are 2-0 under head coach Sean McVay and things are going just as planned. After a beat-down of the Bears in week-1, the Rams traveled to Indianapolis and won a close one over the Colts, who are by far the best 0-2 team in the league. A special teams blunder almost cost the Rams the game, and the offense was a little suspect at times, but good teams find a way to win, especially on the road against worthy opponents.
Keep an eye on the Matt Stafford to Copper Kupp connection in the weeks to come. Kupp was outstanding on Sunday, becoming the first Rams player since the 1950’s with more than 100 receiving yards and at least one touchdown in each of the team’s first two games of the season (NFL Network).
Next Sunday’s home game against the Buccaneers is going to be must-see television.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (1-1)
Previous Rank: 2
While I could make an argument for keeping the Chiefs at No.2 despite the loss to the Ravens, it only seems fair to move them back. I will add that if Clyde Edwards-Helaire doesn’t cough the ball deep in Kansas City territory late in the fourth quarter, I truly believe Pat Mahomes marches the offense down the field and gets at least a field goal to win the game. But, that’s football for ya.
The offense is fine, the defense, not so much. During the off-season, the organization focused on revamping the defense in an effort to improve performance in the red-zone. It’s not working. Chiefs opponents are scoring 100% of the time when they enter the red area, a perfect eight-for-eight (Yahoo). As you would guess, that leaves Kansas City dead last in red-zone defense.
Like I eluded to above, the Chiefs are going to be just fine. They’re too talented, especially on offense. But I’d like to see how much scarier this team could be if they find a way to improve on the other side of the ball. We got a glimpse of it towards the end of last season when the Chiefs defense looked vastly improved from earlier in the year.
4. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
Previous Rank: NR
This is the point in this week’s power rankings were some real subjectivity sets it.
The 49ers make their first appearance in this season’s power rankings and to be honest I’m not surprised they jumped into the mix this quickly. San Francisco was ravaged by injuries and year ago, the main reason the team finished just 2-6 throughout the second half of last season. While the 49ers have already suffered multiple injuries to the running-back position, they have proven they can win in different ways and sit comfortably at 2-0 after back-to-back road wins.
On Sunday, the 49ers welcome Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to Levi’s Stadium for Sunday Night Football in prime-time. Along with Bucs-Rams which will take place in the 4:25 p.m. eastern slot Sunday, this game is also must-see TV. The game should be equally as telling for both teams. San Francisco flexed their offensive muscles and held off a late charge in a 41-33 win over the Lions in week-1, and showed they can win the low-scoring defensive battles in a 17-11 win over the Eagles this past week.
Back to San Francisco’s running-back problems. Starter Raheem Mostert suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Lions, then Elijah Mitchell, JaMycal Hasty and Trey Sermon all exited the win over Philadelphia with various ailments. Currently, Mitchell is listed as day-to-day with a shoulder injury, Hasty is expected to be out for a month or two with a high ankle sprain and Sermon is in the NFL’s recovery protocol after a concussion. The team hopes to have Mitchell back for Sunday night, but also inked former CFL running back and Bengals practice squad member Jacques Patrick as insurance.
It will be fun to watch the 49ers battle it out in the NFC West this season with the Rams, Cardinals and Seahawks. May the best team win.
5. Las Vegas Raiders (2-0)
Previous Rank: NR
Chiefs, who? The Raiders are the talk of the AFC West and getting a lot of love across the league after a hot start to the season. Their 33-27 win over the Ravens in this season’s first installment of Monday Night Football will go down as one of the more insane victories of the season, then they walloped the Steelers 26-17 after a short week.
Jon Gruden has long been known as an offensive genus, and so far this season it looks like Gruden’s offensive brainchild is finally coming to fruition. On Sunday, Pittsburgh lost star pass-rusher T.J. Watt to a groin injury in the second quarter and Derek Carr took advantage completing 16 of 21 for 263 yards and two touchdowns during his absence. It is also important to point out that starting running-back Josh Jacobs did not play in Sunday’s game, after a two score performance in week-1. Bottom line, Carr looks the part and is trending towards another 4,000-plus yard season. Through two-games, he’s thrown for 817 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
Football is played in three phases, offense, defense and special teams. I’ve already gushed about the Raiders offensive success, but the defense has done some nice things as well. Completely shutting down Lamar Jackson has pretty much been proven to be impossible, but the Raiders forced him to fumble twice in the second half in route to victory. Against Pittsburgh, the Raiders defense held the Steelers to just 39 rushing yards. Those are two feats to be proud of. Lastly, placekicker Daniel Carlson is 6 for 6 on field goal opportunities and punter A.J. Cole is averaging 50-yards per punt.
Plain and simple, the Raiders are playing well in all three phases and thus they deserve a spot in this week’s power rankings.
Bottom 5
28 – Lions: 35-17 (L) at. Packers
Previous Rank: NR
29 – Texans: 31-21 (L) at. Browns
Previous Rank: 28
30 – Giants: 30-29 (L) at. Washington
Previous Rank: 30
31 – Jets: 25-6 (L) vs. Patriots
Previous Rank: 29
32 – Jags: 23-13 (L) vs. Broncos
Previous Rank: 32
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