NFL power rankings, Week 3: Broncos rise, Bengals fall
The Denver Broncos made a statement on Sunday by crushing the Dallas Cowboys, while the Cincinnati Bengals appear to be in freefall.
32
New York Jets 0-2
Last week: L, 45-20
Last rank: 32nd
The Jets are going to struggle to win a single game this year. It’s a brutal roster.
31
Indianapolis Colts 0-2
Last week: L, 16-13 (OT) vs. AZ
Last rank: 31st
Indianapolis is hopeless without Andrew Luck, and with Chuck Pagano.
30
San Francisco 49ers 0-2
Last week: L, 12-9
Last rank: 30th
San Francisco played tough against Seattle, but Brian Hoyer wouldn’t allow it to win.
29
Chicago Bears 0-2
Last week: L, 29-7 at TB
Last rank: 29th
The Bears are making the right move by starting Mike Glennon against Pittsburgh, but barring a miracle, that should be the end of his run.
28
Cleveland Browns 0-2
Last week: L, 24-10 at BAL
Last rank: 28th
DeShone Kizer took a beating and threw three interceptions. This was a step back for the young Browns.
27
Buffalo Bills 1-1
Last week: L, 9-3 at CAR
Last rank: 26th
The Bills are playing hard, tough football. Still, the offense is limited. Can they contest the Broncos this Sunday?
26
Jacksonville Jaguars 1-1
Last week: L, 37-16 vs. TEN
Last rank: 25th
If the Jaguars had a real quarterback, they could be a playoff threat. With Blake Bortles? No chance.
25
Cincinnati Bengals 0-2
Last week: L, 13-9 vs. HOU
Last rank: 21st
It’s time to clean house. If you think that’s being premature, just wait until after Sunday’s game in Green Bay.
24
New Orleans Saints 0-2
Last week: L, 36-20 vs. NE
Last rank: 23th
At some point, ownership has to think about getting rid of Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton. That duo has run it course.
23
Los Angeles Chargers 0-2
Last week: L, 19-17 vs. MIA
Last rank: 20th
Everyone talks about this team being unlucky. The Chargers aren’t unlucky, they simply don’t execute well enough.
22
Los Angeles Rams 1-1
Last week: L, 27-20
Last rank: 22nd
Jared Goff threw a game-sealing pick in the final two minutes, and only completed 60 percent of his throws throughout the game. Los Angeles needs better from him.
21
Houston Texans 1-1
Last week: W, 13-9 at CIN
Last rank: 27th
The offense is still impossibly bad, but the defense got back on track in a win over Cincinnati.
20
New York Giants 0-2
Last week: L, 24-10 vs. DET
Last rank: 17th
New York can’t block and has scored 13 points in two games. If the Giants have any chance of turning this season around, they somehow have to beat the Eagles on the road.
19
Arizona Cardinals 1-1
Last week: W, 16-13 (OT) at IND
Last rank: 18th
Teams almost never move down after a win in my book, but this is the exception. What a complete disaster.
18
Washington Redskins 1-1
Last week: W, 27-20 at LAR
Last rank: 24th
Give the Redskins credit. With their backs to the wall, they responded with a road win against their former offensive coordinator.
17
Miami Dolphins 1-0
Last week: W, 19-17 at LAC
Last rank: 19th
Miami looked good in its first foray with Jay Cutler. Nice job by the Dolphins, save Lawrence Timmons.
16
Minnesota Vikings 1-1
Last week: L, 26-9 at PIT
Last rank: 11th
The defense is great and the weapons are solid, but without Sam Bradford, none of it works. Hopefully he’s back soon.
15
Philadelphia Eagles 1-1
Last week: L, 27-20 at KC
Last rank: 10th
The Eagles have a ferocious front seven and Carson Wentz is developing into a star, but it wasn’t enough in Kansas City.
14
Baltimore Ravens 2-0
Last week: W, 24-10 vs. CLE
Last rank: 15th
Baltimore doesn’t have much of an offense, but that defense is great. Already, 10 turnovers forced. Look out.
13
Tennessee Titans 1-1
Last week: W, 37-16 at JAX
Last rank: 13th
Marcus Mariota needs to be better, but the defense stepped up and the rushing attack was potent. Nice win.
12
Detroit Lions 2-0
Last week: W, 24-10 at NYG
Last rank: 14th
Detroit is silencing plenty of doubters who felt the Lions would fade from playoff contention early this season. The Lions are 2-0 and looking to make a statement this weekend against the Falcons at Ford Field.
11
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-0
Last week: W, 29-7 vs. CHI
Last rank: 12th
There are big expectations on the Buccaneers this season, and they answered the bell in their opener. Tampa Bay looks ready to make a move.
10
Dallas Cowboys 1-1
Last week: L, 42-17 at DEN
Last rank: 6th
For the first time in the Dak Prescott era, the Cowboys were humbled. Look for them to bounce back in a big way against the Cardinals on Monday night.
9
Carolina Panthers 2-0
Last week: W, 9-3 vs. BUF
Last rank: 9th
The defense has been special, allowing only six points in two games. Conversely, the offense has been bad, and Greg Olsen is hurt. Which side of the ball wins out?
8
Denver Broncos 2-0
Last week: W, 42-17 vs. DAL
Last rank: 16th
The Broncos made a clear statement on Sunday. They dismantled the Cowboys in every fashion. The AFC West is a three-team race.
7
Seattle Seahawks 1-1
Last week: W, 12-9 vs. SF
Last rank: 7th
The Seahawks have Super Bowl aspirations, but if that offensive line doesn’t play better, good night. On the positive side, the defense is outrageous.
6
Green Bay Packers 1-1
Last week: L, 34-23 at ATL
Last rank: 4th
The Packers are a very good team, but they got pounded in Atlanta. Luckily, their next game is a home date with the Bengals.
5
Oakland Raiders 2-0
Last week: W, 45-20 vs. NYJ
Last rank: 8th
Oakland did exactly what it needed to do. The Raiders hammered a bad team and kept pace in a tough division.
4
New England Patriots 1-1
Last week: W, 36-20 at NO
Last rank: 5th
Tom Brady threw for 447 yards and three touchdowns. The Patriots gained 555 yards of offense. Other than that, slow day in New Orleans.
3
Pittsburgh Steelers 2-0
Last week: W, 26-9 vs. MIN
Last rank: 2nd
Pittsburgh won again, but moves back. spot. Why? The Steelers have been very ho-hum, while the Chiefs are rolling. This should be a battle all year.
2
Kansas City Chiefs 2-0
Last week: W, 27-20 vs. PHI
Last rank: 3rd
No team has been more impressive than the Chiefs this year. Wins over the Patriots and Eagles have them vaulting the undefeated Steelers.
1
Atlanta Falcons 2-0
Last week: W, 34-23 vs. GB
Last rank: 1st
Atlanta has to feel great. Of all the teams in the NFC, this one is the only one without a huge weakness.