2020 NFL power rankings, Week 3: Cowboys rally, Vikings fall
And the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs prevailed in overtime.
It’s been a fascinating start to the second century of the National Football League. Entering Monday night’s battle of the undefeated Saints and Raiders at Las Vegas, 10 teams already owned 2-0 records (and 11 clubs were looking for their first win of 2020). And scoring points was the order of the day(s) so far in Week 2. A total of 15 teams scored at least 30 points, four in losing efforts.
Onward…
30. . 0-2. Previous: . New York Jets. 32. team
Adam Gase’s team was lifeless for most of their Week 1 loss at Buffalo. On the first play from scrimmage on Sunday, Gregg Williams’ defense gave up an 80-yard TD run to San Francisco’s Raheem Mostert and it was all downhill from there. The Jets surrendered 182 yards on the ground while Sam Darnold and company managed only 277 yards – the second week in a row that Gase’s offense managed less than 300 yards of total offense.
0-2. Previous: . Detroit Lions. 31. team. 50.
The team brought a 10-game losing streak to Lambeau Field and thanks to last week’s collapse against the Bears, the Lions have dropped seven straight games to NFC North rivals. Matt Patricia’s team owned a 14-3 first-quarter lead and were then outscored 39-7 the rest of the way. Matthew Stafford threw for 244 yards and a pair of TDs but he also served up a pick-six and was sacked four times. Detroit’s defense surrendered a disappointing 488 yards.
0-2. Previous: . New York Giants. 30. team. 31.
In Monday night’s loss to the Steelers, the Giants’ defense started strong but eventually struggled. On Sunday at Soldier Field, Joe Judge’s club allowed 17 points and 192 total yards in the game’s first 30 minutes. While New York pitched a second-half shutout, it proved to be another up-and-down outing for quarterback Daniel Jones, who committed two turnovers again. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan had the sobering news regarding Saquon Barkley.
0-2. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 29. team. 44.
Atlanta’s defense had no answers for Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson last Sunday and would make its way to Dallas. Three Cowboys’ turnovers in the first quarter allowed Dan Quinn’s club to open up a 20-0 advantage. There was also a 29-10 lead and the club was up 39-24 with less than eight minutes to play. But the Falcons – who have already allowed 78 points in two games – couldn’t put Mike McCarthy’s team away and were beaten at the gun.