2020 NFL power rankings, Week 3: Cowboys rally, Vikings fall

Rookie quarterback Joe Burrow and his team got off to a 3-0 first-quarter lead on Thursday night at Cleveland and then spent the rest of the evening trying to play catchup. The first overall pick in April threw for 316 yards and three scores, hitting on 37-of-61 throws. But he was sacked three times and lost one of his two fumbles. The club’s shorthanded defense allowed 434 total yards (217 on the ground) on just 58 plays and five offensive touchdowns.

The Panthers headed to Tampa and the club had dropped nine consecutive games dating back to last season. And Matt Rhule’s club would be overwhelmed early on as the club was down 21-0 at intermission and had already given up 230 total yards after 30 minutes of play. Christian McCaffrey ran for 59 yards and two TD but injured his ankle in the fourth quarter (via Nick Shook of NFL.com). Carolina has allowed a combined 65 points in two games.

Mike Zimmer’s team surrendered 43 points and 522 total yards last Sunday at home vs. the Packers. Now the Vikings traveled to Indianapolis and it was the offense that was a no-show as quarterback Kirk Cousins connected on less than 50 percent of his throws (11-of-26). He was picked off three times and sacked on three occasions – once for a safety. All told, Minnesota finished with a paltry 175 total yards and were doubled up by the Colts (354).

The Birds squandered a 17-0 lead last week at Washington and were looking to make amends at home against the Rams. But Doug Pederson’s club was down 21-3 in the second quarter before making things interesting with 12:07 to play. But Los Angeles closed the game with 13 straight points. Quarterback Carson Wentz threw for 242 yards, ran for one touchdown and wasn’t sacked but was picked off twice. Philadelphia is 0-2 for the first time since 2015.