2021 NFL power rankings, Week 3: Raiders impress, Dolphins stifled
It was another weekend of down-to-the wire affairs. And that long losing streak in Jacksonville continues to grow. Here are the latest NFL Power Rankings.
It was another tremendous Sunday for both the AFC West and NFC West, although the reigning division champions both happen to take it on the chin. Elsewhere, the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers continued to score at will. On the other hand, there were a few notable quarterback injuries that could make for some new starting signal-callers in Week 3.
30. . 0-2. Previous: . New York Jets. 32. team
The Green and White had dropped 10 straight to the Patriots entering Sunday’s clash with Bill Belichick’s squad. The team was without left tackle Mekhi Becton (via Geoff Magliocchetti of Jets X-Factor). Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson had a forgettable home debut.
No. 2 for the Green and White was sacked four times and served up four interceptions. New York’s defensive unit played respectable football, limiting New England to just 260 total yards.
team. 44. . 0-2. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 31
The Falcons hoped to have better luck on Sunday at Tampa than they did a week ago at home when the team was limited to two field goals in a lopsided loss to the Eagles. And late in the third quarter, Arthur Smith’s club trailed the defending Super Bowl champions by only three points.
But the Bucs scored the final 20 points of the game. And while Matt Ryan threw for 300 yards and two TDs, he had two of his three interceptions retuned for scores.
Previous: . New York Giants. 30. team. 31. . 0-2
The Giants’ defense played well after a slow start in 2020. But Joe Judge’s team had its problems with Denver’s offense in Week 1 and struggled to stop Washington’s offense last Thursday night.
New York allowed 407 total yards and watched backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke riddle its solid secondary for 336 yards. Giants’ signal-caller Daniel Jones ran for 95 yards and one score and threw for 249 yards and one touchdown. And it wasn’t enough.
52. . 0-2. Previous: . Jacksonville Jaguars. 29. team
Jacksonville’s current losing streak had reached 16 games as they hosted the Denver Broncos. And the drought continued despite the fact that Urban Meyer’s team got off to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence wound up having a shaky afternoon. He connected on only 14 of his 33 throws for 118 yards. And his early scoring pass – Jacksonville’s lone offensive touchdown of the game – was offset by a pair of interceptions.