Welcome to Gridiron’s Week 3 power ranking, where there are some interesting changes in the order — both risers and fallers — following Sunday’s array of results.

 

GRIDIRON POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 3

1. Buffalo Bills (3-0) = 

It was closer than expected against Miami. That likely won’t be the case against the Saints.

 

 

2. Los Angeles Chargers (3-0) +2

Three straight wins in three division games with Justin Herbert once again making throws beyond most mortals, these are very exciting times for the Chargers.

 

 

3. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) =

Still a lot of questions about the offense, but that was the type of comeback champions make against the Rams, capped in the most remarkable fashion by Jordan Davis.

 

 

4. Detrroit Lions (2-1) +3

If the Lions can run the ball consistently like they did versus Baltimore, then it will take a lot to stop them in the NFC.

 

 

5. Green Bay Packers (2-1) -3

Was the offensive collapse in Week 3 simply a product of playing a ferocious Browns front, or the sign of a deeper problem. A soft schedule over the coming weeks might delay the answer to that one.

 

 

6. Indianapolis Colts (3-0) +7

The Colts, with Daniel Jones at quarterback, have 103 points through three games. It’s a feat they never managed with Peyton Manning under center.

 

 

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0) -1

Baker Mayfield spoiled Aaron Glenn’s quite brilliant sideline celebrations, and has sneakily developed into one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the NFL.

 

 

8. San Francisco 49ers (3-0) +2

Mac Jones and the very banged-up 49ers found a way against the Cardinals, furnishing Kyle Shanahan’s early Coach of the Year case. Now they must contend without Nick Bosa for the rest of the season.

 

 

9. Los Angeles Rams (2-1) -1

The Rams were a successful special teams operation away from knocking off the defending champions. That cannot be ignored, but the secondary is a capital P problem.

 

 

10. Washington Commanders (2-1) -1

Washington did not miss a beat on offense against the Raiders without Jayden Daniels. A very good sign for when he returns.

 

 

11. Seattle Seahawks (2-1) +4

Good teams beat up on bad teams, and the Seahawks did that in some style against New Orleans. Upcoming games with the Cardinals and Buccaneers will provide more of an insight into good the Seahawks are.

 

 

12. Baltimore Ravens (1-2) -6

The Ravens have played at an elite level on offense and could be 3-0 in another world. But we live in this world, where their defense looks like an albatross after three games.

 

 

13. Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) -1

A win is a win, but it could hardly have looked less impressive.

 

 

14. Denver Broncos (1-2) =

Two weeks, two agonising losses for Denver. The Broncos need to prove they can finish against contenders if they are to be taken seriously.

 

 

15. Minnesota Vikings (2-1) +4

The Vikings might be a lot better with Carson Wentz under center, but it’ll take more than a win over Jake Browning and the Bengals to be sure of that.

 

 

16. Arizona Cardinals (2-1) -5

Kyler Murray is failing to elevate a team that right now looks to be less than the sum of its parts. James Conner’s season-ending injury is a potential hammer blow.

 

 

17. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) +5

The defense is excelling, but there’s still several questions to be answered about their weapons on offense.

 

 

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) +3

Pittsburgh’s defense finally showed up in New England. That side of the ball will likely need to carry the load this year if recent evidence from Aaron Rodgers and the offense is any guide.

 

 

19. Carolina Panthers (1-2) +8

With upcoming games against the Patriots, Dolphins, Cowboys and Jets, there’s a real chance for the Panthers to build momentum on the back of their stunning blowout of the Falcons.

 

 

20. Chicago Bears (1-2) +9

Caleb Williams produced arguably the best game of his young career against the quarterback-friendly Dallas defense. The challenge now is to sustain that play against Las Vegas.

 

 

21. Atlanta Falcons (1-2) -5

Maybe the collapse in Carolina was a flash in the pan, but Falcons fans would be forgiven for being in panic mode.

 

 

22. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) -5

The worst loss in franchise history should stop talk of Cincinnati contending without Joe Burrow.

 

 

23. Dallas Cowboys (1-2) -5

No serious contender can put that defense on the field. A long season beckons in Dallas if they can’t fix it.

 

 

24. Cleveland Browns (1-2) +6

A stunning win over the Packers illustrated why Cleveland’s defense might be one of best units in the entire league. It will cause problems for opponents throughout the year.

 

 

25. Houston Texans (0-3) -5

Stick a fork in the Texans if their offense can’t get it going against the Titans.

 

 

26. Las Vegas Raiders (1-2) -3

Tre Tucker was a huge bright spot in Week 3. There weren’t many others.

 

 

27. New England Patriots (1-2) -3

Turnovers were the Patriots’ undoing against the Steelers. It will be interesting to see if starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson hangs on to his job after failing to hang on to the ball.

 

 

28. New York Jets (0-3) =

The Jets almost snatched victory from a true contender. The secondary is holding them back and could become an even bigger issue if Sauce Gardner misses time.

 

 

29. New York Giants (0-3) -4

The Russell Wilson era was mercifully brief. In comes Jaxson Dart to try to spark a surge after showing great preseason promise.

 

 

30. Miami Dolphins (0-3) +2

Miami showed enough fight in Buffalo to ease some of the pressure on Mike McDaniel, but a  primetime clash with the Jets looms as a must-win for the embattled head coach.

 

 

31. New Orleans Saints (0-3) -5

The resistance the Saints showed across the first two weeks apparently didn’t make the flight to Seattle.

 

 

32. Tennessee Titans (0-3) -1

Brian Callahan has raced into the lead for first coach fired after an embarrassing effort against the Colts.