Week two was a wild one with multiple last-second finishes and high-scoring affairs. It is hard to know what is real for each team this early in the year, but we are going to take a shot at it. Let’s keep it real in week three. Here are this week’s NFL Power Rankings.
1. **Philadelphia Eagles** 2-0
_Keepin’ it real:_ Yes, the Eagles are still the best team in the league.
Philadelphia has a way of playing that keeps teams at arm’s length without appearing like they are dominant. The game seems close, but opponents never have a chance to win. Philadelphia is still the class of the league.
2. **Buffalo Bills** 2-0
_Keepin’ it real:_ The Bills will start the season 9-0 barring injury.
I’m not sure how it worked out this way, but Buffalo isn’t going to face a winning team again until week ten. Winning in week one set the Bills up on a path to the playoffs as their next eight opponents will have losing records. I am assuming that the Chiefs will be at or below .500 when they travel to Buffalo on the first weekend in November. KC’s schedule is horrific, and they are already 0-2.
3. **Green Bay Packers** 2-0
_Keepin’ it real:_ The Packers will start at least 5-0.
The Packers had arguably the toughest two games to open the season. Now they travel to Cleveland, Dallas, and then host the Bengals in Green Bay. The trip following that to Arizona will be a big one for the rising Pack.
4. **Baltimore Ravens** 1-1
_Keepin’ it real:_ Lamar Jackson will eventually have a turnover.
It didn’t happen in the first two weeks. Jackson has become the standard for ball security. He had just four interceptions last season, and he’s on his way to a similar mark in 2025. His passer rating is a gaudy 136.6.
5. **Detroit Lions** 1-1
_Keepin’ it real:_ The Chicago win is not enough to put the Lions back on track after the week one disappointment.
Beating the Bears just isn’t enough to say that there is nothing to worry about in Detroit. A win this week against Baltimore would be a statement. Let’s see if that happens.
6. **Los Angeles Rams** 2-0
_Keepin’ it real:_ The Rams need something from the running game to win the division.
Last week, we said the Rams have more than enough with their defense and passing game to compensate for their weak running game. The running game does need to be weak though – it can’t be nonexistent. Thus far, the Rams have 221 yards rushing. Wide Receivers have 51 of those yards. Third, and one can’t always be a throwing down.
7. **Tampa Bay Buccaneers** 2-0
_Keepin’ it real:_ Baker is an MVP candidate.
Laugh if you like, but Mayfield has made it all the way from first-round bust to MVP candidate. Part of that is the Bucs are not going to be challenged in the NFC South – especially if they can tread water until Tackle Tristan Wirfs gets back on the field. The bigger factor is that Mayfield plays with a ton of heart and people are starting to take notice. He and the Bucs can put together a nice season if they stay healthy – nice enough to put their quarterback in the conversation for the MVP.
8. **Los Angeles Chargers** 2-0
_Keepin’ it real:_ It’s too early to get on the Chargers bandwagon.
No team has been so intoxicating to watch while simultaneously being so frustrating in the clutch. LA is solid. They will deal with the Raiders and the league’s second-tier teams. It’s the contenders that they will struggle with. Los Angeles still appears just a little short of being a player for the conference. I will wait a few more weeks before I believe.
9. **Arizona Cardinals** 2-0
_Keepin’ it real:_ The Cardinals are better than they appear.
On the surface, the Cards have two wins against two teams expected to be among the league’s weakest this year, and neither win was by more than a touchdown. Below the surface, I can tell you it is a mistake to underrate this team. There’s nothing in their stats to point to that supports my assertion. It stems from the fact that they are good at everything – not great at anything, but good in all phases. That is more than most teams can say.
10. **Kansas City Chiefs** 0-2
_Keepin’ it real:_ The Chiefs are 0-2 on their way to 5-2.
It is not over for KC despite how many people wish it were. The Chiefs will win their next five. That’s not a small statement. In that set of games are tilts with Baltimore and Detroit. I said (wrote) what I wrote. KC is 5-2 at the end of the day on October 19th.
### 24\. **New York Jets** 0-2
So much for optimism. I had a boatload of optimism after the loss to Pittsburgh. I am having a hard time holding on to any right now. The only thing the Jets did right against Buffalo was run onto the field. That’s where it ended. The rest of the day was downhill. Fields was terrible, invoking the same concerns everyone has had since he first entered the league. The offensive line was terrible after a great game against the Steelers. The defense was hot garbage for the second week in a row. I have no easy answers, and I am concerned that the coaching staff has none either.
The Jets are headed to Tampa after two home losses to start the season. Tampa is 2-0 after a late touchdown Monday night against Houston. Tampa is solid in all phases and will be hard to beat in their own building. The Jets likely will start Tyrod Taylor with Fields in the concussion protocol. Taylor was respectable in garbage time on Sunday against the Bills. He’s going to need to be even better as the starter. Taylor isn’t as mobile as Fields, but he has been more consistent throwing the ball historically.
I can’t pick the Jets against anyone right now, considering the way the defense has played in the first two games. I’d like to feel the optimism I had leaving the Pittsburgh game, but it is tough after that horror show against the Bills. Maybe I can rationalize by thinking that Buffalo is simply on another level right now. If I can roll that around in my head, I can feel better about the Jets competing with Tampa. I just hope that feeling lasts longer this week than last week.