NFL power rankings: Chiefs, Vikings, Raiders keep climbing at 3-0; Patriots, Packers plummet for Week 4 image
The NFL flexed its typical unpredictable nature in Week 3, with some previously winless teams getting off the mat, some scoring shocking upsets. There were some thrilling results with fortunes changing in the last minute.
The annual parity party has begun, with "any given Sunday" coming to early fruition. There still are several standout teams starting to separate, but more teams are capable of being competitive because of offense.
Through all the results, expected or otherwise, here's the latest 1-32 look from the best to the worst in the league after three games:
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NFL Power Rankings
Travis Kelce
1. Buffalo Bills 3-0 (previous ranking: 1)
The Bills got a little messy with Josh Allen and James Cook committing turnovers galore against the Chargers, but they surged to recover big-time in the second half, showing quickly they can binge points and pull away. Buffalo is becoming a more complete team with each week.
2. Kansas City Chiefs 3-0 (5)
The Chiefs are locked in with Kenneth Walker III and Travis Kelce opening up the entire offense well for Patrick Mahomes. Their defense has had a few holes against the run but it is still coming up with big plays to close out teams late.
3. San Francisco 49ers 3-0 (3)
The 49ers are managing a different slew of injuries (what else is new), but Brock Purdy remains locked into the offense with plenty of help from George Kittle and Chrsitian McCaffrey. The defense will need to keep overachieving minus Nick Bosa.
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4. Philadelphia Eagles 2-0 (4)
The Eagles are getting MVP-caliber play from Jalen Hurts in a new offense as the passing game is getting revved up and Saquon Barkley is managing to stay healthy for the running game. Their defense can flex more on Monday night against a weakened Bears' offense.
5. Seattle Seahawks 2-1 (2)
The Seahawks got clipped in Washington with some big mistakes with turnovers and not enough pressure defense. They can't keep counting on Jaxon Smith-Njigba to save the day when a lot of other things break down.
6. Minnesota Vikings 3-0 (8)
The Vikings are getting it done well with defense and getting just enough offense, but there's real concern for the latter with Jordan Mason out and Justin Jefferson hurting now, too. They can stay hot, however, under Kevin O'Connell with the Dolphins and Saints next.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-1 (9)
The Jaguars don't get enough credit for being a big-play defense despite some top pass rushers and a rising corner, Travis Hunter. Bhayshul Tuten also has been a big complementary boon to the Trevor Lawrence-led offense.
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8. Denver Broncos 2-1 (10)
The Broncos pulled off their usual second-half and fourth-quarter home magic with Bo Nix to beat the Rams on Sunday night, keeping up the strong rebound from losing badly to the Chiefs in Week 1. They get a great road test again with the 49ers in Week 4.
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9. Baltimore Ravens 2-1 (13)
Tyler Loop saved the day with his leg in Rio, where they are used to money kicks. The offense is rolling everywhere and needs to stay relentless as Jesse Minter has learned there's many things to iron out in his defense.
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10. Detroit Lions 2-1 (14)
The Lions need every bit of what Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs are doing to light it up offensively with their defense porous in every which way. Shootouts follow everywhere they go and they might need to make a drastic change soon.
11. Las Vegas Raiders 3-0 (17)
Kirk Cousins had a third consecutive three-TD game to take down the Saints as the good vibes from Klint Kubiak have turned into fantastic early results. The offense can do so much more and the new-look defense is adding some clutch impact vs. the pass.
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12. Cincinnati Bengals 2-1 (6)
The Bengals are getting it done everywhere with Joe Burrow and the offense but they need to get more consistent in pass defense to match. They also cannot afford more of the mistakes that cost them against the Steelers.
13. New England Patriots 1-2 (7)
The Patriots' offense is missing A.J. Brown as Drake Maye keeps making critical turnovers trying to force the issue in the passing game. Those struggles are putting too much on the running game and defense to win games.
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14. Los Angeles Rams 1-2 (11)
The Rams have lost tough games away from Los Angeles to the 49ers and Broncos. Their offense has been fine without Puka Nacua but the defense isn't the same without Myles Garrett and with an older Aaron Donald. They are at an early crossroads with at Eagles and vs. Bills next.
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15. Chicago Bears 1-1 (12)
The Bears now know Caleb Williams will be missing multiple games so they need Tyson Bagent to lean well on the support of Ben Johnson's offense to stay afloat. That can't be easy if their defense keeps folding vs. Philadelphia.
Aaron Rodgers
16. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-1 (19)
Aaron Rodgers got a little rejuvenated by relying more on other weapons against the Bengals and the Steelers also got their backfield more in motion with Jaylen Warren. The Browns have become a bigger threat next on Thursday night.
17. New York Giants 2-1 (20)
The Giants will need to win ugly some without Jaxson Dart so they can't complain about their 12-7 escape against the Titans, fueled by the defense. They have seen enough to think outside quarterback may needed to post a a respectable offense.
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18. Dallas Cowboys 1-2 (16)
The Cowboys played with a lot of energy in Brazil, staying right with Baltimore until the end. Even though there more upside with the offense, Christian Parker's transitional defense needs a lot longer to become a competent group.
19. New Orleans Saints 1-2 (15)
The Saints' offense under Kellen Moore is explosive with Tyler Shough's connection to Chris Olave and the tight ends, but as expected, the defense under Brandon Staley is the liability. That will put pressure on them to win high-scoring affairs most weeks.
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20. Washington Commanders 1-2 (27)
Marcus Mariota is a gamer and was fearless in facing the Seahawks' Super Bowl defense, getting the key playmakers involved. The defense also responded in desperation to make plenty of big plays, including a pick six.
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21. Cleveland Browns 2-1 (28)
Deshaun Watson is putting the Browns in good positions to win in close games. Getting the Buccaneers and Panthers back-to-back brings some needed good offensive vibes under Todd Monken. Don't forget about Mason Graham living up to be a defensive game-changer.
22. New York Jets 1-2 (23)
The Jets pushed the Packers and Lions to the limit before succumbing with too many defensive issues for Aaron Glenn. They need to be inspired by the offense led by Geno Smith, but the injuries to Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson are bummers.
23. Green Bay Packers 1-2 (18)
What was that? The Packers' defense got run over by the Falcons and left Jordan Love hung out to dry in a one-dimensional passing offense. "Run the ball" and "stop the run" aren't happening. Neither is protecting the QB from big hit after big hit.
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24. Indianapolis Colts 1-2 (25)
The Colts don't care about the lacking style points in beating the Texans, with Shane Steichen just needing a big division win. It was a good rebound from the tough overtime loss in Kansas City with a winning game in London looming vs. Washington.
25. Atlanta Falcons 1-2 (32)
The Falcons got better right away with competent Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback and they always will have a great chance to win when Bijan Robinson can go off. They needed to show such life in the huge win at Green Bay to inspire more under Kevin Stefanski.
Michael Penix Bijan Robinson
Eric Canha/Imagn Images
26. Carolina Panthers 1-2 (24)
The Panthers have a game and fun offense with Bryce Young, but they cooled off too much in Cleveland. Not surprisingly, everything remains inconsistent for Dave Canales' reigning NFC South champions.
27. Arizona Cardinals 1-2 (22)
The Cardinals' win against the Chargers was a good way to start, but hindisight says that AFC West affair was much easier than playing the Seahawks and 49ers back to back in the NFC West. Their defense won't hold up and they are not getting Jacoby Brissett enough help offensively.
28. Houston Texans 0-3 (21)
The Texans have broken down defensively at the wrong times and not having a reliable running game to boost a Nico Collins-less C.J. Stroud is brutal. Losing a battle of attrition to the Colts feels worse than losing to the Bills or Texans before that.
29. Los Angeles Chargers 0-3 (26)
The Chargers were more active defensively to turn over the Bills multiple times. But Jim Harbaugh saw more awful offense with Justin Herbert failing to stop his own giveaway woes. They, like the Texans, are straight-up bad at this point.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-3 (29)
Baker Mayfield is playing poorly after getting his contract extension, once again trying to do too much for a team that can't run the ball, protect him well or defend against chunk plays. He's now dealing with an injured thumb to boot. Consider Todd Bowles' seat to be burning hot.
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Baker Mayfield
Joseph Maiorana/Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
31. Tennessee Titans 0-3 (30)
Cam Ward delivered defeat in the jaws of victory, still learning the ropes in Brian Daboll's offense. The progress is slower than the Titans had hoped with only glimmers of help. The Ravens next won't help the young QB get it right.
32. Miami Dolphins 0-3 (31)
The Dolphins fought hard to give the Chiefs a game for a while with their defense and running game doing most of the work. Unfortunately, being down their best playmaker, De'Von Achane, still turns bad to worse.