NFL Week 3 Power Rankings
The first two weeks of the NFL season have been wildly unpredictable and undoubtedly exciting. It’s always tough to figure out how good certain teams are early in the season, as their record often doesn’t reflect their actual strength given it’s such a small sample size. As the season goes on, it will become more obvious who the contenders and who the pretenders are, but I’m going to do my best to project where these teams will end up based on their first two games. I categorized teams by their record to start this column as I wanted to reflect how teams have done to start the season, but there are a handful of 1-1 and even 0-2 teams who I think could end up better than some of the 2-0 teams. I’m also going to do my best to break down all of the major injuries teams suffered in Week 2 and how one of the worst injury weeks I can remember will impact the league moving forward. All that being said, let’s dive into the Week 3 power rankings.
#1: Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
Next up: home against the Chiefs (Monday Night Football)
Until further notice, the Ravens are the best team in football. Their defense, beefed up after the additions of Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe on the defensive line, is allowing just 11 points per game - the fewest in the NFL. Lamar Jackson looks even better this season, especially in the passing game where he ranks first in yards per completion, second in completion percentage and second in passer rating. The Ravens get a huge test this week in the Chiefs, a team they lost to by just a handful of points last season. The real question for Baltimore continues to be if they can dig themselves out of a hole in obvious passing situations, something Lamar Jackson looks eager to answer in a resounding way. The Chiefs are one of the few teams capable of putting up points early against a strong Ravens’ defense, and Jackson will need to be efficient in managing this game to lock in a 3-0 start for his team. If the Ravens are truly capable of beating opponents with electric downfield passes from Lamar to Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews, their rushing game could be even more efficient than it was in last season’s historic effort. The Ravens’ defense has continued to improve week over week dating back to when they acquired Marcus Peters last year and they currently rank 2nd in the NFL in opponent third-down conversion rate. This is a team absolutely trending in the right direction and they have a chance to prove themselves this week.
#2: Seattle Seahawks (2-0)
Next up: home against the Cowboys
Man oh man, the Seahawks are fun when they let Russ cook. Seattle’s future Hall of Fame quarterback is off to a tremendous start, completing a staggering 82.5% of his passes for 610 yards with 9 touchdowns to just one interception. The Seahawks are putting up the 2nd-most points per game this season and have embraced a more open offensive style in which they pass on first and second down rather than forcing Russ to save them on third down. Wilson was always capable of this type of play, and Seattle has the receivers to help him keep it up in Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, as well as a handful of solid tight ends. The defense hasn’t quite come together yet - the Seahawks have allowed the most passing yards in football and the 11th-most points per game - but that’s partially a result of their fast-paced offensive attack. With Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams in tow, two of the top ten defenders in football, there’s no doubt this defense will at least be above average. With a talented roster top-to-bottom, an MVP candidate at quarterback, and one of the best coaches in football in Pete Carroll, this team is looking like a Super Bowl contender.
#3: Kansas City ChiefS (2-0)
Next up: at Ravens (Monday Night Football)
The Chiefs looked very shaky in an overtime win over the Chargers last week as they allowed Justin Herbert to have a great game in his rookie debut. The defense still has some work to do as the Chiefs allowed the Chargers to generate a whopping 479 yards of offense and control the ball for 40 minutes of game time. They also struggled to get off the field as they allowed the Bolts to convert 6/13 3rd-down attempts. Things don’t get any easier for the defense this week - in fact, they get much harder as the Chiefs go on the road to face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Of course, these are still the defending Super Bowl Champions and Patrick Mahomes is arguably the best offensive weapon in the league, so I’m not dropping them any further than third, and if they knock off the Ravens, they’ll probably move back up to #1. The Chiefs had similar holes in their defense and the interior of the offensive line last season, and they still pulled off the Super Bowl win. With Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce in the passing game and rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire giving them a completely new dimension to the offensive attack, this is still arguably the best offense in the league. They’ll need to play like it to knock off the Ravens on the road.
#4: Green Bay Packers (2-0)
Next up: at Saints (Sunday Night Football)
Aaron Rodgers has come out firing to start this season as he has 604 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, and no interceptions through two games. That type of pace would make him a leading MVP candidate by the end of the season. The Packers lead the NFL in yards per game and points per game, but it’s important to remember the context. The Vikings and Lions are two secondaries reliant on rookies and first-time starters, so Rodgers likely won’t find it that easy to carve up the defense every week. Defensively, the Packers have been solid as well as they have 6 sacks (tied for 4th-most) and Jaire Alexander has played like a Defensive Player of the Year candidate at cornerback. Perhaps most importantly, Green Bay hasn’t turned the ball over once through two games and is overall just a very efficient squad statistically. This week provides a big test as the Saints look for a bounce-back win at home, and while New Orleans looked poor on Monday, they still have a very talented top-to-bottom squad. This game provides an excellent opportunity for the Packers to prove they are a true Super Bowl contender this season.
#5: Los Angeles Rams (2-0)
Next up: at Bills
The Rams have beaten two teams who were 8-8 or better last year, rank eighth in points scored, and third in points allowed. Sean McVay is a brilliant coach and has found ways to marginalize the issues that I thought would plague this team all season. The run-heavy approach and quick-trigger passing has allowed Jared Goff to maintain a clean pocket despite a weak offensive line and the team’s running back committee has done surprisingly well - the Rams rank third in rushing yards per game. I still have some concerns about the defense - particularly the front seven where Aaron Donald is the only clear-cut above average player - but the secondary led by Jalen Ramsey has been very solid. The Rams are still a top-heavy team with notable roster holes and I think it hurst them over the course of the year, especially with the alarming number of East Coast road trips they have to take. For the time being, though, the Rams look like Super Bowl contenders and are tied for a share of the top spot in the NFC West, the best division in football.
#6: PittSBURGH Steelers (2-0)
Next up: home against the Texans
The Steelers’ defense has looked exceptional through two games, which shouldn’t come as a shock after the way they played down the stretch last year. They’ve allowed the 2nd-fewest yards and the 6th-fewest points through two weeks. T.J. Watt is a leading DPOY candidate with 2.5 sacks (tied for league lead), 4 tackles for a loss, and an interception. Cameron Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Stephon Tuitt, and Devin Bush have been great as well. With Ben Roethlisberger back on the field, the Steelers are able to play the way they want - control the ball and field position with mistake-free football. Pittsburgh is unbelievable at drafting wide receivers - the homegrown talents of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, and rookie Chase Claypool give the Steelers a dynamic group of pass-catching weapons. Big Ben is still shaking off some rust, but he’s on pace for 40 passing touchdowns to 8 interceptions through two games - those are MVP-level numbers. Mike Tomlin is one of the best coaches in football and has never overseen a losing season with this team. The Steelers have sneaky dark horse Super Bowl potential and can keep it rolling this week against the 0-2 and floundering Texans.
#7: Arizona Cardinals (2-0)
Next up: home against the Lions
I was all over the Cardinals as a preseason dark horse playoff team, and that could not be looking better through two games. Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins have been the most productive quarterback-wide receiver duo in the NFL so far and Murray has also been exceptional on the ground - check out his Barry Sanders-type moves on a touchdown run against Washington that was ultimately called back for a penalty. Kliff Kingsbury’s offensive scheme seems to fit Kyler Murray like a glove and the skill position talent on this team is considerable. The Cardinals have also been surprisingly great on defense, allowing the seventh-fewest yards and second-fewest points per game after last season in which their defense was abysmal. First-round rookie Isaiah Simmons has surprisingly not played many snaps as free agency signings at linebacker Devon Kennard and DeVondre Campbell have been stellar. Safety Budda Baker and pass-rusher Chandler Jones are also two of the best players at their respective positions. The Cardinals’ defense is holding opponents to a league-low 26% conversion rate on third downs. This team has an impressive level of confidence and commitment to the way they want to win games, and the early returns have been great. As the last-placed team in the NFC West last year, the Cardinals have an easier schedule than their division-mates and should make a strong run at a Wild Card spot, if not the division title.
#8: Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Next up: home against the Rams
Josh Allen has arrived. A toolsy, boom-or-bust quarterback like him is supposed to reach a point where it all clicks and comes together, or not. Instead, Allen, has progressively improved his game bit by bit, year over year, and this is the best iteration we’ve seen. He had his first 300-yard passing game in Week 1 and his first 400-yard passing game in Week 2, and now leads the NFL with 729 passing yards along with 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. No, he likely won’t lead the NFL in passing this season or even finish top five, but I have to give credit where credit is due - he’s looked awesome so far. Stefon Diggs leads the NFL with 239 receiving yards and John Brown has excelled alongside him with 152 yards (18th-best) and 2 touchdowns. The running game should be solid all year with the three-headed monster of Allen, Devin Singletary, and Zack Moss and this defense has looked stout through two weeks. Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, and Tre’Davious White form one of the best secondary trios in football. The Bills will face by far their toughest test of the season to this point when they take on the Rams. It will be interesting to see which holds up - Josh Allen’s elite production with the keys to the offense or the Rams’ stout defensive play so far.
#9: Tennessee Titans (2-0)
Next up: at Vikings
The Titans haven’t necessarily been convincing through two weeks as they’ve won by a combined 5 points against the Broncos and Jaguars. Derrick Henry’s 3.6 yards per carry hasn’t been impressive, but it’s been a war of attrition as Henry ranks 2nd in the NFL with 200 rushing yards. Ryan Tannehill has gotten right back to his impressive play from last season as he’s completed 70.1% of his passes for 488 yards and 6 touchdowns to 0 interceptions. His 4 touchdowns against Jacksonville made him one of the best QBs on the week and he also had arguably the throw of the week as he lofted a 3rd-and-goal touchdown to Adam Humphries while getting absolutely drilled by a Jags’ defensive lineman. Harold Landry III and Jadaveon Clowney have given the Titans a lethal outside pass rush duo and Jeffery Simmons has been impressive in replacing Jurrell Casey on the line. Kevin Byard is one of the better safeties in football and Jonathan Joseph has provided solid cornerback play as a veteran free agency signing. The Titans play in the wide-open AFC South and have the opportunity to build on what was an inspiring postseason run last year.
#10: LAS Vegas Raiders (2-0)
Next up: at Patriots
The Raiders pulled out the most impressive win of the season with their Week 2 defeat of a projected Super Bowl contender in the Saints. In their debut game in Vegas, the Raiders controlled time of possession, prioritized efficiency on the ground, and peppered Darren Waller with targets to the tune of 12 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. Jon Gruden has his squad playing inspired football, and while the Saints did rack up 129 yards of penalties, the Raiders’ victory is still incredibly impressive. The Raiders’ defense is decent overall with their biggest strength on the defensive line in Clelin Ferrell, Jonathan Hankins, and Arden Key. Their secondary has been unconvincing, though, and outside of Jonathan Abram there aren’t a ton of back-end defensive players I trust on this team on a weekly basis. This week will be a real test of this team’s resolve as they have a short week before an East Coast road trip to play the Patriots. If they’re able to climb to 3-0, we may have to start talking about this team as having the potential to unseat the Chiefs atop the AFC West.
#11: Chicago Bears (2-0)
Next up: at Falcons
The award for the most unconvincing 2-0 start in the NFL has to go to the Bears. For 3 quarters against the Lions, they looked absolutely hollow on both ends of the field. Then, Mitchell Trubisky caught magic and somehow led a 3-touchdown comeback win. Against the Giants, the Bears once again looked lifeless but were able to pull out the win as they held New York to just 13 points. Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn have been excellent off the edge and rookie Jaylon Johnson has gotten out to an outstanding start alongside Pro Bowl corner Kyle Fuller. However, this defense has more holes than you might expect, as their interior defensive line, linebacker corps, and safeties are subpar. This Bears have had a top-five scoring defense in each of the past two seasons and are the #3 scoring defense so far, but it isn’t the same unit as the past couple of years after losing guys like Adrian Amos, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Nick Kwiatkowski, Prince Amukamara, and Eddie Goldman. Mitchell Trubisky has the 7th-worst completion percentage among qualified quarterbacks so far despite facing the Lions’ and Giants’ defenses. I don’t trust Trubisky to keep this passing offense afloat all year, and I don’t see this defense has being quite as good as previous iterations. The Bears do play in what looks like a wide open NFC North and I wouldn’t be shocked to see them make the playoffs as a Wild Card team.
#12: TAMPA BAY Buccaneers (1-1)
Next up: at Broncos
The early returns on this new-look Bucs team have been a little rocky as Tom Brady has thrown for 3 touchdowns to 3 interceptions and just 456 yards in 2 games. However, this week should be the first that Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will be on the field, so I expect Brady’s numbers to improve over the course of the season. The Bucs’ defense has been impressive as their run defense is once again stout and Devin White leads the NFL with 26 tackles through two games. Rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr. has been outstanding, particularly in the pass rush and run support. Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting have been solid at cornerback and Vita Vea is one of the best nose tackles in football. Tom Brady’s raw numbers don’t quite do his strong play justice and as his offense gets healthy, he’s going to put up elite numbers down the stretch. I believed in this Bucs team as a potential Super Bowl contender before the season and nothing I have seen makes me want to fade that. It was always going to take some time for this team to come together with a new QB and no preseason/limited training camp, but the Bucs are a strong playoff contender with the potential to steal the NFC South from the suddenly struggling Saints.
#13: NEW ENGLAND Patriots (1-1)
Next up: home against the Raiders
Man, did the Patriots impress me in Week 2. I didn’t expect them to win that game, or really even compete with what looks like a Super Bowl-caliber Seahawks squad, but they damn near won the game on the last play. Cam Newton exposed what is surprisingly a weak passing defense for Seattle to the tune of 397 passing yards and he has two rushing touchdowns in each of his first two games. I still don’t trust the Patriots’ pass-catchers to be explosive enough to keep defenses honest against the run game all year. The defense is still solid, but not nearly as good as last year after losing a handful of key players in free agency and then to opt-outs for this season. Still, the secondary should still be counted as a major strength with the group of Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Devin McCourty, and Adrian Phillips. I’m more concerned about the lack of a pass rush for the Patriots as it will be tough for any secondary players to hold up if their defense can only generate 3 sacks across 2 games. The lack of explosive playmakers on either side of the ball had me betting against this team to make the playoffs prior to the season, and I still think it would take a gargantuan coaching effort from Bill Belichick to get this team in the playoffs. More likely, they will be competitive all year and finish up 7-9 or 8-8 with the potential for a Wild Card spot in the expanded format.
#14: INDIANAPOLIS Colts (1-1)
Next up: home against the Jets
The Colts had a surprising Week 1 loss to the Jaguars, but did exactly what they were supposed to in Week 2 - put their foot on the throat of a lackluster Vikings squad and beat them by 17 points with two scoreless quarters for Minnesota along the way. The Colts’ offensive line is just as good if not better than it was last season and their run game should be great all year, despite the loss of Marlon Mack. Jonathan Taylor rushed 26 times for 101 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. The Colts’ pass-catching group is going to be hurt by the long-term injuries to Jack Doyle and Parris Campbell, but Philip Rivers has been very good outside of a couple of turnovers. Mo Alie-Cox had the game of a lifetime against the Vikings with 5 catches for 111 yards - he could be a significant factor moving forward as Rivers loves utilizing tight ends. The front seven has been boosted by the arrival of DeForest Buckner and the strong play of Darius Leonard, and the secondary has been strong across the board. The Colts are a well-balanced, talented squad with an experienced quarterback, phenomenal offensive line, and inspiring head coach - they’re going to be a factor this winter.
#15: NEW ORLEANS Saints (1-1)
Next up: home against the Packers
The Saints suffered an embarrassing loss to the Raiders on Monday Night Football as they racked up 129 yards of penalties and looked lifeless throughout. I expected the continuity between Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and the rest of this roster to be the difference-maker in such a bizarre season, but Brees hasn’t looked like himself through two games. His completion percentage is down to just 64.7% this year after a 74.1% clip last season and he’s thrown for just 3 touchdowns in 2 games. He’s obviously missing his All-Pro wideout Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders was held to just one catch last week as the WR1 in relief for Thomas. However, Brees didn’t look convincing even in Week 1 with Michael Thomas playing. The defense has also not been as good as most expected as Malcom Jenkins hasn’t added value as a free agency signing and Marshon Lattimore is off to a brutal start. The Saints allowed the Raiders to control the football for most of their game. The surrounding talent on this roster isn’t as good as I thought it would be and the Saints are putting Drew Brees in a tough position by placing the full responsibility for their success on his shoulders. At 41 years old, it’s understandable that he could be slowing down, but it doesn’t seem like New Orleans has enough ancillary talent to support him, especially without Michael Thomas.
#16: Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
Next up: at Seahawks
The Cowboys have looked extremely unconvincing for seven of their eight quarters of football last season, but there were flashes of a Super Bowl-caliber team in their historic comeback win over the Falcons - the Falcons were the first team in NFL history to score 39 points, not turn the ball over, and lose the game. They likely shouldn’t have been so far behind in this game in the first place as their three first-quarter fumbles were incredibly fluky, but Dak Prescott threw for 450 yards and a touchdown while adding 3 more touchdowns on the ground. He looked like the MVP-caliber quarterback I thought he could be this season and has the opportunity to continue his elite play against the Seahawks’ defense that is surprisingly allowing the most passing yards per game in the NFL. The Cowboys have three phenomenal receivers - CeeDee Lamb’s 6 catches for 106 yards and Amari Cooper’s 6 catches for 100 yards were the Week 2 highlights. The Cowboys’ defense hasn’t produced so far this year, and it doesn’t get easier for them against Russell Wilson next week. However, this will be a great opportunity for Dak Prescott and this offense to prove they are among the league’s best.
#17: SAN FRANCISCO 49ers (1-1)
Next up: at Giants
The 49ers couldn’t have imagined a worse Week 2 than the one they got. No, they didn’t lose to the hapless Jets - that wasn’t on the table in any scenario. They did, however, lose what felt like half of their starting lineup to major long-term injuries. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, running backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle, defensive ends Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas, and cornerback Richard Sherman will all miss significant amounts of time. Epitomizing how nightmarish a day it was for San Francisco, Bosa and Thomas were carted off with season-ending ACL injuries on back-to-back plays. Needless to say, this isn’t going to be the 49ers team we saw last year. Making things even worse, the 49ers play in the NFC West with three 2-0 teams who all find themselves in the top seven of my rankings. It was unimaginable before the season, but with all of these massive injuries, it may be the Niners who find themselves on the outside looking in on one of the best divisions in football. It’s hard to project what this team will look like over the coming weeks, but Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh are masterminds. The 49ers also play the Giants, Eagles, and Dolphins over the next three weeks, so they have the opportunity to stay afloat. If their key players don’t make timely returns, though, it’s hard to imagine this team maintaining a playoff spot.
#18: JaCKSONVILLE Jaguars (1-1)
All of the football analysts who pegged the Jaguars for the first overall pick this season are eating crow. ESPN’s Football Power Index that had the Jaguars with the worst record in the NFL is now extremely suspect. It’s Gardner Minshew season in Jacksonville, and man am I excited. After completing 19 of 20 passes in Week 1, he had to throw the ball much more in Week 2 and he passed for 339 yards and 3 touchdowns with 2 interceptions. Minshew is supported by a deep and talented receiving corps that features D.J. Chark, Keelan Cole, Laviska Shenault, and Dede Westbrook. The offensive line has been average - which is much better than most expected - and James Robinson has been a revelation as an undrafted free agent rookie running back. The defense features two players who have arguably been the best at their respective positions so far in linebacker Myles Jack and rookie cornerback C.J. Henderson. The Jaguars have already exceeded everyone’s expectations just two weeks into the season, and I firmly believe this roster is not nearly as bad as people made it out to be. I’m buying in on Minshew Mania yet again and I believe this team can make a surprise Wild Card run.
Next up: home against the Dolphins (Thursday Night Football)
#19: Washington Football Team (1-1)
Next up: at Browns
Washington had the second-worst record in football last season but they already look like a different team under Ron Rivera. Chase Young is tied for the league lead with 2.5 sacks and has helped this front seven full of highly drafted players become a top-ten unit against the run and in the pass rush. Jonathan Allen, DaRon Payne, Kevin Pierre-Louis, and Matt Ionaiddas have all been very good, and this is arguably the best front seven Ryan Kerrigan has ever been a part of. The cornerback duo of Fabian Moreau and Ronald Darby has also been surprisingly potent. However, I have serious concerns about this offense as Dwayne Haskins has not looked like an improved second-year player and the offensive line in front of him has been suspect. Terry McLaurin is lighting the world on fire - he had 7 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 - but there isn’t enough talent in the pass-catching corps to properly support Haskins. The run game also hasn’t been there for Washington after losing Derrius Guice for the season and cutting Adrian Peterson. Antonio Gibson is a high-upside rookie, but he would have been better-served playing alongside a veteran. This offense got shut out in the first half in Week 2 against an admittedly great Cardinals’ defense, but that can’t happen if this team is going to win more games. I’m keeping them solidly ranked due to their strong defense, but Washington is going to take a tumble in the rankings if Haskins and the offense don’t turn things around quickly.
#20: LOS ANGELES Chargers (1-1)
Next up: home against the Panthers
Well, Justin Herbert might be better than I thought. I had concerns about his leadership qualities and ability to make quick-trigger decisions, but he looked phenomenal against the Chiefs this past week. He played loose and confident, running the ball well and throwing a perfect touchdown throw, a particularly impressive one for a rookie. Herbert is supported by great talent in this offense - Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, Huntery Henry - and the offensive line is the best its been in a while. Joey Bosa has been great off the edge and is making an early case for DPOY while Desmond King, Chris Harris Jr., Casey Hayward Jr., and Michael Davis give this defense great back-end coverage. This is a roster capable of making a run at a Wild Card spot, but it’s all dependent on what happens at the quarterback position. Anthony Lynn seems to be steadfast in his desire to start Tyord Taylor, but Herbert offers this team much higher upside. I had the Chargers slated for an 8-8 season and I still see them around that range, but the way they forced the Chiefs into overtime was very impressive.
#21: Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Next up: home against the Washington Football Team
The Browns looked absolutely lifeless in Week 1 against the Ravens, but they recovered well on a short week against the Bengals. I thought this team could get off to a rough start as they integrate an entirely new offensive system and a handful of new starters with no preseason, but Baker Mayfield’s stats thus far have been incredibly underwhelming - 59.7% completion for 408 yards and 3 touchdowns to 2 interceptions. I’m hopeful that Kevin Stefanski’s system and an improved offensive line will simplify things for Mayfield and boost his efficiency this season, but the jury is still out. The Browns have been tough to figure out defensively as they’ve been without a few starters, but Denzel Ward and Terrance Mitchell have formed a solid cornerback duo and Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi have been stout on the defensive line. There are definitely reasons for optimism for Browns fans and this team is capable of making a run at a Wild Card spot in the expanded format, but if Mayfield continues to play this poorly it’s going to be a long season. This is a make-or-break year for Baker and how he performs will determine how the Browns end this season. This week against Washington, the Browns’ offense will face a tough test, but this is the type of game they have to win at home if they want to make a playoff run.
#22: Detroit Lions (0-2)
Next up: at Cardinals
The Lions were one of my favorite preseason sleeper picks, but things could not be off to a worse start. Detroit has allowed the most rushing yards per game and the most points per game, and their pass defense has been incredibly injured and is overly reliant on the rookie Jeff Okudah. Matthew Stafford has struggled without Kenny Golladay in the lineup and while the team has some supporting skill players who have been solid - Marvin Jones, T.J. Hockenson, Danny Amendola, Quintez Cephus - the offense is not nearly as potent without their electric WR1. His return should help this passing offense get more efficient, a necessity given the lack of consistency from any of the three running backs who have been involved. The Lions face a tough matchup this week in the Cardinals, and I don’t see any path to victory for them. Detroit’s rough start is likely going to hold it out of a potential division title, but Stafford and the passing offense could get hot late in the year and make a run at a Wild Card spot. It hasn’t been the start they were hoping for, but Kenny Golladay’s expected Week 3 return should transform this offense. There’s still reason for optimism for Lions fans.
#23: ATlanta Falcons (0-2)
Next up: home against the Bears
440-0. That was the record of teams who had scored 39 points and not turned the ball over before the Falcons blew it this past week. Their offense has scored the fifth-most points per game and Matt Ryan has been excellent on his way to 723 passing yards (2nd-most), 6 touchdowns (2nd-most), and 1 interception. The receiving corps on this team is phenomenal and perhaps the best in the NFL with Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, and Hayden Hurst. However, this defense has been shockingly bad, allowing the most points and the 2nd-most yards in the NFL. The Falcons’ secondary has been invisible through two weeks, albeit against Russell Wilson and Dak Prescott, and while the run defense has been decent, it doesn’t matter if opponents can throw the ball on them at will. The Falcons are likely going to be the team with the most combined points scored and against given the vast discrepancy between their offensive and defensive quality, which will make them a fun team to watch all year. They’re proving early on, though, that they won’t be competitive if their defense is the worst in football.
#24: Houston Texans (0-2)
Next up: at Steelers
I was worried that the Texans might implode this season, but it appears to be worse than I had feared. Houston’s run defense has been abysmal - they’ve given up the second-most rushing yards per game and have sorely missed D.J. Reader. The secondary has also been poor as its talent has been eroded over the past couple of years with the departures of Kareem Jackson and Jonathan Joseph. J.J. Watt has 2 sacks, but he hasn’t been consistent and he can’t be relied upon to carry a defense the same way he used to. The Texans look like a team that desperately needs a WR1, and while Brandin Cooks looked solid this past week, Will Fuller’s injury is significant and the absence of DeAndre Hopkins has hurt Deshaun Watson’s efficiency. Watson has thrown for just 528 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions - not the start he’s used to. The Texans have played arguably the two best teams in football, the Chiefs and Ravens, thus far, so it’s fair to wonder if they’re actually as bad as they’ve seemed. However, I don’t trust Bill O’Brien to maximize his team’s limited talent. The AFC South is still fairly open, but the Texans need to turn things around quickly if they want to make the playoffs this season.
#25: Denver Broncos (0-2)
Next up: home against the Buccaneers
What a tough season it’s been already as a Broncos fan. We’re the only team to rival the 49ers in the mass of injuries we’ve collected - Von Miller and Courtland Sutton are out for the rest of the season and Drew Lock, A.J. Bouye, Phillip Lindsay, and K.J. Hamler all face the prospect of extended absences. The Broncos are 0-2 and face a Buccaneers squad that should be able to throw all over them next week. Denver’s pass defense has allowed the eighth-most passing yards per game and has struggled after losing Chris Harris Jr. in free agency and losing Bouye this season. The pass-rush has been bland without Von Miller, the receiving corps is going to struggle without Sutton (out for the year with an ACL), and the running game has struggled without Lindsay. The quarterback play is going to be mediocre, whether it’s Jeff Driskel or Blake Bortles, and there are just very few major strengths for this squad. In a matter of two weeks, this season has fallen from a dark horse playoff run for a young and talented squad to another lost year. I can only hope the Broncos’ record falls far enough that they can draft Penei Sewell - he might be the best offensive line prospect I’ve ever seen and would revolutionize this offense.
#26: Carolina Panthers (0-2)
My favorite part about the Panthers was that they had Christian McCaffrey, and now they’re going to be without CMC for an extended period of time. Teddy Bridgewater looked better in Week 2 and the receiver duo of D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson is a strong one, but it’s going to be tough sledding for this offense with a weak offensive line and missing its best weapon. The defense has been predictably terrible through two weeks, but the real surprise has been awful play from Derrick Brown, the team’s first-round defensive lineman who came in with high hopes. The Panthers have two defensive players who can even make a case at being above average - edge rusher Brian Burns and cornerback Rasul Douglas. Carolina is in the midst of a rebuilding season and they will likely end up with a high draft pick, especially given the talent in their division. Teddy Bridgewater has the rest of the season to prove to the Panthers that they shouldn’t be drafting his eventual replacement as they could end up with a high enough pick to draft Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields.
Next up: at Chargers
#27: Philadelphia Eagles (0-2)
Next up: home against the Bengals
Carson Wentz’s horrendous play might be the biggest surprise of this season so far. He’s completed just 58.8% of his passes and has thrown 2 touchdowns to a whopping 4 interceptions. The weapons should be enough to facilitate better play from Wentz, but Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, a healthy Deshaun Jackson, and rookie first-round pick Jalen Reagor hasn’t been enough. The offensive line was benefitted in a big way from Lane Johnson’s return, but they still have one of the weakest lines in the league, particularly in run blocking. The back-end coverage has been hurt by the loss of longtime starting safety Malcolm Jenkins and the duo of new cornerbacks, Darius Slay and Nickell Robey-Coleman, haven’t paid off the way the Eagles hoped. Josh Sweat, Malik Jackson, and Fletcher Cox have been excellent on the defensive line, but the defense has been poor overall. If the defense is allowing the seventh-most points per game and Wentz is turning the ball over more than he’s scoring, the Eagles aren’t going to win too many games. They’re only one game out of the top spot in the NFC East, so this season isn’t over yet, but the early returns for this group have been very very bad.
#28: New York Giants (0-2)
The Giants’ defense has been the story for them so far, as they have played much better than I expected. They’ve allowed the 11th-fewest points per game as cornerback James Bradberry and linebacker Blake Martinez have made a huge impact as free agency signings and Dexter Lawrence has been stellar in his second season, particularly in run defense. The real question for the Giants will become whether or not the impressive defensive play is due to their matchups against a rusty Ben Roethlisberger and Mitchell Trubisky or if they could actually be a solid defensive team. They’ll have another opportunity to boost their stats against a horrendously injured 49ers’ offense. Offensively, the Giants have been held back by what has been an awful offensive line. The Giants have had approximately one good performance by a receiver - Darius Slayton in Week 1 (6 catches for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns) - including a poor start to the season by Evan Engram. The Giants will also be without Saquon Barkley for the remainder of the season. Daniel Jones has been decent, but it’s going to be tough for him to perform with a lack of offensive line play and a poor receiving group. This team has some work to do.
Next up: home against the 49ers
#29: Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
Next up: home against the Titans
I thought the Vikings would take a pretty significant step back this season, but I never expected them to look this bad. Kirk Cousins has been downright awful despite having the 2nd-most time to throw in the league - he’s completed just 58.8% of his passes for 512 yards and 2 touchdowns to 4 interceptions. This offense is incredibly one-dimensional after losing Stefon Diggs and Cousins hasn’t been able to rely on anyone other than Adam Thielen to consistently catch the ball. Dalvin Cook has looked great in flashes, but the Vikings have fallen behind early and played themselves out of being able to run the ball for most of their games so far. This defense is unbelievably worse than the unit that allowed the fewest points per game in the NFL just a few years ago. Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris have both regressed massively, the cornerback room is devoid of consistent talent and overly reliant on rookies, and the defensive line has the worst pressure rate in football. Things won’t get easier after losing Anthony Barr, the team’s best linebacker, to injury for the rest of the year. The Vikings want to be a defense-first team that runs the ball and doesn’t ask Kirk Cousins to do too much, but right now the responsibility for winning games sits squarely on their QB’s shoulders. Cousins isn’t the type of guy who can elevate a roster like this and it’s going to be a long season for Vikings fans.
#30: Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
Next up: at Eagles
Things have gone reasonably well for the Bengals through two weeks as Joe Burrow has thrown for 509 yards with three touchdowns to just one interception and has also run for 65 yards. The Bengals’ supporting players on offense haven’t performed great so far, but there’s no doubt that there’s significant talent in the group of Joe Mixon, A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, John Ross, and Tee Higgins. Two defensive starters, Shawn Williams and Geno Atkins, should be back from injuries in the near future to join a handful of players who have done very well - cornerback William Jackson III, safety Jessie Bates III, and defensive tackles D.J. Reader and Sam Hubbard. This Bengals team is not as far away as its 2-14 record last season and 0-2 start this year suggest, and there’s a great chance for them to get one in the win column this week against a floundering Eagles squad.
#31: Miami Dolphins (0-2)
Next up: at Jaguars (Thursday Night Football)
The Dolphins have performed admirably against two potential playoff teams and division rivals in the Patriots and Bills. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been less than stellar - he has 2 touchdowns to 3 interceptions and has the fifth-worst passer rating among qualified quarterbacks. It’s hard to blame him entirely - Fitzpatrick has faced two of the top secondaries in the NFL and the offensive line has struggled to keep him upright; he has had the least amount of time to throw in the NFL so far. The situation on offense isn’t great, and none of the team’s high-priced free agency acquisitions have paid off so far on defense. Second-year defensive lineman Christian Wilkins has been their only clear above-average defensive performer. Mike Gesecki has looked great in his sophomore year and DeVante Parker should get better as the year goes on. However, the lack of offensive depth on this roster is an issue. I don’t expect the Dolphins to compete for a playoff spot this season, and with Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert now starting for their respective teams, Miami fans will be itching to see Tua Tagovailoa play in the near future.
#32: New York Jets (0-2)
Next up: at Colts
This Jets’ roster is devoid of talent in all of the worst ways and it’s only a matter of time before Adam Gase is the first head coach to get fired this season. The talent surrounding Sam Darnold is shockingly bad - his top three wideouts are currently Josh Malone, Chris Hogan, and Braxton Berrios. The 37-year-old Frank Gore is a workhorse back for this team. The left side of the offensive line has actually been very impressive with great play out of rookie left tackle Mekhi Becton and fourth-year left guard Alex Lewis, but the line is pretty lackluster overall. On defense, the Jets are clearly missing their former stalwart leader Jamal Adams. Quinnen Williams and Marcus Maye have been very good this year, but there is no depth in this defense and there are holes all over the place. This roster perhaps has less playmakers than any other team in the NFL and it’s hard to imagine the Jets not ending up with a top three pick by the end of the season. The real question for this team will become whether or not it’s worth moving off Sam Darnold to grab Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields.
