2020-2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 3
1.Kansas City Cheifs
▲1
The Cheifs are as hot as a grease fire right now. Andy Reid and Eric Bienemy are toying with opposing defenses by installing plays that no other offense can duplicate. Patrick Mahomes is aggressive while not turning the ball over, which is something that he cleaned up from last season. The defense held Lamar Jackson to less than 100 yards passing and they are thriving under Spagnolo.
2. Green Bay Packers
▲ 2
The Green Bay Packers currently have the highest-scoring offense in the NFL at 40.7 points per game. Without Davante Adams, they scored 37 points against an above-average Saints defense. Jaire Alexander, the Packers number one corner, had 38 coverage snaps and allowed 1 catch for -2 yards and continues to improve weekly. If this team wants to challenge the Chiefs for the number one spot, they’ll need to defend against the run better.
3.Seattle Seahawks
-
Russell Wilson is the MVP of the NFL after three weeks. If not for a confusing slow down from DK Metcalf at the goal line, he would have thrown for 6 touchdowns and nearly 400 yards. Wilson is completing an astonishing 76.7 (6th) percent of his passes with the average yard per attempt at 11.3 (1st) yards on the season. The Defense is currently ranked 32nd against the pass, and with Jamal Adams being hurt, they will need to find answers elsewhere.
4. Buffalo Bills
▲ 1
The Buffalo Bills currently have a top five offense and a top five run defense in terms of yardage per game. After being up on the Rams 28-3 early in the game, the Rams stormed back to lead the Bills late in the fourth quarter, but Josh Allen lead an incredible comeback to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. Josh Allen is currently leading the AFC in passing yards (1,038), passing touchdowns (10) and passer rating (124.8). He is the main reason why the Bills will be contenders in the AFC this year.
5. Baltimore Ravens
▼4
The Ravens looked lifeless for most of the game against the Chiefs Monday night. Lamar Jackson couldn’t get anything going after their first drive throwing for a total of 94 yards and one touchdown. The defense attempted to blitz Mahomes throughout the game and he torched them completing 85% of passes in those situations. The Ravens are 0-3 against the Chiefs after playing them for the past three seasons. They need to figure out how to play the Chiefs better, because if they don’t it will be more of the same.
6. New England Patriots
▲ 1
Cam Newton had his worst game of the season Sunday throwing an uncharacteristic interception on a bad decision. Luckily, the diverse running game for the Patriots took over. Rex Burkhead scored three touchdowns and Sony Michel ran for 100+ yards. The defense had their best game of the season holding Josh Jacobs to 71 yards and holding an explosive raiders offense to 20 points.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
▲4
The Steelers are a quiet 3-0 this season behind their impressive front-seven lead by a dominant pass rushing duo in TJ Watt and Bud Dupree. Watt is putting together a defensive player of the year campaign, and Ben Roethlisberger is firmly planting himself in the comeback player of the year discussion completing 67% of his passes with seven passing touchdowns. They have yet to hit their stride offensively having not scored 30 points yet, but once they scrub the rust off, they will have a chance to be a top-five team.
8. Tennessee Titans
▲2
One of the better games this week would have been the Steelers vs the Titans, but because of a COVID-19 outbreak at the Titans facility the game will be postponed until week 7. The Titans still have the most dominating run offense in the NFL with Derrick Henry who rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns against the Vikings. Ryan Tannehill looks like a top 15 quarterback since leaving the clutches of Adam Gase in Miami.
9. Los Angeles Rams
▼1
The Rams looked lifeless against the Bills early on trailing 28-3 on Sunday. They stormed back to lead the game 32-28 late in the 4th quarter, and if not for a questionable pass interference call they could have had one of the most improbable comebacks in NFL history. The Rams have one of the deepest running back groups in the NFL and their third-string running back, Darrell Henderson, ran for 114 yards at 5.7 yards per carry.
10. New Orleans Saints
▼5
Drew Brees is 0-3 without Michael Thomas. Regardless, the Saints had a good outing against the Packers Sunday, and Alvin Kamara had a particularly great game with 170+ scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. Despite the great game from Kamara, Bree’s seemed reluctant to throw the ball more than 15 yards down the field even when the opportunities were there. The defense played well for most of the game, but gave up crucial big plays in the passing game.
11. San Francisco 49ers
▲1
Almost half of the 49ers starting offense and defense is on injured reserve, yet they still find a way to dominate below average teams. Every running back in the Shannahan system puts up huge numbers. Jeff Wilson and Jerick McKinnon have taken over with Mostert and Coleman out with injuries. The defense also hasn’t lost a step with all of their injuries either. They held the Giants to 9 points and Jones had less than 200 yards passing.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
▲2
The Buccaneers are starting to click on offense and the defense is playing like a top-five unit three games into the season. That being said, they haven’t played great competition since week one against the Saints. The Run game is still struggling, and for this offense to finally take off, they will need to figure out a consistent running game. Tom Brady has found a new favorite target in Scotty Miller, who lead all Buccaneers receivers with 87 yards.
13. Chicago Bears
▲3
The Bears are like Rocky Balboa in the fourth Rocky movie. They seem to be against the odds in every single game and somehow pull out the win in the waning minutes. The Bears coaching staff finally pulled the trigger to bench Trubisky in favor of the newly acquired Nick Foles, and luckily for them, Foles came into the game and threw for three passing touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
14. Indianapolis Colts
▲5
Aside from the week one debacle in Jacksonville, the Colts look like one of the better teams in the NFL. The defense is first in the NFL in terms of yardage given up per game, and the offense is gaining momentum every possession. Mo Allie-Cox has been a revelation for the offense from the tight end position and is Phillip Rivers’ security blanket during broken plays and in the red-zone. Defensively, newly acquired Xavier Rhodes is back to being a shutdown corner making Minnesota look silly for letting him walk.
15. Arizona Cardinals
▼6
The Cardinals looked like they would be contending in the NFC West after the first two games of the season. On Sunday, however, the Cardinals looked gassed dropping a game to the winless Lions. Kyler Murray had one of his worst games as a pro and looked uncomfortable throughout the game. Will we ever get to see first round pick Isiah Simmons?
16. Dallas Cowboys
▼1
The Cowboys defense is one of the worst defenses in the NFL. If not for the Seahawks, the Dallas defense would rank last in every major statistical category. Luckily, they play in the NFC East and will once again have a chance to win their division and host a playoff game. Dak is having a historical season, but unfortunately his efforts are for a losing cause.
17.Houston Texans
-
I’m not sure what to think of the Texans. I feel like they are more talented than their record shows. The Hopkins trade is looking worse and worse each week, and their defense is struggling without Clowney. Bill O’Brien got everything he wanted and it isn’t translating to wins. The NFL is not like baseball, you can’t just Moneyball this shit.
18. Las Vegas Raiders
▼5
I have a feeling the Raiders are going to jump around my rankings this season. One week they look like a top 10 team and the next week they look like a bottom 10 team. So far, they seem to play to their competition, which is a common characteristic of a young team. Unfortunately, Derek Carr seems to be the most inconsistent player and he is also one of their oldest players.
19. Cleveland Browns
▲4
This is a different Browns team from years past. They run the football extremely well and their play action pass game suits Baker Mayfield’s strengths. Mayfield still throws too many interceptions on bad decisions, but those are limited when he has a clean pocket or open space on a roll out. Myles Garrett picked up right where he left off after assaulting Mason Rudolph last season. He seems to be in a better head-space with Stefanski as his headcoach.
20. Los Angeles Chargers
▼2
The Chargers coaching staff and Anthony Lynn need to put more faith into Herbert going forward. He’s an extremely talented thrower and seems to be more comfortable in this Chargers offense than he ever was at Oregon. That probably has something to do with throwing to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but it could just suit his talents more than Oregon’s spread offense did. If they want to win more games, the defense will need to carry them.
21. Miami Dolphins
▲4
Fitz-magic is alive and well in Miami. The emergence of Davante Parker and Mike Geseki are very promising when Tua eventually takes over, but for now, Fitz-magic makes this team highly entertaining and also highly frustrating. The defense is young but ascending, and it seems that coach Flores has the most promise of any Belicheck disciple.
22. Detroit Lions
▲5
Fairly dominating win by the Lions against the Cardinals this week. Matthew Stafford was in a groove after a disappointing loss to the Packers last week. I’m sure he was happy to have Gollady back who had six catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. The defense also played really well forcing three interceptions. After getting torched last week, rookie Jeff Okudah notched his first interception and had a good overall game.
23.Cincinnati Bengals
▲3
The Bengals really had no business tying this game. I feel bad for Joe Burrow because he played well enough to win the game, but in Bengals fashion, he got his first tie before his first win. The Bengals need to figure out how to get Joe Mixon going because 17 carries with 49 yards will not win games.
24. Atlanta Falcons
▼2
Another week another Falcons blown fourth quarter lead. At this point, the Falcons have no other choice but to restart the franchise. Thomas Dimitrof does a good job of bringing in talent, but the problem is Dan Quinn being too conservative on defense when they have a big lead. Two big blown leads back-to-back is not a good sign for a coaching staff.
25. Minnesota Vikings
▲4
The Vikings finally showed signs of life against the Titans narrowly losing against a really good team. Rookie Justin Jefferson had his coming out party with seven receptions for 175 yards (!) and long touchdown catch. The defense still has a lot of work to do, but they showed some signs of improvement.
26. Washington Football Team
▼2
I hoped that the Washington Football Team would be better after their week one victory over the Eagles. Unfortunately, It looks like the only reason they won that game is because the Eagles are not a good team either. Their offensive line is not good and Dwyane Haskins looks uncomfortable on every drop-back. On top of that, their defensive front was bullied from start to finish of that game giving up 150+ yards rushing.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
▼6
A really confusing and demoralizing defeat on Thursday night for the Jaguars. They didn’t even seem close the same level of team as the Dolphins. Minshew had one of his worst games of the season and couldn’t find any type of rhythm with his throws. It’s crazy to see how much the defense has regressed in 3 years after what looked like a generational type defense in 2017.
28. Carolina Panthers
-
The Panthers are starting to show signs of what team they can be under Matt Rhule. Mike Davis has been very good after McCaffery’s injury and Robby Anderson looks great after leaving the clutches of Adam Gase in New York. It’s easy to root for Teddy Bridgewater, especially when he is playing this well.
29. Philadelphia Eagles
▲1
The Eagles are the most disappointing team this season. Not only do they continue to really struggle with injures, but Wentz looks like a rookie again. The defense is playing much better, but the offense can’t even move the ball. The whispers of moving on from Wentz are getting louder each time he dirt’s a throw or tosses it to the other team.
30. Denver Broncos
▼10
What can go wrong has gone wrong for the Denver Broncos. Their quarterback situation is dire without Drew Lock and their offensive line is the worst in the NFL. The emergence of Tim Patrick should give hope to their fans, because that’s the only thing this team has right now.
31.New York Giants
-
The Giants got clobbered by the 49ers back-up team on Sunday. Anytime the 49ers running backs see Blake Martinez lined up across from them they have career days. Nick Mullens outplayed Daniel Jones who looked completely lost. The Giants need to let this season go and re-tool in the draft.
32.New York Jets
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Free Sam Darnold.