Week 3 NFL power rankings

Photo courtesy Bleacher Report

Week 3 flipped the NFL on its head a bit. While the contenders and pretenders will separate themselves eventually, as of now most divisions look like a muddled mess. We tried to sort it out with our latest power rankings. High risers this week were the Eagles, Rams, Bills and Redskins. Taking a tumble were the Texans, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Jets and Titans.

Note: You will see an italicized number next to the team that notes how far the team has risen or fallen from the previous week. A dash with no number indicates no movement.

1. New England Patriots (3-0) +1

Having won with their second and now third-string quarterbacks, New England is showing us that football isn’t a one-position sport. With Jacoby Brissett running the offense in Week 3 and the defense pitching a shutout, the Patriots man-handled the Texans 27-0. New England seems to be the most well-rounded team in the league regardless of who steps in under center. Their Week 4 meeting with the Bills will be their final game before the return of Tom Brady.

2. Denver Broncos (3-0) +1

Trevor Siemian looked every bit the part of franchise quarterback on Sunday, throwing four touchdown passes and zero interceptions to lead the Broncos over a very capable Bengals team. Denver’s defense is second to none, and if Siemian can continue to provide solid play from the quarterback spot, the Broncos could be spending Super Bowl weekend in Houston. They face the Buccaneers in their next matchup in what could turn into a laugher.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-0) +2

Minnesota raised some eyebrows in Week 3 with a statement win over the Panthers in a game that saw Cam Newton picked off 3 times and sacked for a safety. The Vikings defense is leading the league in sacks, and has more than made up for any deficiencies on the other side of the ball. They face another potent offensive attack this week when Eli Manning and the Giants come to town.

4. Seattle Seahawks (2-1) +6

After totaling just 15 points through the first two weeks of the season, the Seahawks offense finally came to life on Sunday, outscoring the hapless 49ers 37-18. Their biggest challenge so far has been keeping Russell Wilson healthy. Seattle will find themselves in a defensive slugfest if Wilson is unable to play this week against the Jets.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) +9

The biggest surprise in Week 3 was the Eagles complete domination of the powerful Steelers. Carson Wentz is the real deal. Three games into his NFL career, he has yet to throw an interception, and the Eagles defense has allowed a league-low 27 points on the year. The Eagles next opportunity to silence critics will be put on hold during their Week 4 bye.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) -5

Prior to Week 3, the Steelers offense had looked like one of the most efficient in the league. After a dismal outing against the Eagles on Sunday, the silver lining for Pittsburgh is that it was their last game without Le’Veon Bell. The suspended running back returns in Week 4 for a critical game against Kansas City.

7. Carolina Panthers (1-2) -1

After being defeated by the Vikings in Week 3, the Panthers have doubled their loss total from the 2015 regular season. To be fair, both of their losses came at the hands of two of the best defenses in the league. Considering the rest of the teams in the NFC South are defensive featherweights, the Panthers should be in OK shape going forward. They begin their quest to repeat as division champs this week against the Falcons.

8. Green Bay Packers (2-1) –

Aaron Rodgers is happy to have his number one target back, connecting with Jordy Nelson for two first-half touchdowns in Week 3 against the Lions. Although they slowed down in the second half, expect to see the Packers contend in the NFC come playoff time.

9. Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) +4

In Week 3 the Chiefs had a +7 turnover differential en route to a 24-3 trouncing of the Jets. They hope to carry that momentum into this week’s primetime matchup in Pittsburgh Sunday night.

10. Arizona Cardinals (1-2) -6

After throwing zero interceptions through the first two weeks of the season, Carson Palmer turned it over four times in the loss to the Bills. Returning to Arizona, the Cardinals hope to get back on track against the Rams in Week 4.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) -4

A team built to defend gave up four touchdowns through the air to Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian. It seems the return of previously suspended linebacker Vontaze Burfict could not have come at a better time. Expect to see him play a major role against the Dolphins this week.

12. Baltimore Ravens (3-0) +3

Although the Ravens are one of the few undefeated teams remaining, their three wins have come against teams with a combined record of 1-8. This week they host the up-and-coming Raiders, which should show us if Baltimore is a contender or a pretender.

13. Dallas Cowboys (2-1) +4

Dak Prescott continues to manage the game well for the Cowboys, who were given the gift of playing the Bears in Week 3. A similar roster awaits them this week, the Blaine Gabbert-led 49ers. The decision that might determine their season is what to do when Tony Romo recovers from injury. Until then, enjoy the rookie-to-rookie combination of Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott.

14. Oakland Raiders (2-1) +2

The Raider defense appeared to right the ship after inserting rookie Karl Joseph into the starting lineup Sunday. However, they shut down a Titans offense that has been unable to consistently put up points so far this season. Still, Oakland may boast an AFC West contender this year, headed by Derek Carr.

15. Atlanta Falcons (2-1) +4

Through three games, Julio Jones has 10 catches for 188 yards and two scores. Taking that statistic out of context, you wouldn’t guess their record would have a two in the win column. While Matt Ryan’s season hasn’t been flashy with the deep pass, the ball has been spread around among a myriad of weapons. The backfield combo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman is proving formidable.

16. Houston Texans (2-1) -7

When you can’t beat a third-string quarterback, you fall in the rankings. Them’s the rules. Pair that with the news that J.J. Watt has re-injured his back and been placed on injured reserve, and the Texans are in a dark place. Their final light of hope comes from looking around the AFC South and realizing they’re probably still the best team in the division, though that’s not saying much.

17. New York Giants (2-1) -5

Odell Beckham, Jr. may be a star, but he still needs to learn to keep his emotions in check. After the football-game-turned-street-brawl matchup with Josh Norman last season, Beckham again allowed Norman to knock him off his game. While the stats could skew Beckham’s direction in this personal rivalry, the fact remains Norman is 2-0 in the matchup.

18. New York Jets (1-2) -6

The rest of the Jets offense had a front-row seat this week as their quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick went from Fitzmagic to Fitztragic before their very eyes. The Chiefs came away with an astonishing six interceptions, and the fact that Geno Smith wasn’t inserted at any point says a lot about how the Jets feel about the young quarterback.

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

What has happened to southern California’s newest team? After they looked like the worst team in the league against the dreadful 49ers Week 1, the Rams have won two in a row in games that couldn’t have been more different. The Seahawks win showed the Rams defense is still elite, and Todd Gurley and the L.A. offense awoke from their slumber Week 3 to the tune of 37 points.

20. Washington Redskins (1-2) +7

Way to earn a much needed win. Odell Beckham, Jr. ran wild all day, but was shut out of the end zone and his rival Josh Norman got inside of his head. While Beckham was on the sideline picking fights with nets, Cousins put together his first good outing of the season. Beating an in-division rival always feels good.

21. Detroit Lions (1-2) +1

Yes, Aaron Rodgers had a great day by greedily throwing for four touchdowns and not letting Lacy get any (Lacy may or may not be on my fantasy team), but everyone seems to be forgetting the second half of that game. The Lions came surging back and made it a seven-point game, outscoring the Packers 17-3 in the second half. Marvin Jones is looking like the free agent signing of the year right now.

22. Buffalo Bills (1-2) +8

This game is best explained by a text I received from my brother. “How the hell did Buffalo beat the Cards?” Good question. Buffalo showed up to play and LeSean McCoy looked the best he has since he left Philadelphia, where he was the rushing leader in 2013. Force Palmer into four interceptions and boom, you beat the Cardinals.

23. San Diego Chargers (1-2) -3

I really feel bad for rookie Hunter Henry. It’s never an easy pill to swallow when you fumble away a win. Of course there’s more to blame. Where was that defense when T.Y. Hilton ran wild for the go-ahead score? The Chargers look bad, but they look better than they did last season, which is more of a testament to how bad they were a year ago than how good they are this year.

24. Indianapolis Colts (1-2) +1

How do you beat a team and still get ranked below them in the power rankings? You look awful through three games, that’s how. Andrew Luck seems to be out there by himself at times. While it’s easy to blame him for the turnovers, you need to remember what he’s working with. Luck single-handedly has this team ranked this high.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2) -7

There’s allowing the Rams to get their first touchdown, and then there’s allowing the Rams to get their first four touchdowns. The Bucs defense looked completely inept on some plays, including a Tavon Austin touchdown where he was so open he turned around and moon walked into the end zone. Despite this they still had a chance, and they gave it away by not using timeouts and a really weird ending play where it looked like Jameis Winston thought the first down marker was the line of scrimmage.

26. Miami Dolphins (1-2) -2

The Dolphins had a rough time containing the one-man army of Terrelle Pryor who has been in the NFL for years now, but just last week decided to show everyone he can ball. Yes, the Dolphins won, but only because the Browns… well ‘Brownsed’ away the game by missing three field goals, including one that would have won it as time expired. An overtime win is still a win.

27. Tennessee Titans (1-2) -6

With Delanie Walker sidelined against the Raiders Sunday, Marcus Mariota was short a major target. As a result, DeMarco Murray led the Titans with five receptions, in addition to his 16 carries for 114 yards. He’s a workhorse, but one man can only do so much. This group will need more balance to find success in the future.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) -5

Since Gus Bradley left Seattle and joined the Jaguars in 2013, the team has played to a 12-39 record over three-plus seasons. Already minus-three in the turnover column, Jacksonville appears headed for another season in the basement of the dismal AFC South.

29. New Orleans Saints (0-3) -3

For the second year in a row, the Saints have started 0-3. An overtime win in Week 4 appeared to get New Orleans back on track for a few weeks, but the momentum was short-lived as a four-game skid followed. If they can’t capture a Week 4 win over the Chargers, things look bleak for the Saints coming off the bye with the Panthers, Chiefs and Seahawks the next three weeks.

30. San Francisco 49ers (1-2) -1

A sloppy Week 1 win over the Rams made the 49ers look as though things were headed in the right direction. However, a bad defense made a disorderly Seattle O-line look strong during Week 3. The 49ers looked worse than the score indicates in the 37-18 loss to the Seahawks.

31. Cleveland Browns (0-3) +1

Terrelle Pryor solidified himself as a Renaissance man Sunday as he lined up at receiver, quarterback and safety. However, Pryor’s use in multiple places around the gridiron may signal the same thing the use of a position player on the mound does in MLB… Desperation. Not a good sign for Cleveland as early as Week 3.

32. Chicago Bears (0-3) -1

The Bears are averaging just 15 points per game, which wouldn’t be too bad if the defense was any good. However, this isn’t exactly Mike Ditka’s 1985 Bears as this group is giving up 27.7 points per game. Chicago has a stretch where it may get out of the early funk with Detroit, Indianapolis and Jacksonville over the next three weeks.

Reporting by Devin Olsen, Mark Wait, Kaleb Searle, Adam Cichoski and Brad Curnow.