Click on to learn the total story 2023 NFL Power Rankings, Week 3: A Muddled Mess in the Middle
Week 2 of the NFL season has come and gone, and now, we sit up for Week 3.
With the start of a brand new week comes a brand new listing of NFL energy rankings.
Following this previous weekend’s motion there was loads of shuffling within the rankings, and this week consists of the biggest listing of “swing” groups to this point. The NFL remains to be making an attempt to kind itself out early on within the season, so here’s a take a look at the place issues stand heading into Week 3.
The Tremendous Bowl Contenders
1. Dallas Cowboys
- Final Week: 30-10 win vs. NYJ
- Trending: —
- This Week: 9/24 @ ARI
The Cowboys continued their early dominance by finishing the New York sweep. CeeDee Lamp torched the Jets secondary, catching 11 passes for 143 yards. Their protection pressured three turnovers too, making this an all-around nice sport for Dallas. The Cowboys appear to be essentially the most full workforce early within the season.
2. Baltimore Ravens
- Final Week: 27-24 win @ CIN
- Trending: +1
- This Week: 9/24 vs. IND
Baltimore’s protection did a unbelievable job of shutting down Ja’Marr Chase in Week 2, limiting the star receiver to simply 5 catches for 31 yards. On the opposite facet, Lamar Jackson is again to being an MVP-caliber QB and threw for 237 yards and a pair of TDs.
3. San Francisco 49ers
- Final Week: 30-23 win @ LAR
- Trending: +2
- This Week: 9/21 vs. NYG
The 49ers machine retains on rolling. Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel piled up yards in opposition to the Rams protection, and so they pressured a pair turnovers on the opposite facet. By two weeks, the protection ranks among the many finest in factors and yards allowed. Even when Brock Purdy has a couple of hiccups later within the yr, San Francisco’s defensive group can maintain them in video games.
4. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
- Final Week: 17-9 win @ JAX
- Trending: -2
- This Week: 9/24 vs. CHI
Regardless of a torpid offense as soon as once more in Week 2, Kansas Metropolis’s protection was terrific in opposition to Jacksonville. Chris Jones’ return to the sphere noticed him produce six pressures and a pair of sacks. The Chiefs will determine issues out on offense, however for now, the opposite facet of the ball appears poised to hold the workload.
5. Buffalo Payments
- Final Week: 38-10 win vs. LV
- Trending: +1
- This Week: 9/24 @ WSH
This was precisely the kind of bounce again that Buffalo wanted to point out. Josh Allen took off the Superman cape and performed environment friendly, sensible soccer. In the meantime, the Payments managed to hurry for 182 yards. This balanced assault can be essential to their success transferring ahead.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
- Final Week: 34-28 win vs. MIN
- Trending: -2
- This Week: 9/25 @ TB
The Eagles are 2-0, however their wins haven’t been convincing by any means. In a sport the place the Vikings turned the ball over 4 occasions, Philadelphia actually ought to have blown them out. As an alternative, they allowed Minnesota to battle again into the sport in the course of the second half. They’re nonetheless a Tremendous Bowl contender when issues are going proper, however they gained’t get away with sluggish conclusions to video games endlessly.
Stable Playoff Groups
7. Miami Dolphins
- Final Week: 24-17 win @ NE
- Trending: +2
- This Week: 9/24 vs. DEN
Tua Tagovailoa is now 5-0 in opposition to the Patriots in his profession, and as soon as once more, the Dolphins offense flew up and down the sphere in Foxborough. Tua is the NFL chief for passing yards via two weeks and may very a lot be within the MVP dialog if this manufacturing retains up.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Final Week: 9-17 loss vs. KC
- Trending: -1
- This Week: 9/24 vs. HOU
The Chiefs offense gave Jacksonville each probability to take this sport and run with it, however the Jaguars merely couldn’t generate any sort of offensive assault. That they had fewer than 300 yards of complete offense, and that gained’t get it executed in the event that they need to get into any Tremendous Bowl discussions.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Final Week: 26-22 win vs. CLE
- Trending: +7
- This Week: 9/24 @ LV
The Steelers received off the snide in a giant approach on Monday night time, securing a house victory over their division rivals. George Pickens had his finest sport as a professional, catching 4 passes for 127 yards and a landing. Add in a couple of massive performs from LB T.J. Watt, together with the fumble restoration for a TD to seal the sport, and Pittsburgh seems to be to be again on monitor.
The “Swing” Groups
10. Cincinnati Bengals
- Final Week: 24-27 loss vs. BAL
- Trending: -2
- This Week: 9/25 vs. LAR
Joe Burrow’s calf damage popped up once more in Week 2, and that doesn’t bode properly for the Bengals long-term if he’s pressured to overlook time. Ought to Burrow be out there on Sunday and transferring ahead, this nonetheless appears like a playoff contender. Nonetheless, if Jake Browning is the QB in Cincinnati, their prognosis adjustments drastically.
11. Detroit Lions
- Final Week: 31-37 loss vs. SEA
- Trending: -1
- This Week: 9/24 vs. ATL
Each David Montgomery and Amon-Ra St. Brown left this sport at completely different factors due to damage. Whereas St. Brown did finally return, he didn’t have a reception within the fourth quarter. In the end, Detroit’s protection stood no probability in opposition to Geno Smith in time beyond regulation.
12. New Orleans Saints
- Final Week: 20-17 win @ CAR
- Trending: +5
- This Week: 9/24 @ GB
This Saints protection goes to trigger bother for opposing offenses all year long. On Monday night time, they’d 4 sacks of Bryce Younger and held Carolina to simply over 200 yards of offense. If they will minimize down on the foolish turnovers, New Orleans may grow to be a far and away favourite within the NFC South.
13. Minnesota Vikings
- Final Week: 28-34 loss @ PHI
- Trending: +2
- This Week: 9/24 vs. LAC
Regardless of an 0-2 begin, there are reasons for optimism in Minnesota. In the event that they merely had 5 turnovers via two weeks as a substitute of seven, there’s a pretty excessive probability that this workforce could be 2-0 proper now. The truth that their offense was capable of transfer the ball in opposition to this Eagles protection is promising transferring ahead.
14. Cleveland Browns
- Final Week: 22-26 loss @ PIT
- Trending: -2
- This Week: 9/24 vs. TEN
The story of the night time for Cleveland was the lack of star operating again Nick Cbubb. The Professional Bowler left the sport with what seemed to be a really severe knee damage, and now, the Browns can be counting on Jerome Ford to take carries out of the backfield. Deshaun Watson nonetheless can’t throw correct passes downfield, so Ford’s manufacturing can be key for this workforce transferring ahead. All that being stated, this protection will maintain them within the combine for lots of video games.
15. Seattle Seahawks
- Final Week: 37-31 win @ DET
- Trending: +5
- This Week: 9/24 vs. CAR
Merely put, Geno Smith was on his A-game in opposition to the Lions. He accomplished 32 of his 41 passes for 328 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Tyler Lockett. Add in a nifty pick-six by Tre Brown, and this was going to be a tricky workforce for anybody to beat on Sunday.
16. Atlanta Falcons
- Final Week: 25-24 win vs. GB
- Trending: +7
- This Week: 9/24 @ DET
By three quarters on Sunday, the Falcons appeared useless within the water. They kicked 4 subject objectives, being unable to punch the ball into the tip zone. Nonetheless, that modified within the fourth quarter as they erupted for 13 factors. Bijan Robinson seems to be like a star, and Arthur Smith is proving to be a gutsy coach.
17. Inexperienced Bay Packers
- Final Week: 24-25 loss @ ATL
- Trending: -4
- This Week: 9/24 vs. NO
Inexperienced Bay desperately missed Aaron Jones within the operating sport on Sunday. AJ Dillon rushed 15 occasions however solely produced 55 yards. This didn’t enable them to ice the sport away by operating down the clock, thus turning this sport right into a Falcons comeback.
18. Los Angeles Rams
- Final Week: 23-30 loss vs. SF
- Trending: +7
- This Week: 9/24 @ CIN
Regardless of this loss, the Rams proved nearly all they wanted to on Sunday. They’re able to hanging with a number of the finest groups within the NFL. Matthew Stafford seems to be nearly as good as ever at QB, and Puka Nacua has been a revelation at large reeiver within the absence of Cooper Kupp. As soon as Kupp will get wholesome, this might be a really harmful workforce.
19. New York Jets
- Final Week: 10-30 loss @ DAL
- Trending: -8
- This Week: 9/24 vs. NE
The Jets are going to want to depend on their protection now that Aaron Rodgers is now not at QB. That was not the case on Sunday as Dallas received no matter they wished, notably within the passing sport. Sauce Gardner is off to a sluggish begin, and he must get going if New York needs to salvage this season.
20. New England Patriots
- Final Week: 17-24 loss vs. MIA
- Trending: -1
- This Week: 9/24 @ NYJ
The Patriots have been unable to maneuver the ball on the bottom on Sunday night time, totaling simply 88 speeding yards on 25 carries. Then, their protection stood no probability in opposition to Raheem Mostert, who had 18 carries for 121 yards and a pair of TDs.
21. Tennessee Titans
- Final Week: 27-24 win @ LAC
- Trending: +9
- This Week: 9/24 @ CLE
Mike Vrabel simply finds methods to win, and it didn’t harm that LA’s protection couldn’t have stopped a nosebleed on Sunday afternoon. Ryan Tannehill threw simply 4 incompletions this weekend, a far-cry from his three interceptions in Week 1 in opposition to the Saints.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
- Final Week: 24-27 loss vs. TEN
- Trending: -4
- This Week: 9/24 @ MIN
As Mike Vrabel finds methods to win, the Chargers discover methods to lose. That they had a chance to shut this sport out in time beyond regulation, however identical to Week 1, the offense faltered at exactly the incorrect time. Los Angeles is now in do-or-die territory with a matchup in opposition to the Vikings looming.
Fake 2-0 Groups
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Final Week: 27-17 win vs. CHI
- Trending: -1
- This Week: 9/25 vs. PHI
The Buccaneers received a pleasant win in opposition to the Bears this weekend, however there was no motive for it to be this shut. The Bears had an opportunity to tie the sport or take the lead late within the fourth quarter, however fortunately, Justin Fields made a throw that went proper into Shaq Barrett’s palms. Mix that with the truth that they shouldn’t have crushed the Vikings in Week 1, and this workforce doesn’t really feel like they are going to maintain issues all that shut in opposition to Philly.
24. Washington Commanders
- Final Week: 35-33 win @ DEN
- Trending: +4
- This Week: 9/24 vs. BUF
Admittedly, Sam Howell has impressed via two weeks. Nonetheless, shut wins in opposition to the Broncos and Cardinals don’t imply a lot at this level. Heading right into a Week 3 sport in opposition to Buffalo, it’s telling that they’re touchdown underdogs regardless of being at residence.
On the Exterior Trying In
25. Denver Broncos
- Final Week: 33-35 loss vs. WSH
- Trending: -11
- This Week: 9/24 @ MIA
I’m executed with Denver. It appeared like issues have been getting again on monitor within the first half in opposition to the Commanders, however then, they couldn’t transfer the ball at everywhere in the last half-hour of the sport. Washington put up 21 second half factors whereas foolish errors made this Broncos workforce look precisely the identical as final yr.
26. New York Giants
- Final Week: 31-28 win @ ARI
- Trending: -5
- This Week: 9/21 @ SF
The Giants dug themselves into one other deep gap early on, however fortunately, they have been taking part in the Arizona Cardinals, who remembered that they have been imagined to be tanking. Had New York been taking part in anybody else, they in all probability lose this sport.
27. Indianapolis Colts
- Final Week: 31-20 win @ HOU
- Trending: +2
- This Week: 9/24 @ BAL
Indy’s offense appears to be figuring issues out, and regardless of Anthony Richardson leaving the sport with an damage, they continued to roll with Gardner Minshew. This workforce might be line for a giant rise in the event that they maintain issues shut in opposition to Baltimore.
28. Carolina Panthers
- Final Week: 17-20 loss vs. NO
- Trending: -2
- This Week: 9/24 @ SEA
The Panthers merely don’t have sufficient offensive firepower to maintain up proper now. Their playmakers aren’t getting open within the passing sport, and safety round Bryce Younger has been subpar to start the yr.
29. Chicago Bears
- Final Week: 17-27 loss @ TB
- Trending: -3
- This Week: 9/24 @ KC
So, what precisely are the enhancements to Chicago’s offense? As soon as once more, the Bears have been incapable of transferring the ball, totaling simply 236 yards of offense. Justin Fields threw a pair of interceptions on this sport, and so they appear fully outmatched within the trenches.
30. Las Vegas Raiders
- Final Week: 10-38 loss @ BUF
- Trending: -6
- This Week: 9/24 vs. PIT
That is extra just like the Raiders workforce that was anticipated coming into the season. It’s by no means a superb signal when Josh Jacobs totals -2 speeding yards, and Davante Adams left with an damage.
31. Arizona Cardinals
- Final Week: 28-31 loss vs. NYG
- Trending: +1
- This Week: 9/24 vs. DAL
Arizona knew the project within the second half. Abruptly, the New York Giants offense couldn’t be stopped, nor may the Cardinals string collectively drives after a dominant 20-0 lead via the primary half-hour. Regardless, they confirmed sufficient to maneuver out of the cellar by one spot.
32. Houston Texans
- Final Week: 20-31 loss vs. IND
- Trending: -1
- This Week: 9/24 @ JAX
The rating grew to become respectable by the tip, however Houston was getting blown out for a big chunk of this sport. It occurred regardless of QB Anthony Richardson leaving the sport with an damage, and Gardner Minshew led the offense for the remainder of the day. Regardless of the loss, C.J. Stroud had a powerful day with 384 passing yards and a pair of TDs.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The School of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing in regards to the NFL, Josh enjoys operating, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Try his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
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