NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where every team stands heading into Week 3

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NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where every team stands heading into Week 3
  • The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still the team to beat in the NFL.
  • Meanwhile, the Jaguars and Falcons might already be thinking about 2022.
  • Check out our Power Ranking for Week 3 of the NFL season in full below.
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32. Jacksonville Jaguars

32. Jacksonville Jaguars
Urban Meyer. AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Record: 0-2

Week 2 result: Lost to the Broncos, 23-13

Week 3 opponent: vs. Arizona Cardinals

One thing to know: Urban Meyer's start in Jacksonville hasn't been easy. It only took one game for rumors of him potentially taking the USC job to bubble up. While Meyer denied any interest in the job, it's not great for his long-term plans if people already assume he's ready to jump ship after two games.

31. New York Jets

31. New York Jets
Zach Wilson. AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Record: 0-2

Week 2 result: Lost to the Patriots, 26-6

Week 3 opponent: at Denver Broncos

One thing to know: Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson is in a tough spot. In college, he could make every throw, but defenses will punish you for an errant, wayward pass in the NFL, as Wilson found out during his four-interception day against the Patriots on Sunday. Wilson is a piece of the puzzle for the Jets, but he can't solve the whole thing himself.

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30. New York Giants

30. New York Giants
Saquon Barkley. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Record: 0-2

Week 2 result: Lost to Washington, 30-29

Week 3 opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons

One thing to know: After their Week 3 matchup with the Falcons, the Giants schedule goes like this — at Saints, at Cowboys, vs. Rams, vs. Panthers, at Chiefs, vs. Raiders, at Buccaneers. If New York can't beat Atlanta at home on Sunday, there's a good chance that they are 0-10 when they host Philadelphia later in the year.

29. Atlanta Falcons

29. Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan. AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio

Record: 0-2

Week 2 result: Lost to the Buccaneers, 48-25

Week 3 opponent: at New York Giants

One thing to know: Through two games, the Atlanta Falcons have given up 80 points (most in the NFL) and finished with a point differential of -49 (worst in the NFL). Woof.

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28. Houston Texans

28. Houston Texans
Davis Mills. AP Photo/Ron Schwane

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Lost to the Browns, 31-21

Week 3 opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers

One thing to know: The Houston Texans have been something of a surprise to start the season, taking down an overwhelmed Jaguars team and mostly keeping pace with a strong Browns team last week. But after an injury to Tyrod Taylor, the team is now turning to rookie quarterback Davis Mills to lead them. Mills will make his debut on a short week against Carolina, a difficult way for any player to make their grand NFL entrance.

27. Detroit Lions

27. Detroit Lions
Jamaal Williams. AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Record: 0-2

Week 2 result: Lost to the Packers, 35-17

Week 3 opponent: vs. Baltimore Ravens

One thing to know: The Detroit Lions held the lead heading into halftime against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night but were quickly overwhelmed by the Packers' offense in the third quarter. If the Lions can find a way to keep pushing for all four quarters, they could be better than expected. For now though, they are 0-2.

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26. Cincinnati Bengals

26. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow. AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Lost to the Bears, 20-17

Week 3 opponent: at Pittsburgh Steelers

One thing to know: Joe Burrow had a rough day on Sunday, throwing interceptions on three straight passes in a loss to the Bears. Despite Burrow's miscues, the Bengals were still in the game. Clean up the mistakes, and the Bengals are a contender.

25. Chicago Bears

25. Chicago Bears
Justin Fields. Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Beat the Bengals, 20-17

Week 3 opponent: at Cleveland Browns

One thing to know: Veteran starter Andy Dalton is dealing with a knee injury, meaning that the Chicago Bears will be forced into embracing the Justin Fields era whether they want to or not. While the Bears staff appeared to be ready to ride Dalton a few more weeks, Bears fans across the country are undoubtedly excited to see their rookie quarterback, and hopefully, the future of the franchise, get the start.

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24. Washington Football Team

24. Washington Football Team
Taylor Heinicke. AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Beat the Giants, 30-29

Week 3 opponent: at Buffalo Bills

One thing to know: Taylor Heinicke played a solid game for Washington and took home a tasty $125,000 bonus for his effort. Hopefully, this year, not every Washington win will come down to their opponent making a game-changing error in the final seconds.

23. Indianapolis Colts

23. Indianapolis Colts
Carson Wentz. AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Record: 0-2

Week 2 result: Lost to the Rams, 27-24

Week 3 opponent: at Tennessee Titans

One thing to know: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz was limited in practice this week after spraining both of his ankles on Sunday against the Rams. I didn't know that could happen — usually, I stop after spraining the one.

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22. Minnesota Vikings

22. Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins. AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Record: 0-2

Week 2 result: Lost to the Cardinals, 34-33

Week 3 opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks

One thing to know: The Vikings lost a heartbreaker to the Cardinals on Sunday when kicker Greg Joseph missed what should have been a routine 37-yard game-winning field goal. But the result was even more of a gut punch for fans listening to the game on the radio, who heard the play-by-play man make this painfully wrong call before realizing the Vikings had lost.

21. Miami Dolphins

21. Miami Dolphins
Jacoby Brissett. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Lost to the Bills, 35-0

Week 3 opponent: at Las Vegas Raiders

One thing to know: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is dealing with fractured ribs, meaning the offense's reins will be handed over to Jacoby Brissett as the Dolphins travel to Las Vegas this weekend.

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20. Philadelphia Eagles

20. Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts. AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Lost to the 49ers, 17-11

Week 3 opponent: at Dallas Cowboys

One thing to know: The Eagles lost a rock fight to the 49ers at home last weekend, including running a botched Philly Special on fourth-and-goal. Maybe next time, just run the ball.

19. New England Patriots

19. New England Patriots
Mac Jones. AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Beat the Jets, 25-6

Week 3 opponent: vs. New Orleans Saints

One thing to know: Rookie Mac Jones is already starting to look comfortable moving the Patriots' offense up and down the field, completing 22 of his 30 passes, and avoiding mistakes. If he can keep things running smoothly on the offensive side of the ball, the Patriots' defense could carry them pretty far this year.

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18. New Orleans Saints

18. New Orleans Saints
Jameis Winston. AP Photo/Nell Redmond

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Lost to the Panthers, 26-7

Week 3 opponent: at New England Patriots

One thing to know: Jameis Winston saw the clock turn to midnight last week as his game turned from carriage to pumpkin. After a brilliant performance to open the season against the Packers, Winston threw for just 111 yards and two interceptions against the Panthers in Week 2. This year, he'll need to find a middle ground in his game if the Saints are a factor.

17. Tennessee Titans

17. Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry. AP Photo/John Froschauer

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Beat the Seahawks, 33-30

Week 3 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts

One thing to know: Derrick Henry is still Derrick Henry, rushing for 182 yards and three touchdowns in a comeback win against the Seahawks. If you're trying to stop him, good luck.

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16. Los Angeles Chargers

16. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert. AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Lost to the Cowboys, 20-17

Week 3 opponent: at Kansas City Chiefs

One thing to know: Justin Herbert has looked just as impressive through two games this year as he did en route to winning offensive rookie of the year honors last year. In two starts, he's already thrown for 675 yards, good four fourth in the league.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris. AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Lost to the Raiders, 26-17

Week 3 opponent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

One thing to know: Rookie running back Najee Harris is starting to get going for the Steelers, finishing Sunday with 81 total yards and a touchdown.

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14. Carolina Panthers

14. Carolina Panthers
Panthers defense sacks Jameis Winston. AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Beat the Saints, 26-7

Week 3 opponent: at Houston Texans

One thing to know: The Panthers defense ranks tops in the league in scoring, yards per game, and sacks, and this week they'll get to feast on a rookie quarterback making his first start on a short week. 3-0 is in play for Carolina.

13. Denver Broncos

13. Denver Broncos
Teddy Bridgewater. AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Beat the Jaguars, 23-13

Week 3 opponent: vs. New York Jets

One thing to know: After years of searching for a quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater has provided the Broncos with a steady hand at the helm and lead the team to a 2-0 start. The Broncos are off to a surprise 2-0 start and could be a surprise contender this year.

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12. Dallas Cowboys

12. Dallas Cowboys
Greg Zuerlein. AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Beat the Chargers, 20-17

Week 3 opponent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

One thing to know: Both of the Cowboys' first two games of the season were decided by game-winning field goals as the clock expired — one went their way, the other did not. Hopefully, Dallas can figure out how to put wins away before two seconds are left on the clock moving forward.

11. Cleveland Browns

11. Cleveland Browns
Odell Beckham Jr. AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Beat the Texans, 31-21

Week 3 opponent: vs. Chicago Bears

One thing to know: The return of Odell Beckham Jr. looms large over the Browns in the coming weeks, especially with fellow wide receiver Jarvis Landry heading to the IR. Beckham has yet to light up the box score since joining Cleveland — can he finally show off his superstar talents with the team this year?

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10. Las Vegas Raiders

10. Las Vegas Raiders
Derek Carr. AP Photo/Matt Durisko

Record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Beat the Steelers, 26-17

Week 3 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins

One thing to know: Derek Carr is looking like an MVP candidate to start the year, and the Raiders defense has thus far proven just feisty enough to give their offense a chance to win big games. It's time to start getting excited in Las Vegas.

9. San Francisco 49ers

9. San Francisco 49ers
Jimmie Ward and Deebo Samuel. AP Photo/Rich Schultz

Record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Beat the Eagles, 17-11

Week 3 opponent: vs. Green Bay Packers

One thing to know: The 49ers used a scheduling quirk to their advantage by taking an East Coast road trip to start the season and turning it into an extension of training camp. Now the 49ers are off to a 2-0 start, have more home games left on the schedule than any team in their division, and have just two cross-country trips left in the season. Sometimes a winning strategy can be executed off the field.

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8. Buffalo Bills

8. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen. AP Photo/Hans Deryk

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Beat the Dolphins, 35-0

Week 3 opponent: vs. Washington Football Team

One thing to know: The Bills rolled past a Dolphins team that was largely uncompetitive after an injury to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. This week against the Washington defense is a good opportunity for Buffalo to reassert themselves as a potential Super Bowl contender.

7. Arizona Cardinals

7. Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray. AP Photo/Darryl Web

Record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Beat the Vikings, 34-33

Week 3 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars

One thing to know: Kyler Murray's highlight reel gets longer and longer every game he plays. With mind-bending scrambles and back-foot fadeaways, he's likely to be an MVP contender this year.

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6. Seattle Seahawks

6. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett. AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Lost to the Titans, 33-30

Week 3 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings

One thing to know: The Seahawks lost a weird game to the Titans after getting run over by Derrick Henry in the second half. But facing a Vikings defense that just got carved up by the Cardinals, Russell Wilson should be in for a big day on Sunday.

5. Green Bay Packers

5. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones. AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Beat the Lions, 35-17

Week 3 opponent: at San Francisco 49ers

One thing to know: Running back Aaron Jones had a huge game against the Lions, finishing with four touchdowns to lead the Packers to victory. During the game, he briefly lost a necklace that contained some of his father's ashes in the end zone, but thanks to a late-night search by the team's athletic trainer, the necklace was secured. Teams are made of more than the 53 men on the roster.

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4. Los Angeles Rams

4. Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford. AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Beat the Colts, 27-24

Week 3 opponent: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One thing to know: Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp are off to quite a start in their first season together, connecting for 271 yards and three touchdowns to start the season. With even more offensive weapons locked and loaded in Los Angeles, the Rams could start putting up some big points as the season rolls on.

3. Baltimore Ravens

3. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson. AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Beat the Chiefs, 36-35

Week 3 opponent: at Detroit Lions

One thing to know: On the biggest play of the game on Sunday night, Lamar Jackson and head coach John Harbaugh were on the same page, ready to go for it on a fourth-and-1 when failure meant almost certainly handing victory to the Chiefs. Jackson converted, and the celebration was on. With that type of trust running through a locker room, there's no limit to how far a team can go.

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2. Kansas City Chiefs

2. Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce. AP Photo/Nick Wass

Record: 1-1

Week 2 result: Lost to the Ravens, 36-35

Week 3 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

One thing to know: Despite their loss last week, the Chiefs were still one Clyde Edwards-Helaire fumble away from almost certain victory against the Ravens. That's football. Still, one concerning fact about Kansas City — for all the talk of the Chiefs' offensive prowess, they have not beaten an opponent by more than a touchdown since Week 8 of last season. This weekend against the Chargers, the Chiefs are favored by 6.5.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady. AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio

Record: 2-0

Week 2 result: Beat the Falcons, 48-25

Week 3 opponent: at Los Angeles Rams

One thing to know: At 44 years old, Tom Brady is off to the best start of his career. The Buccaneers seem to be happy to let Brady cook, even in spots where running might be more advisable — last week, Brady had touchdown passes of one, one, and three yards. If the Buccaneers keep rolling and Brady keeps padding those touchdown totals, don't be surprised to see the Buccaneers back in the Super Bowl and Brady winning another MVP trophy. Given his career, he's a man that is simply impossible to doubt.

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