NFL Power Rankings - Week 3
LeGarrette Blount #29 of the New England Patriots is tackled during the second half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
(Sept. 22, 2016 - Source: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America)
1. (1.) New England Patriots (3-0)
You expected that the Patriots would run a lot with rookie QB Jacoby Brissett behind center. RB LeGarrette Blount rushed 24 times for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns. Honorable mention, Jacoby Brissett ran for the other touchdown against the Texans.
2. (4.) Green Bay Packers (2-1)
The offensive line looked after QB Aaron Rodgers, who in return could look for his favorite target. WR Jody Nelson caught 6 passes for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win over Detroit.
3. (2.) Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)
The Eagles overpowered the Steelers on both sides of the ball. QB Ben Roethlisberger managed just 4.6 yards per pass and was sacked 4 times. The defense surrendered 125 rushing yards and 301 passing yards.
4. (7.) Denver Broncos (3-0)
Three wins against three potential playoff teams. It’s time to move the Broncos up in the rankings and acknowledge that they are for real.
5. (6.) Seattle Seahawks (2-1)
WR Doug Baldwin and TE Jimmy Graham accounted for 264 of the 291 receiving yards. QB Russell Wilson is expected to play in week 4 despite a sprained MCL.
6. (8.) Minnesota Vikings (3-0)
The Vikings knocked QB Cam Newton around and sacked him 8 times as they scored 22 unanswered points to erase a 10-point deficit. DL Everson Griffen recorded 3.0 sacks, emerging as a star in Minnesota.
7. (3.) Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
QB Carson Palmer threw 4 interceptions and was sacked 5 times in the loss at Buffalo. The defense gave up 208 yards on the ground.
8. (5.) Carolina Panthers (1-2)
Would you be surprised if I told you that Carolina’s pass protection is ranked 32nd in the NFL with an Adjusted Sack Rate (= sacks (plus intentional grounding penalties) per pass attempt adjusted for down, distance, and opponent) of 10%?
9. (13.) Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)
QB Carson Wentz set a record for a rookie quarterback. After 102 pass attempts to start his NFL career he has yet to throw an interception. Interesting tidbit; in the blowout win against Pittsburgh RB Ryan Mathews and RB Darren Sproles ran for a combined -6 yards.
10. (10.) New York Giants (2-1)
They played another typical NFC East game against Washington, hard-fought and balanced. QB Eli Manning’s interception with 1:09 minutes left ended the comeback attempt.
11. (12.) Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
Speaking of rookie quarterback records, QB Dak Prescott has not thrown an interception with 99 passes into his NFL career. It looks like we’ve got a head-to-head race here.
12. (15.) Baltimore Ravens (3-0)
QB Joe Flacco set a new franchise record with 21 straight completions in a single game. Unfortunately, the streak ended after WR Mike Wallace dropped a catchable pass.
13. (9.) Houston Texans (2-1)
The Texans don’t look comfortable when they have to rely on the passing game. With three home games against teams with a losing record and two away games against unbeaten teams they look like a 5-3 team going into the bye week. DE J.J. Watt’s potentially season-ending back injury is a big blow for Houston.
14. (14.) Kansas City Chiefs (2-1)
CB Marcus Peters was joint-leader in the NFL with 8 interceptions last season. He picked off QB Ryan Fitzpatrick twice on Sunday and currently leads the league with 4 interceptions.
15. (11.) Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
Cincinnati, like Carolina, has allowed 12 sacks this season, ranking their pass protection 31st in the league. The Bengals host Miami next week, whose pass rush is ranked 7th with 9.0 sacks.
16. (18.) Oakland Raiders (2-1)
The defense forced 3 turnovers at Tennessee but they also allowed the Titans to rush for 181 yards on 29 carries.
17. (21.) Atlanta Falcons (2-1)
Monday night’s shootout against the Saints means the Falcons still have the best offense in the league (448 total yards per game) and one of the worst defenses (433 total yards per game). RB Tevin Coleman had 12 carries for 42 yards and 3 touchdowns.
18. (19.) Indianapolis Colts (1-2)
WR T.Y. Hilton’s touchdown for 63 yards was a joy to watch as the Colts finally get their first win of the season. Hilton finished with 8 catches for 174 yards.
19. (16.) New York Jets (1-2)
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completed 20-of-44 passes at Kansas City and threw 6 interceptions for a QBR of 18.2. His QBR on the season is now at 59.3.
20. (23.) Los Angeles Rams (2-1)
The 49ers led the NFC West for two weeks. Now it’s the Rams at the top, despite having the worst offense in the league, averaging just 262.7 total yards per game. A division upside down.
21. (26.) Washington Redskins (1-2)
It looked rather grim for the Redskins after a 0-2 start to the season but they can now get to 2-2 as the Browns are coming to town. By the way, Washington has the second best passing offense in the league with 330.7 yards per game.
22. (30.) Buffalo Bills (1-2)
The Bills were prepared and had the right game plan against the Cardinals. The defense stuffed the run and benefited from QB Carson Palmer’s mistakes.
23. (22.) Detroit Lions (1-2)
As the Lions had to play catch-up at Green Bay all game long WR Marvin Jones Jr. was able to set a career-high with 205 receiving yards. He took 2 of his 6 catches to the end zone.
24. (17.) San Diego Chargers (1-2)
Strange call this illegal touching, giving San Diego an untimed play and one last chance to win at Indianapolis. You learn a new rule every time you watch a football game.
25. (28.) Miami Dolphins (1-2)
If you play a thriller against the Cleveland Browns, which you barely win in overtime, then you know that it’s going to be a long offseason.
26. (20.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2)
WR Mike Evans became the first Buccaneer to catch a touchdown pass in each of the first three games of a season.
27. (24.) New Orleans Saints (0-3)
Granted, the Falcons were trying to burn the clock but giving up 217 rushing yards is quite embarrassing for a defense. Needless to say, the Saints rank 32nd with 149.33 rushing yards per game allowed.
28. (25.) Tennessee Titans (1-2)
Are we seeing a sophomore slump from QB Marcus Mariota? So far he has lost 3 fumbles and thrown 4 interceptions this season.
29. (29.) San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
RB Carlos Hyde’s two touchdowns may have come in garbage time but he is off to a good start nonetheless. He has 225 yards on 58 carries and 4 touchdowns this season.
30. (31.) Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)
The Jaguars had plenty of opportunities to beat the Ravens but start a season 0-3 for the third time in four years. WR Allen Robinson caught 7 passes for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns.
31. (27.) Chicago Bears (0-3)
The defense gave up 199 rushing yards as the Cowboys were defending their lead. TE Zach Miller scored two second-half touchdowns and caught 8 passes for 78 yards.
32. (32.) Cleveland Browns (0-3)
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. had a huge game at Miami, completing 3-of-5 passes for 35 yards, rushing for 21 yards and 1 touchdown on 4 carries, catching 8 passes for 144 yards and even playing at the safety position.
