Hi everyone, Week 3 was another crazy Week in the NFL. The Packers won a thriller, the Panthers are a pleasant surprise. The Cowboys might finally live up to their annual hype (at least for the regular season). A lot to unpack, let’s get to the Rankings shall we?
32. Jets 0-3 LW: 30
The New York foozball Jets were abominable in Week 3. They gained less than 200 yards, got shutout in an NFL game in 2021 in ideal conditions at mile high (where every kicker could easily kick the ball from 60 yards out). Zach Wilson looks lost, like he left his game in provo Utah. He is a rookie though without a whole lot to work with. The propellers, who only won two games last season could possibly win even less this year, this is a distinct possibility.
31. Jaguars 0-3 LW: 32
Hey they got a 109 yard kick six and was leading for much of the third Quarter in Sunday’s game. The play that flipped the entire game against the Cards on Sunday was an ill advise trick play which led to an ill advised throw by Trevor Lawrence. There is something there with this football team still. But will Urban Meyer be committed to turning this team into a winner, that remains to be seen.
30. Lions 0-3 LW: 31
Ouch to Detroit, the Lions made a valiant second half comeback against a team that almost never gives up double digit leads (Ravens). But a defensive breakdown on a 4th and 19, a missed delay of game call and Justin Tucker being a football god made the comeback effort not meant to be. The Lions are playing hard for Dan Campbell and they will win some games this year. Question is it 3 wins or 5 or 6, we shall find out in the coming weeks.
29. Bears 1-2 LW: 26
I had to drop the Bears down to the bottom four, this team is a disaster. The defense is still not terrible but the offense is so bad (especially the offensive line) that even with a dynamic talent as Justin Fields behind center he is a dead man walking back there. Myles Garrett may have won himself the defensive player of the year with his 4.5 sack day on Sunday. Khalil Mack I’m sure prays every day that he could just pass rush against his own offensive line, facts of life.
28. Texans 1-2 LW: 28
They may be the worst team by seasons end but the Texans are certainly not playing like the worst team in the league thus far. They have been competitive through three quarters each of the past two weeks against far superior teams. I do have one Question for David Culley. Do you really think in 2021 it’s a good idea to punt the ball down one midway through the 3rd on 4th and 3 from the opponents 39, indoors. Grow a spine there my friend.
27. Giants 0-3 LW: 27
The Giants are not a good football team. But they aren’t one of the five worst teams. They can’t block you and I. They make too many dumb penalties. Saquon Barkley does not look like the same back coming off surgery. Daniel Jones is more inconsistent then an etch and sketch. However, they have been in the last two games and found dumb ways to blow them late. Stop being so conservative there Joe Judge, go for the Judgular (I have jokes don’t I!!).
26. Falcons 1-2 LW: 29
The Falcons got a win in a game they probably should have lost. This is what the dirty birdies do to us. They win games they should lose and lose games they should win. The Falcons are an enigma, you think you have them figured out and they go the other way. They now have an extremely favorable schedule over the next five games. Watch the birds go and win four of five and be 5-3 at the midway point and we all be like, how in the hell did that happen? That bird I say
25. Eagles 1-2 LW: 25
Are the Eagles going 2-15 like I predicted before the year? Not likely, but they did not look like a good football team on Monday night in Dallas. Team green is probably closer to last night’s product then the one we say in the Peach State on Opening Day. Jalen Hurts is a one read quarterback at this time and cannot be forced to try to dissect a defense, his talent is there though and he does have nice touch on the football.
24. Colts 0-3 LW: 22
The Colts have had a tough schedule to start 0-3 but there is serious concerns with Carson Wentz. 1. He cannot stay healthy, his mobility is seriously jeopardized due to his health. 2. Carson has now lost 7 straight starts, this is not a coincidence as it coincides with his struggles. This Colts team could be 0-5 or 1-4 before their schedule lightens up, they may run out of time to right the ship, or truth is they just aren’t a good football team.
23. Steelers 1-2 LW: 18
Big Ben looks washed. That’s the only way I can describe it at this point. The Steelers cannot run the football, they cannot protect the Quarterback, and the Quarterback cannot throw an accurate pass more than five yards down the field. They say in football and most sports when it goes it goes and it goes quickly. The defense also looked very pedestrian against the Bengals without T.J Watt last week, I predicted this team was not going to be good and I appear correct.
22. Dolphins 1-2 LW: 23
You can lose and move up in the Rankings, the Dolphins showed some serious toughness even in defeat in Vegas. The Dolphins really need to open up their offense however. It appears they are trying to play too conservative and it allowed the Vaders to rally right away after falling down 14-0 early in the game. Jacoby Brissett to be honest is not a huge drop off from Tua at this point. The Dolphins may be better off, the bigger question can they rally immediately.
21. WFT 1-2 LW: 20
The WFT got their doors blown off in Buffalo this past Sunday. Many in the media is going to say that the team without a name needs a true signal caller. But the issue with this team early in the season is not Taylor Heinicke or the offense in any way. This defense cannot stop anyone, the defense on third down has been absolutely putrid, their stout defensive line hasn’t even been generating a consistent pass rush, the WFT better figure it out and quick.
20. Patriots 1-2 LW: 14
Bill Belichick is looking more and more like a product of the greatest Quarterback of all time. Belichick is unquestionably one of the best defensive coaches of all time, both Super bowl victories over the Rams and the 2003-2004 playoff victories where they confused Peyton Manning was four of the best defensive gameplan’s ever assembled. However, before Brady started Belichick was 5-13 and since Tommy touchdown’s left Belichick is 8-11, these are facts my friends.
19. Seahawks 1-2 LW: 13
I don’t know when the last time the Hawks were in the high teens in power rankings but that time has arrived. This team cannot stop anyone and they have come out with terrible game plans after the half. In the two losses over the last two weeks the Hawks have been outscored 40-6 after halftime. There is only so much Russell Wilson can do here. This looks easily like the worst roster in the division. I may have been wrong on the blue and green birds of the Northwest.
18. Vikings 1-2 LW: 21
The Vikings are a made chip shot field goal away from being 2-1 and in a great spot to make a playoff push. Regardless, Kirk Cousins has looked really comfortable in the early going of the season and the defense can generate a pass rush. The biggest questions will come after this week as the horns play a team with very good fronts on both sides of the ball. If the Vikes can hold their own on both ends they will be at .500 and right back in the hunt.
17. Bengals 2-1 LW: 24
The Bengals look like one of the most improved teams in football. Should they take care of business over the Jags on Thursday they will be 3-1 and possibly in solo first place in the AFC North (Browns and Ravens both have difficult road tests). The defense is dramatically improved and Joe Burrow looks to be back in his comfort zone. We cannot go too crazy yet but maybe the Bengals of Cincinnati could be the surprise team in all of football in 2021, to be determined.
16. Titans 2-1 LW: 17
Being the best team in the AFC South is like being the most legible writer in a room full of doctors. It is a dubious honor but one that should still be commended. The Titans defense has looked improved in spots early in the season. They have been better over the past six quarters in generating a pass rush. Plus we all know that Derrick Henry is the best pure back in the game. There is a legitimate chance that the Titans will run away with this terrible division fast.
15. Saints 2-1 LW: 19
The Saints look like an 8 to 10 win team that is going to be hard to gauge from Week to Week. The one thing that will translate well throughout the season is that defense. I said top ten in my season preview but that defense is certainly top 5 in the game. You cannot run the football with them if you had a Mack truck as a running back and they can generate a consistent pass rush. Coolest fact is the Saints will be returning home next week, crowd will be insane.
14. 49ers 2-1 LW: 12
Can we please stop with the Trey Lance chatter on social media. The Guy runs in a quarterback draw from one yard out and now the entire universe thinks he’s going to lead San Fran to the Super Bowl. Of all of the teams with a 1st round rookie Quarterback the Niners are the only team that has the talent to win the big game. I projected them to finish in last in the division because I thought drafting Trey Lance would crush the chemistry for this year, well see if I’m right.
13. Cowboys 2-1 LW: 16
Impressive win over the Eagles on Monday night but team Lone Star just did what they were supposed to do. Dominate an inferior divisional foe at home. Two positive signs for the Lone Star’s though on why they could be one of the better teams in the NFC this season. 1. Zeke actually has a pulse and though he isn’t as good as he was as a rookie, he looks more explosive then last couple of seasons. 2. The defense is faster and can pressure the Quarterback, best in NFC East.
12. Panthers 3-0 LW: 11
The Panthers win decisively and drop. Two important things of note. 1. They aren’t better than any of the teams above them. 2. They lost their stud rookie corner (Jaycee Horn) and their best overall player (Running back Christian McCaffrey). They made a trade for exiled corner C.J Henderson from the Jags to shore up the back end but Henderson has been a bust thus far. Sam Darnold has looked more comfortable around better talent, this team could surprise.
11. Cardinals 3-0 LW: 9
Another undefeated team that I must drop out of the top 10. The truth of the matter is that any of the teams above them in the rankings would beat the Cards in a neutral field and maybe only the Raiders and Broncos wouldn’t be favored. Also if you struggle with the Jags for three quarters you must be taken out of top 10. Kyler Murray has completed 76 percent of his passes and the Cards are explosive offensively, we will know far more about the red birds after Sunday.
10. Ravens 2-1 LW: 6
When you need a 66 yard field goal from Justin Tucker to beat the Lions you must drop steep in the Rankings. The Ravens defense which has dealt with an abundance of injuries played much better, but there is one really big concern. Lamar Jackson has been incredibly sloppy with 5 turnovers thus far. He has regressed some since his MVP Season and I actually think he’s become a better passer but teams have game planned much better for the run with tape.
9. Chiefs 1-2 LW: 3
We cannot overreact to the Chiefs much as of yet. They lost the turnover battle 4-0 yet still had the ball tied late with a chance to win albeit the disparity. The fact is that the Chiefs are so good they are maybe the only team not named the Rams that could overcome that disparity to even almost win, they did not because they played a good football team that made them pay. The defense played better but they must continue that progress to be at the top.
8. Browns 2-2 LW: 8
I know it was the putrid offense of the Bears but allowing 47 yards of offense to an NFL offense is an unprecedented feat (lowest in franchise history, Bears had 1.2 yards per play 2nd lowest this century). But the Browns showed their muscle up front and Myles Garrett is in my opinion the best pass rusher in football. If they can play defense like they did on Sunday the Browns will win their first division title since the late 80’s, still a long way to go but good start in Nor Ohio.
7. Chargers 2-1 LW: 15
You win at Kansas City and you are jumping way up in the Power Rankings. Justin Herbert threw for four touchdowns as Herbert and wide out Mike Williams look simpatico right now. The Chargers offense also has the best third down offense in the NFL thus far. Herbert looks like he is one of the 3 or 4 best Quarterbacks in football right now. Let’s remind you that Herbert is only 23 years of age, this is scary for the rest of the NFL. The Chargers are a true force.
6. Broncos LW: 7
The Broncos did beat the two sad sack teams of New York and the Jags, who haven’t won since Week 1 of last season. However, when you have outscored those three opponents 76-26 (which is an average score of 25-9 for those at home) you deserve to be this high on the rankings. The Jerry Jeudy and K.J Hamler injuries are a killer but the Burros have the depth to withstand those losses. This defense is absolutely nasty, the Horse Helmets are for real.
5. Packers 2-1 LW: 10
I believe in this Packers team. I believe they stood up to the Bully by the bay to survive in triumph. I believe the defense is good enough to account for a young secondary that is still finding it’s footing. I believe that Aaron Rodgers is fully invested in this season. Rodgers showed some emotion like we have never seen before from him on Sunday night. Mr. Man Bun is no longer a passive aggressive savant, but an aggressive leader ready to conquer, I believe.
4. Raiders 3-0 LW: 5
When you defeat three teams that won 10 plus games last season to start the year you are for real. Three things are in the Raiders favor to prove they are here to stay. 1. Derek Carr is better than ever. After an early pick six he was as aggressive and accurate as he has been all season. He is 1A or 1B for MVP. 2. The pass rush is real, this could actually be a good defense. 3. The schedule lightens up, they play at the Chargers on Monday then it lightens up, Vegas baby.
3. Bucs 2-1 LW: 2
I was waffling between 2 and 3 but I must lower the fighting Brady’s to 3. They were dominated by the Rams on Sunday and that is not a game that anyone in their right mind can un see. The Bucs had a great defense last Season but because of injuries and an underachieving pass rush has been thrown on more than the ghost defense on a top QB Prospects Pro Day. This is a Brady team we are talking about so the playoff rematch will probably look very different #LAvTB.
2. Bills 2-1 LW: 4
The Bills are hands down the best team in the AFC as of today. After a layup next Sunday against team Texas they travel to K.C to play the Chiefs in the AFC game of the Year. If the Buffalo Helmets can prevail on their trip to the land of barbeque they will have a minimum two game lead over their current nemesis. The division also looks weaker than anticipated which means that the playoffs this year could very possibly go through Buffalo, circle those wagons baby!!
1.Rams 3-0 LW: 2
Really fighting McVay’s!! the Rams could have beat the Bucs by 30 on Sunday if they didn’t take the foot off the accelerator in the 4th Quarter. This is a team with only one weakness, they can’t run the football. But when the passing game, defense and special teams (sans the gaffe in Indy, it did happen but still this special teams unit is usually special in good ways) is so awesome who cares if they can run the ball. The Rams next opponent (the Cards) Sean McVay is 8-0 against and outside of a 2019 Week 17 game that was the only game McVay had ever coached with nothing on the line (Rams were eliminated from playoff contention) the Rams have dominated every meeting. Dominance could be psychological at this point, we will find out Sunday afternoon in Englewood.