What a league. It truly is ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. I might as well just put the teams in alphabetical order and call it a day at this point. The AFC South is clapping the AFC West, Cooper Rush is doing to Dak what Dak did to Tony Romo, the Browns might be the best team in the AFC North, with Jacoby Brissett under center, and the Lions are legitimately in contention for the NFC North. Sunday Night Football’s punter duel was reminiscent of Dominik Hasek vs Martin Brodeur in the ’94 NHL playoffs. Let’s try to make some sense of it all.
1. Buffalo Bills (2-1)
Lost 21-19 vs Dolphins
Last Week: 1
High: 1
Low: 1
It’s tough to keep them here. They’re still a great team, but so are the Dolphins and the Eagles. Buffalo is missing almost their entire starting secondary, which is supposed to be the highlight of their defense. Micah Hyde won’t be back, but hopefully Tre White will. What concerns me most is the offense though. We can talk about the heat all we want (and it was HOT), but these teams combined didn’t even surpass 40 points.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)
Won 24-8 vs Commanders
Last Week: 7
High: 2
Low: 18
The Eagles are soaring. Everything that people were hoping might go well for them has. AJ Brown is consistently putting up WR1 numbers. DeVonta Smith is having a breakout year. Jalen Hurts is settling in as a true franchise QB. The defense is allowing the 7th fewest points through 3 games.
3. Miami Dolphins (3-0)
Last Week: 4
High: 3
Low: 6
Honestly, they have a claim to call themselves the top team in the league. They’re 3-0, and they just beat the best team. So why are they at #3? First, Tua got rattled pretty bad. The starting QB is pretty important, and if they’re without him, it’s going to change the team. Second, Buffalo was not at its best. Half the defensive starters were out, and WR Stefon Diggs was limited by cramps. That being said, the Dolphins don’t control the schedule, they just beat every team on it.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (2-1)
Lost 20-17 vs Colts
Last Week: 2
High: 2
Low: 4
What even are the Colts? Last week they get shut out by the Jags, this week they’re stifling the Chiefs. I’ve never really trusted the Chiefs run game this season, and this week was exactly why. Pat Mahomes was the team’s leading rusher with a whopping 26 yards. Of the actual RBs, Isaiah Pacheco had the highest ypc with an abysmal 3.0, while CEH scored the only rushing touchdown. He finished with 7 carries for 0.0 yards. To the Chiefs credit though, they held Jonathan Taylor to 3.4 ypc on 21 carries, and kept him out of the endzone.
5. Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
Won 37-26 vs Patriots
Last Week: 5
High: 5
Low: 5
It was the Lamar Jackson show, as he scored all 5 of Baltimore’s TDs, throwing 4 and running another. He also lead the team in carries and rushing yards. JK Dobbins didn’t do much, but that’s okay. It’s just good have him playing again. I like that they’re gradually reintegrating him back into the offense. Mark Andrews remains the #1 receiving target, with 8 catches for 89 yards and a pair of tudders. No one else had more than 2 catches.
6. Los Angeles Rams (2-1)
Won 20-12 vs Cardinals
Last Week: 13
High: 6
Low: 13
It wasn’t a pretty start to the season, but this team is getting back on track with a nice divisional win. Cam Akers is starting to look like the RB he’s expected to be. The defense stood tall. There’s still room for improvement, but for now at least, they’re looking like a solid squad that could repeat as champions if they get hot at the right time.
7. Green Bay Packers (2-1)
Won 14-12 vs Buccaneers
Last Week: 9
High: 7
Low: 13
The duel of the goats didn’t quite live up to expectations, but that’s what happens when Aaron loses his best WR in the off-season, and Brady is without his top 3 targets. Rookie 4th rounder Romeo Doubs impressed in training camp, and had a break-out game this week, with 8 catches for 73 yards and a TD. Rodgers maintains his exceptional TD: INT ratio by not making risky throws to receivers until they earn his trust. Without any trusted guys ahead of him, Doubs is out to the early lead as the new WR1 in Green Bay. He did everything that could be asked of him, and will likely benefit from more looks going forward.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Lost 14-12 vs Packers
Last Week: 6
High: 6
Low: 9
Tom Brady was unspectacular, but what more can we expect from an ancient pocket passer without his best targets? The Bucs are a force when healthy, but those injuries to the WR group are really becoming a major concern. Mike Evans is slated to return from his suspension next week, but other than that, the position is pretty thin. If they can get healthy, they’ll likely climb up the rankings, but until then, this is probably close to their ceiling.
9. Minnesota Vikings (2-1)
Won 28-24 vs Lions
Last Week: 8
High: 4
Low: 9
Any other time, barely scraping by the Lions would be cause for panic, but this year, the Lions seem legit. That being said, they struggled with Detroit. They needed a late comeback and a couple missed FGs to win and Justin Jefferson disappeared. They’re starting to look less like a Super Bowl contender and more like a playoff contender.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)
Won 38-10 vs Chargers
Last Week: 15
High: 10
Low: 30
I said last week that the Jags were my new favorite to take the division. This week, they smoked an elite team and positioned themselves at the top of the division as the only team with a winning record. Trevor Lawrence is blossoming into the star he was drafted to be. James Robinson reminded us once again that he’s an RB1. I don’t see them as a true danger in the playoffs just yet, but at the bare minimum, they’re exciting to watch. Jacksonville can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
11. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
Lost 20-12 vs Rams
Last Week: 10
High: 10
Low: 19
Things haven’t gone according to plan for the Cardinals. The good news is, it’s still early, DeAndre Hopkins should improve the team, and their losses have been to great teams. Still, when a team hands out a mega contract to a QB, they expect more than 12 points. Through 3 weeks, they’re averaging less than 21 points per game, and they have a -25 point differential.
12. Cleveland Browns (2-1)
Won 29-17 vs Steelers
Last Week: 25
High: 12
Low: 17
Are the Browns legitiamtely good? They have Brissett under center, and the Steelers are a shell of their former selves, but 29-17 is 29-17. The run game is relentless and Brissett continues to put up excellent backup QB numbers. The veteran journeyman may be playing himself from backup to bridge QB status.
13. Indianapolis Colts (1-1-1)
Won 20-17 vs Chiefs
Last Week: 30
High: 13
Low: 30
I said this earlier when I wrote about the Chiefs, but I’m still trying to figure out what even are the Colts? Sure they had active receivers this week, but going from losing 24-0 to Jacksonville to beating the Chiefs 20-17? 1-1-1 is as average as it gets, but this team is anything but consistently average.
14. Detroit Lions (1-2)
Lost 28-24 vs Vikings
Last Week: 18
High: 14
Low: 28
Through 3 weeks, the Lions have outscored every team in the league except the Ravens. They’ve struggled defensively, but they just held Justin Jefferson in check. It’s weird looking at the Lions as a legitimate contender in the division, but the best point differential in the NFC North is +3 (GB, MIN). Detroit is +2. They may be the only 1-2 team, but they’re right there. They lost to the Eagles and Vikings by a combined 7 points.
15. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2)
Lost 38-10 vs Jaguars
Last Week: 3
High: 3
Low: 15
OK, now it’s time to worry about the run game. 5 players combined for 26 yards on 12 carries. Justin Herbert is playing hurt, and it shows. But he was second leading rusher with just 1 carry for 7 yards! The man needs help! Herbert is good enough to compensate for a weak run game, but a hurt Herbert can’t compensate for a non-existent one.
16. Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
Won 23-16 vs Giants
Last Week: 22
High: 16
Low: 26
How ‘Bout Them Cowboys??? We’re all thinking it, so I’m just going to say it. They look better with Cooper Rush than with Dak Precott. There. How much better? Jerry Jones was enthusiastically welcoming a QB controversy. Jerry has always been something of a renegade, but there’s showing public appreciation in your backup QB, and then there’s straight up declaring a lack of faith in your starter. As the saying goes, how you get ’em is how you lose ’em, and Dak’s days may be numbered if Cooper keeps this up. Cooper Rush. What a name. Guy sounds like the starting QB for a high school team on a CW show.
17. New York Giants (2-1)
Lost 23-16 vs Cowboys
Last Week: 14
High: 14
Low: 17
Welp, so much for Sterling Shepard season. Another ACL tear in a season that’s already had too many. The poor guy was really starting to look sharp, too. Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones combined for 160 rushing yards and a TD on 23 carries. Unfortunately, Jones wasn’t able to do enough with his arm. He looked like the RB all the haters say Lamar Jackson is.
18. New England Patriots (1-2)
Lost 37-26 vs Ravens
Last Week: 16
High: 16
Low: 29
The Ravens are a tough draw. It’s tough to outgun their offense, especially when Mac Jones throws 3 picks and no touchdowns. He did manage to find the endzone on the ground, as did Harris and Stevenson. DeVante Parker couldn’t find the endzone, but he did manage to rack up 156 yards on just 5 catches.
19. San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
Lost 11-10 vs Broncos
Last Week: 12
High: 12
Low: 19
Once again, injuries are catching up to this talented roster. It feels like they lose another starter every quarter. Talanoa Hufanga has been an absolute menace in the defensive backfield, and Jeff Wilson filled in admirably at RB, with 12 carries for 75 yards. 10 points doesn’t win many football games. Neither does 11 though. That defense has to be gutted after the offense wasted such a great performance. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky had almost 100 more yards than the entire offense. 52 of 53 players on the team aren’t proud of that.
20. Washington Commanders (1-2)
Lost 24-8 vs Eagles
Last Week: 19
High: 16
Low: 20
Carson Wentz comeback season was fun while it lasted. The QB played like the guy who’s lost his job twice. At least Curtis Samuel is still doing well. Punter Tress Way put up 420 yards on 8 punts for a blazing 52.5 yard average.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
Won 27-12 vs Jets
Last Week: 23
High: 10
Low: 23
The Bengals recorded more sacks than they allowed! They only gave up 2 this game. It’s amazing what happens when your QB stays upright. Burrow went 23/36 for 275 and 3 scores. Tyler Boyd reminded everyone he’s still a threat, with 4 catches for 105 and a TD. It was a cupcake opponent, but regardless, Cincy has to feel good to get a win. It’s been a long time. Now they can focus on chasing their division opponents.
22. Tennessee Titans (1-2)
Won 24-22 vs Raiders
Last Week: 24
High: 22
Low: 24
After last week’s beat down, this squad deserved a win. Derrick Henry still isn’t back to full force, but 20 carries for 85 and a score isn’t a bad outing. He also added 58 receiving yards. Between Tannehill, Henry, and Robert Woods, the Titans offense is centered around a trio of rapidly aging, rapidly depreciating assets. They don’t look good enough to win with this squad, and the youngsters aren’t ready to take over yet.
23. Carolina Panthers (1-2)
Won 22-14 vs Saints
Last Week: 26
High: 21
Low: 26
CMC is back, but Baker is struggling. Under 50% completion percentage, under 200 passing yards, and just 1 TD. If this keeps up, Sam Darnold might find his way back into the starting lineup. No receiver had more than 2 catches, but Laviska Shenault put up 90 yards and a score on just 2 receptions.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2)
Lost 29-17 vs Browns
Last Week: 17
High: 11
Low: 24
This was a game Pittsburgh really needed. The Browns will likely only be better the next time these teams meet, and George Pickens had maybe the greatest catch since OBJ broke the internet. Mitch Trubisky continues to play like a backup QB, so it may only be a matter of time before Kenny Pickett gets a shot.
25. New Orleans Saints (1-2)
Lost 22-14 vs Panthers
Last Week: 21
High: 20
Low: 25
Alvin Kamara looked good for the most part, although he seemed to be on a bit of a pitch count, coming back from injury. Jameis did as Jameis does, throwing for 353… with 1 TD and 2 INTs. Chris Olave and Tre’Quan Smith both went over 100 receiving yards, while Michael Thomas had a decent 5 catches for 49 yards. The defense is decent, but they need help form the offense. All that green yardage, but not enough points to show for it.
26. Denver Broncos (2-1)
Won 11-10 vs 49ers
Last Week: 20
High: 20
Low: 26
I know I’m moving them down after a win, but they have the second lowest scoring offense in the league, with a paltry 43 points through 3 weeks. Only the Colts, who got shut out without their top 2 WRs last week, have been worse, scoring 40 points so far. Denver became the first team to punt 10+ times and win since… the Broncos in 2016, when they beat Jacksonville. Eli Manning said that the Broncos should have paid their punter $235 million instead of Russell Wilson, and he’s not entirely wrong. Russell totaled 201 yards between passing and rushing, while punter Corliss Waitman more than doubled him, with 476 yards, downing 6 of 10 punts inside the 20. Denver sent the farm for Russell Wilson, and somehow got worse at the quarterback position. This might go down as the worst trade since Herschel Walker.
27. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
Won 27-23
Last Week: 31
High: 27
Low: 31
Hooray!!!! Not only did the Falcons win a close game, but they even held a lead for the entire 4th quarter! The NFL isn’t much for moral victories, but considering how much choking this franchise has endured in the past several years, this has to be seen as a huge win. Cordarelle Patterson flipped off Father Time on his way to the endzone, averaging 8.3 yards per carry on 17 attempts for 141 yards and a score. Kyle Pitts shook off some off-season rust and led the team with 87 receiving yards.
28. Seattle Seahawks (1-2)
Lost 27-23 vs Falcons
Last Week: 27
High: 22
Low: 28
Imagine not making a 4th quarter comeback on the Atlanta Falcons. Geno Smith was more active than usual, throwing 32/44 for 325 with 2 TDs and 1 INT. He also spread the ball around, finding 10 different targets.The run game was highly successful, if underused. Rashad Penny led the way with 14 carries at 4.7 ypc. All the other RBs averaged over 6 yards per carry.
29. Chicago Bears (2-1)
Won 23-20 vs Texans
Last Week: 29
High: 15
Low: 29
The Bears are easily the worst 2-1 team in the league. They barely squeaked by the 49ers in a monsoon, and they needed a 4th quarter field goal to get by the Texans. Justin Fields was awful, going 8/17 for 106 yards and a pair of picks, with no TDs. He also got sacked 5 times. The real saving grace was backup RB Khalil Herbert who stepped in for David Montgomery and carried the rock 20 times for 157 yards and both of the team’s touchdowns.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (0-3)
Lost 24-22 vs Titans
Last Week: 11
High: 8
Low: 30
Are they the new Falcons? I can’t keep making excuses for them anymore. They’re the only 0-3 team in the league. They can hang with just about anyone, but they can’t finish in a sport where all that matters is the final score. Everything else looks good on paper, Carr was okay, the run game was excellent, and Mack Hollins had 8 catches for 158 and a TD. He even threw a 4-yard pass. At the end of the day though, good teams win. Until the Raiders can do that, they’re simply not a good team.
31. New York Jets (1-2)
Lost 27-12 vs Bengals
Last Week: 28
High: 28
Low: 32
Joe Flacco threw the ball 52 times, and didn’t eclipse 300 yards, nor did he find the endzone. As a matter of fact, no one did. The team had to rely on 4 field goals from Greg Zuerlein to avoid a shutout. Zach Wilson is expected to return soon, but the young, raw QB may not be much of an upgrade yet.
32. Houston Texans (0-2-1)
Lost 23-20 vs Bears
Last Week: 32
High: 27
Low: 32
The Texans are winless, but at least the Dameon Pierce hype train is back on the tracks again. 20 carries for 80 yards and a score isn’t much but it’s not bad for a rookie in a bad offense. Shout out to punter Cameron Johnston, who downed all 5 of his punts inside the 20.
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