NFL Power Rankings: Week 3 (2023)
The first two weeks of a wild 2023 NFL season are officially in the books. Week 2 was another drama-filled week, featuring multiple thrilling games (e.g. Seahawks vs Lions), along with a few teams that appear to be at the cream of the crop right now in the NFL.
For the first time this season, the Dallas Cowboys are #1 in my power rankings, as they enter Week 3 with a 2-0 record and a +60 point differential. Dallas has had many great teams over the last couple of years and they haven't made a deep playoff run since the '90s. But I must say, they are definitely looking like Super Bowl contenders right now.
Let's see how all 32 teams in the league stack up entering Week 3!
1. Dallas Cowboys (+1 from last week)
The Cowboys are coming off a dominant win over the Jets in Week 2. Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb combine to make up one of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the league, while their defence led by Micah Parsons is downright scary for opposing offences to go up against. They'll try to go to 3-0 this week when they take on the lowly Arizona Cardinals in Arizona on Sunday.
2. San Francisco 49ers (-1 from last week)
The 49ers drop from 1 to 2 in my power rankings, but that's more because of the fact that the Cowboys have just been so dominant in the first two weeks. It wasn't easy for them against the Rams last Sunday, but led by Christian McCaffrey and their defence (which picked off Matthew Stafford two times), they managed to get the job done. Up next is their home opener tonight against the Giants on "Thursday Night Football".
3. Miami Dolphins (same as last week)
The Dolphins got a huge win over the Patriots to improve to 2-0 for the second consecutive season. After going for over 200 receiving yards in Week 1, Tyreek Hill was held to just 40 receiving yards against the Pats, but Miami was still able to win behind great performances from Tua Tagovailoa and Raheem Mostert. Next, the Dolphins will try to go to 3-0 as they host the Broncos in their home opener.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (same as last week)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (same as last week)
6. Baltimore Ravens (+1 from last week)
The Ravens managed to pull off a big road upset in Week 2, as they defeated the two-time defending AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati. Lamar Jackson was awesome, making jaw-dropping throws all over the field. The Ravens will have a solid shot of improving to 3-0 when they host the Colts this Sunday.
7. Buffalo Bills (+5 from last week)
I know, I know, the Bills beat a bad Raiders team, but it was the way that they did so that moved them up five spots in my power rankings for this week. Josh Allen played a safer, more efficient brand of football, the running game led by James Cook and Damien Harris was dominant, and their defence made things very difficult for a talented Raiders offence. The Bills will now head to Washington to take on the Commanders in what should be a fun one.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (-2 from last week)
The Jaguars had a chance to make a huge statement when they played the Chiefs last week, but instead, they fell flat on their faces at home. Trevor Lawrence and the offence managed just 9 points and 271 yards of total offence. However, their defence played very well, which was impressive considering the fact that they were going up against Patrick Mahomes. They should be able to take care of the rebuilding Texans this week at home.
9. Detroit Lions (-1 from last week)
The Lions were unable to sustain their Week 1 momentum, as they fell at home to the Seahawks in a classic overtime shootout. Jared Goff's insane streak of not throwing an interception finally came to an end, but the offence isn't the problem in Detroit; it's the defence, which gave up 37 points and will now have to play without their star defensive back C.J. Gardener Johnson, who could potentially miss the rest of the season. That "Motor City" defence will have a very tough task of slowing down Bijan Robinson and the Falcons' offence on Sunday.
10. Atlanta Falcons (+8 from last week)
Speaking of the Falcons, they head into Week 3's matchup with the Lions fresh off a great come-from-behind victory over the Packers. Star rookie running back Bijan Robinson was absolutely spectacular, but quarterback Desmond Ridder also made some huge plays with his arm and his legs to help Atlanta pull off the comeback at home. The Falcons are now 2-0 for the first time since 2017.
11. New Orleans Saints (+3 from last week)
The Saints haven't exactly played elite teams in their first two games of the season (they played the Titans in Week 1 and the Panthers in Week 2), but at the end of the day, a win is a win and that's all the Saints have been doing so far in 2023. The defence has unsurprisingly played lights out, but the offence led by Derek Carr has been struggling mightily without Alvin Kamara, and they will once again play without their Pro Bowl running back this week when they take on the Packers in Green Bay.
12. Seattle Seahawks (+9 from last week)
Seattle makes a huge jump in this week's rankings after they went to Detroit and pulled out a close win over the Lions. Geno Smith and the offence bounced back really well after their lackluster Week 1 performance against the Rams, while the defence made just enough plays to help secure the victory. They'll try to go to 2-1 on the season when they host the Panthers on Sunday afternoon.
13. Cincinnati Bengals (-2 from last week)
The Bengals are coming off a tough loss to the Ravens, which means they are 0-2 for the second consecutive season. But the difference this season is that Joe Burrow is injured; the star quarterback reportedly reaggravated a calf injury that he initially suffered in training camp in last week's loss. If Burrow is compromised, there's no other way around it; the Bengals' 2023 season (which began with so much promise) is already over.
14. Cleveland Browns (-5 from last week)
Not only did the Browns lose to the Steelers (their 20th consecutive loss in Pittsburgh in the regular season) in Week 2, but now their All-Pro running back Nick Chubb is out for the rest of the season after suffering a gruesome injury during the game. Their defence is definitely much improved from 2022 but without Chubb, Cleveland's playoff hopes now rest on quarterback Deshaun Watson's arm, which if the game against the Steelers is any indication, isn't good news for the Browns.
15. Washington Commanders (+9 from last week)
It's time that this Washington team gets their respect. They were down 21-3 against the Broncos in Denver last week, and they didn't blink, as they responded with a 32-12 run to win a wild game. Sam Howell is playing very well to start the season, with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy putting the offence in great positions to excel. We'll get a good glimpse of how good this Commanders team is when they host Josh Allen and the Bills on Sunday afternoon.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (+4 from last week)
The Steelers managed to avoid the dreaded 0-2 start with a home win over the Browns on "Monday Night Football". The T.J. Watt-led defence made some huge plays to win that game, but the Steelers' offence lacks a true identity right now. They can't run the ball well at all, and their passing game has been very erratic as well. A road matchup with the 1-1 Raiders on "Sunday Night Football" is up next.
17. Green Bay Packers (-2 from last week)
The Packers had a 24-12 lead over the Falcons on Sunday before they completely collapsed on both sides of the ball and lost the game. Jordan Love played well once again, but they struggled to both run the ball and stop the run on defence in Week 2. Perhaps playing in front of the home fans at Lambeau Field for the first time this season against the Saints will help Green Bay get back on track.
18. Los Angeles Chargers (-5 from last week)
The Chargers continued to "charger" as they blew a late lead against the Titans last week. Justin Herbert and the offence look very good with new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore calling the shots, but this defence has big issues. Head coach Brandon Staley (who has a defensive background) could be on the hot seat if the Chargers don't beat the Vikings (who are also 0-2, more on them later) on Sunday.
19. Tennessee Titans (+3 from last week)
A week after they scored just 15 points against the Saints, the Titans dropped 27 points on the Chargers in their home opener to get their first win of the season. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill played much better than he did in Week 1, which is obviously huge for their offence moving forward. Next, they'll take on the now Nick Chubb-less Browns in Cleveland on Sunday.
20. New York Jets (-10 from last week)
Predictably, the Jets struggled against the Cowboys in Week 2, losing 30-10. The offence looked completely out of sync with Zack Wilson under center and because of that, their elite defence was on the field for most of the game, which all adds up to a blowout loss. The Jets haven't beaten the New England Patriots since 2015, but they'll try to defeat their longtime AFC East foe this Sunday at home.
21. Minnesota Vikings (-2 from last week)
Last season, the Vikings finished with an 11-0 record in one score (games decided by one score or less) during the regular season. But this season, their record in such contests is 0-2. The Kirk Cousins-Justin Jefferson combination is as good as it's ever been, but their running game is horrible and their defence is putrid. They have a potentially season-altering game this week at home against the Chargers.
22. Los Angeles Rams (-6 from last week)
The Rams put up a great fight against a superior 49ers team last week, but they fell just short in the end. However, led by Matthew Stafford and rookie sensation Puca Nacua, the Rams' offence is looking pretty good right now even without All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Sean McVay's squad will try to go back over .500 when they take on the Bengals in a Super Bowl 56 rematch on Monday night.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4 from last week)
The Buccaneers are 2-0 and tied for first place in the NFC South entering Week 3. Who would've thought! Baker Mayfield has played great so far in his first two games in a Buccaneer jersey, while their talented defence has played at a high level. The Bucs have a tough one this week, as they stay at home to face the defending NFC champion Eagles on "Monday Night Football"
It's official: The Patriots are in big trouble. They've played well in their first two games against the Eagles and Dolphins respectively, but at the end of the day, they lost both of those games. Bill Belichick's defence is good once again, but the offence under Mac Jones is not. Jones is far from the biggest issue on this team right now, but as the quarterback, he needs to help the offence start faster in games. Let's see if they can do that this week on the road against a stout Jets defence.
25. New York Giants (+1 from last week)
The Giants are 1-1, but they needed a 21-point comeback just to defeat a horrible Cardinals team last week. This team has been outscored 31-68 in two games this season, and now, star running back Saquon Barkley will probably be out for the next couple of weeks with an ankle injury. They will take on a very good 49ers team tonight on "Thursday Night Football".
26. Las Vegas Raiders (-3 from last week)
The Raiders came back down to earth in Week 2, as they got destroyed by the Bills. The offence has a lot of talented players, but the defence simply does not (outside of All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby). And because of that, this team is just way too one-dimensional. Up next, Vegas will play host to the Steelers in a vintage AFC throwback rivalry matchup on Sunday night.
27. Denver Broncos (-2 from last week)
The Broncos continue to choke away leads. In Week 1, they held a 16-10 lead over the Raiders in the 4th quarter before eventually losing, 17-16, in the final minutes. Last week was even worse, as they had an 18-point lead over the Commanders in the 2nd quarter before losing that one 35-33. That "Mile High City" defence has its work cut out for them against an explosive Miami offence this week.
28. Indianapolis Colts (+2 from last week)
The Colts managed to get their first win of the season against the Texans, even though rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson got injured early in the game. Richardson is still in concussion protocol as of this writing, so there's a good chance he won't play on Sunday against the Ravens.
29. Carolina Panthers (-1 from last week)
The Panthers suffered a tough loss to the Saints on "Monday Night Football" last week, as the offence under rookie quarterback Bryce Young still predictably is going through plenty of growing pains. Once the Panthers make a real effort to add some talented playmakers for Young, this team will begin to take off. But for now, they are stuck in the cellar dweller in the NFC South.
30. Arizona Cardinals (+2 from last week)
The Cardinals finally get out of the basement in my power rankings. It appeared as if Arizona was going to win their first game of the season when they had leads of 20-0 and 28-7 over the Giants in Week 2, but ultimately, they weren't able to hang on at home. Regardless, it's clear throughout the first two games of the season that new head coach Jonathan Gannon will have his team ready to play each and every week, which is really all you could ask for if you're a Cardinals fan right now.
31. Houston Texans (same as last week)
The Texans fell short in Week 2, losing by 10 points to the Colts at home. However, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud continued to show flashes of being a franchise quarterback, as he threw for 384 yards and 2 touchdown passes. Stroud will take on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence for the first time on Sunday in what could be the start of the next great rivalry in the AFC South.
32. Chicago Bears (-3 from last week)
This franchise is a complete dumpster fire right now. First, Justin Fields told reporters on Wednesday that he feels restricted when he's on the field ("robotic" is the term that he used), putting the blame on his coaches. Then, Fields backtracked and took accountability for his poor play, something he should've done in the first place. Also complicating things is that Alan Williams, their defensive coordinator, resigned from his position yesterday, as the defence gets set to play Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on Fox's nationally televised "America's Game of The Week". At this moment, I'd say that it's not the greatest time to have stock in the Bears.
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