by Vegas Writer
Thursday, Sep 21, 2023The San Francisco 49ers might be the best team in the NFL, in terms of all-around, complete package.
We saw another solid effort Thursday night in their 30-12 win over the New York Giants.
Unfortunately, I'm not moving them up until the Philadelphia Eagles or Kansas City Chiefs stumble.
We're going to get a lot of NFL questions answered after Week 3, with some early pivotal matchups.
Let's get started with this week's rankings.
THE UPPER TIER
1. Philadelphia (2-0) - The Eagles travel to Tampa Bay for a Monday Night Football showdown that features Week 4's only battle of unbeaten teams. Tampa Bay has won each of its last four against Philadelphia, including the postseason. Will Philly stay atop the rankings? A win is necessary. (Last week 1)
2. Kansas City (1-1) - The tandem was back for Week 2, as Patrick Mahomes passed for 305 yards with two touchdowns while tight end Travis Kelce had four receptions and his first touchdown catch of the season in the Chiefs' 17-9 win at Jacksonville. (Last week 2)
3. San Francisco (2-0) - Christian McCaffrey had 135 scrimmage yards. This week he gets a defense that has allowed a league seventh-highest 273 yards rushing. (Last week 3)
4. Dallas (2-0) - The Cowboys are the fifth team in the Super Bowl era to score at least 70 points and allow 10 or fewer points through its first two games of a season. (Last week 4)
5. Baltimore (2-0) - Lamar Jackson appears to be in MVP form, as he comes into Week 3 after totaling 291 yards (237 passing, 54 rushing) with two touchdown passes and no interceptions for a 112.8 rating in the Ravens' 27-24 win at Cincinnati. (Last week 6)
6. Miami (2-0) - Have to like the way the offense has utilized tight end Durham Smythe, as he's been an efficient addition for this potent offense. On the other side of the ball, hard to ignore Andrew Van Ginkel's impact. (Last week 7)
7. Buffalo (1-1) - The Bills' response to the opening-week disaster was impressive on one hand, as they looked competent all around, led by AFC Player of the Week Josh Allen, who threw for 274 yards and three TDs. On the other hand, it was against the Raiders. (Last week 8)
8. Cincinnati (0-2) - From No. 3, to No. 5, to No. 8. This team's digression shouldn't come as a surprise. The one bright spot from Sunday was rookie wide receiver Charlie Jones returning a punt 81 yards for a touchdown. (Last week 5)
9. N.Y. Jets (1-1) - A thumping by the Cowboys brought New York back down to reality after the Week 1 victory and the news Aaron Rodgers would miss the season. A visit from the winless Patriots should help this week. (Last week 9)
10. Jacksonville (1-1) - A tough loss to the Chiefs last week, but just as I did after they won in Week 1, I'm leaving them where they're at after a loss in Week 2. This will be a telling week. (Last week 10)
11. Seattle (1-1) - Now I'm really baffled with this team. How it came back to win in Detroit is beyond me, but let's move them higher in time for Week 3. The ascension should continue with the Panthers arriving. (Last week 15)
12. Detroit (1-1) - Quite a collapse last week against the Seahawks. I'm still trying to figure out if the Seattle actually won that game, or if the Lions lost. Detroit has a chance to flex its muscles this week against Atlanta. (Last week 11)
13. L.A. Chargers (0-2) - Justin Herbert continues to rack up the milestones, as he now has 23 career games with at least 300 passing yards, third-most by a player in his first four seasons. Now if only he could lead the Bolts to a win. (Last week 12)
14. Cleveland (1-1) - Let's face it, the Browns should be 2-0. Let's face it, if you can't close out games, you're not going to last long. The Browns could have their hands full with the Titans this week. (Last week 13)
15. Green Bay (1-1) - Jordan Love, in his third-career start, recorded three touchdown passes with no interceptions for a 113.5 rating on Sunday. A shame the way the Packers folded late. (Last week 14)
16. New Orleans (2-0) - I'm giving the Saints the benefit of the doubt because they're 2-0. They get to move into the upper tier of the power rankings, but I'm quickly losing faith in this offense. I don't actually know if it's any good. (Last week 17)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. Pittsburgh (1-1) - Never doubt Mike Tomlin. The Steelers with a much-needed win last week. (Last week 18)
18. Minnesota (0-2) - Is the absence of Shane Steichen being felt? (Last week 16)
19. N.Y. Giants (1-1) - Incredible comeback in Glendale could provide boost. (Last week 19)
20. Washington (2-0) - Is the Eric Bienemy factor kicking in with this team? (Last week 21)
21. Atlanta (2-0) - I don't know what to think of Desmond Ridder. (Last week 22)
22. Tampa Bay (2-0) - Who needs Tom Brady? (Last week 25)
23. New England (0-2) - One of the least efficient offenses in the league with just 4.5 yards per play. (Last week 20)
24. Las Vegas (1-1) - The Raiders open their home schedule Sunday night. Can they beat Tomlin and the Steelers? (Last week 23)
25. Denver (0-2) - This is a major do-or-die week for the Broncos in Miami. (Last week 24)
26. Carolina (0-2) - The Panthers will be on hiatus from young Bryce Young's growing pains as Andy Dalton gets the nod this week. (Last week 26)
27. Tennessee (1-1) - Big win for the Titans last week, in OT against the Chargers. (Last week 29)
28. Indianapolis (1-1) - Anthony Richardson continues to be a work in progress, unfortunately, the progress is on hold as he's in concussion protocol and will not start this week. (Last week 30)
29. L.A. Rams (1-1) - The Rams face a tough back-to-back gauntlet the next two weeks, in Cincy and Indy. Is 1-3 in their future? (Last week 27)
30. Chicago (0-2) - I don't want to give up faith in Justin Fields, but... (Last week 28)
31. Houston (0-2) - The Texans are better than their record, and at some point it'll click. (Last week 31)
32. Arizona (0-2) - How does a team blow a 20-0 halftime lead at home? Oh yeah, it's the worst team in the league. (Last week 32)
We saw another solid effort Thursday night in their 30-12 win over the New York Giants.
Unfortunately, I'm not moving them up until the Philadelphia Eagles or Kansas City Chiefs stumble.
We're going to get a lot of NFL questions answered after Week 3, with some early pivotal matchups.
Let's get started with this week's rankings.
THE UPPER TIER
1. Philadelphia (2-0) - The Eagles travel to Tampa Bay for a Monday Night Football showdown that features Week 4's only battle of unbeaten teams. Tampa Bay has won each of its last four against Philadelphia, including the postseason. Will Philly stay atop the rankings? A win is necessary. (Last week 1)
2. Kansas City (1-1) - The tandem was back for Week 2, as Patrick Mahomes passed for 305 yards with two touchdowns while tight end Travis Kelce had four receptions and his first touchdown catch of the season in the Chiefs' 17-9 win at Jacksonville. (Last week 2)
3. San Francisco (2-0) - Christian McCaffrey had 135 scrimmage yards. This week he gets a defense that has allowed a league seventh-highest 273 yards rushing. (Last week 3)
4. Dallas (2-0) - The Cowboys are the fifth team in the Super Bowl era to score at least 70 points and allow 10 or fewer points through its first two games of a season. (Last week 4)
5. Baltimore (2-0) - Lamar Jackson appears to be in MVP form, as he comes into Week 3 after totaling 291 yards (237 passing, 54 rushing) with two touchdown passes and no interceptions for a 112.8 rating in the Ravens' 27-24 win at Cincinnati. (Last week 6)
6. Miami (2-0) - Have to like the way the offense has utilized tight end Durham Smythe, as he's been an efficient addition for this potent offense. On the other side of the ball, hard to ignore Andrew Van Ginkel's impact. (Last week 7)
7. Buffalo (1-1) - The Bills' response to the opening-week disaster was impressive on one hand, as they looked competent all around, led by AFC Player of the Week Josh Allen, who threw for 274 yards and three TDs. On the other hand, it was against the Raiders. (Last week 8)
8. Cincinnati (0-2) - From No. 3, to No. 5, to No. 8. This team's digression shouldn't come as a surprise. The one bright spot from Sunday was rookie wide receiver Charlie Jones returning a punt 81 yards for a touchdown. (Last week 5)
9. N.Y. Jets (1-1) - A thumping by the Cowboys brought New York back down to reality after the Week 1 victory and the news Aaron Rodgers would miss the season. A visit from the winless Patriots should help this week. (Last week 9)
10. Jacksonville (1-1) - A tough loss to the Chiefs last week, but just as I did after they won in Week 1, I'm leaving them where they're at after a loss in Week 2. This will be a telling week. (Last week 10)
11. Seattle (1-1) - Now I'm really baffled with this team. How it came back to win in Detroit is beyond me, but let's move them higher in time for Week 3. The ascension should continue with the Panthers arriving. (Last week 15)
12. Detroit (1-1) - Quite a collapse last week against the Seahawks. I'm still trying to figure out if the Seattle actually won that game, or if the Lions lost. Detroit has a chance to flex its muscles this week against Atlanta. (Last week 11)
13. L.A. Chargers (0-2) - Justin Herbert continues to rack up the milestones, as he now has 23 career games with at least 300 passing yards, third-most by a player in his first four seasons. Now if only he could lead the Bolts to a win. (Last week 12)
14. Cleveland (1-1) - Let's face it, the Browns should be 2-0. Let's face it, if you can't close out games, you're not going to last long. The Browns could have their hands full with the Titans this week. (Last week 13)
15. Green Bay (1-1) - Jordan Love, in his third-career start, recorded three touchdown passes with no interceptions for a 113.5 rating on Sunday. A shame the way the Packers folded late. (Last week 14)
16. New Orleans (2-0) - I'm giving the Saints the benefit of the doubt because they're 2-0. They get to move into the upper tier of the power rankings, but I'm quickly losing faith in this offense. I don't actually know if it's any good. (Last week 17)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. Pittsburgh (1-1) - Never doubt Mike Tomlin. The Steelers with a much-needed win last week. (Last week 18)
18. Minnesota (0-2) - Is the absence of Shane Steichen being felt? (Last week 16)
19. N.Y. Giants (1-1) - Incredible comeback in Glendale could provide boost. (Last week 19)
20. Washington (2-0) - Is the Eric Bienemy factor kicking in with this team? (Last week 21)
21. Atlanta (2-0) - I don't know what to think of Desmond Ridder. (Last week 22)
22. Tampa Bay (2-0) - Who needs Tom Brady? (Last week 25)
23. New England (0-2) - One of the least efficient offenses in the league with just 4.5 yards per play. (Last week 20)
24. Las Vegas (1-1) - The Raiders open their home schedule Sunday night. Can they beat Tomlin and the Steelers? (Last week 23)
25. Denver (0-2) - This is a major do-or-die week for the Broncos in Miami. (Last week 24)
26. Carolina (0-2) - The Panthers will be on hiatus from young Bryce Young's growing pains as Andy Dalton gets the nod this week. (Last week 26)
27. Tennessee (1-1) - Big win for the Titans last week, in OT against the Chargers. (Last week 29)
28. Indianapolis (1-1) - Anthony Richardson continues to be a work in progress, unfortunately, the progress is on hold as he's in concussion protocol and will not start this week. (Last week 30)
29. L.A. Rams (1-1) - The Rams face a tough back-to-back gauntlet the next two weeks, in Cincy and Indy. Is 1-3 in their future? (Last week 27)
30. Chicago (0-2) - I don't want to give up faith in Justin Fields, but... (Last week 28)
31. Houston (0-2) - The Texans are better than their record, and at some point it'll click. (Last week 31)
32. Arizona (0-2) - How does a team blow a 20-0 halftime lead at home? Oh yeah, it's the worst team in the league. (Last week 32)
