by Vegas Writer
Thursday, Sep 28, 2023Who are these Miami Dolphins, and why are they the best team in football?
I certainly think they can leapfrog the field, but I'm going to keep it tame for now and give them a respectful boost up the ladder.
After their annihilation of the Denver Broncos last week, the Dolphins are the 12th team in the last 20 years to be 3-0 SU and against the spread (ATS), but be listed as an underdog in their fourth game. And those previous 11 teams in the same role, they went 2-9 SU and 3-8 ATS as an underdog.
Miami is catching between 2 1/2 and 3 from the Bills in Buffalo this week.
Let's get started with this week's rankings, which get quite the shake-up after last week's bottom-feeding teams winning:
THE UPPER TIER
1. Philadelphia (3-0) - The Eagles' 14-point road win in Tampa keeps the defending NFC champs atop the list. This week they host division-rival Washington in a game they have to be careful in not getting trapped. (Last week 1)
2. Kansas City (2-1) - I'm not sure what the bigger story was last week, the Chiefs finally breaking out of their offensive shell, or a swarm of Swifties buying Travis Kelce jerseys. Heads-up, Taylor Swift is confirmed to attend this week's game at the Meadowlands. (Last week 2)
3. San Francisco (3-0) - If you were to ask me who will be in the Super Bowl representing the NFC, I'd have to say I've been more impressed by the 49ers than the Eagles. This might be the most balanced team in the conference. (Last week 3)
4. Miami (3-0) - And if you ask me to name an opponent for the 49ers from the AFC, I think the Dolphins have been the most impressive on the junior circuit with balance on both sides of the ball. This game in Buffalo will tell us plenty. (Last week 6)
5. Buffalo (2-1) - The Bills didn't disappoint last week, following their blowout win over Las Vegas with another big showing against the Commanders. As I said above, this visit from the Dolphins will tell us plenty. (Last week 7)
6. Cincinnati (1-2) - It was quite telling to see the Bengals respond Monday night, with quarterback Joe Burrow hobbling about. This team could become scary once the offense catches up to its defense. (Last week 8)
7. Dallas (2-1) - The Cowboys were 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. Then they lost 28-16 in Arizona. Ouch! (Last week 4)
8. Baltimore (2-1) - How the Ravens lost at home to Indianapolis is beyond me. It drives them down a few slots on the rankings, and now they face a tough road test in Cleveland. (Last week 5)
9. Seattle (2-1) - After losing the season opener at home, the Seahawks have won two in row, coming from behind to win in Detroit and then blasting Carolina in Seattle last week. A trip to the Meadowlands for a Monday night showdown against the Giants could reveal more. (Last week 11)
10. Detroit (2-1) - The Lions responded to a disappointing home loss to the Seahawks by flexing their defensive muscles and shutting down Atlanta. If they plan on taking over the NFC North, the Lions better roar at Lambeau. (Last week 12)
11. L.A. Chargers (1-2) - Los Angeles was lucky to come out of the Twin Cities. Some may say this team should be 0-3, but it's all about finding ways to come away with a win. This week should be easier against the hapless Raiders. (Last week 13)
12. Cleveland (2-1) - The Browns took care of Tennesee quite easily last week, but this week's visit against Baltimore will be a different story. Something to be said about having one of the stingiest defenses in the league. (Last week 14)
13. Green Bay (2-1) - Jordan Love had career highs in completions (22) passing yards (259), and had his first-career game with both a passing and rushing TD in Week 3. Love has a TD pass in each of his first 4 career starts. (Last week 15)
14. N.Y. Jets (1-2) - Another loss by the Jets and it's quite clear how tough of a season this will be unless they bring someone in to quarterback the offense. Zach Wilson will make a great QB coach in Provo someday, but he's not the answer for the Jets. (Last week 9)
15. Jacksonville (1-2) - Okay, so maybe the Jaguars aren't the next AFC South powerhouse. Shocked by what was one of the two worst teams in the league, the Jags now have to travel abroad. Will they be in the lower tier next week? (Last week 10)
16. Pittsburgh (2-1) - The Steelers received an assist from Raiders coach Josh McDaniels last week, there's no doubt about it. But it's hard to argue how the Black and Gold is finding ways to win and could find themselves in first place after Sunday. (Last week 17)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. New Orleans (2-1) - Let's see how this team performs while Derek Carr is sidelined. (Last week 16)
18. New England (1-2) - The Pats got their first win over a tattered and torn Jets team. They face the angry Cowboys this week. (Last week 23)
19. Minnesota (0-3) - The Vikings' demise is no shock to me whatsoever. See what happens when you play a tough schedule? (Last week 18)
20. N.Y. Giants (1-2) - Only dropping the Giants one slot considering they lost to the best team in the NFC. (Last week 19)
21. Washington (2-1) - Last week I asked if the Eric Bienemy factor was kicking in with the Commanders? Then they couldn't find the end zone. (Last week 20)
22. Atlanta (2-1) - I still don't know what to think of Desmond Ridder. This week's trip to London could reveal plenty. (Last week 21)
23. Tampa Bay (2-1) - Only a one-slot drop for a team that lost to the defending NFC champs. (Last week 22)
24. Indianapolis (2-1) - Anthony Richardson gets sidelined, and the Colts go into Baltimore and win outright. (Last week 28)
25. Las Vegas (1-2) - The Raiders may or may not have the worst coach in the NFL. (Last week 24)
26. Denver (0-3) - Winless under Sean Payton and the Broncos just allowed more points in one game than 18 other teams have allowed through three weeks. (Last week 25)
27. Tennessee (1-2) - I knew the Titans' overtime win over the Chargers was a fluke. (Last week 27)
28. Houston (1-2) - I told you last week the Texans were better than their 0-2 record and that they'd click at some point. They did. (Last week 31)
29. Arizona (1-2) - Looks like the Cardinals learned their lesson about blowing a big lead. From disaster vs. the Giants to an upset of the Cowboys. (Last week 32)
30. L.A. Rams (1-2) - A short week for the Rams, who travel to Indianapolis for what will be a tough test vs. a Colts team off a win. (Last week 29)
31. Carolina (0-3) - The Panthers might find themselves at the bottom of this list within the next few weeks. Things are bad in Charlotte. (Last week 26)
32. Chicago (0-3) - I was afraid this was going to happen. I do hope Justin Fields finds a better home. (Last week 30)
I certainly think they can leapfrog the field, but I'm going to keep it tame for now and give them a respectful boost up the ladder.
After their annihilation of the Denver Broncos last week, the Dolphins are the 12th team in the last 20 years to be 3-0 SU and against the spread (ATS), but be listed as an underdog in their fourth game. And those previous 11 teams in the same role, they went 2-9 SU and 3-8 ATS as an underdog.
Miami is catching between 2 1/2 and 3 from the Bills in Buffalo this week.
Let's get started with this week's rankings, which get quite the shake-up after last week's bottom-feeding teams winning:
THE UPPER TIER
1. Philadelphia (3-0) - The Eagles' 14-point road win in Tampa keeps the defending NFC champs atop the list. This week they host division-rival Washington in a game they have to be careful in not getting trapped. (Last week 1)
2. Kansas City (2-1) - I'm not sure what the bigger story was last week, the Chiefs finally breaking out of their offensive shell, or a swarm of Swifties buying Travis Kelce jerseys. Heads-up, Taylor Swift is confirmed to attend this week's game at the Meadowlands. (Last week 2)
3. San Francisco (3-0) - If you were to ask me who will be in the Super Bowl representing the NFC, I'd have to say I've been more impressed by the 49ers than the Eagles. This might be the most balanced team in the conference. (Last week 3)
4. Miami (3-0) - And if you ask me to name an opponent for the 49ers from the AFC, I think the Dolphins have been the most impressive on the junior circuit with balance on both sides of the ball. This game in Buffalo will tell us plenty. (Last week 6)
5. Buffalo (2-1) - The Bills didn't disappoint last week, following their blowout win over Las Vegas with another big showing against the Commanders. As I said above, this visit from the Dolphins will tell us plenty. (Last week 7)
6. Cincinnati (1-2) - It was quite telling to see the Bengals respond Monday night, with quarterback Joe Burrow hobbling about. This team could become scary once the offense catches up to its defense. (Last week 8)
7. Dallas (2-1) - The Cowboys were 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. Then they lost 28-16 in Arizona. Ouch! (Last week 4)
8. Baltimore (2-1) - How the Ravens lost at home to Indianapolis is beyond me. It drives them down a few slots on the rankings, and now they face a tough road test in Cleveland. (Last week 5)
9. Seattle (2-1) - After losing the season opener at home, the Seahawks have won two in row, coming from behind to win in Detroit and then blasting Carolina in Seattle last week. A trip to the Meadowlands for a Monday night showdown against the Giants could reveal more. (Last week 11)
10. Detroit (2-1) - The Lions responded to a disappointing home loss to the Seahawks by flexing their defensive muscles and shutting down Atlanta. If they plan on taking over the NFC North, the Lions better roar at Lambeau. (Last week 12)
11. L.A. Chargers (1-2) - Los Angeles was lucky to come out of the Twin Cities. Some may say this team should be 0-3, but it's all about finding ways to come away with a win. This week should be easier against the hapless Raiders. (Last week 13)
12. Cleveland (2-1) - The Browns took care of Tennesee quite easily last week, but this week's visit against Baltimore will be a different story. Something to be said about having one of the stingiest defenses in the league. (Last week 14)
13. Green Bay (2-1) - Jordan Love had career highs in completions (22) passing yards (259), and had his first-career game with both a passing and rushing TD in Week 3. Love has a TD pass in each of his first 4 career starts. (Last week 15)
14. N.Y. Jets (1-2) - Another loss by the Jets and it's quite clear how tough of a season this will be unless they bring someone in to quarterback the offense. Zach Wilson will make a great QB coach in Provo someday, but he's not the answer for the Jets. (Last week 9)
15. Jacksonville (1-2) - Okay, so maybe the Jaguars aren't the next AFC South powerhouse. Shocked by what was one of the two worst teams in the league, the Jags now have to travel abroad. Will they be in the lower tier next week? (Last week 10)
16. Pittsburgh (2-1) - The Steelers received an assist from Raiders coach Josh McDaniels last week, there's no doubt about it. But it's hard to argue how the Black and Gold is finding ways to win and could find themselves in first place after Sunday. (Last week 17)
THE LOWER TIER:
17. New Orleans (2-1) - Let's see how this team performs while Derek Carr is sidelined. (Last week 16)
18. New England (1-2) - The Pats got their first win over a tattered and torn Jets team. They face the angry Cowboys this week. (Last week 23)
19. Minnesota (0-3) - The Vikings' demise is no shock to me whatsoever. See what happens when you play a tough schedule? (Last week 18)
20. N.Y. Giants (1-2) - Only dropping the Giants one slot considering they lost to the best team in the NFC. (Last week 19)
21. Washington (2-1) - Last week I asked if the Eric Bienemy factor was kicking in with the Commanders? Then they couldn't find the end zone. (Last week 20)
22. Atlanta (2-1) - I still don't know what to think of Desmond Ridder. This week's trip to London could reveal plenty. (Last week 21)
23. Tampa Bay (2-1) - Only a one-slot drop for a team that lost to the defending NFC champs. (Last week 22)
24. Indianapolis (2-1) - Anthony Richardson gets sidelined, and the Colts go into Baltimore and win outright. (Last week 28)
25. Las Vegas (1-2) - The Raiders may or may not have the worst coach in the NFL. (Last week 24)
26. Denver (0-3) - Winless under Sean Payton and the Broncos just allowed more points in one game than 18 other teams have allowed through three weeks. (Last week 25)
27. Tennessee (1-2) - I knew the Titans' overtime win over the Chargers was a fluke. (Last week 27)
28. Houston (1-2) - I told you last week the Texans were better than their 0-2 record and that they'd click at some point. They did. (Last week 31)
29. Arizona (1-2) - Looks like the Cardinals learned their lesson about blowing a big lead. From disaster vs. the Giants to an upset of the Cowboys. (Last week 32)
30. L.A. Rams (1-2) - A short week for the Rams, who travel to Indianapolis for what will be a tough test vs. a Colts team off a win. (Last week 29)
31. Carolina (0-3) - The Panthers might find themselves at the bottom of this list within the next few weeks. Things are bad in Charlotte. (Last week 26)
32. Chicago (0-3) - I was afraid this was going to happen. I do hope Justin Fields finds a better home. (Last week 30)
