Welcome to the Week 3 NFL Power Rankings. After two weeks a lot of rankings make the same mistake. They rank the 2-0 teams everyone thought was good, following by the 2-0 teams people didn’t believe in and sprinkle in a few 1-1 teams who are expected to be contenders. Where’s the fun in relying on priors?
In Cowboys Wire’s Week 3 rankings the focus is on current performance. We throw away whatever convnentional wisdom there may be and work with what has been presented to the viewing public. After all, if those preseason predictions come to fruition, there will be plenty of time for the supposed cream of the crop to rise back up.
Here’s a look at what’s happening going into the weekend. Buckle up.
32
Carolina Panthers (0-2)
Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) passes before being hit by Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
31
Denver Broncos (0-2)
Sep 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) prepares to pass in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
30
New York Giants (0-2)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8), is shown on the ground after being sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (not shown) in the first quarter. Sunday, September 10, 2023
29
Washington Commanders (1-1)
Sep 15, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the third quarter against the New York Giants at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
28
Los Angeles Rams (0-2)
Sep 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to pass in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
27
Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Browns defeated the Jaguars 18-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
26
Tennessee Titans (0-2)
Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA;Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) under center motions against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
25
Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)
Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
24
Chicago Bears (1-1)
Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) after turning the ball over on downs against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
23
Miami Dolphins (1-1)
Dec 25, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) stands on the field during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
22
Indianapolis Colts (0-2)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) rushes in for a touchdown Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston
21
Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) takes the field for warm ups prior to a Week 2 NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
20
New England Patriots (1-1)
Sep 19, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) gets sacked hard by New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44) in the 4th quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
19
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
Dec 11, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws the ball during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports
18
Atlanta Falcons (1-1)
Sep 16, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
17
Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
16
San Francisco 49ers (1-1)
Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws during the first quarter of a NFC divisional round game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
15
Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to pass the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
14
New York Jets (1-1)
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws against the Tennessee Titans during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.
13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) at the end of the Detroit Lions game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. Buccaneers won 20-16.
12
Detroit Lions (1-1)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) takes the field against Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
11
Green Bay Packers (1-1)
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is shown during the first quarter of their game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
10
Los Angeles Chargers (2-0)
Sep 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) behind center Bradley Bozeman (75) during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
9
Baltimore Ravens (0-2)
Jul 27, 2023; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) smiles at a fan with Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken standing in the background following training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports
8
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)
Sep 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
7
Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) walks off the field high-fiving fans after a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
6
Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
Oct 11, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before his game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
5
Seattle Seahawks (2-0)
Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) makes a throw in the second quarter of a wild card game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
4
Minnesota Vikings (2-0)
Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) reacts after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
3
Buffalo Bills (2-0)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 17: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills scrambles during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Highmark Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
2
Houston Texans (2-0)
Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes against the Chicago Bears in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
1
New Orleans Saints (2-0)
Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) takes a pitch from quarterback Derek Carr (4) in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
