Welcome to the 2017 NFL Power Rankings – Week 3
Here we are…three weeks into the NFL Season. Join our podcast hosts Brandon and Erick as they rank each team based off of what happened in Week 2.
Agree, disagree? We want to hear your thoughts. Chime in below or on Facebook!
Where did your team end up?
- Tier 1 – Hail to these Chiefs (1-5)
- Tier 2 – The Almost Contenders (6-11)
- Tier 3 – There’s a Chance! (12-17)
- Tier 4 – Bad…but Not-Bad! (18-25)
- Tier 5 – Congrats, You Played Yourselves (26-32)
Click here for Week 2 Rankings
Tier 1 – Hail to these Chiefs
1. Kansas City Chiefs 
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W, 27-20 vs Eagles
Next Game: Week 3 @ Chargers
Last Week: 2
Brandon: KC looks like the best team in the league through two weeks. Alex Smith is playing like a top-5 qb for first time in his career.
Erick: A lot of nice weapons on offense, and a great defense…… besides Andy Reid, what’s not to like?
2. Oakland Raiders
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W, 45-20 vs Jets
Next Game: Week 3 @ Washington
Last Week: 4
B: Every Raiders fan is feeling like dancing Marshawn Lynch after Week 2. Dominating a Jets team is exactly what they needed to do.
E: The Raiders are Rollin’ on offense. They might not need much from their defense if they keep playing like this on offense.
3. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W, 34-23 vs Packers
Next Game: Week 3 @ Lions
Last Week: 8
B: Falcons are proving there is no Super Bowl hangover, destroying the Packers on SNF. This offense looks back on track after a sub-par Week 1.
E: The Falcons were able to get back on track after beating the Packers, and are the team to beat in the NFC right now.
4. New England Patriots 
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W, 36-20 @ Saints
Next Game: Week 3 vs Texans
Last Week: 3
B: New England got back on track by spanking the Saints. The injuries continue to pile up though, but I can’t doubt Brady.
E: What a way to bounce back for the Pats, who knew all this offense needed was to play against the Saints horrible defense.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers 
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W, 26-9 vs Vikings
Next Game: Week 3 @ Bears
Last Week: 5
B: The Steelers have won their first two games, but haven’t looked as dominant as I thought. Still waiting for the Le’Veon and Big Ben breakout games.
E: Le’Veon hasn’t gotten off to a great start, but that just means the Steeler can get better. This Steelers team is going to be a nightmare once the offense is in midseason form.
Tier 2 – The Almost Contenders
6. Denver Broncos
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W, 42-17 vs Cowboys
Next Game: Week 3 @ Bills
Last Week: 12
B:Denver’s defense was never in doubt. Now that Siemian has proved that he can play a little bit, the Broncos are right there.
E: I’m still not ready to hop on the Siemian train, but if he holds his on, the Broncos are for real.
7. Green Bay Packers
Record: 1-0
Last Game: W, 17-9 vs Seahawks
Next Game: Week 2 @ Falcons
Last Week: 1
B: Not too sure if this Packers team is as good as we thought. They put themselves in a big hole last week, and didn’t have the firepower to get out of it.
E: The Packers need to get more out of their run game if they want to get back on top.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 1-0
Last Game: W, 29-7 vs Bears
Next Game: Week 3 @ Vikings
Last Week: 11
B: The Bucs looked impressive against a weak Bears team. They are one game behind, so their flaws may not have been exposed yet.
E: The Week 1 bye week didn’t slow the Bucs down, but then again, they played the Bears. Either way the Bucs came out swinging.
9. Tennessee Titans
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W, 37-16 @ Jaguars
Next Game: Week 3 vs Seahawks
Last Week: 16
B: Mariota not doing much, but he doesn’t need to. The defense looks stout while the offense is coming along slowly.
E: The Titans got back on track against the Jags, and looked like a much better team, than the one that played the Raiders last week. They get the Seahawks at home next, and the way the Seahawks are playing right now, this should be a win.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L, 17-42 @ Broncos
Next Game: Week 3 @ Cardinals (MNF)
Last Week: 6
B: Looked very beatable last week after an impressive Week 1 performance. Zeke hasn’t had his best Zeke game yet.
E: The Broncos might have given the Cowboys the kick in the ass they needed, to make sure they don’t regress. I wouldn’t worry too much about the Cowboys, and I expect them to bounce back this week against the struggling Cardinals.
11. Detroit Lions
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W, 24-10 @ Giants (MNF)
Next Game: Week 3 vs Falcons
Last Week: 15
B: The Lions are the biggest early season surprise, in a good way. Matt Stafford earning that paycheck so far, leading the league in TDs (6).
E: Matthew Stafford got paid this off-season, and paid the Lions back with one of his typical 4th quarter comebacks to get the DUB.
Tier 3 – There’s a Chance!
12. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W, 24-10 vs Browns
Next Game: Week 3 @ Jaguars (London)
Last Week: 10
Brandon: Baltimore defense fantastic yet again as they start 2-0. What is their reward? Fly to London in Week 3 and play the Jags.
Erick: I guess it might be time for me to start believing in Flacco, and the Ravens. Flacco’s health will continue to be huge, but he looks good so far.
13. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W, 12-9 vs 49ers
Next Game: Week 3 @ Titans
Last Week: 7
B: Seattle’s offensive line looked putrid against the 49ers. No running game as of yet to take the pressure off Wilson.
E: The O-line is atrocious, and they almost lost to the 49ers at home. If that doesn’t drop you down in the rankings, I don’t know what will.
14. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L, 9-26 @ Steelers
Next Game: Week 3 vs Buccaneers
Last Week: 9
B: Tell me if you’ve heard this before: This season relies on the health of Sam Bradford. Oh you have? Then you know how it ends.
E: Even when Sam Bradford returns, this team is going to be a QB away from being one of the serious contenders this season.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L, 20-27 @ Chiefs
Next Game: Week 3 vs Giants
Last Week: 17
B: Carson Wentz looks solid, but needs to hold on to the football better. This division is VERY winnable, and this is their chance.
E: If the Eagles can stop turning the ball over, they might be able to challenge the Cowboys to win the NFC East.
16. Carolina Panthers
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W, 9-3 vs Bills
Next Game: Week 3 vs Saints
Last Week: 14
B: The worst 2-0 team around by far. Carolina has holes everywhere, and Cam looks like a rookie out there.
E: The Panthers still haven’t looked like they have figured out the offense, but they still won another one. This looks like one of the worst 2-0 teams I have seen in a while.
17. Miami Dolphins
Record: 1-0
Last Game: W, 19-17 @ Chargers
Next Game: Week 3 @ Jets
Last Week: 13
B: The Dolphins took advantage of a Chargers team that loves to lose close games. Cutler’s hail mary attempt was hilarious at least.
E: The Dolphins got away with one against the Chargers, but hey at least Jay Cutler didn’t look terrible.
Tier 4: Bad….but Not Bad
18. Buffalo Bills 
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L, 3-9 @ Panthers
Next Game: Week 3 vs Broncos
Last Week: 22
Brandon: While the Bills struggle to score points, their defense is keeping them in games. The Bills were one decent throw from Tyrod away from being 2-0.
Erick: The Bills already look like a much better team than last year. I guess addition by subtraction definitely was the case when it came down to the Bills, and Rex Ryan.
19. Houston Texans
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W, 13-9 @ Bengals (TNF)
Next Game: Week 3 @ Patriots
Last Week: 18
B: Deshaun Watson is finally in, so this season is a wrap, but in a good way. Time to get his feet wet as an NFL starter.
E: The Texans Defense was able to hold the Bengals to Zero TD’s, which isn’t that hard to do right now. But the Texans as a team haven’t shown enough to be taken seriously yet.
20. Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L, 17-19 vs Dolphins
Next Game: Week 3 vs Chiefs
Last Week: 18
B: I thought this couldn’t happen again. I thought, “there was no way the Chargers would lose close games again two years in a row”. I was wrong and I apologize.
E: The Chargers are a good field goal kicker away from being 2-0. If they can figure the kicking game out, they can get to 10 wins, and have a shot at the playoffs.
21. Washington Football Team
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W, 34-27 @ Rams
Next Game: Week 3 vs Raiders
Last Week: 24
B:I think I’m more upset that the Rams couldn’t close the deal at home than impressive with Washington winning on the road. Chris Thompson looks like a fantasy steal.
E: They Beat a tough Rams Defense on the road, but Cousins, and Washington’s offense still doesn’t seem to be back to last year’s form.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L, 16-37 vs Titans
Next Game: Week 3 vs Ravens (London)
Last Week: 21
B: Jags were who we THOUGHT they were! (RIP Denny Green). If your team is relying on Blake Bortles to come back from anything more than a -7 point deficit, then you’re in trouble.
E: The Jags are going to move up in the rankings after games that they don’t need Bortles, and move down in the ranking after games where they need Bortles to come through.
23. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L, 34-27 vs Washington
Next Game: Week 3 @ 49ers (TNF)
Last Week: 23
B: Just when I believed in the Rams for one second, they blow a game at home. Goff going through growing pains, telegraphing a game-sealing INT.
E: The Rams’ defense is still doing their thing. This team should be better, but they’re not. I see the Rams losing a lot of close games this season.
24. New York Giants
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L, 10-24 vs Lions (MNF)
Next Game: Week 3 @ Eagles
Last Week: 19
B: Wow. The biggest surprise to me, in a bad way. The Giants look awful. No running game, Eli looks old and McAdoo looks in way over his gel-drenched head.
E: Brandon’s favorite team got beaten at home, even with OBJ. This offense is going to struggle to put up points even with OBJ back, Eli doesn’t even look like a backup QB right now.
25. New Orleans Saints
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L, 20-36 vs Patriots
Next Game: Week 3 @ Panthers
Last Week: 26
B: The Adrian Peterson drama will continue to lead this team until there is a resolution. Just cut the guy so Brees can throw to Kamara.
E: The Saints Defense is still awful. This is great news for Drew Brees Fantasy Football Owners, because this team is going to be playing from behind all year long.
Tier 5 – Congrats, You Played Yourself
26. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L, 9-13 vs Texans (TNF)
Next Game: Week 3 @ Packers
Last Week: 27
B: I have a feeling the Bengals will continue to fall, and fast. Reports are teammates are already asking for Kaepernick to replace Dalton.
E: Dalton is lost out there, and doesn’t seem to be on track to figure it out. It’s time to bench Andy, even if it’s just for a game or two. At this point you might as well see what AJ McCarron has to offer.
27. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L, 9-12 @ Seahawks
Next Game: Week 3 vs Rams (TNF)
Last Week: 30
B: Solid performance by the defense in Week 2, which is more than I can say for the offense. Aside from Carlos Hyde (115 yards), this offense looks asleep and lacks spark, producing zero touchdowns and 12 points.
E: The 49ers got the dreaded “Moral Victory” last week, by hanging in there with the Seahawks on the road. The 49ers defense looks to be much improved, but the offense might have even gotten worse, if you can believe that.
28. Cleveland Browns
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L, 10-24 @ Ravens
Next Game: Week 3 @ Colts
Last Week: 25
B: One week after looking like a real football team, the Browns had to play a wide receiver at QB, due to injuries, and he didn’t look that bad!
E: The Browns are already 0-2 in their Division, and Deshone Kizer was pulled from last week’s game due to a migraine. The one positive is the Browns are on track to receive a high draft pick in a QB stacked draft next year.
29. Chicago Bears
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L, 7-29 @ Buccaneers
Next Game: Week 3 vs Steelers
Last Week: 28
B: What are the Bears doing? Start the rook and let’s see what the kid’s got!
E: The Bears hung in there with the Falcons at home, but got smacked around by the Bucs, and got sent back to reality on the road. Fire Fox, and bring in Trubiski, or bring in Trubiski, and fire Fox. Either way Fox won’t be back in 2018.
30. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W, 16-13 @ Colts
Next Game: Week 3 vs Cowboys (MNF)
Last Week: 29
B: The Cards escaped the tough confines of Indy with a victory in OT. The QB match up of Carson Palmer and Jacoby Brissett was breathtaking.
E: The Cards are still not good, but at least they were able to prove that they’re better than the Colts, but that’s not saying much.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L, 13-16 vs Cardinals (OT)
Next Game: Week 3 vs. Browns
Last Week: 31
B: They have already ruled out Andrew Luck for Week 3. Anyways…
E: They Colts might be worse than the Jets, but at least they have their QB of the future (even if he’s not playing right now)
32. New York Jets
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L, 20-45 @ Raiders
Next Game: Week 3 vs Dolphins
Last Week: 32
B: Hey. Cheer up Jets fans. It’s almost basketball season! You can always root for the Kni– Oops.
E: Still the bottom of the barrel, still NO QB, and still NO HOPE
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