1. L.A. Rams (3-0)
Previous rank: 2
Football can be cruel. Let’s see how the dream team survives without Talib and Peters. Our guess: well enough. The Rams are still stacked.
2. Kansas City (3-0)
Previous rank: 4
Pat Mahomes has 13 touchdowns, zero picks and limitless potential. If only that defense would kick it up a notch. Even just a little would help a lot.
3. Philadelphia (2-1)
Welcome back, Carson.
4. Jacksonville (2-1)
Previous rank: 3
Bortles went for 375 yards and four touchdowns last week against New England. Then he went right back to his below-average self. When does Fournette get back?
5. Tampa Bay (2-1)
Previous rank: 1
They were first last week to make a point. We like teams that freaking go for it. Fitzpatrick plays with zero fear, which was clear after he threw three picks and still got the Bucs on the verge of a massive comeback. Hope Jameis likes holding clipboards.
6. New Orleans (2-1)
Previous rank: 13
Maybe the Saints don’t need to play defense. Outscore ‘em like they always do.
7. New England (1-2)
Previous rank: 6
Something’s weird in Foxborough. Maybe not forever, but, right now, the Pats are off kilter.
8. Miami (3-0)
Previous rank: 17
Gotta move ‘em with an unbeaten record, but I just saw the Dolphins up close. Still don’t think they’re legit.
9. Baltimore (2-1)
Previous rank: 14
Might this squad fit a Ravens mold? Great defense with an efficient, smart attack wins football games.
10. Green Bay (1-1-1)
Previous rank: 7
Clay Matthews says the NFL’s getting soft. Let the man play defense. Or, if no defense is allowed, the Pack’s in good shape with Aaron Rodgers.
11. Carolina (2-1)
Previous rank: 15
Christian McCaffrey is running through NFL defenses just like he did for Stanford at the college level.
12. L.A. Chargers (1-2)
Previous rank: 9
Bolts have lost to a pair of excellent teams. They need Joey Bosa back, like, stat.
13. Denver (2-1)
Previous rank: 11
That’s the Case Keenum we all expect. Or maybe the top-ranked Ravens defense brought the Broncos down a peg.
14. Atlanta (1-2)
Previous rank: 12
Matt Ryan had five touchdowns and lost. Bad beat for a good team.
15. Cincinnati (2-1)
Previous rank: 10
Bengals miss Joe Mixon already.
16. Pittsburgh (1-1-1)
Previous rank: 16
Mike Tomlin believes a single win – which they almost blew to Tampa Bay – can turn things around. Maybe not with Le’Veon Bell chillin’ at the pad, or Antonio Brown flipping out after every loss.
17. Chicago (2-1)
Can the Bears survive on Khalil Mack alone? Real truth: Maybe.
18. Washington (2-1)
Previous rank: 22
This is a wonky week for power rankings. There will be lots of 1-2 teams above. I’ve pledged allegiance to Alex Smith several times in this space. That still stands. Can’t figure Washington out just yet. Maybe they’ll be as good as Adrian Peterson allows them to be.
19. Tennessee (2-1)
Previous rank: 20
The Titans won without scoring a touchdown. With Blain Gabbert for a while and then with a Marcus Mariota playing without feeling in his hand. Again, give Mike Vrabel a medal.
20. Detroit (1-2)
Previous rank: 28
Matt Patricia stuck it to his mentor on national television. Got Belichick to concede he got outcoached. Lions finally roared.
21. 49ers (1-2)
Previous rank: 19
First McKinnon. Then the Ken doll quarterback. Did Kyle Shannahan step on a crack while walking under a ladder while a black cat crossed his path? Brutal turn for the 49ers.
22. Cleveland (1-1-1)
Previous rank: 30
Baker unlocked victory fridges all across Cleveland. The Land acted like they won the Super Bowl. Maybe less for the win and more for the fact Baker’s the real deal.
23. Seattle (1-2)
Previous rank: 26
Love, love, love that Earl Thomas said he won’t practice even with the smallest nick. Pay the man. Or trade him. Or deal with the defiance and let him get two interceptions. Either way.
24. Indianapolis (1-2)
Previous rank: 21
Colts don’t have much talent. Plain and simple.
25. Dallas (1-2)
Previous rank: 25
Zeke took the blame for a loss to the Seahawks. All those yards don’t matter when you let go of the football.
26. N.Y. Jets (1-2)
Previous rank: 24
Hope Jets fans enjoyed that season opener. Could prove a rare moment to smile.
27. N.Y. Giants (1-2)
Previous rank: 27
Saquon Barkley averaged 4.8 yards per carry. OBJ hit triple digits. Our advice is give those two the ball every freaking time.
28. Buffalo (1-2)
Previous rank: 32
Bills secured the largest upset in 23 years. On the road, no less. Against a Super Bowl contender. With a rookie quarterback and no LeSean McCoy. That, my friends, is why they play the games.
29. Houston (0-3)
Previous rank: 24
Deshaun Watson got it rolling a bit in this one. Don’t think the Texans will be down for long, but…0-3 is 0-3.
30. Raiders (0-3)
Previous rank: 27
Gruden’s crew is one of three winless squads. Wow. Didn’t see that coming. This team has no killer instinct.
31. Cardinals (0-3)
Previous rank: 31
Josh Rosen got the call to start on Monday. Original plan abandoned. Yeah, it’s gotten that bad that quick.
32. Minnesota (1-1-1)
Previous rank: 5
This is like when a great kid gets grounded. The Vikings are a really, really good team. But there are consequences for losing to the Bills.
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