NFL Strength Rankings, Week 3: A brand contemporary No. 1! Steelers, Seahawks hit prime 5

It looks to occur every year. Hurt Week. It’s consistently grisly, and it is simplest becoming that the 2020 edition gave the impact severely merciless.

As a bushel of superstars exit the image — either temporarily or unless subsequent season — we’re drag to look substantial adjustments: Within the NFL, in your yarn league — and yes — here on the Strength Rankings.

Old detrimental: No. 2

The Ravens are unfair gorgeous now. The working game returned to its dominant programs against the Texans, piling up 230 yards, along side the game-icing 30-yard reveal-snap Trace Ingram touchdown on fourth-and-1. The intention and execution — in that put of the game — tells you every little thing it would be wanted to know about this crew and the boldness it is playing with. The passing game became as soon as deadly, as successfully, as Lamar Jackson connected on 75 percent of his passes to nine rather a few targets. Did I mention the defense smothered Deshaun Watson and had a rating of its possess? That January playoff loss to the Titans is extinct historical past. Right here’s the supreme, most entire crew within the NFL gorgeous now.

Old detrimental: No. 1

Sunday’s rating over the Chargers became as soon as a reminder here is a entire crew, no longer correct a bunch of satellites within the orbit of the big and strong Patrick Mahomes. It became as soon as the defense and particular groups that closed out L.A. Steve Spagnuolo’s unit forced a three-and-out to initiate extra time, constructing Harrison Butker’s 58-yard discipline intention to rating it. Ravens All-Pro Justin Tucker aloof has my vote for supreme kicker within the universe, but that final sequence of Butker drilling 50-plus-yard discipline intention after discipline intention officially puts Tucker on be conscious (although the closing kick became as soon as the supreme one who in fact counted).

Old detrimental: No. 3

In Week 1, we were reminded of the greatness that aloof exists internal Aaron Rodgers. On Sunday, we were reminded that AARON JONES SCORED 19 TOUCHDOWNS LAST YEAR. Queer how that didn’t earn unparalleled pub for the interval of the ramp-as a lot as 2020. Jones tore up the Lions, changing into the 2nd Packers participant since no less than 1950 with 200-plus scrimmage yards and three touchdowns in a game. He powered a Packer crew that has now scored extra than 40 facets in reduction-to-reduction video games to initiate the season. One verbalize to tune: Davante Adams exited the rating with a hamstring field. If he were forced to crawl away out time or play at a compromised stage, Green Bay’s attack will undergo. We’re aloof seeing too many performs left on the discipline by the other Packers pass-catchers.

Old detrimental:  No. 7

The Steelers portray a take hold of-your-poison verbalize for opposing defenses gorgeous now. 2d-round take hold of Hotfoot Claypool had an 84-yard touchdown against the Broncos and has been an instant incompatibility-maker by two weeks. Diontae Johnson is on his close to a substantial season, and JuJu Smith-Schuster has his mojo reduction after a 2019 that fizzled within the reduction of accidents and miserable QB play. Which takes us to Ben Roethlisberger, who ignored most of closing season but by some means managed to shut reduction as precisely the similar participant he became as soon as earlier than his gorgeous elbow imploded. No acclimation interval wanted for Colossal Benjamin. The Steelers are horrifying.

Old detrimental:  No. 8

We have to aloof correct let the Patriots and Seahawks play per week. That is it. That is the entire league. Seattle completed on the a success pause of an SNF insta-classic, and it became as soon as a immense intention-line discontinue of Cam Newton within the final seconds that salvaged an in another case advanced day for the defense. Thankfully, the Seahawks obtain their very possess necessary particular person quarterback in Russell Wilson, and it is sure to us that the 31-year-veteran is playing on the supreme stage of his profession gorgeous now. Wilson threw five touchdown passes, the usage of impeccable contact and his patented rainbow arc to take hold of on everybody within the Contemporary England secondary — Stephon Gilmore included. Speaking of Gilmore, DK Metcalf’s performance against the reigning Defensive Participant of the Year puts the the rest of the league on be conscious. A necessary particular person is born.

Old detrimental:  No. 6

The Payments are 2-0 after wins over the Jets and Dolphins, and Josh Allen — to this point, no less than — is making all his believers look clear. Right here is a stress-free stat from our NFL Compare crew: Allen is the 2nd quarterback since 1948 to throw for 700 yards and entire 70 percent of passes with zero interceptions within the necessary two weeks of a season. The different guy? Patrick Mahomes. Allen’s game has been positively lifted by the appearance of Stefon Diggs. The wideout has been rate his weight in gold, handing over a 16/239/1 line by two video games. A Week 3 showdown with the 2-0 Rams will attend as a big litmus check.

Old detrimental: No. 5

The Titans proceed to be the supreme red-zone offense in football with Ryan Tannehill on the controls. The quarterback has started the season 8-for-10 with six touchdowns and a 130.4 passer rating contained within the enemy 20-yard line. Tannehill became as soon as stellar modern unparalleled all over the put on the discipline against the Jaguars, averaging a whopping 10.0 yards per strive (up from 5.8 in Week 1 in Denver) and matching a profession high with four touchdown passes. His most impressive throw came slack within the third quarter, when he absorbed a substantial shot from Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen and dropped a beautifully positioned 18-yard touchdown pass into the fingers of Adam Humphries. Tannehill is a more sturdy dude than he gets credit rating for being.

Old detrimental: No. 10

The Rams are now 27-0 in video games they’ve led at halftime below Sean McVay. Distinction that with a crew worship the Lions, who’re 2-7-1 in video games they’ve led by no less than 10 facets since 2019. Masses of that goes reduction to coaching, and L.A. has one among the supreme doable within the substantial chair. Misdirection, tempo, play-slip — McVay and offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell are throwing every little thing on the opposition in a bold 2-0 initiate. How various has the attack been? In Sunday’s rating over the Eagles, seven Rams had rushing makes an strive. Six avid gamers had two receptions or extra. The correct of them became as soon as tight pause Tyler Higbee, who completed with three touchdown grabs delivered by a locked-in Jared Goff. Who needs to play this crew gorgeous now?

Old detrimental: No. 4

“The closing two weeks were sensible at supreme.” That is how Sean Payton summed up an inauspicious initiate to a Saints season high on expectations and — so far — so-so on outcomes. On Monday night, Payton’s defense became as soon as torn up by Raiders tight pause Darren Waller, and his crew piled up 100-plus penalty yards for the 2nd straight week in a 34-24 loss. Taking half in with out Michael Thomas (ankle), the offense didn’t obtain the firepower to make a selection with the Raiders. That is no longer a sentence we expected to variety two weeks within the past. Seek facts from many of the focal point this week to stay on Drew Brees, who uncharacteristically struggled with accuracy and has now delivered two pedestrian performances to initiate up his 20th season.

Old detrimental: No. 12

Shaking off a closing-2nd loss on Sunday Night Soccer is less complicated when the easier image is in actuality easy to look. The version of Cam Newton that the Patriots grabbed off the scrap heap in July is stunningly shut to the Cam Newton who obtained MVP with the Panthers in 2015. On the least that became as soon as the stage Newton carried out at in Week 2, throwing for almost 400 yards and accounting for three touchdowns in a slim 35-30 defeat. He’s formed an instantaneous connection with Julian Edelman and even had N’Keal Harry making performs. The defense completely has work to originate — Russell Wilson did modern unparalleled whatever he wanted for four quarters — however the pairing of Invoice Belichick and Cam Newton (both men in hyper show-’em-detrimental mode) is extremely unhealthy news for Patriot Haters the arena over.

Old detrimental:  No. 11

Down 39-30 with 2: 57 to play and no timeouts, the Cowboys pulled off the unthinkable on Sunday, going TD-onside restoration-FG to obliterate the souls of the Falcons. It’s the kind of game you rating one out of 1,000 cases — Dallas’ likelihood of victory became as soon as as low as 2 percent within the fourth quarter, per Subsequent Gen Stats, and a originate worship that has a near of conserving up the entire blemishes that led as a lot as those final two minutes. To put it any other near: The Cowboys have to aloof be relaxed with their accomplishment against the Falcons, but they may be able to have to aloof be a unparalleled greater, unparalleled cleaner crew if we’re to make a selection them severely as contenders within the NFC.

Old detrimental:  No. 13

The Bucs’ offense is no longer executing at a high stage two weeks into the Tom Brady generation, nevertheless it did ample on Sunday to stable a 31-17 rating over the Panthers. On Monday, Bruce Arians stated his dilapidated QB may presumably obtain had a 400-yard passing day if no longer for the shortcomings of his receivers, who, by the coach’s count, had seven drops costing 125 yards. “Design no longer tumble the rattling ball otherwise you would no longer earn any other one. It’s easy. He ain’t gonna throw it to you.” Arians is gorgeous: Brady made loads of throws that have to aloof were layups, along side a beautifully positioned fourth-quarter lag to LeSean McCoy that became as soon as dropped within the pause zone. Gotta clear that up.

Old detrimental:  No. 14

Kyler Murray is working the ball in a near he never did for the interval of his rookie season, and it has made him one among primarily the most unhealthy avid gamers in football. A week after befuddling the Niners with his legs, he did the a lot just like the Washington Soccer Crew in an easy 30-15 rating. Murray scored on two impressive scrambles on Sunday and is currently averaging 45 extra rushing yards per game this season than he did for the interval of his Offensive Rookie of the Year advertising and marketing campaign in 2019. Within the meantime, the QB’s connection with his contemporary No. 1 receiver remains sturdy: DeAndre Hopkins led Arizona in targets (nine), receptions (eight) and receiving yards (68) for the 2nd straight game.

Old detrimental: No. 9

An all-time Pyrrhic victory for the 49ers. Carve Bosa. Solomon Thomas. Jimmy Garoppolo. Raheem Mostert. Key avid gamers wanted to the crew’s potentialities of a Shipshape Bowl return, all knocked out of Sunday’s victory over the Jets earlier than halftime. Crushingly, Bosa and Thomas were both identified with torn ACLs. Garoppolo (high ankle sprain) and Mostert (sprained MCL) obtain unclear timetables. This on a crew already with out George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and others. Taking half in in a loaded NFC West, it is laborious to look how the 49ers can protect afloat with this stage of attrition. Within the occasion that they originate, Kyle Shanahan can initiate clearing room for his Coach of the Year award gorgeous now.

Old detrimental:  No. 19

What an night for the Raiders, who opened their contemporary stadium in Vegas with an all-around effort against the Saints to circulation to 2-0 on the season. Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes and chanced on a heat safety blanket in tight pause Darren Waller, who hauled in 12 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders’ offense scored on six of their final seven possessions, and the defense settled down after a bumpy initiate to restrict a Saints attack missing necessary particular person wideout Michael Thomas. Finally, let’s give some worship to Daniel Carlson, who capped a big bounce-reduction week for kickers across the league with a 54-yard discipline intention to ice the game. The Loss of life Indispensable particular person is initiate for trade.

Old detrimental: No. 18

How correct became as soon as the Colts’ defense on Sunday? Unhurried within the third quarter, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins became as soon as sitting on a passer rating of 0.0. Severely. By the pause of the game, Minnesota had managed correct 175 yards of offense in a truly easy house rating for Indy. Rather a incompatibility from closing week, when the Colts may presumably perchance no longer even earn Gardner Minshew to throw a rattling incomplete pass. Jonathan Taylor and Mo Alie-Cox had breakout video games for the offense, and Philip Rivers led with a daily hand. The largest detrimental? Parris Campbell became as soon as carted off the discipline with a knee injury, primarily the most contemporary setback in a necessary particular person-crossed profession.

Old detrimental:  No. 25

The Browns obtain a formulation. Carve Chubb and Kareem Hunt were dominant against the Bengals on Thursday Night Soccer, combining for 210 yards on the flooring in a 35-30 rating that breathes existence reduction into the crew after Week 1’s grim result against the Ravens. The berserker act on the flooring keep Baker Mayfield in a unparalleled extra happy feature, and he spoke back with a sturdy performance that evoked memories of his standout rookie season. The quiz is that this: Can this flooring-and-pound act be replicated against a stronger crew than the rebuilding Bengals? Washington’s fearsome entrance gifts the next check in Week 3.

Old detrimental:  No. 20

That’s the reason you consistently protect prepared, teens. Justin Herbert didn’t know he became as soon as making his NFL debut unless gorgeous earlier than kickoff on Sunday, which made the ensuing performance against the defending Shipshape Bowl champion Chiefs the entire extra impressive. Herbert kept his poise and made a different of quality throws, giving the offense a spark it didn’t obtain below Tyrod Taylor in Week 1. Taylor spent portion of his Sunday in a sanatorium coping with chest anguish, but head coach Anthony Lynn stated the dilapidated will stay the starter if healthy. To which we quiz … why? Herbert is the near forward for the franchise, and he’s now proved he can learn on the job while keeping the Chargers aggressive. Tyrod Taylor is a correct man, but he’s no longer the gorgeous man for these Chargers at QB1.

Old detrimental: No. 22

The Bears are never going to be world-beaters with Mitchell Trubisky below center, but to this point, it is been correct ample for 2-0. Trubisky threw two fast touchdown passes against the Giants, and when the offense stalled out within the 2nd half, the defense took it house with a game-saving red-zone stand to stable the rating. Chicago needs Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn to lead the near on defense, and they did that on Sunday: Mack had a sack and fumble restoration, and Quinn added a sack and compelled fumble in his Bears debut. Chicago needs to pressure turnovers and shorten fields for the offense to rating video games.

Old detrimental:  No. 16

All the pieces is going detrimental for the Vikings to initiate the season. A week within the past, Aaron Rodgers embarrassed the defense. On Sunday, it became as soon as the offense’s turn to position on the dunce cap. Kirk Cousins looks to don’t obtain any connection with pass-catchers no longer named Adam, and Dalvin Cook dinner is getting buried by early deficits and blown-up game scripts. Cousins threw three interceptions (a first for the interval of his time in crimson), and the offense completed with a measly 175 total yards. Minnesota’s offense is clearly looking out for out itself on the similar time a defense loaded with contemporary faces is attempting to earn off the flooring. It is a substandard mixture that equals 0-2.

Old detrimental:  No. 15

Lopsided losses to the Chiefs and Ravens elaborate us the Texans have to no longer even within the dialog of AFC contenders gorgeous now. Houston became as soon as barely aggressive against Baltimore, pounded in every little thing of the game in a 33-16 defeat. Right here is one field of many: Deshaun Watson looks worship a necessary particular person QB adrift with out DeAndre Hopkins. Will Fuller, the fifth-year huge receiver expected to step into the No. 1 role vacated by Hopkins, completed with out a expend (or a target!) against the Ravens. Is that on Fuller? Invoice O’Brien? Truly, it is potentially a mixture of both. Up subsequent for Houston is a trip to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers, the third of the unholy terrors within the AFC. The time table-makers owe the Texans a immense solid in 2021.

Old detrimental:  No. 17

This crew needs Carson Wentz to be at his supreme gorgeous now — and that has no longer been the case to this point. You understood Wentz’s struggles extra in Week 1, when a fierce Washington pass bolt racked up eight sacks. But on Sunday against the Rams? Wentz wasn’t sacked as soon as, yet he aloof threw two picks and didn’t position collectively ample sure drives to dig Philly out of an early hole. Within the third quarter, with the Eagles in feature to make a selection the lead, Wentz fired an pause-zone pass to J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, an ailing-suggested throw that ended in a game-swinging interception by Darious Williams. Wentz needs to earn greater decisions than what we now obtain seen for the interval of an 0-2 initiate.

Old detrimental:  No. 21

Sunday’s game against the Steelers began with Drew Lock connecting with Courtland Sutton on a modern reduction-shoulder throw for a toe-tapping reception along the sideline. It ended with Lock in a sling and Sutton limping to an MRI examination to substantiate a season-ending ACL stride. Soccer may presumably perchance even be merciless. Given the calamitous injury excellent fortune, Vic Fangio’s crew deserves credit rating for striking tough on the facet road against an beautiful Steelers crew. Quiet, 0-2 is 0-2, and now backup QB Jeff Driskel shall be called upon to aid the season afloat against Tom Brady and the Bucs in Week 3. One thing tells us John Elway is no longer a stress-free particular person to be around gorgeous now.

Old detrimental:  No. 24

That became as soon as the worst Falcons loss since … successfully, . Up 20-0 on the pause of the necessary quarter and 39-24 with correct over five minutes to play within the fourth quarter at Jerrah World, Atlanta managed to kick away a game that may presumably perchance pause up defining its season. Julio Jones’ pause zone tumble, a defense that may presumably perchance no longer discontinue the bleeding, a fingers crew that refused to use them on the wanted onside kick — the goat horns were abundant. They have to be when there is a stat worship this: Since 1933, groups are now 440-1 when scoring 39-plus facets with out a turnover. Some historical past you wish fully no portion of.

Old detrimental:  No. 29

Gardner Minshew’s game-deciding interception on a tipped pass within the final minute of the Jaguars’ loss to the Titans became as soon as an unpleasant blemish in an in another case sturdy performance for the 2nd-year quarterback. Minshew is exhibiting that closing season’s theatrics were no fluke: He performs the game with poise and gets the ball into the fingers of an underrated forged of playmakers in Jacksonville. Speaking of rising playmakers, how about undrafted rookie working reduction James Robinson? He scored his first profession touchdown and went over 100 yards rushing in his 2nd game. The Jags have to aloof proceed to rating facets and protect aggressive within the massive-initiate AFC South.



Old detrimental:  No. 23

The ferocious Washington pass bolt became as soon as one among the largest tales to shut reduction out of Week 1. But getting after Carson Wentz (to the tune of eight sacks) proved to be a a lot less complicated task than containing Kyler Murray, who ran for two rankings and threw for any other in a 30-15 Cardinals victory. The easier trouble for Washington in this game came on offense, nevertheless. The Dwayne Haskins attack became as soon as stuck in fair as Arizona built a 20-0 lead by halftime. (Arizona hadn’t shut out a crew within the necessary half since 2017.) The lone interesting put became as soon as 2nd-year wideout Terry McLaurin, who completed with 125 receiving yards at a gaudy 17.9 yards per expend. Catch that man some reduction.

Old detrimental:  No. 26

The excellent on Thursday night became as soon as Joe Burrow, who didn’t blink in his prime-time debut and kept the Bengals within the game by continuing to march the offense for four quarters. Burrow didn’t throw an interception across an improbable 61 makes an strive — that’s unparalleled for a rookie making his 2nd profession initiate. Issues are less promising on the other facet of the ball, where an offseason of funding has no longer panned out so far. Carve Chubb and Kareem Hunt devoured a Cincinnati bolt defense playing with out Geno Atkins and Mike Daniels. The pass bolt wasn’t unparalleled greater: Baker Mayfield became as soon as forced on correct three makes an strive, per Subsequent Gen Stats.

Old detrimental:  No. 27

The Panthers are 0-2 and Christian McCaffrey is expected to crawl away out four to 6 weeks after struggling a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss to the Bucs. The All-Pro reduction told reporters on Monday that he hopes he can tempo up that timetable, but within the here and now, Teddy Bridgewater shall be requested to protect Carolina in Week 3 against the Chargers. Bridgewater has never been that model of quarterback, and it is gorgeous to surprise if a Panthers crew with out McCaffrey is one who will sink mercurial into irrelevance.

Old detrimental:  No. 28

The Lions don’t obtain any thought the supreme technique to shut out video games and it is miles going to earn folk fired. Detroit, which held a 14-3 advantage early within the 2nd quarter against the Packers on Sunday, dropped its fourth straight game where it had a double-digit lead, a first in NFL historical past, in line with Elias. The Lions now obtain blown seven double-digit leads in losses because the initiate of closing season. Clearly, here is a miserable reflection on head coach Matt Patricia, and the debate around his job safety will proceed to earn better with the Lions now using an 11-game losing drag relationship reduction to 2019. In fairness to Patricia, he continues to address accidents which may presumably perchance be keeping some of his supreme avid gamers off the discipline on either side of the ball. Quiet, the dearth of urgency and discipline is laborious no longer to stamp reduction to the particular person in fee.

Old detrimental:  No. 31

The Dolphins poured loads of resources into their defense to earn it greater in 2020, but we’re no longer seeing a incompatibility so far. The remade defensive position became as soon as unable to position consistent stress on Payments QB Josh Allen (417 passing yards, four TDs) and the secondary had no solutions as soon as prime cornerback Byron Jones exited with a hamstring injury on Sunday. First-round take hold of Noah Igbinoghene struggled to make a selection with Stefon Diggs, and Miami became as soon as unable to take hold of off Allen although he threw a few passes that may perchance were intercepted. This crew fights per week below Brian Flores, nevertheless it is bought work to originate to be seen as a credible playoff contender.

Old detrimental:  No. 30

Dropping Saquon Barkley to a season-ending ACL stride is nothing looking an organizational catastrophe. The veteran Penn Hiss necessary particular person may presumably very successfully be primarily the most talented working reduction to shut reduction into the league since Adrian Peterson; losing him in Week 2 is a season-crusher. Taking half in with a skill-deficient defense, the Giants already had an uphill war earlier than them this season. The premise became as soon as that a promising Barkley-led offense may presumably perchance act as a concealer for among the crucial crew’s warts. But with out Barkley? The losses are inclined to aid coming.

Old detrimental:  No. 32

Any other embarrassing effort by the Jets, this time failing to be aggressive at house against a 49ers crew ravaged by accidents. Raheem Mostert went 80 yards untouched on the necessary play from scrimmage. Later — after both Mostert and Jimmy Garoppolo exited with accidents — the 49ers picked up 55 yards on a halfback toss on third-and-31. You earn the image. Sam Darnold is helpless playing with a ragtag series of receivers who would war for taking part in time within the XFL. Adam Gase is lucky no followers are allowed within the Meadowlands this season.