An unforgettable Week 3 of football is in the books. A 70-burger. A statement win in Titletown. A chaotic-filled few days in Windy City. A historic stout for CJ Stroud. A stunning upset in The Desert.
Yep, we’ll remember Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season for years to come. And to think we’ve still got 15 weeks of the regular season left. Without further ado, let’s dive into the Week 4 edition of our power rankings.
32. Chicago Bears (30)
Is this rock bottom for the Bears? Justin Fields called out the coaches. DC Alan Williams abruptly resigned. And oh, they got annihilated 41 to 10 by the Kansas City Chiefs to fall to 0-3 on the year.
Justin Fields hasn’t shown any signs of improvement. This rebuilt defense is already miles worse than last year’s group that allowed a league-high 27.2 points per game. Through three weeks? Matt Eberflus’ unit has allowed 35.3 points per game.
Caleb Williams, anyone?
31. Denver Broncos (28)
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Russell Wilson’s improvement means nothing under Sean Payton. Not when that defense is more useless than pylons. At least a pylon would make the odd tackle or pass breakup.
Not sure why Vance Joseph is still the DC, to be honest. Giving up 70 points at this level? The second-most single-game total in league history? Pathetic. Broncos fans deserve better than this trainwreck is in Mile High City.
30. Carolina Panthers (29)
Russell Wilson’s improvement means nothing under Sean Payton. Not when that defense is more useless than pylons. At least a pylon would make the odd tackle or pass breakup.
Not sure why Vance Joseph is still the DC, to be honest. Giving up 70 points at this level? The second-most single-game total in league history? Pathetic. Broncos fans deserve better than this trainwreck is in Mile High City.
29. Minnesota Vikings (26)
You just knew it. The Vikings won 11 one-score games last year. Sure enough, they’re 0-3 to start the year, with each loss coming by a single score. Yep. The NFL is a cruel world, folks.
It’s getting tougher and tougher to find positives outside of Justin Jefferson. The running game is non-existent without Dalvin Cook. The o-line is in shambles and the defense can’t stop a nosebleed.
Anyone else get the feeling that Kirk Cousins will be traded at the deadline?
28. New York Giants (22)
If it weren’t for a miracle comeback in The Desert in Week 2, the Giants would be 0-3 and basically done for. There’s plenty of football left, but their gross efforts against Dallas and San Fran are convincing us that 2022 was simply a mirage.
Daniel Jones had five picks last year. He’s already thrown four in three games. Weren’t Darren Waller, Parris Campbell and Jalin Hyatt supposed to help him improve as a passer? Week 4 against Seattle will tell us a lot about where the Giants are headed this year.
27. Las Vegas Raiders (24)
Don’t say we didn’t warn you. We knew Jimmy Garoppolo would be a step down from Derek Carr. Lo and behold, you have an offense that has averaged 15 points per game up to this point. Inexcusable with Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs on your roster.
Josh McDaniels’ decision to kick the field goal, down eight, with 2:25 to go is a fireable offense. The Raiders never got the ball back from Pittsburgh. Someone tell us how a so-called offensive guru makes that decision. It isn’t adding up.
26. Arizona Cardinals (32)
So uh…maybe Arizona won’t win the Kyler Murray sweepstakes? First-year head coach Jonathan Gannon picked up his first W on Sunday, with the Redbirds stunning the heavily-favored Dallas Cowboys 28-16.
This after Arizona lost its first two games by a combined seven points. They’d be 3-0 with Kyler Murray. Not saying Arizona will be a playoff team, but fans gotta love how Gannon is already getting so much out of a short-handed roster.
25. Houston Texans (31)
This just in: CJ Stroud is the real deal. He picked up his first NFL win by leading Houston to a stunning upset over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Duval County, tossing 280 yards and two touchdowns.
Stroud is flying under the radar with an unprecedented start as a rookie.
And DeMeco Ryans is sure getting a lot out of that young defense. Could Houston be a surprise playoff contender in the loaded AFC? We’ll get a better idea when they host the Steelers this Sunday.
24. New York Jets (20)
Hey look! The Jets lost to the Patriots again! Who saw that coming?
Robert Saleh’s D once again kept the Jets in the contest, but this team had little hope with Zach Wilson. I think it’s about tiime they give up on the former 2nd overall pick. He just doesn’t have it.
If we’re the Jets, we’re calling the Vikings to ask about Kirk Cousins. At this point, what to they have to lose?
23. Tennessee Titans (18)
The Titans stood no chance against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Ryan Tannehill was sacked five times and tossed just 104 yards on 25 pass attempts. Derrick Henry had 20 rushing yards…on 11 carries.
To be frank, we don’t know why the Titans are still being overly loyal to Tannehill. How about giving Will Levis a shot? They have nothing to lose.
22. New England Patriots (27)
It certainly wasn’t pretty…but for now…the Patriots saved their season with a 15-10 win in Gotham. They’re certainly going to have to be better on offense however, with Dallas and New Orleans next on the schedule — and the Bills and Dolphins to close out October.
21. Los Angeles Rams (16)
It was a solid effort for the Rams, but unfortunately for them, effort doesn’t show in the standings. Only wins and losses.
And so the Rams are 1-2 through three games, with a couple tough losses to the 49ers and Bengals. They still look like a team that can challenge for a playoff spot in the NFC. And they should be getting Cooper Kupp back soon. If they can hang in there until then, who knows? Maybe these Rams surprise us and make some noise in January.
20. Washington Commanders (14)
Well, the shine on Sam Howell has quickly worn off. Four interceptions. Nine sacks and an ugly 37-3 home loss to the Buffalo Bills. I guess that’s what happens when you actually face an elite team.
In more concerning news, Ron Rivera’s usually-stout D has allowed 28.7 points per game through three weeks. That mark has to come way down if Washington is to compete for a playoff berth — especially if Howell’s first two starts were truly mirages.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (25)
In a showdown of “Two teams that always find amazing ways to blow it”, it was the Bolts who escaped with a heart-pounding 28-24 road win over the Vikings. Kenneth Murray Jr. saved the day with an end zone interception off of Kirk Cousins to prevent the 0-3 start.
On a less positive note: What is Brandon Staley doing? If the Chargers don’t climb above .500 soon, Staley should be the first NFL coach to be shown the door this year.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (11)
We hate overreacting this early. But the Jaguars are now 1-2 and could easily be 0-3. This was supposed to be a team ready to take the next step after reaching the Divisional Round a year ago.
They were outclassed by a rebuilding Houston team at home in Week 1. Trevor Lawrence isn’t getting any pass protection, and the promising young D isn’t getting off the field when it needs to.
We won’t panic just yet, though. Let’s see if they rebound against Atlanta in London this Sunday.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (24)
The good news for the Bengals is they got the win and Joe Burrow escaped Monday night’s game unscathed. The bad news, however, is that their offense still appears to be somewhat broken.
It was nice to see Ja’Marr Chase finally get involved with his 12 catches for 141 yards, but Cincy as a whole managed to score just one touchdown while kicking four field-goals during thier 19-16 win.
They’ll need to be better if they want to compete for a Super Bowl, but if there’s any team that knows how to rebound after a slow start, it’s Burrow and the Bengals.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10)
Tough loss for the Bucs, as they had no answer for the star-studded Philly defense. Baker Mayfield had his worst game of the season, but there’s no need to hit the panic button in Tampa. After all, they’re still 2-1 and sitting in a 3-way tie for first place in a very winable NFC South Division.
15. Indianapolis Colts (23)
What a fun story Shane Steichen’s Colts are in the early going. Without Anthony Richardson, they went into Baltimore and stunned the Ravens 22-19 in overtime, thanks to heroics from backup QB Gardner Minshew and kicker Matt Gay.
So here’s Indy sitting alone atop the AFC South. Long way to go, yes. But they’ve already greatly exceeded expectations. They don’t have the highest talent level, but this group will be able to grind out wins with complementary, mistake-free football. And hey, Jonathan Taylor is back soon!
14. New Orleans Saints (9)
Just a brutal fourth-quarter collapse by the Saints, who were near-flawless for 45 minutes in Green Bay before the wheels came off. Yeah, they probably win if Derek Carr doesn’t leave the game with a shoulder injury — but the D had no excuse for unraveling like that.
Carr avoided a serious injury, and Alvin Kamara returns from suspension this week, so there is some good news in NOLA. A win over Tampa Bay in Week 4 will assert the Saints as the team to beat in the wide-open AFC South.
13. Atlanta Falcons (8)
The Falcons’ offense wasted a solid performance by the defense in Motown. A very disappointing outing by Arthur Smith’s high-powered unit, and we’re already wondering if Taylor Heinicke should get a look at QB over the not-so-impressive Desmond Ridder.
If Atlanta’s offense is sluggish in London against Jacksonville this Sunday, they oughta consider a QB change, no?
12. Cleveland Browns (17)
Deshaun Watson finally turned in a good performance, and the Myles Garrett-led defense did the rest in a blowout win over Tennessee.
Garrett had a ridiculous 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble on Ryan Tannehill. Derrick Henry was held to 20 rushing yards on 11 attempts. Oh, and Jim Schwartz’s D is allowing 10.7 points per game through Week 3.
Hey, defense does win championships…
11. Green Bay Packers (19)
Remember this, folks. If Jordan Love goes on to become a legend in Green Bay, then Sept. 24, 2023 will have been the date where his special journey really began.
No David Bakhtiari. No Christian Watson. No Aaron Jones. No problem. Love rallied the Cheeseheads back from a 17-point fourth quarter deficit against an elite Saints’ defense to improve his team to 2-1 on the year.
Just wait until Love gets all of his weapons back…
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (15)
A well-rounded effort by Mike Tomlin’s group in Sin City on Sunday. The defense harassed Jimmy Garoppolo all day, and Kenny Pickett finally put together a steady performance in the Steelers’ 23-18 win over their longtime rivals in the Raiders.
The Steeler offense is a work in progress, but that TJ Watt-led defense will always give Pittsburgh a chance to win. As always.
9. Detroit Lions (13)
Phenomenal bounce-back effort for the Lions following a heartbreaking defeat to Seattle in Week 2. Jahmyr Gibbs remains a work in progress, but fellow rookies Jack Campbell and Brian Branch have been total beasts on that so-far-vastly-improved defense.
Jared Goff is still playing lights-out, and to think that Jameson Williams still hasn’t returned yet…
8. Seattle Seahawks (12)
The Seahawks have rebounded nicely from that ugly Week 1 loss to the Rams, putting up 37 points in consecutive weeks to jump to 2-1. Since we’re nitpicking, though, it’d be nice to see that defense live up to its sky-high potential.
Allowing 29.3 points per game through three weeks is alarming. Gotta clean it up vs. the Giants this week.
7. Baltimore Ravens (4)
The Ravens got hosed by an obvious defensive PI call on Zay Flowers in overtime that should’ve been called, no doubt. But they also handed this game away to the Anthony Richardson-less Colts with too many miscues.
The Ravens need to play a full 60 minutes with the Browns and that rock-solid defense next on the schedule.
6. Dallas Cowboys (3)
Every top club has at least one stinker game each year, so we won’t overreact too much over the Cowboys’ stunning loss in Arizona. Keep in mind they were without Trevon Diggs, Zack Martin and Tyler Biadasz.
Dallas will need to clean up both sides of the ball with Bill Belichick’s Patriots next on the schedule.
5. Buffalo Bills (7)
Since that Week 1 loss to the Jets, Buffalo has outscored opponents 75-13. Oh yeah,Bills are back.
Up next, the granddaddy of Week 4 games: Bills vs. Dolphins.This is gonna be an Oscar nomination for “Best Picture” of 2023.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (6)
As expected, the defending champs made easy work of the unraveling Bears at home. They’ve bounced back nicely from that stunning Week 1 home loss to Detroit, and the Chiefs have a clear path to 5-and-1 with the Jets and winless Vikings and Broncos next on their schedule.
3. Miami Dolphins (5)
70 points. Second-most ever in a single game. Even without Jaylen Waddle. Folks, we don’t have the words anymore.
Tua Tagovailoa is basically playing like 2007 Tom Brady, 2013 Peyton Manning and a modern Patrick Mahomes merged into one person. Tyreek Hill is basically 2007 Randy Moss, and the De’Von Achane-Raheem Mostert running back duo looks like a combination of Marshall Faulk and Barry Sanders.
The 2013 Broncos scored a single-season record 606 points. Even if you exclude the 17th game, Miami’s on pace for a record-setting 692.8 points. That’s ridiculous.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (2)
The Eagles are 3-0…but it hasn’t been pretty. Jalen Hurts has seemed just a tad off, and the passing game just doesn’t appear to be as lethal as it was one season ago…
But wins are wins, and the Eagles continue to pile them up thanks to their ground game and defense. At the moment, they look to be on a collision course towards the NFC Championship game with the number one team in our rankings…
1. San Francisco 49ers (1)
No change in the top spot. The 49ers made easy work of the banged-up New York Giants. 310 passing yards for Brock Purdy. 141 team rushing yards and a 129-yard outing for Deebo Samuel.
Christian McCaffrey, surprise surprise, is in the running for the all-purpose yards crown with 423. 4-0 is likely on the way with the Cardinals next on the schedule.
Who do you think is the NFL’s best team heading into Week 4?
