2021 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings
Josh Frey
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Similarly to last year, week two saw a rash of injuries go through the league. This time around, the majority of this latest injury bug hit the NFL’s quarterbacks, including players like Derek Carr, Carson Wentz, and Tyrod Taylor. Overall though, it was a week of great football and yet another dramatic ending on Sunday Night Football. As week three fast approaches, here are the updated power rankings going into this weekend. To compare this week to earlier ones in the season, links to the previous rankings are listed below:
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Week: 48-25 win vs ATL
Trending:—
This Week: 9/26 @ LAR
Tom Brady keeps defying Father Time and once again dominated the Falcons defense. Tampa’s own defense also put some serious pressure on Matt Ryan throughout the day along with a trio of interceptions. Rob Gronkowski had himself a day as well with a pair of touchdown receptions.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: 35-36 loss @ BAL
Trending:—
This Week: 9/26 vs LAC
All in all, if Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn’t fumble the ball at the end of the game, the conversation would be a lot different. No one should feel much different about Kansas City after this loss, and they are still definitely the AFC favorites as long as Patrick Mahomes is healthy.
3. Buffalo Bills
Last Week: 35-0 win @ MIA
Trending: +2
This Week: 9/26 vs WSH
After a tough loss last week to Pittsburgh, Buffalo went into Miami and demolished the Dolphins. All phases of the game were on point for the Bills, and Josh Allen especially had a much better day. Any time you can shut out a division rival, you know it was a good day.
4. Los Angeles Rams
Last Week: 27-24 win @ IND
Trending: -1
This Week: 9/26 vs TB
The Rams had a sloppy game against Indy, causing them to drop one spot this week. Between a couple questionable plays from Stafford and a disastrously failed punt in the end zone, LA probably wouldn’t have won this game against a more competitive team. Not to mention, Jacob Eason was the QB down the stretch for Indy, making things even easier for the Rams. They will need to play a much cleaner game when Tampa Bay comes to town.
5. Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 31-21 win vs HOU
Trending: -1
This Week: 9/26 vs CHI
Cleveland’s offensive line is looking like the best in football right now. They bullied Houston’s defensive front for much of the day, and Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb had plenty of room to run. They made some mistakes though and allowed Houston to stay in the game. There’s a real possibility that if Tyrod Taylor stays in the game, Cleveland has this one stolen from them.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Last Week: 36-35 win vs KC
Trending: +2
This Week: 9/26 @ DET
This win means much more for Baltimore than the loss does for Kansas City. We knew what the Chiefs were, but we weren’t sure if the Ravens could hang with them. After a great performance by Lamar Jackson and gutsy fourth down conversion to win the game, it is clear the Ravens will not be scared against Kansas City.
7. Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 30-33 loss vs TEN
Trending: -1
This Week: 9/26 @ MIN
Seattle got off to a quick start in this one, but they definitely slowed down offensively down the stretch. A big part of that was the fact that Derrick Henry just kept their offense off the field by running all over the defense. Penalties down the stretch of the game didn’t help either, and eventually they just shot themselves in the foot too many times.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 17-26 loss vs LV
Trending: -1
This Week: 9/26 vs CIN
The Steelers are dealing with a lot of injuries right now, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that their offense has remained very stagnant. Outside of Najee Harris, Pittsburhgh could get very little going on that side of the ball. The defense played well, but once the injuries started piling up, it became too much to overcome. T.J. Watt is questionable for this week, but Pittsburgh needs to be able to beat Cincinnati with or without him.
9. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 35-17 win vs DET
Trending: +1
This Week: 9/26 @ SF
The Packers got off to another slow start against Detroit, but in the second half, Aaron Rodgers took over the game. A deep connection with Davante Adams set the tone, and a few mistakes from Jared Goff helped Green Bay put the game away. This weekend we’ll get a better idea of if the Packers are back as they head to San Francisco.
10. San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 17-11 win @ PHI
Trending: -1
This Week: 9/26 vs GB
It was a pretty sloppy game for the Niners, but at the end of the day, they still got a win. San Francisco’s pass rush constantly got home against Jalen Hurts, and despite a very injured backfield, the running game was still effective for much of the game. As long as Deebo Samuel can stay healthy, the Niners have a very dangerous receiver as well.
11. New England Patriots
Last Week: 25-6 win @ NYJ
Trending: +1
This Week: 9/26 vs NO
The Patriots just seemed more prepared to play than the Jets did this week. It’s understandable; they are a more veteran team and have Bill Belichick as a head coach. Mac Jones certainly showed out in this game too, though. The Jets got decent pressure on the rookie QB throughout the game, but Jones never panicked and followed his reads beautifully. New England should be similarly ready for a matchup with Sean Payton and the Saints.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Last Week: 26-17 win @ PIT
Trending: +5
This Week: 9/26 vs MIA
The Las Vegas Raiders have to be taken seriously after back-to-back impressive wins against AFC playoff contenders. Even though the Steelers defense was very banged up about halfway through this game, the Raiders offense still looks very solid. As long as Derek Carr is good to go, Vegas should keep the ball rolling against Miami.
13. Arizona Cardinals
Last Week: 34-33 win vs MIN
Trending: +3
This Week: 9/26 @ JAX
After a day in which the Cardinals defense dominated Tennessee, the question marks came back against Minnesota. Dalvin Cook had his way for much of the day in the running game as the Vikings offensive line dominated the trenches. However, the pass defense locked down for much of the second half. In the end, they did enough to escape with a win and now get to enjoy what should be an easier matchup in Jacksonville.
14. Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 20-17 win @ LAC
Trending: +1
This Week: 9/27 vs PHI
Dallas made it a scare down the stretch, but they came away with a victory in LA. Tony Pollard is looking like the answer at running back in the open field, and he is a great compliment to Ezekiel Elliott. Micah Parsons playing at EDGE is an intriguing development on the defensive side of the ball as well.
15. New Orleans Saints
Last Week: 7-26 loss @ CAR
Trending: -3
This Week: 9/26 @ NE
This was a game the Saints were destined to lose. Eight coaches ended up on the COVID list for this one, and they were coming off an emotional win to play a divisional rival. The amount of penalties pretty much eliminated the running game, and protection broke down around Jameis Winston early and often. I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt this week that this was a fluky road game, but they certainly can’t play this way against New England this week.
16. Los Angeles Chargers
Last Week: 17-20 loss vs DAL
Trending: -2
This Week: 9/26 @ KC
Justin Herbert had a solid game once again, passing for over 300 yards for the 10th time in his career. However, turnovers and penalties ended up being the dagger for the Chargers in this one. LA was flagged 12 times for 99 yards, and in the process lost two touchdowns that could have changed the outcome of the game. If they want to be in a playoff conversation, they need to play much cleaner, fundamental football.
17. Denver Broncos
Last Week: 23-13 vs @ JAX
Trending: +1
This Week: 9/26 vs NYJ
Denver got off to a bit of a slow start, but things definitely picked up for the offense in the second half. The Teddy Bridgewater/Noah Fant connection has been true to this point in the season, while Courtland Sutton is always a threat at receiver. When you combine that with a solid offensive line and an exceptional defense, Denver could be a team to watch in the AFC. That said, they’ve also had a very easy schedule to this point, and it continues with a matchup against the Jets.
18. Miami Dolphins
Last Week: 0-35 loss vs BUF
Trending: -7
This Week: 9/26 @ LV
Miami just couldn’t have anything go their way in this game, but more importantly, Tua Tagovailoa may be out for a while with a rib injury. If he is, the Dolphins could struggle to keep pace in the AFC East race, especially with a difficult matchup against Las Vegas this week.
19. Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 33-30 win @ SEA
Trending: +5
This Week: 9/26 vs IND
Tennessee played a nightmarish game against Arizona last week, but certainly redeemed themselves with a big win in Seattle. Specifically, Derrick Henry returned to form down the stretch of this game. The Titans roster is certainly loaded with stars on offense, and as long as these stars play well, they will be competitive in a lot of games.
20. Washington Football Team
Last Week: 30-29 win vs NYG
Trending: —
This Week: 9/26 @ BUF
Taylor Heinicke continues to prove he can be a winning quarterback in the NFL after this performance. Overall though, WFT seems very vulnerable on the defensive side of the ball. Until they clean things up in that regard, the NFC East is definitely up for grabs.
21. Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 33-34 loss @ ARI
Trending: -2
This Week: 9/26 vs SEA
If only the Vikings could make a kick. Sounds familiar, but once again a kicker snakebit the Vikings chance at a win. Minnesota’s offense was on fire for much of the first half, but for whatever reason, they became much more complacent in the second. The Vikings are a good team, but it might just be one of those years where things don’t go their way.
22. Carolina Panthers
Last Week: 26-7 win vs NO
Trending: +1
This Week: 9/26 @ HOU
Sam Darnold looked exactly like the QB that everyone in New York was hoping for. Unfortunately for them, he’s doing it in Carolina with the Panthers. In addition to a solid offensive game plan, the Panthers defense looked great against the Saints all day long. It has to be taken into account how banged up this Saints team is, though. It’s not just the players either as they were missing eight coaches on Sunday. It became noticeably clear throughout the day that New Orleans was not ready for this football game.
23. Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 24-27 loss vs LAR
Trending: -1
This Week: 9/26 @ TEN
This week was very up-and-down for the Colts, which makes much more sense as Carson Wentz is their QB. There were some nice plays throughout the day, but inevitably, a few disastrous ones took away a lot of chances. Wentz also went down with sprains to both ankles, so Indy may be without him in Tennessee.
24. Chicago Bears
Last Week: 20-17 win vs CIN
Trending: +1
This Week: 9/26 @ CLE
The Bears defense led the way against Cincinnati this week, holding the Bengals scoreless until about halfway through the third quarter. The front had pressure on Joe Burrow all afternoon, sacking the second-year QB four times. Andy Dalton’s status needs to be watched throughout the week, especially with a very uninspiring second half from Justin Fields.
25. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 11-17 loss vs SF
Trending: -4
This Week: 9/27 @ DAL
Jalen Hurts tried to keep Philly in this game as long as he could, but San Francisco’s defense was too suffocating. Philly’s offensive line could not withstand the 49er pass rush, and Hurts just couldn’t make enough plays. Needless to say, it wasn’t a great for the offense. The Eagles defense has been surprisingly good through two weeks though, but we’ll see how they fare against a high-powered Cowboys offense.
26. Houston Texans
Last Week: 21-31 loss @ CLE
Trending: +2
This Week: 9/23 vs CAR
Tyrod Taylor is making this Houston Texans team relevant despite all the controversy surrounding their franchise. It is honestly one of the more impressive things thus far into the season, but if Houston has to roll out Davis Mills this week, it might be a difficult week against Carolina.
27. Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 17-20 loss @ CHI
Trending: -1
This Week: 9/26 @ PIT
The Bengals offense was very stagnant throughout this game. Chicago read their passing routes very well throughout the day, and they picked off Joe Burrow on three consecutive pass attempts. After a week of feasting on Minnesota’s defense, Chicago made just about everything difficult. It probably won’t get any easier as Cincy travels to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers this weekend.
28. New York GIants
Last Week: 29-30 loss @ WSH
Trending: +3
This Week: 9/26 vs ATL
Daniel Jones made some mistakes that had an effect on this game’s result, but he looked much more comfortable this week than last. Coming off a short week, it was an impressive game overall for a Giants team that shouldn’t have been this competitive.
29. Detroit Lions
Last Week: 17-35 loss @ GB
Trending: +1
This Week: 9/26 vs BAL
Jared Goff and T.J. Hockenson got off to a fast start against Green Bay, but then the rains came in. After leading the game 17-14 going into halftime, the second half was a nightmare for Detroit. They didn’t score a single point, and Jared Goff clearly had some trouble handling a wet football. Things only get tougher for Detroit as Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens head to Detroit next.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: 13-23 loss vs DEN
Trending: -1
This Week: 9/26 vs ARI
Trevor Lawrence is going through the rookie growing pains right now, so it’s expected that Jacksonville is not very good right now. Five interceptions through two games is anything but ideal; however, it’s not worth the overreaction that is going through the media world.
31. Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 25-48 loss @ TB
Trending: +1
This Week: 9/26 @ NYG
The Atlanta defense is just not nearly good enough to match up with an offense as talented as Tampa Bay’s. Tom Brady had all day to throw in the pocket, and the running game got going as well. Allowing defensive touchdowns didn’t help, either. The Falcons tried to make this one interesting, but too many mistakes eliminated any chance of a real comeback.
32. New York Jets
Last Week: 6-25 loss vs NE
Trending: -5
This Week: 9/26 @ DEN
Just about everything that could have gone wrong for the Jets did go wrong. Zach Wilson had a very rude introduction to playing against a top NFL defense and threw four interceptions. Other than that, he did make some intriguing plays escaping pressure. The running game had some success, but they just couldn’t use it enough with all the turnovers. Wilson had a solid game in week one, so it’s not time to panic. However, the rookie needs to bounce back against Denver.