NFL Week 3 Power Rankings

by BetAmerica Staff

1. Los Angeles Rams (3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS) The Rams once again looked the part of the best team in the NFL with a twelve point victory over the Chargers in the Battle For L.A. Week 4 will prove just how deep this defense is as the Rams will be without starting corners Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters when they face the Vikings on Thursday night.

Next Game: Minnesota at LAR (-7)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS) The Chiefs have looked unstoppable on offense through three weeks. Patrick Mahomes has been a revelation at QB, leading the league in total QBR, while Tyreek Hill, Kareem Hunt, and Travis Kelce continue to destroy opposing defenses. The worry here is whether Kansas City can continue winning games on offense alone as the defense currently ranks dead last in the NFL in total defense.

Next Game: Kansas City (-4.5) at Denver

3. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS) The Eagles bounced back from a disappointing loss in Week 2 with a win over the Colts. Wentz will need some time to get his feet back under him, but was a clear upgrade over Nick Foles. Two major weapons, running back Jay Ajayi and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, should return for Wentz in Week 4 against the Titans.

Next Game:  Philadelphia (-4) at Tennessee

4. New Orleans Saints (2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS) Drew Brees and the Saints were able to come away with a win over the Falcons in overtime on Sunday. The defense is still a massive issue, ranking 30th in total defense over the first three games of the season. The Saints will need another solid outing from Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, and Drew Brees against the Giants in Week 4.

Next Game: New Orleans (-3.5) at NYG

 5. Carolina Panthers (2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS) Carolina was able to win a hard-fought battle against a tough Bengals squad in Week 3. Cam Newton once again led the headlines with four total TD’s while McCaffrey ran for a career-high 184 yards. The Panthers will come out of their bye week with plenty of momentum.

Next Game: Bye

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS) One week after beating the Patriots, the Jaguars went out and laid an egg. This is the type of game critics of Blake Bortles point to and claim he should not be a starter in the NFL. To put it lightly, Bortles looked like straight garbage against Tennessee. The defense once again kept the Jags in the game as the offense simply couldn’t get anything going. Jacksonville will hope to get Leonard Fournette back against the Jets to help re-establish the run and take some pressure off Bortles and the defense.

Next Game: NYJ @ Jacksonville (-7.5)

7. Miami Dolphins (3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS) Perhaps the surprise of the season so far, the undefeated Dolphins were able to overcome some questionable first-half officiating to defeat the Raiders in Miami. Xavien Howard has looked like one of the best corners in the league through three weeks and Ryan Tannehill has been able to overcome the lack of a rushing game to put points on the board. The 3-0 Dolphins travel to Foxboro for their first of two matchups against the Patriots in Week 4.

 Next Game: Miami @ New England (-6.5)

 8. Atlanta Falcons (1-2 SU and 1-2 ATS) It has been a tumultuous season for the Falcons so far. After a solid win over the Panthers in Week 2, the Falcons came up short against the Saints in overtime in Week 3. The loss of Deion Jones was bad, but the Falcons doubled down losing safety Ricardo Allen for the season with a torn Achilles against New Orleans. The Falcons are now without three of their best defenders, including both starting safeties. Things are going from bad to worse.

Next Game: Cincinnati @ Atlanta (-4.5)

9. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2 SU and 1-2 ATS) Last week the Chargers defense was non-existent, giving up over 500 yards of total offense to the Rams. Jared Goff shredded what looked to be one of the better secondaries in the league before the season started. Luckily, the Chargers will face a Jimmy Garropolo-less 49ers squad in Week 4.

Next Game: San Francisco @ LAC (-10)

10. Baltimore Ravens (2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS) The Ravens have become the first team in NFL history to score points on their first twelve red-zone possessions, mainly thanks to the consistency from Joe Flacco, playmakers such as Alex Collins, and perhaps the best kicker in the game, Justin Tucker. The Ravens put their red-zone streak on the line when they travel to Pittsburgh in Week 4.

Next Game: Baltimore @ Pittsburgh (-3)

11. New England Patriots (1-2 SU and 1-2 ATS) Maybe we are all living in a dream, or maybe it is FINALLY happening. The Patriots are 1-2 through the first three games of the season with their most recent loss coming at the hands of the hapless Detroit Lions and former employee Matt Patricia. Word is Pro-Bowl wide receiver Josh Gordon will be available for the Pats in Week 4, but there is enough wrong with the Patriots right now to wonder how much that will solve.

Next Game: Miami @ New England (-6.5)

12. Green Bay Packers (1-1-1 SU and 1-2 ATS) Another week, another roughing the passer penalty for Clay Matthews. This week it didn’t cost the Packers the game….because it was already over. This contest was never in doubt as a hobbled Aaron Rodgers and company went down early and were unable to mount a comeback against Washington. It comes as no surprise, but the running game remains a massive issue with the Packers.

Next Game: Buffalo @ Green Bay (-10) 

13. Minnesota Vikings (1-1-1 SU and 1-2 ATS) In the upset of the week, the 17-point favorite Minnesota Vikings lost 27-6 to the Buffalo Bills…at home. Kirk Cousins and the offense did nothing right, losing three turnovers and only managing to put points on the board with 2:59 left in the 4th quarter. The Vikings will need to right the ship quickly as they look ahead to a Thursday night showdown against the Rams.

Next Game: Minnesota @ LAR (-7) 

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1-1 SU and 1-2 ATS) The Steelers finally got one in the win column against Tampa Bay on Monday night. Roethlisberger looked like the Big Ben we all once knew, throwing for over 350 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Le’Veon Bell situation continues to be a saga with no end in sight, but backup James Conner has been good enough for the offense to not miss a step.

Next Game: Baltimore @ Pittsburgh (-3)

 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS) For the third game in a row Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for over 400 yards, this time in a losing effort on Monday night. What was once a certainty is now controversy as Dirk Koetter will have to make a decision at QB when Jameis Winston returns this week.

Next Game: Tampa Bay @ Chicago (-3)

 16. Chicago Bears (2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS) The Bears rallied from a 14-0 deficit to defeat the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3. There is no doubt there is talent on this Bears squad, but Mitch Trubisky will need to step his game up if the Bears have any hope of competing for the division.

Next Game: Tampa Bay @ Chicago (-3)

 17. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS) Cincinnati is in a tough spot because they are without starting C Billy Price and offensive playmaker Joe Mixon. They traveled for a tough game against Carolina and turn around for another big road test against the Falcons. Cincinnati doesn’t look like a squad ready to be bet on for at least one more week, but they’re still potent as a team so keep an eye out. When Mixon returns, the Bengals will have more value.

Next Game: Cincinnati @ Atlanta (-5.5)

18. Denver Broncos (2-1 SU and 0-2-1 ATS) When Denver is at home they’re scary. When Denver is on the road they look like they don't even belong in the NFL. Are the Broncos a contender? Not really, but they are a good play at home when they get a big spread. By the way, they're at home facing a relatively large number against the division rival Chiefs on Monday night.

Next Game: Kansas City (-5.5) @ Denver

 19. Indianapolis Colts (1-2 SU and 2-1 ATS) Yes, it's weird that Andrew Luck couldn't throw a hail mary pass. Yes, it's weird that Jacoby Brisett can. They're not far from competing in an AFC South that is falling apart, and need a big win against Houston. One of the reasons they're such a strong play is they 'only' have a -1.0 point differential. It will take us a few more weeks to determine just how good (or bad) this team actually is.

Next Game: Houston @ Indianapolis (-1.5)

20. Cleveland Browns (1-1-1 SU and 3-0 ATS) The Browns have done a good job of crawling up these rankings and while their win against the Jets was fairly snug, who isn’t excited about the Baker Mayfield era? They get a tough match this week on the road in a tough place to play, both emotionally and physically, at O. Co Coliseum. The Browns are underdogs once again, and it’s time to prove some people wrong or get back to the bottom of the rankings.

Next Game: Cleveland @ Oakland (-3)

 21. Washington Redskins (2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS) The outing by Washington against Green Bay was commendable to say the least, and this is a team that still looks to be finding its identity. What we do know is that Jay Gruden’s ability to orchestrate effective offenses is fairly consistent. Peterson is continuing to do AP things at the running-back spot and Alex Smith is who Alex Smith has always been - consistent. This team is a fighter and worth a look in some spots.

Next Game: BYE

 22. Seattle Seahawks (1-2 SU and 1-1-1 ATS) They did it! The Seahawks won their first game and all it took was Dallas coming to town. In all honesty, Seattle probably isn’t the worst team in the NFC but they’re down there. The Earl Thomas situation is getting worse as the weeks go by, but this defense is feisty and Russell Wilson always battles to the last second. The Seahawks will always be worth a look, especially as underdogs, but nobody has any read on how consistent this team actually is. More than anything, their performance in Week 3 likely illustrated how bad Dallas is instead of building Seattle up.

Next Game: Seattle (-3.5) @ Arizona

 23. Tennessee Titans (2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS) Tennessee may be splitting reps between Blaine Gabbert and Marcus Mariotta, but these QBs just haven’t been able to put points on the board this season. The team is young, missing LT Lewan but he’ll be back, without Delanie Walker, and not appearing to be very creative with their solutions. Tennessee showed some grit last week and that is enough credit to make it to 23.

Next Game: Philadelphia (-4) @ Tennessee

 24. New York Giants (1-2 SU and 1-2 ATS) The Football Giants bounced back and survived a late push from Houston on the road, but why did it take three weeks to be remotely successful with the highest paid wide receiver in the world and a good core around him? New York is a complete toss up from the coaching staff to the aging QB. They host New Orleans this week who is coming off an impressive OT win.

Next Game: New Orleans (-3.5) @ New York Giants

 25. New York Jets (1-2 SU and 1-2 ATS) The Jets have fallen from the top faster than any other team this year. From blowing out the Lions who had high expectations to dropping games to the Dolphins and Browns, the Jets have no idea who they are and neither do we. It’ll be a long way back to relevance for the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!

Next Game: New York Jets @ Jacksonville (-7.5)

 26. Dallas Cowboys (1-2 SU and 1-2 ATS) The Cowboys have made the bold decision to allow Scott Linehan to retain their play-calling responsibilities and that means we’re going to see more of the conservative offense that loses to Seattle. Dallas has to get the ball down field. Zeke is a great talent but he can’t throw the ball too, and so far Dallas hasn’t been high on doing anything not involving Elliot. It’s not looking good for this team.

Next Game: Detroit @ Dallas (-3)

 27. Detroit Lions (1-2 SU and 2-1 ATS) Detroit travels to Dallas after blowing out a weird looking Patriots team at Ford Field. As far as the Lions go they were definitely heavily discounted after the loss to the Jets. However, the team looks like they’re doing a good job bouncing back and getting some playmakers more involved in the game plan. There’s a lot left to be answered for this team but from a betting standpoint they might be a good play this weekend.

Next Game: Detroit @ Dallas (-3)

 28. Oakland Raiders (0-3 SU and 1-2 ATS) Oakland is off to a bad start and the Gruden Era is already full of excuses. They get the rebounding Browns in Cali to try to sneak in a win in Week 4, but with a mediocre defense and a hard-headed need to establish the run, it’s hard to say that the Raiders are going anywhere but side to side.

Next Game: Cleveland @ Oakland (-2.5)

 29. San Francisco 49ers (1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS) C.J. Beathard is not turning this season around. Richard Sherman is out for a few weeks. I’ll be shocked if this team can score even with Shanahan at the lead. RIP San Francisco (2018-2019).

Next Game: San Francisco @ Los Angeles Chargers (-10.5)

 30. Buffalo Bills (1-2 SU and 1-2 ATS) Buffalo managed not to Buffalo up a game as they rolled right over Minnesota. Was it a fluke? Probably. But they have a chance to prove us wrong. Josh Allen finally looked like a quarterback who could compete at the NFL level, but that good news was dispelled by the fact that LeSean McCoy's ex-girlfriends have come out in droves to denounce him. The Bills get the Packers in Week 4 as double-digit road dogs in a game that will either solidify them as a potential spread buster, or keep them in the cellar.

Next Game: Buffalo @ Green Bay (-10)

 31. Houston Texans (0-3 SU and 0-3 ATS) Houston’s miserable start to the season doesn’t have an excuse. They’re a bit beat up but not in a way that should result in losses to Tennessee and the Giants. JJ Watt doesn’t have a sack. Deshaun Watson looks like his ACL is still torn. They have to turn it around this week or their season is doomed.

Next Game: Houston @ Indianapolis (-1)

32. Arizona Cardinals (0-3 SU and 1-2 ATS) The Cardinals threw Josh Rosen to the wolves in hopes of surviving the Chicago Bears, but instead the first round pick threw an interception and the low-scoring bout ended in a loss for the Red Birds. They look bad. Rosen gets his first start this coming weekend but there's no way you can trust him. This team is as dysfunctional as it gets.

Next Game: Seattle (-3) @ Arizona