JOHN McCLAIN’S NFL POWER RANKINGS
WEEK 3
1. Kansas City 2-0 (1): Rookie running back Kareem Hunt has scored five touchdowns. He might not be playing if starter Spencer Ware hadn’t been injured.
2. Atlanta 2-0 (9): After defeating Green Bay in a rematch of the NFC title game, the Falcons look as impressive as they were last season.
3. Oakland 2-0 (3): The Raiders have victories over Tennessee and the New York Jets. They are the highest-scoring team in the league.
4. Denver 2-0 (11): The Broncos started with two victories at home. Their first road game isn’t much of a test because it’s at Buffalo.
5. Pittsburgh 2-0 (6): They have faced QBs DeShone Kizer and Case Keenum and now play Mike Glennon. They should start 3-0.
6. New England 1-1 (7): Tom Brady joined Warren Moon as the only 40-year-old QBs to throw for at least 400 yards and three touchdowns.
7. Detroit 2-0 (12): If the Lions win at home against the Falcons, their long-suffering fans are going to get excited about the rest of the season.
8. Baltimore 2-0 (10): The Ravens have a leaguehigh 15 players on injured reserve after starting with AFC North wins over Cincinnati and Cleveland.
9. Green Bay 1-1 (2): The Packers are trying to be the third straight team to not allow a touchdown against the Bengals, who’ve scored nine points.
10. Tennessee 1-1 (18): After bouncing back with an impressive victory at Jacksonville,QB Marcus Mariota faces a difficult test against Seattle.
11. Tampa Bay 1-0 (16): Obliterating the Bears at home wasn’t all that impressive. They face a much tougher defense on their trip to Minnesota.
12. Miami 1-0 (17): If Jay Cutler can lead the Dolphins to a road victory over the Chargers, surely he can help them win at the Jets and start 2-0.
13. Dallas 1-1 (4): After stinking it up at Denver, the Cowboys have an opportunity to recover in their Monday night game at Arizona.
14. Carolina 2-0 (20): The Panthers’ defense has been terrific, allowing six points, but the Saints have a better offense, led by QB Drew Brees.
15. Philadelphia 1-1 (5): After winning at Washington and losing at Kansas City, the Eagles play their first home game against the winless Giants.
16. Seattle 1-1 (8): Russell Wilson is already running for his life because of a porous offensive line and a running game that’s destitute.
17. Washington 1-1 (22): If the team can earn a prime-time victory at FedEx Field over Oakland, fans may begin to take Washington seriously.
18. Minnesota 1-1 (13): Until the injured Sam Bradford is able to return, the offense is going to be one-dimensional with rookie Dalvin Cook.
19. Jacksonville 1-1 (15): Considering how the Jaguars dominated the Texans in the opener, their 37-16 home loss to Tennessee was embarrassing.
20. Houston 1-1 (28): The Texans are starting to get healthy, but their next game is at New England, where they have never won.
21. Arizona 1-1 (23): It’s becoming increasingly clear that Carson Palmer isn’t a quarterback fans can see playing when he reaches 40.
22. L.A. Rams 1-1 (19): The good news is secondyear quarterback Jared Goff looks legit. The bad news is that few in Los Angeles seem to care.
23. Buffalo 1-1 (21): The Bills have quarterback issues with Tyrod Taylor, but their defense might be able to keep them in some games.
24. N.Y. Giants 0-2 (14): Counting last season’s playoffs, the Giants have gone eight consecutive games without scoring at least 20 points.
25. L.A. Chargers 0-2 (26): The Chargers have lost close games to Denver and Miami. Sunday’s game against Kansas City may not be close.
26. New Orleans 0-2 (24): The winless Saints are wasting Drew Brees because of a defense that’s given up 65 points, one fewer than the Jets.
27. Cleveland 0-2 (25): The Browns are 0-2 in the AFC North after losses to Pittsburgh and Baltimore, but they’re favored at Indianapolis.
28. San Francisco 0-2 (30): How could anyone actually think the 49ers hosting the Rams is worthy of a national TV audience Thursday night?
29. Indianapolis 0-2 (32): The Colts must know they’ve hit rock bottom when they open as a onepoint underdog to Cleveland at Lucas Oil Stadium.
30. Chicago 0-2 (27): A difficult opening schedule against Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh guarantees the Bears are going to start 0-3.
31. Cincinnati 0-2 (29): The last time the Bengals’ offense scored a touchdown was in the last game of the 2016 season against Baltimore.
32. N.Y. Jets 0-2 (31): If the plan is to tank to get the first overall pick in the draft, the Jets are going to have a lot of competition.