Still way too early for any definitive picture
Undefeated Rams and Chiefs set pace for contenders among lots of interesting projections
Here are the latest NFL power rankings, post-Week 3 edition... with entirely premature projections to keep it on the lighter side: 1. Los Angeles Rams: They’re on pace to outscore opponents by 352 points (22 per game), though that could change with Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib on pace to miss some games.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes on pace for record 69 TD passes... and defense on pace to allow 7,584 yards – over 500 more than any other in history.
3. New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees on pace for 5,749 pass yards, 80.6% completion rate. Michael Thomas on pace for 203 catches. Sick numbers even by New Orleans standards.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz on pace to win every start of 2018, though it’s unclear if that will extend to 2019 and a successful title defense.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Fitzmagic averaging 410 aerial yards per week, putting him on pace for 6,560... which would be more than 1,000 better than Peyton Manning’s single-season record (5,477).
6. Atlanta Falcons: Atlanta on pace to come up one play short against every quality opponent... pretty much the story of the Dan Quinn-Matt Ryan tenure.
7. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton on pace to complete 67.4% of his passes with QB rating of 99.7 under OC Norv Turner. Both would be career highs for 2015 MVP.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Hey, @ BortlesFacts, your boy is on pace to go 0-6 against the AFC South this year, which could make it tough to reach Super Bowl LIII.
9. Miami Dolphins: Thanks to weak schedule, on pace to finish 19-0 and forever erase mythic ’72 Dolphins from record book as NFL’s winningest undefeated team.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers: They’re on pace to commit 197 penalties, which speaks to a lack of discipline. But at least they’re no longer on pace for zero Ws.
11. Los Angeles Chargers: DE Joey Bosa (foot) currently on pace to play zero games, and that’s been a real a problem for close-but-no-quality-wins-so-far Bolts.
12. Cincinnati Bengals: Despite some key injuries, they’re on pace to win AFC North... though hard to tell if Marvin Lewis is on pace for first playoff win.
13. Baltimore Ravens: Maybe craziest number of all, but they’re on pace to go 64-for-64 in terms of scoring TDs when entering red zone this season.
14. Cleveland Browns: On pace for 59 takeaways, plus-48 TO differential, 14-0 record in games Baker Mayfield plays... and, hence, first playoffs since ’02.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck on pace to become next Chad Pennington given inability to strike deep like he used to. (Hoping this is worst projection of all.)
16. Washington Redskins: After 50 years of alleged sellouts, on pace to sell 85% of home tickets, second-worst in NFC behind Rams and cavernous LA Coliseum.
17. Green Bay Packers: Clay Matthews is on pace to incur 16 roughing-the-passer penalties this season, 11 of which will critically hamper Pack’s ability to win.
18. Chicago Bears: Khalil Mack among four players on pace to collect 21½ sacks this season. Meanwhile, Raiders on pace to collect league-low 16 collectively.
19. Minnesota Vikings: Kirk Cousins on pace for 741 passes, which would break Matthew Stafford’s single-season record (727). Cousins getting paid per throw?
20. Tennessee Titans: Don’t look now – especially you, @BortlesFacts – but Blaine Gabbert on pace to go 15-0 as starter using Mike Vrabel’s smoke and mirrors.
21. Denver Broncos: Case Keenum among five QBs on pace to lead league with 27 INTs, though he’s lowest rated (71.6), which would be worst of checkered career.
22. New York Jets: They’re on pace to finally be rested after opening with three games in 11 days. But will recharge be enough against salty Jags in Week 4?
23. Detroit Lions: On pace to finish middling 16th league-wide in rushing ... yes, it would be their best rank since Barry Sanders’s final year in 1998.
24. New England Patriots: After two whippings, on pace to miss playoffs ... for what would be first time since 2002 in terms of a season when Tom Brady wasn’t injured.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson is on pace to absorb 75 sacks, which would be one shy of David Carr’s unfortunate record-setting season in 2002.
26. Buffalo Bills: With Vontae Davis on team, they were outscored 75-9. Since he retired, they’re up 41-9. So... on pace for good season as long as he’s gone.
27. Dallas Cowboys: They’re on pace to lead league with 6.0 yards per rush... naturally necessitating the question: Why shouldn’t Zeke carry ball every play?
28. Oakland Raiders: They’re on pace to force league-low five turnovers. Meanwhile, Khalil Mack on pace for league-best 16 forced fumbles plus five INTs.
29. New York Giants: Saquon Barkley is on pace to catch 112 balls, which would break Anquan Boldin’s rookie record (set in 2003) by 11 receptions.
30. Houston Texans: J.J. Watt suddenly averaging a sack per game, which would give him at least 16 for fourth time in his career... on a projected 0-16 team.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Gold rushers now on pace to extract zero silver linings from this season in wake of Jimmy Garoppolo’s devastating knee injury.
32. Arizona Cardinals: David Johnson once talked about getting 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in same year. He’s on pace to top 300-300 plateau in ’18.
(USA Today/TNS)