I stopped writing NFL Power Rankings a couple of seasons ago ’cause nobody was reading ’em. You know – every sports media website in the world has some form of these power rankings up, so there’s a lot of competition, and the little guys like us lose out in those scenarios. It makes it somewhat pointless to do stuff like this, but whatever happened with Google’s core web vitals update back in May seems to have kicked our traffic into another gear. I guess they like us? Anyway, it made me think that maybe it was worth giving these bad boys another try. So, like I said before I stopped writing these, my NFL Power Rankings are based solely on what has happened on the field so far. I’m not taking preseason expectations or projections into consideration. These rankings are based strictly on what I’ve seen so far this season. Let’s get to it.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 3, 2021
1. Los Angeles Rams (3-0) – Well, here we go – third week and third team atop the NFL Power Rankings. Every time I put someone here, they lose the following week, so consider this the Stoney Keeley kiss of death. But, look – the way that Matthew Stafford and the Rams manhandled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday was impressive. Cooper Kupp is on pace for a million touchdowns, and that defense is among the nastiest in the league. This is a complete squad that looks every bit the Super Bowl contender I predicted them to be.
2. Arizona Cardinals (3-0) – Kyler Murray is becoming one of the most electric play-makers in the entire league, and that offense is absolutely loaded with talent. But, when they needed their defense to bail them out, they did just that against the lowly Jaguars. Though the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks may be getting all the eyeballs in that loaded division, don’t sleep on this Cardinals team that has been perfect so far this season. They have a trip to Los Angeles on deck this weekend for a massive game against the Rams.
Just Kyler’s TENTH TD of the season already. #RedSea @K1
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2021
: #AZvsJAX on FOX
: NFL app pic.twitter.com/9GLqzLi3ur
3. Las Vegas Raiders (3-0) – Am I biting way too hard on the Raiders 3-0 start? Maybe. But, damn it – these boys are fun to watch. And, there’s a bit of a ‘team of destiny’ vibe about this team, too. So far, they have looked like the most complete, clutch team in the AFC. That division is going to be TOUGH, though. AFC West play kicks off for this team on Monday night, as they travel to Los Angeles to play the Chargers.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) – The Rams did a masterful job of punching Tom Brady and the Bucs in the mouth, and they showed what you can do with an offense that can go toe to toe with Tampa Bay’s and a defense that can agitate Brady. I expect the Bucs to still be there at the end of the season, but they have to take a step back and give the Rams their flowers for the time being after Sunday’s game. They travel to New England on Sunday Night Football in a game that no one will stop talking about until it actually happens and the Bucs eviscerate the Patriots.
5. Cleveland Browns (2-1) – Man, wouldn’t the Browns like to have that Week 1 game back? They’re really starting to look like the punishing team I thought they could be. We know about Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, and that battering ram of an offense they have. But, the defense caught up in Sunday’s game against the Bears. Pretty sure Myles Garrett had a hundred sacks. They have a road trip to Minnesota set for Sunday.
6. Carolina Panthers (3-0) – Beating up on the Jets and the Texans leaves a little bit of mystery about how this team is going to play on a consistent basis, but hey – they can only play who’s on their schedule. That defense is legit, and they’ve handled business in every game this season. That dominant win against the Saints earns them some NFL Power Rankings points in my book.
7. Buffalo Bills (2-1) – After starting the week with a loss to the Steelers, the Bills have seemed to get things right over the last couple of weeks. I mean, they stomped a mudhole in the Football Team and walked it dry to borrow a term from Jim Ross. Josh Allen is getting that offense going, and the Bills are starting to look like the AFC elite we thought they’d be. They host the lowly Texans on Sunday.
8. Green Bay Packers (2-1) – That Aaron Rodgers magic, man – I tell ya, it’s a thing of beauty. He’s still got it after all these years. To think we ever doubted him – he looked like the reigning MVP on Sunday Night Football, driving down the field with less than a minute on the clock to set the Packers up for the game-winning field goal. He’s back. The Packers host a reeling Steelers squad on Sunday afternoon.
9. Denver Broncos (3-0) – I’m maintaining that the Broncos low key have one of the best rosters in the entire NFL, but with wins over the Giants, Jags, and Jets, it’s hard to really buy into this team’s 3-0 start just yet. Business is going to pick up on Sunday as the Broncos host the Ravens.
10. Dallas Cowboys (2-1) – I love the way Dak Prescott is playing – he’s looking like the Comeback Player of the Year. But, props to this defense for playing significantly better than they did in 2020. This looks like it’s clearly the best team in the NFC East, after the Cowboys just obliterated the Eagles last night. But, it could be a sneaky contender in the NFC overall, too.
PREDICTIONS
- Top 5 NFL Draft order: 1. Jets, 2. Jaguars, 3. Giants, 4. Lions, 5. Colts
- AFC Championship: Browns @ Raiders
- NFC Championship: Buccaneers @ Rams
- Super Bowl: Browns vs. Rams
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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