The Detroit Lions Took A Big Step Forward In This Week’s Power Rankings.
Last week’s list – Week 2 Power Rankings
And a quick rundown of the specifics –
- Rankings are based on what I have seen thus far. Last season or expectations for the rest of this season won’t be a factor. This is 2018. Sorry, Patriots.
- Overall record is not the final decider. Matchups do matter. Winning a tight game at home against a bad team may not be a big deal. Same goes for losing a close road game to a good team.
- Head to head matchups become impossible to use as a metric as the season wears on. X beat Y, but Y beat Z and Z beat X. Keep that in mind before yelling at me.
- Major injuries are being accounted for. For example, even if the 49ers were 3-0 they would still drop this week after losing Garoppolo.
1. Los Angeles Rams (3-0)
The Rams continue to be impressive on both sides of the ball. Three weeks in and I just can’t find a team to compare them to right now. None of their games have been close.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hil, Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt, Sammy Watkins … Is this an offense or the modern version of the Monstars? The defense still has work to do, but KC is averaging over 39 points per game. They have time to get that figured out.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)
Blake Bortles is going to be responsible for some losses along the way, but the defense is still dominant. Despite the loss, Jacksonville looks poised to make a long run on the back of that defense.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
The reigning champs are quietly getting healthy. Getting through the early part of the year with a decent record was a big deal. They should still be one of the favorites in the NFC.
5. Miami Dolphins (3-0)
I’d like to see the Dolphins beat someone I have a higher opinion of before putting them this high. But the fact is they haven’t lost, and their offense looks as creative as anyone in the league. It’s a weak division so it’s not crazy to see them stringing together a lot of wins as they go. I’m interested in their matchup with New England this week. Miami might be on to something here.
6. New Orleans Saints (2-1)
This offense is just unreal. After the upset loss to the Bucs in week one, the Saints are starting to look like themselves again. It happens that Tampa Bay isn’t the pushover we expected, and even the narrow win over the Browns doesn’t look as bad as it did a week ago.
7. Carolina Panthers (2-1)
As usual, Carolina’s rushing attack is stellar. They lead the NFL in rushing, and it’s not close. Cam Newton is off to a great start to pair with it. Their defense just needs to be average to give them a chance on a weekly basis. So far, so good.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Fitzmagic couldn’t quite pull the rabbit out of his hat this time, but he sure as hell made it close at the end. This offense is explosive. If the defense can’t figure it out they’ll slide quickly though.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)
Joe Mixon looks to return soon to complete what seems to be a potent offense. Andy Dalton looks pretty good when he has a surplus of weapons, and right now he does. Tyler Boyd’s emergence is a big help and their only loss coming in a road game in Carolina is respectable.
10. Minnesota Vikings (1-1-1)
I’m not quite sure what to make of the blowout loss Minnesota took at home last week. Buffalo was not messing around, but I can’t pretend Minnesota is actually a bad team. The Vikings would likely win that rematch 8 out of 10 times. Any given Sunday?
11. Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
12. Washington Redskins (2-1)
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1-1)
14. Denver Broncos (2-1)
15. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2)
16. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
17. Chicago Bears (2-1)
18. Green Bay Packers (1-1-1)
19. Detroit Lions (1-2)
The Detroit Lions have gone from looking absolutely terrible against a bottom dwelling team like the Jets to looking mediocre against a mediocre team in San Fran and then looking spectacular against an annual powerhouse versus New England. The one sign that can’t be denied is progress. The running game has gotten better each week; the defense has as well. Even Jim Bob Cooter’s playcalling actually seems to be evolving. The Cowboys are a team the Lions should have a great chance to beat this week. Let’s hope they don’t regress back to letdown mode. For the record, I don’t think they will.
20. Tennessee Titans (2-1)
21. New England Patriots (1-2)
22. Cleveland Browns (1-1-1)
23. Seattle Seahawks (1-2)
24. Indianapolis Colts (1-2)
25. New York Jets (1-2)
26. New York Giants (1-2)
27. Buffalo Bills (1-2)
28. Houston Texans (0-3)
29. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
30. San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
31. Oakland Raiders (0-3)
32. Arizona Cardinals (0-3)
Like the rankings? Hate the rankings? Want to berate or congratulate me?
You can find me at @MrEasyStreet or on the Detroit Lions subreddit.
