2022 NFL Power Rankings – Week 03

Chargers Drop to 6th, Rams Stay at 7th

1. Buffalo Bills (2-0): The Bills have easily defeated the Super Bowl champion Rams 31-10 and crushed the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night 41-7. The Titans had the best record in the AFC last season. The Bills look like the best team in football. Next: -5.5 at Miami Dolphins - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 52.5 (ATS: 2-0 – O/U: 1-1)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0): The Chiefs escaped with a victory over the Chargers, but they did not look like the better team. They looked like the team that would find a way to win a game and that could get them another AFC West division title. Next: +6.5 at Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 50.5 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 1-1)

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0): The Buccaneers have allowed a total of 13 points in two games this season, which is a reflection of how good their defense is and a reflection of the offenses that they have faced this season. This week could be different.Next: -1 vs Green Bay Packers - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 42 (ATS: 2-0 – O/U: 0-2)

4. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0): The Eagles are averaging 189.5 rushing yards per game after two weeks, second in the NFL. Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 333 yards in the win over the Vikings, and the Eagles lead the NFL in yards per game at 470.5 yards per game. A very good start for the Eagles. Next: -6.5 at Washington Commanders – Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 47.5 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 1-1)

5. Miami Dolphins (2-0): Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after a spectacular offensive performance in the win over the Ravens on the road. Tagovailoa threw for 469 yards and six touchdowns in the stunning come-from-behind victory. Next: +5.5 vs Buffalo Bills - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 52.5 (ATS: 2-0 – O/U: 1-1)

6. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1): The Chargers have a playoff roster and now need to prove that they have a playoff team. The loss to the Chiefs was the kind of loss that playoff teams just cannot let happen. The Chargers have only one turnover in two games, but that was a huge one. Next: -7 vs Jacksonville Jaguars, Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 47.5 (ATS: 2-0 – O/U: 0-2)

7. Los Angeles Rams (1-1): The Rams looked a little more inspired in Week 2, taking a huge lead 31-10 lead early in the fourth quarter over the Falcons with a balanced offensive attack. Unfortunately, the inspired performance of the first three quarters gave way to a fourth quarter collapse, as the Rams hung on for a 31-27 win. Next: -3.5 at Arizona Cardinals - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 0-2 – O/U: 1-1)

8. Baltimore Ravens (1-1): The Ravens led the Dolphins 35-14 after three quarters, but somehow managed to lose the game, 42-38, with an epic fourth quarter collapse on defense. When Dolphin quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws for 469 yards and six touchdowns on your defense, you have some serious issues to resolve in the secondary. Next: -3 at New England Patriots – Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 1-1)

9. Green Bay Packers (1-1): The Packers needed a win after their opening day loss to the Vikings, so they relied on running back Aaron Jones in their 27-10 victory. Jones rushed for 132 yards and one touchdown, while also caching 3 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. Next: +1 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 42 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 0-2)

10. New Orleans Saints (1-1): The Saints need quarterback Jameis Winston to play well and make smart decisions if they are going to make the playoffs. Winston threw three interceptions in the loss to the Bucs on Sunday, and they were all bad decisions, situations where he should have checked down to another option instead of aggressively forcing the ball downfield against a good Bucs defense. Next: -3 at Carolina Panthers – Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 41 (ATS: 0-2 – O/U: 1-1)

11. San Francisco 49ers (1-1): The 49ers are still trying to figure out how they lost to the Bears in Week 1, but they played well in this week's win over the Seahawks. Quarterback Trey Lance was lost for the season with a fractured right ankle, but the 49ers are fortunate that they have veteran Jimmy Garoppolo in the bullpen. Next: -1.5 at Denver Broncos – Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 0-2)

12. Minnesota Vikings (1-1): The Vikings dominated the Packers in Week 1 and got dominated by the Eagles in Week 2. So, what did we learn about the Vikings in the first two weeks? They look like the same team as always but with a different head coach. Next: -6 vs Detroit Lions – Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 52.5 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 0-2

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1): Through the first two games, the Steelers are ranked 30th in the NFL in total offensive yardage per game. Running back Najee Harris has 72 yards rushing in two games, with an average of 2.9 yards per carry. The offense better wake up or this is going to be a long season for the Steelers. Next: +4 at Cleveland Browns – Thu, Sep. 12 – O/U 38 (ATS: 1-0-1 – O/U: 0-2)

14. New York Giants (2-0): The Giants are undefeated after two games and tied for first place in the allegedly weak NFC East with the Eagles. In their 19-16 win over the Panthers, quarterback Daniel Jones did just enough to lead the Giants to victory, throwing for one touchdown and zero interceptions. Next: -1 vs Dallas Cowboys – Mon, Sep. 26 - O/U 39 (ATS: 2-0 – O/U: 0-2)

15. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1): Quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 25 of 30 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns in the Jaguars shutout victory over the Colts. When the Matthew Stafford era ends in Los Angeles, the Rams need to figure out how many first-round picks it will take to get Lawrence in a Rams uniform. Next: +7 at Los Angeles Chargers - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 47.5 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 1-1)

16. Cleveland Browns (1-1): Among the many second half collapses this past weekend in the NFL, the Browns second half collapse was the winner for the "best collapse in a game you should have won." The Browns led 30-17 at home with 1:55 left in the game, but somehow managed to lose the game to 37-year-old Joe Flacco and the Jets, 31-30. Next: -4 vs Pittsburgh Steelers – Thu, Sep. 22 – O/U 38 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 2-0)

17. Denver Broncos (1-1): Quarterback Russell Wilson and the Bronco offense were booed loudly during their anemic offensive performance in a 16-9 win over the Texans. For the second consecutive game, the allegedly high-powered Bronco offense was held to just 16 points. Next: +1.5 vs San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 0-2 – O/U: 0-2)

18. New England Patriots (1-1): The Patriots still can play good defensive football and if they can play error free football on offense, they could still manage to win nine or ten games. But the AFC East belongs to the Bills, and the Dolphins are more explosive offensively than the Pats. Next: +3 vs Baltimore Ravens – Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 0-1-1 – O/U: 0-2)

19. Houston Texans (0-1-1): In two games this season, the Texans have committed only one turnover and if they can continue to play smart football, they will be tough to beat each week. Next: +2.5 at Chicago Bears – Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 40 (ATS: 2-0 – O/U: 0-2)

20. Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1): The Colts are tied for the league lead in turnovers with the Bengals at five, and after a shutout loss to the Jaguars, need to get veteran quarterback Matt Ryan going. He has been sacked seven times in two games and does not look comfortable in the pocket. Next: +6.5 vs Kansas City Chiefs – Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 45 (ATS: 0-2 – O/U: 0-2)

21. Atlanta Falcons (0-2): With Marcus Mariota at quarterback, rookie Drake London at wide receiver, second year tight end Kyle Pitts, and productive running back Cordarrelle Patterson, the Falcons will be entertaining this season. They gave the Rams a scare on Sunday in their 31-27 loss at SoFi Stadium. Next: +1 at Seattle Seahawks – Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 42 (ATS: 2-0 – O/U: 2-0)

22. New York Jets (1-1): Jets punter Braden Mann won the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week Award. After Mann converting the first successful onside kick of the season in the Jets' comeback win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Cleveland. Next: +6 vs Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 45 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 1-1)

23. Detroit Lions (1-1): Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after totaling nine catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 2 win over the Washington Commanders. The former USC also had 68 yards rushing. The Lions have scored 71 points in their first two games. Next: +6 at Minnesota Vikings – Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 52.5 (ATS: 2-0 – O/U: 2-0)

24. Chicago Bears (1-1): If you are struggling to fall asleep, just put on a replay of a Bears game. The Bears are ranked last in total offense in the NFL. Quarterback Justin Fields threw for 70 yards and ran for 20 yards in the loss to the Packers on Sunday. That is one offensive drive for Josh Allen. Next: -2.5 vs Houston Texans - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 40 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 0-2)

25. Washington Commanders (1-1): After giving up 36 points to the Lions and four touchdown passes to Lions quarterback Jared Goff; it would be easy to conclude that the Commanders are not very good on defense. You would be correct. Next: +6.5 vs Philadelphia Eagles – Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 47.5 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 2-0)

26. Arizona Cardinals (1-1): The Cardinals had been outscored in the first six quarters of football this season 64-21 and appeared to be well on their way to another blowout loss on Sunday. Fortunately for the Cardinals, they were playing the Raiders, who know a thing or two about playing bad football, and they were able to squeeze out an overtime victory. Next: +3.5 vs Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 1-0-1)

27. Las Vegas Raiders (0-2): The Raiders are 0-2 after an inexcusable loss to the Arizona Cardinals at home in overtime, 29-23. The Raiders blew a 20-0 halftime lead and a 16-point fourth quarter lead, in a game that was a lesson in how to finish aggressively with a lead. Hopefully the Raiders learned from this tragic loss at home. Next: -2.5 at Tennessee Titans - Sun, Sep. 18 – O/U 45.5 (ATS: 0-2 – O/U: 0-1-1)

28. Seattle Seahawks (1-1): The Seahawks are who we thought they are, as the 49ers easily defeated the Seahawks on Sunday, 27-7. Offensively, the Seahawks are not very good, having scored a total of 24 points in two games, but that is who we thought they were. Next: -1 vs Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 42 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 0-2)

29. Tennessee Titans (0-2): The Titans are in a hole at 0-2 after their blowout loss to the Bills but are fortunate to be in the AFC South division, where only one team has a victory this season. They will be playing a team this week that is also searching for their first win. Next: +2.5 vs Las Vegas Raiders - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 45.5 (ATS: 0-2 – O/U: 1-1)

30. Dallas Cowboys (1-1): In a Sunday miracle, the Cowboys stunned the NFL world with their 20-17 win over the defending AFC champion Bengals on Sunday. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush threw for 235 yards and a touchdown in the victory. The defense sacked Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow six times. Next: +1 at New York Giants - Mon, Sep. 26 – O/U 39 (ATS: 1-1 – O/U: 0-2)

31. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2): The Bengals lead the NFL in sacks allowed with 13 and the Bengals have five turnovers in two games. Burrow needs to do a better job of getting the ball out of his hands quickly. The Bengals do not look super this season. Next: -6 at New York Jets - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 45 (ATS: 0-2 – O/U: 0-2)

32. Carolina Panthers (0-2): Any college football team looking for a head coach (Arizona State) should keep an eye on what happens in Carolina. Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is on the hot seat and a few more losses will probably get him fired. Rhule was an excellent college football coach at Baylor and Temple. Next: +3 vs New Orleans Saints - Sun, Sep. 25 – O/U 41 (ATS: 0-2 – O/U: 1-1)

 

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