Entering Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season, here are the power rankings (previous rank in parentheses):

1. Kansas City Chiefs (1): The Chiefs are on course to achieve an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat, even with their average win margin being just four points against two supposed competitors in the AFC. Even with tight end Travis Kelce averaging under 20 receiving yards per game, their success seems secure, especially with backup offensive tackle Wanya Morris scoring touchdowns. However, injuries to wide receiver Hollywood Brown and running back Isiah Pacheco pose significant concerns.

2. Houston Texans (6): Although their two wins so far were against teams that aren’t the best (Colts, Bears), the Texans’ defense has impressed, and no other team has achieved a two-game lead in their division.

3. Buffalo Bills (8): The restructured AFC East champions have reasons to be optimistic, especially with outside linebacker Von Miller recording nine pressures, including two sacks in the first two weeks. This is a stark contrast to last season, where he managed only five pressures with no sacks in 12 games due to recovering from ACL surgery.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11): It may seem generous to give the Buccaneers this high of a ranking for just two wins, but their consistent performance in the early 2020s deserves some recognition. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has also been pivotal, accounting for four of the Buccaneers’ seven rushing first downs.

5. Detroit Lions (2): ESPN Research indicates that the Lions had their most red-zone drives without a touchdown in one game in over 43 years, with one critical drive failing just before halftime. Coach Dan Campbell accepted blame for this missed opportunity, which he believes contributed to their playoff rematch loss to the Buccaneers.

6. New Orleans Saints (24): The Saints dominated a weak team in their season opener and followed up with a win against a better team last Sunday. Under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, quarterback Derek Carr is thriving, posting the best stats in the league with five touchdown passes and a 142.4 passer rating during his first 15 drives of the season. Running back Alvin Kamara is also shining with the most touchdowns and scrimmage yards, showing how a change in coaching can rejuvenate seasoned players.

7. Minnesota Vikings (23): After destroying a weak opponent in Week 1, the Vikings managed a close victory over a strong team last Sunday. However, the upcoming matchup against Danielle Hunter’s Texans will put their quarterback Sam Darnold and receiver Justin Jefferson duo to a true test.

8. San Francisco 49ers (3): The 49ers are facing some injuries, with running back Christian McCaffrey on IR, receiver Deebo Samuel set to miss a few weeks due to a calf strain, and receiver Brandon Aiyuk recovering from an inactive preseason while seeking a new contract. Pro Bowl safety Talanoa Hufanga is still not ready to return either, but aside from these issues, the team remains in a good position.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (5): The Eagles appeared to struggle in South America much more than at home, mainly due to coach Nick Sirianni’s decisions and mistakes from running back Saquon Barkley, their secondary, and a game-sealing interception thrown by quarterback Jalen Hurts.

10. New York Jets (12): A highlight for the Jets was defensive end Will McDonald IV achieving a career-best three sacks, equaling his rookie total. Unfortunately, they lost defensive end Jermaine Johnson to a torn Achilles, signaling a pressing need to resolve the situation with holdout linebacker Haason Reddick.

11. Green Bay Packers (16): The Packers became the first franchise in league history to reach 800 regular-season victories. Despite their long history, they currently possess the league’s youngest roster, with an average player age of 24.91 years in 2024, led by 25-year-old quarterback Jordan Love, who is expected to recover quickly from his MCL injury.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (17): The Steelers may continue their strong performance by leading the league in turnover differential (+5) while allowing only an average of eight points per game, making their quarterback situation less of a concern.

13. Atlanta Falcons (19): Quarterback Kirk Cousins displayed newfound comfort following his Achilles repair, shining in a key win against Philadelphia to even the team’s record. They’ll face a challenging three-game homestand coming up against teams like the Chiefs, Saints, and Buccaneers.

14. Los Angeles Chargers (18): The Chargers have had an easier schedule, which has allowed running back J.K. Dobbins, wide receiver Quentin Johnston, and outside linebacker Joey Bosa to find their stride as the team aims for a .500 start alongside the Harbaugh brothers in 2024.

15. Baltimore Ravens (4): Unfortunately for the Ravens, they fell victim to one of their trademark fourth-quarter collapses, squandering a double-digit lead on Sunday, following a near win against the Chiefs. This unfortunate sequence leaves them at an 0-2 start.

16. Cincinnati Bengals (14): The Bengals, too, share an 0-2 record due to a disappointing loss against a weaker team followed by a close result against the Chiefs. Yonder that, if wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s frustrations persist, problems may continue.

17. Arizona Cardinals (21): With 69 points scored, the Cardinals rank just behind the Saints. Due to their offensive capabilities and the injuries affecting other teams in the NFC West, they are a team worth watching closely.

18. Dallas Cowboys (7): Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they have been outscored 92-51 in their last two games at home despite being known as “America’s Team.” Their next match will be against a formidable Ravens team.

19. Cleveland Browns (22): Want to guess how many 300-yard passing games quarterback Deshaun Watson has achieved since joining the Browns?

Response: Still awaiting one.

20. Seattle Seahawks (25): The unexpected 2-0 beginning saw WRs DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on Sunday making history as the first duo from Seattle to each achieve at least 10 receptions and 100 yards in a single game.

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21. Las Vegas Raiders (30): If you’re going to highlight a pass rusher as your organization’s key figure, it may as well be someone like Maxx Crosby, who hasn’t missed a play this season.

22. Indianapolis Colts (9): The clearest path to a frustrating 0-2 start? Commit four turnovers and have a defense that concedes the highest rushing yards per game (237) across the league. Indy hasn’t managed to hold the ball for 40 minutes over the two games.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (15): “TrEverBank Stadium?” At least the temporary sponsorship is candid. “We’re terrible right now,” QB Trevor Lawrence commented after suffering his seventh consecutive loss.

24. Chicago Bears (20): Despite a rocky start, rookie QB Caleb Williams doesn’t even need to average 250 yards per game to make history as the franchise’s first 4,000-yard passer in a season.

25. Miami Dolphins (13): With WR Tyreek Hill and QB Tua Tagovailoa, the focus on the game is hard to maintain for a franchise facing an uncertain future following Tua’s recent concussion.

26. Los Angeles Rams (10): Once seen as a backbone of the team at the start of the season, the receiving corps has now turned into a liability, with Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson expected to step up as starting wideouts for an unknown period.

27. Washington Commanders (26): Jayden Daniels’ 132 rushing yards over two games have surpassed former Washington star Robert Griffin III for the most by a quarterback in his first two NFL games since the Super Bowl era began in 1966.

28. New England Patriots (27): Their rushing attack outpaces their passing game by 55 yards weekly, but this division of roles appears to be functioning fairly well. No Patriots wide receiver has over 28 receiving yards, yet the team was very close to starting the season 2-0.

29. Tennessee Titans (29): Rookie head coach Brian Callahan didn’t enter this field for our entertainment. Yet his blunt critique of QB Will Levis—who has been irresponsible with the football—has brought a refreshing perspective.

30. Denver Broncos (28): In summary, Sean Payton’s offense is currently scoring 7.7 points and racking up 48 fewer yards per game since QB Russell Wilson was sidelined late last season.

31. New York Giants (32): It’s hard to tell if it’s possible to overwork a rookie wide receiver, but the G-Men might be on the verge of finding out—only Rams’ injured Cooper Kupp has received more targets than Malik Nabers’ 25.

32. Carolina Panthers (31): If Joe Flacco could step in and save the Browns at 38 years old last year, why couldn’t Andy Dalton step up at 36 by simply handing off his clipboard—uh, tablet—to Bryce Young after the team surprisingly decided to move on from him after two starts in 2024?

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Follow YSL News Sports’ Nate Davis on X, previously known as Twitter, @ByNateDavis.