Football fans love a good overreaction. After two weeks of the 2025 season, the NFL landscape looks like a fever dream. If you told me in August that the Kansas City Chiefs would be sitting at 0-2 while Daniel Jones had the Indianapolis Colts looking like a juggernaut, I’d have asked for whatever you were drinking. Yet, here we are.
Power rankings aren't just a list. They're a snapshot of chaos.
The Top Tier: Why the Bills and Eagles Still Matter
There’s a lot of noise about who the "real" number one is. Honestly, it’s a toss-up between Buffalo and Philadelphia, but the NFL week 3 power rankings mostly favor the Bills for one reason: efficiency.
✨ Don't miss: Lance Stroll Age: Why the Aston Martin Driver is Entering His Prime in 2026
Buffalo sits at 2-0 after a 30-10 shellacking of the New York Jets. Josh Allen is playing like a man possessed, but the real story is James Cook. He put up 132 rushing yards and two scores in Week 2. For years, the knock on Buffalo was that they couldn't run the ball when it mattered. Now? They’re balanced. Joey Bosa, their big free-agent splash, is already making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks, earning a 91.5 PFF grade.
Then you have the Philadelphia Eagles. They’re also 2-0, but it feels... clunky? They narrowly beat the Chiefs 20-17 in a Super Bowl rematch that was more of a "slopfest" than a classic. Jalen Hurts hasn't really found his rhythm yet, and the offense under new face Kevin Patullo has looked surprisingly conservative. Despite that, they’re winning. That’s what elite teams do. They win when they play poorly.
The Packers Are the NFC Team to Beat
Green Bay is scary. They’ve knocked off two heavyweights in the Lions and Commanders. Jordan Love is playing with a level of confidence that should make the rest of the North very nervous. What’s wild is that they haven't even played their "best" ball yet. Their defense hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in two games. In a league where the ground game is making a comeback, that's a massive stat.
The 0-2 Panic: Is Kansas City Actually in Trouble?
Seeing the Chiefs at 0-2 is weird. It’s the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era they’ve started this poorly. The offense looks out of sync. Mahomes has actually been their leading rusher in both games, which tells you everything you need to know about their lack of targets. He’s running for his life because he doesn't trust anyone to get open.
Is it time to bail on them? Probably not. They face the Giants in Week 3. If they lose that, then we can start talking about a rebuild. But for now, they’re the biggest "faller" in almost every ranking, sliding down to the middle of the pack.
✨ Don't miss: Matt Shaw and Charlie Kirk: What Really Happened Between the Cubs Rookie and the Activist
NFL Week 3 Power Rankings: The Surprise Contenders
If you aren't paying attention to the Los Angeles Chargers, you’re missing out. Jim Harbaugh has this team playing nasty football. They’re 2-0 after stifling the Raiders, and Justin Herbert finally has a defense that doesn't surrender 30 points a game.
- Los Angeles Chargers (2-0): Up to #5 in many consensus polls. Herbert is elite, and the "Bugatti in a trailer park" days are over.
- Indianapolis Colts (2-0): Daniel Jones is currently the comeback story of the year. The Colts haven't punted in two games. Read that again. Zero punts.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0): Baker Mayfield is still "that guy." They’ve won two straight road games and host the Jets next.
The Joe Burrow Disaster
The Cincinnati Bengals are 2-0, which sounds great. But the vibes in Cincy are subterranean. Joe Burrow is out for a few months with a toe injury. Jake Browning stepped in and beat the Jaguars, but he threw three picks in the process. You can’t survive in the AFC North with a -3 turnover margin from your backup QB. Expect the Bengals to plummet in the standings over the next month.
What People Get Wrong About the 49ers
San Francisco is 2-0, and people are acting like the sky is falling because Brock Purdy is sidelined. Mac Jones stepped in and threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns against the Saints. Kyle Shanahan could probably turn a high school quarterback into a Pro Bowler in that system.
The concern isn't the QB. It's the injuries elsewhere. They’re "banged up," as the saying goes, but their schedule is soft enough that they can coast while they get healthy. Seeing them ranked outside the top 10 is a mistake. They’re still a top-5 roster when the starters are on the field.
Bottom of the Barrel
- Miami Dolphins (0-2): Everything is broken.
- Carolina Panthers (0-2): Bryce Young is struggling, and the "improvement" we saw late last year hasn't carried over.
- Tennessee Titans (0-2): They’ve played tough, but the wins aren't coming. Drake Maye looks efficient, but the defense can't hold a lead.
The Actionable Takeaway for Week 3
When looking at these rankings, don't just look at the record. Look at the "how."
📖 Related: NFL Games On Tonight: Why Thursday Night Football is Dark
The Eagles are 2-0 but have a bottom-tier offense in terms of yardage. The Lions are 1-1 but just dropped 52 points on Chicago. If you're betting or playing fantasy, you want the high-ceiling teams like Detroit over the "lucky" undefeated teams.
Next Steps for Week 3:
- Watch the Colts' punting streak: If they go a third game without punting, Daniel Jones might actually be an MVP candidate.
- Monitor Jayden Daniels' knee: The Commanders' season hinges on his health; if Marcus Mariota has to start, they drop five spots instantly.
- Don't sell high on the Bengals: Burrow’s absence is a season-killer. Trade their assets now before the value hits zero.