Zak Drapeau's NFL Week 3 Power Rankings

Zak Drapeau
3 hours ago
9 min read

by Zak Drapeau 9/23/2025 Sportz Nation

1. Buffalo Bills --

3-0

Last Week: 31-21 Win vs MIA

The Bills remain Number 1 on my rankings in a week where none of the top teams did much to separate themselves from the rest. The Dolphins may have given the Bills more of a game than we thought they would but at the end of the day as long as the Bills have 17 they will be up here.

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2. Philadelphia Eagles --

3-0

Last Week: 33-26 Win vs LAR

I debated whether I would drop them farther down this list after they were 1 quarter away from being blown out in their home stadium but WHAT A COMEBACK. The highlight of the week also has to be Jordan Davis' scoop and score off of a blocked field goal. The Eagles scored 26 unanswered points against one of the best teams in the league to win the game and that could only be done by a championship team.

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3. Los Angeles Chargers /\2

3-0

Last Week: 23-20 Win vs DEN

After a dirty but effective in against the AFC West-rival Broncos, the Chargers are firmly among the Top-3 of the league. Justin Herbert continues to make amazing plays to keep his team in the game and make stars out of Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston. Add the Chargers tough defense and Dicker the Kicker and this team may be the most well-rounded in the league.

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4. Detroit Lions /\5

2-1

Last Week: 38-30 Win at BAL

After Week 1 most everyone wrote the Lions off after their embarrassing loss to Green Bay. Since then the Lions have averaged 45 points a game and just won a road game at Baltimore. We definitely wrote them off to early and as long as they have Goff, Campbell and Hutchinson this team will be fine.

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5. Kansas City Chiefs /\2

1-2

Last Week: 22-9 Win at NYG

The Chiefs may be 1-2 but both of their losses are to Top-3 teams. The Chiefs handled business in the Meadowlands this week and their defense has been on par with last year through 3 weeks. If the Chiefs can keep their win-loss respectable until they get Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice back they should end the season on a monster run.

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6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers --

3-0

Last Week: 29-27 Win vs NYJ

Coming off a close one at home where a blocked field goal almost lost the game to the Jets, the Buccaneers remain undefeated. Baker's efficiency is at an all time high with rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka and it seems their defense has become among the best in the league allowing only 84 rushing yards and 22 points a game.

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7. Green Bay Packers \/4

2-1

Last Week: 13-10 Loss at CLE

Where did that come from...? After being one of the best teams through 2 weeks, the Packers drop a stinker in Cleveland. Losing because of a blocked field goal, the Packers will have to reassess and should come back firing. It seems like this was a fluke loss but definitely something to monitor especially when the Packers have a road game.

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8. Baltimore Ravens \/4

1-2

Last Week: 38-30 Loss vs DET

Similarly to the Chiefs, the Ravens have losses to 2 of the Top-4 teams on this list. Different from the Chiefs however, the Ravens have given up an average of 31.7 points per game. Ironically, we'll find out who the best 1-2 team is when the AFC fores collide at 4 o'clock next week.

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9. Indianapolis Colts /\1

3-0

Last Week: 41-20 Win at TEN

In my opinion the weakest undefeated team left is the Colts. Their defense is solid and they're riding momentum from Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor but it seems like this team is overachieving. Not that this team are frauds but it seems like they could just as easily be 3-3 when we check back in in a few weeks.

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10. Los Angeles Rams \/2

2-1

Last Week: 33-26 Loss at PHI

The Rams should be higher on this list but to give up a 26-point comeback in the fashion they did dropped them. Ultimately it didn't drop them too far and they belong around the Top-10. A home game against the Colts this week may see them climb back up soon.

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11. Washington Commanders /\2

2-1

Last Week: 41-24 Win vs LV

The Commanders didn't have Jayden Daniels and looked even better this week so they have to climb up a couple spots. After trouncing the Raiders the way they did, the Commanders only loss is to the Packers in Green Bay and if they can get Daniels back soon they should be able to string more wins together.

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12. Seattle Seahawks /\3

2-1

Last Week: 44-13 Loss vs NO

A very impressive win albeit this week against New Orleans showed what Seattle's offense is capable of. Holding the 2nd best defense in the league so far should get you Top-10 status but unfortunately for Seattle, Sam Darnold is still holding them back with turnovers as he adjusts to his new team.

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13. Denver Broncos \/2

1-2

Last Week: 23-20 Loss at LAC

Respectable road losses to the Colts and now Chargers have dropped the Broncos outside of the Top-10. The harsh truth is that the Broncos' defense is not what we thought it would be and is averaging the 13th most yards in the league. A problem that should soon be corrected, the Broncos should climb after their MNF home matchup with the Bengals.

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14. San Francisco 49ers \/2

3-0

Last Week: 16-15 Win vs ARI

Aaaaaaaaaaaand the 49ers are already injured. Nick Bosa is now out ofr the season and Brock Purdy doesn't seem to be any closer to returning. Add Mac Jones to the questionable list and the 49ers won't be able to win these close games for much longer.

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15. Jacksonville Jaguars /\5

2-1

Last Week: 17-10 Win vs HOU

Beating the Texans was huge for the Jags last week and have given them a clear shot at the AFC South title. The Jaguars defense looks miles better than last year already and if Trevor Lawrence can keep his turnovers down this team could be even better. As it stands, they are perfectly around the middle of the league until they realize their potential.

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16. Minnesota Vikings /\5 2-1

Last Week: 48-10 Win vs CIN

The Vikings dropped 10 spots after their loss to Atlanta and injury to McCarthy last week but then Carson Wentz comes in and they are right back. The Vikings slapped the Bengals around in Minnesota last week and were immaculate in all 3 phases of the game. A big test in Pittsburgh will show if Carson Wentz could really be the guy that brings the Vikings back toward the top of this list.

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17. Pittsburgh Steelers /\1

2-1

Last Week: 21-14 Win at NE

The Steelers won a game they really should have lost to the Patriots by playing disciplined football last week. Their defense is still under-performing but as a team they were solid enough. Not much to say, this team definitely has a hard cap on it but also have a solid floor.

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18. Atlanta Falcons \/4

2-1

Last Week: 30-0 Loss at CAR

What happened? After being a solid team for the start of the season, the Falcons were a mess last week and got shut out by the lowly Panthers. Kirk Cousins came in and looked better than Penix and the Falcons fired their receivers coach afterward. The Falcons need to get their sh*t together and quickly or their 2-0 start could be wasted.

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19. Arizona Cardinals \/3

2-1

Last Week: 16-15 Loss at SF

The Cardinals offense has been toward the bottom of the league and to make matters worse they've lost James Connor for the rest of the season. To make matters worse their defense that should have gotten better this offseason is still incredibly mid.

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20. Houston Texans \/1

0-3

Last Week: 17-10 Loss at JAX

The EASY favorite to win the AFC South this season starts off 0-3 and Houston, we have a problem. The Texans' offense ranks dead last in points scored at 12.7 and have failed to score 20 points in any game. Their defense has been pretty solid and their roster is good enough to help them with their ranking but if they lose to Tennessee this week their season might be done already.

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21. Chicago Bears /\3

1-2

Last Week: 31-14 Loss vs DAL

Caleb Williams just had the best game of his career and I don't know if he's gotten better or if Dallas' defense is truly that bad. The Bears defense looked pretty good as well though even without their best two corners. With both weaknesses in their game looking like they're making improvements, the Bears could be in for a climb over the next few weeks.

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Photo by Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press

22. New England Patriots --

1-2

Last Week: 21-14 Loss vs PIT

The Patriots should really have won that game last week but 5 turnovers is impossible to overcome. Nonetheless, Drake Maye has looked extremely legit and the defense has been good enough that if the team can hold on to the ball, they will win some games this year.

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23. Cleveland Browns /\7

1-2

Last Week: 13-10 Win vs GB

Well... sorry about your survivor pools. The Browns were 7.5-point underdogs even at home versus the Packers and wouldn't you know they went and did it. With defense, ball control and special teams the Browns took down on of the best rosters in the sport and showed that they have some real potential to win a few games this year.

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24. Dallas Cowboys \/7

1-2

Last Week: 31-14 Loss at CHI

The Cowboys defense looks awful... sorry to be blunt. Dak Prescott isn't living up to expectations either and the Cowboys fall to 1-2 after a jarring loss in Chicago. To make matters worse the Cowboys have added 4 starters to IR this week including Ceedee Lamb and Tyler Booker to make their offensive woes that much worse.

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25. Carolina Panthers /\6

1-2

Last Week: 30-0 Win vs ATL

The Panthers first win by 30 or more points since Cam Newton was on the team, Bryce Young and co made the Falcons look like a pop warner team. Running the ball and controlling the skies was how the Panthers did it and with an upcoming matchup with the Patriots in the horizon, could the Panthers do it again?

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26. New York Jets --

0-3

Last Week: 29-27 Loss at TB

The Jets almost pulled off the 3rd blocked field goal-comeback last week but Baker Mayfield is magic and they fall to 0-3. The good news it Tyrod Taylor was able to rally this team with Justin Fields on the bench and when he returns, this team should have some gas in the tank to make their MNF game at Miami interesting.

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27. Miami Dolphins /\1

0-3

Last Week: 31-21 Loss at BUF

Speaking of Miami, they too also pulled off a huge upset but lost the game to Buffalo in the 4th. The good news is Tua, Tyreek and Waddle seem to be finding their 2023 chemistry again and look dynamic as ever. The bad news is this team's coaching may be too much to overcome for them to do any serious damage this year.

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28. Cincinnati Bengals \/5

2-1

Last Week: 48-10 Loss at MIN

Joe Burrow's injury looks like it affects this team more than anyone thought it would and they looked BAD in Minnesota. With Burrow out for around 10 weeks, this team might already be done for the year. Looks like Joe's MVP-bid last year really had some merit didn't it?

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29. Las Vegas Raiders \/4

1-2

Last Week: 41-24 Loss at WAS

Pete Carroll needs to do something quick or his tenure in Las vegas may be as quick as Josh McDaniels'. The worst parts of this team are the trenches and it's evident by Ashton Jeanty only averaging 48 yards per game. A matchup with the Bears has some potential to turn things around but I wouldn't hold my breath.

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30. New York Giants \/1

0-3

Last Week: 22-9 Loss vs KC

Anytime you lose to Kansas City it's not a bad loss but the amount of booing in the Meadowlands last week was eye-opening. I give it two weeks tops before Jaxson Dart takes over this team and when he does, who knows? Maybe these guys will play better for him and rise up the ranks but for now it looks like the Giants will get a high draft pick to pair with him for next year.

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31. Tennessee Titans \/4

0-3

Last Week: 41-20 Loss vs IND

The Titans have some real potential surprisingly but after the game against the Colts it's evident they need a new coach. The most penalized team BY A MILE this season, it seems like everyone besides Cam Ward has been underperforming. This roster is a lot better than it's been playing but I don't know if they'll ever play to their potential.

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32. New Orleans Saints --

0-3

Last Week: 44-13 Loss at SEA

Finishing 32nd for the third straight week, the Saints not only got embarrassed in Seattle but their roster is clearly the worst in the league. The only wrinkle in their "Tank for Arch" arc is the fact that Spencer Rattler is actually playing out of his mind somehow.... weird.

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