Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season delivered excitement, surprises, and dominant performances. The New Orleans Saints made the biggest statement, dropping over 40 points for the second straight week, dismantling the Dallas Cowboys in a 44-19 rout. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs reaffirmed their place atop the league, grinding out another clutch win despite an off day from Patrick Mahomes. From the Texans’ defensive showcase to the Chargers’ resurgence under Jim Harbaugh, Week 2 showed us which teams are on the rise and which still have work to do. Here’s our NFL Power Rankings for Week 3.
1. Chiefs: (2-0) The Chiefs maintain their top spot after outlasting the Bengals. Even with Patrick Mahomes not at his best, Kansas City’s relentless passing game and ability to win clutch moments make them tougher than ever.
2. Bills: (2-0) Buffalo’s defense and running game are as important as Josh Allen’s talents. Joe Brady’s offense is complemented well by Sean McDermott’s defense, giving the Bills a physical identity that can deliver consistent results.
3. Texans: (2-0) Despite a sloppy performance with penalties, the Texans’ defense stepped up to secure a win against a tough Bears team. DeMeco Ryans maximizes the talent at his disposal, showing Houston’s ability to win in multiple ways.
4. Vikings: (2-0) The Vikings’ revamped defense under Brian Flores makes life easier for Sam Darnold and an offense in transition. Despite some injuries, their win over the 49ers legitimized their strong start.
5. Steelers: (2-0) The Steelers are finding success through defense and special teams, with statement wins against Atlanta and Denver. The upcoming challenge at home against the Chargers will be a true test for Justin Fields and this balanced attack.
6. Chargers: (2-0) Dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, the Chargers crushed the Raiders and Panthers. Jim Harbaugh’s influence is evident, as the team’s rushing attack and pass rush are clicking early in the season.
7. Saints: (2-0) Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara powered the Saints to a commanding win over the Cowboys, while Dennis Allen’s defense remains solid. The Saints are clicking on both sides of the ball.
8. Buccaneers: (2-0) Baker Mayfield and Todd Bowles are thriving under new schemes on both sides of the ball. The Buccaneers are off to a hot start and poised to contend for the NFC South.
9. Lions: (1-1) Detroit’s defense found its groove, but Jared Goff’s shaky start is concerning. With key injuries to their receiving corps, the Lions must regroup quickly to avoid further stumbles.
10. Seahawks: (2-0) The defense traveled well to contain the Patriots, while the offense shifted gears from run-heavy to explosive passing plays. Seattle continues to thrive on the road.
11. Eagles: (1-1) A costly decision to throw the football by head coach Nick Siriani played a significant role in the Philadelphia Eagles’ crushing defeat on Monday Night Football to the Atlanta Falcons. The team heads to New Orleans to face a red-hot Saints team in Week 3 next.
12. 49ers: (1-1) The Niners fought hard, but it was not enough to put away a Vikings team with a quarterback going through a career resurgence in Sam Darnold.
13. Cowboys: (1-1) We should all know this now. The Dallas Cowboys play well against terrible teams and shrink when it’s time to face a formidable opponent. That was last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints when the team allowed another 40-point beating for the second-straight time at Jerry World. The previous 40-point defeat on their home field was during the postseason against the Green Bay Packers.
14. Falcons: (1-1) Due to a dropped touchdown pass by Eagles running back Saquon Barkley that would have sealed a victory for Philadelphia, the Atlanta Falcons took advantage of the remaining time on the clock to get their first win. But they have no time to relish victory and face the Kansas City Chiefs next.
15. Dolphins: (1-1) Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion casts uncertainty over the Dolphins’ season, but the running game and receivers remain strong. However, the defense has been underwhelming despite solid corner play.
16. Packers: (1-1) It wasn’t an exceptional performance, but it did the job at the end of the day. Backup QB Malik Willis stepped in for an injured Jordan Love and led the Packers to a 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. What lies ahead for Willis is a matchup with a team he is very familiar with, the Tennessee Titans. Willis was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
17. Cardinals: (1-1) They unlocked their offense at home, with Kyler Murray finding chemistry with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride. Murray looks sharp, and the defense responded well under Jonathan Gannon. Arizona will need to be ready for a tough challenge against the Lions.
18. Browns: (1-1) The Browns bounced back with solid defense and an effective running game in Jacksonville, limiting the need for Deshaun Watson to take over. If they can string together wins against the Giants, Raiders, and Commanders, they could heat up heading into Week 6.
19. Raiders: (1-1) They cleaned up their game to secure a much-needed win in Baltimore. Las Vegas could capitalize and jump to a 2-1 record with the struggling Panthers next on the schedule.
20. Ravens: (0-2) A surprising 0-2 start for the Ravens, as penalties and poor third-down execution plagued their loss to the Raiders. Lamar Jackson and the offense have shown flashes, but Week 3 in Dallas feels like a must-win.
21. Jets: (1-1) The Jets handled business in Tennessee, with Aaron Rodgers playing a complementary role to their dominant defense and rushing attack. A short week against the Patriots will test their consistency.
22. Commanders: (1-1) While the Commanders’ offense has yet to fully click, Jayden Daniels’ improvisation has made them gritty and tough to beat. Head coach Dan Quinn and OC Kliff Kingsbury have enough pieces to build on, with playoff hopes still alive.
23. Bengals: (0-2) The Bengals find themselves in an early hole after narrowly losing to the Chiefs. Joe Burrow and company will need to quickly clean up mistakes to avoid repeating last season’s slow start.
24. Colts: (0-2) The Colts have been steamrolled by the run, giving up 213 and 261 yards in back-to-back weeks. Their inability to stop the ground game has led to back-to-back losses, and they’ll need to fix this fast to avoid further disappointment.
25. Jaguars (0-2): Trevor Lawrence has shown flashes, but inconsistency is plaguing him and the defense. Doug Pederson needs to stabilize the team quickly to avoid falling further behind after a shaky start.
26. Titans: (0-2): The Titans are still adapting under new schemes, with Will Levis and Calvin Ridley trying to find a rhythm. There’s plenty of potential, but more consistency is needed on both sides to get the season on track.
27. Bears: (1-1): The Bears fought hard in Houston but were undone by offensive struggles and poor pass protection for Caleb Williams. Their defense remains bright, and a favorable upcoming schedule could help them rebound.
28. Rams: (0-2): The Rams are off to a rough start, struggling defensively without Aaron Donald. The new defensive coordinator, Chris Shula, is relying on young players, which is showing. They’ll need more veteran presence to stabilize the defense.
29. Patriots: (0-1) Despite another strong rushing performance, the Patriots fell short against the Seahawks due to defensive breakdowns. Jacoby Brissett is filling in capably, but Jerod Mayo’s defense needs to rebound quickly as they move forward.
30. Giants: (0-2) The Giants’ offense showed signs of life, with Malik Nabers and Devin Singletary helping Daniel Jones, but the team still struggled to score. Defensive lapses and kicker Graham Gano’s injury add to their problems as they search for answers.
31. Broncos: (0-2) Denver’s offense was abysmal against Pittsburgh, wasting a solid defensive effort. Bo Nix struggled in his home debut, and head coach Sean Payton has some serious work to turn things around.
32. Panthers: (0-2) The Panthers are off to a disastrous start, struggling to run, pass, or defend. Their defense is even more vulnerable with Derrick Brown out, and Bryce Young’s development appears stalled. The Panthers are trending toward another high draft pick in 2025.
