Josh Allen and Jayden Daniels authored arguably the two best performances of Week 3 at the final buzzer, and the league is a more fun place because of it as we head into Week 4.
Here are the latest power rankings for 2024 after three weeks.
The opening three weeks have provided plenty of surprises, from unexpected undefeated starts to shocking stumbles out of the gate.
While it’s still early, patterns are emerging that allow us to reassess the league’s power structure.
There are a few teams not listed here but they’re almost certain to be here after Week 17.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have begun the season with a 3-0 record for the first time since 2020. Travis Kelce has had a quiet start to the season, with only 69 yards on eight catches and no touchdowns through three games, while the team is dealing with the absence of running back Isiah Pacheco. Regardless of how you feel about a pedestrian start for Patrick Mahomes & Co., it helps when you have a defense that can close things out for you every single week. With the easiest part of their schedule coming up, the Chiefs have an opportunity to address their offensive issues while continuing to stack wins.
2. Buffalo Bills
The Bills move to 3-0 on the season after rolling over the Jaguars in a 47-10 win. Who didn’t score? Four separate receivers had a touchdown to go along with the two rushing scores on just nine total drives not counting the final kneeldown. There isn't one dominant, alpha weapon in the Bills' offense, but there are about five solid ones — and that's more than good enough when your quarterback is an MVP candidate. Josh Allen looks every bit like the early favorite. The defense has been stout, forcing six turnovers in three games. The Bills dominated the game with a highly effective offense, while their defense managed to contain the Jaguars’ offense by generating five sacks.
3. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have emerged as one of the biggest surprises in the NFL, starting the season with a perfect 3-0 record and beating strong opponents (49ers and Texans) in consecutive weeks. The team’s defense, led by Brian Flores, has been a major factor in their success. Brian Flores' defense has shut down San Francisco and Houston in back-to-back weeks. If the Vikings can do that, there won't be many opponents that can pull away from these guys. The offense is clicking under head coach Kevin O’Connell with Sam Darnold performing exceptionally well. And if Sam Darnold can just continue avoiding reckless decisions, this is a tough formula to beat. A big trip to Lambeau Field awaits in Week 4.
4. Detroit Lions
The Lions improved to a 2-1 record following a 20-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Despite not scoring in the second half, they relied on a strong running game to secure the win. Weird game in the desert, but a road win is a road win. The Lions have to be encouraged by how their revamped secondary has played these past couple of weeks. Though I am worried about what it might mean for their offense if All-Pro center Frank Ragnow misses a significant stretch of time with a pec injury. While they have been successful on the ground, there are additional concerns about the passing game and overall offensive efficiency. Jared Goff‘s performance has been inconsistent.
5. Houston Texans
Maybe Minnesota is just going to do this to everyone. As hot as C.J. Stroud has started his career, it feels telling that this beating at the hands of the Vikings was just his second multi-interception game. Not the end of the world, but a day that got away from the Texans. The Texans suffered their first loss of the season, falling to 2-1 after a decisive 34-7 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. C.J. Stroud threw his first 2 interceptions of the season, completing 20 of 31 passes for 215 yards and 1 touchdown. The running game was ineffective, gaining only 38 yards on 14 carries (2.7 yards per attempt). The offensive line had an abysmal showing, with multiple penalties and protection breakdowns. The Texans as a whole committed 11 penalties for 88 yards, making them the third most penalized team in the league.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have kicked off the season impressively, boasting a 3-0 record for the first time since 2020. The Steelers have been winning games primarily because of their strong defense. The Steelers haven't exactly faced a daunting slate to open the season, but what they're doing on defense is still incredible. If you limit three straight opponents to 10 points or less, I'm confident you can hang with just about anyone in the league. Now, the million-dollar question: How much more can the resurgent Justin Fields continue to grow. Although the offense isn’t a particular strength, Pittsburgh now does have stability at the quarterback position with Justin Fields.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles improved to 2-1 after a hard-fought 15-12 victory over the New Orleans Saints. The Eagles’ defense played a crucial role in the low-scoring game, holding the Saints to 12 points. This is particularly impressive considering the Saints were the NFL’s highest-scoring offense through the first two weeks. The Eagles are dealing with some injury concerns: A.J. Brown was absent for this game while DeVonta Smith and Lane Johnson exited the game. Jalen Hurts has to stop turning the ball over, and Nick Sirianni could stand to get a better feel for his fourth down decision-making. Having gotten those criticisms out of the way, I'm choosing to be encouraged by the Eagles rediscovering how to pull one out of the fire. It didn't need to be as close as it was, but the Eagles had been finding ways to lose nail-biters instead of winning them. Feels like progress to be on the other end of one.
8. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are 2-1 despite the absence of Jordan Love in Weeks 2 and 3. I was worried about the Packers staying afloat without Jordan Love, and it turns out they're thriving. Green Bay has an NFL-leading 612 rushing yards through the first three weeks of the season. Josh Jacobs ranks sixth in the league in total rushing. The Packers’ defense has been exceptional at creating turnovers under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, leading the league in takeaways. Their strong running game and improved defense provide a solid foundation.
9. New York Jets
The Jets improved to 2-1 after a convincing 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 3.
Thursday's win against New England felt like a ceiling-changing game for the Jets. Aaron Rodgers had been decent through two games, and this Jets roster can win plenty of games with decent. Now, we've officially seen him play at an elite level. How often can he repeat that? And how dangerous does it make the Jets if this is sustainable?
Aaron Rodgers had an impressive performance, making a significant improvement in the passing game that suggests the offense is starting to click. The Jets registered 7 sacks against the Patriots, bringing their season total to 14 through three games. This is their best start in terms of sacks since 1966.
10. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have improved to a 3-0 record, their best start since 2020. I'm impressed with the totality of the Seahawks' résumé, and Geno Smith is playing some strong football. But the Broncos, Patriots and the Tua-less Dolphins don't exactly qualify as statement wins. It's time to see a stronger test. And oh, what timing. Week 4 sends Seattle to Detroit, where the Hawks got a thrilling overtime win last season. Let's see what they're all about. Geno Smith had a solid game but also threw 2 interceptions, indicating some room for improvement in ball security. Seattle has a well-rounded team but has faced one of the easier schedules of opposing offenses against the Broncos, Patriots, and Dolphins without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.