Three weeks into the season and I am somewhat disappointed. So many teams that I had such high hopes for have let me down.
In the meantime, I’ll just shuffle my NFL Top 10 again, heading into what I’m sure will be an unpredictable Week 4. Naturally, there was some serious shuffling of the NFL pecking order. As always, I recommend trying not to get too hung up on how many spots a team moved up or down because on any given Sunday, it’s bound to happen.
1. Buffalo Bills 3-0
After a challenging 31-21 win against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night, the Bills are now 3-0 and riding high. The defense still has some wrinkles to figure out, and the unit's 63.5 overall PFF grade suggests there’s ample room for growth. But, as long as the offense is one of the best in the NFL — the group is currently third in EPA per play — then the Bills will remain contenders. Their 18% chance of winning the Super Bowl is currently the highest in the NFL.
2. Philadelphia Eagles 3-0
How about that comeback from the reigning Super Bowl champions. I did consider making a change at the very top -- flip-flopping Philadelphia and Buffalo -- for the first time this season. But with the Bills needing to scrap their way to victory over winless Miami, and following the Eagles' rousing comeback against the Rams, it just couldn’t be done. The first half against the Rams on Sunday was a bowling-shoe ugly performance for the Eagles' offense — but a second-half surge, led by the rarely seen Eagles passing attack in 2025, propelled Philadelphia to a 33-26 victory and a 3-0 start. A welcome back from the void to A.J. Brown, who caught six passes for 109 yards and a touchdown.
3. Baltimore Ravens 1-2
Another tough loss for the Baltimore Ravens, who the Detroit Lions felled on Monday night. The Ravens' rushing attack has been stifled in the last two weeks, while the Lions‘ offense mostly had its way with the defense in the 38-30 loss. At 1-2, the sky isn’t falling, but for those who believed the Ravens could be near infallible in 2025, this might be a small reality check. There were plenty of mistakes on offense, but the defense was the bigger concern, as the Ravens were unable to hem in the Lions' run game and bring down ball-carriers on first contact. So, why make the 1-2 Ravens No. 3? I doubt there are any more than two or three teams against whom they'd be underdogs against on a neutral field.
4. Green Bay Packers 2-1
The first speed bump for the Green Bay Packers didn’t come in the form of the fearsome Detroit Lions, nor the Washington Commanders — who made the NFC Championship Game a year ago — but instead the 0-2 Cleveland Browns. The Packers were shocked by a Browns defense that has played hard all season, holding the Packers offense to just 3.6 yards per play, as a late field goal dropped the Packers to 2-1. Love was under heavy pressure all game, taking five sacks against a very good Browns defense. But still, the breakdowns were too glaring to ignore, even if the Pack had pulled this game out.
5. Detroit Lions 2-1
I think we can bury any coordinator concerns about John Morton and Kelvin Sheppard here and now. The Lions were the tougher, smarter and better-prepared team on Monday night, repeatedly coming up with clutch plays in a hostile road environment. The Lions have rebounded exceptionally well after their Week 1 loss to the Packers. A road win against the Ravens on Monday night is nothing to sniff at, and the offense still proved that it’s one of the best in the NFL — and currently leads the league in EPA per play. At 2-1, Detroit is still a real Super Bowl contender.
6. Kansas City Chiefs 1-2
So, the Chiefs finally got their opening win of the season, defeating the New York Giants 22-9 on Sunday night. While it’s all fine and well getting the monkey off your back, it’s fair to say that this Chiefs offense just doesn’t look right — aside from the quiet breakout of Tyquan Thornton, who caught five passes for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Giants. That could change when Rashee Rice returns from his six-game suspension, but the Chiefs face the Ravens, Jaguars and Lions in their next three games. Kansas City's defense, which has been good two games in a row, largely stonewalled Big Blue. Then Mahomes and Thornton connected for a breathing-room TD and two big downfield catches to set up the put-it-away score. It might not have been the tune-up performance the Chiefs wanted prior to hosting the Ravens this Sunday, but it was an important win nonetheless. There is a very real world where they’re 1-5 heading into Week 7.
7. Los Angeles Chargers 3-0
The Chargers are 3-0 for the first time since 2002, and more importantly, they are also 3-0 in the division with wins over each of their AFC West rivals, giving them a huge early edge in the race. All three victories have come in competitive games, with the Chargers more outlasting their opponents than anything else including a 23-20 victory against the Denver Broncos. The offense has an absolute phenom in Justin Herbert at quarterback, whose 80.8 overall grade is seventh at the position, and the fact that this team is now closing out games is a huge step in the right direction. The Chargers are no longer Charger-ing — they’re surging.
8. San Francisco 49ers 3-0
The 49ers came out on the right side of a tough NFC West battle against the Cardinals, winning 16-15, but the news that they’ve lost edge rusher Nick Bosa for the season with a torn ACL is a tough blow. As it stands, the 49ers are already decimated by injuries through three games, but miraculously remain unbeaten. The Niners’ defense has done its job so far, but that job is about to be a lot more difficult, especially with some tougher games upcoming. It’s rarely easy in San Francisco, as Bosa is just the latest big-name 49er to go down with a major injury the past few years. Mac Jones’ contribution over the last two weeks shouldn’t go unnoticed.
9. Los Angeles Rams 2-1
Depending on whether you’re an optimist or a pessimist, there are two ways to look at the Rams’ Week 3 loss to the Eagles. The optimist would say Los Angeles is just a blocked field goal away from a perfect 3-0 start. The pessimist, however, could — and should — argue that the Rams let a 19-point lead against the Super Bowl champions slip in the second half. The Rams defensively frustrated the Eagles in their first five full drives and appeared to be in complete control of the game, up 19 in the third quarter. But things took a drastic turn for the worse as the offense stalled, ultimately resulting in a punt and two blocked field goals to close out the game. On defense, they came unglued as the pressure up front couldn't compensate for the porous coverage on the back end.
Something that the optimist and pessimist can agree on, though? There’s a serious case to be made that Puka Nacua could be the best wide receiver in the NFL.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-0
Everything almost changed in a flash for the Buccaneers. The Bucs allowed the Jets and backup QB Tyrod Taylor to drive 80 and 73 yards for fourth-quarter touchdowns and settled for too many field goals on offense, going 1-for-5 in the red zone. A routine win was shaken into 2 minutes of chaos, as the New York Jets scored two late touchdowns to take the lead before a Chase McLaughlin walk-off field goal swung the game back in Tampa Bay’s favor. The Buccaneers already lead the NFC South by two games and have a 74% chance of winning the division. Rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka looks like a gem already.
PS: Indianapolis Colts 3-0
I wish there was room for the undefeated Colts. The Colts-Rams becomes a massive game for Indianapolis.