What a wild week of football. We had five blocked kicks and nine non-offensive touchdowns, some of them coming in critical, game-swinging moments. Two games were decided on blocked kicks, two of those blocked kicks were returned for touchdowns, and there were also pick-sixes, punt returns and scoop-and-scores galore.

This NFL season seems harder to parse than most. At this point, we have a fair idea of who the elite teams and bottom feeders are, but the pecking order at the top — and the entire middle of the league — feels incredibly messy. I’d bet the playoff picture takes some wild twists and turns over the next few months, even the next few weeks, and we might see a team or two come out of nowhere at the end of the year to sneak in.

Anyway, here are this week’s power rankings:

Tier 1: Super Bowl Contenders

This tier is for the locked-in title contenders. Teams won’t move into (or out of) this tier very easily.

1 — Buffalo Bills (3-0, —)

Last week: W 31-21 vs. Miami Dolphins

Bills RB James Cook isn’t getting enough credit for what he’s done this year. After holding out of training camp and earning a new contract, he’s been on a tear. Buffalo QB Josh Allen has taken a backseat the last two weeks, as Cook has a combined 240 yards and three touchdowns in wins over the Jets and Dolphins.

2 — Philadelphia Eagles (3-0, UP 3)

Last week: W 33-26 vs. Los Angeles Rams

It took two and a half games, but the Eagles finally remembered they have WR A.J. Brown on their team. Once they started opening up the offense and going to him, the entire game flipped. None of the Rams’ cornerbacks could cover him, and he imposed his will throughout the second half. Eagles DTs Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter came up clutch with a pair of blocked field goals to seal the win, including Davis blocking the would-be game-winner and returning it for a touchdown.

3 — Los Angeles Rams (2-1, UP 1)

Last week: L 26-33 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Rams fell victim to one of the worst bad beats in the history of bad beats. They were the better team for most of the afternoon, but failed to block on a pair of field goal attempts that cost them the game. While their red zone offense struggled at times, Los Angeles was able to really lean on the ground game, and they have to feel good about their chances in a potential playoff rematch — although this loss could come back to bite them in terms of seeding.

4 — Green Bay Packers (2-1, DOWN 1)

Last week: L 10-13 vs. Cleveland Browns

In a week full of surprising results, the most shocking upset was Green Bay faltering in rainy, muddy Cleveland. Packers QB Jordan Love wasn’t bad, but the offensive line really struggled against a great Browns front. The Packers had 81 total rushing yards, with lead back Josh Jacobs averaging 1.9 yards per attempt. That won’t cut it on a day when passing the ball is difficult.

5 — Detroit Lions (2-1, UP 1)

Last week: W 38-30 vs. Baltimore Ravens

What a statement win for the Lions. After getting demolished in Green Bay in Week 1, everyone kind of wrote off the Lions as contenders. But these last two weeks have been a reminder that Detroit isn’t going anywhere. Beating up on the hapless Chicago defense is one thing, but going into Baltimore and walking out with a win is serious business. It’s a reminder that we shouldn’t count them out in the NFC race.

6 — Baltimore Ravens (1-2, DOWN 4)

Last week: L 30-38 vs. Detroit Lions

The good news for the Ravens is that dropping this game doesn’t put them on the bad end of an AFC playoff seeding tiebreaker. The bad news is it doesn’t get any easier from here. Over the next three weeks, they play the Chiefs, Texans and Rams. The Baltimore defense is becoming a problem, as they got torched through the air by the Bills in Week 1 and just got gashed on the ground by the Lions. Their offensive line gave up seven sacks to the Lions, too.

Tier 2: Playoff Teams

While these teams might not be true contenders, they’re almost certain to make the playoffs. And who knows, once they get there, they could make some noise.

7 — Los Angeles Chargers (3-0, —)

Last week: W 23-20 vs. Denver Broncos

It was a gutsy performance from the Chargers, digging deep and pulling out a win late against Denver. Chargers QB Justin Herbert had an electric fourth quarter, throwing one of the best passes you’ll ever see to WR Keenan Allen for the game-tying touchdown. In the season’s opening three weeks, Los Angeles now has a win against each of their division opponents.

8 — Kansas City Chiefs (1-2, —)

Last week: W 22-9 vs. New York Giants

They got into the win column, but things still just don’t look right on offense in Kansas City. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is struggling for the first time ever, it feels like. The offensive line is struggling, particularly RT Jawaan Taylor, and they can’t run the ball. I do think they’ll look better once WRs Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy return in a few weeks, from suspension and injury, respectively.

9 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0, —)

Last week: W 29-27 vs. New York Jets

Three games, three gut-check game-winning drives from Bucs QB Baker Mayfield. The offense is suffering a slew of injuries, including to top WR Mike Evans, who went down in this game. The offensive line is a patchwork, yet Mayfield continues to come through in the clutch. First-round WR Emeka Egbuka is living up to the camp hype, and if this offensive line ever gets healthy, this team can ascend to another level.

10 — Washington Commanders (2-1, —)

Last week: W 41-24 vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Now that’s more like it. Despite starting QB Jayden Daniels missing this game with an injury, the Commanders got a feel-good bounce-back blowout win to erase the sting of last week’s big loss to the Packers. Washington’s running game was dominant in this one, churning the Raiders to the tune of 222 yards. No. 2 QB Marcus Mariota once again proved himself one of the best backups in the league.

11 — Indianapolis Colts (3-0, —)

Last week: W 41-20 vs. Tennessee Titans

The Colts were never really challenged by the Titans, but in a week in which several favorites struggled against overmatched teams, it was good to see the Colts humming. This offense is a machine, and Colts QB Daniel Jones played maybe his best game as a pro in this one. Alas, Indianapolis did punt in this one, ending their NFL-record streak of 20 drives without a punt to open the season.

Tier 3: In The Mix

Not all of these teams will make it to the playoffs of course, but they are at least making it a conversation.

12 — Denver Broncos (1-2, —)

Last week: L 20-23 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Another week, another heartbreaking loss on a walk-off field goal. Like with the Colts last week, the Broncos will feel like they should have had this one. Broncos QB Bo Nix has played one and a half good quarters of football through three games, and this offense is struggling to generate consistent yards. This week, Courtland Sutton was the only Denver wide receiver to get a first-down catch.

13 — San Francisco 49ers (3-0, UP 4)

Last week: W 16-15 vs. Arizona Cardinals

The 49ers won again, but at what cost? Niners DE Nick Bosa is done for the year with a torn ACL, adding to the long list of injuries San Francisco is trying to overcome. It seems every win comes at the cost of an injury to one of their stars. They keep clawing out these wins, which is impressive, and it bodes well for when they get healthy. Backup QB Mac Jones delivered a clutch performance for the second straight week, and any wins you get with your backup quarterback in the NFL are steals. Still, it’s starting to look like there won’t be a healthier version of this team this year.

14 — Seattle Seahawks (2-1, UP 4)

Last week: W 44-13 vs. New Orleans Saints

This week’s biggest blowout win goes to the Seahawks, and at the expense of the Saints. This offense, helmed by QB Sam Darnold, is humming. Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III had a pair of touchdowns in this one, though on poor efficiency. The Seattle defense is stepping up, too, surrendering a total of 43 points through three games. The NFC West is loaded.

15 — Arizona Cardinals (2-1, UP 1)

Last week: L 15-16 vs. San Francisco 49ers

Is WR Marvin Harrison Jr. going to be traded? The second-year receiver and former No. 4 overall pick is struggling mightily to start the season, with just 10 catches for 142 yards through three games. He had a bad pair of drops in critical moments in this game and continues to be out of sync with his quarterback, Kyler Murray. This offense as a whole isn’t living up to expectations, which is letting down a massively improved defense.

16 — Minnesota Vikings (2-1, UP 3)

Last week: W 48-10 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

We can get into the J.J. McCarthy vs. Carson Wentz quarterback debate in the future. I want to talk about Vikings CB Isaiah Rodgers for a moment. He had three tackles, two forced fumbles, two passes defensed, and an interception — capped off by two return touchdowns, one on the interception and another on one of the fumbles he forced. It was a ludicrously productive game, and he’s the first player in PFF history to record a perfect 99.9 game grade. He outscored the Bengals by himself. Have a day, Isaiah.

17 — Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1, UP 5)

Last week: W 17-10 vs. Houston Texans

This offense is still figuring things out — Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has been okay more than good, WR Brian Thomas Jr. doesn’t look like himself, and Jacksonville is still figuring out how to use two-way stud Travis Hunter most effectively. But a lot of credit needs to go to this Jaguars defense, a downright bad unit last year that is playing some inspired football. Edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker are teeing off on quarterbacks off the edge, CB Jourdan Lewis looks like one of the best free agent signings of the cycle, and LBs Devin Lloyd and Foyesade Oluokun are enjoying massive bounce-back campaigns so far. Even as their offense struggles, their defense has carried them to a pair of wins.

18 — Atlanta Falcons (1-2, DOWN 4)

Last week: L 0-30 vs. Carolina Panthers

A week after imposing their will on the Vikings, the Falcons got pantsed by the previously 0-2 Panthers. Second-year QB Michael Penix Jr. had his worst game as a pro, throwing a pick-six and generating nothing through the air. This offensive scheme is bizarre and not well-suited to Penix’s strengths — he was the best deep-ball passer in college football at Washington, but they’re having him play mostly out of shotgun, running quick-game rhythm concepts that don’t push the ball down the field. It’s hurting their running game, too.

Tier 4: Making It Interesting

I won’t go as far as to call these teams actual playoff contenders, but they’re making it interesting. It’s early, but with some sustained success, they could climb these rankings quickly.

19 — Houston Texans (0-3, DOWN 6)

Last week: L 10-17 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

It’s time to have a serious conversation about the Texans. After dropping close games to the Rams and Bucs to start the year, you could convince yourself they would respond and be the team we all thought they would be. But Houston has scored the fewest points in the league through three games. This is the worst offensive line in football, Houston has no running game to speak of and no receiver besides Nico Collins is making plays. Even QB C.J. Stroud is letting the situation get to him. This defense is so good that it’ll win them some games, but at 0-3 Houston’s playoff hopes are already flat-lining.

20 — Chicago Bears (1-2, UP 3)

Last week: W 31-14 vs. Dallas Cowboys

Now there’s the Caleb Williams we thought we’d see. The Chicago quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick in 2024 hadn’t had a fiery start to the 2025 campaign, but he put together his best game as a pro on Sunday. 298 passing yards, four touchdowns, and he looked like he was in complete control throughout the entire contest. Yes, it came against the Cowboys defense, but it was an encouraging performance nonetheless. Now Williams needs to continue to build on that.

21 — Dallas Cowboys (1-2, DOWN 6)

Last week: L 14-31 vs. Chicago Bears

I think we can officially declare the Cowboys defense the most disappointing unit in the league through three weeks. Dallas QB Dak Prescott continues his run of great play to start the year, but it doesn’t matter if their defense is going to offer so little resistance. Worst of all, star Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb suffered a high-ankle sprain in this game and will miss a few weeks.

22 — Las Vegas Raiders (1-2, DOWN 2)

Last week: L 24-41 vs. Washington Commanders

The Raiders offense got back on track after a down game last week, but this defense is struggling. They just don’t have the talent to hold up against the majority of the offenses they face. Outside of star DE Maxx Crosby, there aren’t any standouts in this unit. On the positive end, Las Vegas WR Tre Tucker had the quietest eight-catch, 145-yard, three-touchdown performance you’ll ever see.

23 — Cincinnati Bengals (2-1, DOWN 2)

Last week: W 10-48 vs. Minnesota Vikings

This was somehow the largest loss in Bengals history. Not a great sign for how Cincinnati will hold up over the next three months with starting QB Joe Burrow out. Backup Jake Browning didn’t have an awful day, but the Bengals had five turnovers, including four fumbles, and two of those turnovers were returned for touchdowns by the Vikings defense. Cincinnati set Minnesota up in advantageous positions all afternoon, which is a surefire way to lose football games.

24 — Carolina Panthers (1-2, UP 6)

Last week: W 30-0 vs. Atlanta Falcons

Well that was…unexpected. The Panthers defense looked like the ‘85 Bears against the hapless Falcons offense, scoring on a pick-six and preventing Atlanta from ever crossing the opposing 30-yard line. Panthers QB Bryce Young didn’t have to do much, but he did enough to engineer an effective offense. After looking shellshocked in the first two weeks, this was a much-needed reset for Carolina.

25 — Cleveland Browns (1-2, UP 6)

Last week: W 13-10 vs. Green Bay Packers

The Browns have the best defense in the NFL, bar none. It’s unfortunate that Cleveland’s offense is basically nonexistent because this defense has all-time potential. Browns DE Myles Garrett is a game-wrecker, and this defensive line is stifling opposing rushing attacks, holding Packers RB Josh Jacobs to 30 yards a week after holding Ravens RB Derrick Henry to just 23. Like I said, it’s a shame this offense is so undermanned, because with even an average unit we’d be talking about a playoff team.

26 — New York Giants (0-3, DOWN 2)

Last week: L 9-22 vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The calls to start first-round QB Jaxson Dart only grow louder. Giants QB Russell Wilson led the league in passing yards through two weeks, but the New York offense was on life support against the Chiefs. Fourth-round RB Cam Skattebo had a breakout game, though it came at the cost of an injury to second-year RB Tyrone Tracy. It overshadowed a solid performance by the Giants defense, a unit that’s probably one cornerback short of being among the league’s elite.

27 — Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1, DOWN 2)

Last week: W 21-14 vs. New England Patriots

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers is the second-lowest-graded quarterback in the NFL through three games, per PFF. Pittsburgh has taken advantage of the mistakes of a pair of young teams in the Jets and Patriots to secure its wins, but the competition is about to stiffen. Rodgers will need to be better against the attacking, suffocating defenses of the Vikings and Browns over the next two weeks.

28 — New England Patriots (1-2, DOWN 1)

Last week: L 14-21 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Turnovers in critical moments cost the Patriots a very winnable game. They outplayed the Steelers for most of it, but fumbles and interceptions deep in Pittsburgh territory continuously prevented New England from putting points on the board. Second-year QB Drake Maye continues to impress, though one of those turnovers was an interception he threw in the end zone.

29 — New York Jets (0-3, DOWN 3)

Last week: L 27-29 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Jets were one of the teams with a blocked kick returned for a touchdown, taking back a field goal late in the fourth quarter to go up on the scoreboard. Backup QB Tyrod Taylor played well enough to win, and New York scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to make it a game, but ultimately they fell short against a more talented team. The Jets just don’t have a lot of depth, and outside of their stars, they don’t have guys who can consistently produce.

Tier 5: No Hope Remaining

Who cares if it’s only Week 4? The season is already over. I think basketball starts soon….

30 — Miami Dolphins (0-3, DOWN 1)

Last week: L 21-31 vs. Buffalo Bills

Give them credit: the Dolphins showed a lot more fight in this game than they did in Week 1 against the Colts. But the Bills were just too talented on both sides of the ball, and the Dolphins’ horizontal passing attack just doesn’t have any bite these days. Miami plays the Jets on Monday Night Football next week, and it feels like their last chance to salvage something of a season.

31 — Tennessee Titans (0-3, DOWN 3)

Last week: L 20-41 vs. Indianapolis Colts

It’s time to talk about the job security of Titans HC Brian Callahan. He wasn’t expected to be in this position, having just drafted QB Cam Ward No. 1 overall, which usually provides coaches some job security. But the Titans are the least disciplined team in the league, ranking top five in most drops and leading the NFL in penalties. There was a sequence at the end of the first half this week, where they had driven into long field goal range. It was fourth-and-one and the Colts called a timeout on defense. By the time that timeout was over, the Titans hadn’t decided if they were going for it or kicking, so they called another timeout. Then, out of the second timeout, they had a delay of game penalty because they had a quarterback ball out there, not a kicking ball. They proceeded to miss a 62-yard field goal and give the Colts an easy runway to a field goal of their own to end the half. That’s inexcusable.

32 — New Orleans Saints (0-3, —)

Last week: L 13-44 vs. Seattle Seahawks

After putting up a solid fight against the Cardinals and 49ers, the Saints came back down to earth against the Seahawks. They were overachieving through two weeks, so some regression was natural, but this game showed how large the talent gap is between New Orleans and even a fringe playoff team like Seattle. We might not be too far out from seeing second-round QB Tyler Shough.