Cover photo taken from Imagn Images.
1 – 
Bills (3-0) 
1
While it doesn’t necessarily feel like one team is standing above the rest right now, it’s hard to put anyone over Buffalo. They sat here after Week 1, their offense has been fantastic, sitting first in EPA/play, , and they’re going to keep sleepwalking to victories for as long as their cupcakes remain cupcakes.
A team like the Chargers — or even the Eagles for that matter — might have a more impressive set of three wins, but I still think the Bills are the best of the bunch.
2 – 
Chargers (3-0) 2
To start a season 3-0 with wins against each opponent in your division is pretty impressive. The latest act being a comeback effort against a very good Broncos defense, highlighted by more heroics from your elite quarterback, is also pretty great.
If the season ended right now, I’d either give my MVP vote to Justin Herbert or Baker Mayfield. But, we’ve got 15 weeks left. Still, what No. 10 in the powder blue is doing on a weekly basis is awesome. Not to mention, their defense ranks 4th in EPA/play and hasn’t given up more than 21 points this season.
The injury to Najee Harris stings, but if they can truly unlock Omarion Hampton, this team is going to assert themselves as the frontrunner in the AFC West, if they haven’t done so already.
3 – 
Packers (2-1) 
2
Losses happen. It’s the NFL. Anyone can beat anyone on any given Sunday.
But, you’ve heard me say it: there are good and bad ways to lose.
The Packers can hang their hats on their defense continuing to be stellar. But poor offense and special teams will drag anyone down. The run game has been so-so, the offensive line is falling apart at the seams and poorly timed turnovers and field goal operational errors puts any defense in a bind.
No one thinks that Cleveland is better than Green Bay. But I also don’t think anyone disputes that the Browns deserved to win down the stretch considering how the Packers handed them the game. It’s a slice of humble pie; perhaps it’s a needed one. But I doubt it’ll become a trend.
4 – 
Lions (2-1) 3
Any rumors of the Lions’ demise were greatly exaggerated. This team still has the goods.
Monday night’s victory was a patented Detroit win under Dan Campbell. They were aggressive on fourth down, but not reckless, utilizing elite playcalls and better execution to turn each of them into touchdowns. They dominated both lines of scrimmage in a breakout game for their defensive front with seven sacks while the OL paved the way for over 200 rushing yards. It was pretty damn close to perfect.
It was as impressive of a performance as any team has had this season, and I don’t have many, if any, doubts about their ability to keep it up.
5 – 
Eagles (3-0) 
Oh look, they got away with it again.
I will begrudgingly give the Birds credit — they picked themselves off the mat and completely flipped the script on the Rams on both sides of the ball in the second half. After the worst first 30 minutes imaginable, they were damn near unstoppable down the stretch thanks to finally letting Jalen Hurts rip it to AJ Brown. It certainly helps when Emmanuel Forbes is covering him — a situation where multiple games of tape would suggest utilizing a different strategy — but alas. And blocking two field goals down the stretch can be blamed on the kicking operation, but the defensive side deserves credit as well.
I still don’t think this is the same caliber of team that we saw last year. But again, they’re going to keep winning games. That’s the sign of a good team.
6 – 
Buccaneers (3-0) 2
Speaking of potentially unsustainable 3-0 starts… the Bucs did it again as well! This one also featured block field goal shenanigans, but like the first two weeks, ended with Baker Mayfield putting on the cape and leading his team down for the win in the waning moments.
Considering the laundry list of injuries across the board for Tampa, I don’t know how long they can keep this up. But the fact of the matter is that Mayfield, Bucky Irving, Emeka Egbuka, Vita Vea, Antoine Winfield and others are making every single play to put them over the top in these games.
Sunday’s contest should never have ended the way it did. The Buccaneers were really in control for 58 minutes. For it to have fallen apart with them still pulling out the win speaks for itself.
7 – 
Rams (2-1) 1
Most brutal choke of the young NFL season? Folks are asking.
The Rams were making the Eagles look pedestrian for two quarters and change. Then they forgot how to play football. There’s so many people that I could blame, but I’m putting this one on Sean McVay. It’s not because of the failures of the kicking operation, though the line share of blame could go there. It’s because he coached scared, and that led to being outcoached by Nick Sirianni of all people.
Each time LA faced a fourth down deep in Philly territory, they opted for field goals. That’s fine and dandy until the team you’ve seemingly buried decides to pull an Undertaker. At that point, you need to assert yourselves and put the ball in the endzone, not through the uprights. I don’t care that if either of the blocked field goals went in, the Rams would have won. It’s about the process, not the results.
I’d like to think McVay would trust Matt Stafford to convert a couple of fourth-and-shorts. I don’t know why he didn’t. And it’s led to another loss against the Eagles where the Rams only have themselves to blame.
8 – 
Colts (3-0) 1
Sorry for doubting you again, Colts. I think I’ve learned my lesson.
This offense is nothing short of awesome and Shane Steichen is shining in the spotlight. A reliance on motion and play action has led to this being one of the best units in football, led by the resurgent Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor, who each have arguments for currently being the best players at their position in the league. The secondary continues to cook, though they haven’t faced the greatest slate of QBs thus far. And all of a sudden, they are the clear cut favorites in the AFC South, banking plenty of wins and separating themselves early.
Let’s put it this way: if the Colts go .500 the rest of the way, they’ll be 10-7. That’s a playoff team no matter how you slice it. And at this rate, 10 wins could be their floor.
9 – 
Ravens (1-2) 6
One day the Ravens will win a game of consequence. Today is not that day.
I don’t know why this team refuses to make the requisite plays to win games against true contenders. But they don’t. They do the opposite, which is pretty much nothing at all. As awesome as they can be for three quarters and change, they’re always going to find a way to blow it down the stretch. It’s mind-numbing.
Lamar Jackson is amazing. Derrick Henry needs to fix the fumbling issues. Those are the clear observations on the surface. But if you break out the magnifying glass, there’s a lot more to digest. The defense is a real issue. So is the coaching. That will hold them back in these big regular season games. And you already know it will in January, too. We’re slowly crawling towards the inevitable.
10 – 
Commanders (2-1) 3
Wait, that went way better than I expected. Phew!
Sunday wasn’t perfect, but considering the circumstances, it was pretty close. Marcus Mariota did what he does in a Washington uniform. Special teams was gas outside of a missed field goal (Matt Gay continues to be under surveillance, by the way). The defensive line kept on cooking against a simply overmatched Raiders OL. And our own hog mollies paved the way for an elite day on the ground. Even Luke freaking McCaffrey found the endzone!
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. We have no clarity on the Jayden Daniels injury, and now Terry McLaurin is dealing with a quad issue. Will Harris is going to miss extended time with a fractured fibula, too. But, this is still the “easy” part of the schedule. Let’s keep getting right and stacking wins.
11 – 
Chiefs (1-2) 1
Oh look, a win. That’s neat.
At least it was decisive. I know we all thought it’d be close, and maybe it would have been if Russell Wilson was worth a damn. But if the Chiefs can play like they did in the second half consistently while they crawl towards being full strength on offense, it inspires some confidence moving forward.
12 – 
Broncos (1-2) 1
You’re only as strong as your weakest link. Right now, Bo Nix is a very, very weak link.
He’s PFF’s worst-graded quarterback. He can’t hit the broad side of a barn on a deep shot. And he’s frantic in the pocket. If he was even just a smidge better, the Broncos would be 3-0. But they are not.
I love this defense. I love the offensive line. The weapons are punching above their weight. And they’re all being let down by the QB that is having the sophomore slump that no one is talking about.
13 – 
49ers (3-0) 1
If the season ended today, Kyle Shanahan would win Coach of the Year.
Getting this team to 3-0 with the litany of injuries they have sustained — and continue to deal with, with Nick Bosa’s ACL tear being the latest — is extremely impressive. Mac Jones has been valiant in relief of Brock Purdy, who should return this week. And the young defense is starting to come into its own.
Also, shoutout to Ricky Pearsall. There isn’t a better breakout and a more improved player year-over-year than him right now outside of maybe Daniel Jones.
14 – 
Vikings (2-1) 1
Sunday’s destruction of the Bengals reinforced key points on both sides of the ball in Minnesota: Kevin O’Connell is a genius and Brian Flores is a maniac.
Carson Wentz did what he had to do in relief of JJ McCarthy because — as we’ve said time and time again — pretty much anyone can get it done in that offense. And Flores’ scheme continues to terrorize opposing quarterbacks of any and all caliber, wreaking havoc and leaving everyone in shambles. This defense is now first in EPA/play, which is heavily influenced by Sunday’s two touchdowns from Isaiah Rodgers, but they deserve it with what they’ve done to these poor QBs.
15 – 
Seahawks (2-1) 6
I think we should be talking more about the Seahawks. I get that beating two bad defenses in Pittsburgh and New Orleans might not get the people going, but this team has been nails on offense this season.
Sam Darnold has been one of the most efficient QBs in the league, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been completely unguardable, Kenneth Walker is running like a man possessed and the defense is simply punching above its weight. Even with so many injuries on that side of the ball, they’re finding ways to create turnovers. And they are absolutely dominant up front. When guys like Nick Emmanwori and Devon Witherspoon come back, it could get spooky.
16 – 
Steelers (2-1) 6
God, this team is boring.
The Steelers are lucky to be 2-1. They had to escape the Jets in Week 1, and the Patriots practically placed Sunday’s win on a black and gold platter. This defense is not good and the offense is uninspiring. The lack of a run game puts a lot of the load on Aaron Rodgers, who hasn’t been bad by any means. But it’s not a great winning formula, and it sure as hell ain’t sustainable.
I honestly feel worse about this team through three games than I thought I would.
17 – 
Falcons (1-2) 7
Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
I don’t even want to talk about the Falcons. They don’t deserve it. Not after that performance after that credit I gave them. What an unmitigated disaster from Raheem Morris and Michael Penix Jr.
We’ll see if the shakeups in the coaching ranks makes any kind of impact, because right now, it’s not looking good. At all.
18 – 
Cardinals (2-1) 1
This is a solid team. But no one really cares, because they’re not giving us a reason to.
Kyler Murray isn’t the problem. Marvin Harrison Jr. and the rest of the WRs not being able to catch the football are. James Conner’s season-ending injury is. Untimely mistakes are.
I think the Cardinals will continue to be competitive. Losing Conner hurts bad, but the way they’re playing on defense will keep them in any and every game. Will their offense be good enough to turn that into wins? I just don’t know.
19 – 
Jaguars (2-1) 5
Sure, what the hell. The Jags won a game that no one wanted to win, and they did it in a fashion that’s neither convincing nor worth caring about.
I still like this offensive personnel, and for what it’s worth, their defense has been both solid and opportunistic with seven picks on the year and somehow ranking second in defensive EPA/play. But I still don’t believe in Trevor Lawrence, and I still don’t think this offense is good enough to beat teams that are competent on both sides of the ball.
20 – 
Texans (0-3) 2
Is it over? It very well may be.
I can’t keep defending CJ Stroud. He’s uncomfortable, but he’s also not confident and his mechanics are in the gutter. He has no faith in his OL, no faith in his weapons and quite frankly, no faith in himself. And that means this already anemic offense can’t produce anything worth a damn.
It doesn’t matter how good this defense is. The Texans have scored 38 points in 2025. The Seahawks did that in less than two quarters on Sunday. At 0-3 staring up at the 3-0 Colts, Houston will have to scrap to not have a fork stuck in them before the clocks fall back an hour.
21 – 
Bears (1-2) 6
You know what? Good for Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson.
Sunday’s performance looked like what everyone would have you believe every game should be under the new regime in Chicago. But, they won’t be playing a borderline-CFL defense every week. So, let’s see if this injects the Bears with life or is simply a flash in the pan.
22 – 
Cowboys (1-2) 6
Yeah, this team ain’t worth talking about right now. The state of their defense is Chernobyl-like, and now they’ll be without CeeDee Lamb for a month or so. It’s going to get ugly in Dallas — or, as Stephen A. Smith aptly named them, “-allas.”
23 – 
Patriots (1-2) 6
Why is this Mike Vrabel team so poorly coached? Is it youth and inexperience? Is it systemic? Whatever it is, it needs to change.
Drake Maye is playing well, but not well enough to cover up the vast amount of penalties and mistakes that continues to hold this team back from being productive on offense.
And don’t even get me started on their run game — or lack thereof — and refusal to get TreVeyon Henderson involved. Complete and utter nonsense.
24 – 
Bengals (2-1) 4
Yeah, Jake Browning ain’t it. We might’ve already known that, but Sunday confirmed it.
I don’t know that the Bengals necessarily need to bring in a veteran QB, because I think riding it out with the guy that knows the system is a better play. But I don’t think this is going to be a super successful operation with Browning back there. But, they also won’t be facing a Brian Flores defense every week. Take it with a very small grain of salt.
25 – 
Raiders (1-2) 2
This team is a mess on a number of fronts, but I think you have to start with the offensive line when pointing out the issues. Ashton Jeanty has negative yards before contact this season. That’s unfathomable.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like the passing game is much better. The line isn’t helping out Geno, but Geno isn’t helping out Geno either. And the downfield threats just aren’t there with Brock Bowers dealing with his injuries. The defense is clearly also an issue with the performances against the run in the first two weeks clearly being a fugazi.
It’s just not a tight operation in Vegas right now. Maybe Tom Brady can impart some wisdom next time he sits up in the booth with a headset on.
26 – 
Giants (0-3) 1
Thank you, Brian Daboll, for finally doing right by your players and naming Jaxson Dart the starter. Playing Russell Wilson was a complete disservice to everyone involved with the Giants, and Sunday night proved it.
Is it going to look much better with Dart? Who knows; this is a pretty brutal operation all round. But at least he provides some hope and won’t turtle the way Wilson has. I’m excited to see it play out for him.
27 – 
Browns (1-2) 4
What a cool win for the Browns. This defense is simply awesome with the rookies balling out and the offense is clearly lifted by the insertion of Quinshon Judkins in the lineup.
In my opinion, Myles Garrett has been the best player in football through three weeks. And the rest of the defense is good enough to keep them in literally any game this season. Cleveland will be frisker than we thought in 2025.
28 – 
Panthers (1-2) 1
Speaking of unexpected feel-good wins… I don’t really know how that happened, but good for Carolina. It was the most nothing 30-0 win over a divisional opponent that you could come up with, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it happened.
Is this the new expectation in Carolina? Hell no. But maybe they can parlay it into some better performances as they approach a soft portion of the schedule.
29 – 
Jets (0-3) 3
What do you even make of the Jets after that game? They were dreadful for about 58 minutes, which was to be expected with a backup QB in the game. Then came one of the more furious, rapid comebacks you’ll ever see. And, when it came down to it, they predictably choked it in the end.
I think my main takeaway is that New York clearly has a ton of juice and fight under Aaron Glenn. That was to be expected. But the talent just isn’t there right now. And that’s fine! The rebuild is still in its infancy. Having the right coach is step one. I think they do.
30 – 
Dolphins (0-3) 2
The problem in Miami is not Mike McDaniel. It’s Tua Tagovailoa. And that sucks, because the Dolphins don’t have a choice but to keep playing him.
I feel the same way about Tua as I do about Russell Wilson: it’s a disservice to the players and fans to have him play QB. But unlike the Giants, the Dolphins have no other way to go. They have to die on the Tua sword, and that’ll be this team’s undoing.
The team hasn’t given up on the coach. They are going to give up on the quarterback if they haven’t already.
31 – 
Titans (0-3) 3
I won’t be picking the Titans to win many, if any, games for the rest of the season. I’ve learned my lesson.
This team isn’t frisky or sneaky or anything. They just suck. And it’s not Cam Ward’s fault, but it’s the truth. The countdown to Brian Callahan’s firing is on.
32 – 
Saints (0-3) 2
Yeah, no.
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