WEEK THREE

Is it justified having the Cowboys on top of the power rankings in week three? The NFC looks like they have multiple teams that could win this year’s Superbowl. Some nice rebounds from week two as some fan bases can come off the ledge. The Bengals and Chargers remain winnless. The Bears’ season is officially over. The Falcons have the best ground assault in the NFL. Let’s sort it all out as we bring you another edition of the NFL power rankings. CHEERS!!!

#1.DALLAS COWBOYS (2-0) Up 2 spots from last week

Like the old Pace Picante salsa commercials, the Cowboys are dispatching the New York sauce. The Cowboys in the first two weeks have dispatched a pair of New York teams. The Cowboys have outscored New York 70-10. Last week, the Cowboys offense did pretty well against one of the best defenses in the league, the Jets, scoring 30 points. The Cowboys defense is no slouch unit themselves as they made Zach Wilson want to return to his mommy’s womb. The Cowboys all around look like they are one of the best teams in the NFL and they have taken over the number one spot in the power rankings.

#2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-0) Same spot from last week

Not sure who won all the fights between the Rams fans and the 49ers fans last week. The Rams did give the 49ers a game and had a lead in the second half. The 49ers ended up winning as the Rams could not contain Christian McCaffrey who ran for over 100 yards and galloped for a score. The 49ers also used their weapon of mass destruction on the Rams who goes by the name Deebo Samuel. He had a rushing touchdown and caught multiple passes in the contest. The 49ers remain perfect after two weeks.

#3.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0) Drop two spots from last week

The Eagles have fallen to the number three spot in the power rankings as they were perched on the number one spot last week. The Eagles defense did not show up versus the Vikings in the Thursday night game as Minnesota scored 28 points. I know the Vikings offense is solid. It looked too easy for Kirk Cousins as he sliced and diced the Eagles secondary like a Thanksgiving turkey. Luckily, the Vikings defense is horrible as the Eagles took advantage and won the football game.

#4.BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-0) Up 1 spot from last week

When Lamar Jackson is out in games versus the Bengals, the Ravens can’t win. Like last year when Jackson was grounded with an injury, the Bengals won the last regular season game and took the playoff game. Jackson was back behind center & the Bengals lose their second straight division game. Jackson had over 200 yards in the air with a pair of touchdown passes and used his legs to get another 50 yards. Jackson now is 7-2 over Joe Cool in his career.

#5.MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-0) Up 4 spots from last week

Bill Belichick does not have the answer for how to stop TUA TIME!!! The Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is now 5-0 versus the Patriots and Belichick’s defense. The Dolphins played a solid game all around versus the Patriots on Sunday night. Raheen Mostert had a pair of rushing touchdowns. Most importantly, the Dolphins defense showed up and held the Patriots to 17 points and were able to force some turnovers.

#6.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-1) Drop 2 spots from last week

The Chiefs welcomed back their star defensive player, Chris Jones, and tight end, Travis Kelce. The Chiefs got their first victory against a playoff team they beat last year, the Jaguars. The Chiefs only scored 17 points which shows Patrick Mahomes and this offense is still not running on all cylinders. Making Matt Nagy, former Bears head coach, the offensive coordinator I believe is the problem. Andy Reid may have to rethink his decision letting Nagy have his say on the play calling. The Chiefs defense has been solid. If the Chiefs offense can’t be untracked versus the Bears this Sunday, don’t say I did not warn you.

#7.BUFFALO BILLS (1-1) Up 3 spots from last week

Week two, the Buffalo Bills got themselves back on track with a blow out win versus the Raiders. The Bills had some home cooking in their home opener. Josh Allen rebounded from that terrible game he had versus the Jets as he was awarded offensive player of the week passing for 274 yards a few touchdown passes and most importantly, no turnovers. Allen now has eclipsed legendary quarterback Jim Kelly for the most offensive of the week awards in Bills history. The Bills defense was outstanding as linebacker Matt Milano had an interception off Jimmy Garoppolo. James Cook was cooking with a monster day running the football.

#8.DETROIT LIONS (1-1) Same spot from last week

Last week, the Lions seemed like they were in cruise control with the Seahawks. Then suddenly the Lions lost their courage and Seattle came back and forced overtime. Jared Goff threw a costly interception that resulted in a touchdown for the Seahawks. Goff had a good game besides that bad pass, he was over 300 yards passing. What happened to that Lions defense? Is this team haunted from games from the past where they had leads and blew multiple games late in the 4th quarter. The Seahawks won the coin toss for the over time period, marched down the field, and game over. Seattle walked off with a touchdown leaving Lions fans speechless and reliving their past demons.

#9.CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-2) Drop 3 spots from last week

The Bengals’ last few seasons have started off 0-2. This is a rough start because this season they lost to division rivals the Browns and Ravens. Joe Burrow’s ankle could be his problem as the quarterback does not look crisp as he does most games. The Ravens held Ja’Marr Chase to a measly 31 yards receiving.In week one & Tee Higgins had no catches. Higgins rebounded with two touchdown catches last week. Burrow had over 200 yards in the air & also threw one interception. Bengal fans may have to start worrying if they lose this week on Monday night.

#10.WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-0) Up 2 spots from last week

The Commanders found themselves down early on the road to the Broncos 21-3 at one point. The Commanders quickly responded with an outburst of offense they needed to overcome a loss on the road. Sam Howell had his best game of his young career with 299 yards in the air for two touchdown passes. It was the Commanders running game that helped this team get back in the game. Brian Robinson Jr. showed his best moves as he ran for 87 yards with a pair of rushing touchdowns.

The Commanders defense came around forcing a fumble on Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and killed Denver’s last attempt to win the game at the end.

#11.NEW YORK JETS (1-1) Drop 5 spots from last week

I feel the networks have booked the Jets for many prime time games because of Aaron Rodgers. Hopefully someone will fix that so we don’t have to see Zack Wilson throw it to the wrong guy three times like he did versus Dallas. Wilson is not the answer as he now has 4 interceptions in two games. The Jets should be able to find the local beer guy looking to play some quarterback on the weekends that could be serviceable rather than the mess Wilson has made. Dalvin Cook is probably thinking why did I sign here as he did not help the cause as he had a fumble. The Jets defense is top notch but all dressed up with nobody to blow.

#12.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-0) Up 2 spots from last week

The Saints offense is still trying to find itself but has improved each week.

The Saints had a healthy Michael Thomas on the field versus the Panthers and all’s he does is move the chains with 7 catches for 55 yards. The Saints defense was the key to the victory. I like what I see from Derek Carr in the passing game. I like how the Saints still insert Swiss Army Knife, Taysom Hill, running that wild cat option behind center. The Saints had hard times winning in Carolina last few years. Carr is 1-0 so far in a Saints uniform. Most importantly, the Saints are perfect after the first two weeks.

#13.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-1) Drop 2 spots from last week

The Jaguars want to stride to be better than what they were last season. Jacksonville rematched with the team that knocked them out of the playoffs, the Chiefs in Kansas City. The Jaguars defense did their job holding the Chiefs to 17 points. The Jaguars offense has improved from last season and Trevor Lawrence has playmakers and they only managed to score 9 points. All field goals. The Jaguars made more than three trips to the red zone as well and only get three field goals against a Chiefs defense that is not the top unit in the league, even with the return of Chris Jones. The Jaguars will have to do better than that against the cream of the crop if I’m going to take them seriously.

#14.CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-1) Drop 1 spot from last week

It’s hard to root for the Cleveland Browns with this ass above as their quarterback. Watson got away with pushing the referee during the Monday night game versus the Steelers. Who does he think he is going around pushing people or making girls suck him off on the massage table? All the guaranteed money the Browns paid him, I hope it haunts this organization throughout the length of that ridiculous contract. It’s paying off dividends with a pick six to start the game. Browns lose their first game with not a very good performance from the Browns’ million dollar a quarter quarterback. The team lost Nick Chubb for the year with an injury. His replacement, Kareem Hunt, who played for the Browns the last few seasons is a guy who punched and knocked out a girl in Cleveland hotel hall way years ago. Great citizens the Browns have.

#15.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0) Up 2 spots from last week

They say Baker Mayfield is at the most comfortable place of his NFL career. Mayfield does not have to be the savior when he was drafted by the Browns. He was not traded to Tampa Bay as he signed there as a free agent. Many thought when Tom Brady retired this team was going to sink to the bottom of the NFL like those old creamsicle uniform teams of the early1980’s. Mike Evans most likely is happy Mayfield is in town as he had 171 yards receiving with a touchdown. The Buccaneer defense is still a solid unit as Shaquil Barrett closed out the Bears’ hopes and dreams with a pick six to seal the deal and keep Tampa Bay perfect after the first two weeks of the season.

#16. ATLANTA FALCONS (2-0) Up 3 spots from last week

Football experts thought the Atlanta Falcons were crazy drafting a running back in the first round of the draft. Bijan Robinson gives the Falcons one of the best ground assaults in the NFL and they are off to a 2-0 start. Robinson had 124 yards on the ground versus the Packers. The Falcons scored 13 unanswered points late in the game and to overcome the Packers at home. Falcons piled up 446 yards on offense as they ran for 211 yards. Desmond Ridder is getting better each start as he had a rushing touchdown and over 200 passing yards.

#17.GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-1) Drop 2 spots from last week

The Packers defense looked like they were run over by a freight train. The Falcons had 211 rushing yards on the big cheese defense. The Packers blew a 13 point lead in the 4th quarter to land their first loss of the season. How did Jordan Love do? Love had three touchdown passes and 151 passing yards. Love looks to play the part as a game manager behind center like a Kyle Orton type. The Packers had some key play makers that did not play. Can Love be the Aaron Rodgers or Brett Farve type and up his play when the game is on the line? If Love is going to be a game manager, then that Packer defense has to play better.

#18.LA RAMS (1-1) Same spot from last week

The new Rams receivers have interesting names as last week we mentioned Puka Nacua. This week we are mentioning another wide out for the Rams who goes by Tutu Atwell and he had 7 catches for 77 yards last week against the 49ers. I will say the Rams hung with the 49ers last week. The Rams offensive line kept Matthew Stafford in the upright position. The O-line also created some nice lanes for another Ram name we are unfamiliar with, running back Kyren Williams who had 52 yards on the ground with a rushing touchdown. Stafford had his old Lions numbers behind center throwing for over 300 yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions. Live by the gun slinger die by the gun slinger.

#19.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-1) Up 2 spots

Looks like Geno Smith made another pact with the devil, his head coach Pete Carol. Smith did not look good in his first game versus the Rams. Last week Smith showed he is not a one year wonder and went into Detroit and threw for two touchdown passes over 300 passing yards as Seattle wins an overtime thriller on the road. Detroit is a nice victory as the Lions are a team on the rise. Smith hit Tyler Lockett for the walk off touchdown and like that, Seattle put 37 points on the board. It’s the same Seahawks putting lots of points on the board while the defense is surrendering 31 points. It’s Pete Carol’s present day winning recipe.

#20.TENNESSEE TITANS (1-1) Up 2 spots

The Titans did bounce back at home versus the Chargers last Sunday. I think the Chargers gift wrapped the game for the Titans who pulled it off in overtime. Ryan Tannehill played better as he rushed for a touchdown & threw for one, no turnovers but was sacked 5 times. Derrick Henry averaged 3.2 yards per carry. The Titans running game did better handing off the ball to Tyjae Spears who had 8 carries for 49 yards on the ground. We have not seen that aerial attack where DeAndre Hopkins is catching the bombs as he glides down the sidelines in big chunks of yardage good for score after score. A win is a win and the Titans will hang around, but this team just needs one opposing team to step on their necks and end them for the season. These are not the Titans we remember.

#21.LA CHARGERS (0-2) Drop 5 spots

BELOW THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF FOOTBALL STUPID!!!

The Chargers fans should revolt if Brandon Staley continues to work the side lines as head coach. Would that be two fans ringing the ring doorbell at the Chargers owner’s home? Staley once again is football stupid this time versus the Titans with clock management at the end of regulation. The Chargers were in great position to win the game, but instead settled for over time and took another loss with a minute left to get the job done in the red zone. The play selection. The way Staley uses time outs. I’m going to point once again to last year’s loss to the Jaguars in the playoffs as they lost the big lead in the second half. Staley is known to make his decisions on data like sabermetrics in baseball. The Chargers should replace this idiot droid with a human instead of machines taking all the jobs.

#22.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-2) Drop two spots

Every year you never know what you will get from the Vikings. Like a flip of a coin last year they won close games & made the playoffs. In 2021 and this season, they have lost close games. Remember when the Vikings had a great defense? I can’t recall either. I did think when Mike Zimmer came in his first few years that defense was awesome. That was the last regime and today the Vikings offense is amazing. A few drops last week from their receivers did not help them get their first win. Captain Kirk Cousins rebounded with a great game with 4 touchdown passes & no mistakes this week. Justin Jefferson is the best receiver in the game despite his fumble in last Thursday’s game versus the Eagles. The Vikings defense is a bottom of the league in defense, and it’s a shame because they can put points up on the scoreboard. The Vikings offense are prone to making mistakes & with no solid defense in place losses will pile up.

#23.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1) Up 3 spots

If you have a chubby over defense, the Steelers put on a clinic against rival Browns. It was a bad day to be rapist quarterback as Deshaun Watson out of the gates was picked off by line backer Alex Highsmith and he took it to the house for a score. Who is Alex Highsmith? Another gem defensive player this organization finds every year. Highsmith would also force a fumble and TJ Watt would scoop and return for another defensive score. Watt is killing it in the first two games as he added another sack and two more tackles for loss of yardage. The Steelers offense are awoken from their deep slumber and George Pickens, a rookie last year, showed some flashes & had a big game with 4 catches for 127 yards and touchdown catch. Steelers fans can come back off the ledge from the first week being humiliated by the 49ers in their home opener.

#24.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-2) Drop 1 spot from last week

The Patriots’ biggest problem is they can’t run the football. They run the ball by committee which has always worked but this season they are struggling. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 3.3 yards per carry on 15 rushes last week as he reached 50 yards. Free agent bust, Ezekiel Elliot, averaged a nice smooth 2.6 yards per carry. Mac Jones once again had to throw the football over 40 times. Jones is not the guy that should be chucking the ball all over the field that many times. Bill Belichick’s defense is not lights out but a solid unit as they brought Tua Tagovailia back down to earth as he only tallied up 249 passing yards, unlike his first week versus the Chargers. The Patriots will be a team stuck in the middle of the NFL and rack up 6 to 7 wins, maybe 8, if they get hot which they will at some point.

#25.NEW YORK GIANTS (1-1) Up two spots from last week

The Giants in the 25th spot might be too kind for a New York team that may have saved their season versus the Cardinals. It did not look good for the Giants as the Cardinals were all over them last Sunday. Giants were down 20-0 to Arizona at half. In the first six quarters of the season, the Giants were out scored 60-0. The G-Men marched back with Daniel Jones having a monster second half as New York prevailed 31-28. The Giants were very close being beyond the bottom of the barrel of the power rankings. In the win, the team may be without their star running Saquan Barkley who left this contest with an injury. I still don’t trust the Giants finding a playoff spot this season with a difficult schedule looming.

#26.LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-1) Drop 2 spots

Josh Jacobs had negative two yards rushing last week versus the Bills. In the running back world when backs come off a big year and demand more money or even hold out, bad things happen. Jacobs had a monster year last season & held out through some camps missing some practices & is not off to a good start. The Raiders running game was shut down completely. Jimmy G did not look good behind center as he threw two interceptions. Raiders were on the road facing a Bills team where Josh Allen shot himself and his team in the feet for their opening night loss to the Jets, which they should have won. Once again, Josh Daniels can beat the lone Broncos, but the rest of the league he does not fare well against.

#27.DENVER BRONCOS (0-2) Drop 2 spots from last week

Sean Payton’s era could be 2-0 in Denver. Week one they lost by 1 point over the Raiders. Last Sunday, the Broncos had a 21-3 lead which they blew. Then the comeback came up short. The Broncos have dropped two home games to start this season. Russell Wilson is playing better than he did last year. Sam Howell in his third start of his career sliced and diced the Broncos defense which looks to be part of the problem in Denver. How’d Payton let his quarterback get sacked 7 times? In preseason, Payton was quick to blame the last regime for the bad coaching they did in 2022. Which could be true or gives Payton a longer leash to figure this out. Meanwhile Prime Time Neon Deon Sanders is 3-0 with the University of Colorado. Just saying. No one is keeping count.

#28.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-1) Up two spots

Anthony Richardson may have still been able to lead his team over the Texans in week two. Richardson had two rushing touchdowns, but on second one crossing the goal line he took a shot to the head and had to leave the game for the second time in two weeks. The Colts have one of the best back up quarterbacks in the game. Former Jaguar Gardner Minshew took the controls and threw a touchdown pass with 171 yards in the air as the Colts did not miss a beat.

The Colts are all about developing their future with Richardson. Minshew may get the start over Richardson in week three and Gardner is a streaky quarterback. It would not surprise me if he has this Colts offense looking much better.

#29.CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2) Drop 1 spot from last week

The Panthers defense stands out more than that offense throughout these first two games of regular season.

The Panthers have some veterans on this team that are playing like this Carolina team is going somewhere. The Panthers Linebacker on Monday night versus the Saints had 9 tackles, two tackles for a loss with two sacks. The Panthers have interesting veterans on both sides of the ball but have to wait until Bryce Young gets through his growing pains in his rookie season to win games. Young had one touchdown pass, no interceptions, but did throw a lot of passes and only tallied up 153 yards. Young took 4 sacks and he also suffered a strained ankle. Young could miss this week with that injury as the Panthers would go with veteran Andy Dalton. Dalton could change things quickly and get the Panthers in the win column. Then developing the rookie quarterback or winning games could be the million dollar question.

#30.CHICAGO BEARS (0-2) Drop another spot from last week

Many thought the Bears stood a chance at collecting at least one win in their first two games. The Bears have lost to the Packers’ Jordan Love making his second ever start of his career and then last week Baker Mayfield who is trying to remain a starting QB in the NFL. The Bears defense is mind boggling especially with all the talent they brought in during the off-season. The biggest question during off-season was will Justin Fields take the next step. The Bears have tried to fit Fields into the pocket like a puzzle piece that will not fit. Fields has blamed the coaching of the Bears. Some experts have said Bears need to design the offense around Field’s skill set and have him roll out and pass on the run instead of that puzzle piece jammed in the final spot of the pocket where he is uncomfortable. Fields still holds on to the ball way too long. Fields throws some beautiful passes along with a few clunkers each game. The Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus, is the worst Bears coach ever in his first two seasons on the sidelines.

#31.HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2) Drop one spot from last week

C.J Stroud’s second start of the year and in his 2nd of his NFL career, threw the ball 47 times. Stroud had 384 passing yards with two touchdown passes which sounds like a great day at the office. Stroud can make all the passes, but he’s constantly under pressure. Stroud was sacked 6 times and showed some of the rookie growing pains holding on to the ball way too long. You like to see the running game compliment Stroud’s aerial attack. The good thing is Stroud has built up some nice raport with his wide receivers. Nico Collins is Stroud’s right hand man with 7 catches, 146 yards, & a touchdown catch. Getting his fellow rookie Tank Dell involved in the passing game this early will help this kid develop.

Tank caught his first touchdown pass and had 7 catches for 72 yards.

#32. ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-2) Same situation as last week

Last week seeing the Cardinals up 20-0 over the Giants I was thinking maybe New York might be the rotten apple of the orchard of the NFL. The Giants would come back in the second half and win the game. It was like big brother spotting you 20-0 lead in ping pong or corn hole. Then he crushes your hopes & scores 21 straight points to win the match. Maybe the Cardinals have entered the Caleb Williams sweepstakes and will be tanking the season away to get the USC quarterback with the number one overall pick.

Would Williams end up being Kyler Murray part two the sequel. Another sequel to Weekend at Bernie’s, which would be bad cinema.