NFL Rankings: Week 3
By Ben Almquist
You simply cannot give an opponent that many breaks and expect to win the game. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
11. Kansas City Chiefs (1-1; L 31-24 vs DEN) – Turning the ball over 5 times is a surefire way to lose games that you shouldn’t be losing. Last week: 9
12. Carolina Panthers (2-0; W 24-17 vs HOU) – The Panthers are winning the games they should be winning. That’s a sound recipe for making the playoffs. Last week: 18
13. New York Jets (2-0; W 20-7 vs IND) – They’ve won more games without Geno than I thought they would with him. Last week: 19
14. Indianapolis Colts (0-2; L 7-20 vs NYJ) – If the Colts don’t fix that offensive line, it won’t matter if they have…well, Andrew Luck at quarterback. Last week: 7
15. Minnesota Vikings (1-1; W 26-16 vs DET) – That’s a much better showing from the Vikes. It remains to be seen exactly what kind of team this is going to be. Last week: 20
It’s not often that a team can make the Chargers offense seem bland and inept, but the Bengals sure did. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
16. San Diego Chargers (1-1; L 19-24 vs CIN) – It’s surprising, but the Chargers had no answer for the Bengals defense. If this team wants to make a playoff run, they need consistency on offense. Last week: 12
17. Baltimore Ravens (0-2; L 33-37 vs OAK) – The lack of Suggs is being felt. But what’s being felt even more is the lack of any weapons besides Steve Smith. Last week: 13
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1; W 23-20 vs MIA) – The Jags needed to show something, and they did it. Last week: 26
19. Oakland Raiders (1-1; W 37-33 vs BAL) – Getting a win over the Ravens is a complete 180 from last week. Last week: 27
20. Philadelphia Eagles (0-2; L 10-20 vs DAL) – Chip Kelly claimed this team as his own in the offseason, so he’ll be claiming these losses during the season. Last week: 14