Week 3 is officially in the books, and we’re starting to get a much clearer picture of what these teams are. Some teams have continued to prove they belong near the top, while others have fallen well short of expectations. We also had some major surprises this week, including a few teams making big jumps after impressive wins and others taking some serious steps backward.

At this point, I’m starting to separate the contenders from the pretenders. Some teams are still riding strong starts, while others are desperately trying to figure things out before the season gets away from them. Here’s where I have everyone heading into Week 4.

1 San Francisco 49ers (0)

San Francisco continues to be the best all-around team in my eyes. I’ve had them ranked #1 throughout the season so far, and they continue to prove it week in and week out. Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey are balling out, and the defense has continued to do more than enough to win, although they had a bit of a rusty showing against the Cardinals. A huge test is coming up against the Broncos.

2 Kansas City Chiefs (+2)

Here are the Chiefs. They have certainly impressed everyone with their 3-0 start this season. The Kenneth Walker signing has helped relieve a lot of the pressure that was on Patrick Mahomes, and the defense continues to shine as well. Will the Chiefs be able to keep up their impressive start?

3 Buffalo Bills (0)

The Bills played an extremely sloppy game against the Chargers. When a team turns the ball over five times, they almost certainly should lose, but Buffalo somehow played against the odds and came away with the win. The Chargers collapsed, and the Bills took advantage. The defense played well after the first quarter, which helped them secure the victory. This was certainly a rare stinker from Josh Allen, but it’s also a good learning experience.

4 Seattle Seahawks (-2)

Seattle dropped a stinker against the Commanders in Sam Darnold’s return, as he looked a little rusty. His four touchdown passes weren’t enough, and a late pick-six by the Commanders sealed Seattle’s fate. The Seahawks’ defense also came crashing back down to earth against Marcus Mariota and company. I still believe this team is a top-five team at this point in the season.

5 Denver Broncos (+5)

The Broncos won two impressive games back-to-back against the Jaguars and Rams. After trailing 16-0 at halftime, they came out with a vengeance and won an incredible game. The defense shined in the second half, and the offense played consistently. Next up is another tough task against the 49ers.

6 Minnesota Vikings (+2)

Minnesota is an impressive 3-0, led by its stout defense. Brian Flores is one heck of a coach and continues to get the best out of his guys. Kyler Murray returned to action and was effective as the starter. As long as the offense holds steady, this defense can take the Vikings to a whole other level. Next up are the floundering Dolphins, and the Vikings should feast.

7 Los Angeles Rams (0)

The Rams dropped a winnable game against the Broncos. They led 16-0 at halftime but collapsed after the break. The Broncos gave them a huge fight and consistently pressured the immobile Matthew Stafford. It was an entertaining back-and-forth game that just didn’t fall in the Rams’ favor. The Rams are still a top-10 team in my eyes, though. An important NFC matchup with the Eagles is coming up.

8 Jacksonville Jaguars (+4)

The Jaguars dominated the former AFC champions at home in a huge way. Trevor Lawrence looked excellent, and the defense was stout. Especially after losing to the Broncos the way they did, Jacksonville came prepared and ready to play. Good teams find ways to bounce back, and this was an impressive response.

9 Baltimore Ravens (+2)

Baltimore won on a last-second field goal from Tyler Loop against Dallas. Lamar Jackson gave his best Mahomes impression with seven seconds left, delivering a huge pass to Zay Flowers to give Loop a chance. Lamar and Derrick Henry both shined, but the defense had another shaky performance. It was good enough to win, though.

10 Chicago Bears (+8)

The Bears shocked me this week. The defense has now put together two great performances following the opening-game disaster against the Panthers. The bigger surprise was Case Keenum’s effectiveness at quarterback. I was hesitant about Keenum going into the game, but he shut the doubters up in a big way. Props to him and Ben Johnson. Next up is the gritty Jets at home.

11 Cincinnati Bengals (-6)

The Bengals dropped a winnable game in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is always a tough place to play, and Joe Burrow looked sharp, but two turnovers ultimately killed the Bengals. The defense also looked a little rough in this one. They’ll look to rebound against the Jaguars in an important AFC matchup.

12 New England Patriots (0)

The Patriots dropped a stinker against the Jaguars, and it was rough. Drake Maye has not returned to his 2025 form, and the defense couldn’t stop Trevor Lawrence and company. I still have some belief in the Pats, but if they slip again, their ranking will go down. Next up are the mighty Bills in an important divisional matchup.

13 Philadelphia Eagles (-4)

The Eagles dropped a stinker in Chicago against the Case Keenum-led Bears. Jalen Hurts and the offense looked very rusty and inconsistent. Hurts threw an ugly interception, and the running game just hasn’t gotten going with Saquon Barkley this season. The defense also reared its ugly head with its inability to stop the Bears. They’ll look to get back on track against the Rams.

14 Detroit Lions (+2)

The Lions won another gritty game against the Jets at home. The defense continues to get exposed, but the Lions’ offense has continued to show up, scoring 31 points in each game, which is a positive. Jared Goff has been consistent, and Jahmyr Gibbs had three touchdowns. However, the defense needs to hold up its end of the bargain if Detroit wants to be a true contender in the NFC.

15 Carolina Panthers (-2)

Carolina dropped a heartbreaker to the Browns in Cleveland. Bryce Young threw for 290 yards but crashed back to Earth with one touchdown and one interception. The offense lacked consistency in this one, and the defense did all it could but couldn’t hold up against the Browns. Next up is the Lions on Sunday Night Football.

16 Las Vegas Raiders (+3)

The Raiders are now 3-0, and they deserve their props. They beat a decent Saints team on the road in comeback fashion. Kirk Cousins is slinging it, while Fernando Mendoza gets to sit and learn from him. You couldn’t ask for a better setup. Brock Bowers also impressed in his return. The running game still needs more work, and the Raiders’ defense is sneakily tough. But the real test comes next week against the Chiefs.

17 New Orleans Saints (0)

The Saints have been a pleasant surprise but seem to be a roller-coaster team. New Orleans led by 11 with five minutes left in the third quarter, but the Raiders went on a 19-point scoring run with no response from the Saints’ offense. This time, the Saints started hot and finished cold, rather than starting slow and finishing strong like they did in their first two games. The defense continues to show that they need more pieces to compete. The Saints should be a gritty team this season, but they need to show more consistency on both sides of the ball.

18 Pittsburgh Steelers (+3)

The Steelers defeated the Bengals at home, and both the offense and defense looked good. I still believe Pittsburgh’s offense can’t consistently put together strong performances, and the defense will always be good, but it can’t be the only consistent part of this team. I’ll give credit where it’s due, though: Aaron Rodgers was slinging the pigskin in this one.

19 Dallas Cowboys (+1)

Dallas absolutely had a chance to win in Brazil, but on their final drive near the goal line, how do you not run the ball? Javonte Williams looked good all day, but the Cowboys chose to pass, and the Ravens stopped them. Dallas tied the game and gave the ball back to Baltimore with seven seconds left. Lamar then got the Ravens into field-goal range, and Tyler Loop hit the game-winning kick. What has been Dallas’ problem over the last few years? Great offense, horrible defense, and that reared its ugly head again in Brazil. Next up is an all-Texas matchup with the Texans.

20 Indianapolis Colts (+7)

I was hesitant to move the Colts this high, but a win is a win. Daniel Jones continues to be an absolute roller coaster, with two costly fumbles and an interception. Josh Downs, Keenan Allen and Tyler Warren played well. Jonathan Taylor was shut down for the first time this season by the mighty Texans defense. The Colts’ defense finally shined, though, putting together its best performance of the season. Can they keep this up, or will the roller coaster continue?

21 Houston Texans (-7)

Houston is now 0-3, which is a shock to some. C.J. Stroud has looked absolutely flat, and it doesn’t help that Nico Collins has been out with an injury. The running game is nonexistent, and the offensive line continues to be a problem. Their defense will keep them in plenty of games, though, as it did against the Colts by forcing three turnovers. That game in Indianapolis was absolutely winnable.

22 Cleveland Browns (+7)

The Browns have shocked me and won two straight. Carolina looked solid, but the Browns’ defense shut them down, and Deshaun Watson led the late comeback. The running game continues to be nonexistent, though. Can this team keep it up?

23 New York Giants (+1)

The Giants won a rain-soaked, low-scoring defensive affair against the Titans at home. Jameis Winston looked okay, and the defense shined. They also traded for J.J. McCarthy, so we’ll have to see what that looks like for the Giants. But a win is a win.

24 Atlanta Falcons (+6)

Atlanta went into Green Bay and absolutely dominated the Packers. Michael Penix Jr.’s return started rocky but ended much better than it began. The defense also came to play, while Bijan Robinson and Drake London both shined. The Falcons move up in these rankings, but I need to see more consistency before moving them any higher.

25 Green Bay Packers (-10)

Boy, oh boy, what happened to Green Bay? The 0-2 Falcons came into Lambeau Field and absolutely dominated the Packers on Thursday Night Football. Jordan Love looked completely out of sync, the offensive line looked putrid, there was no running game, and the defense got lit up by Bijan Robinson and Drake London. Christian Watson has continued to shine, but that’s about it. This is another major shocker.

26 Washington Commanders (+2)

The Commanders shocked the world and defeated the reigning world champion Seahawks at home in a rain-soaked, gritty affair. Marcus Mariota proved me right as arguably the best backup quarterback in the league. Washington’s defense looked good against Seattle, and the Commanders did just enough to win. Next up is a game across the pond against the inconsistent Colts.

27 New York Jets (-2)

The Jets continue to be a gritty team that can’t finish games. They put up another good fight against the Lions in Detroit but ultimately lost. Geno Smith has been a pleasant surprise at quarterback, continuing to be effective as a passer while protecting the football. His connection with Garrett Wilson has also been impressive. The defense continues to lag behind, though, which should be Aaron Glenn’s specialty. Next up is the Bears in Chicago.

28 Arizona Cardinals (-5)

Arizona started the season with a win against the Chargers, who have been a massive disappointment and have now dropped two straight. The Cardinals put up a good fight against the 49ers, and Jacoby Brissett continues to impress as the starter, but it wasn’t enough. Something has to give with Marvin Harrison Jr. as well. The defense wasn’t good against San Francisco, but the offense was good enough to keep them competitive.

29 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7)

Tampa Bay has also been quite a disappointment this season. Baker Mayfield, who has been inconsistent all season, was injured against the Vikings and will miss the next few weeks, leaving rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels to start. This team has looked flat all around, and with an 0-3 start to the season, people are wondering if Todd Bowles is on the hot seat.

30 Los Angeles Chargers (-4)

The Chargers have probably been the biggest disappointment this season, and this game was another missed opportunity. When you win the turnover battle by four, you most likely win the game, but that wasn’t the case. Los Angeles jumped out to a 10-0 lead, but after that, the offense was incredibly flat and looked completely out of sync. The defense played well in this one, but things have to change in LA. Is Jim Harbaugh’s job at risk?

31 Tennessee Titans (0)

The Titans lost a brutal game to the Giants in a sloppy, rain-soaked matchup. Cam Ward looked incredibly rusty and threw a brutal fourth-quarter interception on a horrible read. The Titans’ defense has looked really good, albeit against Jameis Winston and the Giants this week. But with the consistent offensive issues, they remain near the bottom of the rankings.

32 Miami Dolphins (0)

Miami has serious problems, but we all knew that coming into the season. To make matters worse, De’Von Achane is now expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Miami did put up a good fight against Kansas City, but it wasn’t enough.