NFL Power Rankings Week 3: Packers Lambeau Leap In

 

It only took two weeks for the Power Rankings to go through a big shakeup after the New Orleans Saints fell to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football.

While New Orleans has moved out of the top five, their absence opened a spot for another NFC contender that is in a Super Bowl-or-bust season.

Here are the official Power Rankings for Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season.

WEEK 3 POWER RANKINGS

1. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 1

WEEK 3: @ BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-0)

It took a little bit of overtime drama, but the Chiefs top the Power Rankings once again after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers, 23-20, on Sunday.

Harrison Butker was the hero of the day, nailing a 58-yard field goal late in overtime, his second from that distance in the game, to secure the victory.

The Chiefs defense survived an unexpected onslaught from Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, who was told he was starting his first NFL game just minutes before kickoff. Herbert threw for 311 yards, becoming the ninth quarterback in history to surpass 300 passing yards in his debut.

Patrick Mahomes did everything for the Chiefs offense in the win, throwing for 302 yard and two touchdowns and rushing for a team-high 54 yards.

The reigning Super Bowl MVP found his groove by going to his trusted targets — Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce were targeted a combined 25 times and went for 99 and 90 receiving yards, respectively.

Including last season’s playoffs, the Chiefs have won 11 straight games.

2. BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 2

WEEK 3: VS. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-0)

The Baltimore Ravens have won 14 straight regular season games and they are only getting better.

The Ravens defeated the Houston Texans, 33-16, on the road in Week 2 thanks to 204 passing yards from Lamar Jackson and 230 total rushing yards between Jackson, Gus Edwards, Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins.

Baltimore’s rushing attack gained its rhythm in the second half, totaling 186 of its rushing yards in the third and fourth quarter combined.

The unstoppable regular season run of the Ravens meets the unmovable Chiefs this Monday in a potential AFC Championship preview that will have the entire league watching.

3. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 4

WEEK 3: VS. DALLAS COWBOYS (1-1)

Russell Wilson has yet to receive a single MVP vote in his career. This topic of discussion came up again before this season’s start and it seems that the Seattle quarterback may have been paying attention.

Wilson put together a second-straight dazzling performance to start the year, throwing for 288 yards and five touchdowns in Seattle’s dramatic 35-30 win over New England on Sunday night.

While the Seahawks defense gave up 30 points and almost 400 passing yards to a resurgent Cam Newton, the side was able to stuff Newton at the goal line on the final play of the game to win.

Safety Jamal Adams, who Seattle acquired from the Jets in the offseason, continues to show his value, totaling ten tackles, one sack and two hits on Newton in the victory.

4. GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: NR

WEEK 3: @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-1)

The Packers are putting up the points early this season.

After scoring 43 in their Week 1 win over the Vikings, the Packers defeated the Detroit Lions, 42-21, in Week 2.

The star of the day was running back Aaron Jones, who rushed for a career high 168 yards on 18 carries, including a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the third quarter. Jones is currently the league’s leading rusher through two weeks.

The second year of the Aaron Rodgers-Matt LaFleur connection has started swimmingly, with Rodgers passing for 604 yards and six touchdowns through the first two games of the season.

5. BUFFALO BILLS (2-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 5

WEEK 3: VS. LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-0)

The Buffalo Bills passing attack is frightening and could be their key to winning the AFC East.

Josh Allen passed for a whopping 417 yards and four touchdowns in Buffalo’s 31-28 road win against the Miami Dolphins, connecting with each one of his playmaking receivers along the way. Stefon Diggs continued to prove his value to his new team, going for 153 yards on eight catches, while John Brown and Cole Beasley went for 82 and 70 receiving yards, respectively.

Through two weeks, Allen leads the league in passing yards (729) and Diggs leads the league in receiving yards (239).