What do we know about the NFL three weeks in? Nothing, apparently. Week 3 was filled with wild upsets and crazy finishes, a fun watch on a week with a bunch of heavy favorites. No team looks untouchable and even the bottom-dwellers are showing at least a few signs of life.

Parsing out the top of the league is proving difficult, but I will not be deterred. Let’s dive into the rankings:

Tier 1: Super Bowl Contenders

1 — Buffalo Bills (3-0, UP 2)

Last week: W 24-16 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Bills passed a major test in Week 3, in that Josh Allen played rather poorly and they still overcame that to win. Allen accounted for three of the team’s five turnovers, but Buffalo’s defense kept them in this game until the offense woke up in the fourth quarter. The Chargers have a lot of problems on offense, but this is a game last year’s Bills team probably loses.

2 — Seattle Seahawks (2-1, DOWN 1)

Last week: L 31-33 vs. Washington Commanders

I don’t think most people expected the Seahawks to get shredded by Washington’s backup quarterback, but it put a damper on the return of QB Sam Darnold from a two-week injury absence. Seattle was missing their starting safety duo in this game, but their issues went far beyond that. It’ll be tough for the Seahawks to repeat as Super Bowl champs with more performances like that.

3 — San Francisco 49ers (3-0, UP 1)

Last week: W 36-30 vs. Arizona Cardinals

They had to sweat it out at the end there, but the 49ers kept it rolling with another division win early in the season. 49ers QB Brock Purdy might be playing better football than anyone else at the position right now, as he threw for nearly 300 yards and four more touchdowns. This game exposed some potential issues on defense, but the Cardinals can put up points on offense, and San Francisco was never in real danger of losing control of this game.

4 — Los Angeles Rams (1-2, DOWN 2)

Last week: L 26-30 vs. Denver Broncos

The Rams are currently without their two best players, it’s true. But without WR Puka Nacua and ED Myles Garrett, they blew a 16-point halftime lead and allowed the Broncos to nearly run out the clock on their go-ahead touchdown drive. Los Angeles had every chance to win that game and squandered it, and the schedule isn’t letting up yet. They risk losing too much ground in a crowded NFC. The good news is Nacua could be back as soon as next week, though Garrett will have a more extended absence.

5 — Baltimore Ravens (2-1, UP 1)

Last week: W 34-31 vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Ravens got back on track following their late-game collapse against the Saints, winning an absolute thriller in Brazil. This game was an instant classic, and K Tyler Loop got a chance to redeem himself after the way his rookie season ended with a 56-yard game-winning kick as time expired. The Dallas offense is one of the league’s best, so I’m not overly concerned with Baltimore’s defensive performance in this one.

6 — Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1, UP 6)

Last week: W 35-6 vs. New England Patriots

The Jags are on an absolute heater right now. Trevor Lawrence is playing the best ball of his career and WR Parker Washington is the real deal after his late-season breakout last year. This defense hasn’t missed a beat even with some new faces, either. Dominating a supposed AFC contender that thoroughly will get everyone’s attention, and Jacksonville has an early leg up in the AFC South.

Tier 2: Playoff Contenders

7 — Minnesota Vikings (3-0, UP 1)

Last week: W 23-16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Is there a more suffocating defense in the league? Vikings DC Brian Flores is blitzing at an absurd rate, causing absolute havoc on every play and making Minnesota a nightmare to scheme against. The Vikings’ offense, however, leaves more to be desired. Through three weeks, they’ve done just enough (buoyed by a rain game in Week 2) but as they face more potent offenses on the other side, they’ll need more.

8 — Chicago Bears (2-1, UP 1)

Last week:

How about that legacy game for Case Keenum? The Bears’ third-string quarterback, a glorified assistant coach by his own words, was called up to play given the injuries to Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent ahead of him. He looked sensational and played the game of his life, dicing up Philly’s defense and leading Chicago to a blowout win. Williams should be back in three to four weeks, and every win Chicago gets between now and then is a bonus. With the Jets, Packers and Falcons up next, the Bears could go on a run.

9 — Cincinnati Bengals (2-1, DOWN 4)

Last week: L 27-30 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The AFC North is so weird. After looking like one of the best defenses in the league through two weeks, the Bengals got blitzed by geriatric QB Aaron Rodgers and a Steelers offense that did little of note before this. Cincinnati’s offense looked crisp, and divisional games can be weird — so I’m not too concerned. But if the Bengals defense isn’t what we thought it was, this could be eerily reminiscent of years past.

10 — Kansas City Chiefs (3-0, UP 1)

Last week: W 24-10 vs. Miami Dolphins

Here we go again. The Chiefs got it done against the Dolphins and with games against the Raiders and Chargers next, they could be 5-0 entering a big Sunday night game against Seattle. Tight end sensation Travis Kelce continues to turn back the clock and QB Patrick Mahomes looks like his old self. Kansas City’s patchwork offensive line showed more cracks against a feisty Miami pass rush, but you can’t say enough about how good UDFA OT Kahlil Benson is playing.

11 — Denver Broncos (2-1, UP 2)

Last week: W 30-26 vs. Los Angeles Rams

Somehow, the Broncos continue to stick to their winning formula: offense can’t muster anything for a half to three quarters, but their defense keeps them in the game just long enough for QB Bo Nix and this offense to come storming back late. Doing it against the Jags and Rams in back-to-back weeks shows toughness, but at some point Denver’s luck will run out. It’s a dangerous place to live, but the Broncos will keep riding this out as long as they can.

12 — Houston Texans (0-3, DOWN 5)

Last week: L 17-19 vs. Indianapolis Colts

This team desperately needs WR Nico Collins back. Without Collins, the Texans just don’t have any punch on offense. Their rebuilding offensive line can’t create space in the run game and QB C.J. Stroud is under constant duress. Houston’s defense is as intimidating as ever, but they’re increasingly put in worse situations. Star ED Will Anderson Jr. tried to win this game on his own, but wasn’t quite able to seal the deal. The only team to make the playoffs after starting 0-3 this century is the Texans — and they did it twice, including last year. Maybe they have everyone right where they want them.

13 — Dallas Cowboys (1-2, UP 2)

Last week: L 31-34 vs. Baltimore Ravens

Imagine what could have been if they got one stop at the end. How many times have we said that about the Cowboys in recent years, though? Dallas QB Dak Prescott and this offense played a brilliant game, but this defense got torn apart by the Ravens. Baltimore’s offense is doing that to everyone, but the Cowboys’ defense likewise looks similar against everyone. Dallas will struggle to stack enough wins to be serious playoff contenders without serious defensive improvement.

Tier 3: Playoff Hopefuls

14 — New Orleans Saints (1-2, —)

Last week: L 27-35 vs. Las Vegas Raiders

The Saints held a five-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but four straight turnovers to end the game doomed them against the upstart Raiders. Up until that final period, it had been a pretty clean game for New Orleans, but they showed their youth late and it cost them. Second-year QB Tyler Shough continued to look good — turnovers aside — and this team looks like the clear favorites in the NFC South.

15 — Detroit Lions (2-1, UP 1)

Last week: W 31-24 vs. New York Jets

Nothing came easy against the Jets, but the Lions held them off late to secure the win. Top RB Jahmyr Gibbs continues his push for Offensive Player of the Year, scoring three more touchdowns and getting 27 total touches. This young offensive line is holding up well enough, and QB Jared Goff looks more comfortable than he did a year ago. The Lions could be real playoff contenders.

16 — Indianapolis Colts (1-2, UP 3)

Last week: W 19-17 vs. Houston Texans

It was a gut-check moment for the Colts, and they responded with a much-needed win. Indy overcame three turnovers — including a fumble with less than five minutes left in the game — to eke out a win over their division rivals. They still need to figure out how to make this offense work without top receiver Alec Pierce, who will miss about half the season. But this was a big game for the defense with their backs against the wall.

17 — New England Patriots (1-2, DOWN 7)

Last week: L 6-35 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Drake Maye is playing awful football right now. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. The 2025 runner-up MVP has committed seven turnovers in three games and melted down once again against the Jags. This Patriots offense as a whole is stuck in the mud and there’s no obvious reason why beyond Maye’s play. He needs to be a lot better if New England is even going to earn a playoff bid, let alone win the AFC again.

18 — Philadelphia Eagles (2-1, DOWN 1)

Last week: L 7-27 vs. Chicago Bears

This game had everything: a controversial late hit, a bad goal-line interception thrown by the backup, blue medical tent drama, and the broadcast having to repeatedly censor Eagles HC Nick Sirianni and QB Jalen Hurts from getting picked up on hot mics. What it didn’t have was competent offensive play by Philly. New OC Sean Mannion’s offense isn’t working with this group, for a variety of reasons, and this offensive line is growing paper thin.

19 — Las Vegas Raiders (3-0, UP 7)

Last week: W 35-27 vs. New Orleans Saints

It is good in Vegas right now. The Raiders have the No. 1 pick at quarterback waiting in the wings, but there’s no rush to play him as long as they keep racking up wins. New HC Klint Kubiak has yet to lose a game in Las Vegas and they just beat a pretty good Saints team. I’m not quite ready to say the Raiders are legit playoff contenders, but you couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season. The vibes are immaculate.

20 — Washington Commanders (1-2, UP 5)

Last week: W 33-31 vs. Seattle Seahawks

Marcus Mariota turned back the clock and played a solid game, throwing for three touchdowns and sealing the game late with a first-down run. The Commanders’ backs were against the wall coming off two straight losses to divisional opponents and without starting QB Jayden Daniels, but Mariota came through when Washington needed him most. Three winnable games against the Colts, Giants and Eagles are among their next four, and Washington could build some momentum here.

21 — Carolina Panthers (1-2, DOWN 3)

Last week: L 18-21 vs. Cleveland Browns

Perhaps more than any other team, the Panthers are decimated by injuries, forcing them to test their depth. Compared to their ideal depth chart if everyone was healthy, Carolina is missing both starting tackles, three of their top four receivers, three starting players in the secondary, one of their top pass rushers and their starting middle linebacker. There are no excuses in the NFL — though the Panthers are running out of bodies to be the proverbial “next man up.”

Tier 4: Maybe Not Your Year

22 — New York Jets (1-2, UP 5)

Last week: L 24-31 vs. Detroit Lions

The Jets have been oh so close to a pair of wins over the last two weeks, but came up just short in both. That has to be encouraging for a team that simply wasn’t competitive in these types of games last year, but game management continues to be an issue. Overall, though, you have to feel pretty good about your roster if you’re a Jets fan. This offense is fun to watch and the defense hangs in there.

23 — Atlanta Falcons (1-2, UP 6)

Last week: W 35-14 vs. Green Bay Packers

Welcome back, Michael Penix Jr. The third-year quarterback settled into the game after the first quarter and had an efficient night, while Atlanta’s defense applied relentless pressure to the Packers offense. Penix’s return gives an immense boost to this Falcons team, and despite how bad they looked in the first two weeks, all of a sudden Atlanta is tied for first in their division.

24 — Arizona Cardinals (1-2, —)

Last week: L 30-36 vs. San Francisco 49ers

Arizona mounted a furious comeback, but couldn’t get enough stops down the stretch to give their offense a chance. Not every team is the 49ers, but this is what a lot of Cardinals games were like last year, and many more will probably feel similar this year. With WR Marvin Harrison Jr.’s lack of production drawing headlines and media attention, the wrong things are in focus for Arizona right now.

25 — Los Angeles Chargers (0-3, DOWN 4)

Last week: L 16-24 vs. Buffalo Bills

The Chargers turned the Bills over five times and still couldn’t come up with a win. This offense is a disaster: QB Justin Herbert is playing the worst ball of his career, this offensive line isn’t any better than it was a year ago even with Los Angeles’ tackles back, and this defense isn’t the same without Jesse Minter leading it. The Chargers need to do something different, and fast. But with a meat grinder of an upcoming schedule, the road isn’t getting any easier.

26 — Green Bay Packers (1-2, DOWN 6)

Last week: L 14-35 vs. Atlanta Falcons

Packers fans are panicking, and it’s not hard to see why. This team is in free fall and there might not be any easy answers. Green Bay can’t block a soul on the offensive line, and offensive line answers are incredibly tough to come by mid-season. Packers QB Jordan Love is getting the ball out faster than anyone in the league and still facing the highest pressure rate — that’s simply unheard of. Without improvement from that unit, Green Bay will lose a lot more games.

27 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3, DOWN 5)

Last week: L 16-23 vs. Minnesota Vikings

As if things couldn’t get any worse for the Bucs, QB Baker Mayfield is expected to miss three weeks with a dislocated thumb. I like the potential of backup Jalon Daniels, but it’s a lot to ask of an undrafted rookie to come in and dig this team out of a hole. Everything looks so hard for this team, and it really shouldn’t. They’re just one game back in the NFC South, but I don’t know if they can keep pace even in that division.

28 — Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1, —)

Last week: W 30-27 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Rodgers had his annual “turn back the clock” game against the Bengals, bucking every tendency and supposed age-related limitations to look like vintage Rodgers. He outdueled Cincy QB Joe Burrow and all of a sudden, Pittsburgh is sitting here at 2-1. We don’t have to consider them an actual factor in the playoff race…right?

29 — Cleveland Browns (2-1, UP 1)

Last week: W 21-18 vs. Carolina Panthers

It would be a big stretch to say Deshaun Watson is playing good football, but he is playing mistake-free football (for the most part). The Browns still have a good defense, and the breakout for second-year DT Mason Graham is the real deal. Graham is unblockable and this offense is doing just enough to win games.

30 — New York Giants (2-1, DOWN 7)

Last week: W 12-7 vs. Tennessee Titans

The Giants and Jameis WInston got it done with four field goals against the Titans, but the bigger news in New York this week is the acquisition of QB J.J. McCarthy from the Vikings. With Jaxson Dart out for the season with a knee injury, McCarthy could end up starting most of the season for New York. It’s a chance for McCarthy to spark his career, but it’s also a chance for New York to salvage their season without Dart.

Tier 5: Absolutely Disgraceful

31 — Tennessee Titans (0-3, —)

Last week: L 7-12 vs. New York Giants

Cam Ward really needed this one. The second-year quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick had every chance to win this game and couldn’t get it done, throwing an interception in the end zone to seal it late. Ward doesn’t seem to have developed much from his rookie season, which is one of the early-season storylines. Tennessee is a rough watch on offense.

32 — Miami Dolphins (0-3, —)

Last week: L 10-24 vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Miami had a few possessions late with the chance to tie the game at 17 before a late Chiefs touchdown sealed it. The Dolphins were competitive for much of this game, with their defense in particular hanging tough — rookies Chris Johnson and Jacob Rodriguez had big days. Losing star RB De’Von Achane to a torn ACL really hurts, though.