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2025 NFL Post Week 3 Power Rankings

C Sportz > Blog > NFL News and General Articles > 2025 NFL Post Week 3 Power Rankings
  1. Lions

Despite the ugly week 1 performance vs the Packers, the Lions find themselves in the top spot after playing exceptionally well the past two weeks. The Lions after having a historically great offense in the 2024 season had maybe the weakest offensive performance of any NFL team thus far in week 1 vs Green Bay. Many then questioned the Lions on the offensive side of things with the loss of their previous offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and with their new offensive coordinator John Morton. Detroit has now rebounded and has scored the most points of any NFL team in the past two weeks against talented defenses in the Bears and Ravens as well. Perhaps the poor week 1 offensive performance vs Green Bay was just an aberration. As new offensive coordinator John Morton was bound to struggle in his first game in the role vs an elite defense on the road. The new coordinators were the two biggest concerns for Detroit but minus the week 1 disaster vs the Packers, Detroit has looked just as good on both sides of the ball as they did a year ago. Where in the 2024 season the Lions before injuries and a reckless postseason performance hindered them, were likely the best team in the NFL. Beating the Ravens on the road is also perhaps the most impressive win an NFL team has tallied this season as well.

 

  1. Bills

I have the Bills a touch below Detroit in the #1 spot for two primary reasons. The Lions when they were healthy last season were almost inarguably better than the Bills in 2024. Also, both teams played the Ravens in the 2025 season and although both Detroit and Buffalo won. Detroit looked neck and neck with the Ravens in Baltimore and Detroit won by a wider margin. Whereas the Bills seemed to be the inferior team to the Ravens at home in Buffalo before the Ravens essentially let the Bills win in my estimation. The Bills should still be viewed as the favorite to win the AFC given the Chiefs’ and Chargers’ offensive struggles and Baltimore’s lack of big game intangibles.

 

  1. Eagles

The reigning defending Super Bowl champions find themselves in the #3 spot as they are undefeated but have been winning in a very ugly fashion. Struggling to beat the Cowboys at home, narrowly escaping Kansas City with a win, and needing to come back from three possessions to beat the Rams at home. The concerns I had with the Eagles heading into this season are indeed coming to fruition. The team lacked explosiveness offensively a season ago, not even ranking in the top five in terms of points scored, and a new unproven rookie offensive coordinator would only exacerbate those concerns. The Eagles offense although it looked more effective vs the Rams still has a ways to go before I view it to be elite. In an offense leaning league I question if Philadelphia has what it takes to be an elite offensive team. However, being the reigning defending Super Bowl champions and possessing an undefeated record has the Eagles land in the top 3 essentially by default. But the Bills and Lions not only this season but in previous seasons have shown elite defensive capabilities just like the Eagles. But Philadelphia so far this season has not shown the elite offensive ceiling that the Lions and Bills have shown.

 

  1. Rams

After a highly impressive performance vs the Eagles on the road that unfortunately still ended in a loss the Rams find themselves in the top four. The Rams since winning the Super Bowl then proceeded to go 5-12 over the course of the following season. While then starting off the next two seasons 3-6 and 1-4 respectively although still making the playoffs both seasons. Each of the past two seasons the Rams have come up just one possession short to the Eagles and Lions on the road in the playoffs who have been the two premier NFC teams the past two seasons. The Rams during the past two seasons have been very strong but not quite as viable as the Eagles and Lions. Heading into this season the question remained if they could take things up a notch and reach the level of Philadelphia and Detroit in the NFC. Through three weeks Pro Football Focus has the Rams graded as the best overall team in the NFL. The Rams also seemed to have taken things up a notch with their week 3 performance against the Eagles where they were up 26-7 on the road vs the defending champions before squandering that lead and losing. If the Rams had held on to win that game, I would certainly have strongly considered putting the Rams at #1. But a narrow loss along with Detroit really impressing in a week 3-win vs the Ravens, the Bills remaining undefeated, and the Eagles remaining undefeated while still being the defending champions and beating the Rams, has the Rams at #4.

 

  1. Ravens

The Ravens certainly could rank lower than this given their losing record but if I were to be asked which NFL team has the highest ceiling, my answer would simply still be the Ravens. The issue is that they cannot be trusted in big crucial primetime and postseason games as they continually make crucial errors in these big games. That issue is certainly correctable however but the big game prowess of this team in the Lamar Jackson era has always been concerning including so far this year. But in terms of a raw ceiling as a team I still like the Ravens more than anyone in the NFL. Just narrowly over the Lions in that regard as well because Detroit still cannot be trusted to maintain said ceiling with two rookie coordinators. Baltimore played Buffalo on the road and despite losing still had inarguably the higher ceiling as a team. Baltimore, in an offense leaning league, is to be trusted on the offensive side of things much more than the Eagles as of now. Baltimore is to be trusted to have a higher ceiling than the likes of the Rams who started off last season 1-4 and snuck into the playoffs. Baltimore is also to be trusted to have a higher ceiling than the likes of the Colts, Packers and anyone else who have not shown they can consistently be trusted to have an elite ceiling as an NFL team.

 

  1. Colts

Heading into the season the Colts were my sleeper NFL team as with their questionable QB spot everyone was expecting them to be a weak NFL team. However, I assessed their roster to be elite heading into the season and on par with essentially any roster in the NFL. I also was a believer in both Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson as the QB of the franchise. With Jones winning the job I felt strongly about the Colts’ chances as Daniel Jones was always underrated to me. When Jones was with the Giants in the NFC East I always felt as if he was right on par with Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts in the division. Now that he is placed with an elite roster, a strong head coach, and a strong organization, he has come into his own playing at an MVP level through three games. Head coach Shane Steichen was once regarded as one of the premier young offensive minds in the NFL and perhaps the next Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay as a head coach. In his first two seasons as head coach of the Colts he did not blow anyone away and questions about his job security began to mount. However, the QB’s he had starting for him were amongst the weakest in the NFL in Gardner Minshew, Anthony Richardson, and Joe Flacco. Now that he is a strong starting QB in Daniel Jones his prowess as an offensive minded head coach is really starting to show in year 3 on the job. After week 3 the Colts are the number three scoring offense in the NFL and did not need to punt for over 2 games. The Colts remain at #6 and not higher because Indianapolis blew out Miami and Tennessee, two winless teams, and when they played a viable playoff caliber opponent in the Broncos, the Colts struggled to win and should have lost to many. This rendition of the Colts led by Shane Steichen and Daniel Jones is also totally unproven outside of this season. The two primary reasons why they remain just outside the top five, even behind Baltimore who they have a two-game lead over in the loss column.

 

  1. 49ers

The 49ers in the Kyle Shanahan/John Lynch era when they have their act together are almost a lock to reach the conference championship game. Last season, because of the undesirable defensive coordinator position in particular, the 49ers went 6-11 as the defense really struggled. The offense even in the failed 6-11 season in 2024 still was about as good as it was in years past when the 49ers with Kyle Shanahan consistently threatened to win it all. To address the defense the 49ers rehired former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh who is regarded as one of the premier defensive minds in football. So far, the defense with him coordinating it has held up its end of the bargain ranking in the top four in both points and yards allowed thus far. Despite the elite defensive play and the 49ers’ unbeaten record, they remain at #7 because the offense has not done its job. The 49ers currently rank 23rd in points per game but are still 7th in yards per game thus far this season. But given Kyle Shanahan’s track record of having his team produce at an elite offensive level, the 49ers still racking up lots of yards, to go along with starting QB Brock Purdy missing two starts, I trust the 49ers to return to elite offensive form. If they were to return to elite offensive form and have the defense remain elite as well, they certainly can return to the conference championship or Super Bowl again.

 

  1. Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are in a very similar boat to the 49ers as both teams have elite head coaches and elite defenses while both being unbeaten but neither offense can be trusted to be explosive and elite as of now. I give the 49ers the slight edge over the Chargers as given Kyle Shanahan’s offensive track record and the injuries that San Francisco has had offensively thus far this season, I trust the 49ers to capture elite offensive form more than the Chargers as of now. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is known for being a winner and in year 2 with an NFL team or a college program like he is currently in with the Chargers, I would not bet against him contending to win it all. Injuries have unfortunately hindered the Chargers thus far this season, but star left tackle Rashawn Slater and proven running back Najee Harris both will not return to action for Los Angeles this season. The Chargers are certainly still a threat to win the AFC as the Colts are very unproven, the Ravens cannot be trusted in the playoffs, and in their head-to-head matchup the Chargers looked better than Kansas City. I still favor the Bills more than Los Angeles as of now but in a league where the head coach is so important, I doubt any NFL general manager would favor Bills head coach Sean McDermott over Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh.

  1. Packers

After holding a historically great Detroit offense to only 13 points in week 1 and holding an explosive Commanders offense to less than 20 points in week 2 in two wins for Green Bay, many labeled the Packers as the premier NFL team. However, the week 1 defensive performance was against Lions offensive coordinator John Morton in his first game in the position and both of the first wins were at home. The Packers defense looked incredible in the first two weeks of the season but the offense just like last season was effective and solid but lacked explosion. In a stunning week 3 loss to the winless Browns who were discussed as maybe the weakest NFL team after two weeks, the Packers offensive concerns were brought to light even further. They mustered only 10 points in a narrow road loss and after three weeks they seem to be just an average caliber offensive team. In a league that favors the offensive side of the ball more-so than the defensive side of things, that simply is not going to cut it. The 49ers and Chargers also have elite defenses that are maybe not quite as good as Green Bay’s, which is arguably the best in the league as of now allowing the fewest points through three weeks. But the 49ers with Kyle Shanahan can be trusted to capture elite offensive form given their track record and their injuries so far. While Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and Chargers QB Justin Herbert seem to be a cut above Packers head coach Matt Lafleur and Packers QB Jordan Love from an offensive head coach and QB standpoint as well.

 

  1. Chiefs

The Chiefs, given their strong track record of winning half of the past six Super Bowls, find themselves in the top ten despite a losing record. Kansas City narrowly lost two matchups to fellow top ten opponents in the Chargers and Eagles by one possession each. The Chiefs’ defense has been borderline elite thus far ranking in the top ten in terms of points allowed. Kansas City even in winning the AFC both seasons and winning a Super Bowl has been closer to average offensively the past two years. Those offensive concerns have continued in the early portion of the 2025 season where the Chiefs rank 21st in points scored and have failed to score more than 22 in any of the three games. However, it is still very possible that the Chiefs at some point recapture elite offensive form as they had in the earlier portion of the Mahomes/Reid era where they were historically great offensively. Kansas City’s top two wide receivers have not played at all this season and Kansas City’s offense can expect to improve as they return to action. Kansas City’s starting left side of the offensive line is very young and has really struggled as well. Starting 2025 first rounder left tackle Josh Simmons and starting 2024 second rounder left guard Kingsley Suamataia have really struggled thus far in their brief NFL careers. As the two high draft picks gain more experience in the NFL, Kansas City could see a drastic improvement on their offensive line. Given the Chiefs’ track record of winning Super Bowls, their narrow losses to strong opposition thus far this season, and the room they have to improve with their wide outs returning to action and the potential improvement of their offensive line. The Chiefs find themselves sneaking into the top ten despite a losing record.

 

  1. Commanders

The Commanders have perhaps the best QB in the NFC and have looked solid thus far this season and find themselves just outside the top ten. The Commanders bullied bottom ten opposition in the Raiders and Giants winning both games by multiple possessions at home. Washington, however, struggled against a very strong top 10 caliber opponent in the Green Bay Packers losing by multiple possessions on the road. Jayden Daniels in my estimation is the premier NFC QB, and a very strong argument could be made that he is the best overall QB in the NFL. Likewise, a very strong argument could be made for Dan Quinn being the premier defensive mind in the league today. The roster that those two individuals have had to carry has been the concern thus far in the Jayden Daniels era. As I evaluated the overall roster that Washington fields outside of the QB spot to be average to mediocre by any stretch during last season and also headed into this year. However, the most important aspect of having a strong offense is the QB spot and one could argue the Commanders have the premier QB in the game today. The most important aspect of having a strong defense is being well coached on the defensive side of things, and one could make a strong argument that Washington has the premier defensive coach in the NFL as well. However, I cannot place them in the top ten as in their sole game against strong opposition this season they were totally outclassed. Washington also has a mediocre caliber roster and has not ever established themselves as a bonafide NFC contender either. However, Jayden Daniels had the offense be in elite shape as a rookie and towards the end of last season Dan Quinn had the defense in strong shape as well.

 

  1. Bucs

Despite a 3-0 record the Bucs led by Baker Mayfield find themselves just outside the top ten. Tampa Bay has mightily struggled to win all three of their games against consistently less than average competition as well. As they have beaten the likes of the Falcons, Texans, and Jets who have a combined 1-8 record as of now. With the Jets and Texans being two of the only winless NFL teams after week 3 and the Falcons suffering a 30-0 loss to the winless Panthers who were viewed as maybe the weakest team in the NFL before beating Atlanta in week 3. The offense led by Mayfield has hummed in the first two seasons with him as the starter and was one of the premier offenses last season. However, I had concerns in that the offensive coordinators who were in large part responsible for the success of those offenses have since departed to become head coaches. I also felt as if Tampa would be hard pressed to find a third consecutive offensive coordinator that was as capable as the previous two. While with a defensive minded head coach and a QB who was a backup for much of his career, that they would struggle to recapture the form they had on offense in the first two seasons with Mayfield as starter. So far, those concerns have indeed come to light as they have just been a slightly above average offensive team thus far in 2025. The defense in the Todd Bowles era has been hit and miss as Tampa was elite defensively in 2023 but below average in 2024. So far in 2025 the defense has been average caliber as well. Although Tampa Bay is 3-0, they find themselves outside the top ten for the following reasons. They have struggled to beat below average opponents in all three games and rank in the middle of the pack in all the major offensive and defensive metrics thus far. I also question if QB Baker Mayfield is a high-level NFL starter now that he potentially does not have the elite offensive coordinator to assist him. I also question if head coach Todd Bowles is the right man to lead Tampa Bay to the promise land. As he is a defensive minded head coach whose defenses are below average more than they are above average as either a head coach or a defensive coordinator. While the success his team has seen in the past two seasons could very well be attributed to offensive coordinators more than him.

 

  1. Vikings

The Vikings coming off a resounding 14-3 season but still a disappointing playoff finish were my pick to reach the NFC championship this year and be the biggest threat to the Eagles in the NFC. They had upgraded their offensive line and their personnel on defense, which along with Darnold’s late season collapse were the two weaknesses of the team in 2024. However, through two weeks new starting QB J.J McCarthy has had his struggles as outside of a strong 2nd half performance in week 1 vs the Bears, he has looked abysmal. Former MVP candidate Carson Wentz then took over the reigns for the injured McCarthy in week 3 and played very well posting a 129.8 passer rating albeit in just 20 pass attempts against a questionable Bengals defense. This was a team that was in line to build off a 14-3 record and in week 3 vs the Bengals in a resounding 48-10 win, the signs of that finally started to show. However, given how weak they looked on offense for the most part in weeks 1 and 2 along with Carson Wentz playing very well but being far from electric in week 3 vs a below average Cincinnati defense, they remain outside the top ten despite a winning record. The QB concerns which haunt the team as of now also are a reason they remain outside the top ten. As one cannot know what to expect from J.J McCarthy once he returns as although he looked great at the end of the week 1 game, outside of that he has been awful. Additionally, there may be a QB controversy if Wentz continues to play well, if he were to become the starter, one cannot know what to consistently expect from him either. As Wentz has not been a consistent starter for an NFL team for several years.

 

  1. Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks since the departure of Russell Wilson has been very average on a year-to-year basis. They hoped to buck that trend with the addition of Sam Darnold replacing Geno Smith as the starting QB. Through three weeks, this Seahawks team led by Darnold has looked good, but I still have my concerns whether or not they are better than average. Seattle abolished a scrappy Saints team that put up a very strong fight in weeks 1 and 2 vs playoff contenders Arizona and San Francisco by a final score of 44-13. Seattle thus far in the Sam Darnold era has consistently improved on a week-to-week basis especially on offense. In week 1 they managed only 13 points, in week 2 they put up 31 points, while in week 3 they put up 44 points. Seattle on the defensive side of things has been elite and is currently the #2 scoring defense in the NFL with defensive minded head coach Mike MacDonald now in year 2 on the job. I fully trust the defense to be elite throughout the season but the offensive concerns I have of the team still remain despite a 44-point output vs New Orleans. As although New Orleans looked strong defensively and put up a very strong fight in weeks 1 and 2. The Saints were still the consensus pick by many to be the worst team in the NFL and Seattle got to play them at home. Additionally, I still feel as if Sam Darnold is closer to average as a starting QB and Seattle’s offensive personnel is still closer to average as well with a below average offensive line and a relatively immobile QB in addition to it. Not to mention head coach Mike MacDonald having a defensive background and Seattle not having a renown offensive coordinator either.

 

  1. Broncos

The Broncos were a dark horse Super Bowl team to many entering this season and those viewpoints that people held about the team were indeed valid. As their defense, their offensive line, and their head coach were all in line to be as good as any in the NFL. I however had my concerns about the team as I felt as if their combination of a starting QB and skill position players were amongst the weakest in the NFL and Denver would struggle to consistently score points as a result. Through three games the concerns I had about the team have indeed come to fruition. They struggled to beat a winless Titans team at home in week 1 putting up only 20 points. The next two weeks Denver had two unbeaten teams in the Colts and Chargers both beaten on the road but failed to close out either game. Denver sits at 1-2 ranking in the middle of the pack of all the major metrics of offensive and defensive play thus far. I still trust their defense to be elite but the concerns I have about them offensively continue to persist. I doubt whether or not the Broncos can be anything more than just an average caliber offensive team in 2025. But given head coach Sean Payton’s offensive track record and Bo Nix still being talented, perhaps they can surprise me on offense.

 

  1. Cardinals

Over the course of the 2024 season I always felt as if the Cardinals were a strong team but if I stacked them up to everyone else, I always got the impression that they were just average. The average perception I have of Arizona continues to persist early in the 2025 season. Although they started off the season 2-0, the two wins came against New Orleans and Carolina, two opponents who were prime candidates to receive the number one overall pick after the season. Arizona then lost a close fought back and forth contest with the 49ers on the road in week 3. Defensive minded head coach Jonathan Gannon has consistently seen his defenses struggle in years 1 and 2 on the job. With all the investments that Arizona made on defense this offseason, Gannon was on the clock to have his defense perform very well. Through three weeks he has answered the call as Arizona is currently a top five scoring defense. However, I still need to see more as Carolina and New Orleans have two of the weakest offenses and San Francisco has struggled offensively vs everyone thus far in 2025. Arizona’s top 10 offensive attack from the 2024 season has also really underwhelmed thus far in 2025 ranking in the bottom ten in points scored. Arizona has what it takes to climb this list but as of now remain just an average team despite their winning record.

 

  1. Bears

The Bears were my sleeper NFC team before the season started as the only real weakness that I saw on the team was their youth. That weakness, however, has cost them in the early part of this season as Ben Johnson being a rookie head coach and Caleb Williams still only being in year two has cost the team. The team was firing on all cylinders in week 1 against the Vikings in the first half especially on offense. The team, however, was a shell of itself in the second half of the game and could not seem to get anything going. In week 2 against the Lions nothing seemed to go right for Chicago as they lost by over 30 points to division rival Detroit. In week 3 vs the Cowboys the Bears started to come into their own as Caleb Williams played like an MVP as Chicago blew out Dallas. The ceiling that this team possesses is indeed scary as I cannot think of many QBs more talented than Williams and I cannot think of many offensive minds brighter than Ben Johnson. The Bears also have very strong offensive personnel as their combination of receivers and offensive line ranks up there with anyone. The running back unit is a concern however as the Bears’ backfield ranks among the least talented in the NFL and has produced at a well below average clip thus far in 2025. Over the past two seasons the Bears have consistently fielded a top 5-10 defense, and their defense has shown flashes of excellence thus far this season as well. When this team is rolling on all cylinders, they would not be a team I would wish to play. But because of their youth, their inconsistency, and their losing record thus far, they find themselves in the bottom half of my latest rankings.

 

  1. Dolphins

The Dolphins were an under the radar Super Bowl team in my estimation as the season approached but unfortunately stand at 0-3 as of now. The team ran into a buzz saw and were ostensibly shell shocked in week 1 vs the Colts who seem to be a juggernaut. That carried over into the beginning of the Patriots game where Miami went down 12-0 at home after the first quarter. Ever since then the Dolphins have seemed to get it together, however, outplaying the Patriots the rest of the way but still failing to win. Miami then went toe to toe on the road vs the Bills who are currently the favorite to win the Super Bowl before Miami made some crucial errors when the game was tied at 21 in the fourth quarter. The Dolphins with Mike McDaniel and Tua have shown the capability to have the premier offense in the NFL as they did during the 2023 season. Miami under this current head coach and QB combination has also shown the ability to consistently field a borderline elite defense with regularity as well. If Miami can put it all together on both sides of the ball, they can certainly become a dangerous playoff team.

 

  1. Cowboys

After a very strong week 1 outing vs the defending champion Eagles in Philadelphia where there seemed to be no gap between the two teams and Dallas easily could have won, I had Dallas firmly in the top 5 of my power rankings. However, even after a win vs the Giants, my perception of the team began to dwindle as Dallas’ defense hemorrhaged 37 points and struggled to beat a New York Giants team that combined to score 15 points in their remaining two games and lost by double digits in their remaining two games. Dallas then proceeding to get blown out vs a winless Bears team also left a very bad taste in my mouth. The past two weeks have altered my perception of Dallas from being a bonafide Super Bowl contender to them being below average among all the teams as of now. However, I still believe they have what it takes to turn things around and make the postseason.

 

  1. Browns

The Browns pulled off the upset of the season in week 3 beating the Green Bay Packers at home. As many stated that Green Bay was the best NFL team after two weeks and Cleveland was still viewed as a bottom five team before week 3’s matchup. The Browns have one of the premier defenses in the NFL as they have allowed the fewest yards in the NFL by a margin through three weeks. With Pro Football Focus having the Browns defense being graded as the best in the NFL by a margin as well through three weeks. Cleveland is however unfortunately 18th in points per game allowed as a week 2 outlier game vs the explosive Ravens offense hurt them in that department. Having arguably the league’s best defense will make the Browns a team I would not want to play. However, the offensive side of things has been mostly a disaster for the Browns thus far this season and is why they rank so low despite having maybe the NFL’s best defense. The Browns currently rank 30th in points per game with Pro Football Focus grading them as the worst offensive team in the NFL through three weeks. Even with two-time offensive minded coach of the year in Kevin Stefanski the Browns have not been able to do anything on offense in 2025. Veteran QB Joe Flacco seems to be the over the hill and the Browns’ rookie offensive coordinator seems to be adjusting to the role. Perhaps the Browns can have one of the remaining QBs on the roster in Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, or even Deshaun Watson replace Flacco. If that were to occur and if the Browns also see a noticeable improvement with their young offensive coordinator gaining more experience in the role, then the Browns could be solid offensively. If the Browns were to become a solid offensive team with perhaps the best defense in the NFL, they could be a tough out as the season continues. The Bengals with Joe Burrow healthy are a tier 1 AFC team and the Packers are a tier 1 NFC team. The Browns did indeed beat Green Bay and easily could have beaten the Bengals with Burrow in week 1 as well.

 

  1. Steelers

Heading into the season the Steelers were a team that I viewed to be an average to a mediocre caliber team and so far, I would be right. Despite the 2-1 winning record the Steelers are still just an average at best team in my estimation. As they possess two narrow wins over two teams who are not even listed yet, which goes to show you how weak they have been thus far this season. The Steelers defense projected to be elite entering this season with the offense being the concerning point. After week 1 the opposite seemed to be the case as Rodgers had a prime level performance with the Steelers scoring over 30 points but giving up over 30 to the Jets in a narrow win. The next two weeks the Steelers struggled on offense, but the defense saw improvement but still had not returned to elite form. This team has a high ceiling if Rodgers can have a resurgent year but since week 1 that does not seem to be the case. I still feel as if given their consistent defensive improvements in 2025 and head coach Mike Tomlin’s strong defensive track record that they can return to elite defensive form. However, I still do not trust them to score enough points with average to below average offensive personnel, a defensive minded head coach, and a 41-year-old QB.

 

  1. Raiders

The Raiders were one of the teams that I looked forward to watching the most this season. As I felt that one of the weakest professional sports franchises finally had the chance to turn things around. I felt that Las Vegas had borderline elite offensive personnel, a very smart offensive coordinator, one of the most decorated head coaches in football history, and a solid starting QB as well. Entering the season, I felt as if the Raiders could be an explosive elite top 5 offensive team but one that would struggle defensively. Through two weeks the opposite of that seemed to be the case as the Raiders were amongst the elite defensive teams but amongst the weakest offensive teams in the NFL. In week 3 vs the Commanders with a backup QB everything seemed to come apart as Las Vegas suffered a blowout three possession loss on the road. The previously stout defense struggled mightily and the offense although it produced its highest point total of the season still had yet to come into its own. However, despite a 1-2 record and a blowout loss in week 3 I still view the Raiders as a team that could vie for the playoffs. The offense is far too talented and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is far too smart for them to continue playing so poorly. If the offense can reach near its potential that I believed they had entering the season and if the defense led by future hall of fame head coach Pete Carroll can build off its week 1 and 2 performances, the Raiders would not be a team I would care to play.

 

  1. Falcons

Through two weeks the Falcons allowed a combined 29 points to Tampa Bay and Minnesota, who were two of the most explosive offenses from the 2024 season. Through two weeks the Falcons were 1-1 with an elite-looking defense and a head coach who I was skeptical of at first seeming to come into his own. Everything seemed to fall apart in week 3 on the road vs the Panthers however as Atlanta lost 30-0 to a team that was viewed as maybe the weakest in the NFL entering that game. Atlanta is a team that I do not know what to make of as the season continues. Through two weeks their defense was as good as any in the NFL, and they seemed to be neck and neck with the Bucs in regards to competing for the NFC South title. They still have above average offensive personnel with a very talented quarterback, and their defense still ranks 2nd in yards per game allowed. But Atlanta is coming off the worst loss a team has had all season long while possessing a losing record and being essentially middle of the pack in terms of all the major statistics of a strong team. However, if their defense can prove to be elite as they have shown they are capable of doing and if their talented offense and QB come into their own, Atlanta could still vie for the playoffs.

 

  1. Jaguars

The Jaguars heading into the season with Trevor Lawrence were a team that I really looked forward to watching and despite their 2-1 record have disappointed. As one win came against Carolina who before week 3 was regarded as perhaps the worst team in the NFL. While the other win came against the Texans who remain one of the only winless NFL teams as of now. I felt as if the offense would be exciting and potentially explosive with Trevor Lawrence entering his prime and new offensive minded head coach Liam Coen, but it has been closer to average with Lawrence struggling thus far in 2025. Entering the 2025 season I felt as if Jacksonville would have their struggles defensively as they were amongst the weakest defensive teams in 2024, but the Jaguars’ defense has looked strong in 2025 ranking in the top ten in terms of points allowed, yards allowed, and overall defense grade. With Pro Football Focus grading the Jaguars’ defense as the 2nd best in the NFL thus far in 2025. That has however been against two of the weakest NFL offenses in Carolina and Houston. If the Jaguars can continue their strong defensive play and if Trevor Lawrence and Liam Coen can prove to be an elite offensive head coach and QB duo, then the Jaguars can threaten to make the playoffs.

 

  1. Texans

The Texans in the first two seasons of the C.J Stroud/DeMeco Ryans era have made the postseason and won a playoff game both years. The defense for Houston led by the defensive minded Ryans was very formidable but the offense despite the raw talent of Stroud left much to be desired. Entering this season, I felt as if the same trend would continue and I was right. The Texans’ defense currently ranks 6th in the NFL in terms of points allowed but Houston has scored the least points of any team thus far in 2025. A rookie offensive coordinator combined with one of the weakest offensive lines and a good but not a great QB to go along with good but not great skill position players has seen Houston’s offense struggle. Perhaps if the rookie offensive coordinator can get better as he gains more experience in the role, then the Texans can improve offensively. But regardless Houston feels as if they will miss the playoffs or be a one and done in the playoffs at best even if they were to recover from 0-3 and make it there.

 

  1. Patriots

The Patriots were amongst the weakest NFL teams during the 2024 season but projected to improve upon it in 2025 with the hire of Mike Vrabel and QB Drake Maye going into year 2. New England has underwhelmed thus far possessing a 1-2 record and looking very meager thus far in 2025. As of now I just feel as if Mike Vrabel is a good but not a great head coach, Drake Maye is a good but not a great QB, and the roster is average caliber. The Raiders and Steelers are far from world beaters and New England could not muster a win vs either team. They needed the 0-3 Dolphins to play a putrid first quarter in order for the Patriots to win that game as well. The Patriots record and play is mediocre thus far in 2025 with New England’s ranking in almost all the major offensive and defensive metrics being mediocre in 2025 as well. Perhaps if Vrabel and Maye can prove to be great and not very good and this young New England team gets more time to grow, they can climb this ranking and contend for the postseason.

 

  1. Bengals

The Bengals looked abysmal in week 3, which was their first full game without superstar starting QB Joe Burrow as they lost 48-10 to the Vikings. Backup Jake Browning looked very strong at the end of the 2023 season which was the previous year he stepped in for the injured Burrow. While Browning also looked strong in week 2 when Burrow initially got injured. Everything seemed to fall apart in week 3 vs the Vikings however as playing an elite defense and an elite defensive coordinator on the road was likely not the best first start of the season for a backup QB. I still feel optimistic that Browning can hold the fort down for the Bengals and keep them in strong playoff position until Burrow is set to return towards the end of the regular season. However, week 3 was certainly not a strong sign for that being the case and perhaps the Bengals should look into acquiring a renown QB such as Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson to start for them. The rest of the Bengals’ team is still concerning as well as the defense was below average last season and is below average so far this year as well with the offensive line always seeming to be a concern in the Burrow era including thus far in 2025. The Bengals’ putrid week 3 performance has them ranking this low and I also do not know what to expect from them on a week-to-week basis.

 

  1. Panthers

The Carolina Panthers, despite their resounding week 3 win still find themselves near the bottom of the league. The Panthers after weeks 1 and 2 seemed to me to be clearly the weakest team in the NFL. Perhaps the week 3 win vs the Falcons was an aberration and not necessarily a sign of how strong the Panthers are but more-so Atlanta just laying an egg in week 3. Carolina had a historically bad defense in 2024 and although they shut out the Falcons, the defense remains a concern. Bryce Young as a former #1 overall pick has still been far too inconsistent thus far in his career and still has not proven to be a bonafide franchise QB either. Only time will tell what the week 3 blowout win for the Panthers indeed was a sign of. As this Panthers team did seem to play well for much of last season as they came up one possession short to both Super Bowl finalists and they beat the Cardinals and nearly beat Tampa Bay. Towards the end of last season, Bryce Young seemed to start to come into his own as a former 1st overall pick as well.

 

  1. Jets

This Jets team with a backup QB on the road vs a strong Tampa Bay team had the Bucs on the ropes. Through three weeks this Jets team has shown the ability to put up points on offense. As New York put up over thirty points in week 1 vs the Steelers and almost thirty points in week 3 vs the Bucs. Two teams who have talented defenses with the Jets being on a backup QB in week 3 as well. However, with the defensive culture of the Jets to go along with their new defensive minded head coach Aaron Glenn, the defense has left much to be desired. The Jets currently rank 29th in the NFL in points per game allowed. The defense of the Jets has been poor so far this season and I do not trust the offense to continue to play this well either. So, for those reasons I have the 0-3 Jets near the bottom of the NFL as of now.

 

  1. Titans

The Titans with a rookie QB and a second-year head coach were also a prime candidate to be the weakest team in the NFL in 2025 to many. Tennessee secured the #1 pick in this past year’s draft for a reason as they were likely the weakest team last season. However, in the first two games of the 2024 season the Titans put up a very strong fight vs the Broncos who are playoff contenders and put up a strong fight against the Rams who are Super Bowl contenders. Tennessee then of course got blown out in week 3 vs the Colts. The Titans, if 1st overall pick Cam Ward comes into his own and lives up to near his potential as a rookie, can be dangerous. If Cam Ward comes into his own and the Titans build off their strong performances in weeks 1 and 2, the Titans can be a viable team. As Tennessee in weeks 1 and 2 were able to be competitive vs playoff caliber opponents despite Ward playing poorly.

 

  1. Saints

The New Orleans were the consensus pick to many to be the weakest NFL team in 2025 given that they had maybe the weakest QB position in the NFL and a rookie head coach. However, I still felt as if they had a strong roster with a young smart offensive minded head coach and they would be able to compete as a result. Through two weeks of the season the Saints looked viable as potential playoff teams in the 49ers and Cardinals were hardly able to beat them. Everything seemed to fall apart in week 3 in a blowout loss on the road to Seattle, however. This is more of a rebuilding year and a future evaluation year for the Saints. However, they still will likely be a team that will put up a fight and be respectable as they were in weeks 1 and 2.

 

  1. Giants

The Giants find themselves in the last spot because of their 0-3 record to go along with them making a QB change and now starting a completely unproven rookie. The Saints, Titans, and Jets were able to be competitive in multiple games while the Giants lost only one game by a singular possession. For that singular possession loss to happen, the Giants needed Russell Wilson to play amongst the best games of his career for them to still narrowly lose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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