NFL Week 3 Energy Rankings: Main shakeup in high 10 as surprising 2-0 groups have loads of motive for optimism

We’re solely two weeks into the NFL common season, however do not inform that to the followers of the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings. They’ve motive to be excited and could be pondering playoffs already.

So possibly it is a bit early for that, however you get the concept. There may be motive for hope.

After two video games, these 5 groups are a mixed 10-0, all with a bit of first place of their respective divisions. Three of the 4 — the Saints, the Bucs and the Vikings — are coming off victories in opposition to the league’s supposed large canine, two of them on the street.

The Saints could be probably the most spectacular and stunning of all of them. They’ve dominated two video games and went to Dallas and beat up on the Cowboys on Sunday in spectacular style in a 44-19 drubbing. Derek Carr has been excellent thus far and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has reworked the offense.

The Bucs went to Detroit and beat the Lions, 20-16, in a recreation the place a banged-up protection was capable of restrict Detroit’s offense to a meager displaying for them on their dwelling discipline. Baker Mayfield did sufficient on offense with some gutsy performs and difficult runs.

The Vikings beat the 49ers, who had been six days faraway from dominating the Jets final Monday evening. Minnesota did so with large performs from Justin Jefferson and a few spectacular stress on protection.

Seattle received at New England in extra time, which could not be as large a victory when it comes to opponent, nevertheless it wasn’t straightforward. Plus, any time a group from the West Coast can go throughout the nation and win an early recreation on the East Coast, that issues.

As for the Steelers, they’ve allowed one landing in two video games and Justin Fields is taking part in effectively sufficient to maintain the offense out of hassle. That is going to be the Steelers system going ahead.

So right here we’re two weeks in, and all 5 of these groups are within the high 10 of my Energy Rankings.

Who noticed this coming? I definitely did not.

The Bucs had been my choose to win the NFC South, however I did not assume the opposite 4 could be within the playoffs. New Orleans often is the greatest shock thus far.

The opposite remaining 2-0 groups are the top-ranked Kansas City Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills (No. 2), the Houston Texans (No. 3), and the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 9). We anticipated a number of of these golf equipment to be undefeated after two weeks, however the others are considerably of a shock.

Some phrases of warning, although: It is simply two weeks and we all know how issues can change rapidly on this league. Simply if you assume you recognize, you actually do not. 

Largest Movers

Rk	Groups		Chg	Rcrd
1	Chiefs	They discovered a approach in opposition to the Bengals, however hardly seemed spectacular in doing so. The passing recreation was off. That is not what we anticipate from Patrick Mahomes.	—	2-0-0
2	Bills	Successful at Miami the way in which they did was spectacular. The protection got here up large in that recreation, whereas the offense with James Cook dinner continued to run the soccer.	1	2-0-0
3	Texans	Even on an evening when the offense wasn’t clicking, the protection got here up large in opposition to the Bears. That stress up entrance was the distinction within the recreation.	2	2-0-0
4	Buccaneers	Successful at Detroit with a depleted roster speaks volumes about this group. The protection, regardless of being down a bunch of fellows, did a pleasant job in opposition to a very good Lions offense. They’re for actual.	5	2-0-0
5	Vikings	Sam Darnold is making performs, Brian Flores is doing an ideal job with the protection and Justin Jefferson is a game-wrecker. Mix that with Kevin O’Connell as head coach, and that is why they’re 2-0.	13	2-0-0
6	Saints	The primary-team offense has scored on 15 of 15 possessions this season. That is domination. After stunning the Cowboys on the street, they face a troublesome one this week with the Eagles.	19	2-0-0
7	Seahawks	New head coach Mike Macdonald is off to a 2-0 begin. That wasn’t straightforward or fairly in beating the Pats in extra time, however that is a very good street victory.	13	2-0-0
8	49ers	Dropping a street recreation after a Monday evening recreation is not too exhausting to grasp, however they’d too many defensive lapses in opposition to the Vikings. Not having Christian McCaffrey for a month and Deebo Samuel lacking time will not assist the offense, both.	6	1-1-0
9	Chargers	At 2-0, Jim Harbaugh has this group taking part in a bodily model of soccer. They higher maintain it that approach with a visit to face the Steelers this week.	2	2-0-0
10	Steelers	At 2-0, it appears like Justin Fields is in because the starter now. You could not probably sit him down for Russell Wilson. The protection has given up one landing in two video games. Spectacular.	2	2-0-0
11	Lions	The offense did not do sufficient in opposition to Tampa Bay, which is why they’re now 1-1. Jared Goff threw for 300 yards, however by no means seemed in sync.	7	1-1-0
12	Packers	That was a big-time victory with a backup quarterback in Malik Willis taking part in in opposition to the Colts. The protection got here up large in that one — and so they wanted it. The run recreation impressed, too.	3	1-1-0
13	Cowboys	That displaying in opposition to the Saints was a horrible search for this group. They had been dominated in all sides of the sport. Now they face a troublesome one in opposition to a Ravens group hungry for a victory.	7	1-1-0
14	Raiders	Successful on the street in opposition to a very good Ravens group is a giant deal for this younger group. Gardner Minshew owns Baltimore the previous two seasons.	16	1-1-0
15	Ravens	Who noticed them at 0-2 after two weeks? Dropping to the Chiefs is one factor, however shedding to the Raiders at house is one other. The offensive line is a matter.	8	0-2-0
16	Bears	At 1-1, they nonetheless have not accomplished sufficient on offense. Caleb Williams has simply been OK. He exhibits flashes, however not sufficient consistency.	2	1-1-0
17	Falcons	That late-game drive by Kirk Cousins to win it in opposition to the Eagles Monday evening could be what saves their season. The run recreation was good all evening lengthy, which might be their calling card.	5	1-1-0
18	Eagles	That was a big-time choke late by the Eagles and head coach Nick Sirianni. Why did he throw it late? Then they let Kirk Cousins go the gap in slightly below a minute for the game-winner?	10	1-1-0
19	Browns	That was a big-time victory at Jacksonville. The protection got here up large in that one. Deshaun Watson was additionally higher than the week earlier than.	2	1-1-0
20	Jets	They arrive off their two-game street journey at 1-1 after beating the Titans. The protection made some large performs, however nonetheless has flaws. The offense nonetheless is not clicking but within the passing recreation.	7	1-1-0
21	Cardinals	Kyler Murray is off to a powerful begin. He was excellent in opposition to the Rams. Marvin Harrison Jr. additionally confirmed off his expertise. They are going to be a enjoyable mixture to observe.	6	1-1-0
22	Bengals	They’re 0-2 after shedding a troublesome one at Kansas Metropolis, however they confirmed higher than they did in Week 1. They are going to be positive.	6	0-2-0
23	Dolphins	With Tua Tagovailoa having the concussion points, this group is in large hassle if he’s out for any size of time or possibly even the season. It is Skylar Thompson time now.	13	1-1-0
24	Jaguars	They’ve main points heading to taking part in the Payments on the street. They’re staring 0-3 within the face, which might put warmth on this teaching employees.	7	0-2-0
25	Rams	At 0-2, with a ton of accidents, their season is off to a shaky begin. It is going to be a problem for Sean McVay to get this factor circled.	6	0-2-0
26	Patriots	They’re 1-1 with an extra time loss to the Seahawks this previous week. They’re far forward of what many anticipated of them this season, which is an effective search for Jerod Mayo.	2	1-1-0
27	Colts	Anthony Richardson must be higher than what he confirmed in opposition to the Packers. The run protection has been a significant difficulty in two video games as they open 0-2.	4	0-2-0
28	Titans	Will Levis has to stop making silly choices at key moments. It is OK to take a sack. He is value them the prospect to win two video games.	2	0-2-0
29	Commanders	It wasn’t fairly in opposition to the Giants, however they discovered a strategy to get their first victory. Jayden Daniels goes to be a star.	1	1-1-0
30	Broncos	They don’t seem to be scoring sufficient with Bo Nix, however persistence goes to be wanted. The top-zone choose in opposition to the Steelers was horrible.	1	0-2-0
31	Giants	Seeing their kicker injured and out value them an opportunity to beat the Commanders. They had been higher. Not less than they’ve a star in ready in Malik Nabers.	—	0-2-0
32	Panthers	They hope benching Bryce Younger for Andy Dalton can enliven issues. It will not be any worse. However what does that imply for Younger?	—	0-2-0