Key Takeaways
We now have two weeks of evidence to work with when formulating our opinions on each team across the NFL.
It’s still not a large sample size, but it’s certainly better than just one week.
There are currently eight 2-0 teams, as the Chiefs, Vikings, Bills, Seahawks, Bengals, Eagles, Raiders and 49ers have unblemished records.
There are currently eight 0-2 teams, as the Texans, Dolphins, Colts, Commanders, Chargers, Buccaneers, Falcons, and Titans are all in danger of going to the place of non-recovery (an 0-3 mark).
Much to the parity-loving NFL’s delight, a whopping 16 teams have a 1-1 record as the Panthers, Jags, Lions, Pats, Bears, Ravens, Rams, Jets, Broncos, Giants, Browns, Cowboys, Packers, Steelers, Saints, and Cards are sitting even-Steven.
Of course, some of these 2-0 teams were fortunate to have weak opponents in the first two weeks. Conversely, some of these 0-2 teams faced rugged opponents and/or major injury in the first two weeks.
All of this must be taken into account when judging these squads.
Our NFL Power Rankings will take a mindful approach as we look at the Fanatics Sportsbook odds for each team with Week 3 about to kick off.
This is the 2026 NFL Power Rankings for Week 3.
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Miami Dolphins
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L 35-13 at San Francisco
Next Game: vs. Kansas City
Previous week’s ranking: 32
Super Bowl Odds: +100000
It wasn’t too long ago that the Dolphins had one of the top WR rooms in the NFL, with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle leading the way. That is not the case these days as new QB Malik Willis’ primary targets will be 2022 third round pick Jalen Tolbert and 2026 third round pick Caleb Douglas.
Tennessee Titans
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L 24-20 vs. Philadelphia
Next Game: at New York Giants
Previous week’s ranking: 30
Super Bowl Odds: +50000
The Robert Saleh era in Tennessee got off to a brutal start as the Titans were dumped by Saleh’s former team, the Jets, and then lost a heartbreaker to Philly. Saleh’s first win with the Titans might not come for a while either, as the Titans have a brutal month ahead: home at the Giants, at the Ravens, and home against the Texans.
Arizona Cardinals
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L 31-7 vs. Seattle
Next Game: at 49ers
Previous week’s ranking: 29
Super Bowl Odds: +30000
The Cardinals had the biggest upset of Week 1 as they took down the heavily-favored Chargers. Week 2 was probably closer to the truth of what the Cards actually are, as Arizona was blown out by the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks, 31-7.
Cleveland Browns
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W 23-19 at Tampa Bay
Next Game: vs. Carolina
Previous week’s ranking: 31
Super Bowl Odds: +25000
Deshaun Watson’s NFL career isn’t over just yet. The much-criticized veteran outperformed Baker Mayfield on Sunday in Tampa, as the Browns upset the Bucs, 23-19. Watson completed 24-of-30 passes for 238 yards and 2 TDs in the Cleveland win. He did not throw a pick.
Atlanta Falcons
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L 34-3 vs. Carolina
Next Game: at Green Bay (9/24)
Previous week’s ranking: 27
Super Bowl Odds: +20000
Kevin Stefanski takes over as head coach in Atlanta, but he finds himself with a less-than-ideal quarterback situation. There’s starter Tua Tagovailoa, who is likely one more concussion away from being out of the league, and then there’s Michael Penix, who is coming off his third ACL surgery.
New York Jets
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L 20-17 vs. Green Bay (OT)
Next Game: at Detroit
Previous week’s ranking: 28
Super Bowl Odds: +20000
The Jets actually looked like a competent football team in Week 1, beating the Titans and former head coach Robert Saleh, 23-10. But they lost a winnable game against the Packers, the first game of their NFC North gauntlet; they’ll face the Packers, Lions, and Bears in consecutive weeks.
Washington Commanders
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L 37-20 at Dallas
Next Game: vs. Seattle
Previous week’s ranking: 23
Super Bowl Odds: +10000
A year ago at this time, the Commanders were seen by many as an up-and-coming team. Jayden Daniels was injured for much of the 2025-26 campaign, however, and Washington finished the season with a 5-12 record. David Blough takes over for Kliff Kingsbury as the Commanders’ OC.
Carolina Panthers
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W 34-3 at Atlanta
Next Game: at Cleveland
Previous week’s ranking: 26
Super Bowl Odds: +10000
It’s difficult to understand what kind of a team the Panthers are after they lost 59-37 to the Bears in what was the highest-scoring season-opening game in NFL history. It’s quite possible the Chicago offense is THAT good and that the Carolina defense just ran into a juggernaut. It’s also quite possible that the Bears defense is THAT bad, and that was the reason Bryce Young threw for 361 yards and 3 TDs. Young then backed it up with an impressive performance against Atlanta.
Las Vegas Raiders
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W 26-14 at Los Angeles Chargers
Next Game: at New Orleans
Previous week’s ranking: 25
Super Bowl Odds: +10000
Klint Kubiak turned Sam Darnold into a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. No small feat. Now, Kubiak reunites with Kirk Cousins in Las Vegas, as No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza is waiting in the wings. Overall, though, the roster has holes and Las Vegas faces a rugged schedule. All signs point to another long season in Sin City despite their 2-0 start.
Indianapolis Colts
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L 33-30 at Kansas City
Next Game: vs. Houston
Previous week’s ranking: 22
Super Bowl Odds: +8000
The Colts played for a tie in overtime against the Chiefs and wound up getting burned. Daniel Jones, who revived his career with the Colts early in the 2025 season, has been mediocre thus far in 2026. Indy is now 0-2 on the season with a game against a desperate Texans team on tap.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L 20-3 at New England
Next Game: vs. Cincinnati
Previous week’s ranking: 21
Super Bowl Odds: +8000
Aaron Rodgers is no longer a difference-maker. The Steelers have played uninspired football the first two games of the season as they have mustered just 23 points total. They are 1-1 with a tough game against the division-rival Bengals on tap.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L 23-19 vs. Cleveland
Next Game: vs. Minnesota
Previous week’s ranking: 20
Super Bowl Odds: +7500
Todd Bowles is on the hottest of seats entering Week 3. The Bucs are 0-2 after losing to the Bengals in Week 1, and to the lowly Browns at home this past Sunday. Tampa Bay now faces a Minnesota defense that just held a Ben Johnson offense to 3 points.
New Orleans Saints
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W 24-17 at Baltimore
Next Game: vs. Las Vegas
Previous week’s ranking: 24
Super Bowl Odds: +6500
Kellen Moore didn’t exactly have a Mike Vrabel-esque impact on the Saints organization in his first season, but New Orleans did improve. Moore worked wonders with 2025 second round pick Tyler Shough, as Shough had a 10:6 TD:INT ratio in 11 games played.
New York Giants
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L 28-6 at Los Angeles Rams
Next Game: vs. Tennessee
Previous week’s ranking: 18
Super Bowl Odds: +6500
The Giants looked great, on paper, entering the season with Jaxson Dart at QB, Cam Skattebo at RB, and Malik Nabers at WR. For one week, at least, that trio stayed healthy and looked tremendous as the Giants rolled over the Cowboys, 28-20. But they came back down to Earth against the Rams on Monday Night and are waiting to see how long quarterback Jaxson Dart will miss.
Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L 26-14 vs. Las Vegas
Next Game: at Buffalo
Previous week’s ranking: 15
Super Bowl Odds: +4500
The Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh after going 5-12 in the 2023-24 season. Harbaugh has brought stability to the franchise as the team has gone 11-6 the past two seasons. Justin Herbert and company are now looking to take the next step and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will look to help them get there. So far, the results have not been encouraging.
Green Bay Packers
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W 20-17 at New York Jets (OT)
Next Game: vs. Atlanta (9/24)
Previous week’s ranking: 17
Super Bowl Odds: +3500
The Packers hadn’t won a football game since Dec. 7, 2025 but luckily they ran into a Jets team that still doesn’t know how to close games. The Packers escaped Jersey with an overtime win and now have a chance at a winning streak with ailing Atlanta coming into Green Bay on a short week.
Chicago Bears
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L 9-3 vs. Minnesota
Next Game: vs. Philadelphia (9/28)
Previous week’s ranking: 10
Super Bowl Odds: +3000
Bears head coach Ben Johnson said prior to the start of the season that his team’s goal was not only to win the Super Bowl but to also break the Denver Broncos’ 2013 record for most points in an NFL season. Johnson’s squad got off a great start in accomplishing both goals in Week 1 as they beat the Panthers in Charlotte, 59-37. Dodged a bullet in Week 2 with Caleb Williams’ injury not looking serious.
Minnesota Vikings
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W 9-3 at Chicago
Next Game: at Tampa Bay
Previous week’s ranking: 19
Super Bowl Odds: +3000
The Vikings are a complete wild card heading into the season. If Kyler Murray works out at QB, the Vikes could find themselves in the playoffs and potentially win a postseason game or two. Brian Flores is regarded as one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, but he will be working with subpar talent this season. Anything is on the table for Minnesota.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L 20-13 at Denver
Next Game: vs. New England
Previous week’s ranking: 14
Super Bowl Odds: +2500
Thus far, the Liam Coen-Trevor Lawrence marriage is going swimmingly. Coen helped Lawrence post a 4,000-plus yard, 29 TD season this past season, and the Jags recorded their most wins in a regular season (13) since the Bill Clinton administration. Jacksonville did lose starting RB Travis Etienne and linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency this offseason, however.
Houston Texans
Record: 0-2
Last Game: L 20-6 vs. Cincinnati
Next Game: at Indianopolis
Previous week’s ranking: 11
Super Bowl Odds: +2200
The Texans already had arguably the best defense in the NFL. Houston doubled-down on that side of the ball this offseason, signing safety Reed Blankenship and bringing back defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. They also drafted defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. The big question with the Texans is whether or not CJ Stroud can bounce back from a horrific playoff performance against New England.
Dallas Cowboys
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W 37-20 vs. Washington
Next Game: vs. Baltimore (in Rio)
Previous week’s ranking: 16
Super Bowl Odds: +2200
The Cowboys turned in a listless performance in the Meadowlands Sunday night, losing 28-20 to the Giants. Penalties plagued Dallas in Week 1 as it committed nine for 90 yards, including a brutal taunting penalty by Javonte Williams. But America’s Team righted the ship against the hapless Commanders.
New England Patriots
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W 20-3 vs. Pittsburgh
Next Game: at Jacksonville
Previous week’s ranking: 12
Super Bowl Odds: +2200
The Patriots won an ugly one against the Steelers on Sunday, taking a 20-3 victory. New England’s defense looks legit, but Drake Maye has struggled. Through two games he has thrown just 1 TD pass and has 4 INTs.
Denver Broncos
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W 20-13 vs. Jacksonville
Next Game: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Previous week’s ranking: 13
Super Bowl Odds: +2000
Had Bo Nix not fractured his ankle in the closing moments of the Broncos’ Divisional Round win over the Bills this past January, we are likely talking about Denver as the defending AFC champions—and possibly even the defending Super Bowl champions. Nix is back, and he will have help in the form of new WR Jaylen Waddle.
Detroit Lions
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L 41-31 at Buffalo
Next Game: vs. New York Jets
Previous week’s ranking: 8
Super Bowl Odds: +2000
The Lions are getting plenty of “bounceback year” buzz after going 9-8 last season. Detroit dealt with plenty of injuries last season and was just 2-5 in games decided by 7 points or fewer. Former Arizona Cardinals OC Drew Petzing takes over as offensive coordinator after John Morton did not work out last season.
Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W 20-6 at Houston
Next Game: at Pittsburgh
Previous week’s ranking: 9
Super Bowl Odds: +1600
The Bengals have been stuck in neutral for several seasons now. In fact, you could make the case that last season they went in reverse. Zac Taylor’s seat is extremely hot entering the season after producing a 9-8 record in 2023-24, another 9-8 record in 2024-25, and a 6-11 record last season. Having Joe Burrow healthy for once would go a long way in righting the ship.
Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W 24-20 at Tennessee
Next Game: at Chicago (9/28)
Previous week’s ranking: 7
Super Bowl Odds: +1600
The Eagles are once again in the Super Bowl conversation. They added on defense this offseason, signing former Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen to a one-year deal. Philly should have one of the better secondaries in the NFL this season with Woolen, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean in the fold.
San Francisco 49ers
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W 35-13 vs. Miami
Next Game: vs. Arizona
Previous week’s ranking: 6
Super Bowl Odds: +1200
The 49ers quickly put an end to the Rams’ “superteam” status as they coasted to a 27-7 win in Australia over their NFC West rival. A 3-0 record to start the season is now very much on the table as San Francisco has the Cardinals on deck.
Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W 33-30 vs. Indianopolis (OT)
Next Game: at Miami
Previous week’s ranking: 5
Super Bowl Odds: +1200
The Chiefs got a vintage Patrick Mahomes performance Sunday night against Indy, as the QB threw for 382 yards and 3 TDs in a 33-30 overtime victory. Kenneth Walker III continued his hot start to the season as he ran for 117 yards on 24 carries.
Baltimore Ravens
Record: 1-1
Last Game: L 24-17 vs. New Orleans
Next Game: vs. Dallas (in Rio)
Previous week’s ranking: 3
Super Bowl Odds: +1000
The Ravens also have a new head coach as former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter takes over. Baltimore, which underwhelmed last season with an 8-9 record, added two leaders on defense in veterans Trey Hendrickson and Calais Campbell.
Seattle Seahawks
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W 31-7 at Arizona
Next Game: at Washington
Previous week’s ranking: 4
Super Bowl Odds: +1000
JSN made Drew Lock look like a world-beater on Sunday as the wide receiver caught 9 balls from Lock and finished with 155 receiving yards and 3 TDs. Seattle’s defense was dominant as it held Jacoby Brissett to just 95 yards passing. It also held Arizona rookie RB Jeremiyah Love to just 29 yards rushing.
Buffalo Bills
Record: 2-0
Last Game: W 41-31 vs. Detroit
Next Game: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Previous week’s ranking: 2
Super Bowl Odds: +700
Is this the year the Bills finally kick down the door? Josh Allen and friends have been knocking at the door of a Super Bowl for years now but have still never reached the Big Game. Former offensive coordinator Joe Brady takes over as head coach after owner Terry Pegula sent the defensive-minded Sean McDermott packing after nine seasons.
Los Angeles Rams
Record: 1-1
Last Game: W 28-6 vs. New York Giants
Next Game: at Denver
Previous week’s ranking: 1
Super Bowl Odds: +650
The Rams’ team travel director could be on the unemployment line soon as LA’s decision to arrive in Melbourne, Australia just 28 hours before kickoff against the 49ers proved to be costly. New acquisition Myles Garrett is set to miss at least four games as he is undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. But for now, they are still number one in the rankings.
