The NFL season was on fire in Week 2, with a ton of scoring and drama as the herd began to thin out. Week 1 of a season is always fun, as teams emerge from their spring and summer hibernation to dust things off, but there can also be some false positives. Teams can wildly swing in performance between Week 1 and Week 2.
What makes things interesting in when teams build on their starts, whether hot or dismal, and come out and prove it again. That happened in a strong way at the bottom of our Week 1 power rankings; the bottom six teams from last week’s rankings lost again, though a handful showed some signs of life. New Orleans, the Giants andthe Panthers were more competitive than many anticipated, even though they all started 0-2.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, the top of the chart had some shakeups. Who is the best team? Did the way the Bills thumped the Jets enable them to remain No. 1, or did Green Bay, on the strength of beating two teams in the top 10 move into the pole position? And how about the three-time defending AFC champion Chiefs starting 0-2? What is to be made of them losing to two top-10 teams?
For now, pending the Monday Night games, here are the Week 3 power rankings.
Jul 23, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
31 . Miami Dolphins ( 0-2 ) | Last Week: 31
Aug 23, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Aug 23, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore looks on against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) warms up before an NFL pre-season game against the Vikings at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025.
28 . Chicago Bears ( 0-2 ) | Last Week: 24
Aug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks for an open receiver during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
26 . New York Jets ( 0-2 ) | Last Week: 21
Aug 9, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
24 . New England Patriots ( 1-1 ) | Last Week: 26
Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
23 . Las Vegas Raiders ( 1-0 ) | Last Week: 25 Pending MNF
Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Aug 9, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) drops back to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a preseason game at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images
21 . Pittsburgh Steelers ( 1-1 ) | Last Week: 10
Jul 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Aug 22, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell walks to the field against the Tennessee Titan during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
19 . Seattle Seahawks ( 1-1 ) | Last Week: 19
Aug 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald stands on the sideline during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
18 . Houston Texans ( 0-1 ) | Last Week: 18 1 Pending MNF
Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
17 . Atlanta Falcons ( 1-1 ) | Last Week: 20
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 22: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons participates in warmups prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
16 . Dallas Cowboys ( 1-1 ) | Last Week: 17
Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
15 . Indianapolis Colts ( 2-0 ) | Last Week: 23
Aug 16, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
14 . Denver Broncos ( 1-1 ) | Last Week: 14
Aug 23, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton gestures before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
13 . Cincinnati Bengals ( 2-0 ) | Last Week: 16
Aug 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs in the backfield prior to a preseason game against the Chiefs at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025, in Glendale.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Aug 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay reacts against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
9 . Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 1-0 ) | Last Week: 11 – Pending MNF
Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) scrambles during the second quarter of a NFC wild card playoff against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
8 . San Francisco 49ers ( 2-0 ) | Last Week: 8
Aug 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan watches from the sidelines in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) before the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
6 . Detroit Lions ( 1-1 ) | Last Week: 9
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) takes the field for practice ahead the Houston Texans game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
5 . Los Angeles Chargers ( 1-0 ) | Last Week: 7 – Pending MNF
Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to pass during the second quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) picks up yardage with a push from wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) and tight end Dallas Goedert (88) against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 16: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens sits on the bench during the second quarter of an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
2 . Buffalo Bills ( 2-0 ) | Last Week: 1
Sep 29, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) strips the ball from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) while attempting to pass the ball during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons speaks during an introductory press conference on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers made a trade with the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 28 to acquire Parsons in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first round picks. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: NFL power rankings Week 3: No. 1 changes hands, Chiefs fall out Top 10
