NFL Power Rankings 2026: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings – Chiefs Enter the Top 10

My current NFL Power Rankings for the 2026 NFL season. Week 3 NFL Power Rankings. Chiefs Enter the Top 10

I'm going to use these rankings as the order for my 2027 NFL Mock Draft during the early stages of the 2026 season. Follow @walterfootball.

NFL Power Rankings updated Sept. 22, 2026

Group A:


San Francisco 49ers (2-0)Team Hub - Previously: 1.
Can the 49ers finally avoid injuries this year? If so, then they can clearly win the Super Bowl, given the immense potential they displayed in the Australia game against the Rams. They then did a great job of avoiding a jet lagged-induced let down versus the Dolphins.

If you haven't visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we've finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look.

Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it. It's $8.99 per month, but you'll get a super-fast site with no ads. My developer will be adding new features to paid subscribers as well, so look for that in the near future. If you don't want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help!


Buffalo Bills (2-0)Team Hub - Previously: 3.
It's clear in the wake of the Buffalo blowout over Detroit that the Bills are the best team in the AFC. They could be the best team in the NFL, but let's see if they can refrain from choking once again in the playoffs.


Los Angeles Rams (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 4.
This is the best team in football?! Yeah, sure. The "best team in football" was destroyed in Australia, 27-7.

The Rams predictably rebounded against the Giants. They dominated New York, though it must be noted that Jaxson Dart got hurt on the first drive. Still, the Matthew Stafford-to-Davante Adams connection was absolutely lethal.


Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)Team Hub - Previously: 6.
The Bengals are 2-0, which is significant because they often start poorly. Cincinnati has struggled in the opening weeks of recent seasons, so getting through the first two games without a loss is a major positive.

The Bengals also have a very easy schedule, so they'll have an opportunity to rack up plenty of wins if they can stay healthy.


Baltimore Ravens (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 2.
A few years ago, the Ravens had a big lead over the Raiders in Week 2, yet somehow blew the game. The same thing happened this year against the Saints. I imagine the Ravens were at least somewhat focused on their impending trip to Brazil.



Group B:


Seattle Seahawks (2-0)Team Hub - Previously: 9.
The Seahawks didn't skip a beat with Drew Lock stepping in for Sam Darnold. I guess it's pretty simple if you can keep throwing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and get tons of help from the defense.


Houston Texans (0-2)Team Hub - Previously: 5.
The Texans are 0-2, but note that they've lost to two teams ranked in the top five. Also, DeMeco Ryans is now 0-8 against the spread in Weeks 1 and 2 as the head coach of the Texans. Houston has consistently struggled early in the season under Ryans, so I'm not overly concerned about the poor start.

The Texans were also missing Nico Collins, so the offense should improve once he returns. Houston should be a much better team very soon.


New England Patriots (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 10.
Drake Maye has gotten off to a slow start this season. However, he's had to battle the Seahawks and Steelers, two difficult defensive matchups. There will be many easier opponents on the horizon, so I'm not concerned about Maye's slow start.


Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 7.
The Jaguars couldn't repeat what they did last year in Denver, which was win by two touchdowns. They held the lead for most of this game and appeared to be in control, but they blew it with several costly mistakes in the second half.


Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)Team Hub - Previously: 14.
The Chiefs rebounded well from the blowout over the Broncos to defeat a desperate Colts team. They had to go to overtime to do it, but now they'll have a chance to improve to 3-0 because they're taking on the Dolphins next week.


Detroit Lions (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 12.
It's difficult to judge the Lions on their blowout loss to the Bills. They were playing a short week coming off an overtime game that included travel. They had just three days to prepare while missing three starting offensive linemen. This spot was too difficult.


Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)Team Hub - Previously: 11.
The Eagles are 2-0, but they barely survived the Redskins and Titans, two of the bottom-10 teams in the NFL. That's not a good look for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.



Group C:


Denver Broncos (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 15.
The crowd was booing the Broncos for most of the afternoon, as the fans weren't pleased with what the team was doing offensively. However, the Broncos overcame their issues in the second half and were able to pull off the comeback victory.


Minnesota Vikings (2-0)Team Hub - Previously: 21.
The Vikings are somehow, someway 2-0. They got lucky in the opener thanks to some crucial penalties, and you could argue that they were fortunate again in Week 2 because the heavy rain and wind completely changed the complexion of the game.


New York Giants (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 17.
Jaxson Dart just can't stay healthy. What a shame that we may never see him fully develop because of all these injuries. Hopefully his luck reverses moving forward, but I'm skeptical. This ranking assumes Dart will play in Week 3, but they'll be needed to be downgraded if Jameis Winston starts.


Dallas Cowboys (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 18.
The Cowboys bounce back nicely from their loss to the Giants, albeit against a Redskins team that seemingly lost half the roster - including Jayden Daniels - to injury.


Green Bay Packers (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 16.
The Packers were nearly 0-2. They trailed the Jets 17-3 and were outgained by nearly 100 yards, yet they were somehow able to come back and win in overtime. This is not a good sign for Green Bay moving forward in the near term, but at least they'll get Micah Parsons back at some point.


Chicago Bears (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 8.
It's a shame to see Caleb Williams go down with an injury like that against the Vikings, given how much he has progressed in Ben Johnson's offense. The silver lining for the Bears is that Tyson Bagent is considered one of the better backup quarterbacks in the NFL. This ranking is with Tyson Bagent at quarterback.


New York Jets (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 20.
The Jets were robbed of a 2-0 start. They had a 17-3 lead over the Packers and outgained them by nearly 100 yards, yet somehow couldn't hold on for the victory. I don't know why the Jets couldn't run the ball, but that ultimately prevented them from icing the game in the fourth quarter.



Group D:


Carolina Panthers (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 24.
Bryce Young had a great game against the Falcons, as did the Carolina defense, which was completely embarrassed in Week 1 against the Bears. The defense, led by Devin Lloyd, redeemed itself after its disastrous opening performance. Granted, this came against Cooper Rush and a miserable Atlanta offense, so we'll need to see Carolina do it against better competition before drawing any major conclusions.


New Orleans Saints (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 23.
The Saints had a nice win in Baltimore. Granted, the Ravens were probably looking ahead to their game against the Cowboys in Brazil, but New Orleans still deserves plenty of credit for overcoming a double-digit deficit.


Las Vegas Raiders (2-0)Team Hub - Previously: 28.
The Raiders made some mistakes against the Chargers, but the Chargers made even more. As a result, Las Vegas was able to improve to 2-0. The Raiders still have a very difficult schedule ahead of them, so we'll learn much more about this team in the coming weeks.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2)Team Hub - Previously: 19.
Baker Mayfield got paid and appears to be mailing it in now. He fumbled a million times in the opener, and then he spent most of the Cleveland game overthrowing his receivers.


Arizona Cardinals (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 22.
Arizona's 26-14 win looks much less impressive after the Raiders went into Los Angeles and also beat the Chargers 26-14. The Seahawks completely dominated Arizona.


San Angeles Chargers (0-2)Team Hub - Previously: 13.
The Chargers had the Cardinals and Raiders at home in their first two games, and somehow they lost both contests by identical 26-14 scores. How is that possible? I don't understand what's happening with this team, aside from the possibility that Herbert is really struggling because he's playing with Madison Beer Goggles.


Indianapolis Colts (0-2)Team Hub - Previously: 27.
The Colts were better defensively in Week 2, if only by default. The problem continues to be Daniel Jones, who can't run, as well as the receiver group, which lost Alec Pierce to injury.


Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 26.
The Steelers were on the wrong side of the variance stick this time against the Patriots. Last year, New England fumbled five times in this matchup. This time, it was Pittsburgh making the costly mistakes, including a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

Regardless of the turnovers, Pittsburgh's offense looks absolutely miserable. The Steelers can't block at all, and Aaron Rodgers was under constant pressure throughout the afternoon.


Washington Redskins (0-2)Team Hub - Previously: 25.
The Redskins had a chance to be competitive against the Cowboys, but Jayden Daniels got hurt against Dallas yet again. The Redskins also lost two offensive linemen to injury. What a disaster.



Group F:


Cleveland Browns (1-1)Team Hub - Previously: 31.
The stupid Browns can't even tank correctly. You'd think they would try to put themselves in position for Arch Manning, but they somehow won in Tampa Bay despite trailing by 10 points in the second half.


Tennessee Titans (0-2)Team Hub - Previously: 30.
Cam Ward actually looked pretty decent for a change against the Eagles. However, it's fair to wonder if Philadelphia was trying its hardest throughout the game, given how hot it was on the field.

By the way, the Titans are now 10-26 against the spread since firing Mike Vrabel, even after covering against Philadelphia.


Atlanta Falcons (0-2)Team Hub - Previously: 29.
The Falcons have been the worst team in the conference thus far through two weeks. Their offense has been especially dreadful, but it sounds like Michael Penix Jr. will be back next week. If so, Atlanta will at least have some professional quarterbacking for a change.


Miami Dolphins (0-2)Team Hub - Previously: 32.
The good news is that Caleb Douglas looks like a legitimate receiver. The bad news is that the Dolphins stink in every other regard. They were blown out by the Raiders, which is a sad outcome for this team, and then the 49ers, although that game was close during the first half. With the Browns winning, the Dolphins inched closer to claiming Arch Manning.

2026 NFL MVP Projection:

1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
2. Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers
3. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
4. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks
5. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens


Go to 2027 NFL Mock Draft

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2021 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings | Preseason Power Rankings | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Playoffs |

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