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A lot has changed since our last edition of NFL Power Rankings, with a number of teams looking much different heading into Week 3 because of injuries or illnesses. Drew Brees is out at least six weeks for the New Orleans Saints, Ben Roethlisberger is out for the season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New York Giants have benched Eli Manning in favor of rookie Daniel Jones, and New York Jets signal caller Sam Darnold got mono.
In terms of the games themselves, we have another week of data to take into account as we try to separate the pretenders from the contenders, and there are plenty of teams not even trying to pretend they can contend in 2019.
Let's get to our ClutchPoints NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 3, which includes two new teams in the top five (hint: one is the Dallas Cowboys).
For full Week 2 analysis, listen to the Establish the Pass Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Spotify.
32. Miami Dolphins (0-2)
Previous rank: 32
The Dolphins wanted to tank in 2019, and they're off to a blazing start by tying the record for points scored against through two weeks with 102. We've seen a pair of teams go 0-16 since 2008 in the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns, but those groups managed to at least keep some games close. We'll see if Miami has any such luck, if they even want it.
31. New York Jets (0-2)
Previous rank: 24
Darnold is targeting a return in Week 5, but that doesn't change how abysmal the rest of the Jets roster has looked. A trendy preseason Wild Card pick faces the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Cowboys, and Patriots again over their next four games. If they don't start 0-6, it will be an accomplishment.
30. New York Giants (0-2)
Previous rank: 28
We'll see if Daniel Jones can turn the Giants' fortunes around, but with all of the problems they have across the roster, don't bank on it. Given Dave Gettleman is still employed, there's little hope their fortunes will change any time soon.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
Previous rank: 30
Nick Foles' injury basically ended any chance the Jaguars had of contending for a playoff spot in 2019. The defense responded well in Week 2 amid the drama between Jalen Ramsey and Doug Marrone, and if a couple plays went differently, they would've grabbed a victory in Houston. Gardner Minshew is a great story, but Jacksonville just doesn't have enough to be a threat this year, and likely any time soon with Ramsey possibly being shipped out.
28. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
Previous rank: 22
One of my biggest overreactions from Week 1 came with the Bengals after they nearly beat the Seattle Seahawks in the Pacific Northwest to start the season. We saw their true colors in Week 2, as the defense got shredded and the offense scuffled. Zac Taylor may be the answer long term, but there are still a number of issues to fix before Cincinnati can get back to their winning ways.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)
Previous rank: 31
The Buccaneers defense may be better than we're giving them credit for (or Cam Newton's shoulder still isn't fully healed). Still, as long as Jameis Winston is Tampa's quarterback, it's tough to see this team threatening for a playoff spot in such a tough division and conference overall.
26. Washington Redskins (0-2)
Previous rank: 26
For the second consecutive week to start the season, the Redskins battled early as an underdog against an NFC East rival before ultimately falling short. Jay Gruden's squad is playing with urgency and will surely grab a number of victories in 2019, but the offensive line is holding back their passing game and the defense is getting burned too often.
25. Arizona Cardinals (0-1-1)
Previous rank: 29
Despite suffering a loss, the Cardinals impressed in the second half for the second straight week. Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury appear to be on the right track, with the offense finding a number of openings in the Baltimore Ravens' defense. If they solve their issues in the red zone, Arizona could make some noise this season, at least in terms of competing with more contenders like Baltimore.
24. Denver Broncos (0-2)
Previous rank: 25
The Broncos defense showed up in Week 2, but the offense is still a concern. If it wasn't for a bogus roughing the passer call, Denver is likely 1-1. But then again, if the Bears didn't line up offside on their missed extra point just moments earlier, it would've been a nonissue with the Broncos still losing.
23. Detroit Lions (1-0-1)
Previous rank: 27
The Lions are a tough team to read; they easily could be 0-2 or 2-0 instead of their current record. The Chargers missed two field goals, had two touchdowns called back by penalties, they fumbled at the one yard line, and they threw a nonsensical interception in field-goal range to tie the game. Still, Detroit never gave up, and beating a team most pundits believe will make the postseason isn't something to ignore.
22. Oakland Raiders (1-1)
Previous rank: 19
After a fast start in Week 1, the Raiders came back to reality in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs. An offensive line that impressed against Denver's defensive front struggled with Kansas City's revamped pass rush, struggling to move the ball after initially taking a 10-0. We'll see how they bounce back against a tough Minnesota Vikings team in Week 3.
21. Carolina Panthers (0-2)
Previous rank: 16
After a narrow loss to the Los Angeles Rams to begin the season, most analysts assumed the Carolina would cruise to a victory over Tampa Bay last Thursday night. It didn't happen, and questions about Newton's health have returned. He hasn't been able to throw down the field with any consistency, and while the defense has made some solid plays, the unit isn't exactly imposing. As long as Cam's health issues linger, so will the problems for the Carolina Panthers.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-2)
Previous rank: 15
Despite losing Roethlisberger for the second half against the Seahawks, the Steelers nearly managed to come away with a victory on Sunday behind quarterback Mason Rudolph. Unfortunately the defense remains a huge concern, as well as a lack of play-makers beyond JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner. Vance McDonald showed some early chemistry with Rudolph, so hopefully the offense finds a rhythm and Pittsburgh climbs back up this list with Minkah Fitzpatrick making an immediate impact.
19. Tennessee Titans (1-1)
Previous rank: 11
One of the biggest drops from Week 2 to Week 3 comes with the Tennessee Titans, who followed up a dominating performance against the Cleveland Browns with a disappointing effort against the Andrew Luck-less Indianapolis Colts. The offense went 1-10 on third downs and failed to move the ball when it mattered most, letting Indy getting away with missed field goals and extra points. Until the Titans can consistently perform at their ceiling week in and week out, it will be difficult for them to climb back near the top 10 of these power rankings.
18. Indianapolis Colts (1-1)
Previous rank: 20
The Colts may not be a Super Bowl contender like we assumed they would have been with Andrew Luck at the helm, but they're not going down without a fight. After nearly stealing a win over the Chargers, Indianapolis managed to do exactly that against the Titans. The AFC South is wide open, and the Colts still have a legitimate chance to win it.
17. Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Previous rank: 17
We didn't learn much from the Browns' Monday night victory over the Jets given New York quickly lost second string quarterback Trevor Siemian to injury. Cleveland's penalty woes continued and the offense still appeared to be searching for an identity. We'll learn much more Sunday night when they face the 2-0 Rams.
16. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
Previous rank: 23
After an ugly Week 1 victory, the 49ers blew the Bengals out of the building with an impressive pass rush, aggressive defense, a relentless rushing attack, and designed passing plays that left receivers wide open for scores. Kyle Shanahan reminded us why he's one of the most highly regarded offensive minds in the game today, and if this defense continues to improve, they'll contend in the NFC race.
15. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Previous rank: 21
It's probably too early to be high on the Buffalo Bills, but with a 2-0 start and relatively easy schedule in 2019, it's not impossible to imagine the Bills grabbing a Wild Card berth in 2019. The defense has impressed and their offensive game plan is putting Josh Allen in position to succeed.
14. Houston Texans (1-1)
Previous rank: 13
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The Texans were luckily to survive Sunday with a victory, but it won't get easier against the Chargers in Week 3. Top end talent with Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, and J.J. Watt will allow Houston to stay in the picture, but their lack of depth is still a huge concern.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)
Previous rank: 10
The Chargers absolutely gave away the game to the Lions on Sunday with the same type of mistakes we've seen from the franchise in September in recent years. Losses like that could come back to haunt them, especially with Derwin James' replacement, Adrian Phillips, going down with a broken arm.
12. New Orleans Saints (1-1)
Previous rank: 4
It will be an interesting six weeks for the Saints without Brees under center. The roster has enough depth to weather the storm with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback, but it won't be easy with the Seahawks in Week 3 or the Cowboys the week after. The Saints still figure to be a serious threat in the postseason, but they're a much different team without home-field advantage.
11. Chicago Bears (1-1)
Previous rank: 12
Chicago was lucky to escape an 0-2 start, and the schedule doesn't get any easier moving forward. Unless Mitchell Trubisky is able to recapture some of the magic from last season, the Bears will be in trouble, no matter how well their defense plays.
10. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)
Previous rank: 18
18 was absolutely too low for the Atlanta Falcons after Week 1, even considering they nearly fell to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The defense is fast and when Matt Ryan is on his game, this team is absolutely a threat in the NFC. We'll see if they can take another step forward against the Titans in Week 3.
9. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)
Previous rank: 14
As long as the Seahawks have Russell Wilson leading their offense, they will be a contender in a division that is shaping up to be one of the NFL's toughest. The defense still has some question marks after struggling to stop Mason Rudolph, and the offensive line allowed Wilson to be hit hard too many times. They luck out by facing the Saints without Brees this weekend.
8. Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
Previous rank: 7
After a dominating Week 1 victory over Atlanta, the Vikings found themselves in a 21-0 hole early against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. To their credit, they fought back and held Green Bay scoreless the rest of the way, but shaky kicking and disappointing decisions from Kirk Cousins held Minnesota back from completing the comeback, and they could hold them back from reaching their potential all year.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
Previous rank: 5
Philadelphia needs to figure out the backend of their defense, as well as how to keep Carson Wentz from taking so many hits. At this rate, he won't make it to the end of the season again, and the Eagles are already dealing with a long list of injuries to key players like Jason Peters, Alshon Jeffery, and DeSean Jackson.
6. Green Bay Packers (2-0)
Previous rank: 9
The Packers offense is still working with its consistency, but we saw flashes of their brilliance early against a Vikings defense that has excelled against the pass in recent years. The last time Aaron Rodgers had a top flight defense, Green Bay won the Super Bowl; we'll see how high they can fly this year.
5. Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
Previous rank: 8
A one-score win over the Arizona Cardinals may not sound impressive, but the most encouraging part of the Ravens' victory on Sunday was the continued success of their offense and Lamar Jackson's ability to throw pinpoint passes down field. The postseason is a long ways away, but we'll see what Baltimore is made of against the Chiefs this weekend.
4. Dallas Cowboys (2-0)
Previous rank: 6
The stars are aligning for Jerry's crew, as the Cowboys face the lowly Dolphins before squaring off with the Brees-less Saints in Week 4. The defense isn't perfect but they're capable of keeping their offense in games, and that's a serious problem for the rest of the NFL as Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott shine in Kellen Moore's scheme.
3. Los Angeles Rams (2-0)
Previous rank: 3
The Rams aren't getting much credit for beating New Orleans with Bridgewater taking most of the snaps, but that doesn't change what the offense was able to do in the second half as well as the defensive line's performance as a whole. The Saints were called for holding on basically every drive, and even then they couldn't stop the Rams' pass rush. If Los Angeles' defense continues to trend upward, they'll be in the thick of the Super Bowl race again.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)
Previous rank: 2
It only took one quarter for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to take control over the rival Raiders. Kansas City's pass rush finally started to flex its muscles on Sunday, and the offense looks as electric as ever, even without Tyreek Hill. Mahomes is only the second QB since 2016 to throw four touchdowns in one game that all came on passes with over 20 air yards. The other was Jared Goff, in a complete game. Mahomes did it in a single quarter.
1. New England Patriots (2-0)
Previous rank: 1
The Patriots appeared to be scrimmaging in Miami on Sunday, shutting out the Dolphins with ease. On top of New England having the most complete team in the NFL in all three phases, they face the Jets, Bills, Redskins, Giants, and Jets again over their next five games. It will be a shocker if they aren't 7-0 and in prime position to grab the AFC's top seed for the sixth time over the last decade.
