On Monday night, we discovered that top tier has just one team.
Theres no concern any longer who should have the title of the NFLs best group. The Chiefs utterly dominant efficiency in a 34-20 win over the Ravens puts all other NFL teams in chase mode. Were more likely to have discussions about 16-0 before anybody reasonably challenges the Chiefs for the leading spot in the NFL.
They blasted a Cleveland Browns group that has actually won two directly considering that, and blew out the Houston Texans, too. Baltimore was extremely, really excellent in the 2019 regular season.
And he simply turned 25 years old. Not just are the Chiefs the clear No. 1 this season, maybe theyll be there long beyond this season.
The Chiefs have the very best offense in the NFL, a defense that closed down Lamar Jackson and has become a powerful system, an excellent coach in Andy Reid, no one in the AFC West who will actually challenge them, and the gamer any general manager in football would pick initially if the NFL redrafted everyone. The Super Bowl hangover isnt bothering them either.
Things occur in the NFL. All it takes is one bad day in a competitive league to lose in the playoffs and everybody forgets how excellent you were. Ask the 2011 Green Bay Packers, who went 15-1 and no one remembers due to the fact that they lost their playoff opener. What we saw on Monday night does not always indicate the Chiefs are walking to a Super Bowl.
Its difficult to select anyone else after what we saw in Baltimore. Until additional notice, there are two tiers: The Chiefs, and then everyone else.
The Jets have been impossibly bad through three video games. Abundant Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis had the damning stats:
If the Jets dont beat the banged-up Broncos at home on Thursday, we might have to start wondering if were witnessing a traditionally bad team.
The Jets Sam Darnold looks like a lost cause, and Daniel Jones 2nd season isnt beginning well either. Its starting to appear most likely Trevor Lawrence is playing in New York next season, however for which team?
A couple of weeks back, the Broncos looked like a possible playoff competitor. It has actually been a ruthless start in Denver.
Dwayne Haskins Jr. is on notification. Possibly the Alex Smith story is too excellent to leave alone, or Ron Rivera thinks in Kyle Allen more than he should. Haskins cant continue to battle and keep playing, and when he gets benched, you have to wonder if Washington will be looking for another quarterback next offseason.
Second-round pick Tee Higgins played ahead of John Ross, and after that had more targets and snaps than A.J. Green on Sunday. Higgins wasnt extremely effective, with 40 yards on 9 targets, however he did capture 2 touchdowns. Higgins and Joe Burrow could be a nice combination for numerous years.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2, LW: 25).
Myles Jack moved to outside linebacker and that has actually opened a long-awaited breakout. Jack was Pro Football Focus top-graded linebacker through two weeks. In Week 3, he had 11 deals with to lead the Jaguars. Hes just 25 years old and offers the Jaguars another foundational piece to construct around.
26. Atlanta Falcons (0-3, LW: 21).
When the Falcons were blowing another double-digit lead, it seemed surreal in the fourth quarter Sunday. It seems impossible that it took place for a 2nd straight week, since in more than 100 years of the NFL, it had actually never ever happened. The Falcons are the very first group to lose two video games over a complete season in which they led by 15 or more points in the 4th quarter, according to Elias Sports, and they did so in back-to-back weeks. The bright side is the Falcons did hold big leads over the Cowboys and Bears, so realistically theyre not as bad as their 0-3 record. Hows that for optimism?
25. Minnesota Vikings (0-3, LW: 23).
Dalvin Cook looked excellent, the coaches finally let Justin Jefferson play, the offense had its best game, and they still lost in your home. Theyre in a department with 2 3-0 groups, and its actually tough to see Minnesota digging out of this hole.
24. Carolina Panthers (1-2, LW: 31).
Shaq Thompson was excellent in the Panthers upset win at the Chargers. He published 13 takes on, required a fumble and recovered it, and had Pro Football Focus leading grade amongst all Panthers defenders. Thompson is filling out nicely for retired Luke Kuechly, which isnt simple to do.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (0-2-1, LW: 20).
A half-win permitted the Eagles to gain a game on the other 3 teams in the department, who all lost. If the Eagles turn their season around, theyll appreciate having that tie instead of taking a low-percentage shot at a win.
22. Miami Dolphins (1-2, LW: 27).
The Dolphins bad start may have been a result of starting versus the Bills and Patriots. They looked respectable versus the Jaguars. Miami isnt on the level of Buffalo and New England, however it can still be a competitive group as it continues its rebuild.
21. Detroit Lions (1-2, LW: 29).
The Lions offense could be near a real breakout. If they operate with a little bit more pace, are more efficient in the red zone and Kenny Golladay stays healthy, they may be on to something. A resurgence win Sunday at Arizona gives the Lions hope to turn things around.
20. Houston Texans (0-3, LW: 22).
The Texans began at Kansas City, hosted Baltimore and played at Pittsburgh. Its an impossibly difficult stretch to begin the season. The Texans may not be excellent however its also possible theyre far better than their record. The schedule will alleviate up, and well learn.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2, LW: 18).
The Chargers put up 16 points versus a bad Panthers defense, regardless of 330 backyards from Justin Herbert, 132 lawns from Keenan Allen and 11 catches from Austin Ekeler. They lost a video game they shouldnt have actually lost, and they were never truly in the game up until completion when a completely drawn-up technique play wasnt performed. It was a game the Chargers really cant afford to lose.
18. Dallas Cowboys (1-2, LW: 17).
Dak Prescott is on speed for 6,336 passing lawns. And all the Cowboys have to show for it is one lucky win and 2 losses. The defense has not been great enough, and thats an understatement. And yet, because the NFC East is so bad, Dallas is still an excessive preferred to win a department title.
17. Cleveland Browns (2-1, LW: 19).
Given that losing to the Ravens, the Browns are 2-0 with a set of 30-point games. They played the Bengals and Washington, so possibly theres not too much to draw from that. After all these down years, no one must shout “the Browns have not beat anyone” to their fans. Simply let Cleveland enjoy it.
16. Indianapolis Colts (2-1, LW: 16).
The Colts have actually played the Jaguars, Vikings and Jets, who have combined for a 1-8 record. And in the one win, the Jaguars over the Colts, Indianapolis outgained Jacksonville 445-241. Long story short, the Colts have not played a hard schedule. But the last 2 weeks, they did rout the Vikings and Jets, which is a great sign. Well simply have to wait on them to play a quality challenger before we understand who the Colts are.
15. Chicago Bears (3-0, LW: 15).
The Bears have 2 crazy resurgence wins and beat a bad Giants team 17-13 when they got a stop at their own 10-yard line as time ended. The Bears have actually changed quarterback Mitchell Trubisky– which Matt Nagy appeared beyond ready to do, considering he tugged Trubisky after one pick on Sunday– and will go with Nick Foles in Week 4 and most likely beyond.
14. New Orleans Saints (1-2, LW: 8).
Through 3 games, Drew Brees typical depth of target is 5.2 yards. Thats last in the league, 1.2 yards behind Sam Darnolds 2nd least expensive mark. Nobody else is below 6.8. The Saints need to open up the offense and reveal it if Brees still feels excellent and can throw the ball like he says he can. Possibly Michael Thomas eventual return modifications whatever, however it seemed on Sunday night like the Saints offense was disposing it off to Alvin Kamara and hoping he could make something occur. Thats not going to take the Saints very far.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1, LW: 14).
Rob Gronkowski led the Bucs with seven targets and played 93 percent of the snaps. Through 3 video games, he still does not have a catch longer than 10 lawns. The Bucs are coming together, with a defense that looks extremely strong and Tom Brady coming off a 297-yard video game, however they will need to figure out what to do with Gronkowski. Hes a legend and a future Hall of Famer, however hes not the exact same player he was.
12. Las Vegas Raiders (2-1, LW: 13).
The Raiders remained in a tough area, going east for an early start against an upset Patriots group. They were coming off an emotional win in their first Las Vegas game last Monday night. Its not a big surprise they were flat. Next weeks home video game versus the Bills will be a much better test.
11. Arizona Cardinals (2-1, LW: 12).
Kyler Murrays very first interception came from Detroits 30-yard line. His second and 3rd interceptions resulted in 10 Lions points. Given how dynamic Murray is, its easy to forget hes early in his 2nd NFL season. There will still be mistakes, and some will cost the Cardinals games they should win.
10. Los Angeles Rams (2-1, LW: 7).
How do you examine what happened Sunday? The Rams came back from 28-3 to take a fourth-quarter lead and would have had the biggest return in franchise history had it not been for a questionable fourth-down pass interference call at the end. On the other hand, they did fall back 28-3 and when they needed a stop, they could not get it. It still looks like the Rams can take some positives out of a loss.
9. San Francisco 49ers (2-1, LW: 11).
Given the 49ers injury list, winning any NFL game on the road 36-9 is really excellent. The win and the job Kyle Shanahan did to have his team all set will be dismissed in a flurry of Giants jokes.
8. New England Patriots (2-1, LW: 10).
The fact that New England won decisively on Sunday means the Patriots are truly the exact same old Patriots. They simply do not lose games like that, coming off a loss and in the house against a team they must beat. The Patriots arent going anywhere this season, no matter how numerous gamers they lost.
7. Tennessee Titans (3-0, LW: 9).
Josh Jacobs is 2nd with 68 and nobody else in the NFL through Sundays games had more than 58. Through the Titans last 12 games, including playoffs, Henry has 304 carries, more than 25 per game.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0, LW: 5).
The Steelers pass the eye test, but they have let all three opponents hang around longer than you d like. It appears they have another equipment we havent seen yet, provided all their talent. If they can open that level and end up being a real contender in the AFC, well see.
5. Seattle Seahawks (3-0, LW: 4).
If Russell Wilson falls one touchdown except Peyton Mannings single-season record of 55, DK Metcalf relieving up before crossing the objective line will be reviewed. And its not crazy at all to think Wilson might challenge 55 goals this season.
4. Green Bay Packers (3-0, LW: 6).
The Packers are going insane on offense. They put up 37 points on Sunday without Davante Adams. They have the most points through the first three games of a season in team history. Aaron Rodgers is having an MVP-type start to the season. After a remarkable win over the Saints, they must be considered as the most complete team in the NFC.
3. Buffalo Bills (3-0, LW: 3).
The Packers practically got the 3rd spot. I still believe in the Bills, but almost blowing a 28-3 lead in their first genuine test this season wasnt a fantastic sign (its also a factor they arent an area higher this week). Still, Josh Allen continues to play well and even though they were fortunate to get that pass disturbance call at the end, 3-0 is an excellent location to be.
2. Baltimore Ravens (2-1, LW: 1).
No, theyre not dropping far. Heres why: I d choose the Ravens to beat every other team in the NFL. The Chiefs are merely operating at a different level than everyone else today, and proved that Monday night. The Bills, Packers, Seahawks, Steelers, whoever– they all would have gotten blasted on Monday night, too. The Ravens will be great now that they wont see the Chiefs any longer.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0, LW: 2).
Sportswriter issue: We have 10-15 more years to compose about Patrick Mahomes career, and weve already run out of adjectives to explain his greatness.
The Chiefs absolutely dominant performance in a 34-20 win over the Ravens puts all other NFL teams in chase mode. The Falcons are the first team to lose two games over a complete season in which they led by 15 or more points in the 4th quarter, according to Elias Sports, and they did so in back-to-back weeks. A half-win permitted the Eagles to get a video game on the other three teams in the department, who all lost. They just dont lose video games like that, coming off a loss and at home against a group they need to beat. They have the most points through the very first three games of a season in team history.
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