It’s still September, so plenty of what we think we know now will completely evaporate by Halloween. Still, the league hierarchy is already taking shape and here at GetMoreSports, we don’t just arbitrarily put these NFL Power Rankings together. We look at a team’s performance against the point spread, and then put together the Against the Spread Power Rankings.
Here’s how the Against the Spread Power Rankings look for Week 3 of the NFL season:
1. Los Angeles Rams (2-0, ATS: 2-0): The Rams gave up a total of five first downs to the Arizona Cardinals offense last Sunday. The Cardinals didn’t run a play on Los Angeles’ side of the 50 until the final play of the game. If you needed another reason for the Rams to be No. 1, they haven’t given up a point in their last six quarters of defensive football. And that’s not even mentioning that the offense is averaging 33.5 points per game. Last week: 3
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-0,ATS: 2-0): Don’t underestimate what the Jaguars and Blake Bortles pulled off in their victory over the Patriots. The Jags put the game on Bortles’ shoulders and he delivered. This is a game that will pay off come January. Last week: 5
3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0, ATS 2-0): Patrick Mahomes has set a new NFL record with 10 touchdown passes in his first three career starts. That’s after not throwing a single touchdown in the team’s season finale victory over the Denver Broncos last season. Last week: 6
4. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0, ATS: 2-0): Are the Bengals this good? If any other team had pulled out these last two performances, there’d be no question. Consecutive road games against the Panthers and Falcons will tell us a lot. Last week: 7
5. Miami Dolphins (2-0, ATS: 2-0): If the Patriots are mortal this season, is it possible that Ryan Tannehill, Adam Gase and the Dolphins can spoil their AFC East dominance? Last week: 13
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0, ATS: 2-0): This is what Ryan Fitzpatrick does. When he’s supposed to be the back up and gets the starts due to injury or suspension, he’s incredible. When he’s handed the keys for good, the wheels shoot off in every direction. Still, the Bucs should ride this as long as they can. Last week: 14
7. Denver Broncos (2-0, ATS: 0-2): Case Keenum is finding a way to win games in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, his play is a big reason the Broncos are trailing in the fourth quarter. Last week: 11
8. Minnesota Vikings (1-0-1,ATS: 1-1): Kirk Cousins was brought in by the Vikings specifically to beat Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. He did everything he could to make it happen, but once again a kicker cost Minnesota when it counted. Last week: 1
9. New England Patriots (1-1, ATS: 1-1): Tom Brady was so mad after Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars he ate a strawberry and drank a diet coke. Last week: 2
10. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1 ATS: 1-1): Carson Wentz returns to the field just in time. Nick Foles should never have to buy a beer in Philly again, but no one wants to see him back under center anytime soon. Last week: 4
11. Green Bay Packers (1-0-1 ATS: 1-1): I’m still not sold on Aaron Rodgers’ “knee sprain,” but when he’s playing this well, I guess one good leg is all he needs. Last week: 12
12. Atlanta Falcons (1-1, ATS: 1-1): Is the Falcons’ offense, especially in the red zone, fixed? They better hope so with the Saints marching in this week. Last week: 26
13. Chicago Bears (1-1, ATS: 2-0): Khalil Mack almost single-handedly won Monday night’s game for the Bears. He nearly has this team 2-0 all by himself. Considering the Raiders lost by one point last week, maybe they could have used a guy like that. Last week: 23
14. Carolina Panthers (1-1, ATS: 1-1): The Panthers got more out of their offense on Sunday, but it was too late to matter. They’ll need to get going much quicker against the surprisingly potent Bengals this Sunday. Last week: 8
15. Indianapolis Colts (1-1, ATS: 1-1): Andrew Luck is back. We known that now after two weeks. Sunday, he’ll get a chance to show exactly what that means when Indy plays the defending Super Bowl champs and a returning Carson Wentz. Last week: 16
16. Baltimore Ravens (1-1, ATS: 1-1): Don’t let the final score fool you. The Ravens were barely ever in the game last Thursday against the Bengals. Last week: 9
17. Washington Redskins (1-1, ATS: 1-1): September Alex Smith didn’t show up last week, but don’t discount him just yet. The leaves still haven’t changed. Last week: 10
18. New York Jets (1-1, ATS: 1-1): You want to talk overreaction? Seeing the Jets favored in Week 2 was an overreaction. Now they have the inglorious distinction of being the first team to be set as an underdog to the Browns in more than a year. Last week: 15
19. Dallas Cowboys (1-1, ATS: 1-1): People are down on the Cowboys, even with a 1-1 start. I still like this team. If they come out of September 2-2 or better, they’ll make the playoffs. Last week: 19
20. New Orleans Saints (1-1, ATS: 0-2): Speaking of playoffs, remember when I predicted in the preseason the Saints wouldn’t make it? I’m feeling better about that prognostication all the time. Last week: 20
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1-1, ATS: 0-2): Following a tie with the Browns with a shootout loss to Kansas City does not bode well. This Steelers team may spend January on the couch for the first time in years. Last week: 21
22. San Francisco 49ers (1-1, ATS: 1-1): Jimmy Garoppolo got back on the winning track thanks to a Lions team that might be one of the worst in the league. Last week: 22
23. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1, ATS: 1-1): It’s time for the first official 21st Century Battle of Los Angeles as the Chargers match up against the Rams. Last week: 24
24. Tennessee Titans (1-1, ATS: 1-1): You can’t stop Blaine Gabbert. You can only hope to contain him. Last week: 25
25. Cleveland Browns (0-1-1, ATS: 2-0): Oh, yeah, Browns. After two straight gut-wrenching weeks, the Jets are coming up on the schedule and, as of this writing, are sitting at -3. Not even Hue Jackson and Gregg Williams can blow this one, right? Right?? Last week: 28
26. Oakland Raiders (0-2, ATS: 1-1): This week Raiders head coach Jon Gruden told the media, “we gotta do something to get more pressure.” Yeah. We know. Last week: 30
27. Detroit Lions (0-2, ATS: 1-1): Usually first-year coaches aren’t immediately on the chopping block, but Matt Patricia is no usual first-year coach. He better turn things around in a hurry or he’ll be back in New England calling defensive plays. Last week: 31
28. New York Giants (0-2, ATS: 0-2): People are writing the Giants off already, but this is a team that opened with the Jaguars and the Cowboys. It’s not exactly been the Bills and the Lions. Last week: 17
29. Seattle Seahawks (0-2, ATS: 0-2): Fun fact: Brian Schottenheimer might be the worst offensive coordinator in the league. A league that also has Steve Sarkisian and Mike McCoy calling plays. Drink that in, Russell Wilson. Last week: 18
30. Houston Texans (0-2, ATS: 0-2): It doesn’t matter how much potential Deshaun Watson has as long as Bill O’Brien is is head coach. Last week: 27
31. Arizona Cardinals (0-2, ATS: 0-2): Mike McCoy’s offense has managed a total of six points in two games and a total of 19 first downs. That’s with David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald on the field. Are we sure Sam Bradford’s the problem? Last week: 29
32. Buffalo Bills (0-2, ATS: 0-2): If you’re a Browns and Lions fan who believed no other team could possibly join you in an 0-16 dumpster fire, the Bills would like a word. Last week: 32
