Culver City Observer -

2019 NFL Power Rankings - Week 3

1. New England Patriots (2-0): The Pats are off to a fast start, winning both games by a combined 76-3. With the wounded Jets up next, there is no reason to believe the Pats juggernaut will be slowing down this week. Next: -22.5 vs New York Jets - Sun, Sep. 22

2. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0): For anyone who thought Patrick Mahomes might regress in 2019, he threw for 278 yards and four touchdowns against the Raiders. In the 2nd quarter. Without Tyreek Hill. Next: -6 vs Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Sep. 22

3. Los Angeles Rams (2-0): The Rams are 2-0 and still not hitting on all cylinders. They will need to get better, because the NFC West looks like the best division in football with the Seahawks and 49ers both at 2-0. Next: -3 at Cleveland Browns - Sun, Sep. 22

4. Dallas Cowboys (2-0): The Cowboys have released former first-round defensive end taco Charlton after two seasons. The team questioned his toughness, with a source indicating that the defensive end was a "soft taco." Next: -22.5 vs Miami Dolphins - Sun, Sep. 22

5. Green Bay Packers (2-0): The Packers are still not clicking offensively but are 2-0 and clicking defensively. They are also more committed to running the football, which could make this team very tough in December. Next: -7.5 vs Denver Broncos - Sun, Sep. 22

6. Seattle Seahawks (2-0): Pete Carroll celebrated his 68th birthday on Sunday as the Seahawks beat the Steelers on the road. Carroll is the oldest head coach currently working in the NFL, but you would not know it by the energy and enthusiasm he shows on the sidelines. Next: -4 vs New Orleans Saints - Sun, Sep. 22

7. Baltimore Ravens (2-0): The Ravens are 2-0 after wins over the Dolphins and Cardinals. We will find out how good they really are when they visit the Chiefs in Kansas City. This should be the game of the week. Next: +6 at Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Sep. 22

8. San Francisco 49ers (2-0): The 49ers ran for 259 yards in their win over the Bengals. The Niners are flying under the NFL radar at the moment, but they may be the surprise team in the NFL this season. Both of their wins were on the road. Next: -6.5 vs Pittsburgh Steelers - Sun, Sep. 22

9. Buffalo Bills (2-0): The Bills are 2-0 for the first time since 2014. They are also New York State Champions after wins over both the New York Jets and the New York Giants. Next: -6 vs Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Sep. 22

10. Detroit Lions (1-0-1): The Lions are somehow unbeaten after two games. This is a mystery team. They could better this season. We may find out more about the Lions this weekend against the Eagles. Next: +6 at Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Sep. 22

11. New Orleans Saints (1-1): The Saints looked good in preseason but have struggled in the regular season. With Drew Brees out for six weeks, the Saints need to find some smoke & mirrors to defeat their next two opponents, the Seahawks at Seattle and the Cowboys at home. Next: +4 at Seattle Seahawks - Sun, Sep. 22

12. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1): The Chargers gave away a victory to Detroit with a series of uncharacteristic mistakes. They need a win this week to stay with the Chiefs. The signing of former Ram tight end Lance Kendricks was a good move to give Philip Rivers a receiving tight end option. Next: -3 vs Houston Texans - Sun, Sep. 22

13. Houston Texans (1-1): The Texans have given up a league leading 10 sacks after two games and this week they get Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. They also need a win this week to avoid a 1-2 start. Next: +3 at Los Angeles Chargers - Sun, Sep. 22

14. Chicago Bears (1-1): Thanks to Kicker Eddy Pineiro, who may have a career as a jockey when he retires, the Bears escaped with a win in Denver. The Bears were able to overcome the play of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who had another erratic performance at quarterback. Next: -4 at Washington Redskins - Mon, Sep. 23

15. Minnesota Vikings (1-1): Dalvin Cook is on fire after the first two weeks, leading the NFL in rushing yardage with 265 yards. Unfortunately, Kirk Cousins was not on fire against the Packers, completing only 14 of 32 passes and throwing two interceptions. Next: -9 vs Oakland Raiders - Sun, Sep. 22

16. Tennessee Titans (1-1): The Titans suffered a tough loss at home to an underrated Colts team. Marcus Mariota is off to a solid start with four touchdown passes and zero interceptions. Next: +1.5 at Jacksonville Jaguars - Thu, Sep. 19

17. Atlanta Falcons (1-1): The Falcons won a close Sunday Night battle with the Eagles on a well-executed screen pass to Julio Jones. The Falcons are an enigma. On paper, they look like tigers. On the field, more like lamb. Next: +1.5 vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Sep. 22

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1): The Bucs finally got a decent game from quarterback Jameis Winston and beat the Panthers on the road. Maybe there is some hope for the Bucs this season. Next: -6.5 vs New York Giants - Sun, Sep. 22

19. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1): USA today picked the Eagles and the Chargers to make it to the Super Bowl, with the Chargers winning the super bowl. Neither team looks like they will win their division unless they become more consistent. The Eagles need to give the ball to Miles Sanders. Next: -6 vs Detroit Lions - Sun, Sep. 22

20. Indianapolis Colts (1-1): The Colts had a goal of being a top five rushing team this season and through two games, they are #2 in the NFL. Four of their next five games are at home, so they could put themselves in a good position for a postseason playoff appearance. Next: -1.5 vs Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Sep. 22

21. Cleveland Browns (1-1): The Browns do not look good offensively and quarterback Baker Mayfield is taking too many hits. A bad recipe with the Rams and Aaron Donald coming in on Sunday Night. The Rams started in Cleveland and left for Los Angeles in 1946, but this is not the Ravens returning to town. Next: +3 vs Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Sep. 22

22. Oakland Raiders (1-1): The Raiders have looked good versus the run through the first two games. We will find out how good they are this week when they travel to Minnesota to face Dalvin Cook and the Vikings. Next: +9 at Minnesota Vikings - Sun, Sep. 22

23. Arizona Cardinals (0-1-1): Veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is off to a terrific start this season, with back-to-back 100 yard receiving games for the first time since 2015. The 36-year old future hall-of-famer has not looked this good in years. Next: -2 vs Carolina Panthers - Sun, Sep. 22

24. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2): The Jaguars are 0-2, they lost their starting quarterback to injury and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey wants to be traded. This does not look like it is going to get better with time. Next: +1.5 vs Tennessee Titans - Thu, Sep. 19

25. Denver Broncos (0-2): The Broncos are off to a slow start after a last second loss at home to the Bears. The Broncos need to find a way to win this week to avoid an 0-3 start and a trip to Green Bay to visit the Packers and Aaron Rodgers will be a challenge. Next: +7.5 at Green Bay Packers - Sun, Sep. 22

26. Washington Redskins (0-2): The Redskins have not looked on defense this season. This week, their offense will be challenged when the Bears visit the nation's capital for a Monday Night game. Mitch Trubisky may help their struggling defense. Next: +4 vs Chicago Bears - Sun, Sep. 22

27. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-2): Ben Roethlisberger is done for the season with an elbow injury and may be done with his career. Mason Rudolph will be the starter this week and if he plays well, likely next season as well. Next: +6.5 at San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Sep. 22

28. Carolina Panthers (0-2): The Panthers opened the season with two home losses and now hit the road with Cam Newton in a walking boot. If Newton is unable to play, Kyle Allen will get the start at Arizona, where he starred as a high school quarterback in Scottsdale. Next: +2.5 at Arizona Cardinals - Sun, Sep. 22

29. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2): The Bengals are not scheduled to play on Thursday Night this season. No one really wants to see this team on Sundays, either. But, unfortunately, they do have a Monday Night game on September 30th at Pittsburgh. Next: +6 at Buffalo Bills - Sun, Sep. 22

Jevone Moore

Chargers 3rd-year head coach Anthony Lynn - 22-12 lifetime W-L record with Chargers

30. New York Jets (0-2): With Sam Darnold, out with mononucleosis and backup Trevor Siemian out for the season with torn ligaments in his ankle, the Jets are down to Luke Falk at quarterback and recently signed David Fales as his backup. The last team they need to see on their schedule is the Pats. Next: +22.5 at New England Patriots - Sun, Sep. 22

31. New York Giants (0-2): The Eli Manning era is over, as the Giants have decided to go with 2019 first round pick Daniel Jones as the starter at quarterback. Presumably, the Giants are hoping that the younger, faster Jones will do a better job of "running for his life" at quarterback. Next: +6.5 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Sep. 22

32. Miami Dolphins (0-2): Ryan Fitzpatrick has through two games completed 25 of 50 passes for 274 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Last season through the first two games with Tampa Bay, Fitzpatrick completed 48 of 61 passes for 819 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. What a difference a good offensive coordinator and good offensive talent can make. Next: +22.5 at Dallas Cowboys - Sun, Sep. 22