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The NFL wrapped up Week 2 on Monday with an ugly matchup between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. The Jets ruled out quarterback Sam Darnold at the beginning of the week due to a mononucleosis diagnosis. That left them with Trevor Siemian. An ankle injury knocked him out in the first half, and we got to see Luke Falk play the rest of the way. It was never going to work out, as the Jets lost 23-3 to the Browns. New York drops to 0-2 while Cleveland improves to 1-1.
As we head into Week 3, the power rankings are getting a sizable shake-up thanks to some significant injuries. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury, and will be replaced in the starting lineup by Mason Rudolph. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees suffered a thumb injury that will require surgery and cost him at least six weeks. Teddy Bridgewater moved into the lineup to replace him moving forward.
The Steelers traded a first round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick Monday evening. You have to think they’re sold on Mason Rudolph given that they won’t have a first round pick to draft one next year. Rudolph looked OK in replacing Roethlisberger, and this week we start to see what he might be able to do with the Steelers.
Speaking of the Steelers, their Week 3 opponent had one under-the-radar injuries of Week 2 — left tackle Joe Staley fractured his leg and will miss six to eight weeks. He’s the key to their offensive line, and considering the 49ers early success these first two weeks, his absence will be something to keep in mind for wagering the next couple months. It won’t move lines too much for now, but it is going to impact that offense.
We made a few other changes, and one involves the Arizona Cardinals. They lost to Baltimore, dropping to 0-1-1, but they covered their second straight game to open the season. They are showing some spunk and have a big stretch here at home against Carolina and Arizona. We’ll see if Kyler Murray can build on his solid start to the season.
On to the power rankings!
Week 3 NFL power rankings
| Rk | LW | Team | Record | +/- | Record ATS | Pts ATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rk | LW | Team | Record | +/- | Record ATS | Pts ATS |
| 1 | 1 | New England Patriots | 2-0 | +73 | 2-0 | 48.5 |
| 2 | 4 | Kansas City Chiefs | 2-0 | +32 | 2-0 | 21.5 |
| 3 | 3 | Baltimore Ravens | 2-0 | +55 | 1-1 | 36 |
| 4 | 5 | Green Bay Packers | 2-0 | +12 | 2-0 | 12.5 |
| 5 | 7 | Dallas Cowboys | 2-0 | +28 | 2-0 | 15 |
| 6 | 8 | Los Angeles Rams | 2-0 | +21 | 1-0-1 | 16 |
| 7 | 12 | San Francisco 49ers | 2-0 | +38 | 2-0 | 40 |
| 8 | 14 | Seattle Seahawks | 2-0 | +3 | 1-1 | -2.5 |
| 9 | 15 | Buffalo Bills | 2-0 | +15 | 2-0 | 15.5 |
| 10 | 6 | Minnesota Vikings | 1-1 | +11 | 1-1 | 10 |
| 11 | 11 | Philadelphia Eagles | 1-1 | +1 | 0-2 | -10 |
| 12 | 13 | Houston Texans | 1-1 | -1 | 1-1 | -2.5 |
| 13 | 17 | Indianapolis Colts | 1-1 | -4 | 2-0 | 6 |
| 14 | 23 | Detroit Lions | 1-0-1 | +3 | 1-1 | 2 |
| 15 | 10 | Los Angeles Chargers | 1-1 | +32 | 0-2 | -5 |
| 16 | 20 | Arizona Cardinals | 0-1-1 | -6 | 2-0 | 9 |
| 17 | 2 | Tennessee Titans | 1-1 | +28 | 1-1 | 30 |
| 18 | 22 | Cleveland Browns | 1-1 | -10 | 0-1 | -22 |
| 19 | 9 | New Orleans Saints | 1-1 | -16 | 0-2 | -21 |
| 20 | 21 | Chicago Bears | 1-1 | -5 | 0-2 | -10.5 |
| 21 | 16 | Oakland Raiders | 1-1 | -10 | 1-1 | 0 |
| 22 | 29 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1-1 | -8 | 1-1 | -2 |
| 23 | 30 | Atlanta Falcons | 1-1 | -12 | 1-1 | -7 |
| 24 | 19 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 0-2 | -32 | 0-2 | -30 |
| 25 | 26 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 0-2 | -15 | 1-1 | -3 |
| 26 | 18 | Carolina Panthers | 0-2 | -9 | 0-1-1 | -7 |
| 27 | 24 | Cincinnati Bengals | 0-2 | -25 | 1-1 | -33 |
| 28 | 27 | Washington | 0-2 | -15 | 1-1 | 0.5 |
| 29 | 28 | Denver Broncos | 0-2 | -10 | 1-1 | -10.5 |
| 30 | 25 | New York Jets | 0-2 | -21 | 0-1 | -17.5 |
| 31 | 31 | New York Giants | 0-2 | -32 | 0-2 | -22.5 |
| 32 | 32 | Miami Dolphins | 0-2 | -92 | 0-2 | -66.5 |