It’s laborious to imagine that we’re virtually three weeks into the NFL season.
Whereas it’s laborious to foretell which groups are contenders and which groups are pretenders, now we have a great grasp on which groups stack up the place. We’re virtually to the purpose of the yr the place the leaves begin altering colours, pumpkin spice is in every single place, and two Monday Evening Soccer video games bless us each week.
With the Philadelphia Eagles falling out of the highest 5 after being upset by the Atlanta Falcons, let’s hop into the highest 5 groups coming into Week 3.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
The Buccaneers spoiled survivor swimming pools throughout the nation by touring as much as Detroit and handing the Lions their first lack of the season.
This offseason, the Bucs dedicated to Baker Mayfield and returned a lot of their staff from final yr. It looks like Mayfield has matured on the sphere, and the sport has slowed down for him.
Within the 20-16 victory, Chris Godwin put up 117 receiving yards and scored a landing. He’s 28. Mike Evans is 31. However it’s not slowing them down. Don’t sleep on these Buccaneers, who will host the Denver Broncos in Week 3.
4. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)
The 49ers will all the time be a formidable common season staff beneath Kyle Shanahan, however they’re being examined with some main adversity after an offseason of distractions.
Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk are again in motion for the Niners, however they’re now anticipated to be with out Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel for an prolonged time frame.
This will likely be a great check for the continued analysis of quarterback Brock Purdy. If he can rise to the event with out two of the most effective weapons within the sport, he’s going to be worthy of a passive pay improve this offseason.
The excellent news for San Francisco? They play the Los Angeles Rams up subsequent with out Puka Nacua or Cooper Kupp. Then, they’ve the rebuilding New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium.
3. Buffalo Payments (2-0)
It felt like everybody bought their jabs in on the Payments all through your complete offseason.
They had been principally idle outdoors of dropping Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. Then, Buffalo controversially traded again within the draft, permitting the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs to pick Xavier Worthy whereas they snagged Keon Coleman.
However at 2-0, it’s laborious to poke enjoyable on the Payments proper now. They’ve put up 30 factors in each video games this season, and the protection seems to be competent. Buffalo may ship the Jacksonville Jaguars to 0-3 on Monday Evening Soccer this week.
2. Houston Texans (2-0)
It seems to be like that sophomore droop for Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud received’t be occurring any time quickly, and the Carolina Panthers must be kicking themselves for not making him the No. 1 general choose.
The Texans are averaging 219 passing yards all through the primary two weeks, and their offense is at its greatest once they run the soccer. Joe Mixon’s availability may come into query attributable to an harm, however Dameon Pierce is a serviceable backup.
In Stroud’s second NFL season, Houston seems to be the half.
1. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (2-0)
To no shock, the Chiefs stay the NFL’s greatest staff.
What’s loopy? They haven’t gotten a lot out of Travis Kelce but. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is out for the season. It doesn’t matter. Patrick Mahomes simply persistently finds a method to impress.
The Chiefs had their method with the AFC North within the first two video games of the season, defeating the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. Count on that pattern to proceed as they journey to Atlanta to duel the Falcons on Sunday Evening Soccer.