The NFL Power Rankings are about identifying where each team stands on a week-to-week basis. But in doing that, there is often a conflict between where an NFL team is now and preconceived notions we had about it in the past. That’s what we’re exploring this week, as each NFL Nation writer will identify a preseason prediction they had about the team they cover which has not played out yet. From underachieving and overachieving players to stats that don’t quite line up, we’re our own worst critics.
How we rank in our Power Rankings: Our power panel — a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities — evaluates how teams stack up throughout the season.
Previous rankings: 3 | 2 | Preseason
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Week 3 ranking: 1
What we got wrong: The defense would pick up where it left off last season.
The Chiefs entered Monday night’s game 28th in yards allowed but sixth in scoring defense, so the results have been mixed. In their first two games, the Chiefs weren’t as solid defensively as they were down the stretch last season. They could still get there, and Monday night was a big step, but if it eventually happens, it will have taken more time than initially thought. — Adam Teicher
Week 3 ranking: 2
What we got wrong: Marquise Brown would have a breakout season.
“Hollywood” hasn’t exactly struggled, leading the Ravens with 156 yards receiving through three games. But he hasn’t exploded as expected after fully recovering from foot surgery. Take away a 47-yard grab and Brown is averaging a pedestrian 9.9 yards per reception. He has to make more strides before establishing himself as a viable No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL. — Jamison Hensley
Week 3 ranking: 3
What we got wrong: The secondary would return to elite status after acquiring Jamal Adams and Quinton Dunbar.
The Seahawks are 3-0 despite allowing 434 passing yards to Atlanta, 397 to New England and 461 to Dallas on Sunday. There have been some mitigating factors. They’ve faced a lot of passes with opponents trying to come back from large deficits, they haven’t gotten enough help from the pass rush and they’ve been hit with injuries, including one that ended safety Marquise Blair’s season and another that kept Dunbar out of the Cowboys game. But there’s still too much talent to be getting gashed through the air the way they have been. — Brady Henderson
Week 3 ranking: 4
What we got wrong: The Packers made a mistake by not drafting a receiver.
Allen Lazard isn’t Jarrett Boykins. Remember Boykins? He was the receiver who in 2013 came out of nowhere midseason and was Green Bay’s third-leading receiver. The Packers brought him back hoping for a repeat in 2014 but he flamed out. Lazard didn’t even make the initial 53-man roster in 2019 but was their No. 2 receiver by season’s end. He has backed that up with his start to this season, highlighted by Sunday night’s six-catch, 149-yard performance against the Saints — a game that No. 1 receiver Davante Adams missed because of a hamstring injury. — Rob Demovsky
Week 3 ranking: 6
What we got wrong: Buffalo’s defense would lead the way again while its offense would be somewhere between good and competent.
Sound the buzzer; this take is dead wrong. Through three weeks, the Bills sport the fourth-best offense in the NFL and the second-best passing attack. Josh Allen has looked like an MVP candidate in his first three games, willing the Bills to victory with fourth-quarter comebacks in each of his past two. Conversely, Buffalo’s defense currently ranks 20th in yards allowed per game and 16th in points per game. It’s been a weird…
Read More: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings