NFL Power Rankings - Week 3: Jaguars, Bucs take big leaps

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors, including Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, and Arun Srinivasan.

1. Los Angeles Rams (2-0)

Previous Rank: 2

Now that the Rams have their glorified preseason against the Raiders and Cardinals out the way, the competition will ratchet up across the next three weeks with the Chargers, Vikings, and Seahawks up next. - McClymont

2. Minnesota Vikings (1-0-1)

Previous Rank: 1

If the Vikings don't win their division, Daniel Carlson's 0-for-3 performance against Green Bay will live in infamy. - Srinivasan

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-0)

Previous Rank: 5

Revenge is apparently a dish best served warm, as the Jaguars dominated the Patriots in the NFL's hottest game (temperature-wise) since 2003. And with Blake Bortles playing good football (seriously), Jacksonville looks like the AFC’s most complete squad. - Alessandrini

4. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)

Previous Rank: 7

Buckle in. This is going to be a wild ride. - McClymont

5. New England Patriots (1-1)

Previous Rank: 3

Even when The Empire loses, it still wins. Josh Gordon is no lock to be a star with the Pats, but he could certainly tip the balance in the AFC. -Browne

6. Green Bay Packers (1-0-1)

Previous Rank: 6

Aaron Rodgers with a knee brace is still better than everyone else. Unfortunately for Green Bay, Clay Matthews couldn't avoid a key - and controversial - roughing the passer penalty against Minnesota. - Srinivasan

7. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)

Previous Rank: 4

The offense gets a pass due to the sheer number of injuries, but what's the vaunted defense's excuse for being lit up by Ryan Fitzpatrick? The champs need the unit to bounce back in a big way for Wentz's Week 3 return. - Browne

8. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)

Previous Rank: 8

Steve Sarkisian and Co. finally solved their red-zone woes - at least for now. Despite key injuries on defense, this talented Falcons team won't go away quietly. - Alessandrini

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)

Previous Rank: 21

The Bucs continued their Fitz-magical start to the season by knocking off the defending Super Bowl champs. We're only two weeks in, but it’s time to start viewing Tampa Bay as a legitimate contender in the NFC South. - Alessandrini

10. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)

Previous Rank: 13

The Chargers are 3-8 in September since 2015. Supporters can only hope the blowout of Buffalo will cure whatever ails this team in the early going. - McClymont

11. Carolina Panthers (1-1)

Previous Rank: 10

In the season opener, Carolina's offense struggled while its defense was stout. Week 2 was just the opposite. If both sides don't click simultaneously, it could be another frustrating season for Cam Newton and Co. - Alessandrini

12. New Orleans Saints (1-1)

Previous Rank: 9

The Saints didn't lose to the Browns. That's the good news. The bad news is the team still has issues to resolve on both sides of the ball. - Alessandrini

13. Denver Broncos (2-0)

Previous Rank: 15

The Broncos are one of the early-season surprises at 2-0. But now comes their first road test of the year as they head to Baltimore. - McClymont

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1-1)

Previous Rank: 11

This has been a worst-case start for the Steelers, irrespective of Le'Veon Bell's situation. It's early, but their reign over the AFC North may be over. - Srinivasan

15. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)

Previous Rank: 23

Andy "Red Rifle" Dalton is scorching hot, and while it's just a two-game sample, he could be on track for his fourth career Pro Bowl. - Srinivasan

16. Miami Dolphins (2-0)

Previous Rank: 25

Ryan Tannehill's stats through two games won't blow you away, but the quarterback has quietly returned to the starting lineup without missing a beat. - Browne

17. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)

Previous Rank: 19

The Niners could afford to take their foot off the gas against the Lions on Sunday. They won't have that luxury with the Chiefs and Chargers on deck. - McClymont

18. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)

Previous Rank: 12

Beating up on the Bills clearly wasn't a true litmus test, and the Bengals quickly brought the Ravens back down to earth. Who knows what Baltimore is at this point. - Srinivasan

19. Chicago Bears (1-1)

Previous Rank: 17

We’ll need to see a bit more before declaring them a genuine contender, but the new-look Bears defense could be terrifying once it really jells. - Srinivasan

20. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)

Previous Rank: 24

Scott Linehan made up for a terrible season opener with a far more creative game plan against the Giants. And the OC will need to keep it up given the Cowboys' many offensive deficiencies. - Browne

21. Tennessee Titans (1-1)

Previous Rank: 20

The Titans with Blaine Gabbert under center defeated the upstart Texans - just as everyone predicted. - Alessandrini

22. Washington Redskins (1-1)

Previous Rank: 14

Washington's offense putting up a big, fat zero against one of the weaker defenses in the league was a major red flag. A date with the Packers should tell us if the Redskins are a legit playoff contender. - Browne

23. Indianapolis Colts (1-1)

Previous Rank: 29

Andrew Luck will grab the headlines, but it was the Colts' defense that turned in a surprisingly dominant performance in Washington. Indianapolis may have found a stud in rookie linebacker Darius Leonard. - Alessandrini

24. New York Jets (1-1)

Previous Rank: 18

Sam Darnold and the Jets regressed after a spectacular Week 1. New York often gets carried away too quickly, but this young team - and its QB, especially - must be given time to work through the growing pains. - Browne

25. Houston Texans (0-2)

Previous Rank: 16

Houston is winless, but Deshaun Watson looked like his star rookie self after struggling in Week 1. If only his offensive line could block for him. - Alessandrini

26. Detroit Lions (0-2)

Previous Rank: 26

Maybe firing Jim Caldwell and his .563 winning percentage for Matt Patricia was a bad idea. - Srinivasan

27. Oakland Raiders (0-2)

Previous Rank: 28

Jon Gruden says he has no regrets about the Khalil Mack trade. The Raiders have two sacks in two games. Mack has two on his own. - McClymont

28. Seattle Seahawks (0-2)

Previous Rank: 27

It's nothing new to see Russell Wilson running for his life on the field. It is, however, depressing to see him do so with a completely neutered offense. - McClymont

29. Cleveland Browns (0-1-1)

Previous Rank: 30

The Browns are certainly much improved but remain without a win. Close, but no cigar counts for little in the NFL. - Srinivasan

30. New York Giants (0-2)

Previous Rank: 22

Fourth and inches and you punt instead of using the No. 2 overall pick? The season is young, but New York may already be on life support. - Browne

31. Arizona Cardinals (0-2)

Previous Rank: 31

After posting zero points and 90 passing yards on Sunday. Arizona can thank Buffalo for hogging the negative spotlight. - McClymont

32. Buffalo Bills (0-2)

Previous Rank: 32

Vontae Davis retired. AT HALFTIME. That tells you everything you need to know about the state of the Bills. - Browne