NFL Energy Rankings Week 3: Cowboys, Ravens in hassle? Are Saints, Vikings for actual?

It’s Week 3 of the NFL Energy Rankings, and Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan speaks for all of us.

What the (heck) are you doing, Nationwide Soccer League?

In Week 2 motion, the Vikings beat the 49ers, the Raiders beat the Ravens, the Buccaneers beat the Lions, Malik Willis and the Packers beat the Colts. The can’t-be-stopped New Orleans Saints obliterated the Cowboys.

And that was simply the early window on Sunday.

Six underdogs acquired an outright win. The Ravens, Bengals and Rams are 0-2, and solely two 0-2 groups have made the playoffs within the final 5 years. 4 groups that missed the playoffs final season are 2-0 (Chargers, Vikings, Saints, Seahawks). It’s chaos.

We requested round for volunteers to set the order this week, however there have been no takers so we’ll attempt to kind it out.

Final week: 1

Sunday: Beat Cincinnati Bengals 26-25

Kansas Metropolis offensive sort out Wanya Morris has extra landing catches than Travis Kelce this season. Morris caught a 1-yard scoring go as an eligible lineman on Sunday, and he’s solely three catches behind Kelce for the season, that means the Chiefs are undefeated and nonetheless haven’t even activated considered one of their finest offensive weapons. If the Chiefs win in both of the subsequent two weeks, Patrick Mahomes will turn into the primary quarterback in NFL historical past to win 77 of his first 100 begins. He’s tied with Tom Brady and Roger Staubach at 76.

Up subsequent: at Falcons, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

Final week: 3

Thursday: Beat Miami Dolphins 31-10

Week 1 was the Josh Allen Present — 4 touchdowns and 279 mixed passing and dashing yards. In Week 2, Allen contributed simply 141 mixed yards and one landing, and the Payments nonetheless gained going away. The protection held the Dolphins to 4.7 yards per play and compelled three turnovers. If Buffalo is extra than simply the Josh Allen Present, it could be an actual contender.

Up subsequent: vs. Jaguars, Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET

3. New Orleans Saints (2-0)

Final week: 11

Sunday: Beat Dallas Cowboys 44-19

If BetMGM had provided motion on which staff would rating the fourth-most factors in NFL historical past in its first two video games of the season, not one individual on the planet would have picked the Saints. However right here we’re. New Orleans’ 91 factors within the first two weeks are probably the most by any staff since 2015. Alvin Kamara scored 4 touchdowns and is now the fourth participant of the Tremendous Bowl period to have a number of video games with greater than 150 yards of offense and 4 scores in a sport.

Up subsequent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Final week: 4

Sunday: Beat Chicago Bears 19-13

The Texans have performed the Colts and Bears, so possibly their defensive stats shouldn’t be lauded but, but when Houston does have a forceful protection to associate with C.J. Stroud, the hype could be actual. 4 Texans had a number of quarterback hits Sunday, and Houston leads the league in sack price (13.8 p.c), based on TruMedia. It’s ninth in defensive success price (63.3 p.c).

Up subsequent: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)

Final week: 10

Sunday: Beat Detroit Lions 20-16

Tampa Bay had 12 fewer first downs and 247 fewer yards than Detroit. Quarterback Baker Mayfield led the Bucs in dashing, and it took solely 34 yards to try this. Chris Godwin (117 receiving yards) was 54 p.c of the offense, and nonetheless Tampa Bay is undefeated. The largest motive for this win was the protection. The Lions had been within the pink zone seven occasions and scored just one landing. The Buccaneers’ 14.3 p.c defensive pink zone effectivity price was the second finest in a sport with seven or extra pink zone possessions since 2000.

Up subsequent: vs. Denver Broncos, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

6. Detroit Lions (1-1)

Final week: 5

Sunday: Misplaced to Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-16

Detroit had 463 yards of offense and held Tampa Bay to 216. Aidan Hutchinson had 4 1/2 sacks by himself, the second most of any participant in a sport since 2021 (behind Khalil Mack’s six final season towards the Raiders). Perhaps having Jared Goff throw the ball 55 occasions was the issue. The Lions quarterback had the second-most makes an attempt of any participant in a sport since 2022, threw two interceptions and completed with a 61.7 passer ranking.

Up subsequent: at Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

7. Minnesota Vikings (2-0)

Final week: 14

Sunday: Beat San Francisco 49ers 23-17

Solely Randy Moss and Justin Jefferson have had at the very least 30 100-yard receiving video games within the first 5 seasons of their profession. Jefferson had 133 on Sunday on the power of a 97-yard landing catch, however he left the sport with what he known as a “little” thigh bruise. Quarterback Sam Darnold is hoping it’s not severe. In one other try to meet the promise that acquired him drafted No. 3 general in 2018, Darnold is off to a superb begin. He’s fifth within the NFL in passer ranking (111.8) and ninth in passing yards (476), based on TruMedia.

Up subsequent: vs. Houston Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

We’re actually about to place an lively participant in Canton.@JJettas2

📺: @NFLonCBs pic.twitter.com/cephalTst9

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 15, 2024

8. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)

Final week: 2

Sunday: Misplaced to Minnesota Vikings 23-17

Brock Purdy had 319 passing yards; Deebo Samuel had 110 receiving yards; Jordan Mason had 100 dashing yards. Even with Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve with calf and Achilles accidents, these appear to be profitable numbers for the Niners, particularly towards the Sam Darnold-led Vikings. As an alternative, San Francisco misplaced for the seventh straight time in Minnesota. Steve Younger quarterbacked the final 49ers staff to win there (1992).

Up subsequent: at Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

9. Los Angeles Chargers (2-0)

Final week: 9

Sunday: Beat Carolina Panthers 26-3

The Chargers are 2-0 for the primary time since 2012, and J.Ok. Dobbins leads the NFL in dashing. Dobbins had 131 towards the Panthers and has 266 for the season. Jim Harbaugh has been true to his phrase since returning to the NFL, leaning on his offensive line and run sport. Solely the Saints and Steelers have a better run share than the Chargers (59.7 p.c) up to now, and the Packers are the one staff with extra dashing yards per sport than their 197.5.

Up subsequent: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

10. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)

Final week: 12

Sunday: Beat New England Patriots 23-20

DK Metcalf (10 catches, 129 yards) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (12 catches, 117 yards) had been the one teammates to high 100 yards receiving this week, and so they had been the primary Seattle teammates ever to have 10-plus catches and 100-plus yards in the identical sport. Final week, Kenneth Walker III led the best way with 100 dashing yards, however Walker is out for now with an indirect damage. Fairly good steadiness in Seattle, the place Geno Smith threw for 327 yards on Sunday.

Up subsequent: vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

DK Metcalf WIDE OPEN for a 56-yard TD!

📺: #SEAvsNE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/nLjzMeiUub

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

11. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)

Final week: 6

Monday: Misplaced to Atlanta Falcons 22-21

It’s a sport of inches, proper? If Saquon Barkley hadn’t dropped Jalen Hurts’ swing go with 1:46 remaining, the Eagles can be 2-0. However now they need to attempt to shake off a painful loss earlier than visiting a red-hot Saints staff in New Orleans. They helped the Falcons keep within the sport Monday evening by committing 9 penalties and let Kirk Cousins choose them aside on the decisive drive. On the plus aspect, Hurts appeared like his previous self, dashing 13 occasions for 85 yards and a landing along with 183 passing yards.

Up subsequent: at Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

12. Inexperienced Bay Packers (1-1)

Final week: 21

Sunday: Beat Indianapolis Colts 16-10

The Packers turned the primary NFL staff to succeed in 800 wins on Sunday. They did it with a sport plan that may have appeared acquainted in 1921 when Inexperienced Bay joined the league. With Malik Willis filling in at quarterback, the Packers ran the ball on 53 of their 67 snaps. That they had 237 dashing yards within the first half and completed with 261. Solely six groups had extra dashing yards than that in a sport final season. Josh Jacobs had 81 yards within the first quarter and completed with 151.

Up subsequent: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

13. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)

Final week: 7

Sunday: Misplaced to New Orleans Saints 44-19

The roller-coaster experience of being a Cowboys fan by no means ends, does it? One week after getting Dak Prescott’s deal carried out and beating Cleveland by 16 factors, Dallas rushed for 68 yards and by no means led towards the Saints. If there’s a brilliant spot, possibly it’s that CeeDee Lamb acquired going with 4 catches for 90 yards, together with a 65-yard landing that briefly gave Dallas life. Should you’re not searching for brilliant spots, Saints followers had a full-on parade outdoors AT&T Stadium after the sport.

Up subsequent: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Saints followers are actually having a parade outdoors of AT&T Stadium proper now after beating Dallas pic.twitter.com/2JC9Sidf35

— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) September 15, 2024

14. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)

Final week: 23

Sunday: Beat Los Angeles Rams 41-10

Kyler Murray turned the second participant in NFL historical past with 250 passing yards, 50 dashing yards and an ideal passer ranking in a sport. He completed 17-for-21 for 266 yards and three touchdowns and have become the third Cardinal with an ideal passer ranking since 1960. Plus, Marvin Harrison Jr. got here to life after a disappointing Week 1. The rookie broad receiver had 4 catches for 130 yards, all within the first quarter. After the sport, he famous all 4 of Murray’s incompletions had been focused at him, so there’s room for extra.

Up subsequent: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

THE MURRAY MAGIC IS STRONG TODAY 🪄 pic.twitter.com/FYDZCoSRNH

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 15, 2024

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)

Final week: 13

Sunday: Beat Denver Broncos 13-6

Pittsburgh has one landing and eight Chris Boswell subject targets this season. It’s been sufficient for a 2-0 file and a perch atop the AFC North. Justin Fields has handed for less than 273 yards, however he hasn’t turned the ball over. That’s been sufficient as a result of the protection hasn’t allowed both opponent to high 90 yards dashing. No Steeler had 40 receiving yards towards the Broncos. Mike Tomlin in all probability slept nice.

Up subsequent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Final week: 20

Sunday: Beat Tennessee Titans 24-17

Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been nice, however he’s wholesome and he’s been adequate up to now. By way of two weeks, Rodgers is twenty fourth within the league in passing yards (343). His off-target share (13.7 p.c) is the ninth worst within the league and would stand because the worst in his profession if this holds all season. Rookie working again Braelon Allen (20 years, 239 days) turned the youngest participant of the Tremendous Bowl period to attain a landing Sunday, and he had two.

Up subsequent: vs. New England Patriots, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

17. Baltimore Ravens (0-2)

Final week: 17

Sunday: Misplaced to Las Vegas Raiders 26-23

The Ravens, who had been up 23-13 coming into the fourth quarter, had 11 penalties for 109 yards. Zay Flowers had seven catches for 91 yards however solely a type of catches (for 8 yards) got here within the second half. Lamar Jackson, the reigning MVP, has a passer ranking of 86.5 by the primary two video games. Deshaun Watson is the one starter within the AFC North under that.

Up subsequent: at Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

18. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)

Final week: 25

Sunday: Misplaced to Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 26-25

The Bengals have broad receiver points. Tee Higgins nonetheless isn’t enjoying due to a hamstring damage, and Ja’Marr Chase is forty first within the league in receiving yards (97). Chase acquired heated on the finish of Sunday’s sport after pondering he was on the flawed finish of a hip-drop sort out. On the plus aspect, the award for stat line of the day goes to broad receiver Andrei Iosivas, who had two catches for 7 yards and two touchdowns, together with the toe-tap catch of the day.

Up subsequent: vs. Washington Commanders, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

.@joeyb to @AndreiIosivas for six 🙌

📺: #CINvsKC on CBS/@paramountplus pic.twitter.com/NokwiGTJ4k

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 15, 2024

19. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)

Final week: 28

Monday: Beat Philadelphia Eagles 22-21

That’s what the Falcons pictured once they signed Kirk Cousins to that large contract. Down by six factors to the Eagles with a minute and a half to go, Cousins shortly and effectively moved the Falcons down the sphere and hit Drake London for the profitable landing. The gorgeous upset on “Monday Evening Soccer” provides Atlanta life forward of a go to from the champion Chiefs on Sunday. The working sport, behind Bijan Robinson, was cooking towards Philadelphia, racking up 152 yards on 28 carries and the protection gave Cousins and firm an opportunity.

Up subsequent: vs. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

20. Miami Dolphins (1-1)

Final week: 8

Thursday: Misplaced to Buffalo Payments 31-10

The soccer a part of the Dolphins’ dialogue feels trivial after Tua Tagovailoa suffered one other scary concussion on Thursday evening, however the season does proceed. Miami, which plans to go together with backup Skylar Thompson at quarterback at the very least till there’s extra readability on Tagovailoa’s standing, signed Tyler “Snoop” Huntley off the Ravens follow squad Monday as an alternative choice. Search for a heavy dose of De’Von Achane, who had 96 dashing yards and 69 receiving yards towards the Payments, so long as he’s wholesome.

Up subsequent: at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

21. New England Patriots (1-1)

Final week: 15

Sunday: Misplaced to Seattle Seahawks 23-20

Antonio Gibson popped again up on the NFL’s radar with 96 yards on 11 carries. That’s the excellent news. The dangerous information is New England’s broad receivers mixed for 3 catches for 19 yards (two catches and 12 yards for rookie Ja’Lynn Polk and one catch and seven yards for Ok.J. Osborn). Till the Patriots discover some go catchers, possibly it’s finest to go away rookie quarterback Drake Maye on the bench.

Up subsequent: at New York Jets, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

22. Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)

Final week: 24

Sunday: Beat Baltimore Ravens 26-23

Davante Adams had 86 receiving yards within the fourth quarter and rookie tight finish Brock Bowers added 31 because the Raiders erased a 10-point deficit. Bowers completed with 9 catches for 98 yards general, and he’s now the primary tight finish in NFL historical past with at the very least 5 catches and 50 yards in his first two video games. Price watching: Move rusher Maxx Crosby nonetheless hasn’t missed a defensive snap. He’s tied for fourth within the league with 5 quarterback hits.

Up subsequent: vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

23. Chicago Bears (1-1)

Final week: 16

Sunday: Misplaced to Houston Texans 19-13

Individuals are beginning to fear about No. 1 choose Caleb Williams, proper? Particularly his household. The Texans sacked Williams seven occasions Sunday and hit him 11 extra occasions. It made his debut final week (two sacks and 4 hits towards the Titans) really feel like a trip. Williams’ 53 passer ranking (thirtieth within the NFL) isn’t as large a priority as his well being going ahead behind this offensive line. The Panthers are the one staff with fewer yards than the Bears’ 353 by two weeks.

Up subsequent: at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

24. Indianapolis Colts (0-2)

Final week: 18

Sunday: Misplaced to Inexperienced Bay Packers 20-16

Perhaps the Anthony Richardson-for-MVP discuss can take every week off now. The Colts’ second-year quarterback, who entered the season with unrealistic expectations, had a passer ranking of 41.8 Sunday thanks to a few interceptions and a 50 p.c completion share. Jonathan Taylor had 103 yards on the bottom. The Colts averaged extra yards per play than the Packers (6.4 to five.7), however they had been 2-for-7 on third down. (And all these interceptions.) Indianapolis has given up 473 dashing yards in two video games.

Up subsequent: vs. Chicago Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

25. Cleveland Browns (1-1)

Final week: 32

Sunday: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars 18-13

The Browns gained regardless of 13 penalties. They now “lead” the league with 24 penalties and have misplaced extra anticipated factors to penalties (5.88) than anybody within the league. Fortunately, they had been enjoying the Jaguars on Sunday. Deshaun Watson’s 4.5 yards per try rank thirtieth within the league, and he has twice as many interceptions (two) as passing touchdowns (one).

Up subsequent: vs. New York Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

26. Los Angeles Rams (0-2)

Final week: 19

Sunday: Misplaced to Arizona Cardinals 41-10

It’s a testomony to the reverence Sean McVay instructions across the league that just about everybody thought the Rams would preserve rolling with a battered offensive line and no Puka Nacua. Actuality hit Sunday in Arizona and now Cooper Kupp will miss “an prolonged time frame” with an ankle damage. The Rams have the second-worst level differential within the league after two weeks (minus-37). The Rams had been 2-for-11 on third down, rushed for 53 yards and so they need to play the 49ers and Packers within the subsequent three weeks.

Up subsequent: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)

Final week: 22

Sunday: Misplaced to Cleveland Browns 18-13

The Jaguars have misplaced seven of their final eight video games. The one staff they’ve crushed in that stretch is Carolina. That is how dangerous it’s gotten: Trevor Lawrence went to the postgame interview podium and mentioned, “We suck proper now.” And the staff’s official website posted the clip on social media. Lawrence shouldn’t be flawed, however nonetheless. His completion share (51) ranks thirtieth within the league and Jacksonville’s 1.43 factors per drive ranks twenty fifth.

Up subsequent: at Buffalo Payments, Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET

“We gotta determine it out.” pic.twitter.com/xspO437KJW

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 15, 2024

28. Tennessee Titans (0-2)

Final week: 26

Sunday: Misplaced to New York Jets 24-17

First-year head coach Brian Callahan had the sideline clip of the day when he was caught asking quarterback Will Levis, “What the (heck) are you doing?” Callahan admitted it after the sport and added, “It’s dumb … he’s a grownup and he is aware of higher.” Titans followers get Callahan’s level. Levis has made two confounding, game-losing errors in two weeks. Sunday, it was fumbling within the pink zone whereas attempting to throw a backward go whereas hovering within the air fully horizontally.

Up subsequent: vs. Inexperienced Bay Packers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

29. Washington Commanders (1-1)

Final week: 29

Sunday: Beat New York Giants 21-18

Austin Seibert, a fifth-round choose by the Browns in 2019, had tried 4 NFL subject targets within the final two seasons earlier than Sunday. He was sitting at residence final week earlier than the Commanders reduce kicker Cade York after a shaky Week 1 and signed Seibert. Sunday, Seibert set the franchise file with seven subject targets on seven makes an attempt. The Commanders had eight possessions. Seven ended with subject targets. One was a kneel-down to finish the primary half.

Up subsequent: at Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

30. Denver Broncos (0-2)

Final week: 27

Sunday: Misplaced to Pittsburgh Steelers 13-6

It’s potential Bo Nix isn’t pretty much as good as Patrick Mahomes it doesn’t matter what Sean Payton thinks. Payton put a number of stress on his rookie quarterback by evaluating him to Mahomes after the draft, and Nix is collapsing below that weight up to now. His passer ranking (51) ranks thirty first within the league and but he has thrown the ball 77 occasions, greater than all however two quarterbacks. Solely the Giants and Panthers have scored fewer factors than Denver (13) this yr.

Up subsequent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

31. New York Giants (0-2)

Final week: 30

Sunday: Misplaced to Washington Commanders 21-18

Malik Nabers (21 years, 49 days) is now the youngest participant in NFL historical past with at the very least 10 catches, 100 yards and a landing in a sport. He was focused on 18 of New York’s 28 passing makes an attempt and completed with 10 catches for 127 yards. That’s sufficient of the excellent news. New York turned the second staff in NFL historical past to attain three touchdowns, permit none and lose in regulation, based on NFL Analysis. Issues are bleak for the Giants, who had been bitten Sunday by Brian Daboll’s determination to attempt to play kicker Graham Gano regardless of an damage.

Up subsequent: at Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

32. Carolina Panthers (0-2)

Final week: 31

Sunday: Misplaced to Chargers 26-3

You possibly can’t say we didn’t attempt to preserve Carolina out of the final spot on this record. The Panthers are simply making it inconceivable now. Two video games into the season, Carolina already has a minus-60 level differential. Quarterback Bryce Younger has performed solely 19 NFL video games, and his profession as a starter might already be over. Carolina will likely be turning to veteran backup Andy Dalton beginning now. It’s an comprehensible transfer. Younger was off track on an NFL-worst 19.6 p.c of his passes by two video games, and it wasn’t a lot better when he was throwing it close to his go catchers. His 44.1 passer ranking is the worst within the league.

Up subsequent: at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

(Prime picture: Sam Hodde / Getty Photos)