This story was originally published by Dead Spin
It’s hard to believe that we’re almost three weeks into the NFL season.
While it’s hard to predict which teams are contenders and which teams are pretenders, we have a good grasp on which teams stack up where. We’re almost to the point of the year where the leaves start changing colors, pumpkin spice is everywhere, and two Monday Night Football games bless us every week.
With the Philadelphia Eagles falling out of the top 5 after being upset by the Atlanta Falcons, let’s hop into the top five teams entering Week 3.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is hit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images The Buccaneers spoiled survivor pools across the country by traveling up to Detroit and handing the Lions their first loss of the season.
This offseason, the Bucs committed to Baker Mayfield and returned much of their team from last year. It feels like Mayfield has matured on the field, and the game has slowed down for him.
In the 20-16 victory, Chris Godwin put up 117 receiving yards and scored a touchdown. He’s 28. Mike Evans is 31. But 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)
Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) carries the ball against New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (obscured right) during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images The 49ers will always be a formidable regular season team under Kyle Shanahan, but they’re being tested with some major adversity after an offseason of distractions.
Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk are back in action for the Niners, but they’re now expected to be without Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel for an extended period of time.
This will be a good test for the ongoing evaluation of quarterback Brock Purdy. If he can rise to the occasion without two of the best weapons in the game, he’s going to be worthy of a passive pay increase this offseason.
The good news for San Francisco? They play the Los Angeles Rams up next without Puka Nacua or Cooper Kupp. Then, they have the rebuilding New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium.
3. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Sep 8, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leaps for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images It felt like everyone got their jabs in on the Bills throughout the entire offseason.
They were mostly idle outside of losing Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. Then, Buffalo controversially traded back in the draft, allowing the Kansas City Chiefs to select Xavier Worthy while they snagged Keon Coleman.
But at 2-0, it’s hard to poke fun at the Bills right now. They’ve put up 30 points in both games this season, and the defense looks competent. Buffalo could send the Jacksonville Jaguars to 0-3 on Monday Night Football this week.
2. Houston Texans (2-0)
Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) scores a touchdown catch against Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (1) in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images It looks like that sophomore slump for Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud won’t be happening any time soon, and the Carolina Panthers have to be kicking themselves for not making him the No. 1 overall pick.
The Texans are averaging 219 passing yards throughout the first two weeks, and their offense is at its best when they run the football. Joe Mixon’s availability could come into question due to an injury, but Dameon Pierce is a serviceable backup.
In Stroud’s second NFL season, Houston looks the part.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)
To no surprise, the Chiefs remain the NFL’s best team.
What’s crazy? They have not gotten much out of Travis Kelce yet. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is out for the season. It doesn’t matter. Patrick Mahomes just consistently finds a way to impress.
The Chiefs had their way with the AFC North in the first two games of the season, defeating the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. Expect that trend to continue as they travel to Atlanta to duel the Falcons on Sunday Night Football.
