Week 3 was desperation week around the NFL. Several teams struggling to win found some life in either victory or defeat. In other cases, good beat good and bad beat up worse.
The Eagles rallied to keep their top spot, but the rising NFC powerhouse pushing them took a bit right behind them. Everything got a little tighter around the league to bring teams back to the pack or further dropping them out.
Here's the latest look at the league hierarchy from 1-32, from still the best to still the worst:
MORE: Russell Wilson struggles vs. Chiefs as Jaxson Dart looms
NFL Power Rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles 3-0 (previous ranking: 1)
The Eagles were revved up to get their passing game going against the Rams with a big hole as their defense irons out some familiar early issues. But Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown had the running game's back with big plays at the right times.
IYER: Hurts, Brown silence critics of Eagles' offense again
2. Buffalo Bills 3-0 (3)
The Bills didn't sweat the Dolphins much with James Cook living up to his new contract to help keep things rolling with Josh Allen. They have been methodical so far since the Week 1 epic comeback and get another such chance vs. the Saints at home.
3. San Francisco 49ers 3-0 (4)
The 49ers have gotten a pair of gutsy performances from Mac Jones to keep up enough offensive positive vibes despite injuries to and around the QB. Don't forget about just how much Robert Saleh has improved the defense despite a lot of change, now with Nick Bosa ailing again.
4. Los Angeles Chargers 3-0 (6)
The Chargers are a complete, balanced team with all the mental and physical toughness working at a high level for Jim Harbaugh. Between Harbaugh, (Justin) Herbert and (Omarion) Hampton, their H on offense also stands for heart.
5. Los Angeles Rams 2-1 (7)
The Rams were game to challenge the Eagles as their dynamic receiving duo of Davante Adams and Puka Nacua were up to the task for a worthy Matthew Stafford duel. But they also lived and died too much on field goals vs. TDs.
6. Green Bay Packers 2-1 (2)
What was that? The Packers didn't find enough offense to beat the lowly Browns, causing some concerns about Jordan Love after his good start. He has chance to get well vs. the Cowboys in Week 4.
MORE: Browns beat Packers, burn plenty in NFL survivor pools
7. Washington Commanders 2-1 (9)
The Commanders proved how strong their offensive system under Kliff Kingsbury is to keep up the mojo with Marcus Mariota needing to fill in for Jayden Daniels. The defense flexing vs. the run is also nice.
8. Baltimore Ravens 1-1 (5)
The Ravens' offense has been just fine out of the gate for Lamar Jackson, either with plenty of effective Derrick Henry or not much at all from him. They will need to find more defensive answers for the Lions on Monday night.
9. Detroit Lions 1-1 (8)
The Lions found their offensive roar after being defanged in Green Bay with no issues rolling up big plays on the Bears. Jared Goff playing well on the road to beat Baltimore would be an even bigger confidence builder.
10. Kansas City Chiefs 1-2 (10)
The Chiefs had to go back to some offensive basics with Patrick Mahomes and needed to take advantage of the weaker Giants on defense, too. The get-well game came just in time ahead of hosting the Ravens.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-0 (12)
The Buccaneers knew that getting to 3-0 wouldn't be easy after their previous failed attempts at 2-0. But when they have Baker Mayfield staying calm during fourth-quarter clutch time, it takes plenty of the load off.
12. Indianapolis Colts 3-0 (14)
The Colts have become a well-oiled offensive machine in the image of Shane Steichen thanks to Daniel Jones stabilizing the attack and Jonathan Taylor back to his old dominant rushing tricks at running back. Indianapolis is for real as the new strong favorite in the AFC South.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
12. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-1 (16)
The Steelers are still grinding a bit more than expected with Aaron Rodgers at the controls of a talented young offense but the big part of the Patriots win was getting a few defensive fixes around T.J. Watt.
13. Minnesota Vikings 2-1 (17)
The Vikings can be unstoppable when they are swarming defensively and getting sacks and takeaways at a high rate for Brian Flores. Carson Wentz also got a nice break with Jordan Mason and the big running game.
MORE: Wentz's play impresses in rout of Bengals
14. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-1 (18)
The Jaguars are feeling good about being more put-together with Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne being that ol' Clemson 1-2 punch and now the young talent on defense is starting to come through. They are trying to make the division a two-team race with ... the Colts.
15. Cincinnati Bengals 2-1 (11)
The Bengals were not prepared for the buzzsaw in Minnesota, especially with Jake Browning locked in more to Vikings defensive back Isiah Rodgers than his own elite highly paid receivers, Ja'Marr Chase (who also fumbled) and Tee Higgins. Cincinnati might need to make a change, to save anything minus Joe Burrow, because the offensive dysfunction cannot continue.
17. Arizona Cardinals 2-1 (13)
The Cardinals have been playing good defense but questions still linger about how much they can do in a limited offense for Kyler Murray. Now it will be tougher without their best bread-and-butter, James Conner.
MORE: Conner ankle injury update
18. Seattle Seahawks 2-1 (22)
The Seahawks got a major walkover as Klint Kubiak had a fun time coordinating against his former team, the Saints, at home. Sam Darnold has been a solid QB far to give them a chance in most games when the defense is playing well.
19. Denver Broncos 1-2 (15)
The Broncos are working through some kinks with Bo Nix sophomore slumping, going up and down with his receivers. The defense has a lot of unexpected holes after dominating at times last season. Denver doesn't look like a team built to return to the playoffs at all.
20. Chicago Bears 1-2 (25)
The Bears saw the real Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson offense at the same time in a get-right game against the Cowboys' toothless defense. Now the trick is consistency and the defense sticking with steady support.
MORE: Inside Caleb Williams' big breakout game vs. Dallas
21. Carolina Panthers 1-2 (30)
The Panthers are on the board in a big way for 2025 after looking listless at the Jaguars and just falling short at the Cardinals. Carolina pitched an unlikely shutout vs. Atlanta, 30-0, because of modest offense and defense that didn't have such playmaking capacity last season. The win can be a huge turn-the-corner moment.
22. Dallas Cowboys 1-2 (20)
The Cowboys' defense has been ripped to shreds, falling harder even more than expected without Micah Parsons vs. pass and run. It will be tough for the offense to compensate unless it gets solid production from CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
MORE: CeeDee Lamb going lame dooms Cowboys vs. Bears
23. Las Vegas Raiders 1-2 (19)
The Raiders are dealing with some declining defense outside of Maxx Crosby and the offensive line has been awful for Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly. They are quickly falling out of contention in the AFC West.
24. Atlanta Falcons 1-2 (21)
The Falcons won with defense at Minnesota in Week 2. That's good, because Michael Penix Jr. is having major issues in his sophomore season and the receivers haven't helped much either. Atlanta is headed toward disappointment in a division it can clearly win.
MORE: Why Penix was benched for Kirk Cousins vs. Panthers
25. New England Patriots 1-2 (23)
The Patriots should like some of the plays Drake Maye has made, but the young offense as a whole is being plagued by mental mistakes under Josh McDaniels. However, the defense with Mike Vrabel is getting better quickly.
26. Cleveland Browns 1-2 (31)
The Browns' defense has been competitive over the first three games of the season against the Bengals, Ravens and Packers. Myles Garrett had his group's efforts pay off, even without much of anything from Joe Flacco and the offense, which had to feel great.
27. Houston Texans 0-3 (24)
The Texans' offense is really down to just Nico Collins with the offensive line woes, no running game and C.J. Stroud's turnovers in the new scheme. It has wasted three strong efforts from DeMeco Ryans' defense.
28. New York Jets 0-3 (26)
The Jets showed a lot more fight for Aaron Glenn but the defensive results continue to be disastrous, continuing the wrong disappointing direction. Stay tuned for a lot more growing pains, regardless of who's quarterbacking on the other side.
29. New York Giants 0-3 (27)
The Giants are trying to delay playing Jaxson Dart as much as they can during his rookie season, but unfortunately, their defense and lack of running game are pushing them toward being out of contention and they likely need the spark the first-round QB might provide.
30. Tennessee Titans 0-3 (29)
The Titans are doing their best to hang in offensively while Cam Ward goes through his growing pains but that can't help much in the way of wins with the run defense falling apart every week.
31. New Orleans Saints 0-3 (28)
The Saints took their long trip to Seattle and felt like Marshawn Lynch was thundering through them in the playoffs again. Spencer Rattler can't be blamed for their dysfunctional defense.
32. Miami Dolphins 0-3 (32)
The Dolphins found a little more offensive pop around Tua Tagovailoa but what he produces isn't good enough to make up for major defensive deficiencies, which will keep showing up even vs. lesser offenses.