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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Adam Stites

NFL power rankings: Cowboys fall back to Earth, Dolphins surge

The first three weeks of the 2023 NFL season are in the books.

It was a Week 3 Sunday with a few massive upsets, a couple incredibly lopsided blowouts, the re-emergence of some perennial powers, and the continued backslide of teams that started the season with high hopes.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars fall into that last category after entering the year as a popular pick to be a dark horse Super Bowl contender. Instead of looking like a playoff threat, the Jaguars have been a bumbling mess with self-inflicted errors outweighing their talent.

Meanwhile, other contenders in the AFC — like the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, and Buffalo Bills — are starting to hit their stride.

With three weeks down and 14 to go, here’s how all 32 NFL teams stack up:

1
San Francisco 49ers (3-0)

September 21, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) is congratulated by center Jake Brendel (64) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 30-12 win vs. Giants

2
Miami Dolphins (3-0)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL game from the stands at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Sept. 24, 2023. (Jim Rassol / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 70-20 win vs. Broncos

3
Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)

Sep 14, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) hands the ball off to running back D’Andre Swift (0) against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 25-11 win vs. Buccaneers

4
Kansas City Chiefs (2-1)

Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay (50) celebrates after receiving a fumble against the Chicago Bears during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 41-10 win vs. Bears

5
Buffalo Bills (2-1)

Sep 24, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) runs past Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (25) during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 37-3 win vs. Commanders

6
Cleveland Browns (2-1)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) brings in a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter in Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 27-3 win vs. Titans

7
Detroit Lions (2-1)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown against Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 20-6 win vs. Falcons

8
Dallas Cowboys (2-1)

Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. (Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 28-16 loss vs. Cardinals

9
Seattle Seahawks (2-1)

Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates after converting a two-point conversion against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 37-27 win vs. Panthers

10
Green Bay Packers (2-1)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is pressured by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the first quarter of their game Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 18-17 win vs. Saints

11
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)

Sep 17, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Christian Izien (29) celebrates his interception against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 25-11 loss vs. Eagles

12
New Orleans Saints (2-1)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) scores a touchdown on punt against Green Bay Packers punter Daniel Whelan (19) in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

Week 3 result: 18-17 loss vs. Packers

13
Indianapolis Colts (2-1)

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) and linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) celebrate a second quarter fumble recovery on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. (Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 22-19 win vs. Ravens

14
Baltimore Ravens (2-1)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) crumples to the ground a moment after stepping out of bounds in the end zone to give up a safety against Baltimore, late in the game on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. (Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 22-19 loss vs. Colts

15
Washington Commanders (2-1)

Sep 24, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) drops back to pass against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 37-3 loss vs. Bills

16
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)

Pittsburgh Steelers Diontae Johnson (18) stiff arms Las Vegas Raiders Nate Hobbs (39) during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on December 24, 2022. (Michael Longo / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 23-18 win vs. Raiders

17
Los Angeles Chargers (1-2)

Sep 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Chargers huddle around linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (9) after his interception against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 28-24 win vs. Vikings

18
Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)

Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras (64), Cincinnati Bengals guard Alex Cappa (65) and Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (75) block as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws in the second quarter of a Week 2 NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 19-16 win vs. Rams

19
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)

Houston Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (39) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Houston Texans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 37-17. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Week 3 result: 37-17 loss vs. Texans

20
New England Patriots (1-2)

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws against the New York Jets in the second half. The Jets lose to the Patriots, 15-10, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford. (Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 15-10 win vs. Jets

21
Atlanta Falcons (2-1)

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) tackles Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 20-6 loss vs. Lions

22
Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)

Sep 24, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) warms up before the start of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 23-18 loss vs. Steelers

23
New York Jets (1-2)

New York Jets wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) avoids a tackle by New England Patriots cornerback Myles Bryant (27) in the second half. The Jets lose to the Patriots, 15-10, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford. (Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 15-10 loss vs. Patriots

24
Los Angeles Rams (1-2)

Sep 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay celebrates the touchdown scored by running back Kyren Williams (23) with wide receiver Tutu Atwell (5) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 19-16 loss vs. Bengals

25
Tennessee Titans (1-2)

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball past Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during the third quarter in Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Week 3 result: 27-3 loss vs. Browns

26
Minnesota Vikings (0-3)

Sep 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) runs with the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Los Angeles Chargers quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 28-24 loss vs. Chargers

27
New York Giants (1-2)

Sep 21, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; New York Giants running back Matt Breida (31) runs for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 30-12 loss vs. 49ers

28
Houston Texans (1-2)

Houston Texans fullback Andrew Beck (47) eludes Jacksonville Jaguars place kicker Brandon McManus (10) attempt to tackle him as he returns a kick 85 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Sunday, September 24, 2023. The Jaguars trailed 17 to 0 at the end of the first half and lost with a final score of 37-17. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
Week 3 result: 37-17 win vs. Jaguars

29
Arizona Cardinals (1-2)

Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White (7) intercepts a Dallas Cowboys pass in the end zone in the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

Week 3 result: 28-16 win vs. Cowboys

30
Carolina Panthers (0-3)

Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (6) stiff-arms away from a tackle attempt by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 37-27 loss vs. Seahawks

31
Chicago Bears (0-3)

Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs the ball against Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) and linebacker Leo Chenal (54) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 41-10 loss vs. Chiefs

32
Denver Broncos (0-3)

Sep 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19) runs a kick back for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3 result: 70-20 loss vs. Dolphins

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