Los Angeles Rams

2016 NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Los Angeles Rams Win Against Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:19 p.m. ET

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Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) is congratulated by quarterback Case Keenum (17) after he scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

After a second-straight win, see where the Los Angeles Rams sit in the 2016 NFL Power Rankings for Week 4.

For the second-straight week, the Los Angeles Rams are climbing up the list of the 2016 NFL Power Rankings for Week 4.

Despite their 1-1 record, there was plenty of pressure on the Rams heading into their third game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they were the only team in football that had yet to score a touchdown. Luckily, Los Angeles wasted little time finding the end zone after Case Keenum threw a sharp 44-yard touchdown pass to Brian Quick on the opening drive of the game.

Thanks to their Week 2 win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams head into Week 4 sitting in first place in the NFC West, but they still have a long way to go. With teams like the Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals, the division battle will most likely be determined over the final few weeks of the regular season.

The good thing is, Los Angeles is proving early on they deserve to be in consideration.

The defense may have struggled at times against the Buccaneers, but the Rams have to be thrilled with the way they played on offense when considering all of the struggles from the previous two weeks. With a 2-1 record after three games, take a look at where Los Angeles currently sits along with the rest of teams in the 2016 NFL Power Rankings for Week 4.

Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler (6) attempts a pass in the game against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

32. Cleveland Browns 0-3 (32)

Every time it looks like the Cleveland Browns are going to earn their first win of the season, they find a way to blow it at the end of the game.

This time, it was Cody Parkey who ruined the team’s chances of earning their first win after the kicker missed what would have been the game-winning field goal in regulation. It’s tough to feel bad for kickers when considering their only job is to kick the football, and Parkey has to be disappointed in himself for failing when his team needed him the most.

After Parkey’s missed field goal, Cleveland would go on to lose to the Miami Dolphins in overtime to drop their record to 0-3 on the season. To top it off, this is the second-straight week where the Browns found themselves losing by double digits, and sadly their schedule isn’t going to get easier any time soon.

When looking at all of the issues at the quarterback position, at least Cleveland has Terrelle Pryor–who caught 8 passes for 144 yards–as a reliable weapon on offense for fans to enjoy. Without Pryor, who knows how boring this Browns’ offense would be to watch each week.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

31. Chicago Bears 0-3 (31)

Did anyone really think the Chicago Bears had a shot against the Dallas Cowboys while playing in the national spotlight? It sounds bad, but the Bears were no match for the Cowboys from a talent perspective, and it wasn’t even close.

If these last two weeks are any sign of what’s in store, 2016 is going to turn into a long season for the Bears as this team just looks beat up on both sides of the football. Brian Hoyer can do anything he wants at quarterback, but the truth is he doesn’t even seem worthy of being an NFL quarterback.

With the amount of weapons, like Alshon Jeffery, in the passing game, Hoyer should have no problem with getting things clicking on offense if he was really that good of a quarterback. Even if it’s still early in the season, chances are Chicago isn’t going to win many games this season as this team can’t even find success when playing at home.

For all the Bears fans dreading what the rest of this season is going to be like, at least the Chicago Cubs are playing amazing baseball at the right time as they’ll give the city something else to cheer about since football isn’t cutting it this year.

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) talks with a teammate during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco, 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

30. San Francisco 49ers 1-2 (29)

The San Francisco 49ers fooled everyone with their Week 2 performance against the Carolina Panthers by struggling to compete with the Seattle Seahawks.

Don’t be fooled by the box score as the Seahawks absolutely dominated the 49ers in this one. They may have finished the game with 18 points, but the two touchdowns scored by Carlos Hyde didn’t even come until the fourth quarter when this game was basically over.

If San Francisco is going to have any shot at competing in 2016, Blaine Gabbert is going to need to find a way to be more consistent on offense. The former first-round pick only completed 14 of 25 passes for 119 yards with an interception against the Seahawks, and it’s clear the 49ers are hurting in the wide receiver department.

Unless someone steps up in the passing game, Gabbert could be in for a long season, but the quarterback does deserve the benefit of the doubt when considering the defenses he’s already faced include the Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Rams.

In other words, most quarterbacks would struggle when looking at what Gabbert’s dealt with at the beginning of the season and it’s certainly not going to get any easier with a tough schedule over the next few weeks.

Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton looks on during the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

29. New Orleans Saints 0-2 (30) (Play Monday Night)

The New Orleans Saints may be 0-2 on the season, but it should be noted their losses happen to come by a combined four points as this team looks to earn their first win against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football.

In what could be quite the offensive showdown, Drew Brees realizes the significance of this game as the veteran quarterback will do everything in his power to help the offense find the end zone as much as possible against the Falcons. Even if it is only the first month of the young season, the argument can be made this is a must-win situation for New Orleans as the team can’t afford to be winless heading into October.

Lucky for Brees, the Saints have two wide receivers on the rise in Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead to make things easier in the passing game. If Brees can get these two wideouts playing like they did opening weekend against the Oakland Raiders, this team will have a much better shot at picking up that first win on Monday.

If not, well let’s just say that it wouldn’t be a surprise if that coaching seat is going to get a little hotter for Sean Payton.

Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) reacts after a play in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at EverBank Field. Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

28. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-3 (28)

What happens when the Jacksonville Jaguars have higher expectations than normal at the beginning of the season? Well, based off the first few games, the Jaguars go on to disappoint, that’s what.

Once again, the Jaguars found themselves in position to win a game, only to fall short and come up on the losing end as displayed against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. While the Ravens are undefeated following the first month of the season, the Jaguars missed out on numerous opportunities to put this game away, whether it was a blocked field goal or an interception on the final drive.

When looking at the amount of talent on offense, there’s no reason why Jacksonville should be underperforming this much at the beginning of the season. Most quarterbacks would kill to have the players Blake Bortles has to work with in the passing game, and unless he starts performing better, this could turn into a long season for the Jaguars.

Plus, Gus Bradley‘s job could be on the line if Jacksonville doesn’t turn things around as the head coach is in his fourth year with the team, and has yet to record more than five wins in a single season.

Sep 25, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Anquan Boldin (80) is tackled by Green Bay Packers defensive back Micah Hyde (33) and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) after a short gain in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

27. Detroit Lions 1-2 (24)

After opening weekend, the Detroit Lions appeared to be a team ready to compete in the NFC. While that may still be true, it doesn’t help the Lions have lost back-to-back games by single digits, with their latest coming against the Green Bay Packers.

All hope seemed lost for Detroit when they were trailing Green Bay 31-3 in the second half, but they almost pulled off what would have been an epic comeback after losing 34-27. When taking all of this into consideration, it’s easy to assume the Lions would have won this game with a stronger performance at the beginning of the game.

Instead, Detroit missed out on a golden opportunity to pull off big road win against their division rivals. On a positive note, at least Marvin Jones made fantasy football owners extremely happy with a career day after hauling in six catches for 205 yards with two touchdowns.

Now, the Lions just need to figure out a way to get Jones more consistent on offense. This team was already under the microscope when it came to adjusting to life without Calvin Johnson on offense, but the addition of Jones seems like it’s going to pay off for Detroit.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate (84) is congratulated by quarterback Jameis Winston (3) after he scored a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (23)

One can only imagine the level of frustration behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after coming up on the losing end to the Los Angeles Rams, despite scoring 32 points.

With a better performance by the defense, chances are the Buccaneers would have come up on the winning end in this one as the Rams–who failed to score a touchdown in the first two games–finally got clicking on offense. After a solid performance opening weekend against the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay seemed to be a team on the rise in the NFC before going on to lose their next two games.

Clearly, this is a team with a few areas in need of improvement, but the one thing that sticks out the most is the costly mistakes by Jameis Winston. One week after recording five turnovers against the Arizona Cardinals, Winston’s had two more turnovers against the Rams–one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Tampa Bay was even in position to win at the end of the game before Winston fell short of scoring a touchdown to win the game. Hopefully, Winston can figure out a way to cut back on the turnovers over the next few games to help the Buccaneers turn things around.

Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) celebrates his game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Cleveland Browns at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

25. Miami Dolphins 1-2 (26)

After losing each of their first two games by single digits, the Miami Dolphins knew they couldn’t afford a Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns. As bad as it sounds, the Dolphins should consider themselves lucky for pulling off this win when considering the game should have never gone to overtime in the first place.

Still, Miami will take a win in any way they can get it, and this team realizes the last thing they could afford was head into Week 4 winless. While Jay Ajayi came up big with the game-winning touchdown in overtime, it was Jarvis Landry who stood out the most in the passing game for Dolphins after catching seven passes for 120 yards with a touchdown.

Landry has been the type of player that seems to get better each year in the league, and even though it’s only been three games, that appears to be the case once again in 2016. If Miami is going to have any shot at competing in the AFC, they’re going to need everything they can get from Landry in the passing game.

Plus, with all of the heat Ryan Tannehill takes at quarterback, it’s nice for him to have a reliable weapon like Landry.

Sep 25, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws the ball against the Oakland Raiders at Nissan Stadium. The Raiders won 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

24. Tennessee Titans 1-2 (20)

When taking a closer look at the three games played by the Tennessee Titans so far, it’s crazy to think how this team could easily be 3-0 heading into Week 4. With that being said, there’s a reason why the Titans aren’t in that position at the moment, and one of the main reasons why that’s the case is due to Marcus Mariota.

It’s going to be tough for Tennessee to win football games if Mariota is turning the ball over as much as he did on Sunday after the second-year quarterback threw two interceptions to go along with one lost fumble against the Oakland Raiders. While there were numerous things that could have gone differently for the Titans in this one, the quarterback is the one that takes most of the heat in these situations, and the team simply needs more out of their quarterback.

Even on opening weekend, Tennessee found themselves in position to win against the Minnesota Vikings as two defensive touchdowns by Mike Zimmer‘s squad ended up being the difference maker. The Titans did an amazing job by providing Mariota with better offensive weapons, but now the pressure is on the former first-round pick to cut back on the turnovers.

Other wise, Mariota’s sophomore season is going to turn into a long and frustrating one.

Sep 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) yells out instructions during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

23. San Diego Chargers 1-2 (19)

Speaking of teams frustrated over losing games they easily could have won, the San Diego Chargers have every reason to be frustrated over their Week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

After overcoming an early 10-0 deficit, the Chargers rallied to tie the game at halftime before taking an early lead in the second half. Even in the final two minutes, San Diego seemed to be heading towards their second victory of the season until T.Y. Hilton broke loose for what ended up being the game-winning touchdown on a 63-yard catch.

This already marks the second time in three weeks the Chargers have blown a lead late in the game, and to top it off, the team seems to be dropping like flies when it comes to devastating injuries. The injury bug haunted this team throughout the 2015 season on both sides of the football and the last thing San Diego wants to see happen is a repeat this year.

Of course, as frustrating as all of this has been so far this season, the important factor is Philip Rivers is healthy at quarterback, and he’ll always make this team an AFC contender as long as he’s lined up under center.

Sep 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Mike Adams (29) celebrates a fumble recovery against the San Diego Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats San Diego 26-22. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

22. Indianapolis Colts 1-2 (22)

Unlike their opponent, the Colts entered Week 3 facing a must-win situation to avoid an 0-3 start to the season. One of the main reasons why Indianapolis failed to make the playoffs in 2015 was due to an unhealthy Andrew Luck, and now that the quarterback is healthy, the team was hoping to take back the AFC South from the Houston Texans.

Instead, the start of the 2016 season has gotten off to a rough start for the Cols after back-to-back losses to the Lions and Denver Broncos. But Sunday’s win over the Chargers was hopefully just what this team needed to finally get the ball rolling.

As much as Luck’s health is going to play a key role in this team’s success moving forward, the true test will come down to how effective the defense can be. Luck can put up as many points as he wants on offense, but it’s not going to be as meaningful if the defense is giving up just as many, if not more.

Hopefully, this is a sign of the Colts turning their season around after a shaky start. With the Texans falling to the New England Patriots, the division is still wide open for the Colts to swoop in.

Sep 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (81) is unable to catch this pass while defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

21. New York Jets 1-2 (15)

Why on earth didn’t the New York Jets replace Ryan Fitzpatrick during Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs? It’s one thing for a quarterback to struggle while recording a few turnovers, but Fitzpatrick throwing six interceptions in one contest is nothing short of embarrassing.

For a quarterback that held out for part of the offseason to protest a long-term deal, the Jets have to happy with not giving in to their quarterback’s demands. With one of the league’s top duos at wide receiver in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, there’s no excuse for Fitzpatrick to be this much of a disappointment.

New York fell just short of reaching the playoffs in 2016, and this team looks like anything but a contender so far this season. The addition of Matt Forte was supposed to take this offense to a whole new level, but if the Jets can’t even get decent performances out of Fitzpatrick, this year is going to end up being another disappointment.

Fitzpatrick better get his act together soon, or fans are going to be calling for his benching sooner rather than later. This Jets team is way too talented to perform on the low level like they did against the Chiefs on Sunday, and everyone knows it.

Sep 25, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs for a touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

20. Buffalo Bills 1-2 (27)

With the way things have been for the Buffalo Bills since their Week 2 loss to the Jets, who expected this result on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals?

After all of the criticism surrounding the team following the surprise firing of former offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Bills’ offense wasted no time attacking the defense of the Cardinals as they went on to win the game 33-18. When comparing the two teams, Buffalo was expected to struggle against an Arizona team many considered to be one of the favorites in the NFC at the beginning of the season.

Instead, the Bills turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of Week 3, and will hopefully carry that momentum over next weekend for a tough matchup against the New England Patriots.

LeSean McCoy led the way for Buffalo against Arizona after finding the end zone twice while rushing for 110 yards on 17 carries. This type of success in the ground game is one of the main reasons why Rex Ryan wanted to bring McCoy to the Bills in the first place, and the running back appears to be one of the lone highlights of the offense at the moment.

Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) calls a play against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

19. Atlanta Falcons 1-1 (17) (Play Monday Night)

The Atlanta Falcons are flying high following a big road win agains the Oakland Raiders in Week 2, and the team faces an even tougher challenge on Monday night as they take on their division rivals in the national spotlight.

Football fans always enjoy watching the matchup between the Falcons and Saints as these two teams always seem to put on an epic showdown. Not to mention both teams realize the unexpected opportunity to rise up in the NFC South thanks to the Carolina Panthers losing two of three games to start off the season.

New Orleans is never an easy place to play in, but Matt Ryan and company seem ready for the challenge. The addition of Mohamed Sanu is already turning out to be one of the most underrated moves of the offseason as the wideout makes a solid addition alongside Julio Jones.

With weapons like these in the passing game, Ryan will look to take advantage of a Saints’ defense that’s never been anything to brag about over the years, but the true factor will be whether the Falcons’ defense can contain Brees.

If they can manage to do that, there’s a good chance Atlanta will improve to 2-1, and all of a sudden be in the driver’s seat of the NFC South.

Sep 25, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws a pass under pressure by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) during the second half at New Era Field. Bills beat the Cardinals 31-18. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

18. Arizona Cardinals 1-2 (8)

The concerns from the preseason with the Arizona Cardinals have carried over to the regular season as the Bruce Arians and his team fell to 1-2 on the season following a surprising road loss to the Bills.

At the beginning of the week, this seemed like the perfect trap game for the Cardinals to get caught up in when considering Buffalo was coming off of back-to-back losses of six points. On paper, Arizona was supposed to have one of the top overall teams in the league, but they haven’t even come close to looking like a Super Bowl contender over the first month of the season.

Carson Palmer is supposed to be the leader of this team, and watching the quarterback throw four interceptions against the Bills is the perfect example of how disappointing this team has been. If anything, with all of the talent in the passing game, Palmer should be throwing four touchdowns instead of interceptions against Buffalo.

For whatever reason, this Cardinals team has looked flat-out awful since their loss to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship. A veteran quarterback like Palmer only has a little time left when it comes to playing in the NFL, and as bad as it sounds, he needs to realize this year could be his best shot at finally winning a title.

Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins kicker Dustin Hopkins (3) reacts after kicking the game-winning field goal against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

17. Washington Redskins 1-2 (21)

Minus the poor clock management at the end of the first half, Kirk Cousins deserves plenty of credit for helping the Washington Redskins earn a huge first win of the season on the road against the New York Giants.

After two tough losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys, the last thing the Redskins could afford was to suffer another loss this early in the season–especially against a division rival. WIth the way the NFC East is shaping out, Washington is going to need all of the wins they can get if they have any intention of defending their division title in 2016.

Cousins has been under fire over the last week for the way he performed at the beginning of the season as the quarterback has experienced trouble with turnovers in the red zone. After completing 21 of 35 passes for 296 yards with two touchdowns against the Giants, this is what the Redskins expect from a quarterback like Cousins on a weekly basis, and it’s up to him to carry the momentum over heading into Week 4.

At the moment, Washington appears to be the winner for not giving into the contract demands of Cousins during the offseason. While a deal could happen down the road, it’s clear Cousins still has plenty to prove when it comes to earning that type of long-term money in this league.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) is congratulated by quarterback Case Keenum (17) and wide receiver Mike Thomas (13) after he scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

16. Los Angeles Rams 2-1 (25)

Despite their 1-1 record, the Los Angeles Rams entered Week 3 as the only team in the NFL without a single touchdown in the 2016 season. After scoring five touchdowns against the Buccaneers, it’s safe to say the lack of end zone trips is no longer an issue for the Rams.

Not only did Todd Gurley finally get going in the ground game by finding the end zone twice while recording 85 rushing yards on 27 carries, but Los Angeles was pleased to see their $42 million investment in Tavon Austin start to pay off after the wideout caught five passes for 82 yards, including a key 43-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.

The defense had some issues after allowing Tampa Bay to score 32 points, but the important factor from this game was the strong performance by the offense. Assuming the defense returns to the dominant level from Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, they will be just fine in the long run.

When considering the Rams’ offense came into this game averaging just 4.5 points per game, it was a huge relief to see this breakout game, and now the focus should be on finding a way to stay consistent each week.

Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talks with New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) and New York Giants corner back Janoris Jenkins (20) during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

15. New York Giants 2-1 (14)

Each game for the New York Giants in the 2016 season has gone down to the fourth quarter and Sunday’s matchup against the Redskins wasn’t any different. The only difference this time around is the Giants came up on the losing end for the first time this year.

Sadly, this was a game the Giants appeared to be in control of before letting the Redskins slowly get back into it. To top it off, Eli Manning found himself in the position to lead New York on another game-winning drive before throwing an interception that sealed the deal for Washington.

The one positive to take away from the loss for the Giants is the team found themselves in a similar position over the first two weeks, but managed to come up on the winning end. New York could easily be sitting at 0-3 heading into Week 4, but with only one loss on the season, they seem to have just as good of a shot to win the NFC East as the other teams.

With that being said, the one thing that needs to be addressed his how Odell Beckham Jr. continues to let his emotions get the best of him when things don’t go the Giants way. The wideout made a fool of himself on Sunday when his helmet slam resulted in a net falling on his face.

As entertaining as that was for everyone else, this is something New York can do without for the rest of the season.

Sep 25, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Oakland Raiders players Clive Walford (88), Kelechi Osemele (70), Derek Carr (4), Gabe Jackson (66) and Latavius Murray (28) celebrate after defeating the Tennessee Titans 17-10 at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

14. Oakland Raiders 2-1 (18)

Even if it wasn’t the prettiest of wins, coming up with a victory on the road is never easy, and the Oakland Raiders may finally have something to be excited about if they continue playing this well.

It’s a been long time since Raiders fans have had a talented enough team to compete for the postseason, but all signs point to 2016 being the year where the Raiders are on the rise. At the beginning of the season, Oakland was considered one of the sleeper teams to keep an eye on in the AFC, and with two impressive road wins already, this team is slowly emerging as a contender.

After an impressive sophomore season in which he threw for 3,987 yards with 32 touchdowns, Derek Carr has done an amazing job with running the Raiders’ offense so far this year, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise when considering the weapons he has at wide receiver. Michael Crabtree (eight catches for 102 yards against the Titans) has wasted no time being a big part of the passing game in his second season with Oakland, and playing alongside Amari Cooper gives Carr one of the most dangerous duos in the league.

As long as these two wide receivers manage to stay healthy, the Raiders could be a team on the rise over the next few weeks on this list.

Sep 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) runs the ball against the Denver Broncos in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Denver defeated the Cincinnati 29-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

13. Cincinnati Bengals 1-2 (10)

When it comes to making statements against some of the top contenders in the league, the Cincinnati Bengals certainly aren’t doing a good job after the first month of the season.

Sure, it’s never easy to win against the defending Super Bowl champions, but the Bengals came out strong against the Denver Broncos by running down their throats to make the defense tired. Cincinnati is doing everything they can to take the pressure off Andy Dalton throwing too many passes, and one would think two rushing touchdowns by Jeremy Hill against a tough Denver defense would be a difference maker.

Instead, it was the Bengals’ defense that fell apart against the Broncos after allowing Trevor Siemian to have his best game of the year by throwing four touchdowns. With early losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Broncos, it’s difficult not to wonder if the Bengals deserve to be in consideration as one of the teams to beat in the AFC.

Obviously, it’s still way too early in the season to make any assumption, but they’re not even close to making a strong case. For a team that many considered to be one of the top overall, Cincinnati still has plenty to work on over the next few games.

Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) watches the go ahead kick during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank FieldThe Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

12. Baltimore Ravens 3-0 (16)

After all of the injuries and struggles from a year ago, who would have thought the Baltimore Ravens would be off to a 3-0 start this season?

The Ravens may be the most underrated 3-0 team in the league as they’re one of five teams that is still undefeated heading into Week 4. Baltimore is coming off a close one against the Jaguars in which the defense stepped it up at the end to hold on for the victory, but when it comes to the rest of contenders in the league, this team still has a lot to prove.

It’s easy to see one of the main reasons behind Baltimore’s success is a favorable schedule to start the season. In fact, of the three teams the Ravens have defeated so far, the Bills are the only ones with a win so far as the Jaguars and Browns have yet to win a single game.

Don’t worry Ravens fans as the true tests will come over the next few weeks with key matchups against the Raiders, Redskins, and Giants. If Baltimore really wants to make a statement as contenders this year, they can do so by winning two of those games.

Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) makes a pass during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

11. Houston Texans 2-1 (4)

How on earth did the Houston Texans look this bad against the New England Patriots on the national stage? First off, the Texans couldn’t have asked for a better scenario than being able to face the Patriots without Tom Brady as the quarterback continues to serve his suspension.

If anything, Houston’s defense should have been able to take advantage of New England playing with an inexperienced quarterback in Jacoby Brissett, but the rookie made all of the right decisions to help the Patriots improve to 3-0. With a loss like this, it’s hard not to wonder if the Texans have what it takes to battle with the rest of the contenders in the AFC.

The addition of Brock Osweiler was supposed to give Houston the quarterback this team has so desperately needed over the last couple of years, and while he looked impressive over the first two games, it’s the big games like the one against New England that the quarterback needs to come up big in.

With Osweiler failing to help this offense record a single point, it’s easy to see why the Texans are frustrated over their quarterback that received a huge contract when he left the Denver Broncos in the offseason.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) carries the ball in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

10. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-1 (6)

Nobody could have predicted the Pittsburgh Steelers to lose the way they did against the Philadelphia Eagles when considering the level of talent on offense.

In fact, the Steelers were the team many expected to show the Eagles why they didn’t belong to be in the conversation of contenders. Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan for Pittsburgh as Philadelphia’s defense made this team uncomfortable for the entire game.

Expectations were high for the Steelers’ offense at the beginning of the season as they seemed to be talented enough to set numerous records, and while that may likely still happen, this Week 3 performance proves they are capable of struggling when going up against a talented enough defense.

While this game turned out to be a major surprise, there’s no reason for Pittsburgh to hit the panic button. This team is way too talented to worry about falling apart, and if anything, it will just motivate the Steelers even more to perform better over the next few weeks.

On a fantasy football note, at least owners still received a solid outing from Antonio Brown as the wideout recorded 12 catches for 140 yards to give him 24 receptions on the season.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) leaps over Chicago Bears safety Chris Prosinski (31) in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

9. Dallas Cowboys 2-1 (11)

Even if it was against the Chicago Bears, the Dallas Cowboys deserve all of the credit in the world for the way they’ve been playing without Tony Romo.

In the past, the Cowboys have a history of struggling without their beloved quarterback, but things are different this time around thanks to rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. While the former Ohio State running back has wasted no time making an immediate impact in the ground game, Prescott has emerged as one of the biggest rookie surprises as the fourth-round pick has yet to record a turnover over the first three starts.

His numbers may not standout like some of the other top quarterbacks in the league, but Prescott is doing all of the right things for this Cowboys’ offense to help them win games. However, if Prescott continues to play at this high level, it could put Dallas in a tough position once Romo returns to full strength.

As crazy as it sounds, the Cowboys may be better off keeping Romo on the bench and keeping Prescott in the lineup. But that’s a topic for discussion when the time comes in a few weeks, and Romo proves he’s healthy enough to go.

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael (32) picks himself up off the field after getting tackled in the third quarter in a game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

8. Seattle Seahawks 2-1 (9)

After a surprise loss to the Rams in Week 2 in which they only scored nine points, everybody knew the Seattle Seahawks would be anxious to come out firing against the 49ers on Sunday. Of course, the main concern moving forward is the health of Russell Wilson.

It’s scary to think the Seahawks could be forced to play Week 4 without their star quarterback, but knowing Russell, he’s going to do everything in his power to make sure he’s on the football field. Plus, when taking a closer look at some of the weapons Seattle’s been working with on offense, it’s safe to say they would be just fine if Wilson needed to sit a game or two.

One of the things that’s stuck out the most for the Seahawks this season has been the impressive play of running back Christine Michael. For a player that bounced around throughout his career, it’s good to see Michael finally live up to the previous expectations as the running back found the end zone twice while recording 106 rushing yards against San Francisco.

He may not be Marshawn Lynch, but Michael is certainly making the adjustment easier for the Seahawks in the ground game.

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) sits on the ground after being sacked for a safety in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

7. Carolina Panthers 1-2 (3)

For a team that has been dominant while playing at home over their last couple of games, the Carolina Panthers couldn’t have predicted things to end up this bad against the Minnesota Vikings.

Everybody knew the Vikings were a defense on the rise last season, but what they did to Cam Newton in Week 3 was completely unexpected as they forced the MVP to throw three interceptions in the Panthers’ loss. For the first time in what seems like forever, Carolina all of a sudden finds themselves out of the driver’s seat in the NFC South after dropping to 1-2 on the season.

As frustrating as this loss is, there’s no reason for the Panthers to worry as they knew this was going to be a very tough defensive matchup with the Vikings. If anything, this could give Carolina a better idea of how to come up with a better game plan if these teams end up meeting in the postseason.

That is of course, the Panthers do end up making the playoffs in January, despite their 1-2 start to the season. Relax Carolina fans, as there’s still plenty of time for this team to turn things around–especially when looking at how the NFC South is panning out so far.

Sep 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Daniel Sorensen (49) is congratulated by cornerback Steven Nelson (20) after intercepting a pass during the second half against the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

6. Kansas City Chiefs 2-1 (12)

There were plenty of doubts surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs after the offense displayed a disappointing performance against the Texans in Week 2. After manhandling the Jets on Sunday, there’s no reason to continue worrying about the Chiefs as this team still deserves to be considered a true threat in the AFC.

While there were numerous things to take away from Sunday’s matchup against the Jets, the one factor that stood out the most is how the defense forced six interceptions by Fitzpatrick. Obviously, it’s going to be rare for Kansas City to display more performances like this one, but this was the perfect confidence booster for a team in need of a bounce-back game.

The Chiefs were considered one of the hottest teams in football towards the end of last season, and if the defense continues to play this well, there’s a good chance they will be in the hunt for the AFC West title. Of course, the main concern that seems to be holding Kansas City back is the lack of production on offense.

Travis Kelce continues to be a reliable target for Alex Smith in the passing game as the tight end already has 17 catches in three games.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) reacts in the fourth quarter after a play late in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Philadelphia Eagles the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-3 at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

5. Philadelphia Eagles 3-0 (13)

How’s that for a statement game from the Philadelphia Eagles?

Nobody was willing to give the Eagles the credit they deserved after two weeks when considering their wins came against the Browns and Bears. After destroying the Steelers in a 31-point win, it’s safe to say nobody doubts Philadelphia’s talent anymore, and even though they still have a long way to go, it’s time to start labeling this team as serious contenders.

Carson Wentz has exceeded all expectations in three games, and it’s amazing to think at this time one month ago, the original plan was to have the rookie sit during the 2016 season. It may only be three games, but Wentz is already drawing early comparisons to some of the all-time greats lke Peyton Manning and Brett Favre.

If he continues to play at this high level, Wentz is quickly going to become the most beloved athlete in Philadelphia.

There’s no question Sunday’s win against the Steelers was a huge statement, but most of the credit deserves to go to the Eagles’ defense. Holding Pittsburgh to just three points seemed unheard of prior to Sunday, and this Philadelphia team is loaded with confidence right now after that big win.

Sep 25, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs for a first down before being tackled by Detroit Lions defensive end Brandon Copeland (51) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

4. Green Bay Packers 2-1 (7)

A home matchup against the Lions is just what the Packers needed to get things rolling on offense.

Aaron Rodgers always seems to bounce back with a strong performance each time he faces heavy criticism, and that was exactly the case after Green Bay’s tough loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. While Rodgers deserves some benefit of the doubt when looking at how scary Minnesota’s defense is playing, everybody knew the criticism always seems to motivate him even more.

Unfortunately for Detroit, Rodgers had a field day against their defense after throwing four touchdowns in the first half as Green Bay went on to win the game 34-27. Even though the offense struggled to put up points in the second half, the four touchdowns by Rodgers shows just how many weapons this team has on offense.

Hopefully, the bye week will work to their advantage when it comes to resting some of their key players. At 2-1, the Packers seem to be heading towards another year of being one of the teams to beat in the NFC.

And if Rodgers continues to play well, don’t be surprised if the quarterback finds his name in the MVP discussion when that time of the year comes.

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) celebrates after a sack in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

3. Minnesota Vikings 3-0 (5)

No matter how many setbacks the Minnesota Vikings deal with, this team continues to find ways to win football games, and the argument can be made they’re the team to beat in the NFC.

It’s one thing to go out and defeat the Packers with their high-powered offense, but marching into Carolina to pull off a huge road win against the Panthers without star running back Adrian Peterson shows just how dangerous this unit is. The Vikings have established a reputation over the years for having one of the league’s top defenses, but what they’re accomplishing so far this year in completely unexpected.

If they can force last year’s MVP to throw three interceptions at home, there’s every reason for Minnesota to feel confident about their chances of making a deep run in the playoffs. For a team that plenty of people wrote off once Teddy Bridgewater went down, it’s amazing to see what they’ve had to overcome over the last month.

And if all of that isn’t impressive enough, let’s talk about how quickly Sam Bradford has learned this offense in such a period of time. This is easily the most talented team Bradford has ever been on, and the quarterback is taking full advantage of the situation.

Sep 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Broncos won 29-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

2. Denver Broncos 3-0 (2)

For weeks, the Denver Broncos have been waiting for Siemian to step it up in the passing game, as the quarterback had looked decent over the first two games, but nothing to brag about from a statistics standpoint. After Sunday’s performance against the Bengals, the Broncos hope this is the start of something even better for Siemian as the quarterback shined against one of the league’s top defenses.

Siemian finally looked comfortable running Denver’s offense after throwing four touchdowns in the 29-17 win over Cincinnati. Members of the Broncos kept making it clear this offense had the potential to hit a new level in 2016 after the defense was the main reason behind their Super Bowl run last year. And if Siemian can find a way to play at this high level on a weekly basis, there’s every reason to believe in this offense throughout the 2016 season.

Maybe a little bit of experience is all Siemian needed to get going on offense for Denver as impressive doesn’t even begin to describe this performance. There’s a reason why the Broncos are defending champions, and at 3-0, it’s going to be tough for opponents to come up with wins against this squad.

Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs through the Houston Texans defense for a touchdown during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

1. New England Patriots 3-0 (1)

Remember when everyone said the New England Patriots would maybe go 2-2 at best without Brady? Well, after three games, this team is still undefeated, and all signs point to the Patriots being 4-0 when their start quarterback is eligible to return, which is crazy to think about.

One of the main reasons why most people expected New England to lose two games is due to the fact they had tough matchups against the Cardinals and Texans. While the argument can be made they got lucky against Arizona with a missed field goal, New England can’t be denied what they accomplished last Thursday against Houston.

To beat a team with the talent level of the Texans while using a third-string quarterback is almost unheard of, but the Patriots did it. If there’s anything to take away from this week, it would be New England is capable of beating any team in the NFL with any quarterback, because Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels are that good of coaches.

Just think how scary this team is going to be once Brady returns to the field, and begins playing with that extra chip on his shoulder from the suspension. Don’t look now, but New England is the team to beat once again, and it’s a major surprise when looking at the circumstances.