New England Patriots

AFC Power Rankings Week 3: New England Patriots drop to No. 3

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Cameron Erving (74) and the Cleveland Browns lay at the bottom of this week’s AFC power rankings. Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Here at Musket Fire, we don’t execute full NFL power rankings. Instead, we focus just on AFC power rankings since they are more relevant to the New England Patriots fan base.

Without further ado, your Week 3 AFC power rankings:

Cleveland Browns

(0-2)

Last week: (0-1)Last rank: 16th

The Browns rocketed out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter on the heels of Isaiah Crowell’s 85-yard touchdown run, Corey Coleman’s two touchdown catches. But the next three quarters were disastrous, as the Ravens notched 25 unanswered points. Until the Browns win, they will remain in the cellar of these AFC power rankings.15

Jacksonville Jaguars

(0-2)

Last week: (0-1)Last rank: 11th

While the Browns scored their points in the first quarter, the Jaguars waited until the fourth quarter to get on the scoreboard. It’s never good when your leading rushing is your pocket-passer quarterback, which was the case for a Jaguars team that only handed off to running backs on eight occasions yesterday.14

Buffalo Bills

(0-2)

Last week: (0-1)Last rank: 15th

Despite Marquise Goodwin (84-yard touchdown) and Greg Salas (71-yard touchdown) ripping off big scores on Thursday Night Football, the Bills fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Rex Ryan may also want to re-evaluate his relationship with brother Rob, as the defense allowed 493 net yards of offense to the Jets in Week 2.13

Indianapolis Colts

(0-2)

Last week: (0-1)Last rank: 10th

No touchdowns in the first half doomed the Colts in their AFC power matchup with the Broncos. Additionally, just 61 rushing yards from running backs didn’t help to offset Andrew Luck’s poor day throwing the ball (197 yards).Next: 12. Miami Dolphins

Ryan Tannehill (17) Miami Dolphins – Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Dolphins

(0-2)

Last week: (0-1)Last rank: 9th

24 unanswered points after Jimmy Garoppolo’s departure to the locker room weren’t enough for the Dolphins in their second consecutive game against Super Bowl XLIX participants. Two lost fumbles and a foolish Ryan Tannehill interception throw to Jamie Collins were the difference in a game the Dolphins very nearly ended up winning. The ‘Phins get the highest ranking out of the winless teams because they are keeping scores within reach against tough teams.
11

Kansas City Chiefs

(1-1)

Last week: (0-1)Last rank: 3rd

On the bright side, Marcus Peters is picking up right where he left off as a rookie. The sophomore ball hawk added two interceptions to his 2016 stash, but it wasn’t enough for a Chiefs team that committed three costly turnovers to the Texans on Sunday.
10

Tennessee Titans

(1-1)

Last week: (0-1)Last rank: 14th

This is how the 2016 Titans are designed to win. DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry combining for 129 rushing yards; Brian Orakpo posting a pair of sacks; Perrish Cox sealing the game with an interception. A big home test against a pass-happy Oakland team awaits.9

San Diego Chargers

(1-1)

Last week: (0-1)Last rank: 13th

Chargers fans have to like what they saw out of Melvin Gordon yesterday (102 yards, touchdown on 24 carries). They also must be pleased with the performance of offseason additions Travis Benjamin (six receptions, 115 yards, two touchdowns) and Casey Hayward (two picks). Losses by the Raiders and Chiefs open the door for the Chargers to compete directly with the Broncos in the AFC West.
Next: 8. Baltimore Ravens

Mike Wallace (17) Baltimore Ravens – Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens

(2-0)

Last week: (1-0)Last rank: 8th

This certainly isn’t the youngest team in the NFL, but the Ravens are benefitting from the contributions of veterans. Yesterday, Devin Hester returned a kick 48 yards, Steve Smith made a diving 31-yard grab and Eric Weddle made his first pick as a Raven. 25 unanswered points powered the Ravens past a 20-0 first quarter deficit in Cleveland.7

Oakland Raiders

(1-1)

Last week: (1-0)Last rank: 4th

Waiting until the fourth quarter to make it a game isn’t a sustainable winning strategy in the NFL. The Raiders’ heroics in Week 1 weren’t repeated on Sunday, but the pass defense was just as atrocious, this team surrendering 396 yards through the air. The Raiders have to fix their secondary issues to get over the hump. 6

Cincinnati Bengals

(1-1)

Last week: (1-0)Last rank: 6th

On rainy days, you need your ground game to pick up the slack a bit, but the Bengals mustered just 39 rushing yards on 16 attempts against the Steelers. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh squeezed the air out of the football, handing off to DeAngelo Williams 32 times. It’s not surprising who won in the Pennsylvania rain.5

New York Jets

(1-1)

Last week: (0-1)Last rank: 12

Just like last year, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are providing a lethal combo for Ryan Fitzpatrick; on Thursday night, the two combined for 127 yards and a score (Decker’s) on 12 receptions. And then Matt Forte chimed in as well, ripping off 100 rushing yards and three rushing scores on 30 carries. That trio could take the Jets all the way to the playoffs.
Next: 4. Houston Texans

DeAndre Hopkins (10) Houston Texans – Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans

(1-1)

Last week: (0-1)Last rank: 7

Four sacks of Alex Smith lifted the Texans to their first win of the season, and you can bet that the Houston front seven are licking their chops ahead of Thursday night’s encounter with the Patriots. J.J. Watt will be looking to welcome Jacoby Brissett to the NFL in his own special way.3

New England Patriots

(2-0)

Last week: (1-0)Last rank: 1

This is an odd territory for Patriots fans, being unsure of the quarterback situation. But the good news is that the offense has such a good foundation between the strong offensive line, LeGarrette Blount-led rushing attack and bulk of receiving threats, all Brissett has to do is steer the ship until Brady’s return in Week 5. The Pats get moved down two spots due to the fluid quarterback position and a porous second half defensive effort.
2

Denver Broncos

(2-0)

Last week: (1-0)Last rank: 2

The Broncos stay put at No. 2 in these AFC power rankings after winning yet another game on account of good defense. One would be hard-pressed to find a better fantasy football defense out there right now, as Aqib Talib’s pick six and Shane Ray’s scoop and score (not to mention Von Miller’s hat trick of sacks) were the difference in Week 2. 1

Pittsburgh Steelers

(2-0)

Last week: (1-0)Last rank: 5th