2018 NFL Power Rankings: Week 3
Teams Ranked 12th to 1st
| Rank | Team | nERD | Rec | Playoff Odds | Off. NEP Rank | Def. NEP Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Washington Redskins | 1.39 | 1-1 | 26.0% | 15 | 10 | -1 |
| 11 | New York Jets | 1.53 | 1-1 | 22.7% | 22 | 2 | +1 |
| 10 | Carolina Panthers | 1.78 | 1-1 | 39.4% | 10 | 21 | 0 |
| 9 | New Orleans Saints | 2.86 | 1-1 | 32.2% | 7 | 31 | -1 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 3.28 | 0-1-1 | 36.9% | 9 | 24 | +1 |
| 7 | New England Patriots | 4.41 | 1-1 | 83.6% | 16 | 18 | -3 |
| 6 | Baltimore Ravens | 4.5 | 1-1 | 34.8% | 14 | 4 | -1 |
| 5 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 5.55 | 2-0 | 79.9% | 11 | 8 | +1 |
| 4 | Los Angeles Chargers | 5.64 | 1-1 | 63.9% | 3 | 22 | +3 |
| 3 | Philadelphia Eagles | 6.42 | 1-1 | 64.9% | 13 | 15 | -2 |
| 2 | Minnesota Vikings | 8.03 | 1-0-1 | 81.1% | 6 | 7 | 0 |
| 1 | Los Angeles Rams | 9.69 | 2-0 | 87.2% | 4 | 3 | +2 |
Of course, our model isn't biased against teams just because they are 2-0. As mentioned, the Rams took the top spot, while Jacksonville moved into the top five after a 31-20 win over the Patriots.
The Jaguars played the type of defense we have come to expect from them over the past season, as they held New England to 5.0 yards per play. The Patriots did post an above-average 47.7% success rate (the league average was about 45% last year) but were completely contained in the big-play department -- they had 2 runs for more than 10 yards on 24 carries and averaged just 9.8 yards per completion.
The more surprising development came on the other side of the ball, as the Jaguars averaged 7.0 yards per play with a 45.2% success rate.
On the other side of the country, the Rams took care of business again, beating down Arizona in a 34-0 rout. The Rams have not had a hard road to 2-0 (they beat Oakland in Week 1) but they have more than taken care of business. Their success rate margin is a blistering +14.3% and they have outgained their opponents by 1.3 yards per play.
