On Monday night time, we came upon that high tier has only one crew.

There’s no query anymore who deserves the title of the NFL’s finest crew. The Chiefs’ totally dominant efficiency in a 34-20 win over the Ravens places all different NFL groups in chase mode. We’re extra more likely to have conversations about 16-Zero earlier than anybody realistically challenges the Chiefs for the highest spot within the NFL.

The Ravens are nonetheless good. They blasted a Cleveland Browns crew that has gained two straight since, and blew out the Houston Texans too. Baltimore was very, excellent within the 2019 common season. The Chiefs didn’t actually expose the Ravens. They only introduced to the world how significantly better they’re than the remainder of the NFL, Baltimore included.

Clearly the Chiefs’ dominance facilities round Patrick Mahomes. He has loads of assist, however his greatness is evident to anybody who has watched him throw the ball. And he simply turned 25 years outdated. Not solely are the Chiefs the clear No. 1 this season, perhaps they’ll be there lengthy past this season.

The Chiefs have one of the best offense within the NFL, a protection that shut down Lamar Jackson and has develop into a formidable unit, a terrific coach in Andy Reid, no person within the AFC West who will actually problem them, and the participant any GM in soccer would decide first if the NFL redrafted everybody. The Tremendous Bowl hangover isn’t bothering them both.

Issues occur within the NFL. All it takes is one dangerous day in a aggressive league to lose within the playoffs and everybody forgets how nice you have been. Ask the 2011 Inexperienced Bay Packers, who went 15-1 and no person remembers as a result of they misplaced their playoff opener. What we noticed on Monday night time doesn’t essentially imply the Chiefs are strolling to a Tremendous Bowl.

However it’s not possible to choose anybody else after what we noticed in Baltimore. Till additional discover, there are two tiers: The Chiefs, after which everybody else.

The Jets have been impossibly dangerous by means of three video games. Wealthy Hribar of Sharp Soccer Evaluation had the damning stats:

If the Jets don’t beat the banged-up Broncos at residence on Thursday, we would have to start out questioning if we’re witnessing a traditionally dangerous crew.

Not solely have the Giants and Jets began 0-6, they’ve the 2 worst level differentials within the NFL by means of three weeks. Sam Darnold appears like a misplaced trigger, and Daniel Jones’ second season isn’t beginning properly both. Everybody appears on the new seat in each franchises. It’s beginning to appear probably Trevor Lawrence is taking part in in New York subsequent season, however for which crew?

A number of weeks in the past, the Broncos seemed like a possible playoff contender. By Week 4, they’re asking “Brett Rypien or Jeff Driskel at quarterback?” and may’t even be thought of a lock to beat an terrible Jets crew on Thursday night time. It has been a brutal begin in Denver.

Dwayne Haskins Jr. is on discover. Perhaps the Alex Smith story is just too good to depart alone, or Ron Rivera believes in Kyle Allen greater than he ought to. However Haskins can’t proceed to battle and maintain taking part in, and as soon as he will get benched it’s a must to marvel if Washington shall be in search of one other quarterback subsequent offseason.

Second-round decide Tee Higgins performed forward of John Ross, after which had extra snaps and targets than A.J. Inexperienced on Sunday. Higgins wasn’t overly environment friendly, with 40 yards on 9 targets, however he did catch two touchdowns. Higgins and Joe Burrow could possibly be a pleasant mixture for a few years.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2, LW: 25)

Myles Jack moved to exterior linebacker and that has unlocked a long-awaited breakout. Jack was Professional Soccer Focus’ high graded linebacker by means of two weeks. In Week Three he had 11 tackles to guide the Jaguars. He’s simply 25 years outdated and provides the Jaguars one other foundational piece to construct round.

26. Atlanta Falcons (0-3, LW: 21)

It appeared surreal within the fourth quarter Sunday when the Falcons have been blowing one other double-digit lead within the fourth quarter. It appears not possible that it occurred for a second straight week, as a result of in additional than 100 years of NFL soccer it had by no means occurred. The Falcons are the primary crew to lose two video games over a full season during which they led by 15 or extra factors within the fourth quarter based on Elias Sports activities, and so they did so in back-to-back weeks. The excellent news is the Falcons did maintain huge leads over the Cowboys and Bears, so realistically they’re not as dangerous as their 0-Three file. How’s that for optimism?

25. Minnesota Vikings (0-3, LW: 23)

Dalvin Prepare dinner seemed nice, the coaches lastly let Justin Jefferson play, the offense had its finest sport, and so they nonetheless misplaced at residence. They’re in a division with two 3-Zero groups, and it’s actually laborious to see Minnesota digging out of this gap.

24. Carolina Panthers (1-2, LW: 31)

Shaq Thompson was nice within the Panthers’ upset win on the Chargers. He posted 13 tackles, compelled a fumble and recovered it, and had Professional Soccer Focus’ high grade amongst all Panthers defenders. Thompson is filling in properly for retired Luke Kuechly, which isn’t straightforward to do.

23. Philadelphia Eagles (0-2-1, LW: 20)

A fast protection of Doug Pederson’s determination to punt late in extra time on Sunday: It’s Week 3, and a half-win could possibly be essential within the horrible NFC East. A half-win allowed the Eagles to realize a sport on the opposite three groups within the division, who all misplaced. Pederson’s choices have been to go for it on fourth-and-12 at his personal 49, attempt a 64-yard subject objective or punt and take a half of a win. If the Eagles flip their season round, they’ll respect having that tie as a substitute of taking a low-percentage shot at a win. Simply because soccer tradition says it’s improper to accept a tie doesn’t imply it was the imprudent transfer.

22. Miami Dolphins (1-2, LW: 27)

The Dolphins’ dangerous begin might need been a results of beginning towards the Payments and Patriots. They seemed fairly good towards the Jaguars. Miami isn’t on the extent of Buffalo and New England, however it could actually nonetheless be a aggressive crew because it continues its rebuild.

21. Detroit Lions (1-2, LW: 29)

The Lions offense could possibly be near an actual breakout. In the event that they function with a bit of extra tempo, are extra environment friendly within the purple zone and Kenny Golladay stays wholesome, they is likely to be on to one thing. A comeback win Sunday at Arizona provides the Lions hope to show issues round.

20. Houston Texans (0-3, LW: 22)

The Texans began at Kansas Metropolis, hosted Baltimore and performed at Pittsburgh. It’s an impossibly robust stretch to start out the season. The Texans won’t be good nevertheless it’s additionally attainable they’re significantly better than their file. The schedule will ease up, and we’ll discover out.

19. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2, LW: 18)

The Chargers put up 16 factors towards a foul Panthers protection, regardless of 330 yards from Justin Herbert, 132 yards from Keenan Allen and 11 catches from Austin Ekeler. They misplaced a sport they shouldn’t have misplaced, and so they have been by no means actually within the sport till the top when a wonderfully drawn-up trick play wasn’t executed. It was a sport the Chargers actually can’t afford to lose.

18. Dallas Cowboys (1-2, LW: 17)

Dak Prescott is on tempo for six,336 passing yards. And all of the Cowboys have to indicate for it’s one fortunate win and two losses. The protection has not been adequate, and that’s an understatement. And but, as a result of the NFC East is so dangerous, Dallas continues to be a prohibitive favourite to win a division title.

17. Cleveland Browns (2-1, LW: 19)

Since shedding to the Ravens, the Browns are 2-Zero with a pair of 30-point video games. They performed the Bengals and Washington, so perhaps there’s not an excessive amount of to take from that. However in spite of everything these down years, no person ought to shout “the Browns haven’t beat anybody” to their followers. Simply let Cleveland get pleasure from it.

16. Indianapolis Colts (2-1, LW: 16)

The Colts have performed the Jaguars, Vikings and Jets, who’ve mixed for a 1-Eight file. And within the one win, the Jaguars over the Colts, Indianapolis outgained Jacksonville 445-241. Lengthy story quick, the Colts haven’t performed a tricky schedule. However the final two weeks they did rout the Vikings and Jets, which is an effective signal. We’ll simply have to attend for them to play a top quality opponent earlier than we all know who the Colts are.

15. Chicago Bears (3-0, LW: 15)

The Bears have two loopy comeback wins and beat a foul Giants crew 17-13 once they obtained a cease at their very own 10-yard line as time expired. The Bears have changed quarterback Mitchell Trubisky — which Matt Nagy appeared past able to do, contemplating he yanked Trubisky after one decide on Sunday — and can go along with Nick Foles in Week Four and possibly past. It’s higher to be determining issues at 3-0, however Chicago is just not some undefeated powerhouse. They might simply be 0-Three proper now.

14. New Orleans Saints (1-2, LW: 8)

Via three video games, Drew Brees’ common depth of goal is 5.2 yards. That’s final within the league, 1.2 yards behind Sam Darnold’s second lowest mark. No person else is under 6.8. If Brees nonetheless feels good and may throw the ball like he says he can, the Saints must open up the offense and present it. Perhaps Michael Thomas’ eventual return adjustments all the things, nevertheless it appeared on Sunday night time just like the Saints’ offense was dumping it off to Alvin Kamara and hoping he may make one thing occur. That’s not going to take the Saints very far.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1, LW: 14)

Rob Gronkowski led the Bucs with seven targets and performed 93 p.c of the snaps. Via three video games, he nonetheless doesn’t have a catch longer than 10 yards. The Bucs are coming collectively, with a protection that appears very robust and Tom Brady coming off a 297-yard sport, however they should work out what to do with Gronkowski. He’s a legend and a future Corridor of Famer however he’s not the identical participant he was.

12. Las Vegas Raiders (2-1, LW: 13)

The Raiders have been in a tricky spot, going east for an early begin towards an offended Patriots crew. They have been coming off an emotional win of their first Las Vegas sport final Monday night time. It’s not an enormous shock they have been flat. Subsequent week’s residence sport towards the Payments shall be a greater take a look at.

11. Arizona Cardinals (2-1, LW: 12)

Kyler Murray’s first interception got here from Detroit’s 30-yard line. His second and third interceptions led to 10 Lions factors. Given how dynamic Murray is, it’s straightforward to neglect he’s early in his second NFL season. There’ll nonetheless be errors, and a few will value the Cardinals video games they need to win.

10. Los Angeles Rams (2-1, LW: 7)

How do you analyze what occurred Sunday? The Rams got here again from 28-Three to take a fourth quarter lead and would have had the best comeback in franchise historical past had it not been for a questionable fourth-down go interference name on the finish. However, they did fall behind 28-Three and once they wanted a cease, they couldn’t get it. It nonetheless looks like the Rams can take some positives out of a loss.

9. San Francisco 49ers (2-1, LW: 11)

Given the 49ers’ harm record, profitable any NFL sport on the street 36-9 is absolutely spectacular. The win and the job Kyle Shanahan did to have his crew prepared shall be dismissed in a flurry of Giants jokes. Don’t underrate what the 49ers did on Sunday. That was as spectacular as any win across the NFL in Week 3.

8. New England Patriots (2-1, LW: 10)

The truth that New England gained decisively on Sunday means the Patriots are actually the identical outdated Patriots. They only don’t lose video games like that, coming off a loss and at residence towards a crew they need to beat. The Patriots aren’t going anyplace this season, irrespective of what number of gamers they misplaced.

7. Tennessee Titans (3-0, LW: 9)

We consider Derrick Henry as invincible as a result of he’s so huge, nevertheless it’s honest to marvel if he can preserve anyplace close to this tempo of touches. He has 82 carries in three video games. Josh Jacobs is second with 68 and no person else within the NFL by means of Sunday’s video games had greater than 58. Via the Titans’ final 12 video games, together with playoffs, Henry has 304 carries, greater than 25 per sport. The Titans have gone from ignoring Henry’s prodigious expertise for nearly three full seasons to attempting to sporting him out earlier than Halloween.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0, LW: 5)

The Steelers go the attention take a look at, however they’ve let all three opponents dangle round longer than you’d like. It appears they’ve one other gear we haven’t seen but, given all their expertise. We’ll see if they will unlock that stage and develop into a real contender within the AFC.

5. Seattle Seahawks (3-0, LW: 4)

If Russell Wilson falls one landing in need of Peyton Manning’s single-season file of 55, DK Metcalf easing up earlier than crossing the objective line shall be revisited. And it’s not loopy in any respect to assume Wilson may problem 55 touchdowns this season.

4. Inexperienced Bay Packers (3-0, LW: 6)

The Packers are going loopy on offense. They put up 37 factors on Sunday with out Davante Adams. They’ve essentially the most factors by means of the primary three video games of a season in crew historical past. Aaron Rodgers is having an MVP-type begin to the season. After a powerful win over the Saints, they need to be considered as essentially the most full crew within the NFC.

3. Buffalo Payments (3-0, LW: 3)

The Packers virtually grabbed the third spot. I nonetheless imagine within the Payments however almost blowing a 28-Three lead of their first actual take a look at this season wasn’t a terrific signal (it’s additionally a cause they aren’t a spot greater this week). Nonetheless, Josh Allen continues to play properly and though they have been fortunate to get that go interference name on the finish, 3-Zero is a superb place to be.

2. Baltimore Ravens (2-1, LW: 1)

No, they’re not dropping far. Right here’s why: I’d decide the Ravens to beat each different crew within the NFL. The Chiefs are merely working at a special stage than everybody else proper now, and proved that Monday night time. The Payments, Packers, Seahawks, Steelers, whoever — all of them would have gotten blasted on Monday night time too. The Ravens shall be superb now that they gained’t see the Chiefs anymore.

1. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (3-0, LW: 2)

Sportswriter drawback: We’ve got 10-15 extra years to write down about Patrick Mahomes’ profession, and we’ve already run out of adjectives to explain his greatness.