NFL Power Rankings - Week 3: Best new face for all 32 teams
theScore's NFL Power Rankings take a weekly spin around the league to assess where every team stands.
This week, we identify the best new face on each NFL franchise two games into the season.
1. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious Rank: 1
Adding Von Miller to an already-stout defense is the latest in a long line of great moves that have made the Bills the juggernaut they are. Everything we've seen through two weeks, including a 41-7 drubbing of the Titans, confirms their status as the Super Bowl favorite.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)Previous Rank: 3
JuJu Smith-Schuster is fitting in nicely as the leader of a new-look wide receiver room. Adding ex-Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the former Steelers playmaker has been key to the Chiefs offense not dropping off without Tyreek Hill.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)Previous Rank: 4
Russell Gage may prove to be a very wise pickup considering the injuries to the Bucs' receiving corps. With Mike Evans suspended for one game and Chris Godwin and Julio Jones banged up, Gage has an opportunity to step up big.
4. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)Previous Rank: 2
Khalil Mack's arrival in an offseason trade has helped take the Chargers' defense to another level. He's got four sacks in his first two games in powder blue, working opposite Joey Bosa to form the NFL's premier pass-rush duo.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 7
The Eagles' offense looks lethal through the season's first two games. Jalen Hurts has played like a total star, and a good portion of that could be because of A.J. Brown's injection into the unit. Not only does he have 224 receiving yards, but his presence requires increased attention, which has opened up the field for others.
6. Miami Dolphins (2-0)Previous Rank: 12
The Dolphins trading for Tyreek Hill has worked out as well as could possibly be expected. Having to account for two similarly explosive wideouts in Hill and Jaylen Waddle has predictably been too much for opposing defenses to handle.
7. Los Angeles Rams (1-1)Previous Rank: 6
It took until Week 2 for him to get involved, but Allen Robinson finally got it going against the Falcons with 53 receiving yards and a touchdown. His chemistry with Matthew Stafford should only improve as the year progresses.
8. Green Bay Packers (1-1)Previous Rank: 8
Dealing with an inexperienced receiving group, Aaron Rodgers has at least been able to count on one veteran face in Sammy Watkins through the first two weeks. Watkins not only leads the club with 111 receiving yards, but he's also the only Packer to crack triple digits in that category.
9. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)Previous Rank: 5
The Ravens again paid up to make a major upgrade in the secondary, and it's already proving to be another brilliant move. Marcus Williams has a league-best three interceptions through his first two games in Baltimore.
10. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)
Michael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 15
The 49ers' defense has held up their end of the bargain thus far in 2022. A big piece of credit is owed to cornerback Charvarius Ward, who has already grabbed one interception and two passes defended.
11. Minnesota Vikings (1-1)Previous Rank: 10
Kevin O'Connell schemed a perfect game for the Vikings and star receiver Justin Jefferson in Week 1. Though Minnesota couldn't keep that momentum rolling Monday night against the Eagles, it's clearly going to be an all-out aerial attack under O'Connell. Perhaps Monday's ugly loss would have been easier to swallow if Kirk Cousins had taken better care of the football instead of throwing three interceptions.
12. New Orleans Saints (1-1)Previous Rank: 16
Rooke wideout Chris Olave has quickly built trust with quarterback Jameis Winston to start the season. He recorded a team-high 13 targets in Week 2, and his 15.1 yards per reception this year tops his teammates.
13. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)Previous Rank: 18
Micah Parsons is carrying the load on defense, but Dallas has also received some helpful contributions from others. Offseason signing Dante Fowler came to play in Week 2 with his first sack and forced fumble for his new team.
14. Denver Broncos (1-1)Previous Rank: 14
Russell Wilson is our pick for the best new face in Denver, but that's simply because our faith in him is the only thing keeping the Broncos from tumbling further down this list. This team has failed to live up to expectations so far. Squeaking out a win over the Texans does little to ease concerns about Nathaniel Hackett helping this group reach its potential.
15. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 9
Veteran tight end Hayden Hurst already has a sizeable workload in Cincinnati's offense. He trails only Ja'Marr Chase in targets on the team and is tied with Tee Higgins for second in receptions with 10. The Bengals will have to find more ways to get the ball downfield to their best receivers if they're going to bounce back from this surprisingly poor start.
16. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)Previous Rank: 20
Marquise Brown and Kyler Murray haven't exactly recreated their college success, but the fourth-year wideout has clearly benefited from playing in the Cardinals' aerial attack. With DeAndre Hopkins still out due to a suspension, Brown has taken the No. 1 role by the horns with 111 receiving yards through two games.
17. Detroit Lions (1-1)Previous Rank: 25
Aidan Hutchinson has been the perfect fit for the Lions since selecting him second overall. After a quiet debut, Hutchinson burst onto the scene with a monster three-sack performance against the Commanders in Week 2.
18. New York Giants (2-0)Previous Rank: 21
The Giants have looked like a rejuvenated side under new head coach Brian Daboll. The former Bills offensive coordinator has Daniel Jones completing over 70% of his passes, while Saquon Barkley is finally becoming a star after averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (0-2)Previous Rank: 11
Davante Adams has been as advertised. The rest of the equation in Vegas? Not so good. Unless the offensive line can do a better job up front, the Raiders' offense will be prone to disappearing at times, just as it did in the Cardinals' wild comeback win Sunday.
20. New England Patriots (1-1)
Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 28
First-round rookie Cole Strange looks like a solid addition to the offensive line, but there aren't many newcomers to choose from here. Perhaps returning so much of last year's mediocre roster is part of the problem in New England.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)Previous Rank: 17
The Steelers adding Brian Flores to their defensive staff always felt like a quietly great move. The strong play they've gotten from their linebackers early on is probably no coincidence.
22. New York Jets (1-1)Previous Rank: 32
Selecting the Jets' top newcomer is an easy call. First-round rookie receiver Garrett Wilson followed up a solid Week 1 by recording 102 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2. He scored the game-winner Sunday to complete an epic last-minute comeback win over the Browns.
23. Cleveland Browns (1-1)Previous Rank: 19
Amari Cooper, who the Browns bizarrely acquired from the Cowboys for next to nothing, has more catches (12) than all other Cleveland wideouts combined (eight). This team would be 2-0 if it weren't for a historic collapse against the Jets.
24. Washington Commanders (1-1)Previous Rank: 23
The Carson Wentz experience was always going to be a roller-coaster ride, but there have been more thrills than stomach-turning moments so far. Wentz has thrown for 650 yards with seven touchdowns to three interceptions through two games. An honorable mention should also go to rookie receiver Jahan Dotson, who's caught three touchdowns.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
Courtney Culbreath / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 27
Doug Pederson is our pick for the best newcomer in Jacksonville. It's his offense that finally has Trevor Lawrence on the superstar track we expected. However, there's no shortage of offseason additions helping the Jaguars get started in the right direction, including veteran wideout Christian Kirk and No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker.
26. Tennessee Titans (0-2)Previous Rank: 22
First-round receiver Treylon Burks has hit the ground running in Tennessee, immediately establishing himself as the club's leading receiver. Not much else has gone right for the Titans, and a 41-7 loss to the Bills highlighted a lot of their shortcomings.
27. Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1)Previous Rank: 13
The Colts have struggled early in the season, with a 24-0 loss to the Jaguars being the latest major letdown. Stephon Gilmore gets the nod here as he remains an impact player in the secondary. Not picking Matt Ryan for best new face tells you everything you need to know about Indy's offense.
28. Seattle Seahawks (1-1)Previous Rank: 24
The Seahawks looked flat in Week 2 after their emotional season-opening win over the Broncos. However, Uchenna Nwosu is one exciting player worth watching. The 25-year-old has been a playmaker through two games, recording a sack, forced fumble, and five quarterback hits.
29. Atlanta Falcons (0-2)Previous Rank: 31
Pundits may have had some questions after the Falcons made Drake London the first receiver taken in this year's draft. But London has answered any concerns extraordinarily, hauling in 13 balls for 160 yards and a touchdown. Through two games, it seems like Atlanta has found the WR1 it desired.
30. Houston Texans (0-1-1)
Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 30
Jerry Hughes has been a sneaky good veteran addition for the Texans, leading the defense with two sacks while adding an interception. Look for rookies Dameon Pierce and Derek Stingley Jr. to emerge as the season progresses.
31. Chicago Bears (1-1)Previous Rank: 29
The Bears' offense remains a major work in progress, though their investments on defense are trending in the right direction. Rookie safety Jaquan Brisker has started each of the first two games and appears to be a serviceable complement to Eddie Jackson.
32. Carolina Panthers (0-2)Previous Rank: 26
Acquiring Baker Mayfield hasn't translated into wins as he hasn't gotten into a rhythm. His 53.6 completion percentage and 79.5 passer rating leave a lot to be desired. With the Panthers enduring a long quarterback carousel in recent years without success, perhaps that's more of an indictment on head coach Matt Rhule.
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