Season 80 - Week 3 Power Rankings
by adelfish | 2 years ago | 1 Comments
Season 80 - Week 3 Power Rankings
Cycle reboot in December??? This Madden just keeps on giving. With a brand new league landscape, and a couple games in the books, it's time for me to rise from the ashes to reclaim my throne as the Red Zone's best media contributor. My Season 77-79 was very lacking, and I attribute 90% of that to the draft glitch, can we all agree that really sucked?
Now we are all in new places, and what better way to dust off my media contributions then a good old fashioned POWER RANKINGS!
I hope this is unique and edgy enough for you, Spencer!
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#1) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
One week after a big comeback win against the Dallas Cowboys, the Bucs throttle the Saints 35-10 to put a stamp on their NFC South superiority. Clearly no hangover for Pie Guy as he picks up right where he left off in Baltimore. Side note, how about the addition of John Ross via the waiver wire? 200 yards and 2 touchdowns through 2 weeks.
#2) - San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
2 is probably too high for the 49ers right now, especially with a +4 point differential against Chicago and Seattle, but I’m betting on the season long outcome here as well. I think this is a perfect fit between Kelly and his favorite club, and getting Trey Lance in capable hands should make the NFC very nervous. They are 2-0 without playing their best football, and each week the run game and defense will have an opportunity to get better. Watch out.
#3) - Minnesota Vikings (2-0)
The Vikings have won by passing all over the Packers, then running all over the Eagles. The offense was always going to be the strong point of this team with Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson, now the defense needs to step up. Right now they rank 7th in rush defense, but in the bottom half of the league in all other categories. The defense will need to be a lot better against teams like Tampa Bay and San Francisco.
#4) - Las Vegas Raiders (2-0)
Love the fit of BM in Vegas, and so far it’s going very well. Two solid wins, and Davante Adams only has two receptions. This Raiders team is loaded with talent offensively, and boast one of the best pass rush duos in the league with Chandler Jones & Maxx Crosby, they have high end talent to compete. Can BM get back to his winning ways in the playoffs? That is my biggest question for the cycle, as I’ll need to see him prove himself against teams like the Bengals, Bills, Patriots, and Jets.
#5) - Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)
Smooth sailing for the Bengals offense through 2 weeks, as Joe Burrow has 6 touchdown passes and a perfect 2-0 record against Pittsburgh and a sneaky Dallas team. My biggest concern now, and all year, is going to be the defense. Right now the pass defense is ranked 31st in the league, and a slate of scary passing offenses are coming up. There is talent on the defense, but I think the Bengals’ weak point this year will be in the back-end.
#6) - Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Good start for Spencer and the Bills, but like the Giants at 6, I’d like to see the Bills against a better opponent. Wins over the Rams (0-2) and Titans (0-2) really don’t impress me, and Spencer has more to prove than the coaches above him on this list. Regardless, 2-0 is 2-0, but I can’t call this team an AFC favorite until I see them do it against a top tier opponent.
#7) - New York Giants (2-0)
I really like the combination of Astin and the Giants, and so far he has crushed two lesser opponents on his way to 2-0. The offense has some sneaky good pieces in Saquon Barkley and Daniel Bellinger, and the defense is playing very well, especially Kayvon Thibodeaux. Can they continue this early success? I believe the Giants will be in the mix for the NFC East crown, but I want to see them against a better opponent first.
#8) - Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
The Eagles took care of business against the Lions in Week 1, then fell in overtime to the Vikings as Dalvin Cook ran for 200 yards and 4 touchdowns. They will be fine, and are the NFC East favorites, and are easily a top 2-3 team in the NFC. It is concerning how this defense was run all over when the strength is the defensive line, but give them credit for shutting down an explosive Vikings pass offense.
#9) - New England Patriots (2-0)
One of my bigger surprises is Monty and the Patriots starting 2-0, but they’ve had the luxury of playing the terrible Dolphins and woeful Steelers (combined 0-4) to start the season. I like some pieces on the defense, but this offense does not scream ‘long-term success’ to me. I believe Monty did a good job inflating some numbers against lesser opponents, but I think they come back down to earth this week against Baltimore.
#10) - Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)
I like the marriage of Coach Theo and the Chargers, and so far it’s been a solid start. One week after a touchdown loss to the Raiders, the Chargers throttle the Chiefs to get back to .500. This team is loaded with weapons on offense and defense, Theo could really surprise some people this year.
#11) - New York Jets (1-1)
The Jets reshuffled their quarterback room, and split close games between Baltimore and Cleveland, proving they will be a tough out for anyone despite the lack of talent at quarterback. Mike White appears to be the guy this season, but the story to watch will be rookie running back Breece Hall and the defense. Hall has rushed for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns already, and will be the biggest reason for any success for Gang Green.
#12) - Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
I listed this team as one of my favorite coach/team combinations heading into the reboot, and so far the Jaguars are proving me right. They could easily be 2-0, but also could be 0-2, and that is the what-if game you play when you play one score games. The offense looks explosive, especially with Calvin Ridley in the mix. Can Robo continue the success he was having in Green Bay with a less talented roster?
#13) - Atlanta Falcons (2-0)
My expectations for the Falcons are low, but with Jake Allen leading the way and a running back room that is loaded, they could surprise us. So far, Cordarrelle Patterson and the young defense have been the story, but I am concerned that the Falcons were unable to score a touchdown against a bad Rams team. 2-0 is a nice start, but I think a dose of reality is coming with games against Cleveland, Tampa Bay, and San Francisco.
#14) - Baltimore Ravens (1-1)
One week after dropping a game to the Jets, the Ravens get back on track over the league-worst Dolphins. So, are they good? Adam is a young up-and-coming coach who should become a perennial playoff contender, but is he the right coach for Lamar Jackson? This Ravens team is good, but not loaded like year’s past, time will tell if he can take over a division featuring Spittah and Andy.
#15) - Detroit Lions (1-1)
After being blown out by the Eagles in Week 1, the Lions bounce back nicely against Washington. They have a recipe for success; Jared Goff is efficient and heavily utilizes top receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the ground game of Swift & Williams wears down opposing defenses. The Lions defense is the weak point of this team, so I foresee JP participating in quite a few shootouts the first season of the cycle.
#16) - Washington Commanders (1-1)
The Commanders began the new cycle and the White Greg era by trading Carson Wentz and handing the keys to rookie Sam Howell, and so far things are going decent. Despite only 2 receptions for Terry McLaurin through 2 games, the pass offense hasn’t turned the ball over, and Howell has played efficient football. I think the Commanders will be a nice story for a bit, but the lack of talent at the coaching spot versus other teams in the NFC East will catch them quickly.
#17) - Denver Broncos (1-1)
The Broncos are 1-1 so far with a loss to Seattle and a 2 point win over Houston…so not impressive. Everything about this team is average currently, outside of a very solid rushing attack. Roc seems to be a good fit to guide this team, and find a way to manage Russell Wilson. I like the weapons on offense, especially with the addition of Odell Beckham Jr, and the defense certainly has some big names. Are they good enough to compete with the Raiders and Chargers?
#18) - Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
I’m actually intrigued by Glenn and Kyler Murray together, as Glenn has always been a competent offensive mind. My concern is the defense and building this team long-term. The Cardinals roster isn’t very good, and is aging rapidly, and I feel too much of this team’s success lies on Kyler Murray and his ability to stay on the field. If Glenn can avoid turnovers, this team should be in most games. A 13 point loss to Vegas with 2 Murray interceptions shows how things could go wrong quickly for this team.
#19) - Green Bay Packers (0-1)
Pat and the Packers dropped a sim in Week 1, and play Chicago (which I expect them to win). Pat was very forgettable in Pittsburgh prior to the reboot, but heads to his favorite team with his favorite quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. The Packers are built to win now, but is Pat going to be able to guide this team over the Vikings and Lions? I have serious doubts.
#20) - Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
So far through the Beech tenure, the Seahawks are very competitive, beating a decent Broncos team, and losing by 1 point to Kelly’s 49ers. Kenneth Walker III is off to a great start for an Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, and the defense has been solid. The biggest question for me is can Geno Smith and Beech do well enough together to get a wild card spot in a tough NFC?
#21) - Dallas Cowboys (0-2)
The Cowboys reshuffled the quarterback room by swapping Dak Prescott for Zach Wilson, and bringing in Shaquille Leonard to join the defense. So far they are 0-2, but have been very competitive in both games, and both came against tough opponents. There will be growing pains with Wilson, but this Cowboys defense should even out and give them a chance to be in every game. Expect them to start climbing the rankings.
#22) - Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Cleveland is the top rushing team in the league currently thanks to Nick Chubb’s dominance, but so far the Browns have split games between two lesser talented opponents in Carolina and New York (Jets). Andy is coming off a very disappointing stint in San Francisco, and enters the AFC North as likely the third to fourth ranked coach in the division. For now, the Browns are average to below-average to me.
#23) - Kansas City Chiefs (0-2)
Very concerning start for Blueprint and the Chiefs, dropping games to Arizona and the Chargers, while Patrick Mahomes trade rumors swirl (I believe these are dead, but what do I know). I ranked this as a top five least favorite coach/team marriage on twitter, and I’m sticking with it. Anytime you start your tenure shopping the best quarterback in the league, I have massive concerns.
#24) - Carolina Panthers (1-1)
After a Week 1 win over Cleveland, the Panthers get embarrassed 38-0 by the Giants, as rookie Matt Corral throws 3 picks and the entire team crumbled. Will they be any good? I think the NFC South will be a one team race as the Falcons come back to earth, and I don’t think the Panthers have the talent offensively to compete over the course of a 17 game season. Look for them to finish around .500.
#25) - Indianapolis Colts (1-1)
I don’t love the moves the Colts made, giving up a 1st round pick to bring in Dak Prescott and shipping out Shaquille Leonard. They are 0-1 in the Prescott era after blowing a 21-10 lead to the Jaguars in the 4th quarter. Are the Colts good enough for a push the chips in move like acquiring Prescott? I don’t think so, but they may be good enough for at least one year until the Texans put the pieces together.
#26 - Pittsburgh Steelers (0-2)
I do not love the marriage of Eikim and the Steelers, as this team is a defense-first operation with a mid-tier rookie quarterback who needs to be handled carefully. With an 0-2 start already, things were going as I thought they would. The Steelers have one of the best GMs in Red Zone in the building, so there is no doubt the team will get better, but I think Season 80 will be a long one.
#27) - Chicago Bears (0-1)
I was very dubious about Longville and the Bears working, then I saw the horrific Ezekiel Elliott/David Montgomery trades. This team has holes all over the roster, and running back was not one. Giving up picks and taking on a bigger running back contract is a massive head scratcher. I don’t see the Bears competing this season.
#28) - Tennessee Titans (0-2)
The Return of Kevin has been…ugly so far. 0-2, with a bottom 5 passing offense and an even worse defense is not an ideal combination. Derrick Henry has been a bright spot, but that’s almost a given at this point. To be fair to the Titans, their schedule has been brutal opening against the undefeated Giants and Bills, but it doesn’t ease up as the 2-0 Raiders come to town in Week 3.
#29) - Los Angeles Rams (0-2)
Another team that concerns me with its coach/team combination. Tauph is not a great general manager, and the Rams need to be treated with very experienced hands. The cap problems are known by all, but the regression of some of the team’s biggest stars will have some tough moves coming. Is Tauph the right guy to get this team back on track? So far the results have been very poor, with the offense averaging 5 points through 2 games.
#30) - Houston Texans (0-2)
So far Houston has been competitive while winless, which may be going to plan. The Texans don’t have the talent to compete in the AFC, but have the right coach to build this roster and win later. This season should be about finding guys for the future, then looking ahead to free agency and the draft to become more competitive in Season 81.
#31) - New Orleans Saints (0-2)
Rough start for the Saints, who are ranked dead last in rush defense, and have scored 1 offensive touchdown through 2 games. They traded for Jimmy Garoppolo to solidify the quarterback spot, but it may not matter if the Saints defense cannot hold up its end of the bargain.
#32) - Miami Dolphins (0-2)
As I write this, the Dolphins are getting smoked by the Baltimore Ravens, so I anticipate them falling to 0-2 with a league-worst point differential. The Dolphins defense lacks superstar talent, so the team’s success comes with the ability of the offense to keep up, and I’m not sure Silk is the coach for that. My biggest concern from Week 1 is putting up 3 points with an offense featuring Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.