NFL Power Rankings: Chiefs claim top spot, while Packers, Cowboys and Giants all tumble

Week Three brings its third different top seed in our power rankings. Meanwhile, the Packers, Cowboys and Giants are all our losers of the week, while the Broncos and Ravens see a big bump. Ultimately, right now, top to bottom, the AFC is a superior conference. That’s represented on our big board.

1. Chiefs (2-0 — last week, No. 4): Kansas City drilled the Eagles for its second straight win of the season. So far, the Chiefs are the best of the bunch in the NFL’s best division. Next week: at Los Angeles Chargers.

2. Patriots (1-1 — last week, No. 2): Good bounce back for the Patriots this past week on the road — a victory that reminded me of Week Two of the 2003 season. New England has now won nine straight regular-season games away from home. Another sizable test looms this week with the Texans. Next week: vs. Houston.

3. Falcons (2-0 — last week, No. 3): If both teams keep progressing in the right direction, the Oct. 22 game in Foxborough between New England and Atlanta is going to be an epic shootout. Next week: at Detroit.

4. Steelers (2-0 — last week, No. 5): A good home win over the Vikings, Pittsburgh has been quietly effective in the early going. Not overwhelming, but good enough to win them both. Next week: at Chicago.

5. Packers (1-1 — last week, No. 1): As good as they looked at times in the season opener against the Seahawks, things got away from them awfully quickly Sunday night against the Falcons. For what it’s worth, we expect them to bounce around the top 10 all season long. Next week: vs. Cincinnati.

6. Seahawks (1-1 — last week, No. 6): A narrow escape against the Niners left us shaking our head. Is it a case of a good team figuring some things out on the early going or a harbinger of something worse? Based on Seattle’s pedigree, we’re going with the former … for now. Next week: at Tennessee.

7. Raiders (2-0 — last week, No. 7): Oakland again deserves better for several reasons, including Marshawn Lynch’s dancing. But a home win over a bottom-feeder like the Jets means that when it comes to our big board, it’s only good enough to maintain their current standing. Next week: at Washington.

8. Broncos (2-0 — last week, No. 10): On the upswing. Really good-looking win for the Broncos, who have gotten some surprisingly competent quarterbacking play from Trevor Siemian. Next week: at Buffalo.

9. Lions (2-0 — last week, No. 9): Only undefeated NFC North team left. Until next week. Why’s that? Next week: vs. Atlanta.

10. Cowboys (1-1 — last week, No. 8): Tom Brady had more rushing yards on Sunday (nine) than Zeke Elliott (eight). Not a recipe for success for Dallas. Next week: at Arizona.

11. Texans (1-1 — last week, No. 13): Not sure what to make of Houston just yet — one bad home loss to the Jags and one meh road win against the Bengals. Maybe some of that is connected to quarterback play. Interested to see what team will show this week in Foxborough. Next week: at New England.

12. Ravens (2-0 — last week, No. 18): You can argue about the quality of the opponent, but two wins are good enough to get you into our top 12. This week: in London against Jacksonville.

13. Titans (1-1 — last week, No. 14): First win of the year good enough for a small bump up our big board. Good test looms. Next week: vs. Seattle.

14. Eagles (1-1 — last week, No. 11): Even after Sunday’s loss, I still believe Malcolm Jenkins when he Philly is the “team to beat” in the NFC East. If they can get past the Giants at home next week — an eminently reasonable prospect — I think more people will believe him. Next week: vs. New York Giants.

15. Bucs (1-0 — last week, No. 16): Tampa Bay moves up winning its opener again the Bears. Considering the competition, if they get past next week, there’s a great shot the Bucs will head into their Oct. 5 game against the Patriots at 3-0. Next week: at Minnesota.

16. Dolphins (0-1 — last week, No. 15): Miami is in first place in the AFC East, but the Dolphins still lose a spot because of what happened around them. Nice cross country win over the Chargers last Sunday, though. Next week: at New York Jets.

17. Panthers (2-0 — last week, No. 20): The lowest-rated 2-0 team on our big board, their schedule has been one of the weakest in the league to this point on the calendar. Next week: vs. New Orleans.

18. Cardinals (1-1 — last week, No. 17): Got a win they needed to get, on the road against the Colts. Nothing good enough to lift them past the same spot they occupied last week. Some of this is because of Dallas’ current state of dysfunction, but I’ll be fascinated to see if they can give the Cowboys a game. Next week: vs. Dallas.

19. Giants (0-2 — last week, No. 12): From left tackle to Eli’s inability to execute, it’s been a bad start for the New York offense. Next week: at Philadelphia.

20. Vikings (1-1, last week, No. 19): The whole Sam Bradford situation has this team in a delicate position right now. If he’s OK, they could be one of the NFC’s surprise teams. If not, they could struggle more than some initially anticipated. Next week: vs. Tampa Bay.

21. Redskins (1-1 — last week, No. 22): They warrant a bump because of a not-so-bad road win over the Rams. With back-to-back games against the Raiders and Chiefs looming, we’ll know just how good they are. Next week: vs. Oakland.

22. Saints (0-2 — last week, No. 21): I still think there’s some life there, but starting 0-2 in the NFC South puts you at a disadvantage right out of the gate. Next week: at Carolina.

23. Bills (1-1 — last week, No. 23): Buffalo was likely within one dropped pass against the Panthers of moving to 2-0 on the year. Not saying that’s going to mean the difference in playoff seeding by the time the end of the year rolls around, but there are small glimmers of hope with the Bills. Next week: vs. Broncos.

24. Chargers (0-2 — last week, No. 24): I have no idea what to think about the Chargers. The only thing I know for sure? There’s no earthly reason for them to be in Los Angeles. Next week: vs. Kansas City.

25. Bears (0-2 — last week, No. 25): Where’s Mitch Trubisky? Time for Mitch-A-Palooza at Soldier Field. What else is there to play for this season? Next week: vs. Steelers.

26. Rams (1-1 — last week, No. 27): They lost to Washington, but we have to admit a small measure of respect for the Rams, who came close to a 2-0 start. Next week: at San Francisco.

27. Bengals (0-2 — last week, No. 26): No touchdowns in the first two games? With road games against the Packers and Steelers looming, this can go south really quickly. Next week: at Green Bay.

28. Niners (0-2 — last week, No. 30): Nice job pushing the Seahawks to the limit. If they could have pulled that off, that would have been a quality signature win for a young team. Next week: vs. Los Angeles Rams.

29. Browns (0-2 — last week, No. 30): Of all the teams that started 0-2, Cleveland has the best chance of landing the No. 1 pick. So that’s something, right? Next week: at Indianapolis.

30. Jaguars (1-1 — last week, No. 28): Up-and-down. After a quality win over the Texans to start the year, the Jags gag one away at home against the Titans. Next week: in London against Baltimore.

31. Colts (0-2 — last week, No. 31): We have a soft spot for Jacoby Brissett, but that was just a brutal loss. Next week: vs. Cleveland.

32. Jets (0-2 — last week, No. 32): The March to 0-16 continues. Next week: vs. Miami.