NFL

2017 NFL Power Rankings: Week 3

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots own the top spot in our power rankings, but there are some surprises in the rest of the top five.

Two weeks of the NFL season are in the books, and while the top team in our power ratings is exactly who you might expect, the top five does have its fair share of surprises.

The New England Patriots got back on track and, in dismantling the New Orleans Saints defense, retained the top spot.

The Denver Broncos were perhaps the most impressive team of the week as well as the biggest gainer in terms of nERD. (nERD measures how many points a team would be expected to win by against an average team on a neutral field. To learn more about nERD, visit our glossary.) After blowing out the Dallas Cowboys, the Broncos moved into the second slot, sinking the 'Boys down a full 15 spots. Ouch.

The Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens, a pair of squads that have been carried almost exclusively by their defenses, also cracked the top five, while the Kansas City Chiefs remained there after topping the Philadelphia Eagles to move to 2-0.

Let's examine all the post-Week 2 ups and downs.