Checking in on the 2021 NFL standings after Week 3 as some shocking teams are in last place in their division, including the Chiefs and Steelers.
It feels like the 2021 season just kicked off yesterday, but we’re somehow already three weeks into NFL action. As such, we’re seeing some teams separate early while others are digging an early whole. More importantly as we look at the early 2021 NFL standings after Week 3, though, we’re starting to figure out who’s good and who’s not.
Now, there are some shocking starts throughout the league when it comes to the standings. However, other parts of the way things have shaken out are as expected. But so early in the season, the big thing to remember is that a lot can change over the next 15 weeks and 14 games for every team.
With that, let’s check in with a division-by-division look at the 2021 NFL standings after Week 3.
AFC East Standings after NFL Week 3
- Buffalo Bills: 2-1
- Miami Dolphins: 1-2
- New England Patriots: 1-2
- New York Jets: 0-3
Especially with Tua Tagovailoa out for the Dolphins, the Bills seemingly have firm control of the AFC East. With Josh Allen showing signs of his 2020 form in Week 3, that’s unlikely to change, as is the fact that the awful Jets are residing in the divisional basement.
AFC North Standings after NFL Week 3
- Cincinnati Bengals: 2-1
- Baltimore Ravens: 2-1
- Cleveland Browns: 2-1
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 1-2
By virtue of their win over the Steelers, the Bengals hold the top spot in the AFC North through three weeks. The only certain thing about how things will play out from here as the Browns and Ravens will likely jostle for position all year is that the Steelers might actually be on the verge of imploding.
AFC South Standings after NFL Week 3
- Tennessee Titans: 2-1
- Houston Texans: 1-2
- Indianapolis Colts: 0-3
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 0-3
I said coming into the season that the Titans would be abject failures to not win this dumpster fire division, so hats off to Tennessee for doing their job. The Texans, Colts and Jaguars, meanwhile, are among the worst teams in the NFL.
AFC West Standings after NFL Week 3
- Las Vegas Raiders: 3-0
- Denver Broncos: 3-0
- Los Angeles Chargers: 2-1
- Kansas City Chiefs: 1-2
This still looks incredibly weird, even after having seen it several times to this point. Not only are the Chiefs already saddled with two losses on the year but the Raiders and Broncos have been surging out of the gates. We’ll see if that lasts, though, as both face their toughest test of 2021 so far in Week 4 in the Chargers and Ravens, respectively..
NFC East Standings after NFL Week 3
- Dallas Cowboys: 2-1
- Washington Football Team: 1-2
- Philadelphia Eagles: 1-2
- New York Giants: 0-3
Despite many doubters, the Cowboys have proven that they are the class of the NFC East. Washington’s defense hasn’t been as advertised, the Eagles offense remains inconsistent and the Giants can’t get out of their own way. Throw in Dallas’ defense playing pretty well and this might be a runaway.
NFC North Standings after NFL Week 3
- Green Bay Packers: 2-1
- Chicago Bears: 1-2
- Minnesota Vikings: 1-2
- Detroit Lions: 0-3
Speaking of potential runaways, the Packers have left their Week 1 stinker well in the past and now appear to be far above the rest of the NFC North. Honestly, the Lions have been more impressive than the VIkings or Bears to this point just by competing well every week.
NFC South Standings after NFL Week 3
- Carolina Panthers: 3-0
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2-1
- New Orleans Saints: 2-1
- Atlanta Falcons: 1-2
Tampa Bay losing to another contender in the Rams drops them below the Panthers but Carolina starts to get tested soon enough, starting next week with Dallas. It’s still hard to know what to make of the Saints right now but we do know the Falcons likely don’t have much of a chance when they play good teams.
NFC West Standings after NFL Week 3
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-0
- Los Angeles Rams: 3-0
- San Francisco 49ers: 2-1
- Seattle Seahawks: 1-2
We’ll get a good look at how for-real this start for the Cardinals is when they play the Rams in Week 4, a team that has been dominant, even against a team like the Bucs. The 49ers are good but have a defined ceiling while the Seahawks shockingly bring up the rear as their offense has been perplexing to say the least.