NFL Power Rankings, Week 3: Updated AFC rankings entering pivotal week

We're already almost through the first "month" of the 2026 NFL season. While it seems like we're learning a lot about every team after just two games, we've truly only just begun.

So much can change between now and the end of the season, but for the time being, we can only react to what we've seen.

Even if there is still a lot of football left to be played, our instincts coming into the 2026 season appear correct: The AFC is absolutely loaded. It's borderline ridiculous. The AFC had a number of teams that unexpectedly regressed last season, a number of teams that dealt with injuries, as well as a number of breakout teams.

We're seeing what this conference looks like, with those breakout teams sticking around as well as the powerhouses of old bouncing back. Our newest NFL Power Rankings entering Week 3 attempt to sort out the crowded AFC.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 3: Bills and Chiefs on top of AFC early

16. Miami Dolphins (0-2)

The Miami Dolphins are going to be in evaluation mode all season, so they're going to be a mainstay here at the bottom of these conference and league-wide NFL Power Rankings.

We think...

But since the Dolphins are in "evaluation" mode, how about we get some more designed running plays for Malik Willis to evaluate? The Dolphins shouldn't be intentionally limiting Willis as a runner just for the sake of evaluating his ability to win from the pocket. They want to get good looks at their young receivers as well, but getting Willis on the move could unlock some more balance for the offense.

15. Tennessee Titans (0-2)

We got a much better showing out of the Titans in Week 2 than we did in Week 1, that's for sure.

But they still couldn't close the deal.

As optimistic as I was about the Titans at one point in the offseason, the preseason and first couple of games this year have been an important brake check. This is still a rebuilding and reloading team that is going to need time.

The best we can hope for from the Titans on a week-to-week basis is consistent improvement from Cam Ward, and better performance from the defense in situational football. This team needs some pass rushers to emerge/step up.

14. Cleveland Browns (1-1)

I wasn't sure the Browns were going to be able to win a game with Deshaun Watson as the quarterback this season, but dare I say it...He kind of looked good in Week 2.

It almost feels blasphemous to say anything good about Watson, but we're reacting to what we're seeing on the football field, and nothing more. Watson helped lead the Browns to a Week 2 win on the road against the Buccaneers when nobody in the entire NFL world thought the Bucs were going to lose that game.

Don't look now, but the Browns are making their home debut this weekend. You can't overreact to stuff you see in the first couple of weeks of the season, but that game from Watson (and his young receivers) was encouraging.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)

I almost could not possibly be lower on the Pittsburgh Steelers right now. I'm just not buying this team in any way, shape, or form.

They are the definition of uninspiring and boring through two games. Aaron Rodgers looks like he's going to be retiring 2-3 years too late. The ceiling of this team feels incredibly low.

It's just not a good product we're seeing on the field from the Steelers right now. They're taking on the Bengals in Week 3, and that Cincinnati team has looked tough to start the year. If the Steelers can get a win on Sunday, it would go a long way to changing the way they're perceived right now.

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