NFL power rankings for Week 3: Two teams separate themselves from the rest
Someone alert Chris Berman.The iconic ESPN host (and his “Swami” alter ego) predicted a 49ers-Bills matchup in the Super Bowl so often during the 1980s and 1990s — reportedly 12 straight years — that it seemed bound to happen eventually.Except it never did.Even as one team or the other went to seven straight Super Bowls.Decades later, the Bills and 49ers have put together the most impressive first two weeks of the season.
And no one would call that a foolish pick for Super Bowl 61.The more things change, the more they stay the same.Here are The Post’s NFL power rankings for Week 3:Josh Allen was as good in his first game at the Bills’ new home stadium as he was in so many at their last digs.He accounted for five touchdowns, including four on the first four offensive possessions of a 41-31 victory against the Lions.
James Cook added 134 rushing yards and a put-away touchdown.Returning from Australia, the 49ers showed no signs of fatigue in a 35-6 win against the Dolphins.Christian McCaffrey became the fourth-fastest player in the Super Bowl era with 100 career touchdowns (114 games) and Brock Purdy completed 20-of-22 passes.
The 49ers have season-opening back-to-back wins by 20-plus points for the first time in franchise history.Filling in for the injured Sam Darnold, Drew Lock looked the part of a starting quarterback in a 31-7 rout of the Cardinals.Of course, throwing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba (nine catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns) helped his cause.
The Seahawks scored 24 unanswered second-half points to win for the 10th straight time in the series.Yeah, the Chiefs are back.Harrison Butker kicked the walk-off 40-yard field goal as time expired in overtime to finish off a 33-30 victory against the Colts.
Patrick Mahomes passed for 382 yards and three touchdowns, Kenneth Walker totaled 178 yards from scrimmage and Travis Kelce turned back the clock with nine catches for 101 yards.Ja’Marr Chase made a spectacular toe-dragging 32-yard touchdow...