Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: 49ers stay even, Patriots fall entering Week 3

By Peter Panacy

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 16: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins scrambles with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half at FedExField on September 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 16: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins scrambles with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half at FedExField on September 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Like the Ravens in Week 1 versus the Bills, perhaps the Redskins’ prior NFL power rankings were skewed by a lopsided Week 1 victory over a hapless Cardinals opponent.

And maybe we put a bit too much stock into what Washington is doing, particularly after head coach Jay Gruden’s squad posted an uninspiring 21-9 home loss against the Colts on Sunday.

Quarterback Alex Smith did his thing, throwing for nearly 300 yards and not turning the ball over. But the Redskins didn’t help him out much, particularly on the ground, where they averaged a mere 3.0 yards per carry against an Indianapolis run defense thought to be pretty bad against the run this season.

Running back Chris Thompson was a good option out of the backfield, so that’s a bonus. But not much else, especially considering how the Redskins went 0-of-2 in the red zone in their home opener.