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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a jumping catch for a first down in front of Budda Baker #36 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a jumping catch for a first down in front of Budda Baker #36 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Rams. 1. team. 51. . W, 34-0 vs. Cardinals. Previous:

We’ve got a new squad in our top spot for Week 3 NFL power rankings.

The Rams deserve it too, especially after blanking the Cardinals 34-0 in L.A. Sunday. Granted, the Cardinals aren’t particularly good. But still, shutting out any NFL opponent is commendable regardless of the context. So kudos to head coach Sean McVay and Co. there.

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Even without a prolific outside pass rush, the Rams’ defensive backs were able to contain Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and L.A. also bottled up the Cardinals’ top weapon, running back David Johnson, to 48 rushing yards on 13 carries.

That’s a formula to success, plain and simple.

Yet McVay’s Rams are going to be judged by their offensive output, which has turned into scary good this season. It took about two quarters of regular-season football for L.A.’s offense to jell. We saw the results of that on Monday Night Football against the Raiders last week, and it was on full display in Week 2 at home versus the Cardinals.

Most notably from wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who looks on par to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth season in a row. He had a cool 159 yards on seven catches in the game and is cementing his role as quarterback Jared Goff’s top deep-threat weapon.

Like the Chiefs, few teams will want to play the Rams right now. Their offense is clicking. And even if Week 2 saw something of a down day for MVP candidate, running back Todd Gurley, L.A. has plenty of other weapons on both sides of the ball to make up the difference.

Next. Lions vs. 49ers: Full Week 2 grades, analysis for San Francisco. dark

And then some.