Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: 49ers surge in Week 3, while Saints fall

By Peter Panacy

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: Richie James #13 and Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after Goodwin made a catch for a first down in the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: Richie James #13 and Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after Goodwin made a catch for a first down in the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

11. team. 26. . 2-0. Previous: . Baltimore Ravens

W, 23-17 vs. Cardinals

OK, so the Ravens don’t get a lot of difficulty points this early in the season, dominating the Dolphins before dispatching the Cardinals with relative ease in Week 2.

Then again, all Baltimore is doing is handling its business against teams it should beat. And the Ravens are, for sure.

And this contest featured more of the same, quarterback Lamar Jackson completely dominating the action, and in both fronts, too.

Jackson was an astounding 24-of-37 for 272 yards and two touchdowns. But he also showed off his mobility, rushing for 120 yards. It’s been a while since we’ve seen the dual-threat capabilities like that, and Jackson is putting to rest all those bad takes about him being a wide receiver, not a quarterback.

Simply put, Jackson is awfully fun to watch.

The Ravens will get their first real test of the season in Week 3, as they travel to take on the red-hot Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. That’ll be the true litmus test for how well Baltimore could fare in 2019.