NFL Week 3 Power Rankings Roundup: Packers (Mostly) Fall After Losing to Falcons

Here’s where you’ll find the Green Bay Packers and this week’s opponent, the New Orleans Saints, in a large sampling of national power rankings.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – By the numbers, Jordan Love has played well enough to give the Green Bay Packers back-to-back victories over the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons to open the 2023 NFL season.

Love leads the NFL in touchdown passes, touchdown percentage, interceptions, interception percentage and passer rating. However, he’s 30th in completion percentage. Due in part to Love going 0-for-6 passing and botching a quarterback sneak during the fourth quarter, the Packers coughed up a 24-12 lead and lost 25-24 at Atlanta on Sunday.

Up next, the Packers will host one of the NFC’s seven undefeated teams, the New Orleans Saints, at noon Sunday.

Here’s our weekly look at 10 national power rankings, listed in order from best to worst.

USA Today: 12th

Last week: 15th

Nate Davis noted the Packers just missed their first-ever 2-0 start in which both games were on the road. “Considering the absences of WR Christian Watson, RB Aaron Jones, LT David Bakhtiari and (mostly) G Elgton Jenkins on Sunday, plenty of reasons for optimism – especially if QB Jordan Love can execute a sneak properly moving forward.”

CBS Sports.com: 13th

Last week: 9th

Wrote Pete Prisco: “They blew a game against the Falcons after leading in the fourth quarter. The defense let them down late, which was somewhat surprising.”

Yahoo.com: 14th

Last week: 12th

Frank Schwab noted pointed out Jordan Love’s strong start but “part of his development will be making winning plays in the fourth quarter, whether that's with the Packers trailing or leading. On Sunday, Green Bay led 24-12. It wouldn't have taken much to get over the finish line, but Love and the offense didn't put the game away.”

FoxSports.com: 15th

Last week: 14th

Love has been a “total success,” Dave Helman said, other than the “ouch” of an ending at Atlanta. “The Packers had total control over Atlanta until they completely fell apart. The defense gave up 211 rushing yards, and the offense gained seven yards over its final three possessions. There were bound to be growing pains, but that was rough.”

Packers QB Jordan Love throws under pressure at the Falcons :: Photo by Dale Zanine/USA Today Sports Images

Sports Illustrated: 16th

Last week: 11th

All things considered, the Packers are in a “comfortable” spot through two games, Conor Orr said. As part of a longer summation: “Love has continued to display a veteran comfort, looking like a developing protege of the man he studied under for so long.”

NFL.com: 18th

Last week: 15th

Eric Edholm wouldn’t go so far as to say the Packers blew it against the Falcons. “Though it felt like Jordan Love getting the ball back with 57 seconds remaining and a chance to win it would be the start of his legend in Green Bay, that wasn’t meant to be. There were plenty of Packers deficiencies in the game (ahem, run defense), but for as well as Love played, he and the offense stalled late with a reasonable chance to win.”

Pro Football Talk: 18th

Last week: 13th

PFT publisher Mike Florio (perhaps correctly) says the Packers are going to regret blowing Sunday’s game.

ESPN.com: 19th

Last week: 14th

In a note about players in contract seasons, Rob Demovsky noted AJ Dillon’s struggles.

The 33rd Team: 19th

Last week: 15th

Ryan Reynolds loved Love’s six touchdowns vs. zero interceptions but not the completion percentage. “Love was without RB Aaron Jones and WR Christian Watson last week, so there’s a clear path to him being more productive. The Green Bay Packers face two quality opponents during the next two weeks. They will need more out of their offense in those matchups.”

Pro Football Network: 23rd

Last week: 23rd

The Packers are 1-1 but their opening opponents aren’t exactly championship-caliber juggernauts. Wrote Dalton Miller: “Jordan Love certainly looks better than many expected coming into the NFL season, but the Packers defense still has a potentially fatal flaw. They can’t seem to get right with Joe Barry calling the shots.”

Next Opponent: Saints at Packers

The Packers will host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Then, it’s a quick turnaround before a Thursday night home game against the NFC North-rival Detroit Lions. By average ranking, the Packers are 16.8. The Saints’ average ranking is 11.5, ranging from eighth at USA Today to 19th at Pro Football Talk.

“I made a 2010 Jets comparison last week, with deference to Derek Carr in that he is a higher-end version of Mark Sanchez,” wrote SI.com’s Conor Orr, who had the Saints at No. 15. “After watching the Saints again on Monday Night Football, it’s a comparison I feel OK about. New Orleans has undeniable playmaking talent on offense and, at least once a week, it seems, they will get just enough of that to supplement their defense, which Dennis Allen always has firing.”

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The #Packers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yesterday. Here are three overreactions, including the position at which they'll use their first-round pick.https://t.co/mdqPE2mSkK

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 18, 2023

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