NFL Power Rankings Roundup Week 3

The Cincinnati Bengals hit the road for the first time this season. It was a short trip northwest to play the Chicago Bears in front of an absolutely rocking crowd at the renowned Soldier Field.

The Bears started former Bengal's long-time quarterback Andy Dalton.

Dalton, running out of bounds, tweeted his ankle, allowing Justin Fields to take over. Three second-half interceptions almost doomed the Bengals, but Burrow did make a late-game charge.

Cincinnati was a Trey Hendrickson missed tackle away from getting the ball back with time for a game-winning drive. However, the Bears picked up the late-game first and ran the clock down.

The Bengals lost 20-17, and their loss was clearly shown in power rankings, typically ranked as one of the worst teams with a win in the first two weeks. That said, let’s dive into where they were ranked by national media.

ESPN — 25th - Down from 24th

The Bengals have only three feasible WR fantasy options, but the fifth overall pick has exceeded expectations after a rocky August. Chase leads all Bengals receivers in fantasy points per game in standard leagues (13.65). Both of his touchdown catches have come on long receptions, which suggests he will be a big-play option for managers moving forward. Chase is averaging 18.8 air yards per target, which leads the Bengals by a large margin, according to ESPN Stats & Information data. — Ben Baby

NFL.com — 26th - Down from 23rd

It’s happening again. The Bengals are struggling to protect Joe Burrow, and the feeling of impending disaster once more looms in the Queen City. Burrow was sacked four times by the Bears and hit on five other occasions in a 20-17 loss. Chicago’s ferocious pass rush might help explain why Burrow was in such a giving mood — the QB threw interceptions on three consecutive attempts in the second half, wiping away any chance at back-to-back victories to start the year. It’s back to the drawing board for Zac Taylor, who should pray that T.J. Watt isn’t on the field for the Steelers on Sunday.

Yahoo! Sports — 25th - Up from 24th

Joe Burrow had a rough day, but he doesn’t seem like the type who will let that bother him. There are better days ahead for the Bengals, even if they’re not there yet.

CBS Sports — 25th - Stayed put

They made it interesting late against the Bears, but it took too long for the offense to get going. Joe Burrow made some bad throws and decisions.

The Ringer — 27th

Bleacher Report — 24th - Down from 21st (quote taken is only excerpt)

Heading into Sunday’s matchup in Chicago, no quarterback in the NFL had a longer streak of pass attempts without an interception than Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow.

So of course he threw three in Week 2—on three consecutive passes. One was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Roquan Smith. Another set up a field goal that wound up being the difference in a three-point loss.

USA Today — 24th - Down from 20th

The last team (before this one) to suffer a loss with QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase in the lineup? How about the 2018 LSU squad that fell 74-72 to Texas A&M in seven overtimes.

Sporting News — 23rd - Down from 16th

The Bengals saw the usual fight from Joe Burrow in one of the worst games of his young career. They also should like what they have seen in their defensive improvements and offensive skill potential.