Three weeks are in the books, and for the first time this season, we have a new king of EST Elite.
Week 3 brought statement wins, major upsets and plenty of movement throughout the Top 10. Remember, EST Elite isn’t about reputation, preseason expectations or simply looking at a team’s record. It’s about what teams have shown us on the field and who we believe would beat who right now.
Here is the EST Elite Top 10 after Week 3.
1. Buffalo Bills ↑1
Week 3: Bills 24, Chargers 16
Buffalo finally takes the throne.
It wasn’t exactly a clean performance. The Bills turned the ball over five times against Los Angeles and still managed to come away with a 24–16 victory. Great teams find ways to survive games when things aren’t going their way, and Buffalo did exactly that.
The Bills are now 3–0 after wins over Houston, Detroit and Los Angeles. They’ve been knocking on the door of No. 1 since the beginning of the season, and with Seattle finally losing, that door is wide open.
For the first time this season, Buffalo sits atop EST Elite.
2. San Francisco 49ers ↑1
Week 3: 49ers 36, Cardinals 30
San Francisco keeps winning.
After two dominant performances to begin the season, Arizona gave the 49ers their toughest test yet. San Francisco didn’t dominate this time, but it survived a 36–30 battle and improved to 3–0.
That matters. We already knew the 49ers could blow teams out. Now we’ve seen them respond when a game gets uncomfortable and find a way to finish it.
Three games, three wins and a move up to No. 2.
3. Kansas City Chiefs ↑1
Week 3: Chiefs 24, Dolphins 10
Kansas City continues its steady climb.
After needing overtime to beat Indianapolis last week, the Chiefs put together a much more controlled performance against Miami. The defense continued to make plays, the offense did enough, and Kansas City walked away with a comfortable 24–10 victory.
The Chiefs are now 3–0 and have shown different ways to win through three weeks. They can dominate, survive a shootout and control a game with their defense.
Kansas City started the season at No. 5. Three weeks later, the Chiefs are No. 3 and firmly among the NFL’s elite.
4. Seattle Seahawks ↓3
Week 3: Commanders 33, Seahawks 31
The king has finally fallen.
Seattle’s 33–31 loss to Washington ends its run at No. 1, but we aren’t throwing everything the Seahawks have shown us away because of one game.
Seattle still moved the football and had opportunities to win, but turnovers proved costly against a Commanders team playing without its starting quarterback. That’s the kind of loss that has consequences when three undefeated teams are sitting directly behind you.
The Seahawks fall three spots, but we still believe they are one of the best teams in football. One loss doesn’t erase the first two weeks.
Now we get to see how the defending champions respond.
5. Minnesota Vikings ↑3
Week 3: Vikings 23, Buccaneers 16
Minnesota just keeps finding ways to win.
The Vikings followed their defensive battle against Chicago with a 23–16 road victory over Tampa Bay, improving to 3–0.
Minnesota hasn’t needed to play the same style every week. The Vikings exploded offensively in Week 1, won a low-scoring defensive battle in Week 2 and then went on the road and handled business in Week 3.
At some point, undefeated has to speak for itself.
Minnesota jumps three spots and enters the Top 5.
6. Chicago Bears ↑3
Week 3: Bears 27, Eagles 7
Now THAT looked more like the Chicago team we saw in Week 1.
After scoring only three points against Minnesota and losing Caleb Williams to injury, Chicago entered Monday night with plenty of questions. The Bears answered almost all of them by dominating Philadelphia 27–7.
Even with Williams sidelined, Chicago controlled the game and its defense completely shut down an Eagles team that entered the night undefeated.
The Bears have now shown us two dominant performances through three weeks. Week 2 remains a concern, but Monday night was too impressive to ignore.
Chicago jumps three spots to No. 6.
7. Cincinnati Bengals ↓2
Week 3: Steelers 30, Bengals 27
Cincinnati takes a hit, but we aren’t throwing the Bengals out after one loss.
The Bengals fell 30–27 to Pittsburgh in a game that came down to the final moments, with a late strip sack ultimately sealing it for the Steelers. It was Cincinnati’s first loss of the season after opening 2–0.
The result costs Cincinnati two spots, especially with Minnesota and Chicago making strong statements this week, but the Bengals have still shown enough through three games to remain inside EST Elite.
At 2–1, Cincinnati stays in the Top 10 at No. 7.
8. Baltimore Ravens — NEW
Week 3: Ravens 34, Cowboys 31
Baltimore is back.
The Ravens were removed from EST Elite after losing at home to New Orleans in Week 2. Going to Brazil and beating Dallas 34–31 was exactly the response they needed.
It wasn’t perfect, and Dallas pushed Baltimore all the way to the end, but the Ravens found a way to leave with the win and improve to 2–1.
Baltimore has too much talent to ignore when it plays up to its potential. After last week’s disappointment, the Ravens have earned their way back into the Top 10.
9. Las Vegas Raiders — NEW
Week 3: Raiders 35, Saints 27
You can’t ignore 3–0 forever.
Las Vegas enters EST Elite after going into New Orleans and beating the Saints 35–27. Brock Bowers was outstanding, the Raiders offense consistently created opportunities, and Las Vegas took advantage when New Orleans began turning the football over late.
Are we completely sold on the Raiders yet? Not quite.
But EST Elite has to reward what happens on the field, and through three weeks, Las Vegas hasn’t lost.
The Raiders have earned their spot.
10. Philadelphia Eagles ↓4
Week 3: Bears 27, Eagles 7
Philadelphia barely survives.
The Eagles entered Monday night 2–0 and ranked sixth in EST Elite. They left Chicago after being completely outplayed in a 27–7 loss.
That performance raises some serious questions. Philadelphia’s first two victories were already close, and the Eagles finally ran into a team that made them pay for their inconsistencies.
Still, a 2–1 start is enough to keep Philadelphia hanging onto the final spot for now.
But make no mistake: the Eagles are on notice.
Another performance like Monday night and they won’t be here much longer.
Out This Week
Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints
Los Angeles exits after losing 30–26 to Denver. The Rams responded well to their Week 1 loss last week, but at 1–2 they haven’t shown enough consistency to remain among the ten best teams right now.
New Orleans had an opportunity to build on its impressive Week 2 victory over Baltimore but instead lost 35–27 at home to Las Vegas. The Saints have been competitive, but at 1–2, the results simply aren’t there.
Baltimore responded after falling out last week, while undefeated Las Vegas finally forced its way through the door.
That’s what EST Elite is about. Your spot is never guaranteed.
Stay Tuned for Week 4
Three weeks down, and nobody is safe.
Buffalo has taken the throne. San Francisco and Kansas City continue climbing. Seattle finally falls from No. 1. Minnesota has quietly reached the Top 5, Chicago delivered one of the biggest statements of the week, and Baltimore and Las Vegas have entered the rankings.
Now comes Week 4.
Every team gets another chance to rise, fall or prove exactly where it belongs.
If you enjoyed this week’s EST Elite rankings, make sure to like the article and subscribe to Ethical Sports Takes for weekly power rankings, picks, recaps, analysis and more.
Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you for Week 4! 🏈👑
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