There are two general ways to look at Sunday’s loss for the Green Bay Packers. On one hand, the Packers blew a 12-point lead and played terribly during the decisive fourth quarter, squandering what could have been an inspiring 2-0 start on the road. On the other, the Packers impressively built a 12-point lead entering the fourth quarter of another road game despite missing four incredibly important players on offense, and still had plenty of chances late to seal the deal late.
At least one national perspective took the latter approach. Despite the 25-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, the Packers actually rose three more spots in USA Today’s latest NFL power rankings.
Buy Packers TicketsMatt LaFleur’s team improved from No. 15 in Week 2 to No. 12 entering Week 3.
Here’s the Packers’ blurb from Nate Davis:
They were two points away from the franchise’s first ever 2-0 start on the road. And 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.
The Packers are returning home in Week 3 to play the unbeaten New Orleans Saints, who rank No. 8 after beating the Carolina Panthers on Monday night. The 2-0 Falcons, who came back to beat the Packers, moved up from No. 17 to No. 11.
The San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs held strong in the top four slots, and the Buffalo Bills joined them in the top five. The Detroit Lions dropped from No. 5 to No. 9 after losing to the Seattle Seahawks in their home opener.
Falling to No. 31? The Chicago Bears, who are 0-2 after losing to the Buccaneers on Sunday. Only the Houston Texans are lower.
The Packers could easily rise into the top 10 of the rankings entering Week 4 if LaFleur and Jordan Love can find a way to get past the Saints at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Previous rankings
Week 1: No. 18
Week 2: No. 15
Week 3: No. 12
