10 Best 2017-2022 Astros Memories/Moments

Look, maybe the Astros sweep this weekend, and Boston or Texas helps us, and we sneak into the playoffs as the last Wild Card, and go on a run, but all of that is unlikely. The 2025 Astros were never all that good - after losing Bregman and Tucker, and the replacements either being bad (Walker) or getting hurt (Paredes). Then Yordan got hurt, and came back and raked and got hurt again. The bullpen unsurprinsgly wore down. This might be the year the Astros don't make the playoffs. They may get there next year in 2026 if injury luck isn't as bad, but still, they are unlikely to get there this year because the Mariners went 16-1 in Septemeber.

 

It's at this moment you get mad at yourself for ending your "22 Thougths on the 2022 Astros" with talk of the dynasty to come. It isn't coming. It could've been there in 2023 - they arguably should've won the AL that year, and probably would have beaten the D'Backs. But by 2024, it was gone. In 2025, it is very gone. It is ironic this is 10 years after their rebirth in 2015. At this point, I do start to get nostalgic. It is a sig how old I am to watch one of my teams be god awful and build up after tanking, do it about successful as anyone ever, and then reach the tail end of their compettive run once again. So, as anyone faced with that hand of cards, I'll look to the past - here are my 15 favorite plays during the 2017-2022 Astros dynasty. I'm of course exclduing 2023, but I will say the Altuve HR in Game 5 would rank quite high, even if they went out and laid two abhorrent eggs in Game 6-7.

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15.) Carlos Beltran 2B (Game 4, 2017 ALDS)

Most of these will be in 2017 and 2022. No surprise there. A few will be in 2019 and 2021, the seasons that at least the Astros made the World Series before falling on themselves. Maybe a couple will be 2018 and 2020. But let's start with a forgetting one in 2017. At this point, the Astros hadn't won a playoff series. They won the first two games in Houston without much fuss, before losing Game 3. But here we saw ourselves up 4-3 - a blown loss away from a winner take all game. But Carlos Beltran hit a double to give an insurance run (that was needed - the Astros won 5-4). There are two weird memories here - first was I was following the game on MLB.tv, at work in California at the time. It probably was the last time I followed an Astros playoff game exclusively on the app. That "In Play (Runs)" never hit harder. And second, it was still just weird rooting for Beltran. If I included the 2004-05 playoffs in this, Beltran may figure a good amount, but he also just skipped town. Fuck him, but love him also.

14.) Yordan Alvarez HR (Game 1, 2022 ALDS)

Arguably it should be higher up. It was the first ever walk-off home run in the playoffs hit with the team trailing by more than one run. It takes a weird set of circumstances to even allow for such a hit, but here we had it, and Yordan delivered with something unholy. But I only have it this far down because (1) I didn't see it - busy at a work all hands meeting and (2) I think the Astros probably win the series anyway. Shame me, but I just think ALDS memories are not as meaningful as ALCS and WS ones. Case in point, I have zero moments from the ALDS in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 on this list. Of course, I do know who we beat in each one of those years, but it just isn't all that important. We're deep enough into the game that the ALDS win isn't the goal. All that said, Jesus setting history was something beautiful.

13.) Kyle Tucker HR (Game 6, 2021 ALCS)

Yes, the 2021 seasons ended sourly, with a fairly meek World Series loss to the Braves, but the one silver lining was beating the Red Sox (fuck Boston, as always) in the ALCS, payback for the 2018 series where the Red Sox beat the Astros despite being outhit in the series. The Astros won Game 6 in the end 5-0, shutting down Boston with a 2-hitter, started by Luis Garcia. It was mesmerizing, but it walso nerve wrackign entering the eighth inning with the Astros leading just 2-0. In that inning, Kyle Tucker, the last Top-10 pick the rebuilding Astros would ever have, the last of the mega-prospects, hit a tower, beautiful, majestic home run to make it 5-0. It calmed me down It got the Minute Maid Park all up in arms. It was a poetic moment. It was probably the moment that cemented the Astros as a King of the new AL - what better way than beating both the Yankees (2017, 2019 - 2022 to come) and Red Sox in the ALCS to do it.

12.) Michael Brantley 2B (Game 3, 2021 ALCS)

I talked about the 2021 ALCS earlier. It ended up being relatively smooth, but the Red Sox did win Game 1 and Game 3, and led 2-1 entering the 8th in Game 4. The Astros tied it, and then took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 9th. The bases were loaded, the world was still humming, and then Michael Brantley, Mr "Professional Hitter" himself, laced a double to clear the bases, making it 6-2. The Astros would win game 4 easily, and we talked about Game 5 previously. At the moment before Brantley's hit, the horrific 2018 ALCS collapse was still fresh in our minds. That series, the Astros out-hit the Red Sox, but couldn't string together hits to save their lives. In this one, there was a chance the same could happen. The Astros bullpen was still up and down. A 3-2 lead into the 9th was precarious. Brantley made it all moot, and shut up that Boston crowd. The Astros jumped to a 7-0 lead in Game 5, so really after that Brantley hit, the Boston crowd coudln't cheer for much at all.

11.) Final Out (Game 4, 2022 WS)

Look, I know the Astros cheated in 2017. There are still 2017 moments to come because obviously I didn't know it at the time, and I remain someone who believes both (a) the level it helped them was overstated and (b) other teams were doing something similar. But whatever, by 2022, the 2017 win was a bit sour. So yeah, it was damn nice to just win one after that. I've long held that I would love all All Time great players to win at least one ring, and that I want my favorite teams if they're in some sort of dynastic run to win two. Well, here was my two. The game was still relatively close at this point, but once that ball was lofted towards Kyle Tucker, I was in a state of elation. It was the real crowning, if anything, of this Astros run. Doubly so if this group never gets back.

10.) Carlos Correa HR (Game 5, 2020 ALCS)

Ok, spoiler alert, this is the only one on this list from a year they didn't make the World Series. None from 2018 because the ALCS was harrowing, and the ALDS was one of the great blowouts of all time. It went from zero tension to zero fun. In 2020, the Astros were not good - all players had awful years or were injured. They only made the playoffs because of an expanded playoff field and MLBs weird way of ranking. They went down 0-3 in teh ALCS, but won Game 4 and then Correa hit a walk-off in Game 5. All the games were played in San Diego, but for a second, it felt like Houston. For a second, in October of 2020, when the world was still very much shit, everything seemed right. I even remember where I watched this game - on the futon in the "playroom" in my parents house. They would win Game 6, before losing meekly in Game 7. The weird paradox of this team

9.) Jose Altuve & Carlos Correa HRs  (Game 2, 2017 WS)

Game 2 and Game 5 of the 2017 WS will be well represented on this list, but let's start out with one of the signature moments of "yeah, we're fucking good" in taht series, when Altuve and Correa went back to back, to very similar parts of Dodgers Stadium to silence that crowd. Yes, ironically the Astros would blow that lead and still win the game, but at that moment, to me it was the MVP (Altuve) and the superstar MVP-to-be (Correa) going abck to back. It was symbolic more than anything. They could've easily still lost the series, and it would still rank highly. To do it to shut up Dodger Stadium was just a plus. Correa never got to those MVP heights (though we'll see him again in this ranking) but I don't know if there was a moment he was at more of a peak in belovedness than after that HR. It was the moment that the Astros announced they would not go quietly into that night, and if anything could very well outhit the Dodgers.

8.) Alex Bregman 1B (Game 5, 2017 WS)

7.) Chas McCormick's Catch  (Game 5, 2022 WS)

Game 5s in our two wins are just incredible games. Obviously, the 2017 version will live in history as one of the craziest, greatest baseball games ever played, but the 2022 vintage was pretty special. The Astros were clinging to a 3-2 lead, after escaping numerous jams when Verlander was in teh game, to getting an amazing pluck at 1st by Trey Mancini in the 8th. It was 3-2, and JT Realmuto hit a deep dive. I was in a bar with coworkers, probably one of three (out of 40) actually watchign this game, and saw McCormick drift back and back and jump and somehow catch it. He really shouldn;t have - it was an audacious catch taht shut up Citzens Bank Park. It put the Astros one out away from a 3-2 lead. It was the end, basically, to one of the more tightly played, dramatic games I've ever seen - at least in terms of low scoring ones.

6.) Carlos Correa HR (Game 2, 2019 ALCS)

The 2019 ALCS was a weird one, where the Astros won two games by the skin of their teeth (this one and Game 6, where a moment is yet to come) and the other two by embarrassing New York in New Yoro. Well, before this moment - the series was very much in flux. The Yankees won Game 1 easily in Houston - embarrassing the Astros really. The led for some of a tight Game 2. I was in SFO Airport, needing to board my redeye back to New York after a weekend watching a Count the Dings live show where I talked shit to way too many Yankee fans. There was a moment where I wasn't sure the game would end before I had to board my 10pm PST flight, but sitting there at Uncork'd in SFO, I watched on TV Correa hit one of the most dominant, boss-like HRs to win it - oppo with power and it being a no-doubter. Correa tapped his wrist - indicating this was his time. Carlos is a strange figure for Astros fans, clearly a hero, but someone who also never quite lived up to the maximum expectations, but it was moments like these that will always live for all of us.

5.) Brian McCann 2B  (Game 7, 2017 ALCS)

The 2017 ALCS was a slog. The Astros were way better than the Yankees that year, but the Yankees kept chipping away. The Yankees were at their most Yankee-ish when they came back from 4-0 down after 6 innings in Game 4. They won all three in Yankee stadium. The Astros won Game 6 fairly easily, but Game 7 was still very close until late, when Brian McCann, a rental taht summer to instill some maturity into a bunch of kids, came up huge with a double that scored two and made it 4-0. It was the unlikeliest of heroes against a heretofore dominant Tommy Kahnle. It was a beautiful hit into the corner of Minute Maid's right field. It gave my cousin Andy and I, watching this at a bar in Nashville, a sigh of relief and honestly the beginning of a celebration that wouldn't stop for hours. The Astros were going to the World Series (Lance McCullers bevy of curveballs were a fait accompli) - the rebuild was done.

4.) Marwin Gonzalez HR  (Game 2, 2017 WS)

It's funny that this HR made it 3-3 and the game ended 7-6 with five more home runs hit after this one (including two that I already covered) but this moment was still the most amazing one. Up until this point, the Astros lost 3-1 in Game 1 against Kershaw (who was brilliant) and were two outs away from losing 3-2 in Game 2. But against Kenley Jansen in a year of unkillable brilliance, it seemed over. Especially since Jansen was facing the 7-8-9 hitters. The Dodgers were like 75-1 or something up after eight innings. But switch-hitting super-utility man Marwin Gonzalez got a hold of a cutter, the breeze was blowing the right way that day (see the eight home runs) and it was tied. The Astros had life. The Astros were dead before this. Every moment of their run towards the 2017 World Series started that night with a weird choked-up-on-the-bat swing by a utility man against a monster closer.

3.) George Springer HR (Game 7, 2017 WS)

The 2017 World Series was an all timer, but Game 7 was a dud. In the best way, and the moment it became one was when George Springer, on his second at bat, hit a swooping bomb out to right center and made it 5-0. I was pretty sure at that moment that it was over. It was - the Dodgers threatened maybe once or twice more and got a run, but it was smooth sailing those last seven innings. It was 5-0, Springer had his fifth straight game with a homer, and it was all celebrations in Astro land (my house). To me, it also meant a lot that it was Springer. He was the first big draft pick that became a great prospect and then player. He hit such majestic home runs at times. He did go hot and cold, but few have ever been as hot as him in the 2017 World Series, and the second he connected, we knew we were Champs.

2.) Jose Altuve HR  (Game 6, 2019 ALCS)

Series clinching walk off home runs are more rare than you think. Them happening in a LCS or World Series even more so. There have been just three this century (the 00s) and my team did one of those (Magglio Ordonez in 2006 and Travis Ishikawa in 2014 the others), so yeah it's really high up even if the subsequent World Series was a giant disappointment. The Altuve home run also came the half inning after the Astros blew the game ni the top of the 9th when the Yankees hit a game tying home run off of Roberto Osuna (you know, the guy the Astros traded for after his DA allegations came out - yeah, I'm pretty happy we fired Jeff Luhnow and Co. into the sun). At that point I found it pretty likely they were going to lose that game and we would need a game 7, but then Altuve took the hammer to Aroldis Chapman, teeing off on a not-even-all-that-bad changeup, just murdering it to the deepest part of the park. The Joe Buck call was epic as well - I can still hear that "Altuve.... sends the Astros to the World Series" ringing in my head. That was also the last pure moment we ahd in the run, as of course the World Series would end roughly and then the sign stealing stuff would come out days later. We ended it on a high note.

1.) Yordan Alvarez HR  (Game 6, 2022 World Series)

Memories of 2019 were still in all of our minds, when the Astros returned back to Minute Maid up 3-2, put tons of runners on in both games, but lost both and lost the World Series. The script was seemingly repeating itself, with the Astros threatening a lot in Game 6, but still down in 1-0 in the sixth, when up stepped Alvarez with runners on teh corners. After his incredible home run in Game 1 of the ALDS and subsequent one in Game 2, he had gone quiet. He was having a rough go, for him. But then he got pissed off I guess because they brought in a lefty. Alvarez somehow hits lefties exactly as well as he hits righties, but Phillies manager Rob Thompson didn't get that memo. Jose Alvarado hung a fastball at 99mph and Alvarez hit it about 120mph to dead center. It was gone the second it left the bat. It was the purest swing, purest outome. It would've been a no-doubter had Tal's Hill still been a thing. It went to seats that never get a chance to get a home run ball. It was also the moment we won the World Series - the last nine outs a fait accompli for the most dominant postseason bullpen (by performance) of all time. Yordan Alvarez was our monster and I truly don't think there has ever been a purer hit home run of such importance, the capstone on the two titles and cementing this Astros run as something that will always be complete.

My Love Affair with the The American West

I first ventured West in 1995 - meaning West of the Mississippi. It was a family trip to the Pacific Northwest (and even into Canada!). A love affair with the Rockies and Pacific Northwest started at that time, though as we'll get to it took a long, long time to blossom.

Now, I should say I'm not 100% sure that was my first trip West of the Mississippi. It probably was, but anyway it was definitely the first time I remember going across this beautiful country we call the United States of America.

For years, this "love" let's call it lay dormant, until one abject disaster spawned a trip to Portland in 2017. See, I was supposed to go to Cape Town, for what would've been at that point a third time. But after driving up to JFK, even parking my car in Long Term parking, I was told by the check-in counter that I couldn't board the flight because I had only one blank page in my passport. Of course, a South Africa stamp is quite small, as I showed them given the two other pairs of entry and exit stamps for South Africa I had. Anyway, crestfallen (in tears, really), I drove back and then quickly decided where I could go in the Continental US instead, and after some milling about, I chose Portland.

It ended up being a win-win. I loved that trip to Portland in 2017 - the wilderness, the scenery, the coolness of being so far away in a tucked away corner of our country (oddly, I really don;t have this romanticism for California - which I was travelling to at that point every week for work). I replaced what would've been a pretty short, cramped trip to Cape Town with a more elongated one the following year which I added Egypt to, a trip that remains one of my favorites of all time. Actually, it was a win-win-win - the third win being that because of the trip to South Africa being cancelled, I was home for Game 6 and Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, getting to watch the Astros win (at the time, a pure memory indeed). Anyway, the biggest win of those was rediscovering the beauty of this country when you escape the urban maw of the Northeast, and the plaid pleasantness of the Midwest.

That trip to Portland in 2017 begat more explorations in 2018, with trips to Vancouver in June and Salt Lake City in July. It was really that Salt Lake City trip that unlocked it all - such a brilliant city with amazing scenery and wilderness adn trails just less than an hour away. People can laugh and joke about the mormon stuff and how "boring" it must be, but it isn't - it is an incredible place I loved in 2018, and have equally loved on subsequent visits in 2023 and 2025. That said, the reason I ventured out that direction is 2018 was the one year in my time in consulting that I didn't really have to fly for work (I'm excluding the Covid years of say 2020-2022 when work travel ground to a halt). I wanted to keep United Platinum, and back then miles flown actually mattered, so the few weekends I decided to venture out, I wanted to go far.

But that convoluted reason for venturing out west led to even a greater appreciation of its coolness and more and more trips thereafter. In 2019, it was Calgary (which somehow, I haven't made it back to). In 2021, it was the duel trips to Phoenix and Denver - which should already be a good indication of how deep this was, as those were my first times on a plane after Covid. In 2022, ti was Minneapolis, which may be my favorite of all the cities proper (though I was disappointed in how little mountains / hills / treks there are nearby, which is more a disappointment in myself for not realizing this) and another trip to Phoenix, which I did again in 2023 (I really like Phoenix.... in December). In 2024, I did the trio of Denver, Salt Lake City and Phoenix - made easier by me going to Utah for work twice a month. 

And now in 2025, I've maybe outdone myself - basically any weekend trip has been at least Mountain Time Zone, with Phoenix in April (right on the cusp of it becoming too hot), Salt Lake City in June, Minneapolis in July (btw, I realize Minneapolis isn't that far "west" but it is technically West of the Mississippi in the most literal sense) and now Portland in September, completing the circle.

Anyway, enough random rambling, I probably should talk about why I like this part of the country so much. It's for myriad reasons, but mainly because I think it offers in abundance so many of the things that I've come to look for and enjoy in a place. First of all, the incredible natural beauty. It is one of the more accurate truisms of American exceptionalism that we have some of the most incredible natural beauty of any country in the World, and while there aren't National Parks right next to these places (other than Rocky Mountain near Denver), there are so many incredible trials, hikes, and jaw-dropping views. 

From the Cottonwood Canyons in Utah, which to me are better in their green and luscious glory in Summer than they are in winter when they become some of the most expensive ski resorts in the country (my favorite hike in that area is basically literally hiking up Brighton), to even the secondary parks around Denver - the Rocky Mountains and its offshoots are incredible. Equally so are the endless evergreens of the Pacific Northwest - peaking with teh Columbia River Gorge, with its evergreen cliffs and hills on either side of the large Columbia River, creating what may be one of the most beautiful highways in teh World. Hell, even Phoenix gets in on the act - as the hikes with giant saguaro catcuses are nearly as regal as the evergreens.

Then there's their love of beer - in every one of those cities, and yes I'm including Salt Lake City in that. From some of my favorite beer bars, including maybe my single favorite in The Theodore in Phoenix, to amazing craft options all over Denver and Portland, to Minneapolis which is maybe the king. The idea of lazing an hour or two at a craft brewery is basically perfected in this part of the world. There's also their love of EDM music, which fine is probably a thing everywhere in the year of our Lord 2025, but I've found few places better than The Black Box in Dwnver, or Skyway Theatre in Minneapolis - and I write this before I'll try The Den in Portland tonight and 45 East tomorrow night.

The food shouldn't be laughed at either. Phoenix is its own animal with its Mexican food that in my view can easily rival that of California or Texas in brilliance - my single favorite burrito place in the United States is there in Taco Boys - so good I'll have that as my 2am snack rather than gyros. But aside of Pheonix, you get these places that are so good at using local ingredients inclduing game meats, juniper, berries and so much more. I know America gets shit on for not having a true cuisine and that is because we have dozens, and Mountain cooking and Northwest cooking are both excellent.

But more than anything, I think it is the vibes and the people. There's a laidbackness that I can get behind, and not in a "let's make that our entire thing" like a California - there's an earnestness in these parts of the country. There's an enjoyment of life, of the place around you, of the people around you. I've been a New Yorker my whole life so I can get by with the cuththroat and sharpness of that way, but my heart lies with people in this part of the country. I truly don't know if I've ever felt more welcomed, more at home, in this country in other places.

I think it is the remoteness that does it, that creates a sense of community and realism. There aren't as many transplants, despite all of these cities being large hubs. You have to go hundreds of miles from any of them to reach the next major city so they've basically created their own little worlds in their own claves. And they're always happy to welcome more people to their space. And by the way, I'm writing all of this as a minority - and while Phoenix and to some degree Denver are quite multi-cultural already, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis and (surprisingly) Portland are not, but still I've never felt odd.

In fact, I feel very content with the oddness of their own people. This will be one of the trickier things to write, but in a New York, or any Coastal city really (and even to some degree a Chicago) there is a certain level of "coolness" that I will never feel comfortable mingling with - be it wealth (New York, LA) or frattiness (Chicago). Maybe this isn't true, but I've never felt any of that in the cities I'm talking about. It's like to venture to this part of the country by default means you've left your pretensions at the door. I wrote a few years ago about how I felt Lima was one of the cities with the amount of pretense. Well, all of these cities are on that list as well, at least the US version.

It';s also I think the reason I keep coming back (there is a very strong correlation between cities that I find have less pretension, and where I return to). Well, that and I just like getting my miles/money worth if I'm going to travel. I've been blessed to be born in this country (even if I'm against a lot of what it stands for at the moment in a macro sense) where you can fly four hours and be in the same country but feel like your on a different planet. Well, I want to explore that planet, the same way I guess Lewis & Clark did to some degree. There are a host of amazing places in that upper left quartile of our nation, and even after a solid eight years of coming here many times, I never get tired of it. Here's to eight more - my personal manifest destiny.

NFL 2025: Week 4 Power Rankings & The Rest

Before I start with the rankings, I just want to talk a bit about the magic that is the NFL, and more to it, the way it is scheduled and red zone and the like. None of this is exactly groundbreaking. RedZone has been a thing for nearly twenty years and has been amazing from Day 1. Yes, the few ads are annoying (and probably a harbinger of many ads in future), but red zone remains amazing, mostly because of days like yesterday.

That brief ten minutes where we had four blocked kicks that were all important, two of which run back for touchdowns, one of which resulted in teh Browns getting their shot to upset the unbeatable Packers, was just the perfection of RedZone. On paper heading into the week only one of those three dramatic games seemed to be good - but in the NFL not only do you never know when a game will be good (the Browns/Packers game a perfect example) but when you bundle 7/8/9/10 games in teh same window, in a sport this competitively balanced all things considered, you're just guaranteed to get 3-4 great games that all end around the same time. When they end in similarly amazing, once-in-a-year type ways, well, then you get what we got yesterday, where Scott Hanson led us brilliantly through an orgasm of football. The NFL never lets us down, neither does RedZone.

Ranking the 0-3 Teams

Tier I - The "2026 Is Only Three Months Away" Duo

6.) New Orleans Saints  (0-3  =  47-90)

5.) Tennessee Titans  (0-3  =  51-94)

There's always a few teams each year that no one expects to be good, that plays surprisingly frisky the first couple weeks but still loses, and then the losses become more of the routine and get worse and worse. The Saints and Titans both fit that for me. The Saints have a bright future in teh sense they've finally just let the cap madness wash all over them. For the Titans, still way too early to make any judgements on Cam Ward, but it may not be too early to make judgements on Brian Callahan the head coach, or at the very least the idea that just having Callahanii on your staff will give you a good OL.

Tier II - The "Least Coast" Trio

4.) New York Giants  (0-3  =  52-83)

3.) Miami Dolphins  (0-3  =  56-97)

2.) New York Jets  (0-3  =  69-93)

Well, I really hope the Russ era is over. It needs to be after that one. What are they gaining by playing him vs letting Dart get real game reps. The defense is still quite good, so if Dart is competent, they could win a few games. Granted, they have four 3-0 teams over their next six games, which is hilarious. My guess is they play Wilson next week against the Chargers, and then Dart gets the call against the Saints the week after. The Dolphins playing "close" shows at minimum they haven't quit, though I still feel like Tyreek Hill is a drive or two away from loud quitting. Tua just seems broken - he was finally able to throw on teh run, but that arm is just shot. I don't really know where this ends, but on talent alone I still think they're the second best team in that division. For the Jets, a close loss with Tyrod Taylor is again another sign that this team really loves to play for Aaron Glenn. The defense is still excellent. Their run game remains good. I hope Fields can come back soon to at least see if he's anything real in that offense. They're better than their record, but may just lose a lot of close games.

Tier III - The "It Wasn't Supposed to go This Way" Uno

1.) Houston Texans  (0-3  =  38-51)

Three games back in your division is rough, even if all three games were relatively close. That offense just seems so broken, and honestly at this point a lot of it is on Stroud. I get that the OL is a mess, but he's also just missing throws that he was hitting routinely in his rookie season. I liked their guts to fire Bobby Slowik, but I don't think it has gotten any better yet. The defense remains excellent however, and I have to think they'll score more than 20 points eventually. Giving up just 51 points in three games and being 0-3 is just insane.

Ranking the 1-2 Teams

10.) New England Patriots  (1-2  =  60-68)

Other than maybe a big leap from Drake Maye, I never really understood what the Patriots hype was about. I guess a lot of it was about Vrabel, but how many times are we going to pretend McDaniels is any good without Brady? This team also plays so stupid - the fumbles, the penalties, a lot of it. The point differential isn't bad, but their win is against an 0-3 team. They've had a generally easy start to the season schedule wise and look no better than any of their opponents so far. I still do think Drake Maye can take that step up, but the Pats will absolutely need it.

9.) Cleveland Browns  (1-2  =  46-68)

8.) Las Vegas Raiders  (1-2  =  53-74)

One great unit can win you a few games. The Browns defense is awesome. They just dominated the Packers OL, and it was a lot more than just Myles Garrett. Their secondary had its best game of the year as well. That defense can win 5 games. They can win more than that if they just give up on this Joe Flacco experiment. He's just useless at this point of his career. For the Raiders, it's the offense, which still can have some incredible Geno moments. The OL is awful though and that will hold them back, especially them not letting Jeanty get any clean running starts - one of the absurd stats of the season so far is that he has negative yards before contact - they're just not giving him a chance.

7.) Atlanta Falcons  (1-2  =  42-59)
6.) Carolina Panthers  (1-2  =  62-53)

In my heart and head, I think the Falcons are a better team than the Panthers, but I can't possibly rank the Falcons higher than Carolina after that embarrassment. What was that? The Falcons offense wasn't crazy in the first two games, but to get shutout by Carolina was hilariously bad. Penix's second interceptions was one of the worst throws I've seen a QB make this year. Hopefully they can just flash that game away. For the Panthers, I guess always good to get a win, but it's not like it really gave much answer to their biggest question: is Bryce Young any good? Yeah, a 16-24 for 121 yard game isn't going to do it for me.

5.) Dallas Cowboys  (1-2  =  74-92)

I have no idea why the Cowboys aren't pushing the ball more - so many short, short throws by Dak in that game. Dak is having a great season. Everyone else on the team has been short, especially now if Lamb is out for any period of time. The defense is a disaster, and it's more than just losing Parsons. I feel bad for Dak at this point.

3.) Chicago Bears  (1-2  =  76-93)
2.) Denver Broncos  (1-2  =  68-64)

The Bears have to be ecstatic about that game. Now, it would be better seeing Caleb doing it against a defense that has any track record this season (for how good Caleb was on Sunday, Russell Wilson was better against that same defense...). But Caleb's arm talent is still generational. The best stat from that game is him not getting sacked. More of that please - which is on Caleb too. For the Broncos, the defense is still really great, but Sean Payton needs to instill some rhythm in that offense. Nix looks regressed compared to his level at the end of last season. The supposedly great supporting cast isn't necessarily helping either. They easily could be 3-0, but not executing late in games is another testament to a bit too many limitations still put on Nix.

2.) Kansas City Chiefs  (1-2  =  60-56)

1.) Baltimore Ravens  (1-2  =  111-96)

Hey, what do you know - these two play each other this week! Which means shockingly one of them will be 1-3. So, what to make of the Chiefs. They still don't look good - but they also lost to two teams currently 3-0 by one score. Granted, the Chiefs were probably outplayed by more than the score in both games, particularly the Chargers game. Thornton seems like a decent option for Mahomes, but the rest of that offense is still pretty broken. The defense has quietly been much improved the last two games. For the Ravens, the OL is a problem - I've never seen Lamar hounded more than that (even if it seemed to be some good coverage making him hold onto the ball). The defense though is a bigger one. They turned it aroudn on that side of the ball as the season went on last year, but will need maybe a more significant improvement this time around.

Ranking the 2-1 Teams

10.) Cincinnati Bengals  (2-1  =  58-91)

9.) Pittsburgh Steelers  (2-1  =  72-77)

8.) Minnesota Vikings  (2-1  =  81-56)

For the most part, the 2-1 teams all seem better than teh 1-2 teams, but if we're going by current outlook, these three are the exceptions to me. The Bengals really have to hope that was a 1-game floor. Browning was decent in his 2023 return but this game just made him seem lost. Yes, the defensive TDs made it seem worse than it really was, but if Chase and Higgins don't go off, they're in trouble. The Steelers are 2-1 against a paper soft schedule, and Rodgers to me looks worse week by week. The defense finally showed some spark but if they weren't causing fumbles or sacks they were still porous. I still don't like the outlook even if they're above .500 still. For the Vikings, hard to know what to make of them - that was about as different two games back to back can be. Wentz looked OK, but they can't depend on Flores magic beans every week. Will be really interesting to see them against a real team... which their upcoming one against the Steelers may or may not be.

7.) Arizona Cardinals  (2-1  =  62-51)

6.) Jacksonville Jaguars  (2-1  =  70-51)

The Cardinals really let that game slip - to me it says a lot taht they've down to down not been nearly as good as they can, from Murray picks to Marvin Harrison Jr. drops to defensive mistakes, but they're still 2-1 and were one first down away from being 3-0. The NFC West will just be a nightmare all season but I do think the Cardinals have a high enough floor to stay relevant. Just not really sure about the ceiling. For teh Jags, it's similar in a way but luckily for them the AFC seems really down so far this year. For the Jags, being 2-1 with Lawrence still playing scattershot says a lot - the defense is for real. Hunter is doing a better job to me at this point as the #2 corner than at WR. Josh Hines-Allen looks phenomenal again. If Lawrence can pick it up with Brian Thomas and Hunter, they could be upwardly mobile.

5.) Los Angeles Rams  (2-1  =  73-61)
4.) Seattle Seahawks  (2-1  =  88-47)

3.) Washington Commanders  (2-1  =  80-57)

The Rams really blew that one, but to me it's all about their offensive play calling in the second half. Especially once the Eagles showed some life on offense - McVay kept it way too conservative. The defense looked great again, but the cornerbacks could be a concern against teams that ahve better OLs to give them time. The Seahawks faced such little actual resistance from the Saints it's hard to know really what to take from that game. The biggest takeaway for me three games in is that Sam Darnold looks way more like the guy from the 14-2 start than the 0-2 finish. For the Commanders, great sign that they can take care of business so calmly and easily without Jayden Daniels. Their offseason is looking quite good now - even with Deebo who hasn't been amazing in the offense has been quietly brilliant on returns. Admittedly, the Raiders aren't the greatest test, but the Commanders without their star QB passed it so easily.

2.) Green Bay Packers  (2-1  =  64-44)
1.) Detroit Lions  (2-1  =  103-78)

So, the Packers being the greatest team of all time and unbeatable didn't last too long, huh? Yes, some of that was fluky, but there are some undercurrents of issues. The OL had a lot of challenges - not all defensive lines are as good as Cleveland's, but if a lot of pressure turns this offense to throw a bunch of checkdowns and screens that might be too much of an overcorrection. The offense wasn't exactly humming the first two weeks either. The defense remains special so far. I feel weird ranking the Lions ahead of the Packers, but Week 1 always has some weird stuff happen, and the Lions have now dominated the Bears and to be honest, kind of dominated the Ravens in Baltimore on all-black night (where the Ravens are roughly 45-1). The OL has really started to come around, but more excitingly, the DL has been sharp the last two games - they just rolled the Ravens. Just a great win, maybe to be honest the most impressive single win of the short season.

Ranking the 3-0 Teams

6.) San Francisco 49ers  (3-0  =  59-49)

At some point the damn has to break with the injuries right? I guess in theory Purdy, Kittle, Aiyuk will be back at some point, but the defense was already missing starters from last year and now is without Nick Bosa for the year. This really is a repeat of 2020 (which last year was too to some degree). I hate to see it. I commend the resiliance of this team over three weeks but I fear we're reaching the breaking point. Granted, if Purdy, Kittle, Aiyuk come back quick and they can outscore teams enough.

5.) Los Angeles Chargers  (3-0  =  70-50)

4.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers  (3-0  =  72-66)

3.) Indianapolis Colts  (3-0  =  103-56)

I feel like this always happens - there's a few 3-0 teams that just don't make full sense. Granted, I predicted all three of them to make the playoffs (will ride that until I'm wrong!), but still there's always a few of these teams. I think all three have lasting power. The Buccaneers have won all three games by the skin of their teeth. The injuries are piling up, but they should have Wirfs and Godwin back soon. The OL reinforcements will really help. The Chargers defense remains really good, even without Khalil Mack. The secondary is playing at a special level. Jesse Minter is a special coach (and probably won't be long for that job). For teh Colts, being 3-0 is one thing, but a +47 point differential is something else. Yes, the two big wins were against 0-3 teams, but you shoudl dominate those teams, like the Colts did. The offense will cool down at some point of course, but with the varied weapons I still think their floor is high. 

2.) Buffalo Bills  (3-0  =  102-71)

1.) Philadelphia Eagles  (3-0  =  77-63)

The champs remain undefeated, so as always they remain at my #1. To skip to them for a second, yes the fact all three wins have been fairly uninspiring is notable, but so is the life they showed in that dominant second half, and maybe an actual change to them letting Hurts actually throw 5+ yards past the line for once. For the Bills, says a lot if we're complaining about a 10-point win where they missed a field goal nad gave up a bunch of 3rd and Longs (which is generally not repeatable (in the sense the fact tehy were very good on 1st and 2nd down is just as meaningful). For the Bills defense, they'll too be getting some reinforcements from injury and suspension in upcoming weeks. The schedule is paper soft, so it will be interesting if complacency becomes an issue at any point.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Games

16.) Carolina Panthers (1-2)  @  New England Patriots (1-2)  (1:00 - FOX)

15.) Tennessee Titans (0-3)  @  Houston Texans (0-3)  (1:00 - CBS)

14.) New York Jets (0-3)  @  Miami Dolphins (0-3)  (MNF - ESPN)

13.) New Orleans Saints (0-3)  @  Buffalo Bills (3-0)  (1:00 - CBS)
12.) Los Angeles Chargers (3-0)  @  New York Giants (0-3)  (1:00 - CBS)

11.) Minnesota Vikings (2-1)  @  Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)  (9:30 - NFLN)
10.) Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)  @  Denver Broncos (1-2)  (MNF - ABC)
9.) Washington Commanders (2-1)  @  Atlanta Falcons (1-2)  (1:00 - CBS)

8.) Cleveland Browns (1-2)  @  Detroit Lions (2-1)  (1:00 - FOX)

7.) Chicago Bears (1-2)  @  Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)  (4:25 - CBS)

6.) Green Bay Packers (2-1)  @  Dallas Cowboys (1-2)  (SNF - NBC)

5.) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)  @  San Francisco 49ers (3-0)  (4:05 - FOX)

4.) Indianapolis Colts (3-0)  @  Los Angeles Rams (2-1)  (4:05 - FOX)

3.) Seattle Seahawks (2-1)  @  Arizona Cardinals (2-1)  (TNF - Prime)

2.) Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)  @  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0)  (1:00 - FOX)

1.) Baltimore Ravens (1-2)  @  Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)  (4:25 - CBS)

NFL 2025: Week 3 Power Rankings & The Rest

Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)

Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)

Ranking the 0-2 Teams

Tier I - The "Can We Just Speed Up to 2026?" Duo

10.) Carolina Panthers  (0-2  =  32-53)

9.) Miami Dolphins  (0-2  =  35-66)

Both were relatively better in Week 2 than Week 1, but it's all mirage at this point. The Panthers I fear will be in a position where Bryce does just enough to stay their plan for 2026 which I just don't see being any type of long term answer. The defense is playing like less than the sum if its parts. The Dolphins just need to go ahead and clean house now. I think McDaniel is the type of coach who will do better in second stint somewhere we he learns to grow a bit more command, but it's fairly clear things have run its course. I do wonder if he'll bench Tua at some point as some form of hail mary.

Tier II - The "So Much for Hope" Duo

8.) New York Jets  (0-2  =  42-64)
7.) Cleveland Browns  (0-2  =  33-58)

Both these two had competitive, close losses in Week 1 that they both easily could have won. Well, they took all the good vibes from those performances and decided to lay just absolute eggs. Let's see if Justin Fields misses a few weeks, but more disturbing was the Jets inability to get anything going in the passing game when he was in there against a very gettable Bills defense in its current perssonel iteration. For the Browns, they have to cut bait on the Joe Flacco experiment now. Just give Dillon Gabriel (and maybe at some point Shadeur) some cracks at it. They get nothing in terms of longer term development by throwing 40-year old Flacco out there. Also when do we get the first Myles Garrett trade request / rumor. Wonder if he's already regretting that contract, realizing another team would've given him like 95% as much to play for a winner.

Tier III - The "To QB or Not to QB" Quadro

6.) New York Giants  (0-2  =  43-61)

5.) Chicago Bears  (0-2  =  45-79)

4.) New Orleans Saints  (0-2  =  34-46)
3.) Tennessee Titans  (0-2  =  31-53)

None of these four teams will likely make the playoffs this year. They've all either had one close loss or two close losses. But the outlook for even the rest of 2025, if not outer years, cannot be more different all due to whether they have a real QB worth evaluating. The Giants don't - even if Russell Wilson had an out of body experience for 62 minutes. Those moonballs are not sustainable in the year of our lord 2025. The Saints similarly do not have their long term answer - Rattler is not that. For the Bears and Titans, well they have the last two #1 picks. Neither has truly impressed yet - and yes the Caleb stuff is worrying - but at least there seems to be some value in what seems like inevitable 6-11 seasons this year.

Tier IV - The "Uh-Oh" Uno

2.) Houston Texans  (0-2  =  28-34)

On the one hand, losing to two teams that are 2-0 and are among the better NFC teams (which means these losses mean little for tiebreakers) is not all that bad, especially when your defense looks like it is one of the leagues best units. But the converse view of all this is the OL is every bit as bad as last year, and while Bobby Slowik is gone, that means there's one less person to blame before some of the heat starts getting put on CJ Stroud. Even if the Colts are "for real", I doubt they run and hide in that division so the Texans have time to figure this out. Blocking is a good starting point.

Tier V - The "Sky Is Not Falling?" Uno

1.) Kansas City Chiefs  (0-2  =  38-47)

It's so interesting listening to people talk about the Chiefs, and more than that Mahomes's legacy and the "end of the dynasty" talk when the person Mahomes is effectively chasing at this point (Brady) went 10 years in the middle of his career without winning a Super Bowl. Pretty much no one on the 2025 Chiefs will be around when Mahomes will need to really catch up to Brady (late in career). Anyway, for teh 2025 Chiefs - well it shouldn't be a surprise that a Chiefs team without both Worthy and Rice would be a bit fallow. The defense at least had a better game. 

 

Ranking the 1-1 Teams

Tier I - The "Who Are We?" Trio

12.) New England Patriots  (1-1  =  46-47)

11.) Jacksonville Jaguars  (1-1  =  53-41)

10.) Minnesota Vikings  (1-1  =  33-46)

The Patriots defense was supposed to be good. It made a Dolphins offense that looked lost and broken into a passable unit. Vrabel so far has not been able to instill any sort of punch into that defense - particularly the secondary and coverage units. For the Jaguars, they've been better under Cohen, but still so spotty at the little things. No idea where this Brian Thomas revolt is going to end up. The defense has played well in spurts, but that team had no business losing that game, and I worry it sets a team that should have it sights set on playoffs on the wrong track. The Vikings loss was distressing, as is the fact they have just one good quarter in eight so far. McCarthy also now missing a few weeks of live reps is rough as well. This was always going to be a transition season but I do wonder when we get the first "should they have kept Darnold" stories get written.

Tier II - The "Is This Just What We Are" Duo

9.) Las Vegas Raiders  (1-1  =  29-33)

8.) Dallas Cowboys  (1-1  =  60-61)

7.) Pittsburgh Steelers  (1-1  =  51-63)

So the Raiders - maybe it wasn't a sure thing that Chip Kelly, a guy who failed in the NFL pretty notably, and Pete Carroll, whose defense the league seemed to figure out a decade ago, would combine to turn a moribund franchise good? Anyway I only go harsh because also the idea that Tom Brady would be some personnel genius is also laughable. Anyway... the Raiders! As for the Cowboys, they played two diametrically opposite games with the defense showing up in Week 1, the offense in Week 2, but never both teh same. For the Steelers, what has happened to the defense? If you gave me ten guesses, the "Rodgers looks relatively really good, the addition of Metcalf is working like a charm, but the defense has gone to shit, especially the rush defense" would ahve been #9 or #10. Teams are just running away from TJ Watt for great success over and over again. Something has to change - luckily history tells us the Steelers defense will likely improve. But also the age on that unit means maybe it just doesn't.

Tier III - The "Can You Feel the Excitement Building" Duo

6.) Atlanta Falcons  (1-1  =  42-29)

5.) Seattle Seahawks  (1-1  =  44-34)

This last week is who we thought these team were. Well, maybe not the Falcons pass rush suddenly becoming awesome and it not even being the high picks or Leonard Floyd doing it - that was a surprise. Bijan looks great, and Penix is learning to adjust well to pressure. For the Seahawks, that was just about as good a game as they could have had - defense was swarming, Walker ran really well, and Darnold looked pretty close to the 2024 Vikings guy. They play in the league's best division (two weeks in, at least) and have some really tough games coming up - great stretch to see how good this team is really.

Tier IV - The "Second Year Jitters" Duo

4.) Denver Broncos  (1-1  =  48-41)

3.) Washington Commanders  (1-1  =  39-33)

This is where your priors still make a meaningful impact as on 2025 performance, these two teams shouldn't be this high. But then again, the Broncos defensive line has been excellent, the offense has generally been very good, and maybe the Colts are a secret juggernaut (probably still unlikely). For the Commanders, the whole "maybe we played a juggernaut" thing is more real with their fallow Week 2 performance, as is the nervousness around this "knee injury" that Daniels seems to have picked up, but I still believe in a lot of what they have. I will say I wouldn't be surprised if my priors are just proven incorrect though and I'm dropping both teams back a bit in weeks to come.

Tier V - The "Hey... These Teams Play this Weekend!" Duo

2.) Detroit Lions  (1-1  =  65-48)
1.) Baltimore Ravens  (1-1  =  81-58)

When you are a preseason favorite that loses in Week 1, you want to see that team go out and hammer their week 2 opponent. Well? Mission very much accomplished for these two - who both may have had the bad luck of opening the season on the road against two of the best teams in the league. The Lions offense looked every bit as good as the top-of-the-league unit it was in 2024. Goff got time and he was insane. The defense rediscovered a pass rush. For the Ravens, if anythign they were actually still a bit sluggish but the defense became the ball hawking unit they are at their best. These are 99th percentile outcomes for these teams, but still important to show they can pull those off a bit on command when pushed.

Ranking the 2-0 Teams

Tier I - The "2-0 is Supposed to be a Good Thing, Right?" Duo

10.) Cincinnati Bengals  (2-0  =  48-43)

9.) San Francisco 49ers  (2-0  =  43-34)

2-0 is supposed to be a good thing, right? Well, when you lose in one case your starting pro-bowl QB for three months, and in the other case have already lost your pro bowl QB for a few weeks, and your top TE, adn top WR, well... it just doesn't feel that way. Granted, the best part about being 2-0 is you have a cushion to play with - maybe less true for the 49ers who have two other 2-0 teams in their division that both look some levels of legitimate. But still, 2-0 is 2-0. 

Tier II - The "Too Early to Believe" Trio

8.) Arizona Cardinals  (2-0  =  47-35)
7.) Indianapolis Colts  (2-0  =  62-36)

6.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers  (2-0  =  43-39)

The Cardinals were a trendy sleeper Wild Card pick (including by me), a team was down to down better than their 8-9 record last year. Well, through two games that remains true, but can they stop this thing where they stop playing halfway through the 4th quarter? That game yesterday had no business being that close in the end. The Colts are fascinating because it may just be that Anthony Richardson was even worse than we thought and Shane Steichen remains the great play caller he was for the 2022 Eagles. The defense also plays better than its talent with Anarumo calling things, which is huge. Yes, Daniel Jones may return to pumpkin mode at some point, but a 2-0 start in that division is huge. For the Bucs, that was a crazy game, but an amazing win. The OL needs some serious help, but reinforcements (mainly Tristan Wirfs) are coming at some point. Until then, they have enough high end talent to keep abreast in the NFC South. Helps that the run game looked like its 2024 self again.

Tier III - The "It's Annoying LA has two good teams with fans who don't give a shit" Duo

5.) Los Angeles Chargers  (2-0  =  47-30)

4.) Los Angeles Rams  (2-0  =  47-28)

The Chargers look good, they look super competent on both sides. If anything, Greg Roman may be getting guilty of going too pass heavy - which, yeah, is just a shocking thing to say out loud. Herbert just looks really locked in this year - his accuracy can still fail him at times, but he seems so good in the pocket and at least for now in sync with healthy pass catchers. The Rams were supposed to be good, and then everyone started to be cryptic about the 38-year old QBs back. Well, the back seems fine now and they're basically as good as we thought tehy were. The Rams have had a few things go great - such as Davante Adams rediscovering the will to play. They also have a defense that is keeping up its pass rush dominance. The ceiling is super high, but yeah that back remains a bit of a silent ticking time bomb hanging over everything, sadly. It's definitely not one of those stories that will just disappear.

Tier IV - The "Fast Forward to February?" Duo

3.) Green Bay Packers  (2-0  =  54-31)

2.) Buffalo Bills  (2-0  =  71-50)

Look, the only reason these aren't the #2 and #1 teams is because I have a rule that until the defending champ loses I keep them at #1. But let's be real, these are the best two teams right now. The Packers defense has been ludicrous these first two games - especially after what we saw the Lions do in their second game (and to some degree, the Commanders in their Week 1 game). Love hasn't been perfect, but the offense has still been plenty good which is terrifying. For the Bills, always nice to sleepwalk to a 20-point win without needing Allen to do anything insane. The defense has gotten a huge boost from Joey Bosa and has reinforcements on the way. They have a clear path to that #1 seed given the light schedule they have.

Tier V - The "Well, They're Still the Champs" Uno

1.) Philadelphia Eagles  (2-0  = 44-37) 

To some degree, you can panic, but the 2025 Eagles have looked very much like what the 2024 Eagles were for long stretches, an inconsistent offense with enough front line talent, and a defense that is just very good and sound. Granted, Barkley and the run game has been a bit slow to start. The offense hasn't gotten out of first gear. The penalty questions aside, the tush push has been sluggish. But hey, they're 2-0, they're 18-1 in their last nineteen games. The defense still looks very good. Eagles fans will complain because of course they will, and there are some legitimate things to complain about, but this is still a damn good group.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Games

16.) Green Bay Packers (2-0)  @  Cleveland Browns (2-0)  (1:00 - FOX)

15.) New Orleans Saints (0-2)  @  Seattle Seahawks (1-1)  (4:05 - CBS)

14.) Miami Dolphins (0-2)  @  Buffalo Bills (2-0)  (TNF - Prime)

13.) New York Jets (0-2)  @  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)  (1:00 - CBS)

12.) Atlanta Falcons (1-1)  @  Carolina Panthers (0-2)  (1:00 - FOX)
11.) Dallas Cowboys (1-1)  @  Chicago Bears (0-2)  (4:25 - FOX)

10.) Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)  @  Minnesota Vikings (1-1)  (1:00 - CBS)

9.) Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)  @  New England Patriots (1-1)  (1:00 - CBS)
8.) Indianapolis Colts (2-0)  @  Tennessee Titans (0-2)  (1:00 - CBS)
7.) Houston Texans (0-2)  @  Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)  (1:00 - CBS)

6.) Kansas City Chiefs (0-2)  @  New York Giants (0-2)  (SNF - NBC)
5.) Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)  @  Washington Commanders (1-1)  (1:00 - FOX)

4.) Denver Broncos (1-1)  @  Los Angeles Chargers (2-0)  (4:05 - CBS)

3.) Arizona Cardinals (2-0)  @  San Francisco 49ers (2-0)  (4:25 - FOX)

2.) Los Angeles Rams (2-0)  @  Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)  (1:00 - FOX)

1.) Detroit Lions (1-1)  @  Baltimore Ravens (1-1)  (MNF - ESPN)

NFL 2025: Week 2 Power Rankings & The Rest

Ranking the 0-1 Teams

Tier I - The "Start Hoping Arch is the Guy" Uno

16.) Carolina Panthers  (0-1  =  10-26)

That was a disturbing Bryce Young performance, looking every bit the lost QB he was at the beginning of last year, and nothing like the brief flash of competence he showed in the second half of the season. The defense was also bad, adn the roster as a whole is still not good, but any hope of this iteration of the team working is Bryce taking a step, and more importantly retaining that step, and this first game was a real challenge.

Tier II - The "New" Trio

15.) New York Giants  (0-1  =  6-21)

14.) New Orleans Saints  (0-1  =  13-20)

13.) New England Patriots  (0-1  =  13-20)

Yeah, it's kitschy to put these three together, but I do think they all had pretty awful showings - even if the Saints and Patriots lost by just a TD. For the Saints, they weren't really in that game. Anyway, this is a throwaway season for them - or at least as close to one as you can have in the NFL. The defense did play reasonably well and can keep them in games. The Patriots were a real disapppointment - I mean, I didn't believe in the weird Wild Card hype surrounding this team, but if you want Drake Maye taking a step, you can't have him struggling and seeming lost at times against the Raiders defense. He looked way too scattershot still despite getting better protection than he's been used to. For the Giants, I just don't understand why they aren't going with Jaxson Dart today. Like, what is there to gain by playing Russell Wilson at this point? They aren't wild card fodder with Wilson, may as well at least give your fans something to cheer about after a decade of irrelevance. The risk I see is they start pissing off Nabers even, as seems to be happening.

Tier III - The "I may be somehow overrating them" Uno

12.) Miami Dolphins  (0-1  =  8-33)

The Dolphins can go one of two ways - they can either continue this downturn and be in a position where they'll be firing McDaniel in a month, or I guess they could also be the team that plays way worse in Week 1 than at any other point. I don't think they're secretly a 10-win team, but why I hold a bit of hope for the latter of the two outcomes is even last year which was a wasted season, with Tua they were generally decent. I just can't believe they would fall apart at this level in one offseason. Yes, I get the vibes are bad, but can it really be this bad?

Tier IV - The "Some Signs of Life....." Duo

11.) Tennessee Titans  (0-1  =  12-20)
10.) Cleveland Browns  (0-1  =  16-17)

Neither of these teams project to be good, but both arguably played better than their supposedly good opponent. That shoudl mean something, yes? Now, Cam Ward needs his receivers to actually catch a ball, and it would be good if their ballyhooed OL-focused coaching staff can actually coach up a decent OL. Similarly for the Browns, I don't know how long they'll keep trotting out the 40-year old in Flacco (who did look decent, admittedly). But for both, their defenses showed up, and again both easily could have won. I woudl think they would be fairly fluke winners in that scenario, but both made it seem like they can keep games competitive this season. But seriously guys, for the love of good pleas block for Cam.

Tier V - The "Cautious Optimism" Trio

9.) Seattle Seahawks  (0-1  =  13-17)

8.) New York Jets  (0-1  =  32-34)
7.) Chicago Bears  (0-1  =  24-27)

All three of these teams could've easily won. All three had leads in the 4th quarters of their respective games. All three lost, but there are some bright spots. The Seahawks defense continued to look good and has some further upside in now year 2 of Mike McDonald's scheme (it was similarly in Year 2 with Baltimore they took off). The Jets offense looked solid and more than that sustainable with Justin Fields and more importantly an OL that played way more cohesively against a good (in theory) defensive opponent. Despite missing Vera-Tucker, the Jets OL was able to really give both Hall and Fields time and space. For the Bears, Caleb's inaccuracy is still a major problem, but Johnson had him playing more composed. I have to admit, I thought about shifting the Bears down, but I still believe in a lot of what I saw from that team, specifically the defense.

Tier VI - The "Just a bump in the road" Trio

6.) Atlanta Falcons  (0-1  =  20-23)
5.) Dallas Cowboys  (0-1  =  20-24)
4.) Houston Texans  (0-1  =  9-14)

All three of these teams still to me have playoff aspirations and showed why. Penix looked good - he looked like a QB who will take a whole lot of risks, but I liked how that offense looked. Yes, they lost, but I have high hopes for Tampa, so this wasn't a terrible loss to me. The Cowboys looked good in a sense. I don't think CeeDee will drop three passes a game. The OL looked good. The defense looked OK given the loss of Micah Parsons. They looked like a team that could threaten for the NFC East if they didn't trade their All Pro pass rusher the week before the season started. For the Texans, it's weird because their biggest issue in that game was their biggest issue last season and coming into this one: their inability to block. But let's not forget the Rams are one of the better pass rushes. Stroud, despite the pressure and sacks, did look more calm, and threw some amazing passes. The defense also played well. I think that was a weirdly well played game by both teams, especially for a 14-9 final.

Tier VII - The "Lick Those Wounds Off" Trio

3.) Detroit Lions  (0-1  =  13-27)

2.) Kansas City Chiefs  (0-1  =  21-27)

1.) Baltimore Ravens  (0-1  =  40-41)

Ever year there's a few teams that are preseason Super Bowl contenders that lose in Week 1. Some fall flat on their face, like Detroit did. Some lose just normally, like the Chiefs did. Few lose in the heart-breaking way the Ravens did - except for the Ravens which do this three times a year. I think all three are still good. For the Lions, hidden in that game was that tehy still moved the ball but had some bad red zone luck - and turnover luck (the two called back INTs). The defenses lack of pass rush was concerning, but that whole game may just be a case of losing to a good opponent playing an A game. The Chiefs injuries are concerning, as was their lack of pass rush, but I think they're due a bit of leeway before we go too far in teh other direction. For the Ravens, what can you say. I probably should have them in their own tier. Other than the continued questions it raises about their propensity to blow big leads, losing by one point on the road against maybe the best team in the league is about the most excusable loss you can have.

Ranking the 1-0 Teams

Tier I - The "Let's be real, beating who you beat counts as half a win" Trio

16.) Las Vegas Raiders  (1-0  =  20-13)

15.) Jacksonville Jaguars  (1-0  =  26-10)
14.) Denver Broncos  (1-0  =  20-12)

It always happens every year, two teams play in Week 1 where neither is all that good, and the winner gets to bask in that 1-0 record, but how much does it really matter. The Raiders offense looked good, but I can't really take anything about that defense seriously yet. The Jags beat a fairly lifeless Panthers team, and still showed some issues like a truly awful pick by Lawrence. The Broncos defense was basically as good as advertised, but Bo Nix played like the scattershot rookie he was for the first half of last season. None of these three performances was great. But hey, a win is a win. Also as an aside, it is pretty strange how few upsets we had yesterday. Generally the teams people thought would win did win.

Tier II - The "Fun AFC North Escapes" Duo

13.) Cincinnati Bengals  (1-0  =  17-16)

12.) Pittsburgh Steelers  (1-0  =  34-32)

I don't know how good either of these two are. I'm probably underrating Cincinnati because they just seem incapable of playing well in the first couple weeks of a season. On the plus side at least they won this game, but the offense looked just as impotent as it does every Week 1-3. I don't know how this can never change. The defense also looked bad when it wasn't getting interceptions off of drops by their opponent. For the Steelers, yes, seeing Rodgers have 4 TDs with no picks was fun, but he still took a lot of sacks, couldn't really move, and the defense looked quite porous. I don't think they're long for being >.500 if they need to score 34 every week, even for one week it all looked good.

Tier III - The "Is this the start of something?" Duo

11.) Arizona Cardinals  (1-0  =  20-13)

10.) Indianapolis Colts  (1-0  =  33-8)

For teh Cardinals and Colts, wins over beatable teams need to be routine. Those two were - specifically the Colts absolutely embarrassing the Dolphins. For both, the real test will be how sustainable this is. How sustainable is that Kyler offense down to down - is Marvin Harrison really going to take a step up? For the Colts, will Lou Anarumo's creativity with that group work as well against opponents who have an offense that is at all cohesive. Can Daniel Jones continue this level given this is the best OL he's played behind. Both teams were near .500 last year where some of these things either went wrong or stayed stagnant, so the upward mobility if they are truly fixed problems is absolutely there.

Tier IV - The "Second Tier NFC Teams" Trio

9.) Minnesota Vikings  (1-0  =  27-24)

8.) Los Angeles Rams  (1-0  =  14-9)
7.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers  (1-0  =  23-20)

The Rams and Bucs have made the playoffs each of the last two years. The Vikings made it last year and two of the last three under KOC. But none of them have made it past the divisional round. They've not been serious NFC contenders, but maybe that changes. None of teh three were perfect, but all had tough opponents and did the things they do well well, for instance the Rams DL was great, and despite all the back concerns, Stafford threw a bunch of seeds against what could end up being a top flight defense in the Texans. For the Buccaneers, Baker was good, the rookie WR was great, the defense was good in spurts - this is a top heavy team, but the top played well. For the Vikings, McCarthy was rough in that first half, but the second that 2:00 drill (or really 1:00 drill) happened at the end of the first half through to the end, when he was finally unleashed a bit, you saw what made him an intriguing prospect. Granted, the pick-6 showed where there will definitely be growing pains.

Tier V - The "This Can't Be Happening Again" Uno

6.) San Francisco 49ers  (1-0  =  17-13)

Kittle is now out for 3-5 weeks. Purdy may be out for a game (which seems like it came out of nowhere). The 49ers seem again just cursed with injuries. At some point maybe you start looking at the personnel or the training staff or all of it. It can't just be bad luck. but right now it is. McCaffrey at least stayed healthy, and the young defenders all came to play. If they can survive until Kittle gets back, along with Aiyuk, they could be like the 2021 49ers who rallied late in the season to make the playoffs and run.

Tier VI - The "Upwardly Mobile" Trio

5.) Washington Commanders  (1-0  =  21-6)
4.) Los Angeles Chargers  (1-0  =  27-21)

3.) Green Bay Packers  (1-0  =  27-13)

All three of these teams made the playoffs last year. All three want to take that next step, and through one week we're in a good spot. The Commanders may have beaten a pumpkin, but they thoroughly dominated the Giants and showed some good improvement from their DL, with teh Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw duo being dominant. The Packers and Chargers had key division wins against the resident division bully. Both were home games so in the grand scheme maybe it doesn't matter, but the Chargers new pass-heavy offense, and the Packers dominance on defense were welcome presences that could easily just be season long trends.

Tier VII - The "Cream of the Crop" Duo

2.) Buffalo Bills  (1-0  =  41-40)

1.) Philadelphia Eagles  (1-0  =  24-20)

There was a general consensus Big-4 coming into teh season of the Eagles, and the three AFC giants (Bills, Chiefs, Ravens). Well, two of those teams lost, and these two won. Maybe neither won too convincingly, but the Bills ability to stay in that game, and the offenses maturity from guys liek Coleman (a huge development) and Kincaid was a welcome sign. The defense has some challenges but it also may be the Ravens are just an awful matchup for a team that hates playing base. For the Eagles, the Champs are #1 until they lose, but more than that they sleepwalked with a "C" performance to a win against a divisional rival. The most concerning part was the lack of pass rush, but a lot of that could be the weird Carter ejection. Let's see a full force Eagles defense first before we worry.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Games

16.) New England Patriots (0-1)  @  Miami Dolphins (0-1)  (1:00 - CBS)

15.) Carolina Panthers (0-1)  @  Arizona Cardinals (1-0)  (4:05 - CBS)

14.) New York Giants (0-1)  @  Dallas Cowboys (0-1)  (1:00 - FOX)

13.) San Francisco 49ers (1-0)  @  New Orleans Saints (0-1)  (1:00 - FOX)

12.) Seattle Seahawks (0-1)  @  Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)  (1:00 - FOX)

11.) Los Angeles Rams (1-0)  @  Tennessee Titans (0-1)  (1:00 - CBS)

10.) Atlanta Falcons (0-1)  @  Minnesota Vikings (1-0)  (SNF - NBC)
9.) Buffalo Bills (1-0)  @  New York Jets (0-1)  (1:00 - CBS)

8.) Cleveland Browns (0-1)  @  Baltimore Ravens (0-1)  (1:00 - CBS)
7.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)  @  Houston Texans (0-1)  (MNF - ESPN)
6.) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)  @  Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)  (1:00 - CBS)
5.) Denver Broncos (1-0)  @  Indianapolis Colts (1-0)  (4:05 - CBS)
4.) Chicago Bears (0-1)  @  Detroit Lions (0-1)  (1:00 - FOX)
3.) Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)  @  Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)  (MNF - ESPN)

2.) Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)  @  Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)  (4:25 - FOX)

1.) Washington Commanders (1-0)  @  Green Bay Packers (1-0)  (TNF - Prime)

My Top-20 Favorite EDM Clubs

Closed - none. Though technically Reset, my #3, is closed. I feel bad removing it, mainly because I have it so highly regarded. And doubly so because they opened a terrible velvet rope, mockery of a club in the same location today. 

20.) Pink Chihuahua  (London, England - 2022)

This was a surprising place that I went to twice on my last trip to London. First taken there by a couple work friends - one mostly who swore the place, which is downstairs of a latin restaurant, is great. What I found was perfect. Not too big, but not too crowded. Great mix of 00s hip hop and EDM, with amazing drinks, including some fantastic margaritas. It's only not higher because it isn't really an EDM club, and was more drink forward than music forward, which sin't really the case of most of these on the list.

19.) Pulp  (Melbourne - 2025)

We went to Pulp on a lark - I googled "EDM Club" and it was close by and seemed interesting. It played more hip-hop focused dance music (like dance remixes of 50 Cent and things like this) which was still good. The floor was small, but good airflow, great sound and decent drinks. The only two knocks against it I had was again the music being slightly more hip-hop focused (more an issue for the ranking, as I still like that type of music), and the bathrooms were, how to say, not the best. In the end though, a nice hidden spot in Melbourne.

18.) Aether  (Budapest, Hungary - 2024)

I almost didn't get a chance to experience Aether, as the top floor (same name) is a more traditional hip-hop type shop. But the second day I ventured down to in theory go to the bathroom, and saw the door in the corner leading to the real Aether, the real underground, fog machine, graet ventilation with a long bar, playing good classic techno EDM. Maybe because it was underground, it wasn't too crowded either, but the crowd was there were in absolute love with the music and the energy of the place.

17.) Womb (Tokyo, Japan - 2023)

Womb was the most expansive club I went to in my time in Tokyo - easily the busiest and the largest. Three floors, all showcasing different types of music. The grournd floor with more underground, deeper EDM. The top floor with more traditional, laid-back house. Both of those two were my got to, with a giant laser-light and packed mainstream floor in the middle. Tons of bars, tons of people - it was just a great time in Tokyo. Only thing keeping it from being higher is it could've done great to have better ventilation - a small complaint as it was easy to not even realize getting lost in the great scene.

16.) Culture Club Revelin  (Dubrovnik, Croatia - 2017)

I debated whether or not to put this on the list, mainly because it is more of just all-around club than a EDM/House club. Granted they played a lot of that music, but they also played hip-hop, and had girls dancing in cages, and was more of a pure play party spot, than anything else. Not that it's bad. It migth be the best pure club I've been to, certainly the coolest atmosphere, but to me it fits on the list. Just go there knowing what it is.

15.) Cakeshop (Seoul, Korea - 2022)

Two clubs in Seoul make the list this time, and showcase the different elements of what makes Seoul a great city with everything. Cakeshop is lighter, airier, with a great bar on the side, and great tunes. It is a bit less hectic, less "clubby" and headbanging-ey than other spots in Seoul, with the same carefree attitude that made the city work. The music at Cakeshop was just perfect to enjoy, dance to, imbibe to, right in the heart of Itaewon.

14.) Club Ambar  (Santiago, Chile - 2024, 2025)

If you ever go to Club Ambar in Santiago, avoid their main floor like the plague - the floor with all the trappings of the worst quasi-techno clubs that attract the worst type of crowd. But feat not, because two side rooms at Ambar are just awesome. First is the side room on the main floor, playing just a perfect style of house, with a truly great vibe. Then of course is the basement, with pure hardcore trance - with a cavernous underground feel to match. I've rarely seen a place combine such a mainstream (in a bad way) vibe in their main floor with such great underground vibes in their side rooms.

13.) The Loft @ Skyway Theater  (Minneapolis, USA - 2022, 2025)

On the downside, they had maybe the worst drinks of any of them on the list, which is why its 8th. Admittedly they were strong, but their "soda" component of my whiskey soda order was basically water. But at least they were cheap. Anyway, let's get to the upside of the place. It had maybe the best ventilation system of any large space club i've been to. It was so airy, despite being crowded (not overcrowded) and them going heavy on the fog machine. Also the acts the day I went were spectacular. They seem to curate well as the place isn't open every day on the weekend. Great place, just don't expect drinks. **2025 Update: Moving it up as they've largely fixed the drinks problem - way better this time around. The sound system, light system and filtration remained stellar. Just a great spot.**

12.) Club Under  (Buenos Aires, Argentina - 2023)

Honestly, if I went to Buenos Aires in 2019 or a few years earlier, this probablhy would be higher up the list. The place was everything you want out of an EDM club - good ventilation, good music acts, a ton of people having a grand old time. They probably could use slightly better crowd control (granted, there was still a line to enter), as the Saturday I went it was astonishingly crowded. There's really no complaints here to be had, it was just a bit jarring to, for the first time at an EDM spot, feel old.

11.) Espacio 93  (Santiago, Chile - 2024)

I don't think there has been any club I've been to that was more aggressively fast in its beats. This place was full momentum all the time. Also had some of the best architecture inside, with walls and poles and ledges and various rooms to enjoy the heavy, heavy, fast, fast beats. It was like a better, more compact, darker version of Club Under. The first night I went was some sort of BDSM type event so it was a bit out there. The second night was more traditional but the energy was unparalleled, even if it scared me out at times.

10.) Savage (Hanoi, Vietnam - 2019)

I have another Vietnam spot higher up the list. They are very similar in structure, but the main knock, the only knock, I have on Savage is that it was underground so it was a bit hot. They have one area that you enter that has more poppy house playing and a full bar, with another full bar in a shadowy back room that was hardcore EDM. Perfect mix of options, with full ability to move from one to the next. Savage also had full supply of balloons, more to come on that in a second here. Vietnam also has maybe the best bar service of any of these - in these cases the drink aspect is as much as the music, at least for the entry bar / area.

9.) D-Edge  (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 2025)

One of the weirdly great places I've been to that combine the worst parts of corporate club world (a card taht tracks all your purchases that you close out when you leave) with the greatest industrial setting on the banks of Gamboa Beach. The setting is amazing. The crowd is great. The drinks are plentiful and fairly cheap. My only real complaints is I wish the music went harder (at least when I was there), and the whole wristband corporate nature of it all. But still, it was an amazing nights in Rio at D-Edge.

8.) Vent (Tokyo, Japan - 2023)

I don't go to clubs wanting to see great architecture and design, but it is hard not to notice these aspects of Vent, a truly special club in Tokyo. The exposed concrete walls, the trees indoors, the high ceilings, the exposed cement bar. It was all just a cool vibe, a great scene. The music was excellent as well, really curated DT setlists and a great energy that attracted an equal mix of locals and foreigners. It was a spot that didn't allow photos (like Modular to come next, would put a sticker on your phone camera), which is a little nuance I actually have come to enjoy. This place was just about having a great time, with a beautiful visage to experience it all in.

7.) Habitat Living Sound  (Calgary, Canada - 2019)

I'm not sure if they're open or not. They definitely closed for good soon after the pandemic, but then re-opened in 2021, but seem to have closed again. Anyway, it was an experience. The only real downside is that it wasn't that big of a space, but on the plus side, they had excellent crowd control, shockingly cheap and decent drinks (i.e. if you ordered a whiskey soda you got a decent amount of whiskey), and the DJs were all pretty good. The good crowd control actually made this one of the more pleasant clubs to be in. I mourn for Canada's loss here.

6.) Oxford Art Factory  (Sydney - 2013, 2025)

I really don't know how I didn't have the Ox on the list until now, but after a triumphant return after 12 years, I quickly realized how much of an oversight taht was. Both stages are excellent, including one of the better pure performance-focused stages I've been to. The drinks are affordable. The people are excellent. The low-key vibe of the second room is great as well. My only real hesitancy moving it any higher is they show a mix of music, it isn't always EDM (as in sometimes they play rock music and the like) but when it is on, few places in the world are better.

5.) Modular  (Cape Town, South Africa - 2018, 2022)

I have to say, Modular gets way more crowded than my places at ahead of it, but they did a great job of not really making it feel that way, with three full service bars in the same area. They also had a pretty great ventilation and air conditioning. It was packed though. They had no real regard for crowd control. Modular had some of the better DJ sets I've heard in terms of quality top to bottom. If even you're in Cape Town, would fully recommend going there on Thursday. It's slightly less crowded, but every bit as good.

4.) Club Faust (Seoul, Korea - 2022)

If I described Club Faust, a dark, large room that is open from 12am-7am, with a series of artists and DJs, you could probably well picture what Club Faust looks like. It is what it is, which is just perfect for what it is trying to be. Seoul is a lot about glitz on one end, but heart and passion on the other. No one would go to Club Faust to be "seen", mostly because you effectively literally cannot see anyone all that well. After a while your eyes do get adjusted, and your ears are great from the get go.

3.) Reset  (Cape Town, South Africa - 2020)

RIP, as this was another one that was a Covid casualty. Luckily Modular still exists, but Reset was just a better venue. With two levels and two performance spaces, a bit more light on the second floor, more heavy in the underground one. Bars had a lot of bartenders. They had great ventilation. The crowd control was decent, but just having it across two floors just made it all seem bigger and better. On the whole Reset was a fantastic place and a real loss in terms of nighttime entertainment for Cape Town.

2.) The Black Box  (Denver, USA - 2021)

There's one major question mark in ranking The Black Box this highly, and that is the fact that when I went in August 2021, they were still doing a reasonable amount of crowd limiting due to covid. There was no mask restriction, but they were operating at half capacity. That said, even if you double the crowd I don't think it would have been so much worse. The space was great - with lounge area with another DJ space when you enter, and a much larger space in the interior. Other than my place at number one this place had the best bar set-up, with at least five bartenders working, and the ability to go to the bar in the outside area at any time. The music was uniformly excellent, with generally three acts that all were great each day.

1.) The Observatory  (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - 2019)

From the truly loungey lounge that is its main area, to a full service bar with tons of bartenders that make things quick, to the plentiful balloons, to the light, airy indoor more heavy EDM club that had great ventilation, to it also being on the fifth floor with great sightlines of Ho Chi Minh City around you, The Observatory was close to perfect. That Friday and Saturday night spent at it was about as good as it has ever been in a club experience. You truly feel like you are at a rooftop bar one second, and a hardcore EDM club the next. Just an incredible set-up, great msuic, great balloons, cheap but good drinks, and a great crowd with a good mix of locals and expats. It all added up to a perfect experience.