NFL Top 10 Rankings: Chiefs retain top spot, but Vikings hot on their heels

The Chiefs remain on top thanks to a hard-fought victory over the Falcons, but if the first three weeks of the 2024 season are any indication, the race to find a team that can challenge the two-time champions for NFL supremacy is wide open.

Right now, it looks like it could be the Vikings who are successful with their veteran quarterback Sam Darnold and a stifling defense. Meanwhile, the Eagles and Steelers are eking out tough wins and the Bills are lurking.

Here are my top 10 for week 3 of the 2024 season.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

The champions, who have won two in a row, keep finding ways to win. It's not as pretty as it once was when their potent offense led them, but they are a tougher team led by a disruptive defense that makes timely plays. With defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo willing to apply exotic pressure to get stops in key moments, the Chiefs can close out games with Patrick Mahomes on the sideline. Given their championship grit and unwavering beliefs, Kansas City remains the team to beat in 2024.

2. Minnesota Vikings

After a 3-0 start with wins over a couple of heavyweights (San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans), it's time for the league to add the Vikings to the list of title contenders. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores dismantles his opponents with a creative scheme that allows his top playmakers to wreak havoc from multiple positions on the field. Plus, because the unit brings exceptional physicality and toughness, the Vikings challenge the mental and physical capabilities of opponents who can't handle an onslaught from the bullies in purple.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

Saquon Barkley made up for his late Week 2 slip-up with a spectacular performance against the Saints this week. The All-Pro managed 158 scrimmage yards and showed the speed, reaction time and energy to throw the ball from any point on the field. As opponents are increasingly forced to defend the Eagles' dynamic running game, Jalen Hurts and Co. are finding plenty of space to play pitch-and-catch on the perimeter. Given the Eagles' star-studded offensive lineup, opponents will struggle to keep this unit from lighting up scoreboards across the league.

Saquon Barkley scores a 65-yard touchdown and puts the Eagles in the lead

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

Style points don't matter for Mike Tomlin and his team. The Steelers are grinding out ugly wins by relying on a stingy defense and opportunistic offense to shut down tough opponents and take 3-0 leads. As Justin Fields becomes more comfortable as the team's QB1 in Russell Wilson's absence, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is slowly working on the playbook to highlight the fourth-year pro's abilities as a dual-threat playmaker. As the results start to show up on the scoresheet, the Steelers are slowly emerging as a contender with the potential to pull off wins against any opponent who takes a throwback approach.

5. Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen is doing well without an established No. 1 wide receiver on the perimeter. The two-time Pro Bowler distributes the ball and relies on the system and his improvisational skills to make big plays in the passing game. With James Cook luring safeties into the box with his electrifying runner skills, the Bills' balanced offensive approach is the perfect complement to the team's fierce defense. If the Bills perform well against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night, they deserve to be considered a top-five team.

6. New Orleans Saints

Despite the narrow loss to the Eagles, Dennis Allen's team is prepared for the rigors of an NFC heavyweight. The Saints' explosive offense and turnover-focused defense pose a challenge for teams unable to play complementary football. Although the ball didn't go in the Saints' favor on Sunday, the team's spirited performance in a loss to a top team suggests they will be a tough opponent in a postseason tournament that could produce wild and crazy results.

7. Houston Texans

Sometimes a good kick out of bounds can help a team regroup and refocus as a title contender. The Texans were brutally beaten by the Vikings, which exposed their sloppiness and lack of attention to detail. From the egregious penalties to the costly turnovers, the Texans helped their opponent with their mistakes in Week 3. With the loss as a wake-up call, the Texans should be primed for a comeback next week.

8. The Seattle Seahawks

Being able to hold your own against a team playing with a backup quarterback is a sign of a mature team, and that's exactly what the Seahawks did in Sunday's win over the Dolphins. Mike Macdonald's team has exceeded expectations with three strong performances to open the season. The defense leads the way and uses a tenacious style of play to slow down opponents at every turn. With opponents having a hard time scoring points, the Seahawks can win whether their offense is playing its best or not.

9. New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers is reviving his four-time MVP form, leading an electrifying offense with dazzling young playmakers. Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson are borderline superstars whose games are on the verge of exploding, and Rodgers is putting the ball in their hands early and often. While the defense continues to evolve into a stifling unit that can blanket opponents without creating blitzes, the Jets are a tough opponent that could become a dangerous opponent for playoff contenders down the stretch.

Julian Edelman on how Aaron Rodgers is changing the Jets

10. Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert's ankle sprain could hamper the Chargers' offense in the short term, but a dominant running game and stingy defense will keep the team in the race until he's fully healthy. Although Herbert's absence contributed to the Week 3 loss, the Chargers remain in the race as an up-and-coming heavyweight in an extremely competitive AFC.

Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also analyzes the game for NFL Network and co-hosts the podcast “Moving the Sticks.” Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]

Get more out of the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more