# Bradley Locker: Locker presents PFF's Week 3 adjusted power rankings for the 2026 season, with Buffalo first, Seattle rising to second and Chicago plummeting to 26th amid quarterback injuries. He also expects Kyler Murray back in Week 3, Michael Penix Jr. returning Thursday night, and Jameis Winston taking over as the Giants' starter for most or all of the season. **Claimed:** Sep 23, 2026 **Pundit:** Bradley Locker — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/pundits/bradley-locker **Outlet:** Pro Football Focus — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/outlets/pro-football-focus **How it reached us:** published in writing **Original:** https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-3-power-rankings-seahawks-rise-bears-plummet-amid-injury/ 4 checkable claims — 2 availability calls, 1 depth chart call and 1 power ranking — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet. It names 6 players and teams, each linked to their own record. None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in. Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room. > The Bears fall with a projected QB3: Injuries to Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent, coupled with a questionable defense, have knocked Chicago well outside of the top 10. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **The performance of Murray, who will return in Week 3 in Tampa Bay, will reveal more about the Vikings' long-term chances.** - Kind: Availability Calls · About: Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings - Verdict: not settled yet - **the return of Michael Penix Jr. on Thursday night could offer a boost** - Kind: Availability Calls · About: Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jameis Winston to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jameis Winston, New York Giants - Verdict: not settled yet - **Below is PFF's adjusted power rankings based on the signature holistic model, weighing overall team performance with remaining strength of schedule. 1. Buffalo Bills ... 32. Miami Dolphins** - Kind: Power Rankings - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Kyler Murray — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/kyler-murray - Minnesota Vikings — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/vikings - Michael Penix Jr. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/michael-penix-jr - Atlanta Falcons — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/falcons - Jameis Winston — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/jameis-winston - New York Giants — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/giants ## What others said about the same people - Fox Sports on Michael Penix Jr.: Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/a90e69a8-707f-43e9-a63e-cdb3e7bd0829 (scored 100) - Fox Sports on J.J. McCarthy: FOX Sports projects Kyle McCord as Miami's backup behind starter Malik Willis, Mitchell Trubisky as Tennessee's primary backup behind starter Cam Ward, and J.J. McCarthy making the Vikings' 53-man roster. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/dcd95051-2c24-4226-be5d-ff36732ce5dc (scored 100) - Nathan Jahnke on Carson Wentz: An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/47566b48-8024-4960-b25c-11c03fe43543 (scored 100) - Patricia Traina on Paulson Adebo: Traina projects the Giants' initial 53-man roster position by position, naming who makes the team and who lands on the practice squad, including keeping Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Evan Neal (with a possible trade), Dalen Cambre over Braxton Berrios, Lucas Patrick as backup center, and Dominic Zvada as the kicker. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/8bb1a183-b45b-44db-8a61-23bdd2238a6b (scored 100) - Nathan Jahnke on Carson Wentz: PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a series of depth-chart, roster and usage projections based on final-week preseason snap counts, including Ja'Kobi Lane locking down the Ravens' third receiver role, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Kyle Pitts facing reduced 12-personnel usage, Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2 and Emmett Johnson as the Chiefs' backup running back. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/265cbdba-b0e0-4f80-9665-a4ca5aaec53e (scored 100) - Bob Folger on Zaire Barnes: Reviewing the Giants' defense and special teams in the preseason game against Miami, Folger states he has little doubt linebacker Zaire Barnes will make the roster, largely on the strength of his special teams play. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/51dbddf4-bfb8-4c16-89f7-5457d63daf5f (scored 100) ## More availability calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - John Green on Ladd McConkey: Previewing Bills-Chargers in Week 3, Green expects Chargers slot receiver Ladd McConkey to be available despite a rib injury. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/62b84df7-a936-427d-9218-0da62b9a8828 (not settled) - Brendon Nelson on Sam Darnold: Nelson expects Sam Darnold to return and play the entire game against Washington in Week 3, rather than being limited or rested, unless it becomes a blowout. He also doubts Seattle trades Drew Lock, arguing the big offer won't materialize and Seattle should keep him as quarterback insurance. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/c3e9fb37-4de8-495c-b906-4c1af4ad0307 (not settled) - Alain Poupart on Chop Robinson: Poupart says right tackle Austin Jackson's contract situation makes it no better than a coin flip — and probably worse — that he is back with the Dolphins next season, and suggests Miami may turn to a younger option at right tackle if his struggles continue. He also indicates edge rusher Chop Robinson will return to the lineup against Kansas City in Week 3. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/db752e1b-cd89-41d4-af81-819678382f54 (not settled) - Pat Fitzmaurice on Zay Flowers: A Week 3 half-PPR start/sit and tiered rankings column offering weekly lineup advice across quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end. The only non-weekly claim is that Ravens receiver Zay Flowers will be held out another week with a hamstring injury. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/c50e7bbc-663a-457e-b1a4-7b7b7d049c85 (not settled) - Michael Moore on Caleb Douglas: In a Week 3 injury roundup, Moore forecast several availability calls: DJ Moore, Caleb Douglas, Rico Dowdle, Nico Collins, Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua are expected to miss Week 3, while Jalen Coker and Brock Bowers should play, with Jaylen Warren taking on a near-workhorse role in Pittsburgh. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/9a61f255-10c5-478a-a786-41d01e4b8a4d (not settled) - John Middlekauff on Sam Darnold: Reacting to the Packers' blowout loss at Lambeau, Middlekauff said Green Bay's own pick (now owned by the Jets) will land somewhere between 7 and 12 overall, picked Cincinnati to beat Pittsburgh and expected Seattle and Kansas City to roll over Washington and Miami. He also guessed Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss would run about a 4.48-4.50 forty, said Seattle won't trade Drew Lock, and expected Sam Darnold to play in Week 3. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/41d65ece-ef1e-4b78-97cc-019c25b1fb2a (not settled) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/corrections?pundit=bradley-locker