2019 NFL power rankings, Week 3: Undefeated start keeps Los Angeles Rams among NFL’s best

ESPN: 3rd (4th)

Pleasant surprise: It has to be receiver Cooper Kupp. Ten months after Kupp underwent reconstructive knee surgery to repair a torn ACL, the third-year slot receiver has resumed his role as quarterback Jared Goff’s go-to receiver. In two games, Kupp has caught 12 passes for 166 yards. In a Week 2 win over the Saints, he took a 7-yard pass and turned it into a 66-yard catch-and-run.

NFL: 3rd (2nd)

Drew Brees’ thumb injury took a lot of juice out of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game rematch between New Orleans and Los Angeles, but don’t hate on the Rams if they don’t feel any less pleased about a convincing win. The offense remains out of sync when compared to the best times of the last two seasons under Sean McVay, but Sunday brought progress. The most impressive play? A gorgeous 57-yard rainbow from Jared Goff to Brandin Cooks to set up L.A.’s opening field goal. Cooper Kupp, meanwhile, has not skipped a beat following reconstructive knee surgery. He’s been Goff’s favorite receiver this season, leading the team with 19 targets. His 66-yard catch-and-run to the goal line showed speed and power that backs up the offseason reports that he’s more explosive now than he was before the ACL tear. The Rams are 2-0 and have yet to hit their stride. Good place to be.

CBS: 4th (4th)

At 2-0, the Rams have the look of a deep playoff team again. The defense appears much improved.

Yahoo!: 2nd (2nd)

Seeing Cooper Kupp go for 120 yards was a great sign. He showed a lot of strength and explosion on a 66-yard catch-and-run that was just short of a touchdown. Coming off a torn ACL, it was fantastic to see Kupp look like he’s 100 percent.

Pro Football Talk: 5th (5th)

It may not be sustainable, but 2-0 is still 2-0.

USA Today: 6th (9th)

They’ve actually been managing Todd Gurley longer than you think, the tailback exceeding 20 carries in just one of his past 11 games.

SI’s MMQB: 3rd (3rd)

NFL 100 fun fact for the day: The Rams franchise began in Cleveland in 1937. It returns to its roots on Sunday.

The Athletic: 3rd (5th)

We’re going to try not to think too much about what could have been for the Rams last year had Cooper Kupp not suffered a season-ending ACL injury, because now that Kupp is back, wow, we remember just how much of a difference he makes for quarterback Jared Goff and the entire Rams offense.