Week 3 NFL Power Rankings

Past Power Rankings: Week 1, Week 2

Who says the NFL isn’t exciting? The Seahawks have fallen, the Browns and Bills are on the rise, and the Texans are leading the AFC South! We couldn’t ask for a better start to the season. Well, some of us could but it wouldn’t be as fun.

This was definitely a tough week to do, considering the amount of teams that surprised us. But hey, it keeps things exciting.

Let the Power Rankings commence!

1. Denver Broncos , 2-0 (Last Week: 2) 1

I didn’t think their game against the Chiefs would be so close. But hey, a win is a win. Denver is the most consistent team in the NFL. Now, it’s not about how many wins they’ll have, it’s about who they’ll lose to if they don’t stay perfect. Any bets?

2. Cincinnati Bengals , 2-0 (Last Week:5) 3

This was a team that I doubted. Then they crushed the Falcons. Wonderful defense and the offense is clicking. That contract extension for Andy Dalton was more than deserved.

3. Philadelphia Eagles , 2-0 (Last Week: 4) 1

Poor starts in the first half usually doom teams. For this Eagles team, not so much. Last week, their come back vs the Jaguars wasn’t surprising. Now, with the Colts. That was impressive. This team is a big threat in the NFC.

4. Carolina Panthers , 2-0 (Last Week: 6) 2

Before the season began, I said the Panthers would NOT make the playoffs and the Saints would win the division. About two weeks later and I have the Panthers at #4 and they’re leading their division while the Saints sit in last at 0-2.

5. Arizona Cardinals , 2-0 (Last Week: 8) 3

I said this team would make the playoffs as a wild card team. They’re currently leading their division. The defense is great and the offense was playing without Carson Palmer. What? They relied on Drew Stanton to get them past the Giants. 2-0 start and they still have room for improvement.

6. San Diego Chargers , 1-1 (Last Week: 15) 9

After a disappointing loss in Arizona last week, the Chargers used “White Hot Sunday” to their advantage. They showed the Seahawks that this team is not afraid, Antonio Gates looks 10 years younger, and Keenan Allen made some plays on Richard Sherman. They dominated every phase of the game.

7. Seattle Seahawks , 1-1 (Last Week: 1) 6

Quite a significant drop for the defending champs. Like I said above, the Chargers dominated the Seahawks in every phase of the game. Nothing to worry about, though. With the little time the offense had the ball, they showed how explosive they could be. Don’t jump on the “Seahawks are overrated” bandwagon.

8. Buffalo Bills , 2-0 (Last Week: 20) 12

One of the most surprising teams so far, the Bills are playing very solid. The fact that they are staying in Buffalo makes it that much more exciting. Now, how will they hold up against a visiting Chargers team?

9. San Francisco 49ers , 1-1 (Last Week: 3) 6

My oh my. How did the 49ers give up such a game vs the Bears? 16 penalties played a big part in that. A few things to work on but it shouldn’t be too tough.

10. New England Patriots , 1-1 (Last Week: 12) 2

Talk about making a statement. After falling to the Dolphins, the Pats come back the next ween and beat up the Vikings.

11. Green Bay Packers , 1-1 (Last Week: 7) 4

A comeback vs the Jets says very little. This team lives and dies with Aaron Rodgers. Many analysts pick them as a Super Bowl favorite. I’m not sold.

12. Chicago Bears , 1-1 (Last Week: 22) 10

Great comeback vs the 49ers. Kyle Fuller, a rookie, had two INTs. Along with the win, they saw a new start shine. Loss to the Browns last week was made up for with this. Now, onto the Jets.

13. Baltimore Ravens , 1-1 (Last Week: 19) 6

All distractions aside, the Ravens are beginning to wake up. The Steelers had no effect with the blitz as Joe Flacco went 11-13 and two TDs when they sent in extra pass rushers. Bernard Pierce did very well carrying the rushing load and Steve Smith continues to be very valuable.

14. Atlanta Falcons , 1-1 (Last Week: 10) 4

After week 1, it was apparent that the Atlanta defense had some hole but everyone decided to ignore it after Matt Ryan’s exquisite performance against the Saints. Now, they faced a stiff defense and the Bengals exposed the holes. The offense is there but a few tweaks will do the trick.

15. New Orleans Saints , 0-2 (Last Week: 9) 6

Defense, defense, defense. The Saints don’t have one. Drew Brees can’t do it alone. Having in them in the top half of the power rankings is a gift.

16. Miami Dolphins , 1-1 (Last Week: 11) 5

After an explosive victory against the Patriots, the injury bug has hit Miami. Ryan Tannehill still hasn’t broken out but they get to play the Chiefs and the Raiders next, both of those teams being 0-2.

17. Indianapolis Colts , 0-2 (Last Week: 13) 4

What happened here? How did the Colts fall from grace? Not too sure. Fortunately for Andrew Luck and his lost team, they get to play Jacksonville and Tennessee. 2 wins and they’re back to .500.

18. New York Jets , 1-1 (Last Week: 16) 2

Right when I thought the Jets had something going. It seems like a recurring theme for the Jets. Show signs of life and deflate immediately. But then again, they only beat the Raiders and in a not so convincing fashion. But, I’ll give them credit for actually giving the Packers a tough time.

19. Detroit Lions , 1-1 (Last Week: 14) 5

Explosive team. Just very inconsistent. Week 1, Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson went big. This week, 1-7 and an interception. A lot of question marks.

20. Cleveland Browns , 1-1 (Last Week: 28) 8

Great comeback vs the Saints, especially after a narrow loss to the Steelers. Rookie RB Terrance West had 90 yards from scrimmage, showing that he is a great compliment to Brian Hoyer and the Browns’ offense.

21. Dallas Cowboys , 1-1 (Last Week: 29) 8

The Cowboys needed the win vs the Titans. This was a game in which Dallas ran more than passed. Under Jason Garrett’s tenure, they are 7-1 in such situations.

22. Houston Texans , 2-0 (Last Week: 25) 3

The 2-0 record is a little bit deceiving. They Texans do have a great defense but the offense is yet to be really challenged. Playing the Redskins and the Raiders makes for an easy start. But hey, JJ Watt is now a proven tight end.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers , 1-1 (Last Week: 18) 5

The Steelers defense that many are accustomed to is done. In the two games vs the Browns and the Ravens, they have been utterly dominated. Steelers fans, you best hope that this gets some major fixing.

24.  Minnesota Vikings , 1-1 (Last Week: 17) 7

Only Week 2 and the fans are calling for Teddy Bridgewater. For one, the offensive line isn’t great. Second, Matt Cassel isn’t doing too well with his pocket awareness. Could lead up to some changes soon.

25. Tennessee Titans , 1-1 (Last Week: 21) 4

DeMarco Murray destroyed this defense. 167 yards and a TD as the Cowboys walloped the Titans. On a positive note, Delanie Walker is a monster!

26. Kansas City Chiefs , 0-2 (Last Week: 24) 2

Who called the Chiefs’ regression? I sure did. They played a tough game vs Denver but now they will need to move forward without Jamaal Charles. His high ankle sprain will keep him out for a few weeks and safety Eric Berry is also fighting an ankle sprain. Things just don’t look good.

27. Washington Redskins , 1-1 (Last Week: 30) 3

Was the injury to Robert Griffin III needed? Well, I don’t know if a 41-10 win over the Jaguars answers that question. Could the ‘Skins be moving on from RGIII if Kirk Cousins keeps winning? Possibly. We’ll have to wait and see.

28. St. Louis Rams , 1-1 (Last Week: 31) 3

In a fight between two lowly teams, the Rams won on the road vs the Bucs. To be honest, the highlight of the game was the fact that it ended.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers , 0-2 (Last Week: 23) 6

Well, this team is terrible. It’s pretty incredible. Vincent Jackson’s stats: 8 receptions, 87 yards, 0 TDs. To top it off, they began with two home games against back-up quarterbacks, Derek Anderson and Austin Davis. Josh McCown time should be over soon.

30. New York Giants , 0-2 (Last Week: 26) 4

The Giants couldn’t take down a Cardinals team that was playing without Carson Palmer. I don’t want to give up on the Giants just yet but they look like a team that will finish well in the bottom 10.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars , 0-2 (Last Week: 27) 4

Sorry Chad Henne but Blake Bortles may come in sooner than expected. It’s not necessarily Henne’s fault that they’re losing but they may need to shuffle things around if they don’t start winning.

32. Oakland Raiders , 0-2 (Last Week: 32)

When JJ Watt scores as a tight end on you, there’s not much to say. In the words of Charles Woodson, “We suck”.

 

Follow Alexandro on Twitter: @TheRealZatarain

Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports