Here are my NFL Power Rankings after Week 3, with last week's ranking in parenthesis:
Week: 1 2 3
1. Dallas Cowboys (3-0) (1)
Dallas stays on top of my power rankings after going to Green Bay and beating the Packers pretty easily. Marion Barber was a beast but more importantly the defense showed up big time.
2. New York Giants (3-0) (2)
The Giants got a big scare from the lowly Bengals, but were able to pull of the victory in OT. Other than their Week 1 victory over the Redskins, their other 2 wins (STL, CIN) are nothing to write home about.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) (5)
The Eagles move up to # 3 after taking down the Steelers with an impressive defensive performance. This team is going to be tough to beat as long as McNabb and Westbrook can stay healthy.
4. Green Bay Packers (2-1) (3)
Can't really fault the Packers too much for losing to Dallas, but I am a little worried about their defense, which so far has been better on paper than on the field. The run defense has been pretty bad, giving up 151 yards a game.
5. Tennessee Titans (3-0) (8)
After another dominating defensive performance, I'm pegging the Titans as the # 1 team in the AFC right now. As long as they can continue to run the ball and control the clock, the Titans are going to be tough to beat.
6. Denver Broncos (3-0) (6)
Most people would probably have Denver as the # 1 team in the AFC, but if you think about it they are a botched field goal and bad call away from being 1-2 instead of 3-0. Until they plug up their defense, I don't think I can say they are the best team in the AFC. Someone is going to slow down their offense eventually, but it won't be this week because they play the Chiefs.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) (4)
Pittsburgh lost to a good Eagles team, but I still dropped them a few spots because they really struggle to score points on the road. The defense is strong at # 2, but the 38 points they dropped on Houston in the opener is a mirage because they are ranked just 29th in offense. I'm also worried about the health of Roethlisberger going forward. We also learned yesterday that the health of Willie Parker could be an issue too.
8. Buffalo Bills (3-0) (11)
Buffalo is 5th in defense and 13th in offense, which certainly makes them a top 10 team. In fact, you could make a case that they are the best team in the AFC right now because they are the most balanced team on offense and defense. I was surprised to see their defense ranked 5th, so it will be interesting to see if they can keep that up.
9. Washington Redskins (2-1) (16)
Washington has proved to me that they are a solid team by beating both New Orleans and Arizona. They are ranked 13th on defense and 14th on offense, which shows they are solid in both areas. Unfortunately for them, even at # 9 they are the 4th best team in their division.
10. San Diego Chargers (1-2) (15)
The Chargers very easily could be 3-0 right now and they probably should be 2-1 anyway. The offense has been great so far, but the problem here has been the defense. The have the second worst pass defense in the league and desperately miss the pass rush of Shawne Merriman. Phillip Rivers has really taken another step forward this year and he might be passing LT as the best player on their offense.
11. Arizona Cardinals (2-1) (13)
Arizona lost a tough game to Washington on the road this week but I still like how this team has played so far. They rank 8th in defense and 10th in offense, which is why I still like them as favorites in the NFC West.
12. Carolina Panthers (2-1) (12)
I'm not really sure what to make of Carolina right now. They played a tough San Diego team and two tough defenses in Chicago and Minnesota and came out of it with a 2-1 record. The offense has not been good though and ranks 27th in the league.
13. New England Patriots (2-1) (7)
Wow, the Patriots looked awful against the Dolphins this week. I didn't think Miami was capable of beating anybody that badly. Maybe it was just a fluke, but the Patriots defense needs to step it up or else there will be a lot more losses headed their way.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) (20)
The Jaguars are lucky they are not 0-3 right now after their last second victory against Indy. Their two losses are nothing to be ashamed of though because they lost to Tennessee and Buffalo, who are a combined 6-0 right now. This team should be able to stick around in a weakened AFC.
15. Indianapolis Colts (1-2) (9)
The Colts are another team who could easily be 0-3 right now. I do not like the way the Colts have been playing this season. The offense is ranked 20th and the defense is ranks 22nd, which is not going to win them many football games. They have a bye this week and then they go to Houston, which should help them get back on track.
16. New Orleans Saints (1-2) (10)
The Saints have not been as bad as their record shows. They have been banged up and had a chance to beat both Washington and Denver on the road but weren't able to pull it off. I think they will bounce back at home this week against the 49ers.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) (17)
Tampa Bay was lucky to have beaten the Bears and I'm still not overly impressed with what this team brings to the table. Somehow they have managed to have the 7th best offense and be ranked 26th on defense. Not what you would expect from a Buccaneers team at all.
18. Minnesota Vikings (1-2) (21)
It's pretty clear that everyone overrated the Vikings this season and underrated the Packers. Gus Frerotte is not the answer at QB and I think the Vikings will miss out on the playoffs once again.
19. San Francisco 49ers (2-1) (22)
The 49ers are looking good offensively the last two games and are no longer a pushover but they did beat the lowly Lions so I'm not getting two excited about their playoff chances yet.
20. New York Jets (1-2) (14)
The Jets got pounded by the Chargers and now find themselves with a huge game this week at home against a strong Arizona team. This Jets team is looking like a major work in progress and by the time they get it together, it might be too late.
21. Baltimore Ravens (2-0) (26)
Normally I wouldn't have a 2-0 team ranked this low, but the two teams they beat are a combined 0-6 and Joe Flacco is still their QB. They travel to Pittsburgh this week, where I expect them to get pretty much shut out offensively.
22. Seattle Seahawks (1-2) (23)
Beating the Rams is not going to prove much about this Seahawks team. They have a bye this week and then head across country to play the Giants. If they can win that game then maybe they can turn their season around. If not then they could be in for a long season.
23. Chicago Bears (1-2) (19)
The Bears great D hasn't been so great this season. They have the 18th ranked defense, which makes them merely average. With Kyle Orton at QB, that means this Bears team is going to have to pick things up defensively if they want to win more games.
24. Cleveland Browns (0-3) (18)
The Browns and Derek Anderson have been awful so far. They have a ridiculously tough schedule the rest of the way and it's possible Brady Quinn could be at QB as early as this week against the Bengals.
25. Houston Texans (0-2) (24)
Houston has lost to two really good defensive teams in Pittsburgh and Tennessee, so it's tough to know just how good or bad they are. It doesn't get any easier as they head to Jacksonville this week and then get Indy the week after.
26. Atlanta Falcons (2-1) (29)
Atlanta would be ranked higher, but their two wins didn't come against the greatest teams(KC & DET). Their running game has been spectacular, which has made things easier for Matt Ryan, but on the road against Carolina this week should prove to be a tougher test.
27. Oakland Raiders (1-2) (25)
The Raiders were minutes away from being 2-1 before blowing a lead against Buffalo. I really don't think this team is that bad but they are inexperienced, which is probably going to be what keeps them from being successful this season.
28. Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) (28)
The Bengals are a bad team but in their defense they have lost to Baltimore, Tennessee, and the Giants, who are a combined 8-0 and have three of the toughest defenses in the NFL.
29. Detroit Lions (0-3) (27)
The Detroit Lions are simply a mess. Their defense usually sucks, but now that Jon Kitna is struggling again the offense can't even outscore the other team anymore either.
30. Miami Dolphins (1-2) (31)
The Dolphins surprised me this week but they will have to show me more before I move them any further.
31. St. Louis Rams (0-3) (30)
At least the Rams aren't the worst team in the state of Missouri...it's pretty damn close though.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3) (32)
The Chiefs are clearly the worst team in the NFL right now and I see them struggling to score points all season with their current QB situation.
Week: 1 2 3
1. Dallas Cowboys (3-0) (1)
Dallas stays on top of my power rankings after going to Green Bay and beating the Packers pretty easily. Marion Barber was a beast but more importantly the defense showed up big time.
2. New York Giants (3-0) (2)
The Giants got a big scare from the lowly Bengals, but were able to pull of the victory in OT. Other than their Week 1 victory over the Redskins, their other 2 wins (STL, CIN) are nothing to write home about.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) (5)
The Eagles move up to # 3 after taking down the Steelers with an impressive defensive performance. This team is going to be tough to beat as long as McNabb and Westbrook can stay healthy.
4. Green Bay Packers (2-1) (3)
Can't really fault the Packers too much for losing to Dallas, but I am a little worried about their defense, which so far has been better on paper than on the field. The run defense has been pretty bad, giving up 151 yards a game.
5. Tennessee Titans (3-0) (8)
After another dominating defensive performance, I'm pegging the Titans as the # 1 team in the AFC right now. As long as they can continue to run the ball and control the clock, the Titans are going to be tough to beat.
6. Denver Broncos (3-0) (6)
Most people would probably have Denver as the # 1 team in the AFC, but if you think about it they are a botched field goal and bad call away from being 1-2 instead of 3-0. Until they plug up their defense, I don't think I can say they are the best team in the AFC. Someone is going to slow down their offense eventually, but it won't be this week because they play the Chiefs.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) (4)
Pittsburgh lost to a good Eagles team, but I still dropped them a few spots because they really struggle to score points on the road. The defense is strong at # 2, but the 38 points they dropped on Houston in the opener is a mirage because they are ranked just 29th in offense. I'm also worried about the health of Roethlisberger going forward. We also learned yesterday that the health of Willie Parker could be an issue too.
8. Buffalo Bills (3-0) (11)
Buffalo is 5th in defense and 13th in offense, which certainly makes them a top 10 team. In fact, you could make a case that they are the best team in the AFC right now because they are the most balanced team on offense and defense. I was surprised to see their defense ranked 5th, so it will be interesting to see if they can keep that up.
9. Washington Redskins (2-1) (16)
Washington has proved to me that they are a solid team by beating both New Orleans and Arizona. They are ranked 13th on defense and 14th on offense, which shows they are solid in both areas. Unfortunately for them, even at # 9 they are the 4th best team in their division.
10. San Diego Chargers (1-2) (15)
The Chargers very easily could be 3-0 right now and they probably should be 2-1 anyway. The offense has been great so far, but the problem here has been the defense. The have the second worst pass defense in the league and desperately miss the pass rush of Shawne Merriman. Phillip Rivers has really taken another step forward this year and he might be passing LT as the best player on their offense.
11. Arizona Cardinals (2-1) (13)
Arizona lost a tough game to Washington on the road this week but I still like how this team has played so far. They rank 8th in defense and 10th in offense, which is why I still like them as favorites in the NFC West.
12. Carolina Panthers (2-1) (12)
I'm not really sure what to make of Carolina right now. They played a tough San Diego team and two tough defenses in Chicago and Minnesota and came out of it with a 2-1 record. The offense has not been good though and ranks 27th in the league.
13. New England Patriots (2-1) (7)
Wow, the Patriots looked awful against the Dolphins this week. I didn't think Miami was capable of beating anybody that badly. Maybe it was just a fluke, but the Patriots defense needs to step it up or else there will be a lot more losses headed their way.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) (20)
The Jaguars are lucky they are not 0-3 right now after their last second victory against Indy. Their two losses are nothing to be ashamed of though because they lost to Tennessee and Buffalo, who are a combined 6-0 right now. This team should be able to stick around in a weakened AFC.
15. Indianapolis Colts (1-2) (9)
The Colts are another team who could easily be 0-3 right now. I do not like the way the Colts have been playing this season. The offense is ranked 20th and the defense is ranks 22nd, which is not going to win them many football games. They have a bye this week and then they go to Houston, which should help them get back on track.
16. New Orleans Saints (1-2) (10)
The Saints have not been as bad as their record shows. They have been banged up and had a chance to beat both Washington and Denver on the road but weren't able to pull it off. I think they will bounce back at home this week against the 49ers.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) (17)
Tampa Bay was lucky to have beaten the Bears and I'm still not overly impressed with what this team brings to the table. Somehow they have managed to have the 7th best offense and be ranked 26th on defense. Not what you would expect from a Buccaneers team at all.
18. Minnesota Vikings (1-2) (21)
It's pretty clear that everyone overrated the Vikings this season and underrated the Packers. Gus Frerotte is not the answer at QB and I think the Vikings will miss out on the playoffs once again.
19. San Francisco 49ers (2-1) (22)
The 49ers are looking good offensively the last two games and are no longer a pushover but they did beat the lowly Lions so I'm not getting two excited about their playoff chances yet.
20. New York Jets (1-2) (14)
The Jets got pounded by the Chargers and now find themselves with a huge game this week at home against a strong Arizona team. This Jets team is looking like a major work in progress and by the time they get it together, it might be too late.
21. Baltimore Ravens (2-0) (26)
Normally I wouldn't have a 2-0 team ranked this low, but the two teams they beat are a combined 0-6 and Joe Flacco is still their QB. They travel to Pittsburgh this week, where I expect them to get pretty much shut out offensively.
22. Seattle Seahawks (1-2) (23)
Beating the Rams is not going to prove much about this Seahawks team. They have a bye this week and then head across country to play the Giants. If they can win that game then maybe they can turn their season around. If not then they could be in for a long season.
23. Chicago Bears (1-2) (19)
The Bears great D hasn't been so great this season. They have the 18th ranked defense, which makes them merely average. With Kyle Orton at QB, that means this Bears team is going to have to pick things up defensively if they want to win more games.
24. Cleveland Browns (0-3) (18)
The Browns and Derek Anderson have been awful so far. They have a ridiculously tough schedule the rest of the way and it's possible Brady Quinn could be at QB as early as this week against the Bengals.
25. Houston Texans (0-2) (24)
Houston has lost to two really good defensive teams in Pittsburgh and Tennessee, so it's tough to know just how good or bad they are. It doesn't get any easier as they head to Jacksonville this week and then get Indy the week after.
26. Atlanta Falcons (2-1) (29)
Atlanta would be ranked higher, but their two wins didn't come against the greatest teams(KC & DET). Their running game has been spectacular, which has made things easier for Matt Ryan, but on the road against Carolina this week should prove to be a tougher test.
27. Oakland Raiders (1-2) (25)
The Raiders were minutes away from being 2-1 before blowing a lead against Buffalo. I really don't think this team is that bad but they are inexperienced, which is probably going to be what keeps them from being successful this season.
28. Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) (28)
The Bengals are a bad team but in their defense they have lost to Baltimore, Tennessee, and the Giants, who are a combined 8-0 and have three of the toughest defenses in the NFL.
29. Detroit Lions (0-3) (27)
The Detroit Lions are simply a mess. Their defense usually sucks, but now that Jon Kitna is struggling again the offense can't even outscore the other team anymore either.
30. Miami Dolphins (1-2) (31)
The Dolphins surprised me this week but they will have to show me more before I move them any further.
31. St. Louis Rams (0-3) (30)
At least the Rams aren't the worst team in the state of Missouri...it's pretty damn close though.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3) (32)
The Chiefs are clearly the worst team in the NFL right now and I see them struggling to score points all season with their current QB situation.
No comments:
Post a Comment