Week Three NFL Power Rankings

How do you top a rookie quarterback (Mark Sanchez) leading the New York Jets to an unlikely 3-0 start? How about another rookie quarterback (Matthew Stafford) leading the Detroit Lions to their first win in over 20 games?

The beautiful thing about today's NFL, however, is that while those two story-lines are definitely worth writing and reading about, they still don't compete with one of the oldest (literally) ones out there.

Sorry, Sanchez and Stafford, but Brett Favre's dramatic touchdown toss with two seconds left against the San Francisco 49ers takes the cake.

The same goes for you, too, Carson Palmer.

There were plenty of reasons to get excited about the NFL in week three, but like it or not, Favre stole everyone's attention once again, this time in a very positive fashion.

That is, unless you're a 49ers fan.

Regardless of all these heroic finishes or fantastic start-ups after three weeks, there is still no question which teams belong in the top two spots, and which team has the most balanced team, overall.

Read on to see who makes the top five, and then check to see where everyone else fits in:



1. New York Giants (3-0)

They still aren't that flashy, and hell, they may never be. But when this offense is this efficient and the defense is this dominant, will it really ever matter?

2. Baltimore Ravens (3-0)

The Browns never had a chance. Baltimore's defense is s smothering as advertised, and Joe Flacco continues to show how improved Baltimore's offense is with his second 300+ yard game in three weeks.

3. New Orleans Saints (3-0)

For anyone who thought this team couldn't win without Drew Brees tearing up secondaries, think again. They have three bonafide starting running backs on their team, and possibly just found another in Lynell Hamilton. This team is scary good.

4. Indianapolis Colts (3-0)

Even when Anthony Gonzalez does come back this year, how comforting is it for Peyton Manning to know he has Pierre Garcon?

5. Minnesota Vikings (3-0)

It looks like, if even for just one week, the magic is back. Brett Favre put the team on his shoulders and marched 80 yards for a dramatic score with two seconds left. Still think this guy has got it?

6. New York Jets (3-0)

You just can't say enough about Mark Sanchez. He's backed by a defense that seems to get more hungry every week, but still, the guy has been nearly unflappable.

7. New England Patriots (2-1)

There are still a ton of questions about New England on both sides of the ball, but when the game was on the line, Tom Brady made things happen. Kudos to Bill Belichick for finally breathing some life back into that rushing offense.

8. San Diego Chargers (2-1)

Make that three tough battles in a row for San Diego, as well as three solid efforts. Their defense still has some work to do, but how about Eric Weddle's interception return for a touchdown? Think he was worth a second round pick?

9. Atlanta Falcons (2-1)

Michael Turner got going, but Matt Ryan had trouble getting into a rhythm all day. It looks like, at least for now, the passing of the torch from Tom Brady to Ryan will have to wait.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)

The defense swallowed up Matt Cassel and made him look like he did in the first two weeks of 2008. And while Michael Vick's return didn't live up to the hype, Kevin Kolb showed everyone he still could be Philly's quarterback of the future.

11. Dallas Cowboys (2-1)

Tony Romo did what he had to do on Monday night, but he still wasn't spectacular. It's quite clear that the Dallas duo of Felix Jones and Tashard Choice and withstand any more Marion Barber injuries. But let's not kid ourselves: The defense won this game.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2)

It looks like the "Super Bowl hangover" works both ways. After an impressive opening overtime win over the Titans, the Steelers have dropped two straight heart-breakers. This last one against Cincinnati is going to leave a sour taste in their mouths for weeks.

13. Denver Broncos (3-0)

This has got to be the worst undefeated team in the league. They got past Cincinnati on a lucky play, blew-out the hapless Browns, and out-played the Oakland Raiders. Still, 3-0 is 3-0, right?

14. Green Bay Packers (2-1)

They looked downright horrible in the first half on offense, but really got it together and turned an unlikely close game into a convincing win. They still have a ton of issues on the offensive line that need to be addressed quickly.

15. Chicago Bears (2-1)

It's looking more and more like that first game for Jay Cutler was a fluke. Two strong performances in a row suggest Chicago will be contending for this division, after all.

16. San Francisco 49ers (2-1)

They fought hard all game, and ran into some bad luck when Favre threw that touchdown pass. But these things happen when two good teams square-off. The real question is, how will they perform without Frank Gore for the next two weeks?

For the rest of the rankings, go here, as well a for all your fantasy football advice and news.