NFL Power Rankings: Assessing Each Team Entering Week 3

Week 3's first matchup is in the books. But there are still 15 pivotal showdowns left to cap off this weekend's action. 

The New York Giants' 36-7 win over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night sent each team moving in the opposite direction, but others are sure to rise and slide as well after Week 3 is all said and done.

Let's take a look at my NFL power rankings post-Thursday night heading into Week 3's slate of weekend games. 

No. 1. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)

After two impressive wins over 2011 NFC playoff teams in the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, Jim Harbaugh's Niners looked primed to return to the NFC Championship Game this January. With both sides of the ball firing on all cylinders, the sky is the limit for San Francisco.

No. 2. Houston Texans (2-0)

The Texans are allowing just 196 total yards and 8.5 points per game this season. Their defensive dominance has them an early season favorite to reach Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. Houston will travel to Denver in Week 3 to face a familiar foe in Peyton Manning. 

No. 3. Atlanta Falcons (2-0)

Atlanta's defense intercepted Peyton Manning three times in the first quarter in Week 2. If they can expose Philip Rivers in San Diego in Week 3 they will be the hands-down favorites to win the NFC South in 2012. 

No. 4. San Diego Chargers (2-0)

Is this the year the San Diego Chargers find consistency and finally live up to all the preseason hype? It's too early to tell but if they can beat the undefeated Atlanta Falcons at home, I'll be a believer. 

No. 5. Green Bay Packers (1-1)

A trip to Seattle on Monday Night Football in Week 3 will be a mighty challenge for the Green Bay Packers, but after Week 2's throttling of the Chicago Bears at Lambeau, anything is possible for the Super Bowl XLV champions. 

No. 6. New England Patriots (1-1)

Patriots fans shouldn't panic after Week 2's home loss to the Arizona Cardinals. But if New England loses at Baltimore on Sunday night, they may want to start getting nervous. 

No. 7. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)

Undefeated through the season's first two weeks despite nine turnovers, the Philadelphia Eagles must be doing something right. As long as they keep winning, they will continue to soar in these power rankings. 

No. 8. Arizona Cardinals (2-0)

The Arizona Cardinals must beat the Philadelphia Eagles at home in Week 3 in order to prove that their win over the New England Patriots last weekend wasn't a fluke. If Arizona can shut down Michael Vick then their defense is for real. 

No. 9. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)

As long as the Ravens are determined to prove to the world that Joe Flacco is an elite quarterback, they will lose to lesser teams. Give the ball to Ray Rice, for crying out loud. 

No. 10. Seattle Seahawks (1-1)

The Seahawks proved that the preseason hype was warranted with a blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys last weekend. Still, they will need to win another tough home game against the Packers on Monday night if they are to be considered a Top 10 team.

No. 11. New York Giants (2-1)

After walloping the Carolina Panthers on the road short-handed, the Giants are looking more and more like the team that made a wild run to a Super Bowl title last winter. If New York can keep up their winning ways, they'll make the Top 10 in no time. 

No. 12. Denver Broncos (1-1)

Peyton Manning looked rattled on Monday Night Football in Week 2. If he and the Broncos are to remain one of the AFC's top teams this fall, they will need to find a way to beat the Houston Texans at Mile High in Week 3. Sunday afternoon's game is sure to be Denver's toughest test thus far. 

No. 13. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)

An easy win over the Jets at home was just what the doctor ordered for Pittsburgh in Week 2. Now they will travel west to play the lowly Raiders in Oakland. Have no fear Steelers fans, your team will be a few spots higher after Week 3.

No. 14. Detroit Lions (1-1)

We shouldn't overreact to the Lions' first loss of the season at San Francisco last Sunday night. The 49ers are a legitimate Super Bowl team and they are almost unbeatable at home. Still, the Lions can ill afford a slip up at Tennessee this weekend. 

No. 15. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)

I like to consider the Dallas Cowboys the San Diego Chargers of the NFC. Every year they enter the season with a plethora of talent and high expectations, but rarely deliver. Dallas' Week 2 defeat at Seattle was as disappointing as they come. Luckily, the Cowboys return home for the first time this fall to host a beatable Bucs team in Week 3. 

No. 16. Chicago Bears (1-1)

The Bears are no doubt desperate to play some football in Week 3 after being embarrassed at Green Bay in Week 2. Chicago is favored at home against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday afternoon, and should slow St. Louis enough to escape 2-1.

No. 17. New York Jets (1-1)

Rex Ryan's team fell back down to earth in Week 2, and must now avoid falling completely apart in Week 3 on the road at Miami. A loss to the division-rival Dolphins would surely set New York back.

No. 18. Buffalo Bills (1-1)

Buffalo is back from the dead after laying a dud on opening day. Running back C.J. Spiller has emerged as the best in the league, averaging 10.1 yards per carry. If he can continue his roll in Cleveland on Sunday, the Bills will keep their place atop the AFC East. 

No. 19. St. Louis Rams (1-1)

The Rams looked strong for the first time in a long time last weekend against the Washington Redskins, and will travel to Chicago to attempt to establish a winning streak. Unfortunately, the Bears are grumpy and a far better team. 

No. 20. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)

Cincinnati is back to .500 after beating division rival Cleveland last weekend. The test will come in Week 3 though when the Bengals visit Robert Griffin III in D.C. Cincinnati's defense will be under fire, that's for sure, but its offense should have plenty of opportunities to score. 

No. 21. Washington Redskins (1-1)

With Brian Orakpo and Adam Carriker lost for the season, Washington must circle the wagons in anattempt to make Robert Griffin III's first NFL season a successful one. They are facing a must-win on Sunday at home against the Bengals. 

No. 22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)

Tampa Bay may have sealed its fate after surrendering 25 fourth-quarter points to Eli Manning and the Giants in Week 2. A loss at Dallas this Sunday afternoon will have Greg Schiano's Bucs reeling. 

No. 23. Miami Dolphins (1-1)

Reggie Bush has been the heart that keeps the Miami Dolphins alive thus far in 2012. The NFL's second-leading rusher, Bush is averaging six yards per carry and gives the Fins a real shot at winning against the Jets in Week 3.

No. 24. Indianapolis Colts (1-1)

Andrew Luck looks to be the quarterback of the future for the Colts. If he can beat the Jaguars at home in Week 3, he may have fans in Indianapolis forgetting all about No. 18.

No. 25. Minnesota Vikings (1-1)

The Vikings have been living life on the edge this season, winning on a late field goal in Week 1 and losing on a late field goal in Week 2. They host the No. 1-ranked San Francisco 49ers in Week 3. Needless to say I don't like their chances of avoiding a losing streak this weekend. 

No. 26. Carolina Panthers (1-2)

Where do I begin? The Panthers looked horrible on Thursday night against the Giants, and Cam Newton was right to feel embarrassed and ashamed. Until Carolina takes the next step and learns consistency, they will be a 6-10 team at best.

No. 27. New Orleans Saints (0-2)

The Saints' poor start has nothing to do with bad luck. They have been outplayed to start the year and must reignite their passion at home in Week 3 in order to save their season. They'll host the Chiefs in a game that they should win easily. 

No. 28. Cleveland Browns (0-2)

Give the Browns some credit, they were game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, scoring points and keeping pace with their AFC North rival. Still, Cleveland is in desperate need of a win in Week 3 to avoid dropping its first two at home.

No. 29. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)

The Jaguars have been dreadful in nearly every aspect of the game. On both sides of the ball Jacksonville has looked terrible and will attempt to win its first game of 2012 on the road at Indianapolis on Sunday.

No. 30. Oakland Raiders (0-2)

Oakland has scored just 27 points total through the season's first two weeks. Carson Palmer and company must pick up the offensive production in Week 3 against Pittsburgh. They will be looking towards the draft by the time the calendar flips to October. 

No. 31. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2)

The Chiefs have failed to even be competitive thus far this season, and unless they start soon they will surely be 0-3 after a Week 3 showdown with the winless Saints in the Superdome. 

No. 32. Tennessee Titans (0-2)

If you're a fantasy owner with Chris Johnson on your roster or a Tennessee Titans fan, you should be worried. The Titans have looked inept for two consecutive weeks and will have to overcome a 2011 playoff team in the Detroit Lions this weekend to avoid starting 0-3.

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