Power Ranking Every NFL Division After Week 3

Keep bringing the heat, NFC West. 

You're the cream of the NFL divisional crop, a distinction no one saw coming. 

Sure, your best team got smacked around by the Minnesota Vikings, (the Vikings?). Yeah, the Vikings. But actually, the Arizona Cardinals may just be for real. Just ask Michael Vick how he's feeling this morning. 

The St. Louis Rams couldn't build on an impressive win in Week 2 with a win in Chicago in Week 3, but your Seattle Seahawks have a fantastic opportunity to make a major statement on Monday Night Football against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers this evening. 

With the NFC Worst now known as the NFC Best, where do the other divisions fall in this week's divisional power rankings?

8. AFC West

Last week: No. 8

After starting the season 2-0 with wins over two relatively weak opponents, the Chargers lacked any semblance of electricity against the Atlanta Falcons at home on Sunday. 

As has been the case during the Norv Turner era in San Diego, Philip Rivers and Co. failed to make the most of a true statement game. 

In fact, they were outclassed in every phase of the game against the Falcons. 

The Broncos were forced to mount a ferocious comeback for the second straight week, but like their Week 2 loss to Atlanta, they fell short to the mighty Houston Texans. Peyton Manning may not be 100 percent, but he seems to be good enough to win games for the Broncos. The defense simply needs to play better. 

I've got to hand it to Dennis Allen and the coaching job he did in his first win. Beating the Pittsburgh Steelers is never easy, but Oakland pulled it off.

After starting the year getting blown out in the first two weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs were the more physical team in New Orleans and stunned the Saints. 

Still, with three teams at 1-2 and the top two clubs losing, I can't move the AFC West out of the last position. 

Maybe things will change next week. 

7. NFC South

Last week: No. 3

For a power rankings list that includes only eight positions, a one-week drop from No. 3 to No. 7 is quite the fall.

The reason for the plummet?

Let's see: The Carolina Panthers were thoroughly dominated by the New York Giants on Thursday night. Cam Newton was bad and the defense was even worse. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been competitive in three games, but they've lost consecutive games.

Almost doesn't cut it in the NFL. 

And what about the Saints? 

Seriously, who had Drew Brees' squadron starting 0-2 at home and 0-3 overall? Even with Sean Payton suspended, I didn't. 

Luckily for the NFC South, the Falcons look like one of the most complete teams in football. They're saving this division from the No. 8 ranking. 

6. AFC South

Last week: No. 7

I want to rank the AFC South higher, but I just can't. 

The Houston Texans are the only 3-0 team in the AFC and have the personnel on both sides of the ball to legitimately contend for a Super Bowl. 

The rest of the division is young, resilient and has a bright future; I'm just not sure if they're ready to contend this season. 

Andrew Luck will be a great quarterback, and really could easily be 2-1 right now. It will just take the Colts organization time to add adequate talent on both sides of the football. Blaine Gabbert looks lightyears ahead of where he was even at the end of 2011, and the defense is still vastly underrated. 

If Maurice Jones-Drew has shaken off all the rust, this team could surprise in 2012. 

The Titans played a wild one and beat the Lions at home, but what's the deal with Chris Johnson? 

5. NFC East

Last week: No. 6

The ultra-hyped NFC East is difficult to figure out right now. 

Well, the Giants look to be rather steady after a disappointing loss to start the year. Eli Manning exploded for 243 yards in the fourth quarter in the thrilling Week 2 win over the Buccaneers, and he was a surgeon in Carolina last Thursday. 

The Cowboys were sloppy against Tampa Bay in their home opener, but they're 2-1. The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-1, but to some, it feels like 0-3. LeSean McCoy must be more prominently featured, and Michael Vick cannot take so many hits. Turnovers are a major issue as well. 

The Redskins will be competitive due to Robert Griffin III's passing and scrambling ability, but the injuries to Adam Carriker and Brian Orakpo are crippling. 

4. AFC East

Last week: No. 5

The Patriots are 1-2. And yes, it's true, it's the first time they've had a losing record at any point in any season since a season-opening loss in 2003.

Insane.  

The New York Jets squeaked by the Miami Dolphins in overtime, but lost stud cornerback Darrelle Revis (via ESPN.com) for the year with a torn ACL. Starting running back Shonn Greene is averaging a paltry 2.8 yards per carry this year. 

Changes are on the horizon for Gang Green. 

The Buffalo Bills dodged a bullet with C.J. Spiller's shoulder injury, one that is far less severe than initially expected (via CBSSports.com). 

They were the more talented team when they faced the Browns in Cleveland, and they came out with a 10-point win. 

Miami got good news on the injury front as well, as Reggie Bush did not suffer any structural damage to his knee in Week 3 (via South Florida Sun-Sentinel). 

New England will rebound, right?

3. NFC North

Last week: No. 4

The Minnesota Vikings looked like the more physically superior team in their comfortable 24-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. 

Maybe Jim Harbaugh's club won't out-muscle every team this season after all. 

The Detroit Lions have undeniably underwhelmed to begin the year, but they have the talent to go on a winning streak to right the ship. The defense needs work, especially the secondary. 

Chicago gets the award for most schizophrenic club thus far. However, it has beaten up on two rather weak opponents in the Colts and Rams. 

It'll be interesting to see how the Packers play tonight in Seattle after the long layoff. We're still waiting for Aaron Rodgers to have, you know, an Aaron Rodgers-esque game. 

2. AFC North

Last week: No. 2

Hats off to you, Torrey Smith. 

Two touchdowns less than 24 hours after learning of your brother's death? An unimaginable feat for a clearly courageous guy.

The Ravens showed tremendous resilience against the mighty Patriots. They trailed by nine in the fourth quarter and didn't surrender.

The refereeing was questionable at best, with a handful of calls going against both AFC contenders.

It is a huge win for Baltimore, and an even bigger one for Joe Flacco and Smith.

The Steelers should have beaten the Raiders and typically have won games like the one on Sunday in recent memory. It's back to the drawing board for the now pass-happy squad from Pittsburgh.

The Bengals have bounced back nicely after their opening-season loss, and the duo of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are primed to have a huge year.

Pat Shurmur's Cleveland Browns have been competitive, but need better play from Brandon Weeden. It's that simple.

There's lots of potential in this division, however.  

1. NFC West

Last week: No. 1

The Arizona Cardinals are one of two NFC teams that are 3-0. Yeah, the Cardinals. 

Their defensive line may be the most physically intimidating in the NFL, and they're actually getting admirable quarterback play from Kevin Kolb, a guy relegated to second string to start the year. 

The San Francisco 49ers got hit with an "Any Given Sunday" reality check by the Vikings in Minnesota, but they'll rebound. There's too much talent on defense and balance on offense. 

The Rams disappointed in Chicago, but it's never easy winning on Solider Field. 

Lastly, the Seahawks host the Packers tonight at prime time inside the hostile confines of the CenturyLink Field, which should be absolutely rocking.