NFL Power Rankings Week 3: Spotlighting Teams That Are Better Than Their Record

Through the first three weeks of the NFL season, the league continues to have sustained a great deal of parity in 2012. Four of last year's playoffs teams have started with a losing record ( Saints, Patriots, Broncos, Steelers). Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals have started hot to begin the year despite the uncertainty at the quarterback position this off season.

The first three weeks provide clear indications of which teams can be a legitimate championship contender, while other teams have plenty of weaknesses to address in order to make a postseason run.

Here is my weekly edition of the NFL Power Rankings, with an emphasis on teams that are better than what their record shows.

32. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are one of the two remaining winless teams in the league, and are clearly the worst team through the first three weeks.

Brandon Weeden has to deal with immediate expectations of quickly turning this franchise around, but he needs a legitimate supporting cast in order to do that.

Aside from Trent Richardson, there is no offensive threat on the roster that fears opposing defenses. Their young defense continues to struggle against the run and is a liability in pass coverage without Joe Haden.

Unfortunately, the road doesn't get easier. The Browns travel on a short week to face the Ravens in Baltimore.

31. New Orleans Saints

The 0-3 start for the New Orleans Saints is not a simple unlucky start. Once a contender in the NFC, the Saints have lost their spunk without Sean Payton roaming the sidelines.

Drew Brees is not the same elite passer we have seen in previous years due to the lack of play-calling from Payton.

It doesn't help that the defense has continued to be a liability three straight weeks against teams that have defeated the Saints but are 0-6 against the rest of the league ( Redskins, Panthers, Chiefs).

There are a variety of problems in New Orleans, and it doesn't appear they are showing any signs of improvement.

30. Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs managed to win its first game of the season in overtime against the struggling New Orleans Saints.

Despite the win, there are still plenty of concerns surrounding this team's ability to compete in the AFC West.

Jamaal Charles was fantastic on Sunday, but opposing defenses will put 12 men in the box and eventually force Matt Cassel to beat them. Through three games, Cassel has not created great chemistry with either Dwayne Bowe or Jonathan Baldwin.

It might have been premature to call this team the favorite to win the AFC West in 2012.

29. Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins could not afford to lose to a New York Jets team that played without its best player Darelle Revis for the majority of the game.

It would be nice if Ryan Tannehill received actual receivers that can stretch the field and allow Joe Philbin to be more creative with the playbook.

Although the defense held the Jets offense in check, this defense has taken a step back due to the departure of defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.

They are currently the leading candidate for a last place finish in the AFC East.

28. Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers couldn't have performed worse in their nationally televised game against the New York Giants.

Cam Newton attempted to carry the entire offense by himself, and when he failed doing it his body language on the bench did not create a positive energy throughout the game.

However, the biggest issue continues to be a defense that is unable to stop any offense through three games.

With one win coming against the Saints, it's not much for this young team to be proud of through three weeks.

27. Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have made strides over the past year, and the development of Andrew Luck is crucial.

In three games, Luck has thrown for five touchdowns and four interceptions, which is a standard performance for most rookie quarterbacks.

With the last second loss to Jacksonville, the Colts are showing that there are major weaknesses in every facet of the game. This is not a one year fix.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars

Blaine Gabbert has surprisingly shown positive signs as the Jaguars play-caller, leading his team to their first win of the season this week with less than a minute to spare.

Though, that doesn't mean the Jaguars will be competing for any postseason appearances in 2012. The young Jaguars receiver need to improve on their consistency and be more reliable for Gabbert late in games.

It appears that the defense, specifically the secondary, has taken a major step back after statistically ranking as a top ten unit last season.

25. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans upset the Detroit Lions in an overtime thriller on Sunday, with Jake Locker having a career day in the process.

Despite the victory, there is still plenty of work to do on the part of the Titans. Chris Johnson is on pace for a career low season in every major rushing category. He has 45 rushing yards on only 33 attempts.

When Jeff Fisher was fired, this defense lost the intensity that it once had under the veteran coach. The lack of pass rush does not complement a secondary that is still adjusting to life without Cortland Finnegan.

24. Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins have cooled off considerably since their win against the New Orleans Saints, which does not hold the same meaning that it did two weeks ago.

Robert Griffin III is in line to be the best offensive rookie this season, but the absence of Pierre Garcon and the lack of pass protection is making his first year much more difficult than anticipated.

This defense is already feeling the effects from the loss of Brian Orakpo, as the Cincinnati Bengals were the first team to exploit its glaring weakness in pass coverage without the dominant pass rush.

23. Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders took down the Pittsburgh Steelers in an shootout with a last second field goal by Sebastian Janikowski.

Despite beating the Steelers without James Harrison or Troy Polamalu, the Raiders displayed the potantial explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball.

It's difficult to count on Carson Palmer each week, and the lack of improvement on defense still leaves me hesitant to take this team seriously in the midst of the wide open AFC West.

22. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have fallen under .500 due to a lack of improvement on the defensive side of the football.

Since the 2011 season, the secondary has been the most glaring weakness on this Lions defense. When veteran Drayton Florence is the most reliable corner back at this point in his career, there is a problem.

However, the defensive line was unable to provide any pressure to Jake Locker despite facing one of the weaker offensive lines in the league.

This team was built around putting pressure on the opposing quarterback. If improvement isn't made, the Lions will find themselves with another losing season quicker than expected.

21. St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams have begun the Jeff Fisher era in the right direction. They aren't benefiting from playing in a tough division, but Fisher's philosophies have carried over from Tennessee.

They are running the ball efficiently and keep the opposing offenses off the field for enough time. Sam Bradford is doing the best job that he can with the lack of talented receivers at his disposal.

Defensively, the improving pass rush and a legitimate corner back tandem in Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins will keep this team exciting down the stretch.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost two games in the first three weeks against AFC West teams, and only managed a win against a Jets team without Darelle Revis.

Under Todd Haley, the offense has been scoring points very easy despite moving away from the typical "Ground and Pound" of past Steelers defense.

However, the defense has begun to show signs of age in the early portion of the season. James Harrison and Troy Polamalu will return eventually, but aren't the same dynamic play makers compared to their performances from a few seasons ago.

19. New York Jets

The New York Jets have managed to win two of their first three games, but they lose their best player at the worst possible time.

Darelle Revis will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL, leaving the Jets to move forward against San Francisco, Houston, and New England over the next month.

Mark Sanchez has returned to his inefficient ways at quarterback, while the defense struggled against the Dolphins passing attack in Revis' absence.

Translation: This winning record won't last much longer.

18. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals proved once again that they are an above average team who feasts on weaker opponents. Andy Dalton and AJ Green connected quite often against the Redskins defense, while Mike Zimmer's defense provided enough pressure to keep Robert Griffin III in check.

However, this team can't be taken seriously until they defeat a legitimate contender in a meaningful game. It can't get more simple than that. Until then, their rankings will continue to be among the average.

17. San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers received a dose of reality against a title contender in the Atlanta Falcons.

My concerns for the Chargers heading into the season were on display during Sunday's loss. They are counting on Robert Meachem and Malcolm Floyd to replace Vincent Jackson's production, which simply won't happen against an above average defense.

This defense were dominated in all phases by the Falcons offense. The lack of pass rush outside of Melvin Ingram was already a concern, but the glaring weakness across the secondary could haunt this team in critical games late in the year.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are better than their 1-2 record shows, but they need a complete performance from the entire time in order to become a playoff contender.

On Sunday, Josh Freeman returned to his disappointing ways and was inefficient despite the defense allowing the Buccaneers to have a fair chance to win this game.

When will the Buccaneers pounce on the opportunity to knock off an elite team?

15. Denver Broncos

Are the Denver Broncos better than their current 1-2 record? That is a fair assessment. Their two losses came against legitimate championship contenders ( Houston, Atlanta) and almost made miraculous comebacks in both of those games.

The Broncos are proving to be a team capable of making the playoffs, but nothing more. Peyton Manning has lost a bit of a step compared to his days in Indianapolis, and his pass protection does not compare to what he is used to in the past.

This veteran defense will continue to give a good amount of points per week as long as the aging secondary continues to be exploited against opposing offenses.

14. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills have managed to work their way to a tie on top of the AFC East after two straight convincing wins against inferior opponents.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing much more effectively, and the defense is showing signs of improvement by putting constant pressure on the opposing quarterback.

Can this team stay healthy enough to compete in the long run? It's crucial that both Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller return and help keep the balanced offense in tact.

13. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have become one of the league's more notable surprises after its shocking victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Christian Ponder had the 49ers defense pegged as he was not phased by the veteran unit on his home turf.

Ultimately, the question that remains is can the Vikings keep up their success and become a surprise playoff contender in 2012?

12. Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles were finally exposed by a far superior team on Sunday. From Andy Reid's play calling to the large amount of turnovers, the Eagles were outclassed by the Arizona Cardinals in dominating fashion.

How long will Mike Vick survive as the quarterback? The offensive line continues to make life much harder for the team's current starting play-caller.

It's only a matter of time until Nick Foles receives the opportunity to dethrone Vick a the Eagles starter.

11. Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys managed to hold on for the victory despite another inconsistent performance from Tony Romo.

This team will live and die by their quarterback, who has played at a different level through the Cowboys first three games.

Rob Ryan's defense will always keep the Cowboys within each game, but Romo will be the difference maker if they make a postseason run this year.

10. Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks were the benefactors from the wild game that occurred on Monday night.

However, we need to acknowledge that Pete Carrol's team played at a very high level throughout the game.

Bruce Irwin and the Seahawks defense forced eight sacks on Aaron Rodgers, and held the entire offense to a mere 12 points.

And even though the call was a clear miss on part of the referees, Russell Wilson did just enough to keep the NFC West a three team race.

9. Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears continue performing at the level we are used to seeing out of this veteran team. At home, they are typically dominant on defense while Jay Cutler leads the offense to enough scoring drives to guarantee the victory.

Can Cutler and Brandon Marshall show up in big games? More importantly, can the Bears beat an elite team in either the regular season or the postseason?

In the end, the Bears are good but aren't among the leagues elite.

8. New England Patriots

Tom Brady had a masterful performance, but was ultimately out-shined by Joe Flacco as the Ravens prevailed 31-30.

Despite being 1-2, there shouldn't be much concern about the offense. The Patriots will still provide plenty of offensive firepower even though it will not involve Aaron Hernandez for the next month.

Clearly, the biggest issue turns to the defense as a whole. They couldn't stop Flacco and the Ravens offense when it mattered, giving up over 500+ yards in the process.

7. Green Bay Packers

I can't penalize the Green Bay Packers based on arguably the worst call in NFL history. It was a difficult game to begin with for the Packers, who had to travel to Seattle and take on a Seahawks team that continued its dominant defensively in front of the home crowd.

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense will eventually be more effective moving forward. It has to be a positive sign that the defense, most notably the secondary, has looked very sharp these past two weeks.

6. New York Giants

The defending Super Bowl champions have responded the past two weeks, with their franchise quarterback leading the way.

Despite playing without three offensive starters last week, the Giants manhandled the Panthers defense and put the game out of reach at halftime.

Slowly, the Giants defense is beginning to get healthy, which can only improve their chances of repeating as champions.

5. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens sought revenge on the New England Patriots, and this time finished the job on a game winning field by Justin Tucker.

Can the Ravens offense continue its balanced attack? Joe Flacco fired on all cylinders against the Patriots in large part due to the emergence of Ray Rice in the running game. Torrey Smith continues to prove he is capable of becoming one of the top receivers in this league.

Will the defense continue to struggle? Their biggest concern is the pass rush, as the loss of Terrell Suggs is making an impact on this entire unit.

4. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have earned my respect. After two dominating performances against quality teams, Ken Whisenhunt has prepared this team well in the long run as they become a legitimate threat to the 49ers for the division crown.

It is clear that the defense has carried the team through its first three victories, which includes limiting Tom Brady and Mike Vick to minimal damage in the process.

Kevin Kolb showed this week that when given time in the pocket, he can be effective and connect with his talent receivers on a consistent basis.

3. San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers were flat on Sunday in their disappointing loss against the Minnesota Vikings. However, under Jim Harbaugh's leadership, this team is still a force to be reckon with and appears to be the most complete team in the NFL right now.

Alex Smith continues to play efficiently while utilizing his new receivers on long drives. Frank Gore is healthy and compliments Smith's game extremely well.

Patrick Willis leads a 49ers defense that is the best unit in the NFL today. 

2. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have officially become a contender in 2012 due in large part to their underrated positions in the off season.

Dirk Koetter implemented an up-tempo style offense that plays to Matt Ryan's biggest strengths. He is fortunate to have Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez catching his passes on a weekly basis.

As for the Falcons defense, Mike Nolan continues proving he is one of the better defensive coordinators in the NFL by already helping the Falcons become a more physical unit against their opponents.

1. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have proven to be the most dominant team in the league through the first three games. With a healthy Matt Schaub, the Texans offense is capable of running a well equipped balanced offense that involves a variety of play makers.

Ultimately, their defense is arguably the best in the league due to the depth on the defensive front along with the rise of the young secondary.

This team is clearly a title contender.

Matt Miselis is a veteran NFL FC for B/R who has been featured on ESPN.com, CBS Sports and the L.A. Times. Follow him on twitter: @MattMiselisNFL