NFL Week Three Power Poll and Predictions

First, how I rank all 32 teams:

1. New York Giants—my preseason pick to win the Super Bowl has finally gotten to the top of the power poll, thanks to the losses of the Steelers and Patriots.
2. Atlanta Falcons—their defense looks better than expected so far.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers—despite the one loss, they are the best team on paper.
4. New Orleans Saints—I am regretting wimping out on picking them to win the NFC South.
5. Baltimore Ravens—unbeaten, but have not played anyone of consequence.
6. Minnesota Vikings—have even sorrier strength-of-victories than the Ravens.
7. New York Jets—could Sanchez already be a quality NFL starter?
8. Indianapolis Colts—barely got either win over mediocre-at-best opposition.
9. San Francisco Forty-Niners—actually played the toughest schedule of the unbeaten teams.
10. New England Patriots—look to have more problems on both sides of the ball than it appeared in preseason.
11. Chicago Bears—one bad Jay Cutler performance from being a top-tier team.
12. San Diego Chargers—still a dangerous team with balance, they have started off badly both years under Norv Turner before finishing strong.
13. Dallas Cowboys—lost a tough opener in their new stadium, but played well against the league's top team.
14. Tennessee Titans—how does an 0-2 team make the top half of the league? Tough losses, a great team on paper, and an experienced coach.
15. Arizona Cardinals—still have the most dangerous passing attack, and it may be getting on track.
16. Philadelphia Eagles—suffer in the poll from the uncertain health of Donovan McNabb.
17. Washington Offensively Named Ones—how does a team with an offensive name have no offense?
18. Buffalo Bills—a surprise this high, but were one boneheaded play from being 2-0.
19. Seattle Seahawks—may be getting bitten by last year's injury bug.
20. Houston Texans—still have not won when the pressure was on.
21. Miami Dolphins—they have been in both losses and against pretty good competition.
22. Green Bay Packers—see Seahawks, plus add a horrible offensive line.
23. Denver Broncos—better than expected, but just lack the pieces.
24. Oakland Raiders—two competitive games, with the loss coming against a very good Chargers squad. But can JaMarcus Russell throw on target?
25. Cincinnati Bengals—until they put some consistency together, one must assume last week was a fluke.
26. Carolina Panthers—they are good on paper, but in the games played on the field they have been horrible.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars—more competitive in their losses than one might expect, but still a bottom-tier team until they win one.
28. Kansas City Chiefs—Matt Cassell is not so great without Randy Moss and Wes Welker to throw to, but he's played two good defenses.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—how soon do they turn the reigns over to Josh Freeman?
30. Detroit Lions—look like they have more offense than last season.
31. Cleveland Browns—two seasons ago obviously was a fluke now.
32. St. Louis Rams—no pass rush, no pass blocking, and not one Pro Bowl calibre player.

Now for my picks for the week (home team in CAPS), with the lowest being the least sure to win and the highest being the most:

1. SEAHAWKS over Bears
2. CARDINALS over Colts
3. Titans over JETS
4. PATRIOTS over Falcons
5. CHARGERS over Dolphins
6. RAIDERS over Broncos
7. COWBOYS over Panthers
8. Saints over BILLS
9. Offensively Named Ones over LIONS
10. VIKINGS over Forty-Niners
11. TEXANS over Jaguars
12. EAGLES over Chiefs
13. Steelers over BENGALS
14. Packers over RAMS
15. Giants over BUCCANEERS
16. RAVENS over Browns