Week 3 Rankings: The Top Five Best, Worst and Most Fraudulent

What New York team is off to the better start? How can two undefeated teams be listed as frauds? Is Jamarcus Russell even NFL caliber and what cartoon character does Eric Mangini look like? All these questions, plus much much more are answered, as I give you my top five teams, worst teams, and frauds, heading into week four.

Top Five Teams

1.Giants (3-0):With no clear cut number one, the Giants anchor the top spot because of three factors:experience,toughness, and the emergence of wide receivers Steve Smith and Mario Mannigham. Ranked 6th and 8th respectively in total receiving yards, the duo has quieted the doubters and has relieved the pressure off the Giants vaunted rushing attack. Now if only their defense can finally get healthy.

2.Ravens (3-0):Don't look now but quarterback Joe Flacco is a top five MVP candidate. Throwing for 279 yards per game, six touchdowns and a QB rating over 100, Flacco's revamped Ravens attack shows no sign of slowing down racking up the second most points in the league with 103. Oh yeah, they still have a couple of guys named Ed Reed and Ray Lewis.

3.Saints (3-0): They lead the league in scoring, own the highest point differential at +64, and have a quarterback whose only kryptonite is the bye week. Rekindling memories of the Rams "Greatest Show on Turf" days, the Saints have simply lambasted opposing defenses scoring an ungodly 40 points per game. Best offense in the league coupled with a vastly improved D equals lots of "celebration" on Bourbon Street.

4.Jets (3-0): Pop quiz.If Eric Mangini was still their coach would the Jets still be undefeated? Playing with a ferocity and swagger not seen before in previous administrations, Rex Ryan's boys are making people notice. Mark Sanchez might get the press but the MVP of the team thus far is unquestionably cornerback Darrell Revis. After shutting down Randy Moss and Andre Johnson, Revis might be the most indispensable player on the Jets roster.

5.Chargers (2-1): Playing in the abominable AFC West, this team can easily win 11-12 games. Phillip Rivers to Vincent Jackson is one of the best tandems in the league and while I don't love LT or their defense, it doesn't really matter when you play the Raiders, Chiefs, and Broncos. Yes, I said the Broncos.




Top Five Frauds:

1. Denver Broncos (3-0):I'm sorry, but this team is not that good. They had a miraculous hail mary in week one and played the Browns and Raiders subsequent weeks. Kyle Orton is good for a couple of picks a game and Brandon Marshall is languishing in limbo. Let's also wait before we anoint the Broncos D the '85 Bears, ok?

2.Colts (3-0)-They beat the Jags by two, should have lost to the Dolphins, and blew out an overrated Cardinals team. If Peyton Manning isn't playing exceptionally every game this team will lose more often than not. Does anyone even know the name of the new Indy coach by the way? That guy's been as noticeable as Kanye West at the VMA'S. Oh wait...

3.Bengals(2-1): Yes, their defense is much improved. Yes, Carson Palmer is finally healthy. Yes, Cedric Benson is third in the league in rushing. But no,the Bengals once again will not make the playoffs.

4.Niners(2-1): I really wish I can believe in this team. I really do. Coach Singletary is turning the franchise around, running back Frank Gore is an absolute horse and linebacker Patrick Willis is an emerging superstar no one knows about. So what's the problem? Easy. Their starting wideouts are Isaac Bruce and Josh Morgan, Gore is injury prone, and until proven otherwise...they're still the 49er's.

5.Vikings(3-0): They probably shouldn't be included on this list but I absolutely despise Brett Favre. So there.



Top Five Worst Teams:

1. Oakland Raiders: Two words...Jamarcus Russell. I mean, how can commentators say this guy is a project after three years in the NFL? Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't he the number one overall pick?? This guy arguably has a chance to be the biggest bust in NFL history and when you combine him with future all-time-bust Darrius Heyward Bey... you got some pretty sweet magic happening.

2. Cleveland Browns: It's actually very simple. Eric Mangini looks like the State Puff Marshmellow Man. The Browns play like a bunch of cupcakes. Eric Mangini likes to eat cupcakes. Case closed.

3. St. Louis Rams: Kurt Warner behind center, Torry Holt flanked out wide, Marshall Faulk roaming in the backfield, and Dick Vermeil crying on the sidelines. Ahh, those were the days, right Rams fans? Unfortunately, those days have passed as has the chances of the Rams winning anytime soon. They are simply terrible.

4. Kansas City Chiefs: When your starting running back has better success assaulting women than finding the open hole, you know got some issues. As the decline of Larry Johnson's play been precipitous so has the state of the KC franchise. Matt Cassell isn't the answer but Chiefs fans hope that new head coach Todd Haley is.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:The once dominant defense was going to get old sooner or later. 31st in total yards, points per game, and rushing yards, the Bucs D has been as intimidating as Richard Simmons.