NFL Week 3 Power Rankings: Dallas Cowboys In a Tailspin

Biggest Riser:  Cincinnati Bengals (eight spots)

Biggest Faller:  Dallas Cowboys (13 spots)

1. New Orleans Saints (2-0); Last Week—1

It wasn’t pretty last night, but good teams find a way to win.

2. Green Bay Packers (2-0); Last Week—2

I have the Packers at No. 2, but that’s only out of respect for the undefeated World Champs. I secretly think Green Bay is the NFL’s best team.

3. Houston Texans (2-0); Last Week—4

The Texans are for real. As they showed on Sunday, they can overcome pretty much any deficit at any moment.

4. Indianapolis Colts (1-1); Last Week—6

You know Peyton Manning would get Indy back on track, especially against his ‘lil bro.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0); Last Week—9

The Steelers have to be thrilled sitting at 2-0, with just two games left before Big Ben returns.  If they can steal one more win before then, they’ll be in prime position.

6. San Diego Chargers (1-1); Last Week—11

I don’t think the Chargers have played like the NFL’s sixth-best team, but so many teams ahead of them have gone down.

7. Baltimore Ravens (1-1); Last Week—3

Baltimore’s inability to score has to be concerning for a team whose defense, while stout, isn’t what it used to be.

8. Miami Dolphins (2-0); Last Week—12

Chad Henne is the new Trent Dilfer—don’t make any big mistakes, watch your defense play well, and find a way to just win ball games.

9. New England Patriots (1-1); Last Week—5

Are the Patriots a team filled with cerebral, savvy vets, or just an old squad that will break down in December? We’ll find out.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1); Last Week—18

The Bengals needed a win over Baltimore, or else they would have gone two games down behind both the Ravens and Pittsburgh. They’re back on track now.

11. New York Jets (1-1); Last Week—16

Talk about Jekyll and Hyde: the Jets’ offense sure is fluky. Braylon Edwards got arrested for DWI this morning too.

12. New York Giants (1-1); Last Week—10

The Giants got creamed against the Colts and now Brandon Jacobs reportedly wants out of New York. Please, Jerry Reese, don’t trade him.

13. Chicago Bears (2-0); Last Week—21

I’m still not high on the Bears, but they certainly deserved to win against the Cowboys on Sunday.

14. Minnesota Vikings (0-2); Last Week—7

You can’t help but wonder if Brett Favre is regretting his decision to return.

15. Washington Redskins (1-1); Last Week—14

The Redskins have to be heartbroken after blowing a 17-point lead in a game that would have given them sole position of first place in the NFC East.

16. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0); Last Week—15

The Chiefs actually drop a spot after squeaking by a very poor Browns team.

17. Atlanta Falcons (1-1); Last Week—19

With a lot of the top dogs in the NFC faltering to open the season, the Falcons are in a good position to make a run at a Wild Card berth.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1); Last Week—20

No quarterback controversy in Philly?  Yeah right.

19. Tennessee Titans (1-1); Last Week—13

If teams shut down CJ2K, the Titans become one of the league’s least dynamic offenses.

20. San Francisco 49ers (0-2); Last Week—17

The Niners played really well last night despite losing to New Orleans. I liked Alex Smith’s leadership.

21. Dallas Cowboys (0-2); Last Week—8

I had the Cowboys at No. 2 in the preseason.  Two weeks later, there’s panic in Dallas. They have their backs against the wall and this week’s game in Houston is huge for them.

22. Oakland Raiders (1-1); Last Week—25

Darren McFadden provided a breakout performance for Oakland, but their future doesn’t look bright with Jason Campbell already benched in Week 2.

23. Denver Broncos (1-1); Last Week—27

The Broncos have to be happy to be playing in a division that’s truly up-for-grabs.  I think they’re the worst team in it, though.

24. Tampa Bay Bucs (2-0); Last Week—28

The Bucs may have their quarterback of the future and everything is rosy in Tampa right now. This team is still a few years away, though.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1); Last Week—24

I’d be shocked if the Jags reach eight wins on the season.

26. Seattle Seahawks (1-1); Last Week—22

Can we all agree the Seahawks’ Week 1 performance was a fluke?

27. Detroit Lions (0-2); Last Week—29

The Lions jump up two spots after a loss because, after years of despair, they are finally improving.

28. Arizona Cardinals (1-1); Last Week—23

If the Cardinals’ recent performance wasn’t evidence enough that Kurt Warner should eventually be in the Hall of Fame, nothing is.

29. Carolina Panthers (0-2); Last Week—26

Jimmy Clausen will start in Week 3 for Carolina. Any bets on how long it will take Steve Smith to scream at him?

30. St. Louis Rams (0-2); Last Week—30

Sam Bradford has been painfully close to grabbing his first NFL victory, and he’ll have a good shot at doing so over the next three weeks as well with games against Washington, Seattle and Detroit.

31. Cleveland Browns (0-2); Last Week—31

The Browns simply aren’t the same team without Jake Delhomme at quarterback...they’re much better.

32. Buffalo Bills (0-2); Last Week—32

Three weeks and counting.

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