NFL Week 3 Power Rankings

1. New Orleans Saints (2-0)

Clay Matthews has 6 sacks, photo courtesy of bleacherreport.com

Last Week Ranking: 1

Saints showed they still got the late game magic winning a big one on Monday Night against a hungry Niners team.

2. Green Bay Packers (2-0)

Last Week Ranking: 3

It looks like this division is the Packer’s to lose. Clay Matthews is a stud on defense already racking up 6 sacks. The Pack are putting up big points.

3. Houston Texans (2-0)

Last Week Ranking: 6

The Texans forced me to put them here. They pulled out an amazing win, with some shenanigans from Gary Kubiak on the timeout call. But a win is a win. How ‘bout them cowboys – no scratch that – how ‘bout them Texans!

4. Indianapolis Colts (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 7

Indy took care of business Sunday night and finally looked like the Colts again. Freeny and Matthis were nasty all night not giving Eli any time in the pocket.

Polamalu is creatving havoc on defense, photo courtesy of http://fantasyknuckleheads.com

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)

Last Week Ranking: 10

Do the Steelers even need a quarterback? I think the defense would be ready to go all 60 minutes. Let’s see how much water the Steelers can keep treading without Ben.

6. New York Jets (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 7

Guess “Sanchize” can throw which answered a big concern of mine. Big division win for the Jets, one that can carry some momentum.

7. New England Patriots (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 4

New England definitely got a tough draw to open the season with their first two games against playoff teams. The road loss hurts because it favors the argument that the Pats can’t win on the road after last year’s 2-6 road record.

8. Miami Dolphins (2-0)

Last Week Ranking: 17

Surprised to see the fish up here? Yeah, you should be, but they earned it. A big road win in Minnesota got them here. The Dolphins are trying to make a run for the division a la 2008.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 19

It was a nice recovery for a team that chastised last week for putting up all out fluke job against the Pats. You have to win division games at home to win the AFC North.

10. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 2

The NFL didn’t do the Ravens any favors by giving them two road games against playoff teams to start the season. Joe Flacco looked terrible for the first time, and I think they can write this loss off on him just having a bad day at the office.

11. San Diego Chargers (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 13

The Chargers took care of business the way they should have. Too bad they didn’t do that week 1.

12. Chicago Bears (2-0)

Last Week Ranking: 24

I had to move the Bears up after they started the season 2-0. The Bears got the job done going into Dallas and taking care of business. The Mike Martz offense had some bright spots.

13. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 15

The Falcons have a real concern with Michael Turner and his health on their hands. Next week’s matchup with the Saints is a crucial one because game 2 against New Orleans comes in week 16.

14. Tampa Buccaneers (2-0)

Last Week Ranking: 29

I am impressed with the win in Carolina. The Bucs are buying into Josh Freeman and he’s making them look good. Freeman looks like a young Rothlisbeger.

15. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)

Last Week Ranking: 23

The Chiefs got a road win they needed in Cleveland to keep building the momentum from the week 1 victory against San Diego. Next week is a big home game against the Niners.

16. Washington Redskins (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 11

The Redskins played well until they just had a collapse. I like what I saw from McNabb and the offense, but the defense has to pick it up. Lucky for them, the rest of the division isn’t any better.

17. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 18

Whether you want to admit it or not, Vick looks good. He should be the starter if the Eagles are serious about winning this division.

18. Tennessee Titans (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 8

I was hesitant to give the Titans as much credit as I did last week because I saw their stock dropping in the near forecast just because of the inconsistency of Vince Young. Fisher isn’t going to sit there and let you screw up again and again.

19. San Francisco 49ers (0-2)

Last Week Ranking: 20

I’m going to say it right now – if the Niners don’t win in Kansas City next week, they have a serious problem on their hands. Not too many must win week 3 games, but if I’ve ever seen one, its next week for San Fran. Only reason they didn’t drop this week was because they really almost beat the defending champs.

20. New York Giants (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 12

The Giants got jacked up by big Manning. That O-line has to give Eli more time in the pocket if they want to win games.

21. Denver Broncos (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 27

Beating a team who’s riding a big win in the previous week at home is always a positive sign.

22. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 22

Kart Warner…PLEASE COME BACK!!

23. Dallas Cowboys (0-2)

Last Week Ranking: 14

The Cowboys look bad, really bad. Only positive is Ware who is tearing it up.

24. Minnesota Vikings  (0-2)

Last Week Ranking: 5

Favre needs to be looking at AARP brochures instead of playbooks. I’m going to start the campaign right here, right now: “BRING IN T-JACK!!”

25. Oakland Raiders (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 26

Ugly win against St. Louis but Raiders Nation will take it.

26. Seattle Seahawks (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 16

I’d love to see the current USC team play the Seahawks since they can’t go to a bowl game.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)

Last Week Ranking: 21

Surgeon General Warning on David Gerrard still in full effect.

28. Detroit Lions (0-2)

Last Week Ranking: 28

I’m cheering for you Detroit, I’m cheering for you. Another close loss.

29. Carolina Panthers (0-2)

Last Week Ranking: 25

Carolina had a disappointing loss to the Bucs and next week play the Bengals. Write them in for 0-3.

30. St. Louis Rams (0-2)

Last Week Ranking: 30

Rams are still competing. I like Bradford, he looks like he can develop into something special.

31. Buffalo Bills (0-2)

Last Week Ranking: 31

The Bills O-line got drilled by Clay Matthews all day long. It got ugly.

32. Cleveland Browns (0-2)

Last Week Ranking: 32

I can’t even muster up something positive to say about the Browns.