NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Bears And Steelers Soaring, 49ers Plummeting
With just one more game left in Week 3 of NFL football, some teams have emerged as definite playoff contenders, and others have left us a bit confused.
The Chiefs are 3-0, but are they really that good?
The 49ers are 0-3, but are they really that bad?
We'll take a look at each team in the NFL and where they fit in comparison to the rest of the league.
32. Carolina Panthers (0-3)
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The Panthers bring up the rear on this list because...well, they stink.
With no better option than to start a rookie at quarterback who then goes on to complete just 16 of 33 passes in a sad, sad game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Panthers need a miracle to have a shot at a winning season.
31. Buffalo Bills (0-3)
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Before this weekend, I would have put the Bills at the bottom of the list, but Buffalo surprised me by hanging in there with the New England Patriots.
So they're only the second-worst team in the NFL.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)
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Either Michael Vick is really good, or the Jags are just awful.
I'm leaning toward the latter. There's a reason that nobody attends their games.
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29. Detroit Lions (0-3)
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Well, the Lions are off to another great season.
Oh wait.
As much as I wanted to believe that the Lions would be better this year, it's just not going to happen.
28. Cleveland Browns (0-3)
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I have a special place in my heart for the Cleveland Browns, and I like the fact that they could hang with the Baltimore Ravens.
One thing the Browns have going for them is that they can surprise us when they play inside their division.
But they have yet to win a game, and I don't see it happening anytime soon.
27. Oakland Raiders (1-2)
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Even though the Raiders barely lost their last game against the Cardinals, the team is shaky at best.
Raider Nation may have hoped for this to be the year for Oakland to get back on top, but things aren't looking good for either team in the Bay Area.
26. San Francisco 49ers (0-3)
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Which brings us to the 49ers. San Francisco has been the biggest disappointment for me this season.
Some experts were even thinking "Super Bowl" for the 49ers in the preseason, and now it looks like they'll be lucky to squeak out a winning record.
25. St. Louis Rams (1-2)
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Are we seeing a pattern here?
The NFC West is not looking good this season, but the Rams did pull off an impressive win over the Washington Redskins.
As Sam Bradford gets more comfortable as a leader, we will see the Rams improve and compete for the top of the division.
24. Arizona Cardinals (2-1)
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I'm still waiting for the Cardinals to get better. They have some great talent in Larry Fitzgerald and Beanie Wells, but they barely beat Oakland.
The Cardinals have the advantage of being in arguably the weakest division in the NFL, but when faced with real competition, they fall short.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
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Nobody expected the Bucs to start the season 2-0, and they showed us why in yesterday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers spanked the Bucs with their fourth string quarterback. You had a nice run, Tampa, but it stops here.
22. Denver Broncos (1-2)
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The Broncos have had a slow start, but I expect them to improve as the season progresses.
However, they really could have used Knowshon Moreno against the Colts on Sunday.
21. San Diego Chargers (1-2)
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As much as I want to think that the Chargers will be playoff contenders this year, they will need to seriously step it up before I can start picking them to win again.
20. Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
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The Vikings got their first win this week...against the Detroit Lions.
Come back and talk to me when Brett Favre and company start beating some real competition.
19. New York Giants (1-2)
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The Giants are the worst team in the NFC East. They beat the Panthers in Week 1, but you're supposed to beat the Carolina Panthers. The Giants then went on to get completely crushed by both the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)
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Sorry, Cincinnati.
But I'm not falling for the T.O. and Ochocinco show you're putting on. You may have defeated the Panthers, but Carson Palmer needs to get it together...and fast.
17. Seattle Seahawks (2-1)
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I have been pleasantly surprised by the Seahawks this season, and Sunday's win over the Chargers proved that Week 1's stomping of the 49ers was not just a fluke.
The Seahawks will dominate their division, and we will see them in the playoffs.
16. Tennessee Titans (2-1)
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The Titans are a solid football team with Chris Johnson putting up some great numbers already this season. If we set aside their Week 2 loss to the Steelers, the Titans have pulled off convincing wins over the Oakland Raiders and the New York Giants.
The only reason the Titans are not higher on this list is the fact that they find themselves in a very strong division, and they will have to find a way to beat the Colts and the Texans to make it to the playoffs.
15. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
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Is this even real? Are the Chiefs really 3-0?
Granted, the two of the Chiefs' opponents this season are 0-3, but I have to put them higher than I would like to on my list.
I'm predicting a playoff appearance for Kansas City because the AFC West has become their division to lose. Just take a look at their competition:
Denver seems to be the only other team who could put up a fight.
14. Washington Redskins (1-2)
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I would have put the Redskins higher, but they just lost to the Rams.
However, they did give the Houston Texans a run for their money, and they beat the Dallas Cowboys. I expect the Redskins to improve as Donovan McNabb gains more control over the Washington offense.
13. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
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The Cowboys really dodged a bullet with their win over the Houston Texans on Sunday. Just as it looked like their season was turning into a bust, they rallied and beat the Texans at home.
And this wasn't just a win. It wasn't even close. The 'Boys move up in my book for dominating on the road.
12. Miami Dolphins (2-1)
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The Dolphins proved that they travel well this season, but after a loss at home to the Jets, some serious question marks have been raised in my book.
So you beat the Bills. Big deal. Everybody beats the Bills.
The win on the road over Minnesota has been their shining moment this season, but the Jets were able to shut down the 'Fins.
It will be interesting to see how the battle for the AFC East plays out this season.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
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I'm remaining cautiously optimistic about Michael Vick at quarterback for the Eagles, but so far so good. As of right now, the Eagles are the best team in their division, but time will tell if Vick is the real deal, or if he'll crumble later int he season.
10. New England Patriots (2-1)
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Tom Brady and company are looking pretty good this season, but after a tough loss to the New York Jets, I can't put them at the top of their division.
As the season progresses, the real Patriots will emerge, and we'll see if Brady still has what it takes to lead his team to the playoffs.
9. New York Jets (2-1)
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As much as I hate to admit it, Mark Sanchez seems to be growing into his role at the helm of the Jets' offense. So far the Jets have had impressive wins over the Patriots and the Dolphins, so we can't really fault them for losing by one point to a strong Ravens' squad in Week 1.
8. Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
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Another young quarterback is emerging as a dominant force in the league, and his name is Joe Flacco. Flacco connected with Anquan Boldin for three touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, and the Ravens seem to be getting it together on offense.
And we already know that Baltimore has one of the best defenses in the league.
7. Houston Texans (2-1)
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The Texans were handed their first loss of the season when they hosted the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, but I still believe that this will be the year that the Texans make the playoffs.
They were able to pull off a win over the Colts, and they rallied against the Redskins.
The Texans will definitely give the Colts some competition in the AFC South.
6. New Orleans Saints (2-1)
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Even though the Saints lost in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons, they are still the reigning Super Bowl champs.
I expect New Orleans to learn from Sunday's mistakes (and maybe replace their kicker) and continue to dominate the league.
5. Indianapolis Colts (2-1)
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The Colts may have a loss on their record, but they also have Peyton Manning.
In the games following their loss to the Houston Texans, the Colts smoked their competition, and we will see them in the playoff yet again.
4. Atlanta Falcons (2-1)
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The Falcons are looking outstanding this year. I can't fault them for losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers (because who hasn't?), and they absolutely dominated the Arizona Cardinals.
Not to mention a clutch victory over the Saints this past Sunday. I see the Falcons as the best team in their division and the fourth best team in the league.
3. Chicago Bears (3-0)
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Say what you want about the Bears' opening game against the Detroit Lions, but their win against the Cowboys had nothing to do with luck.
Tonight the Bears will take on the Green Bay Packers, and we will see who will top their division. Jay Cutler (when he gets the protection he needs) can be lethal at quarterback, and the Bears will continue to surprise us this season.
2. Green Bay Packers (3-0)
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Even if the Packers lose tonight to the Bears, I am predicting an appearance from Green Bay in the Super Bowl.
Aaron Rodgers is fantastic, and the Packers' defense is looking better than ever. They will have some competition from the Chicago Bears, but I expect Green Bay to top their division and make it far in the postseason.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
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Call me a homer. Go ahead. I know you want to.
Then take a look at how the Steelers have performed this season. They haven't lost a game, and one of their wins was over the Atlanta Falcons.
You know...the team that handed the New Orleans their first loss of the season? Yeah. Those Atlanta Falcons.
The Steelers were also the first to keep Titans running back Chris Johnson under 100 yards in 17 games.
Like it or not, the Steelers are the best team in the NFL, and they've been playing with third and fourth string quarterbacks.
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