NFL Power Rankings: Which Is the League's Best Division Thus Far?

One annual question posed across the NFL landscape each season is, "What is the best division in football?"

So far in the 2011 NFL season, we've got a few divisions fighting for that top spot, but right now it looks like we have a clear-cut answer.

Let's do a little process of elimination.

First, throw the West out the window.

The Arizona Cardinals are 1-1, but their defense has been atrocious through two weeks and they blew an eight-point, fourth-quarter lead to the Redskins last week. Add in the 49ers, who squandered a chance to start 2-0, and the 0-2 Rams and Seahawks and it's easy to see the NFC West is probably one of the worst divisions in football.

In the AFC West, the Chargers gave a valiant effort against Brady and Co. but stalled in the red zone and committed four extremely costly turnovers. The Broncos bounced back after losing to the Raiders, but Oakland wasted an 18-point halftime lead against the upstart Bills to fall to 1-1. Not good. And yes, the Chiefs may be the worst team in football.

The AFC and NFC South have gotten off to a respectable start, but we were expecting more from the Saints, Buccaneers and the Falcons. The Colts and Jaguars are really dragging the AFC South into the cellar while the Texans are living up to preseason hype.

That leaves the North's and the East's.

The Packers are clicking offensively, but lost Nick Collins for the year, which will be a major blow to their defense that has already allowed a ridiculous amount of yardage through two games. The Bears were embarrassed by the Saints and the Vikings can't close late. Don't sleep on the Lions, however, who can score with anyone.

In the AFC, the Browns, Bengals, Steelers and Ravens are all 1-1, all but eliminating them from being the league's top division.

The media darling NFC East has a stunning leader right now in the Redskins, who are sitting pretty at 2-0. The Cowboys rebounded in San Francisco, as did the Giants at home, but the Eagles lost in Atlanta and maybe lost Vick for some time.

That leaves the mighty AFC East.

Tom Brady is operating his offense better than he ever has in his career—and that's scary. The Jets found a way to win in Week 1 and dominated an inferior Jaguars club in Week 2. The Bills are the NFL's sweetheart right now and are scoring almost 40 points per game. Yes, the Dolphins still haven't won, but they played the Patriots in Week 1.

Week 3 Power Rankings

1. New England Patriots (2-0)	17.  Baltimore Ravens (1-1)
2. Green Bay Packers (2-0)	18. New York Giants (1-1)
3. Houston Texans (2-0)	19. Oakland Raiders (1-1)
4. New York Jets (2-0)	20. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)
5. Detroit Lions (2-0)	21. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)
6. New Orleans Saints (1-1)	22. Cleveland Browns (1-1)
7. Washington Redskins (2-0)	23. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
8. San Diego Chargers (1-1)	24. Denver Broncos (1-1)
9. Buffalo Bills (2-0)	25. St. Louis Rams (0-2)
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)	26. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
11. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)	27. Carolina Panthers (0-2)
12. Chicago Bears (1-1)	28. Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
13. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)	29. Miami Dolphins (0-2)
14. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)	30. Seattle Seahawks (0-2)
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)	31. Indianapolis Colts (0-2)
16. Tennessee Titans (1-1)	32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2)