NFL Power Rankings Week 3: All 32 Teams by Division

After two weeks of the 2011 NFL regular season, it's clear to see who the top teams are in the league. 

Sure, some teams are still fooling us, and those that look down in the dumps will rise up, but right now, the cream of the crop is no different than what we all thought it would be. 

Some divisions in the NFL are much harder than others, but with the exception of a few teams, there are going to be a lot of tight races this season. 

We'll ignore the records for now because it's still very early in the season, and a few teams will fizzle out once they hit the meat of their schedule. 

Here is how each team fares in their respected division.

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles 

Despite the recent injury to Michael Vick, the Eagles, or the "dream team," are the best team in the NFC East. They have a ton of talent, and although their offense line is rather weak, their playmakers make up for that.

2. Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo lost the game for the Cowboys in Week 1, but he played through cracked ribs and a punctured lung in Week 2 to help Dallas even their record at 1-1. Their defense is steadily improving, and although they're been hit hard by the injury bug, they're still the second best team in the division. 

3. New York Giants 

Yes, the Giants fell to the Redskins in Week 3, but that was just a fluke. Eli Manning is off to a bad start, but he's still a great leader for New York. Their defense is doing their best to overcome injuries, but they're still a tough unit that will thrive in 2011. 

4. Washington Redskins 

Forget that the Redskins are 2-0 right now because they are still the worst team in the division. Mike Shanahan has done a great job coaching his team up for the first two games, but as the season goes on we will truly see that this team is the bottom of the NFC East. They do have a chance to prove everyone wrong in Week 3 if they can beat the Cowboys in Dallas. 

AFC East

1. New England Patriots 

Tom Brady is playing out of his mind right now having thrown for a record 940 yards in two games. The defense was sub-par in Week 1, but they redeemed themselves in Week 2. The Patriots are easily the best team in the division, and you can make a case they're the best team in the NFL. 

2. New York Jets

Rex Ryan guaranteed a Super Bowl, which placed a ton of pressure on the Jets' star players. The defense is the strong point, and it will carry this team very far. They need to beat the Patriots twice this year if they want to be perceived as the best int he AFC East. 

3. Buffalo Bills

The Bills are very close to catching the Jets, but their defense isn't good enough yet to pass them. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been excellent in the first two weeks, and the Bills are no longer a team that their opponents can over look because they can put a lot of points on the board. 

4. Miami Dolphins 

A tough start to the season, the Dolphins have had a hard time beating some of the top teams in the league. They're still a talented bunch, but they've struggled to find the end-zone, which is why they come in last place in their division. 

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers

No. 1 or No. 2 on everyone's power rankings, the defending Super Bowl champs remain the top team in the toughest division in the NFL. Their defense took a huge hit with the loss of Nick Collins, but as long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the Packers can beat anyone. 

2. Detroit Lions 

The surging Lions are turning a lot of heads this season, and as long as Matthew Stafford can avoid the injury bug for the third consecutive year, Detroit can make the playoffs. This team can move the ball down the field with ease, and their defense continues to get better with Ndamukong Suh as their anchor. 

3. Chicago Bears 

After a very impressive Week 1 victory, the Bears failed to accomplish much on the road in Week 2. Jay Cutler is an up and down quarterback who still relies on his defense to keep him in the game. With very few playmakers on offense, the Bears won't go very far this season unless their defense shuts down opponents. 

4. Minnesota Vikings 

It's not that the Vikings are bad, they're just unfortunately in the hardest division in the league. Donovan McNabb was a good pickup, and in a few weeks this team will start rolling. But for now, they find themselves at the bottom because they didn't start with a bang like they needed to. 

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 

Yes, the Steelers were embarrassed by a division rival in Week 1, but they reassured us all in Week 2 why they are the best in the AFC North with an impressive shutout win. This is a team full of proven winners that will once again find themselves ready for a Super Bowl run. 

2. Baltimore Ravens 

After Week 1, the Ravens were obviously the top in the division, but then they went and laid an egg against the Titans, which should not have happened. The Ravens are still a talented bunch, and they can prove they're the best in the division if they dominate the Steelers on the road, which is doubtful. 

3. Cincinnati Bengals 

The Bengals are very far from the top tier of the NFC North, but they can feel good about their future. The young talent they have in Andy Dalton and A.J. Green will continue to get better, which means they need to focus on strengthening a sub-par defense. 

4. Cleveland Browns 

The Browns join the Bengals at the bottom of the division, and the only reason they're in last is because the failed to beat the Bengals in Week 1. Colt McCoy is an OK quarterback, but he still has no playmakers to help take him far. Peyton Hillis isn't the same running back as a year ago, and this is a team that will once again find themselves with a top draft pick next year. 

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints 

The Saints were one yard away from giving the defending Super Bowl champs a huge scare in Week 1. In Week 2, they stuck it to the Bears, proving that Drew Brees doesn't need any one receiver more than the other. This is a team hungry to re-claim the division after a depleted 2010 season. 

2. Atlanta Falcons 

If the Falcons were 2-0 like many expected then they'd be at No. 1. This explosive offense we thought we'd see has yet to really shine, but despite that, they're still No. 2 in the division and it will be awhile before they have a chance to say they're the best in the NFC South. 

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Josh Freeman continues to grow week-by-week, and if he could have a few more stars on his team then the Buccaneers would make a lot of noise in the division. But right now, their defense won't cut it against the top teams. Luckily, Freeman thrives under pressure, which is how they evened their record at 1-1. 

4. Carolina Panthers 

The worst team in the NFL a year ago, the Panthers are on the rise with Cam Newton at quarterback. After two back-to-back weeks of 400-plus passing yards, Newton is taking the Panthers in the right direction. In a few years, this team is going to be very dangerous, but right now, they fall to the bottom.

AFC South

1. Houston Texans 

This is the year the Texans can finally claim the division, and they should do it with ease. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson aren't the only guys getting it done on offense as their committee of running backs have stepped it up. Plus, what was one of the worst defenses in the league a year ago has really turned it around. 

2. Tennessee Titans 

The Titans may have lost their Week 1 game to a division rival, but with an impressive win over the Ravens in Week 2 the Titans proved they're not a sloppy team. Sure, Chris Johnson has been a disappointment thus far, but with veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck and talented receiver Kenny Britt this team can win. 

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

After the surprise release of David Garrard, nobody expected the Jaguars to have much success. They haven't been very great, but luckily for the Jaguars they have Maurice Jones-Drew. This team can run the ball very well, and if they ever struggle to do so they've got no chance at winning. 

4. Indianapolis Colts 

Never before would I have thought that the Colts would be at the bottom of the division they have long dominated, but without Peyton Manning this team can't get anything done. The Colts are going to have hard a time winning games this year because they've always relied on Manning to get the job done, but unfortunately he isn't around. 

NFC West

1. Arizona Cardinals 

The Cardinals are the best team in the worst division in the NFL, which is an unfortunate label. However, it is an easy road to the playoffs. Arizona got their quarterback in Kevin Kolb, and now they need their defense to step it up and shut down opponents. 

2. St. Louis Rams 

Despite being 0-2, the Rams are the second best team in the division. They took some big hits in Week 1, but once they get Stephen Jackson back they'll start proving they are a team not to mess with. Sam Bradford is a star in the making, and the Rams have to feel good about their future. 

3. San Francisco 49ers 

New head coach Jim Harbaugh has this team believing they can win, and they almost pulled a fantastic upset in Week 2 but lost in OT. Alex Smith is still just an OK quarterback, and with his top receivers continuing to get hurt, the 49ers will find it hard to move the ball down the field. 

4. Seattle Seahawks 

The Seahawks are not a very good football team, and right now they're in a three way tie for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. Both sides of the ball need a lot of work, and one has to wonder what Pete Carroll is doing in the northwest. 

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers 

Philip Rivers and the Chargers should run away with this division, but sometimes you never know with this team. Norv Turner is on the hot seat, and if he doesn't win the division then perhaps it's time for him to go. Despite a Week 2 loss, they're still hands down the top team in the AFC West. 

2. Oakland Raiders 

First year head coach Hue Jackson has the Raiders headed in the right direction, and they're one hail-mary play away from being 2-0. The defense needs to get better, but this offense can easily put points on the board as long as Darren McFadden stays healthy. 

3. Denver Broncos 

Kyle Orton needs to be the quarterback no matter what the fans say. Denver has all kinds of problems, including injuries, which is why some no name players need to step up and deliver. It's going to be a rough year for the Broncos, but at least they'll be better than the Chiefs.  

4. Kansas City Chiefs 

You have to really feel for the Chiefs because this just isn't their year. Three of their best players are out for the year, and they're going to struggle to find the end-zone and keep opponents from scoring as well. If they were fully healthy they would fare better, but without Jamaal Charles on offense and Eric Berry on defense the Chiefs won't amount to much this season.