NFL Power Rankings Week Three: Critiquing the Expert Picks

ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio has his NFL Power rankings here and Florio would chuckle at us calling him an "expert." Florio is one of the good guys out there, and he's even made time to swap emails with us once in a while. If taking long train rides to New York from his lavish PFT headquarters in West Virginia helps makes someone and expert, then Florio would be the top dog.

That being said, let's examine the latest offering from the Wizarding World of Mike Florio and see how the NFL shakes out after Week 2 in the eyes of the Grand Poobah of PFT.

Top of the Class

1. Packers (2-0): If you like suspenders with your belt, then this is the pick. The Pack's defense took a big blow on Sunday when it lost Nick Collins. The Packers defense is suspect, even vulnerable. But when the defending Super Bowl champions get off to a nice start, it's hard to argue with putting them at the top of the heap.

2. Saints (1-1): Florio's got a lot of respect for Brees and company and he should, we all should. This is a hard-working team, but like the Packers, they're starting to lose key players already and that doesn't bode well. You can make a point for putting the Patriots in this slot, then, like we said, that's wearing suspenders with your belt.

3. Patriots (2-0): Tom Brady looks like Dan Marino with a Super Bowl ring, or two or make that three. You have to ask yourself if all this passing yardage by the Patriots is hiding something, say a lack of a ground game? That's yet to be seen. You're certainly on a thick limb putting the P-Men in the top three.

4. Jets (2-0): Could this be the year? Seems that was the question being asked last year. It's hard to argue with the Jets up here. But the $64 question is: How will they perform against the guys up there at No. 3?

5. Chargers (1-1): Call me silly, but I've never been a big Charger believer. Dean Spanos used to show up in Tampa and was best friends with my dentist, who couldn't wait to give him abuse about the Chargers. Norv Turner produces teams good enough to help him keep his job but not good enough to go deep into the playoffs.

6. Falcons (1-1): Now we're talkin'. Nice recovery against Philly. There was a lot of pre-game talk that the Dirty Birds might start 2-0, and as the talking heads say, reduce their chances of making the playoffs to 12 percent. Fact is Matt Ryan has a lot of talent around him, but it's the Atlanta defense that is suspect.

7. Lions (2-0): Is this team the Cinderella of 2011? It's took early to jump up and down, but Detroit has a right to after all the Matt Millen manure that was spread out for so many years on the city streets. This will be one of those "show us" teams, meaning they'll have to keep showing us, especially against the Pack and the Bears. They play at Minnesota on Sunday, and it's a game they "should win." When you use the term "should win" for an NFL team, it means lookout for an upset.

8. Texans (2-0): With the demise of the Indianapolis Colts, the door is open for Houston. Last year was supposed to be their year, but perhaps this is it. They are about where they belong at this stage with lots of upward mobility in these Power Rankings.

9. Ravens (1-1): After the way they slapped the Steelers silly in Week 1, the Ravens were supposed to be 2-0 and at the top of these Power Rankings. But then, there were those two awful words "should win" to describe Week 2 for the Ravens. They should have won. They didn't. Isn't that the way it goes?

10: Steelers (1-1): Just when Warren Sapp declared "it's over" for the Steelers, they put the smackdown on Seattle with a shutout. It's certainly not over, and Mike Tomlin's guys will be in the thick of it.

11. Bills (2-0): No arguing here. Those lovable doormats, the "Mr. Bills" have jumped out with two straight wins and deserve some kudos. Circle the wagons.

Mired in the Middle

12. Bears (1-1): The Bears are who we thought they are, trouble is, we don't know who they are. They've got their hands full in the NFC North with the Pack and now those pesky Lions.

13. Eagles (1-1): Wasn't the Dream Team supposed to be 2-0 about now? The dream turned into a nightmare at home Sunday with Atlanta's comeback and Michael Vick getting smacked around. With Vick's status uncertain, these are testy times in the City of Brotherly Love.

14. Cowboys (1-1): Tony Romo goes from goat to hero in the span of one week. Ah, life in the NFL. The Cowboys of Sunday looked upwardly mobile, probably better than this slot at 14.

15: Buccaneers (1-1): The Bucs may be too high here. Detroit pushed them around on their home turf, and they fell flat on their faces for 30 minutes in Minnesota then sprang to life. The Bucs of the final 30 minutes could be in the top five, but those other 90 minutes were awful enough to create a lot of doubt. They'll find out a lot more about themselves Sunday when they host Atlanta.

16. Redskins (2-0): You think there's no respect for Rex Grossman? Here's a 2-0 team in the dead middle of the rankings.

17: Giants (1-1): How do you blow out the Rams and still look shaky? The Giants managed that Monday night. Looked good at times, looked awful at times. Here's a team with a lot of question marks and are probably ranked about right.

18. Cardinals (1-1): The NFC West is once again, well, unimpressive at best. So what's that say about that division? Stinky division. Cards ranked appropriately.

19. Panthers (0-2): This ranking Florio's tribute to Cam Newton. Carolina has lost two of its three starting linebackers and that's no good for anyone. They're ranked too high here.

20. Raiders (1-1): This team is supposed to be vastly improved this year. But isn't that what they all say at the beginning of the season? Raiders are here where they belong.

21. 49ers (1-1): How are these guys ranked this high?

22. Titans (1-1): Tennessee ranked about where it should be.

23. Jaguars (1-1): Hard to believe a team won a game with Luke McCown at quarterback. He was cut by Tampa Bay.

Battling at the Bottom of the Barrel

24. Broncos (1-1):  Tim Tebow's a helluva wideout.

25. Bengals (1-1):  Had no answer for Tim Tebow.

26. Rams (1-1): Should be banned from "Monday Night Football" until Sam Bradford turns 27.

27. Browns (1-1): Should be in a tie for 32nd.

28: Vikings (0-2): What the heck was that in the second half against Tampa Bay?

29. Seahawks (0-2) This team will make them Sleepless in Seattle.

30. Colts (0-2): This is what you get when you depend so heavily on one player.

31. Dolphins (0-2): They need more celebrity minority owners.

32: Chiefs (0-2): Todd Haley said after the first preseason game that there was no game plan against Tampa Bay. He's chosen to start the season with the same philosophy.

Is it possible to have three teams tied for 32nd?

There you have it. Florio's got a pretty good grip this week. Still, it's still to early to tell. Most NFL coaches divide the season into four, four-game quarters. You really start to get a feel after Week 4.

Which means, we should know a lot more shortly.