NFL Power Rankings: 3 Contenders Destined for Fall in Week 3

The Power Rankings are set for Week 3 action, but they are by no means etched in stone. After a weekend of upsets, the top tier will be shuffled to the enjoyment of the masses. 

I have come to a stark realization as I take in the first couple weeks of NFL action, none of these teams are flawless. 

There isn't a perfect squad among the group to threaten a wire to wire run of magic. A marvelous 16-0 just isn't in the cards for the Packers, Patriots or any other team. There are just too many flaws that are bound to be exposed at some point. 

The best part is that we get to see these Week 3 losers bounce back in epic form after a weekend of humility. The Super Bowl is not won in September. It will be interesting to see how these teams come back from adversity, a true measure of a champion. 

1. Green Bay Packers

The Packers have not exactly been pristine on the defensive end of the ball. They are suspect in the secondary, something I am sure they will shore up by season's end. 

For the time being, they will have to shuffle things to make up for a huge loss in Nick Collins. On Sunday, they head to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears, staring a loss in the face. 

The Bears have a high-octane offense that they love to get vertical with. Mike Martz will test the secondary that is in shambles at the moment. This is a shootout that Aaron Rodgers will come out on the short end of. 

2. Houston Texans

There is no doubt in my mind that the Texans are a much better team than they were last year. They are still a much more potent offense than most, even without Arian Foster. 

Ben Tate will pick up the slack if Foster is again missing, but it will not be enough against the Saints. Seeing just how explosive Drew Brees and the Saints can be on offense gives me pause for the Texans Sunday. 

A team needs to be at its healthiest to match the gaudy numbers this surging contender will put up. The Texans will regroup after what I deem as a guaranteed loss. 

3. Atlanta Falcons

An emotional win against the Eagles was exactly what the Falcons needed to bring hope back into the locker room. 

Yet it didn't solve the issues this struggling squad has on both sides of the ball. The Buccaneers are an underrated squad that will show they have grown a great deal from last year. 

Their comeback against the Vikings showed a lot of grit, exactly what they need to get a home team against the Falcons. 

Gabe Zaldivar's 2011 NFL Power Rankings
1.Green Bay Packers
2.New England Patriots
3.New York Jets
4.New Orleans Saints
5.Houston Texans
6.Philadelphia Eagles
7.Chicago Bears
8.Baltimore Ravens
9.Pittsburgh Steelers
10.Atlanta Falcons
11.San Diego Chargers
12.Detroit Lions
13.Arizona Cardinals
14.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
15.Dallas Cowboys
16.New York Giants
17.Buffalo Bills
18.Oakland Raiders
19.Seattle Seahawks
20.Washington Redskins
21.St. Louis Rams
22.Denver Broncos
23.Minnesota Vikings
24.Indianapolis Colts
25.Jacksonville Jaguars
26.San Francisco 49ers
27.Tennessee Titans
28.Kansas City Chiefs
29.Cincinnati Bengals
30.Carolina Panthers
31.Cleveland Browns
32.Miami Dolphins