NFL Picks Week 3: Which Teams Will Emerge as the League's Most Impressive

There aren't many sports that allow a champion to be named in the season's third week. If that was the case, the Cleveland Indians, Indiana Pacers, and Danica Patrick all might have a few more trophies.

If the NFL playoff pool was set today, we'd see the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins all receive lofty seeds. That may still be the case in late December, but for now, a 3-0 record guarantees nothing beyond a 3-13 floor.

Still, teams like the New England Patriots have certainly shown enough this season to warrant being penciled in. Coupled with the fact that they're a perennial playoff team, their case is strong. The same can be said for the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets. Sure, they're currently just 2-0, but if you're using the current record plus pass success as the power formula here, they're the three best teams going.

That doesn't leave a lot of room at the very top for the four teams we mentioned earlier, but they're still worth watching. The Redskins can grow a little staying power with a win over the 1-1 Dallas Cowboys on Monday. The Texans travel to New Orleans looking for a third win overall, though it'll be just their first against a team with a pulse if they can pull it off.

The Bills get the Patriots at home, looking to knock off New England for the first time in their past 16 tries. And the Lions, although facing a sorely overmatched team, are still looking for a win in Minnesota, something that's not always easy for the silver and blue.

So, when trying to decide who will emerge from Week 3 as legit, it's important to mix the upstarts with the good ole teams.  Here's what the top 10 should look like after today.

1. New England Patriots

They'll get all they ask for and more from the Bills today, but New England is simply too dangerous on offense for the Buffalo secondary. 

2. Green Bay Packers

Beating the Chicago Bears in Chicago won't be easy, but it will be enough to keep last year's champs atop the NFC.

3. New Orleans Saints 

Sure, they're not undefeated, but after beating the Bears and Texans in back-to-back weeks, the Saints will prove that they once again belong among the NFL's true elite.

4. Detroit Lions

Might seem high to some, but this team is legitimately dangerous in every facet of the game. They're the only competition for Green Bay in the NFC North, and they should blow past Minnesota today.

5. New York Jets

Always tough to really believe in a Mark Sanchez-led team, but the Jets deserve some credit for knocking off Dallas and, after today, Oakland.

6-7. Atlanta Falcons/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I know it's cheating, but I'm reserving the No. 6 spot for the winner of today's Falcons-Bucs game. If I had to pick, I would go with Tampa at home, but both of these squads will be in the hunt come December.

8. Baltimore Ravens

It's all about which team will show up. I'm guessing the Week 1 variety was closer to the real Ravens this season. Either way, the Rams are too banged up and too green to hang with Baltimore this weekend.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

Writing them off this early would be ludicrous, especially given the way the defense responded against Seattle. The only concern is how well they'll handle playing real NFL teams again after two weeks of Seahawks and Colts.

10. Philadelphia Eagles

It's all about Michael Vick's health. When he's good, the Eagles are too. Of course, hindering his electric style by asking him to play it safe may prove to be Philly's downfall. A win over the Giants today would go a long, long way. They should get it.