NFL Power Rankings: Philadelphia Eagles and 3 Teams That Took Big Steps Back

While Week 3 was the most exciting week of football so far this season, it was because of the vast overstatements in the power rankings being exposed for what they really are.

These "dream teams" were built to make a run at the Super Bowl, or at least make the playoffs, but from the looks of the direction each team is heading, they would be lucky to have a .500 record.

While all of these teams were once fighting for prime position on the list, each has taken serious steps back over the first three weeks of the 2011 season.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Philadelphia Eagles were held as the team to beat in the NFC, but the inconsistency in the health of Michael Vick and the lack of a run defense has killed the Eagles early season momentum.

When the team has Vick on the field, they look like the most dangerous team in the NFL, but the lack of an offensive line has put their star quarterback in harm’s way far too many times for the team to be successful.

Atlanta Falcons: After being arguably the best team in the NFL during the regular season last year, the Atlanta Falcons have lost two or their first three games and have looked like a shell of the team they were just a few months ago.

The addition of wide receiver Julio Jones to an already potent offense was supposed to put the elite team into a different level, but the team has look anything but and could be in risk of missing the playoffs all together if they can’t get it worked out fast.

Minnesota Vikings: The addition of veteran Donovan McNabb to an offense that already had the best running back in the league was supposed to the final piece to get the squad back into the title hunt.

With one of the worst seasons in his career so far, McNabb has played dreadful for the Vikings thus far, and things will only get tougher as the weather gets colder and the NFC North competition stiffens up.

Check back for more on the NFL world as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Football Page to get your fill of the NFL.

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