NFL Power Rankings: 3 Teams Better Than Their Rankings Suggest

With three weeks of the NFL season in the books, things are starting to get sorted out in terms of the league's balance of power.

Even so, there are surely some teams who are nothing more than a flash in the pan, while other underperforming teams are much better than their records suggest.

Here are three such teams. 

St. Louis Rams

With a record of 0-3, and all three losses coming by multiple scores, it's difficult to suggest that the St. Louis Rams are a good team at this point. The fact remains, though, that St. Louis is playing in the league's weakest division, and has plenty of time to bounce back.

The Rams have been victims of a brutal schedule that has seen them play Philadelphia, the New York Giants and Baltimore over the first three weeks.

Once their schedule balances out, and Steven Jackson and Danny Amendola fully recover from injury, the Rams will be in good shape. 

Atlanta Falcons

At 1-2, Atlanta has certainly gotten off to an ominous start. The Falcons lost just three games all last season, but it seems unlikely that they will reach those heights in 2011.

Atlanta's schedule has been quite difficult, though.

Atlanta flashed its true potential when it beat Philadelphia in a shootout in Week 2, but mental lapses on both sides of the ball have cost them.

Quarterback Matt Ryan needs to put the team on his back and refuse to lose. 

Philadelphia Eagles

With talks of a "Dream Team" floating around before the season, Philadelphia probably entered 2011 carrying unrealistic expectations. Still, it's hard to believe that a team as talented as the Eagles could be sitting with a 1-2 record, and in last place.

Much has to do with the fact that quarterback Michael Vick has had to leave two games due to injury, and he must stay healthy if the Eagles are going to go anywhere.

In the end, the Eagles are far too explosive to be held down for long.

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