The 8 Toughest "Beats" in the NFL in 2011

In every season, teams can always focus on a handful of high-ranking foes that they are seeking to knock down a peg.

That task, of course, is easier said than done. The challenge of playing up to the level of some of the best teams in the leagues is quite difficult due to the talent and intellect those opponents posses.

After three weeks into the 2011 regular season, eight kings of the league have shown that they are the hardest to dethrone.

8. New York Jets

Last Sunday in Oakland saw the Jets allow the Raiders to gain 234 rushing yards on their normally stout run-stopping defense in a 34-24 defeat.

Now, that should be looked at as an aberration. After all, that amount is the most against New York in the 41 games under head coach Rex Ryan. The Jets have annually become one of the most difficult teams to score on and currently rank sixth in passing defense.

Mark Sanchez and the offense has been solid overall, but they need to show improvement.

Baltimore poses a challenge for New York on both sides of the ball. How they respond will determine if they're still a serious Super Bowl contender.

7. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo, for the first time in a while, has reason to cheer. And if you don't have a horse in the AFC East race, you'd like to see it continue.

The Bills moved to 3-0 with a home win over the Patriots, placing themselves at the top of the division for the moment.

A perfect start is mainly due to the surprising play of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as well as the rushing and pass catching capabilities of Fred Jackson.

So, why do they rank so low? Reputation.

It's hard to guarantee that the Bills will keep this up for the duration of the season. Plus, while their defense has been opportune (four INTs versus the Pats), it hasn't been stingy.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have something that all teams need to have if they want to be considered among the best: a quarterback capable of making the big play when needed.

The only question is: can the offensive line hold up in order to keep Ben Roethlisberger upright?

Pittsburgh's experience, along with stability at QB and head coach, makes them a club that knows how to win important games.

5. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans' 40-33 victory last Sunday versus Houston is a microcosm of the team's personality. 

The Saints are a team that would rather try to beat you in a track meet than in a low-scoring affair.

Drew Brees leads the league's second-best passing offense. When the defense makes plays, as they did in the title-winning season of 2009, the Saints become lethal.

The only team to top New Orleans was the defending Super Bowl champions—and the Packers had to make a last-second defensive play in order to preserve that victory.

4. Baltimore Ravens

For many years, the staying power of the Ravens was their defense.

That group is aging, but still effective. However, the offensive skill positions are maturing and emerging.

Quarterback Joe Flacco needs some consistency, but has shown twice this season that he can win games with his arm. Running back Ray Rice may be the most versatile player at his position. And what if rookie Torrey Smith establishes himself as a deep threat at wide receiver? That would be scary.

Baltimore's hiccup against Tennessee (losing 26-13) is likely not going to happen much over the course of the 2011 campaign.

3. Detroit Lions

This is not a year in which the Lions snore. Detroit appears to be for real with each passing victory—seven in its past seven regular season contests dating back to the 2010 campaign.

The Lions possess arguably the best young talent in the NFL, led by the passing combination of QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson. But it's hard to forget the imposing figure of DT Ndamukong Suh, who will have some help in Week 4 when rookie Nick Fairly joins him on the defensive line.

Green Bay may be the rulers of the NFC North, but it better not take Detroit lightly.

2. New England Patriots

It would be unwise to count out Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

The Patriots loss to the unbeaten Bills puts a chink in their armor, but in no way fully destroys them.

Rarely, in the past decade, has New England gone into a slump. In fact, the Pats almost always come back stronger after a setback.

Watch out, Oakland.

1. Green Bay Packers

It's hard not to put the defending champs—who haven't lost since December 2010—in the No. 1 spot.

Green Bay's offense hasn't missed a beat since last year's Super Bowl run with Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings and a now-healthy Jermichael Finley.

The defense looked a bit shaky in the match-ups with New Orleans and Carolina, but was improved in last Sunday's win over the Bears.

This weekend's game at home against Denver heavily favors Green Bay—as do two of the following three contests (vs. St. Louis, at Minnesota).