ESPN NFL Power Rankings: 10 Worst Picks from Bristol

Power rankings are meant to gauge a team's performance now and balance it with who the team truly is.

In ESPN's latest NFL power rankings, the here and now (particularly a team's record) has made up for too much of the overall pie.

Some teams' rankings are justified, but others are either overrated or underrated based on just three weeks so far.

Here are 10 of the worst picks in ESPN's Week 4 power rankings.

The Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons are all in here for different reasons.

10. Indianapolis Colts (No. 30)

I understand the Indianapolis Colts don't have Peyton Manning. I understand the Colts have to choose between Kerry Collins and Curtis Painter. And I understand they are currently 0-3.

But to put the Colts at No. 30 seems a bit too far-fetched for a team that mainly has the same players who have helped them to the AFC South title the last two years.

I understand Manning is a huge part of this team and that the Colts didn't do themselves any favors by waiting until the last minute to add a replacement, but the Colts showed in Week 3 that they are still better than No. 30, falling by just a field goal to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Colts forced three turnovers against the Steelers, and they still have several quality receivers.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 10)

Speaking of the Steelers...

I know the Steelers haven't looked like the AFC champions this season, evidenced by their sub-par performances against the Colts and Baltimore Ravens. And I know their offensive line has been bad.

But I still can't call this team the No. 10 team in the nation. They still have all their stars on offense and defense, including Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall, Mike Wallace, Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley and James Farrior.

The Steelers have a wealth of defense, and even if their offense struggles throughout the year, their defense will always give them an opportunity to beat some of the top teams in the league.

Underrated.

8. Chicago Bears (No. 18)

The Chicago Bears may have the worst offensive line in the league, and that alone makes it likely they won't reach the NFC Championship Game this season.

But, with this defense, I still find it hard to believe that they are No. 18 in the NFL.

I understand that the Bears have given up 23 points per game, far from their average last season, but you also have to keep in mind they've played the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers. All three of these teams are top offensive units (I'll get to the Falcons in a bit).

They beat the Falcons by 18 points and lost to the Packers by only 10 points, which isn't bad considering the Packers are once again looking like the best team in football.

I understand the drop. I just don't think the Bears are this bad.

7. San Diego Chargers (No. 9)

The San Diego Chargers already look much better than last season, when they gave the division away to the Kansas City Chiefs, but they beat the Minnesota Vikings by just a touchdown and the Chiefs by three points, both teams which have proven to be bottom-feeders this season.

I like this team and I believe it's going to be a battle with the Oakland Raiders for the division, but they haven't exactly been dominating anyone.

The one opponent that was any good, the New England Patriots, beat them by two touchdowns. They're a team capable of winning their division, but No. 9 in the nation? I don't think so.

6. Tennessee Titans (No. 15)

The Titans may have had a good start record-wise in the first three weeks, going 2-1, but they beat the Denver Broncos by just two points with star receiver Kenny Britt out of much of the game due to a torn ACL and MCL.

That brings up another point. With Britt out for the season now, the Titans don't have a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Nate Washington will move into Britt's spot, but he's no superstar. The Titans also have little depth at receiver, with a host of unprovens who figure to be huge dropoffs even as No. 2 receivers.

You add in the fact that Chris Johnson has yet to get going (98 rushing yards in three games), and there's really no reason why the Titans should be as high as No. 15.

5. Seattle Seahawks (No. 24)

The Seattle Seahawks are the worst team in the league, and all of a sudden, they jump to No. 24 in the rankings with a three-point win over the Arizona Cardinals at home.

Sure, the return of receiver Sidney Rice is a welcome sight, but that's not going to change the fact that Tarvaris Jackson is throwing the ball.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (No. 17)

The Eagles have a troublesome offensive line, a banged-up Michael Vick and a rush defense that needs a whole lot of work.

But they still have Michael Vick and a revamped secondary that still needs time to gel.

This team has a wealth of talent, and it's going to take some time for the team to start playing together. It's the same deal as the Miami Heat last year. They started off slow and then exploded to the NBA Finals.

I'm not saying the Eagles are headed to the Super Bowl, but they certainly aren't the No. 17 team in the country. Such a thought is preposterous.

3. Atlanta Falcons (No. 19)

The Atlanta Falcons have a better pass rush with defensive end Ray Edwards and an offense that has gotten better with the addition of rookie receiver Julio Jones.

But they get off to a rough start and everyone is down on them. This defense clearly is still going through some growing pains, but the secondary is also young and has room to improve.

In addition, the offensive line's woes can be partially solved by running a hurry-up offense, which has seen quarterback Matt Ryan thrive throughout the years.

This team is not the 19th-best team in the league with Ryan at the helm

2. Detroit Lions (No. 4)

There's no doubt the Lions have been impressive on both sides of the ball thus far, but I have a hard time believing they are the fourth-best team in the nation, ahead of teams such as the Ravens, Jets and Steelers.

The Lions still have trouble running the ball (2.8 yards per carry) and have trouble stopping the run. On top of that, a three-point overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings somehow vaults them from No. 11 to No. 4 in the league.

I really like the Lions this season, and I think they will capture a wild-card spot, but I don't see them as a top-five team.

1. Buffalo Bills (No. 6)

I've been one of the Buffalo Bills' biggest supporters this season, and I predicted they would make it a game against the New England Patriots.

The Bills did more than make it a game in Week 3, actually defeating the Patriots, 34-31, but the fact of the matter is, does anybody really believe this is the No. 6 team in the country based on one win?

The Bills may be for real and may have a shot at the playoffs, but there's no way they are a top-10 team with the defense they have. They are ranked 24th in opponents' passing yards per game and rushing yards per game. There's nothing to suggest that is not going to be a trend the rest of the season.

This team's offense is for real, but their defense falls well short of being a top-10 team.