NFL Power Rankings: Week 3

We have had two full weeks of NFL action since our initial regular season Power Rankings were released on Sept. 9. We certainly have learned a lot since then. So let’s take a look at the teams’ pecking order as things stand right now as we head into Week 3.

The NFL Power Rankings will be a standing MTSS feature during the season, being updated every other week based on team results to date. Our rankings are our best (kind-of) educated guess at which team would beat the ones listed below it in the rankings. You get the idea.

The biggest movers were Buffalo and Washington on the positive side and Kansas City on the negative. If you have been paying attention, those should make sense.

(Week 1 rankings are in parenthesis.)

1.  (1) Green Bay (2-0) – Undefeated champions will stay No. 1 until they lose.

2.  (2) New England (2-0) – Brady and the offense have been impressive.
3.  (6) New Orleans (1-1) – Great bounce-back game against Chicago.
4.  (4) New York Jets (2-0) – Team has looked rough but continues winning.
5.  (9) Atlanta (1-1) – Statement game pounding Philly and beating Vick.
6.  (3) Philadelphia (1-1) – One rough win, one rough loss. Now Vick is hurt.
7.  (7) Baltimore (1-1) – The Ravens finally whip the Steelers, and then fall flat.
8.  (12) Detroit (2-0) – This team looks dangerous on so many levels.
9.  (8) San Diego (1-1) – Not really sure yet what this year’s Chargers are.
10. (5) Pittsburgh (1-1) – Questions about the age of the defense surfacing.
11. (10) Houston (2-0) – Undefeated, but the Texans haven’t been tested yet.
12. (11) Dallas (1-1) – Romo’s courageous comeback saved the season.
13. (14) Chicago (1-1) – The Bears are a mystery. Which team shows up?
14. (16) Tampa Bay (1-1) – The young Bucs are struggling.
15. (17) New York Giants – Two very rough games. Probably ranked too high.
16. (25) Buffalo (2-0) – Are they for real? New England will tell us this week.
17. (20) Oakland (1-1) – Hue has the fellas fighting hard. Unusual for this team.
18. (13) St. Louis (0-2) – A pretty good winless team. How will they respond?
19. (21) Arizona (1-1) – Kolb has looked good, but the defense if getting gashed.
20. (29) Washington (2-0) – Rex has performed so far. Weak opponents have helped.
21. (28) San Francisco (1-1) – Harbaugh and Alex Smith both shaky so far.
22. (24) Tennessee (1-1) – Surprising victory over the Ravens last week.
23. (26) Denver (1-1) – Tied for AFC West lead. Enjoy it now.
24. (19) Cleveland (1-1) – Loss to Bengals at home hurts.
25. (30) Cincinnati (1-1) – Impressive start by Andy Dalton. Better than advertised.
26. (31) Jacksonville (1-1) – Garrard and McNown out; it’s now Gabbert’s show.
27. (32) Carolina (0-2) – Cam Newton looks like the real deal.
28. (18) Indianapolis (0-2) – It’s going to be a very long year in Indy.
29. (22) Minnesota (0-2) – So much for that “one last run at the playoffs.”
30. (27) Miami (0-2) – Sparano: “I have no idea …” Us, either, Tony.
31. (15) Kansas City (0-2) – Massive fall from division title in a hurry. Ugly.
32. (23) Seattle (0-2) – Not sure what the heck Pete Carroll is doing.

So what do you think? Sound off. Let us know where you think we’ve got it right, and for sure where you know we have it wrong. Join the conversation. 

Thanks for reading.

Steve