by Michael DeLuca
Yet another exciting week of NFL football has come and gone. Some major upsets, close calls, and key injuries have really shaken up our rankings. Let’s have a look at the rankings as they stand heading into week four of NFL action…
1. Dallas Cowboys (3-0) – Their dominating performance in Cleveland in week 1 was followed up by a week 2 shootout victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. In week three they traveled to Green Bay, where they had never won a game, and took it to the Packers for an impressive victory. Rookie Felix Jones has proven to be a dynamic playmaker. Marion “The Barbarian” is an absolute beast.
2. New York Giants (3-0) - Defending Super Bowl Champions haven’t seemed to miss a beat on defense despite the losses of Michael Strahan to retirement and Osi Umenyiora to a season ending injury. They coasted to wins in their first two games, but were just barely able to get past the lowly Cincinnati Bengals in week 3, winning by a field goal in overtime.
3. Denver Broncos (3-0) – The offense is explosive, while the defense is atrocious. Brandon Marshall may have taken over as the premier wide receiver in the NFL. Jay Cutler continues to show poise in the pocket, a rocket arm, and deadly accuracy.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) - Despite injuries to Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, the Eagles held on for a hard fought victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jim Johnson’s defense did what they do best, blitz. In week 2, Philadelphia hung through 4 quarters of football with the best team in the NFL…in their own building. May be a different story when these teams meet in Philly.
5. Tennessee Titans (3-0) – Best defense in the league thus far, hands down. Chris Johnson is a lightning bolt. Kerry Collins makes this offense more stable, allowing the defense to do what it do.
6. Buffalo Bills (3-0) - Solid all around squad. Managed to move to 3-0 by taking their first lead of the game against Oakland with a Ryan Lindell field goal as time expired.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) – Ben Roethlisberger was accosted by Jim Johnson blitz schemes all day long and finally was forced out of the game late in the fourth quarter. Still, Pittsburgh played a solid game in hostile territory. Offensive line deficiencies are starting to rear their ugly head and opposing defensive coordinators may take a cue from Johnson’s gameplan.
8. Green Bay Packers (2-1) – This is a young team that went 13-3 last year. Tough week 3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The injury to Al Harris could really hurt this squad. Expect Aaron Rodgers to continue to produce, he’s the real deal.
9. Carolina Panthers (2-1) – This team went to San Diego and beat a good Chargers team and then followed up with a hard fought victory against the Chicago Bears. In week 3, Minessota’s home field advantage was too much to overcome. With some great run blockers up front, Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart should be able to pound the ball for good yardage all year long.
10. San Diego Chargers (1-2) – This team started slow last year and rebounded to have one of the top records in the AFC. They were robbed week 2 in Denver, where two terrible officiating decisions directly affected the outcome of the game. In week three they took it to the Jets, despite LaDainian Tomlinson still being hobbled by a toe injury. Philip Rivers continues to surprise with his extraordinary all around play.
11. Washington Redskins (2-1) – Nice victory over New Orleans week 2 helped lick the wounds from a week 1 beatdown from the defending Super Bowl Champions, the New York Giants. Week 3 featured an impressive victory over the upstart Arizona Cardinals. After virtually dissappearing for 2 full seasons, Santana Moss seems to have returned to his 2005 form where he had 1483 yards and 9 touchdowns!
12. Minnesota Vikings (1-2) – Gus Frerotte stabilized the offense, kept the defense off the field, and everything else fell into place. Expect the passing game to continue to improve. Bryant McKinnie returns from suspension after just one more week. His addition on the left side will be a huge boost.
13. Arizona Cardinals (2-1) – After starting off 2-0, Arizona fell to the Washington Redskins after losing the turnover battle 2-0. 10 of Washington’s 24 came off those two turnovers as Arizona’s underrated defense continues to impress.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) – There remains nothing to get too excited about on this team. Brian Griese threw for 407 yards, but also peppered in three interceptions while throwning the ball 67 times against the Chicago Bears.
15. San Francisco 49ers (2-1) – I love the players on defense, but hate the defensive playcalling. Mike Martz has gotten this offense moving the ball and things are once again exciting in the Bay Area. Frank Gore is proving to be one of the top backs in the NFL.
16. New England Patriots (2-1) – Brutal home loss to the Miami Dolphins in week 3, but don’t believe for a second that Bellichek will fold up the tent. Tom Brady’s season ending injury obviously hurts this team, but they do still have a lot of playmakers on offense as well as a top 5 offensive line. With the best head coach in the NFL leading the charge, the Patriots will find ways to win football games and keep themselves relevant.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) – All three interior offensive linemen are out and that will continue to hurt. Garrard shows flashes of being a playmaker, but he needs to take off more often when the pocket collapses. The run game seemed to return to form against the Colts and if that can continue, the Jaguars will be contenders.
18. Indianapolis Colts (1-2) – They did what they had to do to get out of Minnesota with a win in week 2 and managed to do just enough to lose in week 3. Three starters are out on the offensive line and it’s showing big time! Joseph Addai finally managed some positive yardage but Peyton Manning is still facing more pressure than he ever has in the past. The Bob Sanders injury will continue to haunt this team. Once again, the run defense fell apart without him.
19. Baltimore Ravens (2-0) – The defense has it’s swagger back! In fact, through two games, they appear every bit as dynamic as their 2001 Super Bowl Champion counterparts. Chris McAlister and Ed Reed both had big interception returns, Reed’s for a score and McAlister’s to the 12, accounting for 14 of the Ravens 28 points. Dawan Landry’s injury will hurt, but this defense will continue to play at a high level. The offense is appalling, but it was in 2001 as well.
20. New Orleans Saints (1-2) – The run defense is terrible, but Drew Brees is an elite quarterback that can keeep this team in any game. The Colston injury will really hamper this team’s chances until he returns. Shockey is now out with a sports hernia and is “expected” to miss up to six weeks. He has a history of being a fragile little girl and I “expect” him to miss more.
21. Chicago Bears (1-2) – This team went 13-3 and appeared in the Super Bowl just two years ago. The defense is in tact and the running game seems to be working well with rookie Matt Forte carrying the ball. A fourth quarter breakdown resulted in defeat to the Carolina Panthers in week 2 and week 3 saw an overtime defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2006, they won the close ones.
22. Atlanta Falcons (2-1) – Young team will have it’s ups and downs all season long. This team does have playmakers and will surprise any team that sleep on them. Michael Turner is doing a fantastic job as the featured back.
23. Oakland Raiders (1-2) - The defense seems to have gotten on track after a week 1 embarassment to the Denver Broncos. The Raiders never trailed in Buffalo until Ryan Lindell’s game winning field goal while time expired. Tough loss, but this talented young team should rebound.
24. Miami Dolphins (1-2) - I don’t care who you are, you’ve got to be excited about what the Dolphins were able to do in New England this week. Ronnie Brown scored five touchdowns, 1 passing and 4 rushing. The playcalling was oustanding and this could really rally this Dolhins’ squad. With a bye in week four, the Dolphins should come out energized for a week 5 showdown with the San Diego Chargers.
25. New York Jets (1-2) - This team should have been like sharks in the water, ready to dismantle a Brady-less New England Patriots team in week 2. Instead, a lackluster performance resulted in defeat with many questions to be answered about just how good the Jets really are. Week 3′s performance answered those questions…NOT VERY.
26. Cleveland Browns (0-3) - Paging Mr. Brady Quinn…
27. Houston Texans (0-2) - Steve Slaton is the only positive thus far for the hapless Texans.
28. Cincinatti Bengals (0-3) - Though they’re 0-3, this team has to feel positive after a near road victory against the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. The offense finally moved the ball. Chris Henry will return in week five, which should be a boost to the offense.
29. Seattle Seahawks (1-2) – No team can lose their top eleven receivers without missing a beat.
30. Detroit Lions (0-3) - The Millen Man March…hilarious!
31. St. Louis Rams (0-3) – Blow outs to the Eagles and Giants could be excused. The Seahawks were the true measure of just how badly the Rams suck. Bulger has been benched and Trent Green will start. Don’t expect anything to improve.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3) – Missouri football is not in good shape!
The San Diego Chargers are a last second touchdown in week one and a blown call in week 2 from being 3-0. They probably deserve to be #2 in the rankings right now, despite their 1-2 record.
Ouch!!! Jets below the Dolphins. After the last two weeks, it’s hard to disagree.
If im a dolphins fan, i take great solace in the fact that my organization has a direction for the first time in years and is one more season removed from the mustache king of Miami, Dave Wanstadt!
The Chargers would be Pittsburgh by 3 TD’s.
The Jets beat Miami and therefore cant be ranked ahead of them.
The Chiefs would be the Rams by 2 TDs – Rams are the worst team in the NFL.
Im not a Seattle fan at all, but they should be around 15
I habve other qualms, but I am to tired. But good top 10 pretty much.
@Gill
The Chiefs have been defeated 38-14 to ATLANTA, 23-8 by OAKLAND, and 17-10 to a BRADYLESS New England team. At least St. Louis has been getting pounded by good football teams. To assert that KC would beat the Rams by 2 touchdowns is a reach considering they’ve only scored 3 touchdowns all season, two of which were in fourth quarter garbage time when the outcome had already been determined.
Jets beat Miami and therefore can’t be ranked ahead of them is completely flawed logic. By the same train of thought, Miami beat New England in New England, while the Jets lost to the Patriots at home. Neither of these are the reason for ranking the Dolphins higher than the Jets. Momentum is. After the Jets last two abysmal performances and Miami’s stunning road upset of the Patriots, both teams have the same record. Miami, however, has shown improvement while the Jets seemed to have regressed with each game.
Looks like Ohio is scratching at Missouri for worst state in terms of football. Both are horrid. A comnbined record of 0-6 for those two states.
Not even close, Missouri’s got that on lock down.
To suggest that the Dolphins are a better team then the Jets is idiotic. Sure I see your logic, then I flush it down the toilet after reading my morning paper. The Jets BEAT the Dolphins on the field.
Sure MIA beat NE and NE beat NYJ, but the Jets beat the Dolphins and they have the same record, therefore you have to rank the Jets above the Dolphins. Keep in mind you have New England ranked 16th and SD ranked 10th and they are the 2 teams that beat NY. Miami lost to the Jets (ranked lower then MIA, suggesting that they lost to a lesser team) and Arizona (who is ranked WAY to high on this list).
Miami should be fighting more with the Detroits, STL, KC’s of the league then the NY and NE’s
@Kenny
So using your (flawed) logic, Chicago BEAT Indy on the field and they have the same record, so you have to rank them ahead of the Colts. I’m not determining playoff tiebreakers here, I’m ranking teams in terms of their current play.
To not take home field advantage, injuries, and momentum into play is what would be idiotic.
In week 1 you blasted me (calling me an idiot once again) for having the Eagles at #2, the Broncos at #3, and for saying that the Raiders had one of the best secondaries in the league. Since then, the Eagles and Broncos have proven to be top teams and the Raiders have allowed only two passing touchdowns in the past two games, one in garbage time where they employed the prevent defense.
Kenny gets out his briefcase and continues to give the business to Duke! lol
Hmmm…letsd see Indy just BLEW a game at HOME verse a division rival who is hurt worse then a girl you dump after a one night stand.
Yeah, your monteum logic works a lot for them geniuss.
Eagles I think are a top 5 team, Denver plays less D then 6-year old boy trying to turn away a priest, they legitamacy remains to be seen.
Oakland, are we really having this conversation…Buffalo cant throw the ball, they are running team that dinks and dunks…come on.
You know, the Braves beat the Phillies on their own field last night. Maybe we should put them in the playoffs.
Well, actully it was your point that the Dolphins had the momentum going their way, not mine. That was the logic you used in putting the Phins above the Jets in the power rankings.
And come on…Baseball and football should never be compared. Even the worst baseball team is going to win a game here and there verse the very best, but in football, the better team should win the game 8 out of 10 times.
Actually, I was referring to the Jets moreso than the Dolphins in terms of momentum. “After the Jets last two abysmal performances and Miami’s stunning road upset of the Patriots, both teams have the same record. Miami, however, has shown improvement while the Jets seemed to have regressed with each game.” My assertion is that the Jets have looked worse with each game. Their momentum is heading in the wrong direction.
I went to baseball only because we are only three games into the footall season. However, I’ll contest that there’s any higher likelihood for a bad team to beat a good team in baseball than in football. In fact, that’s where the saying comes from “on any given Sunday!”
I know, I read that load and clear, which is why I counterd with Indy lost a game at home vs JAX, yet are ranked higer…is their momentuem better ever with a home loss??????
I have no idea what you’re talking about. Try again in the morning when you’ve slept your load off.
Yeah i kind of had trouble following the last one too. I think he thinks Miami is better than Indy.