The upsets keep rolling in the NFL and our team of Power Rankers continue to scratch their heads in disbelief.
But with three games gone we’re getting to the stage now where performances can’t be ignored. It’s why our team is slowly coming round to the idea that the Cardinals could be for real, is losing faith in the New Orleans Saints powers of recovery, and is starting to think that maybe Ryan Kalil wasted some money in buying ad space that declared the Panthers Super Bowl bound.
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And now for the overall rankings (with last week’s position in brackets)
1. Houston Texans (1st)
There was never really any doubt was there? The offense is moving the ball nicely and in J.J. Watt they have the best defensive player in the NFL at the moment. They’re dominating right now.
2. Atlanta Falcons (5th)
They made it look oh so easy in San Diego. The defense is creating turnovers, while Matt Ryan is playing as well as he ever has. They could be out of sight in the NFC South before too long.
3. San Francisco 49ers (1st)
Was that a blip or an indication this is a team that will struggle playing from behind? The defense wasn’t it usual self and while the offense moved the ball, they didn’t put points up.
4. Baltimore Ravens (8th)
It’s never easy beating the Patriots, but the defense stepped up big when it counted. Concerns remain about the inconsistent Joe Flacco, but the offensive line had a fine day.
5. New England Patriots (3rd)
On one hand they’re 1-2. On the other, they’re two close field goals away from being undefeated. Those are the margins in the NFL and with Tom Brady looking at his best against Baltimore our team believes they’ll get back to winning ways and soon.
6. New York Giants (7th)
Was there a more convincing display this week then when the ‘real' Giants showed up and manhandled the Carolina Panthers?
7. Green Bay Packers (4th)
They haven’t had the easiest start to the season, but the offense just isn’t doing what it did last year. The great shame is the defense has stepped up. History has taught us to back an Aaron Rodgers-led team to get out of this.
8. Chicago Bears (13th)
Sam continues to believe in the Bears more than any other, but there remain some concerns over Jay Cutler. Will his carelessness cost them when they’re playing teams better than the Rams and Colts?
9. Dallas Cowboys (12th)
They labored to a win over the Bucs, but they’re above .500 with a win over a divisional rival to their name. They continue to do just the opposite of what you expect from them.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (6th)
Apparently some of our analysts are writing off their turnover woes as being something that will fix itself. The talent has never been the question, but the execution continues to disappoint.
11. Denver Broncos (10th)
Would their record look a lot better if they hadn’t faced the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in our rankings? The Manning question lingers, but that defense is playing well.
12. Arizona Cardinals (23rd)
Big jumpers this week as our team start to accept the possibility the Cards are for real. They’re following a similar formula to what brought the 49ers success, but can they keep it up? There next four games are extremely winnable and will give us a real indication of how far they can go.
13. Seattle Seahawks (17th)
Controversy aside, how well did that defense play? Let’s not forget that, because this unit is playing as well as any in the NFL right now.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (9th)
That was a hard loss to take, and no doubt the team needs James Harrison and Troy Polamalu to get healthy. Even so, we’re starting to ask questions as to whether age and salary cap restrictions are catching up with Pittsburgh.
15. Buffalo Bills (19th)
Were they that convincing against the Browns? The big problem remains Ryan Fitzpatrick who just doesn’t inspire any confidence. For their sake, they need to get their running backs healthy.
16. San Diego Chargers (11th)
So they get their first real test of the season and get schooled. Philip Rivers looked anything but a top quarterback and the defense was picked apart by Matt Ryan. Back to the drawing board.
17. Detroit Lions (16th)
They looked better in defeat with Matthew Stafford finally starting to find himself. It’s a big concern how little pressure this team is generating right now though, and that is going to continue to leave their linebackers and defensive backs exposed in coverage.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (20th)
As long as Andy Dalton carries on playing like that then they’ll keep picking up victories. It didn’t hurt to have Carlos Dunlap return either, with the defense showing an ability to get after a mobile quarterback. Upward trending.
19. New York Jets (18th)
They may be above .500, but they lost their best (and arguably most important) player, and were unconvincing in Miami. The mess they were in at the end of 2011 doesn’t appear to have cleared up.
20. Minnesota Vikings (28th)
Was that the game where Christian Ponder realized what he had to do to be a successful NFL starter? If so, how far can the Vikings go? One game doesn’t make a season so they need to use it as a springboard to being competitive in the NFC North.
21. New Orleans Saints (14th)
We’re losing patience with the Saints now. There’s really no excuse for throwing away victory as they did, and for their general sloppiness to start the season. Steve Spagnulo is making Gregg Williams look like a genius right now.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22nd)
They’re losing closely-fought games, but losing nonetheless. The offense took a backward step in Week 3.
23. Washington Redskins (21st)
That early season optimism has faded as injuries have caught up with them on defense, and teams have figured out how better to contain RG3. They’re in danger of being this year’s Carolina Panthers; lots of highlight reel plays, not so many wins.
24. Kansas City Chiefs (24th)
They’ve won with Matt Cassel before and will win with him again. So long as Jamaal Charles is healthy and turning every hole into a big gain. He’s done it before so don’t bet against him carrying this offense to glory.
25. Carolina Panthers (14th)
They were horrible on Thursday Night Football. Their quarterback looked anything but a leader and their defense was bullied. That was a problem last year, and you question if they have fixed it.
26. Tennessee Titans (25th)
Jake Locker was given time in the pocket and they scored two special teams touchdowns. But they need to move the ball down the field more consistently because they won’t make that many big plays on a weekly basis. Chris Johnson and the offensive line need to bond.
27. Miami Dolphins (29th)
Losing to a team that appeared as dysfunctional as the Jets did is never good and should act as a reminder this team is rebuilding.
28. St Louis Rams (25th)
Are they good enough on offense to move the ball on some of the league’s better teams? Not yet it would appear.
29. Indianapolis Colts (27th)
A heartbreaking defeat. But then maybe expectations are a little high for an Indianapolis team who seem loathe to except this as a rebuilding year.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (30th)
Cecil Shorts comes up with another big play that makes you question if maybe he should get on the field more. No doubt they’re missing Daryl Smith, but they need to get more pressure on the quarterback.
31. Oakland Raiders (31st)
They beat the Steelers, which in the old days used to propel you up the rankings. Not so anymore, as our team remain unconvinced by the staying power of the Raiders.
32. Cleveland Browns (32nd)
They’re competitive if nothing else, but they need to turn these spirited defeats into morale boosting wins.
Follow the team on Twitter: @PFF_Sam, @PFF_Khaled, @PFF_Neil, @PFF_NateJahnke
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