NFL Power Rankings - Week 3

Below are the power rankings heading into week 3. The points are based on a score calculated that takes into account record, strength of schedule, home / win record, amongst other factors.


1. Denver Broncos 87

Notes: The Broncos are exceeding expectations, if that's at all possible, with two dominant wins against the Super Bowl champions from the last two years.

2. Seattle Seahawks 78

Notes: In a conference filled with a bunch of talented teams, the Seahawks are looking like the dominant team. 

3. Houston Texans 63

Notes: The Texans barely won games against two teams they should have easily beaten, but this team should find their stride. They are still the best in the AFC next to the Broncos.

4. Chicago Bears 58
Notes: People forget that this team started off 7-1 last year and, even though ended the season on a weak note, did have a 10-6 record. This team will be competing for a playoff spot all year.

5.  Miami Dolphins: 57
Notes: The way the Pats are barely winning games against mediocre teams, the Dolphins just might surprisingly take the division this year.

6. New Orleans Saints 55

Notes: After going 0-5 last year, the Saints start off the season 2-0 behind the leadership of Payton.

7. Kansas City Chiefs 53
Notes: Andy Reid has already matched the Chiefs win total from last year in the first two games of the season.

8. Green Bay Packers: 39

Notes: The Packers completely destroyed the Redskins.  The Bears will compete with them for the division, but the Packers should easily be another playoff team this year.

9. New England Patriots: 38
Notes:  They don't look the Patriots of previous years, even though they are 2-0. The Dolphins are looking like the better team right now.

10.  San Francisco 49ers 29
Notes:  After looking great against the Packers, the 49ers looked anything but against the Seahawks.

11. Cincinnati Bengals: 19

Notes: There's a lot of hype surrounding the Bengals this year. While they look like the best in the AFC North, they still have a lot to prove in order to show that they're at the level of the Broncos or Texans.

12.  Atlanta Falcons 13

Notes: The loss to the Saints could hurt the Falcons later on. The division won't be as easy for them to clinch as it was last year with the Saints showing signs of life this year.

13. San Diego Chargers: 12

Notes: The Chargers look to be demanding more respect and could end up being a wildcard upset this year.

14. Detroit Lions: 11

Notes: I think the Lions will escape the cellar this year (over the Vikings), but penalties are a huge issue and will continue to lose this team some games.

15. Dallas Cowboys: 9

Notes: The NFC East is completely up in the air (no one looks great). The Cowboys look slightly better than everyone else, but will need to work on turnovers in order to be a competitive playoff team.

16. Philadelphia Eagles: 8

Notes: The Eagles could go 12-4 or 4-12 this year and neither would surprise me. Hard to see if this team is a legit playoff contender just yet or if Chip Kelly's offense will ultimately pay off.

17. Tennessee Titans: 6

Notes: I thought the Titans were going to be bad this year, but they actually look fairly decent so far and were very close to starting off 2-0.

18. Indianapolis Colts: 3

Notes: I thought the Colts last year were a very weak playoff team and this year they are doing little to prove me wrong.

19. St. Louis Rams 1

Notes: The Rams show that they compete, but will have a hard time fighting for a playoff spot in a division with the 49ers and the Seahawks.

20 New York Jets: 0

Notes: A lot of people had the Jets being amongst the worst in the NFL. They certainly don't look great, but Smith looks significantly better than Sanchez already and might surprise a lot of people this year.

21. Arizona Cardinals -1

Notes: Carson Palmer provides  a much needed offensive lift for this team (and for Fitzgerald), but the Cardinals play in one of the toughest divisions in football and will struggle to not end up in last.

22. Baltimore Ravens: - 2

Notes: This team looks far from the team that won the Super Bowl just last year. I will be surprised if they make the playoffs.

23. Oakland Raiders -3

Notes: This team was expected to be the worst in the league by many, but Pryor is looking to be decent. That being said, they need to beat better teams than the Jags to prove themselves.

24. Buffalo Bills - 9

Notes: The Bills look better, but won't end up past .500 this year.

25. Carolina Panthers: - 11

Notes: Cam Newton can't get a break and is facing another mediocre season.

26. Minnestota Vikings -38

Notes: Unless they do something about Ponder, the Vikings will not be back in the playoffs again this year.

27. New York Giants: - 39

Notes: The Giants are looking anything but a playoff team (pains me to say this as a Giants fan). If they keep turning the ball over like they have been, they won't go past 5-11 let alone miss the playoffs.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: - 40

Notes: I thought this team would return to 2011 form this year, but I look to be far from right so far. 

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: - 41

Notes: That loss to the Jets might haunt this team all year.

30. Cleveland Browns: -44

Notes: A win against the Ravens would have been a nice surprise, but you can't win games with zero offense.

31. Washington Redskin: - 47

Notes: RGIII doesn't look like he fully recovered from his injury. If he can't find his rhythm, this team is doomed.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars:-80

Notes: I would't be surprised if this teams end up 0-16. They're terrible.