Week 3 Rankings (Last Week)1. Green Bay Packers 2-0 (8)
Green Bay was the dominating team I expected in week 2, but the Buffalo Bills are absolutely anemic in every phase of the game and would probably come in at #3 in this weeks NCAA AP Poll. Despite the weak opponent, Green Bay has the best combination of great offense and defense so they took over the top spot this week.
2. New Orleans Saints 2-0 (2)
The Saints haven't looked all that impressive, but they've done what they had to do and are 2-0. Their offense isn't clicking the way it was last year, but they went up against a tough Vikings D in week 1 and a S.F. defense led by Patrick Willis and a swirling wind in week 2, so I'll give them a pass. This offense is due to explode soon.
3. Indianapolis Colts 1-1 (6)
That's more like it. The team that annihilated the Giants from the opening kickoff is the team I picked to win the 2011 Super Bowl. I was tempted to put the Colts back to #1, but I feel like an undefeated team deserves to be at the top this early. That said, the Colts' loss to the Texans was not a bad one at all, and I expect the Colts to reclaim the top spot eventually.
4. Houston Texans 2-0 (5)
The Texans made a miraculous comeback against the Redskins to get to 2-0 and climb to #4 in this weeks rankings. Andre Johnson is an absolute beast, and Matt Schaub threw for nearly 500 yards. With the emergence of Arian Foster, this offense will be impossible to stop all year, and the defense is pretty good too.
5. Baltimore Ravens 1-1 (3)
Speaking of defense, Ray Lewis and company are an amazing unit, and if not for a few questionable calls this team could be 2-0 in spite of its offensive struggles. I expect Flacco and the offense to get it together, and Ray Rice is due a breakout game. I feel sorry for the Browns this week.
6. N.Y. Jets 1-1 (7)
The Jets were impressive in dismantling the Patriots. This defense is downright scary, but possibly losing Revis for a game or 2 could hurt, especially with a trip to 2-0 Miami coming up on Sunday night.
7. N.E. Patriots 1-1 (1)
The Patriots lost the top spot and possibly their stranglehold on the AFC East by losing to the Jets, but a drop-off from their amazing week 1 performance was expected. The Patriots are still a great team and should be fine going forward.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-0 (10)
This franchise continues to amaze me, but I don't even know why I'm surprised anymore. They just always find a way to get it done, despite now being down to their 4th string QB. This defense is spectacular, and Troy Polamalu and company pulled out the win without any help from the offense.
9. Atlanta Falcons 1-1 (13)
The Falcons laid a beatdown on the Cardinals, with Jason Snelling filling in just fine for an injured Michael Turner. Huge division game at the Saints this week.
10. N.Y. Giants 1-1 (4)
The Colts jumped on the Giants from the opening kickoff, and older brother Peyton put baby bro Eli in his place. Despite the beating, I still thing the Giants are a playoff team.
11. Tennessee Titans 1-1 (9)
The Steelers defense did the unthinkable, shutting down Chris Johnson and forcing Jeff Fisher to bring Kerry Collins off the bench in relief of an ineffective Vince Young. Another tough game in New York against the Giants coming up this week.
12. Washington Redskins 1-1 (16)
The Redskins lost an absolute heartbreaker to the Texans, blowing a 17 point 2nd half lead and missing several opportunities to win the game anyway. I'm still very impressed by this team, and look for them to contend for a playoff spot.
13. Miami Dolphins 2-0 (19)
The Dolphins have pulled out 2 close road wins, including an impressive performance in Minnesota against the Vikings. It doesn't get any easier this week as the Jets come to town for a Sunday night tilt, and if they leave week three 3-0 I will be a believer.
14. San Diego Chargers 1-1 (18)
The Chargers played a great all around game after a disappointing loss on Monday night in week 1. The offense exploded despite losing Ryan Matthews to an injury, but Mike Tolbert filled in admirably and Rivers and company seemed to be clicking on all cylinders.
15. K.C. Chiefs 2-0 (14)
The Chiefs are a surprise at 2-0, but they didn't look nearly as good in week 2 as they did in week 1. They pulled out a close game late against a pretty sad looking Cleveland team, but this passing game has to find some answers if this team is going to contend for a playoff spot.
16. Minnesota Vikings 0-2 (11)
Tough luck early in the season for the Vikings. They are clearly missing star WR Sidney Rice, but Brett Farve has had a terrible start to the season and is probably wishing he had stayed at home in Mississippi right about now.
17. Chicago Bears 2-0 (21)
The Bears are 2-0, but I'm not totally convinced they are a playoff contender just yet. Their offense looked great this week, but the Cowboys are clearly in a funk and Chicago should have lost to Detroit in week 1. We will learn a lot more about this team when they host Green Bay on Monday night.
18. Philadelphia Eagles 1-1 (12)
The Eagles appeared to have an easy win against the Lions, but they nearly gave the game away late. This team looks much better with Michael Vick at the helm, but Andy Reid has already said Kevin Kolb will be reinstated as the starter this week against Jacksonville. Regardless of who starts at QB, RB LeSean McCoy looks great and should be relied on heavily all season.
19. Cincinnati Bengals 1-1 (20)
Didn't get to see much of this game, but I was surprised to see them get the win against the Ravens. Not really sure how they did it with very little offense, but beating Baltimore is pretty impressive. The Bengals should have it much easier against a pathetic tackling Panther team this week.
20. Denver Broncos 1-1 (24)
The Broncos bounced back well with a savage beating of the Seahawks, but it gets much tougher this week against Indy.
21. Dallas Cowboys 0-2 (15)
The Cowboys have to be the most disappointing team in the NFL so far this season. They have all the talent in the world, but just can't seem to put it all together. WR Miles Austin is playing great and the offense is piling up yards, but this team is just making too many mistakes. They are in desperate need of a win, but a road trip to Houston isn't exactly what the doctor ordered.
22. S.F. 49ers 0-2 (29)
I was pretty hard on the 49ers in week 1, but they were pathetic in getting shelled by the Seahawks and deserved the 29th spot. They fought much harder in week 2, taking the defending champion Saints to the last second before losing on a field goal as time expired.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-1 (17)
This team just bores me. Garrard was awful against the Chargers, and running back MJD was nonexistent. The Jags host the Eagles this week in a game that could decide which way this season will go.
24. Tampa Bay Bucs 2-0 (31)
The good news for the Bucs is they are 2-0. The bad news is their wins have come against 2 of the worst teams in the NFL, and they have been less than impressive in either game. Time for a wake up call as the Steelers come to town this week.
25. Detroit Lions 0-2 (27)
This team is really not that bad. They would have beat the Bears in week 1 if not for a terrible ruling on Calvin Johnson's late TD, and they nearly came back to beat the Eagles in week 2. Rookie RB Jahvid Best went absolutely nuts this week, and he will never be left on my fantasy football bench ever again.
26. Arizona Cardinals 1-1 (25)
The Cardinals followed up their week 1 road win with a pathetic showing against the Falcons. RB Tim Hightower and WR Larry Fitzgerald look great, but that's about it. On the plus side they do have the Raiders coming to town this week, so they should have a great opportunity to get another win.
27. Seattle Seahawks 1-1 (22)
As impressive as the Seahawks were in crushing the 49ers in week 1, they were equally unimpressive in their week 2 flogging at the hands of the Broncos.
28. Cleveland Browns 0-2 (30)
The Browns aren't very good, and it only gets harder with a trip to Baltimore this week.
29. St. Louis Rams 0-2 (26)
This team has a bright future with rookie QB Sam Bradford and stud RB Steven Jackson, but 2 close losses to pretty bad teams means this year will be a bit of a struggle. They at least should much more competitive than last year.
30. Oakland Raiders 1-1 (32)
Darren McFadden has been one of the best running backs in the league so far, but unfortunately for him he doesn't have much help. Jason Campbell already got benched in favor of Bruce Gradkowski, a move that should last the whole season due to Campbell's lack of heart.
31. Carolina Panthers 0-2 (23)
It really saddens me to do it, but my Panthers come in as the 2nd worst team in the league this week. The tackling was absolutely atrocious against the Bucs, and this team is just making too many costly turnovers. Hopefully the change at QB with Jimmy "Football" Clausen taking over will turn things around, but I'm not holding my breath.
32. Buffalo Bills 0-2 (28)
This team is terrible. They have a few decent RB's, but they need a QB and a better O-line to be competitive. With a game in New England coming up next, the Bills should remain the #1 bottom feeder for at least another week.
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