NFL Power Rankings: Week 3

NFL Power Rankings. The third weekend of the NFL is over and things are starting to pan out. Things that looked like they might be temporary situations look like they might be something to watch this year, like the Saints collapse and the Cowboys resurgence. It is now time for the third week of NFL Power Rankings on AC. The NFL Power Rankings are:

The Patriots are still the number one team after another blowout win and the Colts and Steelers round out the top 3.

The Saints and Bengals both lost again this week and they were pushed further down the rankings. The Eagles, Packers and Cowboys move up after solid week 3 performances and the Lions move down after their blowout loss in Philadelphia.

The Falcons take the bottoms spot in the rankings for the second straight week.

Without further adieu, here are the NFL Power Rankings:

1. New England Patriots

Another week and another blowout win for the Patriots. Randy Moss so far is the best statistical receiver in the NFL and Tom Brady is loving his new toy. The Patriots look like the team to beat early in the season.

Next Up: at Cincinnati

2. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts won once again to move to 3-0, this time by beating a pesky Texans team. Except for the Saints, the games have been close for the Colts, but these divisional teams always play them tough.

Next Up: Denver

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers look to be back to the form of their Super Bowl year. The Steelers improve to 3-0 and they look like they could be the team to beat in the AFC North. The Steelers will be measured best after they play the Bengals and the Ravens.

Next Up: at Arizona

4. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys look amazing as far as NFC teams go. They are now 3-0 and they have not had a problem game yet this season. This week they dismantled the Bears at Soldier Field and they look like the class of the NFC at this point in the season.

Next Up: St. Louis

5. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are now 2-1, but they could have been 3-0 without a costly interception thrown by Kyle Boller at the goal line in their opening game. The Ravens look good on defense and adequate on offense. The Steelers/Ravens game should be a great one to look forward too.

Next Up: at Cleveland

6. Green Bay Packers

The Packers 2-0 start was nice but no one, including me, gave them much of a chance when San Diego came to town. The Pack is now 3-0 and it is time that they get some respect. In the pitiful NFC North, having a 3-0 start goes a long way.

Next Up: at Minnesota

7. San Diego Chargers

The Chargers went on the road to Green Bay and came back with their tail between their legs. Although they have played 3 pretty good defenses, LaDainian Tomlinson has been a non-factor and that needs to change soon to right the ship. San Diego may be regretting hiring Norv Turner right about now.

Next Up: Kansas City

8. Denver Broncos

Denver's luck finally turned. After squeaking out last second wins twice this season they lost handily to the Jaguars. This could be a sign that the Jags are back, but it shows some weakness for the Broncos. The Broncos need to prove something next week.

Next Up: at Indianapolis

9. Tennessee Titans

The Titans and Vince Young went on the road to New Orleans on Monday night and came away big winners. Young looked great and Tennessee showed that they will be in the running all year long with that win and their narrow loss to the Colts.

Next Up: bye

10. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers look to be getting back on track. Jake Delhomme has looked better, but the question is, does he look that much better or is Steve Smith doing most of the work? Either way the Panthers are winning and that is enough for right now.

Next Up: Tampa Bay

11. Seattle Seahawks

After a last-second loss at Arizona last week, the Seahwaks got back on the winning track by beating the Bengals at home. The Seahawks are close to being 3-0, but a 2-1 record earns them the 11^th spot in the rankings this week.

Next Up: at San Francisco

12. Chicago Bears

The Bears were embarrassed at home when they played the Cowboys on Sunday night. The Bears don't look like they have the ability to stop anyone at this point and their offense is just horrible. The fans may have lost all patience with Rex Grossman.

Next Up: at Detroit

13. Houston Texans

The Texans may have lost on Sunday to the Colts, but they put up a pretty decent fight. The Texans are now 2-1 and they have no reason to be penalized too much for losing to one of the best teams in the game. The Texans certainly missed Andre Johnson last week.

Next Up: bye

14. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals just look out of sorts right now. Their offense can put up points in bunches, but their defense looks terrible and they just can't beat anyone. If it wasn't for a nice goal line stand against the Ravens they would be 0-3. The Bengals have some work to do if they expect to make the playoffs.

Next Up: New England

15. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers lost on the road in Pittsburgh on Sunday, but that isn't so hard to understand. The 49ers are now 2-1 and they are on top of the NFC West. Alex Smith and the offense has some work to do, but the defense looked much improved over last year.

Next Up: Seattle

16. Washington Redskins

The Redskins got off to a good start but losing to the Giants is a real setback. The Giants looked horrible before they played the Redskins and Washington could not get anything working offensively, and some bad play calls at the goal line may have cost them a 3-0 start.

Next Up: bye

17. Philadelphia Eagles

A very convincing win over the Lions may be the proof that the Eagles offense is not dead. The Eagles put up 56 points on the Lions, and while the Lions are not the class of the NFL this blowout was needed very much by the team and the fans.

Next Up: at New York Giants

18. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars pulled out a nice win at the Broncos. They are now 2-1 and move up the rankings because of a quality win. Beating Atlanta did not show anything, but putting up points against the Broncos defense shows good signs.

Next Up: bye

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers are winning games, but I am just not convinced yet. Maybe Jeff Garcia is the answer, but I don't think that Kansas City or New Orleans look like worthy opponents for anybody right now. A few more wins and the Bucs might be for real.

Next Up: at Carolina

20. New York Jets

The Jets benefited from playing a terrible Dolphins team on Sunday, but they didn't look very impressive at all. They gave up way too many points to the Dolphins and that proves that their defense needs some serious work.

Next Up: at Buffalo

21. New York Giants

The Giants earned their first win of the season by beating the Redskins on Sunday. Their offense showed some good things, but their defense left much to be desired once again. Without some work on the defensive side of the ball the Giants will be on the outside looking in come the playoffs.

Next Up: Philadelphia

22. Detroit Lions

The Eagles may have just unmasked the Lions for what they really are, a very defensively challenged team that can't run the ball. While the Lions are 2-1, their wins are not very impressive, and until they can stop teams from scoring or run the ball, they will not be successful against the better teams in the NFL.

Next Up: Chicago

23. New Orleans Saints

Last year's darlings are now 0-3 and show some glaring offensive and defensive problems. Their biggest offensive problem is their offensive line, which won't allow Brees or the offense to move the ball. Their biggest defensive problem might be Jason David who they brought in to be a shut down corner, but he can't even shut a door right now.

Next Up: bye

24. Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders earned their first win of the season on Sunday when they beat the Browns at home. While the Raiders are 1-2, they have been in every game this season and could have a better record to show. Culpepper may be the starter now that McCown is hurt.

Next Up: at Miami

25. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals beat Seattle, which was a big step, but they could not win on the road in Baltimore. This was somewhat expected, but the Cardinals offense needs to do a better job against the best defenses for a chance at the playoffs.

Next Up: Pittsburgh

26. Kansas City Chiefs

Larry Johnson is averaging less than 3 yards per carry and he is the only reliable offense that the Chiefs have. If he can't run the ball consistently than the Chiefs have no offense. It is about time Brodie Croyle gets a shot in KC.

Next Up: at San Diego

27. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings really need to find a quarterback. The Viking defense is pretty good, the running game is pretty good but they just can't move the ball through the air. Their receivers and quarterback are terrible and they are now 1-2. The Vikings don't look like they are going anywhere right now.

Next Up: Green Bay

28. St. Louis Rams

The Rams look pretty awful right now. Not only are they 0-3, they have lost 2 games at home and their offense, including Steven Jackson, has looked terrible. The Rams need to do something quick or they better start looking towards next season.

Next Up: at Dallas

29. Cleveland Browns

Browns fans is that they are not looking at a no-win season, the bad news is that they may be looking for a 3-win season again. Their offense went back to looking just OK against the Raiders on Sunday.

Next Up: Baltimore

30. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins look horrible so far. They lost to the Redskins, the Cowboys and now the Jets. The Jets looked horrible in their first two games, but the Dolphins made them look like a great offense. This certainly does not look like the same Dolphins defense of old.

Next Up: Oakland

31. Buffalo Bills

The Bills showed some good signs in their first game of the season against the Broncos, but since then they have not been in any game. Now it is obvious the Broncos offense made the Bills look better than they were. Here's to hoping Kevin Everett gets better soon.

Next Up: New York Jets

32. Atlanta Falcons

Another week and another loss for the Falcons. The good news is that the offense looked better, but the bad news is that the Falcons could not pull out a win. At this rate it is only a matter of time before Brian Brohm is reunited with his college coach, Bobby Petrino.

Next Up: Houston

Recap:

1. New England Patriots

2. Indianapolis Colts

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

4. Dallas Cowboys

5. Baltimore Ravens

6. Green Bay Packers

7. San Diego Chargers

8. Denver Broncos

9. Tennessee Titans

10. Carolina Panthers

11. Seattle Seahawks

12. Chicago Bears

13. Houston Texans

14. Cincinnati Bengals

15. San Francisco 49ers

16. Washington Redskins

17. Philadelphia Eagles

18. Jacksonville Jaguars

19. New York Jets

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

21. New York Giants

22. Detroit Lions

23. New Orleans Saints

24. Oakland Raiders

25. Arizona Cardinals

26. Kansas City Chiefs

27. Minnesota Vikings

28. St. Louis Rams

29. Cleveland Browns

30. Miami Dolphins

31. Buffalo Bills

32. Atlanta Falcons