NFL Power Rankings - Week 3
At least I warned you. This NFL season is going to be a tough one to dissect. I'll have a handle on it by Week 5. That's my estimate. Until then, here's my Week 3 stab.
32. St. Louis Rams (0-2)
Don't let that Washington game last week fool you. They're really bad. I promise.
31. Cleveland Browns (0-2)
I'm very excited to pick against them the entire season. They're rookie CB picked a fight with the entire team. That's always a good sign.
30. Detroit Lions (0-2)
Not completely inept on offense. So, yeah, maybe they'll score enough to cover spreads.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2)
I'm reticent about having them ranked this highly. Byron Leftwich is not good at football. I used to think he was. I was wrong.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2)
It doesn't say a lot about the teams ranked lower than the Chiefs that they move up a few slots in losing at home to the Raiders who usually find a way to lose close games. And the game was in KC.
27. Miami Dolphins (0-2)
Why are they running a high school's offense in the 2-minute drill? Is this really an NFL playbook on offense? Go the other way.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
I have officially given up on them after loving them last week at home. I watched most of their game and got zero entertainment out of it. Their fans have given up on their team and their team has given up on its coach. Not good.
25. Oakland Raiders (1-1)
If they had a QB this could actually be a good team. I would be scared that JaMarcus might read this and try and throw something at me but I could pull a William Wallace, stand 10 feet in front of him and watch whatever he's throwing sail 10 feet over my head.
24. Buffalo Bills (1-1)
T.O.'s back! Just kidding. Last week's game was more about the lack of competition on the other side of the ball than a resurgent Bills performance.
23. Denver Broncos (2-0)
Damned straight I'm putting a 2-0 team this low. They won on the Annexation of Puerto Rico in Week 1 and then played the Browns at home in Week 2. They will not win more than 6 games. The Sports Guy's wrong on this one.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)
I'm not sure who lit a fire under this team but that was an inspired performance at Lambeau last week. Let's see if it continues. I'm just happy that 85 is back.
21. Washington Redskins (1-1)
In a very odd scene, the Redskins got routinely booed at home during a win. That's because they played the Rams and deserved to lose. Thankfully I can never make them my Survival Pick again.
20. Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
This is the Seneca Wallace factor. Cool name, not a good QB though.
19. Carolina Panthers (0-2)
I haven't completely given up on them. A tough two games to start the season but it's not like they played easy competition in the Eagles and Falcons. They could still right the ship.
18. Houston Texans (1-1)
Could the please do me a favor and let me know ahead of time whether or not the offense is going to show up? I would greatly appreciate it.
17. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
I'm not sold yet. I think the Jaguars could just be that bad. Call me in a week.
16. Chicago Bears (1-1)
That was an impressive win against the defending champs. Pittsburgh did blow that game but the Bears still had to capitalize and finish things off. Not too shabby. Jay Cutler's new name is O'Doyle though. Every time he throws a TD, I picture him throwing his hands in the air and yelling, "O'Doyle Rules!"
15. Tennessee Titans (0-2)
Uh oh, they'll need a W this week in NY to avoid a freefall. Chris Johnson is fast though.
14. Green Bay Packers (1-1)
So, um, yeah, they're my NFC pick. Can I get a mulligan on that one?
13. New York Jets (2-0)
I feel like Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan are on a honeymoon right now. Has Mark met Buddy Ryan yet? Did Buddy approve? The relationship will be tested against Tennessee this week.
12. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
This team's run like a high school boot camp, but it works for them. The discipline suits them well. They could be players in the NFC West, which is like winning third place in a 3-man race, but still.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
Why did they pick Jeff Garcia up if they weren't going to start him this week? Good luck with Kevin Kolb. Luckily they could win with me at QB this week.
10. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
They'd be great if you didn't need a secondary to play football. I know everyone is piling on Tony Romo but I see the secondary as more of a red flag than Big Ton' (pronounced, "Big Tone").
9. Minnesota Vikings (2-0)
Woo hoo! We beat the Browns and the Lions! Let's celebrate!
8. New England Patriots (1-1)
I'm not freaking out yet. Give Brady time. He'll feed off of the doubters. He has that Tiger Woods/MJ blood running through him.
7. San Diego Chargers (1-1)
I still think they have enough talent to mask the fact that nobody knows how to call plays on this team. They'll get many weeks off in the AFC West games too. They'll fumble around to an 11-5 season. And then lose in the playoffs.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
It is more than evident that they miss Polamalu back there. When he gets back they'll start their run. The only question is, how will they do without home field in the playoffs?
5. Atlanta Falcons (2-0)
Ho hum, a team that nobody is talking about is off to a solid 2-0 start. I know they were home wins, but Carolina isn't as bad as people, myself included, think. The Falcons will be there at the end.
4. New Orleans Saints (2-0)
The goal in football is to score more points than the other team. Is there a team that can outscore the Saints? Defense shmefence.
3. New York Giants (2-0)
I've said before that they will struggle when Eli gets pressured, but is there a team that can get past the Giants' O-line? If not, Eli is good enough to complete passes to wide open receivers. Could be good enough for 11-12 wins.
2. Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
I am LOVING that over 8.5 wins play I made before the season started. LOVING it.
1. Indianapolis Colts (2-0)
It's not that I think they're the best team in the league, it's just that I'm not sure anyone else belongs here. That doesn't make sense. On to the weekly picks
WEEK 3 PICKS
Tennessee +2.5 at New York Jets
Kansas City +7.5 at Philadelphia
Baltimore -13.5 vs. Cleveland
New York Giants -6.5 at Tampa Bay
Houston -3.5 vs. Jacksonville
San Francisco +7 at Minnesota
Atlanta +4.5 at New England (weird pick, I think NE wins by 3)
Detroit +6.5 vs. Washington (Washington should never be favored by 6.5, especially on the road. Witness last week.)
Green Bay -6.5 at St. Louis
Chicago -2.5 at Seattle
New Orleans -6 at Buffalo
San Diego -5.5 vs. Miami
Cincinnati +3.5 vs. Pittsburgh
Oakland +1.5 vs. Denver
Indianapolis +2.5 at Arizona
Carolina +8.5 at Dallas
Last Week: 7-9
Season: 17-15
32. St. Louis Rams (0-2)
Don't let that Washington game last week fool you. They're really bad. I promise.
31. Cleveland Browns (0-2)
I'm very excited to pick against them the entire season. They're rookie CB picked a fight with the entire team. That's always a good sign.
30. Detroit Lions (0-2)
Not completely inept on offense. So, yeah, maybe they'll score enough to cover spreads.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2)
I'm reticent about having them ranked this highly. Byron Leftwich is not good at football. I used to think he was. I was wrong.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2)
It doesn't say a lot about the teams ranked lower than the Chiefs that they move up a few slots in losing at home to the Raiders who usually find a way to lose close games. And the game was in KC.
27. Miami Dolphins (0-2)
Why are they running a high school's offense in the 2-minute drill? Is this really an NFL playbook on offense? Go the other way.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
I have officially given up on them after loving them last week at home. I watched most of their game and got zero entertainment out of it. Their fans have given up on their team and their team has given up on its coach. Not good.
25. Oakland Raiders (1-1)
If they had a QB this could actually be a good team. I would be scared that JaMarcus might read this and try and throw something at me but I could pull a William Wallace, stand 10 feet in front of him and watch whatever he's throwing sail 10 feet over my head.
24. Buffalo Bills (1-1)
T.O.'s back! Just kidding. Last week's game was more about the lack of competition on the other side of the ball than a resurgent Bills performance.
23. Denver Broncos (2-0)
Damned straight I'm putting a 2-0 team this low. They won on the Annexation of Puerto Rico in Week 1 and then played the Browns at home in Week 2. They will not win more than 6 games. The Sports Guy's wrong on this one.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)
I'm not sure who lit a fire under this team but that was an inspired performance at Lambeau last week. Let's see if it continues. I'm just happy that 85 is back.
21. Washington Redskins (1-1)
In a very odd scene, the Redskins got routinely booed at home during a win. That's because they played the Rams and deserved to lose. Thankfully I can never make them my Survival Pick again.
20. Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
This is the Seneca Wallace factor. Cool name, not a good QB though.
19. Carolina Panthers (0-2)
I haven't completely given up on them. A tough two games to start the season but it's not like they played easy competition in the Eagles and Falcons. They could still right the ship.
18. Houston Texans (1-1)
Could the please do me a favor and let me know ahead of time whether or not the offense is going to show up? I would greatly appreciate it.
17. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
I'm not sold yet. I think the Jaguars could just be that bad. Call me in a week.
16. Chicago Bears (1-1)
That was an impressive win against the defending champs. Pittsburgh did blow that game but the Bears still had to capitalize and finish things off. Not too shabby. Jay Cutler's new name is O'Doyle though. Every time he throws a TD, I picture him throwing his hands in the air and yelling, "O'Doyle Rules!"
15. Tennessee Titans (0-2)
Uh oh, they'll need a W this week in NY to avoid a freefall. Chris Johnson is fast though.
14. Green Bay Packers (1-1)
So, um, yeah, they're my NFC pick. Can I get a mulligan on that one?
13. New York Jets (2-0)
I feel like Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan are on a honeymoon right now. Has Mark met Buddy Ryan yet? Did Buddy approve? The relationship will be tested against Tennessee this week.
12. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
This team's run like a high school boot camp, but it works for them. The discipline suits them well. They could be players in the NFC West, which is like winning third place in a 3-man race, but still.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
Why did they pick Jeff Garcia up if they weren't going to start him this week? Good luck with Kevin Kolb. Luckily they could win with me at QB this week.
10. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
They'd be great if you didn't need a secondary to play football. I know everyone is piling on Tony Romo but I see the secondary as more of a red flag than Big Ton' (pronounced, "Big Tone").
9. Minnesota Vikings (2-0)
Woo hoo! We beat the Browns and the Lions! Let's celebrate!
8. New England Patriots (1-1)
I'm not freaking out yet. Give Brady time. He'll feed off of the doubters. He has that Tiger Woods/MJ blood running through him.
7. San Diego Chargers (1-1)
I still think they have enough talent to mask the fact that nobody knows how to call plays on this team. They'll get many weeks off in the AFC West games too. They'll fumble around to an 11-5 season. And then lose in the playoffs.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
It is more than evident that they miss Polamalu back there. When he gets back they'll start their run. The only question is, how will they do without home field in the playoffs?
5. Atlanta Falcons (2-0)
Ho hum, a team that nobody is talking about is off to a solid 2-0 start. I know they were home wins, but Carolina isn't as bad as people, myself included, think. The Falcons will be there at the end.
4. New Orleans Saints (2-0)
The goal in football is to score more points than the other team. Is there a team that can outscore the Saints? Defense shmefence.
3. New York Giants (2-0)
I've said before that they will struggle when Eli gets pressured, but is there a team that can get past the Giants' O-line? If not, Eli is good enough to complete passes to wide open receivers. Could be good enough for 11-12 wins.
2. Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
I am LOVING that over 8.5 wins play I made before the season started. LOVING it.
1. Indianapolis Colts (2-0)
It's not that I think they're the best team in the league, it's just that I'm not sure anyone else belongs here. That doesn't make sense. On to the weekly picks
WEEK 3 PICKS
Tennessee +2.5 at New York Jets
Kansas City +7.5 at Philadelphia
Baltimore -13.5 vs. Cleveland
New York Giants -6.5 at Tampa Bay
Houston -3.5 vs. Jacksonville
San Francisco +7 at Minnesota
Atlanta +4.5 at New England (weird pick, I think NE wins by 3)
Detroit +6.5 vs. Washington (Washington should never be favored by 6.5, especially on the road. Witness last week.)
Green Bay -6.5 at St. Louis
Chicago -2.5 at Seattle
New Orleans -6 at Buffalo
San Diego -5.5 vs. Miami
Cincinnati +3.5 vs. Pittsburgh
Oakland +1.5 vs. Denver
Indianapolis +2.5 at Arizona
Carolina +8.5 at Dallas
Last Week: 7-9
Season: 17-15
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