Week 3 Rankings

A Quick Rundown on Week 3

The Dolphins, Eagles, and Patriots all kicked last second field goals to improve to 2-1. Dallas scored a late touchdown and Jacksonville notced a touchdown in overtime, as both teams moved to 2-1.

Tampa Bay defeated Green Bay by one point, with Packer kicker Ryan Longwell missing an extra point early in the game. Indianapolis won another low-scoring affair, joining Tampa Bay, Washington, and Cincinnati as the only teams to escape week 3 without a loss. Cincinnati throttled Chicago, picking off 5 passes for the second consecutive week. Washington was on bye, allowing the Redskins to move in to first-place when the Giants got destroyed by LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers.



Now the fun part...

While most pundits have been ranking teams all along, I am following the lead of the collegiate Harris Poll, and I am ranking teams based on their performance in the first three weeks of the season. Here are the NFL's top 10 ten teams heading into week 4:

1. Indianapolis (3-0)
The Colts have been winning with defense and a newfound commitment to consistlenly running the ball. Peyton Manning has only 2 TDs after 3 games. putting him on pace for 11, a hair under the 49 he threw for last season. Will this trend continue? Probably not, but the Colts seem determined to hold on to the ball more this season, using the running game to control the clock. So far it has worked. But their defense has not had a real test yet, and likely won't until Week 6, when St. Louis visits Indy for a Monday night showdown.

2. Cincinnati (3-0)
It's not the Bengals fault they have had an easy schedule so far, but Carson Palmer looks like the new Peyton Manning, throwing for 786 yards and 8 TDs. putting him on pace for 42 TDs. Cincinnati will face its first test in week 5, in a road game against Jacksonville. A home game against Houston in week 4 will allow Palmer to keep pace with Peyton Manning of 2004, while the defense will continue to cause turnovers.

3. Tampa Bay (3-0)
The story in Tampa Bay has been Cadillac Williams, who has carried the ball an astonishing 88 times already, picking up 434 yards. How much longer can the rookie handle this kind of punishment? Tampa Bay coach John Gruden will most likely start giving Michael Pittman some carries to lighten the load, because Williams will have a shortened rookie season if he keeps carrying the ball 30 times a game. But so far with a strong running game, and a defense that is stopping the run and putting pressure on the quarterback, this team could be headed back to the playoffs.

4. New England (2-1)
New England beat Pittsburgh, but lost to Carolina, who lost to New Orleans and Miami. Miami beat Carolina and Denver, who got beat Kansas City and San Diego. What does this all tell us? I have no clue, but New England still has Tom Brady, and thanks to a clock error against Pittsburgh, he had enough time to move them down the field for a late win. Brady always finds a way to win (except against Carolina) which is why the Patriots are still near the top. Cincinnati and Tampa Bay ahead of New England? Give it a couple weeks, and things will equal out, but for now that's how it is.

5. Pittsburgh (2-1)
Pittsburgh hasn't beaten any good teams yet, but Roethlisburger is looking good and the offensive line is creating holes for fast Willie Parker, who didn't find much room to run against New England in week 3. The defense is still one of the best in the league, and until they lose to someone other than New England, they are one of the best teams in the league.

6. Seattle (2-1)
Seattle shut out Vick and the Falcons for one half, and Shaun Alexander has rounded back into form after being stifled by the Jaguars in week 1. SO why are the Seahawks number 6, when Kansas City, Denver, and Jacksonville aren't ranked? Well..I don't have answer for that other than not many teams can shut down Vick like they did, which shows me their defense is for real.

7. Atlanta (2-1)
Vick still can't win with his arm, but it doesn't matter because he can with his legs. But will he be able to hold up? He already has a hamstring injury. The defense has played well so far, besides the first half against Seattle in week 2. A week 5 showdown is looming with New England. IF Vick stays healthy, they can play with anyone, even the Patriots.

8. Philadelphia (2-1)
The Eagles lost a tough game to Atlanta, but would have won with Jeremiah Trotter in to stop the run. The offense still looks explosive, and Donovan McNabb is doing is his best impersonation of Steve McNair from two years ago, playing through injuries and leading his teams to victory. The defense continues to impress, although it nearly collapsed against Oakland in week 3.

9. Miami (2-1)
Miami has two quality wins against the Broncos and the Panthers. How have they done it with Gus Frerotte? Nick Saban has somehow got him playing the best he has played in years, and the defense is still solid and opportunistic. Let's see if this lasts. I am buying it for now, but there is still a lot of football to be played.

10. Washington (2-0)
Is this team really one of the ten best teams in the league? Before you stop laughing, let me tell you why they are...and its not just because they are undefeated....wait...ok..here it is. Their defense is still one of the league's best, and Mark Brunell might actually have some football left in him. Ok nevermind, they're only here because they're undefeated.