BOD NFL Power Rankings Week 3

Welcome to the BOD NFL Power Rankings for Week 3! Some cloudy pictures from week 1 began to clear up this week, as some teams proved they are solid, while other winners from week 1 showed they were a flash, but some teams still fall under that “cloudy” moniker as it’s still just a little to early to teel just how good / bad they are. After this week’s games, there has been plenty of movement in the rankings, so let’s get to it! You’ll find each teams previous week ranking in parenthesis. First, The Top Ten.

#01: New England Patriots, 2-0 (1)

The defending World Champions are still perfect on the season, so there is no reason to move them out of the top spot. They will stay right here until someone is able to knock them off.
Last Game: Win 40-32 vs. Buffalo Bills
Next Game: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

#02: Green Bay Packers, 2-0 (2)

Another strong showing for Aaron Rogers and his depleted, yet still capable receiving crew as they held off the challenge of the Seattle Seahawks Sunday night.
Last Game: Win 27-17 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Next Game: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Monday night

#03: Arizona Cardinals, 2-0 (3)

The Cardinals put another notch in the win column this week, and are sitting atop the NFC West Division Standings. After ranking them so high last week, I was questioned a little in the comments. The Cardinals are for real, with a stout defense and solid play of Carson Palmer. The Cardinals are now 14-0 when Carson Palmer starts AND finishes a game. Along with that, they top the league in some key stats. They are #1 in 3rd down conversion %, showing that they consistently move the chains. They are #1 in non-offensive scoring, meaning that the defense and special teams are contributing to the cause. But the biggest stat is one that hardly anyone pays attention to, but indicates how prolific a team is. They top the league in Points Per Play at 0.725. That’s a touchdown in roughly every 9 plays.
Last Game: Win 48-23 at Chicago Bears
Next Game: vs. SF 49ers

#04: Denver Broncos, 2-0 (5)

Up one spot this week off their great comeback win against Kansas City Thursday night. The Broncos have ran their streak to 13 straight road wins vs division opponents.
Last Game: Win 31-24 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Next Game: at Detroit Lions, Sunday night

#05: Cincinnati Bengals, 2-0 (7)

Andy Dalton and the Bengals continued to play well this week with a victory over the Chargers. The offense is clicking well, and the defense doesn’t look too shabby either, but both sides of the ball will get a test this week as they go to Baltimore to play a desperate Ravens team.
Last Game: Win 24-19 vs. San Diego
Next Game: at Baltimore Ravens

#06: Pittsburgh Steelers, 1-1 (9)

If the Steelers could play like that every week, you could go ahead and give them the title. The offense rocked on Sunday, looking great in every phase of the game. I think Antonio Brown read my column last week where I alluded to Bryant being Pittsburgh’s best receiver, because he came out and torched the 49er secondary for huge gains. Hey Antonio…I saw that middle finger you gave me. This week, they have what I think is a tough showdown with the Rams, with both teams looking to get above .500.
Last Game: Win 43-18 vs. SF 49ers
Next Game: at St. Louis Rams

#07: Carolina Panthers, 2-0 (15)

It was really hard for me to raise the Panthers up this high because they have a lack of talent on the team. However, they continue to play well and do the things to just win the game. Thats grit, and this team seems to have a lot of it. Cam Newton and his “Superman” moves have the Panthers tied for first in the division already with Atlanta, and I think those two teams will battle all season with one of them coming out the champion.
Last Game: Win 24-17 vs. Houston Texans
Next Game: vs. New Orleans Saints

#08: Atlanta Falcons, 2-0 (17)

The Falcons got another late win Sunday taking them to 2-0 and propelling them into the top 10. The offense seems to moving along well behind the solid receiving games of Julio Jones. I’m not sure they have been tested yet, as I still don’t know what to make of either the Eagles or the Giants, but for now, the Falcons look good. We’ll see how they do against a Romo-less Cowboys next week.
Last Game: Win 24-20 vs New York Giants
Next Game: at Dallas Cowboys

#09: New York Jets, 2-0 (24)

The biggest jump in the rankings this week, the Jets move up 15 spots into the top ten. 10 turnovers….when I hear that about the Jets, I think of Geno Smith. But no, this time we’re talking about the defense and how many take aways they have in just two games this season. The defense looks really strong, and the offense is doing enough to supplement that. The team is playing with fire right now, and as long as they are able to keep that up, they should stay in the top 10.
Last Game: Win 20-7 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Next Game: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

#10: Dallas Cowboys, 2-0 (6)

Dez Bryant out for a while. Tony Romo out for 8 weeks. Brandon Wheedon as starting QB. Things look bleak for the Cowboys right now, but they are still 2-0. The running game still looks decent. They just signed QB Matt Cassell. I just don’t know how this Cowboys squad will do for the next eight weeks in Romo’s absence, but if that running game can stay consistent, and the defense can step up, they may still be in the hunt with Romo gets back.
Last Game: Win 20-10 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Next Game: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Now for the rest…….

11: Miami Dolphins, 1-1 (8)
12: Seattle Seahawks, 0-2 (6)
13: San Diego Chargers, 1-1 (11)
14: Kansas City Chiefs, 1-1 (13)
15: Minnesota Vikings, 1-1 (25)
16: St. Louis Rams, 1-1 (14)
17: Buffalo Bills, 1-1 (16)
18: Indianapolis Colts, 0-2 (10)
19: Baltimore Ravens, 0-2 (12)
20: Jacksonville Jaguars, 1-1 (28)
21: New York Giants, 0-2 (18)
22: Washington Redskins, 1-1 (29) * #1 in Rushing, #1 in Def. Yards Allowed, #1 T.O.P*
23: Tennessee Titans, 1-1 (22)
24: Philadelphia Eagles, 0-2 (19)
25: Oakland Raiders, 1-1 (31)
26: Detroit Lions, 0-2 (20)
27: San Francisco 49ers, 1-1 (23)
28: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1-1 (30)
29: Cleveland Browns, 1-1 (30)
30: Houston Texans, 0-2 (27)
31: New Orleans Saints, 0-2 (26)
32: Chicago Bears, 0-2 (21)

I’ll be back later in the week with the Odds & Picks column. Last week, I went 5-0. Hopefully, I can do the same again this week!