Pre-Week 4 Power RankingsWritten by Nick Caron
BringTheBlitz.com
1. New England Patriots (3-0)Tom Brady and Randy Moss are completely dominating opposing defenses at this stage of the season. Brady has hit Moss for a league-high five touchdowns and Moss and it looks like Randy is finally happy with his situation. In three games, the Patriots have outscored opponents 114-35.
2. Indianapolis Colts (3-0)The Colts are undefeated after three games with two close division wins over the Titans and Texans in back-to-back weeks. Manning and the offense have been very good, but the defense is still a question mark; having allowed the Texans to score 24 without Andre Johnson.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)The Steelers beat up on two consensus non-playoff teams in the first two weeks of the season, but they got a true test in week three as they hosted the 2-0 San Francisco 49ers. The Steelers completely shut down pro bowl RB Frank Gore and the offense looked good in a 37-16 victory. Willie Parker has now run for 100-yards in four consecutive games.
4. Dallas Cowboys (3-0)The only team in NFL history that has scored more points over the first three games of the season than the 2007 Cowboys were the 2000 St. Louis Rams. That Rams team went on to set the season scoring record and win the Superbowl. Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense made the Bears’ defense look average and the defense played well enough to keep them comfortably ahead in the second half of their Sunday night game.
5. Green Bay Packers (3-0)Perhaps the most surprising 3-0 team this season, the Packers have come out firing on all cylinders this season. The Packers defense contained the best running back in the league in week 3 and the passing offense, led by Brett Favre, has looked great so far. The one glaring area of weakness on this team is the run offense and the Packers will head to Minnesota this week to play arguably the best run defense in the league. Look for a lot of Favre this week at the Metrodome as he will likely break the career passing touchdown record.
6. Baltimore Ravens (2-1)After turning the ball over 6 times in a week one loss to the Bengals, the Ravens appear to be getting into stride on offense. Before being taken out of the game, Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was 20-27 for 198 yards. When Kyle Boller came in, he continued the good play, completing 8 of 10 passes for 83 yards. The defense continues to be one of the league’s very best and this team is on track for another good season.
7. Seattle Seahawks (2-1)After a tight week two loss to the Cardinals, the Seahawks were able to hold off the Bengals in week three. Many predicted that the 49ers or Rams would unseat the Seahawks as the NFC West champions, but the Seahawks appear to still be the class of the division. We’ll see what the Seahawks do in more divisional play this week as the head to San Francisco.
8. San Diego Chargers (1-2)Phillip Rivers started week three with a red-hot arm, going 15-of-15 at the beginning of the game, tying a franchise record. It was the great play of the Packers defense and the lackluster protection and blocking from the Chargers offensive line that did this team in on offense in week three. LaDainian Tomlinson still has not hit 100-yards rushing this season and has been visibly frustrated with the team’s 0-2 record.
9. Tennessee Titans (2-1)With their Monday night win over the Saints, the Titans have now won a record five straight road games going back to 2006. The Titans manhandled the Saints, getting pressure on Brees all night long, and almost completely shutting down the lethal Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister combination. Keith Bulluck and the defense should be highlighted for their performance, though the national spotlight will remain on quarterback Vince Young; who also played well under pressure.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)The Jaguars played the best they have all season in week three as they walked into Denver and took down the undefeated Broncos. They were embarrassed in week one by the Titans, but the Jaguars appear to be turning things around. They are off in week 4, and they head to Kansas City in week 5.
11. Carolina Panthers (2-1)In one of the more shocking games of week three, the Panthers had to mount a 4th-quarter comeback against the hapless Atlanta Falcons. David Carr came into the game when Jake Delhomme was knocked out due to injury. Carr went 3-of-4 for 56 yards, but it was the defense which held them in the game; holding the Falcons to under 100-yards on the ground. Week four sees the Panthers get the surging Buccaneers in an early-season divisional game which will determine the top ranked team in the division.
12. Houston Texans (2-1)Without star wide receiver Andre Johnson, the Houston Texans were expected to get absolutely destroyed by the defending Superbowl champion Colts. Surprisingly, the Texans, led by a big game from quarterback Matt Schaub, marched up and down the field and kept it very close until the final whistle.
13. Chicago Bears (1-2)The blame has officially been placed right on the shoulders of quarterback Rex Grossman following the Bears’ 34-10 home loss to the Cowboys. Grossman looked brutal, throwing three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Devin Hester was held in check by the Cowboys and the defense looked very average as Tony Romo torched them on countless third downs. If this team wants to make another run at the Superbowl, they need to turn things around, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)For the second straight week, the Buccaneers looked completely dominant, this time in a convincing win over the now 0-3 St. Louis Rams. The Buccaneers have played two teams which were supposed to have two of the best offenses in the league – the Rams and the Saints – and completely shut them down. The Buccaneers might the biggest ‘sleepers’ of the season.
15. Denver Broncos (2-1)The Broncos led the league in total yardage over the first two weeks of the season, winning two close games over the inept Raiders and Bills. In their first true test of the season, however, the Broncos offense was held to just 14 points and the defense did not look exceptionally good, allowing the Jaguars team to rush for nearly 200 yards. Denver has a tough task next week as they head into Indianapolis to face the Colts.
16. San Francisco 49ers (2-1)At 2-0 with two close division wins, the 49ers were riding high atop of the NFC West. But it was a realty check in week three when they went on the road to face the Steelers. Their performance on both sides of the ball was absolutely brutal. Alex Smith completed under 50% of his passes, but finally threw his first touchdown pass of the year – unfortunately, it was to a Steelers defensive back. Smith did eventually throw one touchdown pass to teammate Taylor Jacobs, but he has still been very disappointing this season.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)The Bengals were given their second consecutive loss in a road game against the Seahawks on Sunday. The Bengals offense was moving the ball decently, but Carson Palmer threw two big interceptions and the defense couldn’t stop the Seahawks. Rudi Johnson went out of the game with an injury in the 3rd quarter and numerous players were injured on the defense. This team is slipping very quickly and is now last in the division after a huge week one win over the Ravens.
18. Washington Redskins (2-1)The Redskins were well on their way to a dominating the Giants this week, but a colossal meltdown let a 17-3 lead at half-time end in a 24-17 defeat. It was embarrassing to watch this Jason Campbell complete less than 50% against the Giants’ awful pass defense. The Giants held the Portis/Betts duo to just 69 yards rushing and the Redskins pass defense played terribly in the second half. Washington will be on a bye next week, so hopefully they can patch up the problems that cost them this big divisional game.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)Many fans expected the Eagles to steamroll the NFC East again this season, but an 0-2 start had them staggering backwards going into week three. Fortunately, the Detroit Lions decided not to play defense in week three, as the Eagles compiled over 550 yards and scored 56 points on 8 offensive touchdown drives. Although the Eagles defense was beat for 446 yards passing, they allowed just 39 yards rushing and sacked Jon Kitna 8 times. The Eagles look to be back on their way up.
20. Detroit Lions (2-1)The Lions were riding high for the first two weeks of the season with wins over the Vikings and Raiders. Unfortunately, week three had them facing an 0-2, angry, and under-rated Eagles team. Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, and Kevin Curtis made the Lions defense look like a junior high team. They had absolutely no answer for the high-powered offense. Fortunately for Lions fans, even though they were completely destroyed on the score-box, Jon Kitna was still exciting, throwing the ball around for the Lions on offense. Kitna is the league leader in passing yards through week three, but this team cannot expect to be a contender if they do not fix their defense.
21. New York Jets (1-2)The Jets’ first win of the season came in a tough, hard-fought game over the Miami Dolphins. It took an entire team effort – offense, defense, and special teams coming together to give the Jets the close win. Chad Pennington went 15/22 for just 124 yards, but threw 2 touchdown passes. Thomas Jones added his first 100-yard performance as a Jet. The Jets will look to get to .500 this weekend when they face the 0-3 Bills.
22. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)All three of the Cardinals games this season have been determined by just three points. In week one, it was a game-winning touchdown by Arnaz Battle that gave the Cardinals their first loss. In week two, the Cardinals kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to beat the Seahawks. In week three, it was the Ravens’ Matt Stover who kicked a game-winning field goal to put the Cardinals at 1-2. Though Arizona has not been particularly great at any aspect of the game, they have kept every game very close and will look to do that again in week four when they host the undefeated Steelers.
23. New Orleans Saints (0-3)There has not been a more disappointing team in 2006 than the New Orleans Saints. With Deuce McAllister having suffered a season-ending knee injury, the defense looking like Swiss-cheese, Drew Brees throwing the ball poorly, and Reggie Bush being contained by opposing defense; the Saints are now on the verge of being knocked out of playoff discussion. Thankfully, they are off in week four and will have a chance to lick their wounds and prepare for their week five opponents, the Carolina Panthers.
24. New York Giants (1-2)The Giants earned their first victory of 2007 with a win over the Redskins. Despite having been down 17-3 at half-time, New York battled back on both sides of the ball and on special teams to win 21-17. Eli Manning was back in sync with Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey and a huge 4th quarter touchdown pass from Manning to Burress put the nail in the coffin in the Redskins. If this team can get healthy, they do have a chance to be a factor this season, but they need to be more consistent if they hope to compete long-term with the other teams in this division.
25. St. Louis Rams (0-3)What is wrong with the St. Louis Rams? Orlando Pace missed games in 2006, but this team did not look anywhere near as bad then as they do right now without him. Now Marc Bulger has injured ribs and will either have to play through the pain or hand the reigns over to Gus Frerotte. Not only that, but after finally hitting the 100-total-yard mark, Steven Jackson has a partially torn groin and will be held out of week four. But worst of all, the Rams are 0-3 and will head to the road this week as they face the NFC’s top team, the Dallas Cowboys.
26. Cleveland Browns (1-2)So much for the Browns being “for real.” In week two, the Browns’ win over the Bengals made them look like they may have a chance to do some damage this season, but week three knocked them back into place as they were defeated by the Oakland Raiders. LaMont Jordan ran all over the Browns’ defense and the Bengals have now allowed 11 touchdown passes against them in just 3 games. Their upcoming schedule is daunting with their next two opponents being the Ravens and the Patriots.
27. Buffalo Bills (0-3)After a cheap shot to quarterback JP Losman’s legs knocked him out of Sunday’s game against the Patriots, the Bills fans got to see the first glimpse of their rookie quarterback, Trent Edwards. Edwards went just 10/20 for 97 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception against a very good New England defense. The Bills defense also had no answers for the Patriots offense, allowing them to achieve 488 yards of offense. This team looks terrible so far this season and their upcoming schedule is difficult with games against the Jets, Cowboys, and Ravens.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)The Chiefs got their first win of the season as their defense held strong, allowing the Minnesota Vikings to score just 10 points in week two. Though the Chiefs still look lethargic on offense, their defense seems to be a step better than it was in 2006. They will get a real test in week four as they head into San Diego to face LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers.
29. Minnesota Vikings (1-2)There might not be a more pathetic situation in the NFL right now than what is being seen in Minnesota. With arguably one of the best defenses in the league, the Vikings should be much better than they are. Head coach Brad Childress, a former offensive coordinator in Philadelphia, has turned this offense into mush. Neither Tarvaris Jackson or Kelly Holcomb has looked good in the lineup, the offensive line has been extremely disappointing, and the wide receivers might be the worst in the league. The sole bright spot on this offense is rookie running back Adrian Peterson, who has looked good in each of the three games.
30. Miami Dolphins (0-3)Although it’s not surprising to see them here, the Dolphins’ season has already been disappointing. Having picked up Trent Green and Joey Porter in the off-season, the Dolphins were expecting that both their offense and defense would be improved in ’07. That hasn’t been the case. They kept things close with the Jets until the final moments of the game, but were not able to clinch their first win of the season in week three. If the Dolphins lose at home to the Raiders this week, it will be time to start pressing the panic button.
31. Oakland Raiders (1-2)The Raiders were the worst team in the league in 2006, and not much was expected to change in 2007. While they are still looked at as one of the bottom few teams in the league, this team is starting to show signs of life. Running back LaMont Jordan has hit the century mark in all three games this season, Ronald Curry has shown flashes, and even quarterbacks Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper have looked serviceable. Oakland kept it close against the Broncos in week two and beat the Browns in week three, so they might have a chance to finish outside of the bottom-five this season.
32. Atlanta Falcons (0-3)Without Mike Vick, this team is just awful. Though they scored a season-high 20 points in week three, they lost their third consecutive game and have new problems. In weeks one and two, it was a lethargic offense that made too many mistakes. In week three, the offense finally started to turn things around as Joey Harrington threw for 361 yards, 2 TD’s, and 0 INT’s. But it was the penalties that killed the Falcons this week as they were flagged for 10 penalties totaling 135 yards. Right now, this is the worst team in the NFL.
ING BULLUCK RULES!!!
