Joe Flacco is the real deal in Baltimore.



Here's my Week Three edition of my NFL Power Rankings. I'll give you my pick and my thoughts on each. Enjoy.


1. Baltimore Ravens (Last Week: 6)

The team that was constantly labeled with the identity of not having an offense, has apparently found one. Scoring 69 points in their first two contests. Joe Flacco is proving to be the real deal and this team will be challenging to take this division all season long. The only weakness I see is on defense. They've given up a ton of points as well. They need to get that fixed if they want to stay here.

2. New Orleans Saints (Last Week: 12)

Well, I'm convinced. I don't care what kind of defense you have, I really don't. If you can throw 9 touchdowns in two weeks, I'll give you this spot. Drew Brees is an absolute monster at the quarterback position. He has such a quick release that you just have no chance to get to him. Now, they beat up on a bad Lions team, and a McNabbless Eagle team, but McNabb doesn't play defense.

3. New York Giants (Last Week: 7)

Off to another 2-0 start and hold an outright lead in the best division in football, the NFC East. While Plaxico began his 2-year sentence yesterday, a sentence that many believed would doom the Giants, Mario Manningham and company were enjoying another fine performance by themselves. If they can continue play like they have been, Plax may not be missed as much as originally thought (Still be missed, because you don't just not miss a 6'5" person, ever). However, 4 turnovers for and it still took until the last minute to win. That could prove to bite them in the foot later in the season.

4. Indianapolis Colts (Last Week: 4)

They held on Monday night against the Dolphins. It looked to be a blowout when Peyton Manning hit Dallas Clark for a TD on the first play of the game. I just can't put my finger on the Colts. They play terrible until the end, then they pick it up. It's like they want the game to be more challenging than it needs to be. I guess if you're winning you don't mind, but how long can they count on making plays inside of 2 minutes?

5. Atlanta Falcons (Last Week: 8)

Boy has Tony Gonzalez proven to be one of the best offseason acquisitions. He's been incredible for 2nd-year quarterback Matt Ryan. Michael Turner has been slow out of the gate with only 65 and 105 yards in the first two games. While those are good numbers, they're not good Michael Turner numbers. Matt Ryan is still young and he'll need Turner to produce if they hope to be successful.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Week: 1)

I guess Troy Polamalu is a bigger influence on the Steelers than I thought. They we're beaten by the Chicago Bears this past weekend on a late FG by Robbie Gould. The defending champs now find themselves at 1-1 and tied for the 2nd in the AFC North. I still think they'll be okay. They have a solid defense and a serviceable offense. Willie Parker must get it going or you've got to see the young Mendenhall because this run game is non-existent.

7. Minnesota Vikings (Last Week: 9)

Boy did they look like they were about to lose to the Detroit Lions. But, it's the Lions so no worries here. I'm not sure if it was the fact that they were playing the Lions or not, but Adrian Peterson tries to cut-back way too early sometimes. It worked this week because the Lions are a poor tackling team (Well, a poor everything team), but I don't see it happening against better teams. The Vikings have played the Browns and Lions so far, and they have a test to see if either team is for real this week against San Francisco.

8. New York Jets (Last Week: 15)

I guess we need to start listening to Kerry Rhodes a little bit more intently. He said they'd hit the Patriots and they'd win. They did just that. The offense struggled a little in the 1st half, but Mark Sanchez came back out in the 2nd half and simply out-played the All-Pro, Tom Brady. The Jets seemed to have struck gold with Sanchez, and this is the 2nd week in a row they beat a good team.

9. San Francisco 49ers (Last Week: 16)

I am a huge fan of Mike Singletary. He's passionate about football and you will not play for him if you're not sold out to be on this team and go 100% every play (See Vernon Davis). Frank Gore is an absolute monster. It's a good positioned to be in when you're sitting pretty at 2-0 overall and in the division. This week will be the true test as they match-up against Minnesota. Can Singletary's defense slow down Adrian Peterson?

10. New England Patriots (Last Week: 2)

I'm not sure if it's just me, but the Patriots have looked like a middle-of-the-pack team the past two weeks. Granted, they won Week One, but they definitely should not have. I'm not sold on the Patriots anymore after their past two performances. They've been a huge let-down after being labeled as the best team in the NFL all off-season. Tom Brady has been mediocre and is being out-performed by half the QB's in the league. Maybe they'll shake it off, but they gotta do something.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (Last Week: 3)

Got absolutely torched by Drew Brees. Hopefully they get McNabb back for the Week 3 game against Kansas City.

12. Houston Texans (Last Week: 18)

After looking completely flat in Week One, they came out firing and handed the Titans an 0-2 start. I like the Texans to taste the post-season for the first time ever.

13. Buffalo Bills (Last Week: 14)

After giving away a game in week one against a division rival, the Bills bounced back against Tampa Bay. They get Marshawn Lynch back in a week, but do they still need him?

14. San Diego Chargers (Last Week: 5)

Nearly lost one to Oakland, and they did lose one to the Ravens. Norv Turner continuely sends out an ill-prepared team every week.

15. Chicago Bears (Last Week: 20)

Jay Cutler came out and proved that the 4 interception game was not him. I still think the Bears gave up way too much for Cutler and that he's not that good of a QB.

16. Tennessee Titans (Last Week: 11)

They're the best 0-2 team out there, but they got the Jets coming up next week and the Colts in two weeks.

17. Dallas Cowboys (Last Week: 10)

Tony Romo looked terrible, and the Cowboys accounted for four turnovers agaisnt the Giants. No one wins with those kind of numbers.

18. Denver Broncos (Last Week: 21)

Fluke win against Cincy and a weak Browns team. Let's see them play someone good first.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (Last Week: 26)

Carson Palmer shows that he's the X-factor in Cincinnati. They get a real test this week when they travel to Baltimore.

20. Green Bay Packers (Last Week: 13)

Upset by the Bengals after a poor showing against the Bears. They need to bounce back.

21. Arizona Cardinals (Last Week: 17)

I just don't think this is the team we saw in the Superbowl last season. They beat up on a bad Jacksonville team, but they play soft.

22. Carolina Panthers (Last Week: 23)

They showed signs of life against a very good Atlanta team, and eventually only lost by 8. Keep the ball out of the air, and you'll be fine.

23. Seattle Seahawks (Last Week: 19)

We're brought down to earth by division foe San Francisco after playing a terrible Rams team week one.

24. Oakland Raiders (Last Week: 24)

How long can they live with the terrible play out of Jamarcus Russell? It's got to change soon.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last Week: 22)

The offense just isn't moving the ball so well, and they look to be missing Fred Taylor a whole heck of a lot.

26. Miami Dolphins (Last Week: 27)

They were all but shut out in week one outside of a garbage time TD, but they showed signs of life in week two but couldn't make plays when it counted.

27. Washington Redskins (Last Week: 25)

They almost lost to the Rams. I'll let that sink in. A win is a win, but when you fail to score a touchdown against the NFL's worst team, there's a problem.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Week: 28)

The potential is there, but they can't seem to bring everything together at one time.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (Last Week: 29)

Matt Cassell looked shaky in his first start. Then again, Kansas City is no New England team.

30. Detroit Lions (Last Week: 31)

The losing streak might end this week. They've definitely looked better than last season already.

31. Cleveland Browns (Last Week: 30)

Miscues left and right. When you can't get the snap from the center, that's a huge problem. This stuff is basic football.

32. St. Louis Rams (Last Week: 32)

Only 7 points in two weeks. I think it's time for a rehaul in St. Louis.