As we head into week 4 of the NFL season, the top two teams in the league still remain relatively clear. The Broncos and Seahawks each dominated sub-par teams at home this week and hold down the top two spots yet again. Jumping into the top 10 for the first time this season are the Chiefs and Colts, who each moved up four spots to be ranked at seventh and ninth, respectively. The week’s biggest drop goes to the New York Giants, who continue their slide all the way down to 28th overall in the league after an embarrassing 38-0 shutout loss at the Panthers last week.
1. Denver Broncos (3-0) No Change
Another week, another three touchdown passes for Peyton Manning. He’s thrown 12 touchdowns in just three games this season, an NFL record, and shows no sign of slowing down.
2. Seattle Seahawks (3-0) No Change
I don’t quite know how, but the Seahawks somehow managed to make a home victory over Jacksonville look very impressive. They literally gave the Jaguars no hope in this one and were able to rest their starters for much of the second half.
3. New Orleans Saints (3-0) +2
After a strikingly unimpressive victory in Tampa Bay last week, the Saints looked like they were back on track this Sunday. The defense played great but I’d like to see them play that way against a quality opponent on the road before I make any further judgments.
4. Chicago Bears (3-0) +3
After two close wins at home in the season’s first two weeks, the Bears got ahead of the lowly Steelers very early on Sunday night and never looked back. This was the impressive win many were looking for.
5. New England Patriots (3-0) +1
Yet another ho-hum victory for the Patriots. Based on the teams they’ve played this season they should be 3-0 anyways, so we’ll learn a great deal about them next week after a trip to Atlanta.
6. Green Bay Packers (1-2) -1
They looked terrible for the first few minutes in Cincinnati, but then scored 30 unanswered and appeared to have the game in hand before giving up 20 straight to lose 30-14. Tough loss but it doesn’t greatly concern me right now.
7. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) +4
The Kansas City Chiefs just keep on moving up in these rankings, now sitting at number seven. As many predicted, Alex Smith will really be the key for them this season, and so far he has answered the call.
8. San Francisco 49ers (1-2) -4
The 49ers have already dropped four spots to number eight in the rankings after two straight despicable performances, and that may even be generous. They better get their act together very soon or else this could be a lost season in San Francisco.
9. Indianapolis Colts (2-1) +4
The Colts followed up a disappointing home loss last week in the best way possible. They really went into San Francisco and dominated the 49ers, showing the potential that this team has.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) No Change
A nice win at home against a very strong, playoff-caliber team, but you still can’t be overly happy about any game in which you gave up 30 straight unanswered points.
11. Baltimore Ravens (2-1) +1
They haven’t given up a passing touchdown since allowing Peyton Manning to throw seven against them in week one. Maybe we all overreacted just a bit about this defense’s “struggles”.
12. Miami Dolphins (3-0) +3
With each victory so far the Dolphins have been able to impress me more and more. I’m not fully sold on them being a top-10 team just yet, but a victory Monday night over the undefeated Saints could change all of that.
13. Atlanta Falcons (1-2) -5
After not losing their second game until Week 14 last season, the Falcons are now under .500 at 1-2. A matchup with the undefeated Patriots looms large next week on prime-time in what might be a must-win for them.
14. Detroit Lions (2-1) No Change
After being able to sneak out of Washington with a 27-20 victory without the explosive Reggie Bush, the Lions have passed another test in my book. Can they dethrone the Bears for the top spot in the NFC North next week?
15. Houston Texans (2-1) -6
Down six spots this week after scoring just nine points in a rough loss to the Ravens. They have the weapons, where does the offense go sometimes with this team?
16. Dallas Cowboys (2-1) No Change
There is no way to describe this team other than simply saying “Jekyll and Hyde.” One week they look dominant, the next they can’t produce anything. There’s no sense in moving them up after an impressive victory because they’ll likely take two steps back next week.
17. Tennessee Titans (2-1) +2
A last second victory over the Chargers gives Tennessee a surprising 2-1 start and 17th overall ranking this week. This offense has still yet to turn the ball over under Jake Locker’s command.
18. San Diego Chargers (1-2) -1
Another mediocre team that likes to take one step forward followed by two steps back. A matchup with the equally inconsistent Dallas Cowboys next week will reveal to us a lot about them.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) -1
Only the Packers and Broncos have more offensive touchdowns than Philadelphia right now, but for some reason the Eagles offense has been looking less and less impressive in their last two losses. We’ll see how they play in Denver next week.
20. Carolina Panthers (1-2) +7
The Panthers offense finally decided to show up this week as they toyed with an abysmal Giants team on their way to a 38-0 shutout victory. That was much-needed heading into a bye week.
21. New York Jets (2-1) +7
Who would’ve thought that the Jets would be 2-1 at this point? Geno Smith rebounded from a rough outing in New England to throw for 331 yards, something that has to greatly encourage Jets fans.
22. St. Louis Rams (1-2) -1
This offense was just downright bad in Dallas on Sunday, highlighted by an unimpressive offensive line showing. They have talent, but it clearly hasn’t fully come to fruition just yet.
23. Cleveland Browns (1-2) +8
Trade your top, young, talented running back Trent Richardson, bench your starter in favor of lifetime backup Brian Hoyer, and get a win on the road over a 2012 playoff team. I just don’t get this league sometimes.
24. Buffalo Bills (1-2) No Change
They certainly had their chances to make a nice comeback in the Meadowlands on Sunday, as the Jets continually shot themselves in the foot with penalties. They have talent but there is still development which is needed in Buffalo.
25. Washington Redskins (0-3) -3
This offense has become strikingly one-dimensional, and now players are questioning whether or nor RG III was brought back too soon. Things just keep getting worse in Washington.
26. Arizona Cardinals (1-2) No Change
The problems are still the same with this offense even with a new quarterback. Larry Fitzgerald is just simply not getting the ball enough right now.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-3) -2
Nine turnovers for this offense and a rushing attack that is still incredibly sup-par. Now they’ll have to take an unwanted trip across the pond to hopefully avoid an 0-4 start.
28. New York Giants (0-3) -8
Seven sacks allowed and two more interceptions for Eli Manning. Not to mention a defense which has given up 30-plus points in every game this year. I know it’s early but we could be looking at a lost cause already this season for the Giants.
29. Minnesota Vikings (0-3) -5
Brian Hoyer threw for 321 yards for them last week. Brian Hoyer. What is going on with this pass defense? In fact, what is going on with this team overall?
30. Oakland Raiders (1-2) -1
I really can’t fault them for losing on the road to Denver, that’s definitely not something to be ashamed of. In fact, Terrelle Pryor has actually played well so far and may be cementing himself as a legitimate starter in this league.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3) -1
In my opinion, Josh Freeman really isn’t the problem with this team right now. He’s making plays that should at least keep his team in games. Nonetheless, he’ll likely be replaced before this season is over.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) No Change
They went into Seattle and got blown out just as pretty much everyone expected. An 0-16 season is really looking like it might be on the horizon for this team.
Biggest Jump: +8 (Browns), +7 (Panthers, Jets)
Biggest Drop: -8 (Giants), -6 (Texans)