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NFL Week 3 Power Rankings

Here's a Ferringo's-eye view of Week 3 in theevery guffawing columnist across the country
National  Football  League:they're the Best Team Ever so it shouldn't
matter,  right?
4) Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) - The Bengals
New  England  at  Pittsburgh  (-3)made one of the largest jumps from last
week's Power Rankings (up eight slots from
Once again, the Patriots are involved in the12). But memo to Chad Johnson: don't call out
Game of the Week. They're dogs entering theMike Brown (just ask Marcus Pollard). I hope
Steel City, and are going up against the bestmy Bears knocks these guys back into the Dave
team in football right now. BenShula  Days.
Roethlisberger has a ridiculous 153.6 passer
rating, which is nearly perfect. He's also5) Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) - Despite their
16-1 as a starter, which is nearly perfectoff-field issues, they already have a
and is looking to avenge the only loss of hisdivision road win and are averaging 161.5
pro career - a 41-27 blowout at the hands ofyards per game on the ground. However, they
the  Pats in the AFC Title Game last January.are just 1-4 ATS in Denver, where they play
on  Monday.
6) Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) - McNabb and
Pittsburgh is once again the top runningOwens share the cover on this week's Sports
team in the league, bruising its way to 170.5Illustrated. I don't buy the love fest. It's
yards per game (without their two besteasy to get along when you're up 42-3 at
runners) and 4.7 yards per carry. Thehome, but let's see what happens when they're
Steelers also rank fourth on defense, but arein  a  tough  spot.
just 17th against the run. The Patriots, on
the other hand, are only averaging 2.4 yards7) Carolina Panthers (1-1) - Peter King said
per carry, and they are the 12th-rankedthat Brees' interception against the Broncos
defense in the NFL. In two games, they'velast week was one of the worst he's ever
yielded  23.5  points  a  game.seen. My vote goes to Jake Delhomme's toss to
New England's Mike Vrabel, who returned it
for  a  TD.
Per usual, Tom Brady will be the key to any8) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) - Losing
upset chance that New England has. Brady'ssafety Donovin Darius for the year is a huge
shoulder is officially listed as probable,blow. Also, Byron Leftwich is on his way to
and he'll be looking to avenge his poorbecoming the next Steve McNair - doesn't
performance (69.3 rating) against Carolinapractice due to injury then steps up and
last week. That rating was the 17th worst ofplays/leads  his  team  on  Sunday.
his 73 starts (in which he is 58-15).
However, he's 10-4 in games following his9) Atlanta Falcons (1-1) - Backup QB Matt
previous 14 losses and has posted a passerSchaub has been an All-World Preseason player
rating  close  to  95  in  those  games.the last two years, and there are actually
some rednecks in Georgia that would love to
see him get his own shot. Those same folks
have an IQ lower than Vick's passer rating of
Cincinnati  (-3)  at  Chicago73.4. Atlanta is 2-11 in games that Vick
hasn't  started  in  the  last  three  years.
The Pats and Steelers may be the Game of the
Week, but I really think that this is the10) Washington Redskins (2-0) - I really
most intriguing matchup of Week 3. It pitsdidn't think Mark Brunell could still throw
two young, up-and-coming teams - one with ait that far. I guess Roy Williams didn't
high-powered offense and one with athink  so  either.
hard-hitting defense - each trying to make a
name for itself among the top teams in their11) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) - They've
respective  conferences.only faced 32 rushing attempts in two games,
but the Bucs defense is giving up only 40
yards per game on the ground and 2.5 yards
per  carry.
In this corner, Cincinnati has been the
"Best Team That Nobody is Talking About" thus12) Dallas Cowboys (1-1) - Blame that loss
far by demolishing Cleveland and Minnesota.on whichever linebacker that was that got
The Bengals and their Big Three - Carsonjuked by a 57-year-old Brunell on that
Palmer, Chad Johnson and Rudi Johnson - have3rd-and-27  scramble.
led Cincy to the No. 1 offense in the league.
They are averaging 462 yards per game, with13) Buffalo Bills (1-1) - Bills fans, this
157 coming on the ground and 305 through theis what you get with a first-year QB. Trust
air. Palmer has been lights out (five TD'sme, I know. I'd be more worried about Willis
and a 107.8 rating), and is being backed by aMcGahee  dancing  in  the  holes.
defense that has already forced a ridiculous
10  takeaways.14) Seattle Seahawks (1-1) - Seattle is that
quiet, shifty guy in the corner booth of the
bar. He seems unassuming, but you keep
looking over your shoulder because you don't
And in this corner, Chicago has been theknow if he's going to snap and kill everyone
"Best Team that Everyone Forgot Existed"or  just  get  blasted  and  stumble  home.
until they posted a 32-point win last week
over the Lions. The Bears have gone back to15) Chicago Bears (1-1) - Brian Urlacher has
their roots - run the ball (114 ypg, 4.1 ypc)15 solo tackles and three sacks in two games.
and playing good defense (7th overall). ThisNow where are all those ass-clowns that said
is a big spot for a team that's on the vergehe was overrated? Also, linebacker Lance
of having some confidence. If they can defendBriggs  has  just  been  wrecking  people.
their turf they enter their bye week on a 2-1
roll with putrid Cleveland waiting on the16) Denver Broncos (1-1) - Remember how
other  side.everyone ripped on them for picking up the
Browns front four (worst in the league
against the run in '04)? Well, Denver is
currently 22nd against the rush (115 ypg)
But a win is far from given. Kyle Ortonwith  K.C.  rolling  into  town.
played well for Chicago last weekend
(translation: no turnovers) and will again17) New York Giants (2-0) - If they go on
have to protect the ball against the Bengals.the road and beat San Diego I still won't
jump on the bandwagon - but I'll be very,
very  impressed.
18) New Orleans Saints (1-1) - After what
Atlanta  at  Buffalo  (2.5)they've been through and where they've been
through over the last month (Oakland to Texas
There are certainly quarterback issues forto Carolina to New York and now to Minnesota)
both of these teams. Mike Vick is listed asJim Haslett has a right to vent. That team
questionable this weekend with a sorejust looked worn out in the fourth quarter of
hamstring, and J.P. Losman is unofficiallythat  MNF  game.
questionable after getting benched last week
for one drive against Tampa Bay. I would put19) New York Jets (1-1) - The good news is
Vick at about 85 percent to play. Also,that Curtis Martin didn't tear any knee
Losman will again seize the reigns forligaments (MRI was negative). The bad news is
Buffalo, and don't be surprised to see Mikethat safety Erik Coleman just had thumb
Mularkey dig into his bag-of-tricks and pullsurgery  and  may  not  be  available.
out  some  gimmicks  this  weekend.
20) Detroit Lions (1-1) - Monday, Steve
Mariucci says that the team has no interest
in ex-Buc Shaun King. Tuesday, King and Jeff
This game will be a slugfest. Atlanta isGeorge worked out for the Lions. Tick-tock,
fifth in the league in rushing (157 ypg, 4.6Joey  Harrington.  Tick-tock.
ypc) and Buffalo is 15th (100 ypg, 3.8 ypc).
The Bills are second in the league in total21) San Diego Chargers (0-2) - This isn't a
defense, but are just 30th in rushing afterbad team at all. However they've absolutely
getting rolled by Tampa Bay (191 rush yards)given away two games already. Ah, Marty Ball.
last Sunday. Atlanta, on the other hand, will
most likely be without cornerback/kick
returner Allen Rossum and defensive end Brady22) St. Louis Rams (1-1) - I still don't
Smith, who are two key cogs. Rossum isthink they're running the ball enough.
particularly important because the FalconsHowever, they are third in the league in
are already without corner Kevin Mathis -offensive time of possession (34:07 per
leaving  the  secondary  very  vulnerable.game).
23) Oakland Raiders (0-2) - Despite playing
two of the best rushing teams in the NFL, the
New  York  Giants  at  San  Diego  (-5.5)Raiders D is giving up a paltry 3.0 yards per
carry. However, they need to start pressuring
I hope Eli brings his ear plugs. This willquarterbacks. Their two sacks are tied for
be Manning's first appearance in San Diego,worst  in  the  league.
the city that drafted him first overall in
2004 even though he said he wanted nothing to24) Tennessee Titans (1-1) - Their win over
do with that organization. Also, Manning andBaltimore last week wasn't a fluke from the
the 2-0 G-Men will be rolling into the den ofstandpoint that while they don't have the
a team that, at 0-2, is desperate for a win.depth to compete this season, they certainly
have the talent to jump up and bite an
unsuspecting  team.
23) Baltimore Ravens (0-2) - Right now their
Yes, the Giants are 2-0. But they are therun-pass ratio is almost 3-to-1, but not the
fraudulent kind of undefeated. They tooled onway you'd expect. So far they've thrown 95
the Cardinals (who doesn't?) and then toppedpasses  to  go  with  only 34 rushes. Unreal.
an emotionally spent Saints club in a "road"
game in Jersey. They have scored 69 points so26) Miami (1-1) - People are already calling
far. Pretty impressive, right? But they'reRonnie Brown (34 attempts, 94 yards, 0 TD's)
26th in total offense and have run the seconda bust because he's not putting up the
fewest plays (104) in the league. They'venumbers that Cadillac Williams (54-276-2) is.
mostly been the beneficiary of special teamsI think it's way too early to be making those
flukes and turnovers. Defensively, they'reclaims.
allowed  370  yards  per  contest.
27) Minnesota Vikings (0-2) - Just a
thought, but maybe it's not Randy Moss that
they miss the most. Maybe it's former
San Diego, on the other hand, is playingoffensive coordinator Scott Linehan (now in
well until it matters. Drew Brees and Co.Miami).
were on their way to a crucial road win over
Denver last weekend until Drew Brees threw a28) Cleveland Browns (1-1) - As bad as the
horrible INT that Champ Bailey returned for aPackers were, any time you go into Green Bay
touchdown. The week before, they had benchedand  get  a  win  it's  an  accomplishment.
Antonio Gates and decided to give LaDainian
Tomlinson only two touches in the fourth29) San Francisco 49ers (1-1) - They lost by
quarter of a four-point loss to Dallas. It's39 points, but I had to move them up one slot
tough to have must-win games in September,this week because the teams behind them
but  this  is  pretty  close  for the Bolts.looked  that  awful.
30) Arizona Cardinals (0-2) - Kurt Warner
got sacked five times last week and was hit
FREE PICK (YTD 0-1): This week I likesix others. If they can't get the running
Indianapolis to cover the 13.5 against thegame going - Marcel Shipp will start this
Browns. In 2004 the Colts had one of theweekend - then they're going to get Warner
Greatest Offenses Football Has Ever Seen. Butkilled. Their run-pass ratio is 37 rushes to
over their last three games - dating back to98  passes.  Not  good.
the playoff loss in Foxboro - they've managed
just 12 points per contest. I'm looking for31) Green Bay Packers (0-2) - Wow. This team
them to break out in a big way at homeis a total mess, on all fronts, and shows no
against a Cleveland team that's 30th in thesigns of improving. They just don't have the
NFL against the pass. Also, I think thetalent  on  either  side  of  the  ball.
Brownies are due for a letdown after a tough
road  win  in  Lambeau  last  Sunday.32) Houston Texans (0-2) - Jason Babin and
Philip Buchanon - a tandem whom the Texans
traded a combined five first-day draft picks
for  the  rights to - have both been benched.
1) Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) - It's really
tough to be picky about a team that's looked
so good, but they are allowing the opposition
to  convert 48 percent of their third downs.Questions  or  comments  for Robert? e-mail
2) Indianapolis Colts (2-0) - This team has
the purposeful look of a group on a Mission.
It hasn't been smoke and mirrors, but goodDoc's Sports Handy Links:2005 NFL
ol' fashioned toughness. Let's see if theySchedulesSuper Bowl 2006NFL power
can  sustain  it.rankingsDoc's  Sports  Handicapping  Service
3) New England Patriots (1-1) - This game at1-866-238-6696Since 1971 Doc's Sports has
Pittsburgh is part of their Murderer's Rowbeen recognized as one of the leaders and
schedule that has them hosting San Diego, atmost trusted names in sports handicapping
Atlanta, at Denver, bye, hosting Buffalo andinformation.
hosting Indianapolis. But hey, according to



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