2010 NFL Power Rankings: Bleacher Report's Week 3 Edition
Daniel WolfSenior Writer ISeptember 21, 20102010 NFL Power Rankings: Bleacher Report's Week 3 Edition
Week 2 of the 2010 NFL season is in the books and now is the time to list the newest NFL power rankings.
More surprises, disappointments, and ridiculous moments (yeah you Brandon Jacobs) highlighted another week of NFL games.
Who would have thought that both the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be 2-0 right now...WOW.
Without delay, I am Daniel Wolf and I am the AFC Featured Content Coordinator and Assignment Desk Editor for Bleacher Report and here are your NFL power rankings.
Follow Bleacher Report's 2010 NFL coverage on Twitter by clicking here.
32. Carolina Panthers
2010 Record: 0-2
Last game: Lost 20-7 to Bucs
Last week's ranking: 31
This week: Home versus Cincinnati Bengals
31. Buffalo Bills
2010 Record: 0-2
Last game: Lost 34-7 to Packers
Last week's ranking: 30
Has Chan Gailey been away from the game too long?
He needs to right this ship in Buffalo immediately before it gets worse.
This week: At New England Patriots
30. St. Louis Rams
2010 Record: 0-2
Last game: Lost 16-14 to Raiders
Last week's ranking: 28
A loss to the Raiders, after nearly beating the Cardinals in week 1, moves the Rams down a few notches.
This week: Home versus Washington Redskins
29. Cleveland Browns
2010 Record: 0-2
Last game: Lost 16-14 to Chiefs
Last week's ranking: 29
The Browns are barely able to maintain their spot at No. 29, but if they are winning at halftime in week 3 and then lose the game in the second half for the third straight week, then they will fall on this ranking.
Here's an idea—GET JOSH CRIBBS THE BALL MORE!
The Browns might just win if they do this moving forward.
This week: At Baltimore Ravens
28. Arizona Cardinals
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Lost 41-7 to Falcons
Last week's ranking: 24
The Cards are the lowest 1-1 team on this list because they barely were able to beat the Rams in week 1 and then they were blown out by the Falcons in week 2.
Looks like quarterback Derek Anderson is not the answer after all.
(This is where Browns fans say, "Told you so!")
This week: Home versus Oakland Raiders
27. Oakland Raiders
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Won 16-14 against the Rams
Last week's ranking: 32
Hello Darren McFadden and welcome the the NFL...finally.
Just keep giving him the ball and the Raiders will move up this ranking list quickly.
This week: At Arizona Cardinals
26. Detroit Lions
2010 Record: 0-2
Last game: Lost 35-32 to Eagles
Last week's ranking: 26
Lions maintain this week and I do not remember who said it on SI.com, but the author said the Lions might have a chance to have both the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year Award winners on their roster with running back Jahvid Best and defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh.
This week: At Minnesota Vikings
25. San Francisco 49ers
2010 Record: 0-2
Last game: Lost 25-22 to Saints
Last week's ranking: 22
The Niners were expected to win the NFC West, instead they are starting this new season in the basement.
Head Coach Mike Singletary really needs to rally the troops before this season gets ugly.
This week: At Kansas City Chiefs
24. Dallas Cowboys
2010 Record: 0-2
Last game: Lost 27-20 to Bears
Last week's ranking: 18
The Cowboys are in the midst of a downward spiral and there are so many question surrounding Big D right now, without answers.
Could be a long season for America's Team.
This week: At Houston Texans
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Lost 38-13 to Chargers
Last week's ranking: 22
The Jags dip down after losing to the Chargers in week 2, but they can move back up the ranking list once running back Maurice Jones-Drew gets rolling.
Jones-Drew has had two mediocre games compared to how his numbers usually look, but do not doubt that Jones-Drew will get running and defenses will have trouble stopping him.
This week: Home versus Philadelphia Eagles
22. Denver Broncos
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Won 31-14 versus Seahawks
Last week's ranking: 25
Quarterback Kyle Orton lit up the Seahawks' defense and he looks to keep the Broncos' offense going in the right direction going into a tough week 3 match up.
This week: Home versus Indianapolis Colts
21. Seattle Seahawks
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Lost 31-14 to Broncos
Last week's ranking: 15
Earl Thomas and the Seahawks' defense got torched by the Broncos and look to redeem themselves after they were riding high on the week 1 upset of the 49ers.
This week: Home versus San Diego Chargers
20. Minnesota Vikings
2010 Record: 0-2
Last game: Lost 14-10 to Dolphins
Last week's ranking: 11
The Vikings continued struggles on the field and losses are dropping them down the ranking very fast.
Brett Favre needs to find his grove and find it now.
This week: Home versus Detroit Lions
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2010 Record: 2-0
Last game: Won 20-7 versus Panthers
Last week's ranking: 27
The Bucs are the lowest ranked undefeated team, but they haven't beat any top-tier opponents yet (sorry Browns and Panthers fans).
Quarterback Josh Freeman is a rising star, but the Bucs need to beat a tougher opponent to make a bigger move up this list.
This week: Home versus Pittsburgh Steelers
18. Kansas City Chiefs
2010 Record: 2-0
Last game: Won 16-14 versus the Browns
Last week's ranking: 21
The Chiefs are an interesting mix of both youth and veterans and it seems to be working after two games.
Thomas Jones is running hard, Mike Vrabel is still hitting hard, Dexter McCluster is ridiculously fast, and their young cornerbacks look solid in coverage.
And the Chiefs are in first place in the AFC West. CRAZY!
This week: Home versus San Francisco 49ers
17. Chicago Bears
2010 Record: 2-0
Last game: Won 27-20 versus Cowboys
Last week's ranking: 23
Look what happens when quarterback Jay Cutler stays away from the interception bug—the Bears move up the power rankings list!
This week: Home versus Green Bay Packers
16. Washington Redskins
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Lost 30-27 to Texans
Last week's ranking: 14
McNabb nearly led the Redskins to a 2-0 record, albeit split second timing on a timeout by called by Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak, preventing a game winning field goal in overtime, which was then missed in the second attempt.
This week: At St. Louis Rams
15. New York Giants
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Lost 38-14 to Colts
Last week's ranking: 9
If you are going to a game this year and the Giants are playing, watch for flying helmets into the stands.
Too soon?
This week: Home versus Tennessee Titans
14. Philadelphia Eagles
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Won 35-32 versus Rams
Last week's ranking: 20
Michael Vick gives the Eagles the best chance to win games, whereas Kevin Kolb is still inexperienced as a starting quarterback.
Why Andy Reid is sticking with Kolb is beyond comprehension.
This week: At Jacksonville Jaguars
13. Miami Dolphins
2010 Record: 2-0
Last game: Won 14-10 versus Vikings
Last week's ranking: 16
There were questions about the Dolphins' defensive secondary, but three interceptions against Brett Favre in week 2 should quiet many doubters for the time being.
This week: Home versus New York Jets
12. Atlanta Falcons
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Won 41-7 over Cardinals
Last week's ranking: 12
In week 1, the Falcons took the Steelers into overtime and then beat up a Cardinals team that has no quarterback right now.
Add to that Michael Turner's uncertainty with his groin injury and the Falcons stick to No. 12 for one more week.
This week: At New Orleans Saints
11. Cincinnati Bengals
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Won 15-10 over Ravens
Last week's ranking: 17
The Bengals defense helped shut down the Ravens offense by picking off Joe Flacco multiple times, but if quarterback Carson Palmer doesn't get his arm going, then he will have to deal with the T.O. and Ocho show complaining to him.
This week: At Carolina Panthers
10. San Diego Chargers
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Won 38-13 over Jaguars
Last week's ranking: 13
The Chargers regain their swagger after a tough week 1 loss to division rival the Chiefs.
Even though rookie running back Ryan Mathews went down with an ankle injury, it is now being said to be "not significant" and he should be ready for the Chargers' week 3 match up.
This week: At Seattle Seahawks
9. Tennessee Titans
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Lost 19-11 to Steelers
Last week's ranking: 6
Vince Young got benched.
What's next?
This week: At New York Giants
8. New York Jets
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Won 28-14 versus Patriots
Last week's ranking: 10
Quarterback Mark Sanchez had perhaps his best game as a pro in week 2, and whatever Head Coach Rex Ryan said to his team in the second half, he better repeat that all season long because the Jets destroyed the Pats in the last 30 minutes of the game.
This week: At Miami Dolphins
7. Baltimore Ravens
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Lost 15-10 versus Bengals
Last week's ranking: 3
Flacco and the Ravens offense feel off track in week 2 and they look to lit up the Browns at home in week 3.
This week: Home versus Cleveland Browns
6. New England Patriots
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Lost 28-14 to Jets
Last week's ranking: 2
Looks like Tom is ready for a haircut.
Pats will bounce back after a tough loss to the Jets, their offense will pick back up because it is too high-powered to not get back on track.
This week: Home versus Buffalo Bills
5. Indianapolis Colts
2010 Record: 1-1
Last game: Won 38-14 over Giants
Last week's ranking: 8
The elder Manning won in the Manning Bowl, but how about that Colts defense?!
Bob Sanders who?
This week: At Denver Broncos
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
2010 Record: 2-0
Last game: Won 19-11 over Titans
Last week's ranking: 7
Troy Polamalu is easily the most valuable defensive player on the Steelers' defense and the key to having a defensive unit that is always an impact.
With Big Ben still out for several more weeks, Polamalu alone is making up for his absence due to suspension.
This week: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Houston Texans
2010 Record: 2-0
Last game: Won 30-27 over Redskins
Last week's ranking: 5
Quarterback Matt Schaub was only three yards away from throwing for 500 passing yards in week 2.
Impressive and it seems that things are falling into place for the Texans to possibly make their first playoff appearance in franchise history this season.
This week: Home versus Dallas Cowboys
2. Green Bay Packers
2010 Record: 2-0
Last game: Won 34-7 over Bills
Last week's ranking: 3
Clay Matthews has six sacks after two games. You heard that right, six.
Add to that tight end Jermichael Finley breaking out for over 100 yards receiving and the Packers just get scarier as the weeks go by.
This week: At Chicago Bears
1. New Orleans Saints
2010 Record: 2-0
Last game: Won 25-22 over Niners
Last week's ranking: 1
The Saints hold on to the top spot even though they have squeaked out victories in their first two games, but a win is a win and they are still reigning Super Bowl champions.
This week: Home versus Atlanta Falcons