‘05 Power Rankings: Week 3

By Dave Shepherd | Wednesday, September 28, 2005 | ( 0 )

Got something to say?

Let's take a look at the week four NFL Power Rankings:

1 (5) Indianapolis Colts (3-0)
This offense is bound to start clicking eventually. They're too talented not to. When it does happen, the rest of the NFL better be prepared for the most dangerous team in football.

2 (3) Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Akers and the rest of the Eagles showed tremendous heart in a last-second win over the Raiders. The Eagles continue to prove that their season opening loss to Atlanta was just an anomaly.

3 (4) Cincinnati Bengals (3-0)
Carson Palmer has hit full stride, and the Bengals are tearing up anyone who crosses their path. With a game against the Texans, look for them to improve to 4-0.

4 (2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0)
Cadillac continues to run over the NFL competition, and he's taking the rest of the Bucs with him. Their defense looks eerily similar to the defense that picked off Gannon five times in the 2002 Super Bowl.

5 (7) New England Patriots (2-1)
It was gut check time against the Steelers, with the Pats trying to prove they're still among the league's elite. Of course they are, and they will be until something happens to Tom Brady or Adam Vinatieri.

6 (1) Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)
A loss to the defending Super Bowl Champions was enough to knock them out of first. The question is: did they lose the Patriots, or the time keepers?

7 (8) Atlanta Falcons (2-1)
They were able to take the victory in front of a hostile Buffalo crowd, and now they get to do battle with the Minnesota Vikings. Playing at home should give the Falcons the edge they need to win.

8 (17) Seattle Seahawks (2-1)
The Seahawks are on the move after their season-opening loss to the Jaguars. They might have some problems with the Redskins, but if Shaun Alexander can turn in another multi-touchdown performance, they'll be fine.

9 (11) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)
A gutsy win over the New York Jets gives the Jags some momentum they'll need when they take on the Broncos in Jacksonville.

10 (13) Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
This team could very well be 3-0, if not for blown coverage against the Redskins. Barely surviving against the 49ers isn't particularly awe-inspiring, and they'll need to do more when they venture into the Black Hole to take on the Oakland Raiders.

11 (25) Denver Broncos (2-1)
Has Denver turned the corner? Can they consistently play how they did when they dominated the Chiefs? They have a lot to prove heading into Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars this Sunday.

12 (16) Miami Dolphins (2-1)
Miami is looking a lot better than many people predicted, and they have to thank head coach Nick Saban for that. It's always nice to head into the bye-week with a win to reflect on.

13 (6) Kansas City Chiefs (2-1)
If you're going to play like they did against the Broncos, why bother showing up? They went to Mile High only to get obliterated by a team they should be able to beat. Which Chiefs are going to show up versus the Eagles?

14 (12) Washington Redskins (2-0)
How will the bye-week affect the Redskins? This team better be ready to play, or the Seahawks will run all over them.

15 (15) San Diego Chargers (1-2)
They got a much needed win against the Giants. If they had lost that game, their season was all but over. It still could be, as they prepare to run an NFL mini-gauntlet of sorts, first going to New England to face the Patriots, and then battling the Steelers at home.

16 (19) St. Louis Rams (2-1)
The Titans were tougher than expected. If Head Coach Martz doesn't do something soon, Bulger isn't going to last long. This team has already given up 15 sacks.

17 (18) Chicago Bears (1-2)
As expected, they were dominated by the Bengals heading into the bye-week. After the break they'll have to do battle with the Cleveland defense that held Indianapolis's offense to 13 points. Good luck.

18 (14) Carolina Panthers (1-2)
If Carolina wants to be one of the NFC elite, they simply can't lose games to the Dolphins. Fortunately, they should be able to sweep the next three games heading into the bye-week (Green Bay, @ Arizona, and @ Detroit).

19 (10) New York Giants (2-1)
Eli Manning played very well, facing a hostile crowd, but it wasn't enough. The Giants couldn't match the pumped up Chargers blow for blow. Now Eli and the Giants get a chance to rip apart the St. Louis Rams defense.

20 (20) Detroit Lions (1-1)
Was the bye-week enough time for Detroit to get their offense back on track? Even if it was, they're going to have a tough time putting up points against a very good Tampa Bay team.

21 (28) Tennessee Titans (1-2)
The Titans put up a fight, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Rams. I'd be worried if I was a Titans fan though. St. Louis racked up 31 points; I'd hate to see what the Colts are going to do.

22 (9) Buffalo Bills (1-2)
The Bills looked good until they played two top ten teams back to back (Tampa Bay and Atlanta). They need QB J.P. Losman to play better if they expect to win any games against premier NFL teams.

23 (23) New Orleans Saints (1-2)
It's been all downhill after a season opening win over Carolina. Two games, two blowouts. The good news is New Orleans will have their first "home game" this week.

24 (22) Baltimore Ravens (0-2)
They aren't playing like the powerhouse that most expected them to be. However, their upcoming games are winnable (NY Jets, @ Detroit, Cleveland, @ Chicago) so this may be where they turn their season around.

25 (26) Oakland Raiders (0-3)
It is very difficult to find an excuse for losing to a team that didn't have a kicker, especially when you're consistently given great field position. The Raiders found a way, and any NFL playoff hopes they may have had are not looking good.

26 (21) New York Jets (1-2)
This may be the year that could've been. Pennington is down, again, and now the Jets have to prepare for one of the toughest parts of their schedule. They only have three games on their schedule that look winnable (Carolina, New Orleans, Oakland).

27 (27) Green Bay Packers (0-3)
They're 0-3 for the first time in a long time. Poor Brett, to think he could've retired this off-season.

28 (29) Cleveland Browns (1-2)
They slowed down Peyton Manning, but they couldn't score. A year or two down the road, this team will be good, but for now they'll reside at the bottom of the NFL.

29 (24) Arizona Cardinals (0-3)
A trip to Mexico to play the 49ers may be just what the doctor ordered. It's doubtful though, and if they can't win that game, well, they play Houston on Dec. 18.

30 (31) Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
As bad as they've been, there is still the chance they can win the division title. An upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons isn't going to help their cause, though.

31 (30) San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
They put up a heck of a fight against the Cowboys. If they can put forth the same effort, they could beat the Cardinals.

32 (32) Houston Texans (0-3)
At least things can't get much worse. Right now every team is looking at their schedule, and if they see the Texans on there, they're chalking up a win.

Got something to say?