Power Rankings
The Times’ NFL rankings (Week 3)
By Lance Pugmire
The Bears rise, the Redskins take a tumble, and we have a new No. 1: the Atlanta Falcons. Oh, and for those that watched Monday night’s replacement-ref debacle, check the rankings of Seattle and Green Bay.
Up: Bears + 9 | Down: Redskins - 11
falcons
3-0 1Keeping Chargers touchdown-less with four turnovers on cross-country trip following Monday night win a breakthrough of needed character.
texans
3-0 1Making mile-high trek with QB Matt Schaub besting Manning shows they’re taking this thing seriously after first playoff win last season.
cardinals
3-0 2Defensive coordinator Ray Horton outsmarting all, and 7-0 is possible with next four against Dolphins, Rams, Bills and Vikings.
ravens
2-1 5Emotional victory for WR Torrey Smith (two TDS, 127 yards) after brother’s death, clutch field goal and first win over Patriots.
giants
2-1 8Rolled over Panthers Thursday to get nice break before Sunday night showdown at Eagles. Playing so complete this early encouraging.
49ers
2-1 5Got “trapped” on trip to Vikings with a venture to Jets coming Sunday. The stick in the mud says, “This is why you don’t bet the NFL.”
seahawks
2-1 8WR Golden Tate commits offensive pass interference, doesn’t truly catch final pass, yet sub refs give him TD as they stun Packers Monday.
packers
1-2 1Have officially taken biggest bullet from NFL’s decision to use replacement refs. Had big trouble with Seattle pressure, jobbed badly.
bears
2-1 9Unleashed hounds on defense to get six sacks, pick-six, kept Rams to 160 yards and six points. RB Michael Bush sturdy sub for Matt Forte.
patriots
1-2 0Late losses a worry, but maybe Coach Bill Belichick’s meltdown against officials will prompt powerful owner Kraft to pay real guys.
cowboys
2-1 5QB Tony Romo’s three turnovers meant it wasn’t easy vs. Bucs, running game was blah. Will have to be better with Bears in town Monday.
eagles
2-1 8OK, maybe there is something to worry about as more turnovers created a 24-0 deficit at Arizona. Now on to Giants.
chargers
2-1 5RB Ryan Mathews gives another example of his (lack of) toughness. Now make hated trip to Chiefs, where QB Rivers fumbled it away.
broncos
1-2 8Thrown into another 20-point hole against an unbeaten team, Broncos had Manning throw 52 times. Schedule eases with Raiders’ visit.
steelers
1-2 4Surprisingly blew 10-point fourth-quarter lead, not typical of this franchise, which remains in search of a running game.
jets
2-1 1Blown-out ACL for star CB Darrelle Revis will hurt badly, and cold fact is they escaped with OT victory over Miami. More expected here.
bengals
2-1 4WR A.J. Green went nuts for 183 yards in shootout at ‘Skins, with QB Andy Dalton stabilizing team after big blown lead. At Jaguars Sunday.
bills
2-1 6Another RB (C.J. Spiller) lost to injury dampens adding win to ledger at Browns, now QB Ryan Fizpatrick needs repeat effort vs. Patriots.
lions
1-2 7Franchise with high hopes can’t pressure QB, out of sorts in giving up 44 to Titans, with 378 passing yards allowed to Jake Locker.
vikings
2-1 8Defense shined in creating turnovers, stiffening late in upset over 49ers. QB Christian Ponder efficient 21-of-35, can’t be slept on.
chiefs
1-2 5Staring into abyss of 0-3 with big deficit at Superdome, they rediscovered 2011 selves with RB Jamaal Charles running for 233.
buccaneers
1-2 3NFL teams can’t survive on defense alone. Have to do more with ball than QB Josh Freeman’s 10-of-28. Home to Redskins next.
rams
1-2 0OK, pass protection is an issue after QB Sam Bradford was sacked six times and threw two INTs. Can they win on road?
panthers
1-2 4Getting smoked at Giants halted excitement over QB Cam Newton’s option attack, and now they have pleasure of solving Falcons on road.
redskins
1-2 11Another team with protection issues after QB Robert Griffin III got sacked six times. Can’t lose him, he rushed for 85, threw for 221.
dolphins
1-2 1K Dan Carpenter should watch out for a “kick me” sticker on his rear after missing kicks of 47 and 48 in overtime loss to Jets.
titans
1-2 3Two special teams touchdowns and QB Jake Locker’s coming-out party spawn upset of Lions. Not expecting a repeat at Texans.
raiders
1-2 3This is how they do it: hand to RB Darren McFadden, let QB Carson Palmer be poised self and trust Sebastian Janikowski with big kicks.
jaguars
1-2 3Blind squirrel finds nut: QB Gabbert threw 80-yard TD pass to edge Colts in final minute. Props to RB Jones-Drew’s 177 yards, though.
colts
1-2 3Anything worse than final-minute loss with a bye week looming? QB Luck was good late, but more than half of passes incomplete.
saints
0-3 9No missing how dire things are despite QB Brees’ post-game promise of rally. Staggering that just three of 113 0-3 teams make playoffs.
browns
0-3 3Early favorite for first pick in NFL draft. Running game was held in check and they gave up three TDs to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Now, to Ravens.
