1. Cincinnati Bengals (3-0) | Previous Rank: 2
The Bengals lost both their coordinators, Mike Zimmer and Jay
Gruden, to head coaching jobs in the offseason. Their top offensive
threat, WR A.J. Green, has been hampered by a toe injury. But they
haven’t missed a step and they’ve been impressive in winning their first
three games by a wider margin each week. They have a bye week to savor
their good start, but the schedule toughens when they return with games
against the Patriots, Panthers, Colts and Ravens.Packers vs Bears Live Stream
2. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) | Previous Rank: 3
They were pushed to the limit Sunday by Kirk Cousins and the
Redskins and they’ve been living on the edge, with a pair of three-point
victories after overcoming a 17-point deficit to win the opener against
the Jaguars. Cousins shredded the Philadelphia defense and the triumph
came at a cost to the offense, with center Jason Kelce now sidelined
because of a sports hernia. The offensive line is minus three starters
with Kelce joining suspended right tackle Lane Johnson and injured left
guard Evan Mathis on the shelf.
3. Arizona Cardinals (3-0) | Previous Rank: 4
How about a Cardinals-Bengals Super Bowl? Both
once-downtrodden franchises have been among the league’s best teams so
far. The Cardinals are building on last season’s 10-6 playoff near-miss.
They have the highly regarded Seahawks and 49ers chasing them in the
NFC West and they’re getting it done with backup QB Drew Stanton
starting the past two games. Bruce Arians is showing he’s one of the
NFL’s better coaches, with relatively little fanfare. He’s now 22-9
including his 12-game stretch filling in for Chuck Pagano in
Indianapolis.
4. San Diego Chargers (2-1) | Previous Rank: 6
The Chargers handed the Bills their first loss of the season
and now find themselves in a tie with the Broncos atop the AFC West.
With their next four games against the Jaguars, Jets, Raiders and
Chiefs, San Diego easily could be 6-1 by the time it plays at Denver on
Oct. 23.
5. New England Patriots (2-1) | Previous Rank: 5
The win over the Raiders wasn’t particularly impressive but
the Patriots managed to improve to 2-1. They haven’t really gotten going
yet but the play of the revamped secondary has been a bright spot. New
England ranks first in the league in pass defense.
6. Seattle Seahawks (2-1) | Previous Rank: 7
The Seahawks won the Super Bowl rematch but it was far more
difficult against the Broncos this time. The blown fourth-quarter lead
should be somewhat concerning to the defending champs. But QB Russell
Wilson and RB Marshawn Lynch made the big plays in OT. Wilson is now 7-0
against Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers.
7. Denver Broncos (2-1) | Previous Rank: 1
The Broncos have an early bye week to regroup following their
overtime defeat at Seattle. They should feel good about their improved
effort on defense, about QB Peyton Manning reaffirming his greatness and
about the production of WR Emmanuel Sanders against the Seahawks. They
do need to run the ball better, though. Denver is averaging only 3.2
yards per rushing attempt this season after saying farewell to RB
Knowshon Moreno in the offseason. Only one of Manning’s eight TD passes
so far has gone to a WR.
Games – Click Here for More!
8. Chicago Bears (2-1) | Previous Rank: 10
The running game didn’t do much to help QB Jay Cutler on
Monday night. Brandon Marshall had only one catch and the defense was
depleted, particularly in the secondary. But the Bears held on with a
late defensive stand to beat the Jets, and they’ve steadied themselves
with consecutive wins following their season-opening loss to the Bills.
Rookie CB Kyle Fuller continues to shine, with three interceptions in
the past two games.
9. Baltimore Ravens (2-1) | Previous Rank: 12
They escaped with a down-to-the-wire triumph in Cleveland and
they’re managing to hold their season together during the turbulence of
the Ray Rice controversy. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti had a news
conference Monday at the team’s facility three days after NFL
Commissioner Roger Goodell’s news conference in New York. The Ravens
denied many of the allegations in Friday’s detailed report by ESPN
accusing them of a “pattern of misinformation and misdirection” in their
handling of the Rice case. Meanwhile, the team’s coaches and players
have done their best to remain in what Coach John Harbaugh previously
called their football “cocoon” while so much happens around them.
10. Detroit Lions (2-1) | Previous Rank: 15
The defense led the way in the triumph over the Packers,
accounting for nine points with a TD and a safety while QB Matthew
Stafford and the offense were struggling. Now the Lions have to show
they can live with some prosperity by following up with a road win in
the Meadowlands this weekend against the Jets.
11. Indianapolis Colts (1-2) | Previous Rank: 17
Beating the Jaguars, even on the road, shouldn’t really even
count. But the Colts deserved a break in the scheduling department after
opening the season with losses to the Broncos and Eagles. They have
another game they should win this weekend with the Titans visiting.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) | Previous Rank: 18
James Harrison is poised to make his return to the Steelers
this week to compensate for the losses of LBs Ryan Shazier and Jarvis
Jones to injuries. The move probably won’t give the Steelers a Super
Bowl-ready defense again, as was the case in Harrison’s heyday, but it
should enable them to get through an upcoming four-game stretch against
the Buccaneers, Jaguars, Browns and Texans. The Steelers must take
advantage of that less-than-menacing portion of their schedule if
they’re to remain on the heels of the Bengals in the AFC North.
