Week 3 NFL Top Ten Power Rankings

By Djack

ESPN's Power Rankings
​"1. New England Patriots
2016 record: 2-0
Week 2 ranking: No. 2
Jimmy Garoppolo was rolling, but it appears it will be Jacoby Brissett's turn to run the Patriots' offense. Good news is that the Patriots host the Texans, a team they've lost to only once before ... in an essentially meaningless Week 17 game for the Patriots in the 2009 season.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 record: 2-0
Week 2 ranking: No. 4
DeAngelo Williams is the second-oldest running back in the NFL behind John Kuhn, but that hasn't stopped him from leading the league in touches through two games. He'll lead the unbeaten Steelers against the Eagles in Week 3.

3. Arizona Cardinals
2016 record: 1-1
Week 2 ranking: No. 5
Even at 1-1, the Cardinals are the top-ranked team according to our NFL Football Power Index (FPI). Ball control (zero turnovers) is a major reason behind that. A reeling Bills team is up next for the Cards.

4. Carolina Panthers
2016 record: 1-1
Week 2 ranking: No. 6
There's no place like home. The Panthers got their first win of the season at home in Week 2 and host the Vikings in Week 3. In their past seven home games (including playoffs), the Panthers are averaging 40.4 points per game.

5. Denver Broncos
2016 record: 2-0
Week 2 ranking: No. 8
How good is the Broncos' defense? Their past five games (including playoffs) have been against Cam Newton (twice), Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady andAndrew Luck. Those QBs combined for three passing touchdowns, five interceptions and 21 sacks. Next up? Andy Dalton and the Bengals.

6. Houston Texans
2016 record: 2-0
Week 2 ranking: No. 7
The unbeaten Texans have some nice assets on offense, but the defense is fueling the start, allowing 26 points in two games (second fewest in franchise history). The Texans may be lucking out with the Patriots' QB situation entering Week 3.

7. Minnesota Vikings
2016 record: 2-0
Week 2 ranking: No. 12
Maybe Sam Bradford is good? Or maybe Stefon Diggs is just that good. Bradford was 9-of-10 for 182 yards when targeting Diggs in his Vikings debut. Bradford will need another big game from Diggs to win at Carolina in Week 3.

8. Cincinnati Bengals
2016 record: 1-1
Week 2 ranking: No. 9
The Bengals are averaging 2.8 yards per rush this season and have 103 rushing yards in two games. That is a far cry from what the Bengals are trying to do offensively, and could hurt them mightily against the stout Broncos defense this week.

9. Green Bay Packers
2016 record: 1-1
Week 2 ranking: No. 1
Aaron Rodgers is completing 57.1 percent of his passes for the Packers this season, which is alarming considering before last season, he was a career 65.9 percent passer. Can he improve against the Lions in Week 3?

10. Seattle Seahawks
2016 record: 1-1
Week 2 ranking: No. 3
Fifteen points. That's all Seattle's offense has been able to muster this season, a franchise low for the first two games of the season. We'd say the 49ers allow a perfect opportunity to remedy those woes, but the Seahawks' first two games were against the Dolphins and Rams, so ..."

​ESPN Stats & Information contributed the following information. Via ESPN.com

Djack's Power Rankings
​1. Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 record: 2-0
​Week 2 ranking: No.2
The Pittsburgh defense showed they were the real deal against Cincinnati this week, they allowed a ton of passing yards, but most of those came in garbage time. Giving up only 16 points back to back weeks the Pittsburgh Steelers have a legitimate defense, and we all know what their explosive offensive is capable of.

2. New England Patriots
2016 record: 2-0
Week 2 ranking: No. 1
Patriots would've been secured at the top spot without a doubt this week if it weren't for Jimmy Garoppolo getting hurt. Them having to use a third string quarterback has dropped them into my 2 spot, which shouldn't be all that appalling since they're onto QB3. As long as Bill is still coaching the games,  the Patriots will always be a top contender in the league.
​
3. Arizona Cardinals
2016 record: 1-1
Week 2 ranking: No.6
There wasn't much question as to whether or not the Cards were an elite team after the Patriots game, if it wasn't for a damn kicker they win that game. Apparently some people have forgot that was the case, people crucified them, and they shut those people up real quick with a dominate win over Tampa Bay.

4. Houston Texans
2016 record: 2-0
Week 2 ranking: No.7
I liked them last week and I like them even more this week, the Texans are the real deal. They have weapons all over the field on offense, Osweiler has proven he can make the tough throws although he is still learning, and this defense is studly. Expect them to be even higher on this ranking next week when they beat the Pats.

5. Denver Broncos
2016 record: 2-0
Week 2 ranking: 9
The Broncos defense continues to make me look stupid, they've score more points than most offenses have this season, it's absurd. They've given me no choice but to put them in my top 5. I do not believe they will stay there long though, this defense can't possibly keep this up forever, and Trevor Siemian will start blowing some games.

6. Minnesota Vikings
2016 record: 2-0
Week 2 ranking: N/A
Vikings lost AP this week for an unknown amount of time, his presence itself keeps a defense honest, so without him the offense will hit some speed bumps. This defense is something special though, this defense could lead them to a lot wins against a weak schedule.

7. Cincinnati Bengals
2016 record: 1-1
Week 2 ranking: No.4
They lost by one possession to the best team in football right now, they have a few key players missing, and still played Pittsburgh competitively. This team has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, they'll be a team that lingers in the Top 10 all season.

8. Carolina Panthers
2016 record: 1-1
Week 2 ranking: No.10
The Panthers won by a big margin this week against the 49ers, but the first half was way closer than expect. The 49ers looked as if they actually had a chance in this game before Carolina finally pulled their heads out of their asses. The Panthers need to prove they're a better team than last year, and so far they've only showed flashes of greatness.

9. Seattle Seahawks
2016 record: 1-1
Week 2 ranking: No. 5
The defense has looked amazing, haven't seen better defensive play from any team in the league besides the Broncos, but the offense has looked horrendous. If Russel Wilson can't get this offense going... you're going to hear a lot of fans chanting for Marshawn Lynch to come back to be their savior. 

10. Green Bay Packers
2016 record: 1-1
Week 2 ranking: No. 3
They looked absolutely horrible on Sunday Night Football my god, Aaron Rodgers couldn't do anything, they have a nonexistent run game, and the defense couldn't even cover the Vikings only good receiver. The Packers have a huge fire that needs to be put out before they perish.