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What a weekend it was and many are absolutely going bonkers in the social media world over #Touchception and you cannot help but be praying to bring back the regular NFL officials.
Russell Wilson threw the NFL’s first ever game-winning interception, and many of the current NFL stars are screaming for the return of the regular NFL officials. Even after further review, this has to be one of the most thrilling and yet mind boggling, head scratching finishes in NFL history.
In the crazy weekend that it was, here are your latest and updated NFL Power Rankings through the first three weeks.
32. Cleveland Browns
Yes, the Brownies are the worst team and unfortunately the youngsters haven’t been able to make up for the rest of Cleveland’s woes.
Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden cannot play defensive back in replace of Joe Haden, and they will get torched for another two games until he gets back. While they should not stay in this spot for the rest of the season, I doubt they move up more than half a dozen slots.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck is struggling a tad and it was expected with the weak tools around him. Donald Brown is not garbage and neither is Donnie Avery, but they would not be starting on most NFL teams. The defense is dinged up without Dwight Freeney or Pat Angerer, which really puts an unfair onus on luck and the offense.
30. St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford and Danny Amendola were absolutely blanketed by the Bears and it all starts up front. The Rams will never win more than five or six games until they get more physical and talented up front. A healthy Michael Brockers (LSU) is vital, but an ineffective and unhealthy Steve Jackson is something to pray for as well.
29. New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees put together a solid game, but New Orleans got whipped up front on both sides of the ball. Jamaal Charles absolutely gashed the NFL’s worst defense and the swagger is completely gone. While they won’t be ranked any lower, a trip to the postseason looks nearly impossible right now with an 0-3 hole.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have Maurice Jones-Drew and then nobody else sadly to say. Blaine Gabbert is still attempting to play like a professional quarterback and he did surprise us with that game-winnig TD strike to Cecil Shorts, but it was against the Colts.
27. Carolina Panthers
Their Thursday performance against the G-Men was absolutely pathetic and Cam Newton really was bottled up the entire game. New York has a stout defensive line and they gave out the blueprints to the rest of the NFL on how to completely obliterate a one-dimensional Carolina team (helps when Johnathan Stewart is playing too).
26. Kansas City Chiefs
Jamaal Charles finally went bonkers and somebody benched him in one of my fantasy league, which is hilarious.
However, Matt Cassel has been a miserably signal-caller despite previous success (mainly with the Patriots) with Kansas City. Dwayne Bowe did not have the game we thought he would because Charles was so impressive. The defense though still stinks overall and they better step it up or else a double-digit loss type of season is coming up.
25. Miami Dolphins
Reggie Bush was the NFL second-leading rusher and he got dinged, which doesn’t come as a surprise. Ryan Tannehill can only bail out this team every so often since the rookie has problems of his own.
The receivers cannot get any separation from defenders, which put the majority of the onus on the defense.
24. Oakland Raiders
Carson Palmer must of have taken the offensive line out to dinner because they made plenty of running room for Darren McFadden on his log TD run, Or perhaps that is just the aging Steelers run defense, but at least Oakland got their first victory and they can try to get a few more in the wide open AFC West.
23. Washington Redskins
RGIII put together another solid performance but it all went for naught with a Redskins pass defense that is getting absolutely sliced and diced apart.
They already lost Brian Orakpo, who was their top defender and now they must get into shootouts every weekend to stand a chance of knocking off respectable teams.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Josh Freeman had just 39 yards passing going into halftime (2 minute mark) and it doesn’t look much better since the offense lacks the ability to march right down the field. The defense played well against the Cowboys, but they are losing DE Adrian Clayborn which doesn’t help matters.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Big Ben is one of the best in the business, and throwing for 400 yards while avoiding a monster pass rush is legit stuff. Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace are one of your better duos in the NFL at receiver and the defense has to play better, right?
They looked mediocre at best without Troy Polamalu and James Harrison, and it goes to show how vital those two are. The Ravens are the favorites, but the Bengals look solid as well.
20. Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning has thrown more flutter and ugly ducks than maybe in his entire career, so it seems. Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas are not huge yet, but they still are vital to the offense.
The lack of a true running game hurts and this defense isn’t going to bail them out against playoff teams, like Houston. While a playoff spot and division title are still realistically possible, they need to get in rhythm as soon as possible.
19. Tennessee Titans
The Titans got their first victory of the season, and what a win it was. Defeating the Lions in a thrilling 44-41 overtime was quite the impression, but Detroit did drop the ball a bit as they failed to communicate properly.
Give Jack Locker major kudos after throwing for nearly 400 yards, which made up for the continued disappointment from Chris Johnson.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Christian Ponder played the best game of his career arguably Sunday against the Niners defense, and he deserves a boatload of credit. The Vikings deserves some as well for completely bottling up Frank Gore and causing him to coughed one up, which really changed the game around. The only issue is this division is so deep and talented, that it may be tough for the Vikes to squeak out many (if any) wins.
17. Detroit Lions
They wanted to kick the field-goal and prolong overtime, but instead backup Shaun Hill snapped the ball fell short of a fourth down. It would have been an easy chip shot field goal and instead they
16. San Diego Chargers
I questioned the Chargers going into their game against the Falcons, but they fell way short of even my low expectations in this game.
San Diego needs a healthy Ryan Mathews to help them make the postseason, but Antonio Gates and Philip Rivers cannot do it all.
15. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have looked to catch a break since it is reported that C.J. Spiller just has an MC joint sprain as opposed to a separated shoulder or a broken collarbone. Missing the electric all-purpose for a week will surely hurt, but the return of Fred Jackson may help ease the pain.
Plus, Tashard Choice is a quality backup that deserves a ton of props, and the play for Ryan Fitzpatrick has been superb. Throw in one of the most underrated defensive units in the league and this team will have a shot to challenge for dare I say and AFC East crown?
14. New York Jets
Losing Darrelle Revis for the season could be the eventual dagger as to why they fall short of the postseason, but this offense needs to find a way to run the ball. Shonn Greene isn’t cutting it right now and Bilas Powell and Joe McKnight may not be the answer short term either.
McKnight could be legit next season, but this offense looks absolutely lost still. The defense can only take them so far, and the Niners may be licking their chops next.
13. Seattle Seahawks
Sorry Seattle, the scoreboard is lying to America and while there never was a TD to end the game, it really should have never even came down to the Hail Mary.
Erik Walden was charged for a cheap roughing the passer call on a play that was called an interception. Green Bay had the pick and would have put at least three points on the board which would have essentially ended the game (8-point lead if not 12 with more clock erased).
With all of that said, Seattle’s defense put together one hell of a performance and Russell Wilson is a houdini in the pocket. The NFC West is the best division in football, and that in itself is almost as big of a stunner as these replacement officials.
12. Green Bay Packers
Wow, what an absolute disaster of a finish that the NFL did not need. The officials were horrendous in the first two weeks, but this third week has turned into an albatross.
This loss could cost the Packers not only a division title, but perhaps a spot in the playoffs. Dear lord, can it get any worse would best sum up this season from any pundit or NFL players on the planet.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Dalton looks impressive right now, and AJ Green is only going to reap more of the benefits. Geno Atkins and this defense is bottling up the run right now, which gives them a punchers chance in the AFC North.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Mike Vick had nine turnovers through two games and now he has 11 through three games. Philly is lucky to be 2-1, but many feel this could be the Cowboys or Giants division to lose. The Eagles defense isn’t bad by any means, but they need some more firepower from guys like Jackson and Maclin (when healthy). If not, the so called ‘dream team’ will be home in January once again.
9. New England Patriots
The Pats get the benefit of the doubt since their offense carved up the Ravens defense, and they are playing without Aaron Hernandez. The schedule is not daunting s there should not be any panic with guys like Brady and Gronk still around. Also, the Dolphins and Jets are not exactly stalwarts defenses either (their offenses are borderline useless).
8. Chicago Bears
How good are the Bears?
They looked like a joke against the Packers in front of millions, but they made the Rams as bad as we thought they were. Brandon Marshall needs to be thrown the ball a bit more, but I actually felt the coaching staff did a fantastic job giving Michael Bush a ton of work.
The more they pass allows defenders to pin their ears back, and the receiving corps need to show they aren’t overrated as a one-man group. A healthy Matt Forte truly makes this a playoff team, and if he suits up on Monday Night Football then we should bank on a hell of a matchup.
7. New York Giants
Can the NFC East garner both Wild Card bids?
The Cardinals and Bears defense may have something to say about that, but Eli Manning is as calm, cool and collective of a quarterback as there is in the NFL.
Hakeem Nicks will replace Ramses Barden, who went bonkers against the Panthers secondary as will Ahmad Bradshaw over Andre Brown. As long as their defensive line is putting the clamps down, their secondary will not have to be a bunch of world beaters. Primetime matchup against Philly will decide just how far the defending champs can go.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo is still struggling without a healthy Jason Witten, but Dez Bryant and Miles Austin need to perform like Pro Bowlers in order for this team to be playing in January.
The loss of Jay Ratliff has hurt a bit, but he should be returning in time for their showdown at home against the Bears.
5. San Francisco 49ers
The Niners defense looked tired and slow against the Christian Ponder of all players, and that has to be a bit of a concern. Going on the road against the Jets will not be a cake walk, but Frank Gore and Vernon Davis should see more success. Plus, this team is coached too well to lose another roadie.
4. Baltimore Ravens
What a performance by Torrey Smith!
The Ravens were so lucky to get by the Patriots, but a win is a win and Baltimore played well enough to pull that one off.
Until T-Sizzle comes back on defense (Terrell Suggs), they will allow some big plays because the reining NFL Defensive Player of the Year is costing this team a tad. Joe Flacco played like a star, and Baltimore needs more of these virtuoso performances.
3. Arizona Cardinals
This defense is among the five best in the NFL, but Kevin Kobb really played well against the Eagles as he found Larry Fitzgerald with such ease.
This is an easy team to limit big plays to, but they are so fundamentally sound that it is tough to score on them. The speed and overall athleticism is remarkable, which should keep them in the hunt for the playoffs all season long.
2. Houston Texans
Arguably the top defense in the NFL, Matt Schaub is giving them plenty of punch on the offensive side of the ball. Plus, Foster and Johnson have been getting their swoll on too.
1. Atlanta Falcons
The top team at the moment right now would be the Atlanta Falcons and the trio of Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez is devastating to slow down.
Matty ‘Ice’ Ryan is putting together an MVP season through three games and it is amazing to see how productive he has been. Atlanta has the NFC South in control and if they protect the Georgia Dome then they might just go all the way.
The secondary is loaded with ball hawks and they have been pinning their ears back, making them look like an unstoppable force.
