Last week’s ranking in parentheses.
1. Patriots 3-0 (1): Some have already started wondering if they can go 16-0 again. No joke. Their three opponents so far are 5-1 in other games.
2. Packers 3-0 (2): Made it look easy against a talented Chiefs defense. Too easy.
3. Broncos 3-0 (4): Crazy to say, but they’re going to go as far as the defense carries Peyton Manning.
4. Cardinals 3-0 (5): They’re not just winning, they’re mauling opponents by channeling Bruce Arians’ message.
5. Bengals 3-0 (6): Made believers out of many with a gritty win against a desperate Ravens bunch.
6. Steelers 2-1 (7): It will be interesting to see how the loaded offense performs for Todd Haley with Michael Vick playing in place of Big Ben for at least a few weeks.
7. Panthers 3-0 (8): Jared Allen is a small Band-Aid with pass rusher Charles Johnson potentially on the shelf for quite some time.
8. Seahawks 1-2 (9): The Bears’ weak pass rush exposed an offensive line with issues.
9. Falcons 3-0 (12): On a roll and their next six opponents (Texans, Redskins, Saints, Titans, Bucs, 49ers) have combined for five wins.
10. Bills 2-1 (13): Karlos Williams has provided some real punch, and LeSean McCoy is unlikely to play against the Giants this week.
11. Cowboys 2-1 (3): Brandon Weeden struggled getting the ball downfield in his first start, and Matt Cassel quickly is learning the offense.
12. Jets 2-1 (10): Time to tap the brakes on the New York tabloids pumping up this team as a big-time contender.
13. Vikings 2-1 (20): Adrian Peterson looked like his old self once again, which bodes well. Pass rush was in high gear against Philip Rivers.
14. Chiefs 1-2 (14): Stay positive. Jeremy Maclin became Kansas City’s first wide receiver with a touchdown reception after an 18-game drought.
15. Chargers 1-2 (11): GM Tom Telesco spent the offseason retooling the offensive line, which is coming undone quickly.
16. Colts 1-2 (17): At 1-2, they’re in the driver’s seat in the AFC South, where all four teams have the same lousy record.
17. Dolphins 1-2 (16): Joe Philbin said it’s not time to panic. In the meantime, he’d better worry.
18. Raiders 2-1 (24): Mike Tice has former Bears offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb starting at right guard. And QB Derek Carr has been sacked just once.
19. Rams 1-2 (18): Knocked Ben Roethlisberger out but mustered only six points against suspect Steelers defense.
20. Eagles 1-2 (23): Victory over the Jets didn’t subdue the controversy as top-dog free agent DeMarco Murray remains under fire and Ryan Mathews has played well.
21. Giants 1-2 (25): Return of wide receiver Victor Cruz could give Big Blue a lift.
22. Ravens 0-3 (15): Desperation will set in if they can’t win Thursday at Heinz Field and this was a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
23. Texans 1-2 (27): Best sign for offense is Ryan Mallett and DeAndre Hopkins look like they have some chemistry.
24. 49ers 1-2 (19): Even the most ardent Colin Kaepernick supporters are beginning to admit doubt.
25. Titans 1-2 (29): With eight TD passes, Marcus Mariota has tied Mark Rypien (1988) for most in first three games of career.
26. Lions 0-3 (22): Criticism of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi is mounting. QB Matthew Stafford is struggling big time.
27. Jaguars 1-2 (26): If they want to create a little buzz, beating the Colts this week would accomplish that.
28. Redskins 1-2 (21): That feel good in D.C. didn’t even last a week as they were blasted Thursday by the Giants.
29. Browns 1-2 (28): Offense is getting very little from free-agent wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.
30. Buccaneers 1-2 (30): Lovie Smith supporting kicker Kyle Brindza after he missed three field-goal tries (one from 57 yards) and an extra point. Brindza better not miss this week.
31. Saints 0-3 (31): Luke McCown was steady in substitute role, but running game got bottled up by short-handed Panthers.
32. Bears 0-3 (32): If they can’t topple the Silver and Black, they’ll be heavy underdogs until Jay Cutler returns, and who knows when that will be.
Twitter @BradBiggs
