Week 3 NFL Power Rankings and Predictions
By Matthew Gray
2013 Power Rankings / Predictions: Week 3
#1 — Seahawks 2-0 (vs Jaguars)
The Seahawks have been unstoppable in the first two games of the season — with domineering wins over Carolina and San Francisco. The Seahawks have permitted a league-low 10 points this year and I don’t think Jacksonville is the team to break this trend
Seattle over Jacksonville 28-10.
#2 – Broncos 2-0 (vs Raiders)
The Broncos are #1 in some other power rankings that have been released. They look outstanding and have crushed their opponents up till this point in the season. I have a feeling the Raiders are going to put up a bigger fight than people expect, but the Broncos will win.
Denver over Oakland 29-23
#3 — 49ers 1-1 (vs Colts)
The Niners are still lethal, even after the embarrassing loss to Seattle Sunday Night. They host an Indianapolis Colts team with newly acquired Trent Richardson. Last year Richardson had 610 yards rushing on 181 attempts, with 8 touchdowns on grass fields, and Chuck Pagano is going to use him early and often at the grassy Candlestick Park. I think the 49ers’pull out a hard fought win when it’s all said and done however.
San Francisco over Indianapolis 25-24
#4 — Texans 2-0 (@ Ravens)
The Texans are like that bag of microwave popcorn in its first minute of popping – there making some noise but the explosion is only a matter of time. Deandre Hopkins and Ben Tate have been providing a pickup in relief of the slow starting Andre Johnson and Arian Foster. They head in to Baltimore to face an upside down Ravens.
Houston over Baltimore 31-21
#5 — Packers 1-1(@Bengals)
Green Bay has Aaron Rodgers and he is 55/79 pass attempts for 813 yards and 7 touchdowns thus far, if the Packers offensive line can hold down the sacks against Cincinnati this week, Rodgers will spread that ball around for similar results.
Green Bay over Cincinnati 32-27
#6 — Falcons 1-1(@Miami)
Atlanta suffered some injuries last week in a tough win against the Rams. Jaquizz Rodgers will have to provide some support, with Steven Jackson likely missing the game, and an offense that has ailing receivers.
Atlanta over Miami 24-17
#7 — Patriots 2-0 (vs Buccaneers)
Tom Brady will need a running game from Steven Ridley to mask a struggling passing attack facing Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay over New England 24-17
#8 — Saints 2-0 (vs Cardinals)
New Orleans managed one offensive touchdown Sunday, and Drew Brees was intercepted twice and sacked four times. Arizona comes in stout.
Arizona over New Orleans 24-14
#9 — Bears 2-0 (@Steelers)
Chicago last started 3-0 in 2010, when it reached the NFC championship game. In a 17-14 win over Pittsburgh in the teams’ most recent meeting Sept. 20, 2009, Cutler went 27 of 38 for 236 yards with two TDs and no picks to improve to 2-0 against the Steelers.
Chicago over Pittsburgh 26-14
#10 — Bengals 1-1 (vs Packers)
Green Bay has dropped the last two meetings, most recently falling 31-24 at Cincinnati in 2009. Rodgers threw for 261 yards but had only one TD and was sacked six times. That changes this week.
Green Bay over Cincinnati 32-27
#11 — Ravens 1-1 (vs Texans)
Baltimore celebrated its Super Bowl title and bounced back from a shredding by Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the season opener by holding the Browns to 85 second-half yards.
Houston over Baltimore 31-21
#12 — Dolphins 2-0 (vs Falcons)
Miami is looking to open 3-0 for the first time since 2002, and when it most recently started 2-0 in 2010, it finished 7-9. Prior to this year, the Dolphins were 5-18 in September over the past seven seasons.
Atlanta over Miami 24-17
#13 — Chiefs 2-0 (@ Eagles)
Defensively, the Chiefs have allowed one touchdown and recorded nine sacks, but they face a daunting task this week.
Philadelphia over Kansas City 21- 20
#14 — Colts 1-1 (@ 49ers’)
The acquisition of Richardson may help the Colts bounce back from last week’s loss to Miami. With Ballard out and uncertainty surrounding Bradshaw’s ability to be a feature back, Indianapolis decided to bring in a player once considered to be Cleveland’s running back of the future.
San Francisco over Indianapolis 25-24
#15 — Cowboys 1-1 (vs Rams)
In order to start 2-1 for the first time since 2006, St. Louis will have to defeat a Dallas team hungry to bounce back after last week’s letdown. Romo threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns in the last meeting with the Rams, one each to Bryant and tight end Jason Witten.
Dallas over St. Louis 30-24
#16 — Chargers 1-1 (@ Titans)
The Chargers, who rank among the league leaders with 30.5 points and 401.0 yards per game, will try to keep rolling against the Titans.
San Diego over Tennessee 27-20