Week 3 NFL Power Rankings and Predictions
By Matthew Gray
#17 — Rams 1-1 (@Cowboys)
St. Louis also hasn’t had much success running the ball, though that’s partially due to falling behind by double digits in each of its first two contests. It trailed Arizona by 11 in the second half before rallying for a 27-24 win Sept. 8, then gave up the first 21 points before its comeback fell short last week.
Dallas over St Louis 30-24
#18 — Lions 1-1 (@ Redskins)
Johnson had nine catches for 101 yards and a career-high three scores in his last meeting with Washington, a 37-25 home win Oct. 31, 2010. While Johnson and Nate Burleson have a combined 23 catches for 276 yards, Bush and Bell have 17 receptions for 253.
Detroit over Washington 36-31
#19 — Eagles 1-1 (vs Chiefs)
A rib injury limited receiver DeSean Jackson to 45 receptions, 700 yards and two TDs in 11 games in 2012, but he’s caught 16 balls for 297 and matched that touchdown total this year.
Philadelphia over Kansas City 21-20
#20 — Giants 0-2 (@ Panthers)
New York has beat Carolina two straight and four of the last five meetings, including the past two road matchups.
New York over Carolina 20 -10
#21 — Cardinals 1-1 (@ Saints)
Arizona hopes to have Fitzgerald as it tries to build on Sunday’s 25-21 home victory over the Lions.
Arizona over New Orleans 24-14
#22 — Titans 1-1 (vs Chargers)
San Diego hasn’t lost to the Titans franchise, including postseason, since Sept. 27, 1992.
San Diego over Tennessee 27-20
#23 — Vikings 0-2 (vs Browns)
The absence of Richardson, who ran for 950 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie, leaves the Browns without one of only two players to have a rushing attempt this season. The other is Weeden, who will be replaced by third-stringer Brian Hoyer instead of veteran backup Jason Campbell.
Minnesota over Cleveland 24-6
#24 — Redskins 0-2 (vs Lions)
After rushing for 815 yards and seven TDs last season, Griffin has been limited to 25 yards on nine carries as he tries to get more comfortable on that injured knee. He’s yet to run the ball out of the zone-read — the play that made him so difficult to defend a year ago. Detroit is primed.
Detroit over Washington 36-31
#25 — Steelers 0-2 (vs Bears)
The Steelers could get a boost against Chicago, if tight end Heath Miller is ready to return from a knee injury that cut short his 2012 season, but that likely won’t fix everything.
Chicago over Pittsburg 26-14
#26 — Bills 1-1 (@ Jets)
Manuel’s ability to come through in the clutch was evident last week when he connected with Stevie Johnson on a 2-yard touchdown pass with 2 seconds left to lead Buffalo past Carolina 24-23. They stumble against the Jets.
New York Jets over Buffalo 19-17
#27 — Panthers 0-2 (vs Giants)
Newton was sacked six times Sunday, and he’s struggled in the early going with an 86.4 rating. The Giants will keep that sack ratio alive.
New York Giants over Carolina 20-10
#28 — Jets 1-1 (vs Bills)
Both Manuel and Smith have already led their teams to fourth-quarter comeback victories and are considered the potential future of their respective franchises. Sunday’s game also will put the winner in a respectable position in the AFC East at 1-1, while the loser will fall to 0-2 in the division.
New York Jets over Buffalo 19-17
#29 — Raiders 1-1 (@ Broncos)
Darren McFadden carried 19 times for 129 yards against the Jaguars, but Denver has allowed a league-low 81 rushing yards.
Denver over Oakland 29-23
#30 — Buccaneers 0-2 (@ Patriots)
There’s a heavy burden on Josh Freeman, who owns an NFC-low 63.0 passer rating as he faces a New England defense that has limited quarterbacks to a 61.5 mark — although that has come against rookies EJ Manuel and Geno Smith.
Tampa Bay over New England 24-17
#31 — Browns 0-2 (@ Vikings)
Weeden got hurt in a 14-6 loss to Baltimore last Sunday, and the Browns opted to go with Hoyer — who started one game last year for Arizona — over Campbell. Hoyer is the 19th starting quarterback for the Browns since they re-entered the NFL in 1999.
Minnesotta over Cleveland 24-6
#32 — Jaguars 0-2 (@ Seattle)
Jones-Drew, limited to 34 yards on 12 carries in Jacksonville’s 41-0 defeat at Seattle in 2009, has rushed for 72 on 25 attempts this season.
Seattle over Jacksonville 28-10