2014 NFL Week 3 Metal Power Rankings

Hey there.  Week 2 is now in the books and we more than a few surprises after 2 weeks.  Who would have thought that the Saints would be 2-0?  Antonio Gates catches 3 TDs against the Seahawks defense?  Eagles are down 20-6 to the Colts in the 3rd quarter and come back to win 30-27?  And injuries, injuries, injuries...  RGIII, Jamaal Charles, AJ Green, and Vernon Davis just to name a few.  Wow... what season this is shaping up to be!  I went 5-5 last week (11-9 overall).  Many surprises in last week's games so I'll take it! I'm still over .500 so I can't complain.  lol  Now let's see if your team made it into my top 9.

WEEK 3 POWER RANKINGS

Rank (Rank Last Week)

1 (2) Denver Broncos (2-0)

Last week's game against the Chiefs was a lot closer than anyone expected.  The Chiefs, without their start RB Jamaal Charles, still managed to keep Broncos QB Manning on the sideline with long drives.  It seems like the Broncos were more focused on the Super Bowl rematch against the Seahawks this week.  Look for Manning to redeem himself for their awful showing at the Super Bowl and light up the Seahawk defense.  Broncos win this week.

2 (1) Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
The reigning champs lost a tough one against the Chargers last week.  I can't help but think that they were getting ahead of themselves by over estimating the Chargers and thinking of the Broncos matchup this week.  If Chargers TE Antonio Gates can light up the Seahawks for 3 TDs, can you imagine what Broncos combo of Manning and TE Julius Thomas would do?  Seahawks lose this week to the Broncos.

3 (8) Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)

I had the Bengals squeezing out the win over the Falcons but the Bengals ran away with it.  Even without their star WR A.J. Green, QB Andy Dalton lead the Bengals to a 24-10 win.  And they have just found another beast RB in rookie Jeremy Hill.  He looked just as effective, if not better, starting RB Giovani Bernard.  Looks like these Bengals have a lot of bite to them!  They'll go 3-0 after taking care of the Titans.

4 (5) Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)

The Eagles continue their Jekyll and Hyde act.  The Eagles, again, were pretty awful in the first half and that's when RB Darren Sproles took over.  He had 7 catches for 157 yards, including a long 57 yarder in the 4th that pretty sealed the win for the Eagles.  Look for Eagles RB LeSean McCoy to say, "My turn" and run all over Washington this week.  Eagles keep rolling and win.

5 (8) New England Patriots (1-1)

The Patriots looked like a completely different team from that of Week 1.  The defense came alive and sacked came up with 6 sacks.  Patriots QB Tom Brady may be pacing himself.  He is averaging 184 passing yards per game (27th in the NFL) and half of those passing yards have gone to WR Julian Edelman.  There may be some cause for concern in New England but it won't show this week when they visit the Black Hole and come out victorious.

6 (7) Green Bay Packers (1-1)

200+ yards for Packers WR Jordy Nelson?!  Whoa!  And you know what... the Packers needed every single one of them, and a little luck, to hold off the Jets from coming back to tie the game.  Jets QB Geno Smith apparently tied the game with a 36 yard strike on a 4th and 4 in the final minutes of the game but assistant coach Mornhinweg called a time out a second before the snap, effectively wiping out the score.  The Jets failed to get a score after that and lost the game.  Packers are going to need a little luck against Detroit QB Matthew Stafford and the Lions.  Packers lose in Detroit.

7 (3) San Francisco 49ers (1-0)

What happened?  The 49ers were up 17-0 against the Bears when they simply imploded.  Multiple turnovers, 15+ penalties...  I don't care how good you are, you can't win football games when you shoot yourselves in the foot.  49ers QB Colin Kaepernick took most of the heat, committing 4 turnovers himself.  They'll need to cut on those mistakes when they go up against a well balanced Cardinals team in Arizona.  I don't see Cardinals QB Carson Palmer playing this game so I'll so the Niners come up the victors.

8 (-) Carolina Panthers (2-0)

The Panthers defense is looking fierce.  They have already forced 6 turnovers and have allowed only 21 points this year.  Their offense needs to step it up, though.  Panthers QB Cam Newton will take care of that.  Cam threw for almost 300 yards and a score in his season debut and those numbers should continue to rise if rookie WR Kelvin Benjamin continues his strong play.  They'll need it when they welcome the Steelers.  Panthers defense will harass Big Ben and force mistakes during their primetime matchup.  Panthers win.

9 (-) Arizona Cardinals (2-0)

Even without starting QB Carson Palmer, the Cardinals' well balanced attack was able to shut down the Giants.  The passing game was conservative, but the running game was aggressive.  And let's not forget that the punt return team got in on it too with a punt return TD.  Palmer may still be out this week with nerve damage in his shoulder.  Even if he does play, he won't be at 100%.  Cardinals lose this week to the 49ers.

32 (32) Oakland Raiders (0-2)

One step forward and 2 steps back.  As FS Charles Woodson put it, the Raiders "suck."  "It's embarrassing."  The Raiders brought in talent to stop the run, yet, Texans RB Arian Foster stomped all over the defense to the tune of 138 yards and a TD.  Rookie QB Derek Carr continues to improve but is taking baby steps.  He threw for 268 yards and a score and rushed for another 58 yards.  Respectable numbers, but still shows he's a little green by throwing ill advise passes and getting them intercepted.  And his WR corps are not helping.  WR Rod Streater was injured early in the game, diminishing open targets for QB Carr. And even though WR James Jones caught 9 passes for 112 yards, he fumbled twice on the same play, erasing a much needed scoring opportunity.  The Raiders moved the ball fairly well against the Texans but that Texan defense came up big on several occasions to stop the Raiders from scoring points.  The Raiders picked up a much needed wide receiver this week in WR Vincent Brown in hopes that he'll help keep drives alive and convert some into points.  The Raiders welcome Tom Brady and the Patriots this week and unless Derek Carr has a break out game, the Patriots will run away with a win.  Derek Carr is getting there... but not there yet.  Raiders lose again this week and fall 0-3.

Agree or disagree.  Let's hear it in the comments, friends!  Later!