Under Center w/ Maly Mal: Week 3

As the season begins to take form, there’s one division that stands head and shoulders above the rest… the NFC East. The division is a combined 10-2, with the two losses coming from divisional foes. In week 3, the Cowboys dismantled the Packers, Philly’s defense dominated the Steelers, the Giants found a way to win (yet again), and the now cocky Washington Redskins made it two in a row by defeating the favored Arizona Cardinals. It’s looking like the late 1980’s/early 1990’s, all over again. Especially when the Miami Dolphins take the New England Patriots behind the woodshed and San Francisco puts up 30+ points. Things seem to always come full circle. Without further adieu, here’s this weeks power ranking:

1. Dallas Cowboys – Browns, Eagles, Packers… Who’s next? (In your best Eddie Murphy ‘Coming to America’ voice) Give Al Harris his spleen back!
2. New York Giants – They just keep on winning. Eli has a flare for the dramatic. Lovely pass to Toomer in OT.
3. Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles have a championship caliber defense. However, the season rests on the health of McNabb and Westbrook.
4. Denver Broncos – We all know greatness when we see it. Jay Cutler’s on his way!
5. Tennessee Titans – As I always say, you have to give respect, where respect is due. The Titans are 3-0.
6. Buffalo Bills – Once again, another team that’s 3-0. And, with the Lambs, I mean Rams looming, 4-0 shouldn’t be a problem.
7. New England Patriots – This team still has a lot of talent to compete. But, without Tom Brady, the rest of the league’s licking their chops.
8. Green Bay Packers – Mr. Rodgers has been humbled, as all quarterbacks are sooner or later. But, the great ones (like Favre) bounce back.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers – The Eagles exposed the Steelers leaky pass protection. Not good with Baltimore coming to town.
10. San Diego Chargers – The Chargers looked super, after hanging 48 points on the Jets. LaDainian Tomlinson had a spark I haven’t seen since week 15 of last year.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Brian Griese always seems to pull of one or two great games. Then his performance plummets. Let’s see what happens this time.
12. Carolina Panthers – Has the players at the skill positions. But, not enough on the offensive line.
13. Baltimore Ravens – Ray Lewis and the boys look like the defense of old. The offense looks improved. Big divisional test this week when they visit Pittsburgh.
14. Indianapolis Colts – Looks like the Colts are going through a natural NFL evolution process. Hungry to win. Then you win. Then complacency sets in.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars – Could it be possible the Jags were looking forward to week 3 from the beginning? This is the team we expected to see from the start.
16. Washington Redskins – The Redskins have won two in a row. But, I’m not convinced. Beat Dallas and I’ll have to change my tune.
17. Arizona Cardinals – All of that talent and they loss to the Redskins… Typical Cardinals.
18. New Orleans Saints – The Saints put up big numbers every week, but, lost another heartbreaker. Stats mean nothing… Wins mean everything.
19. San Francisco 49ers – It’s nice to see the Niners competing again. They’re finally turning the corner.
20. Seattle Seahawks – Injuries at the wide receiver position has hurt this team. Once Bobby Engram gets back in the lineup, things will turn around.
21. Minnesota Vikings – Gus Frerotte is not the answer. But, he’s better than Travaris Jackson.
22. Chicago Bears – Without Hester’s field position and scoring production, the Bears are relying on Brandon Lloyd to make big plays. That’s not going to cut it.
23. New York Jets – Brett Favre looked old and seemed to not be having too much fun against the Chargers. Maybe you should’ve taken the $20MM, Brett.
24. Atlanta Falcons – Young and entertaining team. They’re ecstatic about being 2-1, but, realistic about their chances.
25. Miami Dolphins – Impressive win against the Patriots. Signs of things to come, not things to be.
26. Houston Texans – The offense is young, and the defense is terrible. Same thing we said last year, and the year before that, and the year before that!
27. Cleveland Browns – Battle Cincinnati for the best of the worst in the AFC North. Brady Quinn’s debut is coming soon.
28. Cincinnati Bengals – They’ve always said losing is a habit. I guess old habits really are hard to break.
29. Detroit Lions – Matt Millen is finally gone. That moves them up a spot in my rankings.
30. Oakland Raiders – Al Davis is at it again, with his meddling. I’m sure he’ll find a way to say it’s an NFL conspiracy before the seasons over.
31. St. Louis Rams – Take your pick as to who’s the worse team in football. I say it’s a tie between the Rams and the…
32. Kansas City Chiefs – They may not win a game this year. REALLY!