NFL Power Rankings - Week 3: Broncos take over top spot; Panthers on the rise

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including David P. Woods, Michael Amato, Caitlyn Holroyd and Gino Bottero.

1. Denver Broncos

Previous Rank: 2nd

The offense has been fine - Peyton has six touchdowns and no turnovers - but the defense hasn't lived up to expectations with all its shiny new parts. They'll need to figure things out in a hurry with a trip to Seattle on deck. The team's been guilty of taking its foot off the gas on more than one occasion. - Gino Bottero

2. Seattle Seahawks

Previous Rank: 1st

Sunday's loss to the Chargers provided a necessary reality check for the Seahawks, who now sit in a three-way tie for second place in the NFC West. They will have an opportunity to reclaim the No. 1 spot with a Super Bowl rematch against the Broncos in Week 3. - Caitlyn Holroyd

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Previous Rank: 8th

Clearly concerns over the Bengals' front four were overstated. The defense has looked outstanding to start the year, while the running game could wind up as one of the top units in football with both Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill running effectively. - Gino Bottero

4. New England Patriots

Previous Rank: 4th

The Patriots trail the Bills in the AFC East, but we know how this story ends. Brady and company never panic. Watch for them to go on a run and win the division like they always do. - David P. Woods

5. Philadelphia Eagles

Previous Rank: 7th

The Eagles could very easily be 0-2, but a pair of second-half comebacks helped them remain undefeated. Some might say they are fortunate, but good teams find ways to win games they shouldn't. - Michael Amato

6. Green Bay Packers

Previous Rank: 6th

The Pack let a much weaker New York Jets team hang around last week, and will need to play a more complete game if they hope to earn a victory over the Lions. Detroit will provide a big test for Green Bay's secondary. - Michael Amato

7. Carolina Panthers

Previous Rank: 13th

With Cam Newton back under center for their home opener, the Panthers cruised to a convincing 24-7 victory over the Lions. They still have some improvements to make on the offensive line, but the Panthers are looking like the team to beat in the NFC South right now. - Caitlyn Holroyd

8. San Francisco 49ers

Previous Rank: 3rd

Turnovers and penalties took their toll on San Francisco in Week 2, as the team surrendered a 17-point lead to lose their first game at Levi's Stadium. The NFC West is anyone's game right now, but if the 49ers continue to play like they did against the Bears, that will change pretty quickly. - Caitlyn Holroyd

9. San Diego Chargers

Previous Rank: 9th

A win over the defending Super Bowl champs is big, but now the Chargers need to avoid a dreaded letdown against an undefeated Bills squad. Losing running back Ryan Mathews hurts because they've been far more efficient offensively when leaning on the running game. - Gino Bottero

10. New Orleans Saints

Previous Rank: 5th

It's too early to panic, but the Saints will need to pull things together soon if they intend to remain competitive in the NFC. Going home to New Orleans should help this week. - Caitlyn Holroyd

11. Arizona Cardinals

Previous Rank: 12th

No Carson Palmer? No problem. The Cardinals pulled off an easy win over the Giants in Week 2, and should be feeling pretty confident heading into Sunday's matchup against the 49ers. - Caitlyn Holroyd

12. Chicago Bears

Previous Rank: 16th

Gutsy win in San Francisco last Sunday night, but it won't get any easier in the coming weeks. The Bears have to deal with the Packers' offense and Panthers' defense in two of their next three games. The results there will show what Chicago is made of. - Michael Amato

13. Indianapolis Colts

Previous Rank: 11th

For the first time as a pro, Andrew Luck lost back-to-back games. The Colts have no one to blame but themselves. An anemic pass rush and stumbling running game is holding this team back. - David P. Woods

14. Baltimore Ravens

Previous Rank: 18th

The Steelers' rush defense has been atrocious and the Ravens still weren't able to run the ball all that effectively against Pittsburgh. That's the foundation of Gary Kubiak's offense and, until the Ravens can get the ground game figured out, they're in trouble. - Gino Bottero

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Previous Rank: 10th

The Steelers' rush defense has quietly been pitiful. The offense doesn't deserve to be let off the hook either after mustering only six points on Thursday night. A bounce-back performance is surely in order after that pathetic showing in Baltimore. - Gino Bottero

16. Atlanta Falcons

Previous Rank: 14th

Losing to the Bengals on the road isn't the end of the world, especially with the Saints sitting at 0-2. The Falcons will get an opportunity to redeem themselves Thursday when they host the struggling Buccaneers. - Caitlyn Holroyd

17. Detroit Lions

Previous Rank: 15th

Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford looked human against a tough Panthers defense. The Lions will have to cut out the mistakes if they hope to contend for a playoff spot. Turnovers and penalties could once again doom their chances. - Michael Amato

18. Buffalo Bills

Previous Rank: 24th

Are the 2-0 Bills a legitimate playoff contender? It's hard to maintain this level of success with a quarterback whose impact on games is as limited as EJ Manuel's, but maybe Buffalo will slowly expand his responsibilities if the team keeps rolling. - David P. Woods

19. Houston Texans

Previous Rank: 23rd

The Texans, the NFL's worst team a season ago, rested their starters late in a road blowout in Week 2. You don't see that very often. The wins could continue to pile up, as the Texans' schedule doesn't get difficult until November. - David P. Woods

20. Miami Dolphins

Previous Rank: 17th

For a second straight season, the Dolphins follow an identity-forming upset of the Patriots with a 19-point loss to the Bills. One step forward, two steps back. Ryan Tannehill is simply not developing at the pace he needs to. He's running out of time. - David P. Woods

21. New York Jets

Previous Rank: 19th

Aaron Rodgers shredded the Jets' underpowered secondary in Week 2. That doesn't bode well for Rex Ryan's unit. Cutler, Stafford, Rivers, Manning and Brady are the next five passers the Jets will face. - David P. Woods

22. Dallas Cowboys

Previous Rank: 26th

They haven't exactly faced an offensive juggernaut yet, but the Cowboys defense is surprisingly holding its own. As long as that continues, and Jason Garrett keeps giving the ball to DeMarco Murray, Dallas is going to have a chance. - Michael Amato

23. Cleveland Browns

Previous Rank: 29th

Overcoming a 24-point deficit against the Steelers - for a moment - didn't do it, but surely knocking off the Saints will wake the league up to the fact that the Browns are going to be a tough out this season. - Gino Bottero

24. Kansas City Chiefs

Previous Rank: 21st

Running back Knile Davis has four touchdowns in two games as the Chiefs' feature back, counting last weekend's game. He also averaged 3.3 yards per carry in those contests, both of which resulted in Kansas City losses. - Gino Bottero

25. Minnesota Vikings

Previous Rank: 22nd

Off-field distractions is something this team doesn't need. If Adrian Peterson is forced to sit out, it may be best to officially make this a redshirt season for Teddy Bridgewater. - Michael Amato

26. Washington Redskins

Previous Rank: 30th

Could the Redskins be better with Kirk Cousins at quarterback? It was only the Jaguars, but that certainly looked to be the case on Sunday. - Michael Amato

27. St. Louis Rams

Previous Rank: 31st

Thanks to a solid performance by third-stringer Austin Davis, a late field goal by Greg Zuerlein, and a little help from a game-sealing 10-second runoff, the Rams find themselves tied with the Seahawks and 49ers for second place in the NFC West. That's unlikely to last, but a Week 3 matchup against the Cowboys gives the Rams an opportunity to enter their bye with a winning record. - Caitlyn Holroyd

28. Tennessee Titans

Previous Rank: 25th

How does one explain the Titans' listless performance in their home opener, especially after the excitement the team's Week 1 road upset created? Maybe it simply comes down to a lack of talent on both sides of the ball. - David P. Woods

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Previous Rank: 20th

The Buccaneers have lost two consecutive games at home to teams playing without their starting quarterback. Things won't get any easier, as Tampa Bay now enters a potential make-or-break stretch of three road games against the Falcons, Steelers and Saints. - Caitlyn Holroyd

30. New York Giants

Previous Rank: 27th

If there is a way to shoot yourself in the foot, this team will find it. The Giants simply aren't good enough to get away with turnovers and shaky special teams play. - Michael Amato

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

Previous Rank: 28th

The Jaguars can't protect their quarterback, allowing a franchise-record 10 sacks in Week 2. They can't run the ball to take the pressure off, either. That's a recipe for a lot of losses. Is it too risky to start Blake Bortles behind that line? - David P. Woods

32. Oakland Raiders

Previous Rank: 32nd

The clock is ticking on Dennis Allen. The team hasn't been good enough on either side of the ball. Even veteran safety Charles Woodson came out and said they "suck." - Gino Bottero