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 Three games into the regular season and the first quarterback casualty has been announced. Chad Pennington was knocked out of the game against the Chargers with another shoulder injury. There is a good chance that his unlucky shoulder has had enough, because not only is he out for the season, this latest injury is probably career threatening. This bring into perspective Brett Favre's long running starting streak and, despite the NFL's attempt to protect their precious quarterbacks, it is still hard for many of them to stay out of the training room. On to the rankings.

High Riser:  Jaguars (8)

Low Faller:  Steelers (9)

1. New Orleans Saints- record: 3-0 (rank last week (1): defeated Bills, 27-7)

It's nice to see the defense finally out of the off-season mindset.

2. New York Giants- record: 3-0 (rank last week (2): defeated Bucs, 24-0)

The first of three ridiculously inferior opponents.

3. Indianapolis Colts- record: 3-0 (rank last week (4): defeated Cardinals, 31-10)

Alas, there IS a capable defense in Indy after all! 

4. Baltimore Ravens- record: 3-0 (rank last week (5): defeated Browns, 34-3)

I must have missed the memo that proclaimed the Raven's offense a juggernaut.

5. Minnesota Vikings- record: 3-0 (rank last week (7): defeated 49ers, 27-24)

If Brett Favre really had one more last minute heroic in him, he picked a good time to use it.

6. New York Jets- record: 3-0 (rank last week (10): defeated Titans, 24-17)

I had a chance to watch this game, and ???yes' I am a believer!

7. Dallas Cowboys- record: 2-1 (rank last week (11): defeated Panthers, 21-7)

Nice to finally win one at home.

8. New England Patriots- record: 2-1 (rank last week (13): defeated Falcons, 26-10)

Just when I thought this team would FINALLY lose two straight games...oh well.

9. Chicago Bears- record: 2-1 (rank last week (9): defeated Seahawks, 25-19)

I seriously considered dropping them after their ???performance' against the Hasselbeck-less Seahawks.

10. Atlanta Falcons- record: 2-1 (rank last week (3): lost to Patriots, 10-26)

I sorry, but this team has far too much offensive talent to score only 10 points against ANYONE!

11. San Diego Chargers- record: 2-1 (rank last week (12): defeated Dolphins, 23-13)

They better rediscover their pass-rush next week against the Steelers or they will be in trouble.

12. Philadelphia Eagles- record: 2-1(rank last week (14): defeated Chiefs, 34-14)

At least Kevin Kolb can beat the Chiefs. Go time for a bye week.

13. Green Bay Packers- record: 2-1 (rank last week (16): defeated Rams, 36-17)

Nothing like playing the Rams to take out your frustrations following a home loss.

14. Denver Broncos- record: 3-0 (rank last week (18): defeated Raiders, 23-3)

Why is a 3-0 team still ranked so low? The Browns and Raiders barely pass for NFL teams, and do not get me started on the Bengals' game. Next week (Dallas) will be a good gauge as to where this team is at.

15. San Francisco 49ers- record: 2-1 (rank last week (8): lost to Vikings, 24-27)

They played an inspired game and barely fell short. Now we will see how they respond against the Rams.

16. Cincinnati Bengals- record: 2-1 (rank last week (19): defeated Steelers, 23-20)

This was the Bengals I was expecting at the start of the season. Their next two opponents are also in their division.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers- record: 1-2 (rank last week (6): lost to Bengals, 20-23)

Well, can't win them all, right? But the Steelers are losing a little too often now.  

18. Arizona Cardinals- record: 1-2 (rank last week (15): lost to Colts, 10-31)

They were dominated by a better team, plain and simple.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars- record: 1-2 (rank last week (27): defeated Texans, 31-24)

Strong game from Maurice Jones-Drew was needed to stop the early season bleeding, however temporary.

20. Houston Texans- record: 1-2 (rank last week (17): lost to Jaguars, 24-31)

Something seriously needs to be done with this defense, especially the run defense, or they will be lucky to be a .500 team.

21. Buffalo Bills- record: 1-2 (rank last week (20): lost to Saints, 7-27)

243 yards and one touchdown against the Saints??? On a trick-play, no less! That's all they can manage against THAT defense when they have T.O.???

22. Seattle Seahawks- record: 1-2 (rank last week (22): lost to Bears, 19-25)

It is still a long season, but if Hasselbeck does not return soon, their season will be even longer.

23. Detroit Lions- record: 1-2 (rank last week (30): defeated Redskins, 19-14)

It's only fitting that the worst franchise in America defeats the worst coached franchise.

24. Tennessee Titans- record: 0-3 (rank last week (24): lost to Jets, 17-24)

I'm probably one of a handful of people who is not surprised by their record thus far.

25. Oakland Raiders- record: 1-2 (rank last week (25): lost to Broncos, 3-23)

They do not want to exceed their ???one win per month' quota, I guess.

26. Miami Dolphins- record: 0-3 (rank last week (23): lost to Chargers, 13-23)

I'm not sure this team could beat the "U" (of Miami) right now.

27. Carolina Panthers- record: 0-3 (rank last week (26): lost to Cowboys, 7-21)

Looks like John Fox is going to stick with his ???turnover machine' at quarterback.

28. Washington Redskins- record: 1-2 (rank last week (21): lost to Lions, 14-19)

Last week's performance against the Rams was the perfect backdrop for this loss that anyone who knew anything about football saw coming.

29. Kansas City Chiefs- record: 0-3 (rank last week (28): lost to Eagles, 14-34)

Their defense made Kevin Kolb look like an All-Pro.   

30. St. Louis Rams- record: 0-3 (rank last week (29): lost to Packers, 17-36)

So this is where Kyle Boller went...

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- record: 0-3 (rank last week (31): lost to Giants, 0-24)

Josh Johnson is now the starting quarterback??? Oh, boy! 

32. Cleveland Browns- record: 0-3 (rank last week (32): lost to Ravens, 3-34)

Did not take very long for Derek Anderson to be under center, and throw a bunch of interceptions, either.

 

Five Notes From Week Three:

1. The Eagles had a slight hiccup after McNabb went down, losing to the Saints, but rebounded against the Chiefs behind Kevin Kolb. They have a bye week next (four byes total if you include their next three opponents after their bye; Bucs, @ Raiders, @ Redskins). Assuming McNabb recovers during their off-week, the Eagles will have three very capable passers on their roster (compared to the Browns, who have none). And with their signing of middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, I cannot see this team not winning their tough division.

2. The Bengals should have the NFL on notice. My preseason pick for this year's ???worst to first' team got back on track with their narrow win against the Super Bowl Champion Steelers. Notching a win for them against the Browns this Sunday, the Bengals' matchup against the undefeated (and impressive) Ravens will tell if this team is for real.

3. O.K., who's been teaching the Broncos how to play defense??? O.k., Mike Nolan has. The unit that was the main reason why previous Head Coach Mike Shanahan was fired is the same reason why present Head Coach Josh McDaniels is 3-0. The Broncos' defense currently leads the league in scoring (5.3 ppg), yards per game (214.7), and is also in a three-way tie for sacks (10). All of those numbers will be put to the test Sunday against the Cowboys.

4. I'm sorry, but Jake Delhomme must have some serious dirt on the Panther's ownership, coach, or both. This guy has been giving the ball to the opposing defenses at a rate that hasn't been seen in the NFL since Vinny Testaverde in the late-80's (or Brett Farve through much of his career). Yet he STILL holds the starting job. I know there is not much of an option behind him, but whose fault is that?

5. I could not end this without giving the Lion's props for finally winning. CONGRADULATIONS!!! Detroit has been waiting for this for a long time. After looking at their schedule, it could be at least a month before they have a legit chance to win their next game.