AFC has seven of the top nine teams in this week's rankings

This is how the NFL's 32 teams stack up after Week 3:

IN THE HUNT

Teams, listed with record and previous week's ranking, that look good enough to be among the 12 playoff qualifiers but not based on conference.

1. New England (3-0; 1): The Patriots can score, and win, at will. You can't say that about any other team in the league.

2. Indianapolis (3-0; 2): After surviving two tough divisional road games that they lost a year ago, the Colts have every reason to feel they're actually stronger than they were on the way to winning the Super Bowl.

3. Dallas (3-0; 3): With a playmaking defense to complement the highly effective throwing and running of Tony Romo, the Cowboys could quickly separate themselves from the rest of the NFC.

4. Green Bay (3-0; 5): Brett Favre's arm can continue to work wonders and the defense is solid, but imagine how much scarier this team would be if it had a running game.

5. Pittsburgh (3-0; 4): Being good, solid and steady could take this team a long way.

6. Tennessee (2-1; unranked): Vince Young is quickly rising to elite status among quarterbacks.

7. Houston (2-1; 6): It was a game effort vs. the Colts, and the Texans have a chance to rebound quickly vs. Atlanta.

8. Baltimore (2-1; unranked): Can a two-headed quarterback approach work? The Ravens and Cardinals apparently think so.

9. Jacksonville (2-1; unranked): David Garrard can build plenty of confidence with that Mile High victory.

10. Washington (2-1; 8): The Redskins have a long time to think about that goal-line stuff by the Giants.

11. San Francisco (2-1; 11): Injuries are beginning to mount.

12. Detroit (2-1; 7): Just when it seemed the Lions were ready to show they aren't the same, old Lions … the same, old Lions showed up.

MIDDLE OF THE PACK

(Listed alphabetically)
Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
Carolina Panthers (2-1)
Denver Broncos (2-1)
New York Giants (1-2)
New York Jets (1-2)
Oakland Raiders (1-2)
Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)
Seattle Seahawks (2-1)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)

NEED WORK

(Listed alphabetically)
Atlanta Falcons (0-3)
Buffalo Bills (0-3)
Chicago Bears (1-2)
Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
Cleveland Browns (1-2)
Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)
Miami Dolphins (0-3)
Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
New Orleans Saints (0-3)
St. Louis Rams (0-3)
San Diego Chargers (1-2)

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