Predominantly Orange Week Three NFL Power Rankings

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Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Minnesota Vikings (11)

The Vikings have a great defense—containing Rodgers the way that they did was no surprise here if you have watched them play. The big surprise was the play of Sam Bradford. Who could have seen this coming? If he can continue to play at this level, the Vikings will likely be the biggest threat to the Panthers at the top of the NFC, and will cast legitimate doubt on Teddy Bridgewater’s future with the team moving forward.

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) forces a fumble on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Green Bay Packers (2)

The Packers have had a tough time with the Vikings the past two seasons, but it wasn’t all bad. Before he went down, Adrian Peterson had done NOTHING, and Rodgers and Nelson seem to be getting back on to the same page. Losing a road game to a tough divisional opponent is no reason to push the panic button. However, this won’t be the easy road to an NFC North Championship the way many, including myself thought.

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Arizona Cardinals (12)

We learned two things about the Cardinals in this football game:

First—The Cardinals can respond to adversity. The week one loss to the Patriots was inexcusable, but they bounced back strongly.

Second—The Cardinals aren’t going away any time soon. The 40-point effort against the Bucs was a statement that being the top offense in football in 2015 was no fluke. With Bruce Arians at the helm, the Cardinals will be a good football team.

Sep 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) runs from Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Daniel McCullers (93) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Cincinnati Bengals (7)

Much like the Packers, there is no reason to panic in Cincinnati. The Steelers are a tough team, and a road loss is not going to kill their long term chances. The Bengals can take pride in the job they did on Antonio Brown—that is no easy task limiting him the way they did. With a home game coming against the defending champion Broncos, the Bengals need to put this game in the rear-view and focus their attention to trying to score some points against an all-world defense.

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