2013 NFL Power Rankings: Top 5 Super Bowl Contenders

2013 NFL Picks: Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos Steelers Odds and Predictions – Free Monday Night Football Picks 9/23/2013: The 2013 NFL season is still young, but with three weeks in the books, a clearer picture of which teams are actually set up for success this year is beginning to develop. Not surprisingly, some teams have lived up their preseason expectations, some have failed miserably, and others have gotten off to unexpectedly fast starts. With that in mind and with bye weeks set to begin in Week 4, here is a look at the five teams that have separated themselves from the pack in the early going.

1.      Seattle Seahawks (3-0)

It isn’t surprising to see Seattle’s defense allowing a league-low 9.0 points per game this season. However, it is a bit surprising to see the Seahawks averaging the fourth-most points through three games. The injury to Percy Harvin seems to be doing little to slow down the development of second-year quarterback Russell Wilson, and running back Marshawn Lynch has Seattle’s power ground game firing on all cylinders. A dominating beatdown of San Francisco in Week 2 was an early statement win for the Seahawks.

2.      Denver Broncos (3-0)

Denver’s offense overwhelmed the defending champion Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, and Peyton Manning and company haven’t slowed down. The Broncos are averaging an NFL-best 42.3 points per game, and Manning has 12 touchdowns and zero interceptions through the first three games. The defense has struggled a bit while missing corner Champ Bailey and linebacker Von Miller, but Denver does own the top run defense in the league. Meanwhile, the offseason signing of receiver Wes Welker and emergence of tight end Julius Thomas has made the Broncos’ offense close to unstoppable.

3.      New Orleans Saints (3-0)

Their season got off to a great start as the Saints topped division rival Atlanta in their opener. As expected, Drew Brees and the passing attack have been excellent, ranking fourth in the league. Tight end Jimmy Graham has looked particularly unstoppable. Perhaps more importantly, a defense that was horrible last season is currently allowing the fifth-fewest points. If New Orleans’ defense continues to play at a high level, the sky is the limit for this team.

4.      Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)

A change of scenery has done head coach Andy Reid good, and he has already guided the Chiefs to more wins this year than the team had all of last season. Quarterback Alex Smith has played mistake-free football in his first year as the starter, and running back Jamaal Charles has done a little bit of everything out of the backfield. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s defense has been outstanding. The Chiefs are currently allowing the second-fewest points in the NFL and have tallied a league-high 15.0 sacks. Kansas City hasn’t been flashy, but they have been balanced and effective thus far.

5.      New England Patriots (3-0)

Despite a rash of injuries on the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Tom Brady has the Patriots undefeated thus far. Granted, the schedule has been soft, but considering all the new pieces trying to learn the offense on the fly, wins are wins at this point. Not to mention the fact that the New England’s defense has been excellent thus far. The Patriots are allowing the second-fewest points in the league, and when the offense finally gets healthy, the rest of the league could be in trouble.

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