It’s only Week 3 and the NFL already has provided plenty of great moments and stories.

You have the Jets emerging as a threat with rookie QB Mark Sanchez and the Ravens rolling right along with 2nd year QB Joe Flacco, but you also have the duds and the disappointments.

Lets have a look at all 32 AFC teams.

AFC EAST

1. New York Jets 3-0

It has been a great story for the Jets this season. Mark Sanchez has quieted the doubters, and has this team on their way to a playoff spot.

But not all the credit goes to Sanchez.

The defense has played phenomenally, giving up only 11 points a game, good for 2nd in the league. The run defense is 9th in the league, and the pass defense is 5th.

With a defense like that, and Sanchez consistently hitting Cotchery, this Jets team could take the division title.

2. New England Patriots 2-1

With the return of Tom Brady, many thought the Patriots would be back to their dominant selves again, but New England has shown some vulnerability.

Sure, their record is decent enough, and their ranks in the team stats are solid, but if you look at the games they have played New England has had some uncharacteristic trouble beating the opponent. Case in point: Week 1, when they almost lost to Buffalo, a team that is struggling on offense. This has me thinking it’s the defense that is holding the Patriots back.

Both Moss and Welker are dealing with nagging injuries, which could hinder the Patriots if they continue to linger. The Patriots will have a winning record, but they are not the 18-1 team they were in 2007.

3. Buffalo Bills 1-2

This was supposed to be a bounce back year for the optimistic Bills, but it has been the opposite.

The defense is playing terribly, T.O. has only 98 yards receiving in three games, and the team does not have a rushing TD.  Buffalo is going to have to step it up both offensively and defensively if they want to have a chance in this division.

4. Miami Dolphins 0-3

Probably the biggest letdown in the AFC so far.

After posting an 11-5 record in 2008, the team looked rejuvenated. This year, however, they are playing like the 1-15 team they were in 2007. 

Now that Chad Pennigton is out for the rest of the year, the team picked up now former Chiefs QB, Tyler Thigpen. Will Thigpen be the answer? I don’t see it happening.

Miami has dug itself in a huge hole in arguably the best division in the AFC. It will be a long season for the Dolphins and their fans.

AFC NORTH

1. Baltimore Ravens 3-0

This team is proving that last year wasn’t a fluke.

Joe Flacco is the real deal. He has driven this offense rather than just managing the game, something that makes me think this team could win the Super Bowl this year.

The defense is still the same dominate force, but now the Ravens don’t have to solely rely on their defense to make the big plays. Joe Flacco has developed a solid rapport with veteran Derick Mason, and if Flacco can continuously find Mason, watch out.

2. Cincinanti Bengals 2-1

Kind of a surprise to me that this team has a 2-1 record, but Cincinati has a knack for laying low and surprising you.

Carson Palmer isn’t having a spectacular year, but he is healthy, and that’s really what the team needs. Cedric Benson has been a sleeper this year, and Ochocinco is back to playing well.

The schedule has them playing some tough teams, but if everything continues we could see Cincy in the playoffs.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-2

Pittsburgh probably didn’t see themselves being 1-2 after week 3 and in 3rd place, but that’s the way it has gone for the previous Super Bowl champs.

Their current 1-2 record is deceiving and should improve with their next 3 games coming against San Diego, Detroit, and Cleavland. I don’t see the Steelers failing to recover and not making the playoffs.

Big Ben is looking sharp and Willie Parker has finally found his footing in the running game. Look for the Steelers to win three weeks straight and get back on track.

4. Cleavland Browns 0-3

I don’t mean to diss on the Browns, but there are so many problems with this team right now, most noticeably the QB problem. Neither Brady Quinn nor Derek Anderson have shown themselves to be the answer, but you can’t just blame them.

The Browns’ O-line is non-existent, the WRs seem like they are not even on the field, and the defense is just awful. All of this makes the Browns the worst team in the NFL, as of week 3.  This looks like to be another disappointing year for the Browns.

AFC SOUTH

1. Indianapolis Colts 3-0

The Colts find themselves atop the division. Not much of a surprise there.

Peyton Manning really runs this team, something that he has been doing for years. The Colts are a dominant force in the league, and I like their chances of making it deep into the playoffs.

The rout of the Cardinals Monday night was a sign that the Colts are finally hitting their marks. Watch out NFL.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-2

Jacksonville is a perfect example of a medicore team that just needs some more talent to become a good-to-great team. They are once again showing signs of being a .500 team, but’s I think it’s possible for the Jaguars to be a 9-7 team. 10-6 would be pushing it a little.

Just a little more talent, and this team could make a name for itself.

3. Houston Texans 1-2

Houston is a great example of an up-and-coming team.

With the duo of Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, Houston can be dominating on offense. What’s killing them is their running game and their defense. Steve Slaton has yet to find his footing, and the defense is in the bottom four in three out of the four primary defensive stats.

Like Jacksonville, Houston is a team that just needs a little more talent. They have the offensive weapons, but they desperatly need the defensive weapons.

4. Tennessee Titans 0-3

The biggest shocker in the NFL is that the Titans are 0-3. I didn’t expect to post better numbers than last year, but I never expected to see them in last place and 0-3.

They are in a desperate place right now.

The Titans’ pass defense is ranked 29th, which could be the source of the problems. They are giving up 23 points a game, a little too high if this team wants to succeed.

They better find a cure fast before they dig themselves to deep into a hole.

AFC WEST

1. Denver Broncos 3-0

Denver has found its way back to the top of their division even after losing their star QB and having to deal with Brandon Marshall’s antics. Yet the Broncos have overcome those off-season problems.

The only problem the Broncos have is trying to sustain their current lead. Last year they blew their division lead, and I hope they are trying something different so that it does not happen again.

Kyle Orton is doing what he does best: winning football games. As long as they keep playing consistently, and not suffering any major injuries, the Broncos could easily win the AFC West title.

2. San Diego Chargers 2-1

San Diego has a great QB in Philip Rivers, but LT has yet to come back to his old ways.

LT is on the “DL” right now and the Chargers have yet to find a good replacement for him, which has led to the Chargers being second to last in rushing yards. Their inability to run the ball has been the main source of the Chargers not making it deep into the playoffs the past couple of years.

The defense remains steady, but far from great.

The Chargers need their running game back or there is little hope for this team to make the playoffs.

3. Oakland Raiders 1-2

The Raiders do have a win, but don’t expect many more.

This team can’t score if the players’ lives depended on it. JaMarcus Russell seems like another 1st pick bust. Darius Heyward-Bey has only one catch this year. These players just prove that the Raiders draft the worst possible guys.

Something is wrong with this organization. It needs to be revamped, and it needs to be done now.

4. Kansas City Chiefs 0-3

I wanted to believe in this team and I wanted them to succeed, but all they have shown is that they are still way behind.

They made the worst move in releasing Tony Gonzalez, who is the greatest TE to ever play. He was also their entire offense. Once he left, so did the offense.

Dwayne Bowe is showing promise, and Matt Cassel…well…we will just have to wait and see. Their O-line is just terrible, so it’s no wonder Casel can’t score. The defense is always on top of him.  

The Chiefs were hoping to compete this year, but thats not going to be possible this year. All I can say is wait ’til next year.

Stay tuned for the follow-up article about the NFC.

As many of you know, last month I correctly predicted the upset special of the season (Browns over Giants). I would now like to take this opportunity to publicly guarantee that the Cleveland Browns will defeat the Buffalo Bills tonight on Monday Night Football.

Don’t ask me how I know this, or why I know this, just know that I am currently “one for one” in my Monday Night predictions; STILL PERFECT in layman’s terms.

Here’s what needs to happen for my streak of perfection to continue:

1. Browns secondary will dominate early. Safety Sean Jones will lay down a few punishing hits early, to let the Bills receivers know that he isn’t messing around. Look for a first half interception or two from either McDonald, Jones or Pool.
2. Running MEN. Jamal Lewis should get at LEAST 20 carries (Jerod for Offensive Coordinator in ‘09!) and punch in at least one touchdown tonight. Also look for screen passes to BOTH Lewis and Harrison to be effective.
3. Pretty-Boy QB. I must admit, i was not a fan of Brady Quinn in the beginning. I hate Notre Dame, Charlie Weis, and anything that has anything to do with the state of Indiana. My feelings began to change on draft day, though, when I learned that Quinn grew up in Ohio, and saw the photo of him dressed in a miniature Bernie Kosar Jersey. Last week, Quinn was impressive. In spite of the loss, AND in reference to it after the game. Look for Quinn to have around 280 yards passing, and two TD’s. ( I have a weird gut feeling that he may throw one INT, and rush for one TD)

MY PREDICTION:

Cleveland 24

Buffalo 17