2011 NFL Power Rankings, Week 3: ESPN Moves Broncos To No. 24

Last week, ESPN's NFL power rankings were slightly more upbeat about the Denver Broncos when they placed the team at No. 28. By defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, the Broncos moved up to No. 24 in the latest ESPN rankings:

The win over the Bengals should quiet the Tebow noise. Sunday at Tennessee will be telling. (Kuharsky)

I'm not quite sure that the win quieted the "Tebow noise." Really, it depends on how we define the question of "Tebow noise." Kyle Orton didn't fall apart and there are no billboards calling for his benching yet. Still, Tebow did get into the game--as a wide receiver.

The Titans, though, will be a tough test, as Kuharsky writes. Tennessee has been two different teams in two games so far. They lost to a Jacksonville team that started Luke McCown at quarterback and then defeated a Baltimore team that had dominated the Steelers one week earlier. And with it being a road game, the Broncos need to get off to a good start.

The Kansas City Chiefs 10 spots from No. 21 to No. 31 following their abysmal loss to the Detroit Lions, 48-3. Only the Seahawks are worse, but a loss to the Chargers could sink them into the cellar's very pit of despair next week.

The Chargers fell out of the top 10 and down to No. 12 while the Raiders are at No. 20 following their back-and-forth loss to the Buffalo Bills.

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 3: Denver Broncos Escape Bottom Of SB Nation's Rankings

The Denver Broncos escaped cellar-dweller status in SB Nation's NFL power rankings, but just slightly. They are now No. 28 because they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Joe Thorman (noted Kansas City Chiefs fans) dropped his own Chiefs down to No. 32 because they're just really bad:

I had the Chiefs ranked 25th last week because I thought there's no way they're as bad as a 41-7 loss to the Bills. I was wrong -- they're even worse.

Being outscored 89-10 in two games doesn't help. They face a tough test against the San Diego Chargers this Sunday, but then they have games against the Minnesota Vikings and the Indianapolis Colts, both currently 0-2. Maybe they'll be able to compete in those games.

To round out the AFC West, the Oakland Raiders actually moved up one spot to No. 23 despite losing to the Buffalo Bills (who lurk outside of the top 10 at No. 11). The Chargers check in at No. 16 following their loss to the No. 2 New England Patriots.

Interestingly, the 0-2 Carolina Panthers are one spot ahead of the Broncos at No. 27. Sure, Cam Newton's two-week performance has been impressive, but the team is winless. A team with a win is better than a team with none.

Week 3 NFL Power Rankings: Denver Broncos Should Rise Slightly, Chiefs Could Plummet

The Denver Broncos were the only AFC West team to win on Week 2, which should help them move up in the latest power rankings.