After all the predictions, including mine, that the Giants weren’t going to make it back to the Super Bowl this season, here they are, atop my rankings, without even playing this week. Arizona dropped the most this week, from No. 16 to No. 23, while the Saints climbed six spots for the biggest jump.

1. Giants (3-0)
2. Titans (4-0)
3. Cowboys (3-1)
4. Patriots (2-1)
5. Bills (4-0)
6. Steelers (3-1)
7. Redskins (3-1)
8. Buccaneers (3-1)
9. Panthers (3-1)
10. Eagles (2-2)
11. Chargers (2-2)
12. Broncos (3-1)
13. Jaguars (2-2)
14. Colts (1-2)
15. Saints (2-2)
16. Packers (2-2)
17. Ravens (2-1)
18. Seahawks (1-2)
19. Bears (2-2)
20. Jets (2-2)
21. 49ers (2-2)
22. Falcons (2-2)
23. Cardinals (2-2)
24. Dolphins (1-2)
25. Browns (1-3)
26. Vikings (1-3)
27. Raiders (1-3)
28. Chiefs (1-3)
29. Texans (0-3)
30. Lions (0-3)
31. Bengals (0-4)
32. Rams (0-4)

Rams coach Scott Linehan was fired Monday. Perhaps he should have been canned after last season, when the team started 0-8 and finished 3-13.

It didn’t get any better this year with an 0-4 start and an offense that is barely scoring. Remember when the Rams’ offense was considered high-powered? Granted, it’s not 1999 anymore, but for years, drafting a St. Louis player for your fantasy team was a sure thing. That image began to erode last year and vanished over the past four games.

Of course, Linehan wasn’t fired for letting fantasy football owners down. Last year’s disaster was getting worse, and unless the Rams did something, they were headed toward 1-15 rather than 3-13. And while they might not rebound this year, perhaps Jim Haslett can stop the bleeding enough that there will be hope for 2009.

Six teams are bye this week — be prepared to get a good look a QB2s and RB4s.

SMART STARTS
– Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos. Denver’s red-hot offense will torch another opponent, even on the road. Expect 300 yards and 2-3 TDs from Cutler, who has emerged as a legitimate QB1.

– Reggie Bush, RB, Saints. He may not get the rushing yards other top fantasy running back amass, but Bush has re-emerged as New Orleans’ top offensive weapon. He’ll deliver another decent game against the 49ers.

– Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars. The Jacksonville running game started to click last week and will not disappoint against the Texans. He might not top 100 yards again, but he’ll get the ball near the goal line for one or maybe even two TDs.

DOZER DOOZIES
– Matt Forte, RB, Bears: Chicago will want to slow the game down against Philadelphia, resulting in plenty of carries for Forte, on track to be this year’s Marshawn Lynch (a rookie RB who has an impressive fantasy year but is overshadowed by a better rookie).

– Derek Anderson, RB, Browns: Anderson needs a breakout game if he wants to keep starting. He’ll get it against the Bengals; beyond that, I still think he’s going to end up as a fantasy bust.

– J.T. O’Sullivan, QB, 49ers. O’Sullivan has proved he’s no Alex Smith, and if the Niners get into a slugfest with the Saints, he could top 300 yards.

WE ARE CONCERNED
– Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: He’s a tough sit, but with all the chaos in St. Louis, don’t be surprised if Jackson has a rough week against the Bills.

– Thomas Jones, RB, Jets: Even if Brett Favre isn’t 100 percent, the Jets won’t be running the ball as much against the Cardinals.

– Matt Schaub, QB, Texans: Houston needs to find its offense quickly; unfortunately, it won’t be at Jacksonville. Unless the Texans fall behind big, I think they will rely on Steve Slaton and the running game more than Schaub and the pass.

I turned in another above average week, but like many never saw that Patriots loss coming. I wonder how many knockout pools were ruined by the Dolphins?

WEEK 4NEW ORLEANS over San Francisco
TAMPA BAY over Green Bay
JACKSONVILLE over Houston
CINCINNATI over Cleveland
CAROLINA over Atlanta
N.Y. JETS over Arizona
TENNESSEE over Minnesota
Denver over KANSAS CITY
San Diego over OAKLAND
Buffalo over ST. LOUIS
DALLAS over Washington
Philadelphia over CHICAGO
PITTSBURGH over Baltimore
Last week: 10-6 Season: 30-17

Many changes this week with New England, Pittsburgh and Green Bay losing, though Dallas stays at No. 1. Baltimore moves up eight for this week’s biggest jump, while Chicago drops seven for the steepest fall.

1. Cowboys (3-0)
2. Giants (3-0)
3. Titans (3-0)
4. Eagles (2-1)
5. Patriots (2-1)
6. Broncos (3-0)
7. Bills (3-0)
8. Steelers (2-1)
9. Redskins (2-1)
10. Packers (2-1)
11. Buccaneers (2-1)
12. Ravens (2-0)
13. Panthers (2-1)
14. Chargers (1-2)
15. Jaguars (1-2)
16. Cardinals (2-1)
17. Colts (1-2)
18. Falcons (2-1)
19. Seahawks (1-2)
20. Vikings (1-2)
21. Saints (1-2)
22. 49ers (2-1)
23. Bears (1-2)
24. Dolphins (1-2)
25. Jets (1-2)
26. Raiders (1-2)
27. Texans (0-2)
28. Browns (0-3)
29. Bengals (0-3)
30. Lions (0-3)
31. Chiefs (0-3)
32. Rams (0-3)

As I blogged yesterday, there are six unbeaten teams remaining after three weeks. So which team will go the furthest before their first loss? Baltimore plays at Pittsburgh on Monday night, then host Tennessee in Week 5, so the Ravens won’t last. The other five aren’t as obvious.

For sure, in Week 9, either the Cowboys or the Giants will be handed their first loss (barring the unforeseen, rare tie), as the two teams play each other. Buffalo plays at St. Louis and Arizona the next two weeks, then is bye, then hosts San Diego — you would think either the Cardinals or Chargers will give the Bills loss No. 1. Denver plays at Kansas City, hosts Tampa Bay, hosts Jacksonville and plays at New England; my bet is the Broncos won’t survive against a real defense and will get three in a row in the next four weeks (assuming the Patriots improve).

Tennessee’s schedule looks good: at home vs. Minnesota, at Baltimore, a bye, at Kansas City, then at home vs. Indianapolis. The Colts will be better by then, but if the Titans can win, only a Week 11 game at Jacksonville stands in their way to a really impressive record. But they need to find more offense for that to happen.

That leaves the Cowboys and Giants. Both teams stand a good chance at being 8-0 by Nov. 2, and if Dallas emerges from the showdown … it would still have to contend with road games at Washington, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to go 16-0. The Giants’ schedule is even tougher. I’m calling it now, the Cowboys will stay undefeated the longest and finish 14-2.

More musings:

– How many knockout pools were destroyed by the Patriots’ 38-13 loss to Miami? What must be disconcerting for New England fans wasn’t Matt Cassel’s play, but rather, the defense that couldn’t stop the Dolphins. I’m standing by 10-6.

– Here was a classic Brett Favre stat line: 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, no victory. Yes, he still can play, but it was that kind of performance that was happening more often before last season’s magic. And maybe, that was why the Packers were ready to let him go — they knew the magic wasn’t going to last.

– Finally, six winless teams remain: St. Louis, Kansas City, Cleveland, Houston, Cincinnati and Detroit. Of these, the Rams are in the most danger of going 0-16. Serious danger.

Three weeks in, and there are just six undefeated teams out of 32. And of those six, who would have thought Buffalo, Denver, Tennessee and Baltimore would be among them.

OK, the Ravens might not count because of their unexpected bye. And I won’t get into Denver’s fortune that Ed Hochuli blew that call last week. Nevertheless, this is turning out to be a wild season. If it keeps up, December, when teams are vying for the playoffs, will be dizzying.

There are a few questionable stars who may or may not play this week, including LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson. So be alert Sunday morning.

SMART STARTS
— Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers: Rivers is coming off a monster game, and though the Jets’ defense is probably better than Denver’s, don’t be surprised if throws a few touchdowns, particularly if Tomlinson isn’t 100 percent Monday night.

— Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: After his amazing Atlanta debut in Week 1 and his return to the planet last week, Turner will find some nice middle ground against the Chiefs, going over 100 yards rushing and scoring a TD or two.

— Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: Washington doesn’t want to get into a shootout with Arizona, so expect Portis to slow the game down with plenty of carries an a 100-yard-plus game.

HIT THE SNOOZE BAR
— Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers. At first thought, I didn’t think Rodgers would do much against the Cowboys on Sunday night at Lambeau. But considering how Donovan McNabb shredded Dallas on Monday night, if Rodgers doesn’t realize how big a game this is, or even if he does and just has fun instead of feeling the pressure of his first game in the national spotlight, he could top 300 yards and throw a couple touchdowns.

— LenDale White, RB, Titans: White may no longer be Tennessee’s workhorse in terms of carries, but he’s getting the ball near the end zone. I wouldn’t be surprised if he scores one or two touchdowns against the Texans.

— Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks: After an unimpressive Seattle debut, Jones put up nice numbers last week. With the Seahawks lacking many weapons on offense, he’ll shine against the Rams.

UH, NO
— Torry Holt, WR, Rams: St. Louis is that bad, and Holt is frustrated after only seven receptions in two games. Though he scored a touchdown last week, the prospect of another against a really-need-to-win Seattle team seem bleak.

— Matt Schaub, QB, Texans: Houston will be rusty after its unexpected bye, and Tennessee’s defense has been stout so far. My hunch is that Schaub will be less-than-effective in Nashville.

— Derek Anderson, QB, Browns: Anderson’s slump that started last year will continue at Baltimore. It doesn’t help that Braylon Edwards isn’t healthy. I wonder how soon we’ll see Brady Quinn this season.

I picked a little worse last week than in Week 1. Maybe I shouldn’t be picking against the Bills so much …

WEEK 2
TENNESSEE over Houston
BUFFALO over Oakland
MINNESOTA over Carolina
ATLANTA over Kansas City
CHICAGO over Tampa Bay
WASHINGTON over Arizona
NEW ENGLAND over Miami
N.Y. GIANTS over Cincinnati at N.Y. Giants
SEATTLE over St. Louis
SAN FRANCISCO over Detroit
New Orleans over DENVER
Cleveland over BALTIMORE
INDIANAPOLIS over Jacksonville
Pittsburgh over PHILADELPHIA
Dallas over GREEN BAY
SAN DIEGO over N.Y. Jets
Last week: 9-6 Season: 20-11

New England quarterback Matt Cassel didn’t stink in his first start since high school. Will that be good enough for the Patriots?

There was a good point made about Cassel’s emergence: Tom Brady was an untested quarterback when he took over for Drew Bledsoe all those years ago. And though Cassel is greener than Brady was, the Patriots are a solid enough team that Cassel simply needs to be adequate.

But I’m still waiting for Randy Moss to implode. When he’s double-teamed, Cassel doesn’t have the skills to get the ball to him. And we’ve seen how Moss gets when he isn’t getting the ball.

Just a few more thoughts from Week 2:

– The Vikings had to do it: They are switching to Gus Frerotte at quarterback after another lackluster performance by Tavaris Jackson. It might not actually help, but the Vikes couldn’t risk falling further behind in the NFC North.

– Arizona might be the unlikeliest 2-0 team so far, but unless Seattle turns things around quickly, the Cardinals might win the division. And it’s going to be Kurt Warner, not Brett Favre, as the ancient quarterback that leads his team to the playoffs.

– The Chargers are 0-2, thanks in part to Ed Hochuli, but they shouldn’t worry — the Broncos aren’t good enough to win the division, and the Raiders and Chiefs aren’t good enough to win the Mid-American Conference.