Seahawks are new No. 1 in Week 3 Power Rankings

Sep 15, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2nd half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco 29-3. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks are the new No. 1 team in both the ESPN and NFL.com Power Rankings for Week 3 of the young season.

After dismantling the San Francisco 49ers in front of a national audience, many believe the Seahawks (2-0) may be the new team to beat in the NFC — if not the NFL.

NFL.com’s Elliot Harrison explained that beating their biggest rival on a national stage and having exceptional defense has catapulted the Seahawks to No. 1:

"While it’s scary to think that this defense will still be adding [Chris] Clemons and [Bruce] Irvin, the Richard Sherman-led secondary is so doggone good, I’m not sure their absence even matters."

Last week, the NFL.com Power Rankings had Seattle at No. 3, behind the Denver Broncos (2-0) at No. 2 and the 49ers (1-1) in the top spot. This week, the Seahawks and Niners flip-flopped so that the top three are the Seahawks, Broncos and 49ers, respectively.

ESPN also had the 49ers at the No. 1 spot last week, but with the Seahawks a close No. 2. After Sunday night’s game, the Hawks moved to No. 1, the Broncos took the No. 2 spot and the 49ers came in at No. 3.

The Seahawks have every opportunity to stay in the No. 1 spot next week as well with the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) coming to CenturyLink Field this Sunday. ESPN agrees and had this to say about the Seahawks being No. 1:

"The Seahawks have allowed a league-low 10 points this season against offenses led by Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick. Hosting the Jaguars Sunday might get ugly."

The Seahawks are 19.5-point favorites against the Jaguars, one of the largest spreads in NFL history, according to CBS Seattle.

Both ESPN and NFL.com have the Jaguars at No. 32 in their Power Rankings.

NFL.com mentioned that the Jaguars have lost 14 of their last 15 games while ESPN noted that they have scored a league-worst 11 points thus far and wondered this:

"If the 49ers managed three points against Seattle, what will Jacksonville do?"

Good question, ESPN. Good question.