Seahawks still No. 1 on ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings

Sep 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety John Cyprien (37) comes in to tackle Seattle Seahawks tight end Kellen Davis (87) during the 2nd half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Jacksonville 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks are still the team to beat in the NFL, but the Denver Broncos are not far behind, according to ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings for Week 4.

Seattle is 3-0 with one of the best defenses in the league and ESPN believes that is one of the reasons they are the best team in the NFL:

"The Seahawks’ pass defense leads the league with a minus-4 TD-Int differential. Only 12 teams even have four interceptions this year. Good road challenges await in Houston and Indy."

The Seahawks have allowed just 27 points this year, fewest in the NFL. Bleacher Report’s Power Rankings are conclusive with ESPN’s, with the Seahawks atop the list:

"To this point in the season, Seattle is the king of the hill in the NFL.Opposing offenses are getting absolutely smothered, and Seattle’s offense doesn’t turn the ball over often. This is a recipe for success at any level."

However, some believe the Denver Broncos are No. 1.

The AP  Pro32 Rankings have Denver at No. 1, Seattle at No. 2 and the Chicago Bears (3-0)  at No. 3.

SB Nation also lists the Seahawks at No. 2 behind the Broncos, saying:

"Like the Broncos, the Seahawks have played one quality opponent through three games this season…But both teams have dismantled those inferior opponents just like you would expect from such a mismatch. The [Seahawks] defense got Chris Clemons back last week, and Bruce Irvin returns from his suspension in Week 5. Percy Harvin should be back by December, just in time for a playoff run."

The Broncos are the only team that has scored more than 100 points this year and they have outscored opponents 127-71. The Seahawks have outscored their opponents 86-27.

Peyton Manning’s 12 touchdown passes set a record for the most through three games in a season. The team’s offense leads the league in three categories: points per game (42.3), yards per game (486.7), and passing yards per game (374.7).

Next week, the Broncos will host the Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) before traveling to Dallas to take on the Cowboys (2-1) and then heading back to Denver in Week 6 to take on the Jaguars (0-3).

It will be interesting to see how both the Seahawks and Broncos play the rest of the season. Obviously, the year is still young, but in a previous article from 12th Man Rising, a poll showed  that 78% of you said you would like to see Seattle play Denver in the Super Bowl, provided both teams got there.

At this point, that is a very real possibility.