After three weeks, the Cowboys rank third in the NFL in total offense but only rank 26th in total defense. Dallas is preparing to face the Denver Broncos, who have the top-ranked defense after three week (albeit against fairly weak opponents). Denver ranks 9th in total offense.

Rather than focus on a composite of several power rankings, here is a new method: a power ranking system based in part on statistics. The ranking system takes into account the following:

(1) Total offense (33.33%)
(2) Total defense (33.33%)
(3) Turnover ratio (16.67%)
(4) Point differential (16.67%)

Based on this, the Cowboys are tied for 11th in the NFL after week 3. The second highest-ranked team on the list is more than a bit of surprise: Denver. Another surprise: Atlanta, which ranks below the league average on both offense and defense. Though the Falcons have an average ranking of 9th in other power-ranking polls, they only rank 21st based on their stats. This is due to the Falcons ranking 23rd in the league on offense and 24th on defense.

Here’s a look:

1. N.Y. Giants (3-0)
2. Denver (3-0)
3. Baltimore (3-0)
4. New Orleans (3-0)
5. Philadelphia (2-1)
6. New England (2-1)
7. Indianapolis (3-0)
8. Minnesota (3-0)
9. N.Y. Jets (3-0)
10. San Diego (2-1)
11(t). Dallas (2-1)
11(t). Seattle (1-2)
13. Pittsburgh (1-2)
14. Washington (1-2)
15. Green Bay (2-1)
16. Chicago (2-1)
17. San Francisco (2-1)
18. Tennessee (0-3)
19. Jacksonville (1-2)
20. Arizona (1-2)
21. Atlanta (2-1)
22. Cincinnati (2-1)
23. Buffalo (1-2)
24. Miami (0-3)
25. Houston (1-2)
26(t). Oakland (1-2)
26(t). Kansas City (0-3)
28. Detroit (0-3)
29. Carolina (0-3)
30. Tampa Bay (0-3)
31. St. Louis (0-3)
32. Cleveland (0-3)

Go here for the complete file. Please comment to this post if you have suggestions for adjustments (e.g., strength of schedule, which I did not try to factor). If you are a fan of Football Outsiders (which I am), you will probably find my ranking system to be an elementary-school version. That said, Denver ranked third on Football Outsiders’ DVOA this week, while Seattle ranked 13th and Washington ranked 15th.

Some explanations:

Seattle (tied for 11th with a 1-2 record): Seattle ranks 10th in the league in offense and 11th in defense, which explains why such a poor team ranks high. The Seahawks’ turnover differential is only -1, and the team had a point differential of +9 thanks to a 28-0 win over St. Louis followed by two closer losses.

Pittsburgh (13th with a 1-2 record): Less surprising is that Pittburgh ranks pretty high despite a 1-2 start. The Steelers dominated both of their last two games but could not hold on to leads.

Washington (14th with a 1-2 record): Washington ranks 13th and 15th in offense and defense, respectively, which is not bad.

Cincinnati (22nd with a 2-1 record): The Bengals have been a bit of a surprise after losing their opener to the Broncos in such a bizarre fashion. Cincinnati only ranks 24th in total offense, and they rank 24th in turnover differential. Pretty impressive that the Bengals beat the #14 and #16 teams on this list and should have beaten the #2 team.

Cleveland (32nd with an 0-3 record): The Browns are just awful, ranking 32nd in offense, 32nd in point differential, 31st in turnover ratio, and 30th in defense.

As for the Cowboys…

Total Offense (3rd): The Cowboys have averaged 429.7 per game, which is 96.3 above the league average of 333.4.

Total Defense (26th): The Cowboys have given up an average of 382.7 yards per game, which is 49.3 points below the average of 333.4.

Turnovers (16-tie): The Cowboys have a turnover ratio of -1. Scaled to a 16-game season, Dallas would have a ratio of -5.

Point Differential (+25, 8th): With two double-digit wins and a close loss, the Cowboys point differential is at +25.