That's right, the editorial brain trust of SB Nation D.C. had such a fun time doing these Redskins Player Power Rankings last week that we have come back for more. A tough 18-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night seems to have influenced the voting of many panelists, as there is a distinct defensive slant to this week's rankings. As a reminder, we each made a top 10 list of players, tallying up the results, with 10 points going to a first-place vote, nine for a second-place vote and so on. The pollsters are asked to give significant weight to this season as a whole as opposed to just the players' standing after week three.
Your voters: Mike Prada, Scott Jackson, Daniel Shiferaw, JP Finlay, TJ Doyle and Martin Shatzer.
1. London Fletcher (57 points)
A unanimous selection in week one as the top dog on this list, the return of a certain safety prevented London from garnering all first place votes this week, though he still manages to be numero uno in these rankings. Fletcher was once again all over the field against the Cowboys Monday night, amassing seven tackles and continuing to be the backbone of a, dare I say, much improved Washington defense.
2. LaRon Landry (53 points)
"Dirty 30" came back to the field this week for Washington, after missing the final seven games of the 2010 campaign and the first two weeks of the 2011 season. His presence was immediately felt - just ask Laurent Robinson. Aside from that vicious hit, Landry made four tackles and forced a fumble, earning him first place votes from both Scott and Martin.
3. Brian Orakpo (38 points)
The young defensive lineman's play Monday night saw him jump to three on this week's rankings, just one point ahead of linemate Ryan Kerrigan. Orakpo actually had to leave the game against the Cowboys due to cramps, the only negative on his evening, but it did lead to perhaps the quote of the year from sideline reporter Doc Walker regarding Orakpo's disappearance. Orakpo actually tallied 38 points this week despite being left off the ballot all together by Scott.
4. Ryan Kerrigan (37 points)
The rookie defensive end placed fifth on five ballots, and was voted fourth by Dan. Kerrigan continued the impressive start to his inaugural NFL season by applying pressure to Tony Romo all game, even earning a sack after Phil Costa mismanaged (yet another) snap and sent Tony Romo running ten yards behind the line of scrimmage.
5. Tim Hightower (32 points)
The do-everything running back had another solid week for the Redskins, carrying the ball 14 times for 41 yards and catching five passes for 39 yards and the game's lone touchdown. Hightower was consistently in the lower half of most ballots, except for Martin, who is enamored with the ex-Arizona back and ranked him third (I'm guessing fantasy football plays into that choice).
6. Santana Moss (30 points)
Santana Moss continues to simply plug along, this week catching five Rex Grossman passes for 70 yards. Moss's veteran presence and consistency is to the Redskins offense what London Fletcher's presence is to the Washington defense. I initially balked at the Redskins paying Moss in the offseason, but even I have turned the corner and recognize his contribution to the team.
7. Stephen Bowen (20 points)
The ex-Cowboy joins fellow defensive lineman Orakpo and Kerrigan in these rankings (Kerrakpo?), on the strength of their combined effort versus Tony Romo Monday night. Bowen is the definition of a space-eater, absorbing two offensive lineman at a time on virtually every snap. Huge jump for Bowen in these rankings, as he went from receiving just two points after week two to the number seven position on this list.
8. O.J. Atogwe (13 points)
Atogwe benefited from the return of LaRon Landry, with six tackles against the Cowboys to show for it. Earlier in the week Otogwe noted that Landry's return was almost like added another player to the defense, and I expect both Redskins safeties to remain on this list all season long barring any more injuries.
9. Josh Wilson (12 points)
The Redskins cornerback talked about least in the postgame is actually the one who makes this (expletive deleted) list. Whoops, sorry, I let DeAngelo Hall take over the keyboard there for a moment. Wilson certainly isn't the media presence of Hall, but his play through three weeks has been everything Jim Haslett has been looking for, if not more.
10. Trent Williams/Will Montgomery (8 points)
I would have thought Williams would've received more votes for the job he did on Dallas' DeMarcus Ware for three quarters Monday night, leading to Rob Ryan shifting Ware over Jammal Brown for the fourth quarter. Montgomery garners votes for the excellent job he did on Cowboys' hoss nose tackle Jay Ratliff.
Others receiving votes: Rocky McIntosh (7), Chris Cooley (4), Brandon Banks (4), Rob Jackson (2), Roy Helu (2), Kedric Golston (1), Jabar Gaffney (1), Graham Gano (1), Snapper extraordinaire Phil Costa (1), Ron Jaworki's life partner Tony Romo (1)