NFL Power Rankings week 2

It was a very long offseason for American football. There was free agency, the draft, training camp and the preseason. All of it was a big tease. Then there was the opening game of the year.

The Minnesota Vikings lost to the New Orleans Saints to end their season, and then they promptly began their season the same way last Thursday.

How did the rest of the National Football League fair during the opening week?

1. New Orleans Saints – Record (1–0)

The reigning Super Bowl championship didn’t look overly impressive against Minnesota in a rematch of the NFC championship game, but as my buddy DJ says, a win, is a win, is a win. Sure it sounds ridiculous but he is right. If you win, you’re good. If you don’t? You drop on the list.

2. New England Patriots – Record (1–0)

Tom Brady didn’t throw for the most yards this weekend, but he made the Bengals defense look like Swiss cheese with three touchdowns. The 38-24 score doesn’t really show how big of a blow-out this game really was.

3. Indianapolis Colts – Record (0–1)

If they weren’t the Colts I probably would have dropped them further. Then again they are the Colts and they lost to a very good Houston Texans team. The Colts couldn’t stop Arian Foster but don’t expect Foster to be a top five running back this season even after the big game. And another big hit for Bob Sanders, he could be out for the season, AGAIN.

4. Green Bay Packers – Record (1–0)

Aaron Rodgers did a very un-Aaron Rodgers type thing against the Eagles, he threw two picks. While he looked dominant in the preseason, he didn’t look the greatest against a young Eagles defense. Ryan Grant could be out for a few weeks, so Brandon Jackson might get the chance to prove he isn’t a bust after all.

5. Baltimore Ravens – Record (1–0)

The defense was even more dominant than the Jets, and they don’t even have their best corners back from injury yet. You ask how can that be? They only gave up six first downs. The offense looked nice, not up to what I expected, but it was the first game of the year and it was against the Jets.

6. Dallas Cowboys – Record (0–1)

What can I say? They looked terrible. In a game of blunders, backup right tackle Alex Barron was called for three false starts and on the biggest play of the game was called for holding. And people were wondering why the St. Louis Rams wanted to get rid of him so bad, when their line sucks.

7. Tennessee Titans – Record (1–0)

Running back Chris Johnson started off slow but had his fourth career 75+ yard run. And solidifying his position as the best RB in the league. What might even be more impressive? Vince Young. He didn’t have a career day or anything, but he was very efficient and even had a 56 yard bomb go for a TD to wide receiver Nate Washington.

8. New York Jets – Record (0–1)

The Jets defense was really good, allowing only 10 points, but the offense, as said before, only got six first downs. Yes it was against the Ravens, but if they want to get to the Super Bowl they are going to have to play better on offense. They will also need to cut back on the penalties: 176 yards of offense, 125 yards in penalties.

9. Atlanta Falcons – Record (0–1)

They lost to a depleted offensive team in the Steelers, and were forced to go to overtime for the third consecutive against Pittsburgh. Michael Turner looked pathetic against the Steelers. For the Falcons sake, hopefully he can perform up to his talent.

10. Houston Texans – Record (1–0)

Arian Foster looked dominant but I'm not convinced he can keep it up over a full season. Matt Schaub didn’t throw a lot, but then again with Foster averaging seven yards a carry, Schaub didn’t have to. The defense looked good, well actually the rush defense looked ok. The pass defense was downright terrible, allowing Peyton Manning to throw for 433 yards. So much for Kareem Jackson being a good pick.

11. Miami Dolphins – Record (1–0)

They almost lost to the Bills. The Bills. For a now-former Bill Parcells team that’s embarrassing. Again it was a case of neither team looking good, but the Bills shouldn’t look good anyways. The ‘Phins offense surprised me with such a pathetic performance, particularly QB Chad Henne.

12. Cincinnati Bengals – Record (0–1)

Forget how they finished, they were blown out 24-3 at the half. Incredible for a team that everyone had them possible Super Bowl hyped. They finished better but they should not be proud after that pathetic display in the first half.

13. Minnesota Vikings – Record (0–1)

I loved seeing the Vikes fail personally. Adrian Peterson looked good but how can the “best running back in the league” be tired in the first half of the first game? Pitiful. Then Brett Favre looked old, slow and still injured. Super Bowl contender? Please. They won’t even win the division.

14. New York Giants – Record (1–0)

Talk about not winning easy. The score was 31 -18 but could have been like 38-10. Penalties, bad plays, and receivers not catching the ball. It was ugly win for the Giants. The Giants could just have easily lost if they didn’t pick off the Panthers three times in the red zone.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Record (1–0)

They were forced into OT again against the Falcons, and Rashard Mendenhall bailed them out. His numbers weren’t impressive until that 50 yard TD run in OT, but I think big things are in his future… if the line can get healthy. Good to see S Troy Polamalu is healthy and dominant again. With Polamalu, the defense looked like their typical dominant self.

16. San Diego Chargers – Record (0–1)

They could never really get anything going against the much improved Chiefs. QB Phillip Rivers was getting on his line, his receivers looked only so-so, but at least the defense looked good. They will need to improve their special teams while they’re at it. GM A.J. Smith should also look into signing his two holdouts, LT Marcus McNeil and WR Vincent Jackson.

17. San Francisco 49ers – Record (0–1)

I don’t have much to say. They were terrible. I don’t know if it’s just because their line is young or what, but they couldn’t run. Will Alex Smith ever be good? I’ve been incredibly patient with him, but now I'm getting feed up with his lack of development and production.

18. Kansas City Chiefs – Record (1–0)

I'm drinking the Kool-Aid. They look more explosive on offense and special teams. Their defense looked very much improved too. It is early but head coach Todd Haley, offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel might just have this team on the short track to success. They might not be a playoff team yet, but an 8-8 record isn’t inconceivable.

19. Philadelphia Eagles – Record (0–1)

Starting QB Kevin Kolb just couldn’t get anything going before going down with a concussion. It probably had to do with Andy Reid switching him and Michael Vick out excessively. They made it interesting there at the end but the game was just a little too out of reach for the Eagles. Vick looked good overall but he hindered Kolb.


20. Arizona Cardinals – Record (1–0)

Talk about ugly win. Is this going to be the biggest win to lose differential from last year? They lost three of their best players: QB Kurt Warner, LB Karlos Dansby and S Antrel Rolle; apparently with those three gone, they went from a playoff and possible Super Bowl contender to a top 10 pick in the draft team.

21. Washington Redskins – Record (1–0)

Embarrassing way to win. As expected, the defense looked really good and the offense looked really bad. Donovan McNabb just has no line and absolutely no weapons. The Redskins might have to win a lot more games like this one to live up to Skip Bayless’ hype.

22. Carolina Panthers – Record (0–1)

Like I said in my last rankings, when does the Jimmy Clausen era begin? Matt Moore threw three picks which is bad enough, but he threw those three picks in the red zone! And worse yet, they were all in the endzone! Words do not describe the QB play from the Panthers.

23. Oakland Raiders – Record (0–1)

Darren McFadden had a nice game, finally (18 carries for 95 yards and a TD; six catches for 55 yards). But that was the lone bright spot of the Raiders. There is talent but they still have a long way to go.

24. Chicago Bears – Record (1–0)

Ok, my final “ugly” win. I'm actually counting it as a loss. It was the Redskins vs. Cowboys game, just at an earlier time. One good thing? Jay cutler didn’t throw a million picks. Sure it was against the Detroit secondary, but he still had a nice day.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars – Record (1–0)

It’s sad when the most exciting thing for Jacksonville is that the visiting Tim Tebow is back. That and the blackout of the game are depressing for the franchise. When can we move them to a new city?

26. Denver Broncos – Record (0–1)

Kyle Orton had a decent day, but when you’re on Denver right now? Nothing is really exciting. This game with the Jags might be the game that everyone forgot about.

27. Seattle Seahawks – Record (1–0)

It was a huge surprise when Seattle just dominated the Niners. The ‘Hawks just wouldn’t let San Francisco get into an offensive groove. People say that Pete Carroll was terrible in his first stint in the NFL, but he went 31-33. Not that bad. Now you can make that 32-33.

28. Detroit Lions – Record (0–1)

WR Calvin Johnson scored a game winning TD. Yet due to an absolutely ridiculous rule it was ruled an incompletion. His feet were in-bounds, he DID have control of the ball. The city of Detroit gets screwed again. First the perfect game mishap and now the CJ catch.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Record (1–0)

They didn’t look overly impressive but I think it was a good step forward for a young, inexperienced team. QB Josh Freeman has some intriguing receiving weapons surrounding him, but don’t expect big games… just yet.

30. Cleveland Browns – Record (0–1)

Jake Delhomme was depressing. He should just retire. Forget veteran leadership, he is useless. The whole Browns team was sad. Both sides of the ball looked pathetic against the Buccaneers. The Dog Pound should prepare for another long, long season. Good job Mike Holmgren.

31. Buffalo Bills – Record (0–1)

When your leading rusher had only 19 yards you are officially the worst rushing team in the NFL. They also only had nine first downs. Nine. They are definitely in the running for the worst team in the league. The battle between them and the Rams will be a long sad one.

32. St. Louis Rams – Record (0–1)

When your rookie QB is throwing 55 times in his debut, that’s dumb coaching. First off, Sam “Bustford” shouldn’t even be starting much less throwing that much. Steven Jackson only got 22 carries. He should be getting at least 30. And probably more like 35-40. Embarrassing. The defense couldn’t hold the inaccurate Derek Anderson to a big passing day. He was still inaccurate but he had some big plays.