NFL Power Rankings Week 2
Updated September 11, 2012
Administrator note: Just so we are clear, there is never a bigger day of the year where more overreacting is done than the Monday after week 1 in the NFL. Teams that were going to be 3-13 are now playoff contenders because they beat one team. Well you won’t be seeing any gross overreactions on this website. Yes some teams took massive drops, but they really had to disgust me to deserve that (looking at you Buffalo). Also, if you are wondering why your team might be ranked below a team they beat on Sunday (i.e. Redskins and Saints) please refer to the power rankings homepage to review how I do these rankings. Just because a team is in spot today, does not necessarily mean I believe they will end the season in that spot, this is just how I believe things stand after the first week. Carry on.
32. Miami Dolphins (0-1)
That was a completely pathetic effort from the Dolphins in week 1. There is already talk that they want to fire their GM Jeff Ireland. This rather early for all that, which is not a good sign. The problems with this team go all the way to the top. How can you expect to build a consistent winner if you let your GMs and coaches (last year with Sparano) sit around all year as lame ducks?
31. Cleveland Browns (0-1)
The Browns get a one spot bump because their defense played very well against a talented offense. However, the offense is a dead weight for this team. Maybe Brandon Weeden will be better when he is older, as in 35 in a few years old. I am nervous this team is going to get gutted by their new owner if these results continue. That much overhaul will not help build a winner.
30. St. Louis Rams (0-1)
This was an encouraging loss for the Rams. They hung with a playoff team from last year. However, I am bringing them down because their o-line lost two starters and has no depth. If Wayne Hunter is forced into action then Sam Bradford is in trouble.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
Jacksonville and Blaine Gabbert played well in this contest. However, they fell just short of winning this game. The next step will be to win a game like this one. I am waiting to see them actually play a good team.
28. Oakland Raiders (0-1)
I feel bad for Oakland; they probably had a shot in this game if it wasn’t for the injury to their long snapper. This contest shows the underrated nature of that position. The Raiders did not have much pass protection though as it seemed San Diego had pass rushers in Palmer’s face all day.
27. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
The Vikings got a huge boost from Adrian Peterson in this contest. I hope he can maintain this level of play coming off a serious injury like he is. My hat is off to him for being his usual stud self in week one. As I said for Jacksonville, lets see them against a better team.
26. Buffalo Bills (0-1)
Basically can just repeat what I said for their last power rankings “I am going to just come out and say that I do not believe in Ryan Fitzpatrick. I just do not think he has the tools to lead this team on a consistent level”. He was worse than that. In week one he was not even ready to lead them on a good level, period.
25. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
Not a super impressive debut from Andrew Luck, but that is ok, it was his first game and it was against a very stout defense. It’s going to be great to watch
Luck grow with some of these young players on his team.
24. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
I think this will be a bumpy season for Tennessee, but I think this team has potential for the future. Side note: Chris Johnson has to be one of my least favorite players in the NFL. I hated how in the offseason all he bragged about was being able to beat Usain Bolt in race and all that crap; no one cares how fast you are. He just needs to shut up and actually produce for his team and he did not start off well.
23. Arizona Cardinals (1-0)
Arizona won, but I am still skeptical. Maybe they will not be as putrid as I imagined before the season and maybe they will keep climbing the rankings because of their ballin’ defense. However, still count me among those who is not on board with this team yet. We will wait and see.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
This was about what I expected the Bengals to look like this season. They will still have their flashes but frankly, I do not give them much of a chance against great teams like the Ravens. I will say though, everyone needs to know who defensive tackle Geno Atkins is. What a dominating player.
21. New York Jets (1-0)
Wow, this team really scored 48 points? I am impressed but I am not going to buy it just yet. If they play like that against the Steelers then they will go way up next week. By the way, I have never seen an analyst blast a team and a coach so much after win than Skip Bayless did to this team. That guy is exactly the type of bias this website does not stand for.
20. Carolina Panthers (0-1)
This was a massive disappointment by the team in their opener. It is ironic that Carolina’s defense was supposed to be the Achilles heal of the team all year and yet it was the offense that failed to show up on Sunday. Interesting fact from Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer “If their foes had scored 16 points in every game in 2011, Carolina would have gone 14-1-1”. Carolina needs last year’s offense back, now.
19. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)
The Chiefs disappointed me on Sunday, but as I said we have not seen the best of this team yet. Atlanta looks pretty good and it is hard for anytime to win a game being that limited on defense. Lets check them out when they have Tamba Hali, Brandon Flowers, and others back on defense.
18. San Diego Chargers (1-0)
I bumped the Chargers up but only two places. Their defense looked really good against the Raiders and put a ton of pressure on Palmer, but the contest was in doubt near the end of the game. The Raiders had a stunning three punts blocked! If you are an elite team, and your opponent does that, you should blow them out, not win by eight.
17. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
I dropped the Eagles and I feel like they deserved it. If Vick is going to play like that and Andy Reid call such a poor game, then this will be a sub .500 team and both guys will be replaced this offseason. The sad thing is they bring the spotlight on themselves with “dream team” and “dynasty” talk. How about you prove yourselves worthy first?
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
I was pleasantly surprised this team again and again on Sunday. The offense did slow down as the game went on, but the defense brought it all four quarters. These guys took a step in the right direction away from last year on Sunday. This is a team to watch.
15. Seattle Seahawks (0-1)
Seattle lost and I kept them right in the same spot. I am not overreacting to one loss by this team. I am still high on them to look very good later in the season. Also, lets remember Marshawn Lynch probably was not 100% in this game. If they can get him going it will really help the whole offense.
14. Washington Redskins (1-0)
I am still blown away by the Redskins and their victory. They outplayed the Saints in all facets of the game and totally deserved to win. However, I do not expect them to stay up this high for long. RG3 is bound to have some bad games here and there so the team will have to prove that they can overcome that. Still, this is an improved team and is likely going to be 8-8.
13. New Orleans Saints (0-1)
I should have stuck with my gut on the Saints as this is about were I had them in my season preview power rankings. I do think it is silly how they have and interim interim head coach leading the team right now. How do you maintain consistency in hard times that way? I think the Saints are better than what we saw Sunday, but not the team we have known in the past.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)
I am not totally down on the Steelers, as they may have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time running into Peyton Manning that night. However, they showed enough to make me concerned that they are a lesser team. If they come out on full swing against the Jets next week, I will feel better.
11. New York Giants (0-1)
Disappointing effort from this team but let’s remember that this is a team that started its fourth cornerback, and even he got hurt! We will see if they play better and frankly I am not too concerned all in all. Here is the key. They need Victor Cruz to be the guy he was last year. He dropped three passes in the opener and that is just unacceptable.
10. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
The Cowboys made me look stupid on Thursday, but here is the kicker, will they stay that team the whole season? They have some injury prone front-line players and that concerns me. However, I expect them to stay around this level all season. I certainly think they are better than the Eagles now, but they will have to remain consistent to win this division from the Giants.
9. Detroit Lions (1-0)
Kept the Lions at about the same spot. They showed that they are a resilient team when they came back to beat the Rams. However, the Lions, and particularly Matt Stafford, should never have let it get into that position. I am still liking the Lions but they better come out fast next week or they could suffer some disappointing losses.
8. Chicago Bears (1-0)
The Bears did exactly what good teams they should. They went out and thrashed a lesser opponent. I am excited about this team this season due to all their weapons, but what was nice to see was the work of the o-line. If they protect Cutler like this all season they will go far. First big test this Thursday night at Green Bay.
7. Atlanta Falcons (1-0)
So this is what Matt Ryan can do in an aggressive passing attack. I like it. If Atlanta sticks to this formula they can certainly win a ton of games this year. It has to be a big concern for this team that they just lost their best defensive back in corner Brent Grimes. Guy was franchised thie year too, have to feel for a guy like him.
6. Denver Broncos (1-0)
I said I would give the Broncos a big bump if Peyton were the guy we knew from before. Well there we have an answer, and I am a man of my word. It is going to be awesome to watch Peyton work with some young players on Denver this year, and you can already see him having a profound affect on this defense.
5. Green Bay Packers (0-1)
I am not panicking on this team at all. They played one of the best teams in the NFC and they lost by eight points. News flash: one team has to lose in games like that. I think dropping the Packers out of the top ten would be foolish at this point and short sighted. A team with Aaron Rodgers, the best player on the planet, will always be in the thick of things.
4. Houston Texans (1-0)
The Bears did exactly what good teams they should. They went out and thrashed a lesser opponent. Now replace Bears with Texans. I want to see this team face a better test than the lowly Dolphins but that was an encouraging sign. The Texans need to stay healthy and I believe they will be a top team in the AFC.
3. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
I felt like a ton of people were down on this team before the season started, and I don’t know why. I am patting myself on the back for keeping them in my top 10 through out the preseason. This team only added to a 13-3 team from last year and they went out and proved themselves in a big way in week 1. That’s the kind of win that can be a launching point.
2. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
Joe Flacco really was grat last night, and listening to the guys in the locker room after the game, you believe them when they say this is his team. It needs to be if they want another super bowl. The Ravens are finally ready to join the big boys in what is now a passing league.
1. New England Patriots (1-0)
There really isn’t an easier choice for the top spot this week. The new guys on defense showed up huge against the Titans, and Tom Brady was Tom Brady. Did anyone else hear the audio clip of a reporter ask Brady if he was a pretty boy? He should have asked the reporter is he marries super models and wins super bowls. Pretty boy or not, Brady is a boss.
Administrator note: Just so we are clear, there is never a bigger day of the year where more overreacting is done than the Monday after week 1 in the NFL. Teams that were going to be 3-13 are now playoff contenders because they beat one team. Well you won’t be seeing any gross overreactions on this website. Yes some teams took massive drops, but they really had to disgust me to deserve that (looking at you Buffalo). Also, if you are wondering why your team might be ranked below a team they beat on Sunday (i.e. Redskins and Saints) please refer to the power rankings homepage to review how I do these rankings. Just because a team is in spot today, does not necessarily mean I believe they will end the season in that spot, this is just how I believe things stand after the first week. Carry on.
32. Miami Dolphins (0-1)
That was a completely pathetic effort from the Dolphins in week 1. There is already talk that they want to fire their GM Jeff Ireland. This rather early for all that, which is not a good sign. The problems with this team go all the way to the top. How can you expect to build a consistent winner if you let your GMs and coaches (last year with Sparano) sit around all year as lame ducks?
31. Cleveland Browns (0-1)
The Browns get a one spot bump because their defense played very well against a talented offense. However, the offense is a dead weight for this team. Maybe Brandon Weeden will be better when he is older, as in 35 in a few years old. I am nervous this team is going to get gutted by their new owner if these results continue. That much overhaul will not help build a winner.
30. St. Louis Rams (0-1)
This was an encouraging loss for the Rams. They hung with a playoff team from last year. However, I am bringing them down because their o-line lost two starters and has no depth. If Wayne Hunter is forced into action then Sam Bradford is in trouble.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
Jacksonville and Blaine Gabbert played well in this contest. However, they fell just short of winning this game. The next step will be to win a game like this one. I am waiting to see them actually play a good team.
28. Oakland Raiders (0-1)
I feel bad for Oakland; they probably had a shot in this game if it wasn’t for the injury to their long snapper. This contest shows the underrated nature of that position. The Raiders did not have much pass protection though as it seemed San Diego had pass rushers in Palmer’s face all day.
27. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
The Vikings got a huge boost from Adrian Peterson in this contest. I hope he can maintain this level of play coming off a serious injury like he is. My hat is off to him for being his usual stud self in week one. As I said for Jacksonville, lets see them against a better team.
26. Buffalo Bills (0-1)
Basically can just repeat what I said for their last power rankings “I am going to just come out and say that I do not believe in Ryan Fitzpatrick. I just do not think he has the tools to lead this team on a consistent level”. He was worse than that. In week one he was not even ready to lead them on a good level, period.
25. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
Not a super impressive debut from Andrew Luck, but that is ok, it was his first game and it was against a very stout defense. It’s going to be great to watch
Luck grow with some of these young players on his team.
24. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
I think this will be a bumpy season for Tennessee, but I think this team has potential for the future. Side note: Chris Johnson has to be one of my least favorite players in the NFL. I hated how in the offseason all he bragged about was being able to beat Usain Bolt in race and all that crap; no one cares how fast you are. He just needs to shut up and actually produce for his team and he did not start off well.
23. Arizona Cardinals (1-0)
Arizona won, but I am still skeptical. Maybe they will not be as putrid as I imagined before the season and maybe they will keep climbing the rankings because of their ballin’ defense. However, still count me among those who is not on board with this team yet. We will wait and see.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
This was about what I expected the Bengals to look like this season. They will still have their flashes but frankly, I do not give them much of a chance against great teams like the Ravens. I will say though, everyone needs to know who defensive tackle Geno Atkins is. What a dominating player.
21. New York Jets (1-0)
Wow, this team really scored 48 points? I am impressed but I am not going to buy it just yet. If they play like that against the Steelers then they will go way up next week. By the way, I have never seen an analyst blast a team and a coach so much after win than Skip Bayless did to this team. That guy is exactly the type of bias this website does not stand for.
20. Carolina Panthers (0-1)
This was a massive disappointment by the team in their opener. It is ironic that Carolina’s defense was supposed to be the Achilles heal of the team all year and yet it was the offense that failed to show up on Sunday. Interesting fact from Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer “If their foes had scored 16 points in every game in 2011, Carolina would have gone 14-1-1”. Carolina needs last year’s offense back, now.
19. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)
The Chiefs disappointed me on Sunday, but as I said we have not seen the best of this team yet. Atlanta looks pretty good and it is hard for anytime to win a game being that limited on defense. Lets check them out when they have Tamba Hali, Brandon Flowers, and others back on defense.
18. San Diego Chargers (1-0)
I bumped the Chargers up but only two places. Their defense looked really good against the Raiders and put a ton of pressure on Palmer, but the contest was in doubt near the end of the game. The Raiders had a stunning three punts blocked! If you are an elite team, and your opponent does that, you should blow them out, not win by eight.
17. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
I dropped the Eagles and I feel like they deserved it. If Vick is going to play like that and Andy Reid call such a poor game, then this will be a sub .500 team and both guys will be replaced this offseason. The sad thing is they bring the spotlight on themselves with “dream team” and “dynasty” talk. How about you prove yourselves worthy first?
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)
I was pleasantly surprised this team again and again on Sunday. The offense did slow down as the game went on, but the defense brought it all four quarters. These guys took a step in the right direction away from last year on Sunday. This is a team to watch.
15. Seattle Seahawks (0-1)
Seattle lost and I kept them right in the same spot. I am not overreacting to one loss by this team. I am still high on them to look very good later in the season. Also, lets remember Marshawn Lynch probably was not 100% in this game. If they can get him going it will really help the whole offense.
14. Washington Redskins (1-0)
I am still blown away by the Redskins and their victory. They outplayed the Saints in all facets of the game and totally deserved to win. However, I do not expect them to stay up this high for long. RG3 is bound to have some bad games here and there so the team will have to prove that they can overcome that. Still, this is an improved team and is likely going to be 8-8.
13. New Orleans Saints (0-1)
I should have stuck with my gut on the Saints as this is about were I had them in my season preview power rankings. I do think it is silly how they have and interim interim head coach leading the team right now. How do you maintain consistency in hard times that way? I think the Saints are better than what we saw Sunday, but not the team we have known in the past.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)
I am not totally down on the Steelers, as they may have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time running into Peyton Manning that night. However, they showed enough to make me concerned that they are a lesser team. If they come out on full swing against the Jets next week, I will feel better.
11. New York Giants (0-1)
Disappointing effort from this team but let’s remember that this is a team that started its fourth cornerback, and even he got hurt! We will see if they play better and frankly I am not too concerned all in all. Here is the key. They need Victor Cruz to be the guy he was last year. He dropped three passes in the opener and that is just unacceptable.
10. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
The Cowboys made me look stupid on Thursday, but here is the kicker, will they stay that team the whole season? They have some injury prone front-line players and that concerns me. However, I expect them to stay around this level all season. I certainly think they are better than the Eagles now, but they will have to remain consistent to win this division from the Giants.
9. Detroit Lions (1-0)
Kept the Lions at about the same spot. They showed that they are a resilient team when they came back to beat the Rams. However, the Lions, and particularly Matt Stafford, should never have let it get into that position. I am still liking the Lions but they better come out fast next week or they could suffer some disappointing losses.
8. Chicago Bears (1-0)
The Bears did exactly what good teams they should. They went out and thrashed a lesser opponent. I am excited about this team this season due to all their weapons, but what was nice to see was the work of the o-line. If they protect Cutler like this all season they will go far. First big test this Thursday night at Green Bay.
7. Atlanta Falcons (1-0)
So this is what Matt Ryan can do in an aggressive passing attack. I like it. If Atlanta sticks to this formula they can certainly win a ton of games this year. It has to be a big concern for this team that they just lost their best defensive back in corner Brent Grimes. Guy was franchised thie year too, have to feel for a guy like him.
6. Denver Broncos (1-0)
I said I would give the Broncos a big bump if Peyton were the guy we knew from before. Well there we have an answer, and I am a man of my word. It is going to be awesome to watch Peyton work with some young players on Denver this year, and you can already see him having a profound affect on this defense.
5. Green Bay Packers (0-1)
I am not panicking on this team at all. They played one of the best teams in the NFC and they lost by eight points. News flash: one team has to lose in games like that. I think dropping the Packers out of the top ten would be foolish at this point and short sighted. A team with Aaron Rodgers, the best player on the planet, will always be in the thick of things.
4. Houston Texans (1-0)
The Bears did exactly what good teams they should. They went out and thrashed a lesser opponent. Now replace Bears with Texans. I want to see this team face a better test than the lowly Dolphins but that was an encouraging sign. The Texans need to stay healthy and I believe they will be a top team in the AFC.
3. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
I felt like a ton of people were down on this team before the season started, and I don’t know why. I am patting myself on the back for keeping them in my top 10 through out the preseason. This team only added to a 13-3 team from last year and they went out and proved themselves in a big way in week 1. That’s the kind of win that can be a launching point.
2. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
Joe Flacco really was grat last night, and listening to the guys in the locker room after the game, you believe them when they say this is his team. It needs to be if they want another super bowl. The Ravens are finally ready to join the big boys in what is now a passing league.
1. New England Patriots (1-0)
There really isn’t an easier choice for the top spot this week. The new guys on defense showed up huge against the Titans, and Tom Brady was Tom Brady. Did anyone else hear the audio clip of a reporter ask Brady if he was a pretty boy? He should have asked the reporter is he marries super models and wins super bowls. Pretty boy or not, Brady is a boss.
