NFL Power Rankings: Week 2

15. Dallas Cowboys (previously Jacksonville Jaguars)

The Cowboys did not look impressive vs the 49ers with the exception of Miles Austin who had a huge game. Unfortunately, Miles Austin could miss the next four weeks with a hamstring injury. With Dez Bryant hurting, Tony Romo hurting and the Cowboys just being the Cowboys things could get ugly fast here.

14. Atlanta Falcons (previously Dallas Cowboys)

No, they are not this bad, however, they are should be  an 0-2 team and that has to count for something, right? They are lucky Vick got hurt.  On top of that if the the Falcons had lost that game they would have lost 4 of their last 5 cames dating back to last season, and if you count preseason (where they went 0-4) they have lost 8 of their last 9 games played.

Still credit them for coming back and winning that game. Expect the Falcons to rise up the power rankings, but I’m just out here to say they are not as good as their reputation says they are right now.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (previously Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

I gave them the benefit of the doubt after a loss so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt after a rather ugly win. They looked awful in the first half. The Buccaneers had a lot of expectations this year, is it getting to them? What a find Blount was. Did he do the hurdles in high school? seems like every game he hurdles at least one defender.

12. Washington Redskins (previously Chicago Bears)

Yikes. Way too high. Just the way the cookie crumbles I suppose. They are not this good. Their defense is good, but they just squeaked out a win vs the Cardinals. Rex Grossman is the Best QB in the league AND the worst QB in the league. You don’t know which you’re going to get each week. His Jekyl and Hyde act will keep the Redskins much lower than this all year. They are definitely moving in the right direction, although they’d be much better off for the future if they could end up going 4-12 and be in the battlef or Luck/Barkley/Jones.

11. Chicago Bears (Previously Saints)

Da Bears. I feel like this is too high as well, I just don’t know who to swap them out with. The Redskins and Bears have been pretty impressive early on. The Bears got stomped by the Saints today, but the Saints are good, especially at home. The Bears are better than people think they are, but not as good as the Bears themselves think they are.

10. Baltimore Ravens (previously New York Jets)

Beat down the Steelers and Lose to the Titans? I thought heading into the season the Ravens were a fringe playoff team and then after last week the reactionary in me said I have to re-evalute this. But I’m back to where I should be. They are a fringe playoff team, not a Superbowl contender.

9. Detroit Lions (previously Detroit Lions)

There are 8 divisonal winners and four wild card teams. Right now the Lions look like the front runner as  the best wild card team because the Packers are in their division and are the better team. The Lions still have some work and their big real test will come when they play the Packers. Win that game and we’ll all know they are for real, instead of just thinking and hoping.

8. New York Jets (previously Pittsburgh Steelers)

See the reasoning for the Lions. They are a good team, but they’re not as good as the Patriots so they don’t get to accompany them to the lofty top 5 ranking, but I do think they are better than the Steelers right now. But being second best in your divison is rough. The big problem for them is so far “ground and pound” looks pretty ordinary. Shonn Greene is not playing that well. Nick Mangold’s injury doesn’t help either.

7. New Orleans Saints (Previously Atlanta Falcons)

Through two weeks we have learned nothing we didn’t know already about the Saints. They are awesome on offense. They have lit up two top defenses from last year: the Packers and the Bears. The Saints are vying with the Falcons for the top spot in their division, but right now are the better team.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (Houston Texans)

Are they the team that lost to the Ravens by committing 7 turnovers? Or are they the team that pulverized the Seahawks? I think they are both. They are not looking as good as last year, but at the same time they are clearly better than the Seahawks of the league. They will dominate those teams every time. Are they Superbowl contenders? Not at this point, no. They don’t look good enough for that. The Patriots, Chargers, and Jets might all be better teams than the Steelers.

5. Houston Texans (previously Baltimore Ravens)

The defense looks much improved. The rest of their division is crap and the offense is one of the best in the league. Now I’ve started Matt Schuab in favor of Matthew Stafford two weeks in a row and have not been rewarded so I almost want to knock ’em down a few spots. Come on Schuab, step up!

4. San Diego Chargers (previously Chargers)

They lost to the Patriots, but unless the Raiders can figure out how to play well EVERY game, they are going to waltz into the playoffs (again) by winning the worst division the league. The Chiefs and Broncos are not very good and the Raiders can’t figure out how to play their best each week. They are in a position of great power.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (previously Patriots)

Look awesome with Michael Vick out on the field. You have to worry about the ability for their to players to stay healthy on offense. They are all smaller players speed players. A pulled hammy to Vick or McCoy would cost them big. Had interceptions from their two superior cornerbacks tonight. Trent Cole was practically beating the Falcons by himself. I’m not going to move them down for that loss because the rest of the NFC East looks awful and the Eagles win that game if Vick stays healthy.

 2. New England Patriots (previously Eagles)

The Patriots are remarkable and Brady is a genius. It doesn’t matter who he’s throwing the ball to, they will make plays and the Patriots keep chugging along. Their young defense is rounding into form and they should be considered the favorites to represent the A.F.C. in the Superbowl. They are good enough to shut up the Jets. Well maybe not. That is not possible.

1. Green Bay Packers (previously Packers)

Until they are unseated they remain King. Their pass defense has looked poor though early in the season and that bears watching as the season progresses. But when you have Aaron Rodgers, their offensive weapons, and a bright offensive minded coach you can win a lot of games by out scoring people.

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