Week Two Power Rankings

1: Dallas Cowboys

While looking dominant against Cleveland, the Cowboys will be even happier that they completed victory without any major injury concerns. Felix Jones looked like the player that Dallas fans are hoping for, and as we've said before, this team is one Receiver away from a shot at the Superbowl.


2: New England Patriots

Tom Brady's injury is quite simply a devastating blow fir a team that has thrived on the stability that he has brought to the position over the last 7 years. We still believe the Pats to be better than a one man team - remember that they won 3 superbowls without asking too much of Brady - and the sight of Matt Cassel looking a great deal more comfortable than most would have expected will cheer everyone concerned with the franchise.


3: Pittsburgh Steelers

A Crushing performance against the Texans catapults the Steelers up the rankings. We said last week that the Steelers are dark horses this season, and a convincing victory over the unpredictable Texans seems to back up that theory. The team will lose games, but they have a good mix of playmakers on both sides of the ball. Ben Roethisberger's health is key to any success this team will have.


4: San Diego Chargers

Whilst the loss to Carolina threw up some big question marks about this team, and Shawne Merriman's season ending surgery being announced earlier today, it would be easy to press the panic button in San Diego. What people should not forget is that the Defence is still capable of playing good football without Merriman, and that if it were not for a last minute fairytale ending for Jake Delhomme and the Panthers, the Chargers would probably be considered as favourites to claim New England's AFC crown.


5: Indianapolis Colts

Again, the loss to a mediocre team (Chicago) will have people worried, but remember that if there was one game that the Bears would be up for, it was this one. Peyton Manning's injury is still clearly limiting him, and Dallas Clark's loss for any length of time would be a blow, but the Colts look like they'll get going in the next few weeks.


6: Green Bay Packers

It would take a cold-hearted man to begrudge Aaron Rodgers anything in Green Bay this year, In our opinion he was shoddily treated by the media, and monday night's game could easily be classed as revenge on the hacks that lined up to criticise the team's decision to stick with Rodgers over Brett Favre. We admit we got it wrong, and didn't foresee him lighting up the game numbers-wise. On the other hand, long may he continue to prove the doubters wrong. Oh, and the rest of the team is pretty damn good too - including the best group of receivers in the NFL.


7: New Orleans Saints

Can the team win without Marques Colston? Yes, most likely they can, and their peripheral receivers such as David Patten, Deverey Henderson and Terrance Copper have shown enough ability to suggest that Drew Brees can rely on them during the next month while Colston recuperates. The Saints were marginally better than the Bucs, but in reality this team has another couple of gears to run through.


8: Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags stay realatively high in the rankings by virtue of their solid overall roster, but there has to be a huge question mark over the team's offensive capabilities after the loss of both starting Guards for the season. If the ground game falters, then so will the Jags, as they proved this week.


9: New York Giants

The Giants fall one place even after winning against the 'skins, but that's mainly as a result of the Packers having a good week than the Giants being poor. No news is good news on the injury front, and getting big games from key players such as Burress and Jacobs in week one should answer a few lingering doubts about the Offence. We still hate the secondary of this team, but for now, they are still a contender in the NFC.


10: Cleveland Browns

We can't read too much into the Brownies stalling against Dallas. They'll be hoping to get Braylon Edwards more involved next week though, especially against their main contenders for the AFC North crown, Pittsburgh. Cleveland need momentum to build sooner rather than later, as the race for an AFC wild card spot could be wide open this season.


11: Houston Texans

Again, no panic for the Texans, who are a better team than their result against Pittsburgh suggests. Matt Schaub had a terrible start to the game, but finished strongly and will take some confidence into the rescheduled MNF game against Baltimore. Importantly, receivers Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter had good games, though the running game is still - after 6 years - not fixed. With Ahman Green likely out Monday, it is Steve Slaton's opportunity to make a statement as the starter in Houston.


12: Philadelphia Eagles

Whilst it's never good when you're agreeing with Pacman, he has a point. The Eagles beat a weak team in the Rams, probably the worst in the entire league, and with their best player lacking practice time. You could argue that a weak receiving lineup was even more depleted for the St. Louis game, but even so, it will be interesting to see how the Eagles fare against top level opposition in Dallas on Monday.


13: Washington Redskins

Next week is crucial for the 'skins. A game against the Saints is rarely easy, but this team faces the prospect of being 0-2 in a strong division. In the NFC East, it's never a good thing to fall away from the playoff contenders, so victory is paramount on Sunday. It's certainly not time to panic though, and if Campbell exploits the Saints leaky secondary, the Redskins should stay in the hunt for a wild card spot.


14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs are still a force, but the general air of confusion regarding Jeff Garcia's status - he says he's fit enough to play, Jon Gruden is still going with Brian Griese at QB on Sunday - has cast a pall over West Florida. If the Bucs can steady the ship with a win against Atlanta, the team are still there or thereabouts. If not, a freefall could yet again affect the team who won the NFC South the previous year.


15: Buffalo Bills

A great result against the Seahwks sees the Bills leapfrog Seattle in our rankings, but it shouldn't be forgotten that the 'hawks are notoriously poor travellers, and have had particular issues on the east coast. The Bills can build momentum for a playoff run against Jacksonville on Sunday, but again, it's important to stress that finishing second, even to a Brady-less Patriots team, is no disgrace.


16: Seattle Seahawks

Oh the fall. The 'hawks can really not be considered a playoff threat until they sort out their woes on the road. Qwest field is like an extra man, but away from the Pacific time zone, the Seahawks have been abysmal in the last few years. They'll make the playoffs, of course, but only by virtue of sharing a division with St. Louis, San Francisco, and Arizona. Huge questions over the WR situation, with the returns of Deion Branch and Bobby Engram even more critical since news broke of Nate Burleson's season ending injury.


17: New York Jets

Yes, Jets fans can rest easy, they aren't quite ignored. Of course, this weekend is their big moment, as they have easily their best chance to establish themselves ahead of the Patriots in some time. Can they do it? Yes. Will they? It's always going to be a maybe when they play each other. The Jets looked solid in Miami last week, though they may be concerned that the Dolphins effectively had a shot to win heading into the dying seconds. A more ruthless team may not let them off the hook.


18: Tennessee Titans

The Titans win against the Jags may have statistically set them apart from the other three teams in the AFC South, but there are still deeper issues on this team than the result suggests. First of all, the victory came at a cost, as QB Vince Young was lost for a minimum of two weeks - but likely a month. The Defence is as strong as any in the AFC, but offensively, the team relies heavily on a running game that has shown a tendency to falter at crucial points of the last few seasons. LenDale White is the most important part of this offence going forward, and it's likely that the team will roll as he does. Fortunately for them, they travel to Cincinnati this weekend.


19: Arizona Cardinals

Can the Cards topple the Seahawks in the NFC West? Week one saw the Cards look decidedly unconvincing against one of the worst teams in the league. How the team fares against Miami this week will be a better indication of whether they can become what is effectively the winner of a 'best of the worst' contest. On the plus side, Rookie RB Tim Hightower has shown enough that - if he can cut out the fumblitis - he may be the successor to Edgerrin James at tailback.


20: Carolina Panthers

We stayed away from the Cats' game against San Diego last week as far as betting was concerned. In week one, anything can happen, and it was not a huge surprise to see Jake Delhomme come up big in the final quarter. On the other hand, one win doth not a team maketh, and there are still big questions at receiver. We like the Panthers though, and they have an outside shot at a wild card spot as things stand.


21: Minnesota Vikings

We told you. This team is so far from a contender it's not even funny. People have disagreed with us on this one all week, but the fact remains: The Vikes have not addressed crucial positions via the draft or free agency, and whilst they ignore their passing game, will rely primarily on the big play ability of Adrian Peterson to win games. That just won't cut it against many teams in this league. It says more about AP that they are this high in the rankings after a woeful performance - against a team they should really be hoping to beat this season - on Monday night.


22: Detroit Lions

Oh dear. What happened Lions? The Defence collapsed like we said it would, but the offence took two quarters to get warmed up, by which point the game was lost. The passing game was brilliant, but every other phase looked slightly underwhelming. Ernie Sims getting injured for any considerable amount of time would leave this team floundering. Well, floundering even more than they currently are. A game against Green Bay is not what this team needs right now.


23: Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens came good against a week Cincinnati team, but may find the going tougher in Houston this week (Another one for 'sentences you never thought you'd say') as they face a Texans Defence that is composed of, you know... Pro athletes? At the same time, Joe Flacco looked composed at Quarterback, and Willis McGahee will be looking to emulate the Steelers successful run attack if he returns on Monday night.


24: Atlanta Falcons

Are Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood the best RB combination in the league? No, in fact they may not even be the best combination in their division, but we have to say, it's one in the eye for the idiot at ESPN.com who rated the Falcons a lowly 26th best rushing in the league this offseason. With the team heading to Tampa at just the right time, don't be surprised to see the Falcons grow in stature as the season progresses. We've said it before, and we'll say it again. With Matt Ryan at QB, this team has begun it's ascendancy.


25: Miami Dolphins

A loss against the Jets is always difficult for a team in the AFC East, considering the likelihood that the Patriots will continue their monopoly at the top of the division. This year of course, things are different, and really there were as many good points to take from the game as bad. At receiver the team has clear issues, and Ted Ginn needs to become the focal point of this offence quickly. He has the ability, but the team lacks a possession receiver to compliment him in the passing game. Chad Pennington looked rejuvenated too, though frankly even an average Pennington is better than some of the other options available to the team currently.


26: Chicago Bears

A win against the Colts and still just 26th? Look, Peyton Manning - despite anything they say - was clearly hampered by injury. He struggled on counter plays to actually get the ball into his tailback's hands, which is never a good sign. Tom Moore's shortened Offesive gameplan did not help, and played into an aggressive Defence's hands. Where the Bears may come unstuck is against teams that are willing to attack them and take a risk. Offensively, Matt Forte showed a great deal of promise, and every carry helps to erase the memories of the Cedric Benson experiment.


27: Denver Broncos

We took flak for this on various forums and messageboards, and we'll admit now: The Broncos are NOT who we thought they were! And we let them off the hook! Not really. We still think that eventually, the Defence will be the downfall of this team. It was nice to see Jay Cutler have one of those breakout games though, something he thoroughly deserves. Interestingly, though people criticise Mike Shanahan's admittedly hit and miss drafting record, Eddie Royal showed why he can still pick up the odd gem in later rounds. If Royal emerges to compliment 4th round pick in 2006 Brandon Marshall, Shanahan may have a better defence for his record. Certainly he'll have a better defence than he currently has on the football field...



28: Oakland Raiders

This is why the Vikings are not a contender yet. Young, unproven QB? Check. Overpriced and innefective Wide Receivers? Check. Strong Defence that still struggles against the pass? Check. Completely one-dimensional on Offence?... you get the picture. The Raiders will be particularly embarrassed by DeAngelo Hall's failings at Corner. He was targetted by the Broncos all night on Monday, something that could worry the team that paid big money to play 'the other guy' to Nnamdi Asomugha. Luckily for the Raiders, the team has an excellent chance to redeem itself against the Chiefs this week.


29: Cincinnati Bengals

The biggest losers from this week are the Bungles. Losing to the Ravens is not a good sign, but the manner of their capitulation was disturbing. 154 total yards is not enough for a team as weak on Defence as the Bengals, and Chris Perry's days as a starting RB look numbered, as he continually fails to live up to his draft stock, and this weekend against Tennessee will likely not be pretty for anyone involved with Cincinnati.


30: Kansas City Chiefs

Encouragingly, the Chiefs had a shot to tie the game up in New England in week one, and never looked completely outclassed by what was still a strong team without Tom Brady. The injury to Brodie Croyle could be a blessing in disguise, as this team needs the veteran leadership of Damon Huard to avoid becoming the league's whipping boys. Oakland are next up, and if the team has any aspiration of surprising us, they'll at least need to put up a strong showing in this one.


31: San Francisco 49ers

J.T. O'Sullivan: Not the worst passer in the league, but losing fumbles and interceptions is a fast track to the bench, even if your main competition (Alex Smith) is out for the season with a shoulder injury. One bright spot was Justin Smith, who looks to be another good addition to an already decent Defence. The team frustrates observers, with talented players such as Frank Gore and Vernon Davis, but in reality, until this team has a game-breaking receiver, the 49ers will remain firmly towards the bottom of the league.


32: St. Louis Rams

Fortunately for the 49ers, they aren't even the worst team in their division, let alone the NFL. That honour goes to a team that took until the 4th quarter to register it's only points of week one - a field goal with 9mins left. The most impressive player on the team was punter Donnie Jones, who can be proud of his 48.5yd average over 10 (TEN!) punts. As we predicted, Steven Jackson is not ready to play right now. Unfortunately for the Rams, their options at tailback are so weak that he has no choice but to regain his form 'on the job' so to speak.

Frankly, the Rams are the worst team in the league by a mile, and Scott Linehan will be out of a job at the end of the season unless he can pull off a miracle.

Disgruntled Garcia

It's all kicking off in Tampa. Brian Griese has been confirmed as the Buccaneers starter for this Sunday's home opener against the Falcons, because of Jeff Garcia's ankle injury. According to the Bucs themselves at least. Garcia himself claims he is on the trading block, and the Bucs will take anything for him - the question that needs answering is why he wasn't shipped in the pre-season? Whilst Griese and McCown both received starters reps throughout training camp due to Garcia's niggling injuries, the disruption cannot be welcomed.

Green Bay are looking for a veteran backup.. That said, how about the Bears? (Yes, every available QB will be linked to a Chicago move, even after their shock win over the Colts.

Ravens @ Texans game now Monday Night

As a result of the oncoming Hurricane Ike towards the Gulf Coast, the previously scheduled Ravens - Texans game has been moved to Monday night at a 8:30pm ET (2:30am BST) - the same time as the Eagles @ Cowboys game.