Week 2 NFL Power Rankings

(Photo Credit -Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

The usual three sit firmly on the peak of  the power rankings as some surprising teams make the top ten.

*Note- The number in parenthesis after the teams record is their rank the previous week.

1. New England Patriots 2-0 (1)- Still the best offense in the NFL. A powerful trio of Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Julian Edelman make the Patriots passing game impossible to defend, allowing them to score quick. I would really like to see how they perform when they play from behind, but I can’t imagine seeing them in that scenario anytime soon.
2. Green Bay Packers 2-0 (3)- Knocking off their two biggest rivals of the last three years allows the Packers to be considered the best team in the NFC. As long as the Packers continue to win in decisive fashion, their spot in the power rankings might as well get a parking space, they aren’t going anywhere.
3. Denver Broncos 2-0 (4)- A team I thought was wavering after a sloppy win against the Ravens, the Broncos looked like they were able to hang with a tougher team on the road against the Chiefs. Matching them point for point right up until they took advantage of Jamal Charles and his ball handling skills to steal a big win to get a confidence booster. And let’s not ignore that Peyton Manning played like the hall of famer we all know him as.
4. Cincinnati Bengals 2-0 (2)- Still one of my favorite teams on the list because of how much promise they are showing and how they have fixed the problems that have plagued them in the past. Andy Dalton has really upped his game and made the team look like real contenders in a division that is often dominated by the Steelers and Ravens. Their backfield may also be one of the most dangerous in the game. If Jeremy Hill is having a bad day, then Giovani Bernard can step up and lead the backfield.
5. Arizona Cardinals 2-0(N/A)- The first of four teams to crack the top ten after being previously omitted, but with such a strong showing, jumped right into the top five. The only thing holding them back is the fact the previous four teams are just playing a bit higher caliber ball than the team from the Southwest.
6. Atlanta Falcons 2-0(10)- After another week of fighting an uphill battle, the Falcons continue to impress by battling adversity and making sure the defense holds up after Matt Ryan puts them in position to win. All too often you see a team snatch a win only to give it back up in the closing seconds of the game. The Falcons have been irrelevant since 2013 after losing the NFC championship, but all signs point to Dan Quinn turning the team around.
7. New York Jets 2-0 (N/A)- In week 1 the Jets were able to beat the Browns by 21 points, nobody batted an eye. That is nothing to brag about. In week 2 they went into Indianapolis and embarrassed the Colts. Andrew Luck single handedly turned the ball over four times. In fact, Luck didn’t even put points on the board until the fourth quarter. If that is not enough to get them into the top ten, the other teams must be winning by 45 points a game. It’s a new year, and the Jets are on the rise.
8. Pittsburg Steelers 1-1 (N/A)- The first team to make the top ten who is not undefeated. After the beat down they gave the 49ers, I can’t think of a more fitting team. Ben Roethlisberger played like a Super Bowl champion constantly putting the Steelers in position to score, opposite of what the 49ers were able to do. Colin Kaepernick threw for over 300 yards and rushed for 50 and still had trouble finding the end zone. The battle between the Steelers and Bengals this season may just be the best rivalry in the NFL.
9. Dallas Cowboys 2-0 (7)- Yes the Cowboys got the win. Though as sloppy as the Eagles played, it should have been a much more lopsided game even after Tony Romo went down. If Brandon Weeden can’t lead this team, is Matt Cassel the guy? There is too much talent on this team to waste only to get to third place.
10. Washington Redskins 1-1 (N/A)- Some called Washington a train wreck of a team. The Redskins proved on Sunday that they are placed firmly on the tracks. The Rams were coming off one of the biggest upsets in week 1 and the Redskins made them look like they slept during practice the previous week. Matt Jones introduced himself to the world by running all over a front four that is credited as not needing linebackers. Kirk Cousins played with confidence and swagger fit for a team dominating what was supposed to be a stellar defense. With Romo going down, Philly and New York playing like chumps, maybe people wrote Washington off a bit too early.