Since you’re reading this, I guess that you made it out of Week 1 alive and presumably unharmed. You’re one of the lucky ones, a lot like Week 1 underdog bettors.
Now, we all know that one week doesn’t make a season, but it really was quite the week. You just don’t see big AFC heavyweights hit the mat like they did last Sunday, leaving Week 2 wide open to interpretation.
Now, we all know that one week doesn’t make a season, but it really was quite the week. You just don’t see big AFC heavyweights hit the mat like they did last Sunday, leaving Week 2 wide open to interpretation.
I’m not ready to start calling for equal status for the NFC, but its top teams are a whole lot closer to the AFC’s top clubs than we’ve seen in a long time. So maybe change is in the air, or at least looming off on the horizon. One thing’s for sure: there’s a different landscape to Week 2’s power rankings. Check it out.
1. Pittsburgh:
It’s good news for the Steelers when Fast Willie scores more touchdowns in Week 1 than he did all last year and Big Ben goes 13-of-14 through the air. Nasty stuff.
It’s good news for the Steelers when Fast Willie scores more touchdowns in Week 1 than he did all last year and Big Ben goes 13-of-14 through the air. Nasty stuff.
2. Dallas: (really a tie)
Looked just about as good as advertised. If this o-line stays healthy the offense will score a lot – in a lot of different ways.
Looked just about as good as advertised. If this o-line stays healthy the offense will score a lot – in a lot of different ways.
3. New York Giants:
Doesn’t Eli look a whole lot calmer in the pocket this year? Then again, if I just won a Super Bowl and had behemoth Brandon Jacobs in the backfield I’d be sleeping easy too.
Doesn’t Eli look a whole lot calmer in the pocket this year? Then again, if I just won a Super Bowl and had behemoth Brandon Jacobs in the backfield I’d be sleeping easy too.
4. Green Bay
About the only complaint I have about Aaron Rodgers is that was a pretty pathetic Lambeau Leap. He’ll show better hops with some more practice.
About the only complaint I have about Aaron Rodgers is that was a pretty pathetic Lambeau Leap. He’ll show better hops with some more practice.
5. Jacksonville
I’ve been a David Garrard guy for a while, but Jacksonville isn’t a team that should be throwing the ball 35 times a game. Ever.
I’ve been a David Garrard guy for a while, but Jacksonville isn’t a team that should be throwing the ball 35 times a game. Ever.
6. Philadelphia
Donovan McNabb critics, exit stage left, please.
Donovan McNabb critics, exit stage left, please.
7. Indianapolis
I have a feeling the Colts will be back up near the top of these rankings sooner rather than later once they get some practices in, but they deserve this drop after that stinker against the Bears.
I have a feeling the Colts will be back up near the top of these rankings sooner rather than later once they get some practices in, but they deserve this drop after that stinker against the Bears.
8. New Orleans
This offense looks scary good and there seems to be that tingle in the air at the Superdome again. Don’t think I’ll be betting against these guys very often when they’re in their own barn.
This offense looks scary good and there seems to be that tingle in the air at the Superdome again. Don’t think I’ll be betting against these guys very often when they’re in their own barn.
9. San Diego
Last week I said I was worried about the Chargers, but couldn’t put my finger on the team’s most pressing issue. This week I still don’t know and I’m still worried about this team.
Last week I said I was worried about the Chargers, but couldn’t put my finger on the team’s most pressing issue. This week I still don’t know and I’m still worried about this team.
10. New England
I know Matt Cassell’s barely played since high school. I know this. But I’m still not burying the Pats any further until they lose a game or two at least. Now’s your chance to finally bet the Pats as underdogs.
I know Matt Cassell’s barely played since high school. I know this. But I’m still not burying the Pats any further until they lose a game or two at least. Now’s your chance to finally bet the Pats as underdogs.
11. Buffalo
Good show, Buffalo. Did you see what that offense was up to and are we positive this really is a Dick Jauron team?
Good show, Buffalo. Did you see what that offense was up to and are we positive this really is a Dick Jauron team?
12. Tennessee
Is it just me or is everybody going a little overboard with this weird Vince Young situation? Either way, the Titans should be able to rumble along without him for the next little while.
Is it just me or is everybody going a little overboard with this weird Vince Young situation? Either way, the Titans should be able to rumble along without him for the next little while.
13. Chicago
Look out Bears haters. Chicago has that swagger back.
Look out Bears haters. Chicago has that swagger back.
14. Carolina
Jake Delhomme’s arm looked just fine in that last-second laser to the back of the end zone against the Chargers. Philip Rivers should have had his notepad out.
Jake Delhomme’s arm looked just fine in that last-second laser to the back of the end zone against the Chargers. Philip Rivers should have had his notepad out.
15. New York Jets
Easy, Jets fans. The offense looked good, but you just barely bet the Dolphins. The Dolphins!
Easy, Jets fans. The offense looked good, but you just barely bet the Dolphins. The Dolphins!
16. Denver
Big numbers on the board last week against the Raiders. Now if only I could figure out if that even means anything.
Big numbers on the board last week against the Raiders. Now if only I could figure out if that even means anything.
17. Minnesota
This is going to be a tough team to handicap. Realizing they probably won’t live up to the preseason hype is the first step.
This is going to be a tough team to handicap. Realizing they probably won’t live up to the preseason hype is the first step.
18. Washington
I’m holding off on any Redskins bets for the first few weeks. Everything looks good from the outside looking in, but you never know with Washington.
I’m holding off on any Redskins bets for the first few weeks. Everything looks good from the outside looking in, but you never know with Washington.
19. Arizona
My fantasy waiver pickup of the week might turn out to be Tim Hightower. Yeah, it’s a 14-teamer. For the record, he’s one of the few parts of the Cardinals’ puzzle I like.
My fantasy waiver pickup of the week might turn out to be Tim Hightower. Yeah, it’s a 14-teamer. For the record, he’s one of the few parts of the Cardinals’ puzzle I like.
20. Seattle
Everybody’s talking about the rag-tag group of wideouts the Seahawks are working with right now – and rightfully so. But the o-line isn’t doing Hasselbeck any favors either.
Everybody’s talking about the rag-tag group of wideouts the Seahawks are working with right now – and rightfully so. But the o-line isn’t doing Hasselbeck any favors either.
21. Tampa Bay
One of my favorite bets with Jeff Garcia taking the snaps. A definite “stay away” team when he’s on the shelf.
One of my favorite bets with Jeff Garcia taking the snaps. A definite “stay away” team when he’s on the shelf.
22. Houston
Houston’s not going anywhere unless it learns to run the football. Andre Johnson is only human; he can’t do everything.
Houston’s not going anywhere unless it learns to run the football. Andre Johnson is only human; he can’t do everything.
23. Cleveland
An early date with the rival Steelers is a great way to see what your team is made of. I don’t think Romeo Crennel is going to like what he sees.
An early date with the rival Steelers is a great way to see what your team is made of. I don’t think Romeo Crennel is going to like what he sees.
24. Kansas City
With Brodie Croyle out, Damon Huard is the guy. Yes, he’s still in the league.
With Brodie Croyle out, Damon Huard is the guy. Yes, he’s still in the league.
25. Atlanta
Entertaining pile of armchair quarterback hate mail last week. Hey, a win’s a win, but beating the Lions doesn’t mean you’re ready for the Super Bowl just yet, Atlanta.
Entertaining pile of armchair quarterback hate mail last week. Hey, a win’s a win, but beating the Lions doesn’t mean you’re ready for the Super Bowl just yet, Atlanta.
26. Detroit
Still no defense, so pretty much status quo for the Matt Millen era.
Still no defense, so pretty much status quo for the Matt Millen era.
27. St. Louis
I don’t get it. The Rams have to be better than they were last year. Right?
I don’t get it. The Rams have to be better than they were last year. Right?
28. San Francisco
More than 150 all-purpose yards for Frank Gore last week against Arizona. Now if he could just get a little help from his friends.
More than 150 all-purpose yards for Frank Gore last week against Arizona. Now if he could just get a little help from his friends.
29. Miami
Looks like a typical early Tuna-era team. Should play teams tough this year.
Looks like a typical early Tuna-era team. Should play teams tough this year.
30. Cincinnati
Ocho Cinco can’t even get himself a game jersey. Can it get any worse in Cincy? I’m not going anywhere near this club right now.
Ocho Cinco can’t even get himself a game jersey. Can it get any worse in Cincy? I’m not going anywhere near this club right now.
31. Oakland
Despite taking a terrible shellacking from Denver, Oakland’s offensive numbers were actually OK. Russell threw for 180 yards and two scores and Fargas nearly had a 100-yard game. Go figure.
Despite taking a terrible shellacking from Denver, Oakland’s offensive numbers were actually OK. Russell threw for 180 yards and two scores and Fargas nearly had a 100-yard game. Go figure.
32. Baltimore
Gritty first win for rookie Joe Flacco over the hapless Bengals. Hope he enjoyed it, because the Ravens may not get many more this season.
Gritty first win for rookie Joe Flacco over the hapless Bengals. Hope he enjoyed it, because the Ravens may not get many more this season.
No comments:
Post a Comment