|
Rank |
Team |
Comment |
| 1(1) |
 |
The final score against the Texans was much closer than it should have been, but it was still a blowout. The Colts were able to involve rookie Joseph Addai in the offense successfully, while Peyton Manning torched the Texans' defense for 400 yards passing. They could find themselves without the division lead after this week though. |
| 2(3) |
 |
Carson Palmer looked better against the Browns than he did against the Bengals, while Rudi Johnson pounded away at Cleveland's defense in the fourth quarter. The Bengals defense forced turnovers just as they did last year, which puts their overall team into a more threatening perspective. The big issue for the Bengals is injury though, as several players were banged up against the Browns. |
| 3(4) |
 |
For the second straight week in a row, the Seahawks offense still did not have the appropriate chemistry. They are still good enough to compensate for that, so once they get things together, we may see one of the biggest blowouts in NFL history. |
| 4(5) |
 |
The Patriots made it a little too close for comfort against the Jets, but it's better to take into account how much they dominated the game early on. The thing that's helping them the most through the first two games is the success of their one-two punch in the running game between Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney. |
| 5(7) |
 |
The comeback against the Eagles not only saved the game, but possibly the season. Being two games behind the Eagles would have been a tough tiebreaker to overcome later in the season. The emergence of Amani Toomer was big, who had one of his best games as a New York Giant. Tiki Barber struggled to get anything going in the run game early, while Plaxico Burress made the big-time catch at the end to prevent a tie. Remember the last tie in the NFL? Burress caught the ball at the one-yard line as time expired. |
| 6(2) |
 |
It was not a good return game for Ben Roethlisberger, who looked too tentative on offense. The Steelers' defense did their job, but the Jaguars defense deserves the biggest amount of credit in the world for shutting out the Steelers, and stuffing their running game all night long. If the Steelers can't beat the Bengals this week, they'll already be down in the division hunt by two games. |
| 7(10) |
 |
Through the first two weeks of the season, the Chargers have looked like the best team in the league. Had they faced tougher competition, they would probably be in the top three teams. The team has played so well offensively in the run game and defensively, that Phillip Rivers has been able to sit back and relax when throwing the football. |
| 8(11) |
 |
Ever since being down 10-0 to the Dallas Cowboys, it's been nothing but outstanding gameplay. Although their offense wasn't able to establish much against the Steelers, Byron Leftwich didn't make any drastic mistakes to cost his team the game - something that Roethlisberger can't say. |
| 9(8) |
 |
Jake Plummer is very lucky to have a 1-1 record at this point. He has played way below average, and if it weren't for the Broncos' defense, Denver would be ranked a lot lower. It's not time to call Jay Cutler, but it's time to worry about the season if Plummer can't muster anything against the Patriots. |
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| 10(12) |
 |
The good news: Bledsoe redeemed himself in Week 2, and the Cowboys took care of a division rival. The bad news: they'll be without Terrell Owens for their next game at least, due to a broken hand. They are fortunate to have a bye this week. |
| 11(14) |
 |
How good has the Falcons running game been through two games? I've been against Michael Vick during his career, but so far, the Falcons are finally using him appropriately. If it hadn't been for Michael Koenan struggling, the score against the Buccaneers would have looked a lot more dominating. People aren't kidding when they say Warrick Dunn is one of the league's most underrated players. |
| 12(6) |
 |
When I picked this team to go to the Super Bowl, it was with the vision that Steve Smith would be on the field opposite of Keyshawn Johnson. I still believe they would have won their first two games with Smith in the lineup, but last week's special teams call was ridiculous. I wouldn't have questioned the call if the tempo of the game was different, but with how the game was going, the play was not necessary by any means. |
| 13(9) |
 |
With one more loss, the Dolphins could find themselves down in the 20-ranks, after starting the season in the top-10. Daunte Culpepper has not been horrible, but he hasn't been anything special either. The defense is getting the job done for the most part, but offensively, the vision this team had has not panned out. |
| 14(16) |
 |
Right now, the Vikings are playing like the Dolphins were at the end of last season. That's not a bad thing, because it gives them a niche for coming away with a game when it's on the line. It's hard to pick a strength for this team, but Chester Taylor in the run game has been a big help so far. |
| 15(17) |
 |
You still cannot be completely sold on the Ravens. Both of the teams they've blown out are now 0-2, and were also blown out by the competition they faced. That's not to discredit what they've done so far, but it's the reason they are only ranked No. 15 so far. |
| 16(19) |
 |
After two weeks, I'm already eating my words by saying the defense wouldn't be able to carry the Bears this year. Not only is the defense doing a fantastic job, but Rex Grossman, who I felt should have been replaced by Brian Griese before the season started, is playing great. |
| 17(13) |
 |
Things aren't looking good for the Redskins, who were able to win games by playing small ball offense with the deep ball to Santana Moss mixed in last year. With how tough their division is, they can't afford to fall any further behind, and should be thankful their only one game behind the division leader at this point. |
| 18(15) |
 |
The Chiefs have been the most disappointing team in the league so far in my book. Not having Trent Green isn't helping matters, but Larry Johnson and the running game has not been able to take over a game as I thought they would be able to. Meanwhile, Herman Edwards can watch his previous team playing much better than his new team. |
| 19(18) |
 |
Barring the late collapse against the Giants, the Eagles could have cracked the top-15. This is still a solid football team, but they blew a huge opportunity to establish control of the NFC East. |
| 20(25) |
 |
Although I felt the Saints were very underrated and talented enough to start the year at 2-0, I didn't think it would actually happen. Now, they are in position to finally return to the Superdome on Monday Night, with a chance to take the division lead. |
| 21(20) |
 |
So much for the talk of their defense being overwhelming. Remind me to never pick the Rams to beat the 49ers again on the road, because this is the second straight year they've lost in similar fashion. There's a reason the Rams weren't my survivor pick last week: it's the game that cost me last year. |
| 22(22) |
 |
The Cardinals still haven't quite reached the "upset team" mark, but they are hanging in their. They played a little better against the Seahawks than I expected them to, but Kurt Warner was on his backside all day long with the pressure Seattle was getting. |
| 23(26) |
 |
Despite losing against the Patriots, the Jets nearly made a remarkable comeback after solid play from Chad Pennington and a couple of highlight reel catch-and-runs by Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles. |
| 24(29) |
 |
I thought their Week 1 effort against the Patriots was a fluke, but they proved me wrong by defeating the Dolphins with solid defense. They still are no where near where they need to be offensively, however. |
| 25(24) |
 |
Through the first two games, the Browns have experience trouble at all of the levels that were supposed to be improved: run defense, pass rush, and third-down conversions. Instead, those areas seem weaker than last year, despite having "better" players. There is still hope that things can improve, but with injuries building in the secondary, it'll be tough. |
| 26(28) |
 |
Despite Antonio Bryant's controversy, he has performed on the field so far. Frank Gore has been exceptional in the running game, however I fear that the win against the Rams will be one of their few bright spots on the season. |
| 27(21) |
 |
The Buccaneers have dropped off the face of the earth after only putting a whopping three points on the board after two weeks. Chris Simms isn't playing well, and with the way the team has played, you have to wonder how in the world this team was in the playoffs last year. |
| 28(23) |
 |
At least it's not Joey Harrington behind center. It's been a rough start for the Lions in their new era so far, especially on offense. Jon Kitna has not been able to manage any consistent drives, as they were blown out this past week by the Bears. |
| 29(27) |
 |
Seriously, what was the point of having Kerry Collins over Billy Volek? Collins has played awful, and I think the team should just leave Vince Young in for the entire game at this point. It's almost as if the Titans have given up on the season before it even started - something that has to be killing Titans fans. |
| 30(30) |
 |
Brett Favre showed people this past week that there is no reason for him to retire due to his physical capabilities. Unfortunately, he also showed that he was wrong about this being the most talented Packers team he's played on. |
| 31(32) |
 |
The Texans managed to move up one spot due to the awful play of the Oakland Raiders. |
| 32(31) |
 |
At least they won't be losing this week. |
