A wild ‘n wacky Week 1 is in the books, and we’re ready to break out the Power Rankings, which will be a weekly event every Tuesday.
As with the early part of every season, there are upsets galore that threaten to throw Power Rankings into complete disarray, but it’s our job to sift through the rubble and rank teams appropriately. For instance, just because the Lions won and the Bears lost doesn’t mean we put Detroit ahead of Chicago. After all, the Lions beat an inferior Raiders team, but the Bears lost to a superior Chargers team.
Anyway, here goes. Fire away if you disagree. (And, oh, yes, you will disagree on some of these. I guarantee it.)
1. Patriots: Why would the Pats even think about stealing defensive signals when they’ve got a team this good. They blow away the Jets and stake their claim as the preseason Super Bowl favorites.
2. Colts: Colts looked every bit as good as the team that won it all last year. They thumped the Saints offensively, and they looked even better defensively than last season.
3. Chargers: Not perfect by any means, but the Bears are about as good a defense as any out there. What we liked most about the Chargers was their adaptability. With LaDainian Tomlinson shut down in the running game, the key play was Norv Turner calling for Tomlinson to throw an option pass for a touchdown.
4. Panthers: Does this look familiar? Smothering defense that contains the high-powered Rams’ offense, a strong running game, and a resurgent performance from Jake Delhomme. That’s what turned the Panthers into a Super Bowl team in 2003.
5. Bengals: They forced the Ravens into five turnovers in a huge AFC North game in Cincy, and Carson Palmer did the rest.
6. Bears: Some folks thought Bears-Chargers was a sloppy game, but we thought it was more like a playoff game than anything else. Two heavyweights slugging out with great defenses. Rex Grossman couldn’t overcome San Diego’s D, but they are a tough team that will be there in the end.
7. Steelers: They beat up on the jayvee team in Cleveland, but they did it with the formula that helped them win the Super Bowl two years ago.
8. Seahawks: Shaun Alexander runs for 105 yards and a touchdown, as the Seahawks beat what was supposed to be a much-improved Bucs team.
9. Cowboys: We still have our doubts about the Cowboys long-term, but you can’t argue with an impressive offensive performance against the Giants. Then again, the Giants’ defense was absolutely atrocious, so we’ll have to see a few more performances like this out of Tony Romo before we’re ready to anoint the Cowboys.
10. Saints: Saints would love a do-over against the Colts, but we suspect it wouldn’t be that much different. Big problem here is the New Orleans secondary, although the fact that they couldn’t run against the Colts was a disturbing sign as well.
11. Ravens: Way, way, waaaay too many turnovers against the Bengals. And with Steve McNair’s groin injury acting up, Jonathan Ogden’s toe threatening his season and Ray Lewis suffering an apparent triceps injury, things suddenly look dicey in Baltimore.
12. Eagles: Philly just wasn’t ready to play in Green Bay. Plain and simple. Sure, Donovan McNabb was coming back from a knee injury, but this should have been a better effort, no question.
13. Broncos: Gritty last-second win over Bills shows Broncos can be a factor. Travis Henry gives them a legit running game for the first time since the Clinton Portis days.
14. Rams: Shoddy effort on opening day against Panthers. Steven Jackson only 58 yards rushing. That just won’t cut it.
15. Giants: Eli Manning’s shoulder problem will be the determining factor as they move forward. That and a defense that couldn’t stop a high school quarterback.
16. Bills: Forget about the last-second loss to the Broncos. Bills are praying for the health of Kevin Everett, who suffered what is likely a paralyzing neck injury.
17. Texans: Matt Schaub has already made a difference. His pocket presence is a welcome change from the days of seeing David Carr flat on his back.
18. Jets: Eric Mangini says Chad Pennington will be back when he’s back. Which probably means we’ll be seeing a little of Kellen Clemens, at least in the short term. Jets at Ravens on Sunday in another huge early-season game for both teams.
19. Vikings: Adrian Peterson is the real deal. We’ll see if Tarvaris Jackson is, too.
20. Lions: Ok, so Jon Kitna made news with his preseason prediction that the Lions would win double-digit games. More importantly, he did his part in solving a very good Raiders’ defense in Week 1.
21. Titans: Titans outlast Jags on the road in an ugly win, as Vince Young runs for the winning score. Chris Brown runs for a career-high 175 yards against what was supposed to be a stout defense.
22. Jaguars: David Garrard had a solid effort, but not enough against Vince Young. Jags produce zero points in second half.
23. Packers: Give the Packers credit. They didn’t score an offensive touchdown, but still found a way to beat a struggling Eagles team at home. Up next: at a Giants team that might be without Eli Manning.
24. 49ers: Not pretty against the Cardinals, but Niners win on a night when Bill Walsh was honored.
25. Redskins: Still could turn out to be an ugly season for the Redskins, but at least they get the OT win over a mediocre Dolphins team to start things off.
26. Dolphins: An old quarterback and an aging defense. Long year, Dolphins fans.
27. Buccaneers: See above comment. Long year, Bucs fans.
28. Chiefs: Don’t care if Larry Johnson carries the ball 50 times. There is a problem at quarterback, and the defense still underachieves.
29. Cardinals: We like Ken Whisenhunt as a head coach, but he’s got his work cut out. Matt Leinart nowhere near a finished product, and Edgerrin James might be running on fumes.
30. Raiders: A lost year, even if JaMarcus Russell’s contract hassle is finally over.
31. Falcons: Falcons are finding out what the Lions and Dolphins discovered: Joey Harrington just can’t get it done. Michael Vick’s undoing will hurt this team for years to come.
32. Browns: Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson. Who cares? This season is all about when Brady Quinn gets the nod. It’ll be sooner rather than later.
UPDATE: Looks like sooner. Browns traded Frye a couple hours ago to the Seahawks for a ham & cheese sandwich (6th round pick). Go Brady!
Comments (11)
Eagles drop from 4 to 12
Panthers from 13 to 4
Steelers from 12 to 7
Cowboys from 17 to 9
Jets from 11 to 18
Looks like maybe you may be softening on the statement ""Giants: A chance at a wild card .... Philly the class of the division, but Giants second best."
Colts won the SB beat the patriots in the playoffs and the Defense looks like that against a good saints offense....how are they not #1
Black N Gold:
Good to see you're reading ... with a microscope.
Todd:
Right here, right now, I say Pats are better than Colts. You add in Randy Moss and Wes Welker to a team that nearly beat the Colts on the road last year, and I'll take New England.
I say the pats suck and the jets should be higher. the pats cheated sunday so they made the jets look bad and its not fair to drop them that low. but who the hell cares anyway about ur stupid rankings
The Vikings have begun a climb that could peak pretty high after week 4. Weeks 6-9 will be 3 or 4 losses in 4 games and bring the fans crashing back down. It's tough following such a streaky team.
Mike:
First: Apparently you did care enough to read them and post a comment.
Second: Bitter much? Those grapes sure seems sour.
Bob Glauber:
Fairly reasonable rankings, though you can always nitpick, especially after week 1. Some of the 5th to 15th ranked teams I don't agree with, such as I would still put the Raven in top-10 despite their disastrous 1st quarter.
"13. Broncos: Gritty last-second win over Bills shows Broncos can be a factor. Travis Henry gives them a legit running game for the first time since the Terrell Davis days."
I'm sure you meant to say the Clinton Portis days, as I would consider 2 1500 yard seasons a "legit running game". I think every coach in the NFL would agree.
I also think the Broncos will prove better than number ranked 13th. Philly and Baltimore looked terrible in their debuts, while Denver's defense looked much better than anyone could expect from the preseason.
Good call on Portis, Jeff. Will update. Thanks.
Bob,
Love your power rankings each week. That being said I agree with Jeff, the Broncos put up almost 500 yards against the Bills. If the team can just figure out how to punch it in from the red zone I think it will be a good season for die hard Bronco fans like myself.
Love how the Patriot faithful - ie - Bob Glauber - talks about the 'almosts' of last year and why the Patriots are #1.
Reality is, the Patriots should earn #1. They deserved being #1 the years the won the SuperBowl, beat the Colts and everybody else, but right now the haven't proved anything. The Jets have no coverage and no pass rush. Watching the Patriots toss to Moss, after watching the Colts, was like watching a game in slow motion.
Charlie "French" Frye traded to Seahawks for "a ham & cheese sandwich"?!.. Good one, Mr. Glauber. A big reason I love reading your NFL Power Rankings. (The "French" Frye I'll use, but cannot take credit for coming up with that line; kuddos to a buddy of mine.