NFL Power Rankings: Week 1

There has finally been some action in the NFL and now ranking the teams should get a little easier.

The Colts keep their top spot in the poll and they are once again followed by the Patriots. The Chargers move up to number 3 after their great win against the Bears and the Bengals move up to the top-5 after their big division win over the Ravens.

The Cowboys, Steelers and Panthers also all benefited from strong week 1 performances but the Rams, Jets and Cardinals took a drop after their less than stellar debuts. The Browns are the new bottom team in the polls after getting handily beaten by the Steelers.

To see previous rankings click on the link below:
Preseason Rankings

Without further adieu the rankings are:

1. Indianapolis Colts (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 1)

The Colts certainly started off their title defense on the right foot by crushing the Saints 41-10 in their opening game. Let's not forget that NFC opponents rarely fair well against the AFC, but 41-10 still makes a statement. Manning and the Colts offense looked as good as always, but it was the defense that was impressive. They were certainly disrupting one of the best offenses in the game. The Colts keep their number one ranking with a nice opening game performance.

Next Week: at Titans

2. New England Patriots (Record 1-0, Last Week: 2)

Tom Brady really seemed to enjoy his new targets especially Randy Moss. If Moss can keep getting even half of that production the Patriots will be a very tough team to match. The defense also looked great with Adalius Thomas and holdout Asante Samuel back in the mix. The Pats have a big showdown against the Chargers coming up next week.

Next Week: Chargers

3. San Diego Chargers (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 4)

The Chargers were probably the most impressive team over the weekend. Sure, they didn't blow out the Bears, but the gritty, hard-nosed performance that they showed was something uncharacteristic of Chargers football and to win that way speaks volumes. We will see next week if they can jump ahead of the Patriots.

Next Week: at Patriots

4. Chicago Bears (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 3)

The Bears offense looked horrible last weekend, but who didn't expect that. Grossman had some serious trouble throwing against the Chargers defense, but the real problem was the running of Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson. Benson needs to act like a premier back if they are going to go anywhere this season. The Bears really need to get on track next week with a big win against the Chiefs.

Next Week: Chiefs

5. Cincinnati Bengals (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 13)

The Bengals defensive performance against the Ravens on Monday night said a lot. If they can play defense like that over the long hall they should win the division. Leon Hall looked great as a rookie at the back of the Bengals defense. The offense looked weak, but the Ravens defense will do that to you. They started off on the right foot to win the division. The Bengals should be good next week against the Browns.

Next Week: at Browns

6. New Orleans Saints (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 5)

The Saints can't be penalized too much for losing to the Colts, I mean, they are the Colts. The problem is that the offense didn't show up at all. The Saints need to beat the Bucs handily next week or this could be a long season. By the way, how bad can Jason David be? He was beaten 3 times for 3 touchdowns. He might not have a job soon with that kind of coverage.

Next Week: at Buccaneers

7. Denver Broncos (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 7)

The Broncos squeezed out a win in Buffalo this week. Buffalo isn't an easy place to play so this isn't such a bad sign for the Broncos. The Broncos do need to work on keeping their drives going though. Too many Bronco drives ended between the 50 and 35 yard lines of the Bills. They need to make points out of trips to opponents territory.

Next Week: Raiders

8. Dallas Cowboys (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 10)

The Cowboys offense looked great against the Giants but the defense did not. The defense needs to play much better to go very far. The problem with the offense is that the Giants could not guard the middle of the field. We shall see the real Cowboys offense next week against the Dolphins, for better or worse.

Next Week: at Dolphins

9. Baltimore Ravens (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 11)

The Ravens lost to the Bengals even though they had a great shot to tie the game until Kyle Boller threw the ball away. Can anyone explain to me why they don't run the ball second and goal from the one yard line? Especially when Musa Smith was dominating the line of scrimmage?

Next Week: Jets

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 14)

The Steelers looked pretty impressive on Sunday but they did play the Browns. Were the Steelers really that great or are the Browns that bad? I think it is a mixture of both, but the Browns are just that bad.

Next Week: at Bills

11. Seattle Seahawks (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 12)

The Seahawks really never had much to worry about against the Bucs once Cadillac Williams went down. They are still the team to beat in the NFC West until someone can prove they are for real.

Next Week: at Arizona

12. Carolina Panthers (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 18)

The Panthers looked awful in the preseason but turned on the offensive juice in their first regular season game against the Rams. The Panthers may not be as bad as I had previously thought, but the Rams might just be much worse.

Next Week: Houston

13. Tennessee Titans (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 17)

The Titans won an ugly game against the Jaguars but that was not very surprising. Vince Young struggled in both of his starts last season against the Jaguars and we saw that again on Sunday. The Titans still won the game but now they have a big division showdown with the Colts this weekend.

Next Week: Colts

14. Washington Redskins (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 19)

The Redskins won a hard-fought battle against the Dolphins. The Redskins offense looked like it could be better this season, but two turnovers by Jason Campbell kept this game close. The Redskins could be a surprise team in the NFC East.

Next Week: Eagles

15. New York Giants (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 16)

The Giants lost to the Cowboys but their offense looked pretty good. If the Giants are going to be successful they need to defend the middle of the field a lot better than they did. Brandon Jacobs injury really hurts the Giants but Ward should fill in fine, but possible losing Manning could really hurt the Giants season.

Next Week: at Green Bay

16. Detroit Lions (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 31)

The Lions offense did better than expected against the Raiders, who had a very good pass defense last season. They eventually won they game even after letting a 17-point lead get away. The Lions won and they are in first place in the NFC North (I know it sounds weird) and they are one win closer to Jon Kitna's guarantee.

Next Week: Vikings

17. San Francisco 49ers (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 20)

The 49ers won a pretty big divisional showdown on Monday night even though a lot of people probably didn't stay awake to see it. They showed a lot of grit to come back against the Cardinals and earned themselves a big win in the NFC West.

Next Week: at St. Louis

18. Green Bay Packers (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 21)

The Packers squeezed out a surprising win against the Eagles and they now find themselves in first place in the NFC North, even if it is only after the first week. If Favre can find some chemistry with a receiver they could contend for the playoffs this year. The defense looked good enough to contend.

Next Week: Giants

19. New York Jets (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 8)

The Jets were going nowhere fast against the Patriots and that was a bit surprising as the Jets usually play the Patriots pretty well (without counting last year's playoffs). Mangenius really has some work to do to earn his moniker this season, especially on defense.

Next Week: Ravens

20. Philadelphia Eagles (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 6)

The Eagles probably looked the worst of any team on Sunday. For a team that is supposed to compete in the NFC East they couldn't get anything done on offense. Two muffed kick returns certainly didn't help anything, but how much are the Eagles missing Donte Stallworth?

Next Week: at Redskins

21. St. Louis Rams (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 9)

The Rams couldn't even stay in the game at home against the Panthers. The Rams had some trouble on offense in the preseason and this seems to have carried over into the regular season. The Rams are in some trouble if they can't find themselves soon.

Next Week: 49ers

22. Minnesota Vikings (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 23)

The Vikings looked very good on offense and defense against the Falcons, but it was the Falcons. I don't know how much this proves, but winning is better than losing. Tavaris Jackson will have much more challenging games and if he can step up to the plate they can contend.

Next Week: at Liona

23. Houston Texans (Record: 1-0, Last Week: 27)

Matt Shaub had a successful debut as the new quarterback of the Houston Texans. Houston looked pretty good even though they were playing the Chiefs. The Chiefs were probably the best team for Shaub to start against as they were a warm up for better defenses.

Next Week: at Panthers

24. Jacksonville Jaguars (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 15)

The Jaguars looked pretty bad against the Titans, but their games against each other are rarely ever pretty. Gerrard should look better as a quarterback as the year goes along and the Jags should get better.

Next Week: Falcons

25. Arizona Cardinals (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 24)

The Cardinals defense really let them down on Monday night against the 49ers. They should have won the game but let the 49ers gain more yards on their last drive than they did all game previously. This was a big loss for the Cardinals and their offense really needs to pick it up if they are going to have any success this year.

Next Week: Seahawks

26. Buffalo Bills (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 22)

The Bills held their own against the Broncos at home, but they lost on a last second field goal. Marshawn Lynch looks ready to give the Bills fans something to cheer about all season even if they won't win many games.

Next Week: Steelers

27. Miami Dolphins (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 26)

The Dolphins had a great chance to win their first game on Sunday but they let it slip away in overtime. The Dolphins tied the game in regulation, but they didn't win the coin toss and lost the game. Maybe the Dolphins won't be so bad this season, but they need to beat a team like the Redskins to prove anything.

Next Week: Cowboys

28. Oakland Raiders (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 32)

The Raiders might have lost on Sunday, but I was impressed enough with them to move them up from the basement. They came back on the Lions, which is hardly the best defense out there, but they made the game close and almost pulled it out in the end. They might actually win a few games this season.

Next Week: at Broncos

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 30)

The Buccaneers new and improved quarterback situation was new, but definitely not improved. Jeff Garcia looked terrible after the first two drives, especially when Carnell Williams went down. The Bucs really need some receivers.

Next Week: New Orleans

30. Kansas City Chiefs (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 25)

The Chiefs really need to just give up and start Brodie Croyle right now. He is their quarterback of the future and he might as well start now since Damon Huard looked so awful. The Chiefs might get a few wins if Larry Johnson can carry them, but this week he definitely wasn't in game shape at all. Chiefs fans better hope he gets there soon.

Next Week: Bears

31. Atlanta Falcons (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 28)

Joey Harrington looked awful against the Vikings. That is because of his lack of experience in the offense, but also give some credit to the Vikings defense, they looked pretty good on Sunday. The Falcons should be in for a very, very long season this year.

Next Week: at Jaguars

32. Cleveland Browns (Record: 0-1, Last Week: 29)

Wow, the Browns are bad. Their starter lasted only a quarter and will now be backing up in Seattle. Derek Anderson will now start but it is only a matter of games before the Brady Quinn era starts. He will probably get in the game this Sunday against the Bengals.

Next Week: Bengals