Z'S NFL POWER RANKINGS - WEEK 2

Say what you will about this year's Panthers team, but you can't argue with this fact: The Eagles destroyed a team with a first round playoff bye last year, in their own stadium. The defense forced 7 turnovers on the suddenly-hapless Panthers offense, and notched a defensive touchdown. This was far and away the most impressive win in Week 1. So the top of the charts is where Philly belongs... for now.

Last Week: WON at Panthers, 38-10
This Week: vs. Saints (1-0)

2. GIANTS (1-0)

The Giants are monstrous on O-line and D-line. I am convinced that any RB they trot out there will be a force running behind the best O-line in football. And all opposing QBs would rather march into Mordor than face the Giants' ferocious pash rush. Week 1's victim: Jason Campbell. Week 2's victim: Tony Romo.

The Hakeem Nicks injury was unfortunate, but this team is loaded at every position.

Last Week: WON vs. Redskins, 23-17
This Week: AT Dallas (1-0)

3. STEELERS (1-0)

How do I not rank the defending champs first overall until they lose a game? Because, as Mike Tomlin and Big Ben have preached, "last year is last year". The Steelers rushing attack is nonexistent thus far, and they needed overtime and two missed field goals by the normally stalwart Rob Bironas to survive Week 1, albeit against a Super Bowl contender. We'll know more about the Steelers after this week's war with the Bears.

Last Week: WON vs. Titans, 13-10 (OT)
This Week: AT Bears, (0-1)

4. TITANS (0-1)

A winless team in the Top 4? Am I on crack? No. These are POWER rankings. And with a powerful running game and stifling defense, the Titans are poised for another big season. Expect them to be a staple in my Top 5 all year. These guys should have taken out the Steelers. Get it together, Bironas!

Last Week: LOST at Steelers, 13-10(OT)
This Week: vs. Texans (0-1)

5. PATRIOTS (1-0)

The Patriots needed a near-miracle to mount an 11-point comeback in the last 6 minutes AT HOME against the perpetually 7-9 Bills. Tom Brady was impressive in his return from knee surgery, but the defense was mediocre at best. Still, there is too much talent here to drop them down much further, without a loss.

Last Week: WON vs. Bills, 25-24
This Week: AT Jets (1-0)

6. RAVENS (1-0)

Sure, beating the Chiefs isn't the best barometer to guage a team on. But the Ravens appear to have a passing game now, too. 2nd-year QB Joe Flacco threw for over 300 yards in his season debut, and Willis McGahee appears to be back. WATCH OUT.

Last Week: WON vs. Chiefs, 38-24
This Week: AT Chargers (1-0)

7. COLTS (1-0)

The Colts survived a squeaker at home against the Jaguars, despite a huge game from Reggie Wayne. The Jags always seem to play the Colts tough, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt... for now. A serious injury to Anthony Gonzalez and the subsequent quadruple-teams Reggie Wayne will face could put them in jeopardy of missing the playoffs, though. Have you seen their schedule? Not good times.

Last Week: WON vs. Jaguars, 14-12
This Week: AT Dolphins (0-1)

8. VIKINGS (1-0)

All Day strikes again. Adrian Peterson kicked off his 3rd NFL season with an absolute monster game against the woeful Browns. They play the Lions this week, so their rankings won't drop until they play a real NFL franchise.

Last Week: WON at Browns, 34-20
This Week: AT Lions (0-1)

9. COWBOYS (1-0)

Who needs T.O.? Apparently not the Cowboys. Tony Romo opened his 2009 campaign with a monster game in Tampa Bay. Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton filled the T.O. void, each hauling in a touchdown pass over 60 yards. That said, we'll see how they handle the Giants this week in Dallas, before I consider moving them up.

Last Week: WON at Bucs, 34-21
This Week: vs. Giants (1-0)

10. FALCONS (1-0)

After a surprising trip to the playoffs in 2008 with a rookie coach, rookie quarterback, and first-time starter at running back, the Falcons are poised to be the class of the always-unpredictable NFC South this year. Holding the Dolphins to 7 points in Week 1 was a fantastic start. Next up? An opportunity to cripple the wounded Panthers' NFC South title hopes, at home.

Last Week: WON vs. Dolphins, 19-7
This Week: vs. PANTHERS (0-1)

11. PACKERS (1-0)

Dom Capers' defense tore it up in Week 1, picking off 4 Jay Cutler passes, and returning one of them to the Bears' 1 yard line to set up a key first-half TD. The offense, however, was largely stifled by a good Bears defense, until Money Time, when Greg Jennings hauled in the winnng TD bomb with a minute to go in the game, off a well-executed play fake. Green Bay looked more like the Green Bay from 2007 and the first half of 2008, than the unit reponsible for 2008's second half collapse. But the jury's still out.

Last Week: WON vs. Bears, 21-15
This Week: vs. Bengals (0-1)

12. BEARS (0-1)

Another winless team in the top half of the Power Rankings? Yes. Absolutely. The Bears' D kept Aaron Rodgers in check until the final minute, despite missing Brian Urlacher for the entire second half. This was an even more remarkable performance, considering that Jay Cutler threw 4 interceptions, and the Bears nearly triumphed anyway, on the road, over their arch rivals. Keep an eye on this team without Urlacher. Can they adjust and live up to preseason expectations anyway?

Last Week: LOST at Packers, 21-15
This Week: vs. Steelers (1-0)

13. SAINTS (1-0)

Great fantasy team? Absolutely. Good football team? Maybe. The Saints offense was explosive in an easy win over the Lions. But in games like this, you learn more about a team from what they DON'T do well. In the Saints' case, it's defense, as always. 3 interceptions.. GOOD. 27 points to the worst franchise in sports... BAD.

Last Week: WON vs. Lions, 45-27
This Week: AT Eagles (1-0)

14. CHARGERS (1-0)

The last-minute Chargers comeback in Oakland completed an amazing Monday Night Football doubleheader. But it should never have been this close. This is still the same underachieiving Chargers team.

Last Week: WON at Raiders, 24-20
This Week: vs. Ravens (1-0)

15. JETS (1-0)

How easy it was to forget that the Jets started 8-3 last season, before their Brett Favre-orchestrated collapse. Simple solution: don't throw interceptions. Matt Sanchez had a solid debut at QB, and the Jets D snuffed out the Texans, and millions of fantasy owners, in the process.

Last Week: WON at Texans, 24-7
This Week: vs. Patriots (1-0)

16. 49ERS (1-0)

The 49ers had the statement win of the week, gunning down the NFC Champion Cardinals in their own nest. Mike Singletary has made this franchise relevant again. This could very well be a playoff team. Now find me some receivers.

Last Week: WON at Cardinals, 20-16
This Week: vs. Seahawks (1-0)

17. CARDINALS (0-1)

Are we about to witness yet another Super Bowl Slump? All signs point to... YES.

Last Week: LOST vs. 49ers, 20-16
This Week: AT Jaguars (0-1)

18. SEAHAWKS (1-0)

Beating the Rams does nothing for me. Next!

Last Week: WON vs. Rams, 28-0
This Week: AT 49ers (1-0)

19. PANTHERS (0-1)

Jake Delhomme looks awful, and they have no other viable alternatives. Ouch.

Last Week: LOST vs. Eagles, 38-10
This Week: AT Falcons (1-0)

20. DOLPHINS (0-1)

The Dolphins aren't sniffing 11 wins again with their schedule.

Last Week: LOST at Falcons, 19-7
This Week: vs. Colts (1-0)

21. BILLS (0-1)

I just feel bad for Bills fans. Take a knee on that kickoff, and there is an 80-plus percent chance you win that game. FAIL.

Last Week: LOST at Patriots, 25-24
This Week: vs. Bucs (0-1)

22. REDSKINS (0-1)

The offense showed signs of life in the 2nd half, but this team can't afford to play from behind. Squeeze more points out of the offensive unit, or you're squandering a rock solid defense. Again.

Last Week: LOST at Giants, 23-17
This Week: vs. Rams (0-1)

23. JAGUARS (0-1)

The Jags always play the Colts tough, so nothing new there. This is as high as they should be until they get in the win column. Oh, and work on your 2-point conversions.

Last Week: LOST at Colts, 14-12
This Week: vs. Cardinals (0-1)

24. TEXANS (0-1)

Will the Texans ever beak .500? Getting smacked around at home by the Jets won't help the cause.

Last Week: LOST vs. Jets, 24-7
This Week: AT Titans (1-0)

25. BRONCOS (1-0)

Ladies and gentlemen, I submit for your personal awesomeness archives, Gus Johnson's call from The Mile High Miracle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFUPJIkqhxg

Gus Johnson.. man, or god?

Last Week: WON vs. Bengals, 12-7
This Week: vs. Browns (0-1)

26. RAIDERS (0-1)

The Raiders have a running game. And the makings of a good defense. But they desperately, desperately need a quarterback with anything approaching accuracy. I throw a more accurate ball than Jamarcus Russell. I wish I was kidding.

Last Week: LOST vs. Chargers, 24-20
This Week: AT Chiefs (0-1)

27. CHIEFS (0-1)

This team wlll take a step forward this year. How big of a step remains to be seen when Matt Cassell returns. But without a doubt, Todd Haley appears to be the right hire. They took the Ravens to the wire with Brodie Croyle at QB. Brodie Croyle!

Last Week: LOST at Ravens, 38-24
This Week: vs. Raiders (0-1)

28. BUCS (0-1)

Giving up multiple touchdown passes of over 60 yards is not the way to start your season. Kid Coach Raheem Morris has his work cut out for him.

Last Week: LOST vs. Cowboys, 34-21
This Week: AT Bills (0-1)

29. BENGALS (0-1)

Here is the link to the Mile High Miracle again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFUPJIkqhxg

Watch for Carson Palmer's reaction. A nice mix between "Did that just happen?" and "Of course that just happened. We're the Bengals."

Last Week: LOST vs. Broncos, 12-7
This Week: AT Packers (1-0)

30. BROWNS (0-1)

Think LeBron James could tackle Adrian Peterson? Might as well try it, because the Browns defense sure can't cut it as is.

Last Week: LOST vs. Vikings, 34-20
This Week: AT Broncos (1-0)

31. LIONS (0-1)

Good News: You're not the Rams
Bad News: You're still the Lions.

Last Week: LOST at Saints, 45-27
This Week: vs. Vikings (1-0)

32. RAMS (0-1)

Shut out by a team that went 4-12 last year? It can't get much worse than that.

The Rams are pathetic. And even when they show signs of hope, they blow it. 12 men on the field for a blocked FG touchdown? How demoralizing is that? Well, probably less demoralizing than living in St. Louis. Move this team back to LA. Now.

Last Week: LOST at Seahawks, 28-0
This Week: vs. Redskins (0-1)

Questions and Comments? E-mail me at: ahzeoli@gmail.com, or leave your tirades in the Comments section here.