Week 1 Power Rankings

Man, don’t you just love football?

With every game but two in the books, 28 teams have gotten to see their teams out on the field for the first time this season to judge how they’re going to be. Some were disappointing (ahem New Orleans, Philadelphia). Some surprised a bit (Minnesota, Detroit), and others still have question marks before we can figure them out (Washington, Miami). Here are my power rankings, post week 1.

1. Indianapolis Colts | PREVIOUS: 1

Talk about a statement game. The Colts looked better than last year in their crushing of the Saints.

2. New England Patriots | PREVIOUS: 2

I didn’t think Randy Moss would have such a big and immediate impact. 180 yards later and I’m singing a different tune – this team will be hard to beat.

3. Baltimore Ravens | PREVIOUS: 4

These guys move up without playing, mainly because last week’s #3 moved down.

4. San Diego Chargers | PREVIOUS: 3

Is there a formula for beating this team? Defensively, the Bears did enough to give their offense the chance to win. But only putting 3 points on the board just isn’t enough, because even if Philip Rivers struggles, Ladainian Tomlinson will carry this team with both his legs AND his arm.

5. Denver Broncos | PREVIOUS: 7

This team is right where I want them when you consider all the new pieces in place – insanely efficient most of the time, with just the little details tripping us up at the end. Give us another few weeks to truly gel and some of these “cohesion mistakes” will fall by the wayside.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers | PREVIOUS: 8

Still no NFC teams… wasn’t planned, but as I’m writing this I just can’t justify ranking Chicago, Seattle, Dallas or New Orleans ahead of the Steelers.

7. Chicago Bears | PREVIOUS: 5

Tough opener for the Bears, but they did pretty well, all things considered. Unless you consider offense.

8. Dallas Cowboys | PREVIOUS: 6

Only up by 3 against a lesser team that is rattled with injuries, late in the fourth… don’t be gloating two much, Cowboys fans.

9. Seattle Seahawks | PREVIOUS: 10

Solid win in another statement game.

10. New Orleans Saints | PREVIOUS: 7

They’ll have to destroy the Bucs this weekend to calm the storm they brought back with them from Indianapolis.

11. Carolina Panthers | PREVIOUS: 17
12. San Francisco 49ers | PREVIOUS: 12
13. Cincinnati Bengals | PREVIOUS: 13
14. Philadelphia Eagles | PREVIOUS: 11
15. Houston Texans | PREVIOUS: 22
16. Buffalo Bills | PREVIOUS: 16
17. New York Giants | PREVIOUS: 18
18. St. Louis Rams | PREVIOUS: 14
19. Arizona Cardinals | PREVIOUS: 19
20. Green Bay Packers | PREVIOUS: 26
21. New York Jets | PREVIOUS: 15
22. Detroit Lions | PREVIOUS: 27
23. Minnesota Vikings | PREVIOUS: 31
24. Washington Redskins | PREVIOUS: 26
25. Tennessee Titans | PREVIOUS: 27
26. Jacksonville Jaguars | PREVIOUS: 20
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | PREVIOUS: 24
28. Miami Dolphins | PREVIOUS: 22
29. Kansas City Chiefs | PREVIOUS: 28
30. Cleveland Browns | PREVIOUS: 29
31. Oakland Raiders | PREVIOUS: 30
32. Atlanta Falcons | PREVIOUS: 32

Notes on 11-32 – A lot of movers and shakers, including the entire NFC North. Jake Delhomme bounced back, with a bullet, and the Carolina Panthers seems to go as Jake goes… could threaten the Saints for the NFC South. I like the look of the Texans – a lot – and still insist that the Reggie Bush passing over WAS NOT a mistake (or, at least I’m not willing to judge that yet). I’ll have a breakdown of the AFC West games in a bit.

Administrative Note: Starting next week, my Power Rankings will be posted on Tuesdays so I can actually take every game into account, including MNF.