2011 NFL Power Rankings: The Top 32 Teams After Week 1
With one week's worth of NFL games in the books, it is time for me to rank all 32 teams based on how they played and how I expect them to play for the remainder of the season.
But, of course, it's important not to overreact to one game.
Otherwise, we end up predicting things like: (1) Chad Henne passing for 6,656 yards (416 yards times 16 games) this year, (2) the NFC South collectively finishing 0-64 this season or (3) Bills tight end Scott Chandler scoring 32 touchdowns.
You get the point.
Here are our NFL power rankings:
1. Green Bay Packers (1-0): The Packers offense picked up where it left off, firing on all cylinders. The defense, however, could use a tuneup.
2. Baltimore Ravens (1-0): In the league's most intense rivalry, the Ravens beat down the Steelers by 28 points and caused as many turnovers as they allowed points (seven).
3. New England Patriots (1-0): Tom Brady threw for over 500 yards in Week 1, but I'm guessing Bill Belichick will focus on the 416 passing yards they allowed to Chad Henne.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0): The "Dream Team" was impressive in Week 1 and they can put up points in a hurry. Can Michael Vick stay healthy and will they be able to stop the run?
5. San Diego Chargers (1-0): Their special teams unit continues to be a worry as the Chargers allowed a 103-yard kickoff return on the opening drive of the season. Plus they have lost kicker Nate Kaeding for the season.
6. New York Jets (1-0): Perhaps the Cowboys "lost" more than the Jets "won" their matchup. Either way, the Jets managed to maintain their composure and pull off the victory.
7. New Orleans Saints (0-1): The Saints offense is potent but missing receiver(s) Marques Colston (and possibly Lance Moore) against the tough Bears defense heading into Week 2.
8. Chicago Bears (1-0): The Bears manhandled the Falcons, last year's No. 1 seed, with no problem. A step back in 2011? Says who?
9. Houston Texans (1-0): Without Arian Foster, the Texans looked great (for the majority of the game) against the Peyton-less Colts in Week 1.
10. Atlanta Falcons (0-1): After a surprising beatdown by the Bears, the Falcons have a matchup just as tough, even tougher, in Week 2 in Michael Vick's Atlanta homecoming in prime time.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1): They aren't nearly as bad as they looked against the Ravens in Week 1, especially in the second half. Right?
12. Detroit Lions (1-0): The Lions bring a five-game winning streak with them into their home opener against the Chiefs, who lost to the Bills by 34 points.
13. Buffalo Bills (1-0): Although I picked the Bills to cover, who thought they would hand out Week 1's most lopsided loss?
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1): I'm surprised they Bucs did not get LeGarrette Blount and Mike Williams more involved in the offense in Week 1. So was Blount.
15. Washington Redskins (1-0): Just as good as their win Sunday, the team turned down a day off Monday to study film and work out.
16. Oakland Raiders (1-0): The Raiders extended their winning streak against the AFC West to eight games. Not only did Darren McFadden rush for a league-high 150 yards in Week 1, he had three runs of 20-plus yards.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0): Luke McCown, called "Ball Out" by his teammates, played well enough to open up the season with a win.
18. Arizona Cardinals (1-0): The Cardinals allowed 422 passing yards to a rookie in his first-ever regular-season game. What's good about that? They still managed to pull off a victory in Week 1.
19. Dallas Cowboys (0-1): Too often, like on Sunday night, the Cowboys, especially quarterback Tony Romo, shoot themselves in the foot with costly mistakes.
20. New York Giants (0-1): The Giants have been decimated by injuries, and with the better-than-expected showing by the Redskins, might even finish at the bottom of the NFC East.
21. St. Louis Rams (0-1): Not only did the Rams lose to the "Dream Team," they suffered multiple injuries: Sam Bradford, Steven Jackson, Danny Amendola, Jason Smith, etc.
22. Indianapolis Colts (0-1): There is a reason Peyton Manning has won four NFL MVP awards and it was never more apparent than it was after their blowout loss to Houston in Week 1 that he probably deserved more.
23. Miami Dolphins (0-1): Who are these Dolphins? Chad Henne is throwing for 400-plus yards and their running backs rushed for less than 40 yards.
24. Tennessee Titans (0-1): I'm surprised at the limited number of carries (nine) by Chris Johnson. While he should get more work in Week 2, they face the Ravens, who are always tough against the run.
25. San Francisco 49ers (1-0): Trailing by two points with four minutes to go against Seattle, Ted Ginn returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns within one minute of each other to seal a victory in Jim Harbaugh's NFL coaching debut.
26. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1):Not only did the Chiefs suffer a loss by the widest margin in Week 1, they lost second-year safety Eric Berry for the season.
27. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0): The Bengals won the Battle of Ohio, but I'm not sure how many other battles they're going to win.
28. Minnesota Vikings (0-1): Pathetic. Is there any other way to describe Donovan McNabb's 39-yard passing performance?
29. Cleveland Browns (0-1): What little bit of optimism I had for the Browns heading into 2011 was wiped out by their loss at home to the Bengals.
30. Denver Broncos (0-1): The fans in Denver are already calling for Tim Tebow although the fans won't get what they want until things become hopeless in Denver.
31. Carolina Panthers (0-1): Despite losing to the Cardinals, Cam Newton gave Panthers fans 422 reasons to feel optimistic about the future.
32. Seattle Seahawks (0-1): Tarvaris Jackson is bad. But you can look at it this way: TJax threw for more than five times more yards than Donovan McNabb. How's that for glass half full?
If you are looking for some ideas on free-agent pickups in fantasy football, check out our waiver wire post from this morning. In addition, we will release our fantasy rankings for Week 2 at The Tip Drill by Wednesday.
