Hock's Take: NFL Power Rankings for Week 1

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1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 1

The Steelers had to change their gameplan on the fly, but it ended up working all right. When the running game never took off, Ben Roethisberger responded with one of his best passing games as a pro. They’ll miss Polamalu for the next stretch of games, though.

2. New York Giants
Last Week: 2

It was ugly at times, but one thing you can say about the Giants is that their defensive line is getting back up to full speed. Next week against Dallas might go a long way in deciding the division, already.

3. New England Patriots
Last Week: 3

The Patriots looked flat-out ugly this week, but Tom Brady worked his magic and came up with two scores in the last four minutes to beat the Bills. They’re going to have trouble defending even decent teams this year, however.

4. Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 5

Barely beating a Jaguars team that looked completely lost most of the time is not a good way to start things off. But, they have a relatively easy schedule for the rest of the season.

5. Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 6

Whatever they gave Adrian Peterson in that IV at halftime, make mine a double. And don’t tell the league. I don’t want them banning “fluids.”

6. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 4

Sure, they won, but can you really get excited about the start of the Second Coming of Jeff Garcia? You just know Michael Vick is counting down the days until he can get back and show everybody what a mediocre scrambling quarterback is really supposed to look like.

7.  Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 7

It’s a little hard to get pumped up about the Falcons. Yes, Matt Ryan has thus far avoided the Sophomore Slump, and Tony Gonzalez is going to be great for them, but it’s going to take a string of these victories before I’m ready to put them into the playoffs.

8. Baltimore Ravens
Last Week 8

I was actually impressed more by Joe Flacco than I was by Ryan this week. I didn’t think much of Flacco as a passer last year, but he came to play this week. Of course, the defense can’t be too excited about getting carved up by Brodie Croyle.

9.  New Orleans Saints
Last Week: 17

I’m not ready to hand them anything, because the defense is still really questionable, but when you don’t have enough plays to get all your offensive weapons their shots, that’s a good thing. When Pierre Thomas comes back, that offense is going to be scary.

10. Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 18

For at least a week, the Cowboys have answered all the questions about their offense. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize the Bucs' safeties are terrible. Let’s see how Romo holds up against a real defense, which he really only plays twice this season.

11. Seattle Seahawks
Last Week:  14

A good, hard-fought blowout against one of the NFL’s worst teams. I have to think that the Seahawks are the favorite right now to win the NFC West, but then again, Jim Mora Jr. has proven me wrong before.

12. Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 11

The Packers actually looked pretty good for most of Sunday night’s game. The defense looked capable, Rodgers looked great, Jennings looked good, but that offensive line is terrible. And if Aaron Rodgers takes too many more shots, they’re looking down the barrel of Matt Flynn, NFL starting quarterback.

13. San Diego Chargers
Last Week: 13

A win’s a win, right? Yeah, but Tomlinson is hurt (again), and it took a late run (both figuratively and literally, by Darren Sproles) to put the Raiders away. Now, maybe the Raiders are better than we thought, or maybe the Chargers are as mediocre as we thought.

14. New York Jets
Last Week: 21

Ok, even I have to admit, I was wrong about these Jets. They’re not world changers or anything, in fact, I don’t know that they’ll finish above .500. But Rex Ryan has the team believing in his scheme and playing above their heads, which not many coaches can say.

15. Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 10

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