NFL Power Rankings: Teams That Raised Expectations in Week 1

Week 1 of the NFL season brings about truths that fans have been speculating all offseason. Week 1’s winners are all smiles after getting off on the right foot. A few team’s weren’t expecting a win this early in 2012 and started the season with a pleasant surprise.

Now the New York Jets and other winners face the real expectations week to week during the wild swings of the NFL season. Mark this week as the first swing towards the positive side of the spectrum. Start the Super Bowl talk and call the Jets better than the Giants. That’s what Week 1 is all about.

Expectations have been raised; here are the teams that have a new look at this week’s power rankings.

New York Jets

All the talk about the Jets offensive woes in the preseason, Mark Sanchez and friends put up 48 points in their season opener. Yet again, the New York Jets keep surprising; suddenly, Rex Ryan’s gushing about this year’s squad seems, well, logical.

They were thought to have receivers with no hand, but Stephen Hill emerged as a viable threat next to Santonio Holmes, catching two touchdowns. Shonn Greene set the tone on the ground with 94 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

And Tim Tebow was rendered mortal with five rushes for eleven yards. Add him into the mix and the Jets could be dangerous, right?

The defense looked its formidable self, with the secondary playing a starring role. All three starting cornerbacks had interceptions while the rejuvenated Laron Landry lead the team in tackles.

Fireman Ed could be screaming J-E-T-S late into January with performances like in Week 1.

Washington Redskins

There wasn’t a better debut in Week 1 than RGIII and his Washington Redskins.

The ‘Skins beat the New Orleans Saints in impressive fashion, scoring 40 points and intercepting Drew Brees three times. RGIII executed the game plan efficiently and emphatically, throwing 320 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 40 yards.

They outclassed the Saints on both sides of the ball; for Redskins fans, it was a refreshing sight to see their team beating a perennial playoff contender.

The ‘Skins have the look of a complete team with their new quarterback in tow. Now the expectations will truly pick up.

Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning resurrected himself in a Broncos uniform Sunday night. The Broncos were thought to be an AFC West contender before the season, their great start has this writer thinking that Peter King’s Super Bowl prediction could be a reality.

Manning has never had as good of a running game or defense that Denver brought to the field on Sunday Night Football. Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno can both break long runs and catch out of the backfield.

The Denver defense got significant contributions from Von Miller, Wesley Woodyard and new addition Tracy Porter. Besides Bob Sanders, Gary Bracket and Dwight Freeney no other Colts defenders come into the same conversation as Denver’s defensive talent.

Beating the Pittsburgh Steelers at home is a good indication of what the Broncos are in Week 1. Just wait until Peyton gets a few games under his belt.

Team	Record
1. San Francisco 49ers	1-0
2. New England Patriots	1-0
3. Green Bay Packers	0-1
4. Houston Texans	1-0
5. Baltimore Ravens	1-0
6. Atlanta Falcons	1-0
7. Dallas Cowboys	1-0
8. Chicago Bears	1-0
9. New York Giants	0-1
10. New Orleans Saints	0-1
11. Denver Broncos	1-0
12. Detroit Lions	1-0
13. Philadelphia Eagles	1-0
14. Pittsburgh Steelers	0-1
15. New York Jets	1-0
16. Washington Redskins	1-0
17. San Diego Chargers	0-0
18. Kansas City Chiefs	0-1
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1-0
20. Cincinnati Bengals	0-1
21. Tennessee Titans	0-1
22. Buffalo Bills	0-1
23. Carolina Panthers	0-1
24. St. Louis Rams	0-1
25. Oakland Raiders	0-0
26. Minnesota Vikings	1-0
27. Jacksonville Jaguars	0-1
28. Arizona Cardinals	1-0
29. Seattle Seahawks	0-1
30. Indianapolis Colts	0-1
31. Cleveland Browns	0-1
32. Miami Dolphins	0-1