NFL Power Rankings: Flawed Teams Exposed in Week 1

Week 1 in the NFL featured a few highly regarded teams that looked ordinary due to a glaring flaw, which has shaken up the power rankings.

A few teams that entered the season as Super Bowl contenders now face serious doubts about their ability to compete with the top teams.

Other franchises were hopeful of making the playoffs this year, but will clearly have to make drastic changes in order to have any chance at extended their season past 16 games.

Here is how every team ranks after Week 1.

1. New England Patriots (1-0)

The Patriots do not appear to be suffering from a hangover after losing in the Super Bowl. The defense looks vastly improved and Tom Brady is still dominant, despite the Tennessee Titans' attempts to get in his face.

2. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)

A rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game seems likely at this early stage in the season, as Baltimore’s no-huddle offense got off to a fast start. The defense looks to be just fine without Terrell Suggs, and the Ravens will be extremely tough once again this year.

3. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)

The 49ers undoubtedly have the NFL’s best defense after the unit shut down Aaron Rodgers. However, do not read too much into their offensive improvements until they play against a team that can defend better than the Packers.

4. Houston Texans (1-0) 

The Texans proved why they are a popular pick to be in the Super Bowl. Along with the Ravens, Houston appears to be the most balanced team in the league.

5. Atlanta Falcons (1-0)

Julio Jones looks set for a fantastic year and the Falcon’s offense is truly dangerous. If the defense can keep causing turnovers without Brent Grimes, this team is a contender.

6. Green Bay Packers (0-1)

Until the Packers prove that their defense can at least be mediocre, they will remain extremely vulnerable against teams with top defenses. 

Worries about the offense are exaggerated. This is an experienced unit being led by the best player in the NFL, and a slow start against the league’s best defense is not a major cause for concern.

However, the defense was overwhelmed in the run game and left San Francisco receivers wide open far too often. Allowing two touchdown drives of 80 yards or more to the 49ers’ offense is unacceptable.

Aaron Rodgers and the offense will go through another season where scoring less than 30 points will likely lead to a loss.

7. Denver Broncos (1-0)

Peyton Manning is back and the Broncos defense proved that it is still tough. Denver was the only impressive team from the AFC West and could run away with the division.

8. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)

The Cowboys have had the talent to contend for a championship for the past several seasons, and the team played to its potential in the season opener.

9. New York Giants (0-1) 

The Giants reminded football fans how ordinary they often look early in the season.

If New York does return to the form it had during its Super Bowl run at any point in 2012, it likely won't be until December.

The Giants have struggled to play consistently under Tom Coughlin, and proved this when they came out flat against the Cowboys. Their receivers dropped catchable passes and the defensive line did not look dominant.

New York must find a way to win games when they play poorly in order to stay in position for another postseason run.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)

Losing to the Broncos is much more acceptable when Peyton Manning is playing quarterback instead of Tim Tebow. The Steelers have speed at wide receiver and a frighteningly physical defense again this year.

11. Detroit Lions (1-0)

This game was closer than it should have been, but Calvin Johnson proved he still is capable of producing now that he is being blanketed by secondaries.

12. Chicago Bears (1-0)

The offensive trio of Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and Brandon Marshall looked impressive against the lowly Colts, but an aging defense will face a much tougher test against an angry Green Bay offense.

13. New York Jets (1-0)

The Jets were the biggest surprise of Week 1, when an offense that was pathetic in the preseason tore apart a solid Buffalo defense.

14. Washington Redskins (1-0) 

If Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris consistently are able to perform anywhere close to as well as they did against the Saints, Washington will contend for the postseason.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)

Michael Vick’s interceptions are concerning, but winning while playing terribly is a necessary skill in the NFL.

16. San Diego Chargers (1-0)

The Raiders handed San Diego the game with repeated mistakes, and Phillip Rivers’ inability to punch the ball in the end zone did not make the victory all that convincing.

17. New Orleans Saints (0-1)

Sean Payton’s absence might end up making a massive impact on the Saints’ season.

There certainly will be games when New Orleans’ talent on offense overwhelms an opposing defense and the team cruises to an easy victory. But in matchups where the offense starts slow and the defense gives up early touchdowns, Payton will be sorely missed.

This Saints did not have his leadership and creative in-game adjustments to keep pressure on opposing defenses.

There will be more surprising losses for the Saints this season.

18. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)

The Bengals are not as bad as they looked in their opener, and were victims of an extremely difficult matchup with the Ravens.

19. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)

The Chiefs were a popular pick to win the AFC West before the season, but this does not appear likely after the team was blown out in the second half against the Falcons.

Kansas City was down just three points at the half, then failed to score until there was just seconds remaining the game and a loss already was sealed.

Crucial errors on offense led to turnovers, and an ineffectual defense in the second half doomed the Chiefs. The team’s ability to compete against the top teams in the league is in serious doubt after their Week 1 performance.

Next week, the Chiefs and Bills will battle to see which team facing raised expectations for 2012 will disappoint its fans again.

20. Tennessee Titans (0-1)

Judging Jake Locker and Chris Johnson will have to wait until the Titans play another team besides the Patriots.

21. Arizona Cardinals (1-0)

Kevin Kolb will be seeking redemption after John Skelton’s ankle injury, but Arizona’s game against Seattle showed how easy the Niners’ path the playoffs will be in the NFC West.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)

The Buccaneers had one of the least impressive victories of the week in their 16-10 win over the Panthers. Winning while playing poorly is always nice, but there was little in this game to inspire confidence that there will be marked improvements from last season.

23. Carolina Panthers (0-1)

This was an awful start to Cam Newton’s sophomore campaign, and the Panthers and their franchise quarterback are not yet ready to take the next step as a team.

24. Oakland Raiders (0-1)

Darren McFadden looked capable of carrying the entire offense, but penalties and mistakes continued to doom the Raiders.

25. St. Louis Rams (0-1)

Jeff Fisher’s presence was certainly felt as the Rams gave the Lions a scare, but this team still has a worrying amount of holes.

26. Minnesota Vikings (1-0) 

Adrian Peterson put on an inspiring performance, but this team will only go as far as Christian Ponder can take them. In a tough NFC North, that likely won’t be very far.

27. Seattle Seahawks (0-1)

Russell Wilson certainly had his struggles, and the Seahawks will have to wait for him to settle in to the team’s offense.

28. Buffalo Bills (0-1)

The Bills had an extremely strong start to last season, but went into free-fall in the second half of their schedule.

A spending spree to upgrade the defense brought hope to Buffalo, but a dreadful performance from Ryan Fitzpatrick has soured the mood.

The heralded defense was beaten badly by a Jets offense that came into the season in disarray. To make matters worse, Fred Jackson will miss time after getting injured in the game. 

The offense is flawed and the defense does not appear talented enough to carry the team. Buffalo’s postseason drought looks likely to continue.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)

Little was expected from the Jaguars, and they surprised few by losing to the Vikings.

30. Indianapolis Colts (0-1)

Andrew Luck is going through his growing pains, and that will lead to plenty of losses for the Colts. However, there is nothing to suggest that the No. 1 pick will not live up to his potential.

31. Cleveland Browns (0-1) 

The Browns’ had every opportunity to beat the Eagles, but failed to capitalize on their chances and look set for another frustrating season.

32. Miami Dolphins (0-1)

Until something goes right for the Dolphins, they will remain at the very bottom of these power rankings.