NFL Power Rankings: Squads That Will Rise After a Strong Week 2

The New England Patriots looked like a team destined to make another deep playoff run, while the Cleveland Browns had the look of a team headed toward another season in the basement. Those two expected outcomes and a lot more were learned in Week 1.

Let's take a quick look at where each team stands heading into Week 2 with a focus on a trio of squads that will make a move up the rankings after picking up wins this week. There will already be some desperate teams on the field looking to avoid an 0-2 start.

1. New England Patriots

The Patriots are a well-oiled machine. If Stevan Ridley plays as well as he did in Week 1 throughout the season, no defense will be able to slow them down for four quarters.

2. San Francisco 49ers

Even though you can't blame fans for being cautious when it comes to trusting Alex Smith, it appears that the 49ers quarterback has finally come into his own. He makes San Francisco a dangerous team.

3. Houston Texans

For all the talk about Houston's offensive stars, it's really the team's defense that is the foundation. The Texans allowed just 10 points in Week 1 after a strong 2011 season.

4. Baltimore Ravens

Blowing out divisional rival Cincinnati was a statement from the Ravens. It was a victory led by veteran linebacker Ray Lewis, who refused to let a decade of crushing hits to slow him down.

5. Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning wasn't in top form quite yet, but the Broncos still rolled up 31 points against a tough Steelers defense. If Manning stays healthy, they are a Super Bowl contender.

6. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay's defense will need to make big strides before season's end, but one loss isn't anything to worry about. The Packers will still to be one of the best teams in football.

7. Chicago Bears

Since the Bears were able to take advantage of a Colts team in the midst of a major rebuilding project, it's tough to get a good read on them. More will be known after facing the Packers.

8. Atlanta Falcons

There was a lot to like in Atlanta's victory over the Chiefs, but the lack of a running game is something to keep an eye on. Michael Turner didn't showcase his usual explosiveness.

9. Philadelphia Eagles

The good news is that Michael Vick made it through the first week without getting hurt, and the Eagles won. The bad news is that Vick almost threw the game away with four interceptions.

10. New York Giants

While the defending champions would have liked to begin their title defense on a more positive note, they have proven time and again that it's about how you finish, not how you start.

11. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys beat the Giants in Week 1, but I'm not ready to say they are the better team quite yet. Dallas has made a habit of under-performing in recent seasons. Improved consistency is a must.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers

A lack of offensive efficiency was Pittsburgh's biggest problem in Week 1. The Steelers averaged less than three yards per carry, and Ben Roethlisberger completed barely over 50 percent of his throws. But they still kept it close.

13. New Orleans Saints

After a tumultuous offseason, the Saints began their season with a loss to the Redskins. The team's defense made Robert Griffin III look like a seasoned veteran, and Drew Brees couldn't do enough to bail them out in the fourth quarter.

Moving forward, the Saints need to alter their game plan. They can't force Brees to throw 52 passes as opposed to just 10 runs, because the defense isn't strong enough to hold up when New Orleans offense doesn't find the end zone consistently.

The Saints have four capable running backs—Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram and Chris Ivory—and all capable of filling a role within the offense if given the opportunity. So there's no reason for the Saints to rely on a one-dimensional approach.

New Orleans faces another dynamic, game-breaking quarterback in Cam Newton on Sunday. The experience from Week 1 should help the defense, and the offense should be more balanced en route to a win and a move up the power rankings.

14. San Diego Chargers

In a game that happened after most of the East Coast went to bed, the Chargers survived a late rally from the Raiders to start 1-0. Like the Cowboys, consistency is the key to 2012 success.

15. Detroit Lions

The Lions offense is capable of keeping pace with any other attack in the league, but questions remain about the defense's ability to get key stops after giving up 23 points to the Rams.

16. New York Jets

New York's offense was a complete mess in the preseason, but then it proceeded to dominate an improved Bills defense. Mark Sanchez and Co. still have to prove they can do it on a weekly basis, though.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It wouldn't be described as an instant classic, but the Buccaneers found a way to defeat the Panthers in Week 1. Tampa Bay is a potential sleeper team after a disappointing 2011.

18. Washington Redskins

Robert Griffin III lived up to the hype in his first game. The Redskins still have too many holes at other positions to consider them a playoff contender quite yet, however.

19. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals were a surprising playoff team last season. Since the roster featured so many talented young players, including quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green, hopes were high heading into Week 1.

Those hopes were quickly dealt a significant blow, as Cincinnati was no match for the Ravens. Baltimore racked up 430 total yards and held Dalton without a touchdown to score a 31-point victory, raising some questions about the Bengals.

Cincinnati certainly has the talent to get in the playoff mix again, but it benefited from an easy schedule last season. It's much tougher this time around, especially in the second half, so the Bengals face a much tougher road to the postseason.

Luckily, they should be able to get back on track in Week 2 when they take on the Browns. As bad as Cincinnati looked last week, Cleveland was much worse. The Bengals should be able to build some confidence back with a win.

20. Minnesota Vikings

Christian Ponder looked a lot more comfortable starting his second season under center for Minnesota, and Adrian Peterson was his usual dynamic self. But needing overtime to beat the Jaguars shows the Vikings still have a lot of work to do.

21. Arizona Cardinals

Kevin Kolb entered the game at quarterback for an injured John Skelton to lead a game-winning drive, but the Cardinals QB situation will end up holding them back one way or another.

22. Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson gained four yards on 11 carries. If he can't regain his elite form, the Titans offense doesn't have enough weapons to keep pace in the playoff chase.

23. Carolina Panthers

It's too soon to declare that Cam Newton will endure the dreaded sophomore slump. But he threw more interceptions than touchdowns and rushed for four yards in the opener.

24. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo was one of the most popular picks for this season's sleeper team. After all, the offense showed glimpses of being a good unit last season, and the team signed Mario Williams and Mark Anderson to bolster the defense.

Before the Bills bandwagon could even finish filling up, however, they were down 21-0 to a Jets team that looked terrible in the preseason. The upgraded defensive line didn't make any type of impact, and the secondary was brutal.

Making matters worse, the Bills lost running back Fred Jackson and wideout David Nelson to injury.

It wasn't all bad news, though. C.J. Spiller showed off his play-making skills, and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick settled down after some poor decisions early.

All told, the Bills aren't nearly as bad as Week 1 would suggest. They have a couple winnable games coming up, including the home opener against the Chiefs on Sunday, and should be able to start moving up the rankings in short order.

25. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders have a lot of talent on offense, but they are probably still a season away from putting it all together. And the defense lacks the playmakers necessary to make up for it.

26. Kansas City Chiefs

For the second straight season, the Chiefs were blown out at home to open the year. The defense was no match for Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, who combined to torch the secondary.

27. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks received a lot of late hype prior to Week 1, but they couldn't back it up on the field, losing to the Cardinals. Russell Wilson still has a lot to learn.

28. Miami Dolphins

Ryan Tannehill didn't receive a warm welcome to the NFL, throwing three interceptions in his debut. A lack of talent at the wide receiver position will make his development a struggle.

29. Indianapolis Colts

Reggie Wayne still has the ability to make plays, but the Colts don't have enough players around him and Andrew Luck to make any noise in 2012.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

Getting Maurice Jones-Drew back in a full capacity should help the Jaguars, but the team still needs a lot of work after a lackluster loss to the Vikings.

31. St. Louis Rams

The Rams feature a lot of young players with plenty of upside, but keeping everybody healthy so they finally can build some chemistry is crucial to long-term success.

32. Cleveland Browns

Brandon Weeden can take solace in the fact he has nowhere to go but up. He had a dreadful first NFL game with four interceptions and several more bad decisions. Browns fans are used to it by now.