NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Sitting Pretty After Crazy Start?

As the 2012 NFL season nears its midpoint, fans are settling in and beginning to digest what has been a chaotic start to a season that has seen its fair share of surprises. 

The questions will now become about how the playoff races in the AFC and NFC will unfold over the next two months. 

Will clubs that have gotten off to fast starts be able to sustain their level of play as the pressure intensifies?   

Which teams have survived tough starts and are capable of making a push over the second half of the year? 

Which preseason contenders remain in trouble? 

Instead of ranking clubs strictly by who is the best, the main criteria for this list will include how a team has started, how well they are currently playing, the strength of its division and the how tough their remaining schedule appears to be. 

Find out which teams are sitting pretty after the crazy beginning to the 2012 season.  

32. Jacksonville Jaguars

Record:  1-4

The Jaguars have lost by an average of 19.5 points in its four defeats, with Sunday’s 41-3 loss to the Bears highlighting the team’s ineptitude on both sides of the ball. 

With Blaine Gabbert seemingly regressing and three of the team’s next five games on the road, things could get worse before they get better in Jacksonville.  

31. Cleveland Browns

Record:  0-5

Even though the Browns are the league’s only winless club, two of its five losses have come by a possession or less to teams (Eagles and Ravens) that are legit Super Bowl contenders. 

A tough schedule may not do them any favors, but Pat Shurmur’s club is still playing with fight and has an exciting talent in running back Trent Richardson to build the offense around.  

30. Buffalo Bills

Record:  2-3

How bad have the Bills been it its losses this season? 

They have given up an average of 48 points per loss and lost each contest by 20 points or more. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick has remained an interception magnet, and the defense gave up 621 yards of total offense in last week’s 45-3 loss to the 49ers. 

With road tilts against the Cardinals, Texans and Patriots looming in the next month, those ugly trends are unlikely to subside.  

29. Oakland Raiders

Record:  1-3

The Raiders come off their bye week with the misfortune of having to try to bounce back from a bumpy start by taking a trip to play the red-hot Falcons. 

While their schedule is manageable and they play in a weak division, Dennis Allen’s club is simply too inconsistent to place a healthy amount of faith in a second-half turnaround.  

28. Kansas City Chiefs

Record:  1-4

Despite its subpar record, the Chiefs are a bit of a statistical anomaly—ranking fourth in total offense per game and 10th in total defense per game thus far.   

However, with Matt Cassell’s status in question after suffering a concussion in last week’s 9-6 loss to the Ravens, the  quarterback situation makes it considerably tougher to get out of the funk they currently find themselves in.  

27. Tennessee Titans

Record: 1-4

After a strong finish that saw them finish 9-7 last season, Mike Munchak’s club had high hopes of making the playoffs in 2012. 

With each of its four losses by 21 points or more, the Titans have regressed in Year 2 of Munchak’s regime. And with Jake Locker nursing a bum shoulder, the offense is likely to remain in neutral for the foreseeable future. 

26. Carolina Panthers

Record: 1-4

The Panthers will try to regroup from a rough start during its bye this weekend. 

Three of the team’s four losses have come by a combined 12 points. 

Cam Newton has struggled mightily, but with a decent schedule ahead and a division that seems weak aside from the Falcons, the Panthers are capable of  turning things around if they can find a way to finish games.  

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 1-3

The good news for the Bucs is that every game this season has been decided by one possession or less. 

The bad news is that Greg Schiano’s squad has blown fourth-quarter leads in two of the team’s three losses. 

Coming off a bye week with only two of its next six games against a team with a winning record, the Bucs have a chance to make a move up the standings if they can play with more consistency.  

24. Detroit Lions

Record: 1-3

The Lions' nightmarish offseason has carried over to the regular season, with its lack of discipline rearing its ugly head in three narrow losses. 

WIth a brutal schedule in front of them, one of 2011’s feel-good stories could turn into 2012’s biggest  disappointments.  

23. New Orleans Saints

Record: 1-4

Despite all of the turmoil surrounding them in the aftermath of Bountygate, the Saints have managed to stay competitive thanks to the brilliance of quarterback Drew Brees. 

However, New Orleans’ defense ranks dead last in the league, giving up an average of 456 yards per game. 

If the Saints can shore up their leaks on that side of the line of scrimmage, they will have a puncher’s chance of becoming just the second team in NFL history to make the playoffs after starting a season 0-4.

22. New York Jets

Record: 2-3

Over the course of Rex Ryan’s tenure in Gotham, the Jets have gradually eroded, with the bottom appearing ready to fall out this season. 

Even though their record is not terrible, and both of its wins came within its division, their train wreck on the offensive side of the ball is likely to kill any chances for a playoff run.  

21. Washington Redskins

Record: 2-3

The arrival and presence of the league’s newest and most dynamic superstar has revived fans in the nation’s capitol. 

Assuming Robert Griffin III does not miss significant time due to lingering effects from a concussion sustained against the Falcons last week, the Redskins should continue to stay competitive and potentially play spoiler in the bitter wars of the NFC East. 

20. Miami Dolphins

Record: 2-3

Ryan Tannehill has ignited the lowly Dolphins and given the offense a boost that has finally translated into hope of a turnaround on South Beach. 

With the dysfunctional Jets and lowly Bills floundering, Joe Philbin’s club appears to be the only team capable of providing a challenge to New England in the AFC East. 

19. Seattle Seahawks

Record: 3-2

Pete Carroll has fans in the Pacific Northwest buzzing once again thanks to the league’s top defense and a fearless rookie quarterback that has proved to be a gritty field general. 

Russell Wilson has had some bumpy moments and a bit of good fortune as well.

However, with its two losses being in the division, the Seahawks have a brutal slate ahead of them and little margin for error in a crowded NFC playoff picture.  

18. Dallas Cowboys

Record: 2-2

The Cowboys’ schizophrenic ways have once again proved to be the NFL’s version of must-see reality TV. 

Despite harrowing losses to Seattle and Chicago, the Cowboys are still in a decent position within the division thanks to its season-opening road win against the Giants. 

With four of its next six games away from home, the challenges for Jason Garrett and his squad will not get any easier.  

17. San Diego Chargers

Record: 3-2

The Chargers have avoided their notorious habit of starting slowly and currently sit atop the AFC West. 

They have a decent schedule, and everything appears in place for Norv Turner’s club to win the division for the first time in three seasons. 

If they knock off the Broncos at home next week, they would move to 3-0 in the division and take a huge step forward in locking up a playoff spot.   

16. Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 3-2

The Bengals have feasted on a soft schedule to date, but they missed a golden opportunity to keep pace with the Ravens after a 17-13 loss at home to the Dolphins on Sunday. 

With their schedule ramping up and tougher games ahead, the Bengals are going to have to improve considerably if they hope to make a return trip to the playoffs.  

15. Green Bay Packers

Record: 2-3

In one of the more shocking developments of the young season, the Packers are sitting at third in the NFC North standings. 

However, over the last two seasons, Mike McCarthy’s squad has proved what it is capable of if they get hot. 

Their remaining schedule will not be easy to navigate, but Aaron Rodgers and crew are still a threat to make some serious noise in the second half of the season.  

14. Indianapolis Colts

Record: 2-2

The Colts have managed to match the spirit and determination of ailing head coach Chuck Pagano—who was recently hospitalized and diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia—in comeback victories over Minnesota and Green Bay. 

This spot may be high for some people, but with just one of its next six games against a club with a winning record, the young Colts have as good of a shot as anyone to compete for a wild-card spot in the wide-open AFC.  

13. Denver Broncos

Record: 2-3 

The Broncos have survived a tough early season schedule—including close losses to the league's last two unbeatens in Atlanta and Houston.   

The AFC West race should come down to a battle with San Diego, and with seven of Denver’s 11 remaining games against teams currently with a losing record, the Broncos are in a decent position to make a move up the standings in the AFC playoff picture.  

12. Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 2-2

After the return of Rashard Mendenhall and James Harrison, the Steelers looked more like the team many envisioned they would be in its 16-14 comeback victory over the Eagles. 

If they can remain healthy and continue to regain their identity on both sides of the ball, the Steelers have a decent schedule and enough experience to challenge the Ravens for the AFC North crown.  

11. Arizona Cardinals

Record:  4-1

Cardinals fans should be thankful to welcome the woeful Bills this weekend. 

Their lineup has been decimated by injuries, and their following four opponents have a combined record of 15-5—with three of those games on the road. 

With so many key contributors nursing injuries, it will be tough for Ken Whisenhunt’s club to stay afloat after its surprising fast start

10. St. Louis Rams

Record:  3-2

Jeff Fisher has pumped new life into a franchise that has been toiling in obscurity in recent years. 

Two division wins and a defense that has improved every week has Rams fans excited about the team’s turnaround from last season’s 2-14 campaign. 

In what may be the toughest division in the league, Fisher may prove to be the difference in helping the Rams end their playoff drought.  

9. New York Giants

Record:  3-2

The defending world champions have survived a rash of injuries and managed to put themselves in the thick of the NFC’s playoff picture. 

However, a murderous road schedule could prove to be insurmountable—even for a team with as much experience and leadership as Big Blue.

Still, the Giants seem to play at their best when the odds are stacked against them.  

8. Minnesota Vikings

Record:  4-1

Aside from the Cardinals, one of the biggest stories of the young season has been the turnaround in Minnesota.

Leslie Frazier has built an efficient offense around game-breaking talents Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin, and the defense has become one of the league’s most stout units. 

Over the last six weeks of the season, no team in the league may have a rougher schedule—which could make or break the young squad’s playoff chances.  

7. Philadelphia Eagles

Record:  3-2 

The Eagles have had their issues turning the ball over, and gambling on Michael Vick remaining healthy for an entire season is always a risky proposition. 

The biggest reason to believe in Andy Reid’s club is a revamped defense and a schedule that provides a more navigable path than that of its two chief rivals, the Giants and the Cowboys.  

6. Chicago Bears

Record:  4-1

Despite Matt Forte’s struggles with staying healthy, the offense has flourished behind the pass-catch combo of Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall. 

The defense has once again regained its teeth, trailing only the 49ers and Seahawks in scoring defense. 

The Bears' veteran experience should help them in their battle with the Vikings in the race for the NFC North.  

5. Baltimore Ravens

Record:  4-1

The Ravens have started off strong despite showing some inconsistencies on both sides of the ball. 

Last week’s 9-6 win over the Chiefs was a setback for an offense that had scored at least 23 points in the previous four weeks.

After consecutive 12-4 seasons for John Harbaugh’s club, the Ravens’ fast start has them on pace to match or better that mark in 2012. 

4. New England Patriots

Record:  3-2

After a slow 1-2 start, the Patriots have gotten back on track by unleashing its no-huddle offense that looks more than capable of carrying them back to another Super Bowl appearance. 

The biggest difference in Bill Belichick’s club this season is their defense has improved—especially against the run. 

With division foes in the Bills and the Jets heading in the wrong direction, the Patriots have a seemingly easy path to a playoff spot and a chance to get hot heading into the stretch run.  

3. Houston Texans

Record:  5-0

If you are looking for a team that has looked the most dominant thus far, its hard to find anyone playing better than the Texans.

However, it is worth noting that they have yet to play a team with a winning record.

Over the next month, the Texans will face powers Green Bay and Baltimore at home and make a trip to face Chicago, which should give people around the league a better gauge on whether Gary Kubiak’s club is a legit Super Bowl contender.  

2. San Francisco 49ers

Record:  4-1

If this list were solely based on who the best teams are, the 49ers would have occupied the top spot. 

The main thing that keeps them from that perch on this list is a ridiculous remaining schedule that features only two remaining games against teams currently with a losing record.

Still, Jim Harbaugh’s club is the most complete team in football, which should help them navigate the tough road ahead.  

1. Atlanta Falcons

Record:  5-0

The Falcons have been the most exciting team to watch this season thanks to the heroics of MVP candidate Matt Ryan. 

Do not expect the freight train in Atlanta to slow down anytime soon, especially considering that every other team in the NFC South currently has only one win apiece this season. 

Aside from a road trip to play the Eagles in Week 8 (coming off their own bye week), the majority of the Falcons toughest games will be played in the friendly confines of the Georgia Dome. 

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