NFL Power Rankings: Teams That Will Slide After Week 1

Most of Week 1’s games are in the record book, and it’s time to turn our attention to the Week 2 power rankings, including which teams will be making the biggest slide.

All of the following teams had a putrid start to the season, and the lack of success will continue as each drops down the rankings.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers started the year considered Super Bowl contenders, but a 16-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans couldn’t have set a worse tone. Pittsburgh must go back to the drawing board if the team wants a chance at the playoffs this season.

While the Steelers secondary will always cause havoc, the inability to stop the run consistently will have teams penetrating the vaunted defense. Add the lack of an offensive line with center Maurkice Pouncey likely out for the season, and Pittsburgh is in serious trouble.

There was a time when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could carry the team on his own, but the lack of support from a non-existent rushing attack (32 yards as a team) and no real deep threat will be the ultimate downfall for this team.

Big Ben can’t do anything without the proper weapons.

Baltimore Ravens

The defending Super Bowl champions underwent major offseason changes, but as seen in the 49-27 loss to the Denver Broncos, the Baltimore Ravens don’t have the same depth and talent they did last year.

The Broncos didn’t run the ball that well and were missing the team’s top pass-rusher, but Denver still managed to sweep the floor with Baltimore. There will be plenty more losses where that came from.

With the defense being bullied without linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed patrolling the field, and quarterback Joe Flacco lacking a reliable weapon across the middle with the trade of receiver Anquan Boldin, there is no doubt that the steady decline of the Ravens has begun.

Expect Baltimore to continue to drop in the power rankings as the season progresses.

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings were one of the biggest enigmas coming into the 2013 season, and a 34-24 Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions is a bad sign of things to come. Detroit is trying to find its own rhythm, and the Lions were clearly the better team on Sunday.

Besides running back Adrian Peterson, the Vikings have little to be excited about.

The biggest issue for the Vikings is the tough schedule ahead of them. Not only will Minnesota square off with the Chicago Bears next week at Soldier Field, but the team will also have to host two tough AFC North teams the following two weeks.

After getting to the Wild Card Round last season, the Vikings look to be a shell of the franchise it was last season.

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