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First Quarter NFL Power Rankings
Alex Shultz
Now that each team has completed the first quarter of the season, it's time to rank everyone from top to bottom. There's the best of the best (Giants), and the...well...defeated (Chiefs, Bucs, Rams, Titans).
Read on to find out where your team is ranked.
- New York Giants (5-0)āThe Giants will finally be tested this week in their game against the Saints. A win in week six solidifies New York as the team to beat in the NFL. Eli Manning is an underdog MVP with his leadership.
- Indianapolis Colts (5-0)āPeyton Manning and company have obliterated everyone in their path. Who said the Colts were starting to decline? Everyone on the offense is getting touches, and the defense has allowed just 71 points.
- New Orleans Saints (5-0)āThe Saints have looked like a team of destiny thus far. They've dismantled the Eagles and Jets, but a convincing win over the Giants would move them up to No. 1 on this list. Drew Brees is an MVP candidate.
- Denver Broncos (5-0)āGot to give credit where credit is due. The Broncos have the best defense in football, and the Kyle Orton to Brandon Marshall connection is heating up. A brutal second half schedule will decide if Denver is a contender or pretender.
- Minnesota Vikings (5-0)āStill not completely sold on the Vikings. Adrian Peterson is doing his thing, and Jared Allen is playing like a man possessed, but three of Minny's wins were against Detroit, Cleveland, and St. Louis. Yuck. Next three games will help show Brett Favre's playing ability.
- Atlanta Falcons (3-1)āDefinitely looked impressive in a dominating win against San Francisco. Four huge weapons on offense (Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez, and Roddy White) make Atlanta a deadly force to be reckoned with in the weeks to come.
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-1)āWhere did the Bengals come from all of a sudden? Carson Palmer is playing like he did last time Cincinnati made the playoffs in 2005. Cedric Benson is actually...well...doing great. Heck, the Bengals are one ESPN ClassicĀ moment from 5-0. Funny how the NFL works.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)āThe defending champs appear to be back on track after a rough start to the season. Coach Mike Tomlin is getting contributions from Rashard Mendenhall and Mike Wallace, which certainly helps the offense.
- New England Patriots (3-2)āNo way anyone can keep a Tom Brady-led team out of the top 10. New England's last four games (at Jets, vs. Falcons, vs. Ravens, at Denver) were not exactly a walk in the park. Easier schedule coming up should get the Patriots to 6-2.
- Chicago Bears (3-1)āJay Cutler is orchestrating an offense with one weapon (Matt Forte). Pretty impressive. Da Bears will have a tough matchup against Atlanta in week six.
- Baltimore Ravens (3-2)āTwo weeks ago, many had the Ravens as the topĀ team in football. Two straight losses in which the offense looked prettyĀ ordinary drops them down to No. 11. A brutal upcoming schedule (Vikings, Broncos, Bengals) certainly doesn't help.
- Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)āPhilly fans will scream in outrage with their beloved Eagles sitting at No. 12 despite just one loss, but let's be realistic here. Three wins against Carolina, Kansas City, and Tampa Bay won't get you very far. A thrashing by the Saints to the tune of 48-24 doesn't help.
- New York Jets (3-2)āMark Sanchez along with Rex Ryan's defense looked pretty pedestrian against the Dolphins. The rookie QB's debacle vs. the Saints puts the Jets even lower. Maybe Braylon Edwards can help out (didn't think I'd say that when the season started).
- Green Bay Packers (2-2)āThe defense under Dom Capers is slowly coming together. Aaron Rodgers is one of the best QBs in football, and he's got lots of targets to look for now. The Pack attack have had a tough schedule, but look for them to blow out both Detroit and Cleveland, their next two opponents.
- San Francisco 49ers (3-2)āLooked like an absolute trainwreck against the Falcons. The wheels could be coming off here, but for now, they represent the NFC West.
- San Diego Chargers (2-2)āHaven't looked too hot so far, and what was supposed to be an easy division to clinch (AFC West) is looking tougher by the week. Still, San Diego is one of the most talented teams in football.
- Dallas Cowboys (3-2)āEh, they've beaten three awful teams, and took one of them to overtime. A great running game is definitely at Dallas' disposal, they just choose not to use it enough. Better start game planning for a toughie against the Falcons after a week six bye.
- Arizona Cardinals (2-2)āDon't look now, but the defending NFC champs are getting back to business. If the defense can keep playing well, and Larry Fitzgerald avoids the Madden curse, Arizona will quickly pass the 49ers to take control of the NFC West.
- Miami Dolphins (2-3)āChad Henne, anyone? Two straight W's brought life back to a team that looked absolutely done. If any of the Dolphins wide receivers step up, Miami will become a dangerous team.
- Seattle Seahawks (2-3)āA beatdown of the hopeless Jags has Seattle riding high, but let's not get too excited. Seattle has lost in all three games they've played against quality opponents, and only one of those contests was close (a 25-19 loss to the Bears).
- Houston Texans (2-3)āMight be the most anemic team in football. If the defense stops somebody, Houston is a playoff contender. Until then, all we can do is enjoy Andre Johnson highlight reel catches each and every Sunday.
- Washington Redskins (2-3)āD.C. is on the brink of all-out riots with the way the Redskins are performing. Washington hasn't played a quality team since week one, yet they are 2-2 in a crucial set of games. A loss against the Chiefs this week would officially eliminate them from the NFC East race.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3)ā41-0? Really? To the Seahawks? Maybe against the Giants, but c'mon now! I'm sensing some mutiny in the locker room. Jack Del Rio shouldĀ officiallyĀ be considered on the hot seat.
- Carolina Panthers (1-4)āMuch needed win for John Fox. That running game is too good to be held down forever. If Jake Delhomme starts completing passes to his own team, watch out.
- Detroit Lions (1-4)āThey sure as heck can score points, but defense is not exactly a point of emphasis here. At least the Lions have two viable weapons (Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson), plus a promising rookie QB. More than I can say for the teams under Detroit.
- Cleveland Browns (1-4)āDerek Anderson was 2-17 last week in a 6-3 win. And he's still starting. Shows how much faith Eric Mangini has in Brady Quinn. Oh, and thanks Jamal Lewis. You nearly ruined my fantasy team after I started Jerome Harrison and you took all the carries...
- Buffalo Bills (1-4)āTrent Edwards is making a strong case for being one of the top-five worst quarterbacks in football through week five. He's got two all-pro wideĀ receivers, two great running backs, and more interceptions than touchdowns.Ā
- Tennessee Titans (0-5)āWOO!Ā the best 0-5Ā team ever.Ā Who knew losing Albert Haynesworth would ruin the Titans? The countdown for Vince Young has finally begun.Ā
- Kansas City Chiefs (0-5)āTook the Cowboys to overtime, so I guess that counts as something. Matt Cassel has actually looked pretty solid as of late. If he keeps getting hit 40 times a game though, he won't last much longer.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5)āThe 50 times worse version of Michael Vick is alive in Tampa. Josh Johnson at least brings some hope of possibly winning a game.
- Oakland Raiders (1-4)āJaMarcus Russell makes me cringe. A 47.1 QB rating? One touchdown? Put Jeff George in there, he'd do a better job at this point.
- St. Louis Rams (0-5)āThe worst team in football, without question. Backup QB Kyle Boller has no one to throw to, and the Rams have no one on defense. Not a good combination. In my survival football league, I've picked against the Rams every week. So far, it's been a good strategy.
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