NFL Power Rankings: 10 Teams That Could Rise After Week 2 Games
Week 1 of the NFL regular season is officially in the books, and it's time to take a look at where we stand. That's right, it's power ranking time.
But while the rankings are nice, wouldn't it be even better to know who's going where? That way, when a team starts climbing up the rankings, you'll look smart by telling your friends before they even win!
Here are 10 teams that will see their rankings rise in Week 2.
10. Indianapolis Colts
1 of 10
Where They Stand Now: The Colts sit seventh in my rankings, having fallen from the top spot with last week's loss to the Houston Texans.
Why Their Matchup is Favorable: The Colts play the New York Giants, a balanced offensive team. The Giants' defensive line loves to rush the passer, but Peyton Manning loves it when defenses blitz. The Giants' linebackers don't have the speed or skill to defend the Colts' quick pass offense. Defensively, the Colts match up well against Eli Manning, who threw three picks against a decent, but not great, Carolina secondary.
Keys to The Rise: Dallas Clark. With the Giants linebackers unable to defend the pass, look for Manning to hit Clark early and often. Defensively, the Colts will miss Bob Sanders—who is out indefinitely with a torn biceps tendon—in trying to stop New York's ground game. If they can stop the run, the Colts win.
9. New Orleans Saints
2 of 10
Where They Stand Now: With their win over the Vikings on Thursday, the Saints sit fifth in the rankings.
Why Their Matchup is Favorable: The Saints travel to San Francisco to face a 49ers team that is reeling after last week's shellacking courtesy of the Seahawks. The Niners couldn't stop the run or the pass against Seattle, and their offense turned the ball over a ton. Look for the Saints to feast on San Fran in Week 2.
Keys to the Rise: Pierre Thomas. The Saints go-to back was locked down by the Vikings in Week 1, but San Fran's vulnerable defensive line makes him a bounce-back candidate in Week 2. Defensively, Roman Harper needs a big game to keep the Saints in front.
8. Minnesota Vikings
3 of 10
Where They Stand Now: The Vikings suffered the most precipitous drop between Week 1 and Week 2, falling to 17th after their uninspiring loss to the Saints.
Why Their Matchup is Favorable: The Vikings get a run-oriented Dolphins squad in Week 2, which makes them candy for the Williamses up front. While the Fish held the Bills to just 176 total yards of offense, the Vikings offense is like an F-15 compared to the Bills' Wright Brothers flyer. When faced with a superior offense, Miami's defense will wilt.
Keys to the Rise: Offensively, the big key is Percy Harvin. The Dolphins will struggle to keep up with the speedy Harvin, and if he's over his migraines for the time being, look for him to be one of quarterback Brett Favre's favorite targets. On defense, the pass rush of Jared Allen will be the key to the game for the Vikes.
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7. San Diego Chargers
4 of 10
Where They Stand Now: The Chargers had quite a fall this week, going from 10th to 16th with their disappointing loss to the Chiefs.
Why Their Matchup is Favorable: San Diego faces a Jaguars team that gave up 274 passing yards to Kyle Orton and the Broncos. Needless to say, Philip Rivers should have a field day. The Jacksonville pass offense isn't exactly stellar, and the Bolts' secondary should lock it down with ease.
Keys to the Rise: Malcom Floyd. The new No. 1 receiver in San Diego had just three catches on 12 targets Monday night. That's not going to cut it against Jacksonville. He has to step up his game.
6. Denver Broncos
5 of 10
Where They Stand Now: Denver sits 23rd after last week's loss to Jacksonville.
Why Their Matchup is Favorable: Last week, the Seahawks capitalized on Alex Smith's mistakes and some conservative play-calling from 49ers head coach Mike Singletary. This week, they face a Broncos team whose quarterback doesn't make that many mistakes. Look for Denver to bring Seattle back to Earth.
Keys to the Rise: Knowshon Moreno. The Broncos running back racked up 60 yards last week against Jacksonville. But Seattle locked down San Fran's Frank Gore, so Moreno needs a good game to take the heat off of quarterback Kyle Orton. Defensively, Andre Goodman needs to have a strong game opposite Champ Bailey.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6 of 10
Where They Stand Now: The Steelers sit in 14th after their win over Atlanta in Week 1.
Why Their Matchup is Favorable: While the Titans closed down Jason Campbell and the Raiders' pass game in Week 1, they allowed 135 rushing yards. Expect that number to go up significantly, with Rashard Mendenhall carrying the football in Steel City. Plus, Dennis Dixon didn't look terrible last week and could give Tennessee's defense fits with his mobility.
Keys to the Game: Dixon. The former Oregon Duck needs to complete some passes to keep the Titans from stacking the box against Mendenhall. He's got the arm to do it and his accuracy is improving. Can he lead the Steelers to 2-0 to open the year?
4. Dallas Cowboys
7 of 10
Where They Stand Now: Dallas sits 21st after opening the season ninth. They fell to the Redskins in Week 1.
Why Their Matchup is Favorable: Because Jay Cutler can't help but throw the ball to the wrong team, and was sacked four times by the Lions' punchless pass rush. Think the Cowboys won't rough him up? Think again. While the Bears' defense is formidable, they struggled early against the Lions' starter.
Keys to the Rise: DeMarcus Ware. Frankly, the Cowboys pass rush as a whole. The more they hit Cutler, the more chance they have to get the win.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
8 of 10
Where They Stand Now: The Eagles sit in 18th after losing to Green Bay in Week 1.
Why Their Matchup is favorable: If Kevin Kolb is back, look for the first-year starter to bombard the Lions' vulnerable secondary all game long. If he's not, it'll be Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy slicing and dicing Detroit's front seven like a Cuisinart.
Keys to the Contest: Kevin Kolb. While Vick was effective last week, remember that this offense is built around a strong-armed, accurate passer. Vick has the arm, but unless he's changed since his time in Atlanta, accuracy isn't his strength. They can win without Kolb, but he'd make things much easier.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
9 of 10
Where They Stand Now: The Chiefs were last week's mountain climbers, ascending from 24th to 10th.
Why Their Matchup is Favorable: They play the Browns. Come on! If they could do that to the Chargers on Monday night, I think they can handle Cleveland on Sunday afternoon.
Keys to the Rise: Matt Cassel. The former Patriot looked pretty bad Monday night, throwing for just 68 yards. He needs to be better than that the rest of the way, and Cleveland will help him get there.
1. Atlanta Falcons
10 of 10
Where They Stand Now: Sunday's loss to the Steelers dropped Atlanta into 19th place.
Why Their Matchup is Favorable: The Falcons take on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. Derek Anderson looked solid in Week 1, but the timing with his wideouts is still off. The Falcons' defense looks to improve with the return of Jonathan Babineaux this week. Matt Ryan should have no trouble picking apart Arizona's lackluster secondary.
Keys to the Game: Michael Turner. Turner failed to impress against the Steelers last week, and he needs to have some success to keep Arizona from blitzing all game long. If he does, this one shouldn't be close.
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